Highlight HEALTH

What You Need to Know About the H1N1 Vaccine

October 1, 2009 | by Walter Jessen

We’ve received a number of questions and concerns about the swine flu and the H1N1 vaccine. Indeed, a new survey by the Harvard School of Public Health finds that six in ten adults are not “absolutely certain” they will get the H1N1 vaccine, citing concerns over side effects, lack of perceived risk and belief that they could receive medication if they do get sick [1]. Just over half of parents surveyed report being “absolutely certain” they well get the vaccine for their children. To help disseminate credible information on the H1N1 vaccine and provide additional sources for review, we’ve put together a list of questions and answers addressing what you need to know about the H1N1 vaccine.

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The Review Is In: Lifestyle Changes Prevent Breast Cancer

September 30, 2009 | by Guest Writer

This article was written by Allison Bland.

Experts agree that diet and nutrition can reduce risk of many diseases, including different types of cancer and chronic disease. A recent update to a 2007 report by the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund (AICR/WCRF) concludes that breast cancer deaths can be prevented by physical activity, breast feeding, a healthy diet and other preventative measures. The study is an update to the breast cancer chapter of Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective [1]. Earlier conclusions were based on data from 873 studies evaluating the relationship between diet, physical activity, obesity and cancer [2]. The 2009 update includes evidence from an additional 81 studies.

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Health Highlights – September 22nd, 2009

September 22, 2009 | by Walter Jessen

Health Highlights is a biweekly summary of particularly interesting articles from credible sources of health and medical information that we follow & read. For a complete list of recommeded sources, see our links page.

HIPAA’s Broken Promise | e-Patients.net
When researchers have access to private health information, they can use it to develop treatments and therapies. However, there's a danger to all that identifying information floating around. Susannah Fox weighs the costs and benefits of anonymizing personal health data.
Solidarity (at High Costs): The French Health Care System | Healthcare Hacks
How les francais manage healthcare – high quality, universal coverage without reliance on a single-payer system.
The Trouble with Wikipedia as a Source for Medical Information | Laika’s MedLibLog
Jacqueline provides an in-depth review on the use of Wikipedia as a source of health information, citing several reasons why health consumers should use the resourc with caution.
Science versus pseudoscience | Science-Based Medicine
Homeopathy and nutritionists vs. real science.
Interview: Susannah Fox, Pew Internet Project | Pulse + Signal
Andre Blackman interviews Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet Project about new media advances in public health.
Anti-"publication bias" efforts not panning out for science | Ars Technica
Negative results can be useful, especially when it comes to drugs that don't work. However, a recent JAMA study shows that many clinical trial results published differ significantly from their proposed experimental design.

Rehabilitation at Home Just as Good as Day Hospital Care

September 18, 2009 | by Faith Martin

As you or perhaps your parents get older, would you want to be at home when recovering from an illness? Would the choice between home rehabilitation or visits to a day hospital make a difference to your recovery and health? Which is cheaper for the healthcare services? A recent study published in the journal Health Technology Assessment (HTA) shows that home-based care in the United Kingdom is no worse than attendance at a day hospital for older adults [1].

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H1N1 Vaccine Study Summaries: Single Dose Provides Protection

September 15, 2009 | by Walter Jessen

Preliminary results from two studies published online last week by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) show that a single dose of the H1N1 vaccine will offer protection for most adults within three weeks of vaccination [1-2]. This is good news in the fight against H1N1, since the vaccine won’t be ready until the start of flu season. On Sunday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that some vaccine may be available as early as the first full week in October [3].

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