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First legal abortion in Colombia

The first legal abortion in Colombia recently was performed following the legalization of the procedure in certain cases earlier this year, BBC News reports (McDermott, BBC News, 8/25).

30 Aug 2006

Obesity might lead to more aggressive ovarian cancer

Obesity might cause an increase in deaths related to ovarian cancer, according to a study published in the Aug. 28 edition of the journal Cancer, the New York Times reports.

30 Aug 2006

South Florida Sun-Sentinel profiles Florida's crisis pregnancy centers

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Monday profiled the Hope Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Florida.

30 Aug 2006

Kaiser report summarizes editorials on approval of nonprescription plan B sales to women over age 18

Some editorials and opinion pieces respond to FDA's decision on Thursday to approve Barr Laboratories' application for nonprescription sales of its emergency contraceptive Plan B to women ages 18 and older.

30 Aug 2006

Challenges parents, physicians face in addressing HPV vaccine

The AP/Washington Post on Sunday examined the challenges parents and physicians face in addressing the issues associated with Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil (Irvine, AP/Washington Post, 8/27).

30 Aug 2006

History of cervical cancer, HPV vaccine development

The New York Times on Tuesday examined the development of vaccines to prevent transmission of the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer.

30 Aug 2006

FDA questions effectiveness of Gestiva at preventing preterm labor

FDA in a review of Adeza's experimental preterm labor prevention drug Gestiva said the drug seems to reduce deliveries before 37 weeks' gestation but not births before 32 or 35 weeks' gestation, according to documents posted Monday on the agency's Web site.

30 Aug 2006

HIV/AIDS is affecting the democratic process in Namibia

According to the report, HIV/AIDS is reducing the number of people who vote in elections, thus affecting the electoral process.

30 Aug 2006

South Carolina's HIV/AIDS problem is an enormous one

South Carolina's HIV/AIDS "problem is an enormous one," and state lawmakers "need to review the programs that fund HIV treatment" in the state, a Columbia State editorial says.

30 Aug 2006

XVI International AIDS conference characterized by 'guarded optimism'

The XVI International AIDS Conference, which was held Aug. 13 through Aug. 18 in Toronto, was characterized by "guarded optimism," the Los Angeles Times reports.

30 Aug 2006

Young people are more likely to use condoms with a casual sex partner than with their main partner

The study finds that those with and without regular partners on average have the same amount of unprotected sex.

30 Aug 2006

End of moratorium on new specialty hospitals likely to prompt 'building boomlet'

The decision earlier this month by CMS not to extend a moratorium on approval of new specialty hospitals likely will prompt a "building boomlet" of the facilities, the Wall Street Journal reports.

30 Aug 2006

Officials say PhRMA funded U.S. Chamber of Commerce ads touting Medicare prescription drug benefit

"[P]olitical officials" allege that the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America gave money to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to support an advertising campaign that praises senators and House members who voted for the 2003 Medicare law, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports.

30 Aug 2006

Hospital system in New Orleans examined one year after hurricane Katrina

The Boston Globe on Monday examined the hospital system in New Orleans one year after damage from Hurricane Katrina forced most facilities in the city to close.

30 Aug 2006

Los Angeles Times examines 'Hispanic epidemiological paradox'

The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined the "Hispanic epidemiological paradox," in which Latinos are healthier than expected based on their low levels of income and education.

30 Aug 2006

California Senate happy to allow groups to distribute condoms to prison inmates

The California Senate on Thursday voted 22-16 to approve a bill (AB 1677) that would allow not-for-profit or public health organizations to distribute devices - such as condoms or dental dams - that can protect against sexually transmitted infections to the state's 162,000 prison inmates, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports (Young, AP/San Jose Mercury News, 8/24).

30 Aug 2006

Cellegy ends phase III microbicide trial in Nigeria

Cellegy Pharmaceuticals on Monday announced that it has ended phase Phase III clinical trials in Nigeria on its microbicide Savvy, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports (Loyd, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/29).

30 Aug 2006

Officials of the Christian Science Church seek recognition of faith healing under Massachusetts law requiring health care coverage

The Boston-based Christian Science Church is concerned that the Massachusetts law passed earlier this year requiring employers to provide health insurance to workers might not recognize the church's insurance plans that cover faith healing, the Boston Globe reports.

30 Aug 2006

Nurses in New Jersey begin strike over health plan in proposed contract

Almost all of the 1,300 nurses at the 584-bed Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., on Thursday began a strike over a fee that they would have to pay for medical procedures performed outside of their health plan network under a proposed contract, the New York Times reports.

30 Aug 2006

FDA advisory panels almost always recommend approval for new drugs and devices

Eleven randomly selected FDA advisory committees recommended approval for 79% of prescription drugs and medical devices that they considered during a seven-year period, according to a study released on Monday by the National Research Center for Women & Families, Bloomberg/Houston Chronicle reports.

30 Aug 2006