Medscape Public Health & Prevention Headlines

American Dietetic Association Endorses Vegetarian Diets

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:33:37 EDT

An updated position paper concludes that such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for all age groups and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases.
Medscape Medical News

ACC Aghast at Proposed Cuts to Cardiology Payments in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2010

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:04:32 EDT

The CMS announced its planned 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule this week, which includes proposals that could result in cuts ranging from 10% to more than 40% in Medicare payments for various cardiology services, says the ACC.
Heartwire

Depression Symptoms Linked to Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 10:02:09 EDT

After adjustment for other factors in patients with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure who receive optimal treatment, elevated depression symptoms are linked to cardiovascular mortality.
Medscape Medical News

New Report Finds Flaws in Sunscreen Protection, Safety

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:56:05 EDT

Sunscreens are improving, but 3 of 5 brand-name products either do not protect the skin from sun damage sufficiently, contain hazardous chemicals, or both, according to a report by the watchdog organization Environmental Working Group.
WebMD Health News

FDA Approves Dronedarone for Atrial Fibrillation

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

Dronedarone is envisioned as a safer alternative to amiodarone, a widely used antiarrhythmic agent in patients with AF.
Heartwire

ARMYDA-RECAPTURE Published: Statin Reload Before PCI

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

The rate of major adverse cardiac events was significantly lower among patients "reloaded" with atorvastatin 80 mg 12 hours prior to PCI and 40 mg just before the procedure than in those who did not receive the additional statin boost.
Heartwire

New Meta-Analysis: Statins of Benefit in Primary Prevention

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

A new meta-analysis including some of the more contemporary statin trials has found that the agents significantly improve survival and reduce coronary and cardiovascular end points in primary-prevention populations, a benefit that extends to all subgroups.
Heartwire

Barriers to Optimal Termination of Resuscitation in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Identified

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:48 EDT

Insurance-reimbursement rules, state laws, and the public's false perceptions of survival after cardiac arrest may impede emergency medical workers from using best resuscitation attempts, a study finds.
Heartwire

Stimulant Use Linked to Sudden Death in Pediatric Patients

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:24:43 EDT

In his latest video blog, Dr. Robert Findling comments on a new study that reveals a significant association between the use of stimulants and sudden unexplained death in children and adolescents.
Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health

Ferumoxytol Approved to Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:03:54 EDT

Ferumoxytol injection may be more effective than oral iron for anemic patients in all stages of chronic kidney disease.
Medscape Medical News

ISSTDR 2009: Internet-Based Testing Improves Screening for Chlamydia Among Men

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:55:32 EDT

Internet-based chlamydia testing at home widens access to young people, and new DNA hybridization technology provides results at point of care.
Medscape Medical News

Bone Mineral Density Monitoring May Not Be Needed Up to 3 Years After Starting Bisphosphonates

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:30:04 EDT

A study suggests that monitoring bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in the first 3 years after starting treatment with a potent bisphosphonate is unnecessary and may be misleading.
Medscape Medical News

HPV Vaccination Is Not Cost-Effective in the Netherlands

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:59:14 EDT

Even under the most favorable assumptions, the HPV vaccine was not found to be cost effective, Dutch researchers report.
Medscape Medical News

Cancer Patients Undertreated for VTE, Despite Guideline Recommendations

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:19:01 EDT

Many oncology patients do not receive appropriate VTE prophylaxis as recommended by practice guidelines, despite the high rates of associated morbidity and mortality.
Medscape Medical News

WHO Says Tamiflu-Resistant H1N1 "an Isolated Case"

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:12:00 EDT

The first H1N1 infection found to be resistant to the antiviral Tamiflu represents an "isolated case" with "no public health implication" at this time, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday.
Reuters Health Information

We All Need a Little More D. A New Report on The Sunshine Vitamin

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:24:58 EDT

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, reviews the new report on vitamin D from the AMA Council on Science and Public Health and warns us that 30% of the American public may be deficient.
Medscape Internal Medicine

Insulin Glargine Potentially Associated With Increased Cancer Risk

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:52:02 EDT

The increased risk has been seen in 3 of 4 observational studies, but these findings warrant further follow-up studies to confirm an association, according to the FDA.
Medscape Medical News

Nobel-Honored Surgeons: From Discovery of Antibiotics to Organ Transplantation

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:20:30 EDT

Since the Nobel prize was first presented 100 years ago, only 10 surgeons have been honored. Their contributions range from the discovery of antibiotics to the first organ transplantation. Dr. Albert Lowenfels surveys their lives and accomplishments.
Medscape General Surgery

Chantix and Zyban to Receive Boxed Warnings for Serious Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:08:47 EDT

Varenicline and bupropion are receiving boxed warnings regarding the risks for changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and attempted suicide.
Medscape Medical News

FDA Safety Changes: Prevpac, Arava, Treanda

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:05:50 EDT

The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for a prepackaged regimen of lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin tablets; leflunomide tablets; and bendamustine HCl intravenous infusion.
Medscape Medical News