Would you like to donate blood but are afraid of needles? The Stanford Blood Center is sponsoring a panel discussion at 7 p.m. May 21 to address one of the most elusive issues in blood donor recruitment: Fear. The panelists will explore different perspectives regarding the fear of medical procedures in general, and blood donation in particular.

HIV-positive patients who don’t seek medical attention until they have a serious AIDS-related condition can reduce their risk of death or other complications by half if they get antiretroviral treatment early on, according to a new multicenter trial led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

A vaccine against the H1N1 influenza strain, which has crossed over from pigs to people in recent months, probably won’t be available before this autumn. But ongoing research at the Stanford University School of Medicine promises to help public-health authorities come to grips with future influenza pandemics—and may prove to be useful against this one.

During National Stroke Awareness Month in May HealthYes!, a mobile medical screening provider, is strongly encouraging Americans to follow the “3 R’s”– reduce risk, recognize symptoms and respond immediately. Following these steps could limit the number of Americans who die or are disabled each year by a stroke.

In February 1976, a strain of H1N1 swine flu caused the death of one man and hospitalization of several others at Fort Dix military base. This strain of swine flu was confined to the military base. During March of the same year, however, a new strain of the virus developed which circulated throughout the United States causing illness and panic. By October 1976, all American citizens were urged to get a vaccination to combat the swine flu. Over 50 million Americans (about 30% of the population) received vaccinations from October to December of that year.

Researchers at Stanford University’s School of Medicine today received a $5.8 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Michael Longaker, MD, is the principal investigator on the five-year grant, which is focused on ways to stimulate existing adult stem cells to heal damaged nerves, bone, skin and cardiac muscle.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index (WBI), the largest and most comprehensive daily tracking survey of American health and well-being, showed no significant increase in the percentage of Americans reporting flu-related illness in April 2009. On any given day, between 1 to 4 percent of the adult population reports being sick with the flu. The April average was 2.1 percent, slightly less than the average during the same period a year ago.

Ten years ago, Stanford University School of Medicine scientist Emmanuel Mignot, MD, PhD, and his colleagues made headlines when they identified the culprit behind the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Now Mignot and his collaborators have shown for the first time that a specific immune cell is involved in the disorder—confirming experts’ long-held suspicion that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disease.

The American Medical Association reports that females typically put the health care of her spouse and children ahead of their own well-being. This May, in honor of National Women’s Health Care Month, Symmetry is encouraging women to rethink their approach.

A nationwide survey of health care executives released today by Identity Force indicates that approximately 80 percent of hospitals are still not in compliance with federal Red Flags Rules that require businesses and organizations to create identity theft prevention programs. The Federal Trade Commission has set May 1, 2009 as the enforcement deadline for the new regulations. The survey also found that 63.3 percent of facilities have data breaches each year, with 18.8 percent reporting 10 or more breaches annually.