News
COPD patients who socialize live longer; study finds loneliness is as harmful as alcoholism and smoking
Posted: Thursday July 29, 2010 under News Announcements
Medical News Today
A new study suggests that social interaction should be considered an important factor for extending lifespan, on a par with other health and lifestyle factors.
New patient diary may help doctors study COPD
Posted: Wednesday July 28, 2010 under News Announcements
Medical News Today
A newly-developed medical reporting tool may help researchers study exacerbations (worsening) of disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
"Bad Blood" film documents tragedy of tainted US blood supply in 1970s-1990s
Posted: Monday July 26, 2010 under News Press Releases
New York, NY – The documentary film “Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale,” will premiere Wednesday in New York City as the launch of a theatrical screening series co-hosted by a coalition of national gay rights and hemophilia advocacy groups.
New US website on Disabilities and Health
Posted: Monday July 26, 2010 under News Announcements
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a new Disabilities and Health website.
Some of the new features of the site include:
Patient advocacy group applauds new regulations to strengthen patients' right to appeal health insurance denials
Posted: Friday July 23, 2010 under News Press Releases
Washington, DC—The National Health Council (NHC) today released a statement in support of today’s White House announcement of new federal regulations to strengthen patients’ rights to appeal health insurance denials.
Dr. Donohue suggests more Alpha-1 testing
Posted: Friday July 23, 2010 under News Announcements
A question today from the syndicated “Dr. Donahue” column
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife of 55 years died last year from the complications of an illness known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. In her late 40s, she would become unduly winded doing the polka. After many internist and a few pulmonary specialist visits, all of whom prescribed asthma medicines for her, she persisted with a chronic cough. She finally found a pulmonary specialist who tested her for alpha-1 antitrypsin. In one of your articles, you didn’t mention testing for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency for an asthmatic who did not respond to treatment. I hope you would recommend the blood test.—B.S.
Charles Leonard Geiger, MD, dies; father of well-known Alpha
Posted: Friday July 16, 2010 under News Announcements
GAINESVILLE, GA—Charles Leonard Geiger, MD, died Wednesday, July 14. A retired pathologist, he had formerly been an officer in the US Air Force Medical Service and professor of clinical pathology at Emory Medical School.
FL jury awards $21 million to smoker with COPD
Posted: Wednesday July 14, 2010 under News Announcements
A Florida jury has found Philip Morris USA partially responsible for a 64-year-old woman’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ordered the cigarette company to pay more than $21 million in damages.
Alpha-1 patient in Canada doing well after getting lung transplant despite infection with H1N1 (swine flu) virus
Posted: Wednesday July 14, 2010 under Announcements Announcements
CBC News
EDMONTON, Alberta—A 50-year-old Canadian with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency underwent a successful double lung transplant last year in Edmonton even though he was infected with the H1N1 virus at the time of the surgery, doctors reported this month.
Alpha-1 awareness shirt
Posted: Monday July 12, 2010 under News Announcements
The Alpha-1 Sucks the Life Right Out of You shirt is bound to get attention and raise awareness for Alpha-1. It emphasizes that Alpha-1 lung disease is treatable, and ends with a strong call to action to help cure Alpha-1. Complete the order form, or for more information contact Angela McBride at 888-825-7421 Ext. 233, or via email at amcbride@alphaone.org.
