Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited, lifelong chronic disorder affecting nearly 100,000 Americans and a growing global health problem that will touch nearly 30 percent more people globally in the next three decades. Though new approaches to managing SCD have led to improvements in diagnosis and supportive care, people living with the disease still have severe complications to overcome. Many are unable to access quality care and are limited by a lack of effective treatment options.
In an effort to identify unmet medical needs for people with SCD, the American Society of Hematology (ASH), along with other groups, issued the State of Sickle Cell Disease: 2016 Report, evaluating the disease in four priority areas — access to care, training and professional education, research and clinical trials, and global health. The report shows that significant improvements are needed across all areas and that, though patients are living longer, the system of care needs to change to ensure a better quality of life. To address these challenges, ASH launched the Sickle Cell Disease Coalition along with more than 20 other organizations who are issuing a call to action that will amplify the voice of the SCD community, promote SCD awareness, and transform SCD care both in the United States and around the globe.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7903251-american-society-hematology-sickle-cell-coalition/
Federally funded research continues to spur progress against cancer; however, accelerating the pace of progress will require robust, sustained, and predictable annual funding increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, strong financial support for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative is required, according to the sixth annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Cancer Progress Report, released today.
One of the most exciting new approaches to cancer treatment is cancer immunotherapy. As detailed in the report, the utility of immunotherapy is expanding rapidly. For example, on Aug. 1, 2015, one class of immunotherapeutics, checkpoint inhibitors, was initially approved for just two types of cancer—melanoma and lung cancer. As of Sept. 1, 2016, checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for treating six types of cancer—bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7911951-aacr-2016-cancer-progress-report/
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), a leading graduate institution that emphasizes health and rehabilitative sciences education through innovative classroom education, is pleased to announce the installation of SafeGait 360° Balance and Mobility Trainer® on its Austin, Texas campus. The device, which was designed in collaboration with experts in physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT), works to mitigate the risk of injury from falls, protecting both the patient and therapist. In addition, SafeGait 360°’s dynamic fall protection (DFP) distinguishes between a patient’s intentional downward movement and when a patient is actually falling, which allows therapists to easily modify fall protection sensitivity to accommodate and challenge patients at varying stages of independence.
USAHS is one of the first higher education institutions in the nation to install this innovative body-weight support and fall protection system. In addition to conducting ground breaking research with patients and students, faculty members with extensive experience in body-weight treatments aim to open a clinic which will provide new treatment options to patients in the Austin community, and will begin seeing patients in October of this year.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7743851-usahs-safegait-360-physical-therapy/
Nearly 12 million men in the U.S. suffer from symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate that can cause issues such as frequent and weak urinary streams and sleep deprivation from getting up repeatedly during the night to urinate. Since traditional BPH therapies such as daily medications and more invasive or surgical procedures often result in unwanted side effects and complications, more than 54 percent of men who would benefit from treating their BPH choose not to do anything1. With today’s national introduction of the FDA-cleared Rezūm® System, NxThera provides urologists and their patients suffering from symptomatic BPH with a new, safe and effective minimally-invasive, office-based treatment option which improves quality of life and preserves sexual function2 – one of the main reasons many men choose to forego medications or more invasive procedures.
“Men suffering from BPH are constantly evaluating the trade-offs between maintaining their current declined quality of life or treating their BPH symptoms and possibly incurring long term side effects,” said Dr. Kia Michel, M.D., a urologist at Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles who recently performed the procedure as part of a nationally televised segment on prostate health. “Of all the minimally-invasive BPH treatments I’ve performed, Rezūm is the most effective and most versatile treatment available to patients – and the results have been excellent.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7933151-nxthera-rezum-therapy/
On World Mental Health Day, Janssen has announced the results of a pan-European research project: ‘Talking About Treatment in Schizophrenia: A Patient and Carer Survey’. The survey of 166 adults living with schizophrenia and 468 carers was conducted by the independent market research agency, Fieldwork International (part of Ipsos MORI), and explored awareness, feelings and preferences regarding treatment.
The survey, conducted across 12 countries in Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK), highlighted key factors affecting the peace of mind for carers, such as the impact of the condition on day‑to-day life, potential relapse/hospitalisation and getting support beyond medication. 94% stated they reminded the person they care for to take their medication and for 49% this happens often.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7947151-janssen-survey-carers-adults-schizophrenia/
Today, Futures Without Violence, in partnership with the Department of Justice, announced the launch of the first national campaign that will raise awareness, teach skills, and inspire public action to address children’s exposure to violence and childhood trauma. The multi-year “Changing Minds” campaign will motivate teachers, coaches, counselors, health professionals, law enforcement officers, and others who regularly interact with children to take meaningful action in supporting children who may be affected.
“Violence is far too prominent in our children’s lives, but it does not have to define their futures,” said former Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. “We can curb the effects of trauma and restore our young people to wholeness and health, giving them the chance they all deserve to pursue their dreams.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7925451-ad-council-futures-without-violence/
A ten-month clinical trial at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia has determined that hard surfaces and linens infused with copper oxide compounds contributed to an 83% reduction in C-difficile and a 78% overall reduction in a host of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) including C-diff, MRSA and VRE in a real-world clinical environment. These results occurred in a hospital with a robust protocol for managing infection risk certified by the health care accrediting body DNV-GL Healthcare.
The results of the trial were published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Infection Control on Sept. 28, 2016 and will be presented at the annual conference of the Infectious Disease Society of America in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 27, 2016.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7955751-sentara-healthcare-infections-copper-clinical-trial/
A ten-month clinical trial at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia has determined that hard surfaces and linens infused with copper oxide compounds contributed to an 83% reduction in C-difficile and a 78% overall reduction in a host of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) including C-diff, MRSA and VRE in a real-world clinical environment. These results occurred in a hospital with a robust protocol for managing infection risk certified by the health care accrediting body DNV-GL Healthcare.
The results of the trial were published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Infection Control on Sept. 28, 2016 and will be presented at the annual conference of the Infectious Disease Society of America in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 27, 2016.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7955751-sentara-healthcare-infections-copper-clinical-trial/
The health of babies in the United States has taken a step backward as the nation’s preterm birth rate worsened for the first time in eight years, the March of Dimes said today. The U.S. earned a “C” grade on the latest March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card amidst widening differences in prematurity rates across different races and ethnicities.
“The 2016 March of Dimes Report Card demonstrates that there is an unfair burden of premature birth among specific racial and ethnic groups as well as geographic areas,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “The March of Dimes strives for a world where every baby has a fair chance, yet we see this is not the reality for many mothers and babies. Babies in this country have different chances of surviving and thriving simply based on the circumstances of their birth.”
The U.S. preterm birth rate went up from 9.57 to 9.63 in 2015, according to final data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Across the country, preterm birth rates were nearly 48 percent higher among black women and more than 15 percent higher among American Indian/Alaska Native women compared to white women.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7945951-march-of-dimes-premature-birth-report/
As part of its longstanding commitment to Africa, Johnson & Johnson today announced the launch of the Africa Innovation Challenge, an initiative to support Africa’s vibrant and growing innovation ecosystem and to help develop important and locally sustainable consumer health solutions. The challenge is the latest initiative in the company’s comprehensive approach to advancing health and innovation worldwide. The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies’ presence in Africa dates back more than 80 years and includes business operations, public health programs and corporate citizenship.
“Through the Africa Innovation Challenge, we have the opportunity to support the continent’s top entrepreneurs through mentorship and other resources, and by working together with local talent, to bring forward new solutions to local health care challenges,” said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7967451-jnj-africa-innovation-challenge/
Miami Children's Health Foundation (MCH Foundation) celebrated its 10th Anniversary Diamond Ball on Oct. 29, raising nearly $1.6 million, benefiting the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. More than 800 guests took part in the glamourous affair, which combined couture fashion and costumes inspired by the theme “Into the Woods.”
This year, world-renowned guitarist, singer, and composer José Feliciano was inducted into the Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame. After receiving his award, Mr. Feliciano also entertained the crowd with a live performance. Mr. Feliciano was recognized for his commitment to helping children through the Jose M. and Susan L. Feliciano Charitable Foundation for Children and the Arts and for his achievements in the world of music as the first Latin artist to cross over into the English music market.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7969051-miami-childrens-health-foundation-diamond-ball/
The American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation today awarded grants to 20 U.S. colleges and universities as part of their Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), a $3.6 million multi-year program intended to accelerate and expand the adoption and implementation of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The announcement coincides this week with the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout.
The Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative is part of Be The First, CVS Health's five-year, $50 million initiative that supports education, advocacy, tobacco control, and healthy behavior programming to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. CVS Health has set actionable and measurable goals for Be The First, including a doubling of the number of tobacco-free college and university campuses in the United States.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7963951-cvs-health-tobacco-free-campus/
