About Brown University Located in historic Providence, Rhode Island and founded in 1764, Brown University is the seventh-oldest college in the United States. Brown is an independent, coeducational Ivy League institution comprising undergraduate and graduate programs, plus the Alpert Medical School and the School of Engineering.            With its talented and motivated student body and […]

Advanced degrees add up to lower blood pressure An analysis of thousands of people shows that the more years of higher education people pursue, the lower their blood pressure readings will be for decades afterward, especially among women. Increasing educational access, argues the lead author, could improve public health. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Freshmen […]

New Report Details Affordable Care Act Resources and Flexibility for States Affordable Care Act Has Made $2.8 Billion Available to States in Implementing Affordable Care Act The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released a new report showing that the Affordable Care Act provides states with significant flexibility and resources to improve […]

Massachusetts General Hospital settles potential HIPAA violations Large hospital system to improve policies and procedures safeguarding patient information The General Hospital Corporation and Massachusetts General Physicians Organization Inc. (Mass General) has agreed to pay the U.S. government $1,000,000 to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, […]

States Can Apply for Nearly $200 Million to Help Fight Health Premium Increases Second round of HHS grants will continue to help support and incentivize States in developing effective premium rate review programs Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that nearly $200 million in new grant funds are now available […]

Breast Reduction Surgery Safe, Effective for Select Adolescents Some girls need relief from pain, psycho-social problems When a grown woman experiences significant back and neck pain from macromastia – or very large breasts – it is common practice for plastic surgeons to relieve her pain by performing breast reduction surgery. Breast reduction surgery in adolescents […]

HHS imposes a $4.3 million civil money penalty for violations of the HIPAA Privacy Rule Action marks first civil money penalty issued by HHS for HIPAA Privacy Rule violations The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a Notice of Final Determination finding that Cignet Health of […]

Blood test may find markers of bladder cancer risk Exposures to harmful substances in the environment alters the methylation of DNA, potentially elevating the risk of developing cancer. A new blood test can detect the abnormal pattern of methylation associated with bladder cancer, suggesting that it may be possible to assess a person’s susceptibility to […]

Affordable Care Act Supports States in Strengthening Community Living Nationally, $4.3 Billion in New Funds Announced to Help Establish and Expand Community-based Alternatives to Institutional Long Term Care States will see significant new federal support in their efforts to help move Medicaid beneficiaries out of institutions and into their own homes or other community settings […]

New Book Helps Educators Build Effective Autism Programs … February 21, 2011  Autism programs need to be as flexible as their students are different from one another. No effective one-size-fits-all program exists for educating children on the autism spectrum, but one University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) professor has written a book to guide skilled […]