
News: June 2009
Update on products free of colours associated with hyperactivity
The UK Food Standards Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children. A further two manufacturers pr...
Research reveals early warning signs of preeclampsia
The blood protein profile of women who went on to develop preeclampsia was found to be significantly different than those who had uncomplicated pregnancies. A set of 33 proteins were present at abn...
Update on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu in New Zealand
There is one new confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) swine flu in New Zealand. This is a child who was a passenger on Flight NZ1, which arrived in Auckland from North America on Sunday. As with ot...
Trial results show better survival for gallbladder and bile duct cancer
Combining two chemotherapy drugs for advanced gallbladder and bile duct cancer improves survival by a third, according to results from a Cancer Research UK funded trial presented today at the Ameri...
Update on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu in New Zealand
The cumulative total of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in New Zealand is still 10, as is the cumulative total of probable cases. Passengers in the immediate vicinity of the new confirmed case who was ...
Increased Public Health Response to H1N1 Flu in Victoria, Australia
The Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) and Chief Medical Officer, Prof Jim Bishop, have advised increasing the H1N1 pandemic response to a modified SUSTAIN level for Victoria while keepi...
Myth busting - cardiovascular disease and women
More than 22,000 women per year die of cardiovascular disease in Australia. It is especially prevalent in older women. Despite this, cardiovascular disease is still seen as being something that is ...
Update on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu in New Zealand
The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 11. This is an increase of one since yesterday's update. A new confirmed case of H1N1 flu was notified last night in Auckland, New Zeala...
Air Quality Health Index Continues to Expand in British Columbia, Canada
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) gives Canadians a personal health protection facility that enables them to better understand the quality of the air they breathe. In British Columbia the AQHI is...
Global use of rotavirus vaccines recommended
WHO has recommended that rotavirus vaccination be included in all national immunization programmes to provide protection against a virus that is responsible for more than 500 000 diarrhoeal deaths ...
Update on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu in New Zealand
The cumulative total of confirmed cases of Mexican swine flu in New Zealand is now 12, up from 11 yesterday. The new confirmed case is a passenger off Air NZ flight NZ5 which arrived from Los Angel...
safefood reminds consumers of the steps to safe barbecues
Consumers are reminded to follow good food safety advice when cooking food on barbecues. Research indicates that one in five people do not know how to check if their burgers, sausages or chicken ar...
Western Australia Health confirms two more swine flu cases
The Australian Department of Health has confirmed two more cases of human swine influenza in Western Australia, bringing the total number of cases in the state to four. The most recently confirmed ...
First gene-based test to predict individual lung cancer risk
A gene-based test is now available to identify those at highest risk of developing lung cancer. This test is the first in the world to provide a personalised estimate of lung cancer risk by combini...
President Obama to Speak on Health Reform at AMA Meeting
President Barack Obama will speak at the American Medical Association’s (AMA) 158th annual meeting in Chicago next Monday, June 15, on the need for health care reform.
Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu, NZ update
Medics in New Zealand are reporting an increase in the number of people presenting at surgeries with flu symptoms. Most of these people have not travelled overseas and are likely to be experiencing...
Government targets interfere with the battle against superbugs, claims BMA
According to a recent BMA report, the battle against healthcare associated infections (HCAIs), also called superbugs, will not be won unless long-term strategies are introduced to radically reduce ...
One stop breast clinics best for women
Patient experience is key, says GP leader
Launching a new BMA publication, ‘Developing general practice: Listening to Patients’, at the start of this year’s Conference of Local Medical Committees*, Dr Laurence Buckman, the Chairman of the ...
Appointment of Dr. Sandy McEwan as Special Advisor to Minister of Health on Medical Isotopes
Canadian Minister of Health, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, has announced the appointment of Dr. Alexander (Sandy) McEwan as Special Advisor on Medical Isotopes to the Minister of Health for the du...
Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update
Although the number of new cases of H1N1 influenza is increasing in New Zealand, there are still relatively few cases and only isolated instances of community transmission. 15 new cases were confir...
President Obama Receives Warm Welcome from AMA Physicians
The American Medical Association has warmly welcomed U.S. President Barack Obama to its 158th annual meeting in Chicago. In common with the president, the AMA is committed to health reform this yea...
AMA Adopts New Public Health Policies at Annual Meeting
At a recent meeting the American Medical Association (AMA) voted to adopt new public health policies concerning protection from flu, electronic cigarettes, use of tasers and vitamin D.
BMA response to claims of strike action over flu
The BMA has responded to misleading suggestions in the media that the BMA has said some GPs could ‘strike’ over fears they will not be insured during a flu pandemic. The subject of death in service...
NZ MoH points to its website for info Re. (H1N1) Swine Flu
The NZ Ministry of Health has pointed to its website as the first source of information for people without symptoms of influenza seeking data about swine flu in New Zealand. This is part of a plan ...
Call to protect hospitals, schools from impact of disasters
WHO and UNICEF today called on governments to strengthen risk reduction measures in four key areas so that health and education systems are able to cope with disasters, including the risks from cli...
NZ remains in containment phase of H1N1 outbreak
New Zealand remains in the containment phase with plans to move to a management phase when required. There are still relatively few cases and isolated instances of community transmission. Most peop...
NZ moves to management phase of H1N1 outbreak
New Zealand moves to a management phase of response to the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. This reflects the increased spread of the virus especially in the three main centres – Wellington, Christchur...
Historic Bill Signing on Tobacco Regulation
As long-time advocates for strong regulation of the tobacco industry, the AMA is honored to stand with President Obama today as he signs the historic tobacco law. Today’s historic bill signing is a...
Nine in ten survive early stage bowel cancer
BMA Scotland calls for an end to the ridiculous pricing of alcohol
A recent survey in Scotland has found that 52% of 13 year olds and 82% of 15 year olds have had at least one alcoholic drink and that shops and off-licences were the second most common source for p...
Protect children from the allure of smoking, say doctors
A news report has warned that children who smoke face years of tobacco addiction that can lead to life-threatening diseases and premature death.
Heavyweights of global food crisis debate gather for Foreign Policy School
Experts in global food supply are gathering to discuss food security and the possibility that the current economic crisis has tended to overshadow the burgeoning food crisis. A meeting is taking pl...
Campaigners put HIV testing on the parliamentary agenda
Campaigners met with MPs and senior primary care trust staff at a parliamentary event today to raise awareness of HIV and discuss ways to increase HIV testing.
UNICEF UK launches campaign on children's rights
UNICEF UK launches a major campaign to emphasize the importance of children′s rights and to encourage everyone to show commitment to upholding these rights.
Government of Canada Works with Ontario to Help Prevent Young People from Taking Illicit Drugs
The Canadian government is working with provinces and communities to help prevent the use of drugs among youth. This project will provide public health professionals in Ontario with the tools they ...
Poll reveals doctors' concerns about commercialization of NHS
94 percent of 124 respondents to a poll for BMA News, the weekly magazine for BMA members, said they were worried about the future of their local health services if they were left to market forces.
BMA poll reveals the public's fear for future of the NHS
Around nine out of ten respondents feared that services could be cut (90%) and that waiting times for treatment could increase (89%). Over eight out of ten (85%) individuals believe there will be m...
Otago-UK research may bring 'radical overhaul' to family court system
How best to support children affected by conflicts within families is the subject of an innovative study. Researchers will examine the roles of both negative parenting and children's own interpreta...
Canada works with National and International Partners to Manage the Spread of the H1N1 Flu Virus
In Canada, while new cases of H1N1 flu virus continue to emerge, the majority of cases do not require hospitalization. Preliminary data shows that the majority of those infected with H1N1 are under...
BMA Scotland celebrates 10 years of devolution
Scotland celebrates 10 years of devolution. The results of the survey mark the publication of a new BMA Scotland newsletter to celebrate 10 years of devolution and the creation of policy making pow...
BMA leader urges Government to stop “playing around
Health News from IvyRose Holistic Shop & Holistic Resources: BMA leader urges Government to stop “playing around" with the health service