Combination Therapy Appears Helpful for Short-Term Treatment of Insomnia; Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Be Better for Long-Term – For patients with persistent insomnia, a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and the medication zolpidem for 6 weeks was associated with modest improvement in sleep, although for a longer treatment period CBT alone was more beneficial, according to a study in the May 20 issue of JAMA.
GSK has received orders from several governments aiming to stockpile a new candidate A (H1N1) adjuvanted influenza vaccine as a precautionary measure – Company to manufacture the new vaccine, once virus seed is made available by the WHO. – GSK is committed to supporting governments and health authorities around the world to respond to the emergence of the new A (H1N1) influenza strain.
Climate change is the biggest health threat of the 21st Century, researchers claim. – A major report on managing the health effects of climate change, launched jointly by The Lancet and UCL (University College London) today, says that climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st Century.
Medicare’s strong performance in consumer satisfaction, access to care, and other areas suggests that many adults under age 65 would choose a public health insurance option if it were offered as part of health reform. – Elderly Medicare beneficiaries are more satisfied with their health care, and experience fewer problems accessing and paying for care, than Americans with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI), according to a study by Commonwealth Fund researchers published today on the Health Affairs Web site.
Studies of GARDASIL, Merck’s Cervical Cancer Vaccine, and HPV 16 Vaccine Component of GARDASIL Presented at International Papillomavirus Conference – In a study of an extended follow up of 290 women na?ve to HPV type 16, the HPV 16 component of GARDASIL [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] was efficacious against HPV 16 infection for an average of 8.5 years after administration.
Reduced physical activity and increased energy intake have been major drivers of the obesity epidemic. – A study presented on Friday at the European Congress on Obesity is the first to examine the question of the proportional contributions to the obesity epidemic by combining metabolic relationships, the laws of thermodynamics, epidemiological data and agricultural data.
The world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history. – The world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history, thanks, in part, to vigilance and diligence of countries, Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said in her address to a special meeting of ASEAN+3 health ministers in Bangkok, Thailand.
There is an increased risk of developing a new health problem, such as hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, stroke or diabetes as a result of the job loss. – In the face of rising unemployment and businesses declaring bankruptcy, a new study has found that losing your job can make you sick.
U.S. FDA Licenses Sanofi Pasteur’s New Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing Facility. Sanofi Pasteur committed to increasing its seasonal and pandemic influenza preparedness; New facility will increase production capacity in the U.S. – Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group (Euronext: SAN) (NYSE: SNY), announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed its new influenza vaccine manufacturing facility.
US Secretary Sebelius Highlights Two New Reports on Health Care Quality, Says Improving Quality is Key Component of Health Reform. – At a speech before the AFSCME Nurses Conference Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discussed two new HHS reports on the quality of health care in America and challenged hospitals to work to reduce health care associated infections.
Flu pandemic in prison – A model for public health preparedness. – When pandemics occur, correctional facilities are not immune. With more than 9 million people incarcerated across the globe 2.25 million in U.S. jails and prisons alone it is vital that correctional officials and health professionals be prepared for a worst-case scenario that involves pandemic influenza reaching inmates and staff.
Social distancing interventions are important measure guaranteed to be available against a novel strain of influenza in the early phases of a pandemic. – A disease spread simulation has emphasized that flu interventions must be imposed quickly, if they are to be effective. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health have shown that staying at home, closing schools and isolating infected people within the home should reduce infection, but only if they are used in combination, activated without delay and maintained for a relatively long period.
