Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Temple Podiatry Receives NIH Grant To Develop Personalized, Visual Diabetes Education Program
Loss of feeling in the feet is a common complication of diabetes, so it"s critical that those with the disease wear shoes that fit properly and check their feet often for cuts or sores. Left untreated, a diabetic"s foot wound can lead to a serious infection or even require amputation.

WHO Recommends Worldwide Use Of Rotavirus Vaccine For Children
To reduce an estimated half million deaths and two million hospitalizations from diarrhea caused by rotavirus each year, the WHO on Friday recommended that oral rotavirus vaccines be added to national childhood immunization programs, broadening access to the vaccine in the developing world,
News of the day
Denver Post Examines Efforts To Establish Needle-Exchange Programs In Colorado
The Denver Post on Friday examined efforts to establish needle-exchange programs in Colorado to reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis C among injection drug users. According to the Post, 185 cities in Colorado have needle-exchange programs, but legislation that would have legalized needle exchanges statewide did not advance in the Legislature this year. "The issue is more complex than it perhaps first appears," Evan Dreyer, a spokesperson for Gov. Bill Ritter (D), said, adding that "law enforcement and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment both expressed serious reservations" about a proposal that would have legalized needle-exchanges statewide. A coalition of public health officials, treatment providers and advocates are increasing efforts to establish a needle-exchange program in Denver, the Post reports. The Denver Drug Strategy Commission in February recommended that Mayor John Hickenlooper consider a pilot needle-exchange program, DDSC Director Karla Maraccini said. The commission is looking at different programs to develop a model following Hickenlooper"s request for additional research. However, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has concerns that a local needle-exchange program would violate state law, according to Morrissey"s spokesperson Lynn Kimbrough. Eric Brown, a spokesperson for Hickenlooper, added, "Anything in contradiction to city or state law would have to be carefully considered." Proponents of needle-exchange programs say they prevent HIV and hepatitis C, but opponents say they condone injection drug use. Mark Thrun, director of HIV prevention for Denver Public Health, said, adding that needle-exchange programs prevent IDUs from "getting these chronic, potentially fatal diseases" and give public health workers "an opportunity to link them into treatment; and it lessens the economic burden on the already overburdened health care system." Thrun noted that several studies have found that needle-exchange programs do not encourage or prolong injection drug use and make IDUs more likely to seek treatment. In addition, a 2005 CDC study found that 86% of exchange programs make treatment referrals and that more than 80% offer counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.Nancy Steinfurth, executive director of the Hep C Connection, noted that an estimated 10% of HIV cases and 70% of hepatitis C cases are transmitted through needles (Auge, Denver Post, 5/15).
Oncology

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report On Health Disparities

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report on health disparities in America and participated in a White House Health Care Stakeholder Discussion on the importance of reform that reduces disparities that exist in our current health care system. The new report Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap is available at http://www.HealthReform.gov. "Minorities and low income Americans are more likely to be sick and less likely to get the care they need," Secretary Sebelius said. "These disparities have plagued our health system and our country for too long. Now, it"s time for Democrats and Republicans to come together to pass reforms this year that help reduce disparities and give all Americans the care they need and deserve." A Case for Closing the Gap highlights some of the glaring disparities that exist in the current health system. Under the status quo: - Forty-eight percent of all African Americans adults suffer from a chronic disease compared to 39 percent of the general population. - Eight percent of white Americans develop diabetes while 15 percent of African Americans, 14 percent of Hispanics, and 18 percent of American Indians develop diabetes. - Hispanics were one-third less likely to be counseled on obesity than were whites -- only 44 percent of Hispanics received counseling. - African Americans are 15 percent more likely to be obese than whites. The report also notes that 40 percent of low-income Americans do not have health insurance. About one-third of the uninsured have a chronic disease, and they are six times less likely to receive care for a health problem than the insured. In contrast, only 6 percent of high-income Americans lack insurance. Later today, Secretary Sebelius will co-host a White House Health Care Stakeholder Discussion on health disparities with Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, and Tina Tchen, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls. The discussion is part of the administration"s continuing series of White House Health Care Stakeholder Discussions. The discussion will begin at 12:00 p.m. EDT and can be viewed live on http://www.HealthReform.gov. U.S. Health and Human Services


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009