Disability News and Research

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SSA to add early-onset Alzheimer's disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative

In its effort to improve and expedite the disability determination process, the Social Security Administration has announced that it will add early-onset Alzheimer's disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative. The initiative identifies debilitating diseases and medical conditions that meet the SSA's disability standards for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

12 Feb 2010

Social Security Administration adds early-onset Alzheimer's disease to Compassionate Allowances list: AFA lauds

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) today applauded the Social Security Administration for including early-onset Alzheimer's disease among the medical conditions that will be given automatic approval for disability benefits, rather than have individuals go through what could be a lengthy qualification process.

12 Feb 2010

Critical phases of brain development may be mistimed in autistic patients, says study

Research into Fragile X Syndrome - a genetic condition that is the leading known cause of autism - has discovered that critical phases in the brain's development may be mistimed in people with the condition.

11 Feb 2010

MHQP: Massachusetts primary care physicians achieve measurable improvements in health care quality

Massachusetts primary care physicians continue to achieve measurable improvements in important aspects of health care quality as reported by Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP). Today, the organization released its sixth annual Quality Insights: Clinical Quality in Primary Care report, comparing the performance of more than 150 medical groups across the state.

11 Feb 2010

Barley beta-glucan soluble fiber lowers cholesterol and reduces risk for coronary heart disease

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States and is also a major cause of disability. But the good news is improving heart health can be as easy as making simple lifestyle changes like choosing foods with proven heart health-promoting attributes.

11 Feb 2010

Women's heart-health awareness: Educational campaigns with evidence-based prevention messages needed

Racial gaps exist in women's heart-health awareness, women's knowledge of heart attack warning signs requires attention and nearly half of women report they would not call 9-1-1 if they were having heart attack symptoms, according to new research published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a journal of the American Heart Association.

11 Feb 2010

Neurology researchers explore link between MS and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency

More than 55 percent of multiple sclerosis patients participating in the initial phase of the first randomized clinical study to determine if persons with MS exhibit narrowing of the extracranial veins, causing restriction of normal outflow of blood from the brain, were found to have the abnormality.

11 Feb 2010

Toronto Rehab scientists develop SoleSensor to help older people stay on their feet

In an aging society, falling is a growing problem. Just one bad fall can mark the start of a downward spiral in an older person's health and quality of life. The cost of treating falls also puts a heavy burden on the health care system. Toronto Rehab scientists have developed a simple footwear insole called SoleSensor(TM), which has proven to improve balance and prevent falls.

10 Feb 2010

Racial gaps persist in women's heart-health awareness

10 Feb 2010

Laser Spine Institute recognized as ‘Medical Partner of the Year’

This year, Gridiron Greats recognized LSI at the event as Medical Partner of the Year. LSI's medical director Dr. Michael Perry and CEO Bill Horne accepted the award.

10 Feb 2010

APA releases proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association today released the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The draft criteria represent content changes under consideration for DSM, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health and other health professionals, and is used for diagnostic and research purposes.

10 Feb 2010

Health debate travails boost lobbying firms

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., won an upset election last month that has reshaped the health debate and that new dynamic could be a boon for lobbying firms, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Law Review columnist writes. "The thousands of lobbyists on and off Capitol Hill who labor on behalf of health-industry clients can now count on at least a few more monthly retainers.

9 Feb 2010

Study highlights the importance of effective therapy to fight depression

People with depression generate higher absentee and disability costs on the job -- even when they are treated with antidepressants, according to a study published today in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

9 Feb 2010

High BP may predict dementia in older adults with cognitive impairment

High blood pressure appears to predict the progression to dementia in older adults with impaired executive functions (ability to organize thoughts and make decisions) but not in those with memory dysfunction, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

9 Feb 2010

Researchers study link between premature births and cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in infants born prematurely in the United States, according to data presented by researchers from Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These findings were reported at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago.

9 Feb 2010

Poor handgrip strength linked to premature mortality, disability and other health complications in older people

Poor or declining handgrip strength in the oldest old is associated with poor survival and may be used as a tool to assess mortality, found an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) (pre-embargo link only) http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj091278.pdf. The fastest growing segment of the elderly population is the group older than 85 years, classified as the oldest old.

9 Feb 2010

America’s wounded warriors to march on Capitol Hill: MOPH

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is stepping up to the call from Congress for input on how best to resolve the issues most important to the nation’s veterans. America’s wounded warriors from across the country will converge on Washington, D.C. during 8-12 February, 2010 to meet with their state’s Senators and Representatives to educate them on these important issues

8 Feb 2010

Veterans battle not yet over: Red tape in the complicated military and VA health care and disability systems

Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, released a revealing new report highlighting the countless bureaucratic roadblocks, lengthy waits for care, and complicated disability systems facing wounded veterans.

6 Feb 2010

10 helpful tips to safeguard Alzheimer's patients

An ID bracelet, like the one offered through the Alzheimer's Association's MedicAlert + Safe Return program, helps the police or a Good Samaritan get a missing person back home safely or medical attention.

5 Feb 2010

AFGE provides solutions to tackle VA claims backlog

John McCray, a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) at the Veterans Benefits Administration, (VBA) in the Los Angeles Regional Office, testified on behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) at a hearing held before the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The hearing was aimed at updating Congress on the implementation on the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act, P.L. 110-389.

5 Feb 2010

Disability News and Research

SSA to add early-onset Alzheimer's disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative

Social Security Administration adds early-onset Alzheimer's disease to Compassionate Allowances list: AFA lauds

Critical phases of brain development may be mistimed in autistic patients, says study

MHQP: Massachusetts primary care physicians achieve measurable improvements in health care quality

Barley beta-glucan soluble fiber lowers cholesterol and reduces risk for coronary heart disease

Women's heart-health awareness: Educational campaigns with evidence-based prevention messages needed

Neurology researchers explore link between MS and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency

Toronto Rehab scientists develop SoleSensor to help older people stay on their feet

Racial gaps persist in women's heart-health awareness

Laser Spine Institute recognized as ‘Medical Partner of the Year’

APA releases proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5

Health debate travails boost lobbying firms

Study highlights the importance of effective therapy to fight depression

High BP may predict dementia in older adults with cognitive impairment

Researchers study link between premature births and cerebral palsy

Poor handgrip strength linked to premature mortality, disability and other health complications in older people

America’s wounded warriors to march on Capitol Hill: MOPH

Veterans battle not yet over: Red tape in the complicated military and VA health care and disability systems

10 helpful tips to safeguard Alzheimer's patients

AFGE provides solutions to tackle VA claims backlog

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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