News
Popular antibiotic azithromycin may increase risk of death in adults, especially those with heart disease
Posted: Thursday May 17, 2012 under News Announcements
New York Times
A new study finds that a widely used antibiotic, azithromycin, may increase the likelihood of sudden death in adults, especially those who have heart disease or are at high risk for it. The increased odds of death are small, but significant enough that the authors of the study say doctors should consider prescribing a different drug, like amoxicillin, for high-risk patients who need antibiotics.
A record 200-plus walk to raise funds and awareness at the 5th annual George Washington Bridge Walk
Posted: Wednesday May 16, 2012 under News Announcements
A record 200-plus walkers took part in the 5th annual George Washington Bridge Walk last Saturday. Alphas from New York, New Jersey, New England and even farther away teamed up with the Alpha-1 Foundation and the James P. Mara Center for Lung Disease at St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital in New York City to raise awareness and funds for Alpha-1 research programs.
Asthma rates at record high in US, says CDC
Posted: Wednesday May 16, 2012 under News Announcements
Los Angeles Times
The proportion of Americans with asthma increased from 7.3% in 2001 to 8.4% in 2010, marking the highest level ever, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. In 2010, an estimated 18.7 million adults and 7 million children had the disease — one in every 12 Americans. Overall, about 29.1 million adults have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives, but many of those were misdiagnosed or have apparently recovered, leading to the current figure of 18.7 million.
Alphas, families attending national conference in Seattle urged to get immediate booster shot for whooping cough
Posted: Monday May 14, 2012 under News Announcements
Alphas and their families who plan to attend this year’s Alpha-1 Association National Education Conference are urged to consider receiving a vaccination for whooping cough as soon as possible.
Access to health care got worse due to cost over past decade, new study reports
Posted: Tuesday May 8, 2012 under News News
Kaiser Health News
Having trouble finding a doctor? You’re not alone. Tens of millions of adults under 65 — both those with insurance and those without — saw their access to health care dramatically worsen over the past decade, according to a study released Monday.
Healthy Vitamin D levels could be lifesaving in lung transplant patients, Loyola University study finds
Posted: Monday May 7, 2012 under News Announcements
HealthDay News
Vitamin D is important for the health of lung transplant patients, a new study suggests. Researchers from Loyola University Health System in Chicago found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increase in lung transplant rejection and infections.
Foundation honors one of first major donors, John O'Neil, at 12th annual Celebration of Life
Posted: Friday May 4, 2012 under News Announcements
MIAMI – In 1998, the Health Foundation of South Florida received “a kind of windfall” from the Columbia Hospital Corp. John H. O’Neil was president & CEO of the Health Foundation, and he proposed a bold move to his board of directors: Give a million dollars to two worthy South Florida foundations.
NIH, major drug companies hope to find good new uses for failed drugs
Posted: Friday May 4, 2012 under News Announcements
Washington Post
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is looking for the next AZT, Viagra and thalidomide — substances that washed out as treatments for one disease but later turned out to work well against a totally different ailment.
Hispanics with lung cancer tend to live longer, according to new research study
Posted: Tuesday April 24, 2012 under News Announcements
HealthDay News
Hispanic people with lung cancer tend to live longer than white or black people with the disease, according to a new study. Researchers say Hispanics’ increased likelihood of survival may be due to genetic factors or environmental advantages, such as lower rates of tobacco use.
Grifols opens Texas plasma testing laboratory
Posted: Monday April 23, 2012 under News Announcements
Fiercehealthcare.com
SAN MARCOS, Texas — Global healthcare company Grifolsannounced today the opening of its new state-of-the-art plasma testing laboratory in San Marcos. The new facility will analyze millions of samples of human plasma prior to its approval and release for manufacturing into plasma medicines for patients with Alpha-1.
