One out of 35 people in the world is an immigrant, and in virtually every country, different languages, beliefs and cultures coexist. In this context, promoting mental health requires incorporating cultural sensitivity into mental health services and programs, experts said today at a special event held to observe World Mental Health Day 2007. “Culture and diversity are central to the everyday perceptions, behavior, and interactions of individuals,” said Dr. [click link for full article]

As efforts are focused to assemble enough votes to eliminate a veto on a children’s health program, Democrat leaders said that they will find a way to make sure millions of uninsured will get cover even if the veto is not overridden. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer admitted that the Republicans may gather enough votes to defend President George Bush’s veto for the showdown next Thursday. They pledged to pass another bipartisan bill if they had to. [click link for full article]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Ad Council and the National Football League (NFL) will join to launch a new series of national public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to combat childhood obesity by encouraging physical activity among children. The new ads, which feature NFL players Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints), Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) and Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys), urge families to “get up and play an hour a day. [click link for full article]

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today announced that sales of tobacco to underage youth have reached all time lows under the Synar Amendment program - a federal and state partnership program aimed at ending illegal tobacco sales to minors. In fact, for the first time all 50 states and the District of Columbia have achieved a major Synar program goal - an 80 percent compliance rate among tobacco product retailers. [click link for full article]

The Agency is to carry out a systematic programme of research into wireless local area networks (WLANs) and their use. This will include measurements of exposures from the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network and is part of the Agency’s ongoing programme of work in the area of electromagnetic fields. [click link for full article]

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of “over-the-counter” (non-prescription) cough and cold products in children. Health Canada is advising consumers on the appropriate use of these products, including drugs and natural health products, particularly in children under 2 years of age. Life-threatening adverse events, including unintentional overdose, have been reported to Health Canada in association with the use of these products in children under 2 years of age. [click link for full article]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced plans for a home health pay-for-performance demonstration, an important new step in its drive to become a more effective purchaser of quality healthcare. CMS will begin soliciting home health agencies for the project this fall with the actual demonstration performance period to begin January 1, 2008. The demonstration will operate for two years in seven states. [click link for full article]

The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) evacuated a team of 16 aid workers from Muhajariya in South Darfur, Sudan, yesterday, following an intense attack on the town. Shooting was first heard in Muhajariya in the morning on October 8. By 1 p.m., it had intensified, and patients started to flee the hospital. The MSF team sought shelter in their compound while shooting and mortar fire continued. [click link for full article]

The University of Hertfordshire has set up a new centre to study changes in health which occur over the lifespan of an individual. [click link for full article]

Omega-3 fats seem to have a protective effect on allergies in children. One year olds whose mothers had ingested fish oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding had considerably fewer allergic reactions than children whose mothers did not take this supplement, according to a study from Linkoping University in Sweden.The study, which started in 2005, comprised 145 pregnant mothers with families at heightened risk of developing allergy and asthma. [click link for full article]