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England Goes Smokefree
2007-07-19 11:23:00
Health Act 2006 comes into force making it illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces.Shops, offices, factories, pubs, cafes, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport, and work vehicles used by more than one person are all covered by the smokefree legislation.Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "I am thrilled that my first major announcement as Health Secretary enacts the single most important public health legislation for a generation. The scientific and medical evidence is clear - secondhand smoke kills. There is no safe level of exposure. This legislation means that thousands of lives will be saved and the health of everybody will be protected."Support for a smokefree England is strong, with almost almost 80 per cent of the public backing the legislation. The vast majority of people who do smoke say they want to give up. Over time, this legislation will result in some 600,000 fewer smokers. A smokefree England will help provide a supportive env...
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New Opportunity To Detect Early Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
2007-07-19 11:23:00
Early Carbo Monoxide Poison ingSmoking cessation clinics provide a new opportunity to detect early carbon monoxide poisoning.Results from routine carbon monoxide (CO) testing in the breath of people attending such clinics or GP support services can alert healthcare professionals to patients who are suffering from chronic, low-level CO poisoning.A recent incident at a smoking cessation clinic in Surrey alerted the HPA to this opportunity when a patient attending the clinic continued to have high levels of CO in their exhaled breath, even after they had stopped smoking. Further investigation led to the discovery that the patient was being exposed to low levels of CO in their home due to a faulty gas appliance. This case highlighted an extra opportunity to detect CO exposure in the home.Chronic exposure to levels of CO which do not produce immediately recognisable adverse effects, can nonetheless harm health. If a patient is found to have higher than expected levels of CO in their exhal...
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Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals Smoke More Than General Population
2007-07-19 11:22:00
Smoking is more common in the gay community than in the general population.Women and men in California's general population were less likely to be smokers than a sample of Californians who identified themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health.Researchers compared results from a 2003-2004 tobacco use survey of 1,950 self-identified gay, lesbian or bisexual residents with a general population survey from 2002."It is important to know the prevalence and reasons for smoking because we would like to have tailored prevention and cessation interventions that are appropriate for LGBs," lead researcher Elisabeth Gruskin said. "For example, if stress is a huge issue, then you would want stress management as part of an intervention. If glamour is a big reason, you want to contradict that in the media."Twelve percent of women in the general population were current smokers compared to approximately 29...
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Nations Take Strong Action Against Secondhand Smoke, Cigarette Smuggling
2007-07-19 11:22:00
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is taking strong action that will improve health and save millions of lives around the world.The actions taken this week truly move the process of implementing this life-saving treaty forward and represent a giant step in turning the promise of the treaty into reality.In particular, nations have taken the following important actions:-- Nations adopted an international standard for protection from secondhand smoke that calls on governments to enact laws requiring 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and public places. This standard is what science recommends and will guide nations in meeting their treaty commitments to protect citizens from secondhand smoke. We call on governments to quickly enact comprehensive smoke-free laws that implement the new global standard.-- Nations agreed to fund and launch expedited negotiations on a binding protocol, or side agreement to the treaty, to combat illicit trade in tobacco products. This protocol is criti...
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National TV Promotion Triples Calls To Smoking Cessation Hotline
2007-07-19 11:21:00
Smoking Cessation HotlineWant to help people quit smoking? Get a national TV network to publicize your toll-free number.That is the message of a new study that found calls to a national smoking-cessation hotline more than tripled in the wake of news anchor Peter Jennings' death from lung cancer."It's not enough just to build a (smoking cessation) service. You also have to advertise it," said Erik Augustson, a behavioral scientist with the National Cancer Institute's Tobacco Control Research Branch.In November 2005 ABC News promoted the national 1-800-QUIT-NOW phone number during a series of World News Tonight stories called "Quit to Live: Fighting Lung Cancer."Augustson and colleagues examined the response. The study findings appear in the July/August issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion .The phone number links callers to state counselors who give them recommendations about how to quit smoking. The counselors gave advice instead of simply referring callers to resource...
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Parties To Tobacco Control To Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade, Promote Smoke-F
2007-07-19 11:20:00
The 146 Parties to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to begin negotiating a protocol on illicit trade of tobacco products.They will adopt guidelines that stipulate 100% smoke-free public places and workplaces."I congratulate the Parties for accomplishing all major objectives scheduled on the programme of work," said Conference President Juan Martabit of Chile. "The degree of engagement, respectful discussion and commitment by all to reach these very productive outcomes remained exemplary throughout the entire Conference."The Conference of Parties, the governing body of WHO's first international Treaty, convened this week in Bangkok, Thailand to set a work agenda for the coming two years and report on progress since the first session of the Conference in February 2006."It is important that we do not lose precious momentum started by the expert group on the illicit trade issue," said Dr Haik Nikogosian, Head of the Convention Secretariat. "This tra...
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Workers In No-Smoking Restaurants Show Lower Carcinogen Levels
2007-07-19 11:20:00
The dangers of secondhand smoke could help clear the air about the value of no-smoking laws governing bars and eateries.A new study compares the level of a tobacco-specific carcinogen in nonsmokers who work in restaurants that allow smoking with that of employees in restaurants that ban it.Restaurant workers exposed to tobacco smoke on the job were more likely to have a detectable level of NNK, a carcinogen implicated in the development of lung cancer, than those who worked in tobacco-free environments."There are no studies showing any safe level of exposure to this potent lung carcinogen," said lead author Michael Stark, Ph.D. "In addition to NNK, secondhand smoke contains more than 50 other carcinogens and a host of other toxic substances that cause lung cancer, various other cancers, heart disease and lung disease."Stark is the principal investigator for the Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Department of Human Services. The study appears online and in the August 2007...
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CIGNA HealthCare, HopeLab To Help Blast Teen Cancer
2007-07-18 13:50:00
Teen Cancer CIGNA Heal thCare is teaming up with HopeLab to deliver innovative interventions that improve the health and quality of life of young people cancer.Their first joint initiative is to help address the needs of teens and young adults with cancer by offering free of charge HopeLab's ground-breaking Re-Mission video game."Re-Mission works. It gives young people with cancer a sense of power and control over their disease," said HopeLab president Pat Christen. "Re-Mission is a powerful example of how rigorous research and rational engineering combined with fun, engaging game technology can improve lives. Teaming up with CIGNA HealthCare provides a great opportunity to get Re-Mission into the hands of clinicians and patients who can benefit most.""Teenaged cancer patients present special treatment challenges," said Gary Dahl, MD, pediatric oncologist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University and a principal investigator for the Re-Mission Outcomes Study. "The...
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Quincy Medical Awarded For Use Of Massage Therapy In Healthcare
2007-07-18 13:50:00
Massage Therapy The Quincy Medical Group was recognized by the American Massage Therapy Association-Illinois Chapter for incorporating massage therapy in its overall patient care approach.The award for Outstanding Contribution to Massage in Integrative Healthcare recognizes noteworthy efforts that increase the visibility of massage therapy as a valuable treatment for human ailments, and that promote its integration into mainstream health care. The award was made during the AMTA-IL Chapter Conference and Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 5, 2007.The Quincy Medical Group was nominated by Cynthia Spake, a massage therapist who works in the Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Department. She described Quincy Medical Group as an organization that has "embraced massage therapy in an integral plan of care for their pregnant patients, and for their 800 employees and 100 physicians on staff for over five years." She also speaks in glowing terms of her employment as a massage therapist there."...
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Health Care Cost Increases Remain High
2007-07-18 13:49:00
Health Care Cost sHealth care costs are expected to increase on average 11 percent in the next 12 months.While costs continue to rise at double-digit rates, the current trend rate has declined more than four percentage points since fall 2001, when the projection was 15.6 percent.Aon Consulting surveyed more than 70 leading health care insurers (representing more than 100 million insured individuals) and found that health care costs are projected to increase by 10.9 percent for HMOs, 10.8 percent for POS plans, 11.2 percent for PPOs and 10.7 percent for CDH plans. This represents rates of increase lower than one year ago, when HMO cost increases were 12.2 percent, 11.9 percent for POS plans, 12.4 percent for PPOs and 12.5 percent for CDH plans. (See below for a table outlining trend data from Aon Consulting's prior health care surveys.)"Although it is encouraging to see a continuing decline in health care trend rates, employers are still challenged by the fact that health care cost i...
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Health Care Tips For Hot Weather
2007-07-18 13:49:00
Hot Weather AlertDuring a Heat Alert the public is encouraged to call or visit friends and neighbours who are at risk of suffering health consequences because of hot weather.People at greatest risk include the elderly, infants and young children, the chronically ill, and those taking certain medications. Hot weather early in the season can have a more significant impact on vulnerable people as they have not yet adjusted to warmer temperatures.The public is advised to "Beat the Heat" by taking these precautions:- Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices- Stay out of the blazing sun or heat- Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors- Go to air conditioned places, including shopping malls or one of over 190 local library branches, or numerous air conditioned community centres located in each neighbourhood. Toronto's civic centres are also available to the public as cooling places during Heat Alerts.- Never leave the elderly, children or pets unattended in a car- Landlords of buil...
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AIDS Healthcare Foundation To Dedicate Newest AIDS Treatment Center
2007-07-18 13:49:00
IDS Healthcare Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the sixth such free AIDS treatment centers in Cambodia.The six clinics have resulted from a partnership between AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Cambodia and Cambodia's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STI Control (NCHADS). The partnership aims to provide life-saving anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to people living with HIV/AIDS in care centers in the Operational Districts (OD) of several provinces in Cambodia; other ARTC center locations include in Phnom Penh and in the Provinces of Kandal, Kampong Thom, Kampot and Stung Treng."AHF, the Cambodian Ministry of Health and NCHADS are pleased to have successfully opened our fifth collaborative ART center in Koh Thum on Saturday, and we are honored and deeply humbled to also now announce we will open our sixth facility in Romeas Haek later this week in Svay Rieng Province, bringing relief, positive changes, better qual...
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No-Sweat Workout Helps Companies Reduce Health-Care Costs
2007-07-18 13:49:00
Physical inactivity is estimated to cause 2 million deaths worldwide annually due to chronic diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes and colon cancer.The sedentary nature of many Americans is a contributor to the rising cost of health care.Quick Fit Products, LLC seeks to change America's exercise habits with their award-winning DVD "Quick Fit: The Complete 15-Minute No-Sweat Workout ."Recent research from the American Medical Association indicates a mere 1-2 hours of exercise is enough to reduce heart disease -- a much smaller number than previously believed. Quick Fit's program includes 105 minutes (1.75 hours) of targeted exercises per week.The Quick Fit DVD has received recognition in two distinct categories, "How To/Instructional" and "Health and Wellness" from the prestigious Telly Awards, which honors the very best local, regional and cable television commercials, as well as the finest video and film productions.In addition to the Telly awards, "Quick Fit: Th...
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Online Tool Pinpoints Target Areas For Health Care Improvement In Each Stat
2007-07-18 13:36:00
Health Care ImprovementAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality released an online tool condenses 129 quality measures into state-specific data that state governments can use to focus their efforts to improve health care.The AHRQ State Snapshot tool allows state officials see where quality improvement efforts are succeeding - as well as where more resources and attention are needed. Each state's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) can then help state officials target areas for greater improvement in health care quality."This online tool will help a Governor, state legislator, or health department chief track progress in closing quality gaps that harm the public health and cut productivity in their state," said David Schulke, Executive Vice President of the American Health Quality Association (AHQA), "and there's a QIO in every state and territory that can help them understand those gaps and work to narrow them." AHQA is the association representing QIOs, a national network of...
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Governor Rendell Presents 'Prescription For Pennsylvania' Health Care Refor
2007-07-18 13:36:00
Prescription For Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell signed two executive orders to improve how Pennsylvanians with chronic disease receive health care in the future.Both initiatives are part of the Governor's Prescription for Pennsylvania health care reform plan."I am establishing a Chronic Care Management Commission today that will be responsible for developing the process to effectively manage chronic disease across the state," Governor Rendell said. "About 78 percent of all health care costs can be traced to 20 percent of all patients -- those with chronic diseases. We cannot reduce the occurrence and cost of chronic diseases without aggressively addressing prevention, detection and treatment in a comprehensive, pro-active way, and setting that up will be the job of this commission."The second order establishes the Office of Health Equity in the Department of Health. The Office of Health Equity and its advisory committee will be charged with eliminating disparities in health...
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Providers of Medicare Health Insurance Plans Strengthen Consumer Protection
2007-07-18 13:35:00
Statement of President and CEO America's Health Insurance Plans Karen Ignagni on landmark industry pledge:"Taking a major step to give Medicare beneficiaries peace of mind, today seven of our member companies are making a pledge to voluntarily stop marketing non-group Medicare Advantage Private Fee For Service plans and to strengthen consumer protections by implementing now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2008 marketing enhancements ahead of schedule. This action will complement efforts already underway to ensure that brokers, agents and in-house marketing staff are appropriately trained and give beneficiaries additional assurances that they will have accurate, clear and useful information they need to understand their choices."On May 16th, our Board of Directors announced the industry's commitment to specific principles in this area that go beyond current regulatory requirements. We already have committed to increasing training and oversight across the indust...
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Poll Reveals Dangerous Disconnect On Universal Health Care
2007-07-18 13:35:00
Universal Health Care While the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is just days away from embarking on a new universal health care insurance law, many people, though aware and optimistic, don't believe they should be forced to obtain the insurance they are required to buy.When asked, are you aware that Massachusetts has a new law requiring all state residents to have health insurance, a whopping 92% said "yes," while only 8% indicated "no." Yet, when respondents were asked if they believed that all people will purchase the health insurance they are required to buy, 73% said "no," while only 19% indicated "yes.""These questions suggest a symptom of blind optimism as Massachusetts enters the world of universal health care," said David Paleologos, Director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "People expect to receive health care, but not pay for it."When respondents were asked if people should be compelled to buy health insurance even if they don't want it, 42% indicated "...
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Humana Health Insurance Partners With Medicare Suspending A Plan
2007-07-18 13:35:00
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) yesterday announced that it is partnering with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other Medicare health plans in temporarily suspending marketing of its non-group Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) product. This voluntary pledge only affects PFFS marketing to individual seniors and comes in response to concerns expressed by CMS regarding marketing practices across the sector. The Medicare Advantage group PFFS and individual HMO and PPO products are not affected by this decision."Protecting our nation's seniors through the integrity of the Medicare program is vitally important," said Michael B. McCallister, Humana's president and chief executive officer. "We take very seriously this pledge to partner voluntarily with CMS and our peers as we pause, step back and make necessary changes. It is consistent with our long-standing commitment to continuous quality improvement through our 20 years as a trusted Medicare contractor....
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Teamsters, Machinists At Columbia Ford Strike For Affordable Health Care
2007-07-18 13:34:00
Members of the Teamsters and Machinists Unions walked off the job in protest of Columbia Ford 's refusal to help allay the rising costs of health care, passing on costs to their employees while not offering enough of a wage increase to offset the burden.The 31 union members consist of workers from parts and lube departments and mechanics at the car dealership. The unions, who have been in negotiations with the company since April 25, have been met with nothing but resistance by Columbia Ford to even the idea of considering a different approach to the health care plan."We are not asking for the world here," said Brian King, Teamsters Local 58 business agent. Local 58 represents the 10 striking workers who work in parts and lube departments. "Our proposals have been reasonable but the company's offer amounts to less take-home pay for the workers who will be forced to nearly triple their monthly payments for health care."Left with little recourse, the Teamsters Union voted for strike ...
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Global Shortage Of Health Care Workers Finally Receiving Attention
2007-07-18 13:34:00
Shortage Of Health Care Workers Donors and international agencies finally are addressing the shortage of health care workers in many parts of the world, Pooja Kumar, a resident at the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medical Residency, writes in a New England Journal of Medicine perspective piece. "Although this shortage is not new," recent efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases have "brought it into sharper focus," Kumar writes. Kumar adds that donors are "increasingly realizing that without enough trained workers to deliver drugs, vaccines and care, pumping money into projects will not have the desired effects." According to Kumar, Africa has been most affected by the health worker shortage. The World Health Organization's World Health Report 2006 found that the continent has 24% of the global burden of disease but only 3% of the health care work force and 1% of the world's monetary resources to manage it, Kumar writes.According to Kumar, health care work...
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Poll Tracks Importance Of Health Care To Voters
2007-07-18 13:34:00
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll : Election 2008, Kaiser Family Foundation: Health care remains the top domestic issue that the public wants presidential candidates to address, trailing only Iraq on the public's overall priority list, according to the latest in a new series of tracking polls on health care and the election from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The June poll finds that 43% of adults cite Iraq as one of the most important issues for presidential candidates to talk about, followed by health care (21%). Iraq ranks first among Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. Health care ranks second among Democrats and Independents, while Republicans rank immigration slightly ahead of health (20% vs. 18%). The tracking poll also assesses the public's perceptions of individual candidates and their health agendas. It is available online.The poll is part of a broader effort by the Kaiser Family Foundation to provide a central hub for resources and information about health policy iss...
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AMA Adopts Strategies To Address Rising Health Care Costs
2007-07-18 13:33:00
Health Care CostsNation's physicians today voted to approve a set of strategies for containing health care costs and achieving even greater value for health spending.Physicians at the AMA Annual Meeting asserted that successful cost-containment must focus on balancing costs and benefits."Health care spending has yielded substantial clinical, economic and quality of life benefits, but the overall growth in health care costs has outpaced general inflation," noted AMA Board Member Carmel, M.D. "While physicians play a key role in efforts to contain costs, problems like obesity, tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse and violence will require action from coalitions of stakeholders from within and outside the health care system to drive major societal change.To manage health care costs and improve value, the AMA will advocate for the following four broad strategies:-- Reduce the burden of preventable disease.-- Make health care delivery more efficient.-- Reduce non-clinical health sys...
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More in Alberta Receiving Health Insurance Care Coverage
2007-07-18 13:33:00
Number of Alberta ns with coverage under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan and the government sponsored Alberta Blue Cross supplemental health care plan increased again.The supplement is an annual update of statistics relating to the Plan, which covers Albertans for basic health services provided by physicians and other health practitioners, as well as services provided under Alberta Health and Wellness sponsored Alberta Blue Cross supplemental health care benefit plans.Highlights of the 2005/2006 Statistical Supplement include:* A total of 3,275,931 Albertans were covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan in 2005/2006, an increase of two per cent over 2004/2005. o 85 per cent received at least one medical service in 2005/2006. o A total of 747,408 received coverage at fully subsidized premium rates, an eight per cent increase from 2004/2005.* More than $1.4 billion was paid to physicians for fee-for-service medical services, a 9 per cent increase from 2004/2005.* Alli...
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Shaping Health Care For Next Decade
2007-07-18 13:32:00
A review of the NHS would advise on how to meet the challenges of delivering health care over the next decade.The review will be led by one of the world's leading surgeons Professor Ara Darzi, the new health Minister, and will report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Health before the 60th anniversary of the NHS in July 2008.There will be an interim assessment in autumn 2007 to inform the Comprehensive Spending Review.This unprecedented review is an opportunity to ensure that the future of the NHS is clinically led. The review will involve patients, doctors, nurses and other practitioners, and consider how best to continue delivering improvements across the NHS.Professor Darzi will examine how the NHS can provide better access to safer, high quality care for all, whilst delivering value for money for taxpayers. He will consider the following challenges:- Working with NHS staff to ensure that clinical decision-making is at the heart of the future o...
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California Lawmakers Merge Health Care Insurance System Overhaul Legislatio
2007-07-18 13:32:00
Health Care Insurance in California California Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D) on Thursday merged their health care proposals into a single bill (AB 8) that would require employers to contribute 7.5% of their payrolls to workers' health coverage, the Los Angeles Times reports. The proposal excludes a requirement that all state residents obtain health care insurance -- a "cornerstone" of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) health care proposal, the Times reports (Rau, Los Angeles Times, 6/22).Both chambers of the California Legislature earlier this month approved Democratic plans to overhaul the state health care system and provide health insurance coverage for more uninsured residents. Following the vote, Democratic lawmakers and a spokesperson for Schwarzenegger said that they will work during the summer to negotiate a compromise plan.Schwarzenegger's health insurance plan would levy a 4% fee on businesses that do not provide health ...
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Study Shows Rising Levels Of Air Pollution Impacts Healthcare Visits
2007-07-18 13:32:00
A unique study concerning the effects of air pollution on human health shows that respiratory and cardiovascular health are impacted by increased levels of air particulates from pollution. The North Idaho study compared days of increased air pollution to people's visits to doctors, acute care clinics, hospitals and other healthcare providers. Data on healthcare encounters over a two-year period was collected from major health insurance companies and compared to air quality data collected by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ). The study originally was intended to the investigate the relationship between field burning in North Idaho and health effects, but was modified to study air pollution in general due to the low number of burn days during the two-year study period. "This analysis is unique because of the type of data collected and used," says Jim Vannoy, manager of the Environmental Heal th Education and Assessment Program in the Idaho Department of Health and ...
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New Funding For Children With Complex Healthcare Needs
2007-07-18 13:31:00
Children With Complex Heal thcare Needs£150,000 funding to ensure that children who have complex health-care needs can be cared for in their own homes.Speaking as he launched a report which covers this area of specialist care, the Minister also announced that from April 2008, he would also be providing £200,000 per year for the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice to develop out-reach nursing services.Michael McGimpsey said: "Children who are born with congenital problems or who develop other problems as a result of a neurological condition or cancer or following an accident, need access to the best available care. And where possible, those children should be cared for in their own homes."This can be a difficult situation for the entire family. Having a child with complex needs or needing access to palliative care can have a major impact on family life. Access to up-to-date information and services is important as is continuing support."
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Health Insurance and Care Powerful Issue in 2008 Elections
2007-07-18 13:31:00
Health Insurance and 2008 Elections Democratic and Republican presidential candidates who promise to "overhaul" the U.S. health care system and find ways to cover the uninsured are focusing on health care early in their campaigns "in response to the growing anxiety among voters -- and much of American business -- about the cost of health care," the New York Times reports. Some recent polls show that health care is the leading domestic issue among Democrats, Independents and voters overall. According to a June poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, health care ranks third among Republicans, after Iraq and immigration.However, Democrats' and Republicans' proposals "are very different, reflecting longstanding divisions between the parties on the role of government versus the private market" in making health care affordable and accessible, the Times reports. The interest among some Republican candidates in discussing health care so early in their campaigns is notable because GOP candida...
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Patients, Healthcare Providers Benefit From Use Of Internet In Healthcare A
2007-07-18 13:31:00
Internet In Healthcare ApplicationsThe growth of Internet applications in healthcare has been rapid, and growing number of patients are becoming increasingly involved in the healthcare service they receive.These 'power patients' possess characteristics that distinguish them from traditional patients and are an important factor in driving the use of the Internet in healthcare.If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the Role of the Internet in Healthcare, send an e-mail to Radhika Menon Theodore, Corporate Communications, at rmtheodore@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state and country. We will send you the information through e-mail upon receipt of the above information."Power patients are a growing share of the population and healthcare organisations will need to meet their needs," notes Frost & Sullivan ...
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Electronic Health Records Have Limited Effect On Quality Of Care
2007-07-18 13:30:00
Electronic Health RecordsElectronic health records have a limited effect on the quality of care provided during ambulatory visits to certain physicians, according to a study published in the July 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, the HealthDay/Washington Post reports.For the study, Jeffrey Linder, associate physician in the division of general internal medicine and primary care at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues examined ambulatory care visits to nonfederally funded, community, office-based physician practices nationwide and compared those visits using 17 indicators of quality care. The study found no overall difference in the quality of care provided during ambulatory visits with and without the use of EHRs."In clinic visits in which doctors did use and didn't use electronic health records, we didn't find clear evidence that EHR use was associated with better quality," Linder said, adding, "There's nothing magical about electronic health recor...
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