homeWeek in Review
RECENT STUDIES:
HPV, Lifestyle, and Immune Factors
Medscape 19 January 2011 (abstract)
Women with a weaker immune response to HPV-16 virus-like particles were at increased risk (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1–2.7 comparing lowest to highest tertile). New infections in women over age 45 may result from recent sexual partners (21%), past sexual partners (21%), and reduced immune response (12%).
Influenza vaccination coverage - United States, 2000-2010
MMWR (CDC) Jan 14
CANADIAN NEWS
PHAC Flu Watch
January 2 to January 8, 2011 (Week 1)
During week 01 the number of regions reporting localized influenza activity has increased across the country.
Flu treatment guidelines updated
CMAJ January 18, 2011
Tighter strictures on the use of antiviral drugs among otherwise healthy people and new treatment options for pregnant women, infants and others at risk for complicated influenza are among the changes recommended in updated Canadian flu treatment guidelines.
Flu has hit 'really hard, really early'
Hamilton Spectator, Jan 18, 2011
Province sees eightfold increase in confirmed cases. Medical officials warn this year's flu has the province in a nasty grip at a time when the number of Ontarians who received the seasonal vaccine is at an all-time low.
SK: Universities to focus on community health
Regina leader Post Jan 17, 2011
The University of Regina is to begin a three-year community study to try to understand why some communities enjoy better health than others.
It's a joint project between the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan with $750,000 in funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.
BC: Health agency barred C. difficile treatment: MD
CBC News Jan 18, 2011
A hospital physician from a major B.C. facility says several patients died in the last year from C. difficile — unnecessarily — after the health authority stopped her and her colleagues from giving an experimental, simple and highly effective treatment.
AB: The vanishing Alberta Advantage in medical research
Calgary Herald Jan 19, 2011
The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) was established by Premier Peter Lougheed in 1981. Advised by a superb board of internationally recognized scientists and physicians, the AHFMR attracted hundreds of medical researchers to Alberta by providing salaries and equipment grants, all awarded under the uncompromising scrutiny of international scientific peer-review.
Social media is new frontier for gathering health data
CP 19 January, 2011
Ottawa-based researcher Dr. Kumanan Wilson was part of a team who studied how the HPV vaccine was being discussed online.
ON: Microbix Appoints CEO and Chairman of its New Vaccine Joint Venture in China
Jan 18 , 2011 (News release)
Former GSK and Merieux Executives To Lead Team in Building and Operating Asia's Largest Vaccine Production Facility
Pandemic 2.0: web changing way information is spread
Canadian Press 17 Jan 2011
The Internet has long replaced the doctor's office as the place many Canadians get their health information. But now it's also become the primary place Canadians are talking about health care, and researchers suggest public health officials need to start listening to those conversations.
Harmonize vaccines across Canada; Current system can lead to mistakes as families move
National Post Jan 17, 2011
The Canadian Paediatric Society has reiterated its call for Canada to institute a harmonized immunization program that would avoid potential errors in vaccine delivery as some families move between provinces.
AB: Flu cases could clog ERs, health boss fears
Calgary Herald Jan 15, 2011
Plans to get patients faster hospital emergency care could be undone if more people don't get flu vaccinations and Alberta is hit by a flu tsunami similar to Ontario's, the acting CEO of Alberta's health superboard says.
The circumcision debate: Should it be outlawed?
Globe and Mail Jan 17, 2011
NU: Time to taima TB in Iqaluit
APTN Jan 14, 2011
Taima is the Inuktitut word for stop. The federal government announced a new pilot project called Taima TB for Iqaluit.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Cholera vaccine plan splits experts
Nature News, Jan 18, 2011
Opinion is divided over how to tackle the disease in Haiti.
Pfizer in Deal With Theraclone for Antibody Drug Research
The New York Times Jan 18, 2011
The deal, worth up to $632 million, is part of Pfizer’s effort to keep up with rivals that are increasingly relying on biotechnology for products and profits.
GSK tests intravenous flu drug vs Roche's Tamiflu
Reuters Jan 19, 2011 5:13am EST
GlaxoSmithKline has started a pivotal study testing intravenous zanamivir against Roche's best-selling pill Tamiflu as a treatment for patients hospitalised with influenza, it said on Wednesday.
Chan warns about anti-vaccine views as WHO board meets
CIDRAP News Jan 18, 2011
In opening the World Health Organization's (WHO's) executive board meeting yesterday, the head of the WHO cited anti-vaccine sentiments as a worrisome trend that may be very difficult to change.
Global health worker shortage is a truly global crisis
The Guardian Jan 18, 2011
The global health worker crisis is at its worst in sub-Saharan Africa but, says Sarah Boseley, it has an impact on us all
Inadequate Fight Against Drugs Hampers Russia’s Ability to Curb H.I.V.
New York Times January 16, 2011
They look like addicts anywhere in the world: tattered and vacant-eyed, they circle Moscow pharmacies known to sell prescription drugs illicitly, looking for something to inject for a quick high.
Poor countries with IMF loans 'divert aid from public health'
The Guardian Jan 17, 2011
Oxford University-led research finds signs that tough loan conditions imposed by IMF has led to health aid being diverted for other uses
WHO over-extended, not performing well enough: chief
Reuters Jan 17, 2011
The World Health Organization is not performing well enough across the board because it is over-extended and needs to trim the scope of its operations, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said on Monday
AFGHANISTAN: Fight against militants leads to polio spike
The Express Tribune (Pakistan) Jan 14, 2011
The effort to eradicate the disease was affected when a Taliban leader declared the vaccine “un-Islamic” last year.
UGANDA: Muslim women back condoms for HIV prevention
PlusNews 12 January 2011
Some Muslim women in western Uganda are demanding that a new HIV prevention programme for Muslims include condom promotion, going against calls by local religious leaders for the programme to be limited to messages on faithfulness and abstinence.
USA: Most Seniors Don't Get Shingles Vaccination, CDC Finds
Medical News Today Jan 11, 2011
Although a vaccine to prevent shingles has been available since 2006, less than 7 percent of U.S. seniors - the demographic most frequently affected by the disease - chose to receive the vaccination as of 2008, finds a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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