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Men And Women Find Cosmetic Surgery Appealing When They Suffer Appearance-Based Rejection Sensitivity
Researchers have found that men and women who feel sensitive to rejection based on their physical appearance are more likely to express interest in having cosmetic surgery than those who are less sensitive to appearance-based rejection. This effect is particularly true when people recall negative comments about their physical appearance.
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Strategies For Lower Extremity PAD Compared
Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects more than eight million Americans, with significant risks of limb loss, disability and death. Treatment of lower extremity PAD focuses on restoring normal blood supply to the affected limb. Traditional treatment, such as surgical bypass, is effective but invasive. In recent years, many patients have been treated with newer endovascular interventions, using catheter-based devices to reopen peripheral arteries in a less-invasive fashion. According to past research, it is unclear if these newer treatments are as effective as conventional surgical bypass in preventing amputation.
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Denver Post Examines Efforts To Establish Needle-Exchange Programs In Colorado
The Denver Post on Friday examined efforts to establish needle-exchange programs in Colorado to reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis C among injection drug users. According to the Post, 185 cities in Colorado have needle-exchange programs, but legislation that would have legalized needle exchanges statewide did not advance in the Legislature this year. "The issue is more complex than it perhaps first appears," Evan Dreyer, a spokesperson for Gov. Bill Ritter (D), said, adding that "law enforcement and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment both expressed serious reservations" about a proposal that would have legalized needle-exchanges statewide. A coalition of public health officials, treatment providers and advocates are increasing efforts to establish a needle-exchange program in Denver, the Post reports. The Denver Drug Strategy Commission in February recommended that Mayor John Hickenlooper consider a pilot needle-exchange program, DDSC Director Karla Maraccini said. The commission is looking at different programs to develop a model following Hickenlooper"s request for additional research. However, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has concerns that a local needle-exchange program would violate state law, according to Morrissey"s spokesperson Lynn Kimbrough. Eric Brown, a spokesperson for Hickenlooper, added, "Anything in contradiction to city or state law would have to be carefully considered." Proponents of needle-exchange programs say they prevent HIV and hepatitis C, but opponents say they condone injection drug use. Mark Thrun, director of HIV prevention for Denver Public Health, said, adding that needle-exchange programs prevent IDUs from "getting these chronic, potentially fatal diseases" and give public health workers "an opportunity to link them into treatment; and it lessens the economic burden on the already overburdened health care system." Thrun noted that several studies have found that needle-exchange programs do not encourage or prolong injection drug use and make IDUs more likely to seek treatment. In addition, a 2005 CDC study found that 86% of exchange programs make treatment referrals and that more than 80% offer counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.Nancy Steinfurth, executive director of the Hep C Connection, noted that an estimated 10% of HIV cases and 70% of hepatitis C cases are transmitted through needles (Auge, Denver Post, 5/15).
Mental Health

A New Regulator For Pharmacy, UK

A new, independent regulator for pharmacy professionals and pharmacy premises in Great Britain will be set up in spring 2010, Health Minister Mike O"Brien announced today. The new General Pharmaceutical Council will replace the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) as the regulator for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The Council will develop new standards to provide a clearer framework within which to work to ensure that public health, safety and wellbeing continue to be at the centre of pharmacy services. Following the recommendations in the Government"s White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety - the regulation of health professionals in the 21st Century, establishing the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will mean separation of professional leadership from regulation, ensuring that the regulator is independent of all interest groups. This is in line with regulation of other health professions. >Health Minister, Mike O"Brien said: "Establishing a new General Pharmaceutical Council will give the public confidence that they are receiving the best quality pharmacy services. "This new Council ensures professionals providing pharmacy services put patient safety at the centre of everything they do. As a new independent regulator, the Council will modernise and strengthen the regulation of pharmacy professionals, giving them support in developing and maintaining their skills." The GPhC plans to create a single register for all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises which will replace the registers currently held by the RPSGB. The regulator"s new definition of "practising" for pharmacy professionals will mean that many of those not previously registered as practising will now need to consider doing so. The titles "pharmacist" and "pharmacy technician" will be restricted to those on the GPhC register, regardless of whether or not they are in a clinical or patient-facing role. Notes 1. The new General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has been set up by the Governments of England, Scotland and Wales as a new, independent regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises for spring 2010. The Government response to the consultation on the draft Pharmacy Order 2009 can be found here. The consultation ran from 8 December 2008 to 9 March 2009. 2. Currently, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is both the regulator for pharmacy professionals and premises, and the body responsible for leading the profession. 3. The Government"s White Paper Trust, Assurance and Safety - the regulation of health professionals in the 21st Century, was published in 2007 and recommended that the roles of professional regulation and professional leadership should be clearly separated. 4. The GPhC"s establishment is being overseen by the Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group, which was set up by Ministers to advise on the process. The Group is chaired by Ken Jarrold CBE and involves 21 key stakeholders from the four UK countries, as well as the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). 5. The new General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will replace the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) as the regulator for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain from spring 2010. A 10 Key Facts document explaining the changes can be viewed here. 6. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will cover England, Scotland and Wales in the first instance. Northern Ireland will decide whether to transfer the regulatory functions of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland once the GPhC is established. 7. The GPhC will have a Council of 14, with equal numbers of professional and lay people and all Council members will be appointed, not elected. The appointment of the Chair is in process and the Council is scheduled to be in post by autumn 2009. 8. Anyone who wishes to practise as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, and to use the restricted titles "pharmacist" or "pharmacy technician", must be registered on the relevant part of the GPhC register. For pharmacists this will apply immediately, while for pharmacy technicians it will apply from July 2011. 9. The GPhC will publish new standards for: pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists and premises; proficiency; conduct, ethics and performance; and CPD (continuing professional development). There will be a statutory consultation on the standards in autumn 2009 to which pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be invited to respond. 10. For more information on the General Pharmacy Council, go to http://www.dh.gov.uk and type "GPhC" into the Search box. Department of Health, UK


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