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CDC Campaign Targets MRSA Infections

2008-09-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

A national campaign to teach parents how to protect kids from skin infections caused by dangerous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria was launched this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MRSA, a type of staph bacteria that's resistant to certain antibiotics, can cause severe infections in people in hospitals and other health care facilities. It can also cause skin infections in healthy people who haven't recently been hospitalized, the CDC said.

Each year, Americans make more than 12 million visits to doctors for skin infections typical of those caused by staph infections. In some areas of the United States, MRSA accounts for more than half of such skin infections.

The new National MRSA Education Initiative highlights specific measures parents can take to protect themselves and their families from MRSA skin infections. The campaign will include Web sites, fact sheets, brochures, posters, radio and print public service announcements, mom blogging sites, Web banners, and mainstream media interviews. Information will also be shared through community and school groups, professional organizations, faith-based groups, and national health conferences.

MRSA is spread through direct contact with an infection, sharing personal items such as towels or razors that have touched infected skin, or by touching surfaces contaminated by MRSA.

Parents need to teach children about the signs and symptoms of MRSA skin infections, which appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that may be red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, or contain pus or other drainage. Fever may be another symptom.

The CDC said parents also need to help children keep their cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage and encourage children to have good hand washing and general hygiene habits.

"Well-informed parents are a child's best defense against MRSA and other skin infections. Recognizing the signs and receiving treatment in the early stages of a skin infection reduces the chances of infection becoming severe or spreading," Dr. Rachel Gorwitz, a pediatrician and medical epidemiologist with CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, said in an agency news release.

Special Dyes and Lighting Kill MRSA, Research Shows

2008-09-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

A new kind of paint that releases titanium dioxide when exposed to fluorescent light and a green dye for wounds that gives off toxic molecules when activated by near-infrared light could both kill the deadly superbug known as MRSA, two new studies claim.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . It's a strain of staph that's resistant to many antibiotics commonly used to treat it, and it can be fatal. Both reports were presented Tuesday at the Society for General Microbiology Autumn meeting at Trinity College in Dublin.

In the first study, British researcher Lucia Caballero, from Manchester Metropolitan University, found that paint that contained particles of titanium dioxide killed bacteria when it absorbed ultraviolet light.

"If this turns out, the impact is sure to be positive in the area of health," Caballero said.

The same reaction occurs when paints containing titanium dioxide are exposed to infrared light. The researchers found that the paint containing titanium dioxide successfully killed bacteria when the concentration of these nanoparticles was stronger than the normal paint. In fact, they found that all E. coli were killed with fluorescent lights.

"There are many circumstances where it is necessary or desirable to remove or to kill microorganisms found in a biological host or on surfaces," Caballero said. "Maintenance of hygienic standards is essential in hospitals, pharma and the food industry. Surface hygiene could be improved by the action of fluorescent light on catalytic surfaces, such as paints containing nanotitanium, for retarding contamination and saving on cost of cleaning maintenance."

In the second report, Dr. Ghada Omar, from University College London, found that 99 percent of the MRSA bacteria in infected wounds could be killed using a green dye that gives off toxic molecules when activated by infrared light.

"The chemicals produced when the dye is activated harm the bacteria in such a wide variety of ways that it is unlikely bacteria could ever develop resistance to the treatment," Omar said in a statement. "This makes it ideal, and possibly the only option, for treating infections with multiple drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA."

Infected wounds are a major problem for thousands of hospital patients. Up to 9 percent of hospital-acquired infections occur during surgery and contribute to 77 percent of deaths from operations. These infections increase the length of time patients remain in hospital and increase costs, Omar noted.

Dr. Pascal James Imperato, Dean and Distinguished Service Professor of the Graduate Program in Public Health at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, said a lot more work needs to be done before these technologies become practical.

"It's very much in the experimental stage at this point," Imperato said. "It's an interesting new development, but one is going to have to see many more studies to determine whether or not this is really going to work."

Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine, thinks that basic cleanliness can do more to remove the threat of hospital infections than these new technologies.

"This technology is very promising, Health but it gets us away from the real issue, which is that we have a problem with cleanliness and sterility in hospitals," Siegel said. "The real issue is that doctors don't change their coats, change their gloves enough. We are not using hand wipes."

U.S. Barred 33 TB-Infected People From Flying Over Past Year

2008-09-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

Thirty-three would-be air travelers with suspected or confirmed infectious tuberculosis were placed on the U.S. government's public health "Do Not Board" list in the first year of its existence, a federal report released Thursday showed.

Authorized under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, the list was instituted on June 1, 2007 by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security, according to an article in the Sept. 19 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , a CDC publication.

"Before June 2007, we had a system to prevent travel which was mostly based on local action," explained Dr. Francisco Alvarado-Ramy, co-author of the report and a CDC quarantine public health officer based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. "We have moved from predominantly a decentralized system to a centralized one We're formally tapping all U.S. government resources which add additional layers of protection to prevent persons with serious communicable diseases which pose a serious public health threat from boarding the plane."

In the year after institution of the list, U.S. state and local or territorial health departments asked the CDC to include 42 people on the list, all of whom had confirmed or suspected tuberculosis (TB), including multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. In the end, 33 individuals met the criteria to be placed on the list. The most requests (seven) came from Texas, followed by California (five).

The issue gained prominence in 2007 after a Georgia man who flew to Europe for his wedding was subsequently quarantined after it was discovered that he had XDR TB. That highly visible case "highlighted some of the vulnerabilities to the existing system," said Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC's director of division of global migration and quarantine.

Almost half of those barred from flights over the past year were citizens of countries designated by the World Health Organization as TB "high-burden" countries. Two of the individuals on the list were known to have attempted to evade U.S. air travel restrictions, although it is unclear what, exactly, this meant.

The CDC reviews the list on a monthly basis, determining who is eligible for removal -- once a person is deemed to be no longer contagious, his or her name is removed from the Do Not Board list within 24 hours, the report's authors said. Between June 2007 and May 2008, 55 percent of the 33 people on the list were removed either because they were no longer contagious or did not have TB. Those removed had been on the list for a median of 26 days. Those persons not removed from the list had been on the list for a median of 72 days.

Officials said they are on the look-out for "diseases of consequence," such as SARS, TB, a pandemic strain of influenza and hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, Cetron said.

Is There a Doctor in the House Physician Liability Fears and the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

2008-09-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

The physicians who provide medical care to nursing home residents do so as facility medical directors and as attending physicians. These physicians are personally at risk of malpractice litigation and liability, Fairly Health even for patient care when the physician is not present at the facility, in addition to the facilities’ institutional risk regarding resident care. In recent years, a widespread perception has arisen among nursing home physicians that this legal environment is becoming increasingly intimidating and constricting.

In 2007 the California HealthCare Foundation partnered with The Commonwealth Fund to support Professor Marshall Kapp of Southern Illinois University in a study of nursing home physician anxiety about legal liability.

The project examined the psychological aura of legal risk among nursing home physicians and its effect on the quality of medical care and quality of life for nursing home residents, including physician unwillingness to practice in nursing homes; premature or unnecessary resident transfers to hospitals; excessively or insufficiently aggressive medical treatment; Fairly Health and infringement on the autonomy of residents. The study included a review of relevant literature and laws, plus interviews with nursing home professionals drawn from practice, private organizations, and academia.

The study examined:

* The origins and nature of the climate of apprehension among physicians;
* The extent to which the anxieties are justified by the actual risks confronted;
* The relationship between the liability insurance landscape and physicians’ concerns; and
* The effects of these physician anxieties on the quality of care and quality of life of nursing home residents.

Health Minister Praise For Life-Saving Rbh

2008-09-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Health Minister praised Royal Berkshire Hospital for potentially saving 13,000 women’s lives a year when he opened its sexual health and breast-screening clinic.

Secretary of State for Health The Rt Hon Alan Johnson praised the hard work of staff and said it was a monumental achievement for Reading to get 82 per cent of its female population to go for breast screening.

The number of people going through the doors into the sexual health clinic every week has doubled since it moved to Craven Road.

Mr Johnson said: “The centre is very friendly and welcoming and the staff are attentive.

This makes a huge difference to people coming into the unit, and it is thorough in its work.

“People are very lucky to have this kind of service so we want even more people to come along and get tested or screened.

“Patients can now be seen within 48 hours and the walk-in service at the sexual health clinic means that it is convenient for an even wider range of people.

“We are living in a society where people live longer and there have been huge advances in medical science, the death rate from breast cancer in particular has dramatically decreased from 50 per cent to 80 per cent as a result of effective screening and early treatment.

“The centre has been the result of a ￡2.5 million investment and has transformed the sexual health facilities from a hidden away portacabin was built in 1966, to this spectacular bright and airy space on the main road so people are aware of its existence.

“I think there can be a complacency about sexual health, especially among young people, but with a clinic like this, people are more open to the idea of getting help and advice against sexually transmitted infections.

“There has been a rise in infections like gonorrhoea and HIV and it is so important for facilities, like this one to exist.”

Alan Tang, consultant physician for contraceptive services at the hospital, said the centre had been a huge asset to the hospital and that since it moved it has increased the number of people seen in a week from 220 to 390.

Govt, LG Partner On Road Rehabilitation

2008-09-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

Chairman, Igbo-Eze North Local Government, Hon Chijioke Ugwu has said efforts were on by the council to partner with the state government on rehabilitating bad rural roads in the area.

Noting that the state of dilapidation of the roads have made transportation difficult for the rural dwellers in the area health centres, Ugwu said his administration was determined to ensure that the problem is addressed by partnering with the state government.

He disclosed that the road rehabilitation would be in line with the ongoing road reconstruction in the state capital being embarked upon by Governor Sullivan Chime.

Ugwu who spoke with THISDAY shortly after the commissioning of projects executed by his council said a number of community roads requiring urgent attention has been identified and would soon be tackled.

"We are also proposing to construct the border road between Igboeze South and North which hopefully I intend to seek the assistance and partnership of the state government, and if possible not just grading the road but asphalting it so as to make it more solid", health centres he said.

Chime had during the commissioning of the projects in the local government charged council chairmen to always make the state government's 4-point agenda their guiding principles.

The governor who was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Government , Prof Frank Asogwa on the commissioning ceremony expressed satisfaction with what he saw on the ground in the local government.

He however charged the council chairman to keep the flag flying, adding that council chairmen have no excuse not to perform since they have been receiving their federal government monthly statutory allocations untouched.

Among the projects commissioned by the governor were newly constructed and renovated health centres, primary school classroom blocks and electricity projects.

Chime reiterated the commitment of his administration towards transforming the entire state including the rural areas health centres.

Ugwu attributed his achievements since assuming office as a result of non interference of the state government with their monthly federal statutory allocations.

Health care workers begin one-day strike at O'Connor hospital

2008-08-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of health care workers began a 24-hour strike over contract negotiations this morning at five Daughters of Charity Health System hospitals through the state, including in Daly City, San Jose, Moss Beach and Gilroy.

Members of the Service Employees International Union United Health Care Workers-West started the strike at 6 a.m. today, union spokesman Mason Stockstill said. The affected facilities include Seton Medical Center in Daly City, O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, Seton Coastside in Moss Beach and hospitals in Gilroy and Los Angeles.

Julie Hatcher, vice president of human resources at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, estimated that between 50 and 60 workers were striking in front of the hospital this morning, and that 40 percent of union workers crossed the picket line.
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She said an estimated 60 replacement workers were hired at O'Connor Hospital for the strike.Contract negotiations began in March for the five hospitals and Hatcher said there is currently no date set to get back to the bargaining table.

Questions of care, health and our future

2008-08-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

For the Scottish Government, Scotland's changing demographics is far from being the taboo subject you suggest in your leader comment of August 27.

We have already committed to providing an additional ￡40m to further improve care services. In partnership with Cosla, we are working to improve the clarity and delivery of the free personal and nursing care policy, for example on matters such as charging for food preparation and access to services. We are engaged in considering how we can ensure over the coming years that vulnerable older people - our relatives, friends, neighbours and future selves - can continue to receive the care and support they need. All local authorities and their health board partners are engaged with their communities to consider how to restructure services to better meet the needs of our ageing population in the future.

Your story reflects a common misunderstanding: that the total growth in spending on personal and nursing care services for older people arises solely from the free personal and nursing care policy. As Lord Sutherland so clearly outlined in his independent analysis of the policy earlier this year, due to Scotland's ageing population, even without the policy to remove charges from some care services, the demand for and costs of care services would be increasing.

Everyone knows we can afford free personal care if we really want it. In 2006, the Health Select Committee at Westminster had in mind the Scottish example when it stated: "It is clearly for governments to decide their own spending priorities. However, we maintain that, with political will, the resources could be found to fund free personal care".

How true. As a volunteering charity working to practically support older people in the community, WRVS believes we should spend less time fretting with the bean-counters and bureaucrats and more time focusing on the wellbeing of older people that a social care policy such as free personal care secures.

The committee also said: "The question of what is health and what is social care is one to which we can find no satisfactory answer, and which our witnesses were similarly unable to explain in meaningful terms". Perhaps if we all began to accept that free personal care is as much a health question as it is anything else, we'd be more sanguine about rising costs. After all, do any of us want anything other than a healthy, happy old age?

Walgreens Offers Medication Advice Ahead of Potential Hurricane Gustav

2008-08-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

As Tropical Storm Gustav moves toward the Gulf of Mexico and threatens to develop into a hurricane, Walgreens is offering Gulf Coast residents tips on refilling their prescription medications should they need to evacuate.

To help pharmacy patients prepare for any potential evacuations, Walgreens suggests the following:
1. If you evacuate, get to a safe location first and refill your medication at a pharmacy there. This allows you to avoid potentially long lines at your local pharmacy, and you won't needlessly delay your evacuation. Walgreens has more than 6,300 locations nationwide, and all pharmacies can access your patient record, making any Walgreens your neighborhood Walgreens. Patients can find the nearest store by calling 1-800-WALGREENS or going to Walgreens.com.

2. Take a waterproof bag with your current medication - even if the bottle is empty. The information on the bottle label will help the pharmacist refill your medicine once you arrive at your destination. Heat, humidity and sunlight can degrade the effectiveness of medicine, so try to protect it from extreme weather conditions.

3. Keep a written record of your current prescriptions in your valuable papers file. If you're taking several prescription drugs, it's an especially good idea to keep a record of your current dosage and doctor's contact information. Walgreens patients can register online at Walgreens.com and print out this information directly from their patient profile.

The Summer Institute in Tropical Medicine and Public Health

2008-08-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

This eight-week summer program is designed to provide training in tropical medicine and related public health issues through a multidisciplinary approach. It is also designed to prepare participants for working with current and emerging health problems in developing countries and health problems of travelers.

This program focuses broadly on issues of tropical health and on clinical tropical medicine. Toward the program's conclusion, students will have acquired a strong scientific basis for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and controlling tropical health problems. The curriculum will consist of.

The Summer Institute in Tropical Medicine and Public Health will be held from June 23 - August 15, 2008. Courses are available for academic credit and non-credit.

School Of Public Health And Tropical Medicine

2008-08-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine seeks candidates for the combined position of Chair of the Department of Tropical Medicine and the William G. Vincent Professor of Tropical Diseases.

Tropical Medicine is one of seven departments at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, the oldest school of public health in the United States. The department has 8 full-time faculty, 9 associate faculty and offers Ph.D., Sc.D., M.S. and MSPH degrees, as well as degrees for health care professionals (MPH&TM and a clinical diploma in tropical and travel medicine).

The Department has strong research programs in infectious diseases, including vector-borne diseases, AIDS and several other areas with extensive global research and teaching activities in Latin America, Africa, and elsewhere. There are also strong ties and excellent growth opportunities with the Schools of Medicine, and Science and Engineering as well as the Tulane National Primate Research Center.

The candidate is expected to have a nationally and internationally recognized research program. This should include a strong track record in obtaining extramural research funding, publications in quality peer reviewed journals, and the ability to mentor junior faculty as they establish a research program.

In addition to outstanding research credentials, the candidate should have a documented record of leadership, administrative ability, and communication and teaching skills.

Another case of West Nile found in Illinois

2008-08-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting another case of human case of West Nile virus this year.

The Montgomery County Health Department says a woman in her 80s fell ill at the end of last month.

Earlier this month, state officials reported the first human case of West Nile virus this year. A woman in her 20s who became ill last month.

Last year Illinois had 101 human cases of the virus, including four deaths.

The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that pick up the infection from birds. Symptoms include fever, headache and body aches.

Health officials suggest avoiding mosquito bites by not going outside during hours when mosquitoes are most active, wearing insect repellant and making sure doors and windows are screened.

Patients out in cold after Balwyn North clinic closes

2008-08-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

HUNDREDS of eastern-suburbs patients will be left without a doctor when a Balwyn North clinic closes its doors this Friday.

The North Balwyn Family Medical Centre, which treats up to 400 patients a week, has been closed by Sydney-based Primary Health Care.

The closure follows Primary Health Care's acquisition and recent closures of former Symbion Health clinics in Box Hill South, Blackburn and Ferntree Gully.

Seven doctors, a nurse and paramedical staff were given redundancies "effective immediately" or told they would have to relocate last week.

Medical co-ordinator Richard Hince said staff were devastated.

"We had no warning," Dr Hince said.

"It's a total lack of concern for patient welfare."

Patient Lynne Jordan, who has taken her family to the centre for 13 years, was appalled.

"Does the corporate Primary Health even care?" Ms Jordan asked.

The Balwyn North resident was told to take her family to the Primary Health Care "supercentre" in Ringwood, almost 20km away, or Mont Albert. "What's going to happen to all the elderly patients who can't travel?" Ms Jordan asked.

Melbourne East General Practice Network deputy chairman Chris Pearce said surrounding doctors would not be able to cope with the influx of patients.

"This is what happens when you treat general practice as a commodity," Dr Pearce said.

He said the concept that the practices were not financially viable was "nonsense". Australian Medical Association Victoria president Doug Travis said the days of solo GPs and small clinics were over.

Patient dies after being left in chair 22 hours

2008-08-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

工A mental patient died after workers at a North Carolina hospital left him in a chair for 22 hours without feeding him or helping him use the bathroom, said federal officials who have threatened to cut off the facility's funding.

The state sent a team Tuesday to help Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro draft new procedures to ensure patients receive proper care.

An investigator's report released Monday found that 50-year-old Steven Sabock died in April after he choked on medication and was left sitting in a chair for close to a day at the facility about 50 miles southeast of Raleigh. Surveillance video showed hospital staff watching television and playing cards a few feet away Beauty Health.

Federal officials have threatened to cut off funding because of Sabock's death and a report that a physician punched a patient after the teen bit the doctor.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Tom Lawrence said the state team also may investigate what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken after Sabock's death.

Lawrence said the Sabock incident is isolated but that officials are concerned.

"It's not the kind of thing that we in our wildest dreams would expect to happen in our hospitals -- in our wildest nightmares, I guess," Lawrence said.

Sabock's father, Nicholas, declined comment when reached by telephone Tuesday evening. A man who answered the phone listed for Susan Sabock, Steven's wife Travel Health Insurance, hung up without commenting.

The investigation released Monday said Sabock died in April after Cherry Hospital nurses left him unattended in a chair and did not feed him or help him to the bathroom.

The report said Sabock sat, unattended, in the room for four work shifts. The report also found that Sabock, formerly of Roanoke Rapids, ate nothing the day he died and had little food in the three days preceding his death.

The state has until August 23 to file a report with the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services detailing what changes officials are making, Lawrence said.
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Farmer's markets are taking root in Southeast Alaska

2008-08-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

The idea of "eating locally" is not new to Southeast Alaskans: nearly everyone's diet includes at least some local fish, game and berries. At the same time, it is difficult to go grocery shopping without buying foods that have traveled hundreds - and often thousands - of miles to the shelves.

Throughout the country, farmer's markets aim to encourage people to eat more locally harvested foods. Along the way, they hope to promote healthier diets and strengthen communities.

Farmer's markets have existed for years in the Anchorage and Fairbanks areas, and they are now beginning to spring up in Southeast Alaska as well. Since 2006, Haines and Gustavus have had regular Saturday farmer's markets. This August Sitka and Juneau are joining the trend and hosting their first community-wide farmer's markets.

Organizers see a number of reasons why farmer's markets are important. Doug Osborne, health educator at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) in Sitka, named three main ones: health, sustainability and community.

Healthy foods, healthy communities

During the Sitka Health Summit held this spring, the idea of a farmer's market came up in a brainstorming session. A vibrant farmer's market featuring fresh fish and local produce ended up being the most popular idea brought up in the summit, which aimed to create a healthy community and improve the quality of life for Sitkans.

"The quality of produce is just so much better if you can grow it locally," said Linda Wilson, co-coordinator of the Sitka market. "The nutritional quality is higher and (local produce) will stay fresh longer."

Wilson hopes the farmer's markets will encourage everyone, especially young people, to develop healthier diets.

Much of the food found at farmer's markets is organically grown, Family Health but even if it's not, Alaskans-grown produce is less likely to be sprayed with pesticides, said Alison Arians with the South Anchorage farmer's market

Mother accuses mental health trust of signing her son's death warrant

2008-07-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

The family of a fitness instructor killed by a man with paranoid schizophrenia yesterday accused medical staff of in effect signing his death warrant. Matthew Carter, 22, was so badly disfigured by Sean Perry during a random attack two years ago he had to be identified by his DNA.

An independent report published yesterday criticised the care Perry received from the South West London and St George's mental health trust, highlighting a string of failures by those who were supposed to be looking after him.

Speaking after the findings had been released, Carter's mother, Johanne Caton, said the care offered to her son's killer had been "indescribably bad". "I'll never see my son again," she said. "I'll never be grandmother to his children and they've taken all that away from me."

The report into the killing revealed that Perry, who admitted manslaughter at the Old Bailey in 2006 and was detained indefinitely in Broadmoor maximum security hospital, had assaulted a community psychiatric nurse a year before killing Carter but had not been prosecuted.

The authors were concerned that witness statements were only taken three months after the "particularly serious" attack on the nurse. The report added that the failure to bring charges could have been a missed opportunity to tackle Perry's problems as it might have "encouraged him to address his condition and engage with treatment".

The report said Perry was "known to be capable of great violence" and presented a significant risk to others when acutely psychotic. But he was not referred for a forensic assessment because the community care staff looking after him believed this would have been of limited value.

There was also an over-reliance by health workers on using Perry's mother to monitor his progress despite her being "not adequately equipped" for this role. Caton said: "She was going to do anything to prevent him being sectioned. She is his mother. She shouldn't be left to make that decision."

Perry was twice a patient at the trust's Springfield hospital in Tooting but was discharged in June 2005. His family repeatedly warned that he was refusing to take anti-psychotic drugs and urged doctors to monitor him more closely.

The report criticised the fact that Perry had no face-to-face contact with his carers in the 10 weeks leading up to the killing, which happened in February 2006. He was arrested just before the killing for a driving offence and the report said his behaviour then had made the need for further assessment "absolutely clear". Caton said the report was the first time she had been given a comprehensive picture of what happened before the murder. "The more and more I read it, the worse it seems."

Thomas Wright, another of the trust's patients, stabbed his wife 77 times with a kitchen knife at their home in Tooting the same weekend that Carter was killed. Wright's GP had urgently referred him to the trust's local community mental health team a fortnight earlier, but he was not seen. It was also responsible for John Barrett, who killed retired banker Denis Finnegan in Richmond Park in 2004.

Yesterday Peter Houghton, chief executive of the trust, expressed his sympathy to the bereaved families. He said that since the attacks, the trust's mental health early intervention service has trebled in size, risk assessment had improved and staff had been given more training. He said the "terrible events" were an opportunity to stop such events happening again.

True To Form, Boomers Start A Fitness Revolution

2008-07-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

While Bogard's physical exploits are greater than the adventures of many his age, he has a lot of company among 43- to 61-year-old baby boomers -- the fastest-growing segment of the health-conscious crowd. Fitness experts say more boomers are realizing they need a regimen of cardio, strength, flexibility and balance training to enjoy a long, healthy retirement.

Some prefer exercising on their own or joining teams. Others prefer help available at gyms or clubs. The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association reports the number of members over age 55 in its 4,000 clubs climbed from 7.3 million to 7.9 million from 2000 to 2005.

Boomer classes also are popping up at gyms: In Indianapolis, Family Health Insurance there is Boomer Tai Chi for Arthritis and Boomer Low Impact Aerobics at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, and the dance-aerobic F.I.T. 50 class at the Westview Healthplex Sports Complex, Health Topics for example.

Family Health Insurance And if boomers think they can ease up on exercising as they age, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association beg to differ. Recently revised recommendations from the two groups say that daily fitness levels for all healthy adults ages 18 to 64 look the same: moderately intense cardio exercise 30 minutes daily five days a week, or vigorously intense cardio 20 minutes a day three days a week, plus eight to 10 strength-training exercises, 10-15 repetitions each, two to three times a week, as well as balance exercises.

Weight Watchers Vs. Fitness Centers

2008-07-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

In the first study of its kind, using sophisticated methods to measure body composition, the nationally known commercial weight loss program, Weight Watchers, was compared to gym membership programs to find out which method wins in the game of good health. A University of Missouri researcher examined the real-life experiences of participants to determine which program helps people lose pounds, reduce body fat and gain health benefits. The answer is that both have pros and cons and that a combination of the two produces the best results.

Health Insurance In addition, Ball said the study was novel because Computer Tomography (CT scans) were used to investigate changes in abdominal fat, which is more predictive of cardiovascular disease. Although the fitness center group lost very little weight, they probably improved their health because they lost a significant amount of intraabdominal fat (fat around vital organs). These results imply that exercise may have positive influence on the metabolic syndrome despite the number on the scale, Ball concluded.

“This study attempted to discover what takes place in the real world when overweight women attempt to lose weight.” Ball said. “I think the outcome of the study speaks volumes about the necessity for a multi-pronged approach in order to lose weight, body fat and gain health benefits. I hope that this will be the first in a series of studies investigating commercial weight-loss programs.”

Sex-Ed Clinic Headed To Hopkins High School

2008-06-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

As the parameters of sex education in schools are debated statewide, one suburban high school is making plans to begin an on-campus teen clinic that will offer pregnancy and STD screening and other services this fall.

Hopkins School District staff presented plans for a satellite office of the West Suburban Teen Clinic at Hopkins High to school board members during a recent meeting.

The Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts operate health clinics at several of their high schools, but experts say few suburban districts offer on-site reproductive health care.

"West Suburban [Teen Clinic] has been around a long time, and they're a good organization," said Brigid Riley, executive director of the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Planning. Riley said Minnesota was one of the first places in the country to have school-based clinics.

In Minnesota, minors have access to reproductive health care such as birth control or testing for sexually transmitted disease without parental consent. Even so, staff members assured Hopkins school board members that parents would be allowed to withhold consent for students to be seen at the clinic.

"We don't want to do anything that will harm the relationship between parents and schools or schools and students," said Terry Bosacker, executive director of the West Suburban Teen Clinic, which has an office in Excelsior.

Health Insurance Falling Short For More People

2008-06-14T23:27:00.000-07:00

People without health insurance risk potential financial disaster if they should need expensive medical care, but a growing number of underinsured Americans also find themselves on shaky financial ground.

Despite the U.S. economy's growth in the last five years, the number of people with health insurance who face high out-of-pocket medical expenses relative to their incomes has risen sharply since 2003, according to a new study.

More than 25 million working-age Americans were underinsured last year, up 60% from the 16 million who had inadequate coverage in 2003, according to a report from the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation in New York. The rate of underinsurance nearly tripled among middle- and higher-income families, those with at least $40,000 in family income.

"Lack of insurance is only one part of the problem, as even the insured have serious gaps in coverage," said Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund. "Insurance coverage is the ticket into the health-care system, but for too many, that ticket doesn't buy financial security or genuine access to care."

The upward trend in the underinsured rate reflects how much rising health-care costs have outpaced wage gains. Premiums for family coverage have jumped 78% since 2001, while wages have risen 19% and general inflation has gone up 17% in that time, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Researchers considered people who had coverage all year long underinsured if they had out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental and vision expenses that amounted to 10% or more of their total household income, or 5% if they were low income. People who had deductibles equal to or greater than 5% of their income also qualified as underinsured because of their potential financial exposure.

During 2007, 42% of adults, or 75 million people, were either uninsured or underinsured, up from one-third in 2003, according to the study of 2,616 people ages 19 to 64. It was published online Tuesday in the journal Health Affairs.

Employers burdened by rapidly rising health-care costs have been shifting more of those costs to workers or limiting benefits, the study found. The underinsured were more likely to have individual or small-group coverage, and those with employer-based health insurance were more likely to work in low-wage jobs or at small firms than their adequately insured counterparts. What's more, the underinsured were more likely to report paying high deductibles and many paid high annual premiums.

The underinsured often resembled the uninsured more so than the insured in their health-care choices and experiences. More than half of the underinsured -- 53% -- and 68% of the uninsured avoided needed care because of cost, compared with 31% of the adequately insured who went without, the study found. That includes not seeing a doctor when sick, not filling prescriptions and not getting recommended diagnostic tests or treatments.

About 45% of the underinsured reported difficulty paying medical bills, being contacted by collection agencies or changing their way of life to keep up on health-care payments, just shy of the 51% of uninsured who said the same.

In the U.S., even people with health insurance can rack up medical debt or face bankruptcy, said Cathy Schoen, senior vice president of the Commonwealth Fund. "As a nation we are losing ground. We need to move in new directions."

Leon Rousso, a certified financial planner in Ventura, Calif., who sells health insurance as part of his business, said he tries to place moderate-income people in health plans that have a sensible annual out-of-pocket maximum and reasonable coverage for their biggest potential out-of-pocket costs. Sometimes that means moving them to a higher deductible plan in exchange for lower premiums.

Health Insurance Is Only For Healthy

2008-06-14T23:26:00.001-07:00

You state, "Ostensibly, rescission is intended to protect insurers from people who lie about their health to get coverage. By guarding against fraud, the logic goes, insurance companies can keep costs down for people who don't cheat. That's fair enough."

Not really.

Pre-existing conditions preclude most insurance coverage. Insurance companies are dropping coverage when they learn someone is sick and they will not offer coverage if they know someone is sick. Insurance companies are in the premium-collection business, not the claims-payment business, and certainly not in the business of health care for sick people - it's bad for the bottom line.

The best way to keep health-care costs down is to eliminate the middleman, i.e., the insurance companies that pay bonuses to cancel policies.

At some point we must realize that compassion and common decency compels us to provide care to anyone who is suffering sickness or injury. Health insurance is only for the healthy.

Join Nurses In Protest Against Profit-Hungry Insurance Industry

2008-06-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC) are fighting back against insurance companies that care more about profits than people.

CNA/NNOC members, nurses, doctors, patients and Americans of every stripe will join in a national day of protest against insurance companies June 19. In more than 15 cities from Baltimore to Pittsburgh to San Antonio, workers will call for a quality, affordable health care system for all.

The largest protest is expected in San Francisco, where thousands will rally outside the annual convention of America’s Health Insurance Plans—the insurance industry lobbyists. To find out more or to join a protest in your area, click here.

We have noted many times that the nation’s health care system is in crisis. Not only are nearly 50 million people without health insurance, but a recent study shows some 25 million people who have insurance are finding it harder and harder to pay for it or are going without needed medical treatment because of the costs.

Saving Money On Organic Food

2008-06-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

As food prices continue to soar, consumers might find it tough to swallow premium prices for organic products. But you can save money if you're smart about buying organics.

Organic means the food is produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers or antibiotics and generally emphasizes using renewable resources and conserving soil and water. Consumers frequently buy organic food for environmental reasons and because they consider it to be more healthful.

Organic produce typically costs 25 percent to 100 percent more than nonorganic. That premium price becomes more difficult to manage when all food prices are rising so fast. Prices for organic food have been increasing along with those of conventional foods. Here are do's and don'ts when trying to save.

hat term on packaging has a lot less meaning than "organic," a term highly regulated by the Department of Agriculture. When price is an issue, don't pay extra for something called "natural" or "all natural."

Do pay for some fruits and vegetables. It's worth paying more for organic versions of some fruits and vegetables that retain pesticide residue even after you wash them. Pay for organic versions of peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organic research group.

Don't pay more for fruits and vegetables with thicker skins that have far less pesticide residue. The group said you can skip the organic onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli and papaya.

Do buy organic protein-rich foods. Meats, poultry, eggs and dairy products are worth buying as organics because they are free of pesticides, synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics.

Don't buy highly processed organics. Breads, oils, potato chips, pasta, cereals and other packaged foods, such as canned or dried fruit and vegetables, are probably not worth buying as organics unless price is no object, Consumer Reports said. Much of the health benefit of being organically produced has been processed out.

Do buy organic baby food. Baby food tends to be made from condensed fruits and vegetables, some of which might contain pesticides. Or make your own baby food from organic whole fruits and vegetables.

Do buy local. You can find organic food from local farmers markets and local producers. "The nice thing about it is it's not only fresher, but it's cheaper," said Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association.

Do try store brands. More supermarkets and large discounters such as Wal-Mart, are offering private-label organics, which are cheaper than name brands.

Do use coupons. Look for coupons for organic products in the Sunday newspaper or go online to the free coupon database at CouponMom.com and enter the search term "organic." Get coupons directly from organic producers' Web sites and sign up for their e-mail newsletters, which contain coupons, suggests Stephanie Nelson, who operates the CouponMom Web site. Examples are Organic Valley.com, SCOjuice.com, ColemanNatural.com, and Stonyfield.com. The site Healthesavers.com has printable coupons for some organic products.

Do cook at home with whole foods. Dining out less could easily make up the price difference between buying organics and nonorganics. And cooking with bulk, whole organic ingredients is cheaper than buying prepared organics.

"Cooking with whole-food ingredients is quite a bit cheaper than processed foods," Cummins said. "It takes more time, but it tastes better."

Nelson compared prices for organic bay leaves as a spice, which cost $3.49 at the supermarket but just 14 cents for the same amount from a local natural market Health Food.

Do grow your own. If you are the gardening type and have a backyard, grow your own vegetables to save some money and receive the side benefits of exercise and a regular hobby.

Webeat Shines Amid The Showers

2008-06-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

seems that the rainy season and WeBeat 2008 came at the same time, as opening night of the festival of arts and culture at the St James Amphitheatre was interrupted by rain more than once. Guests and patrons, however, held their ground, as did the artistes who still managed to deliver top-notch performances. Even the sound system, which was affected by the downpour, held out, allowing the show to move along in spite of the wet conditions.

WeBeat is produced by the Community Improvement Committee of St James and features a week-long series of activities, most of them at the amphitheatre.

Friday featured an evening of activities for children, including a puppet show, clowns, face painting and performances. This was followed by the preliminary round of the 5 Ah Side Steelpan competition. There was a cultural show at Harvard Sports Club on Saturday.

Friday's opening featured performances by calypsonians, Ninja, Luta and Trinidad Rio. Also performing were Soca Elvis, the Nirvana Dance Group and Chutney Band Karma among others.

The focus will be on health today when the WeBeat Health Day gets going from 10 a.m. at the St James Service Centre, where there will be free medical tests as well as demonstrations and performances.

Wal Mart Doing Well By Doing Good

2008-06-09T03:57:00.000-07:00

Wal-Mart used the occasion of its annual shareholder meeting Friday to crow about the achievements of the past year, which are considerable: sales, earnings and free cash flow have all been on the rise - at a time when most retailers are struggling.

The mood of the upbeat gathering at the University of Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena - part rock concert (Joss Stone and Tim McGraw were among the performers), part pep rally - contrasted with the darker days of H. Lee Scott's early years as chief executive, when Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) was battered by critics who accused the giant retailer of everything from gender discrimination to providing sub-par health care for its employees.

Over the past three years, Wal-Mart has set out to repair its image. It has improved employee benefits and used its great might to shrink prices even further - a strategy that is winning over cash-strapped customers.

A recent study by Goldman Sachs showed Wal-Mart to be the clear price leader on a variety of products, from health and beauty aids to food and household cleaners.

In the past year, the $374.5 billion in sales retailer has gone well beyond those parameters to address concerns of society as a whole, including environmentalism, where it is on a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of its stores, and the rising cost of health care with its $4 prescription drug plan.

"They want to know about our leadership on sustainability and health care," he said. "Leaders who want to get things done will see Wal-Mart as a partner."

Tech Helps Soldiers Cope With Invisible Wounds of War

2008-06-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

But finally, even the military is beginning to acknowledge the importance of sexuality as a crucial component of overall health. And as mental health professionals and policymakers gathered in Washington, D.C., last month for the Wounded Troops and Partners: Supporting Intimate Relationships conference, it became clear that technology is the key.

"Technology is allowing us to provide more services and to make services available to more people," says psychologist Barbara V. Romberg, Ph.D., founder of Give an Hour, which matches soldiers and their partners with volunteer mental health professionals. "We can do so many wonderful things we couldn't have done a decade ago. Think of the veterans who came back from Vietnam; they were isolated and alone. Maybe they were lucky to find someone who could help them, but it was so much harder."

One application in the works is eHART, an extensive online assessment tool developed by Sexual Health Network founder Dr. Mitchell Tepper and Chief Operations Officer Kelly J. Ace, Ph.D., J.D. The tool asks extensive and detailed questions about sexual functions, romantic relationships and general health history, then returns information tailored to you and a summary you can take to a health care provider -- if you want. None of the information is shared with anyone else unless you want to share it.

"People are more comfortable revealing sensitive information about sexuality to a computer than to a person," Tepper says. Especially when military approaches to sexual health are often delivered by people without any training in addressing sexual issues.

Many service members worry that admitting to mental or sexual health issues will negatively affect their military careers. It's especially difficult for young people to publicly address sex, as you don't have a lot of practice in your early 20s talking about relationship and sexual issues with partners, much less with doctors.

Domestic Abuse On The Rise In Massachusetts

2008-06-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Continuing an administration-wide commitment to combating domestic violence, Governor Deval Patrick today directed the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue a Public Health Advisory on domestic violence.Health Sexual In addition, he highlighted two public safety initiatives underway to help address domestic violence: strengthening training around domestic violence and sex crime for police officers at all levels and reviewing data from domestic violence homicides in the last three years to assemble a trend analysis.

Public health advisories are tools reserved for communicating urgent information to the public on critical health issues facing the community. Such advisories define the scope of the problem and provide important information on prevention and treatment. (See attached advisory). DPH will expand its effort to work with community-based domestic violence agencies to train every health care provider across Massachusetts to incorporate domestic violence screenings into their current practices.

"Today's announcements reflect the Patrick Administration's commitment to addressing the epidemic of domestic violence," said Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. "No single state agency can meet the needs of all victims and children. We need community engagement to prevent and address domestic and sexual violence. Coordination is crucial to assuring that our policies and resources are most effective in preventing harm to individuals, families, and communities."

Statewide Plan To Prevent Sexual Violence To Be Launched Friday

2008-06-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

More than 100 representatives from public and private organizations will gather on Friday, June 6, to celebrate completion of The Promise of Primary Prevention: A Five-Year Plan to Prevent Sexual Violence and Exploitation in Minnesota. The event also launches three action teams to address specific areas of the plan: 1) framing and messaging, 2) policy and legislation, and 3) data and research.

Strengthening social norms that encourage healthy and respectful relationships.

Identifying and training leaders across the state to educate people about prevention.

Ensuring that all voices are heard in order to prevent sexual violence

Implement and evaluate data and best practices for preventing sexual violence Health Sexual.

Officials from the Minnesota Department of Health announced last July that the costs of sexual assault in Minnesota were approximately $8 billion in 2005. Costs included medical and mental health care for victims, lost work and other quality-of-life issues, victim services, and criminal justice costs

Health And Wellness News

2008-06-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

A health insurance advocate group, Florida Health Insurance Web, reports more bad news for Florida residents. Florida has hit a new low, ranked close to the bottom of a new national survey on healthcare; just a spot above Oklahoma. The first-ever state-by-state health system report focused on children's health care and finds Florida's kids have limited access to health services, and higher than normal health insurance costs, those two facts, together with several others, now create the most depressing statistic of all, which said our children have little chance of 'Living a long healthy life.'

The state of Florida can't promote healthcare as being on the forefront of their minds: "Florida has one of the worst health care systems in the nation." And, chances are they won't run the ads that say: "Florida's kids visit the dentist less often than Alabamas kids." Nor will they run pictures of kids, and sailboats, and sunsets, with the slogan: "nearly 20 percent of our Florida's children have no insurance" They may try to forget all about those facts, but they are true. Florida health care system is in deep trouble according to the independent study group. The Florida Group Health Insurance market is has dwindled in the recent years. What are we going to do with all of these uninsureds? It is a tough report, said Kirsten Portrie (a health insurance consultant), but "if we do not address the reality of Florida's health care problem, we will never be able to fix it."

Florida can say 'it has better health care than Oklahoma' which ranked at the bottom of the Commonwealth Fund Report, according to Portrie, "Florida ranks #50 for health access, as well as last in the quality of health care category, last for highest medical costs -- and worst of the report, 'our children have the worst chance in America' to lead happy healthy lives."

The health care consultant said, "We have to look at which states are at the top of the list, to see what they are doing, and then implement that in Florida as soon as possible." The Commonwealth Fund Report reveals several states with above average health care; they are Iowa, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

According to Portrie, "millions of children across the country could have health insurance, and adequate health care; and could avoid treatment delays, if all states performed as well as Iowa, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire." What is going on with the Florida Health Insurance Crisis?

Portrie said, "Iowa and Vermont have created children's health care systems that are accessible, equitable, and deliver high-quality care, all while controlling levels of spending and family health insurance premiums." It is a strange day when Floridians consider relocating to Iowa to get better healthcare and live a happier healthier life, but that day may be here."

One common thread emerging from the healthcare report was "61% of children in New Hampshire, and 52% of all children in all the New England states, have a 'medical home', compared with only 20% in Florida. "a medical home is defined as, 'having at least one preventive medical care visit in the past year'"; being able to access needed specialist care and services; and having a personal doctor, or nurse who spends enough time and communicates clearly, provides telephone advice and urgent care when needed, and follows up after specialist care.

Fire Commentary: Fallout of Rising Health Insurance Premiums

2008-06-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

Like many others in law enforcement, I just want the facts when trying to understand the effect of health insurance premium increases. So do those in other safety occupations such as the fire service and corrections. Not only must you get the facts, but you must also to learn options available to counter health insurance premium increases. Premium increases are a fact of life, but if you do nothing, you will pay them. Unfortunately, premium increases are just the beginning.

If public employees are not proactive, they are at the mercy of those who formulate the local budget to address these increases. In some municipalities, retirees' fixed retirement pension may be even more severely affected. These former employees are often most vulnerable if they are separated from the governmental bargaining unit and left to face health insurance premium increases alone, and may have little or no alternative for health care.

Health insurance premium increases affect the municipal budget, and employees will be the first asked to make up the difference. If we are not prepared, we can blame only ourselves and will pay in more ways than just with our pocketbook.

Unless employee collective bargaining units and municipal negotiation teams come to terms during tough negotiation times, there can be a number of other potential consequences, whether a budget deficit is real or imagined. Budget shortfalls can result in fewer employees, reduced temporary help, cuts in overtime, reduced training, longer response times, and limited new capital improvements.

Global AIDS policy and women's health

2008-06-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

IN SPITE OF scientific and medical advances in recent years, the AIDS pandemic remains the greatest public health crisis of our time. Each day 6,000 people die of AIDS and there are 7,000 new infections. These statistics are difficult to comprehend until you see the faces of those most often affected - young women, between the ages of 15 and 24, living in sub-Saharan Africa.
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The United States could do a better job saving their lives if our leaders would place the best public health practices over political compromise. Congress should stipulate in its funding of overseas AIDS assistance that prevention, testing, and treatment of this disease should be linked with family-planning services in Africa. In many cases, US AIDS assistance is not provided at clinics with family-planning services because of conservatives' concern that such services might provide or advise on abortions.

Research has repeatedly shown that integration of HIV services within the context of women's health could save the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and, if pregnant, their newborns. The entry point to the healthcare system for many African women is the family-planning clinic. Timely access to messages on HIV prevention and life-saving treatments can slow the AIDS pandemic.

Three weeks ago I walked through a women's ward in the national referral hospital in Uganda with a local physician. I held the hand of a beautiful 18-year-old woman diagnosed with end-stage AIDS. Through the look of hope in her eyes, she begged not to be yet another statistic lost to a preventable and treatable disease. The majority of the women we assessed were dying of AIDS. Seventy percent of those admitted to the hospital share this fate.

"If only we could identify these women earlier we could reverse this outcome. Anti-retroviral drugs are available but most are too far advanced in the progression of their disease to benefit," the physician stated. "When they first come seeking ante-natal care or family planning we could educate, treat, and prevent such dire results. Most of these young women fall through the cracks due to fragmented healthcare."

Translating these eyewitness accounts and the evidence-based research into life-saving policy has proven difficult for congressional leaders. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is currently being reauthorized. This vital program, which has saved millions of lives over the last five years, has been heralded by many on both sides of the aisle as the most significant legislative achievement of this administration. The proposed new budget is $50 billion for the next five years, a significant increase over the original program. As welcome as the new funding is, Congress should take this opportunity to apply lessons learned.

The bill coming before the Senate makes no mention of linking HIV and family-planning services. To avoid controversy with conservative policy makers, the bill's Democratic drafters left linkages out completely.

Those of us who have worked in Africa know that family planning and reproductive health services are in fact not code words for abortion, as some suggest. Women's healthcare means access to contraception, prenatal care, safe labor and delivery, postpartum and newborn care, as well as treatment for sexually transmitted illnesses. Linking women's healthcare with HIV services should be obvious. Any restriction in moving integration of care forward is a big step backward in the US program's prevention and treatment efforts.

There is still time to address this critical component of our global AIDS policy when the bill is debated in the Senate. Bold leadership calling for effective, evidence-based interventions and not ideology is necessary. Senators can help women a world away by pushing for inclusion of strong language in the final Senate bill to support the integration of HIV services and family-planning programs.

Health And Beauty Set To Be Uk Fastest Growing Retail Sector In 2008

2008-06-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Current pressures on consumer spending will not prevent the health and beauty sector from reaching its highest growth rate for a decade in 2008. The increasing interest in such products shown by male consumers represents a widening of the market, and although large supermarket chains still dominate in terms of market share, specialty retailers with niche focus are growing in stature.

Despite pressures on consumer spending in 2008, the health and beauty sector will see its highest growth rate in a decade, fuelled by a greater number of male shoppers, price inflation, and female consumers' desire for innovative and effective products. In 2007, consumer expenditure on health and beauty products rose by 4.7% to GBP15.6 billion. Such strong performance continues a trend whereby the sector has outperformed total UK retail in every year since 2003. 2008 looks set to be even stronger, with health and beauty becoming the UK's fastest growing retail sector.

In 2008 retail growth will slow as consumers' disposable income is squeezed by higher mortgage costs, utility bills and transport prices. Combined with a slowdown in the housing market and lower consumer confidence, the current economic climate is causing consumers to defer expenditure on big ticket items and home improvement projects. All of these factors are forecast to leave total retail growth at just 2.8% for the year.

Nevertheless, Verdict Research forecasts that the health and beauty market's growth will increase, aided by people trading up to more expensive products in categories such as skincare. Indeed, with many consumers holding back from big ticket expenditures, there is room in the consumer purse for a greater proportion of smaller luxury purchases. As many premium beauty products claim improved benefits, yet are still relatively low cost, they are easier purchases for consumers to justify, and are well placed to grow in 2008 and beyond.

In uncertain times people are still willing to spend money on making themselves look good and feel good. Furthermore, when customers hold back from buying expensive items, there is more scope for spending on smaller indulgences. Health and beauty products are ideal small-scale purchases, with even premium brands relatively accessible.

Men are also investing more in their appearance, creating another driver of market growth. Total sales of men's toiletries are forecast to grow by 7.7% in 2008 as wider availability and a better selection of brands and products encourage more men to try out new products.

Price inflation is another important factor following a year of rising raw material, manufacturing and transportation costs. Verdict Research expects these higher costs to be partly passed on to consumers in the majority of beauty categories, with inflation peaking in 2008 across the market as a whole. However, higher prices will not prevent people from buying health and beauty items. Many of these products are seen as essential so the majority of consumers will be spending more this year on health and beauty, even if they are not interested in more advanced products.

Product innovation and consumers' willingness to trade up to more expensive products with more advanced benefits have fuelled the boom in premium-focused niche operators. It is true that grocers and larger specialists have increased their exposure to the market, but in most cases they lack the store environments, branding and service to offer true authority, and to build loyalty. This has left a gap in the market for smaller players.

Having successfully built a clear proposition, exploiting opportunities through product innovation and premium positioning, specialty shops such as Space NK and Molton Brown have been expanding their presence, and have now built sizeable operations. Others, such as Lush and Neal's Yard, have been enjoying the sharp increase in demand for natural and organic products, and have raised consumer awareness of their ethical stance. Meanwhile, Passion for Perfume and The Fragrance Shop are exploiting growth in the branded fragrance market, attracting customers through a price-focused proposition.

The big four supermarket chains, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Morrison, have continued to make gains, particularly Tesco. In fact, of all the major health and beauty retailers, Tesco saw the biggest market share gain in 2007, increasing its share by 0.3 percentage points to 18.3%. Between them, the big four alone had health and beauty sales of GBP6.3 billion in 2007, accounting for 40.6% of the market.

In 2008, Verdict Research expects the big four to have a combined share of 40.8% of the market, up from just 31.7% in 2003. Sales should be buoyed by space expansion and growing authority in health-related products and services. Although these figures exclude NHS receipts from the health and beauty market, the growing number of in-store pharmacies will provide a boost to over-the-counter medicine sales and attract footfall.

Let Moderation Be Your Guide

2008-06-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

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 - 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.

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… is it good for us or not.

My Mother Was Right About Health Care

2008-06-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Throughout this presidential campaign, I have paid careful attention to each of the Democratic candidates' proposed health-care plans. In previous presidential elections in which I had been eligible to vote, any mention of health care usually faded into the monotone of campaign talking points. "This doesn't affect me, at all," I thought. But this time around, it's different.

Now, as a twentysomething no longer dependent on my parents, yet not yet settled into my career, I admit that I have gone without health insurance for brief periods of time, and I know I am only one of many in my generation who do so.

So my ears perked up when I heard Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton explain that if she became president, health insurance would become mandatory. You mean, I would have to get health insurance? I don't have a choice? This mandate sounded strangely familiar ... and then I remembered a conversation with my mother.

"If you got into a serious accident that landed you in the hospital today, it would bankrupt us," she said. "Not buying health insurance is the most selfish thing you could possibly do."

My mother, of course, was right. I may be an adult and responsible for my own health, but if I were ever in dire need of care that I couldn't afford, the people in my life who would always feel responsible for me - my parents - would step in and foot the bill, no matter the cost.

Unfortunately, the same reasoning applies to all Americans who for one reason or another do not purchase health insurance. Some may not feel the necessity, but if they were to land in an emergency room after a serious accident, they would not be turned away. Maybe they would be fortunate enough to have parents who could - and would - pay their bills, but more than likely they would not. Instead, the cost of their medical bills would be transferred to those who do have insurance, in the form of higher health insurance premiums and co-pays, and to everyone in the form of higher taxes.

Sen. Barack Obama has refrained from calling for such a mandate. On his Web site, he declares, "My plan begins by covering every American." Yet clearly it does not. And even he has conceded this point. Under his plan, health insurance coverage remains voluntary.

In debates, he has countered Clinton's argument for a mandate with the claim that the only reason all Americans do not have health insurance is because they cannot afford it. Make it affordable, and every American will choose to purchase it, he argues.

Yet in a CBS/New York Times poll in March 2007 on presidential issues, only 52 percent of respondents who did not have health care listed the inability to afford it as the reason they were uninsured. Others listed reasons such as unemployment, part-time employment, or even that they lacked a need for health insurance.

But many of us don't need a poll to know that Obama's reasoning is wrong.

As a young person who had so far enjoyed a life of almost perfect health, my own failure to purchase health insurance was not a result of my inability to do so, but rather my unwillingness to spend my limited money on health insurance.

Further underscoring the need for Clinton's health insurance mandate were the results of a recent study by the American Cancer Society that translated into hard statistics a truth that many Americans have been aware of for years, yet have done nothing to change: Uninsured Americans, and those covered through Medicaid, are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer in its latest stages, and are more likely to die from cancer, than are patients with private insurance.

On Clinton's campaign Web site, among many pages dedicated to explaining her health care plan, there is one that specifically addresses cancer and acknowledges this very problem:

"Studies consistently show that those who lack insurance or who are underinsured have higher cancer mortality rates than those with high quality coverage," it reads.

The page explains in great detail how she will combat the scourge of cancer in the United States, including increased funding for research, prevention and screening, and treatment. But the most important and powerful method she offers for solving this problem is mandatory health insurance for all Americans.

Obama argues that Clinton's mandate is not a mandate at all if Americans are unable to afford health coverage, yet will be punished if they don't buy it. But I am confident Clinton will be able to address this dilemma, given that she demonstrates a much keener understanding of the need for universal health coverage than Obama.

But maybe it is not his fault. Maybe it just takes a mother's unique insight to recognize the benefits of mandating insurance coverage, and her slightly threatening and persuasive tone to get us to actually comply. But because my mom's not running for president this time around, I feel compelled to endorse the one who is.

Healths Gain May Be Armys Loss

2008-05-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T23:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-05-30T23:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-27T18:25:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-15T05:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-11T23:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-06T20:06:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-06T20:01:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

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.

National Health Insurance Best Way To Ensure Care For All Americans

2008-05-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

The need for meaningful health care reform remains one of the hottest topics in the public as we approach our national election. An important new study, in the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine, reveals a growing consensus among practicing physicians that our broken health care system would be best fixed by legislation establishing national health insurance (NHI).

Researchers at Indiana University, Health Sexual in a study of randomly chosen physicians representing the total population of U.S. physicians across all specialties, found a shift in the thinking over the past five years. Now a solid majority of doctors, almost 60 percent, support government legislation to establish NHI -- a 10 percent increase in support since 2002.

In another indication that doctors' attitudes are changing, in December 2007 the nation's largest medical specialty group, the 124,000-member American College of Physicians, endorsed a single-payer NHI program for the first time.

NHI plans typically involve a single-payer federally administered social insurance fund that guarantees health care coverage for everyone, much like Medicare provides for seniors. Such plans allow patients to go to the doctors and hospitals of their choice, but eliminate or substantially reduce the role of private insurance companies in the health care financing system.

This growing consensus is one more indication that physicians are increasingly rejecting the "marketplace medicine" that has eroded the American value of caring for and supporting one another and that has frustrated our traditional professional ethics. It is in no doubt connected to the daily witnessing of the suffering caused by inequities in health care delivery as well as the waste and inefficiency associated with a private insurance industry that consumes 31 percent of every U.S. health care dollar on bureaucratic paperwork and overhead.

As doctors, we see more and more of our patients experiencing a deterioration in the quality of their employer-based coverage, or losing such coverage altogether, often leading to their financial ruin. Families USA now estimates that one working-age Washingtonian dies each day because of lack of health insurance. In Washington we waste $5.2 billion on excess administrative expenses, more than enough to cover our 746,000 uninsured. Surely we can and must do better.

The Washington Legislature recently took a step forward in passing the Health Working Group legislation, which authorizes a comparative economic/quality analysis of four state health care reform proposals, including a single-payer plan. Washingtonians will have an opportunity to study the results and express themselves in public forums around the state. Unfortunately, the working group timeline delays any meaningful legislation based on its work until the 2010 legislative session.

It is now time for those seeking political office to confront the elephant in the room -- the private health insurance industry -- and the obstacles it poses to delivering quality health care at an affordable cost to everyone who needs it Health Sexual.

Although both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have said they could support single-payer NHI, neither seems prepared to advocate for it Health Sexual. This new survey of the nation's doctors, coupled with the findings in an AP/Yahoo public opinion poll last December that 65 percent of Americans favor a similar approach, demonstrate substantial public support for national health insurance. Clearly the physicians and the public are pointing the way forward for meaningful political action.

Protecting Your Child From Improper Vaccination

2008-04-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

Family Health Insurance Vaccinations are a childhood ritual and provide vital protection against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella and polio, which can be extremely dangerous for young children. But a report, issued today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found an alarming 28 percent of toddlers have not been vaccinated according to U.S. guidelines.

Elizabeth Luman of the CDC said, Family Health Insurance "It's not acceptable to have any child improperly or incompletely vaccinated, because that increases their risk of disease and also increases the risk of outbreaks in the community."

RECOMMENDED TIMES FOR YOUR CHILD'S VACCINES: Input your child's age, and this interactive vaccine scheduler will give you a list of recommended dates for all your child's vaccinations.

Gene Therapy Improves Vision For Blind Patients

2008-04-30T04:04:00.000-07:00

Women who take the drug Fosamax for osteoporosis may be at an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat, a US study suggests.

Researchers have linked the drug - widely prescribed in the UK to stop bone-thinning in older women - to a condition known as atrial fibrillation.

This is not necessarily serious, but can in some cases lead to a stroke.

But the Archives of Internal Medicine study concluded for most women the drug's benefits outweighed the risks.

It is not the first research to examine a link between Merck's Fosamax - whose generic name is alendronate - Health Fitness and atrial fibrillation, but its suggestion that the drug may increase the risk by 86% is higher than previous findings - although it is a smaller study.

In the UK, about one in 200 people aged 50-60 have atrial fibrillation, and the risk increases to about one in ten people by the age of 90.

In many cases it has no symptoms, but it can make the blood clot - which can in turn cause an embolic stroke.

Researchers at the Group Health Center for Health Studies and University of Washington compared 719 women with atrial fibrillation with over 966 controls who were of a similar age and blood pressure.

"Having ever used alendronate was associated with an 86% higher risk of newly detected atrial fibrillation compared with never having used the drug," said Dr Susan Heckbert, who led the research.

But she added: "Careful judgement is required to weigh the risks and benefits of any medication for any individual patient. For most women at high risk of fracture, alendronate's benefit of reducing fractures will outweigh the risk of atrial fibrillation."

But women at risk for atrial fibrillation through existing problems such as heart disease or diabetes should perhaps discuss alternatives with their doctor, she said.

A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine found a slightly increased risk of atrial fibrillation among thousands of women taking Fosamax compared with those who were not, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the differences between the two groups were not "significant".

Earlier this year Health Fitness, the British Medical Journal published a study which concluded there was no increased risk of atrial fibrillation in women taking bisphosphonates - the class of drugs to which Fosamax belongs.

Fosamax is one of the principal drugs prescribed in the UK for osteoporosis, a bone weakening condition which primarily affects post-menopausal women. It can seriously reduce quality of life.

The National Osteoporosis Society said this latest study was "interesting,Man Health but should be considered in the context with other recent research, which has not shown the same increase in atrial fibrillation".

"Fosamax is highly effective at reducing someone's risk of experiencing a fracture due to osteoporosis," said spokeswoman Sarah Leyland.

"There are a range of treatments available to people with osteoporosis and at risk of breaking bones. We would urge anyone who is concerned about possible side effects to speak to their GP about the most appropriate treatment for them."

Workers Health Insurance Costs Soar

2008-04-30T03:38:00.000-07:00

Workers with job-based coverage for their families saw earnings rise 3% from 2001 to 2005, while their health insurance premium contribution increased 30%, according to the study by researchers at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota.

The average cost nationally of family coverage during the period increased nearly $2,500, to $10,728 from $8,281. The average cost for job-based family coverage in California increased more than $2,650, to $10,551 from $7,898.

"Providing insurance coverage takes a bigger bite from the family budget every year," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which helped fund the research.

Mohit Ghose, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, the trade group representing the insurance companies, said the study showed the need for controls on the rising costs of drugs, medical devices and hospital care.

He said it should encourage regulators and lawmakers to give insurers the flexibility to offer plans with fewer mandated benefits, resulting in more affordable premiums.

"The aim is keeping them in," Ghose said. "The worst-case scenario would be that employers would drop coverage altogether."

The study found that was already a big problem. Between 2001 and 2005, more than 30,000 of the 3.6 million private-sector employers offering health insurance as a benefit to workers dropped it Health Sexual.

As a result, the number of people in private-sector jobs that offered health insurance benefits declined by more than 4 million, and the number of people with private insurance fell by 2.4 million, or 6%, the study found.

The study is one of several out this week examining problems with and the erosion of private health insurance. On Monday, another study warned that the worsening economy would put pressure on government health coverage programs, such as Medi-Cal.

Each percentage-point rise in the nation's jobless rate could add 1.1 million people to the ranks of the uninsured, according to the study by the Urban Institute for the Kaiser Family Foundation.

That study also found that 7% of Americans said they or someone in their household decided to marry in the last year so they could get healthcare benefits via their spouse.

The University of Minnesota study released Tuesday found that the proportion of insurance premiums workers paid for job-based family coverage between 2001 and 2005 held steady at 24%, with employers picking up the balance.

The latest study was fresh evidence of the need for reform, Mental-Health said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide healthcare consumer advocacy coalition.

Health Sexual In California, "even though health reform stalled earlier this year, the need and urgency for reform has not," Wright said. "Californians continue to face increasing costs and they worry if their coverage will be there for them when they need it Mental-Health. We need reform to provide Californians more security so they have the healthcare they care so much about."

Scholastic Book Sale Boosts Reading Camp For Youngstersx

2008-04-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

A book sale among employees at Scholastic Book Fairs in Lake Mary amounted to $5,200 in proceeds. The company then donated the money to the University of Central Florida College of Education to support the reading camp for disadvantaged children. Scholastic Book Fairs also donates books to be given away at the camp throughout the year.

"Dr. Tim Blair's reading camp really struck home with us because he is actively engaging with children and actively working with them to improve their reading skills and that really went along with connecting kids with books," said Cristina Giammarinaro, communications specialist at Scholastic Book Fairs. " Tim was beside himself. He was overjoyed, especially since the program is funded by grants and he had virtually run out of funding so this gift from Scholastic Book Fairs came at the best time possible."

Carrabba's Italian Grill in Daytona Beach and Bright House Networks helped Halifax Urban Ministries in Daytona Beach host its second annual charity luncheon on April 2. The luncheon raised $9,000 for the ministries' programs Health Insurance, which aim to prevent homelessness through emergency assistance and basic security needs for homeless people in Volusia and Flagler counties. Carrabba's gave the ministry exclusive use of its restaurant, offered the food at a discount and donated a $100 gift card for a silent auction. Bright House Networks donated $2,600 to pay for the meals and Dillard's at Volusia Mall sponsored a fashion show during the luncheon.

Cotter Ryan Construction in Longwood contributed about $3,500 this month to benefit Central Florida Leukemia-Lymphoma Association. . . .

Insight Financial Credit Union, with locations throughout Central Florida, and the Paul H. Higgs family awarded $1,000 scholarships in February to four high school seniors who will graduate this year from Leesburg High School, East Ridge High School, Central Florida Christian Academy and Boone High School. The Paul H. Higgs Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the former chairman and active member of the Insight Financial Credit Union board for more than 28 years. . . .

Engineering and design firm, PBS&J in Orlando recently presented a $50,000 check to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for Parramore Kidz Zone, a city program which aims to provide the children of Parramore with pre-kindergarten education, health care, youth jobs, mentoring, tutoring and after school programs. Funding for the donation was provided through The PBSJ Foundation Inc.

Avatar Properties Inc. Health Insurance, Central Florida Division, raised $15,389 for breast cancer education and research during its third annual Realtors, Affiliates & Friends Charity Golf Tournament and Walk-a-Thon in February.

The Orlando Magic honored those serving in the military and their families with Seats for Soldiers Night on March 21, which was sponsored by Harris Corp. For the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Magic offered to match the number of tickets donated by any season ticket holders, corporate sponsors or businesses. The total number of tickets came to about 1,000 and they went to military personnel from Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, the Naval Air Force Station in Jacksonville and those from the Orlando area. . . .

Tijuana Flats celebrated its new location at 5030 W. State Road 46 in Sanford with its "Pay What You Wanna" event in March in which the restaurant asked guests to pay whatever they wanted for their order. The $2,000 raised during the event was donated to YouthBuild Sanford/Seminole County, which gives low-income students the opportunity to work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning job skills by building affordable housing for the homeless and those in need of financial support. .

Palmer Electric Co. in Winter Park and its 450 employees donated $27,500 to the Heart of Florida United Way last month.

Virtual office visits appeal to patients, physicians, insurers

2008-04-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

Fighting a nasty cough from bronchitis a few months back, Antoinette Steinert knew she needed to see her doctor.

Only she didn't actually want to see him.

Not only would that have meant nearly an hour's round-trip drive from her Port St. John home to Dr. Frank Dienst's Titusville office. It also would have meant time sitting in his waiting room "and being around people who are sick," said Steinert, a registered nurse who, when she's well, works at Cape Canaveral Hospital.

As it happened, Steinert got what she needed without going near Dr. Dienst or his waiting room.

Sitting at her home computer in the evening after work, she spent 10 minutes on a secure Web site answering the same kind of questions Dienst would have asked her during an office visit.

The next morning, she not only had heard back from her doctor, she had the prescription antibiotic and cough medicine that he had called in to her nearby pharmacy.

The cost to her for the online consultation: zero. Her insurance company, Cigna, Health Insurance paid Dienst $35 for the virtual office visit, and under her health plan Steinert had no co-pay (compared with a $20 co-pay for an office visit).

"I'm not into computers," said Steinert, 57. "But this was easy. It's a good idea."

It's a good idea for doctors, too, said Dienst, who is among the first physicians in Central Florida to conduct online, reimbursed consultations with patients.

With three major health-insurance plans now reimbursing physicians for online consultations, Dienst expects he'll soon have plenty of company.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has reimbursed a limited number of online visits for nearly four years, with roughly 1,000 doctors now capable of offering the service. But it's been slow to catch on, with Blue Cross officials estimating the total number of monthly online visits statewide at about 50, with fewer than a dozen being submitted for reimbursement.

"We might have gotten in too early," acknowledged Lynn Monson, the company's director of health-information technology. "But, by gum, we're ready for tomorrow. We see this taking off."

One reason for Monson's optimism is that two other major health insurers, Cigna and Aetna, announced in December they would go national with reimbursements for virtual house calls made through the RelayHealth network.

RelayHealth, the same online health-care communication service used by Blue Cross, was founded in 1999 and acquired in 2006 by the health-care information-technology giant McKesson Corp.

Dienst, whose office has been a RelayHealth pilot site for more than a year, said that more than 300 of his patients have signed up to use it. He estimated he was conducting at least 10 online consultations a week, with patients typically getting a response from their queries within an hour or two on weekdays.

He is quick to point out that the Web visits are only for non-urgent medical problems and only for patients he already knows. "Mostly what we get are sore throats, ear aches, sinuses acting up," Dienst said. "Everybody who uses it I've seen at least once, probably more."

He typically receives $25 to $30 for an online consultation, with patient co-pays ranging from 0 to $10. Careful patient selection is critical. "There are definitely patients I would not treat through this," said Dienst, because not all patients are trustworthy and some don't understand the limitations of a consultation that is not face-to-face.

David Gunsteens of Parrish Medical Center, whose responsibilities include recruiting and retaining physicians in northern Brevard County, said more than a dozen primary-care physician offices in his area would have the capability to offer online consultations by the end of this year.

He predicted a significant upswing during the next year or two in the number of primary-care physicians offering online consultations, and within a few years "the vast majority of family-practice physicians" will be offering it.

Patients already are starting to demand it, he noted, and as physician offices increasingly adopt electronic medical-record systems, doctors will be able to meet the demand

Search OrlandoSentinel.com Web enhanced by Google

2008-04-28T07:32:00.001-07:00

Live longer and better with the Healthy Living blog Live longer and better with the Healthy Living blog

Sitting at her home computer in the evening after work, she spent 10 minutes on a secure Web site answering the same kind of questions Dienst would have asked her during an office visit.

The next morning, she not only had heard back from her doctor, Travel Health Insurance she had the prescription antibiotic and cough medicine that he had called in to her nearby pharmacy.

The cost to her for the online consultation: zero. Her insurance company, Cigna, paid Dienst $35 for the virtual office visit, and under her health plan Steinert had no co-pay (compared with a $20 co-pay for an office visit).

"I'm not into computers," said Steinert, 57. "But this was easy. It's a good idea."

It's a good idea for doctors, too, said Dienst, who is among the first physicians in Central Florida to conduct online, reimbursed consultations with patients.

With three major health-insurance plans now reimbursing physicians for online consultations, Dienst expects he'll soon have plenty of company.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has reimbursed a limited number of online visits for nearly four years, with roughly 1,000 doctors now capable of offering the service. But it's been slow to catch on, with Blue Cross officials estimating the total number of monthly online visits statewide at about 50, with fewer than a dozen being submitted for reimbursement.

"We might have gotten in too early," acknowledged Lynn Monson, the company's director of health-information technology. "But, by gum, we're ready for tomorrow. We see this taking off."

One reason for Monson's optimism is that two other major health insurers, Cigna and Aetna, announced in December they would go national with reimbursements for virtual house calls made through the RelayHealth network.

RelayHealth, the same online health-care communication service used by Blue Cross, Travel Health Insurance was founded in 1999 and acquired in 2006 by the health-care information-technology giant McKesson Corp.

Dienst, whose office has been a RelayHealth pilot site for more than a year, said that more than 300 of his patients have signed up to use it. He estimated he was conducting at least 10 online consultations a week, with patients typically getting a response from their queries within an hour or two on weekdays.

He is quick to point out that the Web visits are only for non-urgent medical problems and only for patients he already knows. "Mostly what we get are sore throats, ear aches, sinuses acting up," Dienst said. "Everybody who uses it I've seen at least once, probably more."

He typically receives $25 to $30 for an online consultation, with patient co-pays ranging from 0 to $10. Careful patient selection is critical. "There are definitely patients I would not treat through this," said Dienst, because not all patients are trustworthy and some don't understand the limitations of a consultation that is not face-to-face.

David Gunsteens of Parrish Medical Center, whose responsibilities include recruiting and retaining physicians in northern Brevard County, said more than a dozen primary-care physician offices in his area would have the capability to offer online consultations by the end of this year.

He predicted a significant upswing during the next year or two in the number of primary-care physicians offering online consultations, Travel Health Insurance and within a few years "the vast majority of family-practice physicians" will be offering it.

Patients already are starting to demand it, he noted, and as physician offices increasingly adopt electronic medical-record systems, doctors will be able to meet the demand.

Changing Health Care System

2008-04-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your recent two-part series on "Treating the Uninsured."

Almost every day I have an e-mail or phone call from someone who has lupus but does not have insurance. Often people with lupus cannot work, so they lose their insurance --health club if they had any insurance to begin with. What money they have is used for medical bills.

Getting approval for Social Security disability payments involves a lengthy process --Health Sexual generally taking two years or more. Bankruptcy can occur before approval is secured. Patients with Medicaid are often surprised to find that rheumatologists and other specialists rarely accept Medicaid (because Medicaid often fails to reimburse the doctors).

Free and low-cost clinics do not feel competent to handle difficult diseases such as lupus. To my knowledge, only one clinic in Orange County treats the uninsured lupus patient and it operates only one day a month.

These patients are good, taxpaying people who suffer terribly in one of the richest countries in the world, but they can be treated as throwaways by our system. Recently PBS (WMFE ) aired Frontline: Sick Around the World, which reviewed the health-care systems of other developed countries and showed that it is possible to cover all citizens at a reasonable cost.

Health care in the U.S. has just got to change if we are to consider ourselves a compassionate people.

Survey: Economy Has Business Owners Feeling Pressure

2008-04-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Small-business owners' optimism is at its lowest point in at least six years, amid problems with cash flow, growing accounts receivable and rising gas-and-energy costs.

Only 45 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed recently responded with a positive outlook, and just 9 percent expected the economy to improve during the next six months, according to a semi-annual survey by American Express Co.'s small-business service, which polled 627 business owners and managers.

Despite the economic uncertainty, seven in 10 business owners said they plan to expand during the next six months. Still, there are red flags: 56 percent of those surveyed said they're experiencing cash-flow problems, compared with 46 percent last spring. And 24 percent said their accounts receivable are too high.

A second survey released this month confirms the anxiety felt by business owners: While expressing confidence in their own operations, 45 percent of those included in the 2008 National Small Business Association Survey of Small and Mid-Sized Business said they expect a recession in the next year.

Those responding to the association's survey also said they were worried about the cost of health insurance and the lack of available capital. Fifty-five percent said they had trouble securing credit during the past year.

"Small businesses are buckling down, with nearly a quarter reporting no-growth strategies planned for the coming year," Chairwoman Marilyn Landis said.

But being your own boss can't be too bad: The American Express survey found that 75 percent of the small-business owners would recommend entrepreneurship to a friend or family member.

Cup of recognition

Mayor Buddy Dyer tipped his hat to local entrepreneurs last week, proclaiming April 21-25 Small Business Week in Orlando. Christina Cowherd, owner of Infusion Tea, was on hand to represent local business owners along with her husband, Brad, the company's vice president.

Infusion Tea, a vegetarian tea house that sells organic teas, has 24 employees and two locations, in the city's College Park and Thornton Park sections. The business launched in 2004, after the Cowherds finished a tour with the Peace Corps in Guatemala.

While they were overseas, Christina -- health club a former technical writer -- decided she didn't want to return to a desk job. Brad joined his wife when the business blossomed.

"Anything that the city can do to make it easier for small businesses to actually conduct business in the city of Orlando is a good thing," Brad Cowherd said.

During the presentation, the city recognized small businesses for creating jobs and opportunities within the city, health club and honored small-business service organizations such as the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, the Black Business Investment Fund, the Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance, SCORE Orlando, and the Disney Entrepreneur Center.

Health Maters: Hospital Destroying Wastes By Using Ozone

2008-04-25T19:16:00.003-07:00

Instead of destroying the ozone layer to dispose of its medical wastes, Terre Haute’s Union Hospital is destroying its medical wastes by using ozone. In fact,health club it’s the first place in the world to do so, says Ozonater Industries of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, which makes the Ozonater bio-hazardous waste disposal machine.

Most of us know ozone as the stuff in the upper atmosphere that filters ultraviolet light or as an air pollutant on the ground. However, according to information from Ozonater Industries, it also is “one of the most powerful microbicides known to science, effective at killing even the most resistant pathogens.”

According to an article in the Jan. 31 edition of The Leader-Post in Regina, which can be accessed at tinyurl.com/6j5e8c, the Ozonater is “said to reduce the cost of processing bio-hazardous waste by 50 percent, while preventing the release of toxins into the atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” That’s zero emission and there also is an up to 90 percent reduction in volume, according to information from Union Hospital.

Kristi Roshel, marketing/public relations manager for Union Hospital, says that each hospital bed creates between four and five pounds of medical waste, all of which must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Medical waste consists of a number of substances, including blood, plastic tubing, gauze and diapers.

Medical waste produces greenhouse gases pound for pound. Union Hospital quotes Health Care Without Harm as noting that “69 percent of all the deadly dioxins emitted into the atmosphere are directly related to the incineration of medical waste.”

Instead of using incineration, the Ozonator sterilizes the waste (which has been shredded) with ozone so it can be placed directly into landfills after treatment. Any ozone left after treatment is converted back into oxygen.

It’s also serving as a people magnet, drawing visitors to Terre Haute to check out the new piece of equipment. “We’ve hosted lots of visitors from other countries,” Roshel said Wednesday. “I think we had some from India last week.”

Bend over. Now raise up. Do it again. And again. Move those arms, using a weight. Throw in a few squats. A bit later, stretch those arms out, give a tug, and then pull back.

Exercising? Yes, but in a fun and healthy way. Digging up the ground, planting seeds, and pulling weeds not only gives you that just-picked flavor health club, the act of gardening itself can contribute to your cardiovascular health.

Now about that produce: Making your garden colorful, with purple eggplant, green beans (and, yes, even zucchini), red tomatoes, yellow corn, orange sweet potatoes has it benefits. Not only does the color add to its beauty, it’s a great source “of many vitamins, minerals and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of course, you do have to eat the fruits (so to speak) of your labors to get the nutritional benefits. Since eating a rainbow of fruits also is good for your health, you might want to add some red strawberries to your vegetable patch as well. In fact, plan ahead and plant an apple, cherry, peach and/or pear tree to reap (literally) the benefits of those, too.

Find out much more by going to www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov, which pretty much has everything you need to know about the health benefits — plus recipes and even an interactive feature that will let you know how many servings you need for your age and physical activity level.

'stimulus' And The States

2008-04-25T19:15:00.003-07:00

The states are now in a precarious position. The economy is slowing down. Tax revenues are falling. And demand for expensive services – health care,health club food assistance and the like – is growing.

A slowing economy is never easy. But this year, the states' fiscal crunch is being made worse. That's because misguided policies put in place by Congress and the Bush administration have either forced states to spend money or driven away tax revenue.

Before anyone in Washington seriously contemplates a second "stimulus package" aimed at reviving the economy, health club I would offer two succinct pieces of advice: First, take a Hippocratic Oath to do no harm to state budgets. Second, ensure that Washington "pays its bills," just as we require of everyone else.

Let's start with doing no harm. The plain fact is that the first stimulus package violated this principle, and will result in nearly $2 billion in revenue loss to states. State taxes are based on the amount of federal taxes individuals and businesses pay. So when the stimulus package cut federal business taxes, it also cut state taxes and thereby cost us revenue.

Fortunately, Congress is considering bipartisan legislation in both the House and Senate that would provide new resources to help states.

Now, let's talk about Washington paying its bills. The Bush administration has perfected the nasty habit of cost-shifting to the states. Examples are plentiful:

- The State Child Health Insurance Program (Schip). The beauty of Schip is that it is a federal-state partnership. Yet in August 2007, President Bush stopped states from expanding Schip to cover children in families who earn more than 250% of the federal poverty level. As a result, states must now carry the additional burden of providing health care for these children.

- Medicaid. The administration has also proposed or issued eight different regulations that alter the federal-state Medicaid partnership. In most cases, these regulations simply shift costs to states and localities. Collectively, they will reduce federal investment in Medicaid by $50 billion over the next five years. It's not as if poor people no longer need health care. Instead, these regulations are simply a maneuver to have someone else (i.e., the states) foot the bill.

- State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. By law, the federal government must reimburse states for the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants who break state laws. But for years, the federal government has only reimbursed a fraction of the cost.

Arizona's unpaid bill is nearing $500 million. As governor, I must enforce the law and pay to incarcerate these individuals. The federal government just shrugs its shoulders and walks away from its statutory obligation.

- Real ID. The federal government passed Real ID so everyone would have a secure identification card. But it didn't pay states to do the work. Estimates for implementation run as high as $11 billion.

Even if you accept the Department of Homeland Security's suggestion that costs may be closer to $3.9 billion, this is a large unfunded liability. States are not in a position financially, nor inclined from a policy perspective, to bail out the federal government on Real ID.

Green Giants: Our Love Affair With Trees

2008-04-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

From mighty oaks to humble hazels, our sylvan treasures have never been more highly valued – or popular. As a record 10 million green-fingered Britons prepare to plant saplings, Michael McCarthy explores a root and branch revolution.

On the way to work tomorrow, as you hurry, head bowed, to the crowded bus-stop or station, or pause in the car at the red traffic light, feeling your blood pressure start to mount as you see that, on the other side of the junction, the traffic still isn't moving, do yourself a massive favour: look up.

What may swim into your line of sight is greenery. We've been without it for five months, do you realise? And now it's back. Those things called trees, those tall roadside posts that for the whole winter long you haven't glanced at, that have seemed no more than dark straggly alternative streetlamps without the lighting, have suddenly in the past 10 days sprouted life, and now, this week, are at their most intense.

For example, look at the horse chestnuts, the conker trees beloved of schoolboys, if you live in an area lucky enough to have them. Go on, look. Once you do, you'd have to have a soul made of concrete not be stirred, for right now, at least in southern Britain, the buds have just burst and the leaves have poured forth and they are of a quite spectacular colour. It's green, of course, but it's a special green, it is more than emerald, it is iridescent, as if the leaves were fresh-painted, as if they were glowing from the inside; and in the next few days they will be joined by giant upright white blossoms, big as a bunch of bananas, commonly known as Roman candles. The whole thing then looks like a living firework display, and it's free, and no streetlamp ever looked like this.

It's not just the horse chestnuts; cherry blossom and apple blossom is out now in gardens, as are the lilacs, and in hawthorn hedges there is a green mist of leaf wrapped around the branches. Greenery is bursting out everywhere on the trees in our towns and cities and suburbs, so much so that if you do look up from the slog to work and catch a glimpse of it, your soul will lift; and at last, at long, long last, someone has put a value on it.

It has a boring name (Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees) and an acronym (CAVAT), but don't let that put you off; it's the thought that counts. Developed by the London Tree Officers' Association ( LTOA), the professional body for tree specialists working for the London boroughs, this is a system that, for the first time, assesses a tree's worth, according to its size, health, historical significance and how many people live near to enjoy it health club. It assesses worth in actual money terms; that's the point, in this age that worships cash enough to make heroes of hedge-fund managers.

The results, which were released this week, are surprising: most ordinary street trees that you might not give a second glance to (especially hurrying to work) turn out to be worth between £8,000 and £12,000, but for more special trees in more special places, even in the London suburbs, the values start to soar: an oak in Southgate, North London, for example, has been valued at £267,000 and a plane in Epping High Street at £200,000. At the top of the list, in Mayfair's Berkeley Square, yes, that urban oasis where the nightingale was meant to have sung (take it from me – it was a robin) there is a venerable plane tree on which the lads from the LTOA have stuck a value of £750,000. It has been there since Victorian times, but all the same – whew! you whistle – that's a lot of money for a trunk and some branches. There are dozens of others now valued at more than £500,000, too, in leafy and affluent boroughs such as Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea.

The figures give people pause, they make them stop; and that's the point, that's why the system is needed, for in recent years, local authorities have been chopping down urban trees at such a rate of knots that the phrase "chainsaw massacre" has been applied to the process.

Behind it lurk those much criticised developments of the last quarter-century, the compensation culture, and the health-and-safety culture. There is no doubt that a big tree growing too near a building can, if it has a major root system, ultimately cause the building problems. It can become entangled in the foundations, and its thirst for water also leads to moisture being sucked from the ground, causing soil shrinkage and sinking buildings. (A mature deciduous growth can draw 50,000 litres of water a year from surrounding soil). Furthermore, there is no doubt that if a big old branch snaps off a big old tree it could hurt somebody.

Yet there is growing evidence that healthy mature trees are being felled by risk-averse insurers and councils because of the mere suspicion that they may affect neighbouring properties with subsidence, or fall on people.

In the past five years, London councils alone have chopped down almost 40,000 street trees, including some more than 100 years old. Some were aged, diseased or dying, but 40 per cent were removed because of insurance claims; yet a report commissioned by the London Assembly said that only 1 per cent of tree-removals were justified.

The picture is repeated nationwide, and was illustrated vividly in February in a report to the Department for Communities and Local Government, Trees in Towns II, which was the largest-ever survey of urban trees in England, covering streets, parks, schools, churchyards, allotments and private gardens in 147 towns and cities.

It found that, despite the key role they play in combating climate change, and creating pleasant environments (the report's own words), Britain's urban trees are under threat. Only 11 per cent of trees in towns are now between 50 and 100 years old, the survey discovered; only two per cent are more than 100 years old. That means: when they get big, they get chopped down. When the report was published, the Government put a gloss on it – "er, much has been done, but much remains to be done," and so on – but the Opposition got nearer the point.

Eric Pickles, the Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, warned that the leafy character of urban areas was under threat. "Whitehall's failure to tackle the compensation culture and the heavy-handed application of health and safety regulation is doing more harm than good," he said. "Trees have a vital role to play in tackling climate change and improving quality of life, yet Britain's leafy suburbs face a chainsaw massacre under Labour."

Tasty soundbite, eh? You can almost hear Mr Pickles's lips smacking as he uttered it. But even making substantial allowances for political point-scoring, it does seem likely that far, far too many urban trees are now coming down. The London Tree Officers' Association chairman, Andy Tipping, said that, too often, insurance companies facing a claim for subsidence were demanding that trees be destroyed, and councils were too willing to cave in to their demands.

The new CAVAT system his association has drawn up will change things, he hopes, because in future the high value of trees – in London alone the total value of them is now estimated at £6.4bn – will demand extra engineering work by insurers to prove a link between a tree and subsidence, not least because various other causes, from broken drains to drought, can be behind buildings getting that wonky look. The higher the tree's value, the more proof insurers will need that it is really causing problems before they can chop it down. It is planned to roll the system out nationwide next year.

"Often an insurer will point the finger at the tree, it is chopped down and then subsidence problems in a house persist," said Tipping, a tree officer in Barnet, north London. "Companies pay out vast sums repairing buildings and then, some months later, new cracks appear. Under the new scheme, there will be more on-site investigations to find the source of damage at the beginning of a claim."

He said that in one case he was asked to remove a 130-year-old oak that was three houses away from a property with subsidence, and there were no roots near to it. "It's an absurd situation," he said. "People still don't understand that subsidence is a problem of buildings, not trees. In many cases, trees are not the main culprit. It's other reasons instead such as Victorian drains, poorly installed double-glazing, or climate change."

The other reason for not removing them, of course, is that people love trees. Research published yesterday suggests that almost 10 million people intend to plant a tree in their garden this year. (Won't that get the insurers worried?) When trees are cut down in towns and cities, nearly always by some overweening authoritarian body, like a council, or a railway company, local people often protest vigorously: they suddenly realise they are actually very fond of what they had always taken for granted.

Why do we love trees? We can think of many practical reasons – the wood, the shade, the shelter, the apples, the pears – but there are deeper reasons too. Beauty is obviously one. The horse chestnuts in young leaf this week are so striking that they pull you up short, as are the blossoming cherries, reminding us of the opening of AE Housman's famous lyric: "Loveliest of trees, the cherry, now/ Is hung with bloom along the bough/ And stands about the woodland ride/ Wearing white for Eastertide."

It isn't only trees in spring blossom that move us; trees in autumn colours are another still-life firework display; indeed, the basis of a whole tourist industry in New England, where the hordes of visitors who come to look at the fall foliage are known as "leaf peepers". Even trees in high summer, the least interesting part of the period in leaf, can provide a spectacle, such as the beeches of the woodlands of the Chilterns, whose tall, straight trunks, combined with the light falling between them, give the appearance of leafy cathedrals.

Yet perhaps there is something even beyond beauty in our attachment to the oak and the ash, the lime and the hornbeam, the yew and the Scots pine. In the last 20 years the new discipline of evolutionary psychology has made many suggestive interpretations of the origins of human feeling, taking them back to our distant ancestors; the rationale is that we have been office workers for four generations, and we were farmers for about 400 generations; but before farming, we were hunter-gatherers for 20,000 generations or more, and much of our genetic make up must have been constructed then.

There's no proof of this, of course; there can only be suggestions, but they are powerful ones (why do all children like to hide? Because the children who didn't hide, when the predators or the attackers came, didn't survive to pass on their genes). health club Is there perhaps something in us that goes far, far back, to account for our love of trees, something more than beauty or utility? Some deeper attachment formed during the aeons when we lived in the forest?

It's fanciful, of course it is, especially now most of us only have the street, the house, or the block of flats; and we can never know. But we do know that when the trees that grace our street, our road, our courtyard, are threatened with toppling, we do not like it one bit. At least now there is a system, thanks to the London Tree Officers' Association – that gives tree-lovers a chance to fight back when the insurance company or the council sends someone with a chainsaw.

Danny Is Dogs' Best Friend And Lifesaver

2008-04-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

Beauty Health A teen aiming to be a policeman may have a career as a police dog handler after saving five pups dumped in a Te Puke stream.

Danny Steer, 17, has been credited with saving the lives of at least two of the blue heeler-cross puppies, which he found yelping in Ohineangaanga Stream in the Bay of Plenty town on Monday.

The Te Puke High School year 12 pupil had finished a five-hour shift at Bayliss Packhouse just after 11pm when he heard the dogs.

"I ran over and saw these three puppies half out of the water," he said. "I pulled them out and put them on the grass and then saw two more trying to climb out."

Danny grabbed the two pups, which were "really frightened, and shivering because they were cold and wet".

He rang police, who arrived 40 minutes later and put the pups into a box to take to the SPCA.

"I was a bit worried about ringing the police because I didn't know if it was a real emergency."

He was not sure how long the two- to three-month-old pups had been in the water.

"I walked past the stream on the way to work around 5pm and they weren't there then, so whoever dumped them must have done it between 6 and 11pm.

"It's absolutely terrible for someone to do that to animals. Beauty Health It's really sad that they want to get rid of pups like that."

Danny said he would like to keep one of the pups, but that might be a problem.

"I have two cats so it may not work out and I live with my parents in a rented house, so the landlord might not approve."

The pups will be put up for adoption by the Tauranga SPCA if the owner has not claimed them within seven days.

Tauranga SPCA centre manager Matt Franklin said the pups were in reasonable health, though one had an injured hind leg.

"Danny did well to save them. Two of the pups in the water would have come a bit unstuck. He obviously cares for animals," Mr Franklin said, adding that the SPCA had clues to who the owner was. "It's a serious offence under the Animal Welfare Act to abandon animals and carries a fine of $25,000 or six months' jail."

Hospitals coping without striking doctors

2008-04-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hospitals say they are coping well despite the loss of more than 2000 junior doctors who walked off the job for 48 hours yesterday.

Health Minister David Cunliffe said contingency plans were working and there were no patient safety problems, even though the hospitals were about 90 per cent full Beauty Health.

Hospitals prepare for the staff shortage by postponing thousands of surgical operations and discharging all patients who were able to go home.

Many hospitals had also taken out advertisements urging people to go to their GP rather than turning up to the emergency department if they did not have a real emergency.

The junior doctors say they want a 30 per cent pay rise over the next three years but their District Health Board (DHB) employers say the demands cannot be met.

The doctors say a base rate of $23 an hour is way too low for the job they do, while DHBs say it equates to a very adequate average annual wage well in excess of $80,000.

Yesterday the doctors' union New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) announced further strike action would follow, with doctors walking off the job again for two days on May 7.

The announcement was criticised by the senior doctors' union, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, who are due to ratify their own pay deal with the DHBs on May 8.

Union president Jeff Brown told The Dominion Post the timing of the junior doctors' second strike "may make it incredibly difficult to have that meeting".

Dr Brown said it would not be easy to postpone the meeting as it had come at the end of a two-year negotiation process.

He said they had been open about the date of the meeting and he could not understand why his colleagues chose it Beauty Health.

"I would hate to think it's a deliberate thing."

Marcia Walker from the NZRDA said the doctors were angry at the lack of headway being made in negotiations and their aggressive stance appeared to be the only way to tackle the situation.

"Our patients are being negatively affected now and the situation is getting worse by the day, so we can't really wait any longer, we need to get some action happening now," Ms Walker said.

"We've been in negotiations for nearly 12 months now with absolutely no movement and we just can't let it slip any longer."

DHBs spokesman David Meates said the threat of more strikes "beggared belief".

"This union should be more concerned about finding a way to solve the dispute rather than trying to prolong it."

Meanwhile, hospitals in Southland, Palmerston North, Wanganui and Waitemata have denied they are in danger of closing because of the staff shortages.

NZRDA general secretary Deborah Powell said the pay rise was needed to stem staff shortages which threatened to close regional hospitals, many of which had one junior doctor doing the work of five.

Senior clinicians at Palmerston North and Southland hospitals said while there could be problems getting staff at times, there was no truth in the statement that the hospitals were in danger of closure.

National leader John Key told Breakfast TV that junior doctors should not be given a 30 per cent pay rise but they had to get a "better deal" because New Zealand could not afford to keep losing them to Australia and the rest of the world.

Asked whether junior doctors should get a 30 to 40 per cent hike, he said "no".

Doctors earned "quite a lot" and whether they earned enough to keep them in New Zealand was a different story but under National's tax cut plan, they would "do pretty well", Mr Key said.

Internet Testing Just 'health Horoscopes'

2008-04-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

Opportunist Internet companies are exploiting "the worried well" by marketing online genetic testing for everything from cancer to schizophrenia Care Health United, says an Auckland University genetics expert.

Associate Professor Andrew Shelling, head of the Medical Genetics Research Group, said such Internet sites - he had counted 27 - were essentially "health horoscopes" and were unlikely to provide meaningful data.

They were even potentially risky because they could give people needless anxiety or false reassurances.

"My concern is medical professionals are not involved in this process at all ... and that leaves people vulnerable to advertising for unproven, unsafe and over-price products," he told delegates at the National Screening Symposium in Wellington last week.

Tests have long been available for rare mutations for diseases such as Huntington's and cystic fibrosis. Recent discoveries through the Human Genome Project have identified about 3000 genetic variants linked to a raised risk of common diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes, enabling rapid diagnoses and development of some specific treatments, such as herceptin for HER2-type breast cancer.

Professor Shelling said private companies had been quick to spot a market niche. "Never have we seen a move from basic science to a commercial application so rapidly."

Most companies charge about $1500 for a genotyping kit containing cheek swabs, which clients send back in a prepaid envelope. Within six weeks they can log on to read their personal risk profile for 20 diseases.

One such service, Google's 23andMe, also allows clients to trace their ancestry and discover whether their hatred of broccoli is inherited.

Online testing was relatively cheap, accessible and apparently confidential, as the results did not appear on one's medical records, Professor Shelling said. "But would you really trust Google with your personal medical information?"

Complex results needed context and interpretation, he said. For instance, the company DeCODEme claimed to test for risk of developing bipolar disorder - Care Health United but tested for only one genetic mutation when a range of genes were implicated in the condition.

Because they are registered overseas, companies are beyond the reach of New Zealand authorities to regulate. The United States Food and Drug Administration has signalled it will not act unless something untoward happens.

Professor Shelling said there was huge public demand for information about, and management of, genetic risk - health club but access to genetic testing in New Zealand was very limited.

"New Zealand is doing an appalling job of providing adequate genetic testing. We're well behind Australia and the rest of the world.

Call To Ban Car Lapbelts Health Fitness

2008-04-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

Canterbury surgeons dealing with a series of horrific car-crash injuries inflicted by lapbelts are calling for the restraints to be banned.

Most of the countries that supply New Zealand's new cars are outlawing the belts, but the Governnment said yesterday that it would not review their use in New Zealand.

Christchurch surgeons Grant Coulter and Spencer Beasley have written to the health and transport ministers warning that many people, including children, would die if lapbelts were not outlawed.

Their letter follows a series of accidents in Canterbury in recent years in which people wearing lapbelts suffered injuries while other passengers wearing diagonal belts escaped relatively unscathed.

"For as long as there is inaction, children and adults will continue to suffer massive Health Fitness, serious and often fatal injuries if they sit in the rear centre seats of many of our modern cars," the surgeons wrote.

The Transport Ministry said it was not planning a review of the restraints because research showed people rarely used a car's centre back-seat position.

But National transport spokesman Maurice Williamson said the party would consider reviewing the use of lapbelts should it win this year's election.

In December, a boy wearing a lapbelt suffered massive internal injuries that he was still recovering from after being in a car crash in North Canterbury.

His sister, who was also in the car, suffered only minor injuries because she was wearing a diagonal seatbelt.

Of eight family members involved in a Lewis Pass crash in January, the six wearing lapbelts suffered the worst injuries.

Coulter, Health Fitness a senior surgeon at Christchurch Hospital,Travel Health Insuranc told The Press he was baffled why new cars were still able to be fitted with the "deadly" lapbelts when it was clear how little they protected those wearing them.

Study Confirms Parkinson's-Pesticides Link

2008-04-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Results of a family-based, "case-control" study support a relationship between exposure to pesticides and the development of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Prior studies have shown that people with Parkinson's disease are over twice as likely to report being exposed to pesticides as people without the disease,Health Food but few studies have looked at this association in people from the same family or have assessed associations between specific classes of pesticides and Parkinson's disease.

In their study of 319 Parkinson's patients and more than 200 unaffected relatives, Dr Dana Hancock from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina and colleagues found that the Parkinson's patients were 61 per cent more likely to report direct pesticide application than were healthy relatives.

Both insecticides and herbicides - most notably organochlorines, organophosphorus compounds, chlorophenoxy acids/esters, and botanicals - significantly increased the risk of Parkinson's disease, the researchers report in the online journal BioMedCentral (BMC) Neurology.

"Further investigation of these specific pesticides and others may lead to identification of pertinent biological pathways influencing Parkinson's disease development," the investigators suggest.

Health Food It's also worth noting, they say, that "the strongest associations between Parkinson's disease and pesticides were obtained in families with no history of Parkinson's. "This finding suggests that sporadic Parkinson's cases may be particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides, but the possibility of pesticides influencing risk of Parkinson's in individuals from families with a history of PD cannot be ruled out."

Saffron May Ease Pms Symptoms

2008-04-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

Saffron, a spice known for flavouring Mediterranean cuisine, might also offer an antidote to premenstrual syndrome, a small study suggests.

Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, has a long history of non-culinary uses. Traditionally Travel Health Insurance, the spice has been advocated for stomach pain, digestive problems and even depression - with some recent clinical trials suggesting that saffron may in fact aid mild depression.

It's thought that the spice might influence depression symptoms via effects on the brain chemical serotonin. Because alterations in serotonin activity are suspected in PMS, a team of Iranian researchers decided to study whether saffron supplements might help relieve these symptoms.

Dr M Agha-Hosseini and colleagues at Tehran University of Medical Sciences randomly assigned 50 women to take either saffron capsules or a placebo twice a day over two menstrual cycles. The women, who ranged in age from 20 to 45, had all had PMS symptoms such as cramps, bloating, irritability and fatigue for at least six months.

At the end of the treatment period, three-quarters of the women on saffron capsules reported at least a 50 per cent reduction in their PMS symptoms. That compared with only 8 per cent of women in the placebo group, the researchers report in the medical journal BJOG.

Travel Health Insurance In addition, the researchers found, 60 per cent of the saffron group showed a 50 per cent improvement in depression symptoms, versus one woman in the placebo group.

The findings, according to the researchers, support the idea that saffron may affect serotonin activity - and help alleviate not only depression symptoms, but PMS as well.

However, they write, this study is the first they know of to test saffron for treating PMS. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm the findings, the researchers conclude Travel Health Insurance.

Diet And Exercise Cuts Diabetes Risk

2008-04-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

Quite small changes in lifestyle help reduce abdominal obesity and the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome which is linked to diabetes, Health Sexual according to a new study.

Dr. Pirjo Ilanne-Parikka, of the Finnish Diabetes Association in Tampere reports that a cluster of diabetes risk factors including elevated waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride cholesterol, and blood sugar, Health Sexualas well as low levels of high-density lipoproteins ("good" cholesterol) are collectively known as the metabolic syndrome.

Ilanne-Parikka and colleagues report 15 per cent reductions in both the metabolic syndrome and abdominal obesity among overweight middle-age men and women following individually-tailored diet and exercise recommendations for an average of 3.9 years.

By contrast, metabolic syndrome decreased by just 4 per cent and abdominal obesity did not decrease among people receiving usual diet and exercise advice, the researchers report in Diabetes Care.

In this secondary analysis of the ongoing Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, the investigators followed 522 men and women who, Health Sexual at the start of the study, were 55 years old on average, overweight (body mass index 31.2), and had impaired glucose tolerance indicative of an increased risk for diabetes.

Participants in the intervention group received regular, individualized advice aimed at reducing their weight by at least 5 percent. They were counseled to improve their dietary intake of whole-grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat diary and meat products, and vegetable oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. They were also advised to spend a minimum of 30 minutes each day daily walking, jogging, swimming, aerobics, in similar endurance exercise or and regularly weight-train.

People in the control group received general written and oral diet and exercise advice at the start of the study and during annual check-ups.

The findings highlight the importance of "individual, patient-centered counseling and regular follow-up," Ilanne-Parikka told Reuters Health.

Longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm if these reductions can be achieved and maintained in other groups with the metabolic syndrome and if such reductions might limit the risk of cardiovascular disease, the investigators note.

Dance Away Blues With Tango Lessons

2008-04-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

Best known as the dance of love, the tango is now being studied as a treatment for depression.

University of New England psychology researcher Rosa Pinniger says she hopes to prove the passionate two-person dance is an effective alternative therapy for depression by carrying out a six-week trial.

Ms Pinniger says the nature of the tango is such that participants "switch off the automatic negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and depression".

"In learning tango movements you have to focus your attention and be completely in the present moment," Ms Pinniger says.

"You need to be constantly aware of – and connect with – your partner, and so you can't have extraneous thoughts.

"I believe that if people can experience freedom from their negative thoughts for just the three minutes of a tango dance, they'll realise that such freedom is possible."

Over the six weeks of her tango trial, Ms Pinniger will give free weekly tango lessons to 30 people who have felt depressed recently. Thirty others will be given classes in meditation, a more widely recognised alternative treatment for depression.

A control group of 30 will receive neither treatment, Health And Beauty but will be offered either tango or meditation lessons on completion of the study.

Ms Pinniger hopes tango will prove to be a viable alternative treatment for those who find meditation difficult.

"While we already know that meditation can be helpful in the treatment of depression, not everyone can meditate," she says.

"But everyone who can walk can tango.Health And Beauty It doesn't matter whether you're graceful or not – it's all mindfulness and connecting with another person."

Zinc Reduces Common Cold Symptoms

2008-04-20T18:31:00.001-07:00

Zinc acetate lozenges taken within 24 hours of developing symptoms of the common cold reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, Family Health Insurance according to a report in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Previous studies of zinc treatment for common cold symptoms have yielded conflicting results, the authors explain.

Dr Ananda S Prasad from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, and associates investigated the effects of zinc acetate lozenges in treating the common cold in 50 volunteers who had cold symptoms for 24 hours or less. The participants took one zinc acetate lozenge containing 13.3 milligrams of zinc or an inactive "placebo" every 2 to 3 hours while awake.

The average duration of cold symptoms (including cough, runny nose, Family Health Insurance and muscle ache) was about 4 days in the zinc group compared with 7 in the placebo group, the authors report.

After 4 days, 56 per cent of the zinc group had complete resolution of their colds, whereas none of the placebo group was free of cold symptoms. The results of a number of biochemical tests suggested that zinc was having a true effect on the colds. The investigators observed no zinc side effects.

"Zinc acetate preparation, Family Health Insurance as used in our study, was significantly effective in decreasing the (average) duration of cold symptoms," the authors conclude. "We propose that the beneficial clinical effects seen in the zinc group were due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of zinc."

Controlling Costs For Health Care

2008-04-18T19:21:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder just why health care costs are increasing at such an alarming rate in the United States? Part of the answer may be: because they can.

That is not as flippant an analysis as it may appear at first glance. Health Care An illustration of why the ability of health care providers to charge more sometimes prompts them to do just that is being provided by Wheeling City Council.

Council members are considering an increase in the fee charged for use of ambulance service provided by the Wheeling Fire Department. An ordinance to increase the fee, now $200 for most ambulance trips, to $279.89 has been approved on first reading.

Why an increase of $79.89? Vice Mayor Mike Nau answered the question during a council meeting this week: “That is the amount that Medicare allows us to collect, so this is what we passed during a recent finance committee meeting,” he told a member of the public.

During a previous meeting, Councilman Brent Bush noted that fire department officials had sought an even larger increase, of $125.

And it has been noted, not everyone will have to pay the full $279.89 if council approves the new rate. The city manager has the authority to approve lesser payments in hardship cases.

There are not expected to be many of those, because most city residents are covered by some type of insurance, including Medicare.

We realize that the cost of providing any service increases. Ambulances, after all, run on the same gasoline for which nearly all of us are paying more. But the decision to set the increase at precisely the amount for which Medicare will pay makes us wonder whether a careful cost analysis has been performed. Is the new rate to be $279.89 because that much is needed to pay for city ambulance service? Or is the rate being set there because, well, city officials can charge that much?

Before City Council finalizes the new rate, questions about the cost to the city of ambulance service need to be asked and answered. If the full $79.89 increase is needed, it certainly ought to be approved. But if every health care provider sets rates according to the maximum reimbursements from insurance companies and agencies, health care costs will never, ever be brought under control.

The Pope In Quotes During His Visit To The United States

2008-04-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

“Among the countersigns to the Gospel of life found in America and elsewhere is one that causes deep shame: the sexual abuse of minors. Many of you have spoken to me of the enormous pain that your communities have suffered when clerics have betrayed their priestly obligations Health Sexual and duties by such gravely immoral behaviour.”

“By acknowledging and confronting the problem when it occurs in an ecclesial setting, you can give a lead to others, since this scourge is found not only within your dioceses but in every sector of society. It calls for a determined, collective response."

"Children deserve to grow up with a healthy understanding of sexuality and its proper place in human relationships. They should be spared the degrading manifestations and the crude manipulation of sexuality so prevalent today. . . . What does it mean to speak of child protection when pornography and violence can be viewed in so many homes through media widely available today?"

“While it must be remembered that the overwhelming majority of clergy and religious in America do outstanding work in bringing the liberating message of the Gospel to the people entrusted to their care, it is vitally important that the vulnerable always be shielded from those who would cause harm. Health Insurance In this regard, your efforts to heal and protect are bearing great fruit not only for those directly under your pastoral care, but for all of society.”

On medical ethics

“At a time when advances in medical science bring new hope to many, they also give rise to previously unimagined ethical challenges. This makes it more important than ever to offer thorough formation in the Church's moral teaching to Catholics engaged in health care. Wise guidance is needed in all these apostolates, so that they may bear abundant fruit; Health Insurance if they are truly to promote the integral good of the human person, they too need to be made new in Christ our hope.”

On 9/11

“After the attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001, and again after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Americans displayed their readiness to come to the aid of their brothers and sisters in need. On the international level, the contribution made by the people of America to relief and rescue operations after the tsunami of December 2004 is a further illustration of this compassion.”

The Pope’s prayer for the victims and perpetrators of 9/11 which he will pray on Sunday

"O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather together at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain.

"We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here -- the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, Health And Beauty along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.

Lack Of Dental Insurance Creates Family Health Insurance Pressures

2008-04-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

The call for increased access to dental care in the United States and Maine has escalated over the last 10 years. The underlying premise has been that a tremendous number of children and adults do not have access to dental care, Family Health Insurance and the primary solution has been to increase the number of providers. Though some evidence may exist to justify this expansion of the dental work force, we have seriously neglected the underlying cause of the lack of access — the proper financing of dental care, or lack thereof.

We are all well aware of the number of medically uninsured in this country. Recent estimates show that about 47 million people, or roughly 16 percent of Americans, do not have health insurance coverage. This large number of individuals without coverage causes diseases to be diagnosed late or not diagnosed at all, which results in higher health care costs. This puts a great burden on hospitals and clinics that absorb these costs and then must share these costs with insured patients through cost-sharing or write-offs. No matter how these costs are managed, all members of society end up paying for this care.

The addition of new providers has not lowered the cost of receiving medical care, it simply lowered the cost to provide the care. Health insurers are still billed the same fees whether a patient is seen by his physician or by a nurse practitioner. We should assume the same would occur in dentistry if and when we create a new dental provider. The translation is that dental care may be cheaper to provide through a community health center or dental office, but it won’t be cheaper for the patient to receive that dental care than it is today.

The issues surrounding dental care are more extreme than medicine but rarely if ever addressed when we discuss policy issues in health care. Though 16 percent of Americans have no health insurance, almost 50 percent of people in the United States do not have private dental insurance. This means more than 100 million Americans have no private dental insurance coverage, a number that is shocking. This number is compounded by the fact that there is no dental coverage for the elderly. More than 70 percent of people over age 65 lack dental coverage, even though their medical care is covered under Medicare benefits. This would translate to more than 650,000 Mainers living without private dental insurance.

Access to dental care is highly dependent on whether or not one has private dental insurance. In fact, the greatest indicator of the likelihood of an individual having had a dental visit in the last 12 months was based on insurance status. This indicator doesn’t change if one is in an area of high or low concentrations of dental providers.

In Maine, as in most states, we also must deal with the issue of being underinsured. The state Medicaid system, MaineCare, pays providers a fraction of the fees billed for most services, creating a severe disincentive for greater participation. Most MaineCare reimbursement for dental procedures is below the cost of providing this care. Even though more than half of dentists are active MaineCare providers, this number is inadequate to manage the extent of disease in this population. It is estimated that 80 percent of dental disease occurs in 20 percent of the population, the 20 percent being primarily low-income populations. More importantly, MaineCare only provides emergency coverage for adults, leaving MaineCare adults to pay cash out of pocket for comprehensive dental care.

Not surprisingly, the No. Family Health Insurance 1 unmet health care need reported by enrollees into the Dirigo health plan was dental care. Yet as a society, it seems that we do not place enough value on dental care to include it as a standard component of basic health benefits.

The risk of expanding the dental work force without addressing the enormous gap between the insured and uninsured is clear. Though some in need may be able to access care through an expansion of the dental work force, the realistic result will be that more care will be provided to those with resources and dental insurance, further widening the gap in dental disparities in Maine and the United States. This is what happened in Canada after they created a new dental provider intended for poor native populations — these providers went into more lucrative private practices.

Real change will require real dental benefits, which would then allow an expansion of the dental work force with a more equitable distribution of services. However, the real solution to change the oral health of our most needy is primary dental prevention, not treatment.

Considering we know how to prevent tooth decay and with the limited available public resources we have for dental services, Family Health Insurance it is imperative that we develop and implement a universal early dental preventive system for children 3 years of age and younger using nondental health professionals in nondental settings. Dental care financing and then work force expansion should follow the development of a universal prevention system.

Singapore's Health Ministry To Regulate Beauty Treatments

2008-04-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

Singapore's Health Ministry has decided to advise doctors to stop a range of controversial, unproven beauty treatments, local newspaper reported Thursday.

Tan Chor Hiang, the ministry's head of regulations, Care Health United told English language daily The Strait Times Wednesday that they will advise doctors to "stop these practices immediately".

The profession's watchdog is already investigating the aesthetic medicine practices of six doctors, including a specialist, said the report.

Over 1,000 general practitioners (GPs) and specialists have taken to offering a wide range of unproven treatments, including fat-busting injections, skin treatments, remove flaws or "whiten" the complexion, as well as applications of growth hormones or stem cells for a more youthful appearance.

The official told the newspaper "this is not medicine", saying "Such services should never be offered on the pretext that they are medical in nature and are medically beneficial."

She added that "without having proper scientific evidence,Care Health United it is not known whether these practices can cause harm in the medium or long term."

The ministry is in talks with the Academy of Medicine and the College of Family Physicians to draw up proper procedures and the minimum training doctors need before offering them, said the report.

Banning the beauty treatments will threaten to wipe out millions of dollars in business for countless doctors engaged in the lucrative aesthetic medicine scene, the newspaper said.

Changes To Come To Annual Blood Draw

2008-04-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Spring time is the season for health fairs throughout the Eastern Oregon region. For more than 20 years St. Elizabeth Health Services has offered reduced fee laboratory tests during the annual Blood Draw. The Administrators of St. Elizabeth and the Medical Staff took a hard look at national standards for community health screenings and made the decision to provide the same lab services we always have for this year’s draw, and prepare the community for changes next year, which will reflect national standards.

The $50 charge for the lipid panel, CBC, CMP, TSH, LDH and Uric acid was set by the hospital. The Health Fairs in La Grande and Halfway set their own blood draw prices. These two sites offer fewer lab tests which lowers the cost of the services. We have taken extra steps to ensure that our screening prices Beauty Health, when compared to others are of value to our customers.

St. Elizabeth Health Services aims to provide an annual community health screening that is clinically recommended and that meets the unique needs of our population. This year’s Health Fair will address the three main causes of death in Baker County, provide opportunities for free screenings, education for disease prevention and highlight resources for the needy.

We are excited about the improvements we have made to provide the best health care for our community Beauty Health. We appreciate the opportunity to provide quality health screenings.

Patrick Kennedy Says Personal Struggles Help Him In Congress

2008-04-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, health club alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage.

The Rhode Island Democrat, a son of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, played a leading role winning House passage last month on a bill to expand coverage for people needing mental health and addiction treatment.

"My own story gave a lot of my colleagues a comfort level to tell me their own stories, privately," he said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press. "In the process it tied them into this debate personally in ways I think that gave traction to this legislation early on."

Kennedy, 40, crashed his car into a Capitol barricade in the middle of the night nearly two years ago, and agreed to a plea deal on a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He speaks publicly about his own recovery in hopes of ending the stigma of mental illness that prevents people from seeking treatment.

Kennedy, who has battled addiction since high school, said he's pleased his father can "see now at this stage of the game that some of my perceived darker moments turned out to be the silver linings in this great battle that I fought."

Those darker moments, he said, "gave me a platform and a credibility and a stature and a human quality in the House as a spokesperson on this issue that allowed me to cut through a lot of the white noise that insulates members from really facing these issues and addressing them honestly when they're being lobbied so heavily by special interests."

Kennedy and his father are on different sides as the House and Senate try to forge a compromise on expanding coverage for people needing mental health and addiction treatment. Big health care, insurance and pharmaceutical interests are waging a high-stakes fight in Congress over what has come to be known as mental health parity.

The younger Kennedy helped lead the push for the House bill that would require equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both.

His father was instrumental in winning Senate approval last September of a narrower version of the bill with support from business and insurance groups.

The elder Kennedy, D-Mass., has a reputation as one of the most skilled legislators in Congress, often working with Republicans to craft major bills during more than four decades in the Senate. He said he enjoys working with his son, despite their differing views.

"We're always in contact," the senator said. "We talk all the time. There are some important differences, you don't minimize those ... We still have a ways to go, health club but I think it's important that we are making progress."

The congressman hopes his father can help win GOP support for whatever compromise emerges.

"I am so glad my dad is there with me at the table, because if there's anybody who knows how to work with Republicans and can work as good a deal as possible to try to break this free ... it's my dad," he said.

The House bill says that if a plan provides mental health benefits, it must cover mental illnesses and addiction disorders listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is used by mental health professionals.

That bill, the "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007," was named for the late Minnesota Democratic senator who championed the issue for years and who was killed in a 2002 plane crash. It was sponsored by Kennedy and Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., a recovering alcoholic who is Kennedy's Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor.

Kennedy said the bill favored by his father does not go far enough in providing coverage for people who need it health club. The Senate bill gives insurers more leeway on the types of mental disorders they would have to cover. It was a compromise reached after negotiations with businesses, the insurance industry and mental health advocates. Business and insurance groups had fought previous versions, arguing the proposals would drive up insurance costs.

Bill Would Extend Health Insurance Program To Aloha Workers Children

2008-04-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

The children of more than 2,000 Aloha Airlines workers laid off after the airline shut down on March 31 could be eligible for a new medical insurance program being proposed by state lawmakers.

The proposed legislation to provide temporary health insurance through Dec. 31 for children of Aloha employees is intended as a stopgap while their parents look for new jobs, lawmakers said yesterday.

Lawmakers estimate between 800 and 900 children would be eligible.

"It's real limited -- just to try to get them through a crunch time," Health And Beauty said Sen. Rosalyn Baker (D-Maui), a member on the Senate Committee on Health.

The latest draft of Senate Bill 69 would provide basic medical and dental coverage for children 31 days to 18 years old. If approved, the program is expected to take effect in mid-May.

The measure specifies "children of workers employed on March 29, 2008, by a Hawaii interisland air carrier that was in bankruptcy proceedings on that date."

The bill, which would modify a three-year Keiki Care pilot project that began April 1, waives a requirement that a child be uninsured for six continuous months in the case of laid-off Aloha employees. It also has no income or asset limits.

"Of course we realize Aloha aren't the only employees out there suffering, but they were the largest mass layoff in the history of our state," said Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, (D-Waianae, Makaha, Makua).

Costs of the proposed program would be split between the Hawaii Medical Service Association Foundation and the state Department of Human Services, which estimates its cost would be $23,000 a month.

While all laid-off workers may obtain temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates under federal law, they must pay the full cost of those premiums, including the portion that their former employer had been paying.

The bill is scheduled to be heard today by the House Finance Committee. Health And Beauty If approved, the measure would need to be voted on by the full House before moving on to Gov. Linda Lingle for final approval.

Ky. Health Insurance Program Receives Grant For Medicare

2008-04-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

Kentucky’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has been awarded additional funding by the federal government to help Medicare beneficiaries in Kentucky get more information about health care choices.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today it will give $702,460 to Kentucky’s SHIP program as part of the nearly $36 million being distributed to SHIPs during the most recent round of funding Health And Beauty. Overall, CMS will provide more than $50 million to SHIPs across the United States in 2008.

CMS expects the SHIPs to use the increased 2008 funding to conduct targeted, community-based outreach to an increasing number of beneficiaries who may be unable to access other sources of information.

"This round of funding will allow us to further SHIP’s mission, as well as that of the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)," said DAIL Commissioner Deborah Anderson. "We are committed to helping Kentucky’s Medicare recipients understand their health benefits and consumer rights."

Kentucky SHIP provides information, counseling and assistance to seniors and disabled individuals, their family members and caregivers. Local counselors provide this free service.
Kentucky SHIP:

– Educates seniors on health insurance coverage, benefits and consumer rights.
– Provides assistance and education on a one-on-one basis or through educational forums.
– Protects consumers against fraud or misdirected collections.
– Empowers consumers to make informed health insurance choices.

"We are excited to receive this funding and are looking forward to working with the Medicare beneficiaries in Kentucky," said Tina Babbs, director of SHIP. "With this funding we will be able to reach people who qualify for – and desperately need – extra help."

SHIPs will continue their outreach and assistance to current and newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers, Health And Beauty as well as reaching out to beneficiaries with limited incomes who may be eligible for the extra help.

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

2008-04-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

The health insurance industry is "closest to the parasitic relationship imposed by the Mafia," with companies "raking in hefty profits and bloating cost, without providing any benefit at all," Jonathan Kellerman, a clinical professor of pediatrics and psychology at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and a novelist, writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

According to Kellerman, in any industry, the "middleman interposed between seller and buyer raises the price of a given service or product," and, although some "intermediaries justify this by providing benefits" or physical facilities, health insurers "provide nothing other than an ambiguous, shifty notion of 'protection.'"

The health insurance business model "is unique in that profits depend upon goods and services not being provided," he writes, adding that, as a result, the "consequences of any insurance-based health care model" will "be progressively draconian rationing using denial of authorization and steadily rising copayments" for consumers and "massive paperwork and other bureaucratic hurdles, Health Food and steadily diminishing fee-recovery," for health care providers. Kellerman writes that, although most health care reform efforts "emphasize the need to get more people insured," such an approach makes health insurance an "important commodity," rather than a "service delivered by doctor to patient."

He adds that "perhaps the solution" to increased health care costs, bureaucracy and "diminishing levels of service" is "a radically different approach: fewer people insured." In the event that "substantial numbers of health care providers shook off the insurance monkey on their back" and the "supply of providers was substantially increased by opening more medical schools,"Health Food a "more honest, cost-effective system benefiting everyone" except health insurers would result, according to Kellerman.

Park Employees Get Health Insurance

2008-04-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

Beginning June 1, the Jackson County Park Board's four full-time employees will receive the same health insurance coverage as other county employees.

The county commission voted Tuesday to add the workers to its health plan after Chairman James Tidmore said the county's insurance provider had no problem with it Family Health Insurance. He also said the Park Board agreed to pay the costs for getting the employees on the plan.

District 3 Commissioner Carl "Cheese" Marona of Dutton, who recently retired as the board's park manager, told the commission at a recent meeting that park employees cannot afford to pay monthly insurance premiums on their own. He said he had worked there several years without any health insurance.

But District 1 Commissioner Darren Blizard of Bridgeport, who abstained from voting, said at the recent meeting that park employees knew what they were getting into when they were hired. Providing them with health insurance, he said, would open it up to other autonomous boards in the county.

The commission appoints the members of the County Park Board and other boards.

Family Health Insurance In another matter, the commission agreed, after meeting privately for about 30 minutes, to hire JH Partners architectural firm of Huntsville to oversee the courthouse window replacement project.

On County Attorney John Porter's recommendation, the commission voted 3-0 to go into executive session to discuss the issue and an unrelated matter concerning the good name and character of a county employee. Blizard abstained from voting without commenting.

Family Health Insurance In an April 8 letter to the commission, Porter advised the commission to meet privately in order to discuss the costs of the windows because bids will have to be solicited for the project.

"Those cost estimates should be discussed in executive session and remain unpublished until the bids for the windows are taken and awarded," he wrote.