Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Public Health News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/public_health/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156362.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156362.php The partners of Research4Life have announced at the World Conference of Science Journalists 2009 that a new research impact analysis has demonstrated a dramatic rise in research output by scientists in the developing world since 2002. By comparing absolute growth in published research before (1996 - 2002) and after (2002 - 2008) the advent of the Research4Life programmes, the analysis has revealed a 194% or 6.4-fold increase in articles published in peer reviewed journals. Public Health Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156436.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156436.php The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informed in its weekly update on Friday evening, 3rd July, 2009, that the total number of confirmed human cases of swine flu A(H1N1) infection stands at 33,902, including 170 deaths. In a Swine Flu conference held today in Cancun, Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the virus' spread is now "unstoppable". Swine Flu Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156437.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156437.php The Health Protection Agency (HPA), UK, informed yesterday 3rd July, 2009, in its weekly update that the total number of confirmed human cases of Swine Flu A(H1N1) infection has reached 7,447. British health authorities estimate that the figure will be over 100,000 by the end of this summer. Swine Flu Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156293.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156293.php Phill Wilson, CEO of the Black AIDS Institute (BAI), last week addressed the annual convention of the National Newspapers Publishers Association where he discussed the reasons blacks "were so slow to grasp the severity of the threat" of HIV, the NNPA/Seattle Medium reports. HIV / AIDS Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156307.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156307.php The Wall Street Journal examines how some U.S.-based health care programs are improving their treatment capabilities by learning from strategies used in developing countries. HIV / AIDS Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156305.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156305.php The Wellcome Trust on Thursday pledged 30 million pounds or about $50 million to support health research at more than 50 African institutions, Nature reports (Nayar, 7/1). The money will fund seven partnerships that aim to boost health research capacity in Africa. It was unveiled at the Medical Students / Training Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156311.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156311.php Economic Benefits Of Global Plan To Stop TB Examined A study, recently published in the journal Health Affairs, analyzes the costs associated with the Global Plan to Stop TB and compared them to the cost of sustaining the DOTS treatment program. Tuberculosis Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156330.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156330.php Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156291.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156291.php Politico's blog "Under the Radar" explores HHS' recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy. HIV / AIDS Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156302.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156302.php The Rockefeller Foundation launched a $100 million, five-year initiative aimed at improving health systems in Asia and Africa, Judith Rodin, the foundation's president, said in a speech on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, Xinhua reports. Public Health Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156076.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156076.php Homeshare International is bringing together programme coordinators, academics and policy makers from around the world. They offer participants a fantastic opportunity to learn more about running a successful Homeshare programme and also present the growing evidence base for the effectiveness of Homeshare as a policy option. What is Homeshare? Homeshare is increasingly seen as a vital means of supporting people in their own homes. Public Health Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156216.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156216.php Cases of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus has been confirmed in a Crawford County adult and a Miami County child. These are the first cases identified in both counties. Local health departments are following the guidance provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) when dealing with a confirmed case. This includes a thorough case investigation and management of the patient and close contacts. Swine Flu Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156284.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156284.php The second of two reviews in this week´s The Lancet discusses the primary origins of the health gap. In an effort to understand these inequalities, the authors attempt to give an Indigenous perspective. Aid / Disasters Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156204.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156204.php Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold wants to remind you of some steps you can take to ensure a safe and healthy Fourth of July. Food Safety Picnics and cookouts top the list of summer activities. But remember, special precautions need to be taken when preparing and serving food during warm weather to avoid foodborne illnesses like salmonellosis. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156211.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156211.php HCL plc, the UK's largest health and social care recruitment agency, said the Government's proposals to reform the NHS by devolving power to frontline professionals and patients will mean a greater need for flexible staffing and more collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Government strategy document "Building Britain's Future", outlines proposals to reduce bureaucracy in the NHS and give patients enforceable rights to high standards of care. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156155.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156155.php "Labor unions are showing their increasing displeasure over [health reform] financing proposals that target their healthcare benefits by launching attack ads against key lawmakers, causing the Senate's leading advocate of taxing such benefits to seek an end to one especially aggressive campaign," Congress Daily reports. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156160.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156160.php Medicaid receives increased attention while an underused, special monthly pension benefit called Aid and Attendance can help veterans, and spouses, with assisted living. Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156174.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156174.php The UN is launching, on Wednesday the 1st of July 2009, a ten-day initiative intended to reach out to 10,000 people in Uganda through mobile phones to demonstrate the reach and potential use of mobile phones in health information and promotion. The initiative, "Texting4Health" will invite residents of Uganda's second largest commercial city of Jinja to participate in a short health quiz using text messages. IT / Internet / E-mail Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156180.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156180.php Responding to scientists' need to measure organic contaminants in human body fluids, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently made four new Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) available for purchase. Developed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the human milk and serum SRMs have certified levels of contaminants, including flame retardants and pesticides, commonly found in the U.S. population. Water - Air Quality / Agriculture Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156134.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156134.php Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced 20 New Jersey health centers will receive $16,987,384 to address facility and equipment needs, increase access to health care for underserved populations, and create construction-related jobs. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds are being provided under the Economic Recovery Law signed by President Obama in February. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156135.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156135.php The U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday a "lack of international funding and new restrictions by North Korea on its staff and where it can operate has left it unable to reach millions of hungry women and children in the impoverished country," AP/Taiwan News reports. According to the WFP, it has received 15 percent of the $504 million it needs to feed 6. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156153.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156153.php Now that the warm weather has arrived, there's nothing like swimming to help cool you off on a hot summer day. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156167.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156167.php The University of Queensland will establish a $2.5million GP Super Clinic at Ipswich that will focus on key local health issues. The Australian Government has signed an agreement with the University to develop the Ipswich GP Super Clinic which will have a standard GP service for management of acute presentations complemented by a focus on chronic disease and mental health. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156107.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156107.php Saying that the savings from chronic disease prevention and treatment "can fill the funding gap for health care reform," the New Jersey Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) was joined by key state business leaders in urging federal lawmakers to "take the savings and run" with a health care reform bill that works for all Americans. "The savings are there," said former New Jersey Governor James Florio, Co-Chair of the PFCD effort in New Jersey. Public Health Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156113.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156113.php During today's White House online town hall on health care, a question was submitted by Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus. Following President Obama's response to the question on medical liability reform, Congressman Burgess issued the following statement: "First and foremost, I would like to thank those of you who viewed my YouTube question to President Obama for today's White House online town hall on health care. Public Health