Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Doctor cautions on use of Tamiflu

In the British Medical Journal a senior doctor advises caution over the use of the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

17 Jun 2007

Gaps in diabetes care identified

A symposium, sponsored by the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, Joslin Diabetes Center and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing identified barriers to, and strategies for, more effective diabetes self management and reaffirmed the nurse's critical role to facilitate better patient self care.

17 Jun 2007

Patient-physician time in the U.S. lower than New Zealand and Australia

The average American spends a total of about 30 minutes a year with a primary care physician in a system that is less comprehensive than that of Australia or New Zealand, according to a new study comparing primary care practice in the three countries.

17 Jun 2007

U.S. DOJ investigation of Bristol-Myers Squibb in Plavix patent settlement resolved

Bristol-Myers Squibb has pleaded guilty to two counts of violating 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. This guilty plea resolved as to the company the previously disclosed investigation by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice into the proposed settlement of the Plavix patent litigation with Apotex Inc., and Apotex Corp. (Apotex).

16 Jun 2007

Childbirth-related hospitalizations among adolescent girls

The rate of teenage and younger girls giving birth in U.S. hospitals dropped by a quarter between 1997 and 2004 - from 55 to 41 admissions per 100,000 girls under age 18 - according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

16 Jun 2007

Type of insurance coverage linked to more advanced cancers

Two new studies find the uninsured and people with certain types of public health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced cancer compared to those with private insurance.

16 Jun 2007

Splitting high-dose pills and swallowing half could save cost

Slicing certain pills in half could slice a hefty amount off of America's prescription drug costs. While only some types of pills can be split safely, the practice could be used by millions of Americans – including many of those who take popular cholesterol-lowering drugs.

15 Jun 2007

Millions of children denied cheap epilepsy drug worldwide

Millions of children with epilepsy in developing countries are being denied an effective drug that costs less than $3 a year, according to an editorial in the British Medical Journal.

14 Jun 2007

True cost of having a baby

For women insured through large employer private plans, the average cost of having a baby in the United States in 2004 was more than $8,000, according to a study released by the March of Dimes Foundation.

14 Jun 2007

Call for greater research into paediatric drugs for epilepsy

Researchers have called for urgent studies into the long-term safety of newer antiepileptic drugs after discovering that the number given to children has increased significantly over recent years, reports the June issue of British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

14 Jun 2007

Breastfeeding may provide long-term protection against childhood sleep-related breathing disorder

A childhood sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) is known to have negative consequences on cognitive development, behavior, quality of life and utilization of health care resources.

14 Jun 2007

State snapshots highlights gains and lags in health care quality

AHRQ's State Snapshots Web tool was launched in 2005. It is an application that helps state health leaders, researchers, consumers, and others understand the status of health care quality in individual states, including each state's strengths and weaknesses.

14 Jun 2007

Hawaii the tops when it comes to health care

Living in Hawaii has more advantages than just sunshine and beautiful beaches. Health wise Hawaii is the top place to be when it comes to accessing safe and affordable medical care.

13 Jun 2007

Hepatitis C lookbacks

We can confirm that a review of patients' case notes in hospitals across England and Scotland has been carried out.

8 Jun 2007

Surgeons and robots linked via 4,000 mile Internet connection

Robotic surgery may be coming to your town. Robots that perform surgery can be driven by surgeons who no longer stand by the patient, but direct the operation from a computer console. In most cases the surgeon is seated at a console within the theatre, only a few metres away from the patient.

8 Jun 2007

Experts call for greater research into paediatric drugs for epilepsy

8 Jun 2007

Chromium picolinate and biotin combo improves blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes

Nutrition 21, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXXI) today announced new published results from a 447 subject, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study that showed Diachrome, a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, significantly improved glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled blood sugar levels who were being treated with oral anti-diabetic medication (OADs).

5 Jun 2007

Study finds difference in survival rates among white and black women with advanced breast cancer

Despite modest overall improvements in breast cancer survival rates for women with advanced disease over the last two decades, the rates for black women have not improved and the difference in life expectancy between white and black women continues to widen, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

5 Jun 2007

Medical management of another condition may not lead to early cancer diagnosis

Being in regular contact with healthcare providers because of a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease doesn't necessarily mean a person is more likely to have a cancer detected early, according to a study led by Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers.

5 Jun 2007

E/Tablet technology may improve healthcare

The old wooden clipboard and pen that patients typically encounter when providing information in a doctor's office may soon be replaced by wireless, handheld notebook-and-pen-style computers called E/Tablets.

5 Jun 2007