Healthcare News

RSS

Study affirms effectiveness of palliative care discussions before LVAD surgery

For patients with severe heart failure, an implanted mechanical pump known as a Left Ventricular Assist Device can be a life-sustaining treatment. Even though the technology involves risks, few patients and their families tend to talk explicitly about the "what ifs" before surgery takes place.

4 Jun 2011

Study finds racial-ethnic, educational links to exercise

Black and Mexican American doctors and lawyers aren't any more likely to play "high-status" sports such as golf or tennis than less educated people within their racial-ethnic groups, and more educated blacks may actually be less inclined to do so, suggests a new study in the June issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior

4 Jun 2011

From the legislatures: Calif. Assembly passes rate regulation bill; Wis. lawmakers vote to raise health costs for new firefighters, police

The state Assembly approved a bill Thursday that would give state regulators the power to reject or modify excessive health insurance premium increases similar to the way auto and homeowner insurance is regulated in California. Lawmakers voted 47-28 to approve the measure after Republican legislators walked off the floor in protest. AB52 now moves to the state Senate.

4 Jun 2011

BGU recognizes Donna E. Shalala with honorary doctoral degree

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev awarded an honorary doctoral degree to former Clinton cabinet member and University of Miami President, Donna E. Shalala on Monday evening.

4 Jun 2011

Survival rates of wealthier patients with glioblastoma are longer than poorer patients

Survival rates of wealthier patients and those younger than 70 with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor, have improved since 2000, whereas rates for those living in poorer areas and older than 70 have remained stagnant, according to an abstract being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital researchers on Saturday, June 4.

4 Jun 2011

Five years after cancer treatment, many survivors still suffer symptoms

When people finish treatment for cancer, they want to bounce back to their former vital selves as quickly as possible. But a new Northwestern Medicine study -- one of the largest survivor studies ever conducted - shows many survivors still suffer moderate to severe problems with pain, fatigue, sleep, memory and concentration three to five years after treatment has ended.

4 Jun 2011

Reviewing evidence and efficacy of global health interventions

The Kaiser Family Foundation launched a web-based tool, called "Global Health Interventions: A Review of Evidence," as part of an effort to provide policy-relevant and accessible information on the efficacy of key global health interventions, including the strength of the evidence.

4 Jun 2011

People can benefit from virtual world weight-loss program

Participants in two weight-loss programs -- one involving traditional health club sessions and the other delivered online in a 3D virtual world -- lost similar amounts of weight and body fat, but the online contingent reported significantly greater gains in behaviors that could help them live healthier and leaner lives.

4 Jun 2011

Henry Ford Hospital survey: ED physicians frustrated, tired of frequent users

Emergency department physicians are frustrated and burned out from treating patients who frequent the ED for their care, according to a Henry Ford Hospital survey of physicians from across the country.

4 Jun 2011

Political engagement with China influences involvement in health

After discussing the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's decision to freeze grant payments to China, Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, writes on the council's "Asia Unbound" blog, "In order to encourage the participation of China's civil society groups in global health, it is important to allay the fears of Chinese leaders.

4 Jun 2011

American College of Gastroenterology offers resources on foodborne illness, tips for food safety

For consumers in the United States concerned by the outbreak of E. coli in Europe, the American College of Gastroenterology offers background on foodborne illness, tips for food safety, and expert insight from its resources on digestive health on what to do in the case of foodborne illness.

4 Jun 2011

Colo. Gov. signs exchange bill

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill on Wednesday to set up a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to buy health insurance, making it the eighth state to voluntarily set up the exchanges since President Obama signed the 2010 health care law.

4 Jun 2011

Sexual pleasure among young adults linked to healthy psychological and social development

Sexual pleasure among young adults (ages 18-26) is linked to healthy psychological and social development, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

4 Jun 2011

For physicians, electronic medical records continue to pose challenges

This pair of stories offers insights — based on interviews and a hearing held by the House Small Business Committee — about how physicians are faring as they try to move toward digital systems.

4 Jun 2011

G8 must fulfill pledges to women and children

"Making promises is one thing. Keeping them is another. If the G8 is really to deliver on and monitor the Muskoka Initiative - as it said it would last week - we must see it reported against in the 2012 G8 accountability report, with the gaps in aid information addressed".

4 Jun 2011

Study investigates challenges that paper, computer workarounds pose to use of electronic health records

A new research study investigates the challenges that pen and paper workarounds or computerized communication breakdowns pose to the use of electronic health records. Understanding these challenges may lead to improved coordination of care supported by health IT.

4 Jun 2011

Gabapentin medication induces anorgasmia in older and elderly patients

Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers have found that Gabapentin, a medication commonly used to treat neuropathic pain, seizures and biopolar disease in older and elderly patients, seems to have a higher incidence of anorgasmia, or failure to experience orgasm, than previously reported. This study appears in the current issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy.

4 Jun 2011

Emergency response plans must take into account the age-related needs of adults during disasters

When earthquake, tsunami, tornado or flood strike, among the most vulnerable group are the elderly. Writing in the International Journal of Emergency Management, researchers in New Zealand suggest that emergency response plans must take into account the age-related needs of adults with regards to the personal and social resources they have available.

4 Jun 2011

Consumer groups, market experts support repeal of Medicare bidding program

Providers of home medical equipment and services in Oregon support H.R. 1041, a bipartisan bill in Congress that would repeal the controversial Medicare "competitive" bidding program for certain medically required equipment and services used at home.

4 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Debating the best ways to 'fix' Medicare; ACO rule; states 'punishing' women?

The truth is, there is no perfect plan — we all know that. We also know that the only way this works is through a bipartisan effort where everyone prods their own sacred cows into the cattle chute, and everyone gives up something they like to protect the country they love. ... Members of both parties and both houses must publicly support the work of the Gang of Six. This is the time for heroes.

4 Jun 2011