Employer Health Coverage through Health Plans Has Declined over Past Decade – Report

April 12, 2013 By

Employer Health Coverage through Health Plans Has Declined over Past Decade – Report

A new study shows that the number of American citizens covered by their company’s health plans has dropped to under 60 percent in the year 2011, marking ten years of decline in health coverage as a result of variables such as the high costs of health plans and a lack of available jobs in the health care industry.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s study, whose results were released yesterday, only 62 percent of workers in Illinois had some form of health coverage in 2011, as opposed to 74 percent in 2000.  For those aged 18 and younger, 72 percent were covered in 2000, but only 56 percent eleven years of later.  78 percent of employees aged 26 and above had health coverage in 2000, but that number dipped to 65 percent in 2011.  Overall, private health coverage for working-age Americans dropped over 10 percentage points between the years 2000 and 2011.  Public coverage suffered a 3 percent decline within the same timeframe.  Among individual states, 74 percent of New Hampshire workers were covered by health plans in 2011, marking the highest percentage in the U.S., while New Mexico had the lowest percentage of covered workers at 48 percent.

The above study had found out that one of the main variables that had led to less employees being covered in 2011 was the cost of health plans.  Family premium costs had particularly soared in pricing, from $6,400 in 2000 to $14,400 eleven years after.  The cost of single premium plans had doubled to over $5,000 between 2000 and 2011.  However, many believe that President Barack Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act could be of help for the nation’s percentage of workers covered by health plans.  The government is expecting an increase of 27 million covered workers this decade as a result of the act.

Superbug Killer Bacteria Equips other Bacteria to Kill

March 6, 2013 By

Super Bacteria untreatableThe Center for Disease Control (CDC) is worried and that is making a lot of other people worried. The cause for concern is a class of bacteria named carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).  CRE doesn’t jump from person to person so much as it sends resistant strands of DNA from itself to other kinds of bacteria.

Why is this a big deal? Because it can be deadly. 10 years ago a low percentage of Enterobacteriaceae was resistant to the most effective anti-biotics. Now that number has tripled to over 4%. But the really scary part is that the DNA that makes these bacteria be able to withstand today’s strongest drugs can migrate to other kinds of bacteria within the host.

The CRE today are mostly found in hospitals and nursing homes where patients have long term exposure and perhaps weaker immune systems. The CDC is happy that CRE is doesn’t appear to be showing up in the mainstream population but they are very concerned that it may very well start showing up as incidents in hospitals across the country continue to increase.

Thomas Frieden the CDC’s director has called CRE a “nightmare bacteria”. He says “They have high mortality rates, killing half of people with serious infections.”

This unusual level of concern and the broad communication measures that the CDC is taking are a wake-up call to hospitals and physicians nation-wide. The CDC wants more reporting on incidents from hospitals and physicians, many of which are now not required to specifically note CRE cases. The CDC believes that there are many more cases than they are aware of because of the lack of requirements to report this specific condition unlike some other conditions that must always be reported.

Unfortunately, other than collecting better information, doctor’s don’t have a plan for how to address a potential CRE epidemic. There are no current drugs in the pipeline that are known to or purposed for stopping CRE.

CDC Gives Heads-Up on Untreatable Bacteria Spreading Through U.S. Hospitals

March 6, 2013 By

CDC Gives Heads-Up on Untreatable Bacteria Spreading Through U.S. Hospitals

Officials of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are concerned about a family of untreatable bacteria, or superbugs, that are currently spreading through America’s hospitals, and are not too optimistic as to whether this family of bacteria can be stopped in time.

“These are nightmare bacteria that present a triple threat,” explained CDC director Thomas Frieden. “They’re resistant to nearly all antibiotics. They have high mortality rates, killing half of people with serious infections. And they can spread their resistance to other bacteria.”  The superbug in question is known as CRE, or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and has only been detected so far in hospitals and nursing homes; fortunately, it has yet to be detected outside a health facility environment.  However, if the superbugs are not controlled soon, Frieden believes that even the most common forms of minor infection may not be treatable anymore.

Mostly, individuals with immune deficiencies are targeted by the untreatable bacteria, particularly those who have been hospitalized of some time or those who presently live in a nursing home.  In 2001, only a shade over 1 percent of the Enterobacteriaceae family was immune to antibiotics designed to combat carbapenem.  However, this figure rose to 4.2 percent in 2011, and could possibly rise if action isn’t taken soon.  And the scary part about CRE is that it isn’t the type of bacteria to spread quickly from one person to another; it attacks quietly and takes its time in contaminating other individuals.

Unfortunately, the CDC has maintained a pessimistic stand on whether it could effectively combat the untreatable bacteria before it’s too late.  The superbugs are now found in 42 of the 50 states, and as of November 2012, CRE infections were reported in several large cities in America, including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.  In the meantime, the CDC is encouraging everyone affected or not to do their part in keeping each other safe, by washing their hands before and after entering a hospital room, and to let proper authorities know if they had recently visited another hospital or a foreign country.

Study Points to Tight Parental Control as Reason for Teen Depression

February 14, 2013 By

Study Points to Tight Parental Control as Reason for Teen Depression

A new study from the University of Mary Washington has linked the so-called style of “helicopter parenting” to teen depression.

Helicopter parenting can be defined as a style of parenting that is overly hands-on, where the parents always keep themselves updated on their child’s achievements and concerns, particularly their performance in school.  Such over-involvement, according to the study, leads to children, teenagers and young adults feeling unable to manage their own lives as opposed to those who are raised to be independent.

The study had covered 297 American college undergraduates ranging in age from 18 to 23, and involved questions regarding the parenting style they were raised on and their own assessments of factors such as anxiety, depression, satisfaction with life and competitiveness.  As was seen on the survey, those who have “helicopter parents” who are excessively hands-on with their kids were found to be more prone to depression and anxiety.  Many of these young adults were also found to be behind in terms of social skills and interaction with other people.

In an official statement, the researchers concluded that “Parents should keep in mind how developmentally appropriate their involvement is and learn to adjust their parenting style when their children feel that they are hovering too closely.”  The statement added that children desire to be more autonomous over time as they “strive to become independent young adults.”  The research team, led by Holly Schiffrin, published the results of their findings in Springer’s Journal of Child and Family Studies.

Trojan-Horse Treatment Completely Eliminates Prostate Cancer In Mice

December 21, 2012 By

According to UK researches, a “Trojan Horse” treatment has enabled the complete elimination of prostate cancer in an experiment conducted on mice. The team concealed cancer penetrating viruses within normal cells of the immune system of the mice to gain access to the tumours and destroy them.

Whilst the study has been labelled “exciting”, experiments must inevitably be conducted on humans. Whilst developing viruses which have the ability to destroy tumours has been declared a budding aspect of revolutionary cancer therapy, the challenge remains in getting the virus deep enough into the tumour to cause damage. As revealed by Professor Claire Lewis, “the problem is penetration”.

Using the body’s very own immune system to develop and distribute a lethal virus to tumours is a ground-breaking concept . Lewis’ team utilises white blood cells to create a fatal effect on evolving tumours. Following treatment of cancer via chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there is damage to the tissue. White blood cells spread rapidly in order to mend the damage caused.

Lewis’ team extracts blood and macrophages, the segment of the immune system which typically fights off unfamiliar threats. These are then mixed with a virus, which steers clear of being targeted, but rather acts alongside the white blood cell. The mice the study was conducted on were injected with the white blood cells just two days after their chemotherapy cycle.

Whilst the initial stage of white blood cell injections contained just a few viruses, the macrophages enable the replication of the virus within the tumour. The white blood cells rupture following a 12 hour period, at which time 10,000 viruses are released; which aim to destroy the cancerous cells.

All mice, after the completion of the 40 day study had not only survived, but showed zero signs of a tumour present. In contrast to mice provided with other methods of treatment, which died following the rapid spread of cancerous cells.

Professor Lewis revealed that the virus enabled the eradication of the cancer, and prevented it from “growing back”. Whilst the study is truly revolutionary, may it be made clear that many studies conducted on mice fail to be generalised and render the same results in humans; trials will begin next year.

Cancer Research UK’s, Dr Emma Smith, described utilising “the body’s own immune system” in order to eradicate cancer as an “exciting approach” which will be heavily pursued. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy will become more “effective” in their defence against cancer. Whilst the research is new, further study is needed before it is shown to be effective and safe to be used on humans.

Dr Kate Holmes disclosed that the experiment was successful in its aim of reducing the spread and development of prostate tumours in mice that had undergone “chemotherapy and radiotherapy”. If the treatment is to be successful in its transition to human testing, it will provide considerable advancement in devising more effective treatments of prostate cancer in men.

Could Roquefort Cheese Explain the “French Paradox”?

December 19, 2012 By

Could Roquefort Cheese Explain the “French Paradox”?Blue cheese, famous for being one of the most “Love it or loathe it” foods in the world has been found to offer health benefits that could potentially fend off heart disease, new research claims.

According to those behind the study, Roquefort cheese with is trademark greeny-blue veins which is traditionally aged and ripened in French caves could be the answer to the so-called “French Paradox” – that being why the French on average enjoy an excellent level of health despite consuming a comparatively high amount of saturated fat.

The results of the study which have just been published by a research company in Cambridge UK suggest  that the natural process that happens as the cheese matures has the potential to slow the signs of aging, prevent the onset of arthritis and generally promote a healthier gut. They also found that these beneficial properties flourished in environments of relatively high acidity, which includes the stomach.

The Times Newspaper through which the study was published cites Dr Yuriy Bashmakov and Dr Ivan Petyaev as stating that frequent consumption of this kind of cheese could very well be one of the reasons why France boasts one of the lowest cardiovascular death rates in the world, which has long puzzled scientists due to the country’s seemingly unhealthy national dietary habits.

Those behind the study also said that there is every possibility that extracts of Roquefort and other such cheeses could be used in the production of anti-aging products and important pharmaceuticals.

“Observations indicate that consumption of red wine alone cannot explain the paradox and perhaps some other constituents of the typical French diet could be responsible for reduced cardiovascular mortality.

“We hypothesize that cheese consumption, especially of molded varieties, may contribute to the occurrence of the French paradox’,” said the doctors leading the study.

In related health news, Us citizens with important and time-critical questions to ask on the subjects of nutrition and food safety are being thrown a lifeline in the form of a “Panic Button” FAQ from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, which has been put together to offer answers to the most important and common food safety questions.

Examples of the questions answered include minimum safe cooking temperatures, how to keep food warm safely, whether it is safe to eat a turkey with the bag of giblets left in during cooking and how long perishables can be safely left out of the fridge.

Dozens of key food safety questions are answered on the USDA website and the office is also encouraging those hitting their kitchens this Christmas to do in confidence, giving their dedicated Meat and Poultry Hotline a call in the case of any doubts.

 

Chronic Diseases Rise – We Live Longer But Are Sicker

December 14, 2012 By

Universally, humans as individuals are living longer than ever; however, this has consequently extended to increasingly high levels of chronic sickness, according to the greatest study conducted globally on disease.

The analysis has revealed that high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and smoking have been acknowledged as the largest risk factors associated with dwindling health.

Malnourishment, which was previously regarded as the pinnacle of illness in 1990 has been replaced. Some researchers, however, have made an adamant claim that the research collected may be subject to error, and not accurately determine worldwide illness factors.

Conducted over a five year period, amongst 500 authors, heart disease and stroke have created one in four deaths worldwide, roughly 13 million.

However, what makes you ill doesn’t necessarily kill you.

Between ages 15 to 49, the number of deaths has risen 44%, HIV/Aids seems to the be most likely source of blame, having caused 1.5 million deaths in 2010.

Whilst the expected age of death slowly continues to increase worldwide, the gap in life expectancy between countries possessing the lowest and highest death figures remains unaffected.

University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Professor Christopher Murray led the study. He believes, “What ails you isn’t necessarily what kills you.” There has been a gradual shift from early death to chronic disease.

Whilst diarrhoea (declined by 60% over the past 20 years) and tuberculosis moved down, diabetes and lung cancer have ascended up the rankings. Regardless, scientists believe that the disease number deriving from poor hygiene has been severely miscalculated.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Professor Sandy Cairncross, believes that “The complexities of the task have been compounded by inadequate consultation” – suggesting that the figures may be estimations and hence, rather inaccurate. Despite the work being an accumulation of study by a number of experts, the final rankings do not depict the entire picture of all those involved. Cairncross revealed that there was some controversy surrounding the verdict of the study; suggesting it is imprecise.

However, LSHTM director, Professor Peter Piot welcomed and encouraged the study, suggesting its importance in making evident how rapidly health is deteriorating despite extended life expectancy. He also makes apparent how the study recognises the “fantastic progress” surrounding health issues and their active diagnosis to aid future prosperity.

Amongst other goals to be achieved as part of the outlined Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is the promise to reduce death amongst mothers and infants enabling concentration on “minds and resources”. Highly relevant to the current discussion surrounding a new issue of MDGs to be reviewed beyond 2015; Piot stressed the importance of maintaining “focus” so as to not risk disaster. As opposed to dropping current MDGs, and replacing them with a more vague approach such as “sustainable” human development.

Whilst today’s children, (excluding sub-Saharan Africa), are expected to live into adulthood, the fact remains that they are more likely to have too much to eat, than too little – the concerning child obesity numbers remain high, and whilst these children are avoiding premature death, their diseases continue to worsen as they age. 43% of deaths nationwide occurred at age 70+ in 2010, compared to 33% in 1990. Whilst a smaller number of individuals are dying younger, the number suffering from chronic illness, disability and disease continues to rise.

Leg Bones Used To Repair Spine In Revolutionary Surgery

December 11, 2012 By

Rosie Davies, a five-year old girl, has undergone a revolutionary surgery developed to repair a gap between her spine and pelvic bone using bone taken from her legs enabling stabilisation of her vertebrae, drastically increasing her life expectancy.

Rosie’s mislaid bones in her spine placed inevitable pressure on her inner organs, crushed by her body’s upper weight due to a spinal defect. Essentially, a “timebomb” as referred to by her family they “never knew how long it would take to go off, how long [they] actually had with her.”

The ground-breaking surgery, however, came at the sacrifice of her lower legs, which she had not been able to move since birth. From the knee down, a piece of bone was removed to bridge the gap in her spine; along with two 15cm metal rods offering additional support bolted to her upper vertebrae and the pelvis below – the design enabling growth.

Rosie, born with a spinal disorder, segmental dysgenesis of the lumbar spine, meant that she had five bones missing from her spine; creating a 10cm gap between spine and pelvic bone. Her legs, from birth were also rendered immobile, compressed against her belly; virtually senseless.

The surgery, declared life-saving as the intense pressure of her disorder placed weight on her chest and internal organs. Ultimately; had she not undergone surgery, her organs will have failed leading to her demise. A preceding scan to the operation provided evidence of her kidneys being crushed.

The surgical procedure took place at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for an arduous 13 hours. Rosie’s relieved Father Scott revealed that her “life expectancy [had] increased to that of a normal child.”

Following the operation, increased signs of feeling have returned to her upper legs, Rosie may one day be able to walk with fully functioning prosthetic legs; her organs now have the room to function normally.

Mother, Mandy Collett, spoke about her daughters “strong character”, she never considered herself to be disabled, whether it be “sticks or artificial legs”, an extremely resourceful child, able to “overcome any obstacle”. Wanting to be just “like her sister”, able to run and “ride her bike”; whilst the ability to walk in the future is unclear, Rosie has been given a second chance at life.

Formerly, an extremely rare operation which consisted of fixing the thoracic spine to the pelvic bone had not taken place in Europe, but rather New Zealand just 10 years ago. Mr Guirish Solanki, a consulting neurosurgeon commented on his delight surrounding the operation, which proved successful.

Typically, children with similar conditions do not have a working spinal cord or associated nerves as did Rosie. A number of difficult decisions had to be made throughout the procedure, one of which ensured that the connections between nerves were not interrupted and nerve endings remained undamaged to enable the operation to be a success.

Spencer West, a man from Toronto, Ontario, Canada was born with a similar condition. An example and inspiration, expected to live a sedentary life has amassed a number of achievements, one of which was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in June 2012 on his hands.

History Made as Marijuana Legalised in Colorado

December 10, 2012 By

History Made as Marijuana Legalised in ColoradoThis Monday represents a pivotal day in the history of Colorado and the US as a whole, as pot smokers were given the official green light to puff away following the legalization of marijuana. The new bill signed by Governor John Hickenlooper represents one of the most significant changes in recreational drug legislation in recent history for the state and the country at large.

While purely a theatrical formality, the governor’s signature of approval officially heralded Colorado becoming the second American State in which recreational use of marijuana was legalized – the first being Washington.  However, as vocal as supporters of the initiative have been, it is impossible to rule out severe clashed with the federal government which continues to classify pot as an illegal drug.

“Voters were loud and clear on Election Day,” according a statement from Hickenlooper’s office following the signing of the bill. “We will begin working immediately with the General Assembly and state agencies to implement Amendment 64.”

Having been approved by gaining a majority vote of 55% in in favor to 45% against, Colorado will now allow its residents and visitors to possess up to a maximum of 28 grams of cannabis (one ounce) and as many as six marijuana plants in their homes. The legal age for the possession, growing and cannabis is 21 years.

Prior to the bill coming in, Hickenlooper had voiced his opposition to the legalization of the drug, though stated that he would act in accordance with the votes of Colorado’s citizens. The amendment was passed and enacted several weeks before the deadline and came into effect in an instant, which mercifully helped prevent the slightly distasteful scenes in Washington a week earlier.

Pot smokers and supporter in Seattle organized a mass gathering in the streets of the city center to begin publically puffing away the very moment the Washington bill came into effect.

As of now, a total of 18 states have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana for both distribution and research, though Washington was the first to legalize recreational use of cannabis, followed now by Colorado. Critics have argued that both amendments represent blatant and unacceptable flouting of federal law and stand to be reversed in the very near future if the US Department of Justice becomes involved.

Along with growing cannabis for personal use, the new law in Colorado will also see the drug permitted for commercial growth and distribution by licensed businesses. It will also be taxed to a similar extent as alcohol.

At the time of the bill’s enacting, selling and buying cannabis is still illegal in the state, though a task force has been created to iron out plans for a controlled and taxed system of buying and selling for the near future.

State officials have however reiterated that the legalization of pot should be in no way interpreted as a generally softer approach to the control of other recreational drugs.

The news comes as a slap in the face to long-time health campaigners adamant that new evidence points to a definite link between cognitive deterioration and the use of recreational marijuana.

Australian Radio Station To Review Practices Following Hoax

December 10, 2012 By

In retaliation to the death of a nurse who accepted a prank call from an Australian radio station regarding the Duchess of Cambridge, London police have made an adamant claim in undergoing an investigation regarding the severity of the issue at hand.

The Australian radio station in question, 2DayFM, has publically made evident a need for immediate review of its broadcasting following the disaster, which initially began with a hoax phone call made to the hospital in which Kate Middleton was treated for a relatively severe case of morning sickness.

The two radio DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, intended to mimic Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II. Successfully they were able to obtain private information regarding the Duchess’s medical condition, broadcasted to the Australian public. The obscene hoax plummeted further following the death of, Jacintha Saldanha, a 46-year-old nurse and mother of two children; deceived by the DJs.

The reverberation to the death has been livid, the DJs amidst the issue have been taken off air, and are being given counseling.

Southern Cross Austereo chairman, Max Moore-Wilton, owner of 2DayFM radio station, amongst other members of the board met Sunday to discuss the severity of a letter sent to the hospital’s chairman, indicating clear intent in cooperation of any investigation proposed.

Moore-Wilton, whilst acknowledging that “it is too early” to have acquired “full details” surrounding the catastrophic event, has made evident that the company is eager to analyse the aftermath and is completely willing to assist in any investigation undertaken. “Immediate action” has been taken in “reviewing the broadcast and processes involved.”

The chairman also made note of the “unforeseeable” nature of the presenter’s actions, and completely regrets the publication of the broadcast.

Australian police have confirmed that there has been contact with London police, and they too are more than willing to cooperate. Whilst Saldanha’s death has not been clarified, it has been proposed that the public backlash, stress and shame associated led to her demise – she was pronounced dead Friday, a reported suicide.

Both DJs, despite an expressed “desire to speak”, have had their Twitter accounts removed as a result of the influx of abusive comments in retaliation to the tragedy. A spokeswoman made apparent that, “when they’re ready”, both Greig and Christian will speak out.

Ben Barboza, husband of Saldanha has spoken out, “devastated” of the families loss, having written a tribute to her Facebook page. The King Edward VII’s Hospital will establish a memorial fund in her name.

Unsurprisingly the radio station has had a previous run in with controversy, having aired a segment in which a 14-year-old girl publically revealed her rape story.

Various complaints have been received by the ACMA, and the future sustainability of the station will be investigated.

Prince William opted not to be present at the British Military Tournament, but instead attend to the Duchess privately on Sunday whom is not yet three months pregnant with their first child, third heir in line to the British throne. She is currently suffering from a rather severe form of morning sickness, namely hyperemesis gravidarum.

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