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Polio victory remembered on 50th anniversary of Salk Vaccine field trials

Fifty years ago today, thousands of parents drove their school-age children to designated sites across the country for immunizations of an experimental vaccine that they hoped would stop, once and for all, the raging polio epidemic that was leaving young Americans paralyzed and sometimes dead. Organized and funded by the March of Dimes, this was the largest voluntary clinical trial ever undertaken.

26 Apr 2004

US airport screening in question after health and screening issues

Security screeners at Miami International Airport have become ill for the fourth time in a single month.

25 Apr 2004

Men encouraged to 'pop down to their local' more often

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain’s network of Branch Public Relations Officers (BPROs) will encourage men to make greater use of their local pharmacies as part of a national media campaign, Pop Down Your Local, to be launched on Thursday April 29.

25 Apr 2004

Discovery shows how single genetic mutation can cause complex disorders

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), characterized by obesity, learning disabilities and eye and kidney problems, is caused by genetic mutations in the BBS family of genes. Now, researchers who've long studied the condition have discovered that genetic mutations in one of those genes, called BBS4, lead to cell death by disrupting the cells' internal "highway" system.

25 Apr 2004

Fewer recurrences and complications overall with open surgery than with laparoscopic surgery

A Veterans Affairs study of nearly 1,700 hernia-repair operations found fewer recurrences and complications overall with open surgery than with laparoscopic surgery. The study is being presented April 25 at the spring meeting of the American College of Surgeons in Boston. The findings also appear in the April 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

25 Apr 2004

Health Ministers’ meeting in Canberra, health reform

Today in Canberra, Tony Abbott has let slip a historic opportunity for health reform. Today the state and federal health ministers met and had Professor John Dwyer and some of the finest minds in health give them health reform proposals.

25 Apr 2004

New Australian report outlines the health benefits of breastfeeding

A new report released by the NSW Centre for Public Health Nutrition, Australia outlines the health benefits of breastfeeding, which is the foundation for a lifetime of good health.

25 Apr 2004

New Jersey announces automatic enrollment in new medicare drug discount program

New Jersey will take advantage of a recent decision by the federal government allowing states to automatically enroll low-income beneficiaries in the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program (PAAD) into the new Medicare Drug Discount Card Program.

25 Apr 2004

Public Health Advisory for medical professionals with patients on anti-depression medication

On Monday, March 22, 2004 the Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory for medical professionals to monitor for signs of suicidal ideation in individuals who have recently started taking anti-depression medication or have had a recent change in dosage, especially for children who are taking these medications. Antidepressant medications involved in this warning include: Prozac (Fluoxetine), Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Effexor,, Serzone, and Remeron.

25 Apr 2004

Health Canada funds HIV/AIDS project for Aboriginal communities in Montreal

Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew announced today that Health Canada will contribute $105,000 to the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal for an HIV/AIDS community development program.

25 Apr 2004

Latest update on SARS

On 22 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a case of SARS in China, who was a 20-year-old nurse from Beijing. She was admitted to Jiangong Hospital on 7 April, transferred to Remin Hospital (Beijing People's Hospital) on 14 April and then to Ditang Hospital (in Beijing) on 19 April.

25 Apr 2004

Australia's health system is on alert for SARS

Australia's health system is on alert to detect any possible cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) following reports of four possible SARS cases in China, including one death.

25 Apr 2004

The cancer death rate for African-American males would drop by nearly two-thirds if their exposure to tobacco smoke was eliminated

The overall cancer death rate for African-American males would drop by nearly two-thirds -- without any other intervention -- if their exposure to tobacco smoke was eliminated, a new study suggests.

25 Apr 2004

Deakin University has been given World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre status

Deakin University, Australia has been given World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre status for research into obesity prevention and related nutrition and physical activity programs.

25 Apr 2004

Taiwan gives all clear to lab technicians from possible SARS infection

The Taiwan CDC reported a suspected SARS fever case on a return trip from Beijing was sent to hospital on the night of April 24, 2004.

25 Apr 2004

Paul Newman urges Princeton to stop tradition of alcohol abuse in honour of his name

Paul Newman, the Hollywood film star and salad dressing mogul, has appealed to Princeton University to end a campus tradition in which students attempt to consume a beer an hour for 24 hours.

24 Apr 2004

Los Angeles health officials urge public to take preventative measures against West Nile virus

Los Angeles health officials have issued a statement urging the public to take precautions against mosquitoes after crows in the county tested positive for the West Nile virus. "These findings are a clear warning that the virus is continuing to circulate and amplify in the environment. Now is the time to take precautions," said Steve West of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

24 Apr 2004

China braces for Labour Day "Golden Week" SARS outbreak

Chinese government officials have heightened surveillance of incoming and outgoing international passengers for SARS yesterday ahead of a 2 week holiday period.

24 Apr 2004

Overview of West Nile virus before season starts

West Nile virus is a newly emergent virus of the family Flaviviridae, found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is also the cause of a number of conditions in humans, horses, and some other mammals. It is transmitted by bites of infected mosquitoes.

24 Apr 2004