Content about Epidemiology

LONDON — Lingering fears of pandemic flu in the United States and a spike in flu activity will help to keep vaccination levels high, according to a new report.

GlobalData, a British market research firm, released a report Monday showing that seasonal influenza vaccine demand will increase from 2012's estimated 142 million to 158 million in 2022.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Drug maker Shire has started a research program focused on rare diseases and their effects on patients and healthcare professionals, the company said Monday.

Shire announced the launch of the Shire Rare Disease Impact Report, which includes surveys of patients, caregivers, physicians, payers and others in the United States and United Kingdom, with results expected in the first half of 2013.

WASHINGTON — A bill passed in the Senate will provide measures to speed up the development of treatments for people who desperately need them.

The Senate voted Tuesday to pass S. 3187, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which now awaits President Barack Obama's signature. The House approved a similar bill last week.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Breast cancer patients taking an experimental drug made by Roche subsidiary Genentech lived significantly longer than those taking another drug made by GlaxoSmithKline, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

CHICAGO — A hike in blood pressure during middle age significantly raises the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to new Northwestern Medicine research released Monday. The study offers a new understanding on the importance of maintaining low blood pressure early in middle age to prevent heart disease later in life.

WASHINGTON — More than 400 drugs are in late-stage clinical development or awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval as treatments for rare diseases, according to a report by the drug industry lobby.

ATLANTA — Nationwide rates of asthma have been on the rise in recent years, though they’ve risen at a slow pace, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the report, released Wednesday, around 24.6 million people in the United States had asthma in 2009, meaning a prevalence of 8.2%. Rates have risen by around 1.2% per year since 2001, with asthma attack prevalence staying between 3.9% and 4.3% between 1997 and 2009.

NEW YORK The World Health Organization's director-general Margaret Chan issued a statement on Tuesday that the H1N1 influenza has entered the post-pandemic period, but warned that the virus has not yet gone away.

While WHO has reported marginal levels of H1N1 transmission worldwide as of late, Chan said it expects the H1N1 virus to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come.

It's the value meal of pandemics — a collection of Flu & Germ Protection Supplies from Right Response (a First Aid Only brand) — to help ward off the nasty flu bug. Inside is a small-sized Purell sanitizer, a facemask and vinyl gloves.

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