The Arthritis Foundation is joining a global effort on Oct. 12, World Arthritis Day, to increase awareness of the many forms of arthritis and to call on individuals and policymakers to take action to reduce the burden of arthritis around the world.
Arthritis affects several hundred million people worldwide. In the United States, it’s the nation’s leading cause of disability, affecting one in five adults (50 million). The disease exacts a hefty financial toll, costing the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. As the staggering prevalence of arthritis continues to rise, the Arthritis Foundation is calling on the nation and individuals to “Move to Improve” to reduce the severe health and economic effects of this disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52066-ad-council-world-arthritis-day-move-to-improve-october-12
If you think that fall signals the end of heartworm season, think again. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) cautions the pet-owning public that heartworm disease is not solely a summer threat.
To help pet owners spread the word that heartworm is a year-round problem, as well as one of the most common diseases in pets, AHS created a video message that pet owners can forward to their friends. The “Is Your Pet Protected?” video emphasizes that this deadly disease is easy to prevent—but knowledge is needed to help all pet owners understand the importance of year-round protection and the importance of prevention.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52009-american-heartworm-society-urges-year-round-pet-protection
International treatment guidelines – from the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) – have advised that prevention of exacerbations should be a cornerstone of COPD management, placing equal emphasis on the management of future risk as it does on treatment of COPD symptoms.1 This is also confirmed in the latest data on the impact of season on the frequency of COPD exacerbations, showing an almost two-fold increase in the winter months. This is contributing to the increased morbidity seen during the festive season.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/nycomedtakeda/52782/
Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the PROMUS Element™ Plus Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent System, the Company’s next-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) technology. The PROMUS Element Stent, designed to provide physicians improved DES performance in treating patients with coronary artery disease, is built on an innovative platinum chromium (PtCr) platform with the market-leading everolimus drug. The Company plans to begin marketing the product in the U.S. immediately.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/43510-boston-scientific-fda-promus-element-plus-platinum-chromium-stent-system
Doctors at Children’s Hospital Boston are just another step closer to securing a cure for sickle cell disease thanks to a little help from some superstar friends. More than $1 million was raised in support of their research efforts on Sunday, January 15 during the “Play Without Pain: Children’s Sickle Cell Benefit,” a partnership with international megastar Celine Dion, Caesars Entertainment, AEG Live and Children’s Hospital Boston. Held at Caesars Palace, the evening included a performance of Celine Dion’s glamorous show directed by Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich, including a touching tribute to sickle cell victims during her rendition of Billy Joel’s “Lullabye.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54153-celine-dion-play-without-pain-children-s-sickle-cell-benefit
Adults aren’t the only ones who should be thinking heart smart this February, as heart disease is a concern for an increasing number of children, too. Research shows that overweight kids are more likely to develop heart disease as adults. And many overweight children already have conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which puts them at risk for heart disease now.
The good news is that most kids can address these risks with changes in diet and exercise. Throughout February, which is American Heart Month, BeSmartBeWell.com highlights the heart risks facing overweight kids and provides advice for how to manage them.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childhoodobesity/50830/
Researchers have identified the first gene mutation associated with a chronic and often fatal form of neuroblastoma that typically strikes adolescents and young adults. The finding provides the first clue about the genetic basis of the long-recognized but poorly understood link between treatment outcome and age at diagnosis.
The study involved 104 infants, children and young adults with advanced neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Investigators discovered the ATRX gene was mutated only in patients age 5 and older. The alterations occurred most often in patients age 12 and older. These older patients were also more likely than their younger counterparts to have a chronic form of neuroblastoma and die years after their disease is diagnosed.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52992-st-jude-pediatric-cancer-genome-project-neuroblastoma-research
Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) and the National Urban League (NUL), today announced the launch of the Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour with National Urban League as a charitable component of the Walgreens Way to Well Commitment®. The national tour will provide free health resources to residents in urban and minority communities who experience disproportionately higher rates of preventable disease. The service is free and insurance will not be billed.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54971-walgreens-way-to-well-health-tour-with-nul
The fight against youth tobacco use was accelerated today by Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, with the release of the Surgeon General’s Report, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults. This report details the scope, health consequences and influences that lead to youth tobacco use and proven strategies that prevent its use.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health will launch the Surgeon General’s Video Challenge to engage youth and young adults in developing original videos that feature one or more of the report’s findings. More information can be found at www.Challenge.gov.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54916-surgeon-general-releases-new-report-on-teen-smoking-tobacco-prevention
Today the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) is urging people all over the world to “Join Hands Against Meningitis” in an effort to reduce the global impact of the disease. The call-to-action encourages individuals, families and communities to learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis, the importance of urgent treatment of the disease, and that prevention is available through vaccination against some forms of meningitis.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55808-world-meningitis-day-join-the-fight-to-stop-meningitis
To speed progress against cancer and other diseases, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project today announced the largest-ever release of comprehensive human cancer genome data for free access by the global scientific community. The amount of information released more than doubles the volume of high-coverage, whole genome data currently available from all human genome sources combined. This information is valuable not just to cancer researchers, but also to scientists studying almost any disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52993-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-comprehensive-human-cancer-genome-data
Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) today announced that the Light Study, a long-term research study of Contrave® (naltrexone SR/bupropion SR), a new, investigational drug being evaluated for weight loss, has begun enrolling patients at clinical sites throughout the United States. The Light Study is designed to assess the cardiovascular health outcomes of Contrave.
Nearly 93 million Americans are affected by obesity, and that number is predicted to increase to 120 million Americans within the next five years. More than one-third of adults in the United States are affected by obesity. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, and a variety of other conditions. Medical research suggests that losing just five percent of your body weight can significantly improve your health and reduce the risk of complications from type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56480-lightstudy