- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Nov 8,2010
Many at-Risk Patients May not be Receiving the Best Preventative Care
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Europe, killing an estimated 4.3 million people each year.[i] Results from a large pan-European study announced today indicate that many of these deaths could be avoided if at-risk patients received better preventative care.[ii]
The European Study on Cardiovascular Risk Prevention and Management in Daily Practice (EURIKA) estimated the proportion of deaths associated with risk factors for CVD, and assessed how well those risk factors are managed. Results confirmed that people with one or more risk factors – such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity – have an increased chance of dying from CVD and, worryingly, that these risk factors are not being managed effectively in daily clinical practice which could lead to an excessive number of deaths from CVD.[iii]
The experts behind the study believe that through better identification and management of these risk factors, a large proportion of coronary deaths across Europe could be avoided.[ii]
Professor Jean Dallongeville from the Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille Cedex, France, one of the experts behind the study, said: “These results show us just how crucial it is to manage CVD risk factors effectively – doing so could save thousands of lives across Europe each year, but unfortunately there is still work to be done. With the EURIKA study findings we have a better understanding of where the gaps are and what we can do to reduce the number of avoidable deaths moving forward.” Read the rest of this entry »
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- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Nov 5,2010
What is the Problem?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention join Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco), in warning consumers not to consume Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese (Costco item 40654), as this cheese may be associated with an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. The cheese was available for sale, and free samples were offered for in-store tasting at Costco in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.
What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?
Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea and abdominal cramps, but some illnesses may last longer and can be more severe. While most people recover within a week, some may develop a severe infection. Rarely, as symptoms of diarrhea improve, a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur; this can happen at any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and in older adults. People with HUS should be hospitalized immediately, as their kidneys may stop working and they may be at risk for other serious health problems. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Nov 4,2010
Rising health care costs are prompting many employers to seek new health benefits solutions that will encourage healthier behaviors in their employees. In response to customers’ needs, Anthem Blue Cross is introducing a new product designed to increase engagement in health and wellness activities, resulting in healthier and more productive employees.
Known as Anthem Health Rewards, the product enables Anthem customers to provide their employees with a variety of rewards – for example, gift cards, premium contribution discounts and account deposits – when they complete a health risk assessment and/or participate in health and wellness programs offered by Anthem, such as FutureMoms and care management programs for people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes.
“Incentives are powerful and effective motivators that can positively influence behaviors,” said Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross in California. “Our clients have asked for incentives to encourage their employees to adopt healthier lifestyles and participate in our wellness and care management programs. Anthem Health Rewards is just another example of our commitment to meet the needs of our customers and to seek out innovative ways to address rising health care costs.” Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Nov 3,2010
Fitness level, not size or weight, may be a more important determinant of women’s risk of death
Obesity alone may no longer be linked to a high risk of death in women, according to research published in the Nov. 2010 Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. Researchers now suggest cardiovascular fitness level, not just a woman’s size, may actually be the key predictor of health level and overall risk for death.
The study, titled “Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Adiposity, and All-Cause Mortality in Women,” measured body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness in 11,335 women from 1970 to 2005. Participants were divided into groups based on their cardiorespiratory fitness levels – low fit equals the lowest 20 percent; moderate fit equals the middle 40 percent; high fit equals the highest 40 percent. Researchers tracked death rates among all participants, and 292 deaths from all causes occurred during the study period.
Researchers found that death rates were significantly lower for fit women than for unfit women. Additionally, fit women with high values (based on standard clinical measures) for BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio had no greater risk of death than their fit counterparts with normal adiposity values. These results suggest that fitness is a stronger predictor than thinness for predicting a long and healthy life. Read the rest of this entry »