U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management.
Want to lose weight? Keep a food journal, don’t skip meals and avoid going out to lunch – Women who want to lose weight should faithfully keep a food journal, and avoid skipping meals and eating in restaurants ? especially at lunch. A wide range of self-monitoring and diet-related behaviors and meal patterns impact weight change among overweight.
PEPFAR HIV/AIDS programs linked to uptick in babies born at health facilities in sub-saharan Africa – While HIV programs provide lifesaving care and treatment to millions of people in lower-income countries, there have been concerns that as these programs expand, they divert investments from other health priorities such as maternal health. Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health assessed the effect of HIV programs supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) on access to maternal health care in sub-Saharan Africa for women who are not infected with HIV.
HPV vaccine reduces infection, even in unvaccinated — Study shows evidence of herd protection – The HPV vaccine not only has resulted in a decrease in human papillomavirus infection in immunized teens but also in teens who were not immunized. The study is believed to be the first to show a substantial decrease in HPV infection in a community setting as well as herd protection ? a decrease in infection rates among unimmunized individuals that occurs when a critical mass of people in a community is immunized against a contagious disease.
FDA approves Belviq to treat some overweight or obese adults – Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is approved as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for chronic weight management. This obesity drug is approved by US FDA for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).
Erase Doubt Teams Up With Walgreens And Greater Than AIDS To Offer Free HIV Testing During HIV Testing Week 2012 – June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. In Los Angeles County, a whole week is dedicated to offering free HIV testing. During the week of June 25 – July 2, 2012 residents can find free HIV testing available throughout the county.
Exercise, even mild physical activity, may reduce breast cancer risk – A new analysis done by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers has found that physical activity ? either mild or intense and before or after menopause ? may reduce breast cancer risk, but substantial weight gain may negate these benefits. The findings indicate that women can reduce their breast cancer risk by exercising and maintaining their weight.
Avian flu viruses which are transmissible between humans could evolve in nature — Research provides insight into feasibility of virus becoming airborne transmissible – It might be possible for human-to-human airborne transmissible avian H5N1 influenza viruses to evolve in nature, new research has found. The findings, from research led by Professor Derek Smith and Dr Colin Russell at the University of Cambridge, were published today, 22 June in the journal Science.
Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer – High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual’s birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to Australian researchers.
The weight of nations: An estimation of adult human biomass – The world population is over seven billion and all of these people need feeding. However, the energy requirement of a species depends not only on numbers but on its average mass. New research published in BioMed Central’s open access journal BMC Public Health has estimated the total mass of the human population, defined its distribution by region, and the proportion of this biomass due to the overweight and obesity.
The most contaminated surfaces in hotel rooms – – TV remote and bedside lamp switch – An experiment of surfaces in hotel rooms finds television remotes to be among the most heavily contaminated with bacteria and items on housekeeping carts carry the potential to cross-contaminate rooms, revealed by researchers from the University of Houston.
New York City’s proposed ban on big sodas — Bloomberg Defends Move to Curb Big-Soda Sales – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced plans to implement a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters and street carts. Bloomberg defended his controversial proposal to ban large-sized sugary soda drinks in the city, arguing that it will combat obesity and cut health-care costs.
