http://commprojects.jhsph.edu/communications/rss/public_health_news.cfm The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is dedicated to protecting health and saving lives. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:11:06 EST en-us Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved. 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410-955-6878 Office of Communications paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) ?source=rss The results from two new studies from Mexico and Africa conclude that rotavirus vaccination can significantly reduce deaths from diarrheal disease among young children in developing countries. The studies are published in the January 28 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. In an accompanying editorial, Mathuram Santosham, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and professor of International Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, writes that the data support the use of rotavirus vaccines in the poorest countries in the world. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST ?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2010/baker_china_disparity.html?source=rss The death rate from injuries in rural areas of China is higher than in urban areas, according to a new study by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health s Center for Injury Research and Policy. Rural males of all ages were 47 percent more likely to die from injuries than urban males, and the overall rate in rural females was 33 percent higher than in urban females. For babies under one year of age, unintentional suffocation was the most important source of the total urban-rural disparity, whereas drowning was the great contributor to disparity among children ages 1 to 4 years. At the other end of the age spectrum, suicide accounted for the bulk of the disparity for both men and women. The report is published in the winter 2010 issue of The Journal of Rural Health. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2010/baker_china_disparity.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2010/nachega_health_costs.html?source=rss High antiretroviral therapy adherence, which has been shown to be a major predictor of HIV disease progression and survival, is now associated with lower health care costs, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Researchers examined the effect of antiretroviral therapy adherence on direct health care costs and found that antiretroviral therapy improves health outcomes for people infected with HIV, saving a net overall median monthly health care cost of $85 per patient. The results are featured in the January 5, 2010, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2010/nachega_health_costs.html?source=rss ?source=rss The April 2009 H1N1 outbreak at a Queens, New York, high school was widespread but did not cause severe disease, according to an analysis conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Their findings suggest that the transmission and spread of novel H1N1 influenza are similar to those of seasonal influenza strains. The results appear in the December 31 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST ?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/zhang_antibiotic_tb.html?source=rss Scientists have identified a strain of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis that thrives in the presence of rifampin, a front-line drug in the treatment of tuberculosis. The bacterium was identified in a patient in China and is described in a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Chongqing Pulmonary Hospital, Lanzhou University and Fudan University. The researchers determined that the bacteria grew poorly in the absence of the antibiotic rifampin and better in the presence of the drug. They also observed that the patient s condition grew worse with treatment regimens containing rifampin, before being cured with rifampin-free regimens. The study, which will appear in the January 2010 issue of The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, is among the first to document the treatment of a patient with rifampin-dependent infection. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/zhang_antibiotic_tb.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/carlson_brain_scan.html?source=rss Volunteer service, such as tutoring children, can help older adults delay or reverse declining brain function, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers found that seniors participating in a youth mentoring program made gains in key brain regions that support cognitive abilities important to planning and organizing one s daily life. The study is the first of its kind to demonstrate that valuable social service programs, such as Experience Corps--a program designed to both benefit children and older adults health--can have the added benefits of improving the cognitive abilities of older adults, enhancing their quality of life. The study is published in the December issue of the Journals of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/carlson_brain_scan.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/who_tobacco.html?source=rss There is no safe level for secondhand smoke exposure and we know that exposure to tobacco smoke can lead to serious health consequences, said Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This report defines the progress that has been made globally towards limiting exposure to harmful secondhand smoke while defining where additional progress is needed. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/who_tobacco.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/levine_ivac.html?source=rss The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has established the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) to increase access to lifesaving vaccines by overcoming many of the obstacles that often delay vaccine usage and distribution. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/levine_ivac.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/hyder_bloomberg_roads.html?source=rss The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health s International Injury Research Unit (IIRU) and Center for Injury Research and Policy today announced that Adnan A. Hyder, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor with the Bloomberg School s Department of International Health and director of the IIRU, will lead the School s effort on Michael Bloomberg s $125 million Global Road Safety Program. The IIRU will join forces with five partner organizations, including the World Health Organization, to implement and coordinate activities with local governmental and non-governmental organizations in 10 countries to avert injuries and fatalities caused by road traffic crashes. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/hyder_bloomberg_roads.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/dickersin_gabapentin.html?source=rss A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health identified evidence of selective outcome reporting for clinical trials of off-label use of the seizure medication, gabapentin. The analysis compared study protocols for off-label use and the manufacturer s internal research reporting with published reports of study findings. The results are published in the November 12 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/dickersin_gabapentin.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/lawrence_sedgwick_apha.org?source=rss Robert S. Lawrence, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health s Center for a Livable Future (CLF), has been presented with the Sedgwick Award Medal for Distinguished Service in Public Health, the American Public Health Association s (APHA) oldest and most prestigious award. The award was established to recognize distinguished service to public health. Lawrence was presented with the award at the Public Health Awards Reception & Ceremony on November 11 in Philadelphia, Penn., at the close of APHA s 137th Annual Meeting and Exposition. tmparson@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/lawrence_sedgwick_apha.org?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/ccp_award.html?source=rss The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health s Center for Communication Programs (CCP) was awarded a Global Media Award for Best Serial Drama by the Population Institute. The annual award honors those who bring greater public awareness to the challenges related to population and reproductive health. CCP was recognized for the radio serial drama, Neighbors, which was produced in Uganda as part of a national campaign to encourage young married men to have smaller families using modern family planning methods with their wives. tmparson@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/ccp_award.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/lynch_malaria_usaid.html?source=rss The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health s Center for Communication Programs has been awarded a five year grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure the distribution and proper use of long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets (LLINs) in malaria endemic countries. The new project, called NetWorks will partner with the Malaria Consortium, Catholic Relief Services and hundreds of local agencies across Africa and parts of Asia. The project will have an estimated cost of up to $100 million. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/lynch_malaria_usaid.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/coresh_kidney_heart_disease.html?source=rss Declining kidney function may increase an individual s risk for heart attack, peripheral arterial disease and early death even among those without kidney disease, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study examined changes in kidney function over time and is one of two new studies examining the connection between declining kidney function and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Both were published November 5 in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/coresh_kidney_heart_disease.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/gibbons_consumer_health.html?source=rss Electronic tools and technology applications for consumers can help improve health care processes, such as adherence to medication and clinical outcomes like smoking cessation, according to a report by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The analysis of consumer health informatics, conducted by the Bloomberg School's Evidence-based Practice Center for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), was based on an examination of 146 published research studies of patient-focused electronic tools. It is among the first to explore the potential value of consumer health informatics. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/gibbons_consumer_health.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/zhang_l-form_bacteria.html?source=rss Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have for the first time identified the genetic mechanisms involved in the formation and survival of L-form bacteria. Their findings are described in a study published October 6 in the journal PLoS ONE. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/zhang_l-form_bacteria.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/clf_fellows2009.html?source=rss (CLF) has awarded predoctoral fellowships to 16 students for the 2009-2010 academic year in its Farming for the Future and Eating for the Future programs. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/clf_fellows2009.html?source=rss http://malaria.jhsph.edu/news/malaria_web_summit2009.html?source=rss Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute (JHMRI) are on the cutting edge of world-class basic science and clinical research to treat and control malaria, develop a vaccine, and find new drug targets to prevent and cure this deadly disease. During an interactive web summit, participants will hear the latest findings in the fight against malaria from top researchers at JHMRI and have the opportunity to ask questions in real time. tmparson@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST http://malaria.jhsph.edu/news/malaria_web_summit2009.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/boult_ahrq.html?source=rss The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to study the ongoing cost effectiveness of Guided Care, a model of proactive, comprehensive health care provided by physican-nurse teams for people with chronic health conditions. This new funding will enable Chad Boult, MD, MPH, MBA, the principal investigator of the study and creator of the Guided Care model, and his research team to evaluate the cumulative effects of Guided Care in the final year of a 32-month randomized controlled trial (RCT). paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/boult_ahrq.html?source=rss http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/baker_injury_deaths.html?source=rss While the total mortality rate from unintentional injury increased in the U.S. by 11 percent between 1999 and 2005, far larger increases were seen in some subgroups analyzed by age, race, ethnicity and type of injury by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy. Their analysis found that white women between 45 and 64 years old experienced a 230 percent increase in the rate of poisoning mortality over the study period. White men in this age group experienced an increase of 137 percent. The study is available online at the website of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in advance of publication in the September print edition of the journal. paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) News Health Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2009/baker_injury_deaths.html?source=rss