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Appeals Court Upholds Massachusetts Law Establishing Protest-Free Zone Around Abortion Clinics
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit on Wednesday ruled that a 2007 Massachusetts law requiring antiabortion-rights protesters to stay at least 35 feet away from clinic entrances does not infringe on their free speech rights, the Boston Globe reports. The law updated a 2000 statute that established a floating buffer zone, which police and clinics said was difficult to enforce. The 2007 law set a fixed 35-foot buffer zone around any reproductive health care facility and barred anyone from entering or remaining in the zone unless they work at the clinic; are entering or leaving the facility; are public safety or other municipal officials; or are walking by. Five abortion-rights opponents filed the lawsuit in January 2008. U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro rejected their claims in August 2008, ruling that the law did not regulate speech -- only the location where the speech could occur -- and that it was drafted in response to safety and law enforcement concerns. The protesters appealed the ruling.The appeals court said that the 2007 law responded to "repeated incidents involving violence and other unduly aggressive behaviors in the vicinity of reproductive health care facilities" and "represents a permissible response by the Massachusetts Legislature to what it reasonably perceived as a significant threat to public safety." The court also said that the law was "content-neutral," as it applies to all protesters regardless of their viewpoints. According to the court, the plaintiffs argued in their appeal that the law had a "content-neutral patina" masking a "more sinister reality" that the Legislature"s true motive was to curb abortion-rights opponents" speech.Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) in a statement said that she was "pleased that the 1st Circuit has upheld this important law, which enhances public safety and access to medical facilities, while preserving the right to engage in expressive activity on public ways and sidewalks near clinics." Tim Chandler, legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which helped represent the plaintiffs, said abortion-rights opponents "shouldn"t be penalized for expressing their beliefs." He added that the fund and its supporters were evaluating the "next legal step" (Finucane, Boston Globe, 7/10).
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FDA Approves Expanded Use Of ISENTRESS® (raltegravir) In Combination Therapy For Adult Patients With HIV-1 Infection
Merck & Co., Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for ISENTRESS®. The broadened indication now includes use in the treatment of adult patients starting HIV-1 therapy for the first time (treatment-naïve), as well as in treatment-experienced adult patients. ISENTRESS is used in combination with other antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adult patients. The indication for ISENTRESS is based on analyses of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels through 48 weeks in three double-blind controlled studies. Two of these studies were conducted in clinically advanced, 3-class antiretroviral (NNRT, NRTI, PI) treatment-experienced adults and one was conducted in treatment-naïve adults. The safety and efficacy of ISENTRESS have not been established in pediatric patients. The use of other active agents with ISENTRESS is associated with a greater likelihood of treatment response.
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Survey Reveals Women Aren't Doing All They Can To Support Breast Health
A recent Yankelovich survey unveiled that although a large majority of women know there are simple steps they can take to support breast health, few women are taking the necessary actions. What"s more, 80 percent of the women surveyed have been personally affected by breast cancer or know someone who has been. To address this issue, One A Day Women"s Multivitamins is encouraging women to join a virtual march against breast cancer through the One A Day Women"s Take A Stand Campaign.
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New Report Finds American Obesity Rates Climb Again - Fruits & Vegetables Important To Combating Obesity

Adult obesity rates did not decrease in a single state over the past year, but rather increased in 23 states. Also, the percentage of obese and overweight children is now at or above 30 percent in 30 states. These statistics come from the sixth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2009 report, released July 1, by the Trust for America"s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The report contains rankings of state obesity rates, reviews federal and state government policies aimed at reducing or preventing obesity, and provides recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform. The report finds that adult obesity rates now surpass 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20 percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C. In 1991, no state had an adult obesity rate above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was only 15 percent. Today, two-thirds of American adults are either obese or overweight. Sixteen states experienced an increase in the rate of adult obesity for the second year in a row, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year when compared with past reports. According to the report, Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, making it the fifth year in a row that the state has topped the list. Four states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2 percent). Colorado continued to have the lowest percentage of obese adults at 18.9 percent. Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children (ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate of obese and overweight children at 23.1 percent. The report also states that childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980. Elizabeth Pivonka is a Registered Dietitian and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters® national public health initiative. Pivonka says that most U.S. adults don"t get the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables each day. "Eating more fruits and vegetables in place of options that are higher in fat and calories is an important step in losing weight and keeping it off." "Don"t feel like you need to give your diet a complete overhaul right away. Sometimes big changes are difficult to stick to. If you can only make one diet change right now you"re best option is to add just one extra serving of fruit or vegetables each day. You"ll find you won"t need to eat as much of other foods when you do." "Fruits and vegetables play important roles in the process of weight loss and weight maintenance," says Pivonka. "Not only because they are low in calories but also because they provide a wide range of valuable nutrients like vitamins and potassium. They are also high in fiber and water, so eating them will keep you feeling full longer." Pivonka adds that fruits and vegetables are loaded with healthy fiber, and fiber rich diets have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects, including a decreased risk of coronary heart disease. "Fruits and vegetables are the cheapest form of health insurance you can buy since eating them may help reduce the risk of obesity and many diseases," adds Pivonka. "Everyone can benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, so fill at least half of your plate with them at every meal." Pivonka says, "Fruits and vegetables provide the unrivaled combination of great taste, nutrition, abundant variety and multiple product forms. There is no need to eat the same thing day after day when there are so many delicious fruits and veggies from which to choose. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is easy when you remember that all product forms count - fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juice." To read the full F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2009 report, including state-by-state rankings of both adult and obesity and obese and overweight children ages 10-17, go to TFAH"s website at http://www.healthyamericans.org or RWJF"s website at http://www.rwjf.org. Here is a Quick List of Weight Loss Tips from Elizabeth Pivonka, R.D. - Use a smaller plate and make sure to fill at least half your plate with fruits and veggies at every meal. - Have fruit instead of processed sweets for dessert. - Keep a variety of canned fruits and vegetables on hand. They are pre-cooked as part of the canning process and need just a few seconds in the microwave to heat up. Healthy and fast! - Spend the few extra cents to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are already washed and cut up, or buy larger bags and clean and cut them up yourself and put them into portion controlled containers. Keep them on hand for ready to eat snacks, pack them into lunches and take them in the car. - Don"t forget about dried fruits and veggies! Keep a bag of your favorites in your handbag or in the car for those times when a craving strikes while you"re on the go. - For a quick breakfast fix a smoothie with fat-free milk and frozen fruit. - Got home late and don"t want to cook? Top a bag of pre-washed salad mix with canned tuna, chicken, or a can of your favorite beans, add your favorite veggies like grape tomatoes, cucumber, or bell peppers, and top with low-fat dressing for a quick, yet satisfying meal. Produce for Better Health Foundation


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