Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Study Finds Pay-For-Performance Doesn't Hurt Quality
A Veterans Affairs study found that people treated by doctors being compensated under pay-for-performance arrangements weren"t short-changed and received high-quality care. Health Day News reports that the study, which used data from both medical charts and patients" ratings of their care, "should reassure patients and the doctors who treat them." The study calms concerns that doctors might avoid patients who are very sick because their quality ratings and pay might suffer if they take the time to properly treat people with multiple conditions.

New York Times Examines Debate Surrounding Use Of Experimental Treatments In Terminally Ill Patients
Some patient advocates are lobbying to legalize "compassionate use" of experimental drugs for people with terminal illnesses who have exhausted other treatments, prompting a debate about how and when to provide such patients with treatments that could prolong their lives, the New York Times reports. Most insurers do not cover unproven treatments, and physicians have concerns that using experimental treatment could give patients false hope and cause unnecessary pain. Drugmakers are concerned that if there are unfavorable outcomes from providing patients with an unproven treatment, it could hurt the drug"s chances of receiving FDA approval. At the same time, FDA does not want to grant drugs and their makers the opportunity to skip clinical trials. Currently, patients must individually apply to receive treatments through compassionate use (Harmon, New York Times, 5/17).
News of the day
Unjust Stigma, Lack Of Physician Training Hinder Market For IUDs, Opinion Piece Says
Intrauterine devices "seem like the perfect form of contraception: simple to use, long-lasting, reversible, hormone-free, economical," Slate columnist Kate Klonick writes. She asks, "So why are American women so late to this party? Perhaps the better question is: Why did they leave the party to begin with?"Klonick explains the benefits of IUDs, calling them a "foolproof method of birth control" and noting that they are 99% effective and "can last up to 10 years." Although IUDs can cost between $300 and $500, it is a one-time expense that is often covered by insurance, according to Klonick. She notes that although efficacy studies show that birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings can be "99% effective in a clinical setting, real-life compliancy -- like forgetting to take the pill at the same time every day -- reduces its success rate." Klonick adds that the availability of hormone-free IUDs makes them an "ideal" option for "women prone to some of the negative effects of hormonal birth control, like weight gain, mood swings, acne or high blood pressure."According to Klonick, IUDs were used by almost 10% of U.S. women taking birth control in the late 1970s but are now used by less than 2% of such women. She writes that Katharine O"Connell, a gynecologist at Columbia University who specializes in contraception, believes IUDs still carry a stigma "due to the erroneous belief that they"re highly dangerous" partly due to a number of deaths that occurred in the early 1970s tied to a specific brand of IUD known as the Dalkon Shield. Because of bad publicity surrounding the devices, "the U.S. pharmaceutical industry abandoned the research and manufacturing of IUDs in the mid-1980s, claiming the devices were no longer profitable," Klonick states. According to O"Connell, most experts now agree that the Dalkon Shield"s problems were related to its design, which made users more susceptible to infection, and a lack of testing for sexually transmitted infections before insertion.There are now two major brands of IUDs -- Mirena and ParaGard -- on the U.S. market, but physican training remains a problem, according to Klonick. She writes that studies show that premedical students are not educated regarding IUDs to the extent they are about oral contraceptive pills. O"Connell also noted that many medical schools limit classes on contraception to one lecture, which often omits IUDs. Klonick writes, "This lack of training can leave many doctors feeling uncomfortable recommending the once-controversial devices to their patients." She adds that many physicians who know how to insert and remove IUDs "still refuse to recommend it to childless patients because of the device"s checkered history." She concludes, "With Mirena advertising on television, the downturn in the economy forcing people to economize, and more women concerned about the long-term effects hormones have on their bodies, perhaps the IUD"s stigma will finally become a thing of the past" (Klonick, Slate, 7/29).
Mental Health

American Red Cross And ArcelorMittal Launch "Creating Safer Communities" Program

ArcelorMittal and the American Red Cross are launching a new national partnership, Creating Safer Communities, designed to bring important safety training and res to people who live and work in communities where ArcelorMittal operates. ArcelorMittal, the world"s leading steel company, provided a grant of $152,500 to be distributed in multiple communities across the US. The program will provide health and safety education to more than 1,800 community members in addition to thousands of ArcelorMittal employees and their families. "ArcelorMittal"s number one priority is the health and safety of our workforce," said Heather Loebner, Manager, Corporate Responsibility, ArcelorMittal Americas. "This commitment extends beyond our facilities to the neighborhoods in which we operate. By partnering with the American Red Cross, one of the most respected non-profit organizations in the world, we are aligning our commitment to the community with our ongoing employee safety goals. Through Creating Safer Communities we will engage both our neighbors and employees in a shared mission to live and work more safely." Several ArcelorMittal facilities have existing relationships with their local Red Cross chapters, and Creating Safer Communities brings these efforts together to maximize the positive impact in local communities across the US. All of the participating Red Cross chapters will host educational events, such as trainings in fire safety, general first aid and disaster preparedness, throughout the year for community members at a free or discounted rate. Over 10 million people a year enroll in Red Cross first aid, CPR/AED, water safety and other health and safety courses where they learn lifesaving and care giving skills. "Every day across America, local Red Cross chapters are leading communities in preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies," said Michael J. Brown, vice-president Corporate and Foundation Partnerships of the American Red Cross. "We continue to make an impact because of the generous gifts of time, blood and money from the American public and caring corporate partners like ArcelorMittal." ArcelorMittal is partnering with the following Red Cross chapters through the Creating Safer Communities program: - American Red Cross of Greater Chicago (ArcelorMittal USA/Americas headquarters) - American Red Cross, Coastal South Carolina Chapter (ArcelorMittal Georgetown - S.C.) - American Red Cross, Northland Chapter (ArcelorMittal Minorca - Minn.) - American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana (ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor - Ind.) - American Red Cross, Porter County Chapter (ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor - Ind.) - American Red Cross, River Valley Chapter (ArcelorMittal Weirton - W.Va.) - American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter (ArcelorMittal LaPlace - La.) - American Red Cross, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter (ArcelorMittal Coatesville and Conshohocken - Pa.) - American Red Cross of Susquehanna Valley (ArcelorMittal Steelton - Pa.) About ArcelorMittal ArcelorMittal is the world"s leading steel company, with operations in more than 60 countries. ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning four continents, the Company covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature. Through its core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal commits to operating in a responsible way with respect to the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees, contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also committed to the sustainable management of the environment and of finite res. ArcelorMittal recognizes that it has a significant responsibility to tackle the global climate change challenge; it takes a leading role in the industry"s efforts to develop breakthrough steelmaking technologies and is actively researching and developing steel-based technologies and solutions that contribute to combat climate change. In 2008, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $124.9 billion and crude steel production of 103.3 million tons, representing approximately 10 per cent of world steel output. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Brussels (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS). For more information about ArcelorMittal visit: http://www.arcelormittal.com American Red Cross


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009