Incomplete Medical Records After Major Surgery
( MJA 14-Oct-08 )
Documentation of clinical review and vital signs following major surgery is commonly incomplete, according to an article in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.
EU Limits Imported Chinese Food
( BBCNews 26-Sep-08 )
The European Commission is imposing a ban on EU imports of Chinese baby food that contains any traces of milk, while other Chinese food will undergo tests.
Cycle Of Fatigue Must Be Cured For Hospital Staff
( QUT 23-Sep-08 )
Doctors and nurses are putting their own health, and that of their patients, at risk by working too many hours and more research needs to be done to find out how the cycle can be stopped, according to a Queensland University of Technology researcher.
Sexual Harassment 10 Times More Likely In Casual And Contract Jobs
( University of Melbourne 12-Sep-08 )
Women employed in casual and contract jobs are up to ten times more likely to experience unwanted sexual advances than those in permanent full time positions, a University of Melbourne study has found.
Appeal For New Antibiotics After Resistant E.coli Infections Treble
( Independent 12-Sep-08 )
An increase in infections that are resistant to all known antibiotics is threatening Britain and the world, unless ways can be found to develop and finance new drugs, public health experts warned yesterday.
Antibiotic Resistance Rise Fears
( BBCNews 11-Sep-08 )
The rise in antibiotic resistance is reaching worrying levels, experts say.
The Health Protection Agency said while the focus on infections such as MRSA had been largely successful, new trends in other bugs were now posing a threat.
Public Health Spending Up 12.5%, Immunisation Dominates
( AIHW 5-Sep-08 )
Total spending on public health activities in Australia grew by 12.5% in 2006-07, with immunisation activities responsible for most of the increase, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Public Health Spending Must Match the Size of Public Health Problem
( AMA 5-Sep-08 )
The Australian Medical Association said it was very worried about the low level of public health expenditure across the country following this week’s release of a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Patient Safety Must Be Protected
( AMA 5-Sep-08 )
AMA Vice President Dr Gary Speck today cautioned health ministers and health sector leaders that COAG’s proposed new scheme for national registration and accreditation of health professionals could erode the safety and quality of patient care.
Millions Unaware Of Their Heart Disease Risk
( Independent 4-Sep-08 )
Checks are urgently needed to find almost four million people who may be unaware that they are at high risk of heart disease, specialists have warned.
Cholesterol Drug Cancer Warning
( BBCNews 4-Sep-08 )
Patients have been urged to keep taking a cholesterol-lowering treatment despite a study linking it to higher cancer risk.
Rates Of Oesophageal Cancer In UK Among The Worst In Europe
( BOF 4-Sep-08 )
Call for national research study to investigate the causes of oesophageal cancer.
Solution To World's Worst Mass Poisoning Case
( QUB 4-Sep-08 )
A solution to the world's worst case of ongoing mass poisoning, linked to rising cancer rates in Southern Asia, has been developed by researchers from Queen's University Belfast.
Annual Report Card - NSW Hospitals Above National Benchmarks
( NSWHealth 3-Sep-08 )
NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said today the state's hospitals are performing better than ever despite a 4.5 per cent increase in the number of people attending our emergency departments over the past year.
Simple Antibiotics For Pneumonia Are Best To Avoid Super Bugs
( University of Melbourne 2-Sep-08 )
Australian hospitals should avoid prescribing expensive broad-spectrum antibiotics for pneumonia to avoid the development of more drug-resistant super bugs, according to a University of Melbourne study.
Politicians Blamed For Health Inequalities That Kill The Poor
( Independent 1-Sep-08 )
People are dying "on a grand scale" around the world because of social injustice brought about by a "toxic" combination of bad policies, politics and economics, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday.
Spike In Rabies Cases Seen In China
( BMC 25-Aug-08 )
A new Chinese study has reported a dramatic spike in rabies infections. The research, published in the open access journal BMC Infectious Diseases, shows that in some provinces of China the number of human rabies cases has jumped dramatically since the new millennium.
FDA To Allow Irradiation Of Spinach And Lettuce
( MNT 25-Aug-08 )
The FDA has issued a ruling that allows food producers to irradiate spinach and iceberg lettuce to kill foodborne bacteria like E. coli and salmonella that can cause people to become ill. The action is intended to reduce outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, of which there have been several in recent years, including the E. coli outbreak of 2006 where fresh bagged spinach was removed from the shelves.
The Effect Of Opinion Clustering On Disease Outbreaks
( JRSI 22-Aug-08 )
Many high income countries currently experience large outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases such as measles despite the availability of highly effective vaccines.
There is growing evidence that belief systems, rather than access to vaccines, are the primary barrier to vaccination in such countries.
BMA Scotland Response To Proposed Strategy To Tackle Alcohol Misuse
( BMA Scotland 22-Aug-08 )
Doctors called for action, not words, to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland.
The BMA Scotland response to the Scottish Government's proposed strategy to tackle alcohol misuse, argues that voluntary measures have failed* and states that legislation and practical action is now required.
Most Deaths In 1918 Influenza Pandemic Caused By Bacterial Pneumonia
( NIH/NIAID 21-Aug-08 )
The majority of deaths during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 were not caused by the influenza virus acting alone, report researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. Instead, most victims succumbed to bacterial pneumonia following influenza virus infection.
Arsenic Exposure Could Increase Diabetes Risk
( JHSPH 21-Aug-08 )
Inorganic arsenic, commonly found in ground water in certain areas, may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
FDA To Strengthen Warnings On Diabetes Drug After 2 More Deaths
( MNT 20-Aug-08 )
Futher to an alert it issued in October 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to strengthen the warnings on diabetes drug Byetta (exenatide) after receiving reports of another 6 patients having to be admitted to hospital, two of whom died, because they got hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis after taking the drug.
UQ Prescribes A New Way For Medicine
( UQ 20-Aug-08 )
University of Queensland research into how hospital doctors prescribe medication is leading to safer patient outcomes.
Damaging Effects Of Cigarette Smoke Mimicked By Newly Detected Air Pollutant
( ACS 19-Aug-08 )
A previously unrecognized group of air pollutants could have effects remarkably similar to harmful substances found in tobacco smoke, Louisiana scientists are reporting in a study scheduled for presentation at the 236th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Depression Link To Poor Driving
( BBCNews 19-Aug-08 )
People on anti-depressants may have impaired driving skills, a small US study suggests.
Declaration Opposes Transplant Commercialism, Transplant Tourism, And Organ Trafficking
( ASN 19-Aug-08 )
All countries should take steps to govern organ donation and transplantation, thereby ensuring patient safety and prohibiting unethical practices, according to an article appearing in the September 2008 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).
Cocaine Use Trebles In A Decade
( Independent 18-Aug-08 )
2m Britons take illegal drugs each month; 1 in 3 adults has tried banned substances; 1 in 4 school-aged children has used drugs
Government Needs To Keep Tabs on Alcohol Sales Data To Produce Good Public Policy
( MJA 18-Aug-08 )
The federal government needs to mandate the collection of alcohol sales data so the effectiveness of community initiatives to reduce alcohol-related harm and the effects of liquor licensing changes can be evaluated, according to an editorial in the latest issue of Medical Journal of Australia.
Hope Over Quick Bird Flu Test
( BBCNews 18-Aug-08 )
UK scientists say they are developing a portable testing machine that will detect cases of bird flu in two hours.
Obesity Equal To Terror Threat
( BBCNews 18-Aug-08 )
The threat to Britain and the NHS from rising obesity is as grave as that posed by terrorism, a top expert says.
Black Market Drugs Health Risk
( BBCNews 14-Aug-08 )
People are risking their health by buying prescription tranquilisers on the black market, a Belfast GP has warned.
New Bird Flu Strain Detected In Nigeria
( FAO 14-Aug-08 )
A strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza previously not recorded in sub-Saharan Africa has been detected in Nigeria for the first time, FAO said recently.
Launch of Private Water Supply Guidelines and DVD
( NSWHealth 14-Aug-08 )
Minister for Health Reba Meagher today launched guidelines and a DVD designed to minimise the chance of bacterial and viral infections being spread through unsafe private water supplies.
Statement From AICR Clarifying The Processed Meat-Cancer Link
( AICR 13-Aug-08 )
The American Institute for Cancer Research finds itself and its landmark expert report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, caught in the middle of a furious PR battle between two conflicting interest groups.
Action To Reduce Risk Of Measles Epidemic
( HPA 12-Aug-08 )
The Health Protection Agency welcomes the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) MMR catch up programme, which urges Primary Care Trusts and GPs to identify individuals not up to date with their MMR and offer catch-up immunisation to reduce the risk of a measles epidemic.
AMA: Widen National Immunisation Register
( AMA 12-Aug-08 )
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, today welcomed the announcement of a new national register of human papilloma virus vaccinations.
But Dr Capolingua said the $23.5 million in Federal funding earmarked for the project could be used to develop and implement a whole-of-life immunisation register.
U.S. Alcohol Consumption Declining
( ELSEVIER 11-Aug-08 )
Overall alcohol use particularly consumption of beer is declining in the US, according to a new study published in the August 2008 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
Salmonella Outbreak Warning
( Independent 11-Aug-08 )
Food safety experts were last night trying to trace the source of an outbreak of a new strain of salmonella that has spread throughout the British Isles.
High Blood Pressure In The Bush
( ABCOnline 8-Aug-08 )
People in rural Australia are more likely to have hypertension, and less likely to be treated for it, than their city counterparts.
Maggots Could Help In MRSA Battle
( BBCNews 7-Aug-08 )
Scientists hope maggots can help produce an antibiotic that can tackle strains of the MRSA superbug.
Study Adds Support For World-Wide Ban On Smoking In Public Places
( NHS Scotland 6-Aug-08 )
NHS Health Scotland, the national health improvement agency, has found a 17 per cent fall in admissions for heart attacks just one year after the smoking ban came into force.
Child Flu Jabs Protect Everyone
( BBCNews 5-Aug-08 )
Vaccinating children against flu would prevent the spread of the virus in the whole population, research suggests.
Hand Hygiene Alone Will Not Reduce Healthcare Associated Infections
( RCN 4-Aug-08 )
Strong leadership, appropriate staffing levels and better management of staff workloads should be just as important as hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness in the battle to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs), such as MRSA and C difficile.
Body Contouring Surgery Risk Rises With Increased BMI
( ASAPS 4-Aug-08 )
A recent study investigating the relationship between complications of body contouring surgery and body mass index has confirmed an increase in the occurrence of such complications with worsening degree of obesity.
Britain's Growing Reliance On Drugs From GPs
( Independent 4-Aug-08 )
In the past decade, prescribing by GPs has risen more than 50 per cent to 15.7 items per head - more than one item a month for every man, woman and child in the country - compared to 10.3 items in 1997.
Travelers To Beijing Olympics Warned About Respiratory Illnesses And Dog Bites
( Emory University 4-Aug-08 )
As 600,000 visitors and athletes gear up to travel to China for the 2008 Olympic Games, travelers should be most concerned about respiratory illnesses and dog bites, according to report by an Emory University travelers' health expert, her colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and around the globe.
Health, Legal Concerns Over Fake Sick Notes
( AMA 1-Aug-08 )
A website offering fake sick notes for a fee could endanger people's health and encourage fraud, AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua warned today.
German Court Rejects Smoking Bans
( BBCNews 1-Aug-08 )
Germany's top court has ruled against smoking bans in small bars and clubs.
The Federal Constitutional Court upheld complaints against the bans in the city-state of Berlin and Baden-Wuerttemberg, in south-west Germany.
Hearing Loss Affects Millions Of US Adults
( MNT 31-Jul-08 )
According to a report published in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, the prevalence of hearing loss in American adults may be higher than previously thought.
Successful Strategies To Improve Patient Safety In Dialysis Units
( ECRI 29-Jul-08 )
From clinicians and medication to various equipment and supplies, a myriad of resources are involved in dialysis-related treatments for patients with compromised renal function. Considering the frequency and invasive nature of dialysis treatments, the potential for procedural errors and human factor hazards is great.
Trans Fats To Be Phased Out In California
( MNT 28-Jul-08 )
AB 97 is a Bill aimed at phasing out trans fats in all California restaurants, starting in 2010. The Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) Bill also wants trans fats phased out of all baked good by 2011.
Patient Safety Paramount in Medication Prescriptions
( AMA 28-Jul-08 )
Doctors must maintain sole responsibility for prescribing medication to patients, AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua said today.
US Cancer Boss In Mobiles Warning
( BBCNews 25-Jul-08 )
The director of a leading US cancer research institute has sent a memo to thousands of staff warning of possible higher risks from mobile phone use.
MRSA Bloodstream Infections Continue To Fall In UK
( HPA 25-Jul-08 )
The Health Protection Agency has today published its latest quarterly figures on MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bloodstream infections and C. difficile (Clostridium difficile) infections.
IMF Funding Said To Be Fuelling TB Deaths
( BBCNews 24-Jul-08 )
Strict conditions on international loans have been blamed for thousands of extra tuberculosis deaths in eastern Europe, and former Soviet republics.
Heart Attacks, Strokes Could Be Triggered By Beijing Pollution
( Northwestern University 23-Jul-08 )
Olympic athletes aren't the only ones who need to be concerned about the heavily polluted air in Beijing. The dirty air may trigger serious cardiovascular problems for some spectators.
World Warned Over Killer Flu Pandemic
( Independent 23-Jul-08 )
The world is failing to guard against the inevitable spread of a devastating flu pandemic which could kill 50 million people and wreak massive disruption around the globe, the Government has warned.
Doctors Criticise Surgery Bonuses
( Independent 23-Jul-08 )
Doctors' leaders have warned that plans to pay bonuses to surgeons based on the outcomes of operations could discourage doctors from treating high-risk patients.
Australian Health Ministers Conference Communique
( DoHA 23-Jul-08 )
Australian Health Ministers met in Canberra today, with elective surgery, patient rights and the new Australian Health Care Agreements some of the main areas of discussion.
Killer Kevlar - Clothing That Shields From Germs
( ACS 22-Jul-08 )
Protective clothing worn by firemen and other emergency workers may soon get a germ-fighting upgrade.
QANTAS Flies Into Smoking Storm
( ABCWorld Today 18-Jul-08 )
Times are tough at QANTAS. Record oil prices and a long running pay dispute with the airline's engineers has the airline talking up the prospect of further job cuts.
To make matters worse, the flying kangaroo has now raised the ire of the Federal Government and public health experts by resuming, after a nine year gap, its sales of duty-free cigarettes.
World Youth Day - Public Health Update
( NSWHealth 18-Jul-08 )
NSW Health Acting Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, today provided an update on the status of current public health investigations involving World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims in Sydney.
Influenza In Pilgrims
( NSWHealth 18-Jul-08 )
NSW Health can confirm reports of World Youth Day pilgrims staying at Oakhill College at Castle Hill and Sydney Olympic Park having influenza.
Indoor Residential Air Quality Has Significant Impact On Health
( CMAJ 17-Jul-08 )
Indoor air quality has a greater impact on health than outdoor air quality, as North American adults spend almost 90% of their time indoors. Exposure to chemical and biological contaminants and possible cancer-causing agents is possible, and can contribute to the risk of developing various diseases.
Qantas Tobacco Sales A Retrograde Step
( AMA 17-Jul-08 )
The Australian Medical Association cannot believe that QANTAS has made a decision to sell in-flight duty-free cigarettes on international routes. The AMA understands that QANTAS has instructed its staff to ensure that cigarettes are 'displayed prominently on top' of the in-flight duty-free cart to 'ensure our customers are aware of the duty-free products onboard' and to 'boost sales'.
Link Between Thunderstorms And Asthma Attacks
( University of Georgia 16-Jul-08 )
In the first in-depth study of its kind ever done in the Southeastern United States, researchers at the University of Georgia and Emory University have discovered a link between thunderstorms and asthma attacks in the metro Atlanta area that could have a "significant public health impact."
Litany Of Surgical Blunders Revealed
( Independent 16-Jul-08 )
The cases of 14 brain surgery patients who were the victims of catastrophic errors when neurosurgeons operated on the wrong side of the head are to spearhead a government drive to make operations safer.
UK Health Chief Supports Total Drink Ban On Young Drivers
( Independent 16-Jul-08 )
The legal blood alcohol limit for young drivers should be reduced to zero to cut road accidents, the UK Government's chief medical officer has advised.
Battle Against Superbugs Undermined By Failing Drugs
( Royal Society 15-Jul-08 )
The fight against some superbugs and other bacteria is in danger of returning to a 'pre-antibiotic era' due to increasing resistance to medicines, according to a report issued today by the Royal Society.
Breakthrough In Malaria Fight
( BBCNews 15-Jul-08 )
Australian scientists have identified a potential treatment to combat malaria.
Researchers in Melbourne believe their discovery could be a major breakthrough in the fight against the disease.
Global Warming Heats Up Need For Malaria Vaccine Says Expert
( IRG 15-Jul-08 )
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, dedicated to furthering efforts to provide what are oftentimes lifesaving vaccinations to those in need. While media coverage of the flu vaccine has become a seasonal commonplace, vaccines are currently being sought for many modern large-scale epidemics.
Stem Cell Treatment For Children With Eye Nerve Disease Called Medical Hoax
( WUSTL 15-Jul-08 )
Two pediatric eye surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis expressed alarm over what they label a "21st century snake oil" scam.
Recent newspaper stories including several from Missouri -- have reported parents flying their children to main land China for umbilical cord stem cell (CSC) infusions.
Keeping Adolescents Safe Online
( Newswise 14-Jul-08 )
While the Internet affords teens the opportunity to quickly research topics, get homework help, expand their social network and freely express their opinions, there are some risks associated with its use.
New Fatal CJD-Like Dementia Discovered In America
( MNT 14-Jul-08 )
A new dementia that is distinct from but resembles known forms of CJD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, has been discovered in America, affecting 16 people, 10 of whom have died after gradually losing their mental and motor functions and being unable to think, speak or move.
Public Health Investigation At Blue Mountains Nursing Home
( NSWHealth 14-Jul-08 )
Sydney West Area Health Service is investigating a recent outbreak of gastroenteritis in residents of Endeavour Nursing Home in Springwood.
Doctors Call For Tougher Warnings On Alcohol Risks
( Independent 11-Jul-08 )
Graphic images of diseased livers should be displayed on beer cans and wine and spirits bottles to warn of the dangers of binge-drinking, doctors said yesterday.
New CJD Type Discovered In US
( BBCNews 11-Jul-08 )
A new form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) may have been uncovered in a handful of patients in the US.
US Outbreak Of Salmonella Spreads
( BBCNews 11-Jul-08 )
More than 1,000 people in more than 40 US states are now confirmed to have become ill with salmonella since April, officials say.
NVAC Recommends Increased Adolescent Immunization
( Elsevier 11-Jul-08 )
Vaccinating infants and toddlers is an almost universal practice in the United States. Vaccines to prevent flu are a regular part of medical care for senior citizens and at-risk patients. But, according to a recent study, the US healthcare system is not very effective in getting vaccines to the adolescent population.
Public Health Expert Criticises Irresponsible TV Hygiene Standards
( Independent 10-Jul-08 )
A public health expert has spoken of her frustration over the standards of hygiene in cookery programmes on television.
Dr Layla Jader, who works at the National Public Health Service for Wales, told the British Medical Association's annual conference that she thinks it is "irresponsible" to allow viewers to see chefs preparing unwashed salad.
UK Armed Forces In Iraq: Multiple Vaccines Not Responsible For Health Problems
( MNT 8-Jul-08 )
Service personnel deployed to Iraq have not suffered ill health due to multiple vaccinations, according to a study released on July 1, 2008 in BMJ.
Doctors Fume At Glamorisation Of Smoking In Films
( Independent 8-Jul-08 )
Film stars who smoke on screen should attract the attention of the censor in the same way as they would if they were engaged in extreme sex or violence, doctors say.
Are Hands-free Cellphones Really Safer?
( Newswise 8-Jul-08 )
Since April 1 when Nova Scotia outlawed the use of hand-held cellphones while driving, sales of hands-free devices have gone through the roof. It seems everyone's driving-even walking-with tiny electronic devices tucked into their ears.
Motorcycle Injuries Jump for Victorian Kids and Teens
( AMA 8-Jul-08 )
To reduce the increasing number of children and adolescents having motorcycle accidents in Victoria, legislation needs to be changed and more education strategies need to be put in place, according to a research paper published in the latest issue of Medical Journal of Australia.
Lives Saved When Minimum Drinking Age Is 21
( SAPRP 7-Jul-08 )
One of the most comprehensive studies on the minimum drinking age shows that laws aimed at preventing consumption of alcohol by those under 21 have significantly reduced drinking-related fatal car crashes.
Survey Assesses Worldwide Cocaine And Cannabis Use
( MNT 7-Jul-08 )
In a major survey of 17 countries, it was found that the United States has the highest levels of cocaine and cannabis use. These results, based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was released on June 30, 2008 in the open access journal PLoS Medicine.
Recommendations Contribute To Ongoing Reform Of Ambulance Service
( NSWHealth 4-Jul-08 )
NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today said the findings of a review into the performance of the Ambulance Service of NSW will add to the work already underway to better utilise ambulance resources for emergency response.
Dutch Smoking Ban: No tobacco In Your Joints, Cafes Ordered
( Guardian 2-Jul-08 )
Dutch coffee shops, long considered as synonymous with the Netherlands as tulips or attacking football, face a new challenge from today when a ban on smoking tobacco in restaurants and cafes comes into effect.
Smoking Ban Has Saved 40,000 lives
( Independent 1-Jul-08 )
The nationwide smoking ban has triggered the biggest fall in smoking ever seen in England, a report says today.
Hopes Of Cure For Common Cold On The Horizon
( SCI 1-Jul-08 )
A nasal spray that mimics our own natural defense system may be the answer to beating the common cold, according to a report in the latest issue of the Society of Chemical Industry's (SCI) magazine, Chemistry & Industry.
Unique Pheromone Detection System Uncovered By Researchers
( UTSMC 1-Jul-08 )
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have overturned the current theory of how a pheromone works at the molecular level to trigger behavior in fruit flies.
EU Healthcare Watchdog Publishes Latest Heart Surgery Survival Rates
( Healthcare Commission 30-Jun-08 )
Statistics will be released on the groundbreaking cardiac website, set up in 2006 when heart surgery became the first speciality to publish information on survival.
Renewed Measles Warning
( NSWHealth 30-Jun-08 )
NSW Health has today renewed its warning to the community to be on the look out for the symptoms of measles amid concerns of a possible outbreak.
Pioneering Hospital Safety Scheme Cuts Deaths By 22%
( Independent 27-Jun-08 )
An NHS trust at the forefront of a nationwide drive to reduce the risks of hospital care has cut its death rate by 22 per cent in four years.
Surgical Checklist That Could Prevent Thousands Of Deaths
( Independent 26-Jun-08 )
An aircraft-style safety test is to be implemented in all British hospitals to reduce the risks of surgery, using a simple checklist that has been proved to save thousands of lives.
Shower Curtains Can Be Toxic Says Environment Group
( MNT 25-Jun-08 )
A US health and environment group is calling for major retailers such as Wal-Mart to phase out PVC shower curtains, and for the authorities to recall the products from sale because a laboratory study showed they released toxic chemicals into the air.
Latrines Trounce Toilets In Global Sanitation
( MTU 25-Jun-08 )
While Americans may consider flush-and-forget-it indoor plumbing to be the pinnacle of sanitary science, the lowly latrine could be a far better solution for many parts of the developing world, say researchers at Michigan Technological University.
Row Over UK Cervical Vaccine Choice
( BBCNews 19-Jun-08 )
A new UK vaccination programme to protect schoolgirls from cervical cancer later in life will be using the wrong vaccine, say campaigners.
Higher Allergy Risk In Kids Due To Traffic Pollution
( ATS 19-Jun-08 )
New evidence blames traffic-related pollution for increasing the risk of allergy and atopic diseases among children by more than fifty percent. What's more, the closer children live to roads, the higher their risk.
To Sell Or Not To Sell - Your Kidneys
( MNT 18-Jun-08 )
The growing shortage of kidneys to be used for transplantation has spurred a debate between two specialists that is published in two opinion articles in BMJ.
Managing the Risk of Violence in Medical Practice
( AMA 16-Jun-08 )
The Australian Medical Association has launched an anti-violence kit to make medical practices safer for GPs, their staff and patients. As part of General Practice Week (15-21 June), the AMA has sent out the kit, We care for you, you care for us, to all its GP members - explaining the risks of violence in medical practice.
One In Four Body Piercings Goes Wrong
( Independent 16-Jun-08 )
For many young people, piercings of all parts of the body, hung with jewellery, have become an essential fashion accessory. But they carry significant risks, according to the first study to examine the complications arising from body art.
Red Yeast Rice Extract And Heart Disease
( NHSChoices 12-Jun-08 )
An "extract used in Chinese meals may be good for the heart", The Daily Telegraph reports. The extract of Chinese red yeast rice, which "gives Peking duck its red colour", was found to reduce the risk of dying from heart disease, or having another heart attack, in a study of almost 5,000 Chinese adults who had previously had a heart attack, the newspaper said.
Fresh Hurdle For Stem Cell Hunt
( BBCOnline 10-Jun-08 )
A Nobel Prize-winning scientist says it could be tougher than first thought to harness the healing power of stem cells in medicine.
NSW Parliament Passes Landmark Legislation To Protect Patients
( NSWHealth 10-Jun-08 )
New South Wales now has the strongest legislation in the country to protect patients against misconduct by doctors, after the Medical Practice Amendment Bill 2008 passed through the NSW Parliament.
'Alcopop' Tax Not Enough
( APS 6-Jun-08 )
Alcohol providers are targeting young people in particular in advertising and media, and through providing an increasing array of attractive ready-to-drink mixed drinks. The Australian Psychological Society supports the government's 70% tax on 'alcopops', but argues that the tax should be extended to all but low alcohol content drinks.
Noninfectious Illnesses Are Expected to Become Top Killers
( NYT 5-Jun-08 )
As the world's population ages, gets richer, smokes more, eats more and drives more, noncommunicable diseases will become bigger killers than infectious ones over the next 20 years, the World Health Organization is reporting.
Salad & Salmonella - Food Poisoning As A Side Dish
( UV 5-Jun-08 )
Salmonella can also infect plant cells and successfully evade all the defence mechanisms of plants. As a result, cleaning the surfaces of raw fruits and vegetables, e.g. by washing, is not sufficient to protect against food poisoning.
Misdiagnosing Death
( Timesonline 5-Jun-08 )
Armed with only a stethoscope and a flashlight, how is a GP able to make a definitive diagnosis of death? Getting it wrong leaves me at real risk of a lawsuit from a psychologically scarred embalmer.
Bunk Bed-Related Injuries Not Exclusive to Young Children
( CIRP 3-Jun-08 )
Bunk bed-related injuries are not an issue of concern solely for parents of young children. A recent study found although three-quarters of the children who sustain bunk bed-related injuries are younger than 10 years of age, there is a surprising spike in injuries among individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 years.
MRS Incidence Reduced By Better Hand Hygiene
( MJA 3-Jun-08 )
New hand hygiene programs in Victorian hospitals have led to marked reductions in infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a research article published in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.
The Perils Of Sleep Deprivation
( DUMC 2-Jun-08 )
Neuroscience researchers at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore have shown for the first time what happens to the visual perceptions of healthy but sleep-deprived volunteers who fight to stay awake, like people who try to drive through the night.
Ecstasy Deaths Linked to Raised Body Temperature
( UA 30-May-08 )
A University of Adelaide study has revealed that effects of the drug ecstasy are compounded when taken in warm environments.
Higher-risk People Are Shunning Colon Cancer Screens
( KI 29-May-08 )
It is difficult to make colon cancer screening effective, according to a follow-up study conducted by the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet of a screening programme from 1999. Many of the people who would probably have benefited most from the survey opted not to take part.
Stop The Clot - Reducing Blood Clot Risk For Hospital Patients
( DoHA 29-May-08 )
A new national prevention program to stop potentially lethal blood clots developing in private hospital patients was launched in Canberra today by Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.
Mosquito Invasion Brings Disease Risk To UK
( Independent 28-May-08 )
An Asian mosquito species is poised to arrive in Britain, bringing with it the risk of a potentially lethal disease that the insect can pass from one person to another.
The Last Gasp: UK Health Secretary Signals New Smoking Curbs
( Independent 28-May-08 )
Cigarettes in the UK will be banned from public display in shops and vending machines are to be scrapped under dramatic new plans designed to curb smoking among young people.
Is Fertility Affected By Chemicals In The Environment?
( UN 27-May-08 )
Our day-to-day exposure to chemicals is on the increase. From food packaging to the air we breathe, every day contact with potentially-toxic substances could be affecting our health - and our fertility.
British Pilgrims Warned Of Meningitis Threat
( ABH 27-May-08 )
A team of senior doctors has issued a strong warning to over a hundred thousand prospective British pilgrims travellling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah (lesser Hajj) this year, that they should be aware of the risks of meningitis and must get a 'ACW 135 Y Vaccine' from their local doctor in order to protect themselves.
Record Numbers Hospitalised For Alcohol Problems
( Independent 26-May-08 )
Almost 5,000 UK young people under 18, received emergency treatment for alcohol abuse last year as hospitals admitted record numbers of patients with drink-related problems.
Stroke Patients At Greater Risk For Falls
( AHA 22-May-08 )
Stroke patients are at high risk for falls and subsequent injuries after leaving the hospital, but prevention programs may reduce this risk, New Zealand researchers reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Mother's Exposure To Pollutants Linked To Urologic Conditions In Boys
( AUA 22-May-08 )
Higher incidences of congenital anomalies, including cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias, were found in boys whose mothers had higher serum levels of certain organochlorine compounds, researchers say.
Stress At Work Increases The Progression Of Arteriosclerosis
( AFC 21-May-08 )
Work stress, resulting from great pressure at the work place, may increase the progression of atherosclerosis by 46% in people who have highly reactive personalities to stress.
Office Initiative Reduces Headaches And Neck And Shoulder Pain By More Than 40 %
( W-B 20-May-08 )
Office staff who took part in an eight-month workplace initiative reported that headaches and neck and shoulder pain fell by more than 40 per cent and their use of painkillers halved, according to research published in the May issue of Cephalalgia.
Call To End Driving Discrimination For People With Diabetes
( Diabetes UK 20-May-08 )
Diabetes UK welcomes a new study showing that, as a group, people with diabetes who use insulin do not have more car accidents than those without the condition.
£10m Campaign To Make Drinkers Aware Of Limits
( Independent 20-May-08 )
Three out of four people do not know how much alcohol it is safe to drink, according to research for the Government.
Health Risks Of Coarse Particle Pollution Examined
( JHUBSPH 20-May-08 )
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have conducted the largest nationwide study on the acute health effects of coarse particle pollution.
Serious Injuries In Children: Disparities Between Rich And Poor, Cities And Villages
( MNT 19-May-08 )
Serious injury in child pedestrians is more four times more common in the poor areas of England than in affluent areas, according to research released on April 1, 2008 in the BMJ Specialty journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Five Steps Forward For Food Allergy
( FAAN 19-May-08 )
In honor of the 11th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 11-17, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) unveiled its new advocacy initiative "Five Steps Forward for Food Allergy" at an educational briefing on Capitol Hill.
Experts Weigh Options for Health Surveillance in Nanotech Workers
( ACOEM 16-May-08 )
Pending further research to clarify the risks, nanotechnology companies need to consider what steps they will take to protect the health of employees exposed to engineered nanoparticles, according to a study in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
The Psychological Cost Of Climbing Gas Prices
( FSU 16-May-08 )
Rising gas prices are affecting more than the family budget. More pain at the pump results in more employee stress on the job, says Wayne Hochwarter, the Jim Moran Professor of Management at Florida State University's College of Business.
Public Encouraged To Learn Risk Factors For Viral Hepatitis
( ADPH 15-May-08 )
The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge the public to learn the risk factors of viral hepatitis during May, Hepatitis Awareness Month.
Hospital Patients Reveal The Ups And Downs Of NHS
( Independent 15-May-08 )
The biggest survey of patients admitted to hospitals in England has found a chasm separates the best NHS trusts from the worst.
Pollution Linked To Deep Vein Thrombosis And Blood Clots
( MNT 15-May-08 )
New research on people living in Italy, suggests that long term exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in the legs or thighs, adding to previous research findings linking particulate air pollution and increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.
Do We Still Need Rescue Breaths?
( BRC 15-May-08 )
As new research suggests that chest compressions alone can save the life of a casualty in cardiac arrest, the British Red Cross advises following existing procedures, which include giving rescue breaths.
Is Your Toilet Cleaner Than Your Keyboard?
( MNT 14-May-08 )
UK consumer watchdog and publication group Which? recently conducted a survey at their own offices that revealed some computer keyboards had dangerously high levels of bacteria normally associated with a toilet.
New York Firm's Meat And Poultry Products Recalled
( MNT 14-May-08 )
A New York meat company is recallling over 286,000 pounds of fresh and frozen meat and poultry products because they could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially fatal bacterium that causes listeriosis.
Beta Blockers Cost More Lives Than They Save
( Independent 14-May-08 )
At least 800,000 deaths may have been caused worldwide in the past decade by preventive drugs which are routinely given to patients undergoing surgery to reduce the risk of heart attacks, researchers said yesterday.
Measles Rise In US Is Imported
( MNT 14-May-08 )
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported yesterday that the rise in measles cases so far this year is mostly imported, due to infected people coming into the US from other countries.
Studies Show Workplace Depression Is Significantly Under-Treated
( JOEM 9-May-08 )
The Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine (JOEM) has published a series of new studies that suggest depression in the workplace may be a much bigger problem - with more serious social and economic impacts - than employers realize.
Test For Early Stage Heart Disease Underused
( MNT 7-May-08 )
According to a study published on bmj.com, 70% of patients with suspected angina do not receive the correct testing and thus have an increased risk of developing serious heart complications.
Strategic Vision For Australian And NZ Food Regulation System
( DoHA 5-May-08 )
Health warnings on packaged alcohol and a draft standard on nutrition, health and related claims were discussed by the Australian and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council today.
MIT-Led Teams Unravel Heparin Death Mystery
( MIT 30-Apr-08 )
An international team of researchers led by MIT has explained how contaminated batches of the blood-thinner heparin were able to slip past traditional safety screens and kill dozens of patients recently in the United States and Germany.
FDA Says Heparin Contamination Is A Worldwide Problem
( MNT 30-Apr-08 )
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday, Monday 21st April, that contamination of the blood thinner heparin, used in surgical and dialysis procedures to stop blood clots, is a worldwide problem. The agency stressed while there is still no scientific evidence of a direct link between the contaminant, and dozens of deaths and hundreds of severe allergic reactions in the US, they have established a credible route through which such a link might be possible.
Surgeons Unhappy At Sterilisation Service Provided By Private Firms
( Independent 29-Apr-08 )
NHS patients are having operations cancelled at the last minute because private decontamination firms have broken sensitive instruments or sent them back late, says the Royal College of Surgeons. The college surveyed 250 surgeons and found two-thirds were unhappy with the availability and condition of instruments removed from hospital operating theatres for sterilisation off-site by private companies.
NSW Government Tightens Cosmetic Surgery Regulations
( NSWHealth 29-Apr-08 )
NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today said significant changes would be made to the way in which cosmetic surgery was regulated, particularly for people under the age of 18.
Ms Meagher said the changes would include a 'cooling off' period for people under 18 years as well as tougher rules around the way cosmetic surgery could be advertised.
Researcher Finds Link Between Pneumonia Deaths And Engine Exhaust
( MNT 29-Apr-08 )
According to an article published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, excess pneumonia deaths in England are associated with engine exhaust fumes. Author E G Knox compares the total annual losses of pneumonia due to air pollution to that of the London smog in 1952.
Consider the Environmental Consequences of Medical Treatment
( Teleosis 23-Apr-08 )
Medical professionals and patients must understand that the choices they make for treating illness have lasting consequences for our environment and take responsibility, say the non-profit Teleosis Institute.
Dust Mites Outlast Heroic Efforts To Help Asthma Patients
( CFAH 17-Apr-08 )
Asthma sufferers might as well stop wasting energy and money on labour-intensive or costly interventions to get rid of household dust, according to a new review of studies.
VCJD Kills Two People In Spain
( MNT 15-Apr-08 )
Two people have died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the human form of mad cow disease, in Castilla-Leon, central Spain. One person died three months ago while the other one died last week, say authorities. According to Spain's Health Department, these were not the first vCJD deaths in the country.
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Building A Heart Healthy Environment
( ESC 11-Apr-08 )
Heart disease is a preventable condition, yet 2 million people die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) annually in Europe. Cardiovascular disease is now affecting younger generations due to unhealthy lifestyles and causes 30 to 40% of all premature deaths.
Examining The Avian Flu: From Pandemic Planning To Vaccine Development
( Wiley 11-Apr-08 )
The journal Respirology has launched a special supplementary issue on the avian influenza. Published by Wiley-Blackwell, the collection of papers present an inclusive insight into the threat of the avian influenza pandemic by addressing a wide range of topics including the basic biology of the virus, updates on laboratory diagnosis and influenza anti-viral, treatment options, and pandemic planning.
Backpack Straps Can Decrease Blood Flow In The Shoulder And Arm
( APS 11-Apr-08 )
More than 92 percent of the children in the U.S. carry backpacks. Typically the backpacks are loaded with almost one-fourth of the child's body weight (22 percent) and worn with only one strap. Last year, a team of physician researchers examined the effect heavy-loaded backpack straps can have on children. They found the straps can significantly increase pressure when the load is ten percent or more.
Shift Work Linked To Organ Disease
( UT 10-Apr-08 )
Disruption of an individual's natural sleep-wake cycle has been determined to be a contributing factor in the development of organ disease. The findings of U of T researchers were recently published in the Journal of American Physiology.
Prevention Taskforce Misses Opportunities
( AMA 10-Apr-08 )
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today the Government's Prevention Health Taskforce has missed two opportunities - firstly, the chance to get on with the job and prevent the human damage and save money, and secondly, ignoring direct clinical involvement.
The 'Zero' Mentality: Is It Good For Infection Control?
( SHEA 10-Apr-08 )
"Getting to zero" - the emerging drive to eliminate infections acquired in hospitals - is provoking much discussion in the healthcare community, ranging from concern that the approach is overly simplistic and potentially dangerous to praise that it is a motivating and worthy goal.
Pressure On The UK Prime Minister To Cut The Drink Drive Limit
( BMA 10-Apr-08 )
Doctors' leaders in Wales have set up a petition on the Downing Street website, to increase support for a reduction in the permitted blood alcohol level for driving.
The BMA wants to see the maximum level reduced from 80mg per 100ml, to 50mg.
This would bring the UK more in line with other European countries.
UQ Staff Stay Safe At Work
( UQ 9-Apr-08 )
Over 3000 UQ staff have already completed the University's new online safety induction program, just eight weeks on from its launch.
Brits Unaware Of Skin Cancer Risk
( BAD 9-Apr-08 )
HALF of Britons would not recognise the signs of a possible skin cancer, and a quarter never checks their skin for the disease, a shocking snapshot survey by the British Association of Dermatologists has revealed.
Public Lecture Encourages Good Health
( UQ 8-Apr-08 )
A public lecture to be held at UQ this week will offer an explanation as to why, despite being one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, Australia has one of the highest rates of lifestyle diseases.
Roadside Advertising Hits Driver Reaction Times
( BPS 8-Apr-08 )
Road safety could be improved if there was a reduction in the amount of advertising and signage drivers are exposed to on the road.
Burden Of Gastroenteritis On Ireland Estimated At Over 135 Million Euros
( Safefood 8-Apr-08 )
A new safefood study - The Economic Impact of Gastroenteritis on the Island of Ireland has revealed the total burden of gastroenteritis on the economy for the island of Ireland is estimated at over 135 million Euros
per annum. The report commissioned by safefood and carried out by Trinity College Dublin and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was launched today at a conference in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Get Involved And Save A Life!
( ARC 7-Apr-08 )
The American Red Cross encourages everyone to learn the skills that could save a life. Although the importance of being trained in first aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cannot be underestimated, the Red Cross also encourages those unwilling, unable, untrained or unsure how to perform full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths) to instead perform Compression-Only CPR.
AICR Calls On Americans To Slash Red Meat Consumption
( AICR 7-Apr-08 )
Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) say Americans can't afford to wait any longer to make a cancer-protective shift in their eating habits. The evidence linking red meat to colon cancer is now so strong it should prompt a nationwide reduction in red meat consumption, they said.
Public Awareness of Risks of Black Cohosh Needed
( MJA 7-Apr-08 )
The community needs to be educated about potential risks of alternative and herbal medicines, in particular black cohosh, according to an article in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
Health Profession Must Act on Environmental and Social Change
( MJA 7-Apr-08 )
The health profession needs to actively advocate for Government action on climate change and economic inequalities to ensure the survival of humanity, according to an article in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
Measles Risk
( NSWHealth 7-Apr-08 )
NSW Health is warning the community to be on the lookout for the symptoms of measles after the diagnosis of a man who visited a number of public venues last weekend.
Most Alcohol-Impaired Driving On American Roads Caused By Binge Drinkers
( ACER 7-Apr-08 )
Self-reported alcohol-impaired (AI) driving has increased in the United States during the last decade.
New findings show that most AI driving is due to binge drinkers rather than heavy or alcohol-dependent drinkers.
Researchers say effective strategies must address both excessive drinking as well as impaired driving.
Drowning - 1,000 A Year Either Die Or Are Hospitalised
( AIHW 3-Apr-08 )
Over the five-year reporting period, an average of 370 people died and 618 were hospitalised each year as a result of drowning, according to a new report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Pesticides Linked To Parkinson's
( NHSChoices 3-Apr-08 )
Regular use of some pesticides can "more than double the risk of developing Parkinson's disease", The Daily Telegraph reports. Research has found that "people who reported using insect sprays or weed killers at home or as part of their job, faced a more than 60% greater risk of developing the degenerative nervous system disorder", the newspaper adds.
Chest Compressions Alone Can Save The Life Of An Adult Who Suddenly Collapses
( MNT 2-Apr-08 )
If you are a lay bystander and come across an adult who suddenly collapses, remember that chest compressions (Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) alone may save a life, says the AHA. You do not have to give mouth-to-mouth if you do not know how - but chest compressions only could save a person's life.
Joint Statement On FDA Investigation Of Singulair From The AAAAI And ACAAI
( AAAAI 2-Apr-08 )
Leadership from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology released the following statement in response to the Thursday announcement of a Food and Drug Administration investigation into Singulair:
Analysis Of Government Data Finds Hospitality Tops List Of Industries With Highest Rates Of Alcohol Problems
( GWUMC 2-Apr-08 )
A new analysis of government data finds that 15 percent of employees in the hospitality industry suffer from serious alcohol-related problems. Excessive alcohol use costs U.S. employers billions in lost productivity and additional health care costs every year.
Might Mobile Phones Kill More People Than Smoking Or Asbestos?
( MNT 2-Apr-08 )
A new study reveals that mobile phones (cell phones) may eventually be responsible for more human deaths than smoking or asbestos. Dr. Vini Khurana, an award-winning cancer expert (14 awards) from Australia, has published some grim study results. Khurana added that government and mobile phone companies should do whatever they can to immediately reduce people's exposure to radiation.
Risk Of Lung Cancer Appears To Reduce With Exposure To Low Levels Of Radon
( WPI 1-Apr-08 )
Exposure to levels of radon gas typically found in 90 percent of American homes appears to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 60 percent, according to a study published in the March 2008 issue of the journal Health Physics.
National Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Public Health
( IOM 1-Apr-08 )
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and The Bravewell Collaborative have partnered to convene a summit that will explore the science and practice of integrative medicine — health care that addresses together the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of the healing process — for improving the breadth and depth of patient-centered care and promoting the nation's health.
New Programme To Protect The Public From Salmonella
( HFM 1-Apr-08 )
UK Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has announced that a national programme to protect public health from Salmonella in poultry laying flocks of domestic fowl is due to come into force this month (March 2008). The programme will include updating and enhancing existing controls to reduce the number of cases in poultry by 10% annually.
IPods Found Not To Affect Pacemaker Function, Contrary To Prior Reports
( CHB 31-Mar-08 )
Last May, a widely reported study concluded that errant electronic noise from iPods can cause implantable cardiac pacemakers to malfunction. This just didn't sound right to the cardiac electrophysiologists at Children's Hospital Boston, who've seen hundreds of children, teens and young adults with heart conditions requiring pacemakers.
Hairdressers And Barbers Have Higher Risk Of Cancer
( MNT 31-Mar-08 )
Work as a hairdresser or barber has been confirmed as a potential carcinogenic influcence, according to a Working Group report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as published in the April 2008 issue of The Lancet Oncology.
FDA Investigates Safety Of Asthma Drug Singulair
( MNT 31-Mar-08 )
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing the safety of Merck & Co's anti-asthma drug Singulair (montelukast) following reports querying a potential link between the drug's use and changes to behaviour and mood, suicide, and suicidal thinking and behaviour.
Wholesnax Recalls Some Products Because They Contain Soya Lecithin, Which Is Declared As Lecithin
( FSA 24-Mar-08 )
Wholesnax has recalled some batches of its chocolate coated brazils, peanuts, raisins, peanuts and raisins and mixed nuts and raisins because they contain soya lecithin which is declared as lecithin in the ingredients list. The products, therefore, are unsuitable for people with a soya allergy. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Indonesia Is Country Worst Hit By Bird Flu - High Load Of Circulating Virus Could Lead To Mutation And Human Flu Pandemic
( FAO 21-Mar-08 )
The prevalence of bird flu in Indonesia continues to be serious despite containment efforts undertaken by national authorities and the international community, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) warned today. Indonesia is the country worst hit by avian influenza.
Mosquito Warning In Rural NSW
( NSWHealth 20-Mar-08 )
NSW Health Minister, Reba Meagher, has advised people living in or travelling to rural parts of NSW over Easter to cover up and avoid mosquito bites in light of recent increases in mosquitoborne diseases.
"Anyone planning to visit the bush over Easter should be particularly careful to guard against mosquito bites," Ms Meagher said.
Cancer Council Welcomes Greens' Junk Food Advertising Bill
( CCA 18-Mar-08 )
Greens leader Bob Brown's proposed ban on junk food advertising to children could prevent thousands of cancer deaths and should be supported by both houses of federal Parliament, The Cancer Council Australia said today.
TV Junk Food Ad Ban a Must
( AMA 18-Mar-08 )
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today that Australia should join an international movement to ban junk food advertising in children’s television viewing times.
Rate Of Escalator Injuries To Older Adults Has Doubled
( IUSM 18-Mar-08 )
In the first large scale national study of escalator-related injuries to older adults, researchers led by Joseph O'Neil, M.D., MPH, and Greg Steele, Dr.PH., MPH, of the Indiana University School of Medicine, report that the rate of these injuries has doubled from 1991 to 2005.
Controlling Asthma With Web-Based Technology
( AAAAI 18-Mar-08 )
Asthma is the reason that in 2006, there were an estimated 12.8 million lost school days in children and 10.1 million lost work days in adults. It is the cause for two million annual emergency room visits, and it costs Americans almost $20 billion in healthcare costs every year. It currently affects 23 million Americans, and about 7 million children are among those.
Locomotive And Marine Diesel Engines Clean Up Will Save Lives
( ALA 18-Mar-08 )
The American Lung Association salutes the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule to require substantial cuts in the air pollution produced by locomotive and marine diesel engines. Communities across the nation urgently need this federal help to help clean up dangerous ozone and particle pollution.
ALA Applauds Subcommittee On Health For Its Strong Commitment To Public Health
( ALA 18-Mar-08 )
The recent passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act by the U.S. House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is truly historic. H.R. 1108 will give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority it needs to regulate the products responsible for more than 438,000 deaths each year.
Sophisticated Computer Models Designed To Predict And Combat Rise Of Emerging Infectious Diseases
( UG 22-Feb-08 )
It's not just your imagination. Providing the first-ever definitive proof, a team of scientists has shown that emerging infectious diseases such as HIV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus and Ebola are indeed on the rise.
UCF Technique Promises To Aid Doctors' Ability To Identify, Treat Bacterial Infections
( UCF 22-Feb-08 )
A new technique developed by a University of Central Florida chemist will help physicians more quickly identify the bacterial infections patients have so they can be treated in hours instead of days.
British Overseas Travellers Warned About High Risk Of Hepatitis
( ABH 22-Feb-08 )
A team of senior doctors from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, a national charitable organisation, have issued a strong warning to British overseas travellers to South Asian countries and other developing countries that they must take extra care to protect themselves from infectious diseases like Hepatitis.