National News
FEMA Releases National Preparedness Report
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released its National Preparedness Report.
Largely Preventable Health Conditions Hamper U.S.
The current generation of American children may be the first not to live as long as their parents.
U.S. Health Care Spending ‘Dwarfs’ Other Countries
The United States Spends more on health care than 12 other industrial countries, a new Commonwealth Fund study finds - but that doesn't mean this country's care is any better.
State of the Air 2012
In late April the American Lung Association released its State of the Air 2012 report.
Cancer Survival Study Finds Racial Disparities
Recent study finds that African Americans in Georgia, especially in rural areas, have drastically poorer survival rates from cancer.
U.S. Health Systems Not Ready for Catastrophes
In US the infrastructure and systems to deliver health care during or after catastrophic disasters are rudimentary at best.
HHS Sponsors Contest for Web App to Identify Local Health Trends
Federal officials are challenging developers to design Web-based applications that use Twitter to track health trends in real time.
Updated HIPAA Standards
OESS announces that it will not initiate enforcement action through June 30, 2012, against any covered entity that is required to comply with the updated transactions standards adopted under HIPAA.
Study Investigates Racism's Effect on African American Men
Recent study focused on the phenomenon that researchers call everyday racism—a term that references the persistent and subtle ways in which prejudice is felt.
A Review of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals
Antibiotic use plays a major role in the emerging public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Relatively little attention has been paid to how antibiotic use in farm animals contributes to the overall problem.
Study: Doctor’s Attitude About Race May Influence Patient Visit
Clinicians’ attitudes about race are associated with markers of poor communication during patient visits and poor ratings, particularly among black patients, reports a new study in the American Journal of Public Health.
Report Highlights Wide Variance in Care Quality Across the Nation
The first-ever report on the quality of care in 306 U.S. communities found a wide variance in the cost and quality of healthcare between and within states.
Pediatricians Get More Firm When Parents Refuse Vaccines
Doctors are growing increasingly frustrated with what they characterize as misinformation linking childhood immunizations to autism, but many parents continue to be wary of vaccines.
Drexel Examines Joint Effect of Maternal Smoking and Fetal Growth on Intellectual Development
Recent study finds that maternal smoking and reduced birth weight had an adverse effect on the intellectual development of the child.
UNC-led Study Finds Aspirin May Counteract Trans Fat-related Stroke Risk in Older Women
The risk of stroke associated with trans fat intake was lower among women taking aspirin.
People in Poor Neighborhoods Have More Pain, Study Finds
Adults under 50 in low-income neighborhoods have more chronic pain new research finds.
Health IT Chief Disputes Study On EHR Testing, Costs
Recent study published in the journal Health Affairs found that doctors who use electronic health records may order more diagnostic testing.
Surgeon General Releases New Report on Youth Smoking
The fight against youth tobacco use was accelerated by Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, with the release of the Surgeon General’s Report, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults.
Alzheimer’s Association Releases New Report
The Alzheimer’s Association released the 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report.
Health Reform Law Ends Lifetime Limits for 105 Million Americans
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report on how the health reform law has eliminated lifetime limits on coverage for more than 105 million Americans.
