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 'initiative'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:55:28 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118630&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F5fR8BaAY06I%2F The following was orginally posted last Thursday, August 4th on NIH’s Feedback Blog by Dr. Kathy Hudson. This week a true pioneer in women’s health, Dr. Vivian Pinn, announced that she’s retiring from NIH. Vivian was the first Director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and tirelessly led that office for almost two decades. But she was more than the leader of ORWH, Vivian has brought wide spread attention to the absence of women participants in biomedical research and the exclusion of women’s health in clinical decision-making. She made it her mission to highlight the importance of sex-specific differences in disease development, progression, and response to clinical interventions. She has tirelessly monitored the landscape of health research for women and ha... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118630 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:30:54 +0100 5118630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077687&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsurgeons-have-a-bad-reputation%2F2011.07.29 This article is meant to raise the awareness of the costs—both in dollars and in human misery—of incivility in the practice of medicine by looking in particular at the case of surgeons. Uncivil behavior brings misery wherever it occurs.  If the individual tends to behave in an uncivil fashion prior to medical school and prior to residency, (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077687 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:00 +0100 5077687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008661&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYKkX3nU_2rg%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is our regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that MTI, which provides marketing systems to drugmakers and biotechs, hired Michael Kelly as senior vp of business development. Previously, he was vp for solutions business development and marketing at Cadient Group, where he was responsible for sa... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008661 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:26:18 +0100 5008661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883559&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQKoKs62b_gE%2F By Daniel IkensonThe Cato Institute today published its 13th policy paper on the topic of antidumping. “Economic Self-Flagellation: How U.S. Antidumping Policy Subverts the National Export Initiative” describes with compelling anecdotes and data how the outdated assumptions of a 90-year-old law—one purported to “level the playing field” and protect U.S. companies from “unfair” foreign competition—conspire with its overzealous application to erode the competitiveness of U.S. firms. During the decade from January 2000 through December 2009, the U.S. government imposed 164 antidumping measures on a variety of products from dozens of countries. A total of 130 of those 164 measures restricted (and in most cases, still restrict) imports of intermediate goo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883559 Tue, 31 May 2011 15:29:28 +0100 4883559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872884&cid=t_115347_4_f&fid=38622&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffdatransparencyblog.fda.gov%2F2011%2F05%2F26%2Fnew-sources-of-fda-enforcement-information-posted%2F Today, the FDA is implementing the first in a series of proposals to increase public understanding of the public health impact of FDA’s enforcement efforts, help inform companies’ efforts to comply with FDA requirements, increase company accountability to consumers and business partners, and help consumers make more informed decisions about the products they buy. This action stems directly from the FDA Transparency Initiative, which Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. launched in 2009. The initiative is designed to examine all agency activities and consider ways to make them more transparent. After holding public meetings and inviting written comments, FDA issued its first report, proposing 21 actions to increase disclosures about agency activities.  Today, the agency is taking sev... FDA Transparency Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872884 Thu, 26 May 2011 16:32:37 +0100 4872884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714853&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FQKVVoNViRIg%2F The newest edition of the blog carnival Health Wonk Review is up, courtesy of David Williams and his Health Business Blog. My podcast with Peter Waegemann of the mHealth Initiative made this biweekly review of healthcare commentary from across the blogosphere. This Health Wonk Review seems to have more on health IT and healthcare quality than most editions, and that makes me happy. One post also rightly takes aim at some of the shortfalls in healthcare journalism. Related posts:Health Wonk Review … Health Wonk Review, Veterans Day edition Vote Health Wonk Review ’08 (Source: Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog) Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714853 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:12:29 +0100 4714853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704655&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhormone-replacement-therapy-what-weve-learned-from-the-womens-health-initiative%2F2011.04.12 This is the study that doesn’t end… The longterm follow up extends… Some people started studying hormones in menopause, And they’ll continue publishing more data just because… (repeat) In yet another paper in a major journal, we hear once more from the investigators of the Women’s Health Initiative. This time it’s the long term outcomes of women who took estrogen alone, now seven years out from stopping their hormones. What new information can we learn from this extensive analysis of new data? Nothing. Really. The WHI’s been telling us the same thing about ERT (Estrogen replacement therapy) and HRT (Combination estrogen/progestin therapy)  since 2002, and all each subsequent study does is reinforce and expand on that initial data. Unfortunately, it will probably take a fe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704655 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:00:20 +0100 4704655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693354&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Fnversel%2FPeter_Waegemann.mp3 In 2009, after 25 years of moving “Toward an Electronic Patient Record” (TEPR), the Medical Records Institute disbanded and its founder, Peter Waegemann, shifted his focus to mobile healthcare by creating the mHealth Initiative. TEPR had grown into a rather substantial event, peaking at 3,800 attendees in 2004, when newly appointed national health IT coordinator Dr. David Brailer was the featured speaker. But attendance and vendor square footage rapidly declined after that, as much of the action in the realm of EMRs either moved to medical specialty societies or the huge HIMSS conference. Taking a more content-driven than vendor-driven approach, the mHealth Initiative has tried its hand at conferences since last year. (I spoke and served on a panel at the organization’s 2nd m... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693354 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:17:23 +0100 4693354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658419&cid=t_115347_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F25372486%2F0%2Fneuromarketing%7EPoke-the-Box-by-Seth-Godin.htm Review – Poke the Box by Seth Godin Poke the Box by Seth Godin is a very short book focused on one key idea: “Get off your butt and start something!” More specifically, Godin tells his readers to not wait for permission from others, to not worry about failure, and in general to buck both [...] CommentsCommentsRelated StoriesStirring the Neuromarketing PotWhat Don Corleone Could Learn from Guy KawasakiARF on Neuromarketing: Not So Fast (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658419 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:12:43 +0100 4658419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610797&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fiwx_-UAQHks%2F By Ted Galen CarpenterPresident Obama’s trip to Latin America is likely to focus on economic topics, but two security issues deserve scrutiny during his stops in Brazil and El Salvador.  Washington’s diplomatic relationship with Brazil has become somewhat frosty, especially over the past year.  U.S. leaders did not appreciate Brazil’s joint effort with Turkey to craft a compromise policy toward Iran’s nuclear program.  The Obama administration regarded that diplomatic initiative as unhelpful freelancing.  And when Brazil joined Turkey in voting against a UN Security Council resolution imposing stronger sanctions on Tehran, the administration’s resentment deepened.  Obama should not only try to soothe tensions, he should shift Washington’s policy, express appreciation for B... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610797 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:16:49 +0100 4610797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592686&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FxcGz3SD9Cx4%2F Was there a surreptitious link between articles about hormone replacement therapy and industry funding after one arm of the federally funded Women’s Health Initiative ended in 2002? For those who do not recall, the estrogen plus progestin trial was stopped after investigators found patients given the treatment had a greater risk of heart disease and breast cancer. A new study believes there was a link. Since earlier studies found that many gynecologists continued to prescribe hormone replacement therapies after the WHI results were published and nearly half did not find the outcome convincing, the researchers looked at whether any promotional tone could be identified in what they called narrative review articles - or opinion pieces - about HRT. Among the widely used HRTs was Wyeth&#8... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592686 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:05:49 +0100 4592686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570607&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2Fci3mKyd-Tpc%2F Leave it to those in the ivory tower of Modern Healthcare to screw up something as simple as an unscientific poll about who should be the next national coordinator for health IT.  The poll lists a whopping two dozen names, ranging from the obvious—Dr. John Halamka, Dr. Paul Tang, current deputy national coordinator Dr. Farzad Mostashari—to the dark horse—Dr. Robert Hitchcock of T-System, Paula Gregory of the “Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicince” (sic)—and even a few laughable listings. For one thing, Dr. David Brailer is on the list. The first national coordinator (2004-06) left Washington because he wanted to be with his family in San Francisco. He’s currently running a $700 million equity investment firm and couldn’t possibly want to get back in... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570607 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:35:02 +0100 4570607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460036&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D172 In doing a quick review of the FDA’s website, I found that in the last 12 months alone there were over 70 external defibrillator recalls, which is significant considering in 2005, there were only nine defibrillator recalls.  In a market where external defibrillators are worth over $600 million per year, going from nine recalls to 70 in five years is a major cause for concern.    Over the years, I have been amazed at how far the technology has come; I can recall working with AC defibrillators that weighed more than 50 lbs.  For all their great size and weight, the extent of the technology was to generate one simple pulse.  Now, they have evolved to extremely small, portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and some are designed to use with very limited training.  But accor... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460036 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:31:21 +0100 4460036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445873&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FXmtNS4erWbI%2Fis-national-ehealth-collaborative-still.html I've been wondering the last few days if the National eHealth Collaborative still serves a useful purpose. This group, you may remember, is the private-sector outgrowth of the American Health Information Community, the public-private board set up by the Bush administration to advise the Department of Health and Human Services on various health IT issues. The plan all along was to spin AHIC off into the private sector, and that happened in 2008. With the advent of the Obama administration, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 set up the Health IT Policy Committee and the Health IT Standards Committee as official advisory panels, consisting of leaders from both government and the private sector. And in the private sector, numerous groups, notably the eHealth Initiative, had bee... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445873 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:18:53 +0100 4445873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372245&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzyuRjTzSabs%2F Late last month, the World Health Organization proposed members for what it calls a consultative expert working group for R&D financing, which would evaluate and recommend funding for partnership projects for such problems as neglected diseases. The protocol involves nominating individuals from different countries and regions in order to create a balance reflecting varying needs and views. But one suggested member is reportedly generating some controversy - Paul Herrling, who heads the Institutes for Developing World Medical Research at Novartis. Among the 21 people suggested for the working group, he is the only one listed as currently working as an executive for a drugmaker (see the list here). And for that reason, his nomination stirred some opposition over concerns of any potentia... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372245 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:15:44 +0100 4372245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309852&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6G2WLJ5CltI%2F In a move hailed by consumer advocates, India has rejected a patent for an HIV med sold by Abbott Laboratories, because it was not deemed to be a novel invention (the Indian Patent Act does not permit patenting of incremental innovations). The decision is expected to give a significant boost to domestic generic drugmakers that are willing to make and sell lower-cost versions of the Kaletra protease inhibitor, which combines lopinavir and ritonavir, in India and developing countries. “The impact of the case is tremendous,” writes Tahir Amin, co-founder and director of the Intellectual Property Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge in a note to us. His group fought to reject the Indian patent and he complained that Abbott has been “gaming the patent system&#8221... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309852 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:04:39 +0100 4309852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197357&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fzs1JuMdwgfQ%2F Once again, controversy is erupting over British Columbia’s PharmaCare program. The latest flare up centers on a previously undisclosed plan by the health ministry to give the pharmaceutical industry greater input into the process used to review drugs for the PharmaCare formularly placement. A Sept. 30 memo from British Columbia’s deputy health minister John Dyble to unnamed “stakeholders” describes four separate “engagement points” in the “enhanced review process” that would determine which drugs would be covered by PharmaCare. The purpose is to create “increased sponsor engagement,” according to the Sept. 30 memo (see here). The proposed “engagement points” for industry, which are being reviewed today at a closed-do... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197357 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:48:39 +0100 4197357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159221&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkAivM-Ud-r0%2F By Caleb O. Brown As governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson succeeded in eliminating New Mexico’s budget deficit, cutting the rate of growth in state government in half, and privatizing half of the state prisons. During Johnson’s term, New Mexico experienced the longest period without a tax increase in the state’s history. He vetoed 750 bills in eight years, more than all other governors combined. The Economist dubbed him “America’s boldest governor” — and that was before he took on drug prohibition. He discussed drug policy and other issues at the Cato Institute November 1, 2010 at a Cato on Campus forum. Subscribe to Cato’s YouTube Channel. Gary Johnson and Drug Policy is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liber... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159221 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:37:19 +0100 4159221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294759&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FG8mj3Z2k1Uc%2Fpodcast-has-been-fixed.html There was a problem with the podcast I posted a few days ago from September's mHealth Initiative conference. The file has been fixed and everything should be working fine at this link.Thanks for your patience. (Source: Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog) Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294759 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:43:36 +0100 4294759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294762&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Fnversel%2FmHealth_Initiative_panel.MP3 Nearly two months ago, I was honored to be a participant in the closing panel session at the mHealth Initiative’s 2nd mHealth Networking Conference in San Diego. I happened to record the audio of that session directly off the sound board. I present that recording here.Other participants on the panel, which addressed hype vs. reality in mobile healthcare, were: C. Peter Waegemann, mHealth Initiative founder; John Mattison, M.D., CMIO of Kaiser Permanente; and Paulanne Balch, M.D., physician lead for KP Health Connect messaging.You should know my gravelly, hesitating voice by now. The man with the German accent is Waegemann and the other male voice is Mattison's. Obviously, the female voice belongs to Balch, though mHealth Initiative President Claudia Tessier makes a couple of appearances.... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294762 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:41:58 +0100 4294762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121854&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhos-first-social-media-effort-making-hospitals-disaster-safe%2F2010.10.30 I got an email from Mari (M4ID_Mari on Twitter) on behalf of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergencies and Humanitarian Action team in South East Asia, based in New Delhi about WHO’s first social media-driven effort, aiming to engage 1 million people in the issue of making hospitals safe in disasters. From WHO:  “Floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones – the WHO South-East Asia Region is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. In 1996-2005, such events led to the deaths of more than half a million people in this region. This makes up 58% of the total number of people killed worldwide due to natural disasters. Hospitals are lifelines in the aftermath of a disaster, when large numbers of people are critically injured or vulnerable. It is particularly vital tha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121854 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:00:06 +0100 4121854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119159&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fpodcast-panel-discussion-on-mobile.html Nearly two months ago, I was honored to be a participant in the closing panel session at the mHealth Initiative’s 2nd mHealth Networking Conference in San Diego. I happened to record the audio of that session directly off the sound board. I present that recording here.Other participants on the panel, which addressed hype vs. reality in mobile healthcare, were: C. Peter Waegemann, mHealth Initiative founder; John Mattison, M.D., CMIO of Kaiser Permanente; and Paulanne Balch, M.D., physician lead for KP Health Connect messaging.You should know my gravelly, hesitating voice by now. The man with the German accent is Waegemann and the other male voice is Mattison. Obviously, the female voice belongs to Balch, though mHealth Initiative President Claudia Tessier makes a couple of appearances.Po... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119159 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:57:00 +0100 4119159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086517&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHYlCehgX_oc%2F Once again, the Women’s Health Initiative appears likely to provide fodder for many lawyers who drag Pfizer into court. Why? A new study links the Prempro hormone replacement treatment, which is already linked to a higher risk of breast cancer and heart disease, is now linked to a higher risk of death. And the publicity for this finding, which will be considerable, may finally put the cabash on Prempro sales. The latest data, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, followed 12,788 women since 2002, when the federally funded WHI study that compared HRT with placebos was halted. In the new findings, there were 678 cases of invasive breast cancer, including 385 for women taking hormones and 293 with a placebo. More women who took hormones died from breast... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086517 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:15:29 +0100 4086517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082074&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FdLUGN4XrWDA%2F By Christopher PrebleThere has been an on-going discussion recently about the Tea Party’s foreign policy views and how this might influence the upcoming election and new members of Congress.  In an essay at the Daily Caller last week, the Heritage Foundation’s Jim Carafano addressed this question and the claim that the new “Defending Defense” initiative— led by Heritiage, AEI, and the Foreign Policy Initiative—is aimed at co-opting the Tea Party movement (for more on the substance, or lack thereof, of “Defending Defense,” see Justin Logan’s response here). Over at The Skeptics blog, I take issue with Carafano’s assessment of the Tea Party’s foreign policy views: With respect to Carafano’s assessment of the Tea Partiers’s views on foreign policy and milita... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082074 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:40:32 +0100 4082074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294766&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.libsyn.com%2Fmedia%2Fnversel%2FNV_presentation_mhealth_090810.pdf SAN DIEGO—I was a featured speaker this morning at the mHealth Initiative's 2nd International mHealth Networking Conference, with a presentation entitled, "Evolution of the Revolution." Here are the slides from my presentation.I'm hoping to have audio to post later. (Source: Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog) Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294766 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:39:04 +0100 4294766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294767&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FQCzq2r90Zdc%2Ffall-speaking-engagements.html My fledgling speaking career—one that seems to be finding me rather than me pursuing it—is getting a big boost this fall.Next week, I'm part of the opening keynote session at the mHealth Initiative's 2nd International mHealth Networking Conference in San Diego.On Thursday, Sept. 16, it looks like I will be moderating a roundtable on mobile patient management at the half-day Mobile Healthcare and Medicine Symposia in Toronto, as part of Mobile Innovation Week in that fantastic Canadian city.I'll be headed to Las Vegas in mid-October to moderate three sessions at the Mobile Health Expo 2010:"The Real Time Healthcare Enterprise," Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PDT"Carrier or Wired Connectivity as the Backhaul From a Central Aggregator? Wireless Architectures and Industry Alignments for ... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294767 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:05:00 +0100 4294767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880837&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMJ82qiF9ABM%2F The Mexican government announced yesterday that it will expand the list of U.S. products subject to punitive import duties in retaliation for a brazen, 15-year-long refusal of the United States to honor its NAFTA commitment to allow Mexican long-haul trucks to compete in the U.S. market.  Given continued U.S. intransigence on the issue, Mexico’s decision is understandable, if not laudable. The dispute is not very complicated.  Under the terms of the deal, Mexican trucks were to have been able to compete in U.S. border states by 1995, and throughout the United States by 2000.  But President Clinton, at the behest of the Teamsters union, suspended implementation of the trucking provision on the grounds that Mexican trucks weren’t safe enough for U.S. highways. By 1998, the Mexicans ha... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880837 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:55:04 +0100 3880837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802372&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fr3w64mk1zPk%2F By Daniel IkensonIn his State of the Union address this year, President Obama announced a goal of doubling U.S. exports in five years.  The “National Export Initiative” has since become the centerpiece of his administration’s trade policy, complete with its own Executive Order, organizational structure, and dedicated website. Although I would be happy to see exports double in five years, I am skeptical of efforts to enshrine that goal as a national imperative.  I worry that Five Year Plans and the setting of export targets puts the United States on the slippery slope to industrial policy, which is being touted nowadays with growing vim and vigor by columnists, politicians and other analysts who wish the United States were more like China. But the economic straight jacket of industr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802372 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:47:26 +0100 3802372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246872&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyR1bHaf3_Hc%2F By Jim HarperI wrote here a few weeks ago about the “high-value data sets” — three per agency — that the federal government would soon be releasing at Data.gov. They were released on January 22nd, and we’ve been poring over them ever since. More on that below. Tomorrow, agencies are supposed to have their “open government” sites put up — sites where they make their data feeds available and easily findable for the public. There are a couple of different sites monitoring when those sites are going up.   Data, data, data — that means more direct oversight of the government by more people. We talked about all this at our December 2008 policy forum, Just Give Us the Data! When I wrote recently about the release of agencies’ high-va... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246872 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:27:15 +0100 3246872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189126&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaxTtFN283XA%2F By Chris Moody Gene Healy on today’s election in Massachusetts: “If Republican Scott Brown wins the Massachusetts special election Tuesday, the Bay State will have its first GOP senator since the era when disco was king. And Brown will have the much-derided Tea Party legions to thank.” Why opportunistic politicians need to stop using times of crisis for their own ends and let the next one go to waste. George W. Obama? “Bush’s successor—who actually taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago—is continuing much of the Bush-Cheney parallel government and, in some cases, is going much further in disregarding our laws and the international treaties we’ve signed.” Can Google beat China? Cato’s Timothy B. Lee tackles the questi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189126 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:02:39 +0100 3189126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178757&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWT-osuLJ250%2F By Jim HarperWith a year in office, and perhaps under some pressure to deliver on promises of transparency and change, the White House went on a little PR offensive this week. It rolled out a blog post and a video claiming the transparency successes of the administration’s first year. A lot has gone on, and it’s worth a review. It’s also worth noting some signals that the government transparency project could be heading for a slight detour. In the video — a little infomercial-y, but tolerable and interesting — federal chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra cites several examples of government use of technology. A system called ISDS Distribute helps the government monitor flu outbreaks, for example, akin to Google.org’s Flu Trends. Chopra touted the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178757 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:04:39 +0100 3178757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163778&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FSKqay0zkNb0%2F I am fairly confident that most women—certainly those post-menopausal or peri-menopausal—are aware of the extensive media coverage and dire warnings following the release of the results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 2002.  At that time, it was stated that HRT is detrimental to a woman’s health, with risks outweighing the benefits.  It stated, pretty unequivocally, that HRT increased risk of breast cancer, cardiac events and stroke. It would be overstating to say that all of the 2002 results were inaccurate, since, as we know, science is rarely definitive and more information is constantly emerging and being revised; however, women should know that many of the initial results have been found to have been distorted, misundersto... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163778 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:02:25 +0100 3163778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153623&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fdo-social-media-apps-improve-health.html Sometimes evangelists get carried away. That may be stating the obvious, obviously. But often we do not realize this when we listen to evangelists. You only need to look at the presenters at the November, 2009, FDA hearings on the Internet to see social media evangelists in full regalia (see "Industry Groups will Eat Consumer Advocates' Lunch at FDA Social Media Public Hearing").Not that there's anything wrong with evangelism per se. But sometimes pharma/healthcare social media evangelists get carried away. Today, for example, there was a discussion in the #hcsmeu Twitter group (see discussion topics here) about Web 2.0 changing the delivery of health care. The discussion soon morphed into declarations that social media improved health care.This belief that Web 2.0 can improve health care ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153623 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:02:00 +0100 3153623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089288&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsabin.org%2Ffiles%2Fattachment%2Fvalue_vaccination_bloom_canning_weston.pdf The following post by Lois Privor-Dumm, IMBA, Director of Alliances and Information for the PneumoADIP at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Lois heads up several vaccine projects related to advocacy and communications as well as access and implementation. She is currently working as Director, Large Country Introduction for the Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Technical Assistance Consortium (AVI TAC), a GAVI-funded project with an aim to accelerate introduction of pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines in low-income countries. Lois has been at Johns Hopkins since 2005 helping guide strategies and accelerated uptake on both the Hib Initiative and Pneu... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089288 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:03:19 +0100 3089288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079337&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cgdev.org%2Fdoc%2FGHA%2FStart_with_a_Girl-Annex1.pdf The following guest post by Miriam Temin, Health & Social Policy Professional and Co-Author, Start With a Girl: A New Agenda for Global Health, with contributions by Sandy Stonesifer, Program Coordinator at the Center for Global Development, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Miriam Temin has 12 years of experience in Africa, the United States, and Europe working on HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, and social protection with donors, UN agencies, and non-profit organizations. Previously, Temin was a senior AIDS policy advisor at UNICEF headquarters, where she brought greater attention to children affected by HIV/AIDS through research, advocacy, and technical assistance. The recent at... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079337 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:14:27 +0100 3079337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071139&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRvnQpJ4quZE%2F By Julian SanchezLike Jim, I watched this morning’s Open Government Initiative launch with an eyebrow reflexively arcing skyward. Like Fox Mulder, I want to believe, but it’s not just the track record that gives me pause; it’s the tension in one of Vivek Kundra & Aneesh Chopra’s answers to a pointed question that came in from the Web: How do you actually implement this? How do you get all the agencies on board, persuade (or compel) them to open up, embrace openness, and free their data?  Because the public pitch is that the great benefit of open government is accountability, which requires information that may reflect badly on an agency and generate bad publicity to be released. But since they’re limited in their ability to enforce this on an alphabet sou... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071139 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:18:53 +0100 3071139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067010&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbKMDD1TJ2D8%2F By Jim HarperIn the heady first days of the administration, President Obama issued a memorandum on transparency and open government that seemed it would set the ship of state on a course for tranparency, participation, and collaboration. Many people expected that within the 120-day time-frame stated in the memo, the administration would issue the “Open Government Directive” it called for. Well, 120 days from January 21 was May 21—and 200 days after that, we are finally going to see that open government plan. An annoucement of it will be streamed live on the White House web site at 11:00 am. It turns out that administrators didn’t fall woefully behind on President Obama’s instructions. His memorandum directed the not-yet-appointed Chief Technology Officer and ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067010 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:32:09 +0100 3067010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924776&cid=t_115347_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F25%2Fsupplementary-fee-scale-200910-consultation-response%2F Title: Supplementary fee scale 2009/10 consultation response Skinny: Results of the Audit Commissions consultation on its proposed work programme and scale of fees for the National Duplicate Registration Initiative (NDRI) 2009/10 between September and October 2009. The Commission has now considered all of the responses and has agreed to confirm the work programme and scale of fees set out in the consultation document. Publisher: Audit Commission Size of Publication: 3p Published: 12/10/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, NHS Tagged: Audit Commission, Fees, Grey Literature, National Duplicate Registration Initiative, NDRI (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924776 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:01:47 +0100 2924776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855809&cid=t_115347_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fpi95BEXJKeI%2Falzheimers-art-quilt-initiative.html I wanted to bring The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative into your awareness. The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is in the process of creating a new traveling exhibit called  "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope."  It will be exhibited at venues throughout the United States from January 2011 through December 2015. This new exhibit will replace the current exhibit "Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece" after it retires at the end of 2010. "Alzheimer's Illustrated" will feature 182 quilts, like the one pictured at the left, each measuring 6 inches wide by approximately 7 feet tall. The long and narrow Name Quilts will be made from 55 purple patches sewn together wrong side out. Each patch will be marked with the name of a person who has/had Alzheimer's disease... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855809 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:52:09 +0100 2855809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670767&cid=t_115347_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F04%2Fits-world-breastfeeding-week-more-hospitals-have-been-added-to-the-baby-friendly-list-and-a-word-on-judgment%2F It’s World Breastfeeding Week, and Women’s eNews has a piece up about new additions to the list of Baby-Friendly Hospitals, facilities which meet 10 criteria demonstrating a commitment to improve institutional breastfeeding policy, training and practices. The criteria are 10 breastfeeding-focused steps outlined by UNICEF/WHO, including helping mothers initiate breastfeeding, allowing “rooming in,” and other practices. The complete list of 83 qualifying U.S. facilities is available from the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Now, whenever this particular week rolls around, there are inevitably a flood of posts on breastfeeding, especially about how women who can’t or won’t breastfeed experience harsh judgment from others. With so many cultural and workpl... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670767 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:16:15 +0100 2670767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376715&cid=t_115347_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fa-true-breast-cancer-hero%2F It was a great weekend finally as far as weather is concerned in southeast Michigan. Although the warm weather brought in some late day thunderstorms, we got almost two days of sun. I got to work on my yard and set up my pond for the season, but I also took some time out for a boat ride with my husband. We take the boat out to the Detroit River through a canal from the marina. We also have to pass by a city park where people line the water to fish. I have to say the highlight of the ride was having the opportunity to cruise by the most amazing woman who was fishing by the river. She was sitting with her husband with her fishing pole set into the water. I’ll never forget her fabulous smile as she waved to me while we passed by in the boat. This woman had the ability in that moment to show... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376715 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:18:10 +0100 2376715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258165&cid=t_115347_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F11%2Fus-mental-health-grades-virtually-useless%2F While I applaud the intent of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s effort to “grade” the 50 states in the U.S. on their mental health care, the problem with such reports is that they are out-of-date and virtually useless from the moment they are published. The problem with the report isn’t its data gathering methods or purpose, both of which are solid and noble. The problem is that in the amount of time it takes to gather the data, analyze it, and publish it, the data is already out of date. To see how out of date, you only have to look and see that the last report was published 3 years ago. Hardly timely. In my home state, Massachusetts, it received a B, up from the C- it received in 2006, and much better than the national average of D. What the report doesn&... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258165 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:31:55 +0100 2258165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200342&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fmedical-records-institute-is-no-more.html Following a disappointing turnout at the 25th annual TEPR conference earlier this month, C. Peter Waegemann and Claudia Tessier are moving from the Medical Records Institute to the recently created mHealth Initiative, effectively ending the organization Waegemann founded in the mid-1980s."It is time to put our energy into the new and exciting field of cell phones in healthcare. This is where the action is. This is where the future is," Waegemann says in a press release. There was much speculation at the lightly attended TEPR that this might be the last year of the conference. Today's announcement likely seals that fate. The mHealth Initiative will have meetings of its own, starting with a seminar and workshop March 31 in Boston.Waegemann will serve as executive director of mHI and Tessier ... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200342 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:24:00 +0100 2200342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2194734&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fstimulus-for-webinar-industry.html The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a.k.a. the economic stimulus legislation, just became law, and already the webinars had started. The eHealth Initiative held the first session in its webinar series Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST. That was perhaps an hour after President Obama signed the bill during a ceremony in Denver. eHI will repeat the overview session today at 10:30 a.m. EST and hold new online sessions on Thursday, Friday, next Monday and on Feb. 25 and 27. It's free for eHI members and $150 for the entire series for non-members. HIMSS at least waited for the ink to dry before starting its own webinar series. The first session, an overview, is set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. CST. (That's 3 p.m. for those of you on the east coast who were unaware the United States had multiple t... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2194734 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:24:00 +0100 2194734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040404&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F485583766%2F Taking the hormones for five years doubles the risk for breast cancer, according to a new analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative, a large federal study, revealing the most dramatic evidence yet of the dangers of the popular pills, the Associated Press writes. Even women who took estrogen and progestin pills - Wyeth sells the combo as Prempro - for as little as a couple of years had a greater chance of getting cancer. And when they stopped taking them, their odds quickly improved, returning to a normal risk level roughly two years after quitting, the AP reports adding, that, collectively, these new findings are likely to end any doubt that the risks outweigh the benefits for most women. The rate of breast cancer clearly plunged in recent years mainly because millions of women quit ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040404 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:14:43 +0100 2040404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1993764&cid=t_115347_147_f&fid=38117&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engageinhealth.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fstakeholder_engagement_a_littl.html Here’s a post from my LA colleague Lisa Waters (SVP/Group Head, Health). Talk about engagement! I’ve had the unbelievable opportunity to work on the “Me Not Meth” campaign for the California Methamphetamine Initiative, which has so humbly helped me experience what true health engagement can do to encourage behavior change. From the minute we began the assignment we faced stakeholder skepticism related to social marketing and public education campaigns. It was this challenge that made the true engagement of these stakeholders a critical factor in achieving our goals to dissuade potential users from trying meth and nudge current users to seek treatment for their addiction. Me Not Meth Campaign's Public Service Announcement: What fueled such skepticism from the community? A compl... The Health Engagement Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1993764 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:22:37 +0100 1993764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1961220&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F452890280%2F Last month, the FDA awarded the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education, a non-profit representing several universities, a contract to develop ‘Quality by Design’ science for drugmakers. The idea is to improve manufacturing processes that, presumably, would improve quality and lower costs in plants - and create mininum standards for overseas plants as well. We spoke with Prabir Basu, a former pharma exec who heads NIPTE, which is aligned with the FDA’s Critical Path Initiative, about what QBD can do. This is an excerpt… Pharmalot: First things first, what is Quality by Design and why is it needed? Basu: QBD is using the right science and engineering to design a drug so that you have a process assures you of the quality. And the failure rate wo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1961220 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:33:30 +0100 1961220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933523&cid=t_115347_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2FyusvpAsvq6k%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. Other Articles You May LikeNIH Increases Support for High-risk Large-impact Biomedical ResearchFunding of Childhood Cancer, NF Research in JeopardyFlat Funding of Biomedical Research: The Threat to America’s HealthLack of Health Insurance Increases Risk of Cancer DeathPhysician Profiling (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933523 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:48:29 +0100 1933523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1891980&cid=t_115347_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fdiabetes-how-helping-our-world.html Johnson and Johnson Diabetes Institute is taking on the world, one diabetes program at a time.  Or at least that’s their intention.  Today this pharma giant is announcing Diabetes HOW: Helping Our World, a huge initiative aimed at identifying best practices in diabetes treatment and care, and expanding and building out these successful programs around [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1891980 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:00:56 +0100 1891980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531118&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F2008%2F06%2F19%2Fflap-gets-a-job-offer%2F From Flap’s E-mail Inbox: What does everyone think? Is it something that should interest Flap? Technorati Tags: Dharma Initiative, LOST (Source: FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog) FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531118 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:21:39 +0100 1531118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488068&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F06%2Fwashington-state-initiative-i-1000.html By Alex SchadenbergThe initiative to legalize assisted suicide in Washington State appears to be gaining ground.The Death With Dignity I-1000 campaign to legalize assisted suicide in Washington State has effectively raised one million dollars. They have organizations such as the leading assisted suicide lobby group - Compassion & Choices, working to raise more money on a national basis and they have the former governor of Washington State, Booth Gardner, as a lead campaigner.Every American who opposes assisted suicide, whether they be disability rights activists, palliative care professionals, pro-life supporters or any person in general, needs to join the campaign to oppose I-1000.Initiative I-1000 supporters are currently collecting signatures throughout the State of Washington. Due ... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488068 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:12:00 +0100 1488068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1482807&cid=t_115347_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F302103049%2F Zack Lynch asks for support to Write Congress Today in Support of the National Neurotechnology Initiative Act, explaining:   "With the recent introduction of the National Neurotechnology Initiative (NNTI) Act in the House (H.R. 5989) and the Senate (S.2989) earlier this month, the time has come to ramp up a national grassroots campaign in support of the NNTI and I would like to ask for your help. It is imperative that we get a substantive amount of Congressional support as quickly as possible as we are targeting Congressional hearings prior to the August break. Take action: We need to flood Congressional fax machines and mail boxes with individual letters of support from key constituents like you over the next four weeks. I urge you to visit NIO's Take Action webpage. Here you can do... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1482807 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:05:40 +0100 1482807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466289&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F296662894%2F In an effort to keep a lid on rising prescription-drug costs, the health ministry in Canada’s British Columbia convened a special task force to examine the process by which the provincial government agrees to cover medications through its Pharmacare program. And the results, which the government accepted, are drawing criticism. Of the many recommendations (here’s the report), one particular notion is being counterproductive - scrapping the Therapeutics Initiative, an independent group that evaluates meds and issues reports to Pharmacare for coverage decisions. The task force would like to ensure the watchdog group has no future role in coverage, a recommendation that Alan Cassels, a drug policy researcher affiliated with the School of Health Information Sciences at the Universi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466289 Fri, 23 May 2008 16:11:29 +0100 1466289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1464200&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F296527436%2F The effort, called Sentinel Initiative, will be the first time the FDA will have an opportunity to monitor almost immediately how drugs are affecting the public. To do so, the agency will mine databases of more than 20 million patients who receive their drugs through Medicare. The idea, of course, is to catch side effects that might otherwise go undetected for months or years. “This initiative will tremendously increase the FDA’s capacity to monitor the use of medical products on the market,” Mike Leavitt, the HHS Secretary, says in a statement. “We are moving from reactive dependence on voluntary reporting of safety concerns - to proactive surveillance of medical products on the market.” Last month, by the way, the FDA and Wellpoint announced plans to do the same thing. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1464200 Fri, 23 May 2008 12:25:51 +0100 1464200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1437093&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F288692424%2F When three of the state’s politicians, led by Governor Deval Patrick, visit a major biotech conference in San Diego next month, they’re likely to receive a cool reception. They hope to use a $1 billion initiative to lure biotechs to Massachusetts, but biotechs are upset over a provision in bill aimed at controlling health care costs that also would ban industry from giving docs any kind of gift, the Associated Press writes. “Strictly interpreted, the `anything-of-value’ ban could bring clinical trials to a halt in Massachusetts, severely cut into necessary and mandated continuing educational studies undertaken by physicians and mean that fewer new medicines are readily available to patients in the state that is the global hub of medical innovation,” the Massac... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1437093 Mon, 12 May 2008 13:42:29 +0100 1437093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1434693&cid=t_115347_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F287836973%2F We recently prepared a Directory of Web Sites as part of our  Resources section. You will find some gems here, in a variety of areas: >> The Dana Foundation offers several excellent online resources: - Brainy Kids Online offers children, teens, parents and teachers links to games, labs, education resources and lesson plans. - BrainWeb: general information about the brain and current brain research, as well as links to validated sites related to more than 25 brain disorders. - Brain Resources for Seniors provides older adults and their caretakers with links to sites related to brain health, education and general information. >> PBS's The Secret Life of the Brain: fun website including a history of the brain, anatomy, illusions, brain scanning, and development from child through adulthood.... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434693 Sun, 11 May 2008 03:06:49 +0100 1434693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1432794&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F286825440%2F Lawmakers yesterday introduced legislation designed to speed the development of new, safer therapies for brain and nervous system disorders and injuries, which affect an estimated 100 million Americans and costs an estimated $1.3 trillion annually to treat, Scientific American reports. The National Neurotechnology Initiative Act (NNTI), which has bipartisan support, calls for $200 million in federal funds to be set aside annually to research potential treatments and to establish an info clearinghouse from federal agencies to help coordinate efforts, the mag writes. The lawmakers charge a lack of coordination has impeded development of treatments for brain-related illnesses. The funds would also go toward coordinating the work of 16 NIH branches that study brain-related injuries as well as ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1432794 Fri, 09 May 2008 13:28:22 +0100 1432794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1409903&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F280899326%2F New Jersey may be the nation’s medicine chest, but that’s nothing compared with being the pharmacy of the world. But where is that pharmacy located? Right now, many would argue it’s the US. But the European Commission and members of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations today are releasing details of plan to end Europe’s declining international role in medical research, Reuters reports. To be called the Innovative Medicines Initiative, the effort will offers grants to academic institutes and small companies to research ways of beating bottlenecks in the drug development process. Teams of commercial and not-for-profit researchers will be able to seek support on condition that their findings are publicly shared in an effort to stimulate... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1409903 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:43:39 +0100 1409903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1367895&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F04%2Fhsus-effect-of-california-cage.html I have already heard from the Humane Society of the United States concerning my earlier postings (here and here) about the coming initiative in CA to ban what are called battery cages. (Boy, HSUS is quick and doesn't miss a bet!) The representative, Paul Shapiro, senior director of the HSUS Factory Farm Initiative, was very courteous and professional, telling me the initiative is very "modest." My thought was if it is so modest, why so much effort and investment of resources?Be that as it may, I asked whether it would ban all chicken cages, and here is Mr. Shapiro's response, published here with his kind permission:The California initiative is very modest, but unfortunately the confinement typical on today's veal, egg, and breeding pork facilities has become so extreme that just giving the... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1367895 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:44:00 +0100 1367895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1363657&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F04%2Fhsus-trying-to-drive-egg-industry-out.html The HSUS, following up on its success in convincing voters to grant pregnant pigs the constitutional right not to be maintained in gestation crates in Florida--a state that only had a few pig herds at the time, which have been driven out of business by the law--has now used its considerable financial power to qualify a California state initiative to outlaw veal crates. There are no veal operations in California. It would also allow gestation crates. But those are being voluntarily taken out of use by the small pig industry that exists in California. Thus, as to the pork and veal aspects of the measure, once again HSUS is once again attacking virtually non existent targets.But there is an egg industry in CA, and HSUS's initiative, if passed, will require that laying hens be kept in space wi... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1363657 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:47:00 +0100 1363657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1337862&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Flanguage-enginieering-joel-connelly.html The Seattle PI columnist Joel Connelly is a refreshing exception to much of the media that continue to see assisted suicide as a modernistic "choice" issue rather than one founded in abandonment and inequality. He has a column today (for which I was interviewed) properly critical of the word engineering in which the "Death with Dignity" crowd engages to persuade people that hemlock is really honey. From his column:If you are campaigning for the "right" of people to kill themselves, the first challenge is finding a nonlethal definition: Soft, reassuring terms must be substituted for the off-putting phrase "assisted suicide."...Apparently Gardner and political consultants advising him never met Derek Humphrey, plain-spoken co-founder of the Hemlock Society."As the author of four books on the... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1337862 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:25:00 +0100 1337862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322425&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F256982971%2F On the eve of an NIH summit devoted to AIDS vaccine research, a once-promising study of an AIDS vaccine will be scaled back and may be scrubbed after the failure of a related Merck effort, Bloomberg News writes. The vaccine, created by the NIH, may be studied in about only 2,000 people in the US and Africa, rather than 8,500 as had been planned. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, which helped bring six vaccines to human testing, will announce today it has pulled out of the trial. Support has dropped for studies of existing experimental AIDS vaccines since September, when Merck announced its shot may have made people more vulnerable to infection. AIDS researchers say concern was further heightened after a second test of Merck’s product, conducted in South Africa, also found t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322425 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:20:29 +0100 1322425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320510&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fbooth-gardners-disengenuous-fundraising.html Yes, I know that political fund raising letters are well known for hyperbole and stretching the truth. And Booth Gardner's 4-page letter (no link available) to raise money for "I-1000" the assisted suicide initiative, is of a kind. Space doesn't permit a full deconstruction, but here is just a sampling of the manure Gardner shovels: He writes:When we or a loved one are experiencing unbearable suffering--past the point where there is hope for recovery--there is a grace inside our humanity that is capable of saying, "It's time."Well, yes. A time comes to allow nature to take its course. But the idea that assisted suicide is about "unbearable suffering" just isn't true. Even the useless annual report from Oregon makes it very clear that most people asking for a lethal prescription are not in ... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320510 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:12:00 +0100 1320510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1283448&cid=t_115347_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F03%2F06%2Feric-schmidt-at-himss-on-google-health%2F Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google, gave the keynote speech at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference in Orlando, on February 28, 2008. The topic? Google’s health initiative called Google Health. In talking about this initiative, he builds the case for Google’s entry into the personal health record (PHR) space. He describes the dozens of different things people do everyday to improve their own health, from Googling health symptoms, to joining an online support group. At approximately 10:20 into the video, he mentions the great support groups we have at Psych Central! Wow, I never thought we’d make it into an Eric Schmidt keynote speech…! The whole speech is about 50 minutes long and if you’re interested in this top... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1283448 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:25:27 +0100 1283448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1279509&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F245771091%2F The first follow-up of a landmark study of hormone use after menopause shows heart problems linked with the pills seem to fade after women stop taking them, while surprising new cancer risks appear, according to an analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. And the new risks for other cancers, particularly lung tumors, in women who’d taken estrogen-progestin pills for about five years puzzled the researchers and outside experts, the Associated Press writes. Those risks “were completely unanticipated,” says Gerardo Heiss of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, lead author of the follow-up analysis to the Women’s Health Initiative, the government-funded study that was halted six years ago. The analysis focused on participants in... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1279509 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:56:11 +0100 1279509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1229678&cid=t_115347_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2F234560181%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. Related articlesBill in Senate to Expand Public Access to Taxpayer-funded Research Presenting Highlight HEALTH 2.0Lack of Health Insurance Increases Risk of Cancer DeathHEALTH Highlights - Monday, December 10thMedicine 2.0 #10 - Medicine and the Second Generation of Internet-based Services (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1229678 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:44:48 +0100 1229678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1184642&cid=t_115347_132_f&fid=35006&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnsaunders.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F29%2Fmore-open-science-links%2F The New Science of Sharing - Business Week article “Companies such as Novartis and Intel are at the forefront of Science 2.0 by encouraging open systems of collaboration”. Standard Open(ed-up) Science Frank from the peanutbutter blog aims to make his Ph.D. data available using standards for proteomic data. This trickle is becoming a tsunami, my friends. (Source: What You're Doing Is Rather Desperate) What You're Doing Is Rather Desperate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1184642 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:56:22 +0100 1184642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1152595&cid=t_115347_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F217155110%2F AlzheimersNotes.com  In Cross-country quilting for a cure, by Cassandra A. Fortin at BaltimoreSun.com, we learn about the quilts Mary Matton and other guild members are making for Alzheimer’s awareness and research funding. Some of the 300 members of the Annapolis Quilt Guild are participating in the program through an initiative called the $1,000 Promise. The members have pledged to raise $1,000 for Alzheimer’s through the sale or auction of the quilts that they make and then donate, Matton said. Guild members also are connected to  the  Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative, started by quilter Ami Simms after her mother developed this disease.  The AAQI consists of two parts:  a traveling quilt exhibit and quilts made by contributors, then sold or auctioned to raise... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1152595 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:00:16 +0100 1152595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1108783&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F203610295%2F The European Commission is poised to agree a $2.9 billion partnership this week designed to win back Europe’s place as a center for global medical innovation, The Financial Times reports. The Innovative Medicines Initiative, financed equally by pharma and the EC, will support research by academic and industry groups over seven years designed to speed up the predictable safety and efficacy testing. The move aims to boost collaboration between commercial companies, universities and regulators to more rapidly develop “pre-competitive” tests and accelerate the launch of innovative drugs, the FT writes. It reflects long-standing worries that Europe has been losing out in medical innovation to the US, and increasingly to parts of Asia, where large pharmaceutical companies and s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1108783 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:03:26 +0100 1108783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082043&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D6009 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report Is this California Electoral College reform effort dead for this Presidential cycle? Apparently so. Now, it will be incumbent upon the GOP Presidential nominee to win California Electoral votes the old fashion way - by receiving the majority of votes. Previous: Electoral College Reform Watch: California Counts Presidential Electors Initiative Watch: Full Speed Ahead? Technorati Tags: Electoral Reform California, Electoral College, GOP, Democrats Your comments are welcome below and at My Dental Forum Follow Flap at Twitter (Source: FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog) FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082043 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:59:14 +0100 1082043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064846&cid=t_115347_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F02%2Fwhy-you-shouldnt-trust-social-networking-with-health-information%2F There’s a lot of hype (and startups) to go along with trying to get you to buy into their “social networking” websites for health issues. Usually these companies have been backed by venture capitalists who expect both a relatively quick and large return on their money. When a company is beholden not to its founders’ vision or its own mission (no matter how grand that mission or vision might be), but to financial backers who have little interest in the actual goals of the company other than to see it go public or purchased by the highest bidder as quickly as possible, guess who suffers the most? You’re right if you picked you, the user. Since a company is an entity, not a person, it doesn’t have to be personal in these decisions. It makes them as a disc... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064846 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:31:08 +0100 1064846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1025329&cid=t_115347_132_f&fid=35006&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnsaunders.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F14%2Fthe-protein-structure-initiative-money-well-spent%2F The latest issue of the journal Structure looks at structural genomics. While the number of structures and impact has been substantive, the cost of the PSI-2 initiative is large. In the US alone, the NIH spends approximately $65 million each year on this effort. As a result, legitimate questions arise as to whether or not the money on PSI is well spent, especially at a time when funding for independent investigator-driven research appears scarce. To facilitate this debate, we will publish commentaries from both supporters and opponents of the structural genomics effort in the next few issues of Structure; we invite any additional comments from readers to be e-mailed to the Editors (structure@cell.com) We believe this debate is especially timely because of the ongoing need to shape PSI-3, ... What You're Doing Is Rather Desperate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1025329 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:10:00 +0100 1025329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1014904&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5861 Yesterday morning Flap wrote about the two initiatives circulating to change the California Presidential Electoral College vote distribution for the 2008 election cycle. Flap was initially confused because of the two circulating initiatives. The first one was filed by Tony Andrade of Electoral Reform California: The Electoral Reform California web site is here. The second initiative was filed by Thomas Hiltachk who has subsequently withdrawn from the campaign: So, what is the status TODAY of the initiative campaign to change California’s Electoral College vote allocation from the current “WINNER TAKE ALL” system to one apportioned by Congressional Districts - such as how the California GOP apportions its national convention’s delegates. Flap had the pleasure to t... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1014904 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:42:38 +0100 1014904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012313&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5850 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report The Game is AFOOT. With funding from the California Republican Party, donors from most of the GOP Presidential candidates, donors for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Congressman Darrel Issa (who front-funded the successful Gray Davis recall) and signatures, California voters may YET decide on a proportional method of allocating California’s 55 Electoral College votes for President - the most in the country. The Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee have accounts and the details on donors. Backers of a proposed initiative that would change the way California’s electoral votes are awarded disclosed Tuesday that they had received $538,000 from a list of donors who have contributed to a variety of presidential candidat... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012313 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 01:35:46 +0100 1012313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=992028&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=35752&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjseidman.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F30%2Fpatient-centered-health-information-technology-initiative%2F I will be doing a considerable amount of my blogging about information therapy (Ix) at the now-live Patient Centered Health Information Technology (PCHIT) blog. The Center for Information Therapy’s (IxCenter’s) new PCHIT Initiative will have an active learning community of clinicians hosted by me and Ted Eytan, MD, the IxCenter’s Senior Visiting Fellow, who is currently on sabbatical from Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, where he serves as Medical Director for Health Informatics & Web Services. –Josh (Source: Information Therapy...and Other Ways to Change the World) Information Therapy...and Other Ways to Change the World blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=992028 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:16:19 +0100 992028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=927819&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5682 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report The New York Times frames the fight over California electoral votes in their piece: In Ballot Fight, California Gets a Taste of ’08 as a SURROGATE campaign by Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani. Ballot measures in California have long been proxies for local politicians’ hopes and dreams — just ask Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who rode a recall petition to the Statehouse. But now a statewide initiative has become the unusual battleground for two previously entangled New York politicians whose eyes are fixed firmly on the White House. Rudy versus Hillary, the West Coast edition — it’s on. Supporters of Rudolph W. Giuliani and of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton are embroiled in their first major affray of the political season over a ballot... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=927819 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:30:11 +0100 927819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=928093&cid=t_115347_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F165270801%2F The agency notes that generics are cheaper as it announces GIVE - the Generic Initiative for Value and Efficiency - as a way to move the approval process along. Although the FDA approved or tentatively approved 682 generics in fiscal year 2007, or 30 percent more than the previous year, FDA commish Andy von Eschenbach wants to pick up the pace. And he’s going to hire more people to get it done. (Read more here). Faced with a backlog of 1,300 applications, up from about 800 about a year ago, the FDA is revising the review order for certain drug applications. For example, the agency says first generic products, for which there are no blocking patents or exclusivity protections on the reference listed drug, are identified at the time of submission for expedited review. This will mean th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=928093 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:57:32 +0100 928093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914054&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5655 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report Flap’s California State Senator, Tom McClintock has a piece on the apparent failure ?(apparently there are on-going efforts) of the attempt to change how California Electoral College Presidential Delegates are chosen. A Republican effort to apportion California’s electoral votes by congressional district looks like it is faltering, and that’s a very good thing. The proposal is a classic example of the cynicism, defeatism and short-sightedness of many who are misguiding the GOP today. Giving up on ever regaining a Republican majority in California, some party leaders apparently decided it would be clever to change the apportionment of the state’s electoral votes from its traditional winner-take-all rule to a process that assigns 53 ... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914054 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:27:19 +0100 914054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=911795&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5648 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report GOP-backed bid to reform California’s electoral process collapsing Days after a controversial organization began collecting voter signatures for a ballot measure to change California’s winner-take-all presidential vote, a founder of the GOP-backed group says its major players are resigning - and the group will fold - due to lack of funding and support. “The levels of support just weren’t there,” said Marty Wilson, the Sacramento-based fundraiser, in a telephone interview Thursday. Wilson was among the founding members of Californians for Equal Representation, the group led by Sacramento attorney Thomas Hiltachk that intended to collect roughly 434,000 signatures to qualify the Presidential Election Reform Act for... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=911795 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:31:15 +0100 911795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=889711&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=35752&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjseidman.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F21%2Fwho-can-be-an-information-therapist%2F A colleague out in Seattle posted a great story, Information Therapy on the Go, about his experience in despensing information therapy (Ix) in taxis. The end of his post raised some questions: What is an information therapist? Who can be an information therapist? How can we train people to be information therapists in order to meet the great need that’s out there for them? I, too, get asked to prescribe Ix to family, friends and randome people with considerable frequency (and I’m more than happy to help if I can). Even though I’m not a physician like Ted, as my at-the-time, 3-year-old Ben said, I am a “question doctor,” perhaps a colloquial version of information therapist. The colleague I mention above is Ted Eytan, MD (Medical Director, Health Informatics &a... Information Therapy...and Other Ways to Change the World blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=889711 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:31:55 +0100 889711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=883766&cid=t_115347_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwordless-wednesday-4.html Ms. Wordless Wednesday, gets on my case, “really Madeline, it’s all very simple, you post your photograph and do the linky doo dah thing. How difficult is that? You have to cut out the words, that’s why it’s called ‘wordless’ you see?”“Indeed, verily I am on board with the concept.”“Then why do you keep doing it?”“Doing what?”“Putting words in your ‘wordless’ post?”“Ah, well that’s because the photo makes no sense unless there are some words to go with it, by way of explanation you see.”“While we’re on the subject, that photo, the one you choose for today?”“Yes?”“Well, you might try and choose a photo with a little, hmmmm, how can I put it? Perhaps with a little artistic flair? Something easy on the eye? Attractive? Something a little mor... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=883766 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:17:00 +0100 883766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=852487&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5547 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report Remember? Another California initiative - “The Presidential Electors Initiative” changing the distribution of Presidential electoral College votes (winner take all to by Congressional district) was approved for circulation yesterday. Previously the Electoral Reform California Initiative qualified and is currently circulating for signatures. The initiative is here and the complete text is here. Now the opposition strikes back…… Attorney seeks probe of electoral vote plan The Democrats and Hillary Clinton MUST really be worried about the California Presidential Electors Initiative. Or is this typical LEFTY NUTROOTS paranoia? Rove and Bush have done everything to defeat the Democrats? Hardly Chris Lehane and Democrat cronies in th... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=852487 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:39:25 +0100 852487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=847238&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5534 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report Another California initiative - “The Presidential Electors Initiative” changing the distribution of Presidential electoral College votes (winner take all to by Congressional district) was approved for circulation yesterday. Previously the Electoral Reform California Initiative qualified and is currently circulating for signatures. The initiative is here and the complete text is here. Two competing GOP sponsored initiatives with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger apparently opposed with lukewarm initial poll support and massive Democrat Party opposition yields this scenario: 1. Funds are raised from Presidential candidates and GOP donors to qualify the initiative(s) for the June 2008 California ballot. 2. Since support is so... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=847238 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:54:58 +0100 847238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=821292&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5466 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday “In principle, I don’t like to change the rules in the middle of the game” with regards to the Electoral Reform California Initiative which is now being circulated. Although he added he wasn’t versed in details of the ballot proposal and stressed he wasn’t taking a definitive position his lack of enthusiasm may damper fundraising efforts. Also, there is another electoral college reform initiative pending in the Attorney General’s office. And this initiative is created by governor’s former attorney Thomas Hiltachk and ex-advisor Marty Wilson. The “Presidential Election Reform Act” is here. Is the Governor remaining non-committal becau... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=821292 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:54:35 +0100 821292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814120&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5450 Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report The latest California Field Poll shows promise for changing California’s allocation of its electoral college votes for President 2008. Flap has reported about the Electoral Reform California Initiative previously here, here and here. The new Field Poll found a plurality of support for electoral vote change, including a virtual tie among Democratic voters, when poll respondents were given a bare bones description and asked, “Generally speaking, which method of allocating California’s electoral votes do you prefer — the current winner-take-all method or the proposed district-by-district method?” Overall, a shift to district allocation was favored by 47 percent of voters and opposed by 35 percent, with a 57-28 split ... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814120 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 01:11:01 +0100 814120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=803538&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5429 Opposition to the California Electoral Reform Initiative is forming. The Electoral Reform California Website is here. Flap receives this e-mail today: Hi all— FYI, we’re working on the campaign to oppose the likely Republican-funded initiative scheme that would radically change the way California awards electoral votes, moving away from the “winner-take-all” approach (that currently means 55 electoral votes for the Democratic nominee) and towards an allocation based on Congressional district (which could throw as many as 20 electoral votes to the Republican nominee) — potentially throwing the entire presidential election to the Republicans. Our placeholder site just launched today. Any support you can provide for this effort would really be appreciated: http://... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=803538 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:42:15 +0100 803538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797003&cid=t_115347_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5412 Little noticed except among election 2008 compulsives, the California Electoral Reform Initiative is making a big splash in the Christian Science Monitor today. Soren has more on the North Carolina change in delegate selection process that Flap mentioned here. Should this initiative qualify, it may well determine whether Hillary or Rudy is the next President. Anyone want to bet the Democrats drop the effort in North Carolina? Well, NO, they won’t. The California Initiative will pass. In California, the measure’s passage would probably be determined by voter turnout, and that could favor Republicans, experts say. “The state will have just voted in February, and there is no US Senate race so June turnout will likely be low, which works against the Democrats,” says Qui... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797003 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:01:16 +0100 797003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=726229&cid=t_115347_85_f&fid=34692&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpolitedissent.com%2Farchives%2F1700 Avengers: The Initiative #3 “Bug Hunt” Dan Slott, writer Stefano Caselli, penciler It’s nice to see that the Initiative is taking the time to teach its recruits some basic lifesaving skills. Your know what would be even nicer? If they taught CPR correctly. ♥  Komodo has her hands in the right place to give chest compressions, but her arms should be straight, not bent. It’s hard to get the proper amount of force for chest compressions with bent elbows. I know that’s how they show it on TV, but that doesn’t make it right (remember, they’re often giving chest compressions to a live actor, so they don’t want to push too hard — broken ribs with CPR is common.) I suppose it could be argued that Komodo’s strength is such tha... Polite Dissent blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=726229 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:26:17 +0100 726229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676638&cid=t_115347_137_f&fid=35371&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthecaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fnational-public-health-road-map-to.html Download the The Healthy Brain InitiativeA National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health.The Healthy Brain InitiativeThe Healthy Brain Initiative (Source: CareGiver, The) CareGiver, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676638 Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:01:00 +0100 676638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=598055&cid=t_115347_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F114910640%2F The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative, under the direction of Ami Simms, has put together a     book, Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece, about the quilts contributed for this auction fund raising projcet. The color proofs have been okayed and now are back with the printer.  A June release is anticipated, although it may be ready before. The cover features pictures of the 52 quilts depicted and described in the book, quilts that have been part of the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.  At least $2 from the purchase of each book will go to Alzheimer’s research.  For more information about Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece, click here….. (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=598055 Mon, 07 May 2007 23:16:55 +0100 598055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=586039&cid=t_115347_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F113777678%2F   Ami Simms has organized the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative to raise awareness of this disease and  fund research.  Periodically there’s an auction of the quilts submitted.  The current auction goes until May 10. My daughter browsed the site tonight.  We saw some really fabulous quilt art displayed.  Also, the quiltmakers included a short write-up about the quilt and the person (usually someone with Alzheimer’s) who inspired it.  These are very touching and bring back memories of my mom who loved quilts and encouraged me in my quiltmaking. (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=586039 Thu, 03 May 2007 03:28:14 +0100 586039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=571108&cid=t_115347_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F26%2Fbreast-cancer-hormone-link-even-stronger%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Research, Products, Daily newsBack in the news: the link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer. This time, the connection is seemingly more conclusive than before, when some argued that many factors influence the risk of breast cancer, that HRT could not do the job all on its own.Now, two separate studies offer up powerful evidence that HRT is linked to tumor growth. Case in point: when use of the therapy drops, so do incidences of breast cancer.New figures in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest there have been 16,000 fewer cases of breast cancer nationwide since mid-2002, when women stopped taking their hormone pills following the federal Women's Health Initiative announcement connecting the therapy with increased risk of bre... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=571108 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 571108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486524&cid=t_115347_131_f&fid=34996&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftalk.genesanddrugs.com%2F2006%2F11%2F27%2Freading-my-mail%2F I was away for Thanksgiving with family in chilly Seattle. I returned to find 174 comments awaiting moderation. Sadly, all 174 were spam, offering me the usual prescription-drugs-without-prescription, Rolex copies, Prada knockoffs, and a heaping helping of pornography (bestiality has been popular lately). This is pretty much par for the course. Whenever I see one of your real, thoughtful comments about something that’s been posted here, my heart soars. I envy some of those other blogs—mostly political—where a single, not-terribly-profound posting can elicit hundreds of comments. Ah well. Pharmacogenetics and genomic medicine are alive and well. See, for example, the Web site for the Guilford Genomic Medicine Initiative. The Guilford project [Guilford is a county in North Carolina] is... Genes & Drugs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=486524 Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:16:30 +0100 486524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=463409&cid=t_115347_113_f&fid=34649&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftechnhealth.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F11%2Fpartners-telemedicine-unveil-latest.html Partners Telemedicine unveil latest innovationsI've previously posted about some of the great work Partners Telemedicine are doing with their Operation Village Health programme.At the TeleMed and eHealth 06 conference, Dr Kvedar showcased four new systems as part of the Connected Health Initiative.The systems include a heart failure monitoring system, the SimPill medication adherence system, a 'virtual coach' and a scheme that allows patients to e-mail pictures of their own skin conditions to their dermatologist.I'm really impressed with the work Partners Telemedicine are doing. They seem to have a great understanding of community health needs and can design and build products that meet these requirements.Well done!tags technorati : telemedicine ehealth Partners Telemedicine Operation Vill... Tech 'n' Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=463409 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 05:00:00 +0100 463409