Communication Between Infectious Disease Physicians and US State and Local Public Health Agencies: Strengths, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Strong working relationships between infectious disease (ID) physicians and public health have resulted in the early detection of emerging infectious threats. From May 6 through June 5, 2015, we surveyed ID physicians in the Infectious Diseases Society of America's Emerging Infections Network about communications with public health. A total of 688 of 1491 (46%) members completed the survey, 624 (91%) of whom knew how to reach their health department directly for an urgent issue.

Impact of laws aimed at healthcare-associated infection reduction: a qualitative study.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are preventable. Globally, laws aimed at reducing HAIs have been implemented. In the USA, these laws are at the federal and state levels.

Comparing patient access to pharmaceuticals in the UK and US.

Background: The debate on access to new drugs has focused on the time lag between applications for approval and granting of marketing authorisation. This delay was identified as the first barrier with respect to patient access to new drugs, encompassing the hurdles of safety, efficacy and quality. Additional barriers have since been identified.

Communication and colorectal cancer screening among the uninsured: data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (United States).

Objective: Colorectal cancer screening allows for both prevention and early detection of the disease, with early detection often resulting in improved prognosis. Too few Americans over 50 are screened for colorectal cancer, but among certain subpopulations screening rates are particularly low for various reasons. We examined the role of communication factors and insurance, with a specific focus on the uninsured to examine disparities in colorectal cancer screening.

Switching prescription drugs to over the counter.

Appropriate self treatment is an important aspect of both the European and American healthcare systems, but what is really driving increased over the counter availability?