Scientists Seek Origins Of Obesity In The Womb
She went on to have two daughters, and she may have boosted their chances of avoiding becoming obese, like her two older children are.
Thats the implication of research suggesting that something in an obese womans womb can program her fetus toward becoming a fat child and adult. Its not about simply passing along genes that promote obesity; its some sort of still-mysterious signal.
The idea has only recently entered conversations between doctors and female patients, and scientists are scrambling to track down a biological explanation. That knowledge, in turn, may provide new ways to block obesity from crossing generations.
While theres some [...]
Michelle Obama Highlights Breast Cancer Awareness
But thats where the Rockford, Ill., woman was Friday as she stood in a White House flower garden and shared her story of being repeatedly denied health insurance because of the cancer in her past.
In less than four minutes at the microphone, Lownsdale helped the Obama administration mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, more importantly, provide a flesh-and-blood illustration for why President Barack Obama wants to overhaul the system.
First lady Michelle Obama said the U.S. has come a long way from the days when people thought breast cancer was something to be ashamed of and kept a secret, when it [...]
Calpers Bets $1 Billion Bush Aide Can Exploit Health Adjustments
Calpers is the sole investor in Health Evolution Partners, a two-year-old private-equity firm in San Francisco run by David Brailer, a first-time money manager and former aide to President George W. Bush. Brailer, 50, coordinated Bushs planning for an electronic health-records network; Calpers is counting on him to earn its members 20 to 30 percent returns.
So far, Brailer has invested more than $120 million in 30 companies, and said he plans to spend $150 million to $200 million a year beginning in 2010. One company aims [...]
Snowe Rejects Public Option as Senate Democrats Weigh Measure
“A public option at the forefront really does put the government in a disproportionate position with respect to the industry,” Snowe, the only Republican to vote for a health plan so far, said in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions “Political Capital With Al Hunt,” airing this weekend.
Snowes stance is crucial because Democrats such as Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson say a bill has to have Republican support to win his vote. She might also bring along more Republicans, such as fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins. [...]
Novo Nordisk Drug Helps Healthy Lose Weight, Axe Blood Pressure
The study involving 564 people found just five months of liraglutide injections shaved 4.8 kilograms (10.6 pounds) to 7.2 kilograms from their frames, compared with 4.1 kilograms for those on Xenical and 2.8 kilograms for those given placebo.
The research suggests that liraglutide may be more effective than currently available treatments for obesity. About half of Europeans and two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and 30 percent are considered obese, studies show. Few treatments are available. Novo Nordisk, based in Bagsvaerd, Denmark, funded the research that appears in [...]
Ny Officials Rescind Mandatory H1n1 Flu Shot Order
New York will be getting only about 23 percent of its anticipated supply of the vaccine for the swine flu virus - also called H1N1 - by the end of the month, and that should be reserved for those most at risk for serious illness and death, according to Gov. David Patersons office.
“New evidence is showing that H1N1 can be especially virulent to pregnant women and young people - so they should get vaccinated first,” said Dr. Richard Daines, the state health commissioner.
Workers had protested Daines earlier order that health care workers receive the vaccine, arguing it was unfair to [...]
Fda Warns: Swine Flu Scams Lurk On The Internet
These and other products making bogus claims to prevent or treat swine flu are flooding the Internet as scam artists prey on the publics fears while the vaccine is delayed and real Tamiflu - made by Switzerlands Roche Group - is rationed.
Every problem, it would seem, is a sales opportunity. Some of the products appear to have been pitched for other emergencies, such as one called “Quake Kare” and masks and purifiers sold during the SARS scare.
Federal officials have sent warning letters to promoters of more than 140 swine flu-related products, including well-known alternative medicine advocate Dr. Andrew Weil for [...]
Hospital Bonds Approach $2.4 Billion This Week In Muni Market
Catholic Health Initiatives, the second-largest Catholic health-care system after Ascension Health, today is offering $1.16 billion in bonds to replace variable- and auction-rate debt, reimburse itself for previous capital spending and cover new projects. State agencies in Colorado and Kentucky and Ohios Montgomery County will issue the bonds and banks led by Morgan Stanley are marketing them.
Easing the way for hospital borrowers are a drop this year in fixed-rate borrowing costs and lower penalties for canceling derivatives contracts linked to types of adjustable-rate debt popular before [...]
House Targets Insurers With Antitrust Challenge, Public Option
The House Judiciary Committee yesterday voted 20-9 to approve legislation that would ban insurers from engaging in price fixing, bid-rigging and market allocation. The measure may be added to broader health-care overhaul legislation.
At the same time, Democratic leaders said they can win passage for a government program to compete with private insurers and drive down prices, one of the most contentious issues dividing Democrats and Republicans.
“We have the votes to pass a [...]
Production Of Swine Flu Vaccine Is Way Behind
As nervous Americans clamor for the vaccine, production is running several weeks behind schedule, and health officials blame the pressure on pharmaceutical companies to crank it out along with the ordinary flu vaccine, and a slow and antiquated process that relies on millions of chicken eggs.
There have been other bottlenecks, too: Factories that put the precious liquid into syringes have become backed up. And the government itself ran into a delay in developing the tests required to assess each batch before it is cleared for use.
What effect the delays will have on the course of the outbreak is unclear, in [...]