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A Whole Industry Is Waiting For A Pandemic

"It's true that influenza viruses are unpredictable, so it does call for a certain degree of caution. But one of the extraordinary features of this influenza -- and the whole influenza saga -- is that there are some people who make predictions year after year, and they get worse and worse. None of them so far have come about, and these people are still there making these predictions. For example, what happened with the bird flu, which was supposed to kill us all? Nothing. But that doesn't stop these people from always making their predictions. Sometimes you get the feeling that there is a whole industry almost waiting for a pandemic to occur."

» Der Spiegel [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

'No doubt' sunbeds cause cancer

An IARC Working Group has classified UV-emitting tanning devices as “carcinogenic to humans”. There is no doubt using a sunbed or sunlamp will raise the risk of skin cancer.

Combined analysis of over 20 epidemiological studies shows that the risk of cutaneous melanoma is increased by 75% when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30. There is also sufficient evidence of an increased risk of ocular melanoma associated with the use of tanning devices. Studies in experimental animals support these conclusions and demonstrate that ultraviolet radiation (UVA, UVB, and UVC) is carcinogenic to humans.

» IARC Working Group [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

Military planning for possible H1N1 outbreak; Provide support for 'large-scale testing'

Civilian authorities would lead any relief efforts in the event of a major outbreak, the official said. The military, as they would for a natural disaster or other significant emergency situation, could provide support and fulfill any tasks that civilian authorities could not, such as air transport or testing of large numbers of viral samples from infected patients.

» CNN [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

Plastic Surgery Tax Eyed As Revenue Raiser

The Senate Finance Committee has discussed imposing a 10 percent excise tax on cosmetic surgery deemed unnecessary for medical purposes. The idea was broached in a meeting with OMB Director Orszag in mid-July, after which Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus told reporters he had heard some "interesting," "creative," and "kind of fun" ideas.

» National Journal [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

Reducing Obesity: Policy Strategies from the Tobacco Wars

To combat the epidemic of obesity, lawmakers can adapt policy approaches that have substantially cut tobacco use. A 10 percent tax on fattening food, identified based on a model used by the British government to determine the foods that may not be advertised to children, would reduce consumption while raising more than $500 billion over 10 years. Adding simple, "traffic light" nutrition labels to the front of each food package would change consumers' buying habits, as would listing calories on menus at chain restaurants. Consumption of fattening food would be further reduced by banning its advertisement in the mass media.

[ PDF ] Urban Institute, Publication Date: July 24, 2009

Additional links
» La Times: Tough love for fat people: Tax their food to pay for healthcare
» CDC: Inaugural Conference to Address Obesity Crisis in the United States

Obesity-Related Conditions 'Account for 9.1% Of All Medical Spending'

Prescription drugs for obesity-related illnesses account for much of the rise in spending. Medicare spends about $600 more per year on prescriptions for an obese beneficiary than a normal-weight one, the study found.

» WSJ [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

Swine Flu Could Eventually Affect 40% of Americans

The H1N1 swine flu could end up affecting as many as 40 percent of Americans, if one includes workers who stay home to care for people who contract the illness, U.S. health officials said Friday.

» CDC [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

Swine flu screening starts at UK airports

NHS intensive care services could be overwhelmed by a huge rise in swine flu cases, researchers have warned, as Britain’s port authorities started screening incoming passengers for the first time. The warning came as 160 British citizens were held in quarantine in China, Singapore, India and Egypt because of swine flu fears. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that there were likely to be others being held over suspicions that they had the H1N1 virus.

» Times Online [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States

Approximately two thirds of U.S. adults and one fifth of U.S. children are obese or overweight. Being either obese or overweight increases the risk for many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and stroke). Reversing the U.S. obesity epidemic requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that uses policy and environmental change to transform communities into places that support and promote healthy lifestyle choices for all U.S. residents. Environmental factors (including lack of access to full-service grocery stores, increasing costs of healthy foods and the lower cost of unhealthy foods, and lack of access to safe places to play and exercise) all contribute to the increase in obesity rates by inhibiting or preventing healthy eating and active living behaviors. Recommended strategies and appropriate measurements are needed to assess the effectiveness of community initiatives to create environments that promote good nutrition and physical activity. This report presents 24 recommended strategies for obesity prevention and a suggested measurement for each strategy that communities can use to assess performance and track progress over time.

» CDC July 24, 2009 [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

[ PDF ] Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States

CDC Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines, 2009

This report updates the 2008 recommendations by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of influenza vaccine for the prevention and control of seasonal influenza. The 2009 seasonal influenza recommendations include new and updated information. Highlights of the 2009 recommendations include a recommendation that annual vaccination be administered to all children aged 6 months--18 years for the 2009/10 influenza season.

» CDC [ Contribute: submit link / submit article ]

[ PDF ] Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, July 24, 2009