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Ambulances may not be sent to deal with non-urgent 999 calls

From October, a nurse, paramedic or emergency care practitioner may treat these patients at home, avoiding the need for a hospital visit. They may also receive advice over the phone from NHS Direct.

20 Aug 2004

Revised cholesterol-lowering guidelines constitute a major risk to public health

Recently revised cholesterol-lowering guidelines constitute a major risk to public health according to The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics, a non-profit organization of doctors, scientists and researchers.

18 Aug 2004

Outraged at cigarette manufacturers plan to expolit black youth and urban hip-hop culture

The National African American Tobacco Prevention Network has denounced a plan by KOOL brand cigarettes to escalate its targeting of black youth and urban hip-hop culture by sponsoring a nationwide Hip-Hop DJ Competition

18 Aug 2004

Expatriates find better quality outside of the UK

Despite what Victoria Beckham may think, Spain has come out on top in a poll of people living and working abroad. Research carried out by BUPA International found that nine out of 10 expats they questioned claimed that their quality of life is better, or very much better, in Spain than in their home country.

18 Aug 2004

Decreases in tobacco, drug and alcohol use by students

California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer has released the results of the 10th Biennial California Student Survey (CSS), which shows decreases in tobacco, drug and alcohol use by students in the seventh, ninth and 11th grades during 2003 and 2004.

18 Aug 2004

Toxic chemical in hand soaps, cleaner is deposited and remains in the environment long after the products are used

A toxic chemical used in hand soaps, cleaners and other personal care products to kill germs is deposited and remains in the environment long after the products are used, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

18 Aug 2004

Canada would need 4700 new doctors if overtime stopped

A new report from the Canadian Medical Association on Canada's doctor shortage suggests that Canada would need 4700 new doctors if the doctors who currently work over 60 hours a week stopped doing so.

18 Aug 2004

British patients will find new pharmacies easier to get to

British patients will find new pharmacies easier to get to, open longer and offering a wider range of services locally following new rules to control the location of pharmacies Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.

18 Aug 2004

Doctors say school lunches still failing to make the grade

With schools starting up all over the country, kids have one more thing besides pop quizzes and exams to worry about this fall, school lunches.

18 Aug 2004

The world's population in 2050 will be 9.276 billion, currently 6.396 in 2004

The Population Reference Bureau has released the 2004 World Population Data Sheet. The new data is now the most up-to-date world demographic information and makes estimates for all countries and regions of the world. It also highlights key world demographic shifts between now and 2050.

18 Aug 2004

Likely successor says the Pope may be nearing his final days

John Paul II's health is deteriorating rapidly according to Cardinal Godfried Danneels, widely considered to be the leading candidate to succeed the Pope. Cardinal Danneels also suggested to the Belgian news paper, Het Laatste Nieuws, that the Pope may be near the end of his life.

18 Aug 2004

Major expansion of research and development facilities at The Centre for Life

The Centre for Life has unveiled plans which will help develop Newcastle’s position as a world leader in the fields of innovation and research.

18 Aug 2004

80% of cancer patients use some form of complementary or alternative therapies

Plug the terms "alternative" and "cancer" into Google and the Internet search engine returns a list of 3.27 million - yes, million - sites with information both credible and questionable about nontraditional treatments for cancer. What's a cancer patient to make of such a vast array of options?

18 Aug 2004

Workplace obesity intervention programs can reach millions of people

Each year, millions of Americans struggle with obesity – a potentially deadly condition that puts them at a higher risk for numerous health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

18 Aug 2004

In the fragmented European hospital information systems market, established vendors have a distinct advantage

New vendors are therefore finding it extremely difficult to break through the barriers and reach potential clients. While some cash-rich vendors have attempted to address this issue through the acquisitions route.

18 Aug 2004

Two more drugs added to Medicare demonstration program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced it is adding two more drugs to the list of drugs covered under a Medicare demonstration program providing substantial savings to beneficiaries with serious diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

17 Aug 2004

Students will temporarily lose their sight in an attempt to gain an understanding of what it could be like to have vision impairment

“Students are blindfolded for a period of about one hour,” she said. “It really demonstrates how much we take for granted – suddenly activities such as eating and socialising become difficult and exhausting. There is always at least one dinner guest who feels they can’t cope and has to remove their blindfold.”

17 Aug 2004

Australian radiopharmaceuticals reconstruction

Australia's Federal Minister for Science, Peter McGauran officially kicked off a $17.9 million reconstruction of ANSTO’s radiopharmaceuticals production facility by turning the soil with a specially engraved shovel to mark the occasion today.

17 Aug 2004

Potential for a significant increase in the number of Americans without health insurance

As the U.S. economy struggled during the 2001 economic recession and less-than-robust job growth during the recovery, concerns escalated about the potential for a significant increase in the number of Americans without health insurance.

16 Aug 2004

Canadians are unhappy with the current Medicare system

A vast majority of Canadians polled assigned the health care system an overall B grade. Almost all Canadians feel sustainability of the health care system hinges on guaranteeing timely access to health care services. Two-thirds agree with making increased federal funds conditional on improved monitoring and accountability

16 Aug 2004