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Norway Chooses The Four-Type HPV Vaccine Gardasil(R) For The National Vaccination Programme
The four-type (6,11,16,18) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil®, has been chosen by the Norwegian authorities for the national vaccination programme after the assessment of a variety of criteria, including efficacy in the prevention of cervical cancer, safety and evidence of long-lasting protection. All available data was considered, including new data presented during the 25th International Papillomavirus Conference (IPC) in May in Malmē¶, Sweden.
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WHO Calling For Free Spectacles In World Economy Drive
International development agency Sightsavers International supports the World Health Organisation"s (WHO) call for the distribution of low-cost interventions such as spectacles to help boost the global economy which loses billions of dollars each year due to visual impairments.
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Sen. Grassley Pushes For Exclusion Of Abortion Coverage In Health Care Reform Legislation
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have been privately negotiating over how their panel"s version of health reform legislation will address abortion coverage, Newsweek reports. According to Newsweek, Grassley has been pushing to include measures that would prohibit what he considers "taxpayer-subsidized abortion."Earlier this month, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Raising Women"s Voices and other women"s health advocates intensified efforts to ensure that abortion access was treated like access to all other services in health care reform, according to Newsweek. The article points out, "Though usually publicly debated in the language of personal liberty and morality, abortion is a medical procedure performed by a doctor. It"s currently covered by most private insurance plans and existing government programs, at least under some circumstances. This expanded federal oversight and use of federal dollars raises several thorny issues." Grassley is urging that federally regulated and subsidized plans be prohibited from covering the procedure. Lawmakers also could weigh whether religious organizations -- such as Catholic hospitals or health plans -- could opt out of the coverage.Jill Kozeny, Grassley"s spokesperson, said the senator "is opposed to mandating abortion coverage in health care legislation." According to his office, "At one point during the recent negotiations, there was a (compromise) solution that didn"t work out." Grassley -- who is known as a staunch opponent of abortion rights -- said in March, "I take a view that there is almost anything compromisable in public affairs. Abortion is about the only issue I know of that"s not compromisable."Baucus" office declined to comment on the legislation, citing "longstanding Finance Committee policy not to discuss the specifics of ongoing negotiations." Erin Shields, Baucus" press secretary, noted that the lawmaker has a 100% approval rating from NARAL. She added, "He has always fought for a woman"s right to choose and will continue to do so."According to Newsweek, the House"s and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee"s proposals do not specify covered benefits, instead leaving the decision to an independent commission or the HHS secretary. A recent National Women"s Law Center poll found that 62% of participants would oppose a provision excluding abortion and family planning coverage (Feder, Newsweek, 7/14).
Sexual Health

Government Of Canada Protects Children And Youth From Tobacco Marketing

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, tabled legislation in the House of Commons to protect children and youth from tobacco marketing that encourages them to smoke. "Our Government is taking concrete steps to protect young people from marketing practices that entice them to smoke tobacco," said Minister Aglukkaq. "We are following through on Prime Minister Stephen Harper"s commitment in 2008 to make tobacco products less affordable, less accessible and less appealing to the most vulnerable segment of our population -- young people." The proposed amendments to the Tobacco Act , coming just in advance of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, would prohibit the addition of fruit flavours and other additives, such as vitamins or sugar, that give a candy flavour to little cigars (also known as cigarillos), cigarettes and blunt wraps (sheets or tubes of tobacco). The changes would also require that little cigars and blunt wraps be packaged like cigarettes in minimum quantities of 20. This will put an end the industry practice of selling these products in single or small quantity "kiddy-packs" that are affordable to youth. The Bill would also remove a current exception in the Tobacco Act that allows ads to be placed in publications with an adult readership of at least 85 per cent. This measure responds to a recent resurgence of tobacco ads in free entertainment weeklies and daily newspapers. Once adopted, these amendments will position Canada as a world leader in tobacco control. "These are positive steps forward in the fight against tobacco," said Paul Thomey, Chair of Tobacco Policy for The Canadian Lung Association. "Strong measures such as these not only will protect Canada "s children from the harmful effects of smoking, but will also serve to curtail industry tactics aimed at marketing their products to the youth of this country." "On behalf of Canada"s doctors and their patients, I"d like to thank the Federal Government for introducing these measures," said Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Robert Ouellet. "Closing loopholes is a huge step forward in protecting our children from a deadly addiction to tobacco." The amendments will be complemented by consultations with a wide array of stakeholders that will take place as part of the renewal of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy - the government"s policy framework to reduce death and disease caused by tobacco use - slated for 2011. Health Canada


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