Health Highlights: May 6, 2009
May 7 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:
Sebelius Wants Nurses on 'Front Line' of Health-Care Reform
Addressing members of the United Nurses of America union in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said nurses should be in the forefront of health-care reform and said that $50 million in economic stimulus legislation would be available for states to prevent patients and health-care workers from getting infections while in hospitals.
Calling nurses the "pulse" of health care, Sebelius said, "If health care reform is to be a reality, we need you at the front line," the Wall Street Journal reported. It was the newly confirmed health secretary's first speech before a union. United Nurses of America, a branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), has more than 60,000 members, the Journal reported.
Sebelius also told the nurses' group that about half a billion dollars in the stimulus bill is earmarked for education programs for students looking to become nurses. The secretary also said that the swine flu outbreak now appeared to be less severe than originally thought, according to the newspaper.
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FDA OKs Avastin as Brain Cancer Tumor Treatment
It had been more than 10 years since a new treatment for glioblastoma was approved, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday granted accelerated approval for the cancer drug Avastin for use against the aggressive brain cancer tumors, Business Week reports.
Avastin, developed by Genentech, which in March was bought by Switzerland-based Roche, is already approved as treatment for various forms of colon, breast and lung cancers, Business Week said. The FDA go-ahead was based on the drug's ability to achieve a partial or complete response in clinical trials, although Genentech said there is currently no data showing it reduces symptoms or improves survival. The company said it is planning a late stage trial of Avastin as a treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
