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Globe and Mail examines HIV/AIDS rate in India

The Globe and Mail writes that "[w]hen India announced in 2007 that it had 2.3 million people living with HIV, rather than the 5.7 million reported the year before, the government first attributed much of the change to better data collection. Many in the AIDS field were skeptical."

1 Sep 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Dr. Obama's Toughest Patient The Washington Post

1 Sep 2009

Ways to save money without letting health care suffer

Recent reports show that more and more people are cutting back on their health care or medicines to save money. But cutting back to save money isn't always the best solution, especially when it comes to doctor's appointments and required medicines

1 Sep 2009

Officials flesh out new grant program to help states, doctors with health IT

Two weeks ago, the Obama administration offered nearly $1.2 billion in stimulus-funded grants to set up state-run health information exchanges, and create 70 "health IT regional extension centers" to help physicians adapt to the digital era, a term officials defined in greater detail during a conference call late last week, Modern Healthcare reports.

1 Sep 2009

'Public plan' divides Democrats on health bills

"Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has pledged to include a government-run insurance option in the House bill that will be voted on next month. This reassures liberals but will make it difficult or impossible to get the votes needed to pass it if the public option is included. … 'I don't see how we get to 218,' said a senior Democratic aide. 'The Blue Dogs are 'Hell nos.' The people who voted yes [on energy] want to vote 'no' twice.'"

1 Sep 2009

Gates Foundation task force visits flooded Indian state

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently sent an eight member task force, led by the foundation's country head Ashok Alexander, to the Indian state of Bihar, which has experienced significant flooding in many districts, PTI/Hindu reports (8/30). "With major rivers in spate, there is no let up in the overall flood situation in Bihar where 1.5 million people continue to reel under the deluge in 11 north Bihar districts," according to PTI (8/30).

1 Sep 2009

AAO-HNSF to issue the first guideline for helping physicians manage dysphonia

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) will issue the first--and only--national clinical practice guideline to help healthcare practitioners identify and manage patients with hoarseness, also known as dysphonia. The guideline emphasizes evidence-based management of hoarseness by clinicians, and educates patients on the prevalence of this common vocal health issue.

1 Sep 2009

Gates Foundation appoints new HIV program head

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently announced that Stefano Bertozzi will head up its HIV programs starting August 31, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports (8/27).

1 Sep 2009

Democrats appeal for health legislation to honor Kennedy

Democrats "evoked memories" of Sen. Edward Kennedy to urge health care reform, as many acknowledged that his absence leaves a leadership gap.

1 Sep 2009

H1N1 cases on decline in Southern Hemisphere, WHO says

The number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases are steadily declining in the Southern Hemisphere as the region's flu season comes to an end, the WHO said Friday, the Associated Press reports (Engeler, 8/29).

1 Sep 2009

Also in Global Health news: Flu, cholera in PNG; improving life awards; HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; men and maternal/child health; MDR-TB in India

"Twin outbreaks of a flu-like illness and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said Monday," Agence France-Presse reports. According to provincial health adviser Doctor Theo Likei, the WHO has collected and is testing samples of the virus from the "stricken villages" (8/31). Additionally, the country is experiencing a cholera outbreak - "the first time the disease has officially been confirmed in the country," the BBC reports (Mercer, 8/31).

1 Sep 2009

Hospital executives worry about reform uncertainties

Federal authorities are conducting a thorough investigation of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Care Center in Connecticut. Hartford Business Journal Online reports: "The failure of an oxygenator — medical equipment often used in cardiac surgery in conjunction with a heart-lung machine — triggered a complaint by the state of Connecticut to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid [Services] (CMS), said Roseanne Pawelec, an agency spokeswoman.

1 Sep 2009

Hospital executives worry about reform uncertainties

Hospital executives worry about uncertainties in reform. The Washington Post reports: "Anxiety is running high among hospital executives as they ponder the ever-changing proposals on Capitol Hill. Wary of changes to payment formulas and fiercely protective of their franchise, industry groups are spending millions to lobby Congress.

1 Sep 2009

Explainers and fact checks on health reform bills

Several news organizations published explainers on health reform.

1 Sep 2009

Burger chain invests in health care insurance, sees gains

A burger chain pays more for employees' health care insurance and, in turn, has reaped significant gains. The Wall Street Journal reports: "Four years ago, executives of Burgerville, a regional restaurant chain, agreed to pay at least 90% of health-care premiums for hourly employees who work at least 20 hours a week."

1 Sep 2009

Obama returns from vacation facing tough health overhaul odds, but has some strengths

"President Obama still has stronger prospects for achieving his health policy goals than surface impressions of the Congressional recess indicate," the New York Times reports.

1 Sep 2009

Drug stores consider how reform efforts may affect drug stores

If reform passes, CVS expects profits to remain steady while benefit managers worry about other drug stores' plans to go around them and negotiate directly on price.

1 Sep 2009

Lawmakers sound off on health care reform

Lawmakers from around the United States are sounding off on health care legislation ahead of their return to Washington.

1 Sep 2009

Mistrust in health care system could impact patients' health and health care costs

Mistrust among patients, providers and insurers could harm patients' health and raise overall health care costs, reports a new study.

1 Sep 2009

Federal official chooses Wiley newsletter to discuss his plans for strengthening addiction treatment in community corrections

A. Thomas McLellan, Ph.D. the top federal official on addiction treatment, chose Wiley newsletter Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly for his first interview after being sworn in as deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Published in the Aug. 31 issue, the interview reveals the bold directions McLellan plans to head in, including a new focus on probation and parole, in partnership with Gil Kerlikowske, ONDCP director.

1 Sep 2009