October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to be reminded of the importance of prevention and early detection. Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among American women and despite remarkable advances in treatment and prevention, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death. This year alone, it is estimated that more than 230,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 40,000 will die of the disease.

The complete statement from Secretary Sebelius about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is available at: http://ow.ly/6JGit . [HHS Press Release, September 30, 2011]

A new research review confirms that people with diabetes have a somewhat increased risk of colon cancer — but the reasons for the connection, and what should be done about it, remain unclear.  Combining the results of 14 international studies, researchers found that overall, people with diabetes were 38 percent more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer than those who were diabetes-free.

There was also a 20 percent increase in the risk of rectal cancer, though that appeared to be confined to men. The findings, reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, do not prove that diabetes directly contributes to colon cancer in some people. http://1.usa.gov/p4WO7c [MedlinePlus]

For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND Magazine and HandsOn Network have joined together to sponsor Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. Make A Difference Day is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Millions of Americans will unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others on Make A Difference Day, Saturday, October 22, 2011. Check for events in your state. http://bit.ly/93Bu0a

A large-scale clinical trial evaluating whether daily use of an oral tablet or vaginal gel containing antiretroviral drugs can prevent HIV infection in women is being modified because an interim review found that the study cannot show that one of the study products, oral tenofovir, marketed under the trade name Viread, is effective. Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) http://1.usa.gov/pehjXH [NIH News]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has just launched a new initiative made possible by the Affordable Care Act to help primary care practices deliver higher quality, more coordinated and patient-centered care. Under the new initiative, Medicare will work with commercial and state health insurance plans to offer additional support to primary care doctors who better coordinate care for their patients. This collaboration, known as the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative, is modeled after innovative practices developed by large employers and leading private health insurers in the private sector.

The complete press releaase, including links to additional information, may be found at: http://ow.ly/6HEoZ . [HHS News Release, September 28, 2011]

Healthy People 2010 Final Review

A webinar entitled, “Health in the United States - a Review of the First Decade of the 21st Century will be presented on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at 11 a.m. EST. The presentation will provide an end-of-decade assessment of progress in achieving the Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives.

Hear a presentation of key findings from the Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard K. Koh, and the Director of the National Center for Health Statistics, Dr. Edward Sondik. They will be joined by Dr. Jewel Mullen, State Health Commissioner from Connecticut, who will discuss the impact of Healthy People 2010 at the state level.

Go to http://ow.ly/6F4Sm to register for the webinar. [Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Dept. of HHS]

Domestic Refugee Health Screening Models and Clinical Guidelines

The Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center has a webinar scheduled for October 26, 2011, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET.                                               

The topic will be:  ”Domestic Refugee Health Screening Models and Clinical Guidelines” with William Stauffer, MD (University of Minnesota) and Paul Geltman, MD (Massachusetts Refugee and Immigrant Health Program and Boston University School of Medicine).

 This webinar will focus on discussing initial screening guidelines for newly arrived refugees and models for public health screening. It is targeted towards clinicians, primary care doctors, and refugee health coordinators.

For more information and to register, go to http://ow.ly/6G5eu . [Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center]

Cardiovascular Disease causes 29% of all deaths globally each year, making it the world’s number one killer. After two years of focusing on heart health in the workplace, this year The World Heart Federation calls on individuals to reduce their own and their family’s risk of heart disease and stroke. They ask people to take charge of their home’s heart health by taking steps such as choosing healthy food options, increasing physical activity, and saying no to tobacco.

As always, the campaign emphasis will be on improving heart health across all nations.

See http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WorldHeartDay/ for more information, or visit the World Heart Federation website at http://www.world-heart-federation.org/. [CDC Features]

World Rabies Day is September 28. Begin to take the steps to keep yourself and your family free from rabies. Look for events in your area that provide an opportunity to celebrate World Rabies Day and get the facts on rabies prevention and control.

See http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Rabies/ for more information. [CDC Current Features]

With plenty of influenza vaccine available, U.S. health officials are urging Americans to get a flu shot.

Health officials say that supplies are plentiful and the vaccine is a good match for circulating strains. Currently,  more than 85 million doses of flu vaccine are available in doctors’ offices, public health clinics, pharmacies and retail stores, among other sites.

There are four ways to get vaccinated: a nasal spray; the traditional injection vaccine; a high-dose injection for people 65 and older; and a new vaccine injected in the forearm using a smaller needle.

For the complete news item, see http://ow.ly/6Fn6O or the CDC website for more on the flu (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/). [HealthDay News, September 26, 2011]

Today is  the 4th annual National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: http://bit.ly/njvJ9u [aids.gov]