U.S. Population to Hit 300 Million
The population of the United States is expected to hit 300 million on Tuesday.
The number will be reached at precisely 7:46 a.m. EDT, according to U.S. Census bureau projections of births, deaths and net immigration.
The projections also add up to one new American every 11 seconds, the Associated Press reported Sunday.
America is still a land of wide-open spaces: there are about 84 people per square mile, compared with 300 people per square mile in the European Union and almost 900 people per square mile in Japan.
But a little more than half of the U.S. population is clustered along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes.
The fastest growing county is Flagler County, Fla., north of Daytona Beach; the fastest growing city is Elk Grove, Calif., a suburb of Sacramento; and the fastest growing metropolitan area is Riverside, Calif., about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, the Census Bureau reports.
An estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants are included in the official U.S. population estimate, which reached its last milestone, 200 million, in 1967. That translates into a 50 percent increase in 39 years, the AP reported.
During that same period, the number of households nearly doubled, the number of motor vehicles more than doubled and the miles driven in those vehicles nearly tripled.
In addition, the average household size has shrunk from 3.3 people to 2.6 people, and the share of households with only one person has jumped from fewer than 16 percent to about 27 percent.
The United States is the third largest country in the world, behind China and India. It is also the fastest growing industrialized nation, adding about 2.8 million people a year, or just under 1 percent.
About 40 percent of the U.S. population growth comes from immigration, both legal and illegal, according to the Census Bureau. The rest comes from births outnumbering deaths.
Costly Medicare Drug Plan Hike Seen for 2007
The cheapest plans under Medicare's new prescription drug program are expected to cost elderly and disabled Americans 44 percent more next year, new reports suggest.
Bloomberg News reported Saturday that the average monthly outlay for the least expensive plans will rise to $13.58 from $9.46, according to data compiled by Medicare. Humana, the largest provider of low-cost drug plans, raised its prices as much as fivefold, and Medicare cut its monthly subsidy by 15 percent, to $80 a person, according to Medicare spokesman Peter Ashkenaz.
Insurance companies last year charged as little as $1.87 for the Plan D policies that provide discounts on medicines. For next year, the cheapest plan will cost $9.50, Bloomberg reported.
The biggest jump will take place in the seven states with the lowest 2006 premiums. The minimum monthly cost of the cheapest Humana plan will jump to $10.60 from $1.87 in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and North and South Dakota.
Humana spokesman Tom Noland told Bloomberg that the company never meant to offer such a bargain price and that it had misjudged what other companies would bid.
"Many people are going to feel that they are victims of a bait-and-switch tactic," said Ron Pollack, executive director of the nonprofit Families USA, told Bloomberg. "There's no question that it will be an extraordinary disappointment."
Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, refused to comment on the numbers, according to Bloomberg.
FDA Warns of Fake Glucose Test Strips
Counterfeit test strips for use with Lifescan's "One Touch" blood-glucose monitors are circulating in the United States and may provide false blood sugar readings that could lead to injury or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
False readings could encourage diabetics to inject themselves with too little or too much insulin, the agency said in a statement, although no incidents have been reported so far.
The counterfeit test strips are labeled:
One Touch Basic/Profile 50-count packages (lot #s 272894A, 2619932 or 2606340).
One Touch Ultra 50-count packages (lot #2691191).
The strips were distributed to pharmacies and stores nationwide, but primarily in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York and Ohio. The distributors were Medical Plastic Devices Inc. (Quebec, Canada) and Champion Sales Inc. (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
Lifescan alerted the FDA to the problem, the agency said. Consumers who have these strips should stop using them immediately and contact a physician.
For more information, call Lifescan at 866-621-4855.
Methamphetamine Lessens Stroke Damage in Rodent Brains
In rat and gerbil brains, low doses of the drug methamphetamine appeared to lessen damage caused by stroke, says a University of Montana study that suggests the possibility that the drug may someday be used to reduce stroke damage in people.
The study will be presented at a Society of Neuroscience conference in Atlanta Oct. 14-18, the Associated Press reported.
"Methamphetamine is a drug that has been shown to exacerbate stroke damage or make it worse when administered before a stroke," Dave Poulsen, a research assistant professor in the university's department of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, said in a prepared statement. "But we have seen roughly 80 to 90 percent protection of neurons when administered after a stroke."
The scientists found that low doses of methamphetamine helped reduce brain damage up to 16 hours after a stroke. The current leading clot-busting drug used to treat stroke patients must be administered within three hours of the start of symptoms, Poulsen noted.
In one experiment, Poulsen and his colleagues mimicked stroke conditions in thin slices of rat hippocampus (the part of the brain used for memory and learning). They found that low doses of methamphetamine helped protect the brain slices, while high doses increased stroke damage, the AP reported. Another experiment found that low doses protected the brains of gerbils that had strokes.
This is preliminary research and more work is needed to confirm and expand the findings, Poulsen said.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Health Headlines - October 15
Costly Medicare Drug Plan Hike Seen for 2007
The cheapest plans under Medicare's new prescription drug program are expected to cost elderly and disabled Americans 44 percent more next year, new reports suggest.
Bloomberg News reported Saturday that the average monthly outlay for the least expensive plans will rise to $13.58 from $9.46, according to data compiled by Medicare. Humana, the largest provider of low-cost drug plans, raised its prices as much as fivefold, and Medicare cut its monthly subsidy by 15 percent, to $80 a person, according to Medicare spokesman Peter Ashkenaz.
Insurance companies last year charged as little as $1.87 for the Plan D policies that provide discounts on medicines. For next year, the cheapest plan will cost $9.50, Bloomberg reported.
The biggest jump will take place in the seven states with the lowest 2006 premiums. The minimum monthly cost of the cheapest Humana plan will jump to $10.60 from $1.87 in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and North and South Dakota.
Humana spokesman Tom Noland told Bloomberg that the company never meant to offer such a bargain price and that it had misjudged what other companies would bid.
"Many people are going to feel that they are victims of a bait-and-switch tactic," said Ron Pollack, executive director of the nonprofit Families USA, told Bloomberg. "There's no question that it will be an extraordinary disappointment."
Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, refused to comment on the numbers, according to Bloomberg.
FDA Warns of Fake Glucose Test Strips
Counterfeit test strips for use with Lifescan's "One Touch" blood-glucose monitors are circulating in the United States and may provide false blood sugar readings that could lead to injury or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
False readings could encourage diabetics to inject themselves with too little or too much insulin, the agency said in a statement, although no incidents have been reported so far.
The counterfeit test strips are labeled:
One Touch Basic/Profile 50-count packages (lot #s 272894A, 2619932 or 2606340).
One Touch Ultra 50-count packages (lot #2691191).
The strips were distributed to pharmacies and stores nationwide, but primarily in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York and Ohio. The distributors were Medical Plastic Devices Inc. (Quebec, Canada) and Champion Sales Inc. (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
Lifescan alerted the FDA to the problem, the agency said. Consumers who have these strips should stop using them immediately and contact a physician.
For more information, call Lifescan at 866-621-4855.
Methamphetamine Lessens Stroke Damage in Rodent Brains
In rat and gerbil brains, low doses of the drug methamphetamine appeared to lessen damage caused by stroke, says a University of Montana study that suggests the possibility that the drug may someday be used to reduce stroke damage in people.
The study will be presented at a Society of Neuroscience conference in Atlanta Oct. 14-18, the Associated Press reported.
"Methamphetamine is a drug that has been shown to exacerbate stroke damage or make it worse when administered before a stroke," Dave Poulsen, a research assistant professor in the university's department of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, said in a prepared statement. "But we have seen roughly 80 to 90 percent protection of neurons when administered after a stroke."
The scientists found that low doses of methamphetamine helped reduce brain damage up to 16 hours after a stroke. The current leading clot-busting drug used to treat stroke patients must be administered within three hours of the start of symptoms, Poulsen noted.
In one experiment, Poulsen and his colleagues mimicked stroke conditions in thin slices of rat hippocampus (the part of the brain used for memory and learning). They found that low doses of methamphetamine helped protect the brain slices, while high doses increased stroke damage, the AP reported. Another experiment found that low doses protected the brains of gerbils that had strokes.
This is preliminary research and more work is needed to confirm and expand the findings, Poulsen said.
Group Wants FDA Probe of Silicone Breast Implant Allegations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must investigate a whistle blower's charges that a company seeking approval to sell silicone breast implants withheld safety data from federal regulators, the advocacy group Public Citizen says.
Mentor Corp. of Santa Barbara, Calif., is one of two companies seeking FDA approval to sell silicone breast implants in the United States. A former Mentor scientist alleges that the company concealed, misrepresented, or withheld data about durability and leakage in its implants, the Associated Press reported.
"Unless the FDA opens a criminal investigation into Mentor's failure to submit the studies, it will only encourage Mentor and other device manufacturers to selectively send the agency only those studies that put their products in the most favorable light," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.
A statement released by Mentor said, to the company's knowledge, all questions about the its silicone implants were answered to the satisfaction of the FDA, the AP reported.
Silicone breast implants first went on sale in the United States in 1962, but concerns about cancer and leakage problems led to their removal from the market in 1992. In July 2005, the FDA told Mentor and another company that it would allow them to start selling silicone breast implants if the companies met certain unspecified conditions. Neither company has yet received final marketing approval from the FDA.
Vital Data Absent From Drug Research File: Report
Important information was missing from a company research file given to United Kingdom regulators prior to the start of a drug study that left six men seriously ill, says a report by drug research experts from the Netherlands who investigated the incident.
The missing data may have alerted U.K. officials about the potential harm that the experimental drug TGN1412 could cause study volunteers, BBC News reported.
The man who suffered the worst effects from the drug had his fingers and toes amputated and his health outlook is uncertain.
The Dutch report noted that scientists from the German drug company TeGenero said that the site in the body where TGN1412 binds was identical in humans and monkeys. No detailed data on such a comparison was included in the research file given to U.K. regulators, the report said.
The Dutch investigators did their own research on the binding site and concluded that, in fact, there are clear differences between humans and monkeys, BBC News reported.
The cheapest plans under Medicare's new prescription drug program are expected to cost elderly and disabled Americans 44 percent more next year, new reports suggest.
Bloomberg News reported Saturday that the average monthly outlay for the least expensive plans will rise to $13.58 from $9.46, according to data compiled by Medicare. Humana, the largest provider of low-cost drug plans, raised its prices as much as fivefold, and Medicare cut its monthly subsidy by 15 percent, to $80 a person, according to Medicare spokesman Peter Ashkenaz.
Insurance companies last year charged as little as $1.87 for the Plan D policies that provide discounts on medicines. For next year, the cheapest plan will cost $9.50, Bloomberg reported.
The biggest jump will take place in the seven states with the lowest 2006 premiums. The minimum monthly cost of the cheapest Humana plan will jump to $10.60 from $1.87 in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and North and South Dakota.
Humana spokesman Tom Noland told Bloomberg that the company never meant to offer such a bargain price and that it had misjudged what other companies would bid.
"Many people are going to feel that they are victims of a bait-and-switch tactic," said Ron Pollack, executive director of the nonprofit Families USA, told Bloomberg. "There's no question that it will be an extraordinary disappointment."
Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, refused to comment on the numbers, according to Bloomberg.
FDA Warns of Fake Glucose Test Strips
Counterfeit test strips for use with Lifescan's "One Touch" blood-glucose monitors are circulating in the United States and may provide false blood sugar readings that could lead to injury or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
False readings could encourage diabetics to inject themselves with too little or too much insulin, the agency said in a statement, although no incidents have been reported so far.
The counterfeit test strips are labeled:
One Touch Basic/Profile 50-count packages (lot #s 272894A, 2619932 or 2606340).
One Touch Ultra 50-count packages (lot #2691191).
The strips were distributed to pharmacies and stores nationwide, but primarily in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York and Ohio. The distributors were Medical Plastic Devices Inc. (Quebec, Canada) and Champion Sales Inc. (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
Lifescan alerted the FDA to the problem, the agency said. Consumers who have these strips should stop using them immediately and contact a physician.
For more information, call Lifescan at 866-621-4855.
Methamphetamine Lessens Stroke Damage in Rodent Brains
In rat and gerbil brains, low doses of the drug methamphetamine appeared to lessen damage caused by stroke, says a University of Montana study that suggests the possibility that the drug may someday be used to reduce stroke damage in people.
The study will be presented at a Society of Neuroscience conference in Atlanta Oct. 14-18, the Associated Press reported.
"Methamphetamine is a drug that has been shown to exacerbate stroke damage or make it worse when administered before a stroke," Dave Poulsen, a research assistant professor in the university's department of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, said in a prepared statement. "But we have seen roughly 80 to 90 percent protection of neurons when administered after a stroke."
The scientists found that low doses of methamphetamine helped reduce brain damage up to 16 hours after a stroke. The current leading clot-busting drug used to treat stroke patients must be administered within three hours of the start of symptoms, Poulsen noted.
In one experiment, Poulsen and his colleagues mimicked stroke conditions in thin slices of rat hippocampus (the part of the brain used for memory and learning). They found that low doses of methamphetamine helped protect the brain slices, while high doses increased stroke damage, the AP reported. Another experiment found that low doses protected the brains of gerbils that had strokes.
This is preliminary research and more work is needed to confirm and expand the findings, Poulsen said.
Group Wants FDA Probe of Silicone Breast Implant Allegations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must investigate a whistle blower's charges that a company seeking approval to sell silicone breast implants withheld safety data from federal regulators, the advocacy group Public Citizen says.
Mentor Corp. of Santa Barbara, Calif., is one of two companies seeking FDA approval to sell silicone breast implants in the United States. A former Mentor scientist alleges that the company concealed, misrepresented, or withheld data about durability and leakage in its implants, the Associated Press reported.
"Unless the FDA opens a criminal investigation into Mentor's failure to submit the studies, it will only encourage Mentor and other device manufacturers to selectively send the agency only those studies that put their products in the most favorable light," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.
A statement released by Mentor said, to the company's knowledge, all questions about the its silicone implants were answered to the satisfaction of the FDA, the AP reported.
Silicone breast implants first went on sale in the United States in 1962, but concerns about cancer and leakage problems led to their removal from the market in 1992. In July 2005, the FDA told Mentor and another company that it would allow them to start selling silicone breast implants if the companies met certain unspecified conditions. Neither company has yet received final marketing approval from the FDA.
Vital Data Absent From Drug Research File: Report
Important information was missing from a company research file given to United Kingdom regulators prior to the start of a drug study that left six men seriously ill, says a report by drug research experts from the Netherlands who investigated the incident.
The missing data may have alerted U.K. officials about the potential harm that the experimental drug TGN1412 could cause study volunteers, BBC News reported.
The man who suffered the worst effects from the drug had his fingers and toes amputated and his health outlook is uncertain.
The Dutch report noted that scientists from the German drug company TeGenero said that the site in the body where TGN1412 binds was identical in humans and monkeys. No detailed data on such a comparison was included in the research file given to U.K. regulators, the report said.
The Dutch investigators did their own research on the binding site and concluded that, in fact, there are clear differences between humans and monkeys, BBC News reported.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Health Headlines - October 14
FDA Warns of Fake Glucose Test Strips
Counterfeit test strips for use with Lifescan's "One Touch" blood-glucose monitors are circulating in the United States and may provide false blood sugar readings that could lead to injury or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
False readings could encourage diabetics to inject themselves with too little or too much insulin, the agency said in a statement, although no incidents have been reported so far.
The counterfeit test strips are labeled:
* One Touch Basic/Profile 50-count packages (lot #s 272894A, 2619932 or 2606340).
* One Touch Ultra 50-count packages (lot #2691191).
The strips were distributed to pharmacies and stores nationwide, but primarily in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York and Ohio. The distributors were Medical Plastic Devices Inc. (Quebec, Canada) and Champion Sales Inc. (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
Lifescan alerted the FDA to the problem, the agency said. Consumers who have these strips should stop using them immediately and contact a physician.
For more information, call Lifescan at 866-621-4855.
Methamphetamine Lessens Stroke Damage in Rodent Brains
In rat and gerbil brains, low doses of the drug methamphetamine appeared to lessen damage caused by stroke, says a University of Montana study that suggests the possibility that the drug may someday be used to reduce stroke damage in people.
The study will be presented at a Society of Neuroscience conference in Atlanta Oct. 14-18, the Associated Press reported.
"Methamphetamine is a drug that has been shown to exacerbate stroke damage or make it worse when administered before a stroke," Dave Poulsen, a research assistant professor in the university's department of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, said in a prepared statement. "But we have seen roughly 80 to 90 percent protection of neurons when administered after a stroke."
The scientists found that low doses of methamphetamine helped reduce brain damage up to 16 hours after a stroke. The current leading clot-busting drug used to treat stroke patients must be administered within three hours of the start of symptoms, Poulsen noted.
In one experiment, Poulsen and his colleagues mimicked stroke conditions in thin slices of rat hippocampus (the part of the brain used for memory and learning). They found that low doses of methamphetamine helped protect the brain slices, while high doses increased stroke damage, the AP reported. Another experiment found that low doses protected the brains of gerbils that had strokes.
This is preliminary research and more work is needed to confirm and expand the findings, Poulsen said.
Group Wants FDA Probe of Silicone Breast Implant Allegations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must investigate a whistle blower's charges that a company seeking approval to sell silicone breast implants withheld safety data from federal regulators, the advocacy group Public Citizen says.
Mentor Corp. of Santa Barbara, Calif., is one of two companies seeking FDA approval to sell silicone breast implants in the United States. A former Mentor scientist alleges that the company concealed, misrepresented, or withheld data about durability and leakage in its implants, the Associated Press reported.
"Unless the FDA opens a criminal investigation into Mentor's failure to submit the studies, it will only encourage Mentor and other device manufacturers to selectively send the agency only those studies that put their products in the most favorable light," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.
A statement released by Mentor said, to the company's knowledge, all questions about the its silicone implants were answered to the satisfaction of the FDA, the AP reported.
Silicone breast implants first went on sale in the United States in 1962, but concerns about cancer and leakage problems led to their removal from the market in 1992. In July 2005, the FDA told Mentor and another company that it would allow them to start selling silicone breast implants if the companies met certain unspecified conditions. Neither company has yet received final marketing approval from the FDA.
Vital Data Absent From Drug Research File: Report
Important information was missing from a company research file given to United Kingdom regulators prior to the start of a drug study that left six men seriously ill, says a report by drug research experts from the Netherlands who investigated the incident.
The missing data may have alerted U.K. officials about the potential harm that the experimental drug TGN1412 could cause study volunteers, BBC News reported.
The man who suffered the worst effects from the drug had his fingers and toes amputated and his health outlook is uncertain.
The Dutch report noted that scientists from the German drug company TeGenero said that the site in the body where TGN1412 binds was identical in humans and monkeys. No detailed data on such a comparison was included in the research file given to U.K. regulators, the report said.
The Dutch investigators did their own research on the binding site and concluded that, in fact, there are clear differences between humans and monkeys, BBC News reported.
The investigators said the file also lacked information about how TGN1412 affects certain human immune cells compared to monkey immune cells.
Drug developers must provide all essential information for regulators to properly evaluate which human drug trials should be approved, the report said.
Colds Survey Nothing to Sneeze At
Nearly three in five (58 percent) U.S. travelers age 30 and over say getting a cold while traveling is as annoying as sitting next to crying child while traveling, says a national survey released Thursday.
The online survey included 1,366 adults, age 30 and over, who took at least one leisure, business, or combined leisure/business trip by plane in the previous year. The survey also found:
* 79 percent said getting a cold while traveling is annoying or very annoying.
* 37 percent said getting a cold has negatively affected their travel experiences.
* 49 percent said they feel dissatisfied with their vacation if they catch a cold.
* 51 percent said they can't perform at their best while traveling if they have a cold.
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of a company that makes a cold remedy.
Counterfeit test strips for use with Lifescan's "One Touch" blood-glucose monitors are circulating in the United States and may provide false blood sugar readings that could lead to injury or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
False readings could encourage diabetics to inject themselves with too little or too much insulin, the agency said in a statement, although no incidents have been reported so far.
The counterfeit test strips are labeled:
* One Touch Basic/Profile 50-count packages (lot #s 272894A, 2619932 or 2606340).
* One Touch Ultra 50-count packages (lot #2691191).
The strips were distributed to pharmacies and stores nationwide, but primarily in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York and Ohio. The distributors were Medical Plastic Devices Inc. (Quebec, Canada) and Champion Sales Inc. (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
Lifescan alerted the FDA to the problem, the agency said. Consumers who have these strips should stop using them immediately and contact a physician.
For more information, call Lifescan at 866-621-4855.
Methamphetamine Lessens Stroke Damage in Rodent Brains
In rat and gerbil brains, low doses of the drug methamphetamine appeared to lessen damage caused by stroke, says a University of Montana study that suggests the possibility that the drug may someday be used to reduce stroke damage in people.
The study will be presented at a Society of Neuroscience conference in Atlanta Oct. 14-18, the Associated Press reported.
"Methamphetamine is a drug that has been shown to exacerbate stroke damage or make it worse when administered before a stroke," Dave Poulsen, a research assistant professor in the university's department of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, said in a prepared statement. "But we have seen roughly 80 to 90 percent protection of neurons when administered after a stroke."
The scientists found that low doses of methamphetamine helped reduce brain damage up to 16 hours after a stroke. The current leading clot-busting drug used to treat stroke patients must be administered within three hours of the start of symptoms, Poulsen noted.
In one experiment, Poulsen and his colleagues mimicked stroke conditions in thin slices of rat hippocampus (the part of the brain used for memory and learning). They found that low doses of methamphetamine helped protect the brain slices, while high doses increased stroke damage, the AP reported. Another experiment found that low doses protected the brains of gerbils that had strokes.
This is preliminary research and more work is needed to confirm and expand the findings, Poulsen said.
Group Wants FDA Probe of Silicone Breast Implant Allegations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must investigate a whistle blower's charges that a company seeking approval to sell silicone breast implants withheld safety data from federal regulators, the advocacy group Public Citizen says.
Mentor Corp. of Santa Barbara, Calif., is one of two companies seeking FDA approval to sell silicone breast implants in the United States. A former Mentor scientist alleges that the company concealed, misrepresented, or withheld data about durability and leakage in its implants, the Associated Press reported.
"Unless the FDA opens a criminal investigation into Mentor's failure to submit the studies, it will only encourage Mentor and other device manufacturers to selectively send the agency only those studies that put their products in the most favorable light," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.
A statement released by Mentor said, to the company's knowledge, all questions about the its silicone implants were answered to the satisfaction of the FDA, the AP reported.
Silicone breast implants first went on sale in the United States in 1962, but concerns about cancer and leakage problems led to their removal from the market in 1992. In July 2005, the FDA told Mentor and another company that it would allow them to start selling silicone breast implants if the companies met certain unspecified conditions. Neither company has yet received final marketing approval from the FDA.
Vital Data Absent From Drug Research File: Report
Important information was missing from a company research file given to United Kingdom regulators prior to the start of a drug study that left six men seriously ill, says a report by drug research experts from the Netherlands who investigated the incident.
The missing data may have alerted U.K. officials about the potential harm that the experimental drug TGN1412 could cause study volunteers, BBC News reported.
The man who suffered the worst effects from the drug had his fingers and toes amputated and his health outlook is uncertain.
The Dutch report noted that scientists from the German drug company TeGenero said that the site in the body where TGN1412 binds was identical in humans and monkeys. No detailed data on such a comparison was included in the research file given to U.K. regulators, the report said.
The Dutch investigators did their own research on the binding site and concluded that, in fact, there are clear differences between humans and monkeys, BBC News reported.
The investigators said the file also lacked information about how TGN1412 affects certain human immune cells compared to monkey immune cells.
Drug developers must provide all essential information for regulators to properly evaluate which human drug trials should be approved, the report said.
Colds Survey Nothing to Sneeze At
Nearly three in five (58 percent) U.S. travelers age 30 and over say getting a cold while traveling is as annoying as sitting next to crying child while traveling, says a national survey released Thursday.
The online survey included 1,366 adults, age 30 and over, who took at least one leisure, business, or combined leisure/business trip by plane in the previous year. The survey also found:
* 79 percent said getting a cold while traveling is annoying or very annoying.
* 37 percent said getting a cold has negatively affected their travel experiences.
* 49 percent said they feel dissatisfied with their vacation if they catch a cold.
* 51 percent said they can't perform at their best while traveling if they have a cold.
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of a company that makes a cold remedy.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Health Headlines - October 13
Farming Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risk
Women who've worked on farms are almost three times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who've never worked in agriculture, says a Canadian study published Thursday in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
The 2 1/2-year study included 564 breast cancer patients, 154 of whom had worked on farms, and all were treated at the Windsor Regional Cancer Center in Ontario, the Toronto Star reported.
The breast cancer patients were compared to a group of women who did not have any kind of cancer. And after the researchers accounted for a number of known breast cancer factors -- including age, smoking, genetics, hormone replacement therapies, and number of children -- the association between agriculture and breast cancer became evident.
Exposure to pesticides and other substances commonly found on farms may explain the link, the study said.
"We also found that if she went on to work in healthcare or in auto (manufacturing) her breast cancer risk continued, and in the case of the auto industry, it actually slightly increased," study author James Brophy, an occupational and environmental health scientist, told the Star.
NYC Subway a Threat to Hearing: Report
Just 30 minutes a day of riding on the New York City subway can cause permanent hearing loss, says a Columbia University study just published in the Journal of Urban Health.
The findings were immediately criticized by the New York City Transit Authority, which called the study "fundamentally flawed due to inadequate research," United Press International reported.
The Columbia researchers found that regular subway noise averaged about 94 decibels to 95 decibels, but reached 106 decibels at some of the subway platforms. By comparison, a lawn mower produces about 107 decibels.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization guidelines, people should not be subjected to levels of 106 decibels for more than 30 seconds, UPI reported.
"By itself, riding (the subway) long enough could definitely put your hearing at risk," said study lead author Robyn Gershon, a professor at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. "Once the damage starts, it passes a threshold and keeps adding and keeps adding, and pushes you over the edge."
Major Study to Examine Hispanic Americans' Health
Hispanics in four cities -- New York, Chicago, Miami and San Diego -- will be the focus of the largest long-term government study of health and disease in that group of Americans.
The 6 1/2-year, $61-million study will include about 16,000 people (4,000 per city) who will undergo a series of physical examinations and interviews to help researchers identify the prevalence and risk factors for a wide number of diseases, disorders, and conditions. The study volunteers will range in age from 18 to 74 years.
The Hispanic Community Health Study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), will also examine the role of cultural adaptation and disparities in the prevalence and development of disease among Hispanic Americans.
"The Hispanic population is the largest minority population in the United States, and it is expected to triple in growth by 2050," Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, NIH director, said in a prepared statement. "The knowledge gained from this study will benefit not only Hispanic populations but will also enhance understanding of health and disease in other ethnic groups."
FDA Approves Avastin to Treat Lung Cancer
The colon cancer drug Avastin was approved Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to also treat the most common form of lung cancer.
The FDA said Avastin can be used in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic, non squamous, non-small cell lung cancer, the Associated Press reported.
This is the most common form of lung cancer in the United States and accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the nation.
Drug maker Genentech Inc. of California said it will cap the cost of the drug at $55,000 per year for eligible patients in any FDA approved indication, which means the cap program will exclude off-label use, the AP reported.
"The approval of Avastin represents an important new option for patients with the most common type of lung cancer," Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, said in a prepared statement.
Most Decaf Coffee Has Caffeine: Study
Nearly all decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine, says a University of Florida study.
The researchers said this information could be important for people with certain medical conditions -- such as kidney disease, hypertension or anxiety disorders -- who've been told to avoid caffeine, the Associated Press reported.
"If someone drinks five to 10 cups of decaffeinated coffee a day, the dose of caffeine could easily reach the level in a cup or two of caffeinated coffee," said study co-author Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a professor and director of the university's William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine.
Goldberger and his colleagues found that some brands of drip-brewed decaffeinated coffee had caffeine levels ranging from 8.6 milligrams to 13.9 milligrams in a 16-ounce cup. A typical 16-oz. cup of caffeinated coffee contains about 170 milligrams of caffeine, the AP reported.
The findings appear in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology.
Drug-Coated Stents Cause 2,000 Deaths a Year: Experts
Each year, drug-coated stents cause the deaths of more than 2,000 Americans, says a guest editorial published Wednesday on the Web site of the American College of Cardiology.
Stents are tiny metal devices used to prop open previously narrowed or blocked arteries. Drug-coated stents are meant to reduce inflammation at the site where they're placed, to prevent a recurrence of arterial blockage.
But the editorial said that patients face a lower risk of fatal blood clots and serious heart attacks if they're treated with older, bare-metal stents that, in many cases, work as well as drug-coated stents, The New York Times reported.
Editorial authors Drs. Sanjay Kaul and George A. Diamond of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said research suggests that patients who receive drug-coated stents have a 0.6 percent annual increased risk of blood clot, compared with patients who receive bare metal stents.
More than a million Americans receive stents each year and at least 80 percent of those patients receive drug-coated stents. Based on the increased risk associated with drug-coated stents and assuming a 45 percent death rate among stent patients who suffer blood clots, the editorial authors calculated that drug-coated stents cause at least an additional 2,160 deaths each year in the United States, the Times reported.
Women who've worked on farms are almost three times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who've never worked in agriculture, says a Canadian study published Thursday in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
The 2 1/2-year study included 564 breast cancer patients, 154 of whom had worked on farms, and all were treated at the Windsor Regional Cancer Center in Ontario, the Toronto Star reported.
The breast cancer patients were compared to a group of women who did not have any kind of cancer. And after the researchers accounted for a number of known breast cancer factors -- including age, smoking, genetics, hormone replacement therapies, and number of children -- the association between agriculture and breast cancer became evident.
Exposure to pesticides and other substances commonly found on farms may explain the link, the study said.
"We also found that if she went on to work in healthcare or in auto (manufacturing) her breast cancer risk continued, and in the case of the auto industry, it actually slightly increased," study author James Brophy, an occupational and environmental health scientist, told the Star.
NYC Subway a Threat to Hearing: Report
Just 30 minutes a day of riding on the New York City subway can cause permanent hearing loss, says a Columbia University study just published in the Journal of Urban Health.
The findings were immediately criticized by the New York City Transit Authority, which called the study "fundamentally flawed due to inadequate research," United Press International reported.
The Columbia researchers found that regular subway noise averaged about 94 decibels to 95 decibels, but reached 106 decibels at some of the subway platforms. By comparison, a lawn mower produces about 107 decibels.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization guidelines, people should not be subjected to levels of 106 decibels for more than 30 seconds, UPI reported.
"By itself, riding (the subway) long enough could definitely put your hearing at risk," said study lead author Robyn Gershon, a professor at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. "Once the damage starts, it passes a threshold and keeps adding and keeps adding, and pushes you over the edge."
Major Study to Examine Hispanic Americans' Health
Hispanics in four cities -- New York, Chicago, Miami and San Diego -- will be the focus of the largest long-term government study of health and disease in that group of Americans.
The 6 1/2-year, $61-million study will include about 16,000 people (4,000 per city) who will undergo a series of physical examinations and interviews to help researchers identify the prevalence and risk factors for a wide number of diseases, disorders, and conditions. The study volunteers will range in age from 18 to 74 years.
The Hispanic Community Health Study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), will also examine the role of cultural adaptation and disparities in the prevalence and development of disease among Hispanic Americans.
"The Hispanic population is the largest minority population in the United States, and it is expected to triple in growth by 2050," Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, NIH director, said in a prepared statement. "The knowledge gained from this study will benefit not only Hispanic populations but will also enhance understanding of health and disease in other ethnic groups."
FDA Approves Avastin to Treat Lung Cancer
The colon cancer drug Avastin was approved Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to also treat the most common form of lung cancer.
The FDA said Avastin can be used in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic, non squamous, non-small cell lung cancer, the Associated Press reported.
This is the most common form of lung cancer in the United States and accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the nation.
Drug maker Genentech Inc. of California said it will cap the cost of the drug at $55,000 per year for eligible patients in any FDA approved indication, which means the cap program will exclude off-label use, the AP reported.
"The approval of Avastin represents an important new option for patients with the most common type of lung cancer," Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, said in a prepared statement.
Most Decaf Coffee Has Caffeine: Study
Nearly all decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine, says a University of Florida study.
The researchers said this information could be important for people with certain medical conditions -- such as kidney disease, hypertension or anxiety disorders -- who've been told to avoid caffeine, the Associated Press reported.
"If someone drinks five to 10 cups of decaffeinated coffee a day, the dose of caffeine could easily reach the level in a cup or two of caffeinated coffee," said study co-author Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a professor and director of the university's William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine.
Goldberger and his colleagues found that some brands of drip-brewed decaffeinated coffee had caffeine levels ranging from 8.6 milligrams to 13.9 milligrams in a 16-ounce cup. A typical 16-oz. cup of caffeinated coffee contains about 170 milligrams of caffeine, the AP reported.
The findings appear in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology.
Drug-Coated Stents Cause 2,000 Deaths a Year: Experts
Each year, drug-coated stents cause the deaths of more than 2,000 Americans, says a guest editorial published Wednesday on the Web site of the American College of Cardiology.
Stents are tiny metal devices used to prop open previously narrowed or blocked arteries. Drug-coated stents are meant to reduce inflammation at the site where they're placed, to prevent a recurrence of arterial blockage.
But the editorial said that patients face a lower risk of fatal blood clots and serious heart attacks if they're treated with older, bare-metal stents that, in many cases, work as well as drug-coated stents, The New York Times reported.
Editorial authors Drs. Sanjay Kaul and George A. Diamond of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said research suggests that patients who receive drug-coated stents have a 0.6 percent annual increased risk of blood clot, compared with patients who receive bare metal stents.
More than a million Americans receive stents each year and at least 80 percent of those patients receive drug-coated stents. Based on the increased risk associated with drug-coated stents and assuming a 45 percent death rate among stent patients who suffer blood clots, the editorial authors calculated that drug-coated stents cause at least an additional 2,160 deaths each year in the United States, the Times reported.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Health Headlines - October 12
U.S. Doctors Slow to Embrace Electronic Medical Records
Electronic health records (EHRs) are still not a routine part of medical practice in the United States, according to a new report released Wednesday.
Researchers found that 24.9 percent of doctors do use EHRs to improve patient care but only 10 percent use a "fully operational" system that collects patient information, displays test results, allows caregivers to enter medical records and prescriptions, and helps doctors make treatment decisions.
"We are pitifully behind where we should be. We must find ways to get more physicians to embrace this technology if we are to make major strides in improving healthcare quality," report co-author Dr. David Blumenthal, director of the Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital, said in a prepared statement.
The report also noted that only about 5 percent of America's 6,000 hospitals use computerized physician order entry, a component of EHRs, to help reduce medical errors and make delivery of patient care easier.
The report is a joint project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the U.S. government's National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. An article outlining the report's findings was published in the online edition of the journal Health Affairs.
R.J. Reynolds Agrees to Halt Flavored Cigarette Sales
Tobacco company R.J. Reynolds has agreed to stop selling flavored cigarettes in the United States.
Critics said the flavored cigarettes, with names such as "Mocha Tobacco" and Twista Lime" were meant to entice young people to smoke.
The company will stop identifying cigarettes with candy, fruit, desserts, or alcoholic beverage names, imagery or ads, said a statement from New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who led an investigation into flavored cigarettes, the Associated Press reported.
The investigation included officials from 38 states and the U.S. territory of the Northern Marianas. As part of settling the investigation, Reynolds also agreed to stop using scented promotional material, such as scratch and sniff samples.
153 Million Worldwide Have Vision Problems: WHO
Being given a simple eye test and glasses or contact lenses could dramatically improve the lives of about 153 million people in the world who have easily correctable vision problems, says a World Health Organization (WHO) report released Wednesday.
The majority of those people live in low- and middle-income countries. The report was released in advance of World Sight Day on Thursday.
These vision problems -- such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism -- cause children to fail at school and prevent adults from working. The report said correcting these problems could help these people live more productive lives, CBC News reported.
"Individuals and families are frequently pushed into a cycle of deepening poverty because of their inability to see well," the WHO said.
Study to Focus on School Role in Diabetes Fight
U.S. researchers will study students at dozens of middle schools across the nation to determine whether schools can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in youngsters by making changes to gym classes and offering healthier cafeteria food.
The HEALTHY study, sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, will follow students currently in sixth grade for 2 1/2 years. It's expected the results will be available in 2009, the Associated Press reported.
The study will include students in California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Texas. One group of students will carry on as normal while a second group will be offered healthier choices in the cafeteria, along with more challenging gym classes and guidance about healthy behaviors.
Men Delay Going to ER During Sports Broadcasts
American men delay seeking emergency medical help if they're watching sports on TV, suggests research by a doctor at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
Emergency physician Dr. David Jerrard found that the number of men going to hospital emergency rooms dropped during TV sports broadcasts and surged when the sports shows were over, the Associated Press reported.
A study he did two years ago found that there was about a 30 percent decline in the number of men checking into the ER during sports broadcasts.
In the new study, Jerrard analyzed the four-hour period starting 30 minutes after the end of TV broadcasts of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the University of Maryland basketball and football teams. There were about 40 percent more ER visits made by men during this time frame than the average for the same time and day of the week when there wasn't a sportscast, the AP reported.
The largest surge occurred after televised college football games. On those days, an average of 15 male patients came to the ER in the hours after a game, compared to eight during the same time period on non-game days.
The latest study was released Wednesday at a meeting of emergency physicians.
Egypt Reports New Human Bird Flu Case
A new human case of H5N1 bird flu virus has been reported in Egypt. It's the first one in that country since May
A 39-year-old woman from the northern delta province of Gharbiya tested positive for the virus after she complained of high fever and shortness of breath, Agence France Presse reported.
Including this case, 15 people in Egypt have been infected with bird flu since the virus was first detected in the country in February. Six of those patients died.
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and is located on a major route for migratory birds. Outside of Asia, Egypt has been hardest hit by bird flu since the start of the outbreak in 2003, AFP reported.
In China, officials in Beijing said the city will boost bird-flu monitoring after two recent outbreaks in the north of the country that killed about 2,000 domestic poultry.
The 86 bird-flu monitoring stations in Beijing will provide daily reports, officials said. More than 100,000 migratory birds from northeast China, Mongolia and Russia will fly over Beijing in October alone, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Electronic health records (EHRs) are still not a routine part of medical practice in the United States, according to a new report released Wednesday.
Researchers found that 24.9 percent of doctors do use EHRs to improve patient care but only 10 percent use a "fully operational" system that collects patient information, displays test results, allows caregivers to enter medical records and prescriptions, and helps doctors make treatment decisions.
"We are pitifully behind where we should be. We must find ways to get more physicians to embrace this technology if we are to make major strides in improving healthcare quality," report co-author Dr. David Blumenthal, director of the Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital, said in a prepared statement.
The report also noted that only about 5 percent of America's 6,000 hospitals use computerized physician order entry, a component of EHRs, to help reduce medical errors and make delivery of patient care easier.
The report is a joint project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the U.S. government's National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. An article outlining the report's findings was published in the online edition of the journal Health Affairs.
R.J. Reynolds Agrees to Halt Flavored Cigarette Sales
Tobacco company R.J. Reynolds has agreed to stop selling flavored cigarettes in the United States.
Critics said the flavored cigarettes, with names such as "Mocha Tobacco" and Twista Lime" were meant to entice young people to smoke.
The company will stop identifying cigarettes with candy, fruit, desserts, or alcoholic beverage names, imagery or ads, said a statement from New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who led an investigation into flavored cigarettes, the Associated Press reported.
The investigation included officials from 38 states and the U.S. territory of the Northern Marianas. As part of settling the investigation, Reynolds also agreed to stop using scented promotional material, such as scratch and sniff samples.
153 Million Worldwide Have Vision Problems: WHO
Being given a simple eye test and glasses or contact lenses could dramatically improve the lives of about 153 million people in the world who have easily correctable vision problems, says a World Health Organization (WHO) report released Wednesday.
The majority of those people live in low- and middle-income countries. The report was released in advance of World Sight Day on Thursday.
These vision problems -- such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism -- cause children to fail at school and prevent adults from working. The report said correcting these problems could help these people live more productive lives, CBC News reported.
"Individuals and families are frequently pushed into a cycle of deepening poverty because of their inability to see well," the WHO said.
Study to Focus on School Role in Diabetes Fight
U.S. researchers will study students at dozens of middle schools across the nation to determine whether schools can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in youngsters by making changes to gym classes and offering healthier cafeteria food.
The HEALTHY study, sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, will follow students currently in sixth grade for 2 1/2 years. It's expected the results will be available in 2009, the Associated Press reported.
The study will include students in California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Texas. One group of students will carry on as normal while a second group will be offered healthier choices in the cafeteria, along with more challenging gym classes and guidance about healthy behaviors.
Men Delay Going to ER During Sports Broadcasts
American men delay seeking emergency medical help if they're watching sports on TV, suggests research by a doctor at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
Emergency physician Dr. David Jerrard found that the number of men going to hospital emergency rooms dropped during TV sports broadcasts and surged when the sports shows were over, the Associated Press reported.
A study he did two years ago found that there was about a 30 percent decline in the number of men checking into the ER during sports broadcasts.
In the new study, Jerrard analyzed the four-hour period starting 30 minutes after the end of TV broadcasts of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the University of Maryland basketball and football teams. There were about 40 percent more ER visits made by men during this time frame than the average for the same time and day of the week when there wasn't a sportscast, the AP reported.
The largest surge occurred after televised college football games. On those days, an average of 15 male patients came to the ER in the hours after a game, compared to eight during the same time period on non-game days.
The latest study was released Wednesday at a meeting of emergency physicians.
Egypt Reports New Human Bird Flu Case
A new human case of H5N1 bird flu virus has been reported in Egypt. It's the first one in that country since May
A 39-year-old woman from the northern delta province of Gharbiya tested positive for the virus after she complained of high fever and shortness of breath, Agence France Presse reported.
Including this case, 15 people in Egypt have been infected with bird flu since the virus was first detected in the country in February. Six of those patients died.
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and is located on a major route for migratory birds. Outside of Asia, Egypt has been hardest hit by bird flu since the start of the outbreak in 2003, AFP reported.
In China, officials in Beijing said the city will boost bird-flu monitoring after two recent outbreaks in the north of the country that killed about 2,000 domestic poultry.
The 86 bird-flu monitoring stations in Beijing will provide daily reports, officials said. More than 100,000 migratory birds from northeast China, Mongolia and Russia will fly over Beijing in October alone, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Health Headlines - October 11
Seniors in Medicare 'Donut Hole' Should Shop for Savings: Report
Most of the time, seniors on Medicare can get a better price for prescription drugs by shopping around rather than paying the "full-cost" under the Part D drug plan, according to a new Consumers Union report.
The finding, based on a study of seniors in Florida's Broward County, shows the need for the U.S. Congress to scrap a law that prohibits Medicare from using its massive purchasing power to negotiate cheaper drug prices for seniors, Consumers Union says.
The "full-cost" is what Medicare beneficiaries must pay once they have used $2,250 of their drug benefit under most standard plans, putting them in the so-called "donut hole" coverage gap. Once in that gap, beneficiaries must spend $2,850 of their own money for "full-cost" drugs before Medicare drug coverage kicks in again.
An estimated 3 million to 7 million Medicare beneficiaries could fall into the "donut hole" coverage gap this year.
"By simply shopping around, we found Florida seniors in the Medicare 'donut hole' coverage gap could usually get lower prices at retail most of the time than they could through their insurance plan. What's happening with Medicare 'donut hole' prices in this one Florida county is likely illustrative of the rest of the nation," Pete Sikora, outreach coordinator with Consumers Union, said in a prepared statement.
State Medicaid Spending Increases at Slower Rate
The amount of money spent by states on Medicaid increased an average of 2.8 percent in the fiscal year 2006 -- the lowest increase in a decade, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report released Tuesday.
In that same fiscal year, state revenues increased by an average of 3.7 percent, the Associated Press reported.
Kaiser officials said the figures may mean more services for Medicaid patients and increased reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.
The foundation said this is the first time since 1998 that revenue grew faster than Medicaid spending, the result of an improved economy and tighter cost controls put in place by states, the AP reported.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, the cost of Medicaid was more than $300 billion. The federal government covers about 60 percent of the overall costs.
New Male Contraceptive Attracts Interest
Greater-than-anticipated public interest has prompted U.S. researchers to expand trials of a potentially reversible form of male contraceptive designed as an alternative to surgical vasectomy.
The Intra Vas Device (IVD) uses a tiny plug of silicone gel to block tubes (vas deferens) used by sperm to travel from the testicles to the penis. The IVD is inserted through a small hole made in the scrotum, The Times of London reported.
A pilot study of 30 men showed that that IVD was effective in preventing conception. Research in monkeys demonstrated that the IVD was reversible. More research is required to determine if it's reversible in humans.
The Shepherd Medical Company plans to begin testing its IVD next week. Originally, the researchers planned to include male volunteers from St. Paul, Minn. High levels of interest convinced them to expand the trials, The Times reported.
The male volunteers who receive the IVD will test it for two years.
Sunitinib Called Effective Against Gastrointestinal Tumors
The drug sunitinib is an effective option for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) who no longer respond to treatment with the drug imatinib, says an international study published online by The Lancet medical journal.
Currently, imatinib is used to treat GIST patients. However, in more than 50 percent of patients, the cancer develops resistance to the drug after about two years of treatment. At the moment, there is no recognized, effective treatment option for these patients.
This new study of 312 patients found that those who took sunitinib had a longer median time to tumor progression than those who took a placebo (27.3 weeks vs. 6.4 weeks) and a longer period of progression-free survival (24.1 weeks vs. 6 weeks for a placebo).
The most commonly reported side effects among patients taking sunitinib were fatigue, diarrhea, skin discoloration, and nausea.
"Although the exact molecular mechanisms might be multifactorial and require further study, our findings show that sunitinib is an effective option for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor after failure of imatinib," the study authors concluded.
Statins Extend Patients' Lives by 2 Years: Study
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs extend the life expectancy of elderly patients by an average of two years, according to a U.S. study of about 1.5 million patients.
During the study, about 350,000 of the patients received statins, while the remaining patients were not given the drugs. The study found that statins provided the most benefit to patients with the greatest risk of death, the Associated Press reported.
The findings are published in the October issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
"We were surprised to find that statin users actually lived an average two years longer despite the patients having more health risk factors and being older than non-statin users," researcher Dr. J.L. Mehta, of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said in a prepared statement.
"We did not expect that statin therapy would have such a profound impact on patients' lives," Mehta said.
Typically, statins are prescribed for older patients with a history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.
Most of the time, seniors on Medicare can get a better price for prescription drugs by shopping around rather than paying the "full-cost" under the Part D drug plan, according to a new Consumers Union report.
The finding, based on a study of seniors in Florida's Broward County, shows the need for the U.S. Congress to scrap a law that prohibits Medicare from using its massive purchasing power to negotiate cheaper drug prices for seniors, Consumers Union says.
The "full-cost" is what Medicare beneficiaries must pay once they have used $2,250 of their drug benefit under most standard plans, putting them in the so-called "donut hole" coverage gap. Once in that gap, beneficiaries must spend $2,850 of their own money for "full-cost" drugs before Medicare drug coverage kicks in again.
An estimated 3 million to 7 million Medicare beneficiaries could fall into the "donut hole" coverage gap this year.
"By simply shopping around, we found Florida seniors in the Medicare 'donut hole' coverage gap could usually get lower prices at retail most of the time than they could through their insurance plan. What's happening with Medicare 'donut hole' prices in this one Florida county is likely illustrative of the rest of the nation," Pete Sikora, outreach coordinator with Consumers Union, said in a prepared statement.
State Medicaid Spending Increases at Slower Rate
The amount of money spent by states on Medicaid increased an average of 2.8 percent in the fiscal year 2006 -- the lowest increase in a decade, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report released Tuesday.
In that same fiscal year, state revenues increased by an average of 3.7 percent, the Associated Press reported.
Kaiser officials said the figures may mean more services for Medicaid patients and increased reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.
The foundation said this is the first time since 1998 that revenue grew faster than Medicaid spending, the result of an improved economy and tighter cost controls put in place by states, the AP reported.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, the cost of Medicaid was more than $300 billion. The federal government covers about 60 percent of the overall costs.
New Male Contraceptive Attracts Interest
Greater-than-anticipated public interest has prompted U.S. researchers to expand trials of a potentially reversible form of male contraceptive designed as an alternative to surgical vasectomy.
The Intra Vas Device (IVD) uses a tiny plug of silicone gel to block tubes (vas deferens) used by sperm to travel from the testicles to the penis. The IVD is inserted through a small hole made in the scrotum, The Times of London reported.
A pilot study of 30 men showed that that IVD was effective in preventing conception. Research in monkeys demonstrated that the IVD was reversible. More research is required to determine if it's reversible in humans.
The Shepherd Medical Company plans to begin testing its IVD next week. Originally, the researchers planned to include male volunteers from St. Paul, Minn. High levels of interest convinced them to expand the trials, The Times reported.
The male volunteers who receive the IVD will test it for two years.
Sunitinib Called Effective Against Gastrointestinal Tumors
The drug sunitinib is an effective option for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) who no longer respond to treatment with the drug imatinib, says an international study published online by The Lancet medical journal.
Currently, imatinib is used to treat GIST patients. However, in more than 50 percent of patients, the cancer develops resistance to the drug after about two years of treatment. At the moment, there is no recognized, effective treatment option for these patients.
This new study of 312 patients found that those who took sunitinib had a longer median time to tumor progression than those who took a placebo (27.3 weeks vs. 6.4 weeks) and a longer period of progression-free survival (24.1 weeks vs. 6 weeks for a placebo).
The most commonly reported side effects among patients taking sunitinib were fatigue, diarrhea, skin discoloration, and nausea.
"Although the exact molecular mechanisms might be multifactorial and require further study, our findings show that sunitinib is an effective option for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor after failure of imatinib," the study authors concluded.
Statins Extend Patients' Lives by 2 Years: Study
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs extend the life expectancy of elderly patients by an average of two years, according to a U.S. study of about 1.5 million patients.
During the study, about 350,000 of the patients received statins, while the remaining patients were not given the drugs. The study found that statins provided the most benefit to patients with the greatest risk of death, the Associated Press reported.
The findings are published in the October issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
"We were surprised to find that statin users actually lived an average two years longer despite the patients having more health risk factors and being older than non-statin users," researcher Dr. J.L. Mehta, of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said in a prepared statement.
"We did not expect that statin therapy would have such a profound impact on patients' lives," Mehta said.
Typically, statins are prescribed for older patients with a history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Health Headlines - October 10
Company Orders Lettuce Recall in Six States
A California company that distributes a popular brand of fresh lettuce has recalled its product from six Western states because of E. coli concerns.
While saying that there have been no cases of the bacteria, which has caused three deaths and more than 100 hospitalizations nationwide from contaminated spinach, The Nunes Company of Salinas announced Sunday the voluntary recall of green leaf lettuce shipped Oct. 3 through Oct. 6 under the Foxy brand, according to an announcement on the company's Web site.
The San Jose Mercury News reports that the company suspected the possibility that the lettuce was irrigated with water containing E. coli. "We are being proactive. We're just not going to take the chance with this," the newspaper quotes Tom Nunes Jr., president of the family-owned company, as saying.
Foxy lettuce is distributed nationwide, but the lettuce in Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not commented on the recall, other than to say it was aware of it.
On Friday, the government announced that an Iowa company was recalling about 5,200 pounds of ground beef products distributed in seven states because they could be contaminated with E. coli.
Jim's Market and Locker Inc. of Harlan produced the ground beef patties and packages Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and sent them to distributors in Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Wisconsin, and to one retail establishment in Iowa, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service announced, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, a third death has been confirmed from the tainted spinach outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that an elderly Nebraska woman died from complications caused by E. coli O157, the bacterial infection that health officials believe was spread nationwide through the consumption of fresh spinach distributed by a California processor.
The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin, and the second was a two-year-old Idaho boy, the CDC said. The agency also announced it was also investigating another fatality in Maryland that may have been spinach-related.
In all, 26 states reported cases of E. coli, with 102 hospitalizations.
Three More Hospitalized by Botulism in Carrot Juice
Two Canadians and one American have been added to the list of those poisoned by botulism toxin in bottled carrot juice made by California-based Bolthouse Farms.
Two people in Toronto are paralyzed and in the hospital after they drank carrot juice that contained botulism toxin, the Toronto Star reported.
An unidentified woman in Florida has also been in the hospital since mid-September and is unresponsive, Jylmarie Kintz, Hillsborough County Health Department epidemiologist, told the Associated Press.
Three people in Georgia who suffered respiratory failure after drinking the bottled carrot juice in early September remain hospitalized on ventilators, U.S. health officials added.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning include double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble speaking or swallowing, and paralysis that can restrict breathing.
Last week, Bolthouse announced a recall of carrot juice with a best-before date of Nov. 11 sold in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong, the AP reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the botulism poisonings.
France Announces Smoking Ban
In a move that's sure to spark heated debate, the French government said Sunday that it's going to snuff out smoking in public places.
Starting next February, smoking will be banned in schools, offices and other public buildings, followed by restaurants, dance clubs, and bars in 2008, the Associated Press reported.
While many French cherish smoking in cafes, bars and restaurants, the government decided that public health trumped that smoky tradition. Within the next few days, the smoking ban will be ordered by decree, which avoids the necessity of a potentially explosive parliamentary debate.
Smokers who violate the ban will get burned with a 75-euro ($95 U.S.) fine and proprietors of buildings where smoking offenses occur will be fined twice that amount.
Members of the service and hospitality industry say the ban will hurt their businesses and have vowed to fight anti-smoking laws, the AP reported.
However, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the French people are ready for a smoking ban. Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain have adopted similar laws.
Unstructured Playtime Helps Kids' Development: Report
Children need more old-fashioned, unstructured playtime for healthy development, concludes an American Academy of Pediatrics report to be released Monday at its annual meeting.
Too often, parents sacrifice children's spontaneous free play for structured learning and activities in an effort to help the youngsters excel. However, the report noted that this can create stress for both parents and youngsters and increase the risk of childhood obesity, the Associated Press reported.
Unstructured play -- such as romping on the floor with parents or playing with "true" toys such as block or dolls -- offers many benefits. These include helping children to become creative, develop problem-solving skills, relate to others, discover their own passions, and adjust to school settings, the report said.
"Perhaps, above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood," the report noted.
Noted pediatrician and author Dr. T. Berry Brazelton praised the report and said he hoped it would have an effect, the AP reported.
Cosmetic Outcome of Lumpectomy Creates Some Dissatisfaction
About one-third of all women who have a lumpectomy as part of their breast cancer treatment are unhappy with how their breasts look, a new survey says.
A lumpectomy is a procedure usually performed in concert with radiation when malignant breast tumors are detected at an early stage, and doctors don't believe it's necessary to perform the much more radical mastectomy, which involves removal of most of the breast tissue.
The survey, presented at the annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco, said that many of those unhappy with the outcome of a lumpectomy would consider reconstructive breast surgery.
According to an ASPS news release, of the 28 percent of the patients who said they were unhappy with how the lumpectomy made their breasts look, 46 percent said their physical appearance was worse or much worse after the surgery and were considering reconstruction. By contrast, only nine percent of patients who were satisfied with the outcome would consider reconstruction.
"Patients should know their options and understand that just because they undergo a lumpectomy to save their breast does not mean they will be happy with the cosmetic outcome," said Dr. Howard Wang, co-author of the study, in the news release.
A California company that distributes a popular brand of fresh lettuce has recalled its product from six Western states because of E. coli concerns.
While saying that there have been no cases of the bacteria, which has caused three deaths and more than 100 hospitalizations nationwide from contaminated spinach, The Nunes Company of Salinas announced Sunday the voluntary recall of green leaf lettuce shipped Oct. 3 through Oct. 6 under the Foxy brand, according to an announcement on the company's Web site.
The San Jose Mercury News reports that the company suspected the possibility that the lettuce was irrigated with water containing E. coli. "We are being proactive. We're just not going to take the chance with this," the newspaper quotes Tom Nunes Jr., president of the family-owned company, as saying.
Foxy lettuce is distributed nationwide, but the lettuce in Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not commented on the recall, other than to say it was aware of it.
On Friday, the government announced that an Iowa company was recalling about 5,200 pounds of ground beef products distributed in seven states because they could be contaminated with E. coli.
Jim's Market and Locker Inc. of Harlan produced the ground beef patties and packages Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and sent them to distributors in Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Wisconsin, and to one retail establishment in Iowa, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service announced, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, a third death has been confirmed from the tainted spinach outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that an elderly Nebraska woman died from complications caused by E. coli O157, the bacterial infection that health officials believe was spread nationwide through the consumption of fresh spinach distributed by a California processor.
The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin, and the second was a two-year-old Idaho boy, the CDC said. The agency also announced it was also investigating another fatality in Maryland that may have been spinach-related.
In all, 26 states reported cases of E. coli, with 102 hospitalizations.
Three More Hospitalized by Botulism in Carrot Juice
Two Canadians and one American have been added to the list of those poisoned by botulism toxin in bottled carrot juice made by California-based Bolthouse Farms.
Two people in Toronto are paralyzed and in the hospital after they drank carrot juice that contained botulism toxin, the Toronto Star reported.
An unidentified woman in Florida has also been in the hospital since mid-September and is unresponsive, Jylmarie Kintz, Hillsborough County Health Department epidemiologist, told the Associated Press.
Three people in Georgia who suffered respiratory failure after drinking the bottled carrot juice in early September remain hospitalized on ventilators, U.S. health officials added.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning include double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble speaking or swallowing, and paralysis that can restrict breathing.
Last week, Bolthouse announced a recall of carrot juice with a best-before date of Nov. 11 sold in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong, the AP reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the botulism poisonings.
France Announces Smoking Ban
In a move that's sure to spark heated debate, the French government said Sunday that it's going to snuff out smoking in public places.
Starting next February, smoking will be banned in schools, offices and other public buildings, followed by restaurants, dance clubs, and bars in 2008, the Associated Press reported.
While many French cherish smoking in cafes, bars and restaurants, the government decided that public health trumped that smoky tradition. Within the next few days, the smoking ban will be ordered by decree, which avoids the necessity of a potentially explosive parliamentary debate.
Smokers who violate the ban will get burned with a 75-euro ($95 U.S.) fine and proprietors of buildings where smoking offenses occur will be fined twice that amount.
Members of the service and hospitality industry say the ban will hurt their businesses and have vowed to fight anti-smoking laws, the AP reported.
However, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the French people are ready for a smoking ban. Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain have adopted similar laws.
Unstructured Playtime Helps Kids' Development: Report
Children need more old-fashioned, unstructured playtime for healthy development, concludes an American Academy of Pediatrics report to be released Monday at its annual meeting.
Too often, parents sacrifice children's spontaneous free play for structured learning and activities in an effort to help the youngsters excel. However, the report noted that this can create stress for both parents and youngsters and increase the risk of childhood obesity, the Associated Press reported.
Unstructured play -- such as romping on the floor with parents or playing with "true" toys such as block or dolls -- offers many benefits. These include helping children to become creative, develop problem-solving skills, relate to others, discover their own passions, and adjust to school settings, the report said.
"Perhaps, above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood," the report noted.
Noted pediatrician and author Dr. T. Berry Brazelton praised the report and said he hoped it would have an effect, the AP reported.
Cosmetic Outcome of Lumpectomy Creates Some Dissatisfaction
About one-third of all women who have a lumpectomy as part of their breast cancer treatment are unhappy with how their breasts look, a new survey says.
A lumpectomy is a procedure usually performed in concert with radiation when malignant breast tumors are detected at an early stage, and doctors don't believe it's necessary to perform the much more radical mastectomy, which involves removal of most of the breast tissue.
The survey, presented at the annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco, said that many of those unhappy with the outcome of a lumpectomy would consider reconstructive breast surgery.
According to an ASPS news release, of the 28 percent of the patients who said they were unhappy with how the lumpectomy made their breasts look, 46 percent said their physical appearance was worse or much worse after the surgery and were considering reconstruction. By contrast, only nine percent of patients who were satisfied with the outcome would consider reconstruction.
"Patients should know their options and understand that just because they undergo a lumpectomy to save their breast does not mean they will be happy with the cosmetic outcome," said Dr. Howard Wang, co-author of the study, in the news release.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Health Headlines - October 9
Cosmetic Outcome of Lumpectomy Creates Some Dissatisfaction
About one-third of all women who have a lumpectomy as part of their breast cancer treatment are unhappy with how their breasts look, a new survey says.
A lumpectomy is a procedure usually performed in concert with radiation when malignant breast tumors are detected at an early stage, and doctors don't believe it's necessary to perform the much more radical mastectomy, which involves removal of most of the breast tissue.
The survey, presented at the annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco, said that many of those unhappy with the outcome of a lumpectomy would consider reconstructive breast surgery.
According to an ASPS news release, of the 28 percent of the patients who said they were unhappy with how the lumpectomy made their breasts look, 46 percent said their physical appearance was worse or much worse after the surgery and were considering reconstruction. By contrast, only nine percent of patients who were satisfied with the outcome would consider reconstruction.
"Patients should know their options and understand that just because they undergo a lumpectomy to save their breast does not mean they will be happy with the cosmetic outcome," said Dr. Howard Wang, co-author of the study, in the news release.
Security Flaws Found in Medicare-Medicaid Computer System
The giant network containing Medicare and Medicaid information on millions of beneficiaries has serious computer flaws, the New York Times reports.
The data is particularly vulnerable, the newspaper says, because the computer network connects the central databank of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with a variety of organizations in the government's medical network -- hospitals and nursing homes. The network also links financial information on Medicare and Medicaid patients with banks, insurance companies, health plans and private institutions.
According to the Times, the investigation was conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which concluded that "key information security controls were missing," including lack of strict password controls; no coding of Medicare and Medicaid data; complete records of network use not being kept.
The newspaper quotes Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as saying no "actual security breaches" had occurred, but he said the network flaws would be fixed.
U.S. Government Launches 'Largest Ever' Autism Research Project
The U.S. government is going to launch a major study into the causes of autism, a decision not universally accepted by some who whose children have the condition.
According to the Associated Press the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Oct. 6 that it would undertake its largest study to date -- involving 2,700 patients -- into what causes autism, which affects an estimated 300,000 children nationwide.
The CDC and five other organizations will conduct the study over a five year period, the A.P. reports. The goal is to find genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to autism.
But, the wire service reports, at least one parents' group whose children are autistic doesn't believe the CDC is the right agency to conduct the research. "We don't want the CDC to do anything. We don't trust them," the wire service quotes Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, as saying.
The primary reason is because the government has discounted the autism association's belief that vaccinations containing a mercury-based preservative are a potential cause. So far, no published research has indicated a cause-and-effect, although the preservative, thimerosal, no longer is used in childhood vaccinations.
Third Death Reported From Spinach E. coli Outbreak
A third death has been confirmed from tainted spinach that caused an outbreak of illness across the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Oct. 6 that an elderly Nebraska woman died from complications caused by E. coli O157, the bacterial infection that health officials believe was spread nationwide through the consumption of fresh spinach distributed by a California processor.
The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin, and the second was a two-year-old Idaho boy, the CDC said. The agency announced it was also investigating another fatality in Maryland that may have been spinach-related.
In all, 26 states have reported cases of E. coli, with 102 hospitalizations.
Deal Limits Fat and Sugar in School Snacks
Under a deal announced Friday, several major food companies will limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in snacks sold in U.S. schools as part of the effort to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.
The agreement -- which comes about five months after a deal to restrict soda sales in schools -- was signed by Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Groupe Danone SA, and PepsiCo Inc. It was negotiated by the American Heart Association and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Associated Press reported.
The companies agreed to a set of fat, sugar, sodium and calorie guidelines for snacks sold in school vending machines, stores and snack bars. Under the guidelines, most snack foods will be limited to a maximum of 35 percent of calories from fat and 35 percent of sugar content by weight.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of leading experts, the AP reported
"By working with schools and industry to implement these guidelines, we are helping to give parents peace of mind that their kids will be able to make healthier choices at school," said Dr. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association.
Perchlorate Affects Women's Thyroid Function
Exposure to perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, road flares and pyrotechnics, may cause reduced thyroid function in women, particularly those with low iodine intake, says a U.S. study. This effect was not found in men.
Perchlorate has been detected in milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and drinking water across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study included nearly 2,300 females and males ages 12 and older, United Press International reported.
The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from the study participants and concluded that perchlorate exposure was a significant predictor or thyroid home levels in women with low iodine levels.
The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones which help control energy, temperature, weight and mood. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck.
These findings indicate "that even small increases in perchlorate exposure may inhibit the thyroid's ability to absorb iodine from the bloodstream," the CDC said.
About one-third of all women who have a lumpectomy as part of their breast cancer treatment are unhappy with how their breasts look, a new survey says.
A lumpectomy is a procedure usually performed in concert with radiation when malignant breast tumors are detected at an early stage, and doctors don't believe it's necessary to perform the much more radical mastectomy, which involves removal of most of the breast tissue.
The survey, presented at the annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco, said that many of those unhappy with the outcome of a lumpectomy would consider reconstructive breast surgery.
According to an ASPS news release, of the 28 percent of the patients who said they were unhappy with how the lumpectomy made their breasts look, 46 percent said their physical appearance was worse or much worse after the surgery and were considering reconstruction. By contrast, only nine percent of patients who were satisfied with the outcome would consider reconstruction.
"Patients should know their options and understand that just because they undergo a lumpectomy to save their breast does not mean they will be happy with the cosmetic outcome," said Dr. Howard Wang, co-author of the study, in the news release.
Security Flaws Found in Medicare-Medicaid Computer System
The giant network containing Medicare and Medicaid information on millions of beneficiaries has serious computer flaws, the New York Times reports.
The data is particularly vulnerable, the newspaper says, because the computer network connects the central databank of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with a variety of organizations in the government's medical network -- hospitals and nursing homes. The network also links financial information on Medicare and Medicaid patients with banks, insurance companies, health plans and private institutions.
According to the Times, the investigation was conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which concluded that "key information security controls were missing," including lack of strict password controls; no coding of Medicare and Medicaid data; complete records of network use not being kept.
The newspaper quotes Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as saying no "actual security breaches" had occurred, but he said the network flaws would be fixed.
U.S. Government Launches 'Largest Ever' Autism Research Project
The U.S. government is going to launch a major study into the causes of autism, a decision not universally accepted by some who whose children have the condition.
According to the Associated Press the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Oct. 6 that it would undertake its largest study to date -- involving 2,700 patients -- into what causes autism, which affects an estimated 300,000 children nationwide.
The CDC and five other organizations will conduct the study over a five year period, the A.P. reports. The goal is to find genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to autism.
But, the wire service reports, at least one parents' group whose children are autistic doesn't believe the CDC is the right agency to conduct the research. "We don't want the CDC to do anything. We don't trust them," the wire service quotes Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, as saying.
The primary reason is because the government has discounted the autism association's belief that vaccinations containing a mercury-based preservative are a potential cause. So far, no published research has indicated a cause-and-effect, although the preservative, thimerosal, no longer is used in childhood vaccinations.
Third Death Reported From Spinach E. coli Outbreak
A third death has been confirmed from tainted spinach that caused an outbreak of illness across the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Oct. 6 that an elderly Nebraska woman died from complications caused by E. coli O157, the bacterial infection that health officials believe was spread nationwide through the consumption of fresh spinach distributed by a California processor.
The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin, and the second was a two-year-old Idaho boy, the CDC said. The agency announced it was also investigating another fatality in Maryland that may have been spinach-related.
In all, 26 states have reported cases of E. coli, with 102 hospitalizations.
Deal Limits Fat and Sugar in School Snacks
Under a deal announced Friday, several major food companies will limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in snacks sold in U.S. schools as part of the effort to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.
The agreement -- which comes about five months after a deal to restrict soda sales in schools -- was signed by Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Groupe Danone SA, and PepsiCo Inc. It was negotiated by the American Heart Association and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Associated Press reported.
The companies agreed to a set of fat, sugar, sodium and calorie guidelines for snacks sold in school vending machines, stores and snack bars. Under the guidelines, most snack foods will be limited to a maximum of 35 percent of calories from fat and 35 percent of sugar content by weight.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of leading experts, the AP reported
"By working with schools and industry to implement these guidelines, we are helping to give parents peace of mind that their kids will be able to make healthier choices at school," said Dr. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association.
Perchlorate Affects Women's Thyroid Function
Exposure to perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, road flares and pyrotechnics, may cause reduced thyroid function in women, particularly those with low iodine intake, says a U.S. study. This effect was not found in men.
Perchlorate has been detected in milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and drinking water across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study included nearly 2,300 females and males ages 12 and older, United Press International reported.
The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from the study participants and concluded that perchlorate exposure was a significant predictor or thyroid home levels in women with low iodine levels.
The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones which help control energy, temperature, weight and mood. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck.
These findings indicate "that even small increases in perchlorate exposure may inhibit the thyroid's ability to absorb iodine from the bloodstream," the CDC said.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Health Headlines - October 8
U.S. Government Launches 'Largest Ever' Autism Research Project
The U.S. government is going to launch a major study into the causes of autism, a decision not universally accepted by some who whose children have the condition.
According to the Associated Press the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Oct. 6 that it would undertake its largest study to date -- involving 2,700 patients -- into what causes autism, which affects an estimated 300,000 children nationwide.
The CDC and five other organizations will conduct the study over a five year period, the A.P. reports. The goal is to find genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to autism.
But, the wire service reports, at least one parents' group whose children are autistic doesn't believe the CDC is the right agency to conduct the research. "We don't want the CDC to do anything. We don't trust them," the wire service quotes Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, as saying.
The primary reason is because the government has discounted the autism association's belief that vaccinations containing a mercury-based preservative are a potential cause. So far, no published research has indicated a cause-and-effect, although the preservative, thimerosal, no longer is used in childhood vaccinations.
Third Death Reported From Spinach E. coli Outbreak
A third death has been confirmed from tainted spinach that caused an outbreak of illness across the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Oct. 6 that an elderly Nebraska woman died from complications caused by E. coli O157, the bacterial infection that health officials believe was spread nationwide through the consumption of fresh spinach distributed by a California processor.
The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin, and the second was a two-year-old Idaho boy, the CDC said. The agency announced it was also investigating another fatality in Maryland that may have been spinach-related.
In all, 26 states have reported cases of E. coli, with 102 hospitalizations.
Deal Limits Fat and Sugar in School Snacks
Under a deal announced Friday, several major food companies will limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in snacks sold in U.S. schools as part of the effort to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.
The agreement -- which comes about five months after a deal to restrict soda sales in schools -- was signed by Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Groupe Danone SA, and PepsiCo Inc. It was negotiated by the American Heart Association and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Associated Press reported.
The companies agreed to a set of fat, sugar, sodium and calorie guidelines for snacks sold in school vending machines, stores and snack bars. Under the guidelines, most snack foods will be limited to a maximum of 35 percent of calories from fat and 35 percent of sugar content by weight.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of leading experts, the AP reported
"By working with schools and industry to implement these guidelines, we are helping to give parents peace of mind that their kids will be able to make healthier choices at school," said Dr. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association.
Perchlorate Affects Women's Thyroid Function
Exposure to perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, road flares and pyrotechnics, may cause reduced thyroid function in women, particularly those with low iodine intake, says a U.S. study. This effect was not found in men.
Perchlorate has been detected in milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and drinking water across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study included nearly 2,300 females and males ages 12 and older, United Press International reported.
The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from the study participants and concluded that perchlorate exposure was a significant predictor or thyroid home levels in women with low iodine levels.
The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones which help control energy, temperature, weight and mood. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck.
These findings indicate "that even small increases in perchlorate exposure may inhibit the thyroid's ability to absorb iodine from the bloodstream," the CDC said.
Scientists Spot Gene Linked to Hereditary Blindness
Canadian and Dutch scientists have identified a gene, called CEP290, that's linked to the most common cause of blindness in newborns.
The researchers found a mutated form of the gene in 25 percent of patients with the hereditary disorder LCA (Leber congenital amaurosis), Canadian Press reported.
In children with LCA, gene defects cause cells in the eye to die or malfunction. LCA affects about one in 30,000 newborns.
The discovery of CEP290 may help in efforts to find ways to treat and prevent LCA. Previous research has identified other genes linked with the condition.
Early next year, scientists in Philadelphia plan to conduct the first human gene replacement therapy trial for vision. The trial will focus on another LCA gene, RPE65, CP reported.
Wal-Mart to Expand Cheap Generic Drug Program Across the U.S.
Wal-Mart stores in most parts of the United States may soon offer $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs, company officials said.
The announcement was made as the world's largest retailer went state-wide with a low-cost generic drug test program that began last month in Tampa, Fla., the Associated Press reported.
Customer demand in Florida convinced Wal-Mart to accelerate national plans to offer low-cost generic drugs.
"I would expect that we would be in most of the U.S. this year. That's the plan," Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's professional services division, told the AP.
Wal-Mart said the program is an effort to help working Americans save costs on health care. Critics say it's just an attempt to draw in customers and grab a larger share of U.S. drug sales.
"Generics are not very expensive in the first place. It's a good thing to make generic drugs cheaper, but that isn't where most of the big costs are," Gary Claxton, a vice president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzes health-care issues, told the AP.
Black Tea Eases Stress
Black tea eases stress by lowering blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, says a British study in the journal Psychopharmacology.
The six-week study of 75 people found that those who drank black tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a caffeinated tea substitute, BBC News reported.
The participants were assigned challenging tasks while their cortisol, blood pressure, blood platelet, and self-rated levels of stress were measured by the researchers. During these tasks, both groups of study participants experienced large increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and self-rated levels of stress.
However, 50 minutes after the stressful tasks, cortisol levels dropped by an average of 47 percent among those who drank black tea.
The U.S. government is going to launch a major study into the causes of autism, a decision not universally accepted by some who whose children have the condition.
According to the Associated Press the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Oct. 6 that it would undertake its largest study to date -- involving 2,700 patients -- into what causes autism, which affects an estimated 300,000 children nationwide.
The CDC and five other organizations will conduct the study over a five year period, the A.P. reports. The goal is to find genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to autism.
But, the wire service reports, at least one parents' group whose children are autistic doesn't believe the CDC is the right agency to conduct the research. "We don't want the CDC to do anything. We don't trust them," the wire service quotes Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, as saying.
The primary reason is because the government has discounted the autism association's belief that vaccinations containing a mercury-based preservative are a potential cause. So far, no published research has indicated a cause-and-effect, although the preservative, thimerosal, no longer is used in childhood vaccinations.
Third Death Reported From Spinach E. coli Outbreak
A third death has been confirmed from tainted spinach that caused an outbreak of illness across the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Oct. 6 that an elderly Nebraska woman died from complications caused by E. coli O157, the bacterial infection that health officials believe was spread nationwide through the consumption of fresh spinach distributed by a California processor.
The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin, and the second was a two-year-old Idaho boy, the CDC said. The agency announced it was also investigating another fatality in Maryland that may have been spinach-related.
In all, 26 states have reported cases of E. coli, with 102 hospitalizations.
Deal Limits Fat and Sugar in School Snacks
Under a deal announced Friday, several major food companies will limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in snacks sold in U.S. schools as part of the effort to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.
The agreement -- which comes about five months after a deal to restrict soda sales in schools -- was signed by Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Groupe Danone SA, and PepsiCo Inc. It was negotiated by the American Heart Association and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Associated Press reported.
The companies agreed to a set of fat, sugar, sodium and calorie guidelines for snacks sold in school vending machines, stores and snack bars. Under the guidelines, most snack foods will be limited to a maximum of 35 percent of calories from fat and 35 percent of sugar content by weight.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of leading experts, the AP reported
"By working with schools and industry to implement these guidelines, we are helping to give parents peace of mind that their kids will be able to make healthier choices at school," said Dr. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association.
Perchlorate Affects Women's Thyroid Function
Exposure to perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, road flares and pyrotechnics, may cause reduced thyroid function in women, particularly those with low iodine intake, says a U.S. study. This effect was not found in men.
Perchlorate has been detected in milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and drinking water across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study included nearly 2,300 females and males ages 12 and older, United Press International reported.
The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from the study participants and concluded that perchlorate exposure was a significant predictor or thyroid home levels in women with low iodine levels.
The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones which help control energy, temperature, weight and mood. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck.
These findings indicate "that even small increases in perchlorate exposure may inhibit the thyroid's ability to absorb iodine from the bloodstream," the CDC said.
Scientists Spot Gene Linked to Hereditary Blindness
Canadian and Dutch scientists have identified a gene, called CEP290, that's linked to the most common cause of blindness in newborns.
The researchers found a mutated form of the gene in 25 percent of patients with the hereditary disorder LCA (Leber congenital amaurosis), Canadian Press reported.
In children with LCA, gene defects cause cells in the eye to die or malfunction. LCA affects about one in 30,000 newborns.
The discovery of CEP290 may help in efforts to find ways to treat and prevent LCA. Previous research has identified other genes linked with the condition.
Early next year, scientists in Philadelphia plan to conduct the first human gene replacement therapy trial for vision. The trial will focus on another LCA gene, RPE65, CP reported.
Wal-Mart to Expand Cheap Generic Drug Program Across the U.S.
Wal-Mart stores in most parts of the United States may soon offer $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs, company officials said.
The announcement was made as the world's largest retailer went state-wide with a low-cost generic drug test program that began last month in Tampa, Fla., the Associated Press reported.
Customer demand in Florida convinced Wal-Mart to accelerate national plans to offer low-cost generic drugs.
"I would expect that we would be in most of the U.S. this year. That's the plan," Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's professional services division, told the AP.
Wal-Mart said the program is an effort to help working Americans save costs on health care. Critics say it's just an attempt to draw in customers and grab a larger share of U.S. drug sales.
"Generics are not very expensive in the first place. It's a good thing to make generic drugs cheaper, but that isn't where most of the big costs are," Gary Claxton, a vice president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzes health-care issues, told the AP.
Black Tea Eases Stress
Black tea eases stress by lowering blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, says a British study in the journal Psychopharmacology.
The six-week study of 75 people found that those who drank black tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a caffeinated tea substitute, BBC News reported.
The participants were assigned challenging tasks while their cortisol, blood pressure, blood platelet, and self-rated levels of stress were measured by the researchers. During these tasks, both groups of study participants experienced large increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and self-rated levels of stress.
However, 50 minutes after the stressful tasks, cortisol levels dropped by an average of 47 percent among those who drank black tea.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Health Headlines - October 7
Deal Limits Fat and Sugar in School Snacks
Under a deal announced Friday, several major food companies will limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in snacks sold in U.S. schools as part of the effort to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.
The agreement -- which comes about five months after a deal to restrict soda sales in schools -- was signed by Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Groupe Danone SA, and PepsiCo Inc. It was negotiated by the American Heart Association and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Associated Press reported.
The companies agreed to a set of fat, sugar, sodium and calorie guidelines for snacks sold in school vending machines, stores and snack bars. Under the guidelines, most snack foods will be limited to a maximum of 35 percent of calories from fat and 35 percent of sugar content by weight.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of leading experts, the AP reported
"By working with schools and industry to implement these guidelines, we are helping to give parents peace of mind that their kids will be able to make healthier choices at school," said Dr. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association.
Perchlorate Affects Women's Thyroid Function
Exposure to perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, road flares and pyrotechnics, may cause reduced thyroid function in women, particularly those with low iodine intake, says a U.S. study. This effect was not found in men.
Perchlorate has been detected in milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and drinking water across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study included nearly 2,300 females and males ages 12 and older, United Press International reported.
The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from the study participants and concluded that perchlorate exposure was a significant predictor or thyroid home levels in women with low iodine levels.
The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones which help control energy, temperature, weight and mood. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck.
These findings indicate "that even small increases in perchlorate exposure may inhibit the thyroid's ability to absorb iodine from the bloodstream," the CDC said.
Scientists Spot Gene Linked to Hereditary Blindness
Canadian and Dutch scientists have identified a gene, called CEP290, that's linked to the most common cause of blindness in newborns.
The researchers found a mutated form of the gene in 25 percent of patients with the hereditary disorder LCA (Leber congenital amaurosis), Canadian Press reported.
In children with LCA, gene defects cause cells in the eye to die or malfunction. LCA affects about one in 30,000 newborns.
The discovery of CEP290 may help in efforts to find ways to treat and prevent LCA. Previous research has identified other genes linked with the condition.
Early next year, scientists in Philadelphia plan to conduct the first human gene replacement therapy trial for vision. The trial will focus on another LCA gene, RPE65, CP reported.
Wal-Mart to Expand Cheap Generic Drug Program Across the U.S.
Wal-Mart stores in most parts of the United States may soon offer $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs, company officials said.
The announcement was made as the world's largest retailer went state-wide with a low-cost generic drug test program that began last month in Tampa, Fla., the Associated Press reported.
Customer demand in Florida convinced Wal-Mart to accelerate national plans to offer low-cost generic drugs.
"I would expect that we would be in most of the U.S. this year. That's the plan," Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's professional services division, told the AP.
Wal-Mart said the program is an effort to help working Americans save costs on health care. Critics say it's just an attempt to draw in customers and grab a larger share of U.S. drug sales.
"Generics are not very expensive in the first place. It's a good thing to make generic drugs cheaper, but that isn't where most of the big costs are," Gary Claxton, a vice president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzes health-care issues, told the AP.
Black Tea Eases Stress
Black tea eases stress by lowering blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, says a British study in the journal Psychopharmacology.
The six-week study of 75 people found that those who drank black tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a caffeinated tea substitute, BBC News reported.
The participants were assigned challenging tasks while their cortisol, blood pressure, blood platelet, and self-rated levels of stress were measured by the researchers. During these tasks, both groups of study participants experienced large increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and self-rated levels of stress.
However, 50 minutes after the stressful tasks, cortisol levels dropped by an average of 47 percent among those who drank black tea and 27 percent among those who drank the tea substitute.
The study also found that the tea drinkers had lower blood platelet activation, which is associated with blood clotting and heart-attack risk, BBC News reported.
It's unclear which ingredients in black tea help reduce stress, the University College London researchers said.
Violence Against Women a Worldwide Problem
A study of violence against women by live-in spouses or partners at 15 sites in 10 countries found that rates ranged from a high of 71 percent in Ethiopia to a low of 15 percent in Yokohama, Japan.
The findings show that violence against women by intimate partners is a worldwide issue, the researchers said.
The World Health Organization study of 25,000 women found that at six of the sites, at least 50 percent of women had suffered moderate to severe violence in the home at some point. At 13 sites, more than 25 percent of the women had been subjected to such violence within the previous year, the International Herald Tribune reported.
The findings appear in The Lancet medical journal. The women in the study were from Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Japan, Namibia, Peru, Samoa, Serbia, Thailand and Tanzania. Rural areas tended to have higher rates of abuse than cities.
Previous studies have focused mostly on developed countries, especially the United States. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that about 25 percent of American women said they'd been physically abused by a spouse, partner, or date. The rate of abuse in the European Union is estimated to be about 20 percent to 25 percent, the International Herald Tribune reported.
Under a deal announced Friday, several major food companies will limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in snacks sold in U.S. schools as part of the effort to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.
The agreement -- which comes about five months after a deal to restrict soda sales in schools -- was signed by Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Groupe Danone SA, and PepsiCo Inc. It was negotiated by the American Heart Association and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Associated Press reported.
The companies agreed to a set of fat, sugar, sodium and calorie guidelines for snacks sold in school vending machines, stores and snack bars. Under the guidelines, most snack foods will be limited to a maximum of 35 percent of calories from fat and 35 percent of sugar content by weight.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of leading experts, the AP reported
"By working with schools and industry to implement these guidelines, we are helping to give parents peace of mind that their kids will be able to make healthier choices at school," said Dr. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association.
Perchlorate Affects Women's Thyroid Function
Exposure to perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, road flares and pyrotechnics, may cause reduced thyroid function in women, particularly those with low iodine intake, says a U.S. study. This effect was not found in men.
Perchlorate has been detected in milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and drinking water across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study included nearly 2,300 females and males ages 12 and older, United Press International reported.
The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from the study participants and concluded that perchlorate exposure was a significant predictor or thyroid home levels in women with low iodine levels.
The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones which help control energy, temperature, weight and mood. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck.
These findings indicate "that even small increases in perchlorate exposure may inhibit the thyroid's ability to absorb iodine from the bloodstream," the CDC said.
Scientists Spot Gene Linked to Hereditary Blindness
Canadian and Dutch scientists have identified a gene, called CEP290, that's linked to the most common cause of blindness in newborns.
The researchers found a mutated form of the gene in 25 percent of patients with the hereditary disorder LCA (Leber congenital amaurosis), Canadian Press reported.
In children with LCA, gene defects cause cells in the eye to die or malfunction. LCA affects about one in 30,000 newborns.
The discovery of CEP290 may help in efforts to find ways to treat and prevent LCA. Previous research has identified other genes linked with the condition.
Early next year, scientists in Philadelphia plan to conduct the first human gene replacement therapy trial for vision. The trial will focus on another LCA gene, RPE65, CP reported.
Wal-Mart to Expand Cheap Generic Drug Program Across the U.S.
Wal-Mart stores in most parts of the United States may soon offer $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs, company officials said.
The announcement was made as the world's largest retailer went state-wide with a low-cost generic drug test program that began last month in Tampa, Fla., the Associated Press reported.
Customer demand in Florida convinced Wal-Mart to accelerate national plans to offer low-cost generic drugs.
"I would expect that we would be in most of the U.S. this year. That's the plan," Bill Simon, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's professional services division, told the AP.
Wal-Mart said the program is an effort to help working Americans save costs on health care. Critics say it's just an attempt to draw in customers and grab a larger share of U.S. drug sales.
"Generics are not very expensive in the first place. It's a good thing to make generic drugs cheaper, but that isn't where most of the big costs are," Gary Claxton, a vice president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzes health-care issues, told the AP.
Black Tea Eases Stress
Black tea eases stress by lowering blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, says a British study in the journal Psychopharmacology.
The six-week study of 75 people found that those who drank black tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a caffeinated tea substitute, BBC News reported.
The participants were assigned challenging tasks while their cortisol, blood pressure, blood platelet, and self-rated levels of stress were measured by the researchers. During these tasks, both groups of study participants experienced large increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and self-rated levels of stress.
However, 50 minutes after the stressful tasks, cortisol levels dropped by an average of 47 percent among those who drank black tea and 27 percent among those who drank the tea substitute.
The study also found that the tea drinkers had lower blood platelet activation, which is associated with blood clotting and heart-attack risk, BBC News reported.
It's unclear which ingredients in black tea help reduce stress, the University College London researchers said.
Violence Against Women a Worldwide Problem
A study of violence against women by live-in spouses or partners at 15 sites in 10 countries found that rates ranged from a high of 71 percent in Ethiopia to a low of 15 percent in Yokohama, Japan.
The findings show that violence against women by intimate partners is a worldwide issue, the researchers said.
The World Health Organization study of 25,000 women found that at six of the sites, at least 50 percent of women had suffered moderate to severe violence in the home at some point. At 13 sites, more than 25 percent of the women had been subjected to such violence within the previous year, the International Herald Tribune reported.
The findings appear in The Lancet medical journal. The women in the study were from Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Japan, Namibia, Peru, Samoa, Serbia, Thailand and Tanzania. Rural areas tended to have higher rates of abuse than cities.
Previous studies have focused mostly on developed countries, especially the United States. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that about 25 percent of American women said they'd been physically abused by a spouse, partner, or date. The rate of abuse in the European Union is estimated to be about 20 percent to 25 percent, the International Herald Tribune reported.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Health Headlines - October 6
Hispanic Americans Often Turn to Healthy Stress-Busters
Hispanic Americans are more likely than the general U.S. population to use healthy behaviors -- such as exercise or the support of family and friends -- to manage stress, according to a survey released Thursday by the American Psychological Association.
The survey of 2,152 adults (including 434 Hispanics) found that the leading source of stress for Hispanics -- particularly women -- is concern for the health of family members (34 percent). Other major sources of anxiety include money (28 percent), personal safety (27 percent), and work (25 percent).
Some other survey findings:
* 56 percent of Hispanics said they're very likely to spend time with family and friends in order to manage stress and 44 percent said they're very likely to exercise to reduce stress.
* Hispanics are less likely than the U.S. general population (8 percent vs. 14 percent) to rely on unhealthy behaviors such as smoking to deal with anxiety.
* Other coping mechanisms used by Hispanics include listening to music (51 percent), reading (34 percent), and watching television (21 percent).
* Hispanics are more open than the U.S. general population to seeking professional health care for stress (22 percent vs. 15 percent). However, only 41 percent of Hispanics with health insurance have mental health coverage. That's 20 percent less than the general population.
FDA Targets Makers of Unapproved Drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it's negotiated one "consent decree" regarding unapproved drugs and sent warning letters to four other makers of unapproved medicines .
The consent decree, signed by Syntho Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Intermax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Syntho/Intermax) of Farmingdale, N.Y., permanently prohibits them from making, processing, packing, labeling, and distributing cough-cold products called: Coldec Tablets; Coldec D Tablets; Coldec TR Tablets; Dyphylline & Guaifenesin Tablets, USP; Guaidex PD Tablets; Guaidex D Tablets; Crantex LA Tablets, USP; Migrazone Capsules; and Usept Tablets (for urinary tract infections); and any other drugs not approved by the FDA.
The companies were also told to recall all unapproved drugs and drugs that may have been made and distributed with poor manufacturing standards. Consumers who've used products from these companies and have questions or concerns should contact their doctor, the FDA said.
The agency said it had also sent four warning letters to companies making unapproved drugs under conditions that don't meet federal requirements. The companies are: Neil Laboratories, East Windsor, N.J.; Concord Laboratories Inc., Fairfield, N.J.; Scientific Laboratories, Columbia, Md.; and Sheffield Laboratories, New London, Conn.
California Students Abusing Prescription Drugs
Even though their use of illicit drugs and alcohol appears to have leveled off, California students are increasingly abusing prescription pills such as painkillers, according to a study released Wednesday.
In many cases, pills are stolen from parents' medicine cabinets or obtained at parties, the Associated Press reported.
The state survey of 10,638 students at 113 middle and high schools was conducted between September 2005 and February 2006.
It found that 15 percent of Grade 11 students; nine percent of Grade 9 students; and four percent of Grade 7 students say they are abusing prescription drugs.
Overall, prescription drugs ranked third, behind alcohol and marijuana, as students' stimulant of choice, the AP reported. In a previous survey, inhalants had ranked third.
The survey did identify some positive trends. Less than 20 percent of seventh graders reported that they drank beer or wine in the previous six months, compared to 40 percent in a survey taken a decade ago.
Rates of drinking also declined among ninth and 11th graders over the past decade. The survey also found a decline in the use of marijuana and inhalants among all three age groups, the AP reported.
Side-Curtain Air Bags Greatly Reduce Crash Death Risk
Side-curtain air bags designed to protect the head reduce a driver's risk of death in a side-impact crash by more than one-third, says a study by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
In sports utility vehicles, this kind of airbag reduces death risk by 52 percent, The New York Times reported.
The study found that side air bags designed to protect a driver's chest and abdomen, but not the head, cut the risk of death in a side-impact crash by 25 percent for all vehicles and 30 percent for SUVs.
The findings are based on crash tests conducted by the insurance institute and an analysis of traffic crash data, the Times reported.
Automakers in the United States have agreed to make side-curtain air bags standard equipment on all vehicles by 2010, the Times said.
Prempro Contributed to Woman's Breast Cancer: Jury
The hormone-replacement drug Prempro was at least partially responsible for a Dayton, Ohio, woman's breast cancer, a jury ruled Wednesday.
The jury awarded $1 million to 66-year-old Jennie Nelson and $500,000 to her husband in compensatory damages. But the money will only be paid if it can be proven in the second phase of the trial that drug maker Wyeth failed to issue sufficient warnings about Prempro or was otherwise reckless or negligent, the Associated Press reported.
Nelson, who took Prempro for five years to treat menopausal symptoms, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation.
The second phase of the trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 14, the AP reported.
U.S. government studies have suggested a link between hormone therapy and some diseases. Prempro is still sold in the United States, but sales have fallen sharply since the government research was released a few years ago.
Wyeth faces thousands of lawsuits over its hormone drugs Prempro and Premarin. The company won its first Prempro case last month when a jury rejected an Arkansas woman's claim that the drug had caused her breast cancer.
Aspirin Blocks Tumor Blood Vessel Growth
Aspirin limits the formation of blood vessels that tumors need to grow, say British scientists who conducted laboratory tests with the painkiller.
"Aspirin seems to work against tumor formation in several ways, one of which is to restrict the blood supply," said study lead author Dr. Helen Arthur, of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Newcastle.
The finding may eventually lead to new cancer treatments, BBC News reported.
The study was published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Cancer patients need to understand that this research only involved cells grown in the laboratory, noted Dr. Kat Arney, senior scientific information officer at Cancer Research UK. "We certainly wouldn't recommend that cancer patients take aspirin without medical advice, as large doses can be harmful," Arney said.
Hispanic Americans are more likely than the general U.S. population to use healthy behaviors -- such as exercise or the support of family and friends -- to manage stress, according to a survey released Thursday by the American Psychological Association.
The survey of 2,152 adults (including 434 Hispanics) found that the leading source of stress for Hispanics -- particularly women -- is concern for the health of family members (34 percent). Other major sources of anxiety include money (28 percent), personal safety (27 percent), and work (25 percent).
Some other survey findings:
* 56 percent of Hispanics said they're very likely to spend time with family and friends in order to manage stress and 44 percent said they're very likely to exercise to reduce stress.
* Hispanics are less likely than the U.S. general population (8 percent vs. 14 percent) to rely on unhealthy behaviors such as smoking to deal with anxiety.
* Other coping mechanisms used by Hispanics include listening to music (51 percent), reading (34 percent), and watching television (21 percent).
* Hispanics are more open than the U.S. general population to seeking professional health care for stress (22 percent vs. 15 percent). However, only 41 percent of Hispanics with health insurance have mental health coverage. That's 20 percent less than the general population.
FDA Targets Makers of Unapproved Drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it's negotiated one "consent decree" regarding unapproved drugs and sent warning letters to four other makers of unapproved medicines .
The consent decree, signed by Syntho Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Intermax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Syntho/Intermax) of Farmingdale, N.Y., permanently prohibits them from making, processing, packing, labeling, and distributing cough-cold products called: Coldec Tablets; Coldec D Tablets; Coldec TR Tablets; Dyphylline & Guaifenesin Tablets, USP; Guaidex PD Tablets; Guaidex D Tablets; Crantex LA Tablets, USP; Migrazone Capsules; and Usept Tablets (for urinary tract infections); and any other drugs not approved by the FDA.
The companies were also told to recall all unapproved drugs and drugs that may have been made and distributed with poor manufacturing standards. Consumers who've used products from these companies and have questions or concerns should contact their doctor, the FDA said.
The agency said it had also sent four warning letters to companies making unapproved drugs under conditions that don't meet federal requirements. The companies are: Neil Laboratories, East Windsor, N.J.; Concord Laboratories Inc., Fairfield, N.J.; Scientific Laboratories, Columbia, Md.; and Sheffield Laboratories, New London, Conn.
California Students Abusing Prescription Drugs
Even though their use of illicit drugs and alcohol appears to have leveled off, California students are increasingly abusing prescription pills such as painkillers, according to a study released Wednesday.
In many cases, pills are stolen from parents' medicine cabinets or obtained at parties, the Associated Press reported.
The state survey of 10,638 students at 113 middle and high schools was conducted between September 2005 and February 2006.
It found that 15 percent of Grade 11 students; nine percent of Grade 9 students; and four percent of Grade 7 students say they are abusing prescription drugs.
Overall, prescription drugs ranked third, behind alcohol and marijuana, as students' stimulant of choice, the AP reported. In a previous survey, inhalants had ranked third.
The survey did identify some positive trends. Less than 20 percent of seventh graders reported that they drank beer or wine in the previous six months, compared to 40 percent in a survey taken a decade ago.
Rates of drinking also declined among ninth and 11th graders over the past decade. The survey also found a decline in the use of marijuana and inhalants among all three age groups, the AP reported.
Side-Curtain Air Bags Greatly Reduce Crash Death Risk
Side-curtain air bags designed to protect the head reduce a driver's risk of death in a side-impact crash by more than one-third, says a study by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
In sports utility vehicles, this kind of airbag reduces death risk by 52 percent, The New York Times reported.
The study found that side air bags designed to protect a driver's chest and abdomen, but not the head, cut the risk of death in a side-impact crash by 25 percent for all vehicles and 30 percent for SUVs.
The findings are based on crash tests conducted by the insurance institute and an analysis of traffic crash data, the Times reported.
Automakers in the United States have agreed to make side-curtain air bags standard equipment on all vehicles by 2010, the Times said.
Prempro Contributed to Woman's Breast Cancer: Jury
The hormone-replacement drug Prempro was at least partially responsible for a Dayton, Ohio, woman's breast cancer, a jury ruled Wednesday.
The jury awarded $1 million to 66-year-old Jennie Nelson and $500,000 to her husband in compensatory damages. But the money will only be paid if it can be proven in the second phase of the trial that drug maker Wyeth failed to issue sufficient warnings about Prempro or was otherwise reckless or negligent, the Associated Press reported.
Nelson, who took Prempro for five years to treat menopausal symptoms, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation.
The second phase of the trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 14, the AP reported.
U.S. government studies have suggested a link between hormone therapy and some diseases. Prempro is still sold in the United States, but sales have fallen sharply since the government research was released a few years ago.
Wyeth faces thousands of lawsuits over its hormone drugs Prempro and Premarin. The company won its first Prempro case last month when a jury rejected an Arkansas woman's claim that the drug had caused her breast cancer.
Aspirin Blocks Tumor Blood Vessel Growth
Aspirin limits the formation of blood vessels that tumors need to grow, say British scientists who conducted laboratory tests with the painkiller.
"Aspirin seems to work against tumor formation in several ways, one of which is to restrict the blood supply," said study lead author Dr. Helen Arthur, of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Newcastle.
The finding may eventually lead to new cancer treatments, BBC News reported.
The study was published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Cancer patients need to understand that this research only involved cells grown in the laboratory, noted Dr. Kat Arney, senior scientific information officer at Cancer Research UK. "We certainly wouldn't recommend that cancer patients take aspirin without medical advice, as large doses can be harmful," Arney said.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Health Headlines - October 5
U.S. Searches Spinach-Packaging Companies in E. coli Probe
U.S. law enforcement and health officials searched two spinach-packaging companies in California on Wednesday for evidence in the nationwide E. coli outbreak that sickened 192 people.
Agents from the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration, armed with warrants, searched the San Juan Bautista plant of Natural Selection Foods and a Growers Express plant in Salinas to determine whether they followed food safety procedures, the Associated Press reported.
Natural Selection, which packages spinach sold under 34 brand names and supplies spinach to other food processors, was implicated in the E. coli outbreak after 11 bags of Dole brand baby spinach tested positive for the same bacteria strain found in people sickened after eating the vegetable.
Meanwhile, investigators have found E. coli bacteria in eight samples of cattle feces collected near two California farms that may have been the source of contaminated spinach that's killed at least one person and sickened 193 people in the United States and Canada.
The samples tested positive for E. coli 0157:H7, but it will be several more days before investigators know whether this particularly toxic strain of E. coli in the cattle feces matches the strain of E. coli found in the contaminated spinach, the Washington Post reported.
The two farms where the cattle feces samples were collected are among the nine farms in California's Salinas Valley that have been identified as the potential source of the contaminated spinach. Hundreds of plant, water, soil and animal waste samples collected from the nine farms are still being analyzed.
E. coli is normally found in the digestive systems of cattle and other warm-blooded animals, including humans. E. coli in pastures could get into irrigation water or runoff and contaminate nearby spinach fields, California food safety official Kevin Reilly told the Post.
Breast-feeding Doesn't Improve Infant IQ
Breast-feeding does not increase a baby's IQ, according to a British study that focused on a question that's been debated since 1929, when a link between breast-feeding and IQ was first identified.
The new study of more than 5,000 children and 3,000 mothers concluded that breastfed children tend to be smarter due to their mothers' influence, not because of breast-feeding itself, BBC News reported.
Mothers who breast-feed tend to be more intelligent, more highly educated, and more likely to provide a stimulating home environment than other mothers, said the study, published in the British Medical Journal.
The study was conducted by researchers at the U.K. Medical Research Council and the University of Edinburgh, BBC News reported.
Scientists Study Link Between Meat and Bacterial Infection
U.S. and Canadian scientists are studying whether people can become infected by the bacterium Clostridium difficile -- which causes severe diarrhea -- by eating meat.
The scientists have found evidence of C. difficile infection in food animals and even in meat in grocery stores, CBC News reported.
The finding that the bacterium has been found in grocery-store meat is contained in a Canadian study that will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
However, it's still not clear whether humans can become infected and develop C. difficile-related illness by eating meat that contains the bacterium, CBC News reported.
Currently, C. difficile is regarded as a hospital-acquired infection linked to overuse of antibiotics. It's believed that antibiotics disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the human gut, which enables C. difficile to take hold and flourish.
But more and more cases of C. difficile-related illness are being identified in people who haven't been hospitalized. This has led scientists to look at the food supply as a possible source of infection, CBC News reported.
Fujitsu Recalls Sony Laptop Batteries
Electronics maker Fujitsu Ltd. said Wednesday that it's recalling 287,000 Sony batteries used in 10 models of the company's laptops sold overseas and 17 models sold in Japan.
This is the latest episode in a huge worldwide recall involving laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. Nearly every major laptop maker has had to recall Sony-made lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and catch fire, the Associated Press reported.
The largest recalls involve Dell Inc. (4.2 million batteries) and Apple Computer Inc. (1.8 million batteries).
The lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit because shards of metal were left in their cells when they were manufactured in Japan, the AP reported.
U.S. Stops Confiscating Mail-Order Drugs From Canada
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said this week that it will stop confiscating discount mail-order drugs from Canada and, instead, conduct random sampling to find counterfeit and unsafe drugs.
The move by the department, which operates the Custom and Border Protection agency, removes a major obstacle for Americans who buy cheaper drugs from Canada, the Los Angeles Times reported.
So far this year, the U.S. government had been confiscating as many as 20 percent of discount drug shipments mailed from Canada and other countries. The confiscation policy began last November, about the same time that enrollment for the new U.S. Medicare drug plan began.
The U.S. government said it implemented the policy due to concerns about the safety of drugs from other countries. However, consumer advocates and others charged that the move was an attempt to limit competition in the U.S. pharmaceutical market and to force seniors to sign up for the new Medicare drug plan, the Times reported.
The change in policy "could have a huge impact," said Jodi Reid, director of the California Alliance for Retired Americans.
"People were concerned that they might not get their drugs because they were getting seized. This does open that option again for people who were trying to figure out how to get their medications to manage their health at a price they can afford," Reid told the Times.
Millions of Medicare/Medicaid Health Records Vulnerable: Report
The medical and personal records of millions of elderly, disabled and poor Americans are vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure due to security problems in a computer system used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), federal investigators said Tuesday.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said it identified 47 security weaknesses in a privately-owned and operated computer network used by CMS to send and receive bills and to communicate with healthcare providers, the Associated Press reported.
CMS, which oversees healthcare programs used by about 25 percent of Americans, does not always ensure its security policies and standards are followed by the private contractor that operates the computer network.
U.S. law enforcement and health officials searched two spinach-packaging companies in California on Wednesday for evidence in the nationwide E. coli outbreak that sickened 192 people.
Agents from the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration, armed with warrants, searched the San Juan Bautista plant of Natural Selection Foods and a Growers Express plant in Salinas to determine whether they followed food safety procedures, the Associated Press reported.
Natural Selection, which packages spinach sold under 34 brand names and supplies spinach to other food processors, was implicated in the E. coli outbreak after 11 bags of Dole brand baby spinach tested positive for the same bacteria strain found in people sickened after eating the vegetable.
Meanwhile, investigators have found E. coli bacteria in eight samples of cattle feces collected near two California farms that may have been the source of contaminated spinach that's killed at least one person and sickened 193 people in the United States and Canada.
The samples tested positive for E. coli 0157:H7, but it will be several more days before investigators know whether this particularly toxic strain of E. coli in the cattle feces matches the strain of E. coli found in the contaminated spinach, the Washington Post reported.
The two farms where the cattle feces samples were collected are among the nine farms in California's Salinas Valley that have been identified as the potential source of the contaminated spinach. Hundreds of plant, water, soil and animal waste samples collected from the nine farms are still being analyzed.
E. coli is normally found in the digestive systems of cattle and other warm-blooded animals, including humans. E. coli in pastures could get into irrigation water or runoff and contaminate nearby spinach fields, California food safety official Kevin Reilly told the Post.
Breast-feeding Doesn't Improve Infant IQ
Breast-feeding does not increase a baby's IQ, according to a British study that focused on a question that's been debated since 1929, when a link between breast-feeding and IQ was first identified.
The new study of more than 5,000 children and 3,000 mothers concluded that breastfed children tend to be smarter due to their mothers' influence, not because of breast-feeding itself, BBC News reported.
Mothers who breast-feed tend to be more intelligent, more highly educated, and more likely to provide a stimulating home environment than other mothers, said the study, published in the British Medical Journal.
The study was conducted by researchers at the U.K. Medical Research Council and the University of Edinburgh, BBC News reported.
Scientists Study Link Between Meat and Bacterial Infection
U.S. and Canadian scientists are studying whether people can become infected by the bacterium Clostridium difficile -- which causes severe diarrhea -- by eating meat.
The scientists have found evidence of C. difficile infection in food animals and even in meat in grocery stores, CBC News reported.
The finding that the bacterium has been found in grocery-store meat is contained in a Canadian study that will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
However, it's still not clear whether humans can become infected and develop C. difficile-related illness by eating meat that contains the bacterium, CBC News reported.
Currently, C. difficile is regarded as a hospital-acquired infection linked to overuse of antibiotics. It's believed that antibiotics disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the human gut, which enables C. difficile to take hold and flourish.
But more and more cases of C. difficile-related illness are being identified in people who haven't been hospitalized. This has led scientists to look at the food supply as a possible source of infection, CBC News reported.
Fujitsu Recalls Sony Laptop Batteries
Electronics maker Fujitsu Ltd. said Wednesday that it's recalling 287,000 Sony batteries used in 10 models of the company's laptops sold overseas and 17 models sold in Japan.
This is the latest episode in a huge worldwide recall involving laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. Nearly every major laptop maker has had to recall Sony-made lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and catch fire, the Associated Press reported.
The largest recalls involve Dell Inc. (4.2 million batteries) and Apple Computer Inc. (1.8 million batteries).
The lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit because shards of metal were left in their cells when they were manufactured in Japan, the AP reported.
U.S. Stops Confiscating Mail-Order Drugs From Canada
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said this week that it will stop confiscating discount mail-order drugs from Canada and, instead, conduct random sampling to find counterfeit and unsafe drugs.
The move by the department, which operates the Custom and Border Protection agency, removes a major obstacle for Americans who buy cheaper drugs from Canada, the Los Angeles Times reported.
So far this year, the U.S. government had been confiscating as many as 20 percent of discount drug shipments mailed from Canada and other countries. The confiscation policy began last November, about the same time that enrollment for the new U.S. Medicare drug plan began.
The U.S. government said it implemented the policy due to concerns about the safety of drugs from other countries. However, consumer advocates and others charged that the move was an attempt to limit competition in the U.S. pharmaceutical market and to force seniors to sign up for the new Medicare drug plan, the Times reported.
The change in policy "could have a huge impact," said Jodi Reid, director of the California Alliance for Retired Americans.
"People were concerned that they might not get their drugs because they were getting seized. This does open that option again for people who were trying to figure out how to get their medications to manage their health at a price they can afford," Reid told the Times.
Millions of Medicare/Medicaid Health Records Vulnerable: Report
The medical and personal records of millions of elderly, disabled and poor Americans are vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure due to security problems in a computer system used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), federal investigators said Tuesday.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said it identified 47 security weaknesses in a privately-owned and operated computer network used by CMS to send and receive bills and to communicate with healthcare providers, the Associated Press reported.
CMS, which oversees healthcare programs used by about 25 percent of Americans, does not always ensure its security policies and standards are followed by the private contractor that operates the computer network.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Health Headlines - October 4
Massachusetts Offers Health Insurance to Poorest Residents
Massachusetts on Monday started signing up its poorest citizens for virtually free health insurance under the new Commonwealth Care plan.
An estimated 62,000 people -- those living at or below the U.S. poverty line of about $9,800 a year -- will have their health insurance premiums paid for by the state and will only be responsible for nominal co-pays, the Associated Press reported.
Most of those 62,000 people will be automatically enrolled, while the remainder who qualify can sign up at hospitals or community centers.
This is the first step toward Massachusetts' goal to become the first state to ensure that all its citizens have health insurance, the AP reported.
Beginning in January, people who earn up to three times the federal poverty level will be required to pay from $18 to $106 per month for health insurance premiums, depending on their income. The state will pay for the balance of the full premiums, expected to range from $280 to $387 a month.
Come July 2007, all Massachusetts residents who earn more than three times the U.S. poverty level will have to have health insurance, either their own or through their employer. People who don't have insurance will face tax penalties, the AP reported.
France to Consider Ban on Smoking in Public Places
The French government should ban smoking in offices and public places such as cafes and restaurants within the next year, a parliamentary panel said Tuesday.
But such a move may face fierce resistance in cigarette-friendly France. The government is expected to make a decision about the proposed ban by mid-October, the Associated Press reported.
The panel noted that secondhand smoke kills 3,000 to 5,000 people in France each year.
"The status-quo is not acceptable," the panel said in its report.
In Europe, bans on smoking in public areas have been adopted by Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, the AP reported.
Exercise-Machine Defect Can Cause Weights to Fall on Users
About 5,600 FreeMotion Cable Cross and Dual Cable Cross exercise machines are being recalled because weight plates can become dislodged and fall on users, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.
The selector pin for the weight plates can slip out of its slot if the edges of the pin are worn. This can cause the weight plates to fall on people using the exercise machines. So far, there have been nine reports of head and shoulder contusions caused by falling weight plates.
The machines were distributed by FreeMotion Fitness Inc., of Colorado Springs, Colo., and sold in exercise specialty stores across the United States and through direct sales from FreeMotion from December 1999 through May 2006.
The recall involves machines with model numbers GZFM6006 and GZFM6024.
Consumers with these machines should stop using them and contact FreeMotion to receive a free repair kit. The company can be reached at 1-800-201-2109 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Doctor Error a Factor in Many Cases of Missed, Delayed Diagnoses
Basic errors made by doctors were a factor in nearly 60 percent of cases in which missed or delayed diagnoses allegedly caused harm to patients, says a U.S. study in the current issue of the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
The errors included failure to create follow-up plans for patients and tests that were ordered too late or not at all, the Associated Press reported.
The study authors reviewed 307 closed medical malpractice claims, including 181 cases that allegedly involved diagnostic errors that resulted in harm to patients. Many of the cases involved cancer patients.
Most of the claims involved numerous factors, the study said. However, some doctor errors included -- failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests (100 cases); failure to obtain an adequate patient history or to perform an adequate physical exam (76 cases); and incorrect interpretation of test results (67 cases).
Study lead author Dr. Tejal K. Gandhi, director of patient safety at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said the findings suggest that doctors could use more help, the AP reported.
This help could include: increased use of electronic records; better algorithms for making evaluations; and using nurse practitioners to help ensure that patient follow-ups actually take place.
Dickinson College Ranked Fittest in U.S.
Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., is the "fittest college" in the United States, according to Men's Fitness magazine.
The magazine's second annual survey of nearly 12,500 students at 115 colleges and universities appears in the October issue, the Associated Press reported.
The magazine's editor-in-chief, Neal Boulton, said the rankings are based on student responses to questions about their exercise and diet habits, and the availability of fitness trainers, nutritionists, and fast food on campus.
Dickinson is a 2,300-student liberal arts college. Other schools at the top of the list include the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia, Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, and the University of Maryland, the AP reported.
Eight schools were labeled fitness underachievers: California State University, Long Beach; Carnegie Mellon University; Eastern Michigan University; Flagler College; Seton Hall University; University of Michigan, Flint; University of Missouri, Rolla; and University of New Orleans.
U.S. Doctors Slow to Use Information Technology
Fewer than half of U.S. doctors routinely use common information technology (IT) -- such as e-mail and other Internet-based and computerized information resources -- in their practices, according to a survey of about 1,700 physicians in six different specialties.
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers found that only four percent of doctors frequently use e-mail to communicate with patients, while 30 percent frequently use e-mail to communicate with colleagues.
The survey also found that 24 percent of the doctors routinely access online medical education courses; and about 40 percent reported frequent use of online scientific journals and computerized or online text decision support tools.
"We are investing tens of billions of dollars in health information technology nationally, yet the medical profession has been very slow to adopt these tools for clinical care," lead author Dr. Richard Grant, of the division of general medicine at MGH, said in a prepared statement.
"We were shocked at the very low rate of basic IT use, particularly among solo practice and non-academic physicians. I'm sure that the vast majority of them personally use e-mail and the Internet, but most do not have effective ways to integrate these tools into clinical practice," Grant said.
The study appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and will be published in the November print issue.
Massachusetts on Monday started signing up its poorest citizens for virtually free health insurance under the new Commonwealth Care plan.
An estimated 62,000 people -- those living at or below the U.S. poverty line of about $9,800 a year -- will have their health insurance premiums paid for by the state and will only be responsible for nominal co-pays, the Associated Press reported.
Most of those 62,000 people will be automatically enrolled, while the remainder who qualify can sign up at hospitals or community centers.
This is the first step toward Massachusetts' goal to become the first state to ensure that all its citizens have health insurance, the AP reported.
Beginning in January, people who earn up to three times the federal poverty level will be required to pay from $18 to $106 per month for health insurance premiums, depending on their income. The state will pay for the balance of the full premiums, expected to range from $280 to $387 a month.
Come July 2007, all Massachusetts residents who earn more than three times the U.S. poverty level will have to have health insurance, either their own or through their employer. People who don't have insurance will face tax penalties, the AP reported.
France to Consider Ban on Smoking in Public Places
The French government should ban smoking in offices and public places such as cafes and restaurants within the next year, a parliamentary panel said Tuesday.
But such a move may face fierce resistance in cigarette-friendly France. The government is expected to make a decision about the proposed ban by mid-October, the Associated Press reported.
The panel noted that secondhand smoke kills 3,000 to 5,000 people in France each year.
"The status-quo is not acceptable," the panel said in its report.
In Europe, bans on smoking in public areas have been adopted by Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, the AP reported.
Exercise-Machine Defect Can Cause Weights to Fall on Users
About 5,600 FreeMotion Cable Cross and Dual Cable Cross exercise machines are being recalled because weight plates can become dislodged and fall on users, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.
The selector pin for the weight plates can slip out of its slot if the edges of the pin are worn. This can cause the weight plates to fall on people using the exercise machines. So far, there have been nine reports of head and shoulder contusions caused by falling weight plates.
The machines were distributed by FreeMotion Fitness Inc., of Colorado Springs, Colo., and sold in exercise specialty stores across the United States and through direct sales from FreeMotion from December 1999 through May 2006.
The recall involves machines with model numbers GZFM6006 and GZFM6024.
Consumers with these machines should stop using them and contact FreeMotion to receive a free repair kit. The company can be reached at 1-800-201-2109 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Doctor Error a Factor in Many Cases of Missed, Delayed Diagnoses
Basic errors made by doctors were a factor in nearly 60 percent of cases in which missed or delayed diagnoses allegedly caused harm to patients, says a U.S. study in the current issue of the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
The errors included failure to create follow-up plans for patients and tests that were ordered too late or not at all, the Associated Press reported.
The study authors reviewed 307 closed medical malpractice claims, including 181 cases that allegedly involved diagnostic errors that resulted in harm to patients. Many of the cases involved cancer patients.
Most of the claims involved numerous factors, the study said. However, some doctor errors included -- failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests (100 cases); failure to obtain an adequate patient history or to perform an adequate physical exam (76 cases); and incorrect interpretation of test results (67 cases).
Study lead author Dr. Tejal K. Gandhi, director of patient safety at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said the findings suggest that doctors could use more help, the AP reported.
This help could include: increased use of electronic records; better algorithms for making evaluations; and using nurse practitioners to help ensure that patient follow-ups actually take place.
Dickinson College Ranked Fittest in U.S.
Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., is the "fittest college" in the United States, according to Men's Fitness magazine.
The magazine's second annual survey of nearly 12,500 students at 115 colleges and universities appears in the October issue, the Associated Press reported.
The magazine's editor-in-chief, Neal Boulton, said the rankings are based on student responses to questions about their exercise and diet habits, and the availability of fitness trainers, nutritionists, and fast food on campus.
Dickinson is a 2,300-student liberal arts college. Other schools at the top of the list include the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia, Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, and the University of Maryland, the AP reported.
Eight schools were labeled fitness underachievers: California State University, Long Beach; Carnegie Mellon University; Eastern Michigan University; Flagler College; Seton Hall University; University of Michigan, Flint; University of Missouri, Rolla; and University of New Orleans.
U.S. Doctors Slow to Use Information Technology
Fewer than half of U.S. doctors routinely use common information technology (IT) -- such as e-mail and other Internet-based and computerized information resources -- in their practices, according to a survey of about 1,700 physicians in six different specialties.
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers found that only four percent of doctors frequently use e-mail to communicate with patients, while 30 percent frequently use e-mail to communicate with colleagues.
The survey also found that 24 percent of the doctors routinely access online medical education courses; and about 40 percent reported frequent use of online scientific journals and computerized or online text decision support tools.
"We are investing tens of billions of dollars in health information technology nationally, yet the medical profession has been very slow to adopt these tools for clinical care," lead author Dr. Richard Grant, of the division of general medicine at MGH, said in a prepared statement.
"We were shocked at the very low rate of basic IT use, particularly among solo practice and non-academic physicians. I'm sure that the vast majority of them personally use e-mail and the Internet, but most do not have effective ways to integrate these tools into clinical practice," Grant said.
The study appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and will be published in the November print issue.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Health Headlines - October 3
U.S. Doctors Slow to Use Information Technology
Fewer than half of U.S. doctors routinely use common information technology (IT) -- such as e-mail and other Internet-based and computerized information resources -- in their practices, according to a survey of about 1,700 physicians in six different specialties.
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers found that only four percent of doctors frequently use e-mail to communicate with patients, while 30 percent frequently use e-mail to communicate with colleagues.
The survey also found that 24 percent of the doctors routinely access online medical education courses; and about 40 percent reported frequent use of online scientific journals and computerized or online text decision support tools.
"We are investing tens of billions of dollars in health information technology nationally, yet the medical profession has been very slow to adopt these tools for clinical care," lead author Dr. Richard Grant, of the division of general medicine at MGH, said in a prepared statement.
"We were shocked at the very low rate of basic IT use, particularly among solo practice and non-academic physicians. I'm sure that the vast majority of them personally use e-mail and the Internet, but most do not have effective ways to integrate these tools into clinical practice," Grant said.
The study appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and will be published in the November print issue.
2 U.S. Scientists Win Nobel Prize for Medicine
Two American scientists have been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in medicine for their discovery of a powerful way to switch off the effect of specific genes, which may lead to new ways of treating diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and heart disease.
Andrew Z. Fire, 47, of Stanford University and Craig C. Mello, 45, of the University of Massachusetts, won the award for their work on RNA interference, which they published in 1998, the Associated Press reported.
RNA interference, a process that occurs naturally in animals and plants, plays an important role in gene activity and helps defend against viral infection. It is a complicated process that had confused scientists for years, the AP reported.
Erna Moller, a member of the Nobel committee, said Monday that the research by the American scientists provided vital information about RNA interference.
"It was like opening the blinds in the morning. Suddenly you can see everything clearly," Moller said.
U.S. Scientists Use Mature Blood Cells to Clone Mice
Stem cells aren't necessary for cloning, and other kinds of cells may be even better candidates for the process, say U.S. scientists who created two baby mice from a mature type of white blood cell that can't replicate itself.
It was previously believed that only immature stem cells, which are capable of developing into many kinds of other cells, could be used for cloning, BBC News reported.
The U.S. team used fully mature white blood cells called granulocytes to create the two baby mice. Both of them died within a few hours after birth. The findings appear in the journal Nature Genetics.
"We can say with near certainty that a fully differentiated cell such as a granulocyte retains the genetic capacity for becoming like a seed that can give rise to all cell types necessary for the development of an entire organism," said researcher Dr. Tao Cheng of the University of Pittsburgh.
The results are surprising, stem cell expert Dr. Stephen Minger, of King's College London in England, told BBC News.
"Up until this [point], the conventional wisdom was that the less mature a cell, the more likely it is to be reprogrammed. This work suggests the contrary. Certain types of mature cells could be much easier to reprogram than expected," Minger said.
Cancer Drug Gleevec May Cause Heart Problems: Novartis
Drug maker Novartis, in conjunction with Health Canada, issued a warning Monday that its cancer drug Gleevec could cause decreased heart function in some patients.
The advisory said that patients who have heart disease-related problems and are taking Gleevec should talk with their doctors about the risks of heart failure, and that doctors should closely monitor these patients, the Canadian Press reported.
Patients who are taking Gleevec and develop symptoms of heart failure -- such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and leg swelling -- should see their doctors immediately, the advisory said. It also noted that patients should not stop taking Gleevec without first consulting a doctor.
During the summer, the journal Nature Medicine published a study that said 10 patients treated with Gleevec later developed decreased heart function and congestive heart failure, the CP reported.
Steroid Use Kills Brain Cells: Study
Using steroids to increase muscle bulk can lead to a "catastrophic" loss of brain cells and result in the aggressive and suicidal behavior seen in some steroid users, says a Yale University School of Medicine study.
Steroids are known to increase levels of the male sex hormone testosterone. In laboratory tests, the Yale team found that high levels of testosterone kill off nerve cells, BBC News reported.
The findings appear in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
"Next time a muscle-bound guy in a sports car cuts you off on the highway, don't get mad, just take a deep breath and realize that it might not be his fault," said lead researcher Professor Barbara Ehrlich.
John Brewer, director of the Lucozade Sports Science Academy, told BBC News he wasn't surprised by the findings.
"People think steroids are banned because they are performance enhancing, but the second, equally important, reason is that they are known to have a major negative effect on people's health," Brewer said. "This study provides further evidence for why we should never give in to people who want to use steroids and drugs in sport."
Tamiflu 'Widely Available' This Flu Season: Manufacturer
Supplies of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu will be "widely available" during the 2006-2007 flu season in the northern hemisphere, Swiss drug maker Roche said Monday.
Tamiflu is used to fight seasonal influenza viruses and is being stockpiled by many nations in anticipation of a bird flu-related pandemic.
Roche said that during the 2005-2006 season it restricted distribution of the drug to wholesalers in a number of markets while it expanded production capacity for Tamiflu, Agence France Presse reported.
"This led to the perception that Tamiflu was in short supply. Based on the available manufacturing capacities, the supply shortage no longer exists," Roche said. "Physicians can be confident that Tamiflu will be readily and widely available to patients who need it this season for flu treatment and post-exposure prevention."
Roche also said that the measures it took "enable us to schedule any additional orders from governments and corporations who are stockpiling Tamilfu in preparation for an influenza pandemic."
Fewer than half of U.S. doctors routinely use common information technology (IT) -- such as e-mail and other Internet-based and computerized information resources -- in their practices, according to a survey of about 1,700 physicians in six different specialties.
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers found that only four percent of doctors frequently use e-mail to communicate with patients, while 30 percent frequently use e-mail to communicate with colleagues.
The survey also found that 24 percent of the doctors routinely access online medical education courses; and about 40 percent reported frequent use of online scientific journals and computerized or online text decision support tools.
"We are investing tens of billions of dollars in health information technology nationally, yet the medical profession has been very slow to adopt these tools for clinical care," lead author Dr. Richard Grant, of the division of general medicine at MGH, said in a prepared statement.
"We were shocked at the very low rate of basic IT use, particularly among solo practice and non-academic physicians. I'm sure that the vast majority of them personally use e-mail and the Internet, but most do not have effective ways to integrate these tools into clinical practice," Grant said.
The study appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and will be published in the November print issue.
2 U.S. Scientists Win Nobel Prize for Medicine
Two American scientists have been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in medicine for their discovery of a powerful way to switch off the effect of specific genes, which may lead to new ways of treating diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and heart disease.
Andrew Z. Fire, 47, of Stanford University and Craig C. Mello, 45, of the University of Massachusetts, won the award for their work on RNA interference, which they published in 1998, the Associated Press reported.
RNA interference, a process that occurs naturally in animals and plants, plays an important role in gene activity and helps defend against viral infection. It is a complicated process that had confused scientists for years, the AP reported.
Erna Moller, a member of the Nobel committee, said Monday that the research by the American scientists provided vital information about RNA interference.
"It was like opening the blinds in the morning. Suddenly you can see everything clearly," Moller said.
U.S. Scientists Use Mature Blood Cells to Clone Mice
Stem cells aren't necessary for cloning, and other kinds of cells may be even better candidates for the process, say U.S. scientists who created two baby mice from a mature type of white blood cell that can't replicate itself.
It was previously believed that only immature stem cells, which are capable of developing into many kinds of other cells, could be used for cloning, BBC News reported.
The U.S. team used fully mature white blood cells called granulocytes to create the two baby mice. Both of them died within a few hours after birth. The findings appear in the journal Nature Genetics.
"We can say with near certainty that a fully differentiated cell such as a granulocyte retains the genetic capacity for becoming like a seed that can give rise to all cell types necessary for the development of an entire organism," said researcher Dr. Tao Cheng of the University of Pittsburgh.
The results are surprising, stem cell expert Dr. Stephen Minger, of King's College London in England, told BBC News.
"Up until this [point], the conventional wisdom was that the less mature a cell, the more likely it is to be reprogrammed. This work suggests the contrary. Certain types of mature cells could be much easier to reprogram than expected," Minger said.
Cancer Drug Gleevec May Cause Heart Problems: Novartis
Drug maker Novartis, in conjunction with Health Canada, issued a warning Monday that its cancer drug Gleevec could cause decreased heart function in some patients.
The advisory said that patients who have heart disease-related problems and are taking Gleevec should talk with their doctors about the risks of heart failure, and that doctors should closely monitor these patients, the Canadian Press reported.
Patients who are taking Gleevec and develop symptoms of heart failure -- such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and leg swelling -- should see their doctors immediately, the advisory said. It also noted that patients should not stop taking Gleevec without first consulting a doctor.
During the summer, the journal Nature Medicine published a study that said 10 patients treated with Gleevec later developed decreased heart function and congestive heart failure, the CP reported.
Steroid Use Kills Brain Cells: Study
Using steroids to increase muscle bulk can lead to a "catastrophic" loss of brain cells and result in the aggressive and suicidal behavior seen in some steroid users, says a Yale University School of Medicine study.
Steroids are known to increase levels of the male sex hormone testosterone. In laboratory tests, the Yale team found that high levels of testosterone kill off nerve cells, BBC News reported.
The findings appear in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
"Next time a muscle-bound guy in a sports car cuts you off on the highway, don't get mad, just take a deep breath and realize that it might not be his fault," said lead researcher Professor Barbara Ehrlich.
John Brewer, director of the Lucozade Sports Science Academy, told BBC News he wasn't surprised by the findings.
"People think steroids are banned because they are performance enhancing, but the second, equally important, reason is that they are known to have a major negative effect on people's health," Brewer said. "This study provides further evidence for why we should never give in to people who want to use steroids and drugs in sport."
Tamiflu 'Widely Available' This Flu Season: Manufacturer
Supplies of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu will be "widely available" during the 2006-2007 flu season in the northern hemisphere, Swiss drug maker Roche said Monday.
Tamiflu is used to fight seasonal influenza viruses and is being stockpiled by many nations in anticipation of a bird flu-related pandemic.
Roche said that during the 2005-2006 season it restricted distribution of the drug to wholesalers in a number of markets while it expanded production capacity for Tamiflu, Agence France Presse reported.
"This led to the perception that Tamiflu was in short supply. Based on the available manufacturing capacities, the supply shortage no longer exists," Roche said. "Physicians can be confident that Tamiflu will be readily and widely available to patients who need it this season for flu treatment and post-exposure prevention."
Roche also said that the measures it took "enable us to schedule any additional orders from governments and corporations who are stockpiling Tamilfu in preparation for an influenza pandemic."
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