Public Health & Prevention News

Court Overturns Georgia Law Limiting Assisted Suicide

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 12:59:06 EST

The ruling means that criminal felony charges will be dropped against 84-year-old retired anesthesiologist Lawrence Egbert, MD.

Four Simple Questions May Identify Mild Cognitive Impairment

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 12:12:44 EST

Four simple questions may help clinicians distinguish patients with normal age-related memory loss from those at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Obesity Is Associated With Urinary Tract Infections

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:38:40 EST

Obesity is a risk factor for upper and lower urinary tract infections in both men and women.

Bisphosphonates Raise Contralateral Atypical Fracture Risk

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:36:28 EST

A study of atypical femur fractures shows an increase in contralateral fractures in patients continuing bisphosphonates.

Honesty Is a Sometimes Policy for Many Physicians

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:06:21 EST

One in 10 physicians reports having lied to a patient within the previous 12 months; 1 in 5 did not fully disclose a medical mistake because they feared a lawsuit, according to a new study.

Blood Test May Accurately Determine Depression Status

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 18:27:19 EST

A multi-assay blood test can accurately distinguish patients with major depression from their healthy counterparts.

Apixaban Superior for AF Patients With Previous Stroke, TIA

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 17:30:19 EST

Substudies of the ARISTOTLE and AVERROES trials have found that apixaban is safe and effective for patients with previous events vs warfarin and aspirin, respectively.

No Influence of Abortion on Risk for Psychiatric Readmission

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 15:30:46 EST

First-time first-trimester induced abortion does not influence the risk for readmission to psychiatric care facilities.

Exposed Healthcare Staff May Still Need Pertussis Prophylaxis

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 15:16:49 EST

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now recommends post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare personnel vaccinated with acellular pertussis vaccine and are exposed to an infected patient.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Does Not Recur After Later Vaccines

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 15:07:03 EST

A new study finds that people who have been diagnosed with Guillain- Barre syndrome do not experience any flare-ups after subsequent vaccinations.

More Alcohol Abuse, Less Drug Abuse Among College Students

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:55:20 EST

U.S. college students seeking substance abuse treatment are more likely to be having trouble with alcohol but less likely to be abusing drugs like heroin or cocaine than their non-student peers.

Zoster Vaccine Prevents Shingles in 50-59 Age Group

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:51:18 EST

A new study extends the age range of benefit from the herpes zoster vaccine Zostavax.

Positive Topline Phase 3 Results for Acute Mania Drug

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:09:55 EST

Results from a phase 3 clinical trial show an investigational antipsychotic may hold promise in the treatment of acute mania associated with bipolar 1 disorder.

Antiseptic Reduces Cord Infection and Neonatal Mortality

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:37:59 EST

Two large studies have confirmed an approach to umbilical cord infection that could eliminate a major cause of neonatal death.

Embolism Risk Highest in First Week After Arthroplasty

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:04:28 EST

The risk for pulmonary embolism appears to be highest in the first week after total joint arthroplasty.

Individual-Mandate Foes Warn of Affordable 'Car' Act

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 19:34:01 EST

In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, state officials opposed to the Affordable Care Act said the individual mandate to obtain health insurance presages mandates to buy cars and other goods.

Meningococcal Vaccine Effective Against Serogroup B

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:06:49 EST

The 4CMenB vaccine provides broad protection against serogroup B when given in 2 different schedules, either with or separately from routine vaccinations.

Physical Punishment Harms Children’s Long-Term Development

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:14:12 EST

Physical punishment, including spanking and slapping, can damage a child's long-term development and increase the risk of aggression, antisocial behavior, and mental illness, a new analysis shows.

Obama Administration Makes Greater Investment in Alzheimer's

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:54:24 EST

The US government today announced a commitment of $156 million over the course of the next 2 years to fight Alzheimer's disease.

Wake-Up Stroke Patients May Still Benefit from Thrombolysis

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:02:33 EST

A new study shows tPA was safe for patients who woke up with stroke symptoms, a population not normally treated since they could exceed the 4.5-hour window.