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 FDA
Seeks Court Action Against American Red Cross
12/18/01
- The Food and Drug Administration today asked a Federal court to hold
American Red Cross (ARC) in contempt of a 1993 consent decree covering ARC's
blood program. FDA also asked the court for authority to levy prospective
fines against ARC for future violations. ARC supplies approximately 45
percent of the nation's blood supply.
Study
Finds DASH Diet And Reduced Sodium Lowers Blood Pressure
The DASH diet plus
reduced dietary sodium lowers blood pressure for all persons, according to
the first detailed subgroup analysis of the DASH study results. The Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension study was supported by the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Overweight
And Obesity Threaten U.S. Health Gains
12/13/01 - According to the Surgeon General's "call to action"
issued today, health problems resulting from overweight and obesity could
reverse many of the health gains achieved in the U.S. in recent decades, .
Social
Security In The News
The Committee to Strengthen Social Security and the Senate
Special Committee on Aging each held hearings in the past week and
issued reports.
Draft Final Report of the
President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security (.pdf file -
requires Acrobat Reader)
Straight Shooting on
Social Security: The Trade-offs of Reform
Medicare
Personal Plan Finder
Medicare's Personal Plan Finder helps you narrow down your Medicare health
plan choices and choose the plan that's best for you.
Social
Security Frequently Asked Questions
Search by category,
keywords, or phrases. If you are unable to find an answer, you will be
given an opportunity to ask a question. An outstanding federal web
resource!
FDA
Approves New Anticlotting Drug
Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) by injection is the first synthetic
anticoagulant approved by the Food and Drug Administration for reducing
the risk of blood clots after hip replacement, knee replacement, and hip
fracture orthopedic surgery.
Record
FY 2002 Budget Signed For FDA
For fiscal year 2002, Congress has provided FDA with a budget
aimed at strengthening public health protection by focusing on urgent
potential health problems such as mad cow disease and imported foods.
FirstGov
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to bookmark this page.
Senate
Passes Railroad Pension Bill
12/05/01 - Despite
criticism, legislation that will improve the railroad retirement
system overwhelmingly passed the U.S. Senate this morning on a vote of 90
to 9.
December
Medicare+Choice Special Enrollment Period
Individuals who are currently enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans have
an additional month to make a choice about how they wish to receive their
health care coverage in 2002.
New
NIH Web Resource Marks World AIDS Day
In recognition of World AIDS Day, December 1, 2001, the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a new AIDS
web resource that provides comprehensive information about the
diverse array of NIH- supported HIV/AIDS research.
HHS
Awards $428 Million Contract To Produce Smallpox Vaccine
11/28/01 - HHS Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson announced today that Acambis Inc., with support from its
subcontractor Baxter International Inc., has been awarded a $428 million
contract to produce 155 million doses of smallpox vaccine by the end of
2002.
November
- Prostate Cancer Month
President Bush proclaimed November as National
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
An alert reader pointed this out to us, and we pass this
information on belatedly. Visit the Center
for Disease Control Prostate web page for more information
Eldercare
Locator Provides Critical Service for Caregivers, Families
The public is increasingly using the Administration on Aging’s (AoA’s)
nationwide Eldercare Locator service to find programs and supportive
services to help them care for an older member of their family in their
homes and communities.
Psychological
Issues Near The End Of Life
An international conference sponsored by the Society for the
Psychological Study of Social Issues will be held February 2-3, 2002 in
Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
FDA
Approves First Biologic Treatment For Sepsis
FDA today approved the first biologic treatment for the most serious forms
of sepsis, a life-threatening illness caused by severe infection.
HHS, ABC Radio Campaign To Close
African-American Health Gap
November 19, 2001 - HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today
announced a new partnership with the ABC Radio Networks to inform the
African-American community on ways of achieving better health through a new
radio campaign called "Closing the Health Gap."
Comparative
Hospital Pricing On Health-mart
Be sure to click on the picture for "Patients"
Then click on "Click
here to continue" at the top
Health-mart.net provides hospital comparative pricing and quality
data by disease. The service is free, but only if you click through from
FirstGov for Seniors.
More
Information on Health-Mart
The
Medicare Rights Center
This not-for-profit organization is dedicated to ensuring that older
adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. This
is a nicely designed site with a wealth of information. Give it a try.
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