Borrelia mayonii closely related to B. burgdorferi Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–February 8, 2016.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and health officials from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, report the discovery of a new species of bacteria (Borrelia mayonii) that causes Lyme disease in people. Until[Read More…]

Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–February 8, 2016.  The Jel Sert Company of West Chicago, Illinois, is issuing a voluntary recall notice for 52 cases of Margaritaville Banana Cream Pie Filling, 4.16 ounce carton that was used for sales samples and gift packages distributed nationwide, because it has the possibility to be contaminated[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 8, 2016.  Since late last year, the Administration has been aggressively working to combat Zika, a virus primarily spread by mosquitoes that has recently been linked to birth defects and other concerning health outcomes.  The Federal Government has been monitoring the Zika virus and working with our domestic[Read More…]

Hogue: “The deadly reality of the Zika outbreak requires leaders to take bold action in the face of this public health crisis” Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 5, 2016.  In light of the severe public health threat posed by the Zika virus, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue is calling on Marco Rubio,[Read More…]

Ongoing violence against nurses at hospitals like Brigham and Women’s and Worcester Recovery Center reinforces alarming results of new Massachusetts Nurses Association workplace violence survey Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 4, 2016.  Violence against nurses and other health care professionals is rising, but as shown in a new survey by the Massachusetts Nurses[Read More…]

Proposed changes would facilitate health information exchange to support delivery system reform efforts while protecting the privacy of patients seeking treatment for a substance use disorder. Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 5, 2016.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell today announced proposed revisions to the Confidentiality of[Read More…]

NIH researchers have identified a DNA methylation signature in tumor DNA common to five types of cancer. The signature results from a chemical modification of DNA called methylation, which can control the expression of genes like a dimmer on a light switch. They hope this finding will spur development of[Read More…]

Senator says House-passed legislation would hurt asbestos victims and slow down asbestos claims process WASHINGTON, D.C. –(ENEWSPF)–February 3, 2016.  At a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that legislation – the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act – passed by the House of[Read More…]

Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–February 4, 2016.  In response to the opioid abuse epidemic, today Dr. Robert Califf, the FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Medical Products and Tobacco, along with other FDA leaders, called for a far-reaching action plan to reassess the agency’s approach to opioid medications. The plan will focus on policies[Read More…]

Boston, MA –(ENEWSPF)–February 4, 2016.  A new study suggests that the current recommendation to treat severely malnourished children with routine antibiotics does not increase the likelihood of nutritional recovery in uncomplicated cases. Given this finding, the study’s authors say that routinely using antibiotics may not be necessary or beneficial for[Read More…]