Strokes are becoming more common among younger patients
The incidence of strokes among patients ages 20 to 45 increased to 7.3% in 2005 from 4.5% in 1993 to 1994, study data showed. Obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes may be the reasons for the increase, researchers said. The average age of stroke patients decreased from 71.3 years old to 68.4 during the same time period.
Firms: Worker health habits are key to affordable benefits
A survey of about 500 large employers found 67% said poor health habits by employees was a top challenge to keeping benefits affordable. The companies said they were dealing with the problem by increasing wellness programs and cutting drug co-pays for employees with chronic conditions.
Looking to wring more productivity out of your day? Start by establishing your quitting time, writes Amber Singleton Riviere—and stick with it. Routines at bedtime and first thing in the morning can help, along with jumping into your to-do list before checking your e-mail, she suggests.
IOM: High blood pressure is a neglected disease in US
An Institute of Medicine panel said high blood pressure is a neglected disease that costs the U.S. health care system $73 billion a year. It said that the CDC should promote policies that encourage Americans to exercise and diet to control their blood pressure and should pressure physicians to treat the condition more aggressively.
Editor’s Note: This is a crucial topic for health plans, practitioners and organizations to partner on as part of a Quality Improvement Project. Click here to download the report.
Hospital data show infections lead to 48,000 deaths
An analysis of hospital discharge records from 69 million U.S. patients from 1998 to 2006 showed pneumonia and bloodborne infections resulted in 48,000 deaths and cost $8.1 billion in 2006.
Defective equipment or bad alarm causes death at Massachusetts General
MGH death spurs review of patient monitors heart alarm was off; device issues spotlight a growing national problem. “This is one of the most frequent and serious problems we see,’’ said Jim Keller, a vice president for ECRI Institute, a nonprofit research and consulting organization based in Pennsylvania that specializes in medical devices. On its top 10 list of health technology hazards last year, it listed alarms on patient monitoring devices as number two.
Study finds differences among doctors, risk managers in admitting errors
The authors of the study urge closer collaboration between risk managers and physicians in the disclosure process. They also advise it is important that hospital policies make clear who has final authority over whether and how disclosures to patients will take place.
It starts sometime during our 50s and 60s: that belly bulge, those “extra” pounds we just can’t seem to shed. Part of it is simply the biology of our bodies. Our muscles literally shrink as we age, and that means more calories turn into fat—and it’s a lot harder to exercise it off. But the good news is that working out still helps.
Rational or emotional? Your brain on food
Anyone who’s lost weight knows it can be really hard to keep the pounds off. Scientists think this has to do with a hormone called leptin. Researchers are exploring the role leptin may play in how the brain sees food—either from an emotional, food-seeking mindset; or from a more rational, decision-making approach.
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