Measles deaths worldwide fell by 74% between 2000 and 2007, from an estimated 750,000 to 197,000. In addition, the Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan, has cut measles deaths by a remarkable 90% during the same period

Pregnant women who take folic acid supplements may increase the risk of respiratory illness in their infants, according to an article released on December 2, 2008 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, one of the BMJ Specialist Journals...

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

The study, which included researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in key leadership positions, appears in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine

Meet Gwen MacKenzie who came on board as the new CEO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in May of 2005. She is the first CEO who has an RN background to assume the post. Born in London, Ontario, she moved to Detroit at age 3.
She is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Gwen is pictured in the middle along with nurses, Shannon Hall (right) and Lisa Torres (left), reviewing their electronic medical record system. This is the first part of a mini series on Meeting SMH new CEO. Our next mini-briefing will cover Gwen MacKenzie's goals.

Sunshine may protect against lymphoma

Sun exposure can protect against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma according to a new study.
It has been previously assumed that sun exposure might increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, a team at the University of Sydney has now shown that the opposite might be the case.

The researchers looked at a group of over 700 people with NHL, comparing them with a similar group of healthy controls. They learned that with the highest level of sun exposure, the risk of NHL went down by 35 per cent, compared to the lowest exposure level. It may be that the vitamin D that is activated with sun exposure helps protect against NHL. This study adds to increasing evidence that vitamin D helps to prevent various kinds of cancer.
 

Hardening of leg arteries is a danger sign

People with blocked arteries in their legs probably have a similar problem in other vessels, which could lead to heart disease or stroke.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition where the arteries in the legs become blocked and hardened. Experts in the US are now warning that PAD is a danger sign for heart disease and stroke. For if vessels in the legs are blocked, then those serving the brain and heart probably are as well, putting the individual at risk.

PAD may lead to some pain in their legs and problems with walking. The trouble is that many people assume this is a normal sign of aging and don't do anything about it. And, quite often, PAD doesn't give rise to any symptoms at all. But it's possible to screen those at risk using a painless procedure called the ankle brachial index (ABI) test. This involves measuring the blood pressure in the legs and comparing it with the blood pressure in the arms. If PAD is found, it can be managed by many of the same measures we use to protect against heart disease - smoking cessation, dietary changes, physical activity and maybe certain medications.