RxPG News : USA

Nearly Half of Primary Care Doctors in US Would Like to Quit

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:18:26 PST

National Survey Finds Numerous Problems Facing Primary Care Doctors, Predicts Escalating Shortage Ahead

Stem cell research to get a boost under Obama

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:23:48 PST

Washington, Nov 11 - The new US administration under Barack Obama will take a more pro-active view on the issue of stem cell research than his predecessor George W. Bush, his aides have said.

US requires 40,000 more health IT professionals

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:24:21 PST

Washington, April 18 - United States alone requires an additional 40,000 IT professionals to move its healthcare toward a paperless system that cuts costs and medical errors.

Indian American doctor under scanner for malpractices

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:37:48 PST

New York, March 8 - A prominent Indian American doctor in Las Vegas is being investigated for medical malpractices, which have led to a huge health scare in the community.

4.5 percent of US prisoners report sexual abuse

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:50:30 PST

Washington, Dec 17 - Nearly one in 20 inmates of US prisons reported being sexually victimized in the previous 12 months, according to a report.

Osteoporosis drug approved to cut breast cancer risk

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 13:39:48 PST

In 1997, FDA approved Evista, which is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in 1999, for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Doctor shortage looms in Massachusetts, USA

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:26:24 PST

The Massachusetts health reform plan is in full swing, but so is an acute doctor shortage that may curtail the state's goal of providing care to hundreds of thousands of new patients who will want it, according to a new study.

California Health Insurance Coverage Is Becoming Less Affordable

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:21:20 PST

For many Californians in the individual and small-group markets, sky-rocketing healthcare costs mean benefit drop-offs or spiking premiums, a new study says.

New Warnings About Suicidal Thinking and Antidepressants

Thu, 03 May 2007 03:59:59 PST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications update the existing black box warning on their products' labeling to include warnings about increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior, known as suicidality, in young adults ages 18 to 24 during initial treatment which is generally the first one to two months.

Foodborne illnesses on rise in United States

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:52:09 PST

A report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a leveling of cases for some foodborne infections after a period of decline. For others, incidences of infection which had declined appear to be returning to earlier levels.

FDA Warns Five Firms To Stop Compounding Topical Anesthetic Creams

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:59:38 PST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning five firms, Triangle Compounding Pharmacy, University Pharmacy, Custom Scripts Pharmacy, Hal’s Compounding Pharmacy, and New England Compounding Center, to stop compounding and distributing standardized versions of topical anesthetic creams, which are marketed for general distribution rather than responding to the unique medical needs of individual patients. Firms that do not resolve violations in FDA warning letters risk enforcement such as injunctions against continuing violations and seizure of illegal products.

Susan C. Winckler Appointed as Acting FDA Chief of Staff

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:15:31 PST

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA), today announced the appointment of Susan C. Winckler, RPh, Esq., as the agency’s Acting Chief of Staff. Ms. Winckler is replacing Patrick Ronan who announced his resignation last week after several years of service at the FDA.

Profiles of serial killers have limitations

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 21:28:00 PST

Dennis Rader, the notorious BTK murderer who eluded capture for more than 30 years until his arrest in 2005, did not fit precisely into the FBI's method for profiling serial killers on the basis of crime scenes. And Aileen Wuornos, the Florida prostitute executed in 2002 for slaying seven men over a two-year period in the early 1990s, didn't fit at all because the database of convicted serial killers used by the FBI in developing their profiling method did not include women.

Concerns over abortion law in the US state of South Dakota

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 21:26:00 PST

In this weeks BMJ, a senior doctor raises serious concerns over abortion law in the US state of South Dakota. Earlier this year, South Dakota passed a bill which bans virtually all abortions in the state except for circumstances in which the procedure is necessary to prevent the death of the mother. Under this new legislation, doctors face prosecution for the termination of any pregnancy in which maternal death is not clearly averted by its performance.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Opens the National Center for X-ray Tomography (NCXT)

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 22:54:00 PST

The National Center for X-ray Tomography (NCXT) has officially been dedicated at the U.S. Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). Located at Berkeley Labs Advanced Light Source (ALS), this new center features a first-of-its-kind x-ray microscope that will enable scientists to perform CAT scans on biological cells, just one of many unprecedented capabilities for cell and molecular biology studies.

States That Easily Grant Immunization Exemptions Have Higher Incidence Of Whooping Cough

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 05:14:00 PST

States that have personal belief exemptions for school immunization requirements, and exemptions that are easily obtained, have higher rates of new cases of pertussis (whooping cough) than states in which obtaining immunization exemptions is more difficult, according to a study in the October 11 issue of JAMA.

Study calls for 39 percent more family physicians in USA

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:04:00 PST

With an aging population and an increasing prevalence of chronic disease, now more than ever the United States is in dire need of family physicians. A study released this week on the U.S. physician workforce calls for a significant increase in the number of family physicians to meet the escalating health care needs of the American people. The study was conducted by consultants from the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Utah Medical Education Council.

FDA safety alerts for automated external defibrillators occur frequently

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:34:00 PST

The FDA frequently issues safety advisories for automated external defibrillators (portable electronic device used to restore regular heart beat in patients with cardiac arrest) and accessories, although the number of actual device malfunctions appears to be relatively small, according to a study in the August 9 issue of JAMA.

Hospital Performance Results Do Not Always Reflect Patient Outcomes

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:07:00 PST

Hospital quality measures do not fully account for the variation in hospital death rates for heart attack patients, according to a study in the July 5 issue of JAMA. As part of the national effort to improve hospital quality, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) monitor and publicly report hospital performance on acute myocardial infarction (AMI heart attack) core process measures approved by the Hospital Quality Alliance, according to background information in the article. Although the CMS/JCAHO process measures are considered indicators of quality of AMI care, little is known about how these measures track with each other. And the degree to which process measure performance conveys meaningful information about short-term death rates remains unclear.

US suicide rate drops as antidepressant prescriptions rise

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 19:40:00 PST

A just published UCLA study suggests that the use of antidepressants to treat depression has saved thousands of lives, despite the concern about a possible link between suicide risk and the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

FDA Counterfeit Drug Task Force's recommendations adopted

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 21:06:00 PST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new steps to strengthen existing protections against the growing problem of counterfeit drugs. The measures, which were recommended in a report released today by the agency's Counterfeit Drug Task Force, emphasize certain regulatory actions and the use of new technologies for safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. drug supply.

Rapid Approval of Gardasil Marks Major Advancement in Public Health

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:00:00 PST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the approval of Gardasil, the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions and genital warts due to human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. The vaccine is approved for use in females 9-26 years of age. Gardasil was evaluated and approved in six months under FDA's priority review process--a process for products with potential to provide significant health benefits.

Antiretroviral therapy saved three million life years

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 09:07:00 PST

On the 25th anniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS in the United States, a new article in The Journal of Infectious Diseases estimates that antiretroviral therapy has saved nearly three million years of life among people with HIV infection.

Society should support breastfeeding

Mon, 22 May 2006 03:16:00 PST

Although the act of breastfeeding is not "illegal," women in various parts of the U.S. can be arrested for "public indecency" when breastfeeding their baby in public. As of November 2005, 12 states and Washington, DC had not enacted at least some kind of law regarding breastfeeding.

Impact of state CON programs on heart attack treatment

Wed, 10 May 2006 13:01:00 PST

People who have heart attacks are about 15 percent less likely to be treated with bypass surgery or angioplasty within the first few days of the incident in states with certificate of need (CON) regulatory programs. However, these patients are no more likely to experience adverse events, such as death, than patients who had heart attacks but were treated within the first days in states without CON.

Indian American doctor pushes for healthcare reforms

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:00:00 PST

An Indian American physician, who is president-elect of the Chicago Medical Society, has said that doctors should take the lead and work with lawmakers in the US on healthcare reforms that should include a reduction in fines to be paid in cases of medical negligence.

Autism Costs $35 Billion Per Year to U.S.

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 18:26:00 PST

It can cost about $3.2 million to take care of an autistic person over his or her lifetime. Caring for all people with autism over their lifetimes costs an estimated $35 billion per year. Those figures are part of the findings in the first study to comprehensively survey and document the costs of autism to U.S. society. Michael Ganz, Assistant Professor of Society, Human Development, and Health at Harvard School of Public Health, authored the study, which appears in a chapter titled, The Costs of Autism, in the newly published book, Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment (CRC Press, 2006). Ganz hopes his research will help policymakers allocate scarce resources to its treatment and prevention as well as provide a useful reference for policymakers and advocates to help them more fully understand the financial impact of autism on U.S. society.

Mammography screenings for breast cancer show ethnic disparities

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:14:00 PST

Inadequate use of screening mammography may be an important reason that African-American women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer than members of other ethnic groups, according to a new study led by a University of California, San Francisco imaging specialist.

Congenital rubella syndrome nearly eradicated in the US

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:04:00 PST

Congenital rubella syndrome, a birth defect caused by the rubella virus (also known as German measles), has practically been eliminated in the U.S., according to a statement published in the April 2006 issue of Birth Defects Research Part A, the official journal of The Teratology Society.

Indian American wants ayurveda practitioners in US licensed

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 13:52:00 PST

An Indian American practitioner of ayurveda wants those who practice this ancient Indian medical system to get licences in the US.

Donning uniform was my best move: US Army nursing chief

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 07:09:00 PST

Gale Pollock was so impressed by the way the military treated her elder brother after he was wounded in Vietnam that she decided to become a nurse. Thirty years down the line, she's a major general and heads the US Army Nurse Corps.

Media campaigns encourage parents to talk about sex

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:28:00 PST

Media campaigns are an effective tool in encouraging parents to talk with their children about sex, said US scientists.

South Dakota passes law banning abortions

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 04:55:00 PST

In the biggest challenge in years to US women's right to abortion, the governor of South Dakota has signed a law banning most abortions that seems certain to inflame national debate on the highly charged issue.

Immigrants to US change diet

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 18:13:00 PST

Coming to the land of milk and honey can be hazardous to new immigrants' diet and health. So says Ilana Redstone Akresh, a visiting professor of sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the author of a new analysis of dietary assimilation and immigrant health. In her study, Akresh considered the changes in immigrants' diets after coming to the United States and the subsequent relationship between those changes and Body Mass Index (BMI) and health status.

Court upholds $79.5 mn ruling against tobacco giant

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:38:00 PST

The Oregon Supreme Court Thursday upheld a $79.5-million punitive damages award given to the family of a smoker who died of cancer.

Mass behavioral health plan is cost effective - study

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 19:20:00 PST

A study released by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts, Inc. (MHSACM), a statewide organization representing over 100 community-based mental health and substance abuse service providers, found that the MassHealth behavioral health carve-out provides efficient and effective mental health and substance abuse services and is of good taxpayer value to the Commonwealth.

Second-hand tobacco smoke is toxic - California

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 19:38:00 PST

California has classified second-hand tobacco smoke as a toxic air pollutant, becoming the first US state to make such a declaration.

Trauma-Center Care Lowers Risk of Death

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 16:45:00 PST

Care at a trauma center lowers by 25 percent the risk of death for injured patients compared to treatment received at non-trauma centers, according to the results of a nationwide study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Washington School of Medicine. A National Evaluation of the Effect of Trauma Center Care on Mortality, to be published in the January 26, 2006, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, is among the first studies to provide strong evidence of the effectiveness of specialized trauma-care facilities.

New Prescription Drug Information Format to Improve Patient Safety

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:10:00 PST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled a major revision to the format of prescription drug information, commonly called the package insert, to give healthcare professionals clear and concise prescribing information. In an effort to manage the risks of medication use and reduce medical errors, the newly designed package insert will provide the most up-to-date information in an easy-to-read format that draws physician and patient attention to the most important pieces of drug information before a product is prescribed. The new format will also make prescription information more accessible for use with electronic prescribing tools and other electronic information resources.

Slow Progress in Improving In-patient Safety Systems

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:59:00 PST

While there has been some improvement in patient safety systems at hospitals, progress has been slow and the current systems are not close to meeting certain recommendations, according to a study in the December 14 issue of JAMA. The 1998 Institute of Medicine (IOM) National Roundtable on Health Care Quality and subsequent reports ushered in a period of extensive research about the quality of the U.S. health care system, according to background information in the article. The IOM report, To Err Is Human, provided in-depth analyses of a wide range of patient safety problems and underscored the need for improvement. Subsequently, the IOM has called for "fundamental change to close the quality gap and save lives," and proposed a national initiative to "provide a strategic direction for redesigning the health care system of the 21st century." These documents indicate that successful implementation of change in the nation's overall health care system requires change in specific patient safety systems at the hospital level.

US data on influenza death may be more PR than science

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 16:03:00 PST

US data on influenza death may be more PR than science, argues a Harvard University graduate student in this weeks BMJ. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges a difference between flu death and flu-associated death yet uses the terms interchangeably, writes Peter Doshi. Statistical incompatibilities also exist between official estimates and national vital statistics data. For example, CDC states that the historic 1968-9 Hong Kong flu pandemic killed 34,000 Americans. At the same time, CDC claims 36,000 Americans annually die from flu. What is going on, asks Doshi?

HIV Hospital Admissions Fell by More Than Half

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 20:09:00 PST

The number of hospital admissions for HIV infection in the United States declined from a high of 149,000 in 1995just before approval of life-prolonging protease inhibitor drugs known as the "AIDS cocktail"to 70,000 admissions in 2003, according to statistics released by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. During the same period, the percentage of AIDS patients who died in the hospital dropped by 32 percentfrom a death rate of 12.5 percent in 1995 to 8.5 percent in 2003.

Hospitalization Rates For Infectious Diseases Increase Among Older Adults

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 19:16:00 PST

Due in part to a growing population of older adults, there was a 13 percent increase in the infectious disease hospitalization rate between 1990 through 1992 and 2000 through 2002, according to a study in the November 28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Swine Workers at Increased Risk of Infection with Swine Influenza Virus

Fri, 25 Nov 2005 06:33:00 PST

With national attention focused on the avian flu threat, other infections that could be transmitted from animals to people are also coming under scrutiny. People with work exposure to pigs, such as farmers, veterinarians and meat processing workers, are at heightened risk of contracting swine influenza, according to a study in the Jan. 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, now available online.

Antibiotics Overprescribed For Pharyngitis

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 20:32:00 PST

Physicians prescribe antibiotics for more than half of children with sore throat, exceeding the expected prevalence of strep throat, and used nonrecommended antibiotics for 27 percent of children who received an antibiotic prescription, according to a study in the November 9 issue of JAMA.

Low Birth Weight Rates Vary Widely

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 21:32:00 PST

Low birth weight, an important risk factor of infant mortality and childhood developmental disorders, varies more than 3-fold in regions across the U.S., according to national research conducted at Dartmouth Medical School. The study offers promise for health care experts in an area of prenatal health where progress has been elusive.

Cervical Cancer Screening Programs For Low-Resource Areas Appear Effective And Safe

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 03:21:00 PST

Two "screen and treat" cervical cancer prevention programs developed for high-risk women in low-resource settings resulted in a lower prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions and cervical cancer, according to a study in the November 2 issue of JAMA. Each year 471,000 cases and 233,000 deaths occur from cervical cancer worldwide, of which 80 percent occur in less-developed countries that have access to less than 5 percent of global cancer treatment resources, according to background information in the article. The lifetime risk of a woman developing cervical cancer in a low-resource setting is approximately 2 percent to 4 percent. Cytology (cell) -based screening programs have markedly reduced the incidence of cervical cancer in developed countries that have the infrastructure to support these programs. However, these screening programs have been difficult to implement in low-resource settings.

US Health Care Cuts Are Costing Lives

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:49:00 PST

Health care cuts in the US are costing lives, argues one American citizen in this weeks BMJ. Lori Smith, a representative of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign in Tennessee, believes that plans to dismantle national social programmes for sick and poor people throughout the US are leading to suffering and death.

CDC Advises Broadening of Influenza's Vaccination Efforts

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:26:00 PST

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today said that the supply of vaccine for this flu season is good and it is time to broaden vaccinations beyond the high-risk groups. The CDC advised that flu shot providers who have sufficient supplies of vaccine should broaden their vaccination efforts to include other people, especially 50-to-64 year olds, who are interested in getting an influenza vaccination.

A Virtual Katrina of deaths every week in US due to racial health gap

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 15:51:00 PST

Research estimates that health inequalities between white and black Americans cause 84,000 extra deaths every year equating to a virtual hurricane Katrina every week, says an editorial in this weeks BMJ. But because the victims die gradually from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, HIV, and from drug and alcohol abuse, the public are generally unaware of the scale of the fatalities.

Number of bariatric surgical procedures increased considerably

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:24:00 PST

The number of bariatric surgical procedures performed in the U.S. from 1998 to 2003 increased considerably, according to a study in the October 19 issue of JAMA. Morbid obesity is an increasing health problem in the United States, according to background information in the article. In 2002, 5.1 percent of U.S. adults had a body mass index (BMI) higher than 40. The prevalence of individuals with a BMI higher than 40 quadrupled from 1:200 in 1986 to 1:50 in 2000; the prevalence of individuals with a BMI higher than 50 quintupled from 1:2000 to 1:400. The increasing prevalence and associated sociodemographic disparities of morbid obesity are serious public health concerns. Bariatric surgical procedures provide greater and more durable weight reduction than behavioral and pharmacological interventions for morbid obesity.

Medicare patients have higher risk of death after bariatric surgery

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:09:00 PST

Medicare patients have a substantially higher risk of early death following bariatric surgery than previously suggested, and the risk of death is higher among men, older patients, and patients of surgeons who perform lower numbers of bariatric procedures, according to a study in the October 19 issue of JAMA.

Little Gain from Physicians Pay-For-Performance Programs

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 20:02:00 PST

Paying clinicians to reach a common, fixed performance target may produce little gain in overall quality, and may largely reward those with higher performance at baseline, according to a study in the October 12 issue of JAMA. The number of health plans and purchasers in the United States that have adopted pay-for-performance mechanisms for quality improvement is growing rapidly, according to background information in the article. However, most of these programs are in the early stages of trial, evaluation, and adjustment. Although there is intense interest in and optimism about pay-for-performance programs among many policy makers and payers, there is little published research on pay-for-performance in health care. There have been a few studies demonstrating that pay-for-performance leads to improved quality of care.

Total cholesterol level among older adults declining in U.S.

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 19:53:00 PST

The total cholesterol level among older adults has declined significantly, while there has been little change among younger adults, according to a study in the October 12 issue of JAMA. Serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol contribute significantly to atherosclerosis and its related adverse effects, according to background information in the article. Previous analyses of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) showed that mean (average) levels of total cholesterol of U.S. adults had declined from 1960-1962 to 1988-1994, and average levels of LDL cholesterol (available beginning in 1976) had declined between 1976-1980 and 1988-1994.

Florida physicians continue to decrease or eliminate important health services

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:23:00 PST

Florida physicians reportedly continued to decrease or eliminate important health services in 2004 in response to difficulties in finding or paying for professional liability insurance, according to a study in the October 10 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics by NPs and MDs Continues

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:55:00 PST

Both nurse practitioners and physicians are prescribing inappropriate antibiotics to patients with viral upper-respiratory tract infections, a practice that may lead to increased rates of antimicrobial resistance. Researchers also found that highly marketed broad-spectrum antibiotics are being prescribed excessively, by both NPs and MDs, to patients with diagnoses of viral illnesses. It is well accepted that antibiotics have no clinical effect in the treatment of these illness.

Aetna Workers Comp access growing in 17 markets

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:22:00 PST

Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today that it is expanding its Aetna Workers Comp Access® (AWCA) network into six additional markets, adding to the more than 190,000 physicians and health care professionals and 900 hospitals currently participating in 11 other markets. The expansion advances Aetnas ability to offer its customers a market-leading national network for injured workers.

Aetna urges vaccination for members in high risk groups

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 21:14:00 PST

Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) today announced a convenient option for members to receive influenza vaccinations (flu shots) this season. Aetna has contracted with Maxim Health Systems to administer flu shots to Aetna members. Maxim Health Systems administers the flu shot to people over 9 years old at over 24,000 retail facilities and corporations across the nation using their own staff.

Online Training Can Greatly Improve Physician Readiness To Diagnose Bioterrorism Diseases

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:54:00 PST

More than one-half of 631 physicians tested were unable to correctly diagnose diseases caused by agents most likely to be used by bioterrorists, such as smallpox, anthrax, botulism and plague, according to a Johns Hopkins study published in the Sept. 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Surgeons lack training in palliative surgical options

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 21:14:00 PST

A survey of general surgeons suggests that the amount of education and training they receive in palliative care is limited, according to a study in the September issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Black immigrants' health erodes the longer they live in the U.S.

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 12:49:00 PST

Study finds that black immigrants from Africa arrive healthier than those from Europe; Rice University sociologist says this suggests that racial discrimination harms health

Warning Of Spread Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 03:27:00 PST

An infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins who has spent nearly three decades studying the life-threatening, tick-borne infection known as Rocky Mountain spotted fever warns that the first widespread outbreak of the bacterial disease in Arizona is a growing and dangerous sign of how humans can inadvertently help spread infectious organisms beyond traditional state boundaries.

Prevalence Of Cataract Causing Vision Problems Appears High Among U.S. Hispanics

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:55:00 PST

Prevalence of cataracts causing significant visual problems appears high among older U.S. Hispanics who also often encounter barriers to access to care, according to a study in the September issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Aetna Introduces Medicare Advantage Plans in Bexar County

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 17:32:00 PST

Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today that it is offering new health care coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries in Bexar County, Texas. Aetna is offering Medicare Advantage plans that provide beneficiaries with additional choices, flexibility and value.

Aetna Introduces Medicare Advantage Plan in Fresno County

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 17:32:00 PST

Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today that it is offering new health care coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries in Fresno County, Calif. Aetna is selling Medicare Advantage plans that provide both medical and prescription drug benefits, including preventive care services with no copayment, broadening the Medicare Advantage plan options for beneficiaries.

Aetna Introduces Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 17:32:00 PST

Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona now have new options from Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) for health care coverage that provides them with additional choices, flexibility and value. Aetna has introduced individual Medicare Advantage plan options, including the Aetna Golden Medicare Plan® (HMO) and Golden Choice Plan (PPO), in Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County.

FDA asked to Monitor Youth SSRI Prescription Drop

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 15:57:00 PST

Following the release of new data that shows a significant decline in antidepressant prescription for youth under 18, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have asked the Food and Drug Administration to monitor the effects of the prescription decrease since the agencys October, 2004 black box warning on antidepressants.

Genetic Testing For Cancer Recommended Only For High-Risk Women

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 01:02:00 PST

Primary care physicians should not routinely refer all women for genetic counseling and DNA testing to detect the presence of specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations that may be associated with breast or ovarian cancers, according to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. However, if a woman has certain specific family history patterns that put her at risk for these gene mutations, her primary care physician should suggest counseling and possible DNA testing. This is the first time the task force has addressed the issue of genetic counseling and DNA-based genetic testing for any disease.

BRCA gene testing not recommended as a routine test

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 20:04:00 PST

Primary care physicians should not routinely refer all women for genetic counseling and DNA testing to detect the presence of specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations that may be associated with breast or ovarian cancers, according to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. However, if a woman has certain specific family history patterns that put her at risk for these gene mutations, her primary care physician should suggest counseling and possible DNA testing. This is the first time the Task Force has addressed the issue of genetic counseling and DNA-based genetic testing for any disease.

Increase fortification levels to save more babies

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 14:34:00 PST

Folic acid fortification of grain foods has produced a one-third decline in serious birth defects of the brain and spine, but the March of Dimes urged federal officials to help spare a greater number of babies from these devastating conditions by requiring higher levels of the B vitamin.

Rates of blood pressure control in the community are low

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 04:47:00 PST

Compared to current national guidelines, rates of blood pressure control in the community are low, especially among older women, according to a new study in the July 27 issue of JAMA.

Quality of care may vary in association with the characteristics of individual physicians

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 04:47:00 PST

Certain physician characteristics and practice-setting characteristics are associated with Medicare beneficiaries receiving routine preventive services below the national goals, according to a study in the July 27 issue of JAMA.

Rate of new illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools increased significantly

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 01:31:00 PST

The rate of new illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools increased significantly in children from 1998 to 2002, according to an article in the July 27 issue of JAMA.

Hospital "report cards" not effective for quality improvement

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 16:09:00 PST

Hospitals that were given feedback on their performance on certain quality indicators for treating heart attack patients did not show more improvement in those areas than hospitals that were provided with the feedback at a later date, according to a study in the July 20 issue of JAMA.

Hepatitis A in U.S. declined by 76 % after implementation of vaccination program

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:15:00 PST

Following implementation of an expanded program of hepatitis A vaccination of children, the overall hepatitis A rate in the U.S. has declined by 76 percent, according to a study in the July 13 issue of JAMA.

Simple communication intervention can improve the quality of end-of-life care

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:15:00 PST

A simple information and communication intervention between a patient and physician can increase hospice referral rates among nursing home residents, increase their families' ratings of end-of-life care, and may decrease use of acute care resources, according to an article in the July 13 issue of JAMA.

Cost of CABG is higher in the U.S. than in Canada

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:33:00 PST

Although there are no differences in clinical outcome, the in-hospital cost of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in the U.S. is 82.5 percent higher in the U.S. than in Canada, according to a study in the July 11 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Two million Americans are treated for eye injuries per year

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:33:00 PST

Nearly two million Americans are treated for eye injuries per year, with males experiencing twice the rate of injury than that of females, according to a study in the July issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Viral Deaths due to hamsters?

Wed, 25 May 2005 23:13:00 PST

Today, the RI Department of Health announced the preliminary results of an investigation into theunfortunate deaths of three recent recipients of organ transplants (2-MA/1-RI). The following investigation of the cause of death, by the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the CDC, the New England Organ Bank and the transplant centers, pointed to a viral infection (known as LCMV).

America's Diabetes Health is in Jeopardy

Thu, 19 May 2005 12:47:00 PST

A first-of-its-kind Report released today by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) revealed that from 2003 to 2004, two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes, analyzed in a study of more than 157,000 patients, were not in control of their blood sugar, failing to meet AACEs target A1C goal of 6.5% or less.

Balancing Antiretroviral Therapy in Children

Thu, 12 May 2005 18:02:00 PST

There often is a short lag between the release of a new treatment for pediatric HIV infection and its implementation in the community, according to a study in the May 11 issue of JAMA.

Mandatory CWD Testing Approved for Deer

Sun, 08 May 2005 20:09:00 PST

The Colorado Wildlife Commission has passed a regulation making Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing mandatory for deer harvested in the Gunnison Basin starting with the 2005 hunting season. The regulations will help determine if wildlife feeding operations can be used to prevent significant die off during harsh winters.

Alliance to Create a Healthier Generation

Wed, 04 May 2005 17:38:00 PST

The American Heart Association and former President Bill Clinton announced plans recently to join forces to create a new generation of healthy Americans by addressing one of the nations leading public health threats - childhood obesity. They will be joined in their efforts by Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark). The initiative will focus on preventing childhood obesity and creating healthier lifestyles for children overall.

Hospital-Acquired Infections Grow, Prove Costly

Mon, 02 May 2005 13:33:00 PST

Patient safety incidents at America's hospitals increased slightly, but the nation's safest hospitals grew even safer, resulting in a wider gap in patient safety incident rates among the nation's best and worst hospitals, according to a new study of 37 million patient records released today by HealthGrades, an organization that evaluates the quality of hospitals, physicians and nursing homes for consumers, corporations, hospitals and health plans.

Emergency Regulations in Response to Discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease

Sun, 01 May 2005 21:43:00 PST

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced it has implemented emergency regulations regarding the handling, transport and management of deer in the State. The emergency regulations are effective immediately and represent an aggressive response to the recent discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer sampled in Oneida County.

New Repellent Guidance for Upcoming Mosquito Season

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 14:40:00 PST

Americans have more options than ever to use in protecting themselves from mosquito bites. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance about effective mosquito repellents available in the United States. The updated guidance includes addition of two active ingredients - picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus - which have been shown to offer long-lasting protection against mosquito bites. Repellents containing DEET continue to be a highly effective repellent option and are also included in the CDC guidelines.

Millions of Employed Americans Unable to Get Medical Care

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:49:00 PST

State-by-State Analysis Shows Extent of Problem; 41 percent of Uninsured Adults Unable to See a Doctor When Needed Due to Cost. U.S. Senators Launch 'Cover the Uninsured Week,' Chaired by Presidents Ford and Carter.

Secular Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:41:00 PST

Edward Gregg, Ph.D., of CDCs diabetes program and his CDC co-authors, analyzed NHANES data and found large decreases in many of the cardiovascular disease risk factors known to be associated with early deaths in all U.S. adults ages 20-74, regardless of their BMI.

CDC Efforts to Reduce or Prevent Obesity

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:41:00 PST

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased substantially over the past several decades. The latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data indicate 65 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 years and older are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, or obese with a BMI of 30 or higher. In addition, 16 percent of children and adolescents ages 6-19 in the United States are overweight.

Human Resource crisis in HIV/AIDS

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:08:00 PST

The federal government should create and fund an umbrella organization called the United States Global Health Service (GHS) to mobilize the nation's best health care professionals and other experts to help combat HIV/AIDS in hard-hit African, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian countries, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

New York Labs Destroyed all H2N2 strain test kits

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 16:37:00 PST

Earlier this week, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) was alerted by the New York State Department of Health and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) that proficiency test kits containing the H2N2 strain of influenza virus were sent to over 4,000 laboratories nationwide, including several in New York City.

Unprecedented National Program to Help Millions of Uninsured Americans Get the Prescription Medicines

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:07:00 PST

A national coalition today kicked off the largest-ever private-sector program to help patients who lack prescription coverage get access to the medicines they need. The partnership includes pharmaceutical companies, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other health care providers, patient advocates and community leaders.

NIH Statement on the IOM Study of the HIVNET 012 Perinatal HIV Prevention Trial

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 04:12:00 PST

In the fall of 2004, the NIH requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies of Sciences review the HIVNET 012 perinatal HIV prevention trial and provide an assessment of the validity of the study results.

Free Oral Cancer Screenings

Wed, 06 Apr 2005 16:59:00 PST

On Thursday, April 7, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and other members of the Oral Cancer Consortium will offer free oral cancer screenings in locations throughout the five boroughs.

Multi-Million Contract to Develop Influenza Vaccine

Wed, 06 Apr 2005 16:53:00 PST

Effort Designed to Diversify and Accelerate Vaccine Production to Enhance Pandemic Preparedness

26,984 Americans received an Organ Transplant in 2004

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 16:57:00 PST

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced that 26,984 Americans received an organ transplant last year, setting a new national record. The increase in organ donations come in the wake of concentrated efforts led by HHS to boost consent rates for organ donation, which began in 2001.

AIDS Cases Increase in Rural America

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 16:44:00 PST

People diagnosed with AIDS who live in rural areas now account for 8 percent of all cases nationwide, up from 5 percent in 1996.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Extends Assistance To State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:26:00 PST

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced the company will extend its relief efforts for two more years to the state-administered AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) to help address the funding crisis the programs face.

Medicare Managed Care Plan Offered in Most of New York City

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 20:56:00 PST

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a request by New York-Presbyterian Community Health Plan to offer managed care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries throughout New York City except Staten Island.

Demonstration to work towards assuring accurate Medicare Payments

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 20:56:00 PST

RxPG News : USA

Nearly Half of Primary Care Doctors in US Would Like to Quit

Stem cell research to get a boost under Obama

US requires 40,000 more health IT professionals

Indian American doctor under scanner for malpractices

4.5 percent of US prisoners report sexual abuse

Osteoporosis drug approved to cut breast cancer risk

Doctor shortage looms in Massachusetts, USA

California Health Insurance Coverage Is Becoming Less Affordable

New Warnings About Suicidal Thinking and Antidepressants

Foodborne illnesses on rise in United States

FDA Warns Five Firms To Stop Compounding Topical Anesthetic Creams

Susan C. Winckler Appointed as Acting FDA Chief of Staff

Profiles of serial killers have limitations

Concerns over abortion law in the US state of South Dakota

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Opens the National Center for X-ray Tomography (NCXT)

States That Easily Grant Immunization Exemptions Have Higher Incidence Of Whooping Cough

Study calls for 39 percent more family physicians in USA

FDA safety alerts for automated external defibrillators occur frequently

Hospital Performance Results Do Not Always Reflect Patient Outcomes

US suicide rate drops as antidepressant prescriptions rise

FDA Counterfeit Drug Task Force's recommendations adopted

Rapid Approval of Gardasil Marks Major Advancement in Public Health

Antiretroviral therapy saved three million life years

Society should support breastfeeding

Impact of state CON programs on heart attack treatment

Indian American doctor pushes for healthcare reforms

Autism Costs $35 Billion Per Year to U.S.

Mammography screenings for breast cancer show ethnic disparities

Congenital rubella syndrome nearly eradicated in the US

Indian American wants ayurveda practitioners in US licensed

Donning uniform was my best move: US Army nursing chief

Media campaigns encourage parents to talk about sex

South Dakota passes law banning abortions

Immigrants to US change diet

Court upholds $79.5 mn ruling against tobacco giant

Mass behavioral health plan is cost effective - study

Second-hand tobacco smoke is toxic - California

Trauma-Center Care Lowers Risk of Death

New Prescription Drug Information Format to Improve Patient Safety

Slow Progress in Improving In-patient Safety Systems

US data on influenza death may be more PR than science

HIV Hospital Admissions Fell by More Than Half

Hospitalization Rates For Infectious Diseases Increase Among Older Adults

Swine Workers at Increased Risk of Infection with Swine Influenza Virus

Antibiotics Overprescribed For Pharyngitis

Low Birth Weight Rates Vary Widely

Cervical Cancer Screening Programs For Low-Resource Areas Appear Effective And Safe

US Health Care Cuts Are Costing Lives

CDC Advises Broadening of Influenza's Vaccination Efforts

A Virtual Katrina of deaths every week in US due to racial health gap

Number of bariatric surgical procedures increased considerably

Medicare patients have higher risk of death after bariatric surgery

Little Gain from Physicians Pay-For-Performance Programs

Total cholesterol level among older adults declining in U.S.

Florida physicians continue to decrease or eliminate important health services

Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics by NPs and MDs Continues

Aetna Workers Comp access growing in 17 markets

Aetna urges vaccination for members in high risk groups

Online Training Can Greatly Improve Physician Readiness To Diagnose Bioterrorism Diseases

Surgeons lack training in palliative surgical options

Black immigrants' health erodes the longer they live in the U.S.

Warning Of Spread Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Prevalence Of Cataract Causing Vision Problems Appears High Among U.S. Hispanics

Aetna Introduces Medicare Advantage Plans in Bexar County

Aetna Introduces Medicare Advantage Plan in Fresno County

Aetna Introduces Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona

FDA asked to Monitor Youth SSRI Prescription Drop

Genetic Testing For Cancer Recommended Only For High-Risk Women

BRCA gene testing not recommended as a routine test

Increase fortification levels to save more babies

Rates of blood pressure control in the community are low

Quality of care may vary in association with the characteristics of individual physicians

Rate of new illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools increased significantly

Hospital "report cards" not effective for quality improvement

Hepatitis A in U.S. declined by 76 % after implementation of vaccination program

Simple communication intervention can improve the quality of end-of-life care

Cost of CABG is higher in the U.S. than in Canada

Two million Americans are treated for eye injuries per year

Viral Deaths due to hamsters?

A Virtual Katrina of deaths every week in US due to racial health gap

Aetna Workers Comp access growing in 17 markets