Newswise Feature Channel: Healthcare

Subscribe: Newswise Feature Channel: Healthcare?http://www.newswise.com/legacy/feed/channels.php?channel=98Preview: Newswise Feature Channel: Healthcare

Copyright: Copyright 2013 Newswise

Credit Card Debt Leads Some to Skip Medical Care

Wed, 08 May 2013 17:00:00 EST

People with outstanding credit card or medical debt were more likely to delay or avoid medical or dental care, finds a new study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Immune Cells That Suppress Genital Herpes Infections Identified

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:00 EST

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington scientists have identified a class of immune cells that reside long-term in the genital skin and mucosa and are believed to be responsible for suppressing recurring outbreaks of genital herpes. These immune cells also play a role in suppressing symptoms of genital herpes, which is why most sufferers of the disease are asymptomatic when viral reactivations occur. The discovery of this subtype of immune cells, called CD8αα+ T cells, opens a new avenue of research to develop a vaccine to prevent and treat herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2. Identifying these T cells' specific molecular targets, called epitopes, is the next step in developing a vaccine.

Advance Directives Manage End of Life Care Issues and Reduce End of Life Medical Costs

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:45:00 EST

A new article available online in the American Journal of Public Health by two Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health faculty makes a compelling case that end-of-life care issues need to become an integral part of the public health agenda. Dan Morhaim, MD, and Keshia Pollack, PhD, point out that the low rate of completion of advance directives in the minority population can be identified as another health care disparity.







New Center Aims to Transform Critical Care via Research

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:00:00 EST

America's emergency, trauma and intensive care teams bring patients back from the brink of death on a regular basis. But a new center at the University of Michigan will focus on finding new ways to treat critically ill patients, through cross-disciplinary research and entrepreneurial activity.

'Culture of Health' Project Lowers Employee Health Costs

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:35:00 EST

A comprehensive program focusing on "growing a culture of health" has led to a reduction in employee health costs at PPG Industries, according to a study in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).



'Catastrophic' Malpractice Payouts Add Little to Health Care's Rising Costs

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EST

Efforts to lower health care costs in the United States have focused at times on demands to reform the medical malpractice system, with some researchers asserting that large, headline-grabbing and "frivolous" payouts are among the heaviest drains on health care resources. But a new review of malpractice claims by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests such assertions are wrong.

Mandatory Influenza Testing for Hospital Personnel Enhances Patient Safety

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST

As part of a comprehensive quality and patient safety program, a major national hospital network reported in the Journal of Healthcare Quality (JHQ) that more than 90 percent of its clinical personnel in the last three years received seasonal influenza vaccinations to help protect patients and co-workers from flu-transmission risk.

Asthma Initiative Has Impact on Health Care Use

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST

Children living in areas where there was wide-ranging and active support for improving outcomes for their chronic asthma were hospitalized less and made fewer visits to the emergency room, when compared with those in other communities.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH Creates Comprehensive Cancer News Source with Newswise

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST

(image) The Cancer News Source, made possible through a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Newswise, provides up-to-date, comprehensive, quality content on the latest developments in cancer research, patient care, treatment innovations, and scientific advances. The Cancer News Source, and the weekly Cancer News Wire sent by email each Tuesday, serves as a resource for journalists, communicators, and members of the public interested in cancer news.

Simple Reminders May Help Prevent Fractures

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST

Reminding primary care doctors to test at-risk patients for osteoporosis can prevent fractures and reduce health care costs, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).



Magnet Hospitals Achieve Lower Mortality, Reports Medical Care

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST

Lower mortality and other improved patient outcomes achieved at designated "Magnet hospitals" are explained partly--but not completely--by better nurse staffing, education, and work environment, reports a study in the May issue of Medical Care. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

Physician Entrepreneurs Are Key Contributors to New Medical Devices

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST

Startup companies founded by physician entrepreneurs are an important source of patents used in developing innovative new medical devices, suggests a study in the May issue of Medical Care. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.



'Comparison Shopping' by Doctors Saves Money

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST

Research at Johns Hopkins suggests that if hospitals would show physicians the price of some diagnostic laboratory tests at the time the tests are ordered, doctors would order substantially fewer of them or search for lower-priced alternatives.

View the original article here