Health, Fitness, Wellness News at VitaBeat

Survey: 59% Of Americans Expect Serious Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak This Fall/Winter

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:05:02 PDT

A new survey found six in 10 Americans think it is very likely there will be a widespread Influenza A (H1N1) this fall or winter with many people becoming sick.

The Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health conducted the national poll of 1,823 adults age 18 and over from June 22 to 28.

Obama Presses Congress To Pass Health Care Reforms

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:50:01 PDT

Insisting that much progress has already been made, President Barack Obama on Friday urged Congress to continue to work on ensuring that Americans have universal, affordable health care.

In a brief televised press conference just after 4 p.m., the President urged lawmakers to "look at the unprecedented progress we have already made" in bringing down health care costs. He pointed to agreements earlier this year with insurance companies, drug companies and the hospice industry to cut costs.

Private Garbage Haulers Profit From Toronto Garbage Crisis

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:20:02 PDT

As Toronto's garbage enters its fifth week on Wednesday, one group is economically benefiting from the labor problem. It is private garbage haulers and other enterprises that deal with trash-related products and services.

For instance, Waste Management reported a 25 percent increase in the sale in Toronto of its new garbage removal product, a reinforced polypropylene sack. The Rhinobag, which has a $44.99 price tag, could accommodate 30 to 40 bags of household waste.

CDC: More, Younger Children Having Sex

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:20:02 PDT

The number of teenagers and young adults having sex has increased, reversing a 20-year trend, according to a report issued Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The increase was seen in children as young as 10.

The federal agency compiled data between 2002 and 2007 for adolescents and young people between 10 and 24. Its findings were compared it with data in a previous study that included figures from as far back as 1990.

Number Of Ontario Summer Camps Hit By Swine Flu Goes Up To 10

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:20:02 PDT

In 24 hours the number of Ontario summer camps infected with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus jumped from three to 10, reflecting the swift spread of swine flu across Canada.

Ontario Ministry of Health spokesperson David Jensen disclosed four of the camps which reported H1N1 ailments among young Canadians are at the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District and the Simcoe Muskoka District.

Study Finds "Active" Video Games Good For Kids

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:20:01 PDT

A new study shows active video games such as Nintendo's Wii Boxing or 'Dance Dance Revolution' can have a positive impact on a child's health, even being as helpful as moderate exercise.

Scientists at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center published their work in the journal 'Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics.' The study looked at heart rate, energy expenditure and exertion in children between 10 and 13-years-old. The compared gamers to kids on a treadmill and found "active video games offer a great alternative to moderate exercise."

House Committee Approves Obama's Healthcare Reform Bill Backed By AMA

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:20:01 PDT

The House and Ways Committee early Friday passed a $1 trillion healthcare bill that includes a public option plan and a surcharge ranging from 1 to 5.4 percent on the 1.2 percent wealthiest Americans, provisions that Republicans criticize as a "government takeover of healthcare" and a "job-killing tax." Approval came the same day the American Medical Association declared its support for the bill.

By a 23-18 vote, the panel endorsed H.R. 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, to the full House floor. The measure was crafted by the Ways Committee along with two other panels, Education and Energy.

WHO Ends Reporting Of Swine Flu Cases

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:20:01 PDT

The World Health Organization has suspended its regular reports of swine flu incidents worldwide, saying the vast number of cases has swamped laboratories and that further spread of the disease is unavoidable.

The organization dropped the requirement that health officials conduct laboratory testing to confirm that reported cases of flu were actually the H1N1 virus. Consequently, WHO will no longer issue its country-by-country counts of swine flu cases.

Medical-Products Maker Baxterâs Profit Rises Over Estimates On Strong Sales

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:50:01 PDT

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) Thursday reported strong financial results as the second-quarter profit jumped by 8 percent, topping market economist estimates. The firm has also raised its full-year financial outlook for 2009.

For the full year, the biggest maker of treatments for blood disorders continues to expect sales growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency, to be between 7 percent and 8 percent.

Swine Flu Hits 3 Ontario Summer Camps

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:50:01 PDT

The Influenza A (H1N1) virus continues to spread throughout Canada, with the latest high concentration of outbreak reported in three Ontario summer camps.

The virus affected 227 children or 20 percent of 1,275 young campers at Camp Ramah, Olympia Sports Camp and Camp Tamarack. The H1N1 affected youths were either sent home or quarantined after they showed flu symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat and body aches. However, all 227 summer campers had mild cases and did not require hospitalization.

Health Canada Forces Recall Of Simplicity Drop-Side Baby Cribs

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:35:02 PDT

Health Canada recalled on Wednesday the Simplicity drop-side baby cribs, following a similar move made by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission two weeks ago. That particular brand and model of crib was pinpointed as the cause of the death of a baby in Texas.

The incident was the 13th Simplicity death recorded in the United States for the past few years.

Medical Isotope Cost Soars As Shortage Worsens

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:05:01 PDT

The law of supply and demand is working in the case of medical isotopes, triggered by the sudden closure in May of the Ontario-based Chalk River National Research Universal reactor.

Since the facility accounted for the bulk of medical isotope production in Canada and in other parts of the world, its closure caused costs to soar. Suppliers are taking advantage of the current situation to jack up their prices, resulting in more expensive medical tests.

Medical Isotope Cost Soars As Supply Lack Worsens

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:50:01 PDT

The law of supply and demand is working in the case of medical isotopes, triggered by the sudden closure in May of the Ontario-based Chalk River National Research Universal reactor.

Toronto Opens 3 New Temporary Dumpsites

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:05:01 PDT

As the Toronto city worker strike reached its fourth week, city hall on Wednesday ordered the opening of three new temporary dumpsites and the closure of another three.

The new trash stations are the parking lots of the Clairlea Park Arena on Fairfax Crescent and L'Amoreaux Park on Silver Springs Boulevard and the outdoor rink of Campbell Park, which is near Lansdowne and Dupont. These new sites would open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Study: Chronic Headache Sufferers Usually Outgrow The Condition

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:50:01 PDT

Most children who suffer from daily chronic headaches will likely outgrow the painful condition, according to new research from Taiwanese scientists.

Worldwide, almost 2 percent of middle school children are inflicted with conditions like migraine and tension-type headaches, according to the study published in the July 15 online issue of Neurology.

Learning Of Alzheimer's Risk Does Little Mental Harm

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:20:01 PDT

Patients who find out they are predisposed to Alzheimer's disease typically do not suffer any prolonged depression of anxiety over the news, according to a new study.

Scott Roberts, a University of Michigan researcher at the School of Public Health, and a co-author of the study, said in a statement the finding helps in the debate over whether learning about dementia predisposition causes psychological harm.

Oldest Mom To Give Birth Dies From Cancer

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:50:02 PDT

The oldest mother to give birth at age 66 three years ago has died from cancer leaving her twin boys orphaned.

Spanish Carmen Bousada died from cancer on Saturday, her brother told a local newspaper. The cancer was detected after she gave birth to Christian and Pau in Barcelona in December 2006 and the disease worsened because of the fertility drugs she took to conceive.

Senate Democrats Move $600 Billion Healthcare Reform Bill Past Committee

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:20:01 PDT

Democrats on Wednesday successfully moved a $600 billion healthcare bill that includes a public option plan past the Senate Health Committee, overcoming tough Republican opposition and ahead of an August deadline set by President Barack Obama. In the House, markup of a just unveiled $1.5 trillion Democratic reform proposal began.

By a 13-10 vote along party lines, members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee endorsed the bill crafted by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), the ailing chairman of the panel, to the full Senate floor. The vote was presided by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who has been presiding over the markup -- one of the longest in congressional history -- on behalf of Kennedy.

Ontario Anesthesiologists Warn Of Smoking Danger Prior To Surgery

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:20:01 PDT

The Ontario Anesthesiologists warned residents of the danger of smoking prior to a surgical procedure by launching a campaign on its action plan. Among the perils of lighting up before an operation are higher risks of infection, slower recovery time and increased readmission rates.

Dr. Steven Bodley, chair of the Ontario Anesthesiologists which belongs to the Ontario Medical Association, said in a statement, "The action plan that we have developed is not only simple and inexpensive to implement, but it will also help patients understand the risks they face if they don't quit before surgery and the benefits if they do."

Chang Soy Bean Sprouts Recalled For Possible Listeria

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:20:01 PDT

Soy bean sprouts sold by a Massachusetts farm are being recalled because of possible bacterial contamination.

Chang Farm of Whatley, MA, reported its 10-pound bulk bags and 12-ounce plastic bags of soy bean sprouts might have been tainted by Listeria, a rare but potentially fatal organism found in soil.

Family Of Alberta Resident Killed By Pain Patch To File Class Action Lawsuit

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:05:02 PDT

The family of an Alberta man who died from use of a pain patch initiated a class action lawsuit against five drug manufacturing firms for not warning users of the risks of using the fentanyl patch.

The Merchant Law Group filed the class action lawsuit against Ratiopharm, Janssen-Ortho, Novopharm, Cobalt Pharmaceuticals and Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada on behalf of the family of Doug Hoy.

China Ends Shock Therapy To Treat Internet Addictions

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:05:01 PDT

The Chinese government has stopped a controversial practice of electrically shocking teens to stop them from obsessive Internet use, according to reports.

Shock therapy was being used by a hospital in the country's Shandong Province as a way to treat Internet addiction, but the Ministry of Health ordered the facility to stop the practice.

House Democrats Unveil $1.5 Trillion Healthcare Bill That Taxes Wealthiest

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:20:02 PDT

With the Senate Health Committee wrapping up its markup of Sen. Ted. Kennedy's (D-MA) healthcare bill ahead of an August deadline, House Democrats on Tuesday announced another measure that quickly gained the ire of Republicans. The legislation, crafted by three committees and set for markup on Wednesday, is paid for by exacting from the top 1.2 percent earners in the nation pay a surcharge ranging from 1 to 5.4 percent.

The House Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce said they have a bill that will expand coverage to 97 percent of the 47 million uninsured Americans over the next 10 years.

FDA Adds Label Requirements For Some Drug Manufacturers

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:20:02 PDT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring manufacturers of certain drugs used for kidney transplant patients to carry labels warning of infection risks associated with the medicines.

The drugs are taken to stop the body's immune system from rejecting the implanted organs. But the FDA said in a statement on its Web site that some of the drugs may cause serious viral infections.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked With Ovarian Cancer Risk

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:35:02 PDT

Women who take hormone replacement therapy to treat post-menopausal symptoms are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to Danish researchers.

The researchers studied Danish women aged 50 to 79 years from 1995 through 2005. Out of the more than 900,000 women studied, 3,068 developed ovarian cancer.

Pioneering Transplant Lets Girl's Extra Heart Heal Her Other Beatless Heart

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:05:02 PDT

A girl transplanted with a second heart because her own was not beating survived for 10 years, and her original organ's miraculous healing gave doctors a new way to treat people like her.

The case of 16-year-old Hannah Clark, detailed in the medical journal Lancet on Tuesday, proved the technique of implanting a second heart to do the pumping until the original heart can start working on its own showed promise.

Air Force Academy Freshman Cadets Struck With Swine Flu

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:35:02 PDT

Influenza (H1N1) has struck 67 Air Force Academy cadets, but none were sick enough to require hospitalization.

Another 30 cadets have shown symptoms of the virus, but have not been confirmed to be infected with swine flu yet.

Study: Young Canadians Not Eating Enough Citrus Fruits

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:50:02 PDT

A study made by University of Toronto researchers said one-seventh of young Canadians are not eating sufficient citrus fruits. As a result they suffer from Vitamin C deficiency.

Among the symptoms of lack of ascorbic acid are larger waistlines, elevated body mass index, inflammation and high blood pressure which are likewise indicators of chronic ailments and obesity.

Toronto Mayor Reports Meaningful Movement In Discussion With CUPE Unions

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:50:02 PDT

On the fourth week of the city strike which has crippled a lot of services in Toronto as 24,000 employees walked off their job over pay raises, Toronto Mayor David Miller had some good news on Monday.

He said there is a meaningful movement over the weekend which he considered a ray of hope as Ontario's capital city struggled with mountains of uncollected trash. Miller, however, declined to provide more details as the city continued bargaining with the Canadian Union of Public Employees Locals 79 and 416.

American Cancer Society Partners With Lance Armstrong Foundation To Fight Global Cancer Burden

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:50:01 PDT

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) have forged a first-of-its-kind partnership to support cancer survivors around the world and aggressively address the world's cancer burden.

The ACS is now an international collaborating partner for the LAF Livestrong Global Cancer Summit, to be held August in Dublin, Ireland. The ACS will also participate in the Livestrong events at the Tour de France. The ACS's chief executive officer, John R. Seffrin, will be part of the U.S. delegation to the Summit and will address the 250 international advocates selected because of their commitments to cancer control, according to a statement from the ACS.

Johnson & Johnson Narrows Profit, But Tops Expectations

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:20:02 PDT

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) said Tuesday its second-quarter profit narrowed as the world's largest health-care company faced stiff competition in generic drugs market amid global economic downturn.

The company confirmed its earnings forecast for full-year 2009 of $4.45 per share to $4.55 per share, which excludes the impact of special items.

Scientists Closer To Understanding Why HIV Progresses Faster In Women

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:35:02 PDT

Health researchers from Boston say they may have discovered why HIV progresses faster in women than in men.

The researchers, with the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, said that a receptor molecule involved in the first-line recognition of HIV-1 responds to the virus differently in women.

World Health Organization (WHO) Issues H1N1 Vaccination Guidelines As Global Pandemic Continues

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:05:02 PDT

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a series of vaccination guidelines as drug makers prepare to produce and distribute influenza medicine targeting the H1N1 swine flu pandemic.

In standard medical advice, the WHO has recommended that "all countries should immunize their health-care workers as a first priority to protect the essential health infrastructure." WHO Director-General Margaret Chan endorsed the guidelines on Saturday in Geneva, and the plans were released to on Monday.

Brazil Effectively Combats HIV With Generic Approach

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:05:02 PDT

Brazil has proven that using generic drugs is an effective method for developing nations to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, according to new research from Brown University.

The nation successfully treated people living with HIV and AIDS during its nearly 20-year effort by pushing pharmaceutical companies with exclusive drugs to lower prices, and generic companies to develop cheaper alternatives for use in emerging markets.

Memory Tests, Brain Scans Detect Early Signs Of Alzheimer's Disease

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:35:02 PDT

New research indicates brain scans and memory tests could be effective early warning systems for Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers with the University of California, Berkley, reported during an Alzheimer's conference in Vienna, Austria the results of their study of 85 participants with mild cognitive impairment.

Philippine Pharmaceutical Firm Accused Of Bribery To Halt Cheap Drug Law

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:50:01 PDT

The Philippine Senate on Monday accused the local subsidiary of a pharmaceutical firm of trying to bribe the government to stop President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from signing a law lowering prices of certain medicines.

Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said Pfizer Philippines' recent offer of five million discount cards for its products to the Department of Health was a bribe because it came before Arroyo could sign the Quality Affordable Medicine Law, which sets a maximum retail price for 22 medicines for hypertension, diabetes, asthma and cancer.

Swine Flu 'Unstoppable,' Group Tells WHO

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:20:05 PDT

The global spread of swine flu has made the disease "unstoppable," a high-level advisory group to the World Health Organization has concluded.

The determination means that every country on the globe will need access to vaccine, Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO's director for vaccine research, said in a press briefing Monday.

Ontario Superior Court Grants Toronto Power To Move Illegally Dumped Garbage Outside Transfer Station

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:20:02 PDT

The City of Toronto scored another legal victory Sunday after the Ontario Superior Court allowed the city to remove illegally dumped garbage outside the Ingram Transfer Station.

Like its first legal victory, which involved picketing workers blocking the city government from taking action, similar industrial measures were taken by members of the two locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees at the transfer station when they stood in the way of Toronto's attempts to take away the trash that had spilled outside the transfer station.

Bangladesh Confirms One More Cases Of Swine Flu, Total 22

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:05:01 PDT

Bangladesh confirmed one more cases of the deadly Influenza A (H1N1) virus on Monday, taking the total cases to 22, a senior health official told AHN Media in Dhaka.

"A 4-and-half-year old child was infected by another patient inside the country," Head of the country's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research under the Health Ministry Mahmudur Rahman told AHN in the capital, Dhaka on Monday.

Health Authorities In Canada Issue Guidelines On Medical Priority System During A Pandemic

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:05:02 PDT

The federal and provincial governments of Canada are preparing to issue a priority system to help physicians make decisions on the allocation of resources in the event a pandemic hits the nation.

The guidelines are in preparation for an expected surge in influenza cases in the fall following the surge of Influenza A (H1N1) incidents across the nation. The guidelines are being made in anticipation of possible delays in the development of a vaccine for swine flu after manufacturers appear to get low yield if the virus is grown in eggs.

Alzheimer's Cases Rising At 'Epidemic Pace'

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:20:01 PDT

A top Alzheimer's disease researcher said the number of people being diagnosed with the disease is growing at "an epidemic pace."

Dr. William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer at the Alzheimer's Association, told colleagues at the association's 2009 international conference in Vienna, Austria that both new cases and the total amount of people with the disease continues to rise, even among the oldest segments of society.

Health Experts Find Bathtub Injuries In Kids Far More Common

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:50:02 PDT

Health experts are warning parents of the potential dangers the average household bathtub can pose to children during bath time.

Researchers from the Nationwide Hospital in Columbus, Ohio said in a report to be published in the August online edition of the journal Pediatrics that slips and falls send more than 43,000 children to the hospital every year, and in most cases, the child is supervised.

Moderate Alcohol Intake Could Lessen Dementia Risk

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:50:02 PDT

Moderate drinkers are almost 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than non-drinkers and heavy drinkers, according to a new study.

Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. analyzed data from 3,069 community-living adults ages 75 and older without dementia. In the beginning of the study, 2,587 participants were assessed to be cognitively normal and 482 had mild cognitive impairment.

Bangladesh Confirms Three More Cases Of Swine Flu, Total 21

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:05:01 PDT

Bangladesh has confirmed three more cases of the deadly Influenza A (H1N1) virus, taking the total cases to 21, health officials said on Sunday.

The three new cases were detected last week, recently returned from Canada and the United Kingdom, Head of the country's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) under the Health Ministry Mahmudur Rahman reportedly said.

U.S. Military Mulls Total Tobacco Ban

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:05:02 PDT

A report commissioned by the Pentagon and the U.S. Veterans Administration advocates banning smoking and all tobacco use by United States soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.

About one third of the military population smokes, compared to about 20 percent of the nation's civilian population.

National Infant Immunization Week Begins April 25

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:35:01 PDT

National Infant Immunization Week kicks off beginning April 25, and will go through to May 2, both as an informative initiative for parents, caregivers and health care providers, as well as charity sponsored events that can give the immunizations at a discount, or free.

With health care costs at an unprecedented high in some areas of the country, parents who do not understand the importance of being immunized are more likely to try and cut some corners.

Healthy Briton Dies From Swine Flu

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:20:01 PDT

The death Friday of U.K.'s 15th swine flu victim marked the first time the disease killed a healthy person.

The fatality had no underlying medical condition but died from complications caused by influenza A (H1N1) at the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, according to NHS East of England.

Anti-Rejection Drug May Extend Human Life

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:50:02 PDT

A drug used to alleviate the rejection of organ transplants may someday add extra years to the human lifespan.

Researchers have found that mice given the anti-rejection drug rapamycin lived significantly longer than those that weren't.

4-Month-Old Found Dead At Day Care Center Of Apparent Heart Trouble

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:35:01 PDT

A 4-month-old baby was found dead of apparent cardiac arrest at a day care center here Thursday.

The boy was found unresponsive in a crib about 11 a.m., an hour after a day care worker checked on the sleeping child, according to police officials.

Recalls Continue of Milk Products Linked To Salmonella

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:05:01 PDT

Two manufacturers of milk-based products have begun extensive recalls in the aftermath of a massive recall of ingredients made by a Minnesota company that were possibly contaminated by salmonella.

Sturm Food of Manawa, WI, is recalling one-quart packages of instant nonfat dry milk as a "precautionary measure." The packages were sold under 20 brand names and a variety of lot numbers.