HHS unveils the nation’s health priorities Launches LHI App Challenge to advance public health goals through new media technology WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today unveiled critical health priorities for the nation known as “Leading Health Indicators” (LHIs).  Announced during the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) annual meeting, the […]

By the Numbers: 650 Percent   The number of prescription drug shortages tripled between 2005 and 2010. Besides having serious consequences for people’s health and well-being, drug shortages drive vendors to charge outragous prices for drugs that are normally affordable when in stock. One report found that price-gouging vendors mark up prices on drugs in short […]

Executive Order — Reducing Prescription Drug Shortages … Today, the President signed an Executive Order to prevent drug shortages and protect consumers. October 31, 2011 … President Barack Obama talks with the media before signing an Executive Order directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action to help further prevent and reduce prescription […]

Perinatal Antidepressant May Affect Brain Development Rats exposed to an antidepressant just before and after birth had altered behaviors and substantial brain abnormalities. The findings raise questions about how perinatal antidepressants might influence brain development in people. The part of the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres shows abnormalities (right) in rats that […]

Why We Can’t Wait: Taking Action to Reduce Prescription Drug Shortages Sometimes the most important component of a patient’s treatment is the type of medication they receive and the consistency at which they receive it. For some Americans, a change in their treatment regimen or a substitution of a medication can seriously threaten their ability […]

Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain A new study reports that weekly classes of yoga or intensive stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement. Both proved better than a self-care book, and their benefits lasted several months after the classes ended. Each year, Americans spend over $50 billion […]

UN expert urges leaders at G-20 summit to put right to food before industry interests 31 October 2011 A United Nations expert urged world leaders today to put the right to food before industry interests when committing to a food security plan later this week at the G-20 summit in Cannes, France, warning of the […]

Pinpointing Kidney Disease Risk in African Americans Variants in the APOL1 gene account for the increased risk of kidney disease among African Americans, according to a new report. The finding may lead to screening tests and earlier treatment, although further research is required. When a person has kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to fully remove waste […]

Agricultural cooperatives are key to reduce hunger and poverty Cooperatives offer opportunities that smallholders could not achieve individually 31 October 2011, Rome – Smallholder farmers gain big benefits from agricultural cooperatives including bargaining power and resource sharing that lead to food security and poverty reduction for millions, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International […]

UN and South Sudan in joint effort to reduce maternal mortality 31 October 2011 A joint initiative of the United Nations and South Sudan is aiming to reduce maternal mortality by deploying midwives throughout the country, providing locals with the necessary skills to safely deliver babies, and improving the health facilities available to the wider […]