August 3rd, 2009

Stanford research assesses use of Tamiflu, Relenza to prevent flu

Two common anti-influenza drugs -- Relenza and Tamiflu -- appear equally effective at preventing common flu symptoms when given before infection, say Stanford Health Policy researchers. However, data is lacking on the effectiveness and safety of the two drugs in vulnerable groups such as the very young and people with compromised immune systems.
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February 3rd, 2008

Pedometer use may improve blood pressure

CHP/PCOR senior scholar Dena Bravata's study on the use of pedometers is mentioned in a USA Weekend Magazine article. The study found that use of the pedometer was associated with a significant increase in physical activity and weight loss, as well as improvements in blood pressure.

November 21st, 2007

Pedometer use may lead to better health, study finds

CHP/PCOR senior research scholar Dena Bravata was lead author of a recent study on pedometers. Bravata was quoted in numerous media outlets discussing the study, which found that people who used pedometers that encouraged walking could lead to weigh loss and lower blood pressure. The researchers found that participants who wore pedometers increased their physical activity by 27%, or more than 2,000 steps a day.

• » Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pedometers add up to better health
• » Sacramento Bee: Pedometers motivate healthier choices
• » San Francisco Chronicle: Pedometer users walk farther, get healthier, researchers say
• » USA Today: Pedometer users go that extra mile
• » ABC News: Walking off the weight
• » NY Times Blog: Making every step count
• » CBS 5: Stanford Study: Pedometers may aid weight loss (video)

March 27th, 2007

CDEHA-funded project presentation wins award

CHP/PCOR senior research scholar Dena Bravata and colleague Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler presented "Increasing Physical Activity: Do Pedometers Work?" at the Northern California regional Society of General Internal Medicine meeting this past week. The study looks at the use pedometers to increase physical activity in adults in the outpatient setting. A meta-analysis was conducted of studies that reported assessments of pedometer use. Authors of the study included CHP/PCOR research assistant Allison Gienger, assistant director of research Vandana Sundaram, trainee Nancy Lin, and fellow Ingram Olkin, among others. The project -- fund by the CHP/PCOR's Center on the Demography and Economics of Health and Aging program -- won the award for best presentation. The project was also presented on the 28th at the Center for Disease Prevention Research Conference, and will also be presented in late April in Toronto at the International SGIM meeting.

• » Center on the Demography and Economics of Health and Aging (CDEHA)

January 15th, 2007

Fellow Hau Liu Receives Wide Media Coverage on Human Growth Hormone Study

CHP/PCOR fellow Hau Liu was one of the authors in a study on the effect of human growth hormone (HGH) therapy. The meta-analysis examines the efficacy of HGH.
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