MONTGOMERY, Ala.–(ENEWSPF)–August 4, 2014.  A federal judge has declared unconstitutional a state law that would have forced all but two of the licensed health centers in Alabama to stop providing abortions, saying that “if this requirement would not … constitute an impermissible undue burden, then almost no regulation, short of[Read More…]

NEW YORK –(ENEWSPF)—August 1, 2014. In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month (August), Planned Parenthood is encouraging parents to get their children, both boys and girls aged 11-12, vaccinated for the human papillomavirus (HPV). The month reminds all people to protect their health by getting immunized against infectious diseases. New[Read More…]

Augusta, ME–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2014.  Nurse practitioners may legally authorize cannabis therapy, according to new legislation that takes effect this Friday. The legislation, LD 1739, expands the pool of those who can legally advise patients on the use of medicinal marijuana from physicians to ‘medical providers’ – a classification that includes[Read More…]

Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2014.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Jardiance (empagliflozin) tablets as an addition to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 26 million people and accounts for more than 90 percent of diabetes[Read More…]

Revised modernization effort includes new preventative measures, re-focused inspection activities that will prevent thousands of illnesses annually and improved coordination on worker safety WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a critical step forward in making chicken and turkey[Read More…]

Federal Legislation Would Support Expansion of Overdose Prevention Services and Fund Naloxone Access; Accidental Overdose Fatalities Across the Nation Have Nearly Tripled Since 2000 Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—July 31, 2014. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced the Overdose Prevention Act today with Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Edward Markey[Read More…]

CDC surge scaling up response in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2014.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued a warning to avoid nonessential travel to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This Level 3 travel warning is a reflection[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2014.  On Wednesday, Members of the House Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force celebrated the 49th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid by heralding recent efforts to strengthen these programs, and promising to fight efforts to roll back program benefits.  Signed into law on July 30, 1965 by President[Read More…]

Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2014.  Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Striverdi Respimat (olodaterol) inhalation spray to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema that are experiencing airflow obstruction. Striverdi Respimat can be used once daily over a long period of time.[Read More…]

New Steps Will Help Expand Access and Quality of Healthcare CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2014.  Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law to expand health and wellness services in communities throughout Illinois. The law provides certification standards for community health workers to help bridge a vital link between healthcare providers and the[Read More…]