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Research Roundup: Childhood obesity, insurance coverage in cancer trials, hospitals stays and need for nursing homes

Health Affairs this month is devoted to the topic of childhood obesity, with the first study of the group - National, State, And Local Disparities In Childhood Obesity - pointing out that "new data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health show that the percentage of children ages 10-17 who are overweight ... remained stable, while the national prevalence of obesity (BMI in the ninety-fifth percentile and higher) grew significantly, from 14.8 percent in 2003 to 16.4 percent in 2007.

6 Mar 2010

Opinions on rebuilding Haiti: Role of U.S., good governance efforts, orphans, poverty

In McClatchy opinion piece, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) discusses her recent trip to Haiti and outlines the U.S. role in the country's rebuilding. "Congress is committed to helping Haiti recover from this tragedy. Congress has not only taken action to express condolences and solidarity with the Haitian people, but also to incentivize charitable giving for Haiti," Pelosi writes.

6 Mar 2010

KHN Column: The President's health plan won't cut the budget

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, James Capretta writes: "One of the central arguments President Barack Obama has made on behalf of the health care plan he wants Congress to approve in coming weeks is that it would begin to address the problem of rising costs and thus also begin to bring down future federal budget deficits" (Kaiser Health News).

6 Mar 2010

Researchers assess clinical and cost impacts of PPI utilization in hospitalized patients

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective agents for treating acid related gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The utilization of intravenous (IV) formulations of PPIs has dramatically increased in health care institutions for inappropriate indications, route of administration and length of treatment. This is associated with an increased cost burden, increased risk of IV related infections, and utilization of hospital resources.

6 Mar 2010

Community prevention and wellness initiatives: HHS announces availability of $10M ARRA funds

National organizations will have a key role in building a healthier nation as part of the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for national public or private non-profit organizations to apply for $10 million in cooperative agreements to help communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

6 Mar 2010

Health reform fact check: Republicans have used reconciliation, Obama bill will bring down health costs

Several news organization have "fact checks" on the reconciliation procedure and health reform provisions.

6 Mar 2010

Adults with depression and diabetes face increase risk of dementia

Adults who have both diabetes and major depression are more than twice as likely to develop dementia, compared to adults with diabetes only, according to a study published in the recent Journal of General Internal Medicine.

6 Mar 2010

Legislation requires hospitals to disclose prices in Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The frustration of finding out what hospitals and doctors charge for common services -- from routine office visits to diagnostic tests and surgical procedures -- could soon get a lot easier in Wisconsin. The state Senate and Assembly have passed legislation that will require hospitals to disclose average prices for the 75 most common inpatient services and 75 most common outpatient services based on their contracts with commercial health plans.

6 Mar 2010

Soluble Systems, SWAI launch TheraSkin to jumpstart healing in chronic and acute wounds

Soluble Systems, LLC and the Skin and Wound Allograft Institute, a wholly owned subsidiary of LifeNet Health, have signed a noteworthy agreement to launch TheraSkin™, a biologically active human skin allograft designed to jumpstart healing in chronic and acute wounds.

6 Mar 2010

It Starts with the Heart: Community initiative launched to support not-for-profits of all sizes

Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc., www.hdlabinc.com, has launched a community initiative known as It Starts with the Heart, a company-wide commitment to support not-for-profits of all sizes in making a difference in their community.

6 Mar 2010

Republican Senators go on the offensive against reconciliation vote

Roll Call: Senate Republicans have stepped-up their message attack against President Barack Obama's latest push to pass health reform. "A key element of the Senate GOP's plan appears to be to try to scare House Democrats against voting for the health care plan, arguing that there's no guarantee that the Senate approves a reconciliation package."

6 Mar 2010

In White House meeting, Sebelius urges insurers to release all details on rate hikes

Insurance companies should disclose more information about how they spend money to justify their rate hikes, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told a group of insurance executives during a White House meeting Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

6 Mar 2010

Hewitt Associates acquires retiree medical insurance company

Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, today announced it has acquired Senior Educators Ltd., a trusted, Web-based retiree medical insurance exchange that provides unbiased assistance to Medicare recipients seeking high-quality, affordable supplemental insurance products.

6 Mar 2010

Former executive criticizes Catholic Charities' gay marriage backlash

A former senior executive at Catholic Charities has spoken out against the group's decision to eliminate all health coverage for new spouses in Washington D.C. in order to avoid offering the same benefits to same-sex couples. Catholic Charities decided to change its benefits policy in response to the District's legalization of same-sex marriage, "a move designed to avoid legitimizing same-sex marriage," according to The Washington Post.

6 Mar 2010

Democratic division on abortion language in health overhaul jeopardizes chances for passage

"Democratic leaders in Congress are embarking on a delicate strategy to win over abortion opponents, a gambit that could determine whether the legislation becomes law." The Washington Post reports.

5 Mar 2010

Obama seeks to mollify Democrats on health overhaul plan, costs

President Barack Obama intensified his push for health care reform by lobbying small groups of Democratic lawmakers Thursday.

5 Mar 2010

Poll: On health reform, Americans trust Obama more than both parties in Congress

A new Gallup poll asked Americans whom they trusted to reform the nation's health care system.

5 Mar 2010

RWJF awards $480,000 grant to improve clinical care for low-weight babies

Researchers at UC Irvine and the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) will monitor the day-to-day health of low-birth-weight babies and their parents as part of a comprehensive initiative designed to combat chronic illnesses associated with low-weight births.

5 Mar 2010

Today's opinions and editorials

Some critics complain that the administration has slipped in its commitment to fiscal responsibility in health reform. These critics are mistaken. The president's plan represents an important step toward long-term fiscal sustainability (Peter Orszag and Nancy-Ann DeParle, 3/5).

5 Mar 2010

Advocates, opponents target about two dozen swing votes

"As President Obama pushes for a prompt up or down vote on his health initiative, lobbyists and activist groups on both sides of the issue have launched grass-roots and high-dollar advertising campaigns on the roughly two dozen members of Congress who may be the final swing votes on the controversial issue," The Los Angeles Times reports.

5 Mar 2010

Health Care News and Research

Research Roundup: Childhood obesity, insurance coverage in cancer trials, hospitals stays and need for nursing homes

Opinions on rebuilding Haiti: Role of U.S., good governance efforts, orphans, poverty

KHN Column: The President's health plan won't cut the budget

Researchers assess clinical and cost impacts of PPI utilization in hospitalized patients

Community prevention and wellness initiatives: HHS announces availability of $10M ARRA funds

Health reform fact check: Republicans have used reconciliation, Obama bill will bring down health costs

Adults with depression and diabetes face increase risk of dementia

Legislation requires hospitals to disclose prices in Wisconsin

Soluble Systems, SWAI launch TheraSkin to jumpstart healing in chronic and acute wounds

It Starts with the Heart: Community initiative launched to support not-for-profits of all sizes

Republican Senators go on the offensive against reconciliation vote

In White House meeting, Sebelius urges insurers to release all details on rate hikes

Hewitt Associates acquires retiree medical insurance company

Former executive criticizes Catholic Charities' gay marriage backlash

Democratic division on abortion language in health overhaul jeopardizes chances for passage

Obama seeks to mollify Democrats on health overhaul plan, costs

Poll: On health reform, Americans trust Obama more than both parties in Congress

RWJF awards $480,000 grant to improve clinical care for low-weight babies

Today's opinions and editorials

Advocates, opponents target about two dozen swing votes

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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