MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'control and prevention'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:00:48 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159832&cid=t_397517_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FMZZz09zPr9Q%2F Despite strong endorsements from public health officials, teenage vaccination rates for the HPV vaccine are trailing the other two vaccines recommended for teens and pre-teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two vaccines approved to combat the human papillomavirus are Gardasil, which is sold by Merck, and Cervarix, which is sold by GlaxoSmithKline. To be specific, coverage was 49 percent for one dose of HPV vaccine; 63 percent for MenACWY, which protects against meningococcal meningitis; and 69 percent for the TDP vaccine, which guards against tetanus, diptheria and pertussis. Meanwhile, coverage increases for Tdap and MenACWY vaccines grew 13.3 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively. For girls who received the recommended three doses of HPV vaccine, covera... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159832 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:25:02 +0100 5159832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103344&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fstrokes-are-quite-common-in-pregnant-women-how-can-they-be-prevented%2F2011.08.05 According to CDC, there has been a 54 percent increase in the number of pregnant women who’ve had strokes in 1995 to 1996 and in 2005 to 2006. While this may surprise some researchers, it certainly would not surprise clinicians who take care of pregnant women who have risk factors such as obesity, chronic hypertension or a lack of prenatal care. Ten percent of strokes occur in the first trimester, 40 percent during the second trimester and more than fifty percent occur during the post partum period and after the patient has been discharged home. Hypertension was the cause of one-third of stroke victims during pregnancy and fifty percent in the post partum period. Hypertension accounted for one-third of stroke cases during pregnancy and fifty percent in the post partum period. Many stroke... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103344 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:00:21 +0100 5103344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077688&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcan-pharmacogenomic-tests-help-to-improve-public-health%2F2011.07.29 Adverse drug events are a serious public health problem. Consider the following facts: an estimated 82% of American adults take at least one medication and 29% take five or more; 700,000 emergency department visits and 120,000 hospitalizations are due to adverse drug events annually; $3.5 billion is spent on extra medical costs of adverse drug events annually; at least 40% of costs associated with adverse drug events occurring outside hospitals can be prevented. How can genomics help? Pharmacogenomics is the study of genetic variation as a factor in drug response, affecting both safety and effectiveness. The intended applications of pharmacogenomics research include identifying responders and non-responders to medications, avoiding adverse events, optimizing drug dose and avoiding unnece... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077688 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:10 +0100 5077688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028215&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcdc-outlines-infection-prevention-in-outpatient-settings%2F2011.07.14 jQ(document).ready(function(){jQ('.bannerad').html("");jQ('#healthy_vision').parent().parent().parent().hide();});As healthcare professionals, we must recognize our responsibility to protect patients – care should not provide any avenue for the transmission of infections. By working together, we can ensure infection prevention practices are understood and followed by all, during every patient visit. Healthcare continues to transition to settings outside the hospital, and efforts to prevent infections must extend to all settings where patients receive care. Today, CDC is pleased to present the Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings: Minimum Expectations for Safe Care. a summary guide of infection prevention recommendations for outpatient settings. Although these recommendat... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028215 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:00:41 +0100 5028215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984446&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-cdc-bloggers-join-the-better-health-team%2F2011.06.30 It is with great pleasure that I welcome our CDC colleagues to the Better Health blog team. Going forward, Better Health will feature content from the CDC blogs on a weekly basis, and our collaborative efforts will be highlighted on the CDC blog pages as appropriate. Better Health and the CDC share a common mission: to reach as many Americans as possible with scientifically accurate, trustworthy, and helpful medical information. As social media platforms (such as blogs, Twitter, and Facebook) become a gathering place for people seeking health information – it is important for experts to be able to provide content through these channels. The CDC’s relationship with Better Health is an excellent example of a public-private partnership that can magnify reach and relevance. By beco... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984446 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:47 +0100 4984446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975859&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F-NditOzSIT8%2F Every year on June 27th the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) organizes National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), in partnership with other national and local groups. They do this to send the message to both those at risk and those already living with HIV that it is critical to know your HIV status. This year marks the 17th NHTD. The CDC estimates approximately 21 percent of the 1.3 million Americans living with HIV are unaware that they have it. Voluntary HIV counseling and testing is the important first step in taking control and responsibility over one’s health, their message for NHTD “Take the Test, Take Control” reflects this. As the HIV epidemic turns thirty it is more important than ever to to heed their message. For More Information: CMS National Coverage Dete... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975859 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:29:26 +0100 4975859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952849&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcdc-reports-that-salmonella-is-still-a-major-problem%2F2011.06.20 Salmonella food infections continue despite success reducing disease caused by other pathogens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Salmonella should be targeted because while infection rates have not declined significantly in more than a decade, they are one of the most common, the CDC reports in its latest Vital Signs. Contaminated food causes approximately 1,000 reported disease outbreaks and an estimated 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Salmonella causes 1 million foodborne infections annually, incurring an estimated $365 million in direct medical costs. Salmonella infections in 2010 increased 10% from 2006-2008. The same prevention measures that reduced Escherichia coli infections to less than 1 case per 100,000 ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952849 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100 4952849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902521&cid=t_397517_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fovercrowding-er-spurs-new-facility-development Even before accounting for the mass influx of Americans rushing to hospitals’ emergency departments from healthcare reform, EDs are in serious need of fine tuning as over crowding and escalating inpatient costs are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits increased 117 million from 2007 to 2008 and it shows no sign of slowing. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902521 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:21:14 +0100 4902521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893441&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FGKtYZzVjl7Q%2F With summer break right around the corner, more kids unsupervised at home, and prescription drug abuse on the rise, the National Family Partnership’s Lock Your Meds campaign offers tips for parents. Studies show that more teens start using drugs during the summer months – while unsupervised and with more free time. 70% of teens who abuse Rx drugs get them from family and friends. 68% of households do not properly secure their Rx medications. Studies show that unmonitored kids are four times more likely to engage in substance abuse. The distressed employment market makes it harder for teens to find summer jobs, leading to more boredom, restlessness and free time.  A new study surveyed 2,500 high schoolers and reported that one in four admitted to abusing Rx drugs. TIPS F... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893441 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:39:43 +0100 4893441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852852&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Ff0fuFDEifVc%2F By Robin Strongin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proved this week that government communications don’t have to be grey and dull….except from the standpoint that zombies tend to be grey and dull, but I’m getting ahead of myself. This week, the CDC posted on its Public Health Matters blog a piece entitled “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse”.  The post emphasized the need for citizens to create an emergency plan in the event of sudden attacks by the walking dead.  These tips included the planning of evacuation routes, making a list of emergency contacts and having supplies like water, non-perishable food items and medications ready to go at a moment’s notice.  As the CDC pointed out on its blog, “When zombies are hungry….you need to get out of t... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852852 Mon, 23 May 2011 13:55:21 +0100 4852852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4605822&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FS50dW8TusvQ%2F By Mary Grealy. An interesting comment was made today at the annual national health research forum sponsored by the non-profit organization Research! America, and it drove home the conflict lawmakers face in trying to balance deficit reduction against the need for quality healthcare and better preventive care. Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that the ideal American, from a budget standpoint, “is one who dies at age 65 on the drive home from his retirement party.”  His comment gets to the heart of the budget conundrum.  If our healthcare system takes steps to help people live longer in their retirement years, then they consume more Social Security and Medicare resources. Yet, as Frieden also said, we should all be able to agree to t... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4605822 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:33:07 +0100 4605822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592401&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnearly-12-million-cancer-survivors-in-the-u-s%2F2011.03.14 The number of cancer survivors in the United States increased to 11.7 million in 2007, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Women survive more often, and survive longer, according to the report. There were 3 million cancer survivors in 1971 and 9.8 million in 2001. Researchers attributed longer survival to a growing aging population, early detection, improved diagnostic methods, more effective treatment and improved clinical follow-up after treatment. The study, “Cancer Survivors in the United States, 2007,” is published today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. To determine the number of survivors, the authors analyze... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592401 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4592401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540567&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-study-links-hpv-to-head-and-neck-cancers-in-men%2F2011.03.02 A new study finds that half of men in America are infected with the HPV virus. Dr. Jon LaPook reports on the growing concern that the virus in men could be responsible for an increase in head and neck cancers. HPV Affects Half Of U.S. Men A study out [yesterday] in The Lancet by Moffitt Cancer Center researcher Anna Giuliano, Ph.D., and her colleagues finds that 50 percent of men ages 18 to 70 in Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S. have genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).  HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer in women. It also causes warts and cancer of the genitals and anus in both men and women. Over the past several years, researchers have realized that the virus can also cause cancer of the head and neck. Aimee R. Kreimer, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540567 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:00:34 +0100 4540567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501583&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftheres-still-time-for-a-flu-shot%2F2011.02.21 It’s not too late to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Influenza is about to enter its peak season in the United States. Now is the time to be vigilant in protecting against and preventing the spread of flu. Washing your hands, staying home from work or school, and covering your cough can be incredible steps. But the most effective way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated. If you haven’t had a flu shot, get one this week. Your child can be immunized if over six months of age, and remember that many children under age nine will need a second dose (booster shot). Find out how to determine if your child needs a second dose. 1o Things To Know About Influenza 1. Influenza peaks in February and March in the United States. Look at the CDC data that reflects ongoing in... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501583 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:38 +0100 4501583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489672&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fadult-vaccines-most-doctors-dont-stock-all-of-them%2F2011.02.17 Less than one in three primary care practices offer all 10 recommended adult vaccines, citing a variety of financial and logistical reasons. Researchers sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sampled 993 family physicians and 997 general internists. Of the respondents, 27 percent (31 percent of family practitioners and 20 percent of internists) stocked all 10. Results appear in the Feb. 17 issue of the journal Vaccine. The 10 vaccines were hepatitis A; hepatitis B; human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV); combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4); pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23); tetanus diphtheria (Td); combined tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap); varicella; and zoster. Of the responding practices, two percent plan... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489672 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:00:00 +0100 4489672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4478161&cid=t_397517_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FE4YxlSrSI60%2F The use of language is a subtle art. Ask any regulator. And the regulators at the FDA have determined that Novartis was a bit too subtle, perhaps, in trying to promote its Fluvirin vaccine for the flu. The agency recently issued a warning letter that chastised the drugmaker for distributing a sales aid and print advertisement that were deemed misleading. Specifically, the promotional materials incorrectly characterized a published recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and implied the Novartis vaccine can be used in all age ranges covered by the ACIP recommendations, according to the FDA letter, which was issued on February 4. For the current flu season, the ACIP recommended annual vaccination including infants who ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4478161 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:22:30 +0100 4478161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472951&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-still-incredible-edible-egg%2F2011.02.12 Enriched chicken feed may have resulted in eggs having less cholesterol and more Vitamin D than previously measured, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A large egg today has about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, down 14 percent from 215 milligrams in 2002, according to new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reports USA Today. Also, an egg today has 41 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, up 64 percent from 25 IUs measured in 2002. (That’s still only about 7 percent of the 600 IUs recommended per day.) The agency regularly does nutrient checks on popular foods, this time analyzing eggs taken from store shelves in 12 locations around the country. The American Egg Board said in a press release that hen feed is made up mostly of corn, soyb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472951 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4472951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470410&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-still-incredible-edible-egg%2F2011.02.12 Enriched chicken feed may have resulted in eggs having less cholesterol and more Vitamin D than previously measured, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A large egg today has about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, down 14 percent from 215 milligrams in 2002, according to new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reports USA Today. Also, an egg today has 41 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, up 64 percent from 25 IUs measured in 2002. (That’s still only about 7 percent of the 600 IUs recommended per day.) The agency regularly does nutrient checks on popular foods, this time analyzing eggs taken from store shelves in 12 locations around the country. The American Egg Board said in a press release that hen feed is made up mostly of corn, soyb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470410 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4470410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4438887&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmanaging-diabetes-in-real-time%2F2011.02.05 The cost of managing chronic diseases is the largest portion of healthcare expenditures in developed countries. For example, the prevalence of adult acquired diabetes has been rising in the United States, in concert with increasing rates obesity. The CDC has termed it an “epidemic,” especially in light of the massive costs incurred by the healthcare system due to diabetes. The deleterious health effects of many chronic conditions can be diminished by behavior modifications. While few would underestimate the difficulty of having patients lose weight or exercise more, good management of blood sugar in diabetes is both objectively measurable and strongly correlated with reduced end-organ damage. This is among the reasons why Research2Guidance has recently nominated diabetes as the conditi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4438887 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:00:52 +0100 4438887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377568&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhead-lice-fda-approves-new-treatment%2F2011.01.20 Good news for parents, teachers, pediatricians, and others engaged in the ongoing battle against lice: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new treatment for head lice in children age four and older. Called Natroba, it’s a liquid that is rubbed into the hair and allowed to sit for 10 minutes before being rinsed off. Natroba is a useful addition to the anti-lice arsenal, since some head lice have become resistant to permethrin and pyrethrins, the active ingredients in over-the-counter anti-lice products such as Nix and Rid. Head lice are tiny insects that go by the big name Pediculus humanus capitis. They thrive in the warm tangle of human hair, feeding off blood in the scalp and breeding with abandon. A female lays eggs called nits that she attaches to strands of hair.... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377568 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:30:14 +0100 4377568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322507&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpain-contracts-do-they-threaten-the-doctor-patient-relationship%2F2011.01.07 Doctors today are wary about treating chronic pain. One of the main worries is precipitating fatal opioid overdoses. Indeed, according to the CDC, and reported by American Medical News, “fatal opioid overdoses tripled to nearly 14,000 from 1999 to 2006 … [and] emergency department visits involving opioids more than doubled to nearly 306,000 between 2004 and 2008.” Requiring chronic pain patients to sign pain contracts is a way to mitigate this risk. But how does that affect the doctor-patient relationship? Indeed, a contract is an adversarial tool. Essentially, it states that a patient must comply with a strict set of rules in order to receive medications, including where and how often they obtain controlled substances, and may involve random drug testing. Break the contract and the ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322507 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:00:11 +0100 4322507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258922&cid=t_397517_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F14%2Fsleep-tight-7-travel-tips-for-bedbug-phobia%2F “I don’t have bedbugs, Kenneth. I went to Princeton.” ~ Jack Donaghy, Character on NBC’s show “30 Rock” You probably have heard on the news about the problem with bedbugs in hotels. Nasty little things. They come out at night and suck your blood while you sleep. I like vampire stories as much as the next guy, but when it comes to my blood I am very possessive. I don’t want to share it with a bug. I assume you feel the same. You can learn more than you’d ever want to know about these creatures at the government’s CDC website here, but suffice to say that it is worth an ounce of prevention to cope with them beforehand, particularly this holiday travel season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency hav... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258922 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:03:22 +0100 4258922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230162&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-new-superbug%2F2010.12.04 Scientists have discovered a new, highly-transmissible gene that could, quite easily in fact, open a frightening new front in the ongoing global war against superbugs. The antibiotic-resistant gene, NDM-1, was first identified in 2008 a Swedish patient that had received hospital care in New Delhi. NDM-1 produces an enzyme that allows bacteria to destroy most antibiotics. It exists on plasmids, which are pieces of genetic material that are easily shared between bacteria including E coli and other species that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and blood stream infections. NDM-1 probably evolved in parts of India where poor sanitation and overutilization of antibiotics provide a perfect environment for the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The gene has been identified i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230162 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:00:17 +0100 4230162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4125008&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fvaccines-top-10-reasons-to-get-your-shots%2F2010.11.01 Vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical intervention in history. They are incredibly safe and effective and are well-tolerated by most people. In the US, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) carefully reviews all reports of adverse reactions that could be associated with vaccines. Over decades of review, they have found that the rate of potential severe reactions is so low that they cannot even calculate a risk. There are many vaccines available for babies, children, and adults. Please check these vaccine schedules to make sure that you and your family are fully protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. (Or you can ask your doctor/nurse to review your vaccine needs with you in person.) Vaccines for ages 0-6 click here. Vaccines for ages 7-18 click here. Vac... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4125008 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:00:32 +0100 4125008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121850&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fcdc-toolkit.jpg The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published the newest “Health Communicator’s Social Media Toolkit.” From the CDC: A guide to using social media to improve reach of health messages, increase access to your content, further participation with audiences, and advance transparency to improve health communication efforts. The guide is truly fantastic, detailed, and comprehensive. *This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121850 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:00:11 +0100 4121850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118930&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fteen-pregnancy-decline-is-likely-as-low-as-it-will-go%2F2010.10.29 Teen pregnancy rates have declined, but likely bottomed out, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Teen births dropped by a third between 1990 to 2005, but rose again in 2006 and 2007. The latest figures for 2008 show a decline of 2.4 percent, to 41.5 pregnancies per 1,000 teenagers. Experts told My Health News Daily/MSNBC the dropping rates have bottomed out, and that new strategies are needed to deglamorize teen pregnancy. Teen birth rates were consistently highest in states across the South and Southwest, and lowest in the Northeast and upper Midwest. In 2008, state-specific teenage birth rates varied widely, from less than 25.0 per 1,000 15-19 year olds (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont), to more than 60.0 per 1,000 (Arkans... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118930 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4118930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097942&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprescriptions-on-the-rise-so-look-out-for-the-side-effects%2F2010.10.22 Eighty eight percent of Americans 60 years or older take at least one prescription drug and more than two-thirds of this age group take five or more, according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics. Spending for prescription drugs totaled $234.1 billion in 2008 — more than double what was spent in 1999. The National Center for Health Statistics excerpted elements of its National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys to prepare the report: Other key findings include: – Over the last 10 years, the percentage of Americans who took at least one prescription drug in the past month increased from 44 percent to 48 percent. The use of two or more drugs increased from 25 percent to 31 percent. The use of five or more drugs increased from 6 percent to 11 percent.... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097942 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0100 4097942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031306&cid=t_397517_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F04%2Fmental-health-awareness-week%2F So this is the 20th anniversary since Congress first established Mental Health Awareness Week as the first week in October. The effort to increase awareness about mental health is based in the history of numerous government reports and well-meaning workgroups and such that have found that stigma still exists surrounding the diagnosis of mental disorders. Surprise, surprise. Of course it still exists. People who’ve never encountered someone living with a mental illness still believe it’s the kind of thing that “happens to other people.” But it happens to a lot more “other people” than anyone realizes. In our lifetime, 1 in 5 Americans will have a diagnosable mental disorder. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just announced last week that ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031306 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:30:31 +0100 4031306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976499&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fchronic-fatigue-syndrome-plenty-of-speculation%2F2010.09.16 Humans love to find patterns in the world. Sometimes patterns exist, sometimes they are imaginary. Sometimes you can see a pattern that may be interesting and ignore its significance. As a resident I used to say that anyone who smokes three packs of cigarettes a day has to be schizophrenic. It was meant more as a joke when, in fact, it was later discovered that tobacco helps ameliorate the symptoms of schizophrenia. I need to pay more attention. Part of my job is to look for patterns as a key to the patients diagnosis. Diseases and pathogens tend to (more or less) cause reproducible signs and symptoms and looking for that pattern is often the most helpful clue towards finding the diagnosis. Of course things are never as easy as one would like, as you have to consider whether you are seeing... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976499 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3976499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942791&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpatient-safety-video-hand-hygiene-saves-lives%2F2010.09.07 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced a patient safety video about the importance of handwashing for hospital patients and their healthcare providers. The instructional piece entitled “Hand Hygiene Saves Lives” is available for hospitals to offer their newly-admitted patients. I think everyone should watch and learn: Source: CDC-TV (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942791 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:00:57 +0100 3942791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3915004&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbe-aware-of-heat-dangers-in-young-athletes%2F2010.08.29 With back-to-school time around the corner, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about the risk for heat-related illness in young athletes, especially football players, the Los Angeles Times reports. Coaches and parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, dehydration and other problems, and fluid replacement formulas should be used during practices and workouts, among other precautions, the LA Times said. *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3915004 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:00:00 +0100 3915004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907602&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-health-hive-is-it-ready-for-primetime%2F2010.08.26 Maybe not according to this report from the CDC. They studied Internet use with respect to adherence behavior and a number of health-related outcomes. It suggests that folks who diss the doc in favor of the Internet may not do as well as we think. This quote caught me: The data also revealed that personal determinants such as neuroticism (reflects anxiety and emotionality) and health-related poorer quality of life differentiated internet-instigated non-adherent respondents from their counterparts. More plainly put: If you trust your life to an anonymous guy on Twitter with the handle @YourHealthGuru, you might not do as well as if you partnered with a trained professional. Or perhaps I’m reading too much into the study. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907602 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:00:05 +0100 3907602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858157&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbaby-boomers-are-bypassing-primary-care%2F2010.08.11 Office-based practices are focusing increasingly on patients 45 and older, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2008, those 45 and older accounted for 57 percent of all office visits, compared to 49 percent in 1998. Prescriptions, scans and time spent with the doctor also became increasingly concentrated on those middle aged and older, according to data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Also, physician visits increasingly concentrated on medical and surgical specialists and less on care provided by primary care practitioners for those ages 45 and older. Furthermore, for patients ages 65 and older, the percentage of visits to primary care specialists decreased from 62 percent to 45 percent from 1978 to 2008, while the percentage of visits ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858157 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3858157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827144&cid=t_397517_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Ffight-malaria-free-sms-service-from.html Image via WikipediaMalaria has made a vicious comeback! It is a disease that can be treated in just 48 hours, yet it can cause fatal complications if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Learn about malaria, its prevention and control. Subscribe to the FREE service HELP-MALARIA.http://mytoday.com/store/products/HELP-MALARIA (Source: The Patient's Doctor) The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827144 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:44:00 +0100 3827144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3729876&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-study-shingles-vaccine-is-safe-and-effective%2F2010.07.06 Shingles (herpes zoster) is no fun. It usually begins with a couple of days of pain, then a painful rash breaks out and lasts a couple of weeks. The rash consists of blisters that eventually break open, crust over, and consolidate into an ugly plaque. It is localized to one side of the body and to a stripe of skin corresponding to the dermatomal distribution of a sensory nerve. Very rarely a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death. More commonly, patients develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the area where the rash was. The overall incidence of PHN is 20%; after the age of 60 this rises to 40%, and after age 70 it rises to 50%. It can be excruciatingly painful, resistant to treatment, and can last for years or eve... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3729876 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:00:19 +0100 3729876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714187&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpreventive-health-tip-get-vaccinated-for-whooping-cough%2F2010.06.30 California recently declared an epidemic of whooping cough (pertussis) which resulted in the death of five infants under the age of 3 months. The pertussis vaccine, which is already given routinely to infants, is first given at 2 months of age, then 4 months and 6 months of age, with an additional booster at 15 to 18 months of age, and then again at 4 to 6 years old. The vaccines for Bortella pertussis bacteria, which causes whooping cough, does not confer lifelong immunity. In other words, fully-vaccinated children who then become teenagers and then adults lose immunity, can acquire the infection and then spread it. Should babies acquire pertussis, as the public has discovered, it can be deadly. The persistent cough tires the baby, causes difficulty breathing, and can make them turn blue ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714187 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3714187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671695&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwho-and-h1n1-conflict-of-interest%2F2010.06.17 On June 11, 2009, Dr. Margaret Chan, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), declared that the H1N1 flu that was then spreading around the world was an official pandemic. This triggered a series of built-in responses in many countries, including stockpiling anti-viral medications and preparing for a mass H1N1 vaccination program. At the time the flu was still in its “first wave” and the fear was that subsequent waves, as the virus swept around the world, would become more virulent and/or contagious –- similar to what happened in the 1918 pandemic. This did not happen. At least our worst fears were not realized. The H1N1 pandemic, while serious, simmered through the winter of 2009-2010, producing a less than average flu season, although with some worrisome differe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671695 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:00:41 +0100 3671695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648495&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-return-of-mumps%2F2010.06.10 I write this post with a great deal of trepidation. The last time I perused the Medical Voices website I found nine questions that needed answering. So I answered them. One of the consequences of that blog entry was the promise that Medical Voices was poised to “tear my arguments to shreds.” Tear to shreds! Such a painful metaphor. They specified that the shred tearing would be accomplished during a live debate, rather than a written response. While Dr. Gorski gave excellent reasons why such a debate is counterproductive, I am disinclined for more practical reasons. I am a slow thinker and a lousy debater and have never, ever, won a debate at home. If I cannot win pitted against my wife, what chance would I have against the combined might of the doctors and scientists at Medical Voices... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648495 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:00:03 +0100 3648495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3633445&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprescription-drugs-and-high-school-students%2F2010.06.06 A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in five U.S. high school students have taken a prescription drug that they didn’t get from their doctor. According to the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) that was released today from the CDC, the survey asked more than 16,000 high school students if they’ve ever taken a prescription drug such as Oxycontin, Percoset, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin and Xanax. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Health in 30* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3633445 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:00:16 +0100 3633445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621636&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Famerican-cigarettes-more-toxic-than-foreign-cigarettes%2F Photo from Flickr user dopesmuglar European stereotypes practically revolve around slowly-smoked cigarettes and smoky cafes, but it turns out their smoking habits might actually be healthier than ours: Americans are getting a higher dose of the most deadly carcinogens in cigarettes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. American cigarettes are made from the “American blend” tobacco, which has higher levels of carcinogenic nitrosamines because of growing and curing methods. While it might be tempting to get your pen pal across the Atlantic to send you care packages full of less-toxic British cigarettes, we suggest you use this as yet another reason to kick the habit for good. via LA Times Post from: BlissTree American Cigarettes More Toxic Than Foreign Smok... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621636 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:13:15 +0100 3621636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403978&cid=t_397517_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcms-cdc-call-icd-9-and-icd-10-code-freeze The epic healthcare bill passed by the House on Sunday might not make the ICD-10 conversion any easier, but a more simple suggestion by CMS could help. CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proposed that both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS code sets be frozen two years before the compliance deadline. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403978 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:09:55 +0100 3403978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185327&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FRvNuXS_xZxo%2F My mother’s generation lived in fear of diseases we have the privilege to forget.  She graduated from nursing school 60 years ago, in an era when people died each day from diseases that today are physicians have never seen. Like many from her generation, she is haunted by a sound she will never forget, the sound of an iron lung pushing life into patients crippled from polio who could not breathe on their own. It was a time when polio could not be prevented and the fear of paralysis and death haunted the country. On April 12, 1955, church bells rang out, kids were let out of school, people danced in the streets. It was great news: Salk’s polio vaccine worked! Fifty years later, as my mother strolled through the National Museum of American History’s polio exhibit, she shared with me ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185327 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:00:41 +0100 3185327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108398&cid=t_397517_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2Fautism-rates-redux-autism-rates-better-than-in-october%2F Talk about déjà vu. It was just over two months ago we and other news agencies reported on a study published in the journal Pediatrics that found that autism was now in about 1 in 91 children. So I was scratching my head when I started seeing news reports late this past week stating that autism was in 1 out of every 110 children. After a little digging, I see it was spurred by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issuing a press release on the findings of an analysis of actual 8-year-old child health records, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The Pediatrics study was a structured phone survey of parents (not an analysis of actual child health records). While it’s great that we now have two datasets that are in basic agreement that ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108398 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:56:46 +0100 3108398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981184&cid=t_397517_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fharvard-health-forum-tackle-consumer-hit Next Monday I’ll be participating in the Public Health & Technology (PHAT) Forum at the Harvard School of Public Health, an event by and large organized by Harvard’s Public Health grad students.  I feel honored to be moderating the afternoon panel that will address “Patient Empowerment Through HIT.”  Last I heard, there were still a few openings left so if you are in the area, I encourage you to attend this event. Organizers have put together a top notch panel that includes: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981184 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:35:51 +0100 2981184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2621741&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.slidesharecdn.com%2Fswf%2Fssplayer2.swf%3Fdoc%3Dtheadvanceofmhealthslideshare-090416113113-phpapp01%26amp%3Bstripped_title%3Dthe-advance-of-mhealth-1300600 This article will aim to look at a specific area of the ‘citizen empowerment’ – the application of SMS (Short Messaging Service – or texting) and mobile phones in public health. With the onset of social tools such as social networking sites (Facebook, Myspace, etc.) and real time information hubs such as Twitter, we are exposed to numerous ways to stay connected to each other. Our mobile devices are equipped with applications that allow us to do a myriad of things – many of which focus on entertainment and productivity. Another very important part of our lives is maintaining good health and the mobile phone is making strides in that area. mHealth is the term that has been coined to describe the interaction of mobile technology with the improvement of health. mHealth is exploding ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2621741 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:02:37 +0100 2621741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2588439&cid=t_397517_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FoNfbl0thb-E%2Fcdc-creates-tool-to-track-chronic.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2588439 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:26:00 +0100 2588439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517413&cid=t_397517_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEPharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FtPRGaZNkucs%2Fturning-online-for-health-information.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517413 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:03:00 +0100 2517413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1833696&cid=t_397517_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F403898522%2F Playing the Blame Game -- Video games stand accused of causing obesity, violence, and lousy grades. But new research paints a surprisingly complicated and positive picture, reports Greater Good Magazine's Jeremy Adam Smith. Cheryl Olson had seen her teenage son play video games. But like many parents, she didn't know much about them. Then in 2004 the U.S. Department of Justice asked Olson and her husband, Lawrence Kutner, to run a federally funded study of how video games affect adolescents. Olson and Kutner are the co-founders and directors of the Harvard Medical School's Center for Mental Health and Media. Olson, a public health researcher, had studied the effects of media on behavior but had never examined video games, either in her research or in her personal life. And so the first thi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833696 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:05:04 +0100 1833696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1225336&cid=t_397517_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstoryofhealing.com%2F2008%2F02%2F12%2Fmedia-in-medicine-what-of-the-insurance-companies-other-issues%2F The Lost Angeles Times recently reported more of these online consults. Doctor visits in the United States have surged 20% in the last five years to more than 1.2 billion visits annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even as the population ages, the number of doctors is falling across the country, and experts predict that office wait times will increase in the coming years. — “People can wait a long time to get in to see their primary-care doctor and longer for a specialist. . . . To have immediate access is huge,” said Dr. Melissa Welch, Aetna’s Northern California medical director. Insurance companies apparently opened up and expanded coverage to these web-based services, according to the same article. …Aetna Inc., the natio... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1225336 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:14:57 +0100 1225336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=650907&cid=t_397517_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F01%2Fpennsylvania-announces-diabetes-action-plan-partially-funded-by%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult OnsetGoverner Ed Rendell is worried. An estimated eight percent of Pennsylvanians have diabetes. Nearly 800,000 people. We all know money talks, and what has caught the attention of state politicians is the tremendous cost to manage chronic diseases. Governor Rendell recently shared that about 78 percent of the state's health care costs are linked to 20 percent of chronic diseased patients. The Governor has announced The Pennsylvania Diabetes Action Plan to improve how Pennsylvanians with chronic disease benefit from future health care. In an effort to prepare Pennsylvania to educate the public about diabetes and diabetes prevention, and improve management of the disease to reduce complications, the Plan focuses on four key areas: surveillance... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=650907 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 650907