Healths Gain May Be Armys Loss

Call it the law of unintended consequences. When you fix one thing, it messes up other things.

If the Democrats win the election this year, and are able to enact a health care plan that extends adequate coverage to all Americans, the loser could be the Army. Getting enough people to enlist could become a major problem for the next president.

And that has made it harder to put the Army together. Government polls show that the proportion of young people who think they might enlist is roughly half what it was in the late 1980s. The military has responded with more recruiters and higher cash enlistment bonuses, and has met its goals. A significant factor for many recruits, it turns out, is the military’s generous health benefits for dependants.

Michael Massing, writing in the April 3 issue of The New York Review of Books, tells the story of one part-time college student from Brooklyn, who was holding down two jobs but still going into debt. “Meanwhile, he got married, his wife got pregnant, and he had no health care. From a brother in the military, he had learned of the Army’s many benefits, and, visiting a recruiter, he heard about Tricare, the military’s generous health plan.” He enlisted.

It seems a bit perverse that the incentives for a young person with children to join are greater than the incentives for his childless friend. But that is the way it is. All that could change if the push for some kind of national health insurance program were to be successful.

It is true, of course, that Democrats have been talking about such things for generations. The failure of health care legislation during Bill Clinton’s first two years in office left some viewing the issue as political dynamite — good for a campaign but fatal to anyone who tries to pass a specific program. It is quite unclear how the government would pay for a comprehensive program, and no candidates seem eager to discuss ways to hold down health care spending.

One partial solution to the negative effect on enlistment of a health care plan for all could be a new G.I. education benefit. Both the House and Senate have approved such a plan, but as part of the Iraq funding bill on which there are major differences. President Bush is opposed to the legislation, which its sponsors say would cost $50 billion over 10 years, and it is far from clear it will be enacted.

If we get a real health care plan for all Americans, it might require something like the Webb bill — or a very unpopular revival of the draft — just to keep fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The backers of health care legislation do not want to hurt the Army, but that is what could happen.

Going To Work Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

If you're the type who already dreads trudging to your cubicle on Monday mornings, here's another reason to stay home: Your desk may be a veritable zoo for bacteria.

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In a recent study, a British consumer advocacy group tested a few dozen of its office keyboards for harmful bacteria. Four were deemed health hazards, and one was five times dirtier than a toilet seat in the same office.

And that's just the keyboard - there's also the computer mouse, the telephone, the coffee mug, the work refrigerator and all the other surfaces on which workers lay their hands, breathe, cough and spill crumbs of food.

"I think the office environment has always been a particularly unhygienic environment," said Josette Covington, clinical director of occupational health services at Wilmington, Del.-based Christiana Care Health System.

Care Health In the keyboard study, the British magazine Which? (similar to Consumer Reports) commissioned microbiologist James Francis to test more than 30 office keyboards for a handful of nasty bugs that indicate poor hygiene.

Two keyboards had staphylococcus aureus - associated with skin infections and food poisoning - at "warning levels," and one keyboard was removed from the office because its bacteria levels were 150 times higher than normal.

"That keyboard is increasing the risk of its user becoming ill," Francis told the magazine. "I haven't seen a reading like that in a very long time. It was off the scale."

It's not terribly surprising that keyboards and other office equipment are crawling with bacteria - after all, these one-celled microorganisms are already crawling inside our bodies and on our skin at massive levels.

One study last year found evidence of 182 species of bacteria on skin samples.

In addition to bacteria, workers also have to worry about viruses, the smaller infectious agents that cause, among other things, the common cold.

Such viruses can be spread through coughing or sneezing microscopic droplets into the air, through hand-to-hand contact or through touching the same inanimate object, said Donald Lehman, a professor of medical technology at the University of Delaware.

For that reason, sick workers should stay home, but even that may not be enough to prevent the spread of illness.

"Unfortunately, some of these viruses are sneaky," Lehman said. "People can be contagious before they have the symptoms."

Michele Braughton, a receptionist at the Wilmington accounting firm Cover & Rossiter, sees illnesses passed around all the time in her 30-employee workplace.

"Somebody will come in sick, and the next thing you know somebody else will come in sick," she said.

Braughton was disgusted to hear of the results of the British keyboard study.

She said she regularly sprays her own work keyboard with an air compressor and wipes it down with alcohol pads. She also washes her hands "all the time," even if some of her co-workers don't follow her example.

Care Health In fact, experts say, the simple task of washing one's hands, which most people learn as toddlers, is the most effective way to protect against infection.

Florida Health Insurance Analyst Says Crist's Insurance Plan Lacks Substance

Florida has been in the middle of a health insurance nightmare for quite a few years. This hot button issue has caused many a Politian to create a health care plan they can call their own. Our Governor may be one of them. Morgan Moran of Florida health insurance web, a health analyst said, "Governor Crist's health insurance plan was passed without debate, and it appears the Senate passed the measure without reading it either; it is completely meaningless and most likely will not help anyone".

"The Governors 'Cover Florida' is not designed to 'Cover Florida', said Moran, "it allows big insurance companies free reign to create smaller insurance plans with lesser benefits". And it gets worse. "The insurers can cap services, limit coverage, require co-pays and offer very limited prescription-drug coverage; not exactly what is needed right now", Moran said.

These new health plans would come with a smaller price tag - about $150 a month, as opposed to current Florida health insurance premiums that can exceed $600. Moran said "When the governor created this plan he hoped that people would buy insurance if it were cheaper, but now it seems that $150 is in the gas tank, or the food bill, or something else."

Florida health insurance web recently posted the state's health report which said "At present, 20.2 percent of Florida's population is living without insurance. That makes Florida the third-highest rated uninsured state in the nation." Who are they? "Of the 3.7 million uninsured residents, a little more than 20% are kids under 18, and according to legislative analyst's, almost half of all Floridians - ages 18 to 34 - are uninsured", the analyst said.

Ottawa County Senior Health Fitness Day "Kick Off"

Riverview HealthCare Campus in collaboration with Ottawa County Senior Resources hosted their first ever, Senior Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday May 28, 2008 to celebrate the 15th Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day. Seniors from across the county were treated to various vendors and local healthcare providers featuring free screenings such as blood pressure, blood sugar, bone density testing, and derma scan.

Ottawa County Senior Resources and the Oak Harbor “Harbor Lights” Senior Center also provided a healthy lunch for the nearly 100 seniors who attended the event.

The event also ‘kicked-off’ Riverview’s own “Riverwalk”, a quarter-mile paved pathway near the river that is open to the public. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured two-time Track Olympiad Mamie Rallins and Senior Track Olympiad Dorothy Gackstetter, both residents of Ottawa County. They also led the inaugural lap signifying the official opening of “Riverwalk. ” “ We hope the seniors and the community will utilize the ‘Riverwalk’ for their fitness needs. It offers a safe space in which all individuals can enjoy the beauty of the Portage River and get the benefits of healthy exercise at the same time, “ stated Kendra German, Administrator for Riverview HealthCare Campus.

The highlight of the event was the landing of the LifeFlight helicopter just prior to the presentation from the Ottawa County Commissioners of the Proclamation designating Wednesday May 28, 2008 as Ottawa County Senior Health & Fitness Day. According to Dianne Martin Mortensen, Executive Coordinator for Senior Resources, “this event offers seniors the opportunity to take a look at their health habits. Often, Seniors tend to ignore fitness issues as they age. Having events like this one encourages them to make health and fitness a priority in their lives.”

Let Moderation Be Your Guide Beauty Health

Living in the Algarve, it’s sometimes hard to avoid having the odd drink or two, but, according to a recent survey by the British Department of Health, most of us don’t realise just how much alcohol we are actually consuming.

The survey of 1,429 drinkers in England found that more than a third of people do not know their recommended daily limit, which is, in fact, 2-3 units for women and 3-4 units for men. The survey coincided with a campaign by the government to increase alcohol awareness and to promote careful drinking.

Health Ministers are becoming increasingly concerned that people are unaware that increased glass sizes means that they are drinking a lot more than is recommended, and that also drinks are becoming stronger.

Over half of the people questioned -via the internet - Beauty Health believed that a large glass of wine equals two units of alcohol, when it actually equals three. The survey also discovered that those questioned were drinking at least two to three times a week.

In the Algarve, with such good wines available at such reasonable prices, most drinkers are probably consuming much more than that.

Beauty Health It can become increasingly confusing to know how much alcohol it is safe to consume. It seems that daily we are bombarded with information on how dangerous alcohol can be, yet the next day we are being told that one or two glasses a day is good for the heart or the blood. Well… Beauty Health is it good for us or not.

The key to healthy drinking seems to be with that one simple word… moderation. As with most things in life, we should not starve ourselves of what we fancy.

International Medical and Al Wathba National Insurance Co launch MediGlobal insurance plan in UAE

UAE. US-based International Medical Group (IMG) announced the launch of MediGlobal Health Insurance, an international healthcare plan which meets the local requirements of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and offers flexible options catering to the insurance requirements for the entire UAE.

This innovative product provides a rich blend of benefits offering worldwide coverage on a direct billing basis. IMG joined hands with the UAE-based company Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC), one of the leading insurance companies in the UAE.

“We have worked very closely with AWNIC to deliver effective local and international coverage within one seamless plan specially designed for the UAE market,” said Joseph Brougher, President of IMG. “We are particularly pleased to be partnering with an insurance company like AWNIC that provides such strong security and consistently delivers on its promise of superior coverage and customer service.”

“Our review of the UAE health insurance sector showed that the market was lacking a product that could effectively combine local underwriting and service with international coverage and emergency services,” added Bassam Chilmeran, General Manager of AWNIC. “After an extensive review of the companies operating in the international market, we found that IMG stood above the market with its superior international service and global reputation.”

On 21 May 2008, Bassam Chilmeran welcomed insurance brokers along with members of prestigious organisations from different sectors of the market to the official launching of this breakthrough product at the Hilton in Abu Dhabi. During the event, IMG executives gave a detailed presentation on the salient features of the new plan. Both IMG and AWNIC conveyed the message that MediGlobal Health Insurance is a high-end product which is the perfect solution for the needs of the present day UAE clientele.

Note: International Medical Group (IMG) is a worldwide leader in designing, distributing and administering global health care benefits. IMG’s international reputation for excellence has been established by providing medical, life and disability insurance products to individuals, families and groups in more than 170 countries.

Since 1990, IMG has served over 500,000 clients worldwide including vacationers, business executives, missionary groups, entertainers, Fortune 500 companies, schools and universities, professional marine crew, expatriates and local and third country nationals. IMG is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, US. Its companies also include IMG Europe, Akeso Care Management, iTravelInsured, and IMG-Stop Loss.

Al Wathba National Insurance Co (AWNIC) is among the fastest growing and one of the leading insurance companies in the UAE. It has a well-spread service network in the Emirates, with its registered head office in Abu Dhabi and its three branches in Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain respectively.

AWNIC underwrites all types of insurance products which are well-supported by a panel of highly rated international reinsurers and a strong qualified medical team to service the well-balanced medical portfolio through its professional but caring touch.

Fla. Gov Signs Health Insurance Bill

Some uninsured Florida residents may get easier access to health care coverage under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Charlie Crist.

The new law lets insurance companies offer scaled-back health plans without all the usually required coverages. That might make insurance available to some people for as little as $150 a month, Crist said.

Under the law, some insurance companies will join a state program in which they are required to cover many basic health care needs, such as drugs, emergency care and hospitalization, but won't be required to pay for many treatments that insurers generally must cover. Among those might be mandated coverages like certain screenings, or coverage of certain transplants. Insurers said those requirements contribute to rising health care costs.

"It is not the Cadillac of health plans, but it offers something very, very important for the citizens of our state," the governor said. Shrinking the number of people in Florida without health insurance, now about 3.8 million, has been one of Crist's top priorities.

The state program, known as "Cover Florida," will be open to uninsured people ages 19-64. Children and the elderly wouldn't need it since they're generally eligible for other government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and the state's KidCare subsidized insurance program. To participate, someone has to have been uninsured for six months.

The new law will also allow insurers who don't participate in the state "Cover Florida" program to also make changes that may let them provide cheaper policies. Under that part of the law, organizations and insurance companies would be allowed to offer scaled-back plans that have even fewer requirements than the ones participating in the state program.

Small businesses with less than 50 workers would be able to take advantage of a variety of insurance policy options - and things that aren't exactly insurance, like medical savings accounts - under that part of the law.

Some critics worried those plans might not offer enough consumer protections, but supporters said that plans that don't cover everything are better than no insurance at all.

State law generally has about 50 mandated coverages for most health insurance policies. They range from requirements that policies must cover some types of transplants to requirements for the number of days that women must be allowed to remain in the hospital after child birth.

Crist said he hopes the availability of cheaper coverage may reduce the number of people needing emergency care, because they will be more likely to treat problems early.

"One in five Floridians goes to bed at night worrying about how to pay for medical care," Crist said. "And they wait to go to the doctor until they have a medical emergency."

The bill also allows families with children who make too much money to participate in the KidCare program to pay full premiums and get the coverage through the program. It also requires insurance companies to offer families the option to keep unmarried adult children enrolled on their family health policy until age 30.

Lawmakers Remind Students Of Expanded Health Insurance Benefits

As college and high school seniors graduate from schools across the state this spring, lawmakers are reminding them to take advantage of a new law that will allow many to stay on their parents' health insurance plan until they turn 25.

The new law, which passed in the General Assembly last year and went into effect on Jan. 1, allows dependents to stay on their family's health insurance plans up to the age of 25 - regardless of whether or not they are full-time students. Qualifying dependents cannot be married; they must live at home with the plan holder for at least half of the year, and receive at least fifty percent of their support from the plan holder.

Speaking at the Laurel High School commencement rehearsal on Friday, state Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-District 21) told students the "new law will help many high school and college graduates when they graduate."

"We need universal health care, but the state has acted to increase the numbers of Marylanders with access to medical insurance," Rosapepe said

Rosapepe distributed a flyer to students explaining the Health Insurance - Family Coverage Expansion Act, and encouraged them to discuss the matter with their parents.

The expanded effort to promote the new legislation comes at a time when many seniors are graduating from college. Several schools, including Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, and the University of Maryland, College Park held commencement exercises late last week.

Thousands of students will now have access to insurance, whereas in the past many would have lost coverage when they concluded their studies.

Graduating college seniors have been among the highest group in the country to lack health insurance, according to several studies, particularly those who attend graduate school.

How To Save Money On Health Insurance

Save money on health insurance plans. During times of weaker economy, it is imperative to have one of the best health insurance plans to stay protected against unpredicted expenses.

Health Insurance is imperative for your daily savings and expenses. One can fall ill at any unexpected time, causing misery and most importantly, if you are not covered with any health insurance policy, it can prove to be quite expensive on the pocket. Economy is bad these days. Every penny saved goes towards your savings, and can help you better prepare for your future. If ever a situation arises where you are compelled to spend this money, especially for health reasons, it can surely upset your balance. Lowering your expenses is highly important. One of the easiest ways to save money is through getting an.

Most people often find it expensive to opt for a health insurance. They are of the notion that they would rather spend this money if ever any health issue arises. If you are an average ordinary person, consider a time in a month where you have just paid your monthly bills, had your mortgage settled out, and are just satisfied with the way things have turned out. But things may go wrong if you fall ill all of a sudden. Remember, we set apart an amount of money for all of our expenses except for health related issues. It is not uncommon. People tend to save money on literally everything, but just couldn't afford to save a few hundred dollars for their own health.

Health Insurance may not be as expensive as one would think. Over the years, various health insurance companies have evolved with interesting health and medical insurance packages that are easier on the pocket, all the while providing top quality service. Unlike the previous days, we are provided with an opportunity to compare and select different health insurance and life insurance packages that appeal to us the most.

Now for a few hundred dollars a month, you can insure your whole family against unpredictable circumstances and provide them with quality treatment facilities. Compare this to the actual costs that may be incurred during some serious illness. We are talking about thousands of dollars saved. You can compare and get free quotes on several health, life, medical and other insurance plans from Health Insure Direct.

HSA or Health Savings Account is another option of saving money on health insurance. HSA lets you gain the full advantage of health insurance plans, and also provides you with competitive tax benefits. HSA is more like a savings account, where you are required to invest a few hundred dollars monthly. You will get a fixed interest on this money, and the money being invested in HSA is absolutely tax free. Also, there is nothing known as maturity of the insurance plan, and you can withdraw any amount of money for your medical expenses from your HSA anytime you want. All you will need is to pay off the deficient amount in the subsequent monthly payments. Health Savings Account is just another reason to save money for your extra needs.

Compare HSA plans that are suitable for you and that is quite affordable to accommodate your daily expenditure and savings. Research is the major part of saving money on insurance. It is always important to look up the various rates and packages of health insurance providers, and Health Insure Direct provides you with an easy to use interface to research and select free quotes from some of the top notch health insurance companies.

It would also be worthwhile to keep a regular check and update on the health insurance rates of the present day market. You wouldn't want to end up paying extra, especially at times when the economy requires you to save as much money as possible. For this, you could re-evaluate your insurance rates and packages every six to twelve months, or you can also go in for short duration insurance packages.

Either way, never ever forget that you have a health insurance package, and take care to avoid any defaults. Insurance companies usually associate a "*" along with their terms and conditions which states that you are supposed to be making payments at prescribed intervals, or you lose all the benefits. Pay your premiums on time and stay protected anytime and anywhere.

Fitness Honors For Vernon School Nurse, Others

Skinner Road School in Vernon and Judi Manfre, the school's nurse for seven years, were honored Monday at the state Capitol for their efforts to foster physical fitness.

Others honored Monday by the Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness includes East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey, the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, the Colchester 57 Fest, the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford, and the New Britain Parks and Recreation Department.

Skinner Road School has worked to encourage students to eat better, to be physically fit and to develop lifelong habits to keep them physically fit. The school has done away with cupcakes to celebrate birthdays, has a group of students who arrive at school early two days a week to exercise, begun family fun nights that incorporate exercise, conducted a bicycle rodeo and encouraged youngsters to walk to school.

Manfre has worked with colleagues at the school such as Eric Uthgennant, the physical education teacher, and Patti Buell, the school's former principal who is now director of pupil services for the school district, on the fitness efforts. One of the biggest is the annual walk-to-school day each October, which had turned into a twice-a-month program in which youngsters are dropped 0.7 miles from the school, then walk the rest of the way in.

Fitness scores, as assessed on the Connecticut Mastery Test, have improved as have scores in reading, writing and math. Buell said she believes there is a link between the wellness efforts and academic test scores.

"It gets kids excited to come to school," Buell said.

"Healthy students do, in fact, learn better," Manfre said.

Manfre said a group of kindergarten parents has begun walking their children to and from school, a development that bodes well for their children. If the children get used to walking to school young, there's a good chance it will continue.

Skinner Road is also working to develop safe routes to school to address any concerns parents might have about having their children walk to school.

Currey was honored for her efforts to obtain state grants to improve parks and recreation facilities in East Hartford. The Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce was honored for its "Living Well in Glastonbury" program that encourages chamber members to incorporate health and fitness in their lives. The Elmwood Senior Center was honored for its fitness programs for seniors. New Britain's parks and recreation department was honored for the host of programs it offers. And the Colchester 57 Fest was honored for encouraging physical activity.

Bill Beasley Nearly Died While Getting Fit

Following a 20-minute warmup on the treadmill and one set of sit-ups, Beasley's heart stopped. The 48-year-old fitness buff collapsed from a major heart attack in front of stunned club members, including his wife and daughter.

He was in the right place at the right time. His health club, Ontario Racquet Club (ORC) in Mississauga, had a defibrillator on hand.

"When they hooked me up I had flat-lined -- they had to shock me. For seven to eight minutes I was basically dead," says Beasley, who's already back to walking and light jogging after the harrowing incident on April 1.

Fit as a fiddle from regular cardio and weight workouts, tennis, squash and hockey for the past three decades, doctors discovered a 90% blockage in his left artery and put in a stent.

"The plumbing's been fixed and now I have to work my heart into shape," he says. The only downside -- no more hockey, maybe ever.

Exercise does not guarantee a life without setbacks, says fitness expert Barrie Shepley, and "with few exceptions, I don't believe exercise causes health setbacks."

So we're not better off on the couch! "Fitness doesn't always guarantee longevity, but it generally does provide quality of life," says Shepley.

According to Shepley, a former Olympic coach and owner of Personal Best Health and Performance, "younger people, usually men in their 40s and 50s, who die during exercise, usually die from one of two reasons: Either the person was totally inactive for many years (decades) then gets caught up in a men's hockey tournament, 10 km run or basketball pickup game, and then goes too hard and over-extends himself.

"Or, if they have been exercising and they die during exercise, in all likelihood they have extremely bad genetics and likely would have died earlier," he says, adding that he rarely hears about women aged 40 or 50 dying during exercise. "They seem to have the hormonal support until menopause, at which point the number of deaths from heart attacks are roughly the same as men."

Beasley is counting his blessings: "Holy cow, am I lucky. I could have been out running and had no one with me. I probably wouldn't be here," says Beasley, who was given CPR by qualified club members and staff while the defibrillator was retrieved.

Adds Jeff McCarrol, general manager of ORC, "Bill was definitely in the right place ... All our fitness, tennis and key staff are certified yearly in EMS procedures. Over the years, we have had eight cardiac arrests at the club and, thankfully, we have been very fortunate to have saved seven of eight."

McCarrol purchased the defibrillator when one member had back-to-back cardiac arrests within a year. Exercise is not dangerous, emphasizes McCarrol: "It plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, osteoporosis, cancer, quality of life and many more."

He encourages regular exercise, and regular family physician checkups if there are any medical hereditary factors.

Meanwhile, Beasley plans to raise awareness and funds for defibrillator placement in public places. He also strongly advocates getting stress tests. He never made it to his; it had been scheduled a mere 10 days after his heart attack.

Government To Unveil Fitness Test For Adults

If you didn't get a Presidential Physical Fitness Award in school, the government is giving you another chance to prove you're in shape.

An adult fitness test is being introduced Wednesday by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. It will incorporate several of the exercises that millions of students undertake each year as they aim for a certificate signed by the president.

"What were trying to do is inspire and motivate Americans to move their bodies more," said Melissa Johnson, executive director of the council.

The test involves three basic components: aerobic fitness, muscular strength and flexibility. The test is for people 18 and older who are in good health. It was inspired by scores of baby boomers who kept asking council members whether there was a fitness test available today that was similar to the ones they took as students, Johnson said.

The aerobic component of the tests consists of a one-mile walk or 1.5-mile run. Push-ups and half sit-ups make up the strength test. A stretching exercise called the "sit-and-reach" is used to measure flexibility.

The scores from all four of the fitness tests can be entered online. Other information, such as age, gender, height and weight are also part of the equation.

The results show where participants rank among people of the same age. The test will allow people to easily record a baseline that they can work from through their exercise routine.

"The point is to do consistent, regular physical activity and these are good check-in points to see how fit people are," Johnson said.

Teen exercise protects against breast cancer later in life

WASHINGTON -- Get your daughters off the couch: New research shows exercise during the teen years -- starting as young as age 12 -- can help protect girls from breast cancer when they're grown.

Middle-aged women have long been advised to get active to lower their risk of breast cancer after menopause.

What's new: That starting so young pays off, too.

Researchers tracked nearly 65,000 nurses ages 24 to 42 who enrolled in a major health study. They answered detailed questionnaires about their physical activity dating back to age 12. Within six years of enrolling, 550 were diagnosed with breast cancer before menopause. A quarter of all breast cancer is diagnosed at these younger ages, when it's typically more aggressive.

Women who were physically active as teens and young adults were 23 percent less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer than women who grew up sedentary, researchers reported last week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The biggest impact was regular exercise from ages 12 to 22.

The women at lowest risk reported doing three hours and 15 minutes of running or other vigorous activity a week -- or, for the less athletic, 13 hours a week of walking. Typically, the teens reported more strenuous exercise; during adulthood, walking was most common.

Why would it help? A big point of exercise in middle age and beyond is to keep off the pounds. After menopause, fat tissue is a chief source of estrogen.

In youth, however, the theory is that physical activity itself lowers estrogen levels. Studies of teen athletes show that very intense exercise can delay onset of menstrual cycles and cause irregular periods.

Study: Over half of Americans on chronic medicines

TRENTON, N.J. -- For the first time, it appears that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, a study shows.

The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol -- problems often linked to heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

The numbers were gathered last year by Medco Health Solutions Inc., which manages prescription benefits for about one in five Americans.

Experts say the data reflect not just worsening public health but better medicines for chronic conditions and more aggressive treatment by doctors.

In addition, there is the pharmaceutical industry's relentless advertising. With those factors unlikely to change, doctors say the proportion of Americans on chronic medications can only grow.

Americans buy much more medicine per person than any other country. But it was unclear how their prescriptions compare to those of insured people elsewhere. Comparable data were not available for Europe, for instance.

Medco's data show that last year, 51 percent of American children and adults were taking one or more prescription drugs for a chronic condition, up from 50 percent the previous four years and 47 percent in 2001. Most of the drugs are taken daily, although some are needed less often.

The company examined prescription records from 2001 to 2007 of a representative sample of 2.5 million customers, from newborns to the elderly.

National Mental Health Month Is About Raising Awareness, Removing Stigmas

May is National Mental Health Month, with the theme "Get Connected." Mental Health America, the nation's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives, founded Mental Health Month more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental health for everyone.

Due to a long-standing stigma associated with mental health issues, the subject of mental health is still approached by many with fear and uneasiness, said Pamela Bezotte, Northwest Territory Coordinator for Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network of Minnesota (CSN). Her main focus with CSN is to help address issues that people from seeking supportive services by providing education, resource referral and addressing political challenges.

"There has been a lot of focus on health and ways to be healthy as of late spread throughout the media, and yet the topic of mental health can still provoke a "disconnect' or denial response in many," she wrote in an e-mail. "I have yet to meet one single human being who hasn't had a day in their lives where their mental health was not quite up to par. As with a physical illness, mental illness has a range of symptoms."

Bezotte said there's no on/off switch, but a range of symptoms from mild to severe. Mental health concerns are typically denied or ignored until things get to a point where they can no longer be ignored, similar to physical ailments.

"Physical illness left untreated for too long results in the need for more intensive treatment to fix the condition," she explained. "Unfortunately, the same is true for mental health issues. If addressed early on, mental health treatment may be of less intensity and of shorter duration. If left too long untreated, mental health issues can permeate many parts of a person's life and take much more time to repair or redirect."

CSN helps support those with mental health issues in their journey and recovery through self-help, education and advocacy, providing valuable resources for adults and children. Visit the organization's Website, www.mhcsn.org, or call Bezotte at (218) 333-0939 (Bemidji) for more information.

Getting connected

According to MHA, a recent national survey finds that one in three people in America are living with extreme stress. Social connectedness is an essential component of maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness. It suggests getting connected to: Family and friends to feel close and supported, your community to feel a sense of belonging and purpose, and to professional help to feel better when you're stressed and having trouble coping.

If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance. For non-emergency professional help, contact local mental health care providers.

Mental Health Board Considers Plan

The Ascension Parish Council is considering a new ordinance that puts the Mental Health Board in an advisory role and states that it “shall not interfere with the day-to-day operations.”

The proposal crops up in connection with a long-running dispute between board members and the director of the Mental Health Unit. Last year, board members unsuccessfully attempted to fire Susan Mittendorf.

At the suggestion of Parish President Tommy Martinez, the council hired Billy Arcement’s firm, The Leadership Strategist, to investigate the history of dissention between the board and the director and to make recommendations.

In a lengthy report Thursday, Arcement suggested adoption of the proposed ordinance spelling out duties and limitations of the board and the director.

Arcement told the council “personnel issues caused turmoil” and “miscommunication, leadership failure and a power struggle” plagued the relationship between the board and the director.

The current ordinance under which the agency operates places the board in both advisory and governance positions, “and you can’t have both,” Arcement said.

“The director is caught in the middle by a board that can’t hire and fire,” he said.

“The board needs to be the watchdog of the funds but has to be relegated to a solely advisory position,” Arcement said.

The consultant further suggested the board meet bimonthly rather than once a month “to prevent micromanaging.”

Also, Arcement said, “Name-calling and stubbornness needs to go away.”

Nevertheless, Arcement said, “The board was committed to mental health and I applaud their efforts.”

The council met in lengthy executive session to discuss the issue and will consider the changes in the ordinance proposed by Arcement after the document is reviewed by the parish legal adviser.

Mental Health Dept To Send Psychiatrists To China

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, Md. Wachira Phengchan, says his department and Sichuan province in China, which was hit by a major earthquake five days ago, have agreed on mental health cooperation. Psychiatrists from the department will travel to provide treatment for people affected by the catastrophe in Sichuan.

Md. Wachira says he has sent a letter of condolence to China and suggested guidelines on mental rehabilitation for the affected people.

The death toll in China is estimated at more than 50,000. Most of the victims are students and teachers.

Md. Wachira says the earthquake has caused great mental impact similar to the 2004 tsunami as the two disasters occurred unexpectedly. During the first two weeks, the affected people may be in shock and grieve over the death of their loved ones. He adds that these people need to have a close mental assessment and urgent assistance Health Insurance.

Nsw To Trial Medical Cannabis

Doctors will prescribe cannabis-based drugs to cancer, multiple sclerosis and AIDS patients in a planned NSW Government trial.

NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher will write to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon in the next few weeks for permission to import and trial a drug expected to be Sativex, which delivers cannabis compounds through an oral spray.

"While the Iemma Government is opposed to the legalisation of marijuana, we do support a therapeutic trial of a cannabis-based drug," a spokeswoman for Ms Meagher said.

"We want the trial to start as soon as possible. However the support of the Rudd Government would be needed to get TGA [Therapeutic Goods Administration] approval of the drug for use in the trial. We're hopeful the Government will approve."

The Australian Medical Association welcomed the trial.

"We believe medicinal cannabis may be of benefit in HIV-related wasting and cancer-related wasting," said chairman of the association's public health committee Dr John Gullotta, adding that it might also relieve nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The Cancer Council NSW welcomed the move.

Ms Meagher may also ask for approval for other cannabis-based drugs.

UK company GW Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Sativex, grows cannabis then extracts cannabinoids CBD and THC. "The formulation is believed to enhance the pain relief of THC while modulating the unwanted psychotropic and other THC-related side effects, such as tachycardia [rapid heartbeat]," the company says.

Sugar Intake Not Associated With Obesity Survey

New Zealanders' intake of sugar is not associated with being overweight or obese, new research released by the Sugar Research Advisory Service has found.

The New Zealand research, headed by University of Otago's Dr Winsome Parnell and recently published online by Public Health Nutrition, examined data collected in the most recent New Zealand nutrition surveys for adults and children.

"We found that current intake of total sugars was actually significantly lower amongst obese children, compared to normal-weight children," Dr Parnell said.

"In both adults and children, those who consumed the least sugars from foods were actually significantly more likely to be overweight or obese."

The research, analysing 24-hour food recall data collected in the National Nutrition Survey (1997) and Children's Nutrition Survey (2002), also showed no relationship between current intake of sugary drinks and body weight, Dr Parnell said.

"This study is the only one of its kind using New Zealand data and shows current intake of sugars is not related to current weight status."

The surveys involved 4379 adults - aged over 15 years - health club and 3049 children, aged between five and 14.

The Sugar Research Advisory Service (SRAS) is an information service funded by the New Zealand Sugar Company Limited. It is advised by a panel of independent health and nutrition experts.

Implanted Electrodes Soothe Severe Lower Back Pain

An electronic device inserted into the lower spine is showing promising results for Australians with extreme and persistent back pain.

A Melbourne sports physician has presented data from a trial of a new chronic pain therapy involving implantable electrodes that bring relief to 70 per cent of those who try it.

The treatment, called peripheral nerve stimulation, is designed for hard-to-treat patients who have failed to improve even after surgery, health club and Dr Bruce Mitchell said the results had been impressive.

"It's not the answer for everybody but for those it does work for, it's a godsend," Dr Mitchell said ahead of a presentation at the Australasian surgery conference in Hong Kong today.

Dr Mitchell trialled the device on his worst affected patients at Metro Spinal Clinic and found that 70 per cent responded well during a short-term, external test.

These 22 successful patients then had the tubular electrodes implanted under the skin within the major area of pain in the lower back and were given a remote control the size of a mobile phone that generates a pulse in the implant to stop pain.

With the flick of a switch the pained nerves are overwhelmed by a "pleasant buzzing sensation", Dr Mitchell said.

Almost 90 per cent reported a significant reduction in pain, with their pain levels dropping from an average of 7.1 out of 10 to 3.8.

"This is a very encouraging result as it is an area that is notoriously difficult to treat and surgery is often not the answer and sometimes makes it worse," he said.

"It improves quality of life and has also meant that people who have had a positive response to this treatment can reduce the amount of pain killers they are taking."

Dr Mitchell said complications like infection and displaced leads could arise from surgery to implant the device. He also said the $A30,000, US-made implant was still not widely available in Australia.

Statistics show one in five people suffer from the condition at some time in their life, with about 10 per cent experiencing debilitating pain.

"People with chronic back pain often have sleepless nights and miss hours of work, as sitting or lying down for long periods of times is one of the worst things you can do."

Mental Impairment Common In Kids With Ms

Low IQ scores and problems related to thinking and reasoning are common in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to an Italian study reported in the journal Neurology.

Approximately 5 percent of MS cases begin before age 18, note Dr. Maria Pia Amato, at the University of Florence, and her associates.

"The initial diagnosis of MS is more difficult in children than in adults," Amato told Reuters Health. Particularly before age 10, "symptoms may resemble those of acute encephalitis," with symptoms such as fever, alterations in mental state and level of consciousness.

Breathing assistance with a mechanical respirator may be required and seizures and signs of brain involvement, which are rare in adults, may often occur in children.

In adolescents, she added, the onset of MS is more like that observed in young adults, with symptoms such as inflammation of the optic nerve, brain stem and cerebellar symptoms and sensory disturbances, usually without any change in mental state.

In either case, there is concern that an early onset of MS could have greater impact on cognitive function if normal neurodevelopment is stunted.

In the researchers' study, 63 MS patients and 57 healthy controls younger than 18 years of age underwent a neuropsychological test battery. MS began before age 10 years in 15 subjects.

In the MS group, the IQ scores were lower than in the placebo group, five MS children had an IQ below 70 vs. none of the placebo group. Fifteen of the MS group had an IQ between 70 and 89, vs. two children in the placebo group.

The only significant predictor of an IQ score less than 70 was younger age at onset.

Half of the MS patients failed at least two neuropsychological tests. Most affected were verbal and visuospatial memory, complex attention, and executive functions.

By interviewing parents, "we confirmed that the disease had a great functional impact and that, beyond the extent of physical disability, cognitive problems play a relevant role negatively affecting school, everyday, and social activities," the authors report.

In treating MS patients, physicians should always take into account the cognitive and psychosocial problems associated with MS and should include them in patient evaluations, Amato emphasized.

In particular, global intellectual faculties and language problems need to be identified and dealt with, especially in children diagnosed with MS before the age of 10.

"I would like to highlight that treatment and support may help the subjects and the families to cope with their psychosocial difficulties," she added.

It is also possible that treatment of very young children may be more effective. "Therefore, early recognition of problems and intervention strategies, both rehabilitative and pharmacological, may lead to a better outcome."

Exercise May Cut Breast Cancer Risk

Regular exercise in adolescence and young adulthood may help cut a woman's risk of developing breast cancer before menopause, according to a US study published.

The women who were the most physically active were 23 percent less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer than the women who got the least exercise, the researchers wrote in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

High levels of exercise from ages 12 through 22 contributed the most to the protective effect, the researchers said.

"The more activity, the greater the benefit," study leader Dr. Graham Colditz of Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis said in a telephone interview.

Previous studies showed that regular exercise in adulthood leads to at least a 20 percent lower risk of breast cancer after menopause, the researchers said. Research on exercise and breast cancer risk before menopause had produced inconsistent results, they said.

The researchers said the new study indicated women need regular physical activity starting at a young age to comparably lower their risk of breast cancer before menopause. They called their study the largest and most detailed examination to date of the impact of exercise on early breast cancer risk.

Colditz and colleagues studied 65,000 registered nurses aged 33 to 51 who reported in 1997 how much leisure-time physical activity they had done since the age of 12.

After six years of follow-up, 550 of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

The women classified as most active did the equivalent of running for 3.25 hours a week or walking for 13 hours a week.

"It's not marathon running. Any team sport will get you to that level of activity -- and it doesn't even have to be a team sport," Colditz said.

Women who exercised regularly -- but not as much as the most-active group -- also had a reduced risk for breast cancer, but not as much as the top group, Colditz said.

The benefit provided by exercise was not associated with a particular sport or intensity, Colditz added.

About a quarter of all breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women before menopause and these can be more aggressive and harder to treat than breast cancer in older women.

Protection against breast cancer is just one of many benefits of exercise, Colditz said. "It protects against diabetes, heart disease, stroke. Clearly it's good for bones to protect against osteoporosis and fractures. There is a clear benefit across many of the chronic diseases."

He said there are several hormone-related hypotheses to explain how exercise may cut breast cancer risk. A leading idea is that physical activity can cut a woman's lifetime exposure to estrogen, a hormone strongly implicated in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, killing an estimated 465,000 women annually, according to the American Cancer Society. About 1.3 million women are diagnosed annually worldwide.

Hair X Rays Used To Detect Breast Cancer

A world-first test that can diagnose breast cancer by X-raying a woman's hair will be available commercially later this year, the Australian developer says.

Results from a trial involving 2000 Australian women found the test to be effective in detecting breast cancer, though the success rate was just 75 percent, lower than the 95 percent that Sydney company Fermiscan had hoped for.

Managing director David Young said the results were still "comparatively accurate" vis-a-vis the mammogram, the gold standard test, and plans were afoot to run an Adelaide pilot study before rolling it out nationwide.

"Fermiscan plans to progress to commercialisation in Australia by the end of the year, which is exciting news," Mr Young said.

The test is based on an Australian university discovery that breast cancer changes the molecular structure of hair.

Breast tumours secrete chemicals called cytokines into the bloodstream, which can affect the way the hair follicle works to form hair, a difference that can be picked up using sophisticated X-ray technology.

It was designed as a less painful and invasive method of cancer detection than the mammogram, and it can be used by women of all ages.

The trial compared the hair test to mammogram results and found it was 69 percent accurate -- but the success rate was 75 percent when hair that had been damaged by perming, dyeing and straightening were excluded.

About 1500 of the 2000 women in the trial were correctly diagnosed as negative and 20 were correctly diagnosed as positive.

But 13 women with cancer were missed by the test, a result Mr Young said was likely due to hair damage.

"The accuracy of the test in a commercial use is expected to significantly improve as women will prepare by ensuring they have undamaged new growth of hair for testing," the company said in a statement to the Australian stock exchange.

He said the test would be further refined in a pilot trial involving the Ashford Cancer Centre in Adelaide and hospitals in Italy and Japan to start in the next two months.

Regulatory approval was being sought to have the $A250 ($NZ309) test available without a referral through pathology collection centres, Mr Young said.

Cancer Council Australia chief executive Professor Ian Olver said the test was an interesting addition to cancer detection methods, but the accuracy rate needed improvement.

"It is important at this early stage that women do not see this test as a substitute for Australia's successful mammogram screening program, which women are encouraged to continue using," Prof Olver said.

"It is highly likely that the Fermiscan test is best used in conjunction with well-established methods of testing."

Haphazard Ladder Climbing Puts Handymen In Danger

Men in their 50s are the most likely to fall off ladders in the home, causing injury and death, a new study says.

The research, presented at a medical conference in Hong Kong, said pelvic and limb injuries were most common, but some men suffered more serious head and chest fractures.

"This group was your typical victim of a ladder fall," said Dr Elaine Liew, a surgical registrar at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

"And the bad news is that the rates of serious injury and death were high, regardless of how far they've actually fallen."

The study, Australia's largest of ladder falls, says home handymen are putting themselves in grave danger with "haphazard" use of ladders on the wrong angles and on uneven ground.

Dr Liew and her colleagues tracked admissions caused by ladder falls from 2002 to 2007 to get the first full picture of who is most at risk and the severity of their injuries.

The results show that of the 305 admissions, 88 percent involved men, with an average age of 58, and 90 percent occurred in the home.

Almost one in 10 patients died from their injuries, all domestic incidents involving older men.

"The problem is that there are lots of occupational health and safety standards in the workplace but no real education in the community," Dr Liew said.

"You've got all these people going about their work at home alone, on uneven ground, with no attention to the basic rules of ladder use."

The hospital plans to launch a Victorian-based education program be run in conjunction with father's day, but said other states also need to take up the cause.

Marijuana May Up Heart Attack Stroke Risk

Heavy marijuana use can boost blood levels of a particular protein, perhaps raising a person's risk of a heart attack or stroke, US government researchers said.

Dr Jean Lud Cadet of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, said the findings point to another example of long-term harm from marijuana. But marijuana activists expressed doubt about the findings.

Cadet said a lot of previous research has focused on the effects of marijuana on the brain. His team looked elsewhere in the body, measuring blood protein levels in 18 long-term, heavy marijuana users and 24 other people who did not use the drug.

Levels of a protein called apolipoprotein C-III were found to be 30 percent higher in the marijuana users compared to the others. This protein is involved in the body's metabolism of triglycerides - a type of fat found in the blood - and higher levels cause increased levels of triglycerides, Cadet added.

High levels of triglycerides can contribute to hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls, raising the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease.

The study did not look at whether the heavy marijuana users actually had heart disease.

"Chronic marijuana use is not only causing people to get high, it's actually causing long-term adverse effects in patients who use too much of the drug," Cadet, whose study is in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, said in a telephone interview. "Chronic marijuana abuse is not so benign."

The marijuana users in the study averaged smoking 78 to 350 marijuana cigarettes per week, based on self-reported drug history, the researchers said.

The researchers said the active ingredient in marijuana, known as THC, seems to overstimulate marijuana receptors in the liver, leading to overproduction of the protein.

Cadet said higher levels of the protein in marijuana users could raise future risk for cardiac abnormalities, blood flow problems, heart attack and stroke.

People with major medical or psychiatric illness, alcohol dependency and other drug use such as cocaine or heroin were excluded from the study.

A US group supporting legal sales and regulation of marijuana disputed the findings. Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Bruce Mirken said, for example, the study involved people who were extremely heavy users.

"I think the low end was 78 joints a week. That's 10 or 11 joints a day," Mirken said in a telephone interview.

"We're talking about people who are stoned all the time. We're talking about the marijuana equivalent of the guy in the alley clutching a bottle of cheap wine. If you do anything to that level of excess, it might well have some untoward effects, whether it's marijuana or wine or broccoli," Mirken added.

Cadet's team said the findings suggest long-term harm from marijuana beyond issues such as impaired learning, poor memory retention and retrieval and perceptual abnormalities.

Cigarettes Put Aussies Out Of Pocket

Cigarettes cost the average Australian smoker about $A300,000 ($NZ365,365) in their lifetime, a new calculation shows.

A South Australian infectious disease physician, Dr Ross Philpot, has run new statistics on the physical and financial cost of smoking.

By 65, the average 20-a-day smoker will have puffed on 400,000 cigarettes, and by the time they die 500,000 will have been smoked.

This costs each smoker about $A300,000, a "sobering" figure that all doctors should remind their patients of to help them quit, he said.

The physical consequences can also illustrated, said Dr Philpot, from the state's infectious diseases services.

"In my three decades of experience, Health Insurance I have noted that an accumulated intake of a quarter of a million cigarettes usually results in at least some cough, breathlessness and wheeze and decreased exercise tolerance," he wrote in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.

"Half a million cigarettes generally causes chronic smoker's bronchitis, with or without some degree of emphysema.. while three-quarters of a million cigarettes makes cancer a distinct possibility."

He said telling smokers these statistics was a "simple and effective" method doctors could use to coerce patients into cutting back or giving up all together.

Blocking Brain Enzyme Helped Mice Stay Slim

Blocking a single brain enzyme helped short-circuit a key hunger signal in mice and made them eat less, lose weight and have better blood sugar control, US researchers have said.

While much more research lies ahead, they said the finding may lead to new treatments for obesity and diabetes in humans.

"We believe we have identified an important drug development target that could potentially turn into a metabolic triple play: appetite control, weight loss and blood sugar management," said Tony Means of Duke University Medical Centre in Durham, North Carolina, whose study appears in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Means' team focused on the enzyme CaMKK2, which plays a role in appetite stimulation in mice and in humans. Found in a region of the brain known as the hypothalamus, it takes its orders from a hormone released in the gut known as ghrelin, which is released when the stomach is empty.

Ghrelin is already linked to appetite control.

In a separate brain imaging study in the same journal, researchers at the Neurological Institute at McGill University in Montreal showed that ghrelin not only makes people feel hungry, but it makes food look more appealing by activating pleasure signals in the brain.

Means' idea is to find a way to interrupt ghrelin's activity by toning down the CaMKK2 enzyme's response to the hunger signal.

His team found that mice genetically engineered to lack the enzyme CaMKK2 stayed slim regardless of whether they were on a low-fat or high-fat diet.

"They don't gain as much weight as wild type mice," Means said in a telephone interview.

They also found that mice ate less and lost weight when the researchers gave them a direct brain infusion of a drug known to block the CaMKK2 enzyme.

Means said blocking CaMKK2 in the brain protected mice on a high-fat diet from insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, a type of pre-diabetes in which the body does not manage insulin well.

The tricky part will be finding drugs that can be given orally and still reach the right target in the brain.

Many chemicals are not able to cross the blood brain barrier, a special characteristic of blood vessels feeding the brain that filters out toxins.

Means said his team is now looking for new drug compounds. "The job will be to identify one that will pass the blood brain barrier," he said.

That is just one of the barriers the researchers will have to cross. Many treatments that can prevent obesity in rodents have failed to work in humans, whose eating and appetite behaviour is far more complex.

Quick Health Gains For Women Smokers Who Quit-Study

Women who stop smoking can enjoy major health benefits within five years, but it can take decades to correct respiratory damage and lower their risk of lung cancer, researchers reported on Tuesday.

Those who kicked the habit had a 13 per cent reduction in the risk of death from all causes including heart and vascular problems within the first five years. After 20 years the risk of death from any cause was the same for those who quit as it was for those who had never smoked, the study found.

The report also found that women who start smoking later in life have a lower risk of many lung and heart diseases, which the researchers said was troubling given recent studies that show youngsters are taking up cigarettes at early ages.

"Our findings indicate that 64 per cent of deaths in current smokers and 28 per cent of deaths in past smokers are attributable to smoking," Stacey Kenfield of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and colleagues wrote in their report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Quitting reduces the excess mortality rates for all major causes of death examined," they added.

For deaths due specifically to respiratory diseases there was an 18 per cent reduction within five to 10 years of quitting, reaching the level found in nonsmokers after 20 years.

And while there was a 21 per cent reduction in the risk of lung cancer death within five years, Family Health Insurance it took 30 years for that excess risk to go away.

The findings are the latest to emerge from a study of more than 121,000 women US nurses whose health histories were recorded in 1976 and followed during the ensuing years. While the study involved only women, other research has found benefits for men who stop smoking.

The authors said a US survey in 2003 found that 13 per cent of smokers first started at about age 13 or 14, and that 22 per cent of all US high school students then reported they were smoking.

"It is likely that deaths attributable to smoking will increase over time unless there is a substantial increase in cessation," the study concluded.

Worldwide about 5 million premature deaths were attributable to smoking in 2000, the researchers said.

The World Health Organisation projects that by 2030 tobacco-attributable deaths will account for 3 million deaths in industrialized countries annually and 7 million in developing countries.

Health Care Among Top Issues For Voters

How big might the change be? Well, you might be taxed on what your employer pays for your health insurance coverage, for instance. (Right now, you're probably not, if you work for a big company.) Or you might be guaranteed health insurance, with the government picking up the tab.

Indiana and North Carolina Democrats are to take their stabs Tuesday at deciding whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will take on Republican John McCain in November. And health care is among the top issues for voters, not only in those states and Michigan -- where automakers have cited costs as a major obstacle to long-term profitability -- but everywhere.

As health care costs have outpaced inflation in recent years, businesses have had to pay more -- and have asked their employees to contribute more. So dramatic changes in the status quo could potentially free up cash for investment, spending and job creation.

Or, as some critics warn, a sweeping move toward federalized health care could have the opposite effect if it's ultimately subsized by higher taxes.
Big problem everywhere

A national Gallup poll conducted April 25-27 found that 28% of 1,008 American adults polled said rising health care costs constitute a crisis. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Only the declining value of the dollar and rising gas prices beat it out as a national economic concern.

"We're probably going to be headed in a better direction on health care, by necessity," said Comerica Bank's chief economist, Dana Johnson. "We're not serving enough people well."

Jeanette Avila, 39, of Bloomfield Hills agrees. She not only writes a check for $1,300 each month to cover insurance for her and her diabetic mom, but also worries about health coverage for her 10 full-time employees at the family-owned El Rancho Restaurant in southwest Detroit.

A Wayne County program picks up about a third of the cost, with the business and the employees splitting the difference. But a more affordable program -- possibly government-sponsored -- would help.

"The problem is greater here in Michigan, especially with all the people who took buyouts," Avila said. "They need more affordable health care. And maybe they could give us some tax credits or insurance incentives."
Cost of having, needing insurance

Sixteen percent of the U.S. economy was spent on health care in 2005 -- about $6,500 a person -- with spending significantly outpacing the rest of the economy, with an average annual growth rate of nearly 10%, according to a report last summer by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy-oriented nonprofit.

Meanwhile, insurance premiums grew 87% from 2000 and 2006, or more than four times the growth in wages.

In all, the nation has about 47 million people who are believed to be uninsured. In Michigan, the number is estimated at 750,000 to 1 million.

People without insurance add to health care costs, experts said, because they don't receive preventive care -- and it can be a lot more expensive to treat people who are significantly ill.

Instead of receiving preventive care or early warnings for treatment from their doctors, uninsured people tend to head to emergency rooms -- which are much more expensive to run -- for health care, and then only when their conditions become serious.

Those costs are passed on to others.
What Clinton, Obama promise

Len Nichols of the Washington-based New America Foundation, a public policy institute, said at a panel discussion on health care in Washington last week: "If we could just agree to cover everyone, we could talk about how."

On the Democratic side, there seems to be general agreement among analysts, researchers and experts that the plans from Obama and Clinton differ little. They diverge, however, on who must be covered.

Clinton said coverage must be mandatory. Obama wants required coverage for children only, under the theory that if you make health care affordable and accessible, you don't have to force it on everyone.

Both are committed to creating public systems available to everyone. Both would allow people to keep their existing coverage or access public or private plans modeled on the generous plan members of Congress get.

Activists and pundits praise the move toward something like universal health care. The question is whether a new president can get it through Congress -- and what it will cost.

"They make promises that simply can't be kept," Joe Antos, with the American Enterprise Institute, said last week.

School Board To Get New Health Insurance

Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, Independence School District employees will be covered by a different health insurance provider, Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

The plan was unanimously approved by the Independence Board of Education Tuesday at Bingham Middle School.

According to Assistant Superintendent Brian Mitchell, Humana has been the district’s health insurance provider for 10 years. But with the expiration of a two-year plan with Humana in which the district was able to lock-in premium rate increases by paying an up-front fee – coupled with an increased claims experience (the district’s past costs of workers compensation claims) – Mitchell opted to look at other insurance carriers.

He formed a committee drawn from employee groups that met over a number of months to review their options. A survey was also sent to employees.

“Blue Cross/Blue Shield was the unanimous choice,” Mitchell said. “I’ve never been as excited about an insurance proposal as I was this one.”

The new insurance plan includes a four-tier structure – meaning that four different plans are available to employees including individual, individual and spouse, individual and child or children and family – and a board-paid base plan that offers the choice of a PPO or an HMO.

Mitchell said doctor and hospital crossover was one of the biggest concerns in finding a new carrier.

“Maybe all but one of the top 25 physicians from our employees’ perspective are represented with Blue Cross/Blue Shield,” Mitchell said. “Same thing with hospital crossover. We wanted to make sure our employees have access to the same hospitals.”

The district will also continue full benefits for employees for dental, long-term disability and life insurance. The premium increase for those benefits is estimated to be three percent.

Mich. High Court Says Gay Partners Cant Get Health Benefits

A same-sex marriage ban prevents governments and universities in Michigan from providing health insurance to the partners of gay workers, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

The 5-2 decision affects up to 20 universities, community colleges, school districts and governments in Michigan with policies covering at least 375 gay couples.

Gay rights advocates said the ruling was devastating but were confident that public-sector employers have successfully rewritten or will revise their benefit plans so same-sex partners can keep getting health care.

The ban, a constitutional amendment approved in November 2004, says the union between a man and woman is the only agreement recognized as a marriage "or similar union for any purpose."

The court ruled that while marriages and domestic partnerships aren't identical, they are similar because they're the only relationships in Michigan defined in terms of gender and lack of a close blood connection.

Voters "hardly could have made their intentions clearer," Justice Stephen Markman wrote, citing the law's "for any purpose" language.

Dissenting Justices Marilyn Kelly and Michael Cavanagh countered that statements made by backers of the measure before the election suggest they only intended to prohibit gay marriage, not take away employment benefits.

The dissent also noted that gay partners who qualify for health care aren't given other benefits of marriage — equal rights to property, for instance.

"It is an odd notion to find that a union that shares only one of the hundreds of benefits that a marriage provides is a union similar to marriage," Kelly wrote.

The ruling is believed to be one of the first from a state high court interpreting the scope of gay marriage bans.

Alaska courts ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny benefits. Ohio courts found that domestic violence laws don't conflict with a ban on gay marriage.

Numerous states however have yet to grapple with how their gay marriage bans apply to same-sex partner benefits.

At least 27 states have passed constitutional bans, mostly since 2004 in response to gay marriages being performed in Massachusetts. At least 18 of those states, including Michigan, have broader amendments that also prohibit the recognition of civil unions or same-sex partnerships.

"It's a sad day in Michigan when we decide which children and which families are valuable enough to cover," said Tom Patrick, 50, who gets health insurance through his partner, Dennis Patrick, a professor at Eastern Michigan University.

The Patricks joined 20 other gay couples and filed a lawsuit in 2005 when Republican Attorney General Mike Cox interpreted Michigan's measure as making unconstitutional same-sex benefits at the city of Kalamazoo and elsewhere.

Sixteen plaintiffs worked for employers who offered same-sex benefits. Another five were employed by the state, which in 2004 agreed to start providing same-sex benefits but delayed them until courts could clear up their legality.

Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration is reviewing the ruling.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, which represented the couples, said the ruling was "flawed and unfortunate" and pledged to work with public employers to write "neutral" policies to ensure continuing health coverage.

It remains to be seen whether the revised policies will be challenged in court.

Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan and co-writer of the 2004 measure, said the legality of the new policies depends on whether they're written broadly enough to cover many other unmarried employees.

The ACLU is weighing whether a federal lawsuit is warranted, while Cox applauded the decision.

Banning Genetic Discrimination

Business groups support the purpose of the law but worry about the unintended consequences that may ensue from the restrictions on information about genetic information. The bill leaves open the possibility that employers can be sued for just receiving -- not acting upon -- a worker's genetic information.

The bill President George W. Bush will sign outlawing employment and health-insurance discrimination based on genetic information passed the House and Senate by overwhelming votes. But the legislation's political popularity cloaks its potential unintended consequences.

"I think the business community has done an excellent job of pointing out the potential pitfalls, some of which have been addressed, others not; but it is extremely difficult to anticipate the theories that creative plaintiff's lawyers and bureaucrats will construct to try to lead this law into unintended areas that do little or nothing to advance its purposes," says Dan Yager, senior vice president and general counsel of the HR Policy Association.

The Senate passed the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act by a vote of 95-0 on April 24 after purportedly strengthening some language that protects insurance companies from excessive lawsuits.

The bill was then sent back to the House, which approved a previous version by a vote of 420-3, for a second vote on May 1, for which the outcome was not in doubt. Bush has agreed to sign the final bill.

The final version leaves open the possibility that employers could be sued for receiving an employee's genetic information, even if that information is never used.

Burt Fishman, counsel for the business coalition that lobbied for changes in the bill, a group that includes the U.S. Chamber and the Society for Human Resource Management, says, "Under the bill, genetic information may lawfully be acquired from some sources -- such as Family and Medical Leave Act medical certifications and workers' compensation forms -- whereas the same information from more likely sources -- such as employer-provided sick or family leave that is not FMLA-qualifying, ADA accommodations or discussions regarding health insurance coverage under HIPAA or COBRA -- is not allowed."

Fishman says he is not sure what employers can or should do differently now that GINA has been enacted. "On the basis of all the available evidence, genetic discrimination exists principally in the minds of the advocates for this bill," he says. "Forty-one states have laws prohibiting it and there has yet to be a case, anywhere. I believe SHRM and others have surveyed their memberships and learned that not only do employers not consider genetic history in employment decision, but most employers, who do have other things on their minds, have little understanding of what is at issue.

"HIPAA has banned the use of genetic information in group health insurance," he continues, "so, despite the fear-mongering, almost everyone in the U.S. with health insurance has had no reason to be concerned on that front. As I believe I stated in my testimony, this is a remedy in search of a problem."

The bill, in one form or another, has kicked around Congress for more than a decade, sometimes passing one chamber but never the other in the same year. That failure was attributable to concerns about the bill's language from both the health insurance industry and the employer community.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who had held up consideration of the bill on the Senate floor for the past year, forced the bill's sponsors to accept an amendment, which was meant to address health insurance company liability concerns, prior to the Senate vote on April 24.

At hearings in a House committee on Jan. 30, 2007, Fishman, counsel to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Employment Coalition, noted a number of reservations about the bill. He emphasized that the business groups supported the bill's objective -- to prevent discrimination -- but explained that the groups were concerned about unintended consequences, especially because there have been very few employee lawsuits in this area.

Should There Be Free Access To The Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Girls may be given free access to the emergency contraceptive pill at their local Auckland pharmacies in a bid to reduce teen pregnancies and abortions.

The medicine can already be sold by many pharmacists without a doctor's prescription, including to girls without parental consent.

Mental Health An Auckland District Health Board committee will consider a staff proposal to make the pill free through community pharmacies in Auckland city.

I do agree that you have a point there. Mental Health It may be true that boys would not always remember to take a male pill but I do think that it would be good if we could somehow make contraception an equal responsibility and not solely the women's job as with the pill and MAP. Perhaps if they could invent the male equivalent of the deproprovera injection and make it available as an option for young men.

New Zealanders Missing Out On Orgasms

New Zealanders Missing Out On Orgasms


New Zealanders are missing out when it comes to having orgasms - only 52% manage to achieve one almost every time they have sex.

We are also behind our trans-Tasman neighbours in the orgasm department, with 58% of Australians stating they orgasm each time they have sex.

Results from the latest Durex Sexual Wellbeing Survey show that, globally, the Italians, Spanish, Mexicans and South Africans are the most likely to climax almost every time with 66% usually managing to hit the spot. Up to 65% of Brazilians say they usually orgasm each time they have sex.

However New Zealanders are more likely to feel the earth move more often than the Chinese or lovers from Hong Kong (both 24%) who are the least likely to achieve orgasm almost every time, with the Japanese (27%) not having much more success either.

These eye-watering statistics are the latest findings from the Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey, which has been examining the sexual behaviour and attitudes of men and women across the globe.

They show that, far from being just the peak of sexual pleasure, the humble orgasm is also the key to feeling good about yourself. Quite simply, the more orgasms you have the better you feel in general.

The survey found that, globally, 58% of those who usually achieve orgasm were content with the emotional aspects of their sex life compared with 29% of those who rarely climax.

New Zealanders, however, are feeling some of the benefits of orgasm - 76% of Kiwis who frequently orgasm feel at ease with ourselves sexually, but only 49% of us are happy with our psychological health.

Contrast this with the rest of the world: 74% of French people who usually orgasm enjoy good psychological health, while nine in ten (88%) Spaniards feel at ease with themselves sexually.

And while 72% of New Zealand males almost always climax during sex, only 35% of women almost always achieve orgasm. Women are also more likely to reach orgasm through masturbation.

Those who regularly feel the earth move say their relationship with their other half is strong. Eight in 10 people (77%) who frequently orgasm feel close to their partner during sex – a figure that falls to 54% for those who have difficulty hitting the spot.

Durex New Zealand Manager, David Rae says: “The Durex Sexual Wellbeing Survey shows that having a fulfilling sex life contributes to our overall sense of wellbeing and general health, and that orgasms can play an important part in achieving this. We have also demonstrated the factors that are most likely to help us achieve this."

The survey found that there are several steps that can improve the number and intensity of orgasms:

Massage can be effective – 72% of New Zealanders who achieve regular orgasms have embraced the power of sensual touch compared with 65% of those who don’t climax regularly.

Sex toys such as vibrators greatly enhance the quality of orgasms for women - those using them are more likely to report being fully satisfied with the intensity of their orgasm.

Taking your time can have an impact on the quality of orgasms. Those New Zealanders who are fully satisfied with the intensity of their orgasm spend on average 2.7 more minutes on foreplay than those who aren’t.

Spend more time alone with our partners – Health Insurance even 48% of those who orgasm regularly would like more protected time with their loved one.

International sexual health expert, Dr Kevan Wylie, said: "While orgasms aren’t the be all and end all of sex, regularly achieving orgasms that we are happy with improves our emotional and overall wellbeing, as well as our bond with our partner. It can also help to reduce life’s stresses and, ideally, people should try to have them regularly.

The research was conducted among 26,000 people in 26 countries, who were questioned on key aspects of their sex lives: health, general wellbeing, education, beliefs, sex and relationships, attitudes to sex and social circumstances.

Florida Doctor Had Been Accused Of Sexual Battery

Additional information concerning a Florida physician charged with drug conspiracy has surfaced reporting that in April 2007 he was charged with attempted sexual battery on an intern at the medical office where he worked.

Dr. Roger Browne, 52, was arrested in Florida in April and accused of being the ringleader in the trafficking of illegal prescription drugs into six Kentucky counties including Rowan, Carter and Elliott.

Medical files for nearly 500 Kentucky residents were discovered April 14 at American Health and Rehabilitation, the office where Dr. Roger A Health Insurance. Browne worked and is accused of being the ringleader in the trafficking of illegal prescription drugs.

Browne was indicted April 3 by a Federal grand jury in Lexington. According to the indictment, Browne conspired with others “to knowingly and intentionally distribute oxycondone” in several northeastern Kentucky counties.

A call was made Wednesday to the Boward County Sheriff’s Office in Florida to inquire about a previous arrest on Browne. Police said Browne allegedly on April 12, attempted sexual battery against an intern at American Health and Rehabilitation.

According to a media report, Browne and the intern went out to a local restaurant for appetizers and drinks after closing the office. At approximately 11 p.m. they two returned to the office parking lot. While in Browne’s vehicle, he made several alleged advances on the female, including fondling the victim

The female reported the incident to police, and Browne was arrested by the Coral Springs Police Department and released on bond May 8. Health Insurance A trial in the matter is set for June 23.

During a detention and removal hearing April 21 in Florida, Judge Robin Rosenbaum said she was aware of the April 13 arrest. “Because no trial in this matter has yet occurred, I have not considered the nature of the offense charged or the fact that the defendant was charged with a felony in that case in assessing danger to the community. Rather I find the sole relevance of this information to pertain to the fact that the defendant is alleged to have committed the instant offense while out on bond in another case," Rosenbaum stated during the court hearing.

A call was made Friday to the American Health and Rehabilitation to inquire about Browne's employment at the center. Health Insurance A person named "Rovona" answered the call but refused to give his last name or to cooperate. The reporter addressed herself and told Rovon she was seeking information about Browne and asked Rovon's last name. “I don’t have to give you my name,” he said.

He was then asked for the name of his supervisor. “I don’t have to give you the supervisor’s name either,” he said. He did agree to take a message for the supervisor. Rovon was asked to have the supervisor call The Morehead News with the answers to the following questions: (1) The length of time that Browne was employed at American Health and Rehabilitation. (2) Why he remained employed as a physician after being arrested and charged with sexual battery on the intern. (3) How he allegedly was involved in prescribing illegal pain medication to nearly 500 Kentucky residents without no one at the clinic having any knowledge.

As of Monday morning no one from American Health Rehabilitation had returned the call. Browne is expected to be extradited by to Kentucky to face the federal indictment within the next few days.

Girls To Be Given Free Access To Morning After Pill

Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) will consider a staff proposal tomorrow, to provide free access to the emergency contraceptive pill, or morning after pill, at local pharmacies, The New Zealand Herald reports.

At the moment the pill is sold at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, for around $35, without parental consent.

ADHB planning and funding manager Wendy Hoskin said the aim of the proposal was to reduce the level of teenage pregnancies and the impact they had on families and the community.

People given the Levonelle 1 pill by their pharmacist would also be offered a packet of condoms and a pamphlet on sexual health and contraception.

The $300,000 scheme was a pilot that would run until the money was spent, which could take a year.

Depending on how many people used the service, a move could be made to make the service permanent, ADHB said.

A similar Waikato health board scheme for women and girls under 25, set up last year to try to reduce teenage pregnancy and abortions, aims to supply the emergency pill for free to nearly 3000 people a year through pharmacies.

Families First spokesman Bob McCoskrie said giving free access to the emergency pill at pharmacies would exclude parents.

"Making it free and even more accessible is going to continue to alienate parents from the role they should be involved in."

Stop Blaming The Insurers

Here's what's not in dispute: The United States spends 16 percent of its national income on health care, more than any other country in the world. In return, we get lower life expectancy than most other Western countries, uneven care, and enormous anxiety about how to pay for it.

Who's to blame? Not the hospitals and doctors, or the health care consumers (that is, us) who insist on expensive and questionable elective procedures. It's big health insurers—isn't it? Easy enough: Our interactions with them are impersonal, their political clout is substantial, and their names and logos look and sound like they came out of focus-group hell.

Alas, the slice of our enormous health care costs that can reasonably be laid at the insurers' doorstep is much, much smaller than most people believe. The debate about health care tends to be informed by three notions about health insurance:

* The profits of private insurers are so big that cutting them out would meaningfully lower costs.
* Private insurance clearly costs more than a government-run system such as Medicare.
* Mergers that have created a small number of huge and powerful insurers increase health care costs.

This is the most pervasive and most crowd-pleasing of the health care myths. The profits of the big health insurance companies are central to the rhetoric of the health care debate, figuring heavily in the Democratic primary campaign. Barack Obama's platform includes a promise to force insurers to spend enough on care "instead of keeping exorbitant amounts for profits and administration." Michael Moore, the director of Sicko, has hammered the point repeatedly, thundering about how insurers maximize profits by "providing as little care as possible."

The problem here is that between them the five biggest health insurers—UnitedHealthCare, Wellpoint, Aetna, Humana, and Cigna—which cover 105 million members, last year had profits between them of $11.8 billion. This is not a small number; these are very profitable companies. But total U.S. health care costs last year were in the area of $2.3 trillion.

So, with a membership that included a little more than half of the Americans covered by private insurance, these five insurers' profits came to 0.5 percent of total health care costs. (One interesting point of comparison: In 2006, the income earned by the 50 biggest nonprofit hospitals alone came out at $4 billion.)

Critics also argue that insurance companies pass along excessive administrative costs to their customers. Wellpoint, for instance, spends 18 percent of the premiums it takes in on sales and administrative costs. That represents a real concern but merely raises the next question: Can a government-run program that cuts out insurers do it for less?

Myth No. 2: Evidence from Medicare shows that a government program can provide the same services for less than the insurers.

A common argument raised in support of a national "single payer" health insurance system is the experience of Medicare Advantage, a program that gives seniors the option of replacing traditional Medicare with private insurers' HMO or "preferred provider" network plans. Nine million of the 44 million people Medicare covers have signed up. A well-publicized report by the Commonwealth Fund calculated the cost of these plans at 12 percent more than traditional Medicare. This number was picked up by the New York Times' Paul Krugman as an illustration of the excessive costs of private insurance. More recently, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank, has estimated the greater cost of Medicare Advantage as more than $1,000 a year extra per beneficiary.

These accurate numbers miss the fact that Medicare Advantage's design virtually guarantees that it will be more expensive than traditional Medicare. The reason for this, however, is not the excessive cost of having private insurers administer the plans. It's the cost of inducements that government has offered seniors to join them.

The original idea behind Medicare Advantage was to reduce costs by pushing seniors into HMOs that would be able to rein in health care costs. The big incentive for seniors to join the plans is supplemental coverage similar to what's offered by Medigap plans.

The government pays insurers more than the costs of Medicare, but most of that money is (and must be, by mandate) returned to members in the form of lower deductibles and co-payments. Yes, Medicare Advantage HMO programs do cost the government more than standard Medicare.