FDA Awards 19 Grants and Two Contracts Related to Rare Diseases, including ALS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Awards 19 Grants and Two Contracts Related to Rare Diseases, including ALS | site |



Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release dated: October 17, 2022

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has awarded 19 new grants and two new contracts totaling more than $38 million in funding over the next four years to support clinical trials, natural history studies and regulatory science tools related to rare diseases. These grants and contracts, which were funded by the FDA’s Orphan Products Grants Program, aim to advance the development of medical products to treat rare diseases. Several awards support the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Act (ACT for ALS) which recently established the FDA Rare Neurodegenerative Disease Grant Program to promote medical product development for rare neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. �...

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Establishes New Office of Health Security | site |



Chief Medical Officer to Lead New Office for DHS Medical, Workforce Health and Safety, and Public Health Missions  Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security press release dated: July 19, 2022 Washington - - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week established the Office of Health Security, a new office that will serve as the principal medical, workforce health and safety, and public health authority for DHS.  “Over the past several years, Americans have faced a series of unprecedented challenges impacting their health security, from the pandemic to natural disasters and more,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Our Department must be prepared to adapt to an ever-expanding, dynamic, and complex public health threat landscape. The Office of Health Security will lead our efforts to meet that charge...

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID-19 Reverses Progress in Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance in U.S. | site |



Hospitalization related infections grew 15% from 2019 to 2020


Information contained in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press release dated: July 12, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed back years of progress made combating antimicrobial resistance (AR) in the United States. The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022, concludes that the threat of antimicrobial-resistant infections is not only still present but has gotten worse—with resistant hospital-onset infections and deaths both increasing at least 15% during the first year of the pandemic. “This setback can and must be temporary. The COVID-19 pandemic has unmistakably shown us that antimicrobi...

If Not That, Then What???

In Search of Answers | link |

Video sources: Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxGDjrKPRWk&t=43s ) and Team Taylor Environmental Grant...

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases Draft Cancer Cluster Guidelines for Public Comment | site |




Information contained in U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) press release dated: May 31, 2022

CDC/ATSDR has released a draft of its Guidelines for Examining Unusual Patterns of Cancer and Environmental Concerns for public comment. Comments are open through the Federal Register until July 25, 2022.

CDC/ATSDR conducted extensive scientific literature reviews and gathered comprehensive feedback from community stakeholders, subject matter experts, and state, tribal, local, and territorial partners. This feedback contributed to CDC/ATSDR:

• Placing a greater emphasis on engaging and communicating with community members,

• Recommending health departments consider proactive evaluation of cancer registry data at regular intervals to look for unusual patterns of cancer,

• Replacing the steps in the 2013

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough statement on PACT Act | site |



Information contained in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) press release dated: May 27, 2022

VA Secretary Denis McDonough statement on PACT Act

Washington - - President Biden has stated we have a sacred obligation to support Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. As part of his first State of the Union address, he identified supporting Veterans as a key pillar of his Unity Agenda and an issue that can unite the country. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act makes good on that promise.

In my recent press conference, I spoke in detail about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ strong support of the PACT Act because the bipartisan bill will help us advance one of the department’s top priorities: getting more Veterans into...

Statements by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and HHS Principals on Pride Month | site |




Earlier today, HHS raised the Progress Pride Flag outside its headquarters building to commemorate Pride Month.



Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release dated: June 1, 2022 Today, after raising the Progress Pride Flag outside of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters building, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and other HHS leaders from across the Department released the following statements to celebrate Pride Month: “Today, and throughout June, we celebrate Pride Month. As part of our celebration, we will continue our work to ensure all our programs and services are equitable and inclusive, and all our LGBTQI+ colleagues know they and their contributions are valued,” said Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This year, we have unfortunately seen an alarming rise in state laws and ...

Department of Veterans Affairs implements COVID-19 Health Protection Levels enhancing Veteran, Visitor and Employee Safety at Medical Facilities| site |



VA implements COVID-19 health protection levels enhancing Veteran, visitor and employee safety at medical facilities


Information contained in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) press release dated: May 24, 2022

Washington - - The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Administration launched three operational levels called VHA COVID-19 Health Protection Levels to provide a consistent, nationwide approach at its medical centers.

VA applied the three-tier safety protocol standard effective May 23, enhancing safety for Veterans, visitors and employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The levels align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Transmission Levels designed for use by health care facilities. “The VHA COVID-1...