Reuters Health News Summary

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

New York governor declares public health emergency to combat flu

2013-01-12T203709Z_19_BRE9080WE_RTROPTC_0_US-USA-FLU.XML () -

GSK files for U.S. approval of new diabetes drug

LONDON (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline <GSK.L> said on Monday it had filed for U.S. approval of its new once-weekly diabetes drug albiglutide and would make a similar submission shortly in Europe as it vies for a share of a crowded market. Albiglutide belongs to the same class of injectable GLP-1 medicines as Victoza, from Novo Nordisk <NOVOb.CO>, and Byetta and Bydureon, from Bristol-Myers Squibb <BMY.N> and AstraZeneca's <AZN.L> Amylin unit.

Pedestrian safety program prevents student injuries

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Fewer kids were injured during early morning and after school hours once new traffic lights, pedestrian signals and speed bumps were put around New York City schools, according to a new study. Those fixtures were added through the Safe Routes to School program, which received over $600 million from the U.S. Congress in 2005 to improve kids' ability to walk and bike to schools across the country.

Bangladesh sets "death clock" updating tobacco-related deaths

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh unveiled a "Death Clock" in its capital to raise awareness about smoking-related deaths in a country which ranks among the world's highest in tobacco consumption. Around 57,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases in Bangladesh, on average 156 people per day, said Sayed Badrul Karim from the Progga NGO, which is supported by the Washington-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).

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