Tag: public health (Page 5 of 9)

Over The Counter HIV Test Approved By The FDA

July 3, 2012 / Staff

The FDA has approved a rapid at home HIV test.

OraSure Technologies Inc. of Bethlehem PA. has produced OraQuick for over-the-counter sales.

The hope is that the at-home test will reach the 20 percent of HIV infected people who do not know that they are infected.

Taking the test will not eliminate the need to follow up with further testing.

The test has the potential to identify large numbers of previously undiagnosed HIV infections. An estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV infection. About one of every five don’t know they’re infected. About 50,000 new HIV infections are diagnosed every year.
percent accurate in correctly identifying positive results, a measure known as sensitivity, clinical trials showed. That means that one false negative test result could be expected out of every 12 tests.
It was also about 99.98 percent accurate at correctly identifying negative results, a measure known as specificity. That means one false positive would be expected out of every 5,000 test results in uninfected individuals.

OraSure expects the at-home HIV test to be available starting in October at more than 30,000 retail outlets across the U.S. and online.

Quality Control, Resources, Wellness

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Donna Shalala Discuses A Major Threat To Our National Security

June 7, 2012 / Staff

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Obesity takes a huge financial toll on the nation.

Chronic illnesses caused by obesity are crippling our healthcare system.

How can we turn this around?

Health Care Policy, Health Insurance, Hospitals, Medicaid, Medicare, Nutrition, Quality Control, Research, Resources, Wellness

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Bloomberg’s Ban On Supersize Soft Drinks

May 31, 2012 / Staff

Mayor Bloomberg of New York City has proposed new legislation which would ban ‘super-size’ sugary drinks served in cups greater than 16 ounces.

Many applaud the efforts as one solution to the growing problem of obesity and type 2 diabetes which is crippling the health care system.

There have been studies that have found correlations between food portion sizes and rates of obesity, blood pressure and heart disease. A report by the CDC found portions increased 75 percent between 1977 and 1991 – unsurprisingly, we’ve observed huge jumps in obesity rates as well.
Studies have shown that people with more on their plates eat nearly 50 percent more than people who are served smaller portions.

Quality Control, Wellness

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PSA For Senior Citizens Warns Of The Dangers Of Unprotected Sex

May 31, 2012 / Staff

A Public Service Announcement for senior citizens may seem too racy for some but the message is crucial.

Rates of sexually transmitted disease have doubled in those 50-90 years old.

According to the editorial, an estimated 80 percent of 50- to 90-year-olds are sexually active. This activity has contributed to rises in cases of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea among 45- to 64-year-olds in the U.S. and the U.K.
According to CDC estimates, there were almost 900 cases of syphilis in 45 to 64-year-olds in 2000, and in 2010, the number grew to more than 2,500. In the elderly age group, 6,700 people were diagnosed with chlamydia in 2000; by 2010? 19,000. The number of new HIV diagnoses in people over 50 has also doubled between 2000 and 2009, according to the editorial’s authors.

Modern medicine and willing partners has increased the incidence of sexual activity amount this age group.

No longer fearing pregnancy they need to be re-educated about condoms and the prevention of STD’s.

Resources, Wellness

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Water Pollution From Birth Control Poses A Problem

May 24, 2012 / Staff

The active ingredient in most birth control pills is ending up in the drinking water supply in most countries around the world.

The damage to wildlife can be readily seen and the broader concern, of course, is whether or not there is an effect on human biology, as well.

Ecological systems may be at risk along with the health of people everywhere.

The problem is effectively removing ethinyl estradiol can be quite costly. Governmental estimates put the cost of upgrading about 1,360 wastewater treatment plants across England and Wales so they can comply with a proposed limit at between $41 billion and $47 billion (€32 billion and €37 billion), according to Richard Owen, a professor at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

Quality Control, Research, Resources, Wellness

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