Miscellaneous News

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BMA(NI) initial response to Appleby Report

"The BMA met with Professor Appleby as part of this independent review and early indications are that much of his report appears to be consistent with the evidence provided by the Association."

31 Aug 2005

Toxic flame retardants known as PBDEs are becoming a major environmental health concern

An analysis of persistent chemicals in the breastmilk of Pacific Northwest mothers, released today at an international scientific conference in Toronto, “Dioxin 2005,” found that levels of the toxic flame retardants PBDEs may be overtaking those of PCBs, an industrial chemical banned in the late 1970s.

30 Aug 2005

Scientific panel aims to reduce incidence of heat illnesses, heat stroke during preseason practices for high school players

New guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) emphasize fluid replacement and acclimatization to the heat, as well as practice uniform and other modifications in order to reduce the risk for heat exhaustion and exertional heat stroke in young football players.

30 Aug 2005

Before hitting the beach, learn the signs of skin cancer

With summer coming to a close, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has published a new brochure to help the public understand the signs and symptoms of skin cancer as well as learn the treatment options for the disease.

29 Aug 2005

Ellen MacKenzie to lead health policy and management department

Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD, a leading expert in the study of injury prevention and trauma services research, has been selected to chair the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. MacKenzie, a professor in the Department and director of the Bloomberg School's Center for Injury Research and Policy , will begin her new duties on September 1, 2005.

29 Aug 2005

California wants cancer warnings on french fries and chips

In an attempt to stop restaurant chains such as McDonald's and Wendy's from selling french fries without some form of warning, Bill Lockyer the Attorney General for California has filed a lawsuit to force manufacturers of potato chips and french fries to warn consumers about a potential cancer-causing chemical found in the popular snacks.

29 Aug 2005

New way to count bugs in dirt

Don't call them the Dirt Doctors, or Sultans of Soil, they're just clever Lab guys. A team from Los Alamos National Laboratory has a paper in this week's Science Magazine with a new way to count bugs in dirt. Bacteria, that is, in the highly complex world beneath our feet.

29 Aug 2005

5-year-old British autistic boy dies after alternative therapy in U.S.

A 5-year-old British autistic boy has died after undergoing a controversial form of alternative therapy.

29 Aug 2005

Campaign for tougher anti-smoking laws stepped up

The British Medical Association (BMA) has stepped up it's campaign for tougher anti-smoking laws with a blunt warning to the health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, that her current plans are a virtual death sentence for some bar staff.

25 Aug 2005

What possible argument is there for NOT implementing a total ban?

In its response to the Government’s proposals for tobacco legislation in England and Wales, the British Medical Association - BMA has said there is no justification for pubs and restaurants to have a longer lead-in time to go smokefree than other businesses or for there to be any exemptions for non-food pubs.

25 Aug 2005

Prince Charles champions alternative healthcare

According to media in the UK, Prince Charles has commissioned a report into how the government could save money by using alternative medicine in the public healthcare system.

24 Aug 2005

Americans in every state, apart from Oregon, are getting fatter!

According to the Trust for America's Health, it was found that Mississippi had the highest rate of obesity, with 29.5 percent of adults classified as obese in 2004, while Colorado was the slimmest state, with just 16 percent of adults classed as obese.

24 Aug 2005

Pennsylvania law allows motorcyclists to drive helmet free - who pays the medical bills?

Pennsylvania passed a law to allow motorcyclists to drive without wearing a helmet. But who pays the medical bills when a motorcyclist suffers a catastrophic brain injury, and how does this law affect our overall medical policy?

24 Aug 2005

California in conflict with FDA over warnings on canned tuna

The state of California has had it's knuckles rapped by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over warnings on canned tuna.

23 Aug 2005

Food scares put Hong Kong's reputation on the line

With Hong Kong's reputation in many respects on the line, lawmakers there have castigated the government for failing to alert the public immediately after it found a suspected cancer-causing chemical malachite green in some fish from China.

22 Aug 2005

Heat stress and injury among young athletes can be prevented by progressively increasing practice time and replacing lost fluids

Progressively increasing practice time and intensity and ensuring that football players are replacing lost fluids during training are two ways to significantly reduce the risk of heat stress and injury during preseason practice, a recent expert panel convened by the American College of Sports Medicine found.

22 Aug 2005

New post-graduate qualification will help counter a world-wide shortage of forensic medicine experts

A new degree designed to equip doctors and scientists with the expertise needed to investigate deaths resulting from acts of genocide, terrorism, natural disasters such as Tsunami, transport accidents and drug abuse will be launched this week at an international Forensic Science conference in Hong Kong.

22 Aug 2005

Argument smoulders on while groups argue about total smoking ban

A new survey in the UK is suggesting that the majority of people in England and Wales would support a complete ban on smoking in workplaces.

22 Aug 2005

Newl workplace safety models

Tools for assisting organizations in their efforts to more accurately calculate, analyze, interpret and communicate the costs and benefits of workplace safety and health programs are featured as part of published proceedings released on July 29th in the National Safety Council's Journal of Safety Research (JSR).

22 Aug 2005