Health Headlines for Wednesday, February 17
A Step Forward for Measuring Health Care Quality
New York Times
The government, doctors’ groups, insurers and patient advocates say they’re coming together on a common set of measurements for what constitutes quality health care.
F.D.A. Issues Zika Virus Guidelines for Blood Supply
New York Times
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued new guidelines for blood banks intended to help prevent the contamination of the nation’s blood supply with the Zika virus.
Which Type of Exercise Is Best for the Brain?
New York Times/Blog
Some forms of exercise may be much more effective than others at bulking up the brain, according to a remarkable new study in rats.
Staten Island lawmakers call for citywide prescription pill drop-off expansion
New York Daily News
Two Staten Island legislators called on the NYPD Tuesday to expand its prescription pill drop-off program citywide.
AstraZeneca wins FDA breakthrough status for key cancer drug
Reuters
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy designation to AstraZeneca’s biggest new drug hope durvalumab as a treatment in bladder cancer, the drugmaker said on Wednesday.