Miscellaneous News

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Tobacco giant penetrated Asian markets via smuggling and political influence

British American Tobacco (BAT)'s strategy for global expansion combined complicity in smuggling with high level political influence across Asia, new research reveals.

29 Nov 2004

Guatemalan Congress repeals law that restricted access to medicines

The Guatemalan Congress's repeal of a law that severely restricts people's access to affordable essential medicines is a positive step forward.

29 Nov 2004

Cord blood registry sees FDA regulation as good for consumers and industry

Beginning in May 2005, cord blood banks must meet new federal safety standards mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

24 Nov 2004

New allergen working group in New Zealand

Food Industry and Consumer representatives and regulators have met in Auckland and Christchurch to set up an Allergen Working Group in New Zealand.

24 Nov 2004

CDC admits obesity stats flawed - pharmaceutical and weight loss industry at fault

A Wall Street Journal bombshell report that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has admitted to serious statistical errors in calculating that obesity kills 400,000 Americans each year is only the tip of the iceberg of gross exaggerations and miscalculations, according to The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF).

24 Nov 2004

BMA calls for safeguards on ID cards

Responding to yesterday's Queen's Speech (Tuesday 23 November 2004), Mr James Johnson, chairman of the British Medical Association, warned that legislation to introduce national ID cards must not lead to vulnerable groups being denied access to the NHS.

24 Nov 2004

PAHO book receives British Medical Association award

The British Medical Association (BMA) presented a special award to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for its publication, Building Better Health: A Handbook of Behavioral Change.

23 Nov 2004

Survey shows need for conservative, drug-free options

A new survey showing that nearly half of all Americans are concerned about the safety of the medical care they receive should send a strong signal to the health and insurance industries that safer non-drug, non-surgical treatments should be considered whenever possible, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

20 Nov 2004

Call for elimination of processed trans fats in the Canadian food supply

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has expressed its support for the debate in the House of Commons on the important issue of effectively eliminating processed trans fats in the Canadian food supply.

19 Nov 2004

Noted surgeon Frank J. Veith named first Jacobson Awardee for physician excellence by Vascular Disease Foundation

Noted vascular surgeon Frank Veith, M.D., the William J. von Liebig Chair for Vascular Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, NY) and Professor of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx ,NY) is the recipient of the first Julius H. Jacobson II, M.D. Award for Physician Excellence, given by the Vascular Disease Foundation.

18 Nov 2004

Launch of Australian Country Gateway provides development expertise in the Asia-Pacific region

The Government of Australia and Development Gateway Foundation have launched the Australian Country Gateway, a web portal dedicated to advancing social and economic development throughout the Asia-Pacific Region.

14 Nov 2004

BMA Cymru Wales to petition parliament to ban smoking in public places unless Wales goes smoke free within 10 months

BMA Cymru Wales is seriously considering the possibility of petitioning Parliament for a ban in public places in Wales using the rarely used private bills procedure.

14 Nov 2004

Obesity statistics are as bogus as weight-loss scams

The weight-loss industry is finding itself in the crosshairs of the Federal Trade Commission's "Operation Big Fat Lies" -- a crackdown on slimming down pills, powders and patches that are too good to be true. The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) recommends that grossly exaggerated statistics and hype from pharmaceutical and weight-loss companies about the nation's so-called "obesity epidemic" also be placed under the federal microscope.

10 Nov 2004

State Health Rankings show 17.5 percent improvement in America’s overall health during the past 15 years

United Health Foundation, together with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Partnership for Prevention, today released the 15th annual America’s Health: State Health Rankings at the APHA’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

9 Nov 2004

The human cost of passive smoking

In a stark BMA report, 'The Human Cost of Tobacco', published today, (9 November 2004), doctors chronicle individual stories behind the statistics to show how second-hand smoke destroys lives and health.

9 Nov 2004

Stone tools of Indonesian "hobbit" studied

A Southern Cross University researcher has begun the painstaking task of analysing hundreds of stone tools believed to have been used by the “hobbits” – a new species of miniature humans found on the Indonesian island of Flores.

8 Nov 2004

Scientists enticed back to Australia to tackle major health challenges

CSIRO and the Queensland Government are attracting leading overseas-based Australian scientists to return to work on major health challenges at the e-health Research Centre in Brisbane.

8 Nov 2004

Older people are healthier and are living longer

Older people are healthier and more active than ever; They are more likely to stop smoking and to take advantage of health screening and immunisation; Services for older people are improving.

4 Nov 2004

Ecstasy use down among America's youth

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) just-released 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports the number of current ecstasy users decreased between 2002 and 2003, from 676,000 (0.3 percent) to 470,000 (0.2 percent).

4 Nov 2004

Landmark case challenges safety of Atkins diet

West Palm Beach County Court Judge Susan Lubitz ruled today that the landmark lawsuit filed by former Atkins dieter and Florida businessman Jody Gorran will go forward.

3 Nov 2004