Miscellaneous News

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Noted surgeon Frank J. Veith named first Jacobson Awardee for physician excellence by Vascular Disease Foundation

Noted vascular surgeon Frank Veith, M.D., the William J. von Liebig Chair for Vascular Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, NY) and Professor of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx ,NY) is the recipient of the first Julius H. Jacobson II, M.D. Award for Physician Excellence, given by the Vascular Disease Foundation.

18 Nov 2004

Launch of Australian Country Gateway provides development expertise in the Asia-Pacific region

The Government of Australia and Development Gateway Foundation have launched the Australian Country Gateway, a web portal dedicated to advancing social and economic development throughout the Asia-Pacific Region.

14 Nov 2004

BMA Cymru Wales to petition parliament to ban smoking in public places unless Wales goes smoke free within 10 months

BMA Cymru Wales is seriously considering the possibility of petitioning Parliament for a ban in public places in Wales using the rarely used private bills procedure.

14 Nov 2004

Obesity statistics are as bogus as weight-loss scams

The weight-loss industry is finding itself in the crosshairs of the Federal Trade Commission's "Operation Big Fat Lies" -- a crackdown on slimming down pills, powders and patches that are too good to be true. The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) recommends that grossly exaggerated statistics and hype from pharmaceutical and weight-loss companies about the nation's so-called "obesity epidemic" also be placed under the federal microscope.

10 Nov 2004

State Health Rankings show 17.5 percent improvement in America’s overall health during the past 15 years

United Health Foundation, together with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Partnership for Prevention, today released the 15th annual America’s Health: State Health Rankings at the APHA’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

9 Nov 2004

The human cost of passive smoking

In a stark BMA report, 'The Human Cost of Tobacco', published today, (9 November 2004), doctors chronicle individual stories behind the statistics to show how second-hand smoke destroys lives and health.

9 Nov 2004

Stone tools of Indonesian "hobbit" studied

A Southern Cross University researcher has begun the painstaking task of analysing hundreds of stone tools believed to have been used by the “hobbits” – a new species of miniature humans found on the Indonesian island of Flores.

8 Nov 2004

Scientists enticed back to Australia to tackle major health challenges

CSIRO and the Queensland Government are attracting leading overseas-based Australian scientists to return to work on major health challenges at the e-health Research Centre in Brisbane.

8 Nov 2004

Older people are healthier and are living longer

Older people are healthier and more active than ever; They are more likely to stop smoking and to take advantage of health screening and immunisation; Services for older people are improving.

4 Nov 2004

Ecstasy use down among America's youth

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) just-released 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports the number of current ecstasy users decreased between 2002 and 2003, from 676,000 (0.3 percent) to 470,000 (0.2 percent).

4 Nov 2004

Landmark case challenges safety of Atkins diet

West Palm Beach County Court Judge Susan Lubitz ruled today that the landmark lawsuit filed by former Atkins dieter and Florida businessman Jody Gorran will go forward.

3 Nov 2004

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has issued a preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) licence for inherited colon cancer

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has confirmed that it has issued a preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) licence for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (FAP) to the Assisted Conception Unit at University College Hospital, London.

2 Nov 2004

Australia ratifies Tobacco Control Treaty

The global war on smoking has been given a major boost with Australia's ratification on 27 October 2004 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

2 Nov 2004

South Australia imposes smoking restrictions on high-rollers

South Australia has become the first Australian State to impose restrictions on smoking in casino high-roller or ‘VIP’ rooms.

1 Nov 2004

Adult men and women are roughly an inch taller than they were in 1960

Adult men and women are roughly an inch taller than they were in 1960, but are nearly 25 pounds heavier on average as well, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

29 Oct 2004

Chronic diseases linked to obesity could put the brakes on economic progress in many developing countries

Chronic diseases linked to obesity could put the brakes on economic progress in many developing countries unless urgent action is taken, experts warned at the opening of the first major international conference on obesity in Africa yesterday (Oct 28).

29 Oct 2004

100,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the March 2003 invasion

Public-health experts from the USA and Iraq estimate that around 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the March 2003 invasion-the majority being violent deaths among women and children relating to military activity.

29 Oct 2004

Civilian deaths have risen dramatically in Iraq since the country was invaded in March 2003

Civilian deaths have risen dramatically in Iraq since the country was invaded in March 2003, according to a survey conducted by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Columbia University School of Nursing and Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad.

29 Oct 2004

First hearing in the landmark lawsuit against Atkins Nutritionals

The plaintiff, 53-year-old Jody Gorran, will argue that the Atkins corporation should be held liable for the life-threatening artery blockage he suffered after more than two years on the diet. Gorran filed suit against Atkins Nutritionals on May 26 in Palm Beach County Courthouse.

26 Oct 2004

Philip Morris exploited institutional fears of losing research funding

As part of its strategy to avert tobacco stock divestment by the country's top medical schools, Philip Morris exploited institutional fears of losing research funding, according to a new report by UCSF School of Nursing researchers.

25 Oct 2004