http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/public_health/ Read about scientific research on a wide-array of public health issues. en-us Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:05:01 EST Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/public_health/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123114642.htm Influenza, particularly H1N1, has understandably captured the public spotlight. However, a new analysis shows that another virus -- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -- takes a substantially greater disease toll among young children than does seasonal flu. Children infected with RSV had more than twice as many emergency department visits and six times more hospitalizations than those with seasonal flu. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123114642.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123193103.htm The smoking ban in Wales has not displaced secondhand smoke from public places into the home. A study of 3,500 children from 75 primary schools in Wales found that they were exposed to similar amounts of secondhand smoke before and after legislation, which should reassure those worried that exposure to smoking at home could increase following the ban. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123193103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091125081622.htm Six new international studies show that cutting greenhouse gases, in particular ozone and black carbon, can quickly save millions of lives worldwide in addition to slowing climate change. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091125081622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125159.htm For colon and other cancers, African-Americans have lower survival rates than whites. There has been a belief that racial disparity in survival following surgery for colon cancer was related to a high BMI and co-morbidity. A new study shows there must be some other explanation. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123171420.htm Everybody likes a raise in pay. Even health care professionals, it appears. Now a new study reports that the performance ratings of patient care from 25 medical groups throughout California significantly improved after the start of a statewide pay-for-performance program in 2004. But not if incentives focus on your doctor's productivity. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123171420.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123142735.htm A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic." Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123142735.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123171245.htm Direct-to-consumer advertising for a commonly prescribed antiplatelet drug does not appear associated with increased use, but may be associated with increased drug costs and Medicaid pharmacy expenditures, according to a new report. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123171245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064923.htm Trials of a screen-based malaria prevention programme in 500 homes in The Gambia, Africa, have led to a 50 per cent reduction in malaria transmission and anaemia in children. A child dies from malaria in Africa every 30 seconds and infection can lead to an increased risk of anaemia, which can also prove fatal. Yet to date, screens have often been ignored in favour of using drugs and insecticides. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064442.htm Giving insecticide-treated bed nets to nearly 18,000 mothers at prenatal clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented an estimated 414 infant deaths from malaria, researchers conclude. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064442.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123171408.htm Patients whose hypertension is managed by a physician-pharmacist team have lower blood pressure levels and are more likely to reach goals for blood pressure control than those treated without this collaborative approach, according to a new report. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123171408.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123132633.htm The Infectious Diseases Society of America has asked for a commitment from the Obama administration and the European Union to further the Society's mission to achieve the development of 10 new antibiotics within the next 10 years, known as the 10 x '20 Initiative. The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the three greatest threats to human health. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123132633.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145256.htm A new Web site allows users to explore differences in the probability of dying across European countries and the US states for men and women of different ages and races. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091121093231.htm A new editorial discusses the exaggerated fears and hopes that often appear in news coverage of cancer research. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091121093231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120081625.htm Purchasing prescription drugs in a three-month supply rather than a one-month supply has long been regarded as a way to save money. New research quantifies the savings for the first time. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120081625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118154619.htm Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new study suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118154619.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160837.htm Public health officials walking a tightrope between massive demand for vaccines and intense public scrutiny of side effects now have a new standard for evaluating the safety of their vaccination programs. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117161019.htm Clinician's and patient's adverse symptom reports may be discrepant from each other, but provide complementary, clinically meaningful information, according to a new study. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117161019.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119141219.htm As media researchers search for better methods to reach audiences, a new study has found that highlighting racial disparities in news releases increases coverage of health stories in black newspapers, which can improve health outcomes in populations at-risk for disparities. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119141219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119101044.htm Drug approvals are taking just as long as they ever did despite increased expenditure on new information technology at the Food and drug Administration. So says a statistical analysis of approval intervals from 1997 to 2006. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119101044.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163214.htm Americans without health insurance appear more likely to die following admission to the hospital for trauma than those with health care coverage, according to a report. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117202906.htm Money available to treat HIV/AIDS is sufficient to end the epidemic globally, but only if we act immediately to control the spread of the disease, according to new research. This approach defies conventional thinking, which recommends gradual spending over 15-20 years. The study was based on a mathematical model developed by mathematicians and biologists, who recently earned acclaim for a study on how best to handle a planetary invasion by zombies. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117202906.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117190404.htm Rapid influenza diagnostic tests used in doctors' offices, hospitals and medical laboratories to detect H1N1 are virtually useless and could pose a significant danger to public health, according to a researcher. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117190404.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094937.htm A new study shows that three-stage graduated driver's licensing (GDL) policies save lives and prevents injuries throughout the Midwest. The research also shows how states could save more teen lives and avoid thousands of teen motor vehicle injuries by modifying their GDL policies to include new, proven components. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094937.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118110656.htm An analysis of quality of cardiac care following the public release of data on measures of care at hospitals in Ontario, Canada, did not result in significant system-wide improvement in hospitals' performance on most quality of care indicators, according to a new study. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118110656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163218.htm Despite a national focus on reducing surgical errors, surgery-related adverse events continue to occur both inside and outside the operating room, according to an analysis of events at Veterans Health Administration Medical Centers. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112113419.htm The US Senate currently has an historic opportunity to take a major step toward improving food safety for all Americans. That is why a coalition of public health professionals, consumer organizations and groups representing victims of food-borne illness is sending the message that it is time to "make our food safe for the holidays." Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112113419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091107115829.htm Three leading scientific organizations specializing in infectious diseases prevention issued a letter to President Obama November 6 expressing their significant concern with current federal guidance concerning the use of personal protective equipment by health care workers in treating suspected or confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091107115829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085045.htm A new report warns basic life-saving solutions such as hygiene, adequate nutrition, bed nets and skilled birth attendants "not a priority" for too many leaders. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094503.htm One in four Australian adults has taken an action that puts their health at risk as a result of the global financial crisis (GFC), according to a new poll. The results show that lack of job security was particularly hard on families, with almost one in five parents turning up to work ill and close to one in 10 parents sending sick children to school. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094503.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092045.htm An important, ground-breaking initiative is unfolding in the global critical care community in response to the H1N1 pandemic. While front-line health-care workers and infectious disease experts around the world are working round the clock to control, treat and prevent H1N1 infection, those who deal with the most severely ill patients -- physicians working in hospital intensive care units (ICUs) -- have joined forces to develop a more coordinated, long-term approach to H1N1. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm A study of more than 120 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse US elementary school children shows that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early and that those biases can be damaging. Specifically, the study illustrates that when children become aware of bias about their own racial or ethnic group, it can affect how they respond to everyday situations, ranging from interacting with others to taking tests. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171647.htm The American health-care sector accounts for 8 percent of the country's carbon dioxide emissions, according to a first-of-its-kind calculation of health care's carbon footprint. Researchers used expenditures from different parts of the health care sector to measure the industry's potential effect upon global warming through the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171647.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110065920.htm Human movement is a key factor of dengue virus inflow in Rio de Janeiro, according to results from researchers in Brazil. The results, based on data from a severe epidemic in 2007-2008, contribute to new understanding on the dynamics of dengue fever in the second largest city in Brazil. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110065920.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121626.htm Perceived poor managerial leadership increases not only the amount of sick leave taken at a workplace, but also the risk of sickness amongst employees later on in life. The longer a person has had a "poorer" manager, the higher his or her risk of for example suffering a heart attack within a ten-year period, according to new research. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171739.htm People who did not earn a high school diploma could be more likely to get H1N1 and the vaccine might be less effective in them compared to those who earned a diploma, new research shows. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171739.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200223.htm Pediatricians and pediatric oncologists express differing views on religion and spirituality, largely based on the types of patients they treat, according to a new survey. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200215.htm Slowing the growth in US health-care spending may be possible, but it will require adoption of an array of strategies as well as an improved approach to moving promising strategies into widespread use, according to a new study. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105401.htm A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played in so-called "partner abandonment." The study also found that the longer the marriage the more likely it would remain intact. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103121614.htm The effectiveness of a screening colonoscopy may depend on the time of day it is performed. According to a new study, early-morning colonoscopies yielded more polyps per patient than later screenings, and fewer polyps were found hour by hour as the day progressed. The findings point to the need for more research in this area to possibly improve outcomes for colonoscopy procedures. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103121614.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202851.htm As African nations are poised to undergo the highest increase in the rate of tobacco use among developing countries, nearly 90 percent of people on the continent remain without meaningful protection from secondhand smoke, according to a new report. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202851.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171645.htm Roughly a quarter of Medicare patients hospitalized for heart failure are back in the hospital within 30 days. The rehospitalization rate for these patients, who are over age 65, remained the same from 2004 though 2006. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121720.htm The swine flu (H1N1) pandemic has received extensive media coverage this year. In times of heightened health concerns, everyday behaviors like sneezing can serve as a reminder to wash our hands or take our vitamins. But, what if we overreact to everyday sneezes and coughs and sniffles? Can these signals transform healthy discretion into an unreasonable fearfulness about germs and more? Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109142133.htm Physician bias might be the reason why African Americans are not receiving kidney/pancreas transplants at the same rate as similar patients in other racial groups. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109142133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031002312.htm According to the Institute of Medicine, more than 90 million Americans suffer from low health literacy, a mismatch between patients' abilities to understand health care information and providers' abilities to communicate complex medical information in an understandable manner. In two recent studies, researchers found that two groups -- those with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities -- experience significantly lower health literacy than the general population. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031002312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110090903.htm Last year, the United States provided asylum and resettlement assistance for nearly 80,700 people from other countries, an increase from 71,300 individuals in 2007, according to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Health experts say the increase has made issues of immigrant and refugee violence and the need for effective intervention strategies more apparent. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110090903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109174302.htm A major, long-term study of pregnant mothers and their fetuses as well as infant children to determine just how profoundly environmental factors early in life influence the onset of diseases such as obesity and diabetes in later years. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109174302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109174252.htm A new study has for the first time found that patients with more difficult to treat forms of hepatitis C are half as likely to initiate treatment for the disease, when compared to patients with hepatitis C that is easier to treat. Marital status also affected whether patients chose treatment, as did whether or not they had other diseases. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109174252.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173722.htm A survey of patients had who experienced some sort of adverse event during their hospitalization found that, although caregivers discussed the event with patients less than half the time, those patients to whom the adverse event had been disclosed rated the quality of their care higher than did patients whose caregivers did not address the problem. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173722.htm