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Global Health Weekly News Round-up

July 29, 2012July 29, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joins the World Health Organization to recognize the World Hepatitis Day July 27.

Politics and Policies:

Obama administration announces ground-breaking public-private partnership to prevent health care fraud. It is designed to share information and best practices in order to improve detection and prevent payment of fraudulent health care billings.
Doctors petition for limits on painkillers. They have urged the FDA to curtail the overuse and abuse of prescription painkillers by changing the labeling directions on how and when physicians should prescribe them.
African health experts- policy makers, advocates and researchers are meeting in Kampala, Uganda to reaffirm national and regional commitments to achieving Millennium Development Goal (MGD) 5, to ensure the health of girls and women become a regional priority.
A number of public health organizations in South Africa have extended their support for the amendments on the Tobacco Products Control Act which is meant to support the non-smokers.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new inhaled drug for the treatment of the lung disease COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
According to congressional budget office Supreme Court health care law leaves 3 million more uninsured.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will award inpatient rehabilitation facilities $140 million increase in Medicaid payments under the IRF prospective payment system in fiscal year 2013.
Singapore ratifies ILO (International Labor Organization) framework for occupational health and safety.
The Australian Health Department wants to outsource its operational and management responsibilities for the personally controlled e-health record system to a single provider.

Programs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awarded Colorado Health Insurance Cooperative Inc. a $69.4 million loan to launch a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan in Colorado.
Hospitals in Iowa provided $1.4 billion community benefits (health screenings, support groups etc.) in 2011.
$6.1 Million “Innovation Grant” awarded to test comprehensive care physician model.
Bungoma (Kenya) Hospital project hit by row.
In Sierra Leone, youth want a review of abortion law.
Energy, health care dominates agenda on the eve of Canada’s annual summer summit.

Research

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that adult mortality rates fell after three states (New York, Maine, Arizona) Medicaid expansions.
Study finds drop in death rate in states that follow lines of Obama health law.
A new technique uses PET/CT imaging with a compound called choline (F-Flourocholine) to help doctors to detect prostate cancer earlier.
Trial signals major milestone in hunt for new TB drugs. The results presented at the 2012 International AIDS Conference reveal progress in the pursuit of an antiretroviral- compatible TB treatment for the patients with TB/HIV co-infection.
The results of a study of HIV treatment policies in 23 countries show that governments have made improvements to get better antiretroviral treatment (ART) to more people but implementation of innovative community-based strategies is lagging behind.
According to study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, lung function may decline slower in smokers with sufficient vitamin D levels as compared to smokers who are vitamin D deficient.
A study shows that people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are 2.6 times more prone to developing cancer.
A study shows that inactivity puts 1 in 3 adults at risk for disease.
According to a study some people are more physically active may be due to their genetic predisposition while evolutionary factors and the obesity, might also play a role in it.
Researchers have identified various successful and promising interventions to improve the opportunities for regular physical activity. Promoting exercise and community events through mass media campaigns as well as decision prompts and signage to motivate people are among the few identified as successful examples.
A study shows new way of delivering anti-scarring drug reduces the need for repeat injections by 40 percent. This process reduces post-surgical scarring of glaucoma patients.
Study shows that information and communication technologies could be an effective way of encouraging millions of people worldwide to become more physically active.
A paper in the Lancet says physical inactivity should be recognized as a pandemic.
Researchers have found that the drug resistant HIV is on rise in Africa.
Study suggests that short, cumulative exercise sessions are beneficial for health especially for maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

Diseases & Disasters

An earthquake of 3.8 magnitude hit Los Angeles on July, 25, 2012.
Five infant deaths signal serious whooping cough outbreak in UK.
According to the Ugandan health officials, about 14 people in western Uganda have been killed by the infection with the deadly Ebola virus. There is no cure or vaccine for the treatment or prevention from this deadly infection in Uganda. National emergency task force has been set up to prevent the spread of disease.
The typhoid outbreak in Zimbabwe is suspected to be caused by the consumption of contaminated water.
Mysterious nodding disease afflicts young Ugandans.
Whooping Cough epidemic in Washington State.
World Health Organization has expressed its concerns over the rise in cholera cases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid clashes between the armed groups and government.

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

July 8, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies

The Department of Health and Human Services bolsters health care and public health disaster. It has awarded more than $971 million to continue improving preparedness and health outcomes for a wide range of public health threats within every state, eight U.S. territories, and four of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.
India is completing a proposal to provide essential drugs free to patients in government-run hospitals and clinics at a cost of $5 billion over five years.
Rapid H.I.V. Home test wins federal approval.
Republican governor of Florida says state won’t expand Medicaid.

Programs

George W. Bush launches cancer project in Botswana. This $3 million initiative has been started to fight against cervical cancer. This project is funded by the Presidents’ Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and is supported by the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partnership.
A drug created at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has been deployed to fight malaria in India.
U.S. $124,276,000 assistance package is expected for Liberia. A new development agenda “An agenda for transformation” will focus on critical areas like education, economy, health etc.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing support to the treatment center in village of Wabaria, situated in Northern Mali after identification of the new cases of cholera in the village
La Madre de los Pobres charity reaches needy in nearly 20-plus countries.
New child health card and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is introduced in Zimbabwe to ensure good records of all preventive interventions like exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, calendar of immunizations and prevention of mother to child transmission.
International donors offer Afghanistan $16B.
Traditional Indian sweetener jaggery (gur) will be launched as complete health food for all age groups soon in India.

Research

New study maps hotspots of human-animal infectious diseases and emerging disease outbreaks like tuberculosis and Rift Valley fever.
Single dose radiation at the time of surgery helps women with early stage breast cancer forego 6-7 week radiation regimen.
Australian researchers from the Skin and Cancer Foundation have found a link between psoriasis and other diseases.
Research from Fourth Military Medical University yields new findings on Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota School Of Public Health have found new evidence that fast food intake increases risk of diabetes and heart disease in people.
Zebra fish provides insights into causes and treatment of human diseases. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh are using it to study the biological mechanisms underlying human disorders and identifying potential treatment approaches for an impressive array of organ and systematic diseases.
Caffeine may help to lower the risk of skin cancer. The results of the study conducted by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston suggest that it is the caffeine in coffee that is responsible for the decreased risk of basal cell carcinoma associated with increasing coffee consumption.
Amniotic fluid yields alternatives to embryonic stem cells. The scientists from Imperial College London and the UCL Institute of Child Health have succeeded in reprogramming amniotic fluid cells without having to introduce extra genes.
Organic tomatoes contain higher levels of antioxidants than conventional tomatoes. The researchers have shown that these tomatoes do not use not use nitrogenous fertilizers and thus they activate their own defense mechanisms resulting in increased production of all antioxidants.
A study conducted by a researcher at the University of Maryland has shown that the women infected with Toxoplasma gondii parasite which is spread through contact with cat feces or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide.
A recent research has shown that deleting single gene results in autism-like behavior and immunosuppressant drug prevents autism symptoms. This gene is associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a rare genetic condition.
Using a mouse model of autism, researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have successfully treated an autism spectrum disorder characterized by severe cognitive impairment.
A team of researchers at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen are closer to understanding the biology behind GHB, a transmitter substance in the brain, best known in its synthetic form as the illegal drug fantasy.

Diseases and Disasters

Monsoon rains cause havoc in Bangladesh.
The Philippines Department of Health has instructed the Bureau of Quarantine to be on alert, following an outbreak of a fatal respiratory disease in Cambodia.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, South Sudan faces worst health crisis.
According to a recent report released, Fukushima disaster was man-made.

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

April 1, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

Ban placed on the sale of ‘synthetic marijuana’ in New York (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/30/ban-placed-on-sell-synthetic-marijuana-in-new-york/ ).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejects petition to ban BPA, a chemical found in food packaging including plastic bottles and canned food (Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57407289-10391704/fda-rejects-petition-to-ban-bpa-in-food-packaging/ ).

Programs

The United Nations and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPD) agency have partnered together to advance sustainable responses to HIV/ AIDS, health and development across the continent (Source: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41655&Cr=HIV/AIDS&Cr1=).

Research

A study indicates that pregnancy and hormonal changes that continue 12 weeks after giving birth increases women’s risk of heart attack (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/25/us-heart-pregnancy-idUSBRE82O0FZ20120325 ).
The findings of a research presented at American Chemical Society meeting at San Diego shows that the popcorn has antioxidants (Source: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/story/2012-03-25/Popcorn-packed-with-antioxidants-hidden-health-benefits/53777198/1 ).
A research indicates a risk of the spread of Flu pandemic during the London Olympics (Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-research-warns-of-olympics-flu-pandemic-risk-7606577.html )
According to a team at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) , an antidepressant together with a drug derived from Vitamin A can be used to treat an adult form of leukemia- acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120312003050.htm ).
According to a study there is a link between the genetic variants in an area of genome and risk of developing Podoconiosis (Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/03/28/podoconiosis-genes-idINDEE82R0I920120328 )
A research indicates that HIV super infection may help to develop vaccines against this deadly infection (Source: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/03/29/superinfected-patients-give-clues-to-fighting-hiv ).
Researchers at University of Melbourne have identified a mutation linked to breast cancer attached to the newly identified gene called XRCC2 (Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-breast-cancer-gene-discovered-20120330-1w1xt.html ).
Finnish researchers have found that the children vaccinated with the pandemic H1N1 swine flu shot were 13 times more likely to develop narcolepsy, a condition characterized by excessive sleepiness, even during the day time (Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/swine-flu-shot-may-hasten-sleeping-disorder_16290.html ).
A study shows that those patients, who had surgery to remove a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and have a high risk of cancer recurrence, have improved survival rates when they undergo treatment with anticancer drugs (Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_123476.html ).
Researchers have found that a commonly used drug Metformin, for treatment of type II Diabetes may help to prevent liver cancer (Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Diabetes-drug-may-help-prevent-liver-cancer/articleshow/12491050.cms ).
The researchers at Lund University, Sweden are working to make the vaccines available in the market in five years, which will target the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries (plaques) to prevent heart attacks (Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/vaccines-for-heart-attacks-to-be-ready-within-5-years_16333.html ).
Researchers show how vitamin D slows the growth of prostate cancer. These supplements lower levels of a key protein called Ki67 (Source: http://www.emaxhealth.com/1020/researchers-uncover-how-vitamin-d-slows-prostate-cancer ).
Depression is linked with sleep breathing disorder. Women with sleep apnea have 5.2 times more chances of developing depression (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/30/depression-linked-with-sleep-breathing-problems-study-finds/ ).
The researchers at University of Sydney through their study indicate that people who sit for a longer time have a shorter life span (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/30/too-much-sitting-linked-to-shortened-lives/ ).
A survey by the researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore and John Hopkins University, finds 63% of children with autism are bullied (Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57406540/survey-finds-63-of-children-with-autism-bullied/ ).

Diseases & Disasters

An explosion at Evonik Degussa chemical plant in the west town of Mari (Germany) has killed one person. Residents were asked to stay indoors with their door closed (Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5giWW7i_NwjgXDhsZFMKd0LRjl6dQ?docId=CNG.65605d82f9e8f0788a078c1a4655b4de.171 ).
An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck central Chile on Sunday night (Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jsZz0L80EJKEWngc0ohu3woJDhPA?docId=97f8310de8f24dd48602b01296ea290b ).
The deadliest form of malaria on rise in Banke district of Nepal. Fifteen people have already been detected with the plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax (Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Malaria+on+rise+in+Nepalgunj&NewsID=325903 ).
Fentanyl, a synthetic form of heroin causes overdose boom in Estonia (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17524945 ).
Washoe County health officials have reported 30 cases of childhood illness of hand, foot and mouth disease (Source: http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/washoe-county-health-officials-report-30-cases-of-hfmd ).
Cholera grips Haiti (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/world/americas/haitis-cholera-outraced-the-experts-and-tainted-the-un.html?ref=todayspaper )

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

February 25, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies

Texas has passed regulations on barring Planned Parenthood clinics and other “affiliates of abortion providers from participating in the state’s Medicaid program starting March 14 (Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/state-issues/212301-texas-defies-obama-administration-bars-abortion-providers-from-state-medicaid-program ).
A program created to help insurance-seekers in Texas cut through the complexities of federal health care reforms is shutting down in April (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/us/texas-to-shut-consumer-health-assistance-program.html?_r=1&ref=policy ).
Medicare covers Yoga for heart disease (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/25/health/medicare-covers-yoga-heart-disease/ ).

Programs

A national immunization campaign to eradicate polio was launched on 23^rd February in the Central African Republic (CAR) to reach all children in the country (including those who have limited access to health services) (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202241273.html ).
The Department of Health (DH) of Hong Kong has issued a warning on the slimming product (name Sheng Yuan Fang) with undeclared and banned drug ingredients (Source: http://www.moviemazaa.com/node/1068362 ).
The Philadelphia city Health Department will begin offering free, confidential testing for human immunodeficiency syndrome virus (HIV). The free testing site will be in Tuscarawas County (Source: http://www.timesreporter.com/communities/x1618024551/Phila-to-offer-free-HIV-testing ).

Research

A study published in Australian Journal of Law and Medicine has cited numerous flaws in the Kenya, South Africa and Uganda studies which claimed that male circumcision provides protection against HIV transmission (Source: http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-7273-Circumcision%20HIV%20impact%20doubted/news.aspx ).
A study reveals that Zelboraf, a drug to treat advanced cases of deadly shin cancer melanoma, nearly doubles length of patient’s lives (Source: http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10480484-advanced-melanoma-drug-nearly-doubles-survival-time ).
According to a study pregnant females who get vaccinated for influenza vaccine have less likely babies with low birth weight (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/Moms-Flu-Vaccination-Boosts-Baby-Birth-Weight-140341143.html ).
Research demonstrates the use of antibiotics in food production can lead to the development of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strain (Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-201202221120usnewsusnwr201202210221staphfeb22,0,635726.story ).
According to a research study, colonoscopy reduces the chances of colon cancer death risk (Source: http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-23/lifestyle/31087870_1_colon-cancer-colonoscopy-growths ).
A study reveals that a chemical found in the Chilean fruit Avocado has the property to combat multi-resistant bacterial strains (Source: http://zeenews.india.com/ayurveda/avocado-can-help-combat-multi-resistant-bacterial-strains_1063.html ).
A study published in journal Stroke has provided evidence that consuming more citrus fruits as a part of the daily fruit and vegetable intake reduces the risk of ischemic (blood clot related) stroke (Source: http://health.einnews.com/picture/9053 ).
According to a recent study Hepatitis C kills more Americans than by the HIV/AIDS infection. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Infection (the CDC) data, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, in 2007 more than 15,000 people died of Hepatitis C infection as compared to 12,734 deaths due to HIV-related causes (Source: http://health.einnews.com/picture/9056 ).

Diseases and Disasters

E.coli outbreaks in Michigan linked to consumption of raw sprouts (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/25/e-coli-outbreak-linked-to_n_1300994.html ).
About forty people died across Nigeria from the outbreak of Lassa fever in last four weeks (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202220127.html ).
The health authorities in the Republic of Congo have warned the spread of Cholera in the northern district of Likouala (Source: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/congo-cholera-continues-spreading ).
A 16^th case of the measles has been confirmed in central Indiana. According to health officials, visitors to a popular Carmel county club may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus. The outbreak has been traced to a family who was infected during a trip overseas (Source: http://www.theindychannel.com/news/30537578/detail.html ).
According to Shaoguan city government (China), about 64 children have been diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels (Source: http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/02/24/2724s683087.htm ).
Four babies were identified as carrying Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in the neonatal ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) of Hong Kong (Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/406545/queen_elizabeth_hospital_mrsa_cases_and_update_on_vre.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%207thspace%20%287thSpace%20Interactive%29 ).
A Haiti aid group warns on cholera surge during the rainy season (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/haiti-aid-group-warns-of-cholera-surge-on-eve-of-rainy-season/2012/02/24/gIQAg7bvXR_story.html ).

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