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British Veterinary Assoicaiton Asks DEFRA To Abandon Separation Of Animal Health From Animal Welfare
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on Defra to abandon its plans for a new animal health body that will give responsibility for animal health to an independent board and leave responsibility for animal welfare with ministers. The BVA has also expressed deep concerns over the confusion caused by the new structure that could lead to delays in dealing with outbreaks of disease across the UK.

Picks For NIH Head, Surgeon General Side With Obama On Reproductive Issues, Despite Faith
Francis Collins, President Obama"s pick to head NIH, and Regina Benjamin, Obama"s surgeon general nominee, have spoken publicly about their religious beliefs but also have expressed views on issues such as embryonic stem cell research that conflict with church teachings, USA Today reports. Collins, who headed the Human Genome Project, is an evangelical Christian who supports the use of human embryonic stem cells in some medical research. Focus on the Family in a newsletter lauded Obama"s choice of an evangelical to lead NIH but said that abortion-rights opponents cannot support Collins" views, "particularly since he supports destructive human embryonic stem cell research."Benjamin is a Roman Catholic and sits on the board of the Catholic Health Association. She also is active in her local church and received a papal medal in 2006. According to USA Today, Catholic leaders from her native state of Alabama say they have not heard Benjamin voice support for abortion rights. The Bayou La Batre, La., medical clinic that she oversees does not perform abortions. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, initially expressed support for Benjamin"s nomination, saying, "Her tireless and selfless efforts are a model for all physicians." He later said that he opposes any possible support she might give "mandated abortion coverage" in health reform.The White House has said that Benjamin agrees with Obama "on reproductive issues." Retired archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, who nominated Benjamin for the papal medal, said, "She is a practicing Catholic and faithful and, to the best of my knowledge, in all those questions that have arisen so far, there has never been a conflict in her practice and in her conversation with regard to what the church expects of medical practitioners." Former Surgeon General David Satcher, who taught Benjamin at Morehouse School of Medicine, said, "While the religion of the surgeon general may very well influence his or her ... approach, the message has to be the public health science," adding, "It"s not a religious message. It"s a public health science message."Emilie Townes, associate dean of academic affairs for Yale Divinity School, said that Obama"s choices represent his aim to "break the mold" of traditional politics, adding that Collins and Benjamin are examples of "big tent" evangelicalism and Catholicism (Banks, USA Today, 8/3).
News of the day
Niall Dickson To Join The GMC As New Chief Executive
The GMC has appointed Niall Dickson as the new Chief Executive of the General Medical Council. He will take up his post in January next year.
Nutrition

Kaiser Permanente Calls For Health Policy Support And Community Advocacy To Curb Childhood Obesity

Kaiser Permanente"s presence this week at the National Childhood Obesity Conference in Los Angeles highlights the need for a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to stop the health crisis caused by childhood obesity. More than 15 million children are obese or overweight in the United States, contributing to skyrocketing type 2 diabetes rates and more than $14 billion in health care expenses. In multiple conference sessions, representatives from Kaiser Permanente are illustrating how community-based policy and environmental changes are complementing clinical prevention strategies to address the obesity epidemic. These sessions will showcase solutions that are making a difference in communities across the country. "We are encouraged by the increasing realization that health reform needs to be about more than coverage. Real reform needs to emphasize prevention and wellness if we are really to address the major drivers of disease, and health care costs," said Raymond J. Baxter, Ph.D., senior vice president, Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy at Kaiser Permanente. "As a nation, we need to improve access to care, reduce costs and ensure quality care for all, while strengthening the ways our communities, schools and workplaces can, in fact, keep us healthy." Research has shown that where people live affects both childhood obesity rates and chronic health conditions at all ages, including type 2 diabetes, asthma and heart disease, which often accompany obesity. Primary prevention often averts the onset of disease and results in cost savings and the alleviation of pressure on the health care system. A holistic view of prevention needs to target policies and other community changes that can create more opportunities for healthy eating and active living. These strategies include: -- Improving access to healthy food in schools and in neighborhoods -- Increasing the quality and quantity of physical education -- Ensuring that all families have access to safe and welcoming parks and playgrounds, and -- Creating safe routes for children to walk or bike to school. "Our society must improve opportunities for choosing health, especially for those of us facing the most challenging obstacles," said Dwayne C. Proctor, Ph.D., with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which in 2007 launched a major campaign to end childhood obesity by 2015. "We must acknowledge that some families and communities have a higher hill to climb than others. We cannot build a healthier America if we leave them behind." As part of its more than $1 billion commitment to improve the health of the communities it serves, Kaiser Permanente has targeted children"s health and childhood obesity through: -- Supporting comprehensive, place-based community health initiatives focused on healthy eating and active living in 39 communities across the country -- Training more than 1,000 community-based providers on clinical best practices for childhood obesity prevention and physician advocacy -- Creating 30 farmers markets at or near Kaiser Permanente facilities in six states, and urging neighborhood markets and corner stores to offer and prominently display more fresh produce -- Offering Educational Theatre Program performances about healthy living to thousands of schools around the U.S., reaching 13 million children since 1985. About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America"s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health Kaiser Permanente


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