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Inquiry Reveals Appalling Gaps In Care For Parkinson's
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parkinson"s Disease has released a shocking new report that documents severe inequalities in access to Parkinson"s services in the UK.

New Jersey Senator Proposes Plan To Avert HIV/AIDS Drug Copayments
New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Vitale (D) -- chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee -- earlier this week proposed a plan to temporarily reduce rebate checks to senior citizens earning $100,000 to $150,000 in an effort to alleviate the effects of possible budget cuts on certain populations, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Vitale"s proposal also would avert planned $6 to $15 prescription drug copayments for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state (Livio, Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12). The copayments are part of Gov. Jon Corzine"s (D) $29.8 billion spending proposal for the state"s new fiscal year and would collect $1.36 million by creating copayments for HIV/AIDS drugs based on a sliding scale determined by income. The copayments would affect 9,000 people living with HIV/AIDS who have obtained no-cost medicine from the state because they do not qualify for other assistance programs. Advocates said that the copayments will hurt patients who are already struggling because of the poor economy (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/23). According to the Star-Ledger, Vitale"s proposal would save the state $15.7 million, including $9.7 million needed to allow 17,000 low-income families to enroll in the state"s health insurance program, FamilyCare. Senate Budget Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D) said that she does not believe it is possible to restore program cuts "given the collapse of revenues." According to the Office of Legislative Services, the current deficit for this year"s budget, which ends June 30, is at least $1.2 billon. Vitale said, "Our convictions are going to be tested as we come to terms with the fact that we simply don"t have enough money to fund all of the state"s priorities." He added, "But unless funding is restored for programs like NJ FamilyCare, Medicaid drug benefits and the AIDS Drug Distribution Program, I will be voting against the" fiscal year 2010 budget (Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12).
News of the day
World Leaders Must Take Action To Support Commitments To Lower Maternal Mortality, Opinion Piece Says
"I stood up and applauded for women everywhere when I heard the news" that the United Nations Human Rights Council, including the U.S., "recognized maternal death as a human rights issue," CARE President and CEO Helene Gayle writes in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution opinion piece. Gayle writes that governments for the past 15 years "have failed to meet the commitments made and targets set to reduce the more than half a million maternal deaths every year."According to Gayle, preventing maternal death "requires three well-coordinated actions: sustain political leadership, secure adequate res and strengthen health systems." She adds that the resolution "is a positive step" but that it is "only effective if it translates into action." She continues, "It"s great to see the Obama administration places women and girls high on the agenda," adding that many members of Congress also support these issues.Reducing maternal mortality "requires significant res," Gayle writes. She adds, "To be blunt, an estimated global commitment of $39 billion over 10 years is needed to make significant progress." Such a commitment would be "an investment in women, their families and the economic productivity of nations," according to Gayle."The cost of not investing is far greater," Gayle continues. She notes that women "do two-thirds of the world"s work and produce nearly 60% of the world"s food." In addition, "children who lose their mothers are 10 times more likely to die in childhood than children with mothers," and maternal and newborn deaths "represent an estimated annual loss of $15.5 billion in productivity," according to Gayle. "Clearly, other development goals cannot be met without healthy mothers," she adds.She continues that the "most tragic and infuriating point" is that the "death of a woman in childbirth is one of the most inexcusable deaths on earth." Because high maternal mortality is a "barometer of weak health systems, often reflecting the low status of women," strengthening health systems to improve maternal health will therefore enable the system to "address other health needs," Gayle writes. She adds that countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Peru have improved mortality rates "through four lifesaving programs: family planning, skilled and culturally sensitive care during pregnancy and childbirth, emergency care for complications and postpartum care."Gayle writes, "The U.S. can spearhead a comprehensive maternal health action plan and, by doing so, set an example for world leaders to join and invest in." She concludes, "The actions we take now can make maternal death a problem of the past and not one of our children"s future" (Gayle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/10).
Medical Devices

What Is Tinnitus? What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (from the Latin tinnitus or "ringing") is a condition characterized by ringing, swishing, or other noises that appear to be originating in the ear or head. Not normally a dangerous or serious problem, tinnitus is usually a symptom of some other underlying condition and most often considered a nuisance. Age-related hearing loss, ear injury, foreign objects in the ear, and circulatory system problems, for example, may cause the condition. Tinnitus may be subjective or objective. In subjective tinnitus, only the patient can hear the noises. In objective tinnitus, a physician may hear the noise while doing an examination. Tinnitus tends to improve with direct treatment or treatment of an underlying cause. Though it rarely progresses into a serious problem, the condition is linked to fatigue, stress, sleep problems, concentration difficulty, memory problems, depression, anxiety and irritability. Who gets tinnitus? Ear / Nose / Throat News For the latest news and research on Ear / Nose / Throat, and to sign up to newsletters or news alerts, please visit our: Ear / Nose / Throat News Section. Although anyone can get tinnitus, some people are more likely to develop the condition. This includes men, white people, older adults (over the age of 65), and those with age-related hearing loss. In addition, people who have been exposed to loud noises for extended periods of time and those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to have higher rates of tinnitus. What causes tinnitus? Tinnitus is a symptom of a variety of health conditions, blood vessel disorders, and effects from medications. The most common causes of tinnitus are age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, earwax blockage in the ear canal, and abnormal bone growth in the ear. Less common causes include an inner ear disorder called Meniere"s disease, stress and depression, head or neck injuries, and a benign tumor of the cranial nerve called acoustic neuroma. Blood vessel disorders that cause tinnitus include head and neck tumors, atherosclerosis (buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels), high blood pressure, turbulent blood flow, and a malformation of capillaries. Medications known to cause tinnitus include antibiotics, cancer treatments, diuretics, quinine and chloroquine for malaria, and aspirin. What are the symptoms of tinnitus? Symptoms of tinnitus include hearing sounds when no external sound is present. The ears may sense ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling, hissing, or squealing. Noises may appear low or high in pitch and may interfere with a person"s ability to concentrate. How is tinnitus diagnosed? To diagnose tinnitus, physicians will request a medical history, conduct a physical examination, and present a series of special tests. A doctor will check for ear wax, foreign objects, or hair that may be rubbing against the eardrum. It is important to let the physician know if the noises are constant, intermittent, or pulsating and if you suffer from age-related hearing loss or vertigo. Tests such as an audiogram (hearing test), auditory brain stem response (ABR), computerized tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be used to find potential causes of tinnitus or to locate tumors. How is tinnitus treated? If an underlying cause of the tinnitus is found, a doctor will treat that condition and the tinnitus usually subsides. This may include removing earwax, treating blood vessel conditions, or changing medication regimens. In many cases, however, the underlying cause cannot be identified. There is no specific treatment for tinnitus, but a doctor may suggest other methods of suppressing the sound. White noise machines, hearing aids, and masking devices, may be offered because of their ability to suppress sounds, making the tinnitus less annoying. Although drugs cannot cure tinnitus, some such as tricyclic antidepressants, alprazolam, and acamprosate may reduce the severity of symptoms. How can tinnitus be prevented? Some types of tinnitus may be avoided by following preventive measures. For example, it is not recommended to use cotton swabs to clean the ears (it pushes wax against the ear drum). In addition, tinnitus can be prevented by wearing ear plugs at work (if there is excessive noise), at rock concerts, at sporting events, and while hunting, using a lawnmower, and blow drying hair. Maintaining good cardiovascular health by exercising regularly may reduce the chances of developing tinnitus linked to blood vessel disorders. Written by Peter Crosta M.A. Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today


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