Health care Archives

40% higher HIV infection estimate in US

HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) reported that higher HIV infection estimate in US shows need for routine screening, more funding for care. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected soon to increase the estimate of new HIV infections in the United States by 40 percent. This highlights the need to make HIV testing a routine part of medical care and provide better funding to care for those who test positive, according to the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA).

California Governor Schwarzenegger signed Trans Fat Bill

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed AB 97 by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk), which will phase out the use of trans fats in all California restaurants beginning in 2010 and from all baked goods by 2011. – California Governor signed AB 97 by Asm. Mendoza, which will phase out the use of trans fats in all CA restaurants beginning in 2010. Scientific evidence demonstrates a strong association between the consumption of artificial trans fat and the development of coronary heart disease and stroke.

Breast self exam does not reduce breast cancer risk

A review of studies of women concluded that there is no evidence that self-exams for lumps or other changes actually reduce breast cancer risk. – A review of recent studies says there is no evidence that the monthly breast self-exam to check for lumps or other changes that might signal breast cancer actually reduce breast cancer deaths.

Boxed warnings on fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs that a Boxed Warning in the product labeling concerning the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is necessary. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requests boxed warnings on fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs. FDA seeks this to strengthen warnings concerning increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.

SPOT-Light HER2 CISH kit approved for breast cancer patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new genetic test for patients with breast cancer. – SPOT-Light HER2 CISH kit – a novel genetic test for determining whether patients with breast cancer are good candidates for treatment with the drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

RFID may pose hazards to medical equipments

Electromagnetic interference from some identification devices like radio frequency identification devices RFID may pose hazards to critical care medical equipments in hospitals. – The use of radio frequency identification devices RFID appears to have the potential to cause critical care medical equipment to malfunction. Electromagnetic interference from these identification devices pose hazards to critical care medical equipments in hospitals and nursing homes.

Invest in a future without dementia, Alzheimer’s disease

Funding for dementia research must be boosted by millions of dollars to counter the growing economic and social impact of the disease, indicated in a report by Alzheimer’s Australia. – Alzheimer’s Australia released a report ‘Australian Dementia Research’ that recommends annual funding for dementia research be increased three-fold to $36 million in response to the growing economic and social impact of the dementia epidemic.

Avoid raw red tomatoes in New Mexico, Texas

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers in New Mexico and Texas not to eat certain types of raw red tomatoes like raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes. – The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers in New Mexico and Texas that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes.

New drug labels better for pregnant & nursing mothers

FDA proposes new rule to provide updated information on the use of prescription drugs and biological products during pregnancy and breast-feeding. – New drug labeling system would provide better information about any prescription drug to pregnant women and nursing mothers as FDA proposes new rule to provide updated information on the use of prescription drugs and biological products during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Mothers less likely to vaccinate daughters against HPV

U.S. mothers report they are less likely to vaccinate daughters under age 13 against human papillomavirus virus (HPV), even though the vaccine is recommended for girls at age 11 and 12. – U.S. mothers report they are less likely to vaccinate daughters under age 13 against human papillomavirus virus (HPV), even though the vaccine is recommended for girls at age 11 and 12, it’s incumbent upon the healthcare community to work to improve mom’s acceptance of the vaccination for younger daughters, say researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center who conducted the study.

Cholesterol and blood pressure control may reverse atherosclerosis

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent ? and possibly reverse ? hardening of the arteries. – Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent ? and possibly reverse ? hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is the number one cause of heart disease and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and death.

Gene variant CHI3L1 increases risk of asthma

A tiny variation in a gene known as CHI3L1 increases susceptibility to asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decline in lung function, researchers report early online in the New England Journal of Medicine. – A tiny variation in a gene known as CHI3L1 increases susceptibility to asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decline in lung function, researchers report early online in the New England Journal of Medicine.