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Diabetes prevalence highest in the Southern and Appalachian states

Diabetes prevalence is highest in the Southern and Appalachian states and lowest in the Midwest and the Northeast of America. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Population Health Metrics have used two public data sources to investigate the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus at the State level.

25 Sep 2009

Experimental HIV vaccine shows promise

An experimental HIV vaccine raises hope of reducing the risk of infection. Wall Street Journal/Associated Press reports: "For the first time, an experimental vaccine has prevented infection with the AIDS virus, a watershed event in the deadly epidemic and a surprising result. Recent failures led many scientists to think such a vaccine might never be possible."

25 Sep 2009

Only 40% of parents will get their child vaccinated against H1N1?

The latest C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health finds only 40 percent of parents indicate they will get their children vaccinated against H1N1 flu -- while 54 percent of parents indicate they will get their children vaccinated against seasonal flu. Among parents who do not plan to get their children vaccinated against H1N1 flu, 46 percent indicate they are not worried about their children getting H1N1 flu, while 20 percent believe H1N1 flu is not serious.

25 Sep 2009

Congress urged to offer an above-the-line deduction for LTC insurance premiums

As the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) resumes work this week on the health care reform bill, The National LTC Network urges Congress to consider two ideas.

25 Sep 2009

New videos for consumers to better understand how health insurance works

Humana Inc. has released seven new videos in its popular “Stay Smart, Stay Healthy” series. These videos – designed to help health care consumers better understand how health insurance works, and what factors affect the costs they pay – are now available on YouTube and at www.StaySmartStayHealthy.com.

25 Sep 2009

H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of medical ethics issues: JCB

The anticipated onset of a second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of thorny medical ethics issues best considered well in advance, according to the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, which today released nine papers for public discussion.

25 Sep 2009

Fear of back pain from care work is predictive of actually developing it

Whether from heaving, twisting, bending or bad lifting postures, it's well known that caring for the sick or elderly can lead to back pain. This often results in time off work or dropping out of caring professions altogether. Now Danish research published in the online open access journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders suggests that the fear of getting back pain from care work is predictive of actually developing it.

24 Sep 2009

Trade groups to church groups share evolving views on health reform

Many groups fear, or are fiercely advocating for, provisions in Democratic health care reform proposals. Others are softening their stances on certain parts of the bills. Here's a sampling from today's clippings.

24 Sep 2009

Health reform ads confusing public, news outlets try to dispel the fog

Advertising on the health care debate, more than $100 million of it spent so far, is offering little understanding on the issue as the dueling sides and media look to dispel myths about what's true and what's not.

24 Sep 2009

Democrats woo AARP, seniors to support health reform bills

"Though AARP hasn't endorsed Obama's health care drive, many of its priorities are reflected in Democratic bills, including reducing gaps in Medicare prescription drug coverage and eliminating Medicare patients' costs for preventive care. This has led some Republicans to question AARP's true loyalties" (Fram, 9/23).

24 Sep 2009

An updated HIPAA Privacy series released by LearnSomething

Keeping pharmacy staff and healthcare industry staff current on evolving HIPAA guidelines can be time-consuming and costly. An efficient and economical solution is on schedule from LearnSomething, the leading provider of eLearning for retail pharmacy and health care industries.

24 Sep 2009

Commitments announced at the Clinton Global Initiative

The second day of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) came to a close with a special session on Northern Ireland, following afternoon plenary and breakout sessions that focused on harnessing innovation for development.

24 Sep 2009

Virginia Surety to provide underwriting and compliance services for ESCO

Virginia Surety Company, Inc., a unit of The Warranty Group, Inc., today announced an agreement to provide underwriting and compliance services for Ear Service Corporation's (ESCO) comprehensive loss, damage and repair programs for the hearing aid industry.

24 Sep 2009

BCLC recognizes HCSC for its outstanding work with community service

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) is recognizing Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) for its outstanding work with community service. The BCLC has named HCSC as a finalist for its Corporate Citizenship Award in the category of U.S. Community Service. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation and HCSC is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer operating Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

24 Sep 2009

Kathie Supiano chosen as a 2009 Health Care Hero

University of Utah College of Nursing faculty member Kathie Supiano, MS, LCSW was recognized by Utah Business Magazine today as one of its 2009 Health Care Heroes. This annual recognition acknowledges excellence and innovation within the health care system and contributes to continuously improving the standard of care that Utah's organizations provide. The event took place at the Grand America Hotel located in downtown Salt Lake City.

24 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 24, 2009

Today's headlines shed light on developments during the second day of the Finance Committee's health bill mark up.

24 Sep 2009

RetireSafe calls for Senators to oppose the rationing of Medicare hospital benefits at physician hospitals

Today RetireSafe, representing 400,000 senior supporters across America, called on the U.S. Senate, starting with the Senate Finance Committee, to stop the proposed rationing of high-quality hospital care to Medicare patients.

24 Sep 2009

Flood-affected customers in Georgia can obtain early refills of their prescriptions

UnitedHealth Group and its family of companies are authorizing plan participants who are affected by the floods in Georgia and enrolled in its fully insured health plans and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to obtain early refills of their prescription medications. In addition, a free help line is available for people who are coping with the emotional consequences of the floods.

24 Sep 2009

Walgreens ensures that all its pharmacies can provide Tamiflu

Less than a month after launching the largest flu prevention initiative in the company’s 108-year history, Walgreens is taking proactive measures to ensure its nearly 7,000 pharmacies can provide the suspension - or liquid - form of seasonal flu-fighting drug Tamiflu this season. Following Tamiflu manufacturer Roche’s notification that Tamiflu Oral Suspension is in short supply, Walgreens pharmacies in all 50 states are prepared to compound Tamiflu capsules into the liquid form to produce an Oral Suspension prescription. Tamiflu capsules remain in adequate supply.

24 Sep 2009

Regence offers coverage to meet the costs associated with H1N1

To remove financial barriers associated with administration of the H1N1 vaccine and to encourage members to seek vaccination, Regence BlueCross BlueShield will provide coverage for the costs associated with the administration of the H1N1 vaccine during the 2009-2010 flu season, waiving co-pays and deductibles for all members covered by its insured plans. Regence will strongly encourage self-insured employers to cover the full cost to ensure that the greatest number of people are protected.

24 Sep 2009