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Sunbeds ARE bad for your health

The sunbed industry is ignoring warnings by the World Health Organisation and Cancer Research UK about sunbed use despite the incidence of skin cancer doubling in the last ten years, says Which? today (5.6.04).

7 Jun 2004

Australia's CSIRO to exhibit major display at the world's largest biotechnology conference

CSIRO is mounting a major display of technologies this week at BIO 2004, the world's largest biotechnology conference, being held in San Francisco, USA, from 6-9 June.

7 Jun 2004

Australian Government's new mechanism for implementing the new Medicare allied health initiative

The Australian Government has announced that a mechanism for implementing the new Medicare allied health initiative from 1 July 2004 has been finalised following consultations with GP and allied health professional groups.

7 Jun 2004

UK food agency to investigate failures in BSE testing programme

The Food Standards Agency is investigating an apparent failure by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to test some casualty cattle aged between 24 and 30 months for BSE before they entered the food chain.

6 Jun 2004

Alzheimer’s Association joins the world in mourning the loss of former President Ronald Reagan

The Alzheimer’s Association joins the world in mourning the loss of former President of the United States Ronald Reagan. Our heart-felt condolences go out to the Reagan family.

6 Jun 2004

Alfalfa sprouts recalled due to possible health risk

The Food and Drug Administration has been alerted that Sprouters Northwest, Inc. of Kent Washington is recalling 2, 3, and 5 lbs. institutional trays of its raw alfalfa sprouts sent to various food institutions because they may be linked to a recent increase in Salmonellosis in Oregon and Washington State.

5 Jun 2004

FDA has announced the results of a comprehensive review of all outside activities performed by FDA employees

Dr. Lester M. Crawford, Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has announced the results of a comprehensive review of all "outside activities" performed by FDA employees.

5 Jun 2004

Carbohydrates are the latest nutrient to be blamed for the rising incidence of obesity in the US

Carbohydrates are the latest nutrient to be blamed for the rising incidence of obesity in this country. Tired of playing the low-fat game only to see our belt sizes increase, Americans have looked for other macronutrients as the reason behind their growing waists.

5 Jun 2004

Attempts to prevent human trafficking are making conditions worse for voluntary migrants

A survey of close to 1000 migrants in Mali found that only four had been deceived, exploited, or not paid for their labour. Rather, young people voluntarily sought employment abroad to experience urban lifestyles, learn new languages, and accumulate possessions.

5 Jun 2004

Local people, it seems, do not want to be involved in running the NHS

On 1 April 2004, the first 10 NHS foundation trusts came into being, giving local people ownership and accountability for health services. Yet most trusts have found it difficult to persuade enough people to help decide how they operate, writes Professor Rudolf Klein of the London School of Economics.

5 Jun 2004

Communication overload makes office workers SAD

New research from The University of Surrey has highlighted the impact of modern communications on acceptable business behaviour and its effect on office workers.

5 Jun 2004

BMA warns medical training reforms still inadequate

Medical students applying for their first jobs should be clear about what they are signing up to, the BMA says today (Saturday 5 June), as new research reveals a continuing lack of clarity about reforms to doctors' training.

5 Jun 2004

Summer advice for allergy and asthma sufferers

Summer's arrival means getting outside for some fun in the sun. Whether hiking, camping or gardening, allergy and asthma sufferers can manage symptoms by taking the proper precautions, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

5 Jun 2004

UK's Hepatitis C ex-gratia payment scheme to launch

The Skipton Fund, the body set up to administer the UK-wide ex gratia payment scheme for people infected with Hepatitis C from NHS blood or blood products, will launch and begin processing applications on July 5 2004.

3 Jun 2004

GlaxoSmithKline statement on spat with Spitzer

GlaxoSmithKline has acted responsibly in conducting clinical studies in pediatric patients and disseminating data from those studies. All pediatric studies have been made available to the FDA and regulatory agencies worldwide.

3 Jun 2004

UK hospital waiting lists lowest in 4 years

Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Angela Smith MP, today welcomed the news that hospital inpatient and day case waiting lists have fallen to their lowest level for four years.

3 Jun 2004

New packaging could save lives

Because they are easier for adults to open, the containers will discourage the decanting of medicines into unsafe packaging – a practice which currently causes an estimated 10,000 cases/year of accidental poisoning in the UK, mostly involving small children.

3 Jun 2004

Democrats air their views on Medicare prescription drugs discount cards

On Tuesday the new Medicare prescription drugs discount cards went into effect. The enrollment process is so confusing, most seniors are not signing up for the cards. Those that have will quickly discover the cards don’t deliver the savings they were promised.

3 Jun 2004

China launches nationwide campaign to urge the public to take medicine in a safe way

China on Thursday launched a nationwide campaign to urge the public to take medicine in a safe way, in a bid to reduce increasing damages from excessive and inappropriate drug taking.

3 Jun 2004

Over-the-counter cream protects against jellyfish stings

Two dozen volunteers bravely exposed their arms to jellyfish tentacles as part of a new Stanford University School of Medicine study to test a topical, over-the-counter cream designed to protect against stinging nettles. Fortunately for the volunteers, the cream appeared to be relatively effective.

3 Jun 2004