MedWorm: Consumer Health News

Student-led anti-smoking programme discourages teenage smoking

MedWire News - Consumer Health — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:34:06 +0100

A school-based programme that educates influential students about the dangers of smoking can help reduce smoking rates among teenagers, UK study findings show. (Source: MedWire News - Consumer Health)

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How the nhs is letting my father die - by a top hospital consultant

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:08:59 +0100

Eye specialist Sarah Anderson works at York Hospital. Her father Ian has been refused Sutent, a new cancer drug, which could provide the only real chance of prolonging his life. Here she launches a devastating attack on the postcode lottery that decides who gets vital drugs (Source: the Mail online | Health)

The 18-year-old girl who has had three hearts

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:08:59 +0100

At only 18, Leanne Nicholson is a medical miracle - she's recovering from her second heart transplant in six years. Here she talks movingly about twice being within days of death - and the enduring gratitude she feels towards her donors' families (Source: the Mail online | Health)

The carer who was sacked for breaching health and safety rules after making out-of-hours visit to dying resident

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:08:59 +0100

As the manager of a sheltered housing scheme, Linda Coote took pride in caring for her elderly residents. So she didnt think twice when asked to help a terminally-ill tenant after working hours. But doing so saw Mrs Coote, 55, breach a ban on dealing with problems after 4.30pm. And it eventually earned her the sack for gross misconduct (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Now labour plans to ban children from school unless they have an mmr jab

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:08:59 +0100

Children could be banned from school if they have not had the MMR jab. Under Labour plans, primary schools will have to demand proof from parents that their children have had the triple vaccine before they are allowed to register (Source: the Mail online | Health)

New york times examines health care access of undocumented immigrants

kaisernetwork.org: Health Policy Daily Report — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:55:52 +0100

The New York Times on Saturday examined access to health care for undocumented immigrant farm workers in the U.S., who often do not have health coverage. According to the Times, some farm workers will go to a hospital or a clinic if they are severely ill, but most of them, "particularly indigenous Mexican groups," receive most of their care from a "parallel system of spiritual healers, home remedies and self-medication." The Times reports that immigrants in interviews said cost was the most dominant factor in not receiving care but that "other factors included fear of deportation, long waits for treatment in medically underserved areas, and barriers of culture and language."Although there is no "firm projection" of the cost of treating the estimated 11.1 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., a RAND study in 2000 estimated the cost at $6.4 billion, of which $1.1 billion was from public funds. RAND found that about half of male undocumented immigrants had not seen a doctor in the previous year and that one in six had never seen a physician. Female undocumented immigrants might "receive occasional checkups" because they are generally eligible for prenatal and obstetrical care through state Medicaid programs, according to the Times. The Times reports that other studies have found that undocumented immigrants are about half as likely as other U.S. residents to seek care in emergency departments, where hospitals are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.Studies have found that many undocumented immigrants are healthy when they enter the U.S. However, they "develop the trademark afflictions of their new home: diabetes, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol," according to the Times. In addition, long hours of field work can leave them with various afflictions. Public health officials say lack of access to care among undocumented immigrants can lead to the spread of communicable diseases. In addition, they say that the group has a "rampant use of antibiotics, often without any medical direction," which can contribute to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Undocumented immigrants' status also leaves them with "little protection against dangerous or fraudulent practices" by traditional healers, the Times reports (Sack, New York Times, 5/10). An accompanying video clip about migrant workers' access to health care is also available online. The video, "Seeking Cures With No Prescription," is by documentary producer Tom Jennings, who created the piece while he was a Kaiser Family Foundation Media Fellow. (Source: kaisernetwork.org: Health Policy Daily Report)

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Open-air demo supports uk embryo research

news@nature.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:48:47 +0100

Rally aims to secure political backing for new embryology law. (Source: news@nature.com)

The hot new nanotech: testing chillies

news@nature.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:48:47 +0100

Nanotubes could give cooks a cheap device to rate their chillies. (Source: news@nature.com)

Families will make case for vaccine link to autism