Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Babies Born To Native High-Altitude Mothers Have Decreased Risk Of Low Birth Weight
Pregnant women who are indigenous to the Andes Mountains deliver more blood and oxygen to their fetuses at high altitude than do women of European descent. The study helps explain why babies of Andean descent born at high altitude weigh more than European babies born at altitude.

Politico Examines Retraction, Resubmission Of Proposed HIV Travel Ban Rule
Politico"s blog "Under the Radar" explores HHS" recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy. The blog looks at differences between the original document sent to the Federal Register on Monday compared to the version slated to be resubmitted by HHS Thursday, noting that while "the proposed rule was pulled from publication in Tuesday"s edition at the request of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius" late Monday because it was ""incomplete," it was actually 12 pages longer than the replacement," with "different data than the original" that "could ease sticker shock." Politico compares the two proposals - one which estimates the number of immigrants living in the U.S. with HIV after five years; the other which estimates the number after 20 years. The blog notes, CDC, the agency responsible for the documents, did not comment on the changes when asked. The blog has links to both versions of the Federal Register documents (McGarr, 7/1).
News of the day
Editorial, Opinion Piece Respond To Health Care Reform Issues
President Obama is "right to push for [health care] reform now, despite calls to postpone efforts solely on the economic recovery," a Philadelphia Inquirer editorial states. According to the editorial, cost-cutting initiatives proposed by industry groups earlier this week "may not amount to anything" because they are voluntary and "providers" past efforts at containing costs have failed every time." However, the groups" vow to reduce future health care spending by $2 trillion "shows how much fat and waste is in the system," according to the Inquirer. The editorial also states that the "most assured means of tamping down costs while providing greater access to health coverage could be through" a government-run public health insurance option. In addition, Obama "needs to warm to the idea of requiring that all Americans obtain health insurance," in order to spread out the cost of care, the editorial continues. The editorial concludes that "it"s encouraging that Obama doesn"t plan to let a couple of wars and a recession sidetrack him from his pledge to reform health care and expand coverage to all Americans" (Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/14). Opinion Piece
Public Health

Researchers At The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center Begin New Study On Parkinson's Disease

Researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) are recruiting participants for a national clinical study of medication that could slow the progression of Parkinson"s disease. The study, referred to as "QE3," will examine the effectiveness of the research medication Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ). During the study, investigators will administer high doses of CoQ to participants 30 years of age or older with early stage Parkinson"s disease to reduce the speed of their physical decline. The research is sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and will be conducted by the Parkinson Study Group, an international council of physicians and researchers experienced in caring for Parkinson"s patients and studying the disease. In Memphis, Ronald Pfeiffer, MD, a neurologist at UT Health Science Center, and a member of the Parkinson Study Group, will lead the local effort of this phase III clinical trial. "Memphians who have been diagnosed with Parkinson"s disease within the last five years and are not receiving treatment for their symptoms may be eligible for the study," said Dr. Pfeiffer. Assigned physicians will examine study volunteers every four months during a 16-month period. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive treatment with either active CoQ (which will also contain vitamin E) or a matching placebo. Investigators at 60 clinical sites in the United States and Canada will enroll about 600 participants with early signs of Parkinson"s disease. Each site will enroll approximately 10 individuals. There is no cost to participate in the study. In Parkinson"s disease, the brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine are gradually lost, resulting in a decrease in dopamine levels. Without enough dopamine, patients experience symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, balance problems, slow movement and others. Currently, doctors can treat these symptoms with drugs that boost dopamine levels. However, there are no available treatments to reduce the rate of clinical decline. "A medication that could slow the progression of Parkinson disease would be a major breakthrough for patients living with the disease," said Walter Koroshetz, MD, deputy director, NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Adults 30 years old and above with early stage Parkinson"s disease who wish to participate in the study should contact Brenda Pfeiffer, UTHSC research nurse coordinator, at (901) 271-5966, or visit the Parkinson Study Group web site at http://www.parkinson-study-group.org. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009