Health Insurance Quote - General Healthcare

Study: More electronic healthcare data sharing needed

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Researchers from the University of Michigan recently released a report requesting public health insurance options to improve electronic data sharing for records and immunizations.

The report, which was released in the latest issue of the "American Journal of Preventative Medicine," called for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to explore new ways to make the electronic record aspect better. Doing this could help prevent doctors taking too much time using a different immunization database when they could be looking at one item that covers everything. In addition, it could cut down on unnecessary immunizations and streamline the process, overall.

"This broad electronic health record adoption across the country is falling short of its potential to ensure that health care providers have a complete immunization history for every child, including vaccines given at other locations," says Dr. Kevin Dombkowski, research professor associate professor at the University of Michigan and co-author of the report.

Consumers who are using a government-funded health insurance plan such as Medicare or Medicaid, but are not happy with it, may want to try a private option. There may be an affordable alternative by comparing health insurance rates.

Parents need further pediatric dental health education

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:00 -0600

MetLife recently released a study showing that while many parents may be confident they are helping their child's dental health, they may not be doing so in the best way possible.

Nearly every parent of a child under the age of six with a dental plan noted their child's dental health is in good shape, the study found. However, close to one-quarter of these parents have been informed by dental professionals that their child could develop tooth decay.

"Children should be introduced to the concept of teeth cleaning and brushing at an early age," said Dr. David Guarrera, president of MetLife Dental Products. "Once a tooth appears, parents should brush children’s teeth twice a day with a child’s toothbrush and water."

Dental health is very important to a person of any age, and furthermore, this can affect overall health. With this in mind, consumers may want to consider looking for health insurance quotes in order to find the plan that fits their needs. These plans also don't have to be expensive. There may be many plans with affordable health insurance rates on the market.

Healthcare costs increase during 2011's third quarter

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Health insurance recipients witnessed overall healthcare expenses increase during the third quarter of 2011, according to Thomson Reuters.

The Healthcare Spending Index for Private Insurance showed the third quarter witnessed a healthcare cost increase of 4 percent during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same point in 2010. When compared with the previous quarter, the figure increased by 0.9 percent.

"Insurance costs are still on the rise," said Gary Pickens, chief research officer at the Thomson Reuters Center for Healthcare Analytics. "While there has been a slight slow down to the pace of growth, overall rates are still increasing nationwide."

Hospital costs rose 5.9 percent year-over-year, while physician costs increased 2.9 percent, according to the index. Drug costs rose 1.3 percent, as well.

Health insurance rates could increase with this information, so it may benefit consumers to explore various health insurance quotes. This could ensure that a person finds a plan that works for them and still is able to afford to make the payments for it.

Spending on psych medication lessens

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A study from Thomson Reuters and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed that psychiatric drug spending has dropped significantly.

The study, which was published in the latest issue of "Psychiatric Services" showed that the annual growth rate of expenditures for each patient dropped from 18.5 percent from the period of 1997 to 2001, to 6.3 percent from 2001-2008. In addition, there was a lack of growth in new users through the period, as the first time frame witnessed a drop of 7 percent while the second experienced a 2 percent decline.

"Employers and insurers have been concerned with the rate of increase in psychiatric drug costs," said Dr. Tami Mark, the paper's lead author and senior director of Thomson Reuters. "As a result, they have implemented measures to control the cost of psychiatric medication prescriptions, such as step therapy, tiered payment, and other proactive cost-control measures."

Consumers who are having trouble affording their psychiatric medication may benefit from comparing affordable health insurance rates. By examining difference health insurance quotes online, a person may find exactly what they are looking for.

School programs to fight childhood obesity may have unexpected consequences

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health recently showed that there may be a connection between prevention of childhood obesity in schools and eating disorders among young people.

More than 80 percent of parents with children under the age of 15 were aware of obesity prevention programs in school, according to the poll. However, nearly 10 percent noted their children were conditioned to feel bad about their food consumption.

"The issue of childhood obesity is a serious problem." said David Rosen, clinical professor of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School. "In order to intervene in what seems like an epidemic of childhood obesity, everyone needs to be involved. When obesity interventions are put in place without understanding how they work and what the risks are, there can be unintended consequences."

Parents who are concerned about their children's weight may want to visit a pediatrician to get professional advice. However, if their health insurance coverage doesn't give them the options necessary to take care of the issue, it may be a good plan to compare affordable health insurance rates.

Healthcare may witness drastic changes by 2025

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A report from the Institute for Alternative Futures showed that many healthcare patients could be paying much higher fees by 2025.

"Primary Care 2025: A Scenario Exploration," showed that the total cost of healthcare could increase significantly over the next several years. While 2011 figures show the healthcare costs for the country are as much as 17 percent of the country's gross domestic product, it could increase to 20 percent of that by 2020. In addition, health insurance premiums could increase, as they have jumped 131 percent from 1999 until last year.

"Community health centers will give high-quality care to low-income people, and a small persistent group of affluent will receive great fee-for-service 'concierge' healthcare," said Clem Bezold, chair of the Institute for Alternative Futures. "You will see more virtual care, personal health avatars and doctors operating remotely. But the scenarios also include challenging and visionary possibilities."

While 2025 may be quite far off, it could be a good idea to note that affordable health insurance rates could be difficult to come by in the future. Instead, it may be a good process to compare health insurance plans to see what the most practical option is for the long-term.

Healthcare cost growth lessens in November

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

The average per capita cost of healthcare under Medicare or private health insurance plans rose during the month of November, but not as much as it did in October.

The S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index showed that in November, the rate increased by 5.13 percent year-to-date. This is below October's year-to-date rate of 5.29 percent.

"After seeing a few months of increasing annual growth rates, particularly across commercial insurance plans, November's data presented us with some moderation in healthcare costs," said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices.

Commercial insurance plan claim costs increased by 6.96 percent in November, which was less than the previous month's figure of 7.1 percent, according to the report. In addition, the Medicare figure was also down from October, as in November it rose 2.37 percent, lower than the gain of 2.55 percent in October.

Affordable health insurance rates could be affected by overall healthcare spending, so it may benefit consumers to ensure they are utilizing the most affordable plan.

Important to stay healthy during flu season

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A recent survey completed jointly between the Emily Post Institute and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases showed that many Americans may not be taking influenza as seriously as they say they do.

The survey, "Are you That Guy?", showed that while more than 80 percent of Americans think that those who have flu-like symptoms should stay away from others until they are feeling better, close to two-thirds said that in the past three years, they have hung around others while dealing with some stage of influenza themselves. The illness is contagious and can be spread easily.

"Most of us try our best to be considerate and do the right thing," said Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-author of the 18th edition of the Emily Post's Etiquette book. "While people recognize that the flu virus spreads easily, they admit to tossing proper etiquette aside when they have the flu."

There are many affordable health insurance rates available for consumers to take advantage of, and it may be a good idea to make sure a person and their family are properly insured in case someone becomes ill during flu season.

Anti-smoking programs losing funding, hurting cessation success

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Many consumers are trying to quit smoking, but with recent budget cuts, government help may be harder to find, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The habit of smoking is the top cause of death in the country that is considered preventable. The source noted that approximately 70 percent of current smokers are trying to quit, but don't have the ability to, as they need help. Government-funded programs that promote smoking cessation have been cut by more than one-third over the past four years, as budget cuts are becoming the norm across the country. Of the money allocated for tobacco cessation, most states will be spending around 2 percent of it in 2012.

"It's a travesty," Danny McGoldrick, vice president for research at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, told the news source. "These programs more than pay for themselves."

For consumers who want to quit smoking, but don't think their health insurance plan will help pay for their cessation attempts, it may be smart to look for affordable health insurance rates. Not only will the consumer save money, but they may find a sufficient insurance plan, as well.

Moms may not know everything about germs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Some moms may be unaware of some important aspects of germ knowledge, and this is something that is important to learn about when dealing with young children, according to a survey from Playtex.

A significant portion of moms did not score well in the survey, which shows there is room for improvement when it comes to germ knowledge. While nearly every mom noted the importance of washing hands after each diaper change, less than 35 percent of new moms knew that the diaper-changing table was the top area for germs.

"Keeping the nursery as clean and as germ-free as possible is such an important aspect for most parents," said Dr. Benjamin Tanner, a germ expert and microbiologist who partnered with the company in the study. "But when we surveyed moms, we found that they generally aren't aware of the best ways to do it. The good news is, with the right knowledge, keeping germ levels to a minimum in the nursery is much easier than most moms think."

Moms who are concerned about their young children's well-being may benefit from examining their insurance plan. If the coverage is not up to their standards, it may be a good idea to compare health insurance quotes and find the best fit.

Small percentage of Americans create most healthcare costs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality noted that during 2009, a total of 1 percent of Americans represented nearly 22 percent of healthcare costs.

The figure meant that for every $5 spent, $1 of that was used to treat one out of 100 patients, the report noted. This showed a total of $1.26 trillion was spent on that 1 percent during 2009, averaging out to a total of $90,061 per person per year. The 2009 figure was higher than 2008, as that year's most expensive 1 percent represented 20.2 percent of the total healthcare costs.

Despite the high figures, this was down from 1996, when the 1 percent was billed 28 percent of the total expenditures for healthcare in the United States, the source noted.

"[There was] some decrease in this concentration at the upper tail of the expenditure distribution," said Steven Cohen and William Yu, research experts for AHRQ.

Continued increases in healthcare industry expenses could mean health insurance rates could be rising, overall. This may mean consumers could benefit by comparing rates to see if there is a less expensive option available.

Be safe during winter weather

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is informing Americans that it is important to take precautions during the winter, as it could keep them and their families safe.

Make sure that all family members wear the appropriate clothing for the weather outside, the report noted. That includes jackets, hats, gloves and boots. Other layered clothing underneath is also important.

Also, when around the outside of the home, be vigilant and make sure there are no ice patches around, the CDC stressed. If there are, it is important to spread items such as sand, ice melt or cat litter. Avoid traveling during big storms, as well. However, if traveling is necessary, it is important for consumers to inform someone of their planned route, as well as when they are expecting to reach their destination. When outside, try to be in a group, so if something happens, there is help immediately there.

Consumers who have to work outside can be exposed to extreme conditions, which can be unhealthy. It may be a smart idea to compare health insurance quotes, as these could ensure that the coverage a family has is sufficient.

APA: Stress a significant issue for Americans

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A survey from The American Psychological Association found that stress is a common issue for Americans, and this can be a problem for long-term health.

More than 20 percent of those surveyed noted they had very high stress levels, according to the association's survey "Stress in America: Our Health at Risk." Severe stress was determined anything higher than eight on a one to 10 scale. Another 40 percent of Americans noted their stress levels have gone up in the past year, while nearly 45 percent have witnessed an increase in the past five years.

"We are caught in a vicious cycle where our stress exceeds our own definition of what is healthy, and those who are already living with a chronic illness report even higher levels of stress," said Dr. Norman Anderson, chief executive officer and executive vice president for APA. "Yet we're ill-equipped to make changes to better manage that stress."

Consumers who deal with stress may want to ask for help from a professional, as it can be managed. In order to make their medical bills less expensive, it could be a good plan to compare affordable health insurance rates.

Long-term healthcare planning not a priority for many Americans

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Health insurance company John Hancock recently released a survey that showed many Americans understand the importance of long-term care, but not many have such coverage.

A total of 60 percent of Americans noted they will likely need long-term healthcare later in life, and more than 80 percent noted it is a bad idea to not plan for long-term healthcare costs. Another 60 percent noted that one of these items is the best way to prepare for the future. However, only 11 percent said they actually own this type of insurance.

"While it is encouraging to see an increase in general knowledge," said Marianne Harrison, president of John Hancock LTC Insurance. "The survey's overall results are a cause for concern because most consumers appear to be making long-term care plans by default, thinking they'll rely on government programs, which already are showing signs of strain."

For those who have long-term care health insurance, it may also not be a bad idea to compare affordable health insurance rates, as there may be a more inexpensive plan out there that will reduce overall costs.

Americans need help sticking to healthy eating plans

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Popcorn company Orville Redenbacher recently released a survey showing many Americans not only like eating snacks, but have trouble sticking to resolutions that would cut down on their unhealthy eating habits.

With many people interested in keeping their snacking habit, approximately 40 percent said that in order to continue snacking, they would be okay with daily visits from relatives, according to the report. Another 33 percent would be fine with weekly visits to the dentist as an inconvenience in order to keep snacking.

More than 35 percent said that being able to see their favorite artist backstage would motivate them to stick to a healthy eating resolution, while nearly 30 percent said it would take free front row tickets to a major sporting event, the survey found.

Nearly 70 percent of Americans said they like salty snack choices, while 63 percent said sweet. However, only 40 percent noted they prefer healthy snacking options.

Consumers who do not take care of themselves are at a higher risk of health problems later in life. In order to ensure that a person is covered, it may be a good idea to compare affordable health insurance rates, as there may be a sufficient option available that is inexpensive.

Study: Cessation program will help smokers quit, save money

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids recently announced that a study from George Washington University showed that the state of Massachusetts has saved significant amounts of money by helping smokers quit.

The study, which was completed by the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, was published in PLoS ONE, a peer-reviewed science journal. The program has been aimed at Medicaid patients in Massachusetts, and it offered consumers a way to receive help with kicking their smoking habit.

The study found that for every $1 that was spent by the Bay State for this program actually saved $3.12 in heart-related hospital expenses, according to the release. This equals approximately $14.7 million saved for Medicaid on an annual basis in the state. In addition, the study noted that more than one-third of Medicaid recipients are smokers, while less than one-fifth of all adults smoke.

Those Americans who are smokers not only are risking their health, but they may be paying higher health insurance rates and premiums due to their habit.

Radon dangerous for families, can cause cancer in many Americans

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that January is National Radon Action Month, and consumers need to be vigilant, as the toxin can cause cancer.

The gas has no scent and is radioactive, the EPA noted. It is formed when uranium in the soil begins to break down, and it can enter the home through cracks in the foundation, as well as other entryways.

"Testing for radon is an easy and important step in protecting the health of your family," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation for EPA. "Radon can be found in every single state. Nationally, elevated radon levels are in as many as one in 15 homes - a statistic that is even higher in some communities."

Those consumers who think they may have been exposed to radon may want to ensure their health insurance is sufficient, as they could be at a higher risk for cancer. Those who don't think their plan is good enough may want to explore affordable health insurance quotes.

Survey: Smokers are hesitant to tell doctors they use tobacco

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A recent survey from Legacy showed that less than 15 percent of American smokers admit to their doctors they have the habit, creating health insurance concerns.

Only 13 percent of tobacco users were not able to readily admit it, the survey found. This could potentially hurt their chances to quit due to not taking advantage of their doctor as a knowledge tool. In addition, these consumers may feel a certain stigma to admitting such habits. This is likely due to the unpopularity of smoking around the country nowadays.

"Healthcare providers play a critical role in reaching smokers with appropriate messages and resources for quitting, especially now that insurance coverage has expanded to include some smoking cessation treatments," said Dr. Cheryl Healton, president and chief executive officer of Legacy.

Consumers should always tell their doctors about their habits so they can be treated more accurately for health issues. In addition, those who are trying to save money may want to look for affordable health insurance quotes, which may become more inexpensive if the person quits smoking.

Diabetes patients fare better with constant healthcare coverage

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine showed that those afflicted with diabetes need constant health insurance coverage to truly benefit from care.

The study, completed by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, found that of those diabetes patients who had continuous coverage typically fared better than those who did not have sufficient, uninterrupted insurance coverage.

A total of 48 percent of diabetes patients with constant care underwent lipid screenings at least three times in three years, according to the study. In addition, close to 75 percent of patients were able to receive at least screenings for blood glucose during the period.

"Our study shows that patients need continuous health insurance coverage in order to ensure adequate preventive care, even when that care is provided at a reduced cost," said Dr. Rachel Gold, lead author and investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.

For those who have to deal with chronic ailments, it is important to have strong health insurance coverage. Taking time to compare health insurance quotes could make the process more affordable.

Americans making an effort to live healthier

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

A recent Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll showed that more Americans are trying to lose weight and quit smoking, and many are turning out to be successful.

The results showed that nearly six in 10 Americans who were trying to lose weight in the past five years were able to successfully achieve this. In addition, more than 40 percent of smokers tried to stop smoking in the past five years. Of those, more than one-third were successful.

"As the country re-evaluates ways to reduce runaway healthcare spending, it is time for all Americans to be resolved to take better care of themselves and others," said Dr. Raymond Fabius, chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. "Data demonstrates that the majority of medical costs can be traced back to poor lifestyle issues such as obesity and tobacco use."

Consumers who stop practicing bad habits will not only be healthier, but they can also potentially save money on their health insurance. If their plan does not award consumers for being healthy, it may be wise for consumers to compare affordable health insurance quotes.

Hidden fees prevalent in preventive care

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

While some people's health insurance policies inform consumers that various procedures are free of charge, some items may be added that will be billed directly to the consumer without them knowing, according to USA Today.

Many health insurance plans have a high deductible. But, if the person who has the plan hasn't met that deductible, they could have a hefty bill to pay, the source noted. Healthcare reform attempts to prevent consumers from being hit with a large bill for preventive care, but some exceptions with the new law will prove problematic for some people.

Some doctors are not happy about it, as patients may receive a fee for not understanding their own policy.

"It erodes a trust relationship the patients may have had with their doctors," Dr. Joel Brill of the American Gastroenterological Association, told the news source. "We get blamed. And it's not our fault."

It is important for consumers to understand their health insurance policy before getting any procedures done, as this could help prevent unwanted bills. If the person's plan doesn't cover what they want or need, comparing affordable health insurance quotes may be the best medicine.

Failed joint replacements costing billions

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

Due to the failure of many hip joint replacements, consumers may be witnessing an increase in bills and health insurance rates, according to The New York Times.

The hip replacements are made of a metal joint that has a tendency to scrape against itself and send debris into the body. The person who has the artificial joint is at risk of needing an early replacement, on top of many other medical bills that come with it, the news source reported. The joints are intended to last at least 15 years.

The all-metal designs make up around one-third of all hip replacements in the United States annually, according to the source. However, recent tests have found that in the past five years, no improvement has been made in joint replacements overall. This also showed that three in 10 of these items actually were worse.

Due to health insurance rates at risk of increasing in the United States due to this, it may be smart to compare affordable health insurance quotes. This could help keep costs down during a turbulent insurance period.

Large portion of FL healthcare spending used on needless care

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report from Patients for Fair Compensation showed that close to 33 percent of all money spent in the healthcare industry is used to prevent lawsuits.

In total, the report noted that close to $40 billion is spent needlessly. This includes multiple tests and other types of preventative treatments undertaken in hopes that the physician will not be reprimanded for not covering all of their bases. Nearly 90 percent of doctors in the Sunshine State admitted to using defensive medicine practices.

"Doctors order unnecessary medical care because they are in fear that one mistake could wipe out everything they've ever worked for," said Richard Jackson, chairman of Patients for Fair Compensation, "That kind of money could certainly help pay for the healthcare of many uninsured Americans. If we eliminate defensive medicine, we can make healthcare more affordable for everyone."

With so much money being wasted, it may be important for consumers to ensure they have an inexpensive health insurance plan. Affordable health insurance quotes may not be difficult to find, and could still have the necessary options to keep consumers fully covered.

Study: Some healthcare workers don't agree with ICU care

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent study showed that many healthcare workers are unhappy with some of the decisions made in the intensive care units of hospitals, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, noted that 25 percent of nurses found some sort of incorrect care for at least one patient at the hospital. Nearly one-third of doctors noted the same thing, the report noted.

The care in question was typically either too much or too little for the situation. Close to 40 percent of those surveyed thought that some of the time spent on ICU care would have benefited another patient more than the one who was in the room.

"The main reason for perceived inappropriateness of care is a mismatch between the level of care and the expected patient outcome, usually in the direction of perceived excess intensity of care," researchers noted, according to the source.

It is important to make sure that consumers are equipped with health insurance, so they can avoid the emergency room and head to the doctor's office instead. For those who aren't sure what plan is good for them, it may be smart to compare affordable health insurance quotes.

Preparing for the future important if diagnosed with chronic condition

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

If a consumer finds out they have developed a medical condition that will last the rest of their lives, it may be a good idea to plan their financial futures with this in mind, according to Bankrate.com.

When someone learns that they have a chronic condition, it can be traumatic. This is because without a health insurance plan, costs can get very expensive. It is important to get a health insurance plan before becoming ill, the source noted. If a person's employer doesn't provide such option, a person may want to compare affordable health insurance quotes to ensure they will get the right plan.

In addition, the source noted the importance of having a financial backup plan.

"[I]t's extremely important to have an emergency fund," Joshua Schefers, a certified financial planner and licensed insurance agent from California, told the news source. "If you're struck with something unexpected, like a significant illness, you're going to have new expenses. You'll probably be working less, too, so you need savings to get you through the downtime."

There are many other insurance options that may need to be looked into as well, such as disability and long-term care, the source added.

Fireworks and alcohol can be dangerous

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent announcement from the National Council on Fireworks Safety warned partygoers to be careful when using fireworks during the holidays, and if people are impaired by alcohol, these items should not be used.

The announcement stressed that consumers should never use fireworks inside the home and also be sure to stay in line with any laws and local ordinances regarding fireworks usage. There should be a water source available when using fireworks, and it should be easily accessible. Finally, do not let young children light fireworks, as this could have dangerous consequences.

"Each New Year's Eve, consumers are injured because their judgment has been impaired by beer, wine, or another alcoholic drink," Nancy Blogin, president of the National Council on Fireworks Safety. "The lesson is simple: alcohol and fireworks don't mix."

Consumers should be certain that they have proper health insurance coverage, as accidents can happen. Being covered if you are injured in an accident can mean the difference between having costs covered and paying a significant amount of money out-of-pocket for treatment.

Healthcare costs on the rise

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report from S&P Indices found that the rate of healthcare cost increases picked in October.

The S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index showed the average cost of healthcare services increased 5.11 percent during the year period from October 2010 to October 2011. The commercial index noted costs increased 6.91 percent during the same period, while the Medicare index showed the annual rate rose by 2.39 percent.

"Over the last four months we have generally observed modest increases in the Composite's growth rate, with these increases driven by increasing growth trends in hospital costs," said David Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Indices. "Looking closely at the hospital costs, the most recent increases have been driven more by increases on the commercial insurance side."

The rising costs of healthcare may prompt many insurance companies to increase health insurance rates. For those who want affordable health insurance rates, it may be a good idea to shop around for a plan that is affordable, but still sufficient.

Fewer young people are starting to smoke

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report from public health foundation Legacy applauded the results of a University of Michigan study, which found a significant drop in the rate of smoking by young people.

The study, "Monitoring the Future," found that only 11.7 percent of American youth were using tobacco in 2011. This is down from 12.8 percent in 2010.

"This is very hopeful news for the public health of our nation's youth," said Dr. Cheryl Healton, president and chief executive officer of Legacy. "Any reduction is a welcome one, and this decrease in smoking prevalence can translate into thousands of lives saved from premature deaths from tobacco-related diseases. Legacy's mission in part is to create a world where young people reject tobacco."

Many people may be rewarded for not taking part in unhealthy habits - such as smoking - by their employer's health insurance plan. If they are not, it may be a good idea to look at and compare other affordable health insurance rates, as there may be a plan available that will.

Many consumers at risk of serious health problems

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent study from Quest Diagnostics found that approximately one-third of consumers are at risk of a serious medical issue, and do not know it.

The study, which was published in PLoS ONE, a peer-reviewed journal, discovered that 36 percent of those participating in a wellness program for the first time were unaware of their susceptibility to a chronic medical problem.

"This is exciting research that documents the importance of using health risk data with actual lab results, not just relying on self-reports," said Helen Darling, president and chief executive officer of the National Business Group on Health. "Most employers know that helping employees and dependents understand and reduce their risk factors will improve health and quality of life, while also avoiding serious and costly medical problems down the road."

It may be a good idea to participate in regular check-ups with a physician to ensure that a consumer's health is good. If a person lacks insurance coverage, it may be a good idea to look for affordable health insurance quotes, as this could help them gain access to the proper care.

Survey: Consumers like current pharmacy options

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent survey from the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association found that many Americans are okay with their current access to prescriptions drugs.

Nearly 90 percent of consumers noted they are happy with their prescription coverage from their health insurance plan, while fewer than 10 percent of consumers are upset with it, the survey noted. Another 56 percent noted they are more concerned about saving money than any other aspect of drug access. Nearly one in five stated they prioritized access to all prescription drugs.

"While there is always more that can be done, consumers appreciate the savings and access that pharmacy benefit managers deliver," said Mark Merritt, president and chief executive officer of PCMA. "Likewise, consumers are unwilling to pay more in order to protect the financial interests of drugstores."

Nearly 85 percent of Americans refuse to pay any more to have additional drugstore options in their insurance network, Merritt added.

For those who think their plan could do better in offering affordable health insurance rates, it may be a smart idea to look for health insurance quotes that fit the person's situation.

Healthcare data breaches have pricey consequences

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report completed jointly by ID Experts and the Ponemon Institute showed that healthcare-related data breaches are occurring more frequently, and it is costing the industry billions of dollars.

The "2011 Benchmark Study on Patient Privacy and Data Security" showed that data breaches for health insurance providers and other healthcare organizations rose by 32 percent, and the companies examined had an average of four issues. On average, this costs $6.5 billion annually, but could reach to more than $8 billion some years.

"Hospital employees are exposing patient data like the back of a hospital gown," said Rick Kam, president and co-founder of ID Experts. "Identity theft and medical identity theft resulting from data breach exposure are commonplace, causing patients financial harm, frustration and embarrassment. Hospitals must vaccinate against data breach risks in order to take better care of patients and their data."

The effect on individual health insurance could be notable, as affordable health insurance rates may be harder to find if costs increase. In addition, it may be a wise decision for consumers to try to lock in a lower health insurance rate now.

Most healthcare executives supporting cutting costs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent survey from Surgical Information Systems showed nearly eight in 10 healthcare executives are in favor of reducing the costs in the operating room.

There has been a one-third increase in operating room costs since 2010 and one quarter of hospitals are very concerned about cost reimbursements. This figure declined form 2010 to 2011 by nearly 60 percent.

Nearly every executive surveyed noted their belief that optimizing operating efficiently was important. The figure has been on the rise in recent months, and the survey found that the sentiment increased more than 7.5 percent in the past year.

"The payment reductions facing providers over the next 10 years require healthcare finance leaders to move beyond cost containment strategies," said Richard Clarke, president and chief executive officer for the Healthcare Financial Management Association. "Instead, organizations need to improve efficiency by removing waste and duplication within the delivery system.

Consumers who are concerned about affordable health insurance rates may want to examine health insurance quotes to see what is the best plan available for the money.

Wellness programs becoming more widespread

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report from the Advertising Specialty Institute recently showed that approximately 90 percent of American corporations offer some sort of wellness program that encourages healthy living, and many include participation incentives.

The report cites another study from the Incentive Research Foundation which notes that only 20 percent of consumers would take part in such a program if there was no incentive attached to it. However, once there was a reason to join the plan, six in 10 employees would join in.

"It's clear from ASI's research that companies can attain a significant ROI through wellness programs - but while 90 percent of U.S. corporations provide employee wellness programs, only 44 percent offer promotional products as incentives for participation," said Timothy Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI. "There's clearly room for growth in this market. It's good for business, and it's great for reducing skyrocketing health-care costs."

For consumers who lead healthy lives, if their workplace does not offer such programs, it may be a good idea to go online and examine affordable health insurance rates while encouraging their company to adopt one. Finding the best plan for them may not be complicated or confusing.

Majority of Americans don't always live healthy

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive for IMRE Healthcare showed that two-thirds of American adults are not living healthy lives.

The poll found that 30 percent of American adults blame high prices as to why they are unable to take care of their healthcare needs. Another 27 percent noted that they just don't have the time to practice healthy lifestyles. There was also 16 percent who noted that they don't feel living healthfully is a priority.

"Those individual decisions may continue to pummel our health economy as the prevalence of preventable chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity remains unaddressed," said Daphne Swancutt, director of healthcare strategy and healthcare practice leader for IMRE Healthcare. "This is especially true if there is not a stronger call to action to make healthy living for all Americans a priority all the time."

Consumers who don't make an effort to live healthy lives are putting their lives at risk. To protect themselves, it may be wise to ensure they have the best health insurance coverage money can buy. Going online and looking at affordable health insurance quotes may help this process.

Paid sick days could save massive sum

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report from the Institute for Women's Policy Research showed that if more consumers were allowed to take paid sick days, the medical industry would save more than $1 billion each year.

There is more than $45 billion spent in the United States each year on emergency room-type services, the report noted. If there was a universal allowance of paid sick days, it is estimated that $1.1 billion would be saved each year. Close to half of this cost is covered by various publicly funded healthcare plans, such as Medicare or Medicaid.

"As high and rising health care expenditures continuing to be a top concern for policymakers and businesses alike, paid sick days is a cost saving solution that should receive serious attention," said Claudia Williams, research analyst with IWPR and author of the report.

Consumers who don't receive a sufficient health insurance plan from their employer may want to look into affordable health insurance quotes, as these items may help them get better healthcare service for less money out-of-pocket.

Teens think about smoking incorrectly

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent report from the Caron Treatment Center's Project CONNECT showed that many young people have misconceptions regarding smoking.

The report cited a study that noted close to 20 percent of teens smoke, and 3,000 young Americans become regular smokers each day. In addition, four in five of these people between the age of 11 to 19 at least entertain the thought of quitting.

The project reported that many incorrect presumptions are believed by children. Many think that smoking is a stress reliever, is not as dangerous in moderation and young people don't need to worry about health risks. In addition, the study noted that many think they can quit on their own, while they can't get addicted if they do it socially. All of these, of course are untrue.

"The actual commitment to smoking cessation is a process that can often be overwhelming for adolescents who try to alone," said Mylene Krzanowski, executive director of student assistance services at Caron Treatment Centers. "In order to keep teenagers focused on their cessation goals, it is crucial that parents and school administrators rely on evidence-based cessation programs that address the unique needs and concerns of this age group."

Consumers may want to not only inform their children of smoking risks, but quit themselves if they smoke. Many health insurance plans allow for discounted health insurance rates for participating in healthy habits and activities.

Texas requiring vaccine for college students

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0600

A recent announcement from CVS/Caremark's MinuteClinic reminded that Texas college students that they need to receive a meningitis vaccine before returning to school in 2012.

The state passed a law in 2010 that would make it the first state in the union to make meningitis vaccines for students compulsory if they are under the age of 30 and have not had one in the past five years, the announcement noted. Most health insurance plans are expected to cover a section of the cost, but it may require consumers to pay as much as $147.

"MinuteClinic makes it easy for students to fulfill this vaccination requirement by making meningitis vaccinations available seven days a week with no appointment necessary and providing students the proper documentation to submit to their school," said Angela Patterson, nurse practitioner and MinuteClinic regional manager.

Consumers who need the vaccine, but don't think their current plan will cover a significant amount of the cost may want to obtain affordable health insurance quotes, which could improve their chances to save money.

Doctors prefer electronic records to paper

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:00:00 -0500

A recent survey from Practice Fusion and GfK Roper discovered that a majority of doctors think healthcare information is safer when it is electronically stored compared to the paper alternative.

Nearly 55 percent of doctors think that Electronic Health Records are safer for patients' information than paper, while less than one in five disagree with this. A total of 36 percent of doctors who were against the technology though that paper would prevent medical data from getting lost or hacked. For those who thought the electronic plan was a great idea, more than 60 percent thought it would make access much easier.

"The medical community is rejecting paper charts and embracing technology," said Robert Rowley, Practice Fusion's medical director. "As a practicing physician using an EHR, I understand the benefits and some of the concerns both physicians and patients have."

With consumers already worried about their medical records and how they are kept, it may be a good plan to put their health insurance woes to bed. Going online and comparing affordable health insurance rates could be a sound plan.

Report: Rural children have more obstacles to proper healthcare

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:00:00 -0500

A recent report from the Health Resources and Services Administration showed that many young people living in rural America may have more limited access to care compared to children who live in cities.

The National Survey of Children's Health showed that those living in more rural parts of the United States were likely to have public insurance programs including the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid. Those children who live in cities are more likely to be insured privately. In addition, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma are more prevalent in rural areas.

"This national survey demonstrates how children in rural areas face particular health risks," said Mary Wakefield, administrator for HSRA. "Using the information provided by parents about their children will give public health officials a more complete picture for how to improve these children's health outcomes."

Consumers who want what is best for their child may need to compare affordable health insurance rates to find the best plan for them. This could be especially important in rural areas, where healthcare options may be more scarce.

Public health issues connected to mortgage problems

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent study from the American Journal of Public Health found that consumers who are behind on their mortgages are more prone to serious depression-related issues than those who are up to date on their bills, showing the need for health insurance.

For consumers over the age of 50 who are delinquent on their mortgage, more than 20 percent had depressive symptoms show up during the two-year long study. Those who were not late on their mortgage payments only had these symptoms show up 3 percent of the time.

"More than a quarter of people in mortgage default or foreclosure are over 50," says the study's principal investigator, Dr. Dawn Alley, assistant professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "For an older person with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, the types of health problems we saw are short term consequences of falling behind on a mortgage that could have long-run implications for that person's health."

Consumers who are concerned about their health due to their current financial situation may want to try to save money by obtaining affordable health insurance quotes.

Emergency room visits increase dramatically

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent study from the American College of Emergency Physicians found that the number of emergency room patients increased approximately 10 percent in 2009.

Close to 136 million emergency room visits occurred in 2009, which may suggest that fewer consumers have sufficient health insurance coverage. Nearly nine in 10 patients were recorded as having insurance, but the emergency visits may mean that the healthcare plans are not good enough.

"There can be no meaningful health care reform or cost control without liability reform," said Dr. David Seaberg, president for ACEP. "One of the new studies shows emergency physicians applying a different standard of admission to their patients than they would apply to themselves largely because of concerns about being sued."

Some sort of liability reform may be the best way to reduce ER visits and create lower rates for consumers, Seaberg added.

Consumers who do not have coverage that allows them to get a comprehensive checkup when sick may want to look for a heath insurance plan with more a more affordable rate. This could be a good hold over, as there is no guarantee that reform will occur anytime soon.

Study: Child knee injuries in sport increase

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:00:00 -0500

A recent study from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia noted anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears in children have spiked over the past 12 years, potentially leading to higher healthcare costs.

From 1999 through the start of 2011, more than 150 tibial spine fractures were dealt with, while more than 900 ACL tears and close to 1,000 meniscus injuries were documented. The rate of fractures increased by approximately one per year, while ACL injuries increased by more than 10 annually and meniscus injuries increased by nearly 15 each year.

"Many people in sports medicine have assumed that these knee injuries have increased in recent years among children," said Dr. J. Todd Lawrence, orthopaedic surgeon at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and primary investigator of this study. "Our study confirmed our hypothesis that, at least at our large academic pediatric hospital, knee injuries are an ever-growing problem for children and adolescents involved in sports."

Parents may want to ensure their children's health insurance is sufficient, especially if they play sports. If not, it may be a good idea to go online and look for affordable quotes.

Hygiene important during cold, flu season

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent study from Lysol found that more than half of consumers noted they take part in good hygienic practices, which is vital as cold and flu season is approaching quickly.

Those who are typically nervous receive colds 10 percent less often than other people, while consumers who cover their mouth when they sneeze are sizeably more likely to have a more impressive health record.

The Center for Disease Control noted that more than 20 million school days are lost annually by students who get sick from the common cold. In addition, anywhere between 5 percent and 20 percent of the population are likely to get influenza at some point this year.

"Adopting good hygiene habits is a responsibility we all share," said Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician and author. "It is important for families to integrate regular hygiene practices at home, school and work throughout the year to keep germs from spreading, especially during cold and flu season."

For those who don't have insurance coverage and are fearful of catching an inconvenient sickness, it may be a smart idea to look for competitive health insurance rates.

Study: Pediatricians do not give overweight children enough advice

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent study from the Kansas City-based Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics noted that doctors give overweight children tips on how do deal with their situation, but more than half of these young people do not receive any additional advice.

Popular opinions on childhood obesity promote the idea that children should receive counseling and multiple follow-up visits. But many children are not receiving this promoting weight loss, and their doctors are not requiring common examinations, which can be problematic for those who don't know how to go about treatment, the study noted.

"These results are concerning because it means a significant percentage of children are not receiving the support and counseling they need to prevent the onset of adult obesity and some of its serious complications," said Kerri Wade, a nurse practitioner and lead author of the study. "Research has demonstrated that more frequent patient contact is associated with improved weight status."

Consumers who are not happy with their child's pediatrician may want to see what their health insurance plan offers for options, as there are typically a number of available doctors that can be utilized.

Survey: Economy affecting healthcare spending

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent survey from Euro RSCG Worldwide found that more consumers are trying to save money by cutting out healthcare costs, but many of these people are not becoming more ill as a result.

More than 40 percent of Americans have a financial situation that is worse than it was last year, while close to 30 percent have preferred to spend less money on medical visits. Another 28 percent have lowered their medication expenses.

"The dire economic news just keeps coming, and clearly a lot of people have been badly affected, yet the survey results show a lot more positivity and resilience than you might have expected," said Julie Monroid, partner and chief strategic officer of Havas Worldwide Health. "After all those years of apparent plenty, Americans are now figuring out ways to maintain good health and good spirits through tougher times."

Consumers are not recommended to stop visits to the doctor or stop taking medication without a physician's blessing. There are also many other ways to save money that will not endanger someone's own well-being. One idea could be to look for and compare affordable health insurance quotes, as this could save a significant amount of money in the long run.

One quarter of Americans skeptical of vaccines

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:00:00 -0500

A recent poll found that approximately 25 percent of Americans think that vaccines are not safe, and more than one in five consumers think that these preventative treatments are a cause of autism - a link which has never been proven.

The Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll also found that nearly 27 percent were worried about the safety of vaccines. Of this group, 30 percent belonged to households with children under 18 years of age, while fewer than 20 percent from those were classified as senior citizens.

"Ironically, these survey results are a testament to the effectiveness of vaccines: older people remember what illnesses like polio did to cripple and kill patients, but the younger generation has never seen someone with polio," said Dr. Raymond Fabius, chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters.

Consumers who want to make sure their child is properly vaccinated should be sure their health insurance coverage is sufficient. If not, it may be a good idea to check online to compare health insurance rates and get a quote that works for the whole family.

Nearly half of Americans making prescription mistakes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent poll from Consumer Reports found that 48 percent of all American consumers are not making good decisions when it comes to prescription drug costs.

The aforementioned figure was due to these consumers avoiding a doctor's appointment or necessary procedure in hopes that it would cut healthcare fees. Nearly 30 percent did things regarding healthcare that may have been dangerous to their own well-being. Of those, 16 percent did not fill their prescriptions, while close to 15 percent took pills that were expired.

"Our polling suggests that the burden of prescription drug prices is coming down as our medicine cabinets are more frequently filled with generic drugs," said Lisa Gill, prescription drug editor for Consumer Reports Health. "But the costs of multiple prescriptions has proved to be onerous for many Americans, so much so that some consumers are making unhealthy tradeoffs."

Consumers who are not confident that they can afford their medication may want to reexamine their healthcare plan. Going online and comparing health insurance quotes may be the best way to make sure that they have the best health setup possible.

California city attempts to improve healthcare

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Blue Shield of California will work with San Francisco-based hospitals and medical personnel in order to improve patient care and help create a cost and quality standard in the area, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

There are more than 25,000 employees in the city's public sector, and while health insurance is typical, the quality and cost of care varies greatly. San Francisco is not the only city to try something new, the news source reported. Sacramento worked out a program recently that prioritized further medical training for personnel in order to give patients cheaper alternatives, by aiding them in obtaining procedures that were not as drastic, but still accomplished their goal.

"When you have over-utilization, it is both a cost and quality issue," Paul Markovich, Blue Shield's chief operating officer, told the news source. "Hospitals are not really safe places to be. ... You only want to be there if you have to be there."

Blue Shield, in concert with other local healthcare providers, created the accountable care organization, the news source added. This coordination of healthcare could make it easier and more practical for locals to afford care.

Foreclosures may take a toll on health

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The stress of foreclosure may be taking a toll on the economy and on public health, according to The Wall Street Journal.

A recent study titled "Is Foreclosure Making Us Sick?" compiled information about local foreclosures and health insurance data, including emergency room visits, found that areas with a large number of distressed properties also saw more patients complaining of mental health issues and preventable conditions such as hypertension. Anxiety-related issues and ailments related to stress were prominent in neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates, as were suicide attempts, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Researchers Janet Currie and Erdal Tekin focused their efforts on data from hard-hit housing markets in Arizona, California, Florida and New Jersey. They used data collected between 2005 and 2009 and in addition to highlighting the health insurance woes of communities in housing crisis, they also pointed out that individuals between the ages of 20 and 49 were the most impacted, NBER reports.

Some may also be quick to point out that it is not just distressed homeowners that may be suffering, but also their neighbors who have seen their home values and equity decline as a result of the market dips, The Wall Street Journal explains.

"Everybody's stressed out," Janet Currie told the news source. "There is a connection between people's economic well being and their physical well being."

Employers who incentivize wellness could cut costs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While wellness programs may have become the norm in most companies, those businesses that offer incentives to their employees may see greater savings when it comes to group health insurance, according to the Incentive Research Foundation.

In a recent survey, the IRF found that employees who were promised incentives if they participated in workplace wellness programs were much more likely to join in. Those companies that do not offer incentives for health habits saw less than 20 percent of their staff take part in wellness programs, while those that do offer incentives found that four in five staff members participated, according to the source.

Because those who live healthy life styles will likely spend less when it comes to health insurance, ramping up wellness program incentives may be well worth the investment for many companies, the source explains.

"The U.S. is spending about $2.5 trillion per year on health care," Robert Stotz of IRF explained. "As much as 75 percent of that is spent on preventable conditions, so the potential savings through preventative health care measures that include workplace wellness programs could be as high as $1.9 trillion per year."

Music therapy may help cancer patients

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent study found that music therapy can aid cancer patients in their road to recovery, according to The New York Times.

Conducted by Drexel University, the study found that music therapy and music medicine could help minimize pain and anxiety related to cancer treatments and improve quality of life for those battling the disease, according to the source. Music medicine includes the playing of music while music therapy employs various elements of music to evaluate and treat individuals.

Patients that attend music therapy sessions may sing, play instruments, write lyrics or simply listen to songs. Trained music therapists lead the exercises, which can reduce discomfort and even curb the nausea often associated with chemotherapy. Many healthcare facilities are beginning to have certified music therapists on site, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Music therapy is classified as active therapy under Medicare guidelines and some health insurance carriers may reimburse for the service, according to the American Music Therapy Association.

While the positive effects of music therapy on cancer patients can bot be conclusively determined because creating a control group is not possible, it may continue to grow in importance when it comes to battling the disease, according to The New York Times.

"Music is something we use every day and its powers can be used in a very targeted way with cancer patients," the study's lead author, Joke Bradt, told the source.

Healthy habits may not make life longer, study says

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While many individuals may focus on healthy living in an attempt to forgo health insurance bills and lead a long life, some researchers recently found that long life may have more to do with the gene pool than the lap pool, according to The Los Angeles Times.

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older individuals surveyed - age 95 and up - had similar habits as the general population. They drank alcohol as much as the average person, and their exercise and eating habits were on par with their younger counterparts, the source reports.

"This study suggests that centenarians may possess additional longevity genes that help to buffer them against the harmful effects of an unhealthy lifestyle," stated study author Dr. Nir Barzilai, the source reports.

That means individuals with long-living parents and grandparents may be more disposed to live as long themselves.

While the researchers do not recommend picking up unhealthy habits, they do theorize that those with longevity genes would not be too affected by a bit of bad behavior. Barzilai warns that they have yet to determine if every family member inherits the set of genes that lead to a longer life, according to The Washington Post.

High blood pressure may hurt hearts and minds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While many older adults are aware of the troubles associated with high blood pressure, or hypertension, and the toll it can take on everything from a daily routine to health insurances costs, many young people would do well to pay attention to the risk factors associated with letting blood pressure get out of control.

A recent study found that those individuals suffering from hypertension may be at risk of losing brain volume over time, according to Medical News Today. Those individuals who put themselves at risk for high blood pressure with certain life style choices were also found to be far more likely to suffer brain shrinkage as a result.

Hypertension can be influenced by many factors. For example, individuals who drink in excess or smoke are much more likely to develop high blood pressure than those that do not. Overweight individuals and people who have diets high in salt are also more disposed to hypertension, according to Pub Med Health.

Individuals who developed diabetes as a result of their habits also lost brain volume in the hippocampus area. Additionally, those who were already obese in middle age were 25 percent more susceptible to brain shrinkage than those that were not, according to Medical News Today.

Researchers are attempting to curb Alzheimer's sooner

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:00:00 -0500

As the number of Alzheimer's cases steadily rises across the nation, experts insist that fine-tuning tools used to detect the signs of the debilitating disease will be crucial in the coming years, according to CNN Health.

As of 2011, there are 5 million diagnosed cases of Alzheimer's disease in the United States. That number is slated to rise to 16 million by 2050, the source reports. Because there is no way to stop or reverse the disease's symptoms, scientists feel that catching the illness early is the only way to curb its progress.

Those with a family history of the disease may be even more susceptible, though everyone can look out for warning signs in an effort to get preventative care from their health insurance, rather than disease management.

The Alzheimer's Association has outlined primary warning signs to look out for when it comes to the disease. Some individuals will suddenly start having trouble making or following through with simple plans. Others may confuse time, seasons or the date.

Additionally, changes in mood and uncharacteristic anti-social tendencies may also be indicative of the disease's onset, according to the source. Those experiencing such symptoms should consult a physician.

Incidence of stoke rising in pregnant women and new mothers

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:00:00 -0500

More American women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth are suffering from strokes, according to a new report in the journal Stroke.

Between 1995 and 2007, the number of women hospitalized for stroke while pregnant or soon after giving birth rose considerably. Pregnant women saw a 47 percent increase in hospital admission due to stroke, while new mothers saw an 83 percent spike, the source reports.

Some experts believe that these numbers are rising because many women are entering pregnancy with increased risk factors that make them susceptible to stroke, according to a recent study.

"Now more and more women entering pregnancy already have some type of risk factor for stroke, such as obesity, chronic hypertension, diabetes or congenital heart disease," explained Dr. Elena Kuklina, the study's lead author. "Since pregnancy by itself is a risk factor, if you have one of these other stroke risk factors, it doubles the risk."

High blood pressure was often associated with afflicted women. The study suggests using preventative means to ensure safety during pregnancy, a tactic that could lower the risks for other ailments as well and remove some strain from over-taxed health insurance policies.

Looking on the bright side may help the heart

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While optimism is typically heralded as a good lifestyle choice overall, recent research shows that looking on the bright side may go so far as to improve heart health, according to ABC News Health.

The University of Michigan recently found that being optimistic significantly reduced incidence of stroke, according to the source. The institution's study reviewed the lifestyle and habits of 6,000 patients over 50 with no history of stroke.

"Past research has linked optimism with a range of health benefits, including cardiovascular outcome," study author Eric Kim explained to the source.

In a country where strokes effect millions of families and add strain to health insurance costs, this study may provide an essential key to helping to fight heart disease. Stroke is also the third leading cause of death in the nation, with approximately 137,000 Americans dying of it annually, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the research does show a direct link between a good attitude and improved health, researchers are unclear on how exactly this connection is forged. Some speculate that optimism may help keep blood pressure under control, and take subsequent strain off of the heart, according to ABC News Health.

The PHA is bringing healthy eating to neighborhoods in need

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In a bid to bring healthier food to areas that need it most, several of the nation’s food chains have committed to opening new stores in low-income areas, according to The Partnership for a Healthier America.

The PHA is a conglomeration of several health industry leaders and influential role models like First Lady Michelle Obama. They aim to improve overall health, curb childhood obesity and take the strain off of family health insurance by preventing diseases like diabetes before they start.

Over the next five years, seven national chains - including Walmart and Brown’s Super Stores - have promised to open or expand a combined 1,500 locations in low-income areas. Because many disadvantaged neighborhoods lack access to affordable and nutritious foods, the move could make for much healthier lifestyles in those regions.

"The commitments we're announcing today have the potential to be a game-changer for kids and communities all across this country," First Lady Michelle Obama explained. "We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, but if parents can't buy the food they need to prepare those meals because their only options for groceries are the gas station or the local minimart, then all that is just talk."

More preventative services may be on the way for women

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Women may soon be able to cut costs when it comes to preventative healthcare thanks to a proposed amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to The New York Times.

The senate passed the amendment on Thursday, which was proposed by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, a Democrat from Maryland. The legislation would require health insurance companies to provide free mammograms to women, and also suggests making free birth control available as well, according to the news source.

"My amendment would eliminate one of the major barriers to care by getting rid of high co-payments and deductibles," Mikulski explained to the source. "It does not tell women, 'You will have a mammogram at 40.' It says, 'You will have access to that mammogram if you and your doctor decide it’s medically necessary or medically appropriate.'"

The vote came as the Institute of Medicine released a report stating that highlighted gaps in the availability of preventative services for women. The IOM suggests that services such as increased contraceptive education and methods and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases should be made available.

Compassion may be a course requirement for some med students

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Aspiring doctors may need to memorize more than symptoms and their related treatments in the near future, as some medical schools may begin requiring medical students to improve their people skills.

According to The New York Times, Virginia Tech Carilion - the nation's newest medical school - will be considering the mannerisms and manners of potential applicants when deciding who to admit to their medical training program.

The school is rolling out a plan to test applicants' social skills. Med school hopefuls will undergo nine micro-interviews that are designed to help the admissions board garner which candidates will be best at interacting with patients and peers.

In the age of modern technology and rising health insurance costs, some may say compassion is out of date. As AOL Health points out, many doctors have only a few minutes to spend with patients which may have prompted some individuals to be curt in order to save time. But as the source also points out, compassion can be achieved in the blink of an eye.

Virginia Tech is attempting to promote medical students who are capable of conveying respect.

"We are trying to weed out the students who look great on paper but haven't developed the people or communication skills we think are important," associate dean of admissions Stephen Workman explained to The New York Times.

Smoking cessation could prove hazardous for some

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Most people are aware of the health risks and costs associated with smoking. While quitting can help everything from health insurance rates to survival rates, many may not realize that one smoking cessation tool could bring problems of its own.

Chantix, a smoking cessation drug aimed at curbing cravings may negatively affect heart health, according to ABC News Health. The Food and Drug Administration recently noted that the drug may cause increased health risks for those suffering from cardiovascular disease.

The FDA approved the drug in 2006, and its recent comments on its safety may have been prompted by a study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the source reports. The study found that 72 percent of Chantix users had an increased chance of being hospitalized with serious heart issues, including heart attack.

"In the proportion of smokers that had never had heart disease, we saw an even greater risk of adverse events, about 150 percent increased risk," study author Sonal Singh told the news source.

Representatives from Pfizer, the company that manufactures the pill, pointed out that only 1.06 percent of the 6,000 study participants reported adverse affects after using the drug.

Hospices may be putting the bottom line ahead of patient needs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Hospice care is meant to make the experience of dying easier on ailing individuals and their families. Median time spent under hospice care is generally 17 days, but some for-profit hospice facilities may be extending the length of services in order to bump up profits, according to The New York Times.

Such practices could put undue strain on both government-funded Medicare programs and families who pay for private health insurance. Medicare in particular could suffer from practices that focus on creating healthier assets over providing opportunities for healthier living.

Medicare’s hospice bills have risen from $2.9 billion in 2000 to $12 billion in 2009, according to Vermont Public Radio. While the fact that the service is available to more Medicare beneficiaries is promising, the rising costs are cause for concern.

Because hospice is not designed to prolong life, but instead to make those that are dying more comfortable in their final days, it can serve as a much needed respite for individuals who have battled long illnesses. As the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid point out, hospice is designed to promote physical comfort and support emotional, social and spiritual needs for those in their final days of life.

Outlook is brighter for those with type 1 diabetes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Technological advancements and greater access to health insurance may herald good news for those suffering from type 1 diabetes.

According to the source a recent study shows the life expectancy for those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has risen from 53.4 years for those diagnosed between 1950 and 1964 to 68.8 years for those who discovered they had the ailment between 1965 and 1980.

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, is a condition often found in younger persons where the body does not produce insulin, which is necessary to convert sugar into energy, according to the American Diabetes Association. While many people benefit from insulin therapy, other preventative measures may have impacted overall survival rates.

The ADA has previously recommended preventative measures such as weight loss, blood pressure control and smoking cessation in order to curb the effects of diabetes. Many health insurance companies have created programs for diabetics that follow this model, and such efforts may have changed things for the better.

Joel Zonszein of Montefiore Medical Center in New York told USA Today that he felt the recent findings were a sign of better days ahead.

"Our patients are doing much better," he said. "The morbidity is also much less. I think this study is very reassuring."

Study shows that desk jobs may be hard on health

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While many Americans look toward steady employment to provide their families with benefits like increased income and health insurance, they may not realize that their desk jobs are harming their health.

The American Cancer Society recently realized findings from a 14-year study that highlight the health risks posed to both men and women who sit for longer than six hours each day. The study found that women who sat throughout the day are 37 percent more likely to die than those who do not sit for such long periods. Men in similar situations increased their mortality rate by 18 percent.

Furthermore, both men and women who do not engage in physical activity found themselves inflating their risk of death to alarming levels. Inactive men who sit for long periods are 48 percent more likely to pass away, while women are 94 percent more disposed to die.

"Prolonged time spent sitting, independent of physical activity, has been shown to have important metabolic consequences, and may influence things like triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, resting blood pressure, and leptin, which are biomarkers of obesity and cardiovascular and other chronic diseases," said Dr. Alpa Patel, the study’s leader.

City living may put stress on health

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Stress has long been tied to urban life. Traffic, noise and crime are just some anxiety triggers that are par for the course in an urban setting. However, new research shows that city residents may process external stressors differently than those from suburban or rural communities.

Published in Nature, the research found that people who grew up in or near an urban space had cognitively different reactions to stress that were great enough to measure with magnetic imaging brain scans. While many are already aware of the burden constant stress can pose to an individual, some may not know how anxiety can affect one’s health.

The Mayo Clinic points out higher levels of adrenaline associated with anxiety can speed up one’s heart rate and bump up blood pressure. The laundry list of subsequent health problems associated with unchecked stress levels includes depression, heart disease and obesity, the source reports.

In light of this, it is important for individuals to take preventative measures when it comes to anxiety so as to minimize its negative effects and the possible health insurance costs that may result. Urbanites who have greater access to stress reducers like yoga and therapy may want to take advantage.

Illinois weight loss doctor accused of medical fraud

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Weight loss doctor Gautam Gupta is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly sending fraudulent claims to health insurance agencies in his home state of Illinois.

The FBI in partnership with the Illinois Healthcare and Human Services Department have been investigating Gupta, who ran six weight loss clinics in Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, since January of 2010. Private health insurance companies and the state funded Medicaid program may have paid $25 million in fraudulent medical claims to Gupta, according to the source.

Dr. Gupta’s website claims to offer medical weight loss therapy and FDA-approved drugs that help patients on the road to permanent weight loss. Patients who visited Gupta’s facilities thought they were being attended by nurses when they underwent a number of tests involved in the process, however, none of the clinics employed any actual nurses, according to Medical News Today.

Furthermore, former employees claim that he urged them to doctor patient charts so more tests could be performed. The doctor, whose whereabouts are unknown, is also being charged with mail fraud, conspiracy and medical fraud.

The American Cancer Society finds cancer fatalities are on the decline

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that the annual number of cancer related deaths has dropped. This may be due in some part to improved technology, however, lack of health insurance for some patients may create an insurmountable obstruction between them and good health.

Cancer is the leading cause of death after heart disease, and while some forms of cancer can not be prevented through healthy life choices, some - like lung and throat cancer - could be. In 2011, the ACS predicts that of the 1,596,670 new cancer cases discovered, just 571,950 of those diagnosed will succumb to the disease.

While the human loss to cancer is significant, the ACS study found that survival rates continue to improve. Between 1999 and 2006, 68 percent of people diagnosed survived for five or more years, while only 50 percent had the same chance of survival between 1975 and 1977

The type of cancer one has and the stage at which they are diagnosed can have a great effect on the likelihood of surviving the disease. With 51 million Americans living without health insurance in 2009, the chance to catch cancer early is clearly not available to everyone.

However, the ACS findings still provide a ray of hope for those battling the disease.

FDA changes regulations on sunscreens

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In an attempt to update its safety standards, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced plans to modernize its injunctions on sunscreens.

Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it is also one of the most preventable. The FDA hopes to curb the number of skin cancer diagnoses each year by providing consumers with the information necessary to choose the right products for them.

Janet Woodcock, M.D., the FDA’s director for its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research explained that a combination of highly effective products and alternative sun protection measures should be employed to prevent melanoma.

"Most skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. FDA encourages consumers to protect themselves," she said. "Not only should consumers regularly apply and reapply sunscreens with Broad Spectrum and SPF of 15 or higher, they should also limit sun exposure."

Broad spectrum sun protection blocks both Ultra-violet A and B rays, and can help save individuals from racking up health insurance bills by saving skin from sun damage. The FDA’s regulations will make it easier for consumers to choose sunscreens that offer broad spectrum protection and the required amount of SPF defense of SPF 15 or greater.

Some seemingly healthy foods may be harbingers of disease

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While most people think of making diet changes to slim down, some menu alterations are the result of hazards posed by certain foods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that instances of salmonella poisoning have risen in the past 10 years, and that overall, one in six people gets a food related illness each year.

With E. coli wreaking havoc overseas, some healthcare professionals are warning consumers to be cautious of what foods they eat and how they are prepared so that they might avoid racking up charges on their health insurance. The Center for Science and the Public interest warns that eggs, tuna and leafy greens are most often associated with food borne illness.

Eggs are carriers for salmonella, and when not cooked through they can cause a person to become sick; and leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, endive and escarole can contain contaminants like E. coli, norovirus and salmonella, according to Yahoo Health.

In addition to mercury, tuna may also have a naturally occurring toxin called scombrotoxin that can cause a multiple symptoms when consumed. Because the toxin cannot be removed by any means once it has developed, it is important that people not eat fish if it tastes peppery, bitter or metallic, according to the source.

Primary care and cost control

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Many health insurance companies and self-insured employee groups rely on primary care doctors to keep healthcare costs at a minimum while also maximizing patient health. The idea that primary care doctors can help to manage costs is not new, but supporters, such as American College of Physicians president Jeffery P. Harris, remain vocal about the issue.

"The evidence for the value of primary care is clear," he told Science Daily. "It manifests itself in better quality of life, more productive longevity, and lower costs as a result of reduced hospitalization, improved prevention and better coordination of chronic disease care."

However, the National Physicians Alliance (NPA) recently found that doctors are distributing medications and performing unnecessary – even potentially harmful – screenings that may be adding to the already troubling trend of inflated health insurance costs.

The group has made several “top 5” lists aimed at encouraging doctors nationwide to reconsider how their practices may be effecting the healthcare bottom line, according to The New York Times. Based on data collected from monitoring PCPs in three specialties, the report suggests limiting certain tests - such as general blood testing for healthy individuals and bone density tests for younger persons not at risk for developing osteoporosis – in an effort to curb rising costs.

Social media may have an impact on healthcare

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In November 2009, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) released its recommendations for breast cancer screening, which included directives to reduce the number of annual screenings for women under 50 and advised against teaching women to perform self-examinations.

However, private health insurance companies and federally funded insurers like Medicare have by and large ignored these directives and continued to provide coverage for yearly routine mammographies, according to Health Day.

Some are now suggesting that considerable backlash against the report posted to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter may have played a role in halting the healthcare changes.

Breast cancer survivors and healthcare professionals cited the importance of early detection in overcoming breast cancer as a main reason for disagreeing with the USPSTF and as they posted their thoughts online, created virtual lobbying groups and spoke to reporters, the health industry listened.

With Science Daily reporting that nearly 52 percent of all blog posts, newspaper articles and tweets were against the preventive measures, detractors were able to get their point across faster than they would have been able to in years past.

Perhaps the age of social media will herald a new era in healthcare where patients have a greater voice.

San Francisco man cured of HIV

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the discovery of AIDS and HIV, a San Francisco man is celebrating a clean bill of health. Timothy Ray Brown, known in medical circles as the "German patient," has been HIV free for four years, according to Yahoo News.

Since the first AIDS diagnosis was delivered, HIV has infected 60 million people, and killed 30 million, according to New York Magazine. Anti-retroviral drugs have made it possible for many people living with the disease to prolong their life and manage their symptoms, and before Brown started testing negative for the disease - which he discovered he had in 1995 - he was also using the so-called "AIDS cocktail."

However, when Brown discovered he had leukemia as well, doctors decided to give him a bone marrow transplant and stem cells from a man who is immune to HIV. What resulted is what physicians are calling a "functional cure" to the disease.

While this treatment is not feasible for everyone, it is promising for the future of AIDS research and associated health insurance costs. Drugs used to quell the illness can cost upwards of $20,000 per person per year, according to The Bellingham Herald.

Diabetics can now consolidate care at the Minute Clinic

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In an effort to reduce the burden health insurance costs can have on those diagnosed with diabetes, the CVS Minute Clinic has announced plans to offer free services aimed at keeping those affected by the disease healthy, according to company officials.

The free diabetes monitoring package offered by the Minute Clinic will include several essential screenings used to help diabetics manage their health. In addition to blood-glucose tests and a kidney function check, Minute Clinic practitioners will check blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol and also perform a comprehensive foot exam.

Because diabetes is a life-long disease, it is important to educate those diagnosed with it on how to maintain their well being and combat possible side effects. Controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels are essential to reducing symptoms and preventing further complications, according to Pub Med Health. Knowing what these levels are is the first step to treating diabetes.

Making these preventative services available free of charge could have a significant positive impact on those suffering from the disease by giving them the tools and the support to improve their own health.

USDA swaps Food Pyramid for My Plate

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In an effort to restructure healthy eating guidelines for a nation suffering under the weight of an obesity epidemic, the United States Department of Agriculture has rolled out its new My Plate program, which replaces the Food Pyramid many have become accustomed to, according to department officials.

Fruits and vegetables are highlighted as an important part of a healthful diet, and the USDA is now recommending that produce portions increase to about 50 percent of an overall diet.

"This science-based government recommendation to make half your plate fruits and vegetables is a significant and positive step in the battle to fight obesity and related health issues in America," said president and CEO of Produce for a Better Health Foundation Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka.

My Plate also encourages Americans to be wary of large portions, sodium and sugary drinks that add empty calories to their daily fare.

The new guidelines come as the average size of US citizens balloons, and obesity related health issues put a strain on health insurance costs nationwide. The US Department of Health and Human Services outlines the myriad of health issues that can plague an overweight population. Ailments such as coronary heart disease and type two diabetes are commonly associated with obesity and require lifelong maintenance.

Gilda's Club offers sweet relief to those battling cancer

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Funny woman Gilda Radner lost her battle with ovarian cancer decades ago, but through Gilda's Club, founded by the actress's husband Gene Wilder shortly after her death, the actress is providing support to those afflicted with the disease. Now, in an effort to raise money, Gilda's Club has teamed with the Seattle Chocolate Company to offer Gilda's bar, a five dollar sweet that will help to raise operating funds, foundation officials report.

According to the organizations website, joining the Gilda's Club community can help an individual learn how to live with cancer by creating a web of support that is open to all.

"We know that there isn't anything fun about cancer," said CEO of the Seattle chapter of Gilda's Club Anna Gottlieb. "Gilda helps bring out the best even for people who are facing this difficult disease. Add chocolate to the mix, and it makes everyone feel better."

The profits will allow Gilda's Club to continue on its mission to pick up where health insurance and hospital care leave off by providing free support services to cancer survivors, sufferers and their families. Some of the chocolate bars even contain a golden ticket that grants access to Seattle Chocolates, like in the 1971 movie Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, which Wilder starred in.

An unhealthy lifestyle could lead to increased healthcare costs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 31 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Harris Interactive reports that the frequency of unhealthy behaviors such as nicotine use and conditions such as obesity have continued at a steady rate, according to the results of its poll on lifestyle trends, which was released this week.

The Harris Poll found that while 18 percent of adults smoked, a whopping 78 percent of Americans over the age of 18 were overweight or obese. Obesity and smoking can lead to a myriad of health problems,which has prompted may companies to consider shifting the financial burden of increasing health insurance costs to those who partake in bad habits.

For example, the state of Arizona is contemplating charging vice-ridden hyphenate residents fees for their bad behavior, according to The New York Times. Due to gaping holes in its Medicaid program, the state's Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has proposed levying penalties for smokers and diabetics who do not follow their primary care provider's recommendations to shed pounds, according to the news source.

Monica Coury, a spokesperson for the AHCCCS explained the agency's reasoning.

"We’re not going to prevent you from smoking, but you have to put a little bit more into the system because it costs us more," Coury said, quoted by the news source.

Report: Prevention and care for diabetes has a long way to grow

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH) recently released its fourth annual eValue8 report, which rates the nation's health insurance plans on their ability to prevent diabetes and provide affordable quality care for those who are already suffering from the disease, according to organization officials.

While the report found that America's health insurers have made progress, it also showed that there is still much work to be done to get the level of care up to snuff. While there have been no significant changes to strategies that are related to diabetes care, management of the disease is widely offered, as 88 percent of plans listed the service, according to the report's findings.

Andrew Webber, president and CEO of NBCH, warned that growing obesity rates will lead to more cases of diabetes. In light of the growing number of individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes, the study can be a vital tool for employers that are in their search for group health insurance policies.

"Using information from eValue8, purchasers are holding their plans accountable to close quality of care gaps, engage their members and focus on preventing costly chronic conditions such as diabetes," he said.

Wellness coaching helps the healthcare bottom line

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Wellness Coaches USA, national purveyor of in house wellness coaching, recently announced that its partnership with Furmano Foods has led to a three year decrease in healthcare costs for the Pennsylvania-based food distributor, according to company officials.

By offering health and wellness services on-site, Wellness Coaches USA has been able to improve the overall well-being of employees, which has in turn reduced health insurance costs for employers. For Furmano foods, this has resulted in yearly healthcare costs that have consistently been lower than expected.

The announcement comes amid a widespread trend toward promoting wellness in the workplace, which has been encouraged by many state and local governments. For example, southern Florida's Miami-Dade county holds annual awards for local companies that are committed to keeping employees fit, according to The South Florida Times.

Presented by the Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD), the awards are meant to encourage business owners to boost such preventative programs.

"In an era of rising healthcare costs and increased risk for chronic diseases, this program is essential for educating the local business community about the many wonderful benefits that worksite wellness programs provide," MDCHD administrator Lillian Rivera said, according to the news source.

Skimping on exercise this summer could cost vacationers

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 26 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Many people are worried about fitting their exercise routine in this summer between family vacations and holiday barbecues, according to The Pantagraph.

Fitness losses could mean unwanted bodily gains, and wellness coordinator for State Farm Insurance companies Sherri Gatto recommends keeping up wherever one may be.

"Every day, we need to fit in at least 30 minutes of physical activity," Gatto told the news source. "Wherever we're at in life, we need to figure out how to fit it in."

Indeed, exercise should be an important part of everyday life, as healthcare professionals and fitness gurus alike herald the benefits of sticking to a routine.

The Mayo Clinic outlines the major benefits of keeping fit on its website. In addition to commonly known benefits like controlling weight and increasing energy, the healthcare provider also explains that exercise can help to improve your mood and stave off chronic illness.

According to the source, engaging in cardio and pumping weights can help to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol, among other things. So, buying a gym membership could help to reduce trips to the doctor, and subsequently lower health insurance bills.

Men may be able to ward off prostate cancer with a cup of joe

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 25 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In a Harvard University study that was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) on Tuesday, researchers explained that the antioxidant powers of coffee may protect men from developing prostate cancer.

"Few studies have specifically studied the association of coffee intake and the risk of lethal prostate cancer," Lorelei Mucci, associate professor of epidemiology at the Harvard school of public health told the Harvard Gazette. "Our study is the largest to date to examine whether coffee could lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer."

The study, which began in 1986, surveyed the coffee intake of 47,911 men, who checked in approximately every four years. Researchers found that men who consumed six or more cups of regular or decaf coffee every day were at lower risk overall for the deadly cancer, according to the JNCI.

Furthermore, those who consumed greater amounts of java were found to be at reduced risk of developing a lethal, or metastatic, form of the disease, according to The New York Times.

While scientists are not telling men to bump up their coffee intake just yet, the results of the study are promising, and could lead to more prevention and fewer health insurance woes related to prostate cancer in the future.

Governer Paul Cellucci's battle with ALS helps to highlight the need for a cure

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 25 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Paul Cellucci, former Governer of the Massachusetts and ambassador to Canada, spoke to The Boston Globe last week about his efforts to raise funds for the amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research center at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School in Worcester.

Until now, Cellucci, who made his diagnosis public in January, has opted to keep his battle with the disease private.

"My wife Jan and I confirm that I have been diagnosed with a slow case of ALS, Lou Gherig's disease," Cellucci said in a statement that was released to the press. "Other than this statement, Jan and I choose not to discuss this further and ask that our privacy be respected."

Cellucci has been experiencing symptoms of the disease for four years, including lack of mobility and muscle weakness. The 63-year-old Cellucci hopes that speaking openly about his experience with ALS will aid him in creating a $10 million endowment to support Dr. Robert H. Brown's research at UMass, and believes that he will see significant advances in ALS research in his lifetime.

The ALS Association provides a list of doctors certified to treat the condition to aid individuals in finding a physician who is covered by their health insurance, according to the organization's website. At present, the disease has no known cause or cure.

Exercise and smoking cessation for women

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 24 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While exercise can limit nicotine cravings for women, evidence shows that the benefits are short lived when workouts are sporadic, according to a Brown university study.

The study found that the positive effects of exercise on women who are trying to stop smoking are not chronic, and that they will wear away over a few hours or days. However, the researchers are not diminishing the benefits of sticking to a fitness plan.

"One implication for these findings is that exercise may be a useful treatment strategy, but it has to be done frequently enough and consistently enough because the effects that it has diminish over time," said David Williams, the assistant professor of community health at the college that led the research.

The Surgeon General first advised exercise as an aid in giving up cigarettes in a 1990 report on the health benefits of quitting. It is common knowledge now that smoking is harmful, but that does not make kicking the habit any easier.

Quitting smoking can help with everything from health insurance costs to saving pocket change. Luckily, expanding on their fitness routine may help women reduce the side effects of quitting while also giving a boost to their overall well being.

Healthcare costs increasing at a slower rate

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 24 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While the overall trend of rising healthcare costs continues, the rate at which those costs are increasing is slowing down, according to the Standard and Poors (S&P) Healthcare Economic Index, according to company officials.

The most recent S&P Healthcare Economic Index, which measures changes in accrued revenue among hospitals and healthcare facilities, calculated medical revenues through March. Only services provided to those patients covered under Medicare and commercial health insurance are counted toward the company's findings.

"The annual growth rates in healthcare claim costs remain positive, but with declining rates," said chairman of the index committee at S&P David M. Blitzer.

The news comes amidst reports that employers will see hikes in medical costs next year.

According to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, many companies will see significant increases in group health insurance premiums in 2012, which may in turn cause several of them to pass the costs along to their employees in the form of pricey in-network deductibles.

It is projected that the proportion of companies that offer health insurance plans with deductibles greater or equal to $400 for in-network services will reach 54 percent next year, according to the news source.

Healthcare professionals to McDonald's: Ditch Ronald

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In an open letter to the McDonald's corporation that was printed in six metropolitan newspapers on Wednesday, over 550 health professionals and organizations asked CEO Jim Skinner to stop marketing unhealthy food to children, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Triggered by the growing number of young people who have developed ailments due to their diets - and the strain those increases put on healthcare professionals and health insurance costs - the letter seeks to retire Ronald McDonald and hold the restaurant chain responsible for how it promotes its products.

"We ask that you heed our concern and retire your marketing promotions for food high in salt, fat, sugar, and calories to children, whatever form they take – from Ronald McDonald to toy giveaways," the letter pleads. "Our children and healthcare system will benefit from your leadership on this issue."

For a company that spends nearly $2 billion on advertising each year, putting a halt to child-centered ads is no easy task because, as the letter states, it is such a large part of its business model.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the fast-food giant released a statement that said they take the way they market to children seriously and that parents were pleased with the available choices.

Promoting stroke awareness and prevention in North Carolina

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strokes, which can happen at any age, are the third highest cause of death in the United States.

In North Carolina, where the death rate resulting from stroke is nearly three times the national average, the North Carolina Stroke Association (NCSA) is ramping up efforts to improve awareness and prevention in what some people are calling part of the "stroke belt," according to association officials.

The NCSA is working with hospitals, especially those in rural areas, to implement Beyond the Hospital - designed to prevent future strokes in survivors - and the Stroke Risk Assesment Program, which was created to screen for the possibility of stroke while educating individuals on prevention.

"The Stroke Risk Identification screenings have benefited the community tremendously by allowing us to educate participants about stroke awareness, stroke prevention and the importance of knowing their numbers," said Carolyn Ezzell, community services coordinator for Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville.

True to the old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, these services, if they continue to meet with success, could positively impact individual wellness and health insurance costs related to strokes.

Anti-HIV drugs may protect partners from disease

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported last week that persons who have been infected with HIV could reduce the likelihood that they would transmit the disease to their partners with the help of an oral antiretroviral medication, according to Institute officials.

The trial followed couples in which one person was HIV-positive and the other was not. Half of the HIV-positive individuals were given antiretroviral drugs at the study's onset, and the other half was deferred until their CD4 count fell below the international guideline for treatment. Of the 28 new cases of HIV that have been confirmed to be transmitted between partners, only one case came from the group that began treatments immediately, according to the study's findings to date.

Chairperson of the HIV Medical Association, Dr. Kathleen Squires, expressed hope that the study could curb the spread of the disease, which creates numerous of health issues and could, until recently, limit a person's ability to obtain health insurance.

"This shows us that if we can identify the people who are infected and give them access to therapy, we can dramatically reduce the number of new infections in this country," she told The Los Angeles Times.

National Employee Health and Fitness Day inspires people to get fit at the office

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Although Wednesday was National Employee Health and Fitness Day, the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF) is encouraging employers to celebrate health in the workplace for the entire month of May. The NAHF is highlighting workplace fitness in an attempt to make people aware of the benefits of a healthy way of life.

In observance of the day, fitness expert Dr. Sean Wells of BistroMD offered tips on how to ramp up physical activities in the workplace.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, adding just two-and-a-half hours of moderate exercise and some strength training each week can improve health. Dr. Wells recommended simple solutions, like replacing desk chairs with fitness balls, or walking during lunch breaks.

Furthermore, Dr. Wells points out that getting exercise can help stave off ailments, which could help individuals and employers save on health insurance costs.

"Through my years of experience working with clients, I always try to emphasize the importance of physical activity at the office," he said. "For many people, regular bouts of activity at work can actually increase overall work performance, including productivity, which can help add years to your life, and can even lower your risk of certain health conditions, like heart disease."

Study rates best football helmets for preventing concussions

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

After an eight-year study that was conducted in cooperation with its nationally ranked football team, Virginia Tech announced the results of a new football helmet rating system last week.

The study, which measured 120 impacts per helmet at varied speeds and locations, is the first comparative study of football helmets conducted to date.

For families who wish to lower their child's risk of head injury on the playing field, the findings provide a much needed guide to helmet safety. Furthermore, better equipment may provide a way for athletes to avoid emergency room visits, which can incur high health insurance costs.

The only helmet to get the top rating of five stars was the Riddell Revolution Speed, which sells for slightly more than $240 on the company's website. On the other end of the spectrum is the Riddell VSR4, which received just one star and was the second-lowest-rated helmet overall.

While the VSR4 is no longer for sale on the Riddell site, it was widely used by Virginia Tech players until last month.

"Once we finalized the numbers, my first call was to our head team physician Gunnar Brolinson and our head team trainer Mike Goforth," said project director and biomedical engineering professor Stefan Duma. "We all agreed that we had to change out the helmets immediately."

Steny Hoyer urges colleges to educate students on healthcare

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland, recently reached out to colleges and universities in his district, asking that they educate their student bodies on the ins and outs of healthcare reform and benefits, according to The Baltimore Sun.

"Before health reform became law, more than one-third of all young adults - including those with insurance - were having trouble paying their medical bills, and one-fourth were paying off medical debt," said Hoyer. "The Affordable Care Act has a number of features that will contribute to young Americans’ health and security."

One of the most important features for college-aged individuals is the mandate that health insurers allow individuals as old as 26 to remain on their family health insurance plans. This legislation is intended to lift the burden of obtaining coverage after graduation, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In a letter that was sent to nine institutions of higher education, Steny stressed the importance of understanding healthcare reform and health insurance policies. The Congressman suggests that schools use several strategies to accomplish this task. Distributing flyers, hosting information sessions, and linking university home pages to information on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) were just some of Steny's recommendations, according to the news source.

Researchers run interference against the spread of HIV

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Researchers at Children's Hospital in Boston announced on Monday that they have developed a microbicide that can prevent HIV transmission.

Research was conducted by the Immune Disease Institute and the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the hospital, and piloted by Lee Adam Wheeler and Judy Lieberman. The study used a topical microbicide that employs interferring RNA, small pieces of RNA that can silence the expression of individual genes, to prevent infection.

Lieberman is hopeful that this particular method will prove more effective than other preventative strategies.

"The problem with most topical methods for preventing sexual transmission of disease is that you have to use them just before having sex, and compliance is a huge issue," she said. "But our laboratory results show... that we could create a stable viral-resistant state where one would only have to apply the agent every couple of weeks."

Researchers predict positive long-term effects in mice and note that the technology could be used to prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases, including the human papilloma virus.

Such preventative measures could have a profound impact on the health insurance costs that are related to treating sexually transmitted diseases.

Mammography recommendations may have negative impact

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 18 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A study that was performed at the University Hospitals at Case Medical Ceter in Cleveland, Ohio found that the United States Preventative Services Task Force's (USPSTF) recommendations regarding breast cancer screenings have had an unfavorable effect on the number of yearly mammograms that are performed on women aged 40 through 49 years, according to an American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) spokesperson.

In December 2009, the USPSFT advised that women under 50 years old did not need regular routine mammograms to screen for breast cancer if there were no outstanding circumstances, such as a family history of the disease. The report further counseled against teaching women to do self-exams, as the committee felt they were not beneficial to patients.

These findings sent shockwaves through the medical community, which has long held the belief that early detection is essential to minimizing the mortality rate.

Researcher Dr. Donna Plecha said that, "70 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer don't have a family history of breast cancer."

Plecha then went on to say that, "it's very important that we continue to do all that we can to catch breast cancer in the earliest stages so that we can continue to save lives."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, most health insurance carriers currently cover the costs of breast cancer screening.

Mental Health Mobile is on the road in California

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 18 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

CounselingCalifornia.com and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) have joined together to roll out the Mental Health Mobile campaign in an attempt to disseminate information about the benefits of therapy across the state, according to Mental Health Mobile officials.

The program comes as California, among other states, experiences sweeping cuts to mental health programs. The Mental Health Mobile made its first stop in San Francisco on Monday, and plans to travel to four additional neighborhoods, including a stop in Los Angeles on May 23rd.

The purpose of the roving mental health RV is to highlight the importance of being mentally fit.

"Mental wellness is important to Californians overall health – and therapy is accessible," said Jill Epstein, J.D., executive director of CAMFT.

Licensed therapists will be on hand at each location to offer information and advice to those who wish to learn about mental health services. Topics of discussion will cover issues such as finding quick ways to de-stress to how talk therapy can benefit an individual. Representatives will also aid Californians in finding out if therapy is covered by their health insurance policies.

Study says health care reform will benefit women

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 17 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The Commonwealth Fund recently released a report that highlights the benefits of health care reform for women, especially those who do not currently have health insurance.

The rising cost of healthcare and a lagging job market have left many women in the lurch as far as health insurance goes. The study found that women who do not have insurance had difficulty finding an affordable plan and that many private insurers charge women a higher premium than they do men of the same age.

Furthermore, regardless of their health insurance coverage, many women are not getting the care they need. The report estimates that only 46 percent of women were up-to-date on preventative care services, including mammograms.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act offers a solution to both the problem of obtaining health insurance and receiving adequate care. Small business tax credits mean that more women are being offered subsidized insurance plans by their employers. In addition, mandates that require services such as pap-smears and mammograms to be covered in full by insurers mean that more women will have access to the care they need.

Workers slimming down while on the job

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 17 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

CareerBuilder's annual workplace survey measured an increase in the number of workers who reported losing weight while employed, according to company officials.

Slimmer waistlines were reported by 18 percent of those surveyed, which is up from 16 percent last year. The increase is being attributed by CareerBuilder, in part, to less stressful work environments. However, there are many other factors that contributed to these positive results.

Conversly, sitting at a desk all day was picked as the most likely cause of weight gain, but constantly getting take-out was also named as a culprit.

As vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder Rosemary Haefner points out, there are steps that can be taken by both the individual and a company to curb unhealthy habits. Haefner further points out that creating a healthy company culture can reduce overhead.

"Most organizations are mindful of the higher costs, both to their bottom line and to their workers' overall quality of life, that are associated with unhealthy behaviors," said Haefner. "As a result, many workplaces are taking a more proactive role in their staff's well-being by implementing programs and benefits that promote wellness."

One easy way to promote a healthy workforce is to chose a health insurance plan that offers services like fitness club reimbursements and nutritional counseling.

Haiti faces resurgence of cholera

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 16 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a division of the United Nations, warns that Haiti is likely to see an increase in the number of cholera cases in the coming months, according to the organization's Humanitarian Bulletin, distributed last month.

In the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake, Haiti saw an outbreak of the disease, due mainly to lack of access to clean water supplies and dense overcrowding. The New York Times reports that while cases of cholera began to drop in January, the impending rainy season threatens to disseminate contaminated water and cause a spike in the number of infections.

While the OCHA refrained from making predictions about the number of deaths that this new wave of infections may cause, MSNBC reports that it is unlikely that the numbers will be as devastating as they were during last year's epidemic.

Many hope that Haiti will be able to rebuild its infrastructure enough to improve its sanitation and provide basic care. Far from the American system of healthcare, which is driven by health insurance quotes and cutting edge technology, healthcare in Haiti is grossly inadequate, and has been an issue in the country for some time, according to The New York Times.

Black Death surfaces in New Mexico

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 13 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The New Mexico Department of Public Health (NMDOH) confirmed that a 58-year-old Sante Fe County man had contracted the bubonic plague, commonly referred to as the Black Death, last week.

The man, whose name has not been released, is said to be recovering in the hospital.

Officials in New Mexico are now focused on preventing other residents from being exposed by advising them to avoid dead or ailing rodents. Because there were also two cases of plague reported in dogs in the area, locals are also being told to keep a close eye on their pets.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Catherine Torres explained that the NMDOH takes several steps to ensure public safety in such matters.

"We inform neighbors door-to-door about plague found in the area and educate them on reducing their risk," said Secretary Torres.

The bubonic plague wreaked havoc on Europe in the Middle Ages, before the days of hospitals and health insurance. While it is still cause for concern, the plague does not carry the same death sentence that it did at that time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends prompt treatment with antibiotics.

Research reveals that women may be waiting too long for mammograms

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A recent audit of nine New York City Hospitals indicated that some women are waiting up to 148 days for mammograms, according to a report that was published by the New York City Comptroller John C. Liu.

This exorbitant wait goes far beyond the 14-day guideline established by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and applied to both screening and diagnostic mammograms. This raises a major health concern, as breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths and timely screening can reduce mortality in women by up to 30 percent.

Ana Marengo, a spokeswoman for HHC, claims that the data is not indicative of current conditions and that high-risk patients are screened within 72 hours.

"If there is a lump, if there is a family history, if there is a high-risk individual that had cancer before, all those are considered urgent," she told The New York Times.

Despite long wait times, women are still using their health-insurance-prescribed preventative medicine visits and getting the appropriate screenings. The number of mammograms performed in 2010 increased to 100,000, up from 92,000 in 2009, according to the newspaper.

Higher rate of autism could cause higher costs for family health insurance

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A study that was published Monday in the American Journal of Psychiatry estimates the incidence of autism in South Korea to be 2.6 percent, meaning that one in every 38 children studied suffered from some form of the disorder, according to Autism Speaks.

The children who participated in the study were between the ages of 7 and 12, and were assessed using multiple clinical evaluations over the course of several years. As a result of the comprehensive effort, researchers were able to identify several cases of the disorder in children in the general school system who were previously undiagnosed.

The study has raised questions about the ways in which we test for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

"These findings suggest that ASD is under-diagnosed and under-reported," stated Geraldine Dawson, Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer. "Rigorous screening and comprehensive population studies may be necessary to produce accurate ASD prevalence estimates."

These findings could also mean higher costs for health insurance in the near future, as related medical expenses for a person with ASD can total up to $3.2 million per person in a lifetime, according to a 2007 study by Michael L. Ganz that was published in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Partnership for Patients launched at Baylor University Medical Center

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 09 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its Partnership for Patients initiative on Thursday at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, according to the Dallas Morning News.

HHS estimates that the plan could spare 600,000 lives and save the U.S. $35 billion in healthcare costs over the next three years, possibly bringing down individual health insurance costs. The initiative also has a special focus on Medicare and Medicaid, which could result in a $50 billion reduction in spending in the next 10 years as a result.

The Partnership for Patients plan seeks to improve patient care, and reduce medical errors and the number of conditions acquired in the hospital. Measures will be taken to ensure that hospitals are providing adequate care to patients in a timely fashion and keeping their facilities clean. Hospitals that fare well will be rewarded.

"Under this initiative, Medicare will reward hospitals that provide high-quality care and keep their patients healthy," explained HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "It’s an important part of our work to improve the health of our nation and drive down costs."

Sebelius also stated that everyone will benefit from these savings, meaning that health insurance quotes and healthcare costs across the board could be positively affected.

Progesterone could prevent premature births

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A National Institute of Health (NIH) study recently found that preterm births may be prevented by treating mothers who are at risk of premature labor with progesterone, a hormone that is essential to maintaining pregnancy.

The study, which was published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology last month, focused on women who had a short cervix. According to Dr. Roberto Romero, chief of perinatology research at NIH, this characteristic can be a sign that progesterone is lacking.

"Our study demonstrates that progesterone gel reduces the rate of early preterm delivery - less than 33 weeks - in women with a short cervix,” said Romero

This news could have a monumental effect on health insurance costs in the coming years. Current healthcare costs for premature infants are far greater than for babies carried to full term. A 2009 CNN report estimated that the average cost of care in the first year of life of a premature baby is $49,000, compared to an average of $4,551 for a full-term infant.

Dr. Romero estimates that the country could save $12 million a year in health insurance costs by treating women who have short cervices with the hormone.

MAMA looks to improve care for expectant mothers who do not have health insurance

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled what she called a "labor of love" Tuesday when she announced the launch of the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action (MAMA), a public and private partnership aimed at improving the health of women and newborns through technology and information.

Clinton told reporters that 360,000 women and nearly 4 million infants die each year from complications with childbirth. MAMA's aim will be to supply expectant mothers with information that could help them make good choices in regards to their family's health.

"It's an issue that is personally a high priority," said Secretary Clinton, "and it is one to our government and the Obama Administration, and especially to families around the world"

According to the foundation's website, MAMA intends to use the explosion of mobile technology in third-world countries to get the word out. Because more people now have access to cell phones, information can be transmitted in a more timely fashion. For example, MAMA can send pregnant women timely health information that is relevant to their stage of pregnancy.

It is MAMA's hope that putting this information in the hands of mothers-to-be around the world will reduce death and other health risks that are associated with giving birth.

Change:healthcare names new CEO

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Former president of CVS/Caremark Pharmacy Services, Howard McClure is moving into his new role as CEO of change:healthcare. He will replace the organization's founder Christopher Parks, who will be transitioning to chief development officer, according to company officials.

Parks stated that McClure's work at CVS/Caremark was evidence of his capability to uphold the mission of change:healthcare - to help the average consumer make informed decisions that will drive down individual healthcare costs.

"We are very excited to have Howard on board," Said Parks. "His tenure and success at CVS/Caremark, as well as a shared mission to offer consumers true healthcare cost transparency, made him a perfect fit for our team."

The company released its Healthcare Transparency Index last fall in an effort to help small companies and individuals choose facilities and practitioners that offer low-cost, quality healthcare.

McClure recently told The Wall Street Journal that he feels such financial transparency is essential to keeping health insurance affordable.

"I see this as an exciting way to help people understand the cost of healthcare and make good purchasing decisions," he said.

Incidences of asthma and cost of treatment rise

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 04 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The number of people in the U.S. who are affected by asthma increased by 4.3 million between 2001 and 2009, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, which was released yesterday to coincide with World Asthma Day, also noted that the cost of care for asthma grew along with the number of cases. This figure increased by $3 billion between 2002 and 2007, which shows a 6 percent spike.

Because asthma is a lifelong disease, an affected person will have to learn how to manage both care and cost for their condition by working closely with healthcare professionals and their health insurance company. CDC director Thomas R. Frieden stressed that education is essential to managing the condition.

"We have to do a better job educating people about managing their symptoms and how to correctly use medicines to control asthma, so they can live longer more productive lives while saving health care costs," said Dr. Frieden.

Unfortunately, many health insurance companies do not cover all of the services that are recommended for those who suffer from asthma. This leads many to a difficult decision between paying out-of-pocket for appropriate care or abstaining from treatment altogether.

Ban lifted on stem cell research

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The Obama administration saw another victory Friday in its continued push for healthcare reform. A federal appeals court overturned a previous ruling that prevented the National Institutes of Health from funding stem cell research, according to Medpage Today.

In a statement that was released Thursday by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the White House praised the decision.

"We’re heartened that the court will allow NIH and their grantees to continue moving forward while the appeal is resolved," he said.

The research community was also elated by the news. Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of NIH, expressed his sentiments to the New York Times, stating that "this is a momentous day not only for science but for the hopes of thousands of patients and their families who are relying on NIH-funded scientists to pursue life-saving discoveries and therapies that could come from stem cell research."

Researchers and patients alike hope that continued efforts will improve treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Such breakthroughs could positively impact health insurance costs in the future by limiting the amount of care a patient will need throughout his or her life.

Incidence of stroke rising in children and young adults

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 02 May 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While fewer stroke cases have occurred among the elderly since 2005, young adults between the ages of 20 and 45 as well as children and teens saw an increase in reported strokes, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

The New York Times cites "obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure among teenagers and young adults" as prime culprits. However, improved diagnostic testing and better tracking of stroke cases may also be responsible for the rise.

Proper diagnosis is just the first step to improving over-all heart health, according to AHA. Prevention, especially among young adults, is the next. Now that college-aged adults can continue on their family health insurance until the age of 26, healthcare professionals are expected to have an easier time monitoring the lifestyle choices of this at-risk population.

Furthermore, more affordable health insurance is on the horizon as a result of healthcare reform, meaning more low-income individuals will have improved access to healthcare.

"Starting healthy behaviors at a young age is critical to entering middle age in good shape," according to AHA president Ralph Sacco. "The investment you make in your health now will have a large payoff as you age."

Heart attacks most likely to occur in the morning

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A heart attack that occurs in the morning may be more damaging than one that happens any other time of the day, according to new research from Spanish scientists.

Researchers from the National Center for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid collected data from 811 patients who had experienced a heart attack between 2003 and 2009. Scientists analyzed the amount of heart muscle damage that occurred in relation to the time the heart attack had taken place, and discovered that cardiac events that take place between 6 a.m. and noon were the most severe.

Individuals who had heart attacks between those times had levels of the enzymes kinase and troponin-I that were 21 percent higher than any other time of the day.

The risk of suffering from a cardiac event can be considerably decreased with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. The American Heart Association says eating nutritious, low-fat foods is the best way to avoid a heart attack, while avoiding cigarettes and engaging in 30 minutes of vigorous exercise each day can also keep hearts healthy.

Florida receives "F" for children's dental health

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A new report from the Pew Center On the States found that Florida is failing to meet the dental health needs of children who receive health insurance through Medicaid, according to an agency press release.

In a rating scale of A to F, Florida received an "F" grade for only meeting two of the eight policy benchmarks in Pew's analysis. The investigation found that only 24 percent of the state's Medicaid-covered children received dental care in 2007, making the Sunshine State just one of three states where less than a quarter of children received dental services. Delaware and Kentucky also provided care for less than 25 percent of children enrolled in Medicaid.

In addition, the agency reported that Florida may face a workforce shortage and needs 750 additional dentists to provide care to neglected areas.

Only six states received "A" grades: Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

Oral health is an important part of maintaining a strong body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost one-third of American adults suffer from untreated tooth decay, while poor dental care has also been found to lead to oral cancers in some older adults.

U.S. poultry contains most bacteria

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Poultry contaminated with the bacteria Campylobacter cause the most food borne illnesses in the U.S. each year, sickening about one in six people and costing 1.3 billion, according to a new study from the University of Florida.

A report from the institution's Emerging Pathogens Institute included poultry, as well as eggs and deli meats as some of the 10 riskiest foods for disease-causing microorganisms. In addition to campylobacter, salmonella - found in poultry, eggs and other complex foods, listeria monocytogenes, toxoplasma gondii and norovirus were listed as the top-5 disease causing pathogens in U.S. food products.

Those pathogens account for about $12.7 billion in economic losses each year, according to the report, which takes into account the cost of lost productivity, medical care and serious complications or disabilities associated with those food-borne illnesses.

Other foods found to have high levels of bacteria include soft cheeses, pork, beef and some produce.

Salmonella has been found in a variety of products in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals who ingest the bacteria may suffer from diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and may be sick for up to a week.

U.S. air quality improves, but still has as ways to go

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While the nation's air quality has improved in the past few years, the most recent State of the Air 2011 report from the American Lung Association found that just over half of the population lives in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution.

According to the report, 50.3 percent of Americans live in 366 counties that have exceedingly high levels of either ozone or particle pollution. In addition, about one in 17 people - a total of 18.5 million - live in counties with unhealthy amounts of ozone, short-term and year-round particle pollution.

However, the organization said there is some good news as well. More than half of the country's most smog-polluted cities reported decreased smog levels. Plus, all but two of the 25 most polluted cities that experience year-round particle pollution improved since the last report, with 19 of them reporting their best levels to date.

Air quality can have a serious impact on human health. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection agency says particle pollution - a mixture of components such as acids, metals, organic chemicals and dust particles - can damage the heart and lungs with heavy exposure, which may lead to serious illnesses such as lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

FDA unveils plan to fight prescription drug abuse

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration announced it is launching an educational program to reduce the nation's abuse of long-lasting opioid prescription drugs, according to the agency's website.

The action requires drug companies that manufacture those drugs - which include OxyContin, Avinza, Duragesic and nine other brand names - to provide educational materials to physicians and patients to inform them on the correct use of those medications. The FDA said those medications are extensively misprescribed and abused, leading to addiction and even death.

Opioids are synthetic versions of opium that are used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the plan provides a national framework for reducing prescription drug abuse and informing the public on the dangers of using those drugs for recreational use.

"We share a responsibility to protect our communities from the damage done by prescription drug abuse," Kerlikowske said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 27,000 people died from prescription drug overdoses in 2007, which is five times higher than overdose deaths reported in 1990.

Controversial study casts doubt on overall benefit of calcium supplements

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The use of calcium supplements to improve bone health and help ward off fractures in women with osteoporosis may increase the risk of heart disease, according to a study in the British Medical Journal, but an accompanying editorial in the publication argues that there is still insufficient evidence of this.

The authors of the study say that their findings indicate that the increased risk of heart disease outweighs the increase in bone health provided by the supplements. However, the editorial asserts that there are minor issues in the selection of research subjects that may have detracted from the accuracy of the study in question.

Specifically, according to the editorial, the fact that the participants had already decided to take the supplements before being selected for the study makes for less-than-perfect randomization, making it more difficult to interpret the findings as conclusive.

One thing that isn't open to discussion, however, is that osteoporosis is a serious condition that must be carefully managed by patients, healthcare providers, and health insurance companies, experts say.

Cancer cell immortality is a myth, researchers say

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

New research has found that cancer cells are not immortal, despite behaving in a radically different manner than normal ones, according to the Salk Institute.

Part of the reason cancer cells tend to live so much longer than non-malignant ones is a structure at the ends of chromosomes called a telomere. In normal cells, the telomere becomes shorter with every cell division, becoming a type of countdown timer for cell inactivity or death, according to the researchers. In most malignant tumors, however, high levels of an enzyme called telomerase continually replenish the structures, allowing them to stay active for extended periods.

A few tumors, however, use a process called alternative lengthening of telomeres, or ALT, the researchers said.

"Although it is a rare phenomenon, understanding ALT is essential since tumors can evade anti-cancer therapies aimed at inhibiting the activity of telomerase through the activation of ALT," said study author Liana Oganesian.

While treatments using the Salk Institute's recent research may eventually prove useful in the struggle against cancer, the best defense is still to avoid tumor growth in the first place via a healthy lifestyle, something that can also decrease health insurance rates.

Health insurance costs rise in year ending February 2011, but pace slows

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Cost increases for healthcare in the U.S. have been consistently rising for some time now, and the 12 month stretch ending in February 2011 was no exception, Standard and Poor's said. However, researchers from that company noted that the rate at which those costs have increased has slowed.

Compared to February 2010, healthcare costs were measured to be 6.19 percent higher last month, the study found, but this increase is below both the 6.31 percent figure seen between January 2010 and January 2011 and the record year-over-year growth rate of nearly 9 percent seen between May 2009 and the same period in 2010.

David Blitzer, chairman of Standard and Poor's index committee, said in a statement that some types of health insurance and other care costs have slowed their increases faster than others.

"While all of the indices have seen their growth rates decelerate over the past year, Medicare claim costs, particularly those associated with hospitals, have witnessed the largest slowdown. Both the Medicare Composite and the Hospital Medicare Indices posted the lowest growth rates we have seen in their six years of history," he said.

Pregnant women's diet can influence child's future risk for obesity

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

What a woman eats during pregnancy can affect her child's risk of obesity, even if the baby is at a normal weight at birth, according to a new international study.

The study, published in the journal Diabetes, found that a process known as epigenetic change can alter the function of an unborn child's DNA in response to changes in the mother's diet. According to researchers, those changes can be detected by sampling the umbilical cord at birth for the epigenetic markers of obesity risk.

Researchers found that mothers with early pregnancy diets low in carbohydrates such as sugars and starch had children with those markers, and discovered there was a strong link between those same markers and a child's obesity at ages six and nine.

Keith Godfrey, a professor at the University of Southampton and the lead author of the study told the BBC that the results suggest women should follow the diet advice they receive during pregnancy as it may have a long term influence on their child's health.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says pregnant women should consume foods that are high in essential vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. The agency also said women should avoid foods with an abundance of sugars and solid fats like sodas, fried foods and whole milk.

Foods that can reduce stress

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Losing weight is already hard, but add stress into the mix and shedding pounds can be even more of a challenge. While stress usually increases the appetites of many, ThatsFit.com has recommended a list of healthy foods that actually manage and control stress, while also boosting the metabolism.

Ingesting whole grains is a natural way to boost the brain's serotonin levels, according to the website. Carbohydrates cause the body to produce insulin, which allows tryptophan -an amino acid that's the precursor to serotonin entering the brain. While all carbohydrates can produce this sensation, the website said foods such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, and whole grain cereal digest more slowly, keeping people calmer for longer.

Beverages such as low-fat milk, coffee and chamomile tea also have stress reducing properties, although the website said people should still take it easy with their java intake. While a small amount of coffee can provide a lift by raising adrenaline and dopamine levels, it also increases cortisol, known as the stress hormone. High levels of cortisol are associated with abdominal fat storage and increased fat cravings, meaning that a coffee-drinker may want to limit their consumption to one cup per day.

High levels of stress are associated with multiple health problems that may or may not be covered by health insurance. The American Institute of Stress reports that stress can lead to cardiovascular problems, insomnia and body pains.

Stroke survival among seniors better in sociable neighborhoods

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Seniors who live in tight-knit neighborhoods where they frequently interact with neighbors have a considerably lower risk of dying from a stroke, according to new research from the University of Minnesota.

The 11-year study involved 5,789 men and women at an average age of 75 who were living in various Chicago neighborhoods. Researchers questioned participants on their relationships with people in their neighborhood, such as whether they spoke to neighbors on the street, did yard work together and whether they watched out for one another.

For each increase in what researchers called neighborhood "cohesion" - such as speaking or interacting with a neighbor - they found that an elderly person had a 53 percent increased chance of surviving a stroke. Researchers said the findings remained significant even after accounting for factors such as socioeconomic status, cardiovascular risks, smoking and physical inactivity.

Cari Jo Clark, the study's lead researcher, said in a statement that the findings indicate that social interaction can significantly affect an individual's health because it gives them more people to rely on during difficult situations.

"This finding highlights the importance of positive neighborhood environments to health, particularly among the elderly," Clark said.

Almost 80 percent of strokes can be prevented with proper care, according to the National Stroke Foundation. However, the organization said the risk of developing a stroke can rise significantly over the age of 55.

Almost half of U.S. meat contaminated with bacteria

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Meat products in the U.S. may be widely contaminated with drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that most commonly causes staph infection, according to researchers from the Translational Genomic Research Institute.

Researchers analyzed 136 samples of beef, chicken, pork and turkey from 80 different brands that came from groceries stores in Los Angeles, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Flagstaff, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. An alarming 47 percent of samples were found to contain traces of S. aureus, while of those, 52 percent were resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics.

While the bacteria is usually killed with proper cooking, researchers said it may still pose a risk to consumers through food handling and cross-contamination in the kitchen.

DNA testing indicates the animals themselves were the source of contamination. Scientists say livestock are usually given antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease in crowded pens. However, the Food and Drug Administration recently urged the meat industry to limit the use of antibiotics in livestock over concerns that the bacterial resistance bred in stockyards may make antibiotics less effective in humans.

Staph infections may develop without a person's knowledge and can be extremely serious if not treated quickly. More than 11,000 Americans die of the ailment each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Weight-loss surgery may improve memory in obese people

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While weight-loss surgery can help people shed pounds, new research indicates that it may also help them improve their memory and concentration.

Researchers from Kent State University in Ohio analyzed memory tests taken by 150 people who weighed an average of 300 pounds to see how weight influenced brain health. Of that group, 109 of them had bariatric surgery, while the other 41 did not. After 12 weeks, all of the participants took the same memory tests.

Researchers said the surgery patients, who had lost an average of 50 pounds, showed improvement in multiple cognitive abilities, such as memory and executive functioning, while the morbidly obese patients did not exhibit any improvement - in fact, scientists said they showed a mild decline in memory.

John Gunstad, a Kent State professor and study researcher, said future research examine whether weight loss achieved through non-surgical means can produce the same changes in memory.

Physicians have long since suspected that obesity may hasten the development of cognitive problems. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists obesity as a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease, as well as other forms of dementia.

Apples may lower 'bad' cholesterol levels

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While most people grow up learning that eating an apple a day will surely keep the doctor a way, researchers have found even more proof that the fruit can have considerable health benefits.

In fact, findings from a new Florida State University study indicate that an apple a day can actually lower bad cholesterol - known as LDL - and increase the good HDL variety in postmenopausal women. Researchers tracked 160 women ages 45 to 65 who ate either dried apples or prunes for a year to come to their results, and found that the apple-eaters saw their LDL levels drop by 23 percent in six months. Moreover, their HDL levels increased by four percent over the course of the study.

Women in the apple group ate two-thirds of a cup of dried apples per day. Although the apple slices added 240 calories to their daily diet, they lost an average of 3.3 pounds during the course of the investigation.

Most fruits contain healing qualities that can keep people from acquiring ailments that may increase their health insurance premiums. Prunes, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, plums, and red grapes - among others - are rich with disease-fighting antioxidants that can lower the risk for many chronic diseases.

Johnson & Johnson recalls epilepsy drug Topamax

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Johnson & Johnson has recalled almost 60,000 bottles of the epilepsy drug Topamax, following multiple consumer complaints about a foul odor emitting from the medication.

The smell is believed to have been caused by the chemical TBA, or tribromoanisole, which is a byproduct of a preservative that is applied to shipping pallets. While TBA isn't toxic, company officials said the odor could cause some temporary gastrointestinal symptoms that may be uncomfortable for consumers.

The company said that people who take Topamax - which is also used to prevent migraine headaches - should return the pills to their pharmacy if they notice an unusual odor emitting from the medication.

According to published reports, the recall is the latest in a series of manufacturing problems for Johnson & Johnson. Over the past 15 months, the company has recalled more than 300 million units of adult and children's medications.

YMCA survey finds almost 75 percent of kids don't get enough exercise

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Although a third of U.S. children are now overweight or obese, a new survey from the YMCA of the USA discovered that only 15 percent of parents rank overall physical health as the top concern for their children, while almost 75 percent of children ages 5 to 10 do not get the recommended amount of daily exercise.

The survey included almost 1,600 parents with children between the ages of 5 and 10. In it, respondents indicated that the economy has created financial challenges and time constraints that make it difficult for many families to find time for exercise and healthy home environments. In fact, 43 respondents said their children's financial security was their top concern, followed by education, and moral and ethical values. Physical activity came last on the list.

Parents may also be too burned out to encourage physically active family time. Seventy-four percent of respondents said they spent family time with their kids watching television, while 53 percent said leisure time with their kids included computer time and playing video games.

"The Y knows parents struggle to find the time and resources to incorporate physical activity and healthier habits into their kids' daily routine," said Lynne Vaughan, the senior vice president and chief innovation officer at Y-USA. "But getting active doesn't have to require a lot of time and resources."

According to USA Today, there are simple ways a parent can get their child moving. For instance, allowing them to help with household chores such as mopping or shoveling can get their blood pumping, while the source said establishing a family "green hour" each day to play outside can also encourage kids to burn calories.

Heavy alcohol consumption may cause some cancers

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While some doctors say drinking a moderate amount of alcohol can have some health benefits, a new study from British researchers found that heavier consumption can cause a variety of cancers.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that drinking more than a recommended amount of alcohol each day - one drink for women and two for men - may lead to multiple medical problems that can increase health insurance costs, such as mouth, throat, bowel and breast cancer.

Researchers tracked more than 350,000 Europeans between 1992 and 2000 to see how alcohol consumption influenced cancer development. Of those surveyed, scientists discovered that overall cancer risks increase with every extra drink a man or woman consumes per day that is above the recommended limit. Ultimately, researchers said over that period, 10 percent of cancers in men and 3 percent in women were attributed to alcohol consumption.

In addition, researchers said alcohol may have been responsible for almost 45 percent of cancers of the mouth, larynx and throat and men, and 25 percent of those cancers among women. It also caused 33 percent of liver cancers in men, and 18 percent in women.

However, when consumed moderately, alcohol can lower a person's risk for heart disease, strokes, gallstones and diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Video games may help stroke patients recover

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While most people would balk at the idea that playing video games can actually be good for you, a new Canadian study discovered that the games may help stroke patients regain their arm strength and function.

The study, published in the journal Stroke, analyzed 12 separate studies involving a total of 195 stroke patients who played virtual-reality video games as part of their rehabilitation. In the five studies that compared video game playing with traditional stroke therapies - such as playing cards or the block-balancing game Jenga - playing video games had a 4.89 times greater chance of improving arm strength. The other seven studies, which were observational, found that playing video games helped patients improve their upper arm strength by 14.7 percent while motor function also increased by 20 percent.

Researchers said video gaming may help stroke patients' brain's create new nerve cell connections. Tasks that are challenging, repetitive, task-specific and novel, all of which scientists say are all involved in video games, have been proven to improve the brain's ability to remodel itself.

However, video games probably won't be covered by health insurance companies anytime soon - researchers say larger randomized trails are needed before any benefits can be confirmed.

The American Heart Association reports there are about 6,400,000 stroke survivors living in the U.S., many of who have experienced long-term disabilities as a result of their ailment.

Doctors recommend different treatments for patients than they would for themselves

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Patients who are looking for medical treatment advice from their physician may not get the objective opinion they're hoping for.

Doctors often offer different treatment recommendations for their patients than they would choose for themselves, according to researchers from Duke University and the University of Michigan. In a national survey of physicians, researchers found that doctors frequently advised patients to undergo treatments with more side effects and lower mortality rates, while they themselves would opt for treatments with less side effects but a higher chance of mortality.

Peter Ubel, a professor at Duke, said physicians tend to become emotionally involved when envisioning potentially uncomfortable side effects they would have to live with themselves, but are able to push aside that feeling for patients, leading them to primarily prescribe treatments that reduce the chance of death. Plus, those treatments or more likely to be covered by a health insurance provider.

"When making recommendations to patients, physicians can push aside any emotions that would lead them astray. But those emotions may loom large when a doctor is deciding for him or herself," Ubel said.

Sometimes doctors may even prescribe supposed medications simply for a patient's state-of-mind. A 2008 study from the U.S. National Institutes of Health found that an alarming percentage of doctors will regularly give patients placebo treatments, even though the practice is not approved by the American Medical Association.

Boston mayor bans sweetened drinks on city properties

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced that he is expanding on his ban of sugar-sweetened beverages in public schools to include all city properties, meaning high-calorie sodas, juices and sports drinks will no longer be available in vending machines, concession stands and city-run meetings or events.

Menino, who the Boston Globe reports has struggled with his own weight issues, said in a press release that he wants to make it easier for city employees and residents to make healthy diet choices.

"I want to create a civic environment that makes the healthier choice the easier choice in people's lives, whether it's schools, work sites, or other places in the community," he said.

City buildings and departments have six months until they have to phase out all beverages except bottled waters, diet sodas and iced teas, 100 percent juices, low-sugar sweetened beverages and flavored sweetened milk.

Similar measures are becoming more common as the nation struggles to control its epidemic of obesity. Other cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City have already enacted similar measures to limit or prohibit the sale of unhealthy foods and beverages.

New parents may be picking up unhealthy habits

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

New parents may be picking up bad habits that could eventually raise their health insurance costs. According to a new study from the University of Minnesota, new parents spend nearly an hour less each week participating in vigorous exercise than their peers.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, compared answers from a survey involving 149 parents and 1,371 childless adults. It particularly focused on parents in their mid-20's with children younger than 5-years-old.

Jessica Berge, a lead author of the study, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that researchers focused on young, first-time parents because their children are more likely to develop healthier lifestyle habits if they see their parents maintaining good health amid turbulent life changes.

While researchers found that new moms eat just as many fruits, vegetables and whole grains as other women their age, they also consumed more total calories, as well as high-sugar drinks and saturated fats.

Instilling healthy eating and exercise habits in children from a young age can dramatically influence their health later in life. Children are significantly more likely to be obese adults if they are overweight from a young age, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and can also be more susceptible to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Teen weight can effect heart disease risk later in life

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A person's weight during their teen years can have a strong influence on their cardiovascular health during adulthood, even if their body mass index falls within the normal range, according to researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health.

A new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that compared to their peers with the lowest BMIs, even teens who fall into the normal weight range have an increased chance of developing heart disease decades later, even if they are lean adults. For every one unit increase in BMI among older teenagers, researchers said there is a 12 percent increased risk for cardiovascular disease 20 years later.

In a study of 37,674 men, scientists found that those with highest BMIs at 17 were 5.43 times more likely to have coronary heart disease later in life compared to those with the lowest. While researchers say the heaviest teens were also 2.76 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, they found that men who lost weight during adulthood were able to lower their risk for that ailment.

The study authors said their findings are more proof that parents and educators need to be vigilant in promoting healthy eating and exercise habits among children and teens. Overweight children are also more likely to receive higher health insurance premiums during adulthood, as a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 25 percent of obese adults in the U.S. were overweight as children.

Genes may influence caffeine addiction

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

People who need a cup of coffee - or three - to get through the day may be genetically predisposed to crave caffeine, according to a new study led by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Researchers have identified two genes associated with caffeine consumption, according to reports, both of which are involved in the breakdown of caffeine in the liver. People who have certain variations of those genes, known as CYP1A2 AND AHR, are able to metabolize the stimulant more efficiently than those who don't have it, which scientists say may increase their tolerance.

"It turns out that your liver, more than your brain, determines daily caffeine intake," said the study's senior author Dr. Neil Caporaso of the National Cancer Institute.

In a study of 47,000 adults across the U.S., researchers found that individuals with those genetic markers usually consumed about 40 more milligrams of caffeine than people with who did not have it, equal to one-third of a cup of coffee or an eight-ounce can of Coke.

Fortunately, jonesing for caffeine may have some health benefits. A recent study from the American Heart Association discovered that women who drank more than one cup of coffee - which is rich in antioxidants - per day had almost a 25 percent reduced chance of developing a stroke.

Strawberries may help prevent esophageal cancer

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Are strawberries the next superfood? According to new research they might be, as a small study found the fruit may have properties that can prevent the development of esophageal cancer.

The preliminary study, conducted by scientists from Ohio State University, involved 36 people with a high risk for esophageal cancer. Participants were asked to eat two ounces of freeze-dried strawberries every day for six months to see whether the berries had any cancer-fighting properties. Researchers used freeze-dried strawberries for the study since removing the water concentrates the fruit's nutrients.

After comparing tissue samples from the esophagus before and after the six months, researchers discovered precancerous legions that were previously noted had decreased or disappeared in 29 of the participants. While the results are positive, scientists say they need to conduct a larger, randomized placebo-controlled study before they can be confirmed.

There are many fruits with cancer-fighting properties that may help people avoid the expensive health insurance hikes that can come with a diagnosis. The Cancer Cure Foundation reports that raspberries, avocados, grapefruits and figs are all packed with antioxidants that may stave off the disease.

Compulsive eating and substance addiction have similar brain patterns

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Addictive eating behavior is linked with similar brain activity patterns that encourage substance dependence, according a new Yale University study.

The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, is the first to connect symptoms of food addiction with specific patterns of brain activity in both obese and lean participants. The study involved 48 healthy adolescent women with body types ranging from thin to obese, all of whom completed the Yale Food Addiction Scale, which applies diagnostic criteria for substance dependence to eating behavior. Furthermore, researchers used brain-imaging procedures to examine how food addiction symptoms related with the women's brain activity in response to food-related tasks.

Both thin and heavy participants who had higher food addiction scores exhibited different brain activity patterns than those with lower scores. For instance, when anticipating the receipt of food, those with higher scores experienced more activity in the regions of the brain responsible for food cravings, but less in the part that inhibits urges. Scientists say this is the same neurological process seen in drug addicts, who struggle with cravings and may not be able to regulate consumption.

Experts have long since noticed a connection between food addiction and substance abuse. In fact, Overeaters Anonymous, a recovery program for compulsive eaters, uses the same 12-step program employed by organizations such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous to beat the addiction.

Working long hours can increase risk for heart disease

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Having a long work day is the newest risk factor that can increase a person's chance for developing heart disease, according to a British study.

Conducted by researchers at the University College London, the study found that English office workers who regularly worked 11-hour days or longer were 67 percent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who worked seven or eight-hour days.

The study tracked more than 7,000 civil service employees between 1991 and 2004. Over that time, researchers found that about 2.7 percent of participants developed heart disease. While the study authors said they couldn't pinpoint an exact cause-and-effect relationship between lots of overtime and cardiovascular disease, lifestyle factors - such as the amount of time spent working - can significantly impact an individual's chance for developing the ailment.

"It could also be a wake-up call for people who overwork themselves, especially if they already have other risk factors," said Mika Kivimaki, the study's lead researcher.

A recent study found that sitting for long periods of time can be extremely harmful, and lead to illnesses that could raise health insurance rates. People who work long hours are likely to be sitting most of that time, which scientists found can increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes and early death even among people who exercise regularly.

FDA proposes calorie count information on chain restaurant menus

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

In an effort to combat the nation's growing waistlines, the Food and Drug Administration announced that chain restaurants, convenience stores, concession stands and vending machines will have to display calorie information for their food products by as early as next year.

The rules were included in a provision of the healthcare reform law and are subject to a public comment period before they are finalized in 2012. The regulations require any restaurant with 20 or more locations - including coffee shops and fast-food establishments - to clearly disclose calorie information on menus, including drive-thru menu boards. Additional nutritional information would have to be available upon request.

Michael Taylor, a deputy FDA commissioner for foods, said the goal of the policy is for consumers to process calorie information as they make menu choices, which will hopefully help them pick healthier options.

"We do see this as an important step in providing consumers with information they can use in choosing healthy diets and fighting obesity," Taylor said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, conditions that can cause a variety of illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease. To enforce healthy nutritional habits early in life, First Lady Michelle Obama has initiated the Lets Move! campaign, which works to provide healthy food options in public schools and encourages kids to get active.

Researchers discover 5 more genes associated with Alzheimer's disease

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Two recent studies of Alzheimer's disease have led to the discovery of additional genes that may predispose someone to the illness, announced the National Institutes of Health, which funded one of the studies.

Researchers analyzed the genes of more than 56,000 study participants in the U.S. and Europe to find genetic variations that could influence the risk for developing the disease. The study doubled the number of genes known to be involved in Alzheimer's from 5 to 10, which scientists say will help them explore various avenues that could lead to the disease.

Scientists have suspected that cholesterol and inflammation may increase the risk for Alzheimer's, according to the New York Times, a hypothesis that the new studies seem to confirm. The source reported that some of the newly discovered genes are involved with cholesterol, while others are connected to inflammation.

Both studies - one by American investigators, another by a U.K based group at the Cardiff University School of Medicine - were published in the online issue of Nature Genetics.

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may require extensive care that may not all be covered by health insurance. The Alzheimer's Association reports that there are nearly 15 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. that care for the 5.4 million people who have the illness

Researchers say yoga can reduce irregular heartbeat episodes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Regularly practicing yoga can have considerable health benefits for someone suffering from an irregular heartbeat, according to a study from the University of Kansas Hospital, which found it can reduce the number of episodes by half.

To study yoga's affect on people with atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm condition that can increase the risk of stoke, researchers studied 49 patients between the ages of 25 and 70 who had the condition. Over a three month period, those who practiced yoga three times a week for 45 minutes experienced about 2.1 atrial fibrillation episodes, compared with 3.8 episodes during the three months prior to beginning yoga.

Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, the lead author of the study, told Reuters that yoga can help regulate a patients heartbeat and improve their quality of life.

"These findings are important because many of the current conventional treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation include invasive procedures or medications with undesirable side effects," Lakkireddy said, although he added that yoga should be a supplement, and not a replacement for prescribed medications.

Yoga has been found to improve a variety of chronic illnesses that can raise health insurance costs. According to a 2008 study from the Yoga Journal, nearly 14 million Americans started practicing yoga that year at the advice of a physician or therapist.

Lung cancer fatalities among U.S. women drop

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Lung cancer death rates among women have declined for the first time in more than 40 years, more than a decade after a similar drop occurred in U.S. men, according to the Annual Report to the Nation on the State of Cancer.

The report, compiled by multiple organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, found that lung cancer deaths among women fell 1 percent each year between 2003 and 2007. While a small percentage, experts say it's a far cry from the 1970s, when lung cancer death rates in females were rising at a rate of 6 percent each year.

"This is good news. We've been waiting to see this decrease," said Dr.Ahmedin Jemal, the vice president of surveillance research for the American Cancer Society.

While the report said death rates for the other three major cancers - breast, colon and prostate - are also decreasing, fatalities from liver and pancreatic cancers are on the rise among both men and women.

Smoking cigarettes is the major cause of lung cancer, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is the top cancer-killer in the nation. Smoking automatically raises health insurance rates, as it can lead to other potentially fatal ailments such as heart disease and stroke.

Study: hands-free faucets are germier than manual models

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Germaphobes just can't catch a break. While hands-free automatic faucets have become a more popular bathroom fixture among those who believe the device is more hygienic, researchers conducting a John Hopkins Hospital study discovered they actually contain more bacteria than manual faucets.

During a seven week period, researchers tested electronic and manual faucets in patient care areas across the hospital. After analyzing the cultured water samples from 20 electronic faucets, the research team found the bacteria Legionella growing in half of them. However, only 15 percent of water cultures from the manual faucets showed traces of the bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia.

When scientists took apart the electronic faucets they found Legionella and other bacteria on all of the main valves. Dr. Emily Snyder, who led the study, said the decreased water flow in those faucets may increase the rate of bacteria because there isn't as much water traveling through to flush them out.

While many people might expect public bathrooms to be infested with germs, MSN Health reports that people may be surprised at what objects may have the most bacteria. Restaurant menus, soap dispensers, grocery carts and even restaurant lemon wedges are crawling with potentially disease-causing bacteria that could raise health insurance premiums.

Study: Sleep and less stress can aid weight loss

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While poor diet and lack of exercise are usually to blame for excessive weight gain, a new study from the Kaiser Permanante Center for Health Research discovered stress and sleep deprivation can also cause people to pack on the pounds.

The study, published in the Journal of Obesity, found people who are trying to lose at least 10 pounds were more likely to do so if they had lower stress levels and slept between six and eight hours a night. Nearly 500 overweight people from Oregon and Washington participated in the study.

Participants with the lowest stress levels who received more than six hours - but no more than eight hours - of sleep were twice as likely to shed at least 10 pounds compared to those who had either the highest stress levels or slept for less than six hours.

"Some people may just need to cut back on their schedules and get to bed earlier. Others may find that exercise can reduce stress and help them sleep," said Dr. Charles Elder, the lead author of the study.

A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one third of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep, a problem that could lead to weight gain and other conditions that could affect health insurance rates. Moreover, sleep deprivation can boost stress levels, making it more difficult to lose weight.

Study finds walnuts are rich in antioxidants

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Walnuts contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than any other nut, meaning this snack should be a regular part of a healthy diet, according to research from the University of Scranton.

Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body that can damage cells and cause disease. According to Dr. Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry at the university, in an analysis of 54 samples of both raw and roasted nuts he discovered walnuts have almost twice the antioxidants as almonds, peanuts, pistachios, cashews and other nuts. Vinson added that the antioxidants in walnuts are 4 to 15 times more potent as the amount found in vitamin E.

Vinson said many Americans have been trained to avoid nuts due to their high fat content. However, Vinson said that's an "old wives tale."

"We think nuts are good for you. Eat more. I'm not being paid by the walnut people to tell you this: I'm recommending nuts," he said.

Antioxidants can help prevent chronic illnesses that can lead to high health insurance premiums. However, many delicious foods and beverages such as berries, green vegetables, dark chocolate and even red wine are full of antioxidants, making them an enjoyable - and healthy - addition to a diet.

FDA approves new melanoma drug

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug that has been shown to prolong the lives of patients with advanced melanoma.

The drug, Yervoy, was developed by pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb and works by using the body's own immune system to fight tumors. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute, which said the disease killed about 8,700 people in the U.S. last year.

In a clinical trial of the drug, doctors found that 20 percent of patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated with Yervoy were still alive two years later, compared with 13.7 percent of those in the control group.

However, a Yervoy treatment, which is administered in four infusions over three months, is likely to be costly even for those with health insurance coverage. The Washington Post reports that one treatment cycle would cost about $120,000.

Exposure to harsh ultra violet radiation during childhood could lead to melanoma later in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a statement that said teens should be banned from indoor tanning to reduce their chance of developing the disease.

Study finds many moms, kids are heavier than they thought

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Many overweight moms and children tend to underestimate their weight, according to a new Columbia University study, indicating that heavy has become the new norm in many urban neighborhoods.

To come to their results, researchers questioned 111 moms and 111 children from New York City about their age, weight and income. Sixty-six percent of the moms were overweight or obese while 39 percent of children were too heavy. About 80 percent of participants were Hispanic, while the rest were either black, white or Asian.

When asked to estimate their own weight, 82 percent of obese women believed they weighed less than they did, while 42.5 percent of overweight women did the same. In addition, 86 percent of heavy children underestimated their weight. However, while almost half of moms with overweight children thought their kids were at a healthy body mass index, 41 percent of children thought their moms should lose weight.

Children who are overweight are considerably more likely to be obese as adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a problem that could lead to a number of diseases and raise health insurance rates. The agency report[s] that one study discovered that 80 percent of children who were overweight between the ages of 10 and 15 were obese by 25.

Study: Wealthy white women most likely to have melanoma

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Young white women who live in wealthy neighborhoods may soon have higher health insurance rates, as a study from the Cancer Prevention Institute of California found they are almost five times as likely to develop melanoma than their poorest counterparts.

Researchers analyzed data from a registry of more than 3,800 melanoma cases in white teen girls and women between 15 and 39 years old. After pairing the cancer cases with U.S. census data to determine socioeconomic status, researchers found that the women in the wealthiest 20 percent of California neighborhoods experienced the highest rates of melanoma, a lethal form of skin cancer.

In those neighborhoods, four to five out of every 100,000 young white women were diagnosed with melanoma over a five-year period, compared to one in 100,000 in the poorest areas.

Scientists say wealthier women are more likely to use tanning beds and take vacations in sunny locations, which could account for the higher rates of the disease.

Some women choose to tan for the sake of fashion, despite the health risks. A 2002 study from Indiana University found more than 90 percent of people who used tanning beds were aware the practice could increase the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.

Healthcare reform has benefited many Californians since its passage

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

A report by the California Budget Project found that one year after becoming law, the Affordable Health Care Act has improved health insurance benefits for millions of Californians, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.

The legislation has helped more seniors access prescription drug coverage, reported the newspaper, while offering temporary insurance for about 300,000 state residents who had been denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Moreover, the law has helped more young people obtain insurance by allowing them to stay on their parents' plan until they are 26-years-old.

The paper also said a health insurance exchange designed to connect small businesses and individuals without employer-provided coverage could provide insurance for up to 8 million state residents when it's launched in 2014.

In a statement, Budget Project executive Jean Ross said subsidies for low and middle-income families, in addition to increased Medi-Cal eligibility and employer incentives, could help 4.7 uninsured Californians receive health coverage, according to the source.

Upon its passage, the Affordable Care Act made it illegal for insurers to deny coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions, a measure that will be expanded to adults in 2014.

Study: Exercise and sex may trigger heart attacks in some

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

More Americans may soon be anxious to start a new exercise routine, as researchers from Tufts Medical Center have found that a particularly heart-pumping sexual encounter can be potentially fatal for some sedentary adults.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from 14 previous studies to find the link between exercise, sex and the risk of heart attacks or sudden cardiac death. Researchers found inactive adults are 3.5 more likely to experience a heart attack for an hour or two following moderate to intense exercise, while they are 2.7 times more likely to have an attack during sex or immediately afterward.

However, scientists said the risks for such events are relatively low. For every 1,000 people, study author Jessica Paulus told Reuters that each session of physical or sexual activity per week was only associated with an increase of 1 to 2 cases of heart attacks or sudden cardiac death per year.

To stay in shape and keep health insurance rates low, adults should engage in a healthy amount of physical activity each week to strengthen their cardiac health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that adults should engage in at least 2.5 hours of moderate to intense aerobic activity per week to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and obesity.

Study: Offspring of women who smoke during pregnancy have increased risk of picking up the habit

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The children of women who smoked cigarettes during pregnancy may be more likely to become smokers themselves later in life, according to new research from Finnish and Russian scientists.

Researchers from the Academy of Finland's Research Programme on Substance Abuse and Addictions used laboratory mice to test their theory. After adding nicotine to the drinking water of pregnant mice, scientists discovered that their offspring were more likely to self-administer the drug compared to mice who were not exposed to nicotine during development.

In addition, researchers found that nicotine attaches itself to receptors, which trigger multiple intracellular signals when activated. Morphine and its related compounds, which normally binds to its own receptors, also attaches to nicotine receptors, which may cause altered nicotine responses. Researchers say this may explain why people who use nicotine often use other substances as well, knowledge which could help scientists develop new medications to treat both cigarette smoking and drug addiction.

Smoking cigarettes is a notoriously harmful habit that will most likely lead to higher health insurance rates. According to the American Heart Association, nicotine is an extremely addictive substance that changes the user's brain chemistry, making them want it more and resulting in withdrawal symptoms when the craving is not satisfied.

Duration of obesity can influence risk of death

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The number of years that person lives while being obese can directly correspond with their risk for death, according to researchers at Monash University.

Scientists discovered that duration of obesity is a stronger predictor of mortality than body mass index. These days, where more adults are becoming overweight or obese earlier in life, the risk of death from the ailment is expected to increase compared to previous decades.

To come to their conclusions, researchers used data from the Framingham Heart Study to follow up with 5,209 subjects for 48 years. The results showed that those who had lived with obesity for a medium number of years - between 5 and 14.9 years - had double the risk of dying than those who had never been obese. Those who had lived with the weight for more than 15 years had triple the risk, according to researchers.

Moreover, the study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, found that for every two years a person lived with obesity, the risk of death increased by six to seven percent.

Obesity can result in a number of ailments that can increase health insurance rates. The Mayo Clinic reports that being extremely overweight can result in sometimes illnesses such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Potassium Iodine sales soar in U.S. following Japan tragedy

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Many Americans in fear of radiation poisoning are hoarding potassium iodine supplements, although experts say the U.S. will not be threatened by radiation emitted by nuclear reactors in Japan.

A massive earthquake and tsunami that ravaged northern Japan last week seriously damaged multiple nuclear reactors in the country, leading to increased radiation levels and some cases of poisoning. Although some Americans fear that wind will carry the radiation over the Pacific Ocean into the U.S., scientists say that is extremely unlikely.

"It's not going to be anywhere near that in the United States. It's hitting the panic button unnecessarily," Dr. Leonard Wartofsky, an endocrinologist at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, told the Los Angeles Times.

While they may not be at risk, the New York Times reports that potassium iodine has been flying off the shelves, with one company telling the paper it had sold more of the medication in the days following the earthquake then it has in the last three years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, potassium iodine may have some harmful side affects, although the benefits outweigh the risks following a nuclear event. Those who take a higher than recommended dose, or have a pre-existing thyroid disease may experience some adverse health effects.

Study: Dog owners get more exercise

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

Dog owners who walk their dogs are 34 percent more likely to meet federal physical activity benchmarks than those who do not have a canine companion, according to researchers from Michigan State University.

The study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, found 60 percent of dog owners took their pet for walks that last for 10 minutes at a time. Moreover, nearly half of dog walkers exercised for at least 150 minutes a week, as recommended by the Physical Guidelines for Americans.

Researchers also discovered that dog owners are more likely to participate in physical activities during their leisure time such as playing sports or gardening. On average, the study found that dog owners exercise for about 30 minutes more a week than their hound-free counterparts.

Mathew Reeves, the lead author of the study, told the New York Times that owning a dog pushes owners to get up and active during times they would usually lounge on the couch.

"They're not going to leave you alone until they get their walk in," Reeves said.

Owning a dog can have multiple benefits that may even help lower health insurance rates. A 2007 U.K. study found that having a pet dog can reduce stress and help the owner recover from illnesses at a faster rate.

Study: For health, having bad job is worse than being unemployed

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

While creating job opportunities has been a major U.S. goal for the past few years, a new study has found that being unemployed may be better for an individual's mental health than having a job they hate.

While researchers have traditionally assumed that being employed makes a person feel more fulfilled and needed, that is not always the case. Having a demanding, poorly paying job can sink people into a heavier depression than if they remained unemployed, according to researchers from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Scientists analyzed a mental health survey of 7,000 unemployed adults, and rated them based on factors such as depression, anxiety and positive well-being. Unemployed people had an average mental-health score of 68.5, compared to the 75.1 that employed people had. While researchers found that those unemployed people who obtained good jobs saw their scores rise by 3.3 points, those who took a bad job experienced a 5.6-point drop below average, lower than if they would have remained unemployed.

A person who stays at a job they dislike may even experience problems that can boost their health insurance rates. The American Institute of Stress reports that 25 percent of Americans believe their job is the number one stressor in their lives, a condition that can lead to increased hypertension, insomnia and depression.

U.S. Cancer survivors increase 19 percent in six years

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0500

The number of U.S. cancer survivors increased by 19 percent between 2001 and 2007, reaching 11.7 million, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Early detection and treatment has helped millions of Americans either beat their cancer diagnosis or live with it as a chronic illness, according to the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Report. In 1971, there were only 3 million cancer survivors in the U.S., while there were 9.8 million in 2001.

Those living with breast cancer make up the biggest portion of survivors at 22 percent, followed by prostate cancer patients at 19 percent. Researchers said 65 percent of cancer survivors had been living with the illness for at least five years at the time of the study, while more than one million had been living with the ailment for 25 years or longer.

CDC Director Thomas Friedman said healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding tobacco, engaging in regular exercise and consuming a healthy diet are key in preventing a cancer diagnosis.

"Preventing cancer and detecting it early remain critically important as some cancers can be prevented or detected early enough to be effectively treated," Friedman said.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the nation, surpassed only by heart disease. The CDC reports more than half a million Americans succumb to the disease each year.

Women feel guilty about mixing work with home life

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Women feel guiltier than men when work crosses over into their home life, a source of stress that could lead to more health problems, according to a Canadian study.

Although researchers said women can handle and excel in their professions as well as men, the study - published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior - found that it's their reactions which are different. Women feel more distressed when they are contacted via text messages, emails or phone calls on their off-hours, reported scientists, possibly because they feel more pressure to excel in all areas of their life.

Paul Glavin, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, said women may feel guilt or resentment when they are pulled in different directions. Moreover, Glavin said that extra stress may affect them physically, which could influence health insurance rates.

"We are seeing an increasing trend where work is spilling over to home, and as a consequence, if we are seeing women react and experience distress, we could see more accumulating health problems in the future," Glavin said.

The American Institute of stress reports that a quarter of Americans say their job is the number one stresser in their lives. Too much stress can result in a variety of physical and mental ailments, including depression, muscle pain and a weakened immune system.

CDC: Southeastern states are home of "diabetes belt"

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

People living in Southern states have a higher risk of developing diabetes, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that described that region as the nation's "diabetes belt."

Southern states have diabetes rates that surpass 11 percent, compared to 8.5 percent in the rest of the country. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, found that residents of southern states are more likely to be obese and live a sedentary lifestyle, both risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Almost 26 million Americans suffer from diabetes. However, the study reported that as many as 95 percent of those people have type 2, or adult onset diabetes. Type 1 is believed to be an autoimmune disease and is not influenced by the same factors.

Study author Lawrence Barker said the information can be used to identify which sections of the country are in the greatest need of preventative programs to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Being overweight is the primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes, as the Mayo Clinic reports cells become more resistant to insulin as fatty tissue increases.

Study: Americans have more chronic diseases than British

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Although the United States spends billions on healthcare each year, a new study found that Americans experience higher rates of chronic diseases and markers than their British counterparts.

Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers analyzed two national surveys to compare the health differences between the U.S. and England. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol and self-reported conditions were studied, with scientists finding that Americans have higher rates of all of those ailments except for hypertension.

Although researchers cannot fully explain why Americans experience more health problems, it may be because the cost of health insurance causes them to generally receive less preventative care. Americans are less likely to consistently visit a doctor, according to scientists, and hospital visits are usually shorter, resulting in missed opportunities for follow up care.

Experts say more studies need to be conducted before scientists can understand the cause of the health disparities between the two countries.

"A systematic assessment of cross-country differences in health by age group and type of condition provides necessary context for learning about why older residents of England suffer fewer chronic health conditions than their counterparts in the US," said Melissa Martinson, a member of the Office of Population Research at Princeton University.

According to the World Health Organization, while the U.S. spends more money on healthcare than any other nation, it ranks 37th out of 191 countries according to its performance.

Ibuprofen may reduce risk for Parkinson's disease

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Basic ibuprofen may have more health benefits than previously thought, as a new study found the household pain reliever may offer protection against the development of Parkinson's disease.

In a study of 136,000 healthy adults, researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that those who took the painkiller at least twice a week for six years were 38 percent less likely to develop Parkinson's compared to those who regularly took acetaminophen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although the connection between ibuprofen and Parkinson's is unclear, scientists hypothesize that the pain reliever may protect against the disease by reducing inflammation and targeting a certain receptor in the brain.

The exact causes of Parkinson's are still unknown to scientists, although it may be encouraged by genetics or certain environmental factors. Xiang Gao, the lead author of the study, told Bloomberg that more research must be conducted before physicians can solidly recommend ibuprofen to ward off the disease.

Individuals with a genetic history of Parkinson's may have more expensive health insurance rates, which could be reduced if ibuprofen is proven to protect against the ailment. However, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation reports the disease usually affects older adults and in most cases develops sporadically.

Report: More women smoke as they gain status

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Women who live in countries that encourage female empowerment are more likely to smoke cigarettes than those in developing nations, according to a recent study from the World Health Organization.

An analysis of 74 countries discovered men are five times more likely than women to smoke in traditionally male-dominated societies such as Pakistan, Indonesia and China. However, in countries that promote gender equality, like the United States, Australia and Norway, the gap was almost nonexistent, as women smoked about as much as men.

WHO said women are less likely to smoke because many cultures stigmatize the act and believe female smokers are less respectable. As women become more empowered - measured by data such as representation in parliament, voting rights and income - the social disapproval begins to fade.

Women in some developing countries are beginning to smoke more, reported WHO, saying they are prime targets for cigarette advertising.

"Strong tobacco control measures such as bans on tobacco advertising are needed to prevent the tobacco industry from targeting women," wrote the study's authors.

While the dangers of cigarettes smoking is practically common knowledge in the United States, the American Lung Association reports the gap between female and male smokers has become significantly smaller over the years, a statistic that may increase health insurance premiums for women.

Study: New gene regions related to heart conditions identified

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Scientists at Stanford University have identified 13 new gene regions that may predispose people to heart attacks.

The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, doubles the number of gene regions previously known to lead to coronary atherosclerosis, the process by which plaque builds up in the wall of heart vessels and eventually lead to a fatal heart attack. However, researchers report that only three of the 13 new gene regions appear to be linked to the condition through well-known risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking, indicating the others are related to biological processes in the vessel walls.

The results suggest that in the near future, physicians may be able to scan a patient's genetic profile for heart conditions as part of routine care, a process that while beneficial, could also increase health insurance premiums for those may be predisposed.

"With such information we should be able to better identify people at high risk early on in life and quickly take the steps to neutralize that excess risk by strongly recommending lifestyle and pharmacological therapies that we already know substantially reduce risk," said Dr. Themistocles Assimes, one of the study's 10 authors.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the globe, according to the World Health Organization.

Divergence in healthcare access overshadows improvements

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The gap between those that can access healthcare and those who cannot is still large; especially between ethnic, socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.

Healthcare quality has improved at about 2.3 percent a year, recently. But care for American Indians, Alaska Natives and African-Americans has been worse in about 40 percent of core measures, such as effectiveness, patient safety and efficiency, than whites. Asians had poorer healthcare for about 20 percent of said measures. Hispanics were in the worst shape regarding healthcare, being 60 percent lower in core measures.

The poor have the largest gap from the rest of the groups studied, receiving lower quality healthcare compared to the wealthy in 80 percent of core measures. This last point can be interpreted that the poor have a more difficult time obtaining health insurance than the wealthy, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

"All Americans should have access to high-quality, appropriate and safe healthcare that helps them achieve the best possible health, and these reports show that we are making very slow progress toward that goal," said Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, director for the AHRQ.

The annual report is mandated by Congress, and examines various aspects of quality healthcare such as access, care coordination, health system infrastructure, patient-centeredness and timeliness.

Study points out hepatitis C patients lack coverage

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Recent research regarding patients with hepatitis C has found that they are two-times more likely to not have any type of health insurance compared to those that are not afflicted with the disease.

The study took insurance information from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, from 2005-08. According to the survey, 81 percent of non-HCV infected individuals had health insurance. For those that had HCV, only 61 percent of them were insured.

"A significant number of HCV patients, however, may not even have access to antiviral therapy due to lack of adequate health insurance coverage," said Dr. Zobair Younossi, from the Center of Liver Diseases at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. Younossi was the creator of the study.

HCV can also cause a series of other serious illnesses, including liver cancer and liver disease. Also, HCV causes more liver transplants than anything else.

Younossi added that antiviral therapy is vital to not only living quality, but this type of treatment could improve mortality rates in the afflicted. It costs an estimated $48,000 a year to treat and take care of someone with HCV, according to Wiley-Blackwell.

Regular pap smear might be overkill, some doctors say

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Most healthy adult women don't need an annual pelvic exam, and the practice may be dissuading some from getting more necessary gynecological care, according to an article published recently in the Journal of Women's Health.

Carolyn Westhoff, the commentary's lead author, told the Wall Street Journal that other health priorities could be more important for women.

"If a woman is asymptomatic and feeling fine, getting naked on a table with stirrups and a speculum is not adding extra value. We should be talking about diet and exercise and immunizations - and having time to listen to what she's worried about. We can let go of something that is uncomfortable and embarrassing and not that useful," she said.

However, other experts told the Los Angeles Times that the relaxation of annual pelvic exams could be interpreted as a slackening in health standards. Dr. Lisa Nicholas, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA, said she wanted to make sure patients still know preventive care is necessary.

"I'm fearful of saying to patients 'You don't need this.' They may interpret that as 'I don't need to see the doctor,'" she said in an interview.

CDC partnering with GE to test innovative new electronic health information system

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

A new piece of technology will automatically gather reports of certain types of illness or injury and issue public health alerts if certain patterns are detected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and General Electric announced today.

Dr. Mark Dente of GE's Healthcare IT wing said the program's first test would be foodborne illness.

"As symptoms are captured by the computer, CDC matches them to patients reporting the same symptoms in a concentrated area - and a public health alert is issued. We could potentially reduce full days off the typical time needed to disseminate a public health alert, potentially saving lives. This is an incredibly exciting effort," he said.

All data transmitted by GE's program is carefully de-identified, the company said, so as to avoid the risk of identity theft posed by the transmission of electronic health information.

Experts say the move toward more digitization in healthcare record-keeping is a potentially seismic change for the health insurance industry, since it could allow drastic reductions in administrative and overhead costs.

Watchdog group slams plastic surgeons for downplaying implant risks

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The revelation that the head of a large organization of plastic surgeons had urged physicians to play down the risks of breast implant surgery touched off an angry response from Public Citizen's health research group.

The consumer watchdog said in a recent statement that the president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Phil Haeck, advised participants in a recent webinar to downplay the dangers of anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

"We decided that we would call this a condition when we talked to the media - not a tumor, not a disease and certainly not a malignancy …. and I would recommend that you use the same terms with your patients rather than disturb them by saying this is a cancer, this is a malignancy," Public Citizen quotes Dr. Haeck as saying.

While the link between ALCL and implant surgery is still unproven, the Food and Drug Administration announced recently that it would look into any possible connection. Clearly, any additional risk is a worrying possibility for prospective implant recipients, and the health insurance industry is doubtless following the controversy as well.

Pharmaceutical firms ink deal to develop new cancer drugs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The development and sale of Tivozanib, a potentially groundbreaking anti-cancer treatment, will now be jointly handled by Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Astellas, a Japan-based drug maker.

Astellas CEO Masafumi Nogimori said in a statement that the deal will help his company make advances in cancer treatment.

"Oncology is a high-priority therapeutic area for Astellas. We share Aveo's vision for oncology drug development and confidence that the TIVO-1 trial is positioned for success," he said, referring to a phase three clinical trial currently underway designed to further test the potential utility of Tivozanib.

The deal could be worth up to $1.3 billion, when future incentives and milestone payments are taken into account.

Tivozanib's promise centers on the fact that it blocks the action of a chemical thought to be important to the spread of many types of cancer, the companies said in their announcement of the deal.

However, experts say, the best defense against many types of cancer is still prevention. Getting regular checkups and avoiding lifestyle factors that can contribute to cancer is a great way to stay healthy and get better rates on health insurance.

Survey: Getting doctors to actually use electronic medical records could be biggest obstacle to adoption

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Even direct government assistance for facilities that meet guidelines for electronic health record use doesn't appear to be spurring the rapid adoption of the technology, according to a survey from medical access management firm Imprivata.

Almost half of the healthcare IT executives polled by the company said password issues were hurting the adoption rate of electronic medical record technology. This means that security will need to be balanced more effectively with ease of use and quick access, according to Imprivata.

Nevertheless, the survey also found that the use of mobile devices - which can be used to access EMRs - was on the rise among physicians. A little less than two-thirds of those polled said they either had plans to deploy personal electronic devices among physicians by 2012 or were already doing so, Imprivata said.

Experts say that digitizing health records could lead to fewer doctor errors and much lower overhead costs, which could then be passed on to the consumer in the form of cheaper health insurance.

All Massachusetts hospitals are not created equal, according to state's largest insurer

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The biggest health insurance company in Massachusetts, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, has a new plan that would charge some consumers higher rates for using facilities perceived as more costly than their peers.

Consumers who opted into the Hospital Choice plan received a significant discount on their monthly premiums, but would be on the hook for an inflated co-payment if they received treatment from a facility listed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield as "high-cost."

The head of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Rick Lord, told local public radio station WBUR the plans would reduce costs overall.

"The more that we can encourage employees to seek lower-cost alternatives that are equally good in quality, that will help address some of the cost issues that we face," he said. Other industry sources said there had been high adoption rates for those eligible for the new plans.

Experts note, however, that it's important for consumers to make sure their closest hospital isn't on the "high cost" list before signing up for the new plan, since this could wind up costing them more money should they need assistance.

Exercise benefits minds as well as hearts, researchers say

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

While it's common knowledge that physical exercise has a myriad of positive physical effects if done regularly, one group of researchers from the Georgia Health Sciences University found that it can also help promote mental ability.

The lead study author, Dr. Katherine Davis, said the results of the research provide further proof - if any was required - of the inestimable value of exercise, particularly in childhood.

"I hope these findings will help reestablish physical activity's important place in the schools in helping kids stay physically well and mentally sharp. For children to reach their potential, they need to be active," she said.

The study's results demonstrated significantly increased performance on several standardized tests of intelligence and better mathematical ability. As well, fMRI scans showed heightened activity in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain long associated with decision-making and higher functions, according to the researchers.

Despite the undoubted benefits of staying physically fit for kids, adults can realize even more advantages, such as cheaper health insurance and a higher overall quality of life, according to experts.

Stroke risk higher among regular diet soda drinkers, study finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

While many Americans scrupulously avoid regular soda in the interest of their health, new research presented at the American Stroke Association's yearly conference demonstrates that even those who regularly drink diet soda can suffer negative health consequences.

Specifically, the researchers said, the risk of stroke was 48 percent higher for daily diet soda drinkers than for those who abstained, even after controlling for factors like metabolic syndrome, heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. As well, scientists excluded the influence of age, sex, race, tobacco use, fitness level and alcohol use from the results. The researchers used an in-depth survey of 2,654 people in Manhattan conducted between 1993 and 2001 as their data set.

In addition to ischemic stroke, the consumption of diet soda was linked to other dangerous cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks.

While the study is not in itself proof of a link between diet soda consumption and heart problems, excessive amounts of soda in any form is probably not the best prescription for overall well-being, according to healthcare experts.

Weight-loss surgery may have heart benefits as well

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Obese patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery to help them lose weight could see improvements in their heart's form and function as well, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology said.

The surgery patients lost large amounts of weight - the study's lead author, Dr. Sheldon Litwin, told USA Today that the average was 100 pounds - and frequently, this positive outcome was associated with better heart function.

That organ tended to resume a more normal rhythm and shape after significant weight loss, possibly because it did not have to pump as hard to ensure complete circulation. The researchers said these factors suggested that gastric bypass surgery may be a good option for heavily obese patients who might otherwise be vulnerable to serious cardiac complications from their condition.

Surgery, however, should still be viewed as a last resort, to be used only if lifestyle factors like exercise and dieting prove ineffective. Obesity can lead to numerous other negative health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Allergies linked to lower rates of certain cancer strains

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

A type of brain cancer that frequently proves difficult or impossible to treat is seen much more rarely in patients with numerous allergies, according to a study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Although there is some speculation that the overactive immune systems seen in people with allergies - an allergy, after all, is nothing more than the immune system reacting to something it shouldn't - little can be definitively stated about the relationship between allergies and glioma, the cancer affecting glial cells.

One researcher, Bridget McCarthy, told Health Day News that the unclear nature of the connection between the two health conditions makes conclusions difficult to draw.

"Obviously, it's not like allergies are a modifiable risk factor. You can't tell people to go out and develop allergies. That's not going to happen. And you can't tell people with allergies that, 'You're doing a good thing, and don't try to get rid of them,'" she said.

Nevertheless, the apparent relationship between the two conditions could end up having an effect on health insurance rates, if further evidence is provided.

Cardiac imaging techniques involving ionizing radiation may cause cancer, study finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Despite the unquestioned utility of ionizing radiation as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for cardiologists, it may cause increased risks of cancer in patients who get too much of it, a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal said.

Even moderate levels of ionizing radiation - which many heart attack patients receive after their myocardial infarction - can have an effect on a person's risk of developing cancer, the researchers found.

The relationship between cancer risk and ionizing radiation appeared to be more or less dependent on dosage, according to the study, with patients who got more radiation treatment tending to get cancer at higher rates.

The researchers recommended that physicians consider whether or not the cardiac imaging tests were completely necessary in the wake of a heart attack, and ensure the amount of ionizing radiation received by patients was tracked carefully.

One study, of course, is not conclusive proof, and more scientific evidence may soon become available, but experts say doctors should be aware of the potential risks involved in the use of ionizing radiation.

Pharmaceutical giant teams up with foundation to fight diabetes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Research to create a cure for type 1 diabetes - the kind that develops in childhood - will be aided by a new partnership between pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the two organizations announced Thursday.

The new team will have specific research objectives in mind from the get-go, according to Eli Lilly chief scientific officer for diabetes drug discovery Dr. Philip Larsen.

"The goal of this research agreement is to understand how selected cells can be reprogrammed in order to convert them into insulin-producing cells in the body. This research is an example of regenerative medicine, a new frontier in science that replaces or regenerates new cells, tissues or organs, and while this particular research is early stage, it may ultimately lead to new approaches to treating type 1 diabetes," he said.

The research, if successful, could have dramatic effects on the way physicians treat diabetes. It could even, according to the statement released by the two organizations, eliminate the need for the regular insulin injections that are the hallmark of modern diabetes care.

Dermatologists warn of spike in skin cancer cases

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Americans are being diagnosed with dangerous skin cancers at an increasing rate, a fact which young people on spring break should take into account when on the beach, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists.

Dr. Brett Coldiron recently told the group's annual meeting about the alarming increase, and said the numbers could be worse than previously indicated.

"While the American Cancer Society estimates more than 2 million new skin cancers will be diagnosed this year, our research shows that the annual incidence in 2008 could actually have been 3.7 million," he said.

Ultraviolet light exposure - common among those who tan for vanity reasons - is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, but many still choose to use tanning beds or tan outdoors with not enough protective lotion, the group said.

Dermatologists say using sunblock with at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and which blocks both UVA and UVB radiation is necessary to be protected when in direct sunlight. Down the line, excessive UV exposure could increase one's risk for skin cancer and attendant high health insurance rates.

African-Americans still have highest cancer mortality rates

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Cancer is more likely to be fatal to African-Americans than to other ethnic groups in the country for a number of reasons, according to recently released data from the American Cancer Society.

Despite the fact that mortality rates among black Americans have been on the decline since the beginning of the 1990s, that ethnic group continues to suffer a higher percentage of cancer fatalities than others, the society said. That said, smoking-related cancer deaths and prostate cancer deaths are both sinking faster among African-American men than white men, though breast cancer death rates are going in the opposite direction.

Dr. Otis Brawley said in a statement that, while the causes of the higher mortality rate are complex, income levels are undoubtedly a factor.

"African Americans are disproportionately represented in lower socioeconomic groups. For most cancers, the lower the socioeconomic status, the higher the risk," he said, adding that overall health levels and the rates of diabetes and obesity in the community may also play a role.

ACS said, however, that it is committed to erasing the gap by funding hundreds of cancer studies on patients of lower socioeconomic status, many of which focus on the black community.

CDC: Diabetes rates continues to rise in U.S.

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The number of Americans suffering from diabetes continued to increase during 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported recently, rising to more than 8 percent of the total U.S. population.

The CDC said nearly 2 million people aged 20 or over were diagnosed with diabetes this year, and over half of them were between 45 and 64 years of age.

The continuing rise of diabetes in the American population - many public health experts already consider the condition to have reached epidemic proportions - has also become a serious financial issue, the CDC reported. The direct medical costs of treating the country's diabetes sufferers in 2007 was $116 billion, meaning that each diabetic in American was responsible for more than twice as much healthcare expenditure compared to non-diabetics, on average.

In addition, the CDC said, the indirect cost to the country - in lost work hours, premature deaths and disability insurance - was $58 billion over the course of the same year. Experts say those numbers are likely to be far higher, given the incidence of diabetes seen over the past several years.

Sleep could be silver bullet for weight loss

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Getting insufficient amounts of sleep every night could lead to problems losing weight and keeping it off, BrainBlogger writer Jennifer Gibson reported this weekend.

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated sleep deprivation can affect a person's attempts to lose weight in a number of ways, Gibson said, including a reduction in the hormone which decreases appetite, an increase in the one that promotes it and a spike in the consumption of calories during snacks rather than meals.

Gibson also said a recent study from researchers at the University of Chicago saw a decrease in the amount of body fat lost by dieters who were subjected to moderate sleep restriction by 55 percent, as well as the amount of fat-free body mass, when compared to those on normal sleep schedules.

In addition to weight problems, Gibson said, memory loss and an increasingly rapid aging process can result from prolonged periods of insufficient sleep. She suggests a public health campaign to promote healthy sleeping habits could be highly beneficial.

Other experts point out that stress levels and psychological health are also negatively affected by insufficient sleep.

Report: No easy diet answers, despite centuries of trying

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The idea of shortcuts to a healthy diet and consequently improved lifestyle has been around far longer than the Atkins Diet and South Beach, according to an article from MSNBC.

Formerly, some excess weight was a sign of success and may actually have been a healthy adaptation for surviving the weight loss incurred by diseases that have now been conquered by modern medicine, the cable news network reports.

However, advances in transportation and a massive decrease in the number of calories people burn every day have made it easier and easier for people to take in more energy than they need, according to MSNBC, and the fad diet has been a response to this trend from its inception in the industrial revolution.

Experts say there are no quick and dirty ways of improving one's diet without significant effort. Eating mostly all-natural foods with an emphasis on vegetables and fruit, as well as making sure one burns as many calories as one takes in is still the only proven way to get healthier.

FDA to investigate possible link between breast enhancement surgery and rare cancer

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

A rare form of breast cancer could be linked to the presence of silicone or saline implants used in breast enhancement surgery, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which announced recently it would investigate any possible connection.

Although anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is slightly more common in lymph nodes and the skin, but is still quite rare, the FDA said, and incidence in breast tissue is even less common. The administration has asked physicians around the country to contribute to a database of ALCL cases, in order to study any patterns that may arise.

In a review of 13 years of scientific literature, 34 cases of ALCL were seen in women with both silicone and saline breast implants, the FDA said. A total of 60 cases worldwide were discovered, according to the administration.

While there is no conclusive evidence to support such a connection, the FDA urges women with breast implants to monitor them closely and to make sure they contact a physician if they notice anything unusual.

Menopausal symptoms a sign of lower breast cancer risk

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Researchers say there may be a silver lining for women who have to deal frequently with the irritation of hot flashes. A study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found a correlation between lowered breast cancer incidence and the physical symptoms of menopause.

Dr. Christopher Li said the most annoying types of menopause symptoms were among the most strongly linked to lower breast cancer risk.

"In particular we found that women who experienced more intense hot flushes - the kind that woke them up at night - had a particularly low risk of breast cancer," he said.

Li and his fellow researchers postulate that there is a connection between the body's levels of estrogen and progesterone - hormones which, they say, are important factors in the development of some breast cancers - and the tapering-off of their production in the ovaries of menopausal women.

The full results of the study are due to be published in the February edition of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.

Experts say the best defense against breast cancer is still early detection, and urge women to have frequent mammograms as they enter middle age.

New drug trial could benefit breast cancer sufferers

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The benefits of an experimental platinum-based class of drugs aimed at knocking out triple negative breast tumors could be applied to all such cancers, according to doctors at Fredricksburg Oncology.

Dr. Frederick Tucker said the unusual growth patterns of triple negative tumors could be key to providing insight into breast cancer in general.

"Understanding how triple negative cancers spread in the absence of normal growth factors may give us insight into how other types of breast cancer grow and spread even after treatment," he said.

About 15 percent of breast tumors are triple negative, which means their cancerous cells do not interact with progesterone, estrogen, and growth factor HER2, Fredricksburg Oncology said. This makes targeted breast cancer drugs like Tamoxifen much less effective in treating them, and can also undercut the utility of standard chemotherapy. However, doctors at the clinic say tests of platinum-based medicines could help sufferers of all forms of breast cancer.

Experts advise regular mammography for women passing into the most vulnerable age range for breast cancer, though the frequency is a matter of some debate.

Study: Some patients receive too much narcotic medication

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The risks of drug addiction must be more carefully balanced with the need to provide pain relief for patients recovering from urological procedures, a study published in the Journal of Urology said.

The researchers, led by Dr. Cory Bates of the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, said they noticed most patients did not take the entire supply of prescribed painkilling medication after their urological procedure, according to Reuters, meaning that the excess pills could be used recreationally.

Almost 90 percent of patients who found themselves with extra narcotics simply kept the medicine at home, which poses a risk of abuse, given that leftover pills are one of the major sources of illicit narcotics in the U.S., the study said. Forty percent of the legally prescribed painkillers in the U.S. every year go unused by the person they were prescribed for, the researchers added.

Reuters reported that excess pills should be mixed in with an unappetizing substance like coffee grounds or cat litter and thrown away, though the government's office of National Drug Control Policy should be consulted for specific disposal instructions.

Government announces release of dietary guidelines for Americans

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Evidence-based nutritional guidance and other lifestyle advice are now available in the U.S. government's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to a joint statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Vilsack praised the research that went into the document, saying it was badly needed in the current health climate.

"The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and one in three children is overweight or obese and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore," he said, adding that "the bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease."

Portion control and nutritional content are at the heart of some of the guide's main recommendations, including the injunction to fill half of one's plate with fruits and vegetables and opt for low-sodium foods whenever possible.

Experts say a healthy diet is an effective defense against numerous types of disease, and can also be more cost-efficient than getting treated once a chronic condition develops.

Researchers: Cancer risk could ensue from menopausal HRT

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Hormone replacement therapy, when begun during menopause, may increase a woman's risk of contracting breast cancer, according to an online article published Friday by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers in the UK used data from an enormous healthcare study encompassing 1.13 million subjects to perform their study, and the scientists reported a correlation between the time at which hormone therapy was started and breast cancer incidence, along with other factors.

"In this large study, we found greater risks of breast cancer if hormonal therapy use began either before or soon after menopause than after a longer gap; and this pattern of risk was seen across different types of hormonal therapy, among women who used hormonal therapy for either short of long durations, and also in lean and in overweight and obese women," the article said.

Regular mammograms are among a woman's best weapons against breast cancer, experts say, although there have been recent differences of opinion over whether females vulnerable to the disease should be checked every year or less often.

Financial incentives for high performance aren't big motivators for doctors, study finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Setting performance targets for doctors charged with bringing down patients' blood pressure and rewarding those who get there is not an effective motivator, according to researchers at Harvard University and the UK's University of Nottingham.

One of the lead researchers, Stephen Soumerai, said in a statement that there was relatively little difference between doctors who were paid for high performance and those who weren't.

"The study found that good quality of care for hypertension was stable or improving before pay for performance was introduced. Pay for performance had no discernible effects on processes of care or on hypertension related clinical outcomes and the system may not be sufficient to improve quality of care and outcomes for hypertension and other common chronic conditions," he said.

Soumerai went on to add that it's likely health insurance companies and governments are both wasting large amounts of money on such programs for a highly questionable return.

It's unknown, as yet, what kind of effect the study will have on pay-for-performance programs in either the UK or U.S., experts say.

Cancer specialists issue call for better communication with end-stage patients and families

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Despite the enormous complexity of many issues and choices which terminal cancer patients must face, discussion frequently doesn't happen until it's far too late, according to a statement released yesterday by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Simply communicating more with patients and beginning the process during earlier phases of treatment can make a big difference, according to ASCO. A great deal of evidence, the group adds, exists to show the effectiveness in improved outcomes and patient care when treatment is tailored to a sufferer's individual needs.

Terminal cancer patients still have options, and their decisions and cooperation with physicians can greatly impact their quality of life, the statement says.

"Care for these patients should include an individualized assessment of the patient's needs, goals, and preferences throughout the course of illness," according to ASCO.

Other experts say family members must be involved as well, helping the patient to deal with side issues like health insurance coverage and allowing them to focus completely on their treatment and the decisions they must make.

Report: Preventative healthcare costs sinking

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

A provision in last year's health insurance reform bill got rid of copayments for preventative care, according to the Los Angeles Times, and the effect has been to increase access to and use of such services.

The article cites a 2007 report from Partnership for Prevention, which asserts there are five preventative care services which, if more widely used, could save more than 100,000 lives every year. Smoking cessation, flu shots, breast and colon cancer screening, and aspirin for heart disease are all huge lifesavers.

Experts told the paper that there were still loopholes in the coverage of preventative care, and warned that consumers could be charged for going to out-of-network providers or getting non-preventative medical services at the same appointment. There are also some restrictions, meant to make it easier for the most at-risk demographics to have access to screening services.

Beyond simply improving general health by catching potential problems early, preventative care should save health insurance companies money by reducing the need for acute care or emergency room visits farther down the road, other experts point out.

Voluntary recall on some batches of Tylenol

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The healthcare manufacturing firm McNeil announced Friday it would recall certain wholesale lots of Tylenol and other over-the-counter medications, due to problems with the cleaning of manufacturing equipment.

McNeil's facility in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, is the site of the issue, the company said, pointing out that there were several occasions on which cleaning was insufficient or insufficiently well-documented.

While it's unlikely, McNeil said, that there were unlikely to be problems with medicine produced at the facility, the recall is being issued as a precaution. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was also contacted, and McNeil will enact a company-wide policy change to ensure the cleanliness of the rest of its equipment.

Among the products recalled were Tylenol 8-hour, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, and Tylenol upper respiratory items, along with smaller quantities of Benadryl, Sudafed PE, and Sinutab. The drugs were manufactured before April 2010 and were sold in the U.S., Brazil and the Carribean.

The odds of purchasing a tainted bottle of Tylenol are incredibly slim, experts say, and consumers don't need to worry themselves unduly about accidentally ingesting hazardous over-the-counter drugs.

Survey says colonoscopy gives older Americans the heebie-jeebies

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The only thing Americans have to fear is fear itself - along with colonoscopies, according to the results of a survey from the Colon Cancer Alliance.

Despite the well-known value of colonoscopy as a diagnostic tool and preventative care technique, more than 70 percent of those studied over 50 years of age said they avoided the procedure out of fear, CCA reported this week.

The group's CEO, Andrew Spiegel, said in a statement that nearly 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with rectal or colon cancer this year, and that the disease is the country's second-leading cause of death.

Consumers' fears largely centered on bowel prep, the regimen intended to clear out the colon and make it easy for the doctor to fully examine the organ, and which many patients find unpleasant. The test itself, according to the survey data, was comparatively unproblematic, and is covered under most health insurance policies.

In spite of any misgivings they might have, older Americans are at greater risk of colon cancer than the general population, and should be regularly screened in order to avoid the disease.

Uncompensated care cutting into budgets at Maryland hospitals

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Medical ethics require doctors to treat anyone in urgent need of care - even those who can't pay. According to the Baltimore Sun, this has a serious effect on the annual budgets of hospitals in Maryland.

Thomas Mullen, who runs Mercy Medical Center, told the newspaper he's gotten used to the millions in uncompensated care on his balance sheet.

"In theory it will get better, but I'm being practical about it. There are new factors to consider since Congress passed the legislation. Though to me, it'll come down to the [strength of the] economy," he said.

The cost of uncompensated care, more often than not, gets indirectly passed on to the taxpayer, either by increased rates for those who can pay or by direct infusion of government money, the Sun said. However, the paper adds that Maryland uses a different system to help spread out the cost of the unpaid bills.

Health insurance should help keep consumers out of the uncompensated care column. Additionally, preventive care can obviate the need for more serious treatment in the future.

Choose doctors carefully for best outcomes, experts say

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

One's choice of doctor could be important to the prognosis of a breast cancer case, according to the results of a study from researchers at RAND Corporation published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The course of treatment followed by breast cancer patients has a lot to do with the physician they see, the researchers said, pointing out that their data showed a difference of as much as 30 percent in recurrence rates based on choice of doctor.

This could mean, then, that individual surgeons might be far more effective than their peers at providing a positive outcome and a complete excision of breast cancer. The researchers stopped short, however, of identifying precise factors that contributed to the difference in success rates.

According to the study, patients who received radiation therapy to try and shrink the size of breast tumors before aggressive surgical treatments like mastectomy or less invasive options like breast-conserving surgery had better outcomes. However, the researchers also noted that the efficacy of radiation therapy has been increasingly called into question.

Study: Salaries for healthcare workers falling behind national average

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Raises in the healthcare industry may be rising at a slower rate than the U.S. average, according to a report from the Hay Group, a consulting firm.

The group predicts a 2.6 percent rise in salaries in 2011, up from 2010's figure of 2.3 percent. The national average salary increase for 2011 should be 2.8, the researchers said.

However, the news is generally good, according to Hay Group vice president and executive compensation practice leader Ron Seifert.

"While healthcare is still 0.2 percent behind other industries, it seems to be rebounding at a faster pace after taking a deeper dip in a much shorter timeframe," Seifert said, adding that salary freezes in the industry are much less common than in the general U.S. labor market. He also pointed out that the healthcare segment was less willing than other market sectors to pay exceptional amounts for "top performers," which could hurt it in the long run.

The data was compiled from the Hay Group's survey database, which tracked information from nearly 500 U.S. organizations and was collected in November 2010.

Rise in healthcare spending slows, but trend still up

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

The U.S. spent $2.5 trillion dollars - a little more than $8,000 per person - in 2009, a figure which marked the slowest rate of growth since the statistic has been tracked, according to an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid studies.

However, the group said, spending on healthcare costs continued to grow faster than the economy at large, meaning that medical care made up the largest share of the country's gross domestic product in history, at 17.6 percent. This marks an increase of a full percentage point over 2008, again the largest increase on record.

Government health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the centers said, saw big increases in federal spending and slight drop-offs in state money. The economic stimulus package of 2009 included $34 billion in federal aid to state governments, which helped the latter cut health insurance payments by nearly 10 percent.

Investment in the country's healthcare infrastructure dropped at all levels of government, the report said, with 4.3 percent and 1.1 percent decreases in spending on buildings and equipment respectively.

Vaccinations for hospital employees proceeding ahead of schedule in California

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

A campaign to immunize as many healthcare employees as possible against the influenza has succeeded more fully than expected in Calfornia, the state's Department of Public Health announced last week.

The director of the department, Dr. Mark Horton, said in a statement he was pleased by the progress made in this effort.

"We've been working with partners in the healthcare industry to promote greater vaccination acceptance among their employees. Our goal for 2010 has been for 60 percent of hospital employees to receive influenza vaccine, and they've done it. This means California hospitals are safer places for patients and workers during flu season," Horton said.

The department says it's a legal requirement that hospital employees be offered onsite flu vaccinations free of charge and regardless of health insurance status.

Even if it can't be found for free, experts recommend getting a regular flu shot. While most people don't see any long-term effects from the virus, stopping its spread can reduce the chances of vulnerable populations getting sick and potentially suffering more serious harm.

Experts advise sticking to one's guns on neonatal care billing disputes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

While health insurance problems can make a new parent's life even more hectic than it already is, a recent column in the Washington Post advises consumers in this situation not to take no for an answer.

If an infant needs neonatal intensive care, the column says, new parents should watch out: Such NICUs are sometimes considered out of network, even when they are located in an insurer-approved hospital. This can cause costs to be much higher than they would be otherwise.

For some new parents, unfortunately, drastic measures may become necessary. The Post gives the example of one couple who had to get their underweight infant declared disabled in order to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. Luckily for them, their costs were slightly more reasonable after that.

Continually pressing a health insurance provider to shoulder its share of the costs may be a frustrating task, but it's often a necessity as well, the column adds.

Experts say consumers need to pay close attention to the fine print of their policies in order to make sure they don't end up on the hook for a larger proportion of a medical bill than they can afford.

Physical and psychological well-being closely linked, researchers say

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Doctors at a UK pediatricians' conference say physicians the world over should consider mental and physical health as two sides of the same coin when planning treatment, according to Internal Medicine News.

While until recently, the link between psychiatric and physical health was mostly considered a factor in isolated conditions like epilepsy, the news network says, recent research has demonstrated that the phenomenon is far more common than previously believed.

Experts who spoke to Internal Medicine News cited numerous examples, including the increased incidence of car crashes among ADHD sufferers, more cases of self-harm or suicide in depressive patients, and elevated mortality rates across the board for anorexics.

Dr. Elena Garralda told the publication environmental and psychological factors could impact physical well-being in a number of ways, including a parent's response to a child's sickness and levels of overall stress in a home.

Ensuring the continued good mental health of every member of a family could be a powerful preventive measure against future physical harm, regardless of the health insurance costs it incurs.

Experimental tool for cancer diagnosis could be headed to the mainstream

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

An advanced system which can detect cancerous cells in the bloodstream at very low concentrations may be moving into more general use, says a report in Monday's Boston Globe.

Wider adoption of the system - which was developed by scientists at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital - is being spearheaded by a partnership between that institution and consumer products giant Johnson and Johnson, according to the newspaper, which adds that the deal will spend $30 million to improve the system and get it ready for the commercial marketplace.

The new detection method uses a sophisticated microchip which scans blood for cancer cells, allowing physicians to diagnose cancers with a simple blood test, rather than the more complicated ways they are currently forced to use. The Globe also points out there could be additional upsides to the new system, such as improved information provided to doctors about the efficiency of a particular course of treatment.

Simplifying cancer diagnosis could also help drive down healthcare costs, leading to decreased health insurance premiums for consumers, experts say.

Could diabetes be linked to asthma inhaler use?

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

For asthmatics, an inhaler loaded with corticosteroid medication is often both a welcome relief for moderate systems and a lifesaver for more serious ones. However, a study published late last year in the American Journal of Medicine shows there may be some correlation between the use of such inhalers and the incidence of diabetes.

Canadian doctors studied nearly 400,000 patients using corticosteroid inhalers for their report, just over 30,000 of whom began treatment for diabetes during the course of the research. They found that patients with the inhalers were 34 percent more likely than those without to develop diabetes.

However, it's probably not time to panic just yet for asthma sufferers. The researchers note the possibility of another explanation for the apparent link, including the fact that obese patients are more likely to have both asthma and diabetes.

While asthma is a serious condition, expert treatment and sensible management can allow sufferers to lead relatively normal lives. However, it's important to stay abreast of any new information about the disease, and to inform doctors and health insurance providers if one's health status changes.

Depression and diabetes together form serious health risk for women

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Older women who suffer from both diabetes and depression have strongly elevated mortality rates, according to information from the Nurses Health Study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Diabetic women who had undergone at least 10 years of insulin replacement therapy for their condition - and who also suffered from depression - were at a particularly higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease, the study found.

Researchers led by An Phan of the Harvard School of Public Health combed through data from more than 78,000 patients to arrive at their conclusions, and the subjects ranged from 54 to 79 years of age. Statistical controls were used to minimize the influence of other possible factors on the data, including smoking, alcohol use, body mass, and pre-existing heart disease.

The study highlights the serious risks that both depression and diabetes can pose to consumers. In addition to elevated mortality rates, less healthy people could wind up paying increased health insurance premiums. Eating well and exercising - as well as seeking therapy or medication to combat depression - could be critical to avoiding an early grave.

Italian study finds link between heart health and leafy greens, olive oil

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 -0600

Researchers at Italy's Cancer Research and Prevention Institute say women whose diets are high in leafy greens and olive oil are more likely to have better cardiac health, according to Reuters.

Dr. Domenico Palli, the study's lead author, told the news agency it wasn't immediately clear why those foods were particularly good for heart health.

"Probably the mechanisms responsible for the protective effect of plant-origin foods on cardiovascular diseases involve micronutrients such as folate, antioxidant vitamins and potassium, all present in green leafy vegetables," he speculated.

Reuters notes that the so-called Mediterranean diet - which includes large amounts of vegetables and gets most of its fat from olive oil and nuts - has been repeatedly linked to low risks of heart disease, as well as decreased incidence of some types of cancer and fewer cases of diabetes.

Experts say diet alone is not enough, however. Consumers must incorporate at least some exercise into their regular routine in order to minimize their vulnerability to cardiovascular disease and its attendant high health insurance rates.

Retail pharmacy offers free flu shots

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 02:00:00 -0600

Even those with health insurance may not be able to afford getting something as simple as a flu shot. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says thanks to Walgreens, costs doesn't have to be a barrier to care.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the retail pharmacy has donated $10 million in vouchers to those who are uninsured or underserved for flu shots.

"Thanks to the new health care law, many people can get their flu vaccination without paying a co-pay or deductible, but there are still more Americans who cannot afford to get vaccinated for the flu," says Sebelius.

Under healthcare reform, insurers will be required to cover costs for preventative screenings, broadening access to medical care for many Americans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone over the age of 6 months should receive the flu vaccine. Those who are considered to be at a high risk are children under the age of five, those over the age of 65 and pregnant women. While not likely, the flu can be deadly if complications arise.

Study: Medicare stroke victims likely to be readmitted to hospital

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:00:00 -0600

Medicare beneficiaries who suffer a stroke aren't likely to fare well down the road. Research from the American Stroke Association reveal the majority of patients are readmitted or die within a year of their first hospitalization.

According to the ASA, Medicare patients hospitalized with a stroke have a 15 percent death rate within 30 days of admission.

University of California at Los Angeles professor and study lead author Gregg Fonarow says rehospitalization can be expensive.

"We looked at readmission in addition to mortality because it is expensive to the healthcare system and may represent a potentially preventable, adverse event for patients," says Fonarow.

He continued on to say the study findings highlight the need for a better medical system. More standardized practices, Fonarow asserts, will improve care and prevent deaths and readmissions.

A large number of patients would benefit from such changes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S.

Unnecessary hospitalizations can result in medical care costs being higher for everyone and, in turn, make it more difficult to find affordable health insurance quotes.

Travelers should check health insurance policies

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:00:00 -0600

One of the biggest travel seasons is about to get underway. In light of this, the New York State Insurance Department is urging residents to check their health insurance policies.

When traveling within the country, state lines shouldn't affect health insurance coverage. However, the department warns that some urgent care facilities may not accept coverage if considered out-of-network by an insurer. If going out of the country, people should consult their provider beforehand. Some policies will not be accepted in other countries.

When traveling far away, the department recommends finding in-network physicians located at the destination. A health insurance company can assist with the process. Knowing which doctors accept certain insurance policies can save money and reduce hassle should an accident occur.

There are money-saving tactics for health insurance that can be implemented year-round. Using a flexible savings account, for example, is one way consumers can reduce their medical expenses. The accounts allow people to deposit funds tax-free for health-related costs.

Reading up on one's health insurance offerings is important to a person's well-being. Not being knowledgeable and proactive about one's health can result in sub-par care.

Asthma costly to healthcare system

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:00:00 -0600

Asthma is a serious medical condition that can make breathing extremely difficult for people. Those with a severe case of the condition can find themselves having attacks on a daily basis.

The California Health Interview Survey indicates those who are classified as low-income are five times more likely to be uninsured than those who make more money. Furthermore, those who don't make as much tend to experience more difficulties managing their asthma.

Senior research scientist Ying-Ying Meng says the disparity in healthcare between the rich and poor is costly to the medical system.

"The poorest among us suffer most because they lack quality healthcare and live in high-risk environments," says Meng. "That disparity also burdens our health system with costly emergency care and hospitalizations and extracts the additional high cost of millions of lost days of work and school."

Those who have asthma should ensure they have coverage either through a group or individual health insurance policy. Having access to continuous care when needed is crucial to one's overall health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says tobacco smoke, dust mites and air pollution are a few of common elements that can trigger an asthma attack. Those with the condition should attempt to limit their exposure to irritants when possible.

Heart disease cited as expensive health condition

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:00:00 -0600

Heart disease is a very costly medical condition. The American Heart Association says costs from the ailment totaled $286 billion in 2007. Fortunately, fewer people are dying from the condition, but people are still being diagnosed with it at high rates.

Those with heart disease and looking for affordable health insurance quotes may find it difficult to do so given the high costs associated with treating the condition.

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine professor Veronique Roger says just because fewer people are dying from heart disease doesn't mean it isn't a problem.

"The mortality rate going down is good news; however, the fact that the burden of disease is so high indicates that we may have won a battle against mortality but have not won the war against heart disease and stroke," says Roger.

There are several lifestyle changes people can make to help reduce their likelihood of being diagnosed with heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people limit their alcohol consumption. Alcohol has been linked to higher blood pressure levels.