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Addictions RSS FeedsHandheld Laser Pointer "Toys" Can Cause Serious Eye Injury - A 15-year old boy ordered a handheld laser pointer online. He wanted it to pop balloons from a distance and play around with, this included burning holes into paper cards and his sister's shoes. Doctors from Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland continue explaining in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) what happened when he used the laser pointer in front of a mirror. The teenager wanted to create a "laser show" - he faced the mirror and zapped laser beams in several directions ...Feed Source: feedproxy.google.com 'I'll Take Up Gran's Baton To Raise Funds For Alzheimer's Society In The Bupa Great North' - Newcastle actor Tony Scott George is running in the Bupa Great North Run on 19 September to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society in honour of his grandfather. Twenty-three year old Tony, from Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, has signed up for the iconic half marathon in memory of his granddad, John George, who died just three months ago, after a 12 year battle against Alzheimer's disease. Tony, also a presenter for Kids Music Shop DVDs, said he would be grateful for his followers to support his cause. He explained, 'Gran used to run to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society
... Canadian Blood Services' CEO Gives Initial Reaction To Ontario Superior Court MSM Ruling - Canadian Blood Services welcomes the Ontario Superior Court ruling in the Charter challenge involving Kyle Freeman. The ruling by Justice Catherine Aitken held that Canadian Blood Services' donor screening methods uphold the highest standards of safety for its recipients, and are not a violation of Mr. Freeman's Charter rights. Justice Aitken also ruled the Charter does not apply to Canadian Blood Services. "Our donor selection policies have always been about protecting the safety of blood recipients," said Dr. Sher
... AICR Once Again Welcomes Stand Up To Cancer Telecast - The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) today welcomed to the nation's airwaves a telecast aimed at increasing private support for cancer research. Now that federal funding for cancer research is effectively decreasing for the first time in decades, the need for more and better research into the disease's origins has never been greater, said AICR experts. Stand Up to Cancer is a privately supported effort to direct funding to "Dream Teams" of researchers representing various disciplines within the cancer field
... Alabama Department Of Public Health Confirms Eastern Equine Encephalitis Cases In Horses In Baldwin, Escambia And Washington Counties - The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed three positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses located in Baldwin, Escambia, and Washington Counties. Public Health receives positive case reports from the Alabama Department of Agriculture, and the agencies work together to identify areas of arboviral disease within the state. Previously, the Baldwin County Health Department announced that a sentinel chicken from the Elberta area tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
... World Suicide Prevention Day: NAMI Blog Discusses Kurt Vonnegut, Despair And Saving Lives - In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday, September 10, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) urges public education about mental illness and suicide. According to The World Health Organization, nearly one million people around the world die from suicide each year. "More than 90 percent of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health disorder and we currently have a mental health crisis in this country," said NAMI Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick
... Second Canada-China Policy Dialogue On Health A Success - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Minister of Health, is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the second Canada-China Policy Dialogue on Health, hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Health, in Shanghai today. This builds on the 2009-2011 Plan of Action for cooperation in health signed during the inaugural Canada-China Policy Dialogue hosted by Canada, in Ottawa in June 2009
... DNA Trick May Be Clue To Cancer Cells' Eternal Life - Cancer Research UK scientists have uncovered a new strategy that could be used by cancer cells to side step the body's normal safety checks and become immortal - a key step for a cancer cell - according to a study published in Nature.* The strategy involves cells topping up their biological clock by making copies of spare DNA found elsewhere in the genome to replace the protective caps - called telomeres - usually found at the ends of chromosomes. In most cells of the body, telomeres shorten each time the cell divides
... FDA: New Warnings Required On Use Of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring that gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) carry new warnings on their labels about the risk of a rare and potentially fatal condition known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), if the drug is administered to certain patients with kidney disease. Three of the GBCAs - Magnevist, Omniscan, and Optimark - will be described as inappropriate for use among patients with acute kidney injury or chronic severe kidney disease
... FDA Acts Against 5 Electronic Cigarette Distributors - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to five electronic cigarette distributors for various violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) including unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices. Also today, in a letter to the Electronic Cigarette Association, FDA said the agency intends to regulate electronic cigarette and related products in a manner consistent with its mission of protecting the public health. The letter outlines the regulatory pathway for marketing drug products in compliance with the FDCA
... ANA Urges Registered Nurses To Get The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - Recognizing the important role vaccination of health care workers plays in a comprehensive seasonal influenza prevention plan, the American Nurses Association (ANA) continues to urge all registered nurses to get vaccinated every year to protect themselves, their families, and the patients they serve. The 2010-2011 influenza vaccine will protect against three different influenza viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused widespread illness last season
... Terrence Higgins Trust Launches Dedicated Support Group For Gay Men Recently Diagnosed With HIV In Brighton, UK - Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching a new six week support programme for gay and bisexual men in Brighton who have recently been diagnosed with HIV. 'What Next?' is free to attend and will take place every Thursday evening from 6.30pm at a central venue in Brighton town centre. The first session starts on 7th October and the charity is appealing for anyone who is interested to get in touch and book a place. In 2008, 455 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the region and it's estimated that 38% were gay men
... Physical Therapists Provide Tips For Staying Healthy While On The Job - On the heels of Labor Day, a holiday dedicated to the achievements of American workers, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) kicked off its September "Workplace Wellness" initiative. Throughout the month of September, APTA's "Move Forward" campaign will focus on the prevention and treatment of workplace injuries. The initiative will use social media to help the desk-bound combat a sedentary workday by providing exercises that can be done while sitting at your desk or in your office space
... NICE Requests More Data On Aripiprazole For Schizophrenia - In draft guidance , published today (10 September 2010), NICE has asked Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals to provide more data on the effectiveness of their product, aripiprazole (Abilify), as a treatment for schizophrenia in people aged 15 to 17 years. This draft guidance has been issued for consultation and the manufacturer now has an opportunity to respond to the independent Appraisal Committee's considerations and requests
... NICE Recommends Liraglutide For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - In draft guidance published today (10 September 2010), NICE recommends liraglutide[[1]] (Victoza, Novo Nordisk) 1.2 mg daily for some people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it does not recommend liraglutide at 1.8mg daily, as the available evidence does not suggest any significant additional benefit with the higher dose. Liraglutide 1
... Sebelius Calls On Health Insurers To Stop Misinformation And Unjustified Rate Increases - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the national association of health insurers, calling on their members to stop using scare tactics and misinformation to falsely blame premium increases for 2011 on the patient protections in the Affordable Care Act. Sebelius noted that the consumer protections and out-of-pocket savings provided for in the Affordable Care Act should result in a minimal impact on premiums for most Americans
... Siemens Offers Remote Viewing And Management Capability For Blood Gas Systems - Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics introduces enhanced versions of the RAPIDPoint® 400/405 and RAPIDLab® 1200 blood gas analyzers that allow for remote viewing capability with RAPIDComm® Data Management and Connectivity Solution Version 3.0. This exclusive feature provides laboratory managers the opportunity to view the actual instrument display from a remote location via the RAPIDComm system, and initiate responsive measures for all connected analyzers. The RAPIDPoint 400/405 blood gas analyzer, version 3.6, and the RAPIDLab 1200 analyzer, version 3
... Siemens Showcases Quantitative Solutions For Preclinical Translational Research At WMIC - Siemens Healthcare Molecular Imaging is showcasing its portfolio of clinical and preclinical imaging and biomarker solutions at the World Molecular Imaging Congress from September 7-10 (booth #514). The exhibit highlights "Quantitative Solutions in Translational Research," demonstrating how Siemens is focused on enabling researchers to speed discovery to clinical adoption, ultimately, improving healthcare
... Improving Drug Therapy Using Gene Profiles - The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has awarded a $9.1 million, five-year grant to The Ohio State University for a study titled "Expression Genetics in Drug Therapy." The goal of the research is to enhance drug response rates and reduce the number of adverse drug reactions among patients taking medication. The grant also funds Ohio State as a member of a nationwide Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN), which connects 14 major centers across the United States with diverse specializations, working jointly to achieve this goal
... Seminal Research Linking Obesity, Inflammation And Cancer Wins UC San Diego's Karin The Prestigious Harvey Prize - Michael Karin, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Pathology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has been awarded the 2010 Harvey Prize in human health by the Technion, Israel's premier institute of technology. The prize honors Karin's seminal research linking obesity, inflammation and cancer. Specifically, judges noted Karin's "pioneering contributions" to the deciphering of the molecular mechanism used by mammalian cells to react to cytokines (proteins that cause inflammation), to adverse environmental conditions and to various pathogens
... Abbott Completes Acquisition Of Piramal's Healthcare Solutions Business, Becomes Leading Pharmaceutical Company In India - Abbott has completed its acquisition of Piramal's Healthcare Solutions business, propelling it to market leadership in the Indian pharmaceutical market and further accelerating the company's growth in emerging markets. Throughout the past decade, Abbott has established a leading presence in emerging markets - today, more than 20 percent of the company's total sales are generated in these growing economies. "The acquisition of Piramal's Healthcare Solutions business further strengthens Abbott's growing presence in emerging markets," said Miles D
... Top Women's Health Site To Support And Fund Women's Health Research Through A Global Web Campaign -- Calls On 1 Million Women To Help - Top 10 women's health site EmpowHER launched what is expected to be the largest online movement for women's health in the next year -- the 1000Women campaign. Expecting to engage 1,000 women who will each recruit another 1,000 women to participate in this classic pay-it-forward viral effort; the campaign's goal is to get 1 million women to share their inspirational health stories with friends, family, and women they've never even met. Campaign participants can do this by creating profiles on 1000Women
... Heart Research UK Awards £134,000 Grant For Pioneering Research At King's College London - A trainee cardiologist from King's College London has received a grant of £134,578 from national heart charity, Heart Research UK for a project that will study news ways of measuring heart muscle scarring after a heart attack. Dr Kalpa De Silva, 28, is a trainee cardiologist at St Thomas' Hopsital, King's College London. Dr De Silva explains his project and tells us why he chose to apply for this grant: "The aim of this project is to develop a new technique that can be widely used in hospitals, to assess the extent of scarred heart muscle during routine procedures
... Image Technology Laboratories, Inc. Completes Successful Electronic Medical Records Rollout Via Southern Tier HealthLink - Image Technology Laboratories, Inc. (IMTL.PK) is pleased to announce its ongoing innovation and participation in the electronic medical records market. Recently, ITL successfully went live with its electronic linkage of images, data, and records produced and stored in the company's RIS/PACS system by Park Avenue Associates in Radiology, P.C. at its Southern Tier Imaging MRI facility (STI) into Southern Tier HealthLink, a Health Information Exchange (HIE). Southern Tier HealthLink facilitates the exchange of healthcare information among participating providers in the central New York region
... Nuance Introduces Dragon Medical Enterprise Network Edition, Advanced Capabilities Accelerate EHR Meaningful Use - Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) unveiled Dragon Medical Enterprise Network Edition, a new solution designed for large physician practices and hospitals as they accelerate Meaningful Use of electronic health record (EHR) systems. As the newest addition to the Dragon Medical family, the world's most popular, real-time, medical speech recognition solution, Dragon Medical Enterprise Network Edition adds enterprise-class features, including enhanced support for Citrix-based EHR environments and a new centralized management console
... N.J. Files Paperwork To Suspend Medical License Of Doctor In Md. Abortion Case - On Wednesday, New Jersey officials filed legal documents seeking to suspend the medical license of an abortion provider involved in a procedure that critically injured an 18-year-old woman who was 21 weeks pregnant, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The physician, Steven Brigham, owns American Women's Services, which operates clinics in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The filing is the first step in revoking a medical license
... Videos Discuss Military Abortion Policies, Infertility - The following summarizes selected women's health related videos.Keenan Explains Burris Amendment: Appearing on Fox News, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan explained why Congress should allow military servicewoman and their dependents to obtain abortion care at military facilities if they pay for it themselves. "We believe that women serving in the military overseas should have the same access to health care [as] women in this country, including abortion care, that they pay for with their own money," Keenan said ("America's News HQ," Fox News, 8/30)
... Democrats, Republicans Take Health Reform, Midterm Battle To The Airwaves - The New York Times : The group "Revere America" is running a multi-million dollar television ad campaign aimed at defeating Democrats who voted for the health overhaul. "The ad campaign was announced by former Gov. George E. Pataki of New York, a Republican who is now serving as chairman of Revere America. At a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington on Wednesday, Mr. Pataki said the group hoped to raise and spend at least $5 million on the effort by Election Day. Mr. Pataki did not name specific Democratic lawmakers who would be targets of the operation
... Happening On The Hill: Extending Liability Protections, A New 9/11 Vote - Legislation to provide federal medical liability coverage to volunteers at community health clinics will cost more than earlier expected, The Hill's Healthwatch Blog reports. "The Family Health Care Accessibility Act, which cleared the Energy and Commerce Committee in late July, would cost about $18 million over five years, according to CBO, with annual expenditures progressively rising to $6 million in 2015. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), a co-sponsor along with Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas), said earlier estimates were $1.5 million a year
... Nonprofits Detail Health Industry Ties - The New York Times: A journal that tracks philanthropy and giving has published information about contributions made by medical companies to health-related nonprofits following a request for similar information by a lawmaker. "Drug, medical device and insurance companies give more than $100 million a year to nonprofit health-related groups that advise consumers and medical professionals, according to a report posted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. The report, dated Monday, sought to get ahead of an investigation by Sen. Charles E. Grassley
... FEHBP Plans Unlikely To Change As Much As Private Health Plans Next Year - Federal workers are not likely to see major changes to their health care plans despite adjustments being made in private plans as health reform is implemented, Government Executive reports. Many employers, according to recent surveys, are expecting increases in their health coverage costs and that is likely to be reflected in rising employee premium costs
... Today's OpEds: Medicare's Long-Term Liabilities; Reforming And Funding Native Health Care; Frustrations Surrounding Stem Cell Research - How ObamaCare Guts Medicare The Wall Street Journal Under ObamaCare it will get much worse. Hospitals also will shut down or stop serving Medicare patients. Everyone should know by now that Medicare suffers dramatic long-term deficits and unfunded liabilities, and is in need of fundamental, structural reforms. But effectively refusing to pay the doctors and hospitals that provide the medical care the program promises to seniors is no way to solve that problem (Peter Ferrara and Larry Hunter, 9/9). More Hands For Rural Anesthesia The Denver Post Gov
... Sec. Of State Clinton Discusses Obama Administration's Foreign Policy Strategy - In a speech on Wednesday at the Council on Foreign Relations, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined the Obama administration's approach to foreign policy and said that U.S. "global leadership is essential, even if we must often lead in new ways," the Washington Post reports. Clinton said, "a new American moment must be seized - through hard work and bold decisions - to lay the foundations for lasting American leadership for decades to come" (Kessler, 9/9)
... WHO Regional Meeting In South-East Asia Addresses Antimicrobial Resistance, Developing Country Access To Medical Devices - During the WHO's 63rd Regional Committee Session for South-East Asia in Bangkok on Wednesday the WHO called for enhanced "efforts at the national and international level to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial agents through the rational use of antibiotics," Indian Express reports (Thacker, 9/9). The appeal follows the news of a Lancet study published last month which identified a gene that enables bacteria to resist most antibiotics and documented an increase in the prevalence of the gene in parts of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan (Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, 8/11)
... Global Food Crisis Is Not Imminent, But Food Commodities Markets Need Regulation, FAO Official Says - A global food crisis does not appear to be on the horizon despite recent food price rises, but steps must be taken to regulate volatile food commodities markets, Hafez Ghanem, a top official at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. Rising food prices in some countries "have raised concerns about a return to the political instability of 2008, when Haiti, Kenya and Somalia were among impoverished countries that saw rioting over the cost of living," the AP writes (D'Emilio, 9/8)
... Inter Press Service Examines World Water Week's Focus On 'Dirty Water' - Inter Press Service reports on the ongoing talks at World Water Week over "the widespread devastation caused to humans by polluted water." The article offers statistics on the health problems faced by the "more than 900 million" people without access to safe drinking water and the "estimated 2.6 billion" without access to basic sanitation. "Clarissa Brocklehurst, chief of water, sanitation and hygiene at the U.N. children's agency UNICEF, points out that some 1.8 million people, mostly children under five, die every year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water," IPS writes
... Gates Foundation 2009 Annual Report Released - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday released its 2009 annual report (.pdf) highlighting some of the foundation's work over the last year, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports (Holtzman, 9/7). In a letter introducing the annual report, Gates Foundation CEO Jeff Raikes "says eradicating polio" is one of his top priorities, the Associated Press reports
... Also In Global Health News: Revaccinating HIV-Positive Children; Embezzled Aid In Mali; HIV In India; Mobile Phone Aid; Polio In Central Africa; More - HIV-Positive Children On HAART May Need Revaccination HIV-positive children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) "may need to be revaccinated to maintain their immunity against preventable childhood diseases," according to researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, HealthDay/BusinessWeek reports. After reviewing 38 studies, researchers found that children on HAART "had poorer responses to vaccines than do uninfected children," said study co-author William Moss
... Hospital Leaders Convene To Develop Best Practices In High-Performance Teams - In hospitals across the country, innovative healthcare providers are driving quality improvement programs that are improving patient care. Now, the Hospital Care Collaborative (HCC), made up of six leading professional societies in hospital care, is working to learn what makes the best programs work - and how to spread the most effective programs to other hospitals
... Digipharm Europe 2010, Europe's Leading Digital Marketing Conference For Senior Pharmaceutical Executives 28th Sept - 1st October - The 2nd annual DigiPharm Europe 2010 will discuss the challenges and strategies used to enhance online communication, customer relationship, strengthen brand awareness and improve profitability in digital marketing. We spoke to some of the speakers recently on Pharma Marketing Live who gave some great feedback on what they intend to present on. Alex Butler, Digital Strategy and Social Media Manager, Janssen Cilag will look at how they have developed their social media engagement philosophy
... Collaboration Between UCLA, Japanese Company On Specialized Nano-Imaging Instrumentation - The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has announced plans to collaborate with Hamamatsu Photonics Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of photon detectors and camera systems, to apply nanoscience and nanotechnology to projects having global importance in health, medicine, energy and the environment. Hamamatsu will provide the CNSI with state-of-the-art photon detectors and systems and will work with CNSI researchers on new instruments to advance the field of nano-level optical imaging
... Joint Replacement, Does This Look Infected To You? - The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently approved and released an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections of the hip and knee. Clinical practice guidelines are one avenue the Academy uses to ensure that patients receive high quality care. A periprosthetic joint infection occurs when bacteria or other foreign organisms enter the wound during or at any point following joint replacement surgery, sometimes even years after surgery
... Tragara Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase I Clinical Program For TG02 - Tragara Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a phase I clinical trial of TG02, a unique oral multi-kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced/refractory hematologic malignancies. Tragara will conduct the study at multiple clinical centers in the United States. In vitro and in vivo data of TG02 have demonstrated biological activity against acute leukemias and multiple myeloma in addition to several solid tumors with unmet medical needs including triple-negative breast cancer, small-cell lung cancer, and colon cancer
... Cempra Pharmaceuticals Presents New Data On TAKSTA? (CEM-102, Sodium Fusidate) At The 50th Interscience Conference - Cempra Pharmaceuticals announced abstracts to be presented on its oral anti-MRSA antibiotic, TAKSTA (sodium fusidate, formerly CEM-102), at the 50th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), September 12 to 15, 2010, in Boston. Data to be presented demonstrate that TAKSTA showed clinical success rates and tolerability comparable to oral linezolid. Presentations will also provide additional data that demonstrate the activity of TAKSTA against MRSA strains and the effectiveness of TAKSTA's against S. pyogenes
... Terumo Medical Corporation Announces First U.S. Patient Implant In Landmark Pilot Study Simultaneously Enrolling In The U.S. & Japan - Terumo Medical Corporation, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Terumo Corporation, announced the first U.S. patient implant in the Occlusive/Stenotic Peripheral artery Revascularization Study (OSPREY), which will evaluate the safety and efficacy of its MISAGO? Peripheral Self-expanding Stent System for use in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). The procedure was performed at the Bradenton Cardiology Center in Bradenton, Florida. A unique feature of the OSPREY clinical trial is that it will simultaneously enroll patients in the U.S. and Japan
... FDA Approves Pediatric Use Of Chemical Poisoning Treatment - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the pediatric use of Protopam Chloride (pralidoxime chloride), a drug used to treat poisoning by organophosphate pesticides and chemicals (e.g., nerve agents). The drug is approved to be administered either by intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injections. "We know this drug has been widely used for many years to treat poisoning in pediatric patients in emergency situations," said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
... Diary Launched To Ease Burden Of Parkinson's Disease, Australia - A practical and inspirational diary for people with Parkinson's Disease will not only support patients and their carers, it will help University of Queensland researchers search for a cure. "Day By Day" has been created by the wife of former Australian swimming champ and elite coach, Ian Findlay, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in 2004. Nicole Findlay hopes the diary to be launched today September 10, will provide people with PD and their carers with a one-stop record book to keep track of daily medications and obtain up-to-date information regarding the disease
... Editorial Urges Va. Gov. McDonnell To Apply For Federal Comprehensive Sex Education Money - "Society has a vested interest in helping people of child-bearing age understand the risks of teenage, out-of-wedlock and unplanned births and prevent them," according to a Newport News Daily Press editorial arguing that Virginia "Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) should have made sure that Virginia obtains every resource that can help support that work." Although McDonnell applied for federal funding for abstinence-only sex education, "he did not apply for the $1
... New Medicines: PAC10 To Summarise Significant Recent Releases, Australia - One of the final sessions of PAC210 in Melbourne this year will also be one of the most important for pharmacists trying to keep abreast of fast-changing developments in medicines
... Cost Of Over-Triage On Our Nation's Health System - Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified "secondary over-triage" as a potential area of cost savings for our nation's health care. The phenomenon of over-triage occurs when patients are transferred twice, and discharged from a second facility in less than 24 hours. These findings will be published in the September 10th issue of The Journal of Trauma
... Chinese Pilot Program Will Relax One-Child Policy In Some Provinces - Chinese officials are launching pilot programs in five provinces that will ease the country's one-child policy, a change that some advocates hope will pave the way for a complete reversal of the policy, USA Today reports. The 30-year-old one-child rule was established to control population levels in the Communist nation, which is the most populous country in the world. Some exceptions have been made like allowing a rural family to have a second child if their first child is a girl (MacLeod [1], USA Today, 9/9)
... Overhaul's Effect On Health Spending Minimal, Government Study Says - The health overhaul and other recent legislative and regulatory changes will only modestly increase the nation's health tab through 2019, according to a government study published today, Kaiser Health News reports. The Affordable Care Act and several other major changes will increase the annual health spending growth rate by only 0.2 percent, while at the same time extending insurance to millions more people. One economist and author of the report, which appeared in Health Affairs, said, the "effects on health spending are moderate, but the underlying effects on coverage are more pronounced
... Democrats Position For November Fight Using Health Care While GOP Leader Draws Line In The Sand - Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine is defending his party's accomplishments on health care as he paints Democrats as underdogs in November's elections, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "Kaine, a former governor of Virginia, blasted the Republicans as obstacles to progress for seven decades, warning supporters gathered at the University of Pennsylvania that President Obama's agenda was at risk with less than two months before the Nov. 2 election. He acknowledged it will be hard to prevail.
... White House Contends Overhaul Didn't Boost Insurance Premiums - MarketWatch: After the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that insurers were blaming the health overhaul for portions of their up-to-20-percent premium increases, the White House said its prized legislation was not to blame. In a White House blog post, aide Stephanie Cutter wrote that the increases were already coming before the law, and illustrated the need for the overhaul (Bartash, 9/8). Read Cutter's blog post here. Also, see KHN's coverage of the Journal's Wednesday report on premium hikes
... Employers Predict Health Costs To Rise Nearly 6 Percent Next Year - The Wall Street Journal reports that a survey from Mercer finds employers are expecting their health costs to rise an average of 5.9% next year after shifting some cost-sharing for health plans to employees. "If they made no money-saving changes, per-employee costs would rise by an average of 10.1%, including an average 2.3% bump from complying with certain provisions of health-care overhaul, according to the survey of 1,091 employers. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey released last week found employees paid about 14% more for family coverage this year
... Ohio Doctor Starts New Clinic With Lower Charges But Doesn't Accept Insurance - Middletown (Ohio) Journal: "Dr. James Brockman has taken on a new business model with his medical practice to maintain less overhead and avoid hassles with insurance companies and people who won't pay their bills. No insurance is accepted at his Affordable Health Care Center, which opened in April and offers visits starting at $45 and capped at $100 for more complicated cases. Preventative care is stressed, and costs are disclosed to patients up front to coincide with the issues they would like the doctor to address
... Obama Administration Asks Appeals Court To Lift Ban On Stem Cell Research Funding - Reuters: "The Obama administration on Wednesday asked an appeals court for an emergency stay that would lift the ban on federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth last month ruled that the research violated U.S. law because it involved destroying human embryos, a setback for President Barack Obama who had tried to expand research in hopes it would lead to new cures of diseases.
... Calif. Regulators Seek $9.9 Bn Fine From Insurer; Few Iowans Sign Up For High Risk Pool; N.D. Court Rejects Ballot Measure On Drug Store Ownership - Reuters: "California regulators are seeking fines of up to $9.9 billion from a unit of health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc, citing mismanaged medical claims, failure to pay doctors and other lapses. The California Department of Insurance alleges that PacifiCare violated state law nearly a million times from 2006 to 2008 after it was purchased by UnitedHealth, the largest U.S. health insurer by market value. Each violation is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, according to department spokesman Ioannis Kazani" (Beasley, 9/8)
... Summit Negotiators Seek To Get MDGs 'Back On Track' - "World powers are moving slowly toward an accord on the strategy to be embraced at a looming United Nations summit aiming to get the lofty Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] back on track," Agence France-Presse writes in an article examining the ongoing debates over how best to achieve the MDGs before the 2015 deadline
... Keeping Stem Cells From Changing Fates - Johns Hopkins researchers have determined why certain stem cells are able to stay stem cells. The report in the June 4 issue of Cell Stem Cell reveals that an enzyme that changes the way DNA is packaged in cells allows specific genes to be turned on and off, thereby preventing a stem cell from becoming another cell type. Each cell has to fit in 6 feet of highly organized and carefully packaged DNA. Some regions of the DNA are more tightly compacted than others and this structure is dynamic. There are specific enzymes that change how condensed the DNA is to help turn genes on and off
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