MMWR – IH CONNECT

The weekly news round-up for last week is posted below. Apologies for the delay. The holidays keep us all busy!

CDC’s report on its contributions on women’s health is available as the “Review on Women’s Health for the Year 2011” (Source: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WomensHealthReview/?s_cid=fb1332).

Politics and Policies:

Democrat Charles Schumer asked Food and Drug Administration Commissioner to review the safety and legality of AeroShot Pure Energy caffeine inhaler (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/controversy-over-inhaled-caffeine-grows-as-as-sen-schumer-calls-for-fda-probe/2011/12/22/gIQAjQaVDP_story.html).
Due to concerns over bioterrorism the government advisory board that oversees biosecurity in the U.S. has asked the scientific journals Nature & Science to censor details on recent bird flu. It has asked the journals not to publish details on certain biomedical experiments (Source: http://www.thetakeaway.org/2011/dec/22/when-it-ok-censor-science/ and http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/21/health/fearing-terrorism-us-asks-journals-to-censor-articles-on-virus.html).
New guidelines from the U.S. advisory committee on Immunization Packages have recommended Hepatitis B vaccination for the unvaccinated adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes due to increased risk of HBV infection. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published the guidelines in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Source: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-12-23/Hepatitis-B-vaccine-recommended-for-adults-with-diabetes/52188138/1).
The HPTN 052 study funded by US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) named as 2011 Breakthrough of the Year. It successfully demonstrated antiretroviral medications not only treat but also prevent transmission of HIV infection among heterosexual individuals (Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/health/2011-12/23/c_131322368.htm).
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged to double check the concentration of acetaminophen before giving it to infants. High concentration can lead to confusion in infants (Source: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20111223/infant-acetaminophen-dosage-change-may-cause-confusion).
Some mental, emergency care and non-communicable diseases drugs being included in the list of free drugs for distribution in Nepal (Source: http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=180030).
Avastin has been approved by the European Commission, as a drug for treatment of newly diagnosed and advanced ovarian cancer (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/23/us-avastin-ovarian-cancer-idUSTRE7BM15A20111223).

Programs

India to start a nation-wide program, weekly iron and folic supplementation program (WIFS) to deal with the problem of anemia among its adolescents (Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/govt-evolves-programme-to-tackle-anaemia_748331.html).
United Nations population fund (UNFPA) with other agencies is working to provide necessary help to the pregnant and lactating women in the evacuation centers of topical storm hit areas. Team of doctors, midwives and other health care workers are being deployed in those areas. Reproductive health care supplies and medicines are being distributed. They will distribute clean delivery kits to for healthy and hygienic deliveries (Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/reproductive_health/supplies_philippines/prweb9063252.htm).

Research

Cardiac MRI more accurate ruling out coronary heart disease than stress MRI. The Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) though exposes patients to ionic radiations but its highly accurate (Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/AcuteCoronarySyndrome/30369?pfc=101&spc=230).
A daily dose of 80mg aspirin reduces bowel cancer risk according to researchers at Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire(Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-170649/Aspirin-cut-bowel-cancer-risk.html).
According to a demonstration done by John Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, by genetically engineering immune system of Plasmodium falciparum, transmission of malaria parasite can be blocked. This will result in killing of large number of parasites which come into the mosquito’s body when they suck the blood of an infected person. The fitness of genetically modified bacteria was almost the same as those who were nonmodified (Source: http://www.newswise.com/articles/scientists-engineer-mosquito-immune-system-to-block-malaria).
A study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that to avoid fondness towards salt, its reduced intake should begin early in life (Source: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-babies-salt-20111221,0,6606273.story).

Diseases & Disasters

Health department of Illinois has urged people to take a shot of whooping cough vaccine after looking into the reports of spread of this disease in Northern Illinois (Source: http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/9537068-418/whooping-cough-spreading-throughout-northern-illinois.html and http://www.thirdage.com/news/pertussis-outbreaks-trouble-illinois_12-18-2011).
Hospital wards closed in Britain due to Norovirus outbreak (Source: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/12/23/Virus-outbreak-strikes-British-hospitals/UPI-91931324663834/?spt=hs&or=tn).
People in Nairobi, Kenya, are fearing of Ebola virus outbreak after the death of profusely bleeding 29 year old women (Source: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/africa-emerges/ebola-makes-comeback).
People in topical storm hit areas in Philippines are in great need of milk for their babies (Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/23/11/breastmilk-needed-flood-hit-mindanao).
Second bird found dead after infection with H5N1 in Hong Kong has raised health concerns in the city (Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/12/23/bird-flu-hong-kong.html).

These headlines were compiled by Vani Nanda, MPH Candidate at West Chester University PA.

From December 4 to 10, the US Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) celebrated National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). It was an effort to spread the message of the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. (Source: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/FightTheFlu/?s_cid=fb1293)

On December 10, 2011, Human Rights Day was observed . (Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/2011/index.shtml)

Politics and Policies

President Obama approved the decision to limit the morning after pill. His administration overruled the decision to make this pill available over the counter for the girls aged 17 years or younger. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/us/obama-backs-aides-stance-on-morning-after-pill.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=policy&adxnnlx=1323604933-CM1yLsRFtM9NYMVPd6JSJA)
Payroll tax package released by the Republicans would delay for the next two years , 27.4% payment cut for the doctors who accept / are paid via the Medicare plan. (Source: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/198389-house-gop-introduces-payroll-tax-package?page=2#comments and http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g-kbpjjkZz4s9rbfbxxs2LOwTH-w?docId=46892985f4614d5399a9c6540c119fa0)

Programs

At the 16^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and STIs, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced “Rapid Advice” document that presents a guidance on the diagnosis, prevention and management of cryptococcal disease in HIV-infected adults, adolescents and children, with a focus on settings with limited health systems capacity and resources, and a high burden of the disease. It will be officially launched in March 2012. (Source: http://www.panapress.com/WHO-gives-guidelines-on-cryptococcus-disease—15-809357-29-lang2-index.html)
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new vaccine “MenAfriVac” for the elimination of a deadly group A meningitis strain. It will be introduced by Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad who are in “Meningitis belt.” (Source: http://www.afriquejet.com/meningitis-vaccine-nigeria-cameroon-chad-to-use-new-meningitis-vaccine-2011121029299.html)
The United Nations (UN) sanctioned $6 million fund to alleviate the sufferings of people from food shortages in Niger. (Source: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40645&Cr=+niger+&Cr1=)
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced funding of $14.5 million for school based clinics. (Source: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2011/December/09/hhs-school-grants.aspx)
A five day campaign against polio has been launched by Congolese Minister of Health and Population. (Source: http://www.afriquejet.com/campaign-polio-congo-2011120929262.html)

Research

Satellite images used to track diseases by the Princeton researchers. (Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-57340232-247/princeton-researchers-use-satellite-images-to-track-disease/)
Research by University of California, San Diego shows a link between high starch diet and the recurrence of breast cancer. (Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2072000/White-bread-pasta-rich-diet-increases-risk-breast-cancer-returning.html)
An inherited mutated gene from father can lead to the development of cancer of breast in women. (Source: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2011/12/10/dads-genes-can-speed-cancer.html)
Abortion not related to risk of development of mental illness. (Source: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/womenshealth/story/2011-12-09/Study-Abortion-doesnt-raise-mental-illness-risk/51762674/1)
A research study published in Journal of Sexual Medicine states that women may be able to smell men with sexually transmitted disease (STIs). (Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/men-stds-give-unpleasant-smell-women-study-found-gonorrhea-infected-men-putrid-article-1.989292)
Gene therapy is the new treatment of patients with various hematological disorders. It involves replacing the defective gene with the intact version. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/health/research/hemophilia-b-gene-therapy-breakthrough.html)
The MRI scans used to understand the brain damage caused by Cerebral Malaria by a researcher of Michigan State University. (Source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20111209/MSU-researcher-uses-MRI-to-unlock-how-cerebral-malaria-damages-brain.aspx)

Diseases and Disasters

An earthquake of intensity 5.8 had hit Ryukyu Islands of Japan on Sunday December 11, 2011 at 10:22:44 AM. (Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc000753q.php#details)
Fire at the Advanced Medical Research Institute hospital in Kolkata, India lead to the death of 92 people. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/10/world/india-hospital-fire-kolkata-west-bengal.html)
The United Nation (UN) issued a child malnutrition warning for Africa’s Sahel region. (Source: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40687&Cr=sahel&Cr1=)
First West Nile Virus case confirmed in the Palm Beach County, Florida. Public asked to take precautions. (Source: http://www.disasternews.net/news/article.php?articleid=4364)
Brazil develops a new formula for the pediatric patients for Chagas disease treatment. (Source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20111209/New-pediatric-formula-for-Chagas-disease-treatment-developed-in-Brazil.aspx)
In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced a new regimen for latent tuberculosis infection. It is an effective treatment which involves just one-third time of the current therapy. (Source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20111209/Shorter-effective-treatment-for-latent-TB-infection.aspx)

These headlines were compiled by Vani Nanda, MPH Candidate at West Chester University PA.

Tag: MMWR

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

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