New health study focuses on hepatitis spread
In the past 10 years, more than 60,000 patients across the United States were asked to go for tests for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus because health care providers outside hospitals failed to follow basic infection control practices, says a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospital seismic deadlines loom; clinics set expansions
NORTH BAY - With faults crisscrossing much of the North Bay, almost every hospital will have to be seismically upgraded by 2013 without an extension, which means ground-breaking and major planning will have to begin this year for those that haven't started.

Zimbabwe cholera cases, deaths jump
HARARE, Zimbabwe - More than 1,000 new cholera cases were recorded in Zimbabwe Tuesday, the U.N. reported, following a week in which the epidemic had showed signs of slowing.

Dementia: GPs will be trained to spot signs
Every GP will be trained to diagnose dementia under a five-year plan to provide sufferers with a better quality of life, the government said today. "Memory clinics" will also be set up in every town to provide patients with the treatment and support they need to live their lives as normally as possible, the care services minister, Phil Hope, said. A national dementia strategy, to be ...

Analysis: Obama's challenges in Mideast
One of President-elect Barack Obama's biggest challenges in Middle East policymaking will be to craft diplomatic solutions that do not have unintended consequences.

Sudden Jump In Zimbabwe Cholera Cases
The U.N. reported a one-day jump in new cholera cases and deaths in Zimbabwe Tuesday, following a week in which the epidemic had showed signs of slowing.

DSS Announces Open Source Version of vxVistA, Joins Open Health Tools Foundation
DSS announced it will open source the code for its vxVistA electronic health record (EHR) framework, providing their version of VistA under a commercially-friendly open source license that can be used to unite the VistA community. Mark Byers, president and CEO of DSS, said ?vxVistA is being released as open source software at a critical time in this country's history. The health care crisis is ...

Allina announces new president for United Hospital
United Hospital in St. Paul has a new president.

Israelis to halt bomb attacks in Gaza Strip
GAZA CITY: Israel said it would suspend bombing Gaza for three hours every day beginning on Wednesday as diplomacy to end the Jewish states war on Hamas gained momentum amid a mounting civilian death toll.

MRI helps evaluate back pain
MADISON, Wis., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly being used to evaluate back pain, U.S. physicians say.

American Pathology buys lab
Six months after its start-up, American Pathology Partners said it has acquired a lab in Denver as a base to expand its business of examining tissues and cells for cancer.

Poor infection control put 60,000 at risk
ATLANTA, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Failures to follow infection practices placed more than 60,000 U.S. patients at risk for hepatitis B and C in the last decade, federal officials say.

More than 60,000 patients risked hepatitis infections
Failure to follow basic infection practices placed more than 60,000 U.S. patients at risk for hepatitis B and C, a new U.S. government review reported Tuesday.

Couple Charged in Child's Death Linked to Methadone OD
A Lincoln County husband and wife have been charged in the death of a 3-year-old boy they were babysitting. WEB EXTRA: Babysitter & State Trooper Interviews

Loss of your job doesn?t equal a lack of health care options
The current unstable economy has dealt harsh financial blows to many. The following is offered as guidance to those faced with reduced benefits or joblessness.

Africa: Daily HIV/Aids Report
allAfrica: African news and information for a global audience

Israelis to halt bomb attacks in Gaza Strip
GAZA CITY: Israel said it would suspend bombing Gaza for three hours every day beginning on Wednesday as diplomacy to end the Jewish state?s war on Hamas gained momentum amid a mounting civilian death toll.

Volunteer Jobs
Volunteer positions at area nonprofit organizations are printed monthly. Send volunteer requests by the 25th of each month to Maureen Hanley, Valley News, P.O. Box 877, White River Junction, Vt. 05001; fax to (603) 298-0212; or call (603) 727-3303.

UN reports Zimbabwe cholera deaths on rise
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- More than 1,000 new cholera cases were recorded in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, the U.N. reported, following a week in which the epidemic had showed signs of slowing. The U.N.'s World Health Organization reported 1,080 new cases and 21 more deaths Tuesday. ...

Emergency rooms see traffic increase
Recession hits the uninsured.