Public Health Landmark Achieved as 80% by 2018 Colorectal Cancer Screening Campaign Reaches 1,000th Pledge

Atlanta, Georgia - Public health groups and advocates are celebrating a landmark victory as Fairfield Community Health Center (FCHC) in Lancaster and Baltimore, OH, has become the 1,000th organization to sign the 80% by 2018 pledge. The 80% by 2018 campaign is a nationwide screening effort launched by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT, an organization co-founded by ACS and CDC) in 2014 with the goal of getting 80% of adults aged 50 and older screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.

CARA Passage is Good First Step; Urges Additional Resources to Address Opioid Epidemic

Chicago, Illinois - The American Medical Association (AMA) expressed support for congressional passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).

FDA approves first MRI-guided focused ultrasound device to treat essential tremor

Washington, DC - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first focused ultrasound device to treat essential tremor in patients who have not responded to medication. ExAblate Neuro uses magnetic resonance (MR) images taken during the procedure to deliver focused ultrasound to destroy brain tissue in a tiny area thought to be responsible for causing tremors.

FDA approves first intraocular lens with extended range of vision for cataract patients

Washington, DC - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Friday approved the first intraocular lens (IOL) that provides cataract patients with an extended depth-of-focus, which helps improve their sharpness of vision (visual acuity) at near, intermediate and far distances.

High levels of urinary paracetamol may impair male fertility

Washington, DC - Couples in which the male partner had high levels of paracetamol in his urine took longer to achieve pregnancy than couples in which the male had lower levels of the compound, according to a preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.