Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Fathers' occupational exposures may play an important role in the development of birth defects

Can exposure to hazardous substances at work contribute to the development of birth defects? If so, then fathers' occupational exposures may play a more important role than mothers' exposures

20 Sep 2004

Oral appliances effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder characterized by repeated episodes of reductions or cessation in breathing during sleep. Millions of Americans, both men and women, have this medical problem

18 Sep 2004

Study compares cheap take-home sleep test to expensive polysomnography test

Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea usually involves polysomnograpy, an overnight sleep test in a sleep clinic or lab. Results of a new study indicate that a take-home sleep test is just as effective as a polysomnography and is less expensive while providing timely results.

17 Sep 2004

BMA demands smokefree workplaces

Passive Smoking Kills! Smokefree workplaces save lives! Introduce the legislation in Northern Ireland now!

16 Sep 2004

Health Affairs study examines 25 years of children’s health coverage

In recent years, rising health insurance costs have likely played a key role in the decline of American children with private health coverage, according to a study by researchers at the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published in the September/October edition of the journal Health Affairs.

14 Sep 2004

ID Biomedical to supply meningitis C vaccine to the Canadian government

The Canadian government has retained an option to purchase additional product from the Company in the third and final year of the contract. The total value of the contract, including the third year option, could total approximately $30 million to ID Biomedical.

14 Sep 2004

California Chamber of Commerce lends support to stem cell research

The California Chamber of Commerce has joined with a broad and growing coalition of business groups, patient advocates and medical organizations in endorsing a "YES" vote on Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, on the November 2004 statewide ballot.

14 Sep 2004

Doctors believe increase in pensions age will deter people from joining the NHS

The BMA invited doctors to take part in an online survey to gather their views on retirement and the NHS pension to help inform its discussions with the NHS Confederation who are leading a review of the NHS pension scheme (England and Wales) on behalf of the Department of Health. Nearly 5000 doctors responded to the BMA's survey.

13 Sep 2004

Potential new drug for the treatment of sickle cell disease

The results were published in the June 2004 issue of The British Journal of Haematology (BJH). MX-1520 is a prodrug of vanillin, a very popular food additive generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

13 Sep 2004

Spinal cord injury specialist says 60 percent of his patients are obese

As Americans face a growing epidemic of obesity, people with spinal cord injuries find themselves particularly vulnerable to the serious complications that come with carrying around extra pounds.

10 Sep 2004

Program that targets allergens and tobacco smoke in the home resulted in fewer asthma symptoms in children

A program that targets allergens and tobacco smoke in the home resulted in fewer asthma symptoms in children participating in the intervention than in those who were not, according to a new study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in seven metropolitan areas nationwide.

10 Sep 2004

Teens who engage in high-risk behaviors involving sex and drugs have significantly higher odds of depression

Teens who engage in high-risk behaviors involving sex and drugs have significantly higher odds of depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than teens who say no to sex and drugs, according to a study.

10 Sep 2004

Results of all clinical trials for new drugs and procedures must be released publicly

The results of all clinical trials for new drugs and procedures must be released publicly if people are to get the full facts about their medical treatment, says a letter in this week's BMJ.

9 Sep 2004

Revised draft Mental Health Bill

The British Government has today published a revised draft Mental Health Bill. The Bill will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a parliamentary committee, which has been asked to present its report by the end of March 2005.

8 Sep 2004

Consumers with health insurance are willing to help cover costs for uninsured people

The subject of universal healthcare is always a hot topic but never more so than in an election year.

8 Sep 2004

Hospitals should use latex medical gloves with lower protein and powder levels to reduce latex sensitivity rather than synthetic alternatives

The non-profit, independent evaluator of medical devices notes that while some synthetic alternatives may cost less, latex gloves are still the most cost-effective choice when a glove offering a good level of protection is required.

8 Sep 2004

Study shows that naturopathic medicine helps women experiencing jaw pains

A study involving a painful jaw disorder and the role of naturopathic medicine demonstrates how this holistic approach to care can empower patients to improve their own health.

8 Sep 2004

Bill Clinton is recovering after undergoing successful quadruple bypass surgery

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is recovering after undergoing successful quadruple bypass surgery from New York Presbyterian Hospital; the first accredited Chest Pain Center in New York. His heart disease was extensive, with blockages in some arteries well over 90 percent, doctors said.

8 Sep 2004

Phase I clinical trial of new drug for severe asthma

Cambridge Antibody Technology today announced that it is starting a Phase I clinical trial of CAT-354, a human anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody, which is a potential treatment for severe asthma, following recent approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

8 Sep 2004

Exubera shows sustained blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes

New data showed that Exubera (inhaled insulin) was effective and well tolerated in controlling blood glucose levels over a two-year period in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

8 Sep 2004