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Archive for May, 2009

Dementia: Early detection is key

In Medical Care on May 26, 2009 at 5:24 pm

The leader of dementia research in CSIRO’s Preventative Health National Research Flagship, Dr Cassandra Szoeke, says the report highlights the challenge the nation faces with the number dementia sufferers predicted to double to 465,000 by 2030.

“About 80 per cent of dementia in Australia is caused by Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr Szoeke, says. “Early diagnosis is crucial if we are to begin managing this crisis more effectively.”

“By the time sufferers show symptoms of memory loss, severe irreversible brain cell death may have already occurred.”

“In Australia every week another 1000 people are being diagnosed with dementia. It is only by early diagnosis that treatment can be effective, preserving memory and brain.”

“With the initiation of the AIBL (Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle) cluster study the combined institutions have potentially brought forward the detection of Alzheimer’s disease by 18 months,” Dr Szoeke says.

“Early detection can not only aid with future treatment options but it can also help with the planning and delivery of dementia care services in Australia.”

Released earlier this week, the Access Economics report also found that investment in dementia research is a key strategy for addressing the epidemic.

“There is no question that research is the key to reducing the burden of the disease on the community for the future and CSIRO and its partners will continue to seek effective, new approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases,” Dr Szoeke says.

* The Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) Flagship Study of Ageing is a collaboration initiated by the CSIRO Preventative Health National Research Flagship. AIBL is a joint activity between the Flagship, the University of Melbourne, Edith Cowan University – Western Australia, Neurosciences Australia, the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria and the National Ageing Research Institute.

National Research Flagships

CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major research challenges and opportunities. The nine Flagships form multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.

New Research Demonstrates that Wild Blueberries May Support Cardiovascular Health

In Living Healthy on May 26, 2009 at 5:24 pm

New research shows that Wild Blueberries may have a cardio-protective effect, improving vascular function and decreasing the vulnerability of blood vessels to oxidative stress. (Sources:Journal of Medicinal Food, 2009; Feb; 12(1): 21-8 and Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2009, Jan 19) The studies contribute to a growing body of research supporting the potential protective effect of Wild Blueberries in the diet on cellular signaling within the vascular environment. These findings suggest that the consumption of Wild Blueberries could help regulate blood pressure and combat atherosclerosis.

“Our studies confirm our hypothesis that Wild Blueberry-enriched diets significantly diminish arterial constriction in animal models by relaxing blood vessels, which may have implications on blood pressure regulation in both animal models with normal blood pressure and ones with high blood pressure. We also discovered that Wild Blueberries operate differently in the above animal models, but the end result is to aid in maintenance of a functional endothelium which may help prevent vascular complications associated with hypertension,” said Dr. Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Nutrition and lead researcher from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Maine, Orono.

According to Dr. Klimis-Zacas, controlling oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the vascular environment is key to cardiovascular health. “We continue to focus our research on the role of diet in disease prevention. Our work with animals fed a diet of whole fruit, like Wild Blueberries, takes research one-step further beyond an examination of fruit extracts and their impact on cell cultures. If we can control oxidative stress and inflammation through diet, we could see a protective cardiovascular benefit. Recently, we have also come to appreciate that the role of Wild Blueberry bioactive compounds and their metabolites is not only accomplished through their antioxidant properties but also through their ability to act as regulators of signal transduction pathways and may also affect gene expression.”

Wild Blueberries and Antioxidants

According to Susan Davis, MS, RD, Nutrition Advisor to the Wild Blueberry Association of North America, Dr. Klimis-Zacas’ research contributes to a growing body of evidence that Wild Blueberries, as part of a well-balanced diet, have the potential to reduce chronic disease risk and promote healthy aging. “Studies like these make it clear that food truly can be medicine and that healthy eating is critical to a long and healthy life. Something as simple as having one cup of fruits and vegetables at every meal will pay large dividends in health,” said Davis. She noted that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is key, but because USDA research findings using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measure ranked Wild Blueberries highest in antioxidant capacity per serving, she recommends eating Wild Blueberries every day. The study showed that a serving of Wild Blueberries had more antioxidant capacity than a serving of cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples, and even cultivated blueberries. (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004; 52:4026-4037)

Antioxidants are important in terms of their ability to protect against oxidative cell damage that can lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and heart disease – conditions also linked with chronic inflammation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of blue-purple foods like Wild Blueberries may have the potential to help prevent these diseases.

Wild Blueberry Association of North America

The Wild Blueberry Association of North America is a trade association of growers and processors of Wild Blueberries from Mine and Canada, dedicated to bringing the Wild Blueberry health story and unique Wild Advantages to consumers and the trade worldwide. To learn more about Wild Blueberries visit wildblueberries.com.

Budget Proposes Cuts in 121 Programs

In Blogroll on May 26, 2009 at 5:23 pm

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s detailed 2010 budget plan, due out Thursday, will propose to eliminate or consolidate 121 domestic and defense programs to save $17 billion, administration officials said Wednesday.

The trims, though modest, are likely to spark opposition from lawmakers and interest groups seeking to shift to someone else cuts aimed at narrowing next year’s projected $1.2 trillion deficit.

“There are very few programs that don’t have a constituency and someone who is willing to stand up for them in Congress. We understand that,” a senior administration official said. But he added, “A lot of programs are implemented with the best of intentions. Not all of them are effective.”

Compared with the total $3.6 trillion spending plan for 2010, the proposed trims amount to one-half of 1%. Half the cuts would come from defense, especially Pentagon weapons programs already spelled out by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, such as trimming back the fleet of advanced F-22 fighter planes. The other half would come from programs that have strong support among progressive activists who cheered Mr. Obama’s election.

An administration official said that over 10 years, the total saved by the proposed program cuts would exceed $200 billion.

One of the biggest targets, the early childhood education program Even Start, had been on George W. Bush’s target list since 2004.

Other programs slated for elimination are the Education Department’s Jacob K. Javitz fellowship program and Christopher Columbus grants, the latter of which has a $1 million-a-year budget, 80% of which is overhead. Also gone would be an option to have the Earned Income Credit included in weekly or monthly paychecks, and the Justice Department’s State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which compensated states for some of the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants who commit crimes. A White House aide also cited the Long Range Radio Navigation System, a $35 million Coast Guard system made obsolete by global positioning systems.

“Some of these have been on the books north of 40 years,” said White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. “Inertia set in.”

The defense of many targeted programs has already begun. AIDS activists are fuming that an expansion of developing-world health programs will favor other health needs over HIV/AIDS.

Liberal think tanks are worried about a proposed partnership with state governments to root out fraud in joint state-federal programs such as Medicaid and children’s health insurance.

“There is a kind of ‘Nixon going to China’ aspect to this,” said Isabel Sawhill, co-director of the Center of Children and the Family at the liberal-leaning Brookings Institution. Just as only Republican President Richard Nixon could go to communist China in 1972 without being destroyed politically, only a popular Democrat could challenge liberal groups on sacrosanct programs that may have outlived their usefulness, she said.

“There’s a different perspective that exists and a different sense of commitment,” Mr. Emanuel said. “We bring a certain credibility.”

White House officials acknowledged the similarity between Mr. Obama’s 121 program cuts and consolidations and $17 billion savings and Mr. Bush’s 151 programs and $18 billion savings proposed for 2009. About 40% of the programs Mr. Obama has targeted for elimination or consolidation come directly off a similar list proposed by Mr. Bush over the past two budget seasons on Capitol Hill. Congress largely ignored those proposed cuts.

—Greg Hitt contributed to this article.

Write to Jonathan Weisman at jonathan.weisman@wsj.com

FDA 101: Health Fraud Awareness

In Living Healthy on May 18, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Health fraud is the deceptive sale or advertising of products that claim to be effective against medical conditions or otherwise beneficial to health, but which have not been proven safe and effective for those purposes.

In addition to wasting billions of consumers’ dollars each year, health scams can lead patients to delay proper treatment and cause serious—and even fatal—injuries.

Since the 1990s, peddlers of fraudulent “health” products have used the Internet as a primary tool to hawk their wares. This has kept the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies busier than ever in protecting the public from health fraud.

Since June 2008, FDA has warned consumers not to use bogus cancer-treatment products marketed online by 28 U.S. companies. These products include tablets, teas, tonics, salves, and creams sold under more than 180 different brand names.

And since December 2008, FDA has warned about more than 70 weight loss products containing unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients and chemicals not listed on the labels. Some of these ingredients present serious health risks when taken in dosages recommended on the product label.

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Common Types of Health Fraud

Cancer fraud: Among the many long-running cancer scams is the Hoxsey Cancer Treatment, an herbal regimen that has no proven benefit. Another scam involves products called black salves. These are offered with the false promise of drawing cancer out from the skin, but they are potentially corrosive to tissues.

Cancer requires individualized treatment by a specialized physician. No single device, remedy, or treatment can treat all types of cancer.

Patients looking to try an experimental cancer treatment should enroll in a legitimate clinical study. For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Web site www.cancer.gov/CLINICALTRIALS.

HIV/AIDS fraud: There are legitimate treatments that can help people with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While early treatment of HIV can delay progression to AIDS, there is currently no cure for the disease.

Relying on unproven products and treatments can be dangerous and cause delays in seeking legitimate medical treatments that have been proven in clinical trials to improve quality of life.

Safe, reliable testing to determine whether you have HIV can be done by a medical professional.

To date, there is one FDA-approved testing system that allows individuals to test themselves at home. It is an HIV collection system that tests only for HIV-1, which is the cause of the majority of the world’s HIV infections.

The test, sold either as The Home Access HIV-1 Test System or The Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System, allows blood samples to be sent to a laboratory for testing with an FDA approved HIV-1 test.

Arthritis fraud: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says consumers spend about $2 billion annually on unproven arthritis remedies that are not backed by adequate science.

For current, accurate information on arthritis treatments and alternative therapies, visit the Arthritis Foundation Web site at www.arthritis.org.

Fraudulent “diagnostic” tests: Doctors often use in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests—in tandem with a physical examination and a medical history—to get a picture of a patient’s overall health.

These tests involve blood, urine, or other specimen samples taken from the body. They help diagnose or measure many conditions, including pregnancy, hepatitis, fertility, HIV, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

It’s rare that the use of only one of these tests can provide a meaningful diagnosis. You can buy IVD tests in stores, through the mail, or online. Many of these tests are regulated by FDA and sold legally. However, many others are marketed illegally and do not meet FDA’s regulatory requirements. These tests may not work or may be harmful.

To find out whether FDA has cleared or approved an IVD test for a particular purpose, call FDA at (888) 463-6332, or your local FDA district office www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

Bogus dietary supplements: The array of dietary supplements—including vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, herbs, animal extracts and others—has grown tremendously.

Although the benefits of some of these have been documented, the advantages of others are unproven. For example, claims that a supplement allows you to eat all you want and lose weight effortlessly are false.

Claims to treat diseases cause products to be considered drugs. Firms wanting to make such claims legally must follow FDA’s premarket New Drug Approval process to show that the products are safe and effective.

Weight loss fraud: Since 2003, FDA has worked with national and international partners to take hundreds of compliance actions against companies pushing bogus and misleading weight loss schemes.

FDA has recently enhanced efforts to stop sales and importation of—and to warn consumers about—weight loss products that contain dangerous prescription drug ingredients that are not listed on the label.

Sexual enhancement product fraud: FDA has warned consumers about numerous illegal drugs promoted and sold online for treating erectile dysfunction and for enhancing sexual performance.

Although they are marketed as “dietary supplements,” these products are really illegal drugs that contain potentially harmful ingredients that are not listed on the label.

Diabetes fraud: FDA has taken numerous compliance actions against sales of fraudulent diabetes “treatments” promoted with bogus claims such as

  • “drop your blood sugar 50 points in 30 days”
  • “eliminate insulin resistance”
  • “prevent the development of type 2 diabetes”
  • “reduce or eliminate the need for diabetes drugs or insulin”

Influenza (flu) scams: Federal agencies have come across contaminated, counterfeit, and subpotent influenza products.

FDA, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has intercepted products claimed to be generic versions of the influenza drug Tamiflu, but which actually contained vitamin C and other substances not shown to be effective in treating or preventing influenza.

Don’t Be a Victim

It’s ultimately up to the buyer to beware of potential health fraud. Know of the potential for health fraud and learn about the common techniques and gimmicks that fraudulent marketers use to gain your attention and trust.

For instance, testimonials from people who say they have used the product may sound convincing, but these can easily be made up. These “testimonials” are not a substitute for scientific proof.

Also, never diagnose or treat yourself with questionable products. Always check with your health care professional before using new medical products.

Be wary of these red flags:

  • claims that a product is a quick, effective cure-all or a diagnostic tool for a wide variety of ailments
  • suggestions that a product can treat or cure diseases
  • promotions using words such as “scientific breakthrough,” “miraculous cure,” “secret ingredient,” and “ancient remedy”
  • text with impressive-sounding terms such as: “hunger stimulation point” and “thermogenesis” for a weight loss product
  • undocumented case histories by consumers or doctors claiming amazing results
  • limited availability and advance payment requirements
  • promises of no-risk, money-back guarantees
  • promises of an “easy” fix
  • claims that the product is “natural” or “non-toxic” (which doesn’t necessarily mean safe)

Don’t be fooled by professional-looking Web sites. Avoid Web sites that fail to list the company’s name, physical address, phone number, or other contact information. For more tips for online buying, visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/.

Report Problems

If you find a person or company that you think is illegally selling human drugs, animal drugs, medical devices, biological products, foods, dietary supplements, or cosmetics, report it to FDA.

To report problems with FDA-regulated products, visit www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

To report unlawful sales of medical products on the Internet, visit www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions atwww.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.

 

Free Senior Health & Fitness Fair on May 27th at the Southwest YMCA

In Living Healthy on May 18, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Join the Southwest YMCA to celebrate National Senior Health & Fitness Week on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. The Southwest YMCA will provide a variety of free presentations, screenings and information for seniors regarding health and fitness topics. The event will begin at 8: 30am and is part of a national movement to promote an active, healthy lifestyle through physical fitness, good nutrition and preventive care for active older adults.

 

Screenings for hearing, vision, blood pressure and bone density will be available from 8:30-11:30am. Representatives will also be available to provide information on advance directives, safe sleep guidelines for grandbabies, arthritis, AARP, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, SilverSneakers and behavioral health issues.

 

Free presentations will also be provided on two specific health topics. The first presentation “Brain Fitness” will be presented by Julie Bryson of Aurora Health Care and begins at 9:30am. Julie Bryson will discuss fun exercise for the brain. She will show how a healthy brain can help stay mentally sharp, tackle new challenges, as well as stave off some of the natural effects of aging.

 

Dr.Robert Amiot of Aspen Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Specialists will discuss “Medical Management of Arthritis and Lower Leg Pain” beginning at 11:00am. He will also provide foot screenings following the presentation.

This is free and no registration is required for the event. Refreshments will be available throughout the morning. The Southwest YMCA Senior Health and Fitness event was made possible by a grant from NcNeil Consumer Healthcare-Makers of Tylenol.

 

For more information contact the Southwest YMCA at 414-546-9622 or visit our website at www.ymcamke.org. The Southwest YMCA is located at 11311 W. Howard Ave. in Greenfield.

Report Reveals Disparities in Pharmaceutical Treatment for Minority Patients

In Rx Pharmacy on May 13, 2009 at 8:24 pm

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A new report from the National Minority Quality Forum finds that appropriate medications for a variety of diseases often are under-prescribed, over-prescribed, or mis-prescribed for African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans. This comprehensive review of studies on medication use in U.S. minority groups, entitledOrigins and Strategies for Addressing Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Pharmaceutical Therapy: The Health-Care System, the Provider, and the Patient, reveals disparities in treatment of minority patients with cardiovascular illness, asthma, psychiatric illness, pain and other conditions.

The report, authored by Richard Levy, Ph.D., Robert C. Like M.D., M.S., and Harry S. Shabsin, Ph.D., finds disparities in access to medications through insurance programs, in the prescribing of medications and in adherence to medication regimens. The report offers recommendations for health-care planners and advocates, clinicians and health-care organizations to improve prescribing and use of medications in a diverse society.

“Since medications are a cornerstone of treatment for many diseases, addressing unequal or inappropriate medication use should be a focus for practitioners and organizations committed to the goal of eliminating health-care disparities. We hope this report raises awareness of the extent of medication disparities and will stimulate solutions to address the problem,” said Dr. Like, Professor and Director of the Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity of the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The report points out that improving access to and use of medications in diverse groups requires policies that enable affordable, personalized therapy. Ethnic/racial background should, like other factors such as age or gender, be considered in selecting drugs and dosages, in the composition of drug formularies and preferred drug lists and in determining the scope of drug substitution policies. The report emphasizes that therapy must be tailored to individual needs and stereotyping and overgeneralization in caring for diverse populations should be avoided.

Dr. Levy, a health care consultant and former vice president of the National Pharmaceutical Council, states: “Differences in response to pharmaceuticals in minority populations indicate the importance of including diverse groups in comparative-effectiveness assessments. Failure to do so may reduce, rather than improve, the quality of care for ethnic and racial minorities”.

 

Key Findings from the Report

  • Many studies have revealed ethnic/racial disparities in prescribing (under-prescribing, over-prescribing or mis-prescribing) for specific diseases or classes of medication, including medications for asthma, depression, psychosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pain and infectious disease.
  • Medication disparities can stem from a relative lack of health and drug insurance, aggressive cost containment in pharmacy benefits plans and reduced services at pharmacies in minority neighborhoods. All of these situations can limit access to medications or cause patients to reduce or discontinue therapy.
  • Most state Medicaid programs utilize pharmaceutical cost containment polices which include prior authorization, generic substitution, preferred drug lists, copayments and caps. While fulfilling their intent to save drug costs, these policies may have the unintended consequences of limiting access to necessary medications. This limitation has been associated with increased utilization of medical services by minority patients.
  • Suboptimal prescribing may reflect a clinician’s lack of knowledge about the patient’s culture or to the clinician’s beliefs about that culture. Clinicians who have that knowledge and who communicate well can positively affect treatment outcomes.
  • Relatively low adherence in filling initial prescriptions, refilling prescriptions and taking medications according to directions has been reported in minority patients being treated for asthma, depression, psychosis, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes and in receiving vaccinations. Low medication adherence in minority populations has been correlated with reduced health status.
  • Much of the association between race/ethnicity and low adherence is explained by low household income, lack of insurance, poor education, low health literacy, language barriers and cultural beliefs. Low adherence may also reflect poor communication by providers, often due to lack of cultural competence training and time/resource constraints.
  • Use of herbal or other folk remedies by persons from various cultural backgrounds can complicate, interact and sometimes detract from treatment with western medicines.
  • Response to medications and optimal dosages may differ due to genetic or environmental factors, or diet. Ethnic differences have been consistently reported in the metabolism, effectiveness and frequency of side effects of many important drugs. Failure to account for these differences when prescribing or selecting agents for formularies or preferred drug lists may lead to suboptimal treatment and disparities.

The report is available online at http://store.nmqf.org/p-13-nmqf-e-books.aspx.

Too-Low Blood Pressure Can Also Bring Danger

In Medical Care on May 13, 2009 at 8:21 pm

What’s OK for the kidney and brain may not be best for the heart, expert says

(HealthDay News) — While too-high blood pressure is a clear hazard for most people, too-low pressure can apparently be a threat in some cases as well.

A new study of 10,001 people with coronary artery disease found what statisticians call a J-shaped curve of mortality, meaning a higher death rate for people with the lowest blood pressure. Dr. Franz H. Messerli, a professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center and director of the hypertension program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, reported on the finding Thursday at the American Society of Hypertension meeting in San Francisco.

“It stands to reason that there has to be a J-shaped curve,” Messerli said. “If your blood pressure were zero, you would be dead.”

He acknowledged that the people in the study were a bit out of the ordinary, with already-diagnosed coronary artery disease. The study was aimed at determining the effect of treatment with different amounts of a cholesterol-lowering statin drug, with blood pressure measured as a matter of routine.

When the results were in, the lowest rate of deaths and major coronary problems such as heart disease was seen not in the participants with the lowest blood pressure but in those slightly to the right on the curve, with a reading of 139.9 for systolic pressure (the reading when the heart contracts) and 79.2 for diastolic pressure.

Though Messerli stressed that this was “a unique population, with coronary artery disease, where the coronary arteries are compromised,” he noted that “there has to be a point where lowering blood pressure is counterproductive.”

That point can be seen on the curve of systolic pressure in this group, he said. “When you go from 120 to 130, even from 110 to 130, there is very little difference,” Messerli said. “When it goes below 110, then all of a sudden it becomes very obvious.”

 The effect is more pronounced for diastolic pressure readings. “If you go to 70 or below, say to 60, there is a fourfold higher risk in the primary outcomes,” he said.

A too-low reading, he noted, could mean that the brain is not getting enough blood. “Obviously, if there is a lack of blood, there can be danger similar to that when there is too much blood,” Messerli said.

The finding in this particular group certainly doesn’t mean that most people should worry about blood pressure being too low, he said. “By and large, within reason, lower is better,” Messerli said.

But that might not be true in special cases, he said. “You can have a funny situation where one organ in the body is demanding more blood than is good for the rest of the body,” Messerli said. “What is OK for the kidney and OK for the brain may not be OK for the heart.”

Controlling high blood pressure remains a major concern for physicians, Messerli said. “There are a lot of patients who are untreated and uncontrolled,” he said. “We need to do a better job.”

Dr. Alan H. Gradman, professor of medicine at Temple University, said that the study should be treated with caution because the number of people with very low blood pressure was small, but he said that “it does suggest that there may well be a J curve in people with coronary artery disease.”

Though many other studies have not shown a J curve, “which is why the idea that you can’t go too low is out there,” the new study results might mean a slight revision of that rule in some cases, Gradman said.

“If you treat people with coronary artery disease for hypertension, you don’t want to go too low, to diastolic pressure below about 70,” he said. “That’s the take-home message here.”

Healthy Living Network Announces Launch of New Supplement Information Web Site

In Living Healthy on May 13, 2009 at 6:30 pm

The Healthy Living Network, a division of Healthy Directions, LLC, is proud to announce the launch of searchvitaminsupplements.com, a new informational Web site devoted to all aspects of nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, and more.

Potomac, MD (PRWEB) — The Healthy Living Network, a division of Healthy Directions, LLC, is proud to announce the launch of searchvitaminsupplements.com, a new informational Web site devoted to all aspects of nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, and more.

Visitors to searchvitaminsupplements.com can expect to find original articles, blogs, studies, forums, encyclopedias, and more on a variety of topics and concerns, including nutrient categories such as antioxidants, vitamins, herbs, and enzymes, as well as a wide variety of health conditions and the specific nutrient solutions to those health concerns. Searchvitaminsupplements.com will also offer weekly eLetters so consumers can have continuous access to breaking news and up-to-date information.

According to Ed Hauck, President of Healthy Directions, “In an ideal world, your daily intake of food would meet all your nutritional needs, and supplements would not be necessary. However, due to nutrient-deplete soils, pesticide and herbicide use, and overly processed and fast food-filled diets of many Americans, supplementation is becoming more and more critical. Worse yet,

here is so much misinformation out there, most people don’t even know where to start.”

 

“That’s why we created searchvitaminsupplements.com,” explains Hauck. “All information and advice found on searchvitaminsupplements.com has been carefully screened and selected to provide the most current, ground-breaking, well-researched, and highly effective recommendations for all your supplementation and general health needs.”

While the majority of the experts and authorities on the site are doctors, the material on the Web site is intended to provide timely and accurate medical news and education, not personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

For more information about this exciting new resource for supplementation, common dosages, and natural health information, visit Searchvitaminsupplements.com.

About Healthy Directions, LLC

Healthy Directions, LLC, is the recognized leader in providing authoritative health and wellness solutions to consumers. Healthy Directions’ subsidiary, Doctors’ Preferred, LLC, is a leading vitamin and nutritional supplement business that develops and sells proprietary, branded nutritional supplements based upon the research of the Healthy Directions health experts, marketed primarily through direct mail. For more information on Healthy Directions, please visit Healthydirections.com

Drink a Little Wine, Live a Little Longer – Study finds half a glass each day boosts men’s life expectancy by five years

In Living Healthy on May 13, 2009 at 6:29 pm

(HealthDay News) — Men who regularly drank up to a half a glass of wine each day boosted their life expectancy by five years, Dutch researchers report.

Light, long-term alcohol consumption of all types of beverages, whether wine, spirits or beer, increased life by 2.5 years among men compared with abstention, the researchers found. By “light,” they meant up to 20 grams, or about 0.7 ounces a day.

While numerous other studies have found similar benefits, study author Martinette Streppel, of the division of human nutrition at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, said 40 years of follow-up is noteworthy for many reasons.

“The main strength of our study was the collection of detailed information on the consumption of different alcohol beverages at each of seven measurement rounds,” Streppel said.

The long-term, regular follow-up, Streppel added, enabled the researchers to study the effect of long-term alcohol intake on mortality.

The study is published online in April in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The Dutch researchers evaluated 1,373 men, all part of the Zutphen Study, started in 1960 and named for an industrial town in the Netherlands. The researchers followed them from 1960 to 2000, tracking weight, diet, cigarette smoking, the diagnosis of serious illness and other data, along with their drinking habits.

Over the follow-up period, 1,130 of the men died, half from cardiovascular disease.

The proportion of men who drank alcohol nearly doubled from 45 percent of the men in 1960 to 86 percent in 2000. Those drinking wine rose even more dramatically — from just 2 percent to 44 percent.

The findings in more detail:

  • All long-term light alcohol drinking boosted life expectancy by about 2.5 years in comparison to abstaners. Drinking more than 0.7 ounces a day extended life expectancy by nearly two years compared with nondrinkers.
  • Wine drinkers who averaged just 0.7 ounces a day had a 2.5 year-longer life expectancy at age 50 compared to those who drank beer or spirits. And their life expectancy was nearly five years longer than nondrinkers.
  • Drinking moderately was linked with lower death risk, and drinking wine was strongly linked with a lower risk of dying from heart disease, stroke or other causes.

Streppel couldn’t say if the findings apply to women, but suspects the polyphenolic compounds found in wine, especially red wine, produce the heart-healthy effects.

The study adds to the literature of the health benefits of alcohol, but has both strengths and weaknesses, said Dr. Arthur Klatsky, a long-time investigator on the health benefits of alcohol.

“Once again, it shows that people who drink [moderately] do a lot better than people who don’t in terms of survival,” he said.

However, as with other research, Klatsky wondered if it’s the pattern of drinking or something related to the wine drinking — such as wine drinkers being more likely to exercise or eat a healthy diet — that is the real link.

In the new Dutch study, he says, alcohol from spirits contributes the most to the total alcohol intake, more than wine or beer.

“It’s a little hard to think that a little bit of wine is what is responsible for extending their life,” Klatsky said.

The finding, like similar ones, applies more to middle-aged people than younger ones, he said. “People over 50 are the ones most likely to have health benefits from light drinking anyways.”

Much more important in reducing heart disease risk, he said, is not smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthfully and maintaining a healthy weight.

ZANAMIVIR SUMMARY FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND PARENTS

In Medical Care on May 11, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Starting a small business retirement savings
plan can be easier than most business people
think. What’s more, there are a number of
retirement programs that provide tax advantages
to both employers and employees.
Why Save?
Experts estimate that Americans will need 70 to 90
percent of their preretirement income to maintain their
current standard of living when they stop working. So
now is the time to look into retirement plan programs.
As an employer, you have an important role to play in
helping America’s workers save.
By starting a retirement savings plan, you will help
your employees save for the future. Retirement plans
may also help you attract and retain qualified employees,
and they offer tax savings to your business. You
will help secure your own retirement as well. You can
establish a plan even if you are self-employed.
AnyTax Advantages?
A retirement plan has significant tax advantages:
❑ Employer contributions are deductible from the
employer’s income,
❑ Employee contributions (other than Roth contributions)
are not taxed until distributed to the employee,
and
❑ Money in the plan grows tax-free.

You have been given zanamivir because you may have been exposed to the swine influenza (swine flu). As you may already be aware, a public health emergency has been declared in the U.S. due to a current outbreak of swine influenza virus. You can decide whether to take this drug. Taking zanamivir may help you or your child recover more quickly if you have swine flu or may help keep you or your child from getting sick from swine flu. If you are taking zanamivir as directed and you begin to feel sick, get medical care right away.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Spread of swine flu can occur through contact with infected pigs or environments, or through contact with a person with swine flu.

What is Zanamivir?

Relenza® (zanamivir) is a medicine that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat and prevent influenza.* The FDA-approved package insert on zanamivir can be found via Drugs@FDA on www.fda.gov/cder.

Who should not take Zanamivir?

Do not take zanamivir if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to zanamivir or lactose. Zanamivir is not recommended for people with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD. Zanamivir should only be used for treatment of persons aged 7 years and older, and for prevention in persons aged 5 years and older. It should not be used for prevention of flu in nursing home patients.

What is the dose of Zanamivir?

• For Treatment: 10 mg (2 inhalations) twice daily for 5 days

• For Prevention: Household Setting: 10 mg (2 inhalations) once daily for 10 days

Community Outbreaks: 10 mg (2 inhalations) once daily for 28 days

The dose should be given at approximately the same time each day.

How should zanamivir be taken?

Zanamivir is packaged in a medicine disk called a Rotadisk® and is inhaled by mouth using a delivery device called a Diskhaler®. Each Rotadisk® contains 4 blisters. Each blister contains 5 mg of active drug and 20 mg of lactose powder (which contains milk proteins). Each packaged box of zanamivir contains 5 Rotadisks (total of 10 doses) and a Diskhaler® inhalation device. Read the “Patient Instructions for Use” in the package and refer to your healthcare provider for instructions on how to use the Diskhaler®. Zanamivir should be given to children only under adult supervision and instruction.

What are the possible severe side effects from Zanamivir?

People should be aware of the risk of increased difficulty breathing, especially among people with a history of underlying breathing problems. If patients have increased difficulty breathing, they should stop Relenza and get medical attention right away. People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior early in their illness. These events may occur after beginning zanamivir or may occur when flu is not treated. These events are uncommon but may result in accidental injury to the patient. Therefore, patients should be observed for signs of unusual behavior and a healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behavior.

How do I report side effects with Zanamivir?

Call your healthcare provider if your child experience side effects that bother you or that do not go away. Report side effects to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

*Certain aspects of this emergency use are not part of the approved drug applications. However, the FDA Commissioner has authorized the emergency use of zanamivir. Additional information can be found on www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Obama Says Health Plan Could Save Trillions

In Medical Care on May 11, 2009 at 5:23 pm

Representatives of major health industry trade groups are scheduled to meet with President Obama Monday to outline their plan to cut increases in projected health care costs by $2 trillion over the next decade.

Obama said in prepared remarks that the groups are voluntarily committing to cut the growth rate of national health care spending by 1.5 percent a year from 2010 through 2019 by streamlining the industry, although details have not been released.

Since his days on the campaign trail, the president has promised to push for affordable health care for Americans, often citing his mother’s plight as she struggled with mounting bills for treatment of ovarian cancer.

“We cannot continue down the same dangerous road we’ve been traveling for so many years with costs that are out of control, because reform is not a luxury that can be postponed, but a necessity that cannot wait,” the president said.

Representatives of health insurers, doctors, hospitals, drugmakers and unionized health care workers were scheduled to attend the White House meeting, which begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Although the groups have often been at odds, the White House meeting reflects a growing awareness that changes to the health care system are coming — and that stakeholders should participate in the discussion.

“That is why these groups are voluntarily coming together to make an unprecedented commitment,” Obama said.

Under the health industry’s plan, a family of four could save $2,500 a year within five years, according to the Obama administration. After 10 years, the savings could help eliminate the federal budget deficit.

Medicare oversight must improve, U.S. attorney tells Senate

In Medical Care on May 8, 2009 at 11:21 pm

South Florida’s reputation as the capital of Medicare fraud came under the congressional spotlight Wednesday with U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta telling a Senate panel the best tool for fighting scams is tightening oversight at the top.

Acosta, who since 2006 has prosecuted more than 700 people responsible for more than $2 billion in fraudulent Medicare billings, told the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that he started focusing on fraud because he was “absolutely disgusted” by the level of scams in South Florida.

But he told the Senate panel that prosecutions aren’t the solution.

“If one wants to prevent traffic accidents, one puts up red lights, one puts up stop signs, one has good rules of the road that prevent accidents in the first place,” he said. “The same applies for healthcare fraud. With additional resources my office could easily double or triple prosecutions . . . but the best way by far to prevent fraud in the first place is to improve the rules of the road.”

He called for changes at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “to ensure rapid payment, yet at the same time identify and deny fraudulent bills.”

And he noted that as South Florida prosecutors crack down on fraudsters, they tend to migrate elsewhere. He said the Tampa and Orlando districts have noticed a spike in fraud and that he has been told Atlanta “has seen an increase as people leave South Florida and set up shop elsewhere.”

Acosta suggested some fixes could be “common sense solutions.”

He said he has directed his prosecutors to look for suppliers who provide medical equipment to a substantial number of patients who don’t live near the supplier, “in the theory that most people don’t travel a few hundred miles for an inhaler or wheelchair.”

Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, the top Republican on the panel, noted that it was “embarrassing” that some of the most egregious cases of fraud originate in Florida. Noting South Florida was “unfortunately a leader in many kinds of fraud,” Acosta said the scams are not confined to South Florida: “When changes are going to be made, they should go beyond South Florida,” Acosta said. “It’s a problem in Florida, but in part because we are doing so much the problems have been identified. It has to be a nationwide set of solutions.”

James Frogue, project director for the Center for Health Transformation, a project launched by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, noted that Miami-Dade County has 897 licensed home health agencies – more than the entire state of California. And in New York, he said, 55 men got maternity benefits over a two-year period.

Martinez has filed two bills aimed at cracking down on fraud, by, among other provisions, eliminating the use of Social Security numbers for Medicare beneficiaries and putting billing statements under increased scrutiny.

Daniel R. Levinson, inspector general at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told the panel that healthcare attracts fraudsters because the penalties are lower than for other criminal offenses, schemes are easily replicated and there is a perception they won’t be caught.

“We need to alter the criminals’ cost-benefit analysis by increasing the risk of swift detection and the certainty of punishment,” Levinson said.

Sleep may keep you thin: study

In Living Healthy on May 7, 2009 at 9:14 pm

The secret of staying thin could be at least partly found in a good night’s rest, an international conference on obesity heard in Amsterdam on Thursday.

“After a bad night’s sleep, people ate 550 calories (22 per cent) more than normal,” said the findings of a study by the European Centre of Taste Science in Dijon in central France, presented at the gathering.

This represented about one large hamburger.

Feelings of hunger were higher among a test group who slept four hours the previous night than among those who slept eight hours, stated an extract of the findings.

“These results indicate that sleep deprivation increases food intake and . . . could be a factor promoting obesity,” it added.

A separate study conducted by researchers at the Netherlands’ Maastricht University found that children who got less sleep during puberty than when they were younger also gained more weight compared to children whose sleep patterns did not change.

The World Health Organization estimates that in 2005, about 1.6 billion adults were overweight, of which at least 400 million were obese.

The conference was organized by the European Association for the Study of Obesity.

Free Treatment for Breast Cancer Available in Pennsylvania

In Medical Care, Senior Deals on May 6, 2009 at 10:28 pm

PA Breast Cancer Coalition holds press conference

EPHRATA, Pa., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ –Did you know FREE treatment is available to women diagnosed with breast cancer in Pennsylvania who are uninsured or underinsured? Unfortunately many women – and many healthcare providers – are not aware of the program or how it can benefit breast cancer patients. That’s why the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC), in partnership with Senator Vince Hughes, is publicizing the Commonwealthof Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program (BCCPT).

A press conference will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at 9am by the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and Senator Vincent Hughes to raise awareness about the FREE treatment that is available to women diagnosed with breast cancer who are uninsured or underinsured in Pennsylvania. This event will be held at the Main Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. Scheduled to speak at the event are: Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder, PBCC; Senator Vincent Hughes, Minority Chair, Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee; Everette James, Secretary of Health, PA Department of Health;Joanne Corte Grossi, Director, Office of Women’s Services, PA Department of Public Welfare; and Robin Leidhecker, Survivor.

“No woman with breast cancer should be denied treatment – regardless of their income or insurance situation,” said Halpin-Murphy. “Thanks to the FREE treatment program, qualified women in Pennsylvania will receive the treatment they desperately need through Medicaid.”

“Thanks to the Commonwealth of PA’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program, I received the treatment and outstanding care that I needed,” said Robin Leidhecker, a patient enrolled in the FREE Treatment Program. “I was told to just worry about getting well, don’t worry aboutpaying for it.”

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and unique outreach initiatives. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization that creates the hope of a brighter tomorrow by providing action and information to women with breast cancer today. For more information on the PBCC, call 1-800-377-8828 x107 or visitwww.pabreastcancer.org.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition
Copyright©2009 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved

Questions and Answers related to Vaccines for the new Influenza A (H1N1)

In Medical Care on May 4, 2009 at 5:44 pm

From World Health Organization- May 2, 2009

Is an effective vaccine already available against the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus?

No, but work is already underway to develop such a vaccine. Influenza vaccines generally contain a dead or weakened form of a circulating virus. The vaccine prepares the body’s immune system to defend against a true infection. For the vaccine to protect as well as possible, the virus in it should match the circulating “wild-type” virus relatively closely. Since this H1N1 virus is new, there is no vaccine currently available made with this particular virus. Making a completely new influenza vaccine can take five to six months.

What implications does the declaration of a pandemic have on influenza vaccine production?

Declaration by WHO of phase 6 of pandemic alert does not by itself automatically translate into a request for vaccine manufacturers to immediately stop production of seasonal influenza vaccine and to start production of a pandemic vaccine. Since seasonal influenza can also cause severe disease, WHO will take several important considerations such as the epidemiology and the severity of the disease when deciding when to formally make recommendations on this matter. In the meantime, WHO will continue to interact very closely with regulatory and other agencies and influenza vaccine manufacturers.

How important will Influenza A(H1N1) vaccines be for reducing pandemic disease?

Vaccines are one of the most valuable ways to protect people during influenza epidemics and pandemics. Other measures include anti-viral drugs, social distancing and personal hygiene.

Will currently available seasonal vaccine confer protection against Influenza A(H1N1)?

The best scientific evidence available today is incomplete but suggests that seasonal vaccines will confer little or no protection against Influenza A(H1N1).

What is WHO doing to facilitate production of Influenza A(H1N1) vaccines?

As soon as the first human cases of new Influenza A(H1N1) infection became known to WHO, the WHO Collaborating Center in Atlanta (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America) took immediate action and began the work to develop candidate vaccine viruses. WHO also initiated consultations with vaccine manufacturers worldwide to facilitate the availability of all necessary material to start production of Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine. In parallel, WHO is working with national regulatory authorities to ensure that the new Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine will meet all safety criteria and be made available as soon as possible.

Why is WHO not asking vaccine manufacturers to switch production from seasonal vaccine to a Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine yet?

WHO has not recommended stopping production of seasonal influenza vaccine because this seasonal influenza causes 3 million to 5 million cases of severe illness each year, and kills from 250,000 to 500,000 people. Continued immunization against seasonal influenza is therefore important. Moreover, stopping seasonal vaccine production immediately would not allow a pandemic vaccine to be made quicker. At this time, WHO is liaising closely with vaccine manufacturers so large-scale vaccine production can start as soon as indicated.

Is it possible that manufacturers produce both seasonal and pandemic vaccines at the same time?

There are several potential options which must be considered based on all available evidence.

What is the process for developing a pandemic vaccine? Has a vaccine strain been identified, and if so by whom?

A vaccine for the Influenza A(H1N1) virus will be produced using licensed influenza vaccine processes in which the vaccine viruses are grown either in eggs or cells. Candidate vaccine strains have been identified and prepared by the WHO Collaborating Center in Atlanta (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America)1. These strains have now been received by the other WHO Collaborating Centers which have also started preparation of vaccine candidate viruses. Once developed, these strains will be distributed to all interested manufacturers on request. Availability is anticipated by mid-May.

How quickly will Influenza A(H1N1) vaccines be available?

The first doses of Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine could be available in five to six months from identification of the pandemic strain. The regulatory approval will be conducted in parallel with the manufacturing process. Regulatory authorities have put into place expedited processes that do not compromise on the quality and safety of the vaccine. Delays in production could result from poor growth of the virus strain used to make the vaccine.

How would manufacturers be selected?

There are currently more than a dozen vaccine manufacturers with licenses to produce influenza vaccines. The vaccine strain will be available to each of them for vaccine production.

What is the global manufacturing capacity for a potential Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic vaccine?

While this cannot be assessed precisely since there is much uncertainty regarding the appropriate formulation for an effective and protective vaccine, a conservative estimate of global capacity is at least 1 to 2 billion doses per year.

How is production capacity for influenza vaccines distributed geographically?

More that 90% of the global capacity today is located in Europe and in North America. However, during the past five years, other regions have begun to acquire the technology to produce influenza vaccines. Six manufacturers in developing countries have done so with technical and financial support from WHO.

What will be the storage requirements for Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine?

The vaccine should be stored under refrigerated conditions at between 2°C and 8°C.

It has been impossible so far to develop vaccines for major killers such as HIV and malaria. How sure are we that there will not be scientific or other hurdles in developing an effective Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine?

Typically, development of influenza vaccines has not posed a problem. Influenza vaccines have been used in humans for many years and are known to be immunogenic and effective. Each year seasonal influenza vaccines with varying composition are produced for the northern and southern hemisphere influenza seasons. Vaccine manufacturers will employ a number of different technologies to develop their vaccines. They will take advantage, notably, of novel approaches that were developed over the past years for H5N1 avian influenza vaccines. One key unknown is yield of vaccine virus production, since some strains grow better than others and the behavior of the new Influenza A(H1N1) strain in manufacturers’ systems is not yet known. New recombinant technologies are under development, but have not yet been approved for use.

Will Influenza A(H1N1) vaccines be effective in all population groups?

There are not data on this but there also is no reason to expect that they would not, given current information.

Will the Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine be safe?

Licensed vaccines are held to a very high standard of safety. All possible precautions will be taken to ensure safety and new Influenza A(H1N1) vaccines.

How can a repeat of the 1976 swine flu vaccine complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome) experienced in the United States of America be avoided?

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute disorder of the nervous system. It is observed following a variety of infections, including influenza. Studies suggest that regular seasonal influenza vaccines could be associated with an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome on the order of one to two cases per million vaccinated persons. During the 1976 influenza vaccination campaign, this risk increased to around 10 cases per million vaccinated persons which led to the withdrawal of the vaccine.

Pandemic vaccines will be manufactured according to established standards. However, they are new products so there is an inherent risk that they will cause slightly differently reactions in humans. Close monitoring and investigation of all serious adverse events following administration of vaccine is essential. The systems for monitoring safety are an integral part of the strategies for the implementation of the new pandemic influenza vaccines. Quality control for the production of influenza vaccines has improved substantially since the 1970s.

Will it be possible to deliver new Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine simultaneously with other vaccines?

Inactivated influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as other injectable vaccines, but the vaccines should be administered at different injection sites.

If the virus causes a mild pandemic in the warmer months and changes into something much more severe in, say, 6 months, will vaccines being developed now be effective?

It is too early to be able to predict changes in the Influenza A(H1N1) virus as it continues to circulate in humans or how similar a mutated virus might be to the current virus. Careful surveillance for changes in the Influenza A(H1N1) virus is ongoing. This close and constant monitoring will support a quick response should important changes in the virus be detected.

Will there be enough Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine for everyone?

The estimated time to make enough vaccine to vaccinate the world’s population against pandemic influenza will not be known until vaccine manufacturers will have been able to determine how much active ingredient (antigen) is needed to make one dose of effective Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine.

In the past two years, influenza vaccine production capacity has increased sharply due to expansion of production facilities as well as advances in research, including the discovery and use of adjuvants. Adjuvants are substances added to a vaccine to make it more effective, thus conserving the active ingredient (antigen).

What is WHO’s perspective on fairness and equity for vaccine availability?

The WHO Director-General has called for international solidarity in the response to the current situation. WHO regards the goal of ensuring fair and equitable access by all countries to response measures to be among the highest priorities. WHO is working very closely with partners including the vaccine manufacturing industry on this.

Who is likely to receive priority for vaccination with a future pandemic vaccine?

This decision is made by national authorities. As guidance, WHO will be tracking the evolution of the pandemic in real-time and making its findings public. As information becomes available, it may be possible to better define high-risk groups and to target vaccination for those groups, thus ensuring that limited supplies are used to greatest effect.

Will WHO be conducting mass Influenza A(H1N1) vaccination campaigns?

No. National authorities will implement vaccination campaigns according to their national pandemic preparedness plans. WHO is exploring whether the vaccine can be packaged, for example, in multi-dose vials, to facilitate the rapid and efficient vaccination of large numbers of people.

Developing countries are very experienced in administering population-wide vaccination campaigns during public health emergencies caused by infectious diseases, including diseases like epidemic meningitis and yellow fever, as well as for polio eradication and measles control programmes.

How feasible will it be to immunize large numbers of people in developing countries against a pandemic virus?

Developing countries have considerable strategic and practical experience in delivering vaccines in mass campaigns. The main issue is not feasibility, but how to ensure timely access to adequate quantities of vaccine.

What is the estimated global number of doses of seasonal vaccine used annually?

The current annual demand is for less than 500 million doses per year.

Will seasonal influenza vaccine continue to be available?

At this time there is no recommendation to stop production of seasonal influenza vaccine.

1National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (UK), Food and Drug Administration/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (USA), New York Medical College (USA), Victorian Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory (Australia)

New National Survey Reveals Eight in 10 Seniors Satisfied With Medicare Drug Benefit

In Medical Care on May 4, 2009 at 4:40 pm

Medicare Today releases new survey data on Medicare prescription drug benefit

WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Healthcare leaders today announced the latest results of a national survey of seniors showing that the vast majority of Medicare beneficiaries remain satisfied with the Medicare Part D drug benefit. Medicare Todayhas been tracking senior satisfaction with the drug benefit since 2006.

The survey, commissioned byMedicare Today, a project of the Healthcare Leadership Council, and conducted in March by KRC Research, confirms that senior Medicare beneficiaries continue to see the prescription drug program as a success. Overall satisfaction with the Medicare prescription drug benefit has grown from 78 percent to 84 percent, up six points since early 2006.

“Before the Medicare Part D drug benefit was created, many seniors faced uncertainty when it came to accessing prescription drugs. The drug benefit provides millions of seniors with peace of mind,” said Mary R. Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of the nation’s leading health care companies and organizations

“With the economic crisis threatening many household budgets, it is important that Medicare Part D drug benefit continue to provide access to prescription drugs to the millions of seniors who depend on the program to help them live healthy lives,” said former U.S. Senator and Medicare Today Co-Chairman John Breaux. “And in light of the growing debate about health care reform this year, it’s important to understand the value of the Medicare prescription drug benefit as a part of the U.S. health care system and how seniors feel about the benefit.”

“We also need to make sure that seniors know that a low income subsidy is available for those who may need extra financial assistance,” Grealy added.

Unfortunately, not all eligibe seniors have enrolled in Medicare Part D. Medicare Todayis encouraging seniors to take advantage of this health care benefit. For those seniors who need extra financial assistance, a low income subsidy is available to help pay for their coverage. Nearly four in 10 seniors who would likely qualify for extra financial assistance are not aware that the low income subsidy exists.

Despite annual changes to prescription drug plan options, survey findings continue to show widespread support for the program. In addition to high satisfaction rates, the survey found that beneficiaries are saving money under Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. With 88 percent of seniors surveyed stating that their plan offers good value and nearly 70 percent reporting that they’ve lowered their prescription drug spending, the program costs less than was originally predicted.

Seniors across various demographics and political party lines continue to have positive feelings towards Medicare Part D, citing convenience, smooth operations and fair prices as reasons why they feel their plans are working well. More than 90 percent of seniors feel fortunate to have Part D and say it gives them peace of mind. Most seniors agree that their plan is delivering what it said it would when they signed up, and almost three in ten now get medications they once had to skip or ration.

Prior to the addition of Part D coverage, millions of Medicare beneficiaries had coverage for hospital and doctor expenses, but not prescription drug expenses. Today, all Medicare beneficiaries have access to coverage and lifesaving medicines and more than 90 percent of seniors have signed up. Beneficiaries can choose an affordable plan to meet their individual needs, and they can change it yearly if they’re not satisfied. The program offers a wide variety of plan choices to fit every budget.

Current and potential beneficiaries can speak with a Medicare counselor for information about the benefit by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). To prepare for a discussion with a counselor, beneficiaries should have on hand a list of the prescription drugs they take, including the dosage and frequency, and a preferred pharmacy.

The Social Security Administration can also provide assistance for those who may qualify financially for extra help with the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare beneficiaries interested in applying for extra help or those who have previously applied and want to check their status can call 1-800-772-1213 to contact their local Social Security office.

About the Survey

This nationally representative telephone survey of Medicare Part D beneficiaries was conducted March 19-25, 2009. The margin of error for seniors with a Medicare Rx plan is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. To view the survey results in their entirety, go towww.medicaretoday.org.

About Medicare Today

Healthcare Leadership Council launched Medicare Today in November 2004 to reach out to Medicare beneficiaries who needed reliable information on how to get the greatest value from the new Medicare benefits. Medicare Today administers the partnership of over 400 national and local organizations including AARP, National Association of Family Physicians, and National Alliance for Hispanic Health.Medicare Today develops innovative tools for use by all partners, commissions research studies, and undertakes earned media efforts and outreach to inform beneficiaries about the value of the new benefits under the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA).

SOURCE Medicare Today
Copyright©2009 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved