Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 25, 2016 – Yesterday, on the House floor, Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) addressed the serious opioid abuse epidemic across America, highlighting medical marijuana as an alternative to highly addictive prescription opioids in treating chronic pain. In his remarks, Representative Blumenauer called for further reforms to our medical marijuana[Read More…]

Shown here is a color enhanced, magnified view of a pancreatic cancer cell. SCOTLAND–(ENEWSPF)–February 25, 2016. Researchers at the University of Glasgow have made a breakthrough reclassification of Pancreatic Cancer, offering new opportunities to treat the disease. The study, co-led by Professor Andrew Biankin and a team at the university’s[Read More…]

Weeks of ongoing flu activity still ahead; CDC urges flu vaccination. Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–February 25, 2016.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported preliminary overall influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 59 percent this season. These data were presented at a meeting of the agency’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices[Read More…]

Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2016.  CDC is working with other public health officials to monitor for ongoing Zika virus‎ transmission. Today, CDC added the following destinations to the Zika virus travel notices: Trinidad and Tobago and the Marshall Islands.   CDC has issued a travel notice (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people[Read More…]

Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2016.  CDC has committed to sharing the latest information on Zika virus as it becomes available. On February 5, 2016, CDC published interim recommendations for protecting people against sexual transmission of Zika virus.  This guidance was issued after lab confirmation of the first case of Zika virus infection[Read More…]

ISRAEL–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2016.  The long-term, daily use of cannabis is associated with improved analgesia and reduced opioid use in patients with treatment-resistant chronic pain conditions, according to clinical trial data reported online ahead of print in The Clinical Journal of Pain. Investigators with Hebrew University in Israel evaluated the use[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2016.  Center for Food Safety today criticized a study being promoted by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) regarding the cost of labeling genetically engineered (GE) foods. CRA’s study follows in a line of discredited industry funded studies that claim GE food labeling will raise food prices. Yet[Read More…]

NIH-funded study finds protective effect strongest in women over age 25. Woman holding the dapivirine vaginal ring tested in the NIH-funded ASPIRE study. International Partnership for Microbicides Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2016.  A ring that continuously releases an experimental antiretroviral drug in the vagina safely provided a modest level of protection[Read More…]

Mental Health Advocates deliver body bags full of testimonies about disastrous impact of clinic closures CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2016. Mental Health Movement members have spent months collecting stories of the disastrous impact of Rahm Emanuel’s policies on Chicago neighborhoods, from the closure of 6 of 12 mental health clinics to the[Read More…]

Elk Grove Village, IL—(ENEWSPF)—February 22, 2016. For a new study in the March 2016 Pediatrics, government researchers compared human papillomavirus (HPV) infection rates among U.S. teens and young women before and after vaccination against the cancer-causing virus was introduced in 2006. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination[Read More…]