Women Health Online

Smoke from open fires and dirty cookstoves used by almost half the world’s population is linked to severe pneumonia, especially among women and young children, a new study has found.

Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley carried out a randomized controlled trial in Guatemala that compared households with traditional open woodfires to those that had a woodstove with a chimney that vented smoke to the outside.

The researchers found that the number of cases of severe pneumonia was a third lower among children in homes with smoke-reducing chimneys attached to their cookstoves.

Hospitals and public health professionals are pushing to find alternatives to soft-plastic PVC found in IV bags, tubing, neo-natal masks — even flooring and carpeting.

These products are softened with additives called plasticizers. Most often, these plasticizers contain phthalates, which have been restricted in toys in the United States because of fears they disrupt the delicate body’s delicate chemical signaling system.

The American Public Health Association this week passed a resolution urging facilities such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes reduce the amount of PVC they use, especially with phthalates.

“These additives have toic characteristics and are gradually released posing risks to infants, children and other vulnerable populations,” the APHA said in its resolution.

The APHA counts among its 25,000 members federal, state and local public health officials, epidemiologists, academics and others.

“This is an issue whose time has come,” said Brenda Afzal of the APHA’s governing council. Read more info…

The winter months are bearing down upon us, and for many this means more stress and losing that healthy glow that makes summer so awesome. Although we may be tempted for a quick sunless tan fix at the local tanning salon, this will only help your outward glow. Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can change up your diet to maintain your radiance both inside and out.

One of the reasons that summer brings a good mood and a healthy glow, aside from the obvious effects of the sun, are the increased consumption of fresh fruits and veggies.

Read more info…

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira – the Brazilian football star also known as Ronaldinho – has accepted an invitation from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Brazils Ministry of Health to promote AIDS awareness through sport.

Ronaldinho is a great inspiration to young people the world over, said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. His voice will reach millions of people and bring new energy to our vision of achieving zero new HIV infections.

Drawing on his years of experience in professional football, Mr de Assis Moreira will use sport as a means of engaging young people and raising awareness around AIDS. Read more info…

Citing cost concerns, the Obama administration said Friday it has halted a long-term care insurance program that was part of the massive health care law passed in 2010.

Called the CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports), the program was canceled by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius after a 19-month effort to find a way to make it financially viable.

In a letter to Congress, Sebelius wrote, “Despite our best analytical efforts, I do not see a viable path forward for CLASS implementation at this time.”

The CLASS program was similar to long-term care plans available in the private sector in which workers sign up and pay a monthly premium. Read more info…