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African-American caregivers' breast health behavior

This study utilizes a stress and coping framework which includes cognitive appraisal, personal and environmental resources, coping and stress to examine factors related to African-American caregivers’ breast cancer screenings, including mammograms, clinical examinations and self-examinations. Using data from the Black Rural and Urban Caregivers Mental Health and Functioning Study, we performed separate logistic regressions for each type of breast cancer screening. Results reveal that having a regular doctor checkup (coping), care recipients having a cancer diagnosis (cognitive appraisal, and living in urban areas (environment resources) are associated with receiving a mammogram. Having greater income, having at least a high school degree (both personal resources) and having a regular doctor checkup (coping) are associated with receiving a clinical examination. Increased caregiver strain (stress), being 40 years old or older, social support (coping) and living in rural areas are associated with performing a self-examination. Targeting African-American caregivers, particularly in rural areas, for increased education on the importance of receiving breast cancer screenings is crucial to addressing health disparities. Making resources available, encouraging caregivers to get a clinical examination and a mammogram and directing public education toward caregivers are important points of intervention.

Stages of mammography adoption in Asian American women

Asian American women have the lowest mammography screening rate and are often diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer compared with other ethnic groups. This study applied the Transtheoretical Model and examined the relationships between stages of mammography adoption and mammography-related beliefs while controlling for socio-demographic factors. The study consisted of a convenience sample of 315 participants from four populous Asian ethnic groups in Michigan (109 Asian Indians, 51 Chinese, 36 Koreans and 119 Filipinos). In this relatively small sample, Koreans appeared to be more likely to be at the pre-contemplation stage and less likely to be at the maintenance stage. Perceived barriers and decisional balance scores differed by stage, with pre-contemplators reporting highest barriers and lowest scores in decisional balance. In terms of specific barrier items, pre-contemplators also displayed significantly greater agreement for most of the barrier items. Participants in the action stage have less favorable decisional balance than those in two earlier stages (i.e. contemplation and relapse). Common barriers for this sample of Asian participants included the items related to access and modesty issues. Overall, the study supports the notion that assessing differences in mammography-related beliefs by stage of screening behavior may facilitate the development of stage-matched interventions for Asian ethnic groups.

A qualitative exploration of the community partner experience in a faith-based breast cancer educational intervention

Although community partner engagement is a key component in faith-based health promotion/disease prevention intervention research, the perspective of community partners on their experiences in the intervention process has been infrequently investigated. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 African-American community partners [i.e. four pastors and eight lay health co-ordinators (LHCs)] from eight churches in greater Baltimore, MD, USA, that engaged in a breast cancer educational intervention that followed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. Audiotaped interviews were transcribed, coded and content analysis was used to identify themes across the codes. Findings show that pastors support a holistic approach to health and that LHCs act as a link between the pastors, participants and academic researchers. In addition, pastors and LHCs emphasized that the religious and/or spiritual program elements should not overpower the importance of reaching participants with critical health information regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs. Study findings suggest that faith-based educational intervention efforts that follow a CBPR approach are important in promoting cancer awareness in the African-American community. Including community partner assessment can further elucidate critical intervention impacts and helps to address health disparities in underserved communities.

Process evaluation of a school-based weight gain prevention program: the Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers (DOiT)

Health promotion programs benefit from an accompanying process evaluation since it can provide more insight in the strengths and weaknesses of a program. A process evaluation was conducted to assess the reach, implementation, satisfaction and maintenance of a school-based program aimed at the prevention of excessive weight gain among Dutch adolescents [Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers (DOiT)]. Our process evaluation involved data collections by means of questionnaires among students, teachers, school board and site staff. The results indicated immense difficulties in the recruitment phase and therefore a low reach at school level. However, among adolescents of the schools that participated, the reach was high (84%). Furthermore, the classroom intervention was implemented successfully based on the number of lessons taught. Most teachers rated the DOiT-intervention positively; students rated the intervention 6.6 on a scale of 1–10. The majority of the teachers planned to implement the DOiT-intervention program in the future, as they perceived DOiT feasible for pre-vocational education students.

Baseline survey of sun protection policies and practices in primary school settings in New Zealand

The SunSmart Schools Accreditation Programme (SSAP) was launched as a national programme in October 2005 to help reduce the risk of excessive child exposure to ultraviolet radiation. As part of the need for evaluation, this paper reports the findings of a national survey of a randomly selected sample of approximately 12% of New Zealand primary schools prior to the national launch of the SSAP. Principals at 242 schools completed a mail survey (81% response rate) relating to school sun protection policies, practices, curriculum and environment. Survey responses were evaluated according to the 12 criteria of the SSAP, with schools assigned a score from 0 to 12. No school fully met all 12 accreditation criteria, although 2% of schools attained 11 criteria and another 2% attained 10. Nine per cent of schools attained three or fewer criteria. Overall, 7 was the most common score, achieved by 23%. School socio-economic decile rating and roll size were positively associated with higher scores (both P < 0.02). Continued support and resources are needed to encourage schools to address sun protection across the spectrum of curriculum, practices and environment and through commitment to written policy.

Which patient-related factors determine self-perceived patient adherence to prescribed dyspepsia medication?

Patient adherence to medical treatment for dyspepsia is disappointing, whereas adherence is crucial for a proper evaluation of treatment. This prospective study used elements of the Integrated Change Model and Weiner's Attribution Theory to describe patients’ important cognitions and their interrelationships regarding self-perceived adherence to short-term medical treatment for dyspepsia. Patient questionnaires measured the predictors before treatment and self-perceived adherence after treatment. Approximately one-quarter of the patients indicated that they were non-adherent (n = 347). Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses revealed several significant predictors that explained 44% of the variance in self-perceived adherence. Patients with a low educational level, patients who claimed to regularly forget their medication in general, patients with a low self-efficacy or a low intention were less likely to be adherent. These results may indicate targets for interventions designed to improve adherence to medical treatment for dyspepsia. For instance, asking about expected difficulties in taking acid suppressants (e.g. forgetfulness or medication use at weekends) and making action plans to overcome these difficulties (e.g. using reminders) may result in improved adherence rates. Such an approach may reach a substantial number of patients since one in five patients in our study experienced some difficulties in taking medication.

Daughter-initiated health advice to mothers: perceptions of African-American and Latina daughters

The prevailing paradigm of health exchange within the family is for health advice to flow from parent to child. Consistent with this pattern of exchange, most research has focused on the one-directional influence of the parent on the child and there is thus an absence of literature that explores the ability of adolescents to influence their parents’ health behaviors. This qualitative study addressed this gap by exploring the feasibility of daughters providing health advice to their mothers. Twelve focus groups were conducted with 78 African–American and Latina daughters between the ages of 12 and 17 from low-income neighborhoods in a Mid-Western city in the United States. This study utilized a grounded theory approach to examine the focus group data. The findings indicate that many daughters report that they are already giving their mothers a wide spectrum of advice, including health advice. Differences were found in the reported willingness of African–American daughters when compared to Latina daughters to provide their mothers with specific cancer advice. These data suggest that some of these daughters have the potential to be valuable health education conveyers in the family.

The compensatory health beliefs scale: psychometric properties of a cross-culturally adapted scale for use in The Netherlands

This study assesses the psychometric properties of a measuring scale for compensatory health beliefs (CHBs), culturally adapted for use in the Dutch context. CHBs refer to the idea that people can compensate for unhealthy (mostly pleasant) behaviours with healthy behaviours, e.g. ‘It is OK to eat a chocolate bar, because I am going to the gym tonight’. We are critical towards such beliefs as they may also be an excuse to justify unhealthy behaviours. Before such effects can be studied, an appropriate tool to measure CHBs must be developed. We adapted a Canadian scale, consisting of four factors relating to beliefs about substance use, eating/sleeping habits, stress and weight regulation, translating it according to guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation and testing it among 145 Dutch students. Factor analysis showed that the structure was not entirely identical in the Dutch context, and the internal consistency of the four subscales was also low. The overall scale showed a high internal consistency ( = 0.78), indicating the existence of an underlying construct, and a high Pearson correlation between the first and second measurements (r = 0.82), showing good stability. We recommend using the overall scale and further studying its reliability among other subgroups as well as its validity.

Smoking among Dutch elementary schoolchildren: gender-specific predictors

Higher rates of smoking initiation and continuation by female compared with male adolescents, as found in many developed countries, may call for gender-specific prevention programs. Risk factors of smoking initiation and continuation were examined prospectively (1997–2002) among 3205 Dutch elementary schoolchildren (mean age 11.64) in an intervention trial using written questionnaires and multilevel logistic regression. At baseline, smoking prevalence was lower among girls than among boys; at follow-up, smoking initiation was lower among girls than among boys. Concerning smoking initiation, girls and boys shared the following risk factors: age, modeling from parents and siblings (‘modeling nuclear’), modeling from other members in the social circle (‘modeling diffuse’) and perceived pro-tobacco pressure to smoke. The only gender-specific predictor of smoking initiation was parent origin; girls with non-Dutch parents could be targeted for prevention programs. Concerning continuation, girls and boys shared the following risk factors: older age, more modeling nuclear and diffuse, fewer smoking disadvantages and lower self-efficacy to refrain from smoking. This study confirms that social modeling, smoking attitude and self-efficacy information to refrain from smoking deserve a prominent place in smoking prevention programs for schoolchildren. Besides booster sessions, family-directed programs are suggested. No gender-specific predictors of later smoking initiation were found, apart from parent origin, which is not amenable to intervention.

Everybody's talking: using entertainment-education video to reduce barriers to discussion of cervical cancer screening among Thai women

Although Southeast Asian women are at exceedingly high risk for cervical cancer, low rates of the Pap testing necessary for early detection and successful treatment continue among this group. Previous research suggests that discussions about Pap testing with important people in a woman's life, particularly her doctor, may increase the likelihood of screening; therefore increasing women's discussions about cancer screenings is an important step toward behavior change. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive, seven-minute video intervention in reducing barriers to discussions about Pap tests among Thai women. This unique video presented Thai actors, speaking in Thai, in a soap opera format. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. The comparison group received an educational pamphlet. Although the results indicated that both groups experienced reductions in barriers to communicating with others about Pap tests, the intervention group had significantly stronger outcomes than the comparison group for communicating about Pap tests in general as well as to doctors. These findings suggest that intermediate communication effects such as self-efficacy, collective efficacy and perhaps interpersonal communication may reduce barriers to discussion and positive decision making regarding Pap tests.

Smoking cessation and diabetes control in Kerala, India: an urgent need for health education

This study documented the tobacco use among male diabetes patients in a clinic-based population of urban India, patient reports of physician cessation messages and patients’ perception of tobacco use as a risk factor for diabetes complications. All the 444 male diabetes patients who attended three public sector hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, were surveyed to ascertain their tobacco use as well as the frequency and content of quit messages received from health staff. A significant proportion (59%) of diabetes patients were tobacco users prior to diagnosis and more than half of them continued to use tobacco, many daily, even after diagnosis. Of the 100 current smokers, 75% were asked about their tobacco use at the time of diagnosis; of those, 52% were advised to quit. However, a lack of patient awareness existed regarding the linkages of smoking and diabetes complications. Notably, 52% of patients did not associate smoking with diabetes complications. Given the magnitude of tobacco use among diabetics, there is clearly a need for more proactive cessation efforts. The times of illness diagnosis, illness flare-ups and emerging illness complications are teachable moments when patients are primed to change their behavior and more motivated to quit tobacco.

Mobilizing men as partners: the results of an intervention to increase dual protection among Nigerian men

This quasi-experimental, proof-of-concept study evaluated the effects of an intervention designed to help Nigerian men decrease risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. The intervention was delivered in groups during two 5-hour workshops, with a monthly 2-hour check-in session. A comparison condition consisted of a group-based half-day didactic workshop. Based on recruitment area, 149 men were assigned to the intervention and 132 to the comparison. Men were evaluated at baseline and 3-month post-intervention. At follow-up, men assigned to the intervention were almost four times more likely than comparison men to report condom use at last intercourse (P < 0.001) and to report fewer unprotected vaginal sex occasions, greater self-efficacy for negotiation, a more egalitarian power dynamic in their primary relationship, more positive expectations for condom use and greater intention for future consistent condom use (all P values < 0.05). Findings suggest that this intervention is both feasible and effective.

Secretos de la Buena Vida: processes of dietary change via a tailored nutrition communication intervention for Latinas

Secretos de la Buena Vida was a successful tailored nutrition communication intervention delivered to Latinas living along the US–Mexico border in California. The intervention was delivered over a 14-week period and consisted of three intervention conditions: weekly home visits with promotoras + weekly tailored mailed newsletters in the first condition, weekly tailored mailed newsletters in the second condition and targeted materials in the attention control condition. The current study examined what elements of the promotora + tailored newsletter and tailored newsletter-only conditions were most effective for behavioral adoption and maintenance in a sample of 238 Latina women. Process evaluation measures assessed the implementation, fidelity and dose of these two intervention conditions. Results indicate that there was high fidelity to program implementation and delivery. Perceived effort, perceived support and intervention length predicted adoption of a lower fat diet at the 15-month follow-up. In the promotora + tailored newsletter condition, married women were four times more likely to be adopters of dietary fat changes than single women. These findings highlight the importance of process evaluation measures and help us understand the mechanism by which tailored print materials and interpersonal health communication via promotoras can facilitate health behavior change.

Mass media campaign improves cervical screening across all socio-economic groups

Low socio-economic status (SES) has been associated with lower cervical screening rates. Mass media is one known strategy that can increase cervical screening participation. This study sought to determine whether a mass media campaign conducted in Victoria, Australia, in 2005 was effective in encouraging women across all SES groups to screen. Data were obtained from the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry for each Pap test registered during 2005 and categorized into SES quintiles using the Index of Socio-Economic Advantage/Disadvantage. Negative binomial regression was used to determine the impact of the campaign on the weekly number of Pap tests and whether the media campaign had a differential effect by SES, after adjusting for the number of workdays per week, age group and time since previous test. Cervical screening increased 27% during the campaign period and was equally effective in encouraging screening across all SES groups, including low-SES women. Mass media campaigns can prompt increased rates of cervical screening among all women, not just those from more advantaged areas. Combining media with additional strategies targeted at low-SES women may help lessen the underlying differences in screening rates across SES.

Use of focus group data to develop recommendations for demographically segmented colorectal cancer educational strategies

Screening is available and effective in colorectal cancer (CRC) control, but underutilized. The purpose of this study was to use focus group data to develop recommendations for the development of educational interventions to increase CRC screening, using an audience segmentation strategy. Demographic segments were based on urban–rural residence, race (African-American, White) and sex. One hundred and sixty-five participants age 50+, with no history of CRC participated in 17 focus groups in Alabama urban and rural communities. Transcripts were examined by independent coders. Knowledge among participants was limited regarding age to begin screening, insurance coverage and risk factors for CRC. Perceived barriers to screening included lack of physician recommendation, cost/lack of insurance coverage, pain/discomfort and embarrassment. African-American men reported postponement in seeing their physicians. White women were proactive at initiating discussion of CRC screening with their providers while African-American women felt that providers should drive the process. No urban–rural differences were identified. This study identified cultural and gender characteristics and perceptions that can be used in the development of demographically segmented health communication interventions to increase CRC awareness and screening.

Compensatory beliefs about glucose testing are associated with low adherence to treatment and poor metabolic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

The goal of this research was to investigate whether compensatory beliefs (CBs) regarding glucose testing predict blood glucose levels and adherence to treatment in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. CBs are convictions that the negative effects of one behavior (e.g. not testing one's glucose level) can be compensated for by engaging in another behavior (e.g. not eating any sweets). Adolescent patients from the Diabetes Clinic at the Montreal Children's Hospital and their parents filled out scales while coming for a regular visit. Results from their HbA1c blood test from that visit and prior visits were obtained from their medical records. Results showed that holding glucose testing CBs was associated with poorer HbA1c and poorer adherence to self-care behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that glucose testing CBs predicted blood glucose control and adherence to treatment above and beyond a number of other constructs including diabetes knowledge. Addressing CBs in diabetes education, in particular targeting those concerning glucose testing, could improve the adherence to treatment and thereby the long-term health of people with diabetes.

Identifying cluster subtypes for intentions to have colorectal cancer screening among non-compliant intermediate-risk siblings of individuals with colorectal cancer

Although first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients diagnosed at an early age are at increased risk for CRC, their compliance with colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) is not high. Relatively little is known about why these intermediate-risk family members do not comply with CRCS. Study aims were to identify subgroups of siblings of individuals diagnosed with CRC prior to age 61 who were not compliant with CRCS using cluster analysis and to identify demographical, medical and attitudinal correlates of cluster membership. A total of 421 siblings completed measures of pros, cons, processes of change, CRCS knowledge, physician and family CRCS support, CRC risk, severity, preventability, curability, closeness with the affected sibling, distress about the sibling's cancer and screening intentions. Three clusters characterized as ‘Positive about Screening’, ‘Uncertain about Screening’ and ‘Negative about Screening’ were identified. External validation revealed that those in the Positive about Screening cluster reported significantly stronger CRCS intentions than those who are Uncertain about Screening and Negative about Screening clusters. Results provide an empirical typology for understanding motivations for CRCS among at-risk family members and may lead to the development of more effective interventions to improve screening uptake.

Energetic And Respected Rural Doctor Wins Coveted Award The Peter Graham 'Cohuna' Award 2009, Australia

One of Australia's most high profile and energetic rural doctors, Dr Peter Rischbieth, has been named the winner of the prestigious ACRRM-RDAA Peter Graham 'Cohuna' Award for 2009. The extremely dedicated rural doctor based in Murray Bridge, South Australia, is only the second recipient of the Award, which is presented jointly by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA).

Swedish Study Finds Poor Leadership Poses A Health Risk At Work

Perceived poor managerial leadership increases not only the amount of sick leave taken at a workplace, but also the risk of sickness amongst employees later on in life. The longer a person has had a "poorer" manager, the higher his or her risk of for example suffering a heart attack within a ten-year period, according to a new thesis from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.

Swine Influenza Daily Update: 02 November 2009, Wales

The NPHS influenza surveillance scheme, which records reports of diagnoses of flu from more than 300 GP practices across Wales, shows levels of influenza continue to increase across Wales and are normal for the time of year. Further detail can be found on the NPHS website. The report from 29 October estimates there were 82.

Improved Healing Of Bone Fractures After Radiation Exposure

A drug currently under development by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine may help bone fractures heal more quickly after radiation exposure, according to a study by Pitt researchers. The study's results were presented during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in Chicago. The drug, JP4-039, is a free-radical scavenger targeted to the mitochondria, the energy generator of all cells.

Senate, House Split Over Taxes To Pay For Health Overhaul

A health care overhaul that would expand health insurance coverage to millions isn't free, and in addition to proposed cuts, bills would raise revenue with taxes and fees. "The typical family would be spared higher taxes from the House Democratic plan to overhaul health care, and their low-income neighbors could come out ahead," the

Today's Opinions And Editorials

Take This Conservative Argument Seriously Kaiser Health News When conservatives scream about socialized medicine and death panels, you should tune them out. But lately conservatives have been making an argument you should hear.

Link Between Childhood Physical Abuse And Arthritis

Adults who had experienced physical abuse as children have 56 per cent higher odds of osteoarthritis compared to those who have not been abused, according to a new study by University of Toronto researchers. University of Toronto researchers investigated the relationship between self-reported childhood physical abuse and a diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA).

Norovirus: Poorly Cleaned Public Cruise Ship Restrooms May Predict Outbreaks

A team of researchers from Boston University School (BUSM), Carney Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance and Tufts University School of Medicine, have found that widespread poor compliance with regular cleaning of public restrooms on cruise ships may predict subsequent norovirus infection outbreaks (NoVOs). This study, which appears in the November 1st issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, is the first study of environmental hygiene on cruise ships.

Obama To Lift Travel Ban On People With HIV

President Obama on Friday announced the end of a 22-year travel ban against people living with HIV, the New York Times reports. The president previously pledged to eliminate the ban before the end of the year, saying it is "rooted in fear rather than fact.

Deaths From H1N1 Rise By 700 In One Week, WHO Reports

The number of deaths from H1N1 (swine flu) rose by 700 in a week, to top 5,700 since the virus was first identified in April, the WHO reported Friday, Agence France-Presse reports (10/30).

Washington Post Examines Role Of USAID's Richard Greene

As part of its ongoing "Federal Player of the Week" series with the Partnership for Public Service, the Washington Post examines the role of Richard Greene, the head of USAID's Office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition in the Bureau of Global Health.

Threat Of Protesters Should Not Prevent Relocation Of Mass. Women's Health Clinic, Opinion Piece Says

Despite the fact that abortion is legal in the U.S., regulations and intimidation have so "sharply reduced the number of clinics, doctors and hospitals willing to engage in the procedure" that it is currently "not possible to obtain a legal abortion in 87% of U.S. counties," columnist Renee Loth writes in the Boston Globe.

Swine Flu Vaccine Supply Expected To Increase 'In Short Order'

A senior adviser to President Barack Obama says the government "overpromised" with the swine flu vaccine but that the vaccine supply would catch up with the demand within a week. Meanwhile, a health group established to monitor the vaccine's safety will begin work this week.

Advancing Medicine From The Frontlines To The Homefront

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, more servicemen and women are experiencing physical and emotional wounds. The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) and the Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF) know that increased civilian/military partnerships can accelerate the pace of scientific advancements that will improve the identification and treatment of these wounds.

IPCC/IGBP Joint Workshop: Developing Countries Must Prepare For Large-Scale Change

Even if the outcome of the December climate negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark, are positive, scientific forecasts suggest that temperature rises in the next few decades are unavoidable. Human societies and economies are vulnerable to the associated negative impacts, particularly in South America, Africa and Asia. This week (4-6 November), an international group of experts meet in Brazil to discuss how global change will affect nations, with a focus on developing countries.

TEXPAC Endorses Gov. Rick Perry For Reelection

Calling Governor Perry a sound leader on patient care issues, TEXPAC, the political arm of the Texas Medical Association (TMA), announced that the organization has endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry for reelection in 2010. "We thank Governor Perry for his leadership and look forward to continuing to work with him shoulder to shoulder to improve the health of all Texans," said TMA President William H. Fleming III, MD, speaking on behalf of TEXPAC.

N.Y. Law Increases Penalties For Violence Against Abortion Clinic Staff, Patients

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) last week signed a law that will stiffen penalties for causing physical injury to abortion providers and their patients, the AP/Washington Post reports.

Dramatic Settlement Sets National Model For H1N1 Hospital Safety Measures To Protect Patients And Nurses

In a dramatic settlement seen as a novel pattern for the nation, the nation's largest nurses union and professional association, and one of the country's biggest hospital systems, today announced a landmark agreement that sets a national standard on containing the spread of pandemics such as H1N1 "swine flu".

HHS Strengthens HIPAA Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an interim final rule with request for comments today to strengthen its enforcement of the rules promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

DrugScope Response To Home Secretary's Decision To Force Resignation Of The ACMD Chair

In response to the decision by the Home Secretary to ask David Nutt, Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to resign DrugScope has issued the following statement: DrugScope's Director of Communications, Harry Shapiro, said "There are few areas of policy as important but at the same time as difficult, complex and emotive as drugs policy.

New National Quarry Safety Team Formed, UK

A new team of specialist inspectors has been assembled to crackdown on death, injury and ill-health in quarries and open cast mines across Great Britain. The team of Health and Safety Executive inspectors, initially five-strong, has decades of knowledge and expertise in the sector. The inspectors will operate nationwide, dedicating their time solely to advising, inspecting and carrying out any necessary enforcement action in quarries and open cast mines.

Centene Corporation's Proactive Flu Prevention Program Also Targets Groups At Risk For H1N1

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) takes a proactive approach with education around how to prevent the influenza virus each year through its FluventionTM program. In the past, the Company's flu prevention campaign encouraged its members to get the seasonal influenza vaccines and take everyday precautions to prevent illness.

Study: Lack Of Insurance May Have Caused 17,000 Child Deaths Over 20 Years

"An estimated 17,000 children in the United States might have died unnecessarily over nearly two decades because they didn't have health insurance, according to a report from researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore," reports U.S. News and World Report. "David C.

Recent Releases In Global Health

JAIDS Supplement Focuses On Global Health Systems "Action always leads to reaction, a fundamental law of nature," write the authors of an introduction appearing in a

New Tests For Identifying Potentially Deadly Adulterants In Pharmaceutical Ingredients

To further protect patients from adulterated medicines, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has announced revised standards for four ingredients widely used in prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The standards, posted on the USP Web site, include new tests for identifying two harmful and potentially deadly contaminants in the four pharmaceutical excipients - inactive ingredients common in medicines for purposes including sweetening agents and solvents.

Consumer Electronics Can Help Improve Patient Health

Electronic tools and technology applications for consumers can help improve health care processes, such as adherence to medication and clinical outcomes like smoking cessation, according to a report by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The analysis of consumer health informatics, conducted by the Bloomberg School's Evidence-based Practice Center for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), was based on an examination of 146 published research studies of patient-focused electronic tools. It is among the first to explore the potential value of consumer health informatics.

Researchers Identify Workings of L-Form Bacteria

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have for the first time identified the genetic mechanisms involved in the formation and survival of L-form bacteria. Their findings are described in a study published October 6 in the journal PLoS ONE.

Center for a Livable Future Names Predoctoral Fellows for 2009-2010

(CLF) has awarded predoctoral fellowships to 16 students for the 2009-2010 academic year in its Farming for the Future and Eating for the Future programs.

Advances in Malaria Research: In the Lab and the Field

Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute (JHMRI) are on the cutting edge of world-class basic science and clinical research to treat and control malaria, develop a vaccine, and find new drug targets to prevent and cure this deadly disease. During an interactive web summit, participants will hear the latest findings in the fight against malaria from top researchers at JHMRI and have the opportunity to ask questions in real time.

AHRQ Awards Funding to Evaluate Continued Savings of Guided Care Intervention

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to study the ongoing cost effectiveness of Guided Care, a model of proactive, comprehensive health care provided by physican-nurse teams for people with chronic health conditions. This new funding will enable Chad Boult, MD, MPH, MBA, the principal investigator of the study and creator of the Guided Care model, and his research team to evaluate the cumulative effects of Guided Care in the final year of a 32-month randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Deaths from Unintentional Injuries Increase for Many Groups

While the total mortality rate from unintentional injury increased in the U.S. by 11 percent between 1999 and 2005, far larger increases were seen in some subgroups analyzed by age, race, ethnicity and type of injury by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy. Their analysis found that white women between 45 and 64 years old experienced a 230 percent increase in the rate of poisoning mortality over the study period. White men in this age group experienced an increase of 137 percent. The study is available online at the website of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in advance of publication in the September print edition of the journal.

European REACH Legislation for Chemicals May Require More Animals and Funds than Estimated

The European Union's REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical) legislation is intended as a comprehensive safety evaluation for commercial chemicals used in consumer products that are traded in Europe at amounts more than one ton per year. However, implementation of the regulation may require 54 million research animals and E9.5 billion ($13.4 billion) over the next 10 years, which represents 20 times the number of animals and six times the cost anticipated in previous estimates, according to an analysis led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Currently, the EU uses approximately 900,000 animals at a cost of E600 million ($847 million) per year to evaluate new chemicals, drugs, pesticides and food additives. A commentary on the research is published in the August 26 edition of Nature. The full analysis will appear the same day as an electronic prepublication of the September 2009 edition of the journal ALTEX, Alternatives to Animal Experimentation.

Secondhand Smoke Levels Higher in Cars than in Bars or Restaurants

The concentrations of secondhand smoke are significantly higher in cars than concentrations generally measured in bars, restaurants and other public places that allow smoking, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study is among the first to measure smoking in cars under real-world driving conditions and is published on August 24, ahead of print, in Tobacco Control.

New Online Course Teaches Practice Leaders How to Function as a Medical Home

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has launched an online course for physicians, administrators and other medical practice leaders who want to transform their practices into medical homes. The term medical home describes health care practices that provide comprehensive, coordinated and continuous care to patients, including those with chronic illnesses.

CDC Funds the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was awarded $4 million in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to monitor youth exposure to alcohol advertising over the next five years.

Guided Care Reduces Cost of Health Care for Older Persons with Chronic Conditions

1 in 6 Public Health Workers Unlikely to Respond in Pandemic Flu Emergency

Approximately 1 in 6 public health workers said they would not report to work during a pandemic flu emergency regardless of its severity, according to a survey led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The findings are a significant improvement over a 2005 study conducted by the same research team, in which more than 40 percent of public health employees said they were unlikely to report to work during a pandemic emergency. The new study suggests ways for improving the response of the public health workforce. The results are published in the July 24 edition of the journal PLoS ONE.

Vaccine Blocks Malaria Transmission in Lab Experiments

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute have for the first time produced a malarial protein (Pfs48/45) in the proper conformation and quantity to generate a significant immune response in mice and non-human primates for use in a potential transmission-blocking vaccine. Antibodies induced by Pfs48/45 protein vaccine effectively blocked the sexual development of the malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium, as it grows within the mosquito. Sexual development is a critical step in the parasite s life cycle and necessary for continued transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to humans.

Regulation and Oversight of Gun Sales Reduces Trafficking to Criminals

Comprehensive regulation of gun sellers appears to reduce the trafficking of guns to criminals, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Preventing the diversion of guns to criminals is important because 85 percent of guns recovered by police were recovered from criminal suspects who were not the original purchasers of the guns according to prior research from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Hopkins study is the first to gather and incorporate measures of the enforcement of gun sale laws into a study of the effectiveness of those laws. It is available online in the Journal of Urban Health and in the just-released July 2009 print edition.

Injury Center Receives 5-Year Renewal from CDC

The Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is one of four injury control research centers nationwide selected for funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Injury control research centers study the three core phases of injury control--prevention, acute care and rehabilitation--and serve as training and information centers for the public and health professionals.

Sightseeing Helicopter Crashes in Hawaii Decrease Following FAA Regulations

An emergency rule intended to reduce the number of deaths and injuries associated with Hawaiian air tours was followed by a 47 percent reduction in sightseeing crashes, according to a new study by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy.

Cost-Effective Measures Could Stop Child Pneumonia Deaths

Implementing measures to improve nutrition, indoor air pollution, immunization coverage and the management of pneumonia cases could be cost-effective and significantly reduce child mortality from pneumonia, according to a study led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Researchers found that these strategies combined could reduce total child mortality by 17 percent and could reduce pneumonia deaths by more than 90 percent.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Awards Dean's Medal to David Oshinsky

Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, has awarded the Dean's Medal--the School's highest honor--to historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Oshinsky. The Dean's Medal recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of public health. Oshinsky was presented with the Dean's Medal on May 20 at the Bloomberg School of Public Health's convocation ceremony in Baltimore, Md. He also presented the convocation keynote address.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Awards Dean's Medal to Richard Horton

Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, has awarded the Dean's Medal--the School's highest honor--to Richard Horton, editor of the renowned medical journal The Lancet. The Dean's Medal recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of public health.

Study Finds Novel Genetic Risk Factors for Kidney Disease

A team of researchers from the United States, the Netherlands and Iceland has identified three genes containing common mutations that are associated with altered kidney disease risk. One of the discovered genes, the UMOD gene, produces Tamm-Horsfall protein, the most common protein in the urine of healthy individuals. Although the Tamm-Horsfall protein has been known for almost 60 years, its functions are not well understood and its relationship to chronic kidney disease risk was not known previously.