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Report on childhood obesity calls for more investment, leadership and commitment

A report by the the National Academies' Institute of Medicine (IOM) released this week on childhood obesity, says that despite the public and media focus on obesity, not a great deal of progress appears to have been made.

18 Sep 2006

Three cases of botulism possibly caused by improper refrigeration of carrot juice

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers of the vital importance of keeping carrot juice - including pasteurized carrot juice - refrigerated.

18 Sep 2006

Health risks for children from ozone layer depletion

Looking at your shadow (the shorter it is, the more dangerous UV radiation is), and covering up with hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, are among the practical tips for children contained in a new guide on the ozone layer for primary school teachers.

18 Sep 2006

WHO gives indoor use of DDT a clean bill of health for controlling malaria

Nearly thirty years after phasing out the widespread use of indoor spraying with DDT and other insecticides to control malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that this intervention will once again play a major role in its efforts to fight the disease.

18 Sep 2006

Chemical dump in Ivory Coast - WHO provides public health support

The first members of WHO's international team arrived in Abidjan this week to support the Ministry of Health in dealing with an environmental health emergency caused by toxic waste.

18 Sep 2006

UK abortion rates rise despite easy access to morning-after pill

According to an expert in the UK, abortion rates have not been reduced by making it easier for women to get emergency contraception.

18 Sep 2006

Bill Gates puts hand in pocket and gives $70 million for research into tropical diseases

Bill Gates has once again put his money where his mouth is by donating almost U.S$70 million for research into fighting tropical diseases in the 'third world'.

18 Sep 2006

Latest studies reveal more risks with Vioxx

Two major studies by experts in the U.S. and Australia have provided new evidence of the cardiovascular and kidney risks attached to both COX-2 inhibitors and NSAID painkillers.

18 Sep 2006

Acupuncture for low back pain provides long-term benefit

Low back pain is one of the most common medical complaints and affects millions of people, and according to researchers in the UK the ancient Chinese treatment acupuncture can help sufferers.

18 Sep 2006

Racial discrimination can affect adolescents' development - lead to depression and behavior problems

Racial discrimination in the lives of African-American children can lead to depression and behavior problems in adolescence, but teens who have had close relationships with their parents, friendships focused on positive pursuits and good schooling experiences are less likely to experience these negative effects.

14 Sep 2006

Eating disorder activists meet Washington

Eating disorder activists from across the United States are meeting in Washington to call attention to what they describe as an inadequate response by the federal government.

14 Sep 2006

California Bill seeks to restrict payments to egg donors

A California bill seeks to extend to privately funded laboratories a provision under Proposition 71 that says scientists receiving state embryonic stem cell research funds can reimburse egg donors only for their expenses and cannot pay egg donors, the Los Angeles Times reports (Romney, Los Angeles Times, 9/13).

14 Sep 2006

Chile to distribute Plan B emergency contraceptive at no cost to girls over age 14

Chilean Health Minister Maria Soledad Barria earlier this month announced that the government will distribute Barr Laboratories' emergency contraceptive Plan B -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse -- in public clinics to girls ages 14 and older at no cost and without parental consent, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

14 Sep 2006

Primary election results for races involving women's health issues

Nine states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday held primary elections, and some of the races involved women's health issues.

14 Sep 2006

Reuters examines how some New York City public bathhouses serve as venues for awareness of safer sex

Reuters on Monday examined how some public bathhouses frequented by men who have sex with men in New York City have become "a place where a captive audience can be taught about sex safe," despite the common belief that the clubs are "havens for illicit drug use and the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections."

14 Sep 2006

George Soros to donate $50 million to the Millennium Villages Project

Financier and philanthropist George Soros on Tuesday announced he will donate $50 million to the Millennium Villages Project -- which aims to fight poverty and diseases, including malaria and HIV/AIDS, in villages throughout Africa -- the New York Times reports (Dugger, New York Times, 9/13).

14 Sep 2006

Businesses, Government, NGOs launch alliance to address HIV, TB in China

The Global Health Initiative of the World Economic Forum on Monday launched a public-private partnership that aims to address tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in China, China Daily reports.

14 Sep 2006

India must enhance HIV/AIDS programs in Uttar Pradesh to defeat epidemic

India must scale up its HIV/AIDS programs in the densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh to accurately estimate the number of HIV-positive people and curb the epidemic, according to HIV/AIDS advocates, Reuters India reports.

14 Sep 2006

British tackle childrens' tooth decay in deprived areas

A British scheme to encourage families with young children in disadvantaged areas to get into the habit of brushing their children's teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste was launched by Health Minster Rosie Winterton today at the Appleby health centre in Newham - an area with one of the highest oral health needs in the country.

14 Sep 2006

Congressional action on Medicare physician reimbursements unlikely before election

William Hoagland, the top budget aide to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), on Tuesday told health insurance industry officials that Congress likely will address a scheduled 5.1% reduction in Medicare physician reimbursements this year but not until after the midterm election, CQ HealthBeat reports.

14 Sep 2006