iHealthBeat: Public Health

U.S., Mexico To Adopt Guidelines for Sharing Public Health Data

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, HHS announced that the U.S. and Mexico have agreed to adopt technical guidelines on sharing information for various public health activities. Mexico also has become the fourth country to join CDC's international Laboratory Response Network. Modern Healthcare, Examiner.

Text Messaging Program Aims To Help Young People Stop Smoking

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The National Cancer Institute is working with Mobile Commons on a new text messaging campaign aimed at helping teenagers and young adults quit smoking. The program sends texts based on the user's mood, smoking status and planned quit date. Healthcare IT News, Mobile Commons release.

NIH Study Uses EHRs To Track How Genetic Tests Affect Follow-Up Care

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Individuals who undergo genetic tests do not seek significantly more or less follow-up care, according to an NIH-led study. NIH said the study is the first to use electronic health records to measure how genetic testing affects health care behaviors. Modern Healthcare et al.

University of California Spearheading New Initiative To Mine 'Big Data' in Health Care

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

NIH Director Francis Collins, Atul Butte of the Stanford School of Medicine, David Patterson of the University of California-Berkeley and Taylor Sittler of UC-San Francisco discussed new efforts to mine "big data" for health care and scientific research.

Online Crowdsourcing Game Could Improve Diagnosis of Malaria

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles have created an online game that trains players to identify malaria-infected red blood cells. The game is designed to use crowdsourcing techniques to help improve malaria diagnoses. Healthcare IT News, Computerworld.

Patient Database Could Help Determine Health Effects of Fracking

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health System has started using its database of patient records to assess whether natural gas drilling harms residents. A Geisinger official said the project could contribute scientific data to the debate on fracking's health effects. Bloomberg.

SUNY Researchers Aim To Leverage Analytics Tools for MS Research

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new project led by researchers from the State University of New York-Buffalo aims to use data analytics technology from IBM and Revolution Analytics to identify various clinical, genetic and environmental factors that could play a role in multiple sclerosis. InformationWeek.

Analysis: More Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, but Crucial Data Missing

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new analysis finds that more studies are being registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, but the website still is missing important data. Compared with the older studies on the site, a larger percentage of the newer studies failed to report their primary purposes, the analysis finds. MedPage Today.

AHRQ Seeks Input on Plan To Create Registry of Patient Registries

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

According to a Federal Register notice, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is seeking public comment on its plans to develop a Registry of Patient Registries. AHRQ said the registry aims to promote collaboration among researchers. Health Data Management, Federal Register.

Study: Text Message Reminders Can Help Boost Flu Vaccinations

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new study finds that text message reminders sent to parents could help boost influenza immunization rates among children and teenagers. According to the study, personalized text message reminders increased flu vaccination rates by about 4%. Reuters, MedPage Today.

HHS Stresses IT in Plan To Curb Health Care-Related Infections

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A newly revised draft of HHS' National Action Plan To Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections emphasizes how health IT could play a role in monitoring and preventing HAIs. The draft action plan notes that clinical decision support tools in electronic health record systems could generate HAI prevention reminders. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.

Interoperability Issues Hamper Rx Drug Tracking for Marines

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A report from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General finds that a lack of interoperability between two electronic health record systems has led to problems tracking controlled substances prescribed to U.S. Marines. The report also outlines concerns about an inability to cross-check medications prescribed by civilian and military clinicians. Modern Healthcare, NextGov.

Web Tool Could Reduce Autism Diagnosis Time to Minutes, Study Finds

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

An online tool developed by a Harvard Medical School researcher could help trained analysts diagnose children with autism in minutes instead of hours. The tool relies on computer algorithms, an online parent questionnaire and a video clip of the child. HealthDay et al.

Opinion Piece Stumps for National Rx Drug Monitoring Initiative

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In an opinion piece, American Medical Association President Peter Carmel urges Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen state-based electronic prescription drug monitoring programs and promote data exchange among such programs. The Hill's "Congress Blog."

Joint Commission Opens Portal on Health Care-Associated Infections

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Joint Commission has launched an online portal to give health care providers access to data and tools on health care-associated infections. The portal includes information on common infections and prevention strategies. Modern Physician, Health Data Management.

Experts Call for National Online Registry To Help Match Kidney Donors

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

During a conference last week, experts called for the creation of a national online registry to facilitate the matching process for paired kidney donations and other donor exchanges. Experts say such a registry could help arrange thousands of kidney transplants annually. New York Times.

Government Launches Research Initiative To Harness 'Big Data'

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Today, the Obama administration announced the "Big Data Research and Development Initiative," which aims to analyze massive amounts of data for scientific discovery, biomedical research and other purposes. Six federal agencies -- including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation -- have committed $200 million to the effort. New York Times, National Journal.

Boston-Area Scientists Create Online Catalogs for Cancer Research

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Two teams of researchers from the Boston area have developed large data catalogs to help predict whether hundreds of different types of cancer cells could be vulnerable to specific drugs. The new catalogs are available online at no cost. Boston Globe's "White Coat Notes."

Amazon Web Services Creates Database of Genetic Information

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new database developed by Amazon Web Services -- Amazon's cloud-computing arm -- aims to facilitate access to data from NIH's 1000 Genomes Project. AWS is incurring the costs of storing the 200 terabytes of data from the genome project. New York Times' "Bits."

U.S. CTO: Innovative Technology Could Transform Health Care

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

During the Healthcare Experience Design conference this week, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park said that HHS is creating an "open ecosystem of innovation" by making massive stores of government health data available to application developers. Meanwhile, another conference speaker debunked seven myths about mobile app development. Healthcare IT News, MobiHealthNews.

Panel Seeks Input on Ethical, Privacy Issues in Genomics Research

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has posted a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments on various ethical issues involved in the large-scale collection of genome data, such as patient privacy and data access rights. Modern Healthcare.

IOM: Electronic Systems Can Help Facilitate Care During Natural Disasters

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new report by the Institute of Medicine suggests that electronic interventions could facilitate treatment for large groups of people during natural disasters. The report notes that telehealth tools could help individuals obtain medical consultations. Modern Healthcare, HealthDay.

N.Y. Hospital To Provide Cancer Care Training to Watson Supercomputer

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

IBM and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have launched a project to add the latest oncology research to IBM's Watson supercomputer. Researchers will input data from textbooks, medical journals and electronic health records, with patient permission. AP/Washington Post.

Most Physicians See Benefits in Electronic Clinical Summaries

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new study finds that 93% of pediatricians who had electronic access to clinical summaries of recent research said they found the summaries useful or very useful. The authors write that electronic summaries could help clinicians make point-of-care decisions. FierceHealthIT.

HHS Contest Seeks Apps That Track Health Issues Via Twitter

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response launched a contest inviting software developers to design a Web application that would use open-source Twitter data to monitor real-time health trends in specific geographic regions. The application would need to be able to deliver the data to public health agencies. Government Health IT, HHS release.

Study: How Information Is Presented Online Can Affect Self-Diagnoses

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A study published in the journal Psychological Science finds that the way in which medical information is presented online, particularly the order in which symptoms are listed, can affect how patients self-diagnose for a specific medical condition. Newsroom America et al.

IOM Panel Identifies 12 Data Collection Systems for Monitoring HIV Care

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

An Institute of Medicine committee has released a report identifying 12 data collection systems that could help officials monitor how the White House's HIV strategy and the federal health reform law will affect HIV care in the U.S. Modern Healthcare, Kaiser Health News' "Capsules."

Researchers Develop Algorithm To Uncover Medication Side Effects

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Stanford University researchers have developed a computer algorithm that can search through FDA's adverse events database to identify previously unknown drug side effects. The algorithm also can help researchers identify adverse events caused by certain drug combinations. Nature et al.

Study Links Online App to Enrollment Jump for Calif. Health Program

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new study credits Health-e-App, an online application tool, with boosting enrollment in California's Healthy Families program. Use of the online tool was associated with a 14% increase in total Healthy Families applications from 2010 to 2011. Sacramento Business Journal.

Latino Groups Discuss How Health IT Can Curb Health Disparities

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Latino health groups recently met in Washington, D.C., to discuss how health IT could help reduce health disparities. They noted that unless the "digital divide" in health care is closed, health care providers in underserved areas will continue to face challenges. Healthcare IT News.

NIH Officially Launches Registry To House Genetic Testing Data

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

This week, NIH launched its Genetic Testing Registry to serve as a centralized public resource for information about the availability and scientific basis of numerous genetic tests. However, a consumer advocacy group has expressed concern that the new registry lacks sufficient oversight to ensure the accuracy of its data. New Scientist, Nature's "Nature News Blog."

Social Media Offers New Recruitment Strategy for Clinical Trials

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Researchers increasingly are turning to social media to overcome the challenge of recruiting participants for clinical studies. Online patient communities, Facebook and other tools can help trial organizers promote their studies and maintain a pool of potential participants.

HIMSS12: Officials Stump for Open Data, Consumer Health Tools

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

HHS Chief Technology Officer Todd Park touted the potential of open data to drive innovation to improve health and the health care system. Meanwhile, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin discussed how information and technology tools can "bring health to where people are."

Computer System To ID Fraud Halted Only One Claim in Six Months

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A computer system designed to detect Medicare fraud blocked only one payment in its first six months, saving taxpayers $7,591. However, federal officials say the figure does not reflect the potential savings from other benefits of the system. AP/U-T San Diego, AP/Washington Post.

AHRQ Plans To Develop Searchable Database of Patient Registries

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality plans to develop a Registry of Patient Registries to boost collaboration among medical researchers. The registry would offer a search tool to help researchers find data that could be used in new research. Government Health IT.

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Makes Progress on Genetic Database

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Department of Veterans Affairs is working to collect genetic information and electronic health records from one million veterans for a database aimed at identifying new ways to predict, prevent and treat illness. So far, about 23,000 veterans' data have been processed, and another 30,000 have agreed to participate. McClatchy/Sacramento Bee.

Study Sees Benefits in Creating Database for Emergency Surgery

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons suggests that an emergency general surgery registry could improve patient outcomes and advance research in the same way that the National Trauma Data Bank improved trauma care. FierceHealthIT, ACS release.

VA To Launch New Electronic Claims Processing System

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to launch a new electronic claim processing system that aims to increase VA's ability to manage a growing backlog of disability claims. Officials say the new system will shorten the process by months. Washington Post.

Experts: Greater Access to Medical Data Could Bolster Health Research

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

According to experts, access to large volumes of personal health data could transform medical research. Mobile health applications, wearable sensors and other tools could collect such data from healthy individuals and those with medical conditions. Wall Street Journal.

Tenn. Hospital Launches Website To Publish Data From Genome Project

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

St. Jude's Research Hospital in Tennessee has launched a website to publish results from its pediatric cancer genome sequencing project. The website will provide access to specific disease information and single-patient genome data. Memphis Commercial Appeal et al.

Researchers Tap Google, Twitter To Help Track Disease Outbreaks

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine finds that the Google Flu Trends website can help researchers predict when emergency departments will see a surge in influenza cases. In a separate study, researchers from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School used Twitter and other informal media to track Haiti's cholera outbreak. Time's "Healthland" et al.

Researchers Testing New Database To Gather Info on Sudden Infant Deaths

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Researchers have published preliminary results from a pilot program testing a new database to track cases of sudden unexpected infant deaths. The database collects information on the circumstances surrounding an infant's death. Fierce Health IT, MyHealthNewsDaily/Fox News.

Medical Students Using Virtual Human Bodies To Learn About Anatomy

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

At New York University's School of Medicine, students are using new 3-D technology to dissect virtual human bodies and watch simulated organs function as they would in a living human. NYU officials said the virtual bodies complement the use of cadavers. New York Times.

FDA Developing App To Monitor Drug Reactions in Public Health Crises

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

FDA plans to develop a mobile application that would let clinicians instantly track and report adverse drug events during public health emergencies. The agency aims to contract with a software developer that could build a prototype of the app within one year. NextGov.

Studies: Researchers Fail To Report Clinical Trial Data to Federal Website

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

According to a series of studies published in the British Medical Journal, many researchers fail to report clinical trial results to an NIH website within 12 months as required by FDA. An editorial accompanying the studies calls for tighter enforcement of the requirement. Reuters et al.

Few New York Doctors Using Prescription Drug Monitoring Database

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Of the roughly 80,000 New York state health care providers who can prescribe controlled substances and other drugs, only 2,216 had used a state prescription drug monitoring database as of last month, according to the state Department of Health. Long Island Newsday.

Tobacco Firms Agree To Release Documents for Public Online Database

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco have agreed to provide public access to internal industry documents through an online database. As part of the agreement, the tobacco companies will pay $6.25 million into a court fund to support the Web-based collection. United Press International et al.

'Freeing' Data May Be Tricky in California

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The "Free the Data" movement, a national effort to encourage innovation in health care, has sparked a similar campaign to make California health data more easily available. But state laws and regulations may require some extra effort in the Golden State, experts say.

States Making Progress in Tracking Diseases Electronically, but More Work Remains

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Kathleen Gallagher of CDC, Kathryn Turner of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Sara Cody of the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health spoke with iHealthBeat about states' progress in electronic disease tracking and the remaining obstacles.

Donation To Bolster NIH's National Autism Research Database

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange has donated genetic data to NIH's National Database for Autism Research. According to NIH researchers, the donation could position the NIH database to be the most extensive autism database in the world. Health Data Management, NIH release.

CDC Plans To Collect, Analyze Cost Data on Public Health Initiatives

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

CDC aims to collect and analyze cost data from participants in the Community Transformation Grant program, which tasks grantees with developing strategies to address public health issues. Data collection could start next summer. Modern Healthcare, Federal Register notice.

IBM, Four Drugmakers Donate Chemical Database to NIH

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

AIn an effort to accelerate drug discovery, IBM has teamed up with AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, DuPont and Pfizer to donate a massive database of chemical information to NIH. IBM used a data analysis platform to extract the data on 2.4 million chemical compounds from millions of patents and biomedical journal abstracts. Health Data Management, New York Times' "Bits."

Virginia Launches Online Registry To Store Data on Advance Directives

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Virginians can use the new Advance Health Care Directive Registry to securely store documents outlining their health care preferences if they become incapacitated. The online registry eventually will be integrated with the state's health data exchange. Virginian-Pilot et al.

Study: U.S. Could Boost Outcomes, Lower Costs With Disease Registries

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A new Health Affairs study finds that the U.S. could improve patient outcomes and lower health care costs if it followed the lead of other countries and ramped up its implementation of clinical disease registries. United Press International, Boston Consulting Group release.

Crackdown on Pill Mills Could Lead to Rise in Illegal Web Pharmacies

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

As state officials enforce laws against pill mills, more U.S. residents are expected to turn to illegal online pharmacies to obtain addictive painkiller medications. Some of the illegal online pharmacies use social networking sites to market their drugs. Palm Beach Post.

Text4baby Program Helps Women Obtain Health Information

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A small study of participants in the Text4baby program finds that the service has helped women communicate with their doctors, obtain health information and remember appointments. HHS is studying ways to evaluate the program at the national level. Fierce Mobile Healthcare.

Report Identifies Top Nine Ways IT Benefits Health Care Industry

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton has released a list of the top nine ways that IT is changing the U.S. health care system. Booz Allen says health IT tools can reduce medical errors and facilitate seamless transitions in care settings. Becker's Hospital Review, Healthcare IT News.

VA Aims To Advance Health Care Research Through Database

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Department of Veterans Affairs is working to compile a database of one million veterans' medical information in an effort to improve veterans' health care by better understanding how genomics affects health. NPR's "Morning Edition."

CDC Launches Electronic System To Track Use of Antibiotic Drugs

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Today, CDC announced the launch of an electronic system to track antibiotic use in hospitals. Hospitals that already send data to CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network can use the new system by electronically submitting pharmacy information. In addition, CDC has provided funding to help health departments implement the system in 70 hospitals. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.

Dell Announces Cloud Computing Initiative Targeting Kids' Cancer

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Dell is donating cloud computing resources for a project that aims to support the development of personalized treatments for children with cancer. The cloud technology is expected to speed genomic mapping and analysis of tumors. InformationWeek, Healthcare IT News.

New HHS Contest Seeks Apps To Track Progress on Public Health Goals

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

On Monday, HHS launched a contest that challenges software developers to create Web- or mobile device-based applications to help public health officials measure progress on the Leading Health Indicators for the Healthy People 2020 campaign. Healthcare IT News et al.

Google Secures Deal To Preserve Maintenance of DNA Research Database

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Google has reached a deal with the startup firm DNAnexus to maintain an online database of genetic information that can be used for medical research. DNAnexus' CEO says he hopes to make the database more user-friendly for researchers. San Jose Mercury News.

Contest Seeks Online Apps for Health Care Quality Comparisons

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A new competition announced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will offer cash prizes to software developers for creating online tools that help consumers find information on the quality of health care in different parts of the country. Newport News Daily Press et al.

IBM, Georgia Tech Kick Off Project To Model Children's Health Data

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

IBM and the Georgia Institute of Technology have launched the One Million Healthy Children project, which will use data analytics and systems modeling to identify variables that affect children's health and health care decisions. Healthcare IT News, InformationWeek.

States Make Gains in Electronic Disease Tracking; Work Remains

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A new report from CDC finds that state public health departments have made significant progress in rolling out electronic disease surveillance systems. However, the report also finds that there is great variation in the types of disease tracking networks that states use, which could be preventing the systems from working together effectively. MedPage Today, Modern Healthcare.

Uneven Health IT Adoption Has Hindered Efforts To Boost Care

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Limited implementation of health IT systems in the U.S. has hampered health care quality improvement strategies, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund. However, the authors note that new programs, including some contained in the federal health reform law, could lead to increased health IT adoption and gains in health care quality. Modern Healthcare et al.

Florida, Washington State Eye Databases To Track Rx Drug Use

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Florida has launched an electronic prescription monitoring database that allows physicians and other officials to gain access to information on drug sales and identify potential misuse. Meanwhile, Washington state will launch a similar database in January. Palm Beach Post et al.

Study: Social Media Can Track Flu Vaccination Trends and Attitudes

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A new study that tracked 477,768 tweets about the H1N1 vaccination finds patterns between what people said about the shots and vaccine rates. The study indicates that anti-vaccination communities cluster both in geographical regions and on Twitter. Huffington Post et al.

ONC, Health 2.0 Launch Challenge To Develop PopHealth Applications

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and Health 2.0 have teamed up for a contest inviting developers to use the open-source popHealth framework to create applications to help health providers address disparities and engage with patients. Government Health IT.

California Public Health Officials Tap Technology Tools To Combat STIs

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

California public health officials are using technology-based strategies to combat rising rates of sexually transmitted infections, especially in communities that traditionally are underserved. Such initiatives include sending text messages with sexual health information. HealthyCal.

HHS Planning Database To Boost Comparative-Effectiveness Research

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

HHS has posted a notice and opened a 60-day public comment period on its plans to create a database to facilitate comparative-effectiveness research. The database aims to pull together health care claims information from public and private health insurers. Modern Healthcare.

Health Data Projects Among Winners in HHS Innovation Competition

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Six projects led by HHS employees have received awards for their efforts to promote innovation within the agency. The projects include an autism research database, a public health messaging program and an open-source video search tool. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.

FCC Seeks Comment on Expanding Mobile Phone Use During Emergencies

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Federal Communications Commission is calling for public comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking to let mobile phone users contact emergency responders using text messages, pictures or videos. Computerworld, Government Computer Week.

Online Gamers Help Map Out Protein Structure Crucial to HIV Research

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Players of the online game Foldit have helped map out the structure of a protein that could be responsible for how HIV multiplies, according to a new study. The game awards higher scores to players as they develop more stable protein structures. Computerworld et al.

Interactive Map Tracks Antibiotic Resistance in North America, Europe

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A research project called Extending the Cure has unveiled an interactive map that tracks drug resistance in North America and Europe. Researchers said they hope the tool will help health officials identify regions at risk for outbreaks. Wall Street Journal's "Health Blog" et al.

Study: Access to Health Tracking Data Boosts Accuracy of Diagnoses

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A study finds that knowing the prevalence of a disease in a particular area can help health care providers improve the accuracy of their diagnoses. Federal officials are developing a Web tool that would make it easier to look up disease tracking data. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.

Report: Social Media Helpful in Emergencies but Open to Inaccuracy

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A report from the Congressional Research Service finds that the use of social media tools can be effective in emergency situations but that there are risks the information being communicated can be inaccurate or malicious. Federal Computer Week, Fierce Government IT.

GE Plans $1B Investment in New Cancer Initiative Supported by Health IT

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Over the next five years, General Electric plans to invest $1 billion in efforts to expand technologies for cancer detection and treatment. As part of the initiative, GE is funding the development of a "super database" on cancer. Bloomberg Businessweek, Healthcare IT News.

HHS Announces $8.5M for 85 Health Centers in Beacon Communities

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

On Monday, HHS announced that it has awarded a total of $8.5 million in grants to help 85 community health centers adopt health IT tools and improve care quality. The grant recipients are located in 15 of 17 Beacon communities across the country. CMIO, Healthcare IT News.

Health Care Providers Say 9/11 Underscores Critical Role of EHRs

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

As the U.S. marked the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, health care providers said the terrorist attacks demonstrated the importance of electronic health records. Many health care providers noted that they now have backup EHRs in the event of a disaster. Northwest Indiana Times et al.

NIH, Pentagon Partner To Develop Traumatic Brain Injury Database

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

NIH and the Department of Defense are developing a database on traumatic brain injuries. The project -- which has been allocated $10 million over four years -- aims to bolster the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries. Modern Physician, Healthcare IT News.

Lawmakers, Officials Push for Creation of Public Safety Network

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Attorney General Eric Holder, state attorneys general and some lawmakers want to reallocate a portion of spectrum known as the D-block to public safety officials for the creation of a national emergency broadband network. National Journal's "Tech Daily Dose," The Hill's "Hillicon Valley."

HHS Provides $137M to States for IT-Supported Public Health Initiatives

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, HHS announced $137 million in grants that aim to improve public health and strengthen prevention initiatives. Some components of the funding are allocated toward health IT projects, such as improving immunization registries. Healthcare IT News et al.

Florida, N.Y. Health Systems Recognized for Health IT Programs

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

This week, public health organizations in Florida and New York were named recipients of the HIMSS Public Health Davies Award of Excellence. The awards are presented to groups that positively affect population health by optimizing the use of health IT. Modern Healthcare et al.

Red Cross Survey: More People Turning to Social Media in Emergencies

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

An American Red Cross survey shows that the role of social networking tools and online news in emergency situations is growing. A majority of individuals said first responders should monitor social media sites regularly to prepare for disasters. Modern Healthcare et al.

ONC Seeks Comment on Plan To Reduce Disparities in Health IT

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is accepting public comment on draft recommendations designed to help reduce disparities in health IT use. The recommendations outline various steps and strategies policymakers could take to curb health IT disparities as they work to implement the goals of the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. Health Data Management et al.

Commentary: EHRs Can Track Preventive Care in Primary Care Settings

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Electronic health records can be used to track preventive health care services in primary care settings by helping to measure population health indicators, according to a commentary recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. CMIO.

Computer Analysis Could Find New Uses for Existing Drugs

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Stanford University researchers recently used a computer program to analyze drug data and genetic information from an NIH database to determine which medications and diseases had genetic expressions that could cancel each other out. Researchers noted that the computational technique could help identify new uses for medicines already on the market. United Press International et al.

Health IT Tools Help Screen, Identify Rates of Patients With HIV

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Recent research from the Cleveland area and Los Angeles County shows that HIV testing increased dramatically after hospitals added prompts to electronic health record systems and that disease mapping software can track HIV treatment rates. Reuters, National Journal.

White House Initiative Seeks To Bolster Rural Health IT Opportunities

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The White House Rural Council has launched a new initiative aimed at boosting health care services in rural areas. HHS and the Department of Agriculture will link rural health care providers to capital loans to help them purchase health IT equipment. United Press International et al.

CDC Awards Grants To Strengthen Public Health With IT, Other Activities

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

CDC recently awarded $49.2 million in grants to help public health agencies nationwide improve their public health infrastructure. Nearly $40 million of the funds will go toward epidemiology, laboratory testing and increasing IT capacity. Health Data Management, HHS release.

FCC Seeks To Facilitate Use of Mobile Devices in Emergencies

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to develop technical standards for programs that allow the public to contact emergency responders by using their mobile phones to send text messages, photos and videos. FCC plans to launch a rulemaking process and seek public comment on the plan next month. National Journal's "Tech Daily Dose," Government Technology.

New Online Guide Aims To Help HHS Divisions Create Podcast Reports

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

HHS' Office of New Media has published an online guide to help HHS divisions produce podcast audio reports. The guide outlines HHS' podcasting policies and offers tips on scheduling interviews, performing voice tracking and writing scripts. Federal Computer Week.

HHS Launches Contest for Facebook Apps That Offer Disaster Support

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

An HHS office has announced a contest challenging software developers to create an application leveraging Facebook's social networking and geo-locating capabilities to connect users during a disaster. Submissions are due by Nov. 4. Health Data Management.

Canadian Innovators Camp Helps Teens Delve Into Health IT Issues

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Last week, about 25 high school students attended the eHealth Young Innovators Summer Camp, a week-long program run by the University of British Columbia that gives participants the opportunity to explore how technology can interact with health care. Toronto Globe and Mail.

NIH Developing Online Registry To House Genetic Testing Data

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

NIH is creating an online database to help consumers, health care providers and researchers obtain information about the availability and scientific basis of more than 2,000 genetic tests. Researchers from the U.S. and other countries will be invited to contribute data to the registry. NIH is seeking public comment on the project. Health Data Management, Modern Healthcare.

Social Media Could Help Strengthen Public Health Emergency Response

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A New England Journal of Medicine perspective article outlines how social media tools such as Twitter and Foursquare could improve public health response systems by bolstering communication between the public and emergency responders. Globe and Mail et al.

Report: Telehealth Could Ease Health Disparities in Rural U.S.

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A new report by the UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform and Modernization finds that Americans living in rural areas are less likely to have access to quality health care than those living in urban areas. The report suggests that broader adoption of electronic health records and expanded access to telehealth technology could help address such health disparities. Reuters et al.

IOM Proposes Blueprint for Creation of Chronic Disease Tracking System

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Last week, the Institute of Medicine released a blueprint for a national chronic disease surveillance system that would draw on advanced data collection technology to monitor chronic disease trends and provide guidance for health care stakeholders. The Hill's "Healthwatch."

HHS Aims To Update Rules on Using Personal Data in Research

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Last week, HHS released a notice of proposed rulemaking outlining its plans to update regulations protecting human research subjects. One of the proposed changes would require research involving the collection of individually identifiable data to align with HIPAA privacy and security standards. HHS is accepting public comment on the proposed rule through Sept. 23. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.