Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Poor mums more likely to become obese

A new study in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, reveals how women from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds are most at risk of developing maternal obesity.

4 Feb 2007

Osteoporosis and men

A McMaster University researcher is alerting men and their doctors that osteoporosis isn't just a woman's problem but that the bone-wasting disease can severely afflict them, too.

30 Jan 2007

Psychological effects of heart surgery

Cases of congenital heart disease (CHD), in both adolescents and adults, have been on the rise for many years.

30 Jan 2007

Investigational treatment for cervical dysplasia

Temple University Hospital's Center For Women's Health is participating in a national study to determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational treatment for cervical dysplasia.

30 Jan 2007

New York City approves contract to distribute 20 million condoms

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently approved a $1.57 million contract to deliver more than 20 million Ansell Healthcare's Lifestyle condoms and packets of lubricants to organizations and venues in the city to help curb the spread of HIV, the New York Post reports.

30 Jan 2007

Public reporting and pay for performance in hospital quality improvement

A Medicare pay-for-performance pilot project that rewards hospitals based on quality measures contributes to "modest" improvements in quality of care, according to a study published online Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Wall Street Journal reports .

30 Jan 2007

Merck Serono launches growth hormone injection device

Merck Serono has announced the launch of a unique growth hormone injection device, easypod, for the once-daily administration of Saizen (somatropin), the company's recombinant growth hormone deficiency therapy. easypod is the first of its kind in this therapeutic area and was designed to improve patients' ease of daily use, reliability and convenience.

30 Jan 2007

Public standards for world medications to treat neglected infectious diseases

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has released free documentary standards for medicines used outside the United States to treat neglected infectious diseases.

29 Jan 2007

AIDS Healthcare Foundation praises Thai action on AIDS drug licensing

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US' largest HIV/AIDS healthcare and prevention and education provider, which operates free AIDS treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia, praised the Government of Thailand for its plan to break the patents on some lifesaving drugs, including one for an anti- retroviral drug used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

29 Jan 2007

Healthcare Research and Development Institute reaches settlement with two State Attorneys General over alleged anticompetitive practices

The Florida-based Healthcare Research and Development Institute, a consulting group owned by about three dozen hospital executives, has agreed to no longer accept fees from companies that sell medications, medical devices and financial services to not-for-profit hospitals nationwide, according to a settlement reached on Wednesday with the Connecticut and Florida attorneys general, the New York Times reports.

29 Jan 2007

Doctors highlight political damage to Britain's NHS

The message from politicians that Britain cannot afford healthcare - even though it is one of the richest economies in the world - is damaging the NHS.

28 Jan 2007

Anaesthetic spray delays ejaculation by five times longer

Patients with premature ejaculation who used a topical anaesthetic spray were able to delay ejaculation for five times as long, according to a study in the February issue of the urology journal BJU International.

24 Jan 2007

New understanding of the hit-and-run tactics used by infectious bacteria

New research from scientists at the University of Cambridge has the potential to radically change our understanding of how infection spreads around the body and improve the methods used to control it.

22 Jan 2007

Impact of birth defects on families and nation

Two separate government reports highlight the economic costs of birth defects, focusing attention on the ongoing need for prevention.

22 Jan 2007

AstraZeneca makes $100 million investment in Boston

AstraZeneca has announced a $100 million research investment to strategically boost work in the infectious disease area and continue its incremental growth in cancer research at its research center near Boston, Massachusetts.

22 Jan 2007

Gambling addiction and its treatment within the NHS

In its hard-hitting report, Gambling addiction and its treatment within the NHS, the BMA is calling for gambling to be a recognised addiction that requires treatment on the NHS.

16 Jan 2007

Pilot project for Bulgarian electronic health card assigned to ICW and Cisco

Three general practitioners, five pharmacies, and 1,000 patients will be included in the pilot project for a national electronic health card in Bulgaria.

16 Jan 2007

Syphilis epidemic in China

A range of unique biological and social forces are driving a substantial syphilis epidemic in China, according to the results of a national surveillance programme published in this week’s issue of The Lancet.

14 Jan 2007

In Vitro diagnostic market in Europe

The latest estimates on the In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) market in Europe, corresponding to the year 2005, are now available.

14 Jan 2007

Hospital death rate study reveals wide variations and stresses importance of Registered Nurses

Hospital death rates can be reduced by employing more Registered Nurses and the routine use of care maps or protocols, according to a study in the latest UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.

14 Jan 2007