This, unfortunately, really happened. A Southern California woman, unsatisfied with the preparation of her fast food hamburger, decided that the best and most reasonable solution would be to call the police. Thanks Obama.
Source: http://gizmodo.com/the-weirdest-thing-on-the-internet-tonight-hamburger-9-1443952701Windows XP users will get another 18 months free of worry from security holes in Google’s Chrome browser.
Google says it will support Chrome for Windows XP until at least April 2015, one year after extended Windows XP support from Microsoft is due to end. (Microsoft ended mainstream support for the aging operating system in 2009.)
“We recognize that hundreds of millions of users, including a good chunk of current Chrome users, still rely on XP,” a Google blog post said. “Moreover, many organizations still run dozens or even hundreds of applications on XP and may have trouble migrating.”
The blog post explained that malware often exploits unpatched security bugs in Web browsers to infect computers. By keeping Chrome up to date until 2015, Google can at least prevent browser-based attacks from wreaking havoc while organizations move to newer versions of Windows.
Google also noted that IT pros can use Legacy Browser Support in Chrome for specific Web apps that only work in a different browser such as Internet Explorer. That way, users won’t have to rely on an unpatched browser when accessing other websites.
Microsoft has already stopped supporting Windows XP support in Internet Explorer 9 and later, but continues to deliver security updates for Internet Explorer 8.
Given that Google and other Web services have been dropping support for IE8 and older versions, users might want a browser that’s still getting feature updates instead of just security patches. Windows XP still enjoys a roughly 20 percent market share according to StatCounter, so Google may see an opportunity to lock those users into its browser-based ecosystem.
Getty Images
BBC headquarters in London
LONDON – The BBC's commercial arm has reached a deal with the most-visited U.K. theme park to create a themed area that will feature rides and other offers based on shows and characters of the British public broadcaster's pre-school channel CBeebies.
While financial and creative details weren't disclosed, the Guardian reported that the planned CBeebies Land will include features based on such characters as Postman Pat, as well as Upsy Daisy and Igglepiggle from In The Night Garden.
STORY: BBC Director General Tony Hall Aims to Create a More 'Bespoke' Broadcaster
The themed area will be part of Alton Towers, a theme park and resort in Alton, England operated by Merlin Entertainments. In 2012, it drew 2.4 million visitors, making it the top U.K. theme park. Merlin also operates such U.K. attractions as Madame Tussauds and Legoland.
The deal with BBC Worldwide is expected to lead to the launch of CBeebies Land in the spring. The companies said the themed area will include rides, "immersive play areas," live experiences, character appearances and seasonal events.
"CBeebies Land will be a fun and exciting way for children and adults to immerse themselves in and explore the CBeebies environment and to enjoy their favorite characters," said Marcus Arthur, managing director U.K. at BBC Worldwide.
Joe Godwin, director BBC Children’s, added: "CBeebies has long been the number one TV channel for pre-school children and their families, but we also know that these days they want to be able to have days out and happy memories with their favorite characters in the real world as well.”
E-mail: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
Apple is cutting back production of its lower-cost iPhone 5C for the fourth quarter, according to sources close to the two Taiwanese companies that assemble the device. The news gives ammunition to analysts who questioned the company’s pricing strategy for the new addition to the iPhone line.
The colorful, plastic encased iPhone 5C debuted in September along with the high-end iPhone 5S, which costs $100 more and comes with the fastest mass market smartphone chips to date, along with a fingerprint sensor.
STORY: Apple iPhones Go on Sale in China, Posthaste
Apple told its Taiwanese assemblers Pegatron Corp. and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. that it would be cutting shipments of the iPhone 5C in the fourth quarter, sources told the Wall Street Journal.
Pegatron, which the Journal says assembles two thirds of Apple’s iPhone 5Cs, was told orders would be cut by less than 20 percent. Hon Hai, which assembles the rest of Apple’s 5Cs, was told its orders would be reduced by a third.
Prior to Apple’s iPhone release event in September, investors had been anticipating, and arguing for, the company to release a lower cost model – with pricetag around $350 --to compete in developing markets, such as China, where the company has been losing market share, because many consumers don’t have the disposable income for its “affordable luxury” class products. The iPhone 5C was the company’s answer to this demand, but analysts were disappointed by the $550-plus price point for the device.
Consumer demand for the gold version of the 5S, however, has outstripped expectations, leading Apple to increase orders for that model.
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ShareContact: Jo Ann M. Eliason
jaeliason@thejns.org
434-982-1209
Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
Charlottesville, VA (October 15, 2013). An incentive program to reduce the number of unnecessary diagnostic laboratory tests performed in neurosurgical patients at UC San Francisco (UCSF) was highly successful. Resident trainees in neurosurgery identified five frequently scheduled laboratory tests that rarely yield information that would change patient care. A new set of guidelines was developed to determine when these tests should be performed. The result was a 47% reduction in the number of targeted tests, which was attended by cost savings of $1.7 million in one year. Details on this program are discussed in "Targeted reduction in neurosurgical laboratory utilization: resident-led effort at a single academic institution. Clinical article," by Seunggu J. Han, M.D., Rajiv Saigal, M.D., Ph.D., John D. Rolston, M.D., Ph.D., Jason S. Cheng, M.D., Catherine Y. Lau, M.D., Rita I. Mistry, M.P.H., Michael W. McDermott, M.D., and Mitchel S. Berger, M.D., published today online, ahead of print, in the Journal of Neurosurgery.
Given the ever-increasing costs of medical care, many health care institutions are seeking ways to keep costs down while maximizing patient care. Staff physicians are expected to aid in this goal, and residents are now called on to participate as part of their training. Dr. Han and colleagues tell us that at UCSF, the medical center and the office of graduate medical education leadership joined forces to produce a program-specific quality improvement program in 2008. Each fiscal year, small financial incentives are offered to residents to encourage them to identify areas in which quality of care in their specialty can be improved and to implement actions toward this goal.
According to the authors, in fiscal year (FY) 2011-2012, the 18 residents in the Department of Neurological Surgery identified five diagnostic laboratory tests that they deemed usually unnecessary. Although frequently performed in critical care patients, tests for serum levels of total calcium, ionized calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphorus are unlikely to reveal abnormal findings in neurosurgical patients, and the findings that do appear usually don't lead to a change in treatment plans in these patients.
With input from UCSF neurosurgeons and hospital internists, the residents developed a new set of guidelines specifying when these tests should be ordered. The residents proposed that use of the five tests could be reduced by half and were offered a small financial incentive ($400 per resident) if they could achieve that goal.
The authors recount that in FY 2010-2011, one year before the project, the total number of tests for serum total calcium, ionized calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphorus was 45,023 in the neurosurgical service. During FY 2011-2012, this number was reduced 47% to 23,660. Costs of these tests to health care payers and the institution also dropped substantially: there was a $1.7 million reduction in billable charges to health care payers (patients, insurance companies, Medicare/Medicaid) and a $75,000 decrease in direct costs to the medical center (for supplies used in performing the tests).
During the year of the project, quality metrics were carefully monitored to ensure that the quality of care delivered to neurosurgical patients was not compromised by the reduction in tests ordered. These quality metrics included a review of inpatient admissions, average length of stay in the hospital and time spent in the intensive care unit, the 30-day readmission rate, and other patient-related statistics. There was no indication that the reduced number of tests and consequent costs savings had a negative impact on patient care.
In describing the quality improvement program at UCSF, the authors state, "During the 4 years of the program, the medical center has been able to achieve its highest rankings in patient satisfaction, decrease the use of unnecessary laboratory tests, and improve the rates of hand washing and vaccination."
The authors discuss other studies that have shown the success of financial incentives in engaging physicians and residents in quality improvement efforts, particularly when the incentives are combined with an educational component. In the project described in this study, that component consisted of new guidelines on when to order the targeted tests as well as monthly feedback and reminders on how many tests were ordered.
The neurosurgical residents didn't quite make their proposed quota -- a 50% reduction in the number of targeted tests -- and thus they did not receive their financial reward of $400 each. Nevertheless, their accomplishment benefited patients, health care payers, and the hospital.
When asked about the importance of this paper, the authors replied, "We've shown that engaging residents can have a dramatic impact on the value of care being delivered at academic medical centers. In many ways the larger benefit of our experience is in the training program's perspective, as the trainees are now graduating with skills in quality improvement and practice-based learning through a system-based practice approach."
###
Han SJ, Saigal R, Rolston, JD, Cheng JS, Lau CY, Mistry RI, McDermott MW, Berger MS: Targeted reduction in neurosurgical laboratory utilization: resident-led effort at a single academic institution. Clinical article, Journal of Neurosurgery, published online, ahead of print, October 15, 2013; DOI: 10.3171/2013.8.JNS13512.
Disclosure: The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper. Dr. McDermott shared a patent with Integra for the medical device LimiTorr. The patent is now owned by UCSF, and Integra manufactures the device.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Jo Ann M. Eliason, Communications Manager
Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
One Morton Drive, Suite 200
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Email: jaeliason@thejns.org
Telephone 434-982-1209
Fax 434-924-2702
For 69 years, the Journal of Neurosurgery has been recognized by neurosurgeons and other medical specialists the world over for its authoritative clinical articles, cutting-edge laboratory research papers, renowned case reports, expert technical notes, and more. Each article is rigorously peer reviewed. The Journal of Neurosurgery is published monthly by the JNS Publishing Group, the scholarly journal division of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Other peer-reviewed journals published by the JNS Publishing Group each month include Neurosurgical Focus, the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, and the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. All four journals can be accessed at http://www.thejns.org.
Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 8,300 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the brain, spinal column, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. For more information, visit http://www.AANS.org.
Share
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
ShareContact: Jo Ann M. Eliason
jaeliason@thejns.org
434-982-1209
Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
Charlottesville, VA (October 15, 2013). An incentive program to reduce the number of unnecessary diagnostic laboratory tests performed in neurosurgical patients at UC San Francisco (UCSF) was highly successful. Resident trainees in neurosurgery identified five frequently scheduled laboratory tests that rarely yield information that would change patient care. A new set of guidelines was developed to determine when these tests should be performed. The result was a 47% reduction in the number of targeted tests, which was attended by cost savings of $1.7 million in one year. Details on this program are discussed in "Targeted reduction in neurosurgical laboratory utilization: resident-led effort at a single academic institution. Clinical article," by Seunggu J. Han, M.D., Rajiv Saigal, M.D., Ph.D., John D. Rolston, M.D., Ph.D., Jason S. Cheng, M.D., Catherine Y. Lau, M.D., Rita I. Mistry, M.P.H., Michael W. McDermott, M.D., and Mitchel S. Berger, M.D., published today online, ahead of print, in the Journal of Neurosurgery.
Given the ever-increasing costs of medical care, many health care institutions are seeking ways to keep costs down while maximizing patient care. Staff physicians are expected to aid in this goal, and residents are now called on to participate as part of their training. Dr. Han and colleagues tell us that at UCSF, the medical center and the office of graduate medical education leadership joined forces to produce a program-specific quality improvement program in 2008. Each fiscal year, small financial incentives are offered to residents to encourage them to identify areas in which quality of care in their specialty can be improved and to implement actions toward this goal.
According to the authors, in fiscal year (FY) 2011-2012, the 18 residents in the Department of Neurological Surgery identified five diagnostic laboratory tests that they deemed usually unnecessary. Although frequently performed in critical care patients, tests for serum levels of total calcium, ionized calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphorus are unlikely to reveal abnormal findings in neurosurgical patients, and the findings that do appear usually don't lead to a change in treatment plans in these patients.
With input from UCSF neurosurgeons and hospital internists, the residents developed a new set of guidelines specifying when these tests should be ordered. The residents proposed that use of the five tests could be reduced by half and were offered a small financial incentive ($400 per resident) if they could achieve that goal.
The authors recount that in FY 2010-2011, one year before the project, the total number of tests for serum total calcium, ionized calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphorus was 45,023 in the neurosurgical service. During FY 2011-2012, this number was reduced 47% to 23,660. Costs of these tests to health care payers and the institution also dropped substantially: there was a $1.7 million reduction in billable charges to health care payers (patients, insurance companies, Medicare/Medicaid) and a $75,000 decrease in direct costs to the medical center (for supplies used in performing the tests).
During the year of the project, quality metrics were carefully monitored to ensure that the quality of care delivered to neurosurgical patients was not compromised by the reduction in tests ordered. These quality metrics included a review of inpatient admissions, average length of stay in the hospital and time spent in the intensive care unit, the 30-day readmission rate, and other patient-related statistics. There was no indication that the reduced number of tests and consequent costs savings had a negative impact on patient care.
In describing the quality improvement program at UCSF, the authors state, "During the 4 years of the program, the medical center has been able to achieve its highest rankings in patient satisfaction, decrease the use of unnecessary laboratory tests, and improve the rates of hand washing and vaccination."
The authors discuss other studies that have shown the success of financial incentives in engaging physicians and residents in quality improvement efforts, particularly when the incentives are combined with an educational component. In the project described in this study, that component consisted of new guidelines on when to order the targeted tests as well as monthly feedback and reminders on how many tests were ordered.
The neurosurgical residents didn't quite make their proposed quota -- a 50% reduction in the number of targeted tests -- and thus they did not receive their financial reward of $400 each. Nevertheless, their accomplishment benefited patients, health care payers, and the hospital.
When asked about the importance of this paper, the authors replied, "We've shown that engaging residents can have a dramatic impact on the value of care being delivered at academic medical centers. In many ways the larger benefit of our experience is in the training program's perspective, as the trainees are now graduating with skills in quality improvement and practice-based learning through a system-based practice approach."
###
Han SJ, Saigal R, Rolston, JD, Cheng JS, Lau CY, Mistry RI, McDermott MW, Berger MS: Targeted reduction in neurosurgical laboratory utilization: resident-led effort at a single academic institution. Clinical article, Journal of Neurosurgery, published online, ahead of print, October 15, 2013; DOI: 10.3171/2013.8.JNS13512.
Disclosure: The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper. Dr. McDermott shared a patent with Integra for the medical device LimiTorr. The patent is now owned by UCSF, and Integra manufactures the device.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Jo Ann M. Eliason, Communications Manager
Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
One Morton Drive, Suite 200
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Email: jaeliason@thejns.org
Telephone 434-982-1209
Fax 434-924-2702
For 69 years, the Journal of Neurosurgery has been recognized by neurosurgeons and other medical specialists the world over for its authoritative clinical articles, cutting-edge laboratory research papers, renowned case reports, expert technical notes, and more. Each article is rigorously peer reviewed. The Journal of Neurosurgery is published monthly by the JNS Publishing Group, the scholarly journal division of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Other peer-reviewed journals published by the JNS Publishing Group each month include Neurosurgical Focus, the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, and the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. All four journals can be accessed at http://www.thejns.org.
Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 8,300 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the brain, spinal column, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. For more information, visit http://www.AANS.org.
Share
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
There have been a lot of headlines during the government shutdown suggesting that that our food supplies may be at risk as agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control have furloughed workers. But food suppliers and processors increasingly rely on a large network of private companies to make sure food is safe.
ShareContact: Sasha Gruber
sgruber@popcouncil.org
212-339-0668
Population Council
BOSTON (15 October 2013) Today, the Population Council presented findings from a Phase 3 clinical trial that was designed to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR). The results were presented during an oral session at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
The study presented today (Study 300B) is part of an extensive clinical trial package that will be submitted as part of a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The application will include two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials conducted with more than 2,000 women across 27 study sites worldwide. Study 300B evaluated the contraceptive efficacy, safety, and acceptability of the CVR, and Study CCN006/300A evaluated efficacy and safety. The studies were conducted in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the World Health Organization (WHO); and the National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Contraceptive Discovery and Development Branch.
Study 300B was a multicenter, open-label trial that involved more than 1,100 healthy, normally ovulating women across 12 study sites in Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Preliminary results suggested that the CVRa type of long-acting, reversible contraceptive (LARC)is as effective as other combined hormonal contraceptives in preventing pregnancy when used as directed. Preliminary results also suggested that the safety profile is consistent with that of available combined hormonal contraceptives.
In addition to evaluating contraceptive efficacy and safety, Study 300B assessed women's acceptance of the CVR. The study found that women were highly satisfied with the ring, found it easy to use, and indicated that they would recommend it to other women. The ring was also well-accepted by their partners.
"These results add to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring," said Ruth Merkatz, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Development for the Population Council's Reproductive Health Program. "If approved by regulatory authorities, the ring will offer a unique contraceptive option: a contraceptive that is effective for one full year, is under the woman's control, and does not require insertion by a health care professional."
Because the ring is effective for 13 consecutive cycles (one year) and is intended to not require refrigeration, it may be an attractive option for women in developing countries who lack convenient access to a health care facility or pharmacy, and in areas where access to reliable electricity is a challenge. Significant barriers prevent many women in developing countries from accessing a full range of contraceptive methods to meet their individual needs. These barriers may include a lack of trained providers, supply shortages, storage and electricity limitations, resistance from families or communities, and misconceptions about side effects.
"Our mission is to develop and help expand access to contraceptive technologies where high-quality, voluntary family planning services are scarce or nonexistent," said Peter Donaldson, President, Population Council. "The Council's one-year contraceptive vaginal ring is a promising new technology. We look forward to furthering its development to meet the needs of underserved women."
###
About the Population Council's One Year Contraceptive Vaginal Ring
The Council developed the Nestorone and ethinyl estradiol CVR, a one-year investigational contraceptive that delivers synthetic hormones and can provide a number of advantages compared with other methods of hormonal contraception. The ring contains ethinyl estradiol, an approved, marketed hormonal product, and Nestorone, an investigational new chemical entity.
The CVR is soft, flexible, and easily inserted into the vagina by the woman herself. It will not require insertion by a health care provider. Once in place, the CVR is designed to prevent ovulation by continuously releasing a low dose of hormones through the vaginal walls and into the bloodstream. It is left in place for 21 days and removed for seven days, for up to 13 cycles (one year).
About Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
More than 200 million women in the developing world want to prevent pregnancy but are not using modern forms of contraception. Highly effective LARCs are often out of reach for women in developing countries. While several methods have been developed for short- and long-term protection against pregnancy, each woman's needs are different and may change over the course of her lifetime.
The need for LARCs will continue to grow, and it is estimated that approximately 57 million women will be seeking LARCs by 2020. Research on policies and programs has demonstrated that the use of LARCs increases when women and health systems are provided with greater method choice. The success of these programs provides evidence for the continued expansion of such efforts.
If access to LARCs, such as intrauterine contraception (IUSs or IUDs), implants, and, in the future, longer-acting CVRs and injectables were increased, unintended pregnancies could be significantly reduced and women's health significantly improved. Meeting contraceptive needs would help increase women's economic empowerment and opportunities, their contributions to their families' well-being, and economic growth.
About the Population Council
The Population Council confronts critical health and development issuesfrom stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.
Share
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
ShareContact: Sasha Gruber
sgruber@popcouncil.org
212-339-0668
Population Council
BOSTON (15 October 2013) Today, the Population Council presented findings from a Phase 3 clinical trial that was designed to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR). The results were presented during an oral session at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
The study presented today (Study 300B) is part of an extensive clinical trial package that will be submitted as part of a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The application will include two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials conducted with more than 2,000 women across 27 study sites worldwide. Study 300B evaluated the contraceptive efficacy, safety, and acceptability of the CVR, and Study CCN006/300A evaluated efficacy and safety. The studies were conducted in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the World Health Organization (WHO); and the National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Contraceptive Discovery and Development Branch.
Study 300B was a multicenter, open-label trial that involved more than 1,100 healthy, normally ovulating women across 12 study sites in Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Preliminary results suggested that the CVRa type of long-acting, reversible contraceptive (LARC)is as effective as other combined hormonal contraceptives in preventing pregnancy when used as directed. Preliminary results also suggested that the safety profile is consistent with that of available combined hormonal contraceptives.
In addition to evaluating contraceptive efficacy and safety, Study 300B assessed women's acceptance of the CVR. The study found that women were highly satisfied with the ring, found it easy to use, and indicated that they would recommend it to other women. The ring was also well-accepted by their partners.
"These results add to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring," said Ruth Merkatz, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Development for the Population Council's Reproductive Health Program. "If approved by regulatory authorities, the ring will offer a unique contraceptive option: a contraceptive that is effective for one full year, is under the woman's control, and does not require insertion by a health care professional."
Because the ring is effective for 13 consecutive cycles (one year) and is intended to not require refrigeration, it may be an attractive option for women in developing countries who lack convenient access to a health care facility or pharmacy, and in areas where access to reliable electricity is a challenge. Significant barriers prevent many women in developing countries from accessing a full range of contraceptive methods to meet their individual needs. These barriers may include a lack of trained providers, supply shortages, storage and electricity limitations, resistance from families or communities, and misconceptions about side effects.
"Our mission is to develop and help expand access to contraceptive technologies where high-quality, voluntary family planning services are scarce or nonexistent," said Peter Donaldson, President, Population Council. "The Council's one-year contraceptive vaginal ring is a promising new technology. We look forward to furthering its development to meet the needs of underserved women."
###
About the Population Council's One Year Contraceptive Vaginal Ring
The Council developed the Nestorone and ethinyl estradiol CVR, a one-year investigational contraceptive that delivers synthetic hormones and can provide a number of advantages compared with other methods of hormonal contraception. The ring contains ethinyl estradiol, an approved, marketed hormonal product, and Nestorone, an investigational new chemical entity.
The CVR is soft, flexible, and easily inserted into the vagina by the woman herself. It will not require insertion by a health care provider. Once in place, the CVR is designed to prevent ovulation by continuously releasing a low dose of hormones through the vaginal walls and into the bloodstream. It is left in place for 21 days and removed for seven days, for up to 13 cycles (one year).
About Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
More than 200 million women in the developing world want to prevent pregnancy but are not using modern forms of contraception. Highly effective LARCs are often out of reach for women in developing countries. While several methods have been developed for short- and long-term protection against pregnancy, each woman's needs are different and may change over the course of her lifetime.
The need for LARCs will continue to grow, and it is estimated that approximately 57 million women will be seeking LARCs by 2020. Research on policies and programs has demonstrated that the use of LARCs increases when women and health systems are provided with greater method choice. The success of these programs provides evidence for the continued expansion of such efforts.
If access to LARCs, such as intrauterine contraception (IUSs or IUDs), implants, and, in the future, longer-acting CVRs and injectables were increased, unintended pregnancies could be significantly reduced and women's health significantly improved. Meeting contraceptive needs would help increase women's economic empowerment and opportunities, their contributions to their families' well-being, and economic growth.
About the Population Council
The Population Council confronts critical health and development issuesfrom stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.
Share
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
