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Children with ASDs benefit from certain medical and behavioral treatments

Some medical and behavioral treatments show promise for reducing certain behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders, but more research is needed to assess the potential benefits and harms, according to a new report funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The research results were published online in the journal Pediatrics.

5 Apr 2011

South Asian Conference on Sanitation kicks off in Sri Lanka

The fourth South Asian Conference on Sanitation kicked off Monday in the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo, to raise awareness about the "sanitation crisis in the region," Xinhua reports.

5 Apr 2011

U.S. files appeal seeking to overturn Vinson ruling

The Obama administration filed its appellate brief to the 11th Circuit Friday, arguing that the appeals court should overturn the ruling of federal Judge Roger Vinson that found the individual mandate -- and therefore the entire health law -- unconstitutional.

5 Apr 2011

Diets may cause loss of lean muscle mass

According to boomer-generation brother and sister authors Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel, every well-known diet to date is destined to deliver loss of lean muscle mass, moodiness, disappointment and failure.

5 Apr 2011

Antimicrobial copper can effectively prevent MRSA in hospitals

A live broadcast from the University of Southampton today highlighted the effectiveness of antimicrobial copper in preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms, such as MRSA, in hospitals.

5 Apr 2011

Health plans cut out expensive doctors and hospitals

The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of California employers are cutting back on insurance expenses by restricting access to expensive doctors and hospitals. Also, Bloomberg looks at which companies are getting money from the new federal health law for retiree expenses includes some major US corporations.

5 Apr 2011

Opinions: Africa's agricultural sector; foreign aid funding

"There is no doubt that Africa is on the move … But if African countries are to achieve the new future within their grasp, then there needs to be a new focus on the daunting obstacles still to be overcome. … High among these challenges is the need to transform the continent's agriculture," former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan writes in a BusinessDay opinion piece reflecting on the challenges facing Africa's agricultural system and the opportunities to respond to the growing food demands.

5 Apr 2011

Olivia’s cancer center receives $45 million for completion

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has finally sanctioned funds to complete the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. The Premier has committed almost $45 million to fit out the Austin Hospital project that was incomplete.

5 Apr 2011

All Children's Hospital joins Johns Hopkins Medicine

All Children's Hospital, in St. Petersburg, Fla., is now a part of the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) and a fully integrated member of Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM). All Children's is the first U.S. hospital outside of the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region to become integrated with JHM, which includes the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System.

4 Apr 2011

Data on hospital-acquired conditions now available

The CMS has published an electronic file of raw data on its website containing facility-specific information on eight hospital-acquired conditions, including blood incompatibility, air embolisms and two types of healthcare-associated infections.

4 Apr 2011

VA's electronic health record system to be updated

The Veterans Affairs Department, which operates one of the largest medical systems in the world, is moving ahead with plans to modernize its electronic health- records using open-source software. ... U.S. hospitals and medical practices are preparing to digitize their health records, often using commercial products. ...

4 Apr 2011

Lack of specialists accepting Medicaid hampers care

Eight-year-old Draven Smith was expelled from school last year for disruptive behavior, and he is being expelled again this year. But his mother and his pediatrician cannot find a mental health specialist to treat him because he is on Medicaid, and the program, which provides health coverage for the poor, pays doctors so little that many refuse to take its patients.

4 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: 'Saving' Medicare; Dole on innovative vets' care; Texas 'death panel' on HIV?

(Rep. Paul) Ryan's plan reportedly will include steep Medicaid cuts, disguised as a proposal to turn the program into a "block grant" to the states. The net effect would be to leave even more Americans to the mercies of the private insurance market.

4 Apr 2011

Helping a loved one die at home

Many of us don't know much more than that about death until it comes to live in our own house. Friends may lose family members, but they rarely talk about the uglier aspects of dying.

4 Apr 2011

More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

AtlantiCare to implement MEDai's Risk Navigator predictive analytic solution

AtlantiCare, the largest health system in southeastern New Jersey, will allow its healthcare providers to better manage patient populations and track clinical and financial objectives with quality-focused tools from Elsevier/MEDai, a leading provider of predictive analytic solutions.

4 Apr 2011

State Roundup: Budget cuts in Texas, Wash. State; Ariz. smoking, weight fees; Coping with Rx drug abuse

The Texas House voted 98-49 Sunday night to slash funding for public schools, nursing homes and college financial aid in a dramatic show by Republicans elected on a limited-government message in the face of a massive budget shortfall.

4 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 4, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage includes reports about Republican lawmakers' plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.

4 Apr 2011

BUSPH, The Partnership at Drugfree.org collaborate to increase 'Join Together' resource utilization

The Partnership at Drugfree.org, in cooperation with the Boston University School of Public Health, announced today that Join Together has become part of the 25-year-old nonprofit organization based in New York City.

4 Apr 2011

Optimer study highlights economic burden of acute and recurrent CDI in hospital patients

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the presentation of information from insurance claims and survey databases highlighting the unmet need for targeted therapies to treat subpopulations at high risk of recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection.

4 Apr 2011