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APhA Seeks Nominations For Scientific Awards And Honors
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the national professional society of pharmacists, announces that nominations are now being accepted for the APhA scientific awards and honors that will be presented at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, DC, March 12-15, 2010. Nominations must be received at APhA headquarters by September 15, 2009.

UQ Generates First Australian Swine Flu Vaccine
The University of Queensland has produced the first Australian batch of a new candidate vaccine against the H1N1 "swine flu" virus.
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South African Health Minister To Launch PMTCT Plan
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi within the next two weeks is expected to launch a plan to address mother-to-child HIV transmission in an effort to reduce infant mortality in the country, The Times reports. The MTCT plan is part of a new health program adopted by President Jacob Zuma"s administration, according to The Times."This is one of the most urgent things I want to (deal with) as the new minister," Motsoaledi said. According to Motsoaledi, a child dies every eight minutes in South Africa, and about 40% of child deaths are related to HIV/AIDS. The plan was developed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa at a July meeting of government and health sector stakeholders. Participants at the meeting also examined maternal deaths and the decrease in life expectancy among young adults because of HIV/AIDS. According to Motsoaledi, these and other issues have been identified as priorities for the Zuma administration if South Africa is to meet targets in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. They also have been consolidated into a 10-point plan to help the Department of Health focus on urgent issues through 2015."Health and education are the biggest challenges for (the government) and we ought to be doing something drastic," Motsoaledi said, adding, "These are very serious issues in society." The health department"s plan also calls for the revival of the National AIDS Council and says that the government should improve regulation of the private health sector. It also calls for the establishment of a national tuberculosis reference laboratory, a focus on infection rates among women ages 17 to 21 and the improvement of HIV prevention among commercial sex workers (Molele, The Times, 5/25).
Endocrinology

Secretary Sebelius Releases New Success Story Report: Community-Based Prevention Program In Nebraska Helps Prevent Heart Disease And Stroke

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released the second in a series of health care success story reports that document innovative programs and initiatives that can serve as models for a reformed American health care system. Today"s report highlights the Nebraska WISEWOMAN program. WISEWOMAN is a community intervention program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that helps prevent heart disease and stroke by providing screenings and counseling for low-income women. The report is available at http://www.healthreform.gov. "WISEWOMAN is a great example of a community-based prevention program that can help keep Americans healthy and out of the hospital," said Secretary Sebelius. "In Nebraska alone, WISEWOMAN helped 19,000 women live healthier lives and significantly reduced their risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke." The WISEWOMAN program started in 2000; there are now 21 similar programs across the country. In Nebraska, WISEWOMAN partners with health care providers across the state to provide low-income, under- or uninsured women with the information they need to help prevent heart attack and stroke. The program provides risk factor screenings to low-income women at clinics throughout Nebraska and refers women at-risk of heart attack or stroke to experts for additional counseling and care. The WISEWOMAN program as a whole has reduced the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases in over 84,000 women. Nebraska WISEWOMAN has screened over 19,000 underserved women since its inception in 2000 and has significantly reduced the incidence of chronic disease and death. There has been a 5.4 percent reduction in 10-year estimated chronic heart disease risk and a 7.5 percent reduction in five-year estimated cardiovascular disease risk. Smoking incidence has also declined 7.1 percent since the start of the program. "WISEWOMAN shows us just how important and successful prevention programs can be," added Sebelius. "We need to build on the success of this program and ensure health reform makes prevention and wellness a fundamental part of our health care system." HHS


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