International Medicine and Public Health Blogs This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 15.

Potential Elimination of Early Childhood Programs in Kansas Demonstrates Folly of Tying Program Funding to Cigarette Revenues
Rather than spend the money on tobacco-related programs, as it was originally intended, most states have been diverting money from the Master Settlement Agreement to fund other essential government programs, plugging budget shortfalls and avoiding having to find other sources of revenue. As a result, I have been arguing that the Master Settlement Agreement was a public health disaster because it tied state fiscal solvency to continued high levels of cigarette consumption. If cigarette consumption falls substantially, then funding for essential government programs evaporates.Yesterday, the Kansas City Star reported that the...
Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary - September 28, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs

Health IT Education and Career Opportunities
NeHC will continue the very popular Careers in Health IT series with a spotlight on higher education paths and the careers that result from such programs. This webinar will feature health IT workforce development leaders to discuss emerging career opportunities in health IT and describe various health IT academic programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Speakers will give an overview of the programs in their individual areas while discussing the impact of these programs on a national level. Panelists will highlight specific professional opportunities that these educational paths will prepare graduates for whe...
Source: Non-Clinical Physician Jobs, Careers, and Opportunities - September 28, 2012 Category: Technology Consultants Authors: Joseph Kim, MD, MPH Source Type: blogs

Webinars
Environmental Health Disparities Sponsored by Partnerships for Environmental Public Health Friday September 28, 2012 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm EDT For more information and to register: http://bit.ly/UP59K9 Open Enrollment Information for Medicare Beneficiaries with a Disability or Chronic Illness Sponsored by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Tuesday October 2, 2012 2:00 – 3:30 pm EST For more information and to register: http://1.usa.gov/SFagvI National Provider Call: Hospital Value-Based Purchasing: FY 2012 Actual Percentage Payment Summary Report Sponsored by Centers for Medic...
Source: BHIC - September 27, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Monica Rogers Tags: Conferences Source Type: blogs

Funding Roundup pt. 2
NBCC Foundation Rural and Military Scholarship Programs Scholarships to increase the availability of counselors in underserved areas, with the current priority areas of rural and military communities. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Deadline: November 1, 2012 For more information: http://bit.ly/RlFfuI Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training Grant Health Resources and Services Administration - Grants to plan, develop, operate, or participate in an accredited residency internship program in preventative medicine or public health. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Deadline: November 19, 2012 For more informatio...
Source: BHIC - September 27, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Monica Rogers Tags: Scholarships and Grants Source Type: blogs

Lonely Planet
My hotel and resort is awesome. It’s perched on the top of the crater encompassing Lake Bishoftu. It is very luxurious and as they didn’t have a single room I’m in a suit up the top! The view is fantastic, … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 27, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Hype, Spin and Health Care: the Case of an Apparently Failed Hospital Purchase by Steward Health Care
Health care is drowning in a sea of hype and spin. We have frequently posted about deceptive marketing used to sell drugs, devices, and health care services. We have also posted about deceptive public relations and lobbying used to sell policy positions and strategies favorable to health care organizations, and usually most favorable to their leaders.Nevertheless, there rarely is much public skepticism about or criticism of such marketing and public relations messages when they appear. Rather, often the media and other public voices, including those of politicians with power over the relevant public polic...
Source: Health Care Renewal - September 27, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Tags: Cerberus deception Steward Health Care marketing public relations Source Type: blogs

Life in Pauoa
It’s Tuesday about 3pm in Paoua. We did nine operations at the Bloc today, beginning with some simple, fast things and ending with a more complicated abdominal operation to remove a man’s spleen after trauma. But that’s a story for … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 27, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Primary care for the 21st century: learning from New Zealand's independent practitioner associations (IPAs)
This report was supplemented by previous research on IPAs, and on an analysis of documents related to the development, operation and evaluation of organised general practice. Findings suggest several lessons for NHS general practice including: the need for CCGs to form wider networks to secure the active engagement of GPs; the implementation of genuine independence for GPs ; and the offer of time and support to allow GP groups to focus more on public health. Report Related blog The Nuffield Trust - publications
Source: Health Management Specialist Library - September 27, 2012 Category: UK Health Authors: The King's Fund Information & Library Service Source Type: blogs

Policy experts need to lead by storytelling
Public health leaders must often tell people things that they don’t really want to hear. “Stop smoking.” “Eat a healthier diet.” “Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day.” To motivate people to heed these messages, leaders construct simple narratives to communicate the potential harms of undesired health behaviors and the benefits of desired ones. Who wants to spend their golden years tethered to an oxygen tank for every moment of the day? Who doesn’t want to live long enough to play catch with their grandchildren?Continue reading ... Follow KevinMD.com on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - September 26, 2012 Category: Family Physicians Authors: Kevin Tags: Physician Cancer Primary care Source Type: blogs

Population Aging Will Have Long-Term Implications for Economy
From the National Academy of Sciences (2012, September 25) comes a new study on population aging. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are on unsustainable paths, and the failure to remedy the situation raises a number of economic risks, the report says. Together, the cost of the three programs currently amounts to roughly 40 percent of all federal spending and 10 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. Because of overall longer life expectancy and lower birth rates, these programs will have more beneficiaries with relatively fewer workers contributing to support them in the coming decades. Combined with s...
Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG - September 26, 2012 Category: Epidemiologists Authors: cbuttery Tags: Chronic Disease Community Health Economics policy Prevention Technology The future Source Type: blogs

Knee replacements on the rise among seniors.
In a study published online in the Sept. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, which found that the “number of total knee replacement surgeries has soared 161.5% among Medicare participants over the past 20 years, a $5 billion annual tab that will continue to grow as the USA’s 77 million Baby Boomers age.” The article says that “the wider use of knee replacement, on one hand, is good news for the rapidly aging population.” However, it adds that although “knee surgery eases pain from severe arthritis and improves quality of life,” the study authors say the imp...
Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG - September 26, 2012 Category: Epidemiologists Authors: cbuttery Tags: Chronic Disease policy Prevention Technology Source Type: blogs

Bureaucracy – part two
The next point of order: “As I’m sure you all know, our security guards are not empowered to deal with internal security threats.” Internal security threats? This sounded serious. Images of armed men wearing balaclavas surfaced in my mind. “I … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 25, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Anti-Smoking Groups that Opposed Electronic Cigarettes Accepted Money to the Tune of $2.8 Million from Pfizer Alone in 2011-2012
The eight anti-smoking organizations that have opposed electronic cigarettes and called for their removal from the market pocketed a total of $2.8 million from Big Pharma's Pfizer during 2011 and the first half of 2012, according to figures being released today by The Rest of the Story.Based on financial contribution reports published by Pfizer, the anti-smoking groups that have called for a ban on electronic cigarettes have received millions from the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Chantix, a smoking cessation product that stands to lose enormously if electronic cigarettes become increasingly popular. These organizations h...
Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary - September 25, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs

Information sharing to tackle violence: guidance for Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) on engaging with the NHS
This guidance aims to address part of the government’s commitment to tackling violence through information sharing. It highlights how CSPs made up of local authorities, the police and other local agencies can reduce violence in their community by encouraging A&Es to collect and share information on time, type and location of assault. It includes: advice and tools to support CSPs to share information to reduce violence; advice on data collection, use and feedback; information on how to engage with health partners effectively; and relevant information on NHS and public health reforms. Guidance Department of Health - news
Source: Health Management Specialist Library - September 25, 2012 Category: UK Health Authors: The King's Fund Information & Library Service Source Type: blogs

Public health transitional support funds for local authorities
This letter outlines the availability of transitional support funds for local authorities. Financial support is available to each unitary and upper tier local authority, and will contribute towards the costs associated with administrating transition and minimising the diversion of staff and resources from day to day duties and delivery. The allocation of transitional support is to be issued through the local authority and paid by the primary care trust (PCT). PCTs have been notified of the amount and associated process through a seperate letter and resource limited adjustment. Letter to local authorities Letter to...
Source: Health Management Specialist Library - September 25, 2012 Category: UK Health Authors: The King's Fund Information & Library Service Source Type: blogs

ADA, AAP, AAFP, and ADA: Whose Side are You On? Rest of the Story Challenges Health Groups to Reject Big Soda Money After Coke and Pepsi Deny Link Between Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Obesity
Today, the Rest of the Story has a question for the American Dietetic Association (ADA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American Diabetes Association (ADA2):Whose side are you on?The side of the public's health, or the side of helping to market sugar-laden soft drinks?In response to a salvo of articles published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine which demonstrate -- using the most rigorous methodology available -- a strong link between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity, the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, Inc. responded by denyi...
Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary - September 24, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs

Cytomegaloviruses
Matthias J. Reddehase presents a new book on Cytomegaloviruses: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Intervention This two-volume work, is an updated and upgraded 2nd-edition of 'Cytomegaloviruses: Molecular Biology and Immunology' (2006). The title 'Cytomegaloviruses: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Intervention' reflects its expanded commitment not only to cover cutting-edge basic science but also to include the translation of this to clinical science. In an interdisciplinary approach to understanding CMV disease and outlining options for prevention and treatment, leading international experts provide comprehensive and authorit...
Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. - September 24, 2012 Category: Microbiology Tags: Microbiology publications Virology Virology publications Genomics publications Source Type: blogs

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. More information at: http://1.usa.gov/PfBAMe including a 1-800 number for general public inquiries and a link to searching for a local collection site.
Source: BHIC - September 24, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Cheryl Rowan Tags: Environmental Health General Public Health Source Type: blogs

Study Finds Most U.S. Schools Unprepared for Next Pandemic
According to a new study from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health, many U.S. schools are not prepared for bioterrorism attacks, outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, or pandemics, despite the recent 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic that resulted in more than 18,000 deaths worldwide. During National Preparedness Month, this study serves as an important reminder that schools need to have plans for disasters and emergencies too. Read more on the results of the study: http://bit.ly/UrkQ5I [ASPH Friday Letter, Sept. 21, 2012]
Source: BHIC - September 24, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Cheryl Rowan Tags: Articles Emergency Preparedness Public Health Source Type: blogs

Rising Suicide Statistics
Suicide has now passed traffic accidents as the leading casue of injury-related death in the U.S. The new study was published online September 20,and will appear in the November 2012 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, based on data collected from the National Center of Health Statistics to determine the cause of injury deaths from 2000 – 2009. More at: http://1.usa.gov/PfvNX4 [Health Day, Sept. 20, 2012] See also “First Look” highlights from the November issue at: http://bit.ly/RbUOFd .
Source: BHIC - September 24, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Cheryl Rowan Tags: Articles General Public Health Source Type: blogs

Francoise
It’s Thursday evening in Paoua. It started raining hard before sunrise and continued until about 10am today. The sky remains overcast and the geography of the potholes and creases in the road from the runoff is all new. Last Friday … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 24, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Another "must read"
A Must-Read Book That Exposes the Impact of Big Food, Big Ag and Big Pharma on Our Lives Born with a Junk Food Deficiency: How flaks, quacks, and hacks pimp the public health Martha Rosenberg Prometheus Books ISBN 978–1–61614–593–4 373 pages; Hardcover $24.00 USD Can anyone remember life before "Ask your Doctor" ads?—Born with a Junk Food Deficiency, p. 17 How can drugs designed to make animals gain weight fast not have an impact on national obesity?—Born with a Junk Food Deficiency, p. 219 Certain books are for certain people. Born with a Junk Food Deficiency is for people who eat, use prescription drugs, ...
Source: PharmaGossip - September 24, 2012 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: insider Source Type: blogs

The long way to holidays
It’s Wednesday and I am leaving on my break. Yippee! I was still up packing at 11.30pm the night before in my dark and wet tukul, as I still had so many things to organize for while I was gone. … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 23, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Fight Aging! Newsletter, September 24th 2012
Discussion - Latest Headlines from Fight Aging! - Genetic Hotspots for Diseases of Aging - A Look at the Allen Institute for Brain Science - Correlating Progressive Frailty in Aging With Parental Longevity - Using Fruit Flies to Study Immune System Aging - Calorie Restriction Greatly Slows Protein Turnover - A Different View of Aging - Longevity in Mammals as a Way to Extend Life of Male Offspring - A Review of Vascular Aging &n...
Source: Fight Aging! - September 23, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs

Oh the irony!
US Govt Suicide Initiative Ignores Suicide-Linked Drugs Wednesday, 19 September 2012, 4:39 pm Article: Martha Rosenberg US Government Suicide Initiative Ignores Suicide-Linked Drugs by Martha Rosenberg September 18, 2012 It would be laughable if it weren't tragic. Last week US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin introduced a plan to stem the nation's growing suicide rate without addressing the nation's growing use of suicide-linked drugs. Antidepressants like Prozac and Paxil, antipsychotics like Seroquel and Zyprexa and anti-seizure drugs like Lyrica and Neurontin are all linked to suicide in published reports and in F...
Source: PharmaGossip - September 22, 2012 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: insider Source Type: blogs

Bureaucracy – part one
Much of what follows may sound disrespectful to, or even critical of the administrative process. But please do not misinterpret me. If bureaucracy is an unwieldy, complicated leviathan of a tool it is because the material it must fashion (us… … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 21, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Bear-ing witness
Although it has gotten easier over the years, my transition back to home life is never graceful. Although I know to expect overstimulation around every corner, I am still overwhelmed by it. My only respite is my home, the ‘Chaled’ … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 21, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Sugary drinks and obesity: the link is real
http://m.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/studies-strengthen-the-case-against-sugary-drinks-as-culprits-in-obesity-epidemic/2012/09/21/441820cc-0424-11e2-9132-f2750cd65f97_story.html Studies strengthen the case against sugary drinks as culprits in obesity epidemic By Associated Press, Published: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 6:01 PM ET Aa New research powerfully strengthens the case against soda and other sugary drinks as culprits in the obesity epidemic.A huge, decades-long study involving more than 33,000 Americans has yielded the first clear proof that drinking su...
Source: Dr Portnay - September 21, 2012 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs

Massachusetts Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufactures Code of Conduct: Proposed Emergency Regulations to Allow for Meals at Corporate Educational Events
The Massachusetts Public Health Council passed the first round for emergency regulations to allow companies to provide modest meals for healthcare providers for product education. As we noted back in July, Massachusetts finally passed a partial repeal of their 2008 Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturer Code of Conduct as part of their 2013 $32.5 Billion Dollar State Budget. In signing the legislation, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick noted that the change will “afford health care providers some flexibility to be educated on new clinically relevant products and allow them to stay informed on advanceme...
Source: Policy and Medicine - September 21, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Thomas Sullivan Source Type: blogs

The Op-Ed: Pharma Money in an Election Year
(James Love is the director of Knowledge Ecology International, the U.S. co-chair of the Trans-Atlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) Intellectual Property Policy Committee, and the chair of the Essential Inventions board of directors. He advises U.N. agencies, national governments, international and regional intergovernmental organizations and public health NGOs, and is the author of a number of articles and monographs on innovation and intellectual property rights.) This is a federal campaign year, and as the legal regulations of campaign spending continue to deteriorate, the amount of corporate money pouring into the campaig...
Source: Pharmalot - September 20, 2012 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: Ed Silverman Tags: Uncategorized Abbott Laboratories Amgen AstraZeneca Bayer Bristol Myers Squibb Eli Lilly Genentech Gilead Sciences GlaxoSmithKline Hoffman-La Roche Johnson & Johnson Merck & Co. Novartis Pfizer Sanofi Source Type: blogs

Back to School: Head Lice
Every year, between 6 to 12 million children in the United States get head lice. Back to school time can mean itchy times for both kids and their family members. The CDC and MedlinePlus.gov have resources on the prevention/control and treatment of head lice. CDC: http://1.usa.gov/OIToOj MedlinePlus: http://1.usa.gov/QooTS7
Source: BHIC - September 20, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kate Flewelling Tags: Public Health Websites Source Type: blogs

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Healthfinder.gov has created a toolkit in support of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Resources include health promotion tools for your community and family. Access the toolkit: http://1.usa.gov/RCBMoe
Source: BHIC - September 20, 2012 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kate Flewelling Tags: Public Health Websites Source Type: blogs

A series of unfortunate events
John Auerbach, Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health, has resigned. I have known John for at least 15years, since he was Commissioner of Health for the City of Boston. He is one of the most effective, progressive and selfless public servants there ever could be.The news of the reason for this tragic turn of affairs is disturbing and perplexing. The Department of Public Health operates a laboratory in Jamaica Plain where they do the usual public health stuff: test mosquitoes for West Nile Virus, test bats for rabies, nasal swabs for influenza, identify the culprit in outbreaks of food-borne illness, yadda yadda yadda....
Source: Stayin' Alive - September 20, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs

FDA, Consumer Reports release data on arsenic levels in rice.
Media coverage of data from two studies, showing arsenic levels in rice products sold in the US, focused primarily on Consumer Reports‘ call for consumers to reject the products versus the Food and Drug Administration, and the medical community in general, recommending against making any dietary changes until more research has been conducted. Comment: I wonder when the news made will stop quoting the Nader organizations which ignore science in favor of activist comments. One can measure parts per million or per billion of many chemicals, some of which are purposely introduced to a product of some of which occur i...
Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG - September 20, 2012 Category: Epidemiologists Authors: cbuttery Tags: Community Health Environment epidemiology Prevention Technology Toxicology Source Type: blogs

Novel Airborne Germ-Killing Oral Spray Effective in Fighting Colds and Flu
The results showed that when a person used three sprays of Halo, it destroyed airborne germs breathed in for up to six hours, even when people were eating and drinking. Comment: how does one know when they are likely to be exposed to a virus? That the “cold” season, which lasts several months, you would have to use this product four times a day for months. Like much research this one leaves great gaps as we are not told what the long-term effect of using this product on a chronic basis would have on its users.
Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG - September 20, 2012 Category: Epidemiologists Authors: cbuttery Tags: Community Health epidemiology infectious diseases Prevention research Toxicology Source Type: blogs

In addition to nurses, doctors now air their alarm: Contra Costa County health doctors air complaints about county's new $45 million computer system
At my Aug. 2012 post "Contra Costa's $45 million computer health care system endangering lives, nurses say", I described how an experimental EHR being forced on clinicians in Contra Costa county, California, was endangering patients who had not consented to its use, and how nurses were reported to be raising hell about it. I also noted:... The[se] scenarios [of EHR-created mayhem] are also usually accompanied by amoral misdirection from these personnel away from patient risks... Herein is the problem: the attitude that a clinic full of non-consenting patients is an appropriate testbed for alpha and beta clinica...
Source: Health Care Renewal - September 20, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Tags: Dr. David MacDonald healthcare IT risk Federal Glover good IT/bad IT ccLink Dr. Chris Farnitano EPIC Dr. Rachel Steinhart Contra Costa County Dr. Ori Tzvieli Dr. Keith White Dr. William Walker Source Type: blogs

The Op-Ed: Restoring Faith In Pharma Studies
Harlan Krumholz is the Harold H. Hines Jr. Professor of Medicine and Professor of Investigative Medicine and of Public Health; director, Clinical Scholars Program; and director, Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. He is also a board member of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. A study in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine reveals that industry sponsorship of clinical trials negatively influences physicians’ perceptions of the study quality and their willingness to change practice based on the results. The findings should raise concerns throughout the pharmaceutic...
Source: Pharmalot - September 20, 2012 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: Ed Silverman Tags: Uncategorized Clinical Studies Harlan Krumholz industry-sponsored studies Pharmaceutical Advertising Pharmaceutical Marketing Physicians Source Type: blogs

The Op-Ed: A Suggestion to Restore Faith in Pharma Studies
(Our first invited guest blogger today is Harlan Krumholz, M.D., of Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Krumholz is the Harold H. Hines Jr. Professor of Medicine (cardiology) and Professor of Investigative Medicine and of Public Health (health policy); director, Clinical Scholars Program; and director, Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation.) A study in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine reveals that industry sponsorship of clinical trials negatively influences how physicians perceive the study quality and their willingness to change practice based on the results.The findings should raise ...
Source: Pharmalot - September 20, 2012 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: Ed Silverman Tags: Uncategorized Clinical Studies industry-sponsored studies Pharmaceutical Advertising Pharmaceutical Marketing Physicians Source Type: blogs

Political Corruption in the Gateway City: If St. Louis Health Department Won't Stand Up for Health, Then What Will It Stand Up For?
In my 25 years in tobacco control, I have seen many cities and towns grant exemptions from smoking bans to certain types of establishments. But never have I seen a health department unlawfully exempt a particular establishment, thus willfully violating the law.That all changed this week, when St. Louis city health department director Pam Walker decided to allow smoking at the downtown Missouri Athletic Club, in direct violation of the ordinance passed by the St. Louis City Council. That ordinance bans smoking in all bars and restaurants, including private clubs, unless there are no employees. Since the Missouri Athletic Cl...
Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary - September 20, 2012 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs

My new normal
This post first appeared as an op-ed piece in Latitude News, a news website covering the links and parallels between the US and the rest of the world. It’s Wednesday afternoon in Paoua. We had an average busy day in … Continue reading →
Source: MSF Blogs - September 20, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: blogs

Every Four Seconds Someone is Diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a Related Dementia
Family caregivers are the single most important source of life support for persons living with Alzheimer's and related dementia worldwide. This group needs greater recognition, education, and evidenced based care programs. ~ Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading Room Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in older adults. The big four of dementia are: Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, and Vascular dementia (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ). Worldwide someone is diagnosed with dementia every 4 seconds (Alzheimer's Disease International). Worldwide, nearly 35.6 mi...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - September 20, 2012 Category: Dementia Authors: Bob DeMarco Source Type: blogs

The September HIT Standards Committee Meeting
We began the meeting by noting this was the 40th meeting of the HIT Standards Committee and the bulk of the meeting was spent thoroughly reviewing the Stage 2 ONC and CMS rules so that all members can evangelize about the accomplishments of the past 3 years, ensuring every stakeholder understands the amount of work done to specify content, vocabulary and transport standards for healthcare. Given the hundreds of pages of detailed regulations outlining very specific standards developed by hundreds of people working thousands of hours, we were confused by yesterday's Wall Street Journal article which noted:"The industr...
Source: Life as a Healthcare CIO - September 19, 2012 Category: Technology Consultants Source Type: blogs