Reuters - Health Report

Click to View in Browser

Monday, March 6, 2017

U.S. Republicans expected to unveil healthcare bill this week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. lawmakers expect to unveil this week the text of long-awaited legislation to repeal and replace the Obamacare healthcare law, one of President Donald Trump's top legislative priorities, a senior Republican congressional aide said on Sunday.

Bird flu found in Tennessee chicken flock on Tyson-contracted farm

(Reuters) - A strain of bird flu has been detected in a chicken breeder flock on a Tennessee farm contracted to U.S. food giant Tyson Foods Inc, and the 73,500 birds will be culled to stop the virus from entering the food system, government and company officials said on Sunday.

Polluted environments kill 1.7 million children a year: WHO

LONDON (Reuters) - A quarter of all global deaths of children under five are due to unhealthy or polluted environments including dirty water and air, second-hand smoke and a lack or adequate hygiene, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

Israel's BrainStorm names Biogen senior executive Kern as COO

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israel's BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, which is developing an adult stem cell treatment for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), on Monday named Ralph Kern as chief operating officer.

Sanofi, Regeneron say latest Dupixent eczema drug tests positive

PARIS (Reuters) - Drugmakers Sanofi and Regeneron said on Saturday results from a one-year test of their Dupixent product aimed at adults with eczema or moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) had been positive.

Israel gives green light to decriminalize marijuana use

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli government voted on Sunday in favor of decriminalizing recreational marijuana use, joining some U.S. states and European countries who have adopted a similar approach.

Somalia says 110 dead in last 48 hours due to drought

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Some 110 people have died in southern Somalia in the last two days from famine and diarrhea resulting from a drought, the prime minister said on Saturday, as the area braces itself for widespread shortages of food.

Massachusetts to plug gap if Congress blocks Planned Parenthood funds

BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts will plug any holes in the budget of the state chapter of Planned Parenthood if the U.S. Congress moves to block the use of Medicaid funds for treatment at the women's health care organization, Governor Charlie Baker said on Friday.

Venezuela's epileptic patients struggle with seizures amid drug shortage

MAIQUETIA, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan plumber Marcos Heredia scoured 20 pharmacies in one day but could not find crucial medicines to stop his epileptic 8-year-old from convulsions that caused irreparable brain damage late last year.

Obese people may get less 'comfort care' at the end of life

(Reuters Health) - - Obese people in the U.S. may not receive the same kind of care at the end of their lives as people who are thin or normal weight, suggests a new study.