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New Study Demonstrates NanoScan's Novel Contrast Agent May Identify Heart Attack In Waiting
NanoScan Imaging, LLC announced the publication of new data demonstrating the use of its investigational, radio-opaque contrast agent (N1177) to visualize vulnerable plaques that can cause heart attack or stroke using advanced, non-invasive and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) techniques. Results of the study were published in the current issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Nuclear Medicine (J Nucl Med. 2009 Jun;50(6):959-965).

Thai HIV/AIDS Advocates Urge Increased Treatment Access For IDUs
The Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group recently called on the country to launch a comprehensive harm reduction program for injection drug users in an effort to help curb the spread of HIV, Thailand"s The Nation reports. According to the group, many IDUs are unable to access drug treatment and substation therapy because of the stigma surrounding drug use in the country. Karyn Kaplan, director of development and policy for the group, said, "Health care workers have denied many injecting drug users access to an antiviral drug and the use of methadone." Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai recently announced that the country"s harm reduction programs have helped to curb the spread of HIV among IDUs, adding that local substitution programs have reduced the number of HIV-positive IDUs and that the country needs increased support from UNAIDS for such efforts. TTAG called for the government to provide prevention and treatment options, such as substitution therapy and needle-exchange programs. The Nation reports that methadone treatment is offered at hospitals across the country as part of the national health care scheme, but many health care workers refuse to administer treatment. In addition, government treatment is offered for 45 days. Kaplan said that the government should revise its policy regarding treatment access for IDUs, as a majority of IDUs are incarcerated and living with HIV or hepatitis-C without treatment access. She called on the government to "implement the international standards of medical treatment for [IDUs], without discrimination and human rights violations" (The Nation, 5/27).
News of the day
University Of Pittsburgh Schools Of The Health Sciences Announce New Research Funding
Innovative research conducted by faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences contributes to a better understanding of the causes and origins of disease and aids in the development of more effective treatment approaches. Government and private-sector funding is critical to this process of scientific inquiry. The following projects recently have been awarded grants that will enable the continuation of existing projects or the pursuit of new areas of investigation:
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Staggering Cost Of Vision Loss In Canada Underscores Urgent Need For Vision Health Plan, Says New Report

Vision loss costs Canadian society a staggering $15.8 billlion per year - significantly higher than previously estimated, according to new research study released on June 23, 2009, by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS). The study"s proponents say these costs, which are expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead, underscore the urgent need for Canada to develop a comprehensive national vision health plan. The $15.8 billion price tag for vision loss in Canada includes $8.6 billion in direct health-related costs - the highest of such costs of any disease category in Canada including diabetes, all cancers and cardiovascular disease. It also includes $7.2 billion in indirect costs, including lost productivity and earnings, care and rehabilitation and assistive devices. The Cost of Vision Loss study is also the first to attribute a value to the human toll of vision loss on Canadians who are directly affected. This burden of disease adds a further $11.7 billion to the bill for Canada - the largest of all costs attributed to vision loss. "The findings from this study represent the most definitive data now available about the cost of vision loss in Canada," says Dr. Alan Cruess, Professor and Head District Chief Department of Ophthalmology, Dalhousie University/Capital Health and past president of COS. "With the demographic shift, we know these costs will spiral upwards and overburden Canada"s healthcare system unless we take action now." The study also examined who bears the cost of vision loss, finding that the largest financial costs come out of taxpayers" pockets: Canada"s federal and provincial governments bear 55 per cent of the costs and "all of society" bears a further 19 per cent. Individuals with vision loss bear significant personal costs totaling $3.5 billion annually. The report"s troubling new statistics underscore the urgent need for Canada to create a comprehensive plan to address all aspects of vision health and vision loss. Such a plan could reduce the financial and human costs of vision loss through proven, cost-effective preventative measures and treatments and employment accommodation and rehabilitation services for people affected by vision loss. Although the Canadian government made a commitment to the World Health Organization in 2003 to create such a plan under the Vision 2020 Right to Sight initiative, it has yet to do so. "The Canadian government needs to develop and implement a comprehensive vision health plan for Canada now," says John M. Rafferty, CNIB President and CEO. "Some interim measures have been taken, but we literally can"t afford to wait any longer. Every year we wait, more than 45,000 Canadians lose their vision. Every year that goes by costs Canadians $15.8 billion." As Canada"s foremost vision health organization, CNIB is eager to work with government leaders and the private sector to shape and guide future policy for healthcare funding and support for people with vision loss. "CNIB is eager to be a part of building this plan, but the scope of the effort far eclipses our role as a donor-funded charity focused on delivering services," says Rafferty. "Canada"s federal and provincial governments must act now to make vision health a public health priority." About the Study The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada was commissioned by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society in 2008 and conducted by Access Economics Pty Limited, a world-leading independent economic consulting firm who are specialists in model-based health forecasting and analysis. The firm has previously completed cost of vision loss studies in Australia, Japan and the United States. Using prevalence-based and conservative methodolgy, the study is the first to estimate the cost of vision loss in Canada by building on existing authoritive s of Canadian data and research (as of 2007). The research takes into account Canada"s multiculatural society and future demographic trends. It uses known costs wherever possible, accurately reflecting real Canadian expenditures and government health policies. For more information, including the Cost of Vision Loss Summary Report and "Paying the Price," a position paper which provides CNIB"s response to the report and recommendations for a national vision health plan, visit http://www.cnib.ca/covl The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada


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