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Webber proves fitness

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:16:53 +0000

Mark Webber removed nagging doubts over his fitness by completing 83 laps of Wednesday’s test session at Jerez.
Just under three months after breaking his right leg, Webber was in the cockpit of the new Red Bull that was unveiled on Monday.
The 32-year-old Australian, who continues to walk with a pronounced limp, was second fastest of those drivers running the ‘09 cars with a best time of one minute 21.321 seconds, just over half a second down on Heikki Kovalainen in his McLaren.
“There were a lot of questions going into today and I answered them,” said Webber after a trouble-free day for himself and the car.
“From my point of view, it all went better than expected, and to do over a race distance on my first day back in the cockpit, with several weeks to go to Melbourne, is a good thing.”
Kovalainen completed 110 laps as the team focused on the KERS device.
However, McLaren opted not to use the high-downforce 2009-spec rear wing, and instead ran a modified 2008 version, giving Kovalainen a time of 1min 20.799secs.
Kazuki Nakajima clocked up 125 laps in his Williams, finishing narrowly behind Webber, with Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jnr again bringing up the rear with 1:21.908.
Piquet Jnr managed just 49 laps due to a technical issue during the afternoon.
The fastest time of the day again belonged to Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso, just over three seconds quicker than Kovalainen, albeit in a predominantly ‘08 car.

More Americans Skipping Necessary Prescriptions, Survey Finds

admin — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:39:30 +0000

One in seven Americans under age 65 went without prescribed medicines in 2007 as drug costs spiraled upward in the United States, a nonprofit research group said on Thursday.
That figure is up substantially since 2003, when one in 10 people under 65 went without a prescription drug because they couldn’t afford it, according to the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C.
The current figure may be even higher because of the recent economic downturn, said Laurie E. Felland, a senior health researcher at the center and lead author of the study.
“Our findings are particularly troublesome given the increased reliance on prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions,” she added. “People who go without their
experience worsening health and complications.”
The people who were least able to afford medicine were often those who needed it most, Ms. Felland said: uninsured, working-age adults suffering from at least one chronic medical condition. Almost two-thirds of them in the survey said they had gone without filling a prescription.
provided by their employers were affected: one in 10 working-age Americans with employer-sponsored coverage went without a prescription medication in 2007, up from 8.7 percent in 2003, the study found.
Among low-income Americans, three in 10 said they had been unable to fill a prescription because of cost, and nearly one in four adults on
or state insurance programs said they’d had difficulty affording drugs.
Ms. Felland said a number of factors contributed to the trend, including rising drug prices, the tendency of physicians to prescribe drugs more frequently, the introduction of expensive new specialty medications, and skimpier drug coverage that shifts a greater share of costs onto patients.
“Insurance coverage offers less financial protection against out-of-pocket costs than it did in the past,” she said.
The study was based on results from the 2007 Health Tracking Household Survey, a nationally representative telephone survey of 10,400 adults under age 65, many of whom also discussed affordability of medications for their 2,600 children. Participants were asked whether there was a time in the previous 12 months when “you needed prescription medicines but didn’t get them because you couldn’t afford it.”
Overall, 5 percent of children didn’t have prescriptions filled in 2007 because of cost, up from 3.1 percent in 2003, and 17.8 percent of working-age adults couldn’t afford drugs in 2007, up from 13.8 percent in 2003, the survey found. That translates into about 36.1 million Americans under 65 who were affected, according to the study.
Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that researches health care issues, said the new study confirms previous Commonwealth studies. In 2007, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults, or an estimated 116 million people, struggled to pay medical bills, went without needed care because of cost, were uninsured for a time or were underinsured, according to the foundation.
“It has become a middle class problem,” she added, noting that improving health coverage is an integral part of economic recovery.
“It’s not enough just to help people have jobs,” she said. “They need to have adequate coverage, so they can get care when they need it and pay the bills they incur when they do seek care.”

Monsignor William Smith, medical ethicist, dies at 69

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:36:49 +0000

New York, Jan 26, 2009 / 05:53 pm (
.- Monsignor William Smith, a leading Catholic medical ethicist, died on Saturday at a hospital in Yonkers, New York. He was 69.
A native of Yonkers, Monsignor Smith was ordained a priest in 1966, the Journal News reports. Shortly afterward, Cardinal Terence Cooke chose him to pursue a doctorate in moral theology and return to teach at St. Josephs Seminary in Yonkers.
He became a leading Catholic spokesman on issues like abortion, reproduction, euthanasia, stem cell research and cloning.
His wake will be observed at St. Joseph Seminary on Sunday afternoon and evening. An additional wake will be Tuesday afternoon, with a Mass of the Holy Eucharist to be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. by seminary rector Bishop Gerald Walsh. According to the Journal News, Rev. Donald Haggerty will be the homilist.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on behalf of Monsignor Smith at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale, where the monsignor had celebrated Sunday Mass for years. Cardinal Edward Egan will be the principal celebrant, while Monsignor James O’Connor will be the homilist.

Apple shares drop as Jobs health rumors resurface

admin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:27:26 +0000

The Apple co-founder, who is 53, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003 but has said he was cured with surgery. As The Times reported Dec. 17, however, “Appearances over the summer, in which Jobs looked unusually thin and drawn, renewed questions about his health.”
Rumors flared again this month after Apple said Jobs wouldn’t deliver the keynote address at January’s Macworld Conference & Expo, the venue the company has used for more than a decade to unveil products.
It makes sense that Jobs’ health is an issue for Apple shareholders. But that also means there’s an incentive for traders to take advantage of the situation, by spreading rumors, or playing them. However, Apple shares aren’t heavily “shorted” by speculators who borrow stock and sell it in an effort to profit from a decline in the share price.

Most People Want Single-Payer Health Coverage

admin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:44:14 +0000

show that 59% of Americans want single-payer health coverage, and by over a 2 to 1 margin they think that it is more important to provide universal health care than to avoid a tax increase for it. An overwhelming majority believe the present system to be seriously flawed.
This is one of those issues where Congress acts independently of the wishes of the people. Congress is not giving serious consideration to a single-payer plan. Instead what is being discussed under the banner of universal health care is just stretching the existing system of private insurance so that it covers more people. Both medical costs and the cost of insurance are likely to increase.
The health insurance lobby is one of the most powerful forces in Congress. Powerful enough that our representatives in Congress are more attuned to pleasing the lobby than realizing the wishes of the people.
There are many examples of Washington D.C. disregarding the wishes of the citizens. Perhaps the most notorious example is the Iraq invasion, which was strongly disfavored before it happened. Our representatives should not be quick to disregard the collective wisdom of the citizenry.

FDA Calls Diet Coke Plus 'Misbranded'

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:22:49 +0000

Dec. 23, 2008 — In a warning letter to Coca-Cola, the FDA says that Diet
Coke Plus is “misbranded.”
The FDA says that Diet Coke Plus doesn’t meet the FDA’s nutritional
standards for the term “plus.” The FDA also states that it “does
not consider it appropriate to fortify snack foods such as carbonated
beverages.” The letter, dated Dec. 10, 2008, is posted on the FDA’s web
site.
Diet Coke adds niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, zinc, and magnesium.
Scott Williamson, a Coca-Cola North America spokesman, tells WebMD via email
that Coca-Cola takes seriously the issues raised by the FDA and points out that
“this does not involve any health or safety issues, and we believe the
label on Diet Coke Plus complies with FDA policies and regulations.”
Williamson says Coca-Cola will provide a detailed response to the FDA in early
January.

Wis. Supreme Court tosses suit against Medtronic

admin — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:52:16 +0000

MADISON, Wis.
– Patients cannot sue the makers of potentially unsafe medical devices approved for sale by federal regulators, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
The court ruled against a Wisconsin man who had surgery to remove a defibrillator after the manufacturer, Medtronic, Inc., warned its battery had a chance of failing. The ruling is a victory for Minneapolis-based Medtronic and other manufacturers who want to limit product liability.
But two justices warned the decision leaves Wisconsin residents at the mercy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has a poor track record of ensuring the safety of medical devices.
“The result may be no meaningful protection for Wisconsin patients,” Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote.
At issue was whether patients could sue in state court over medical devices that received market approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Under a 1976 federal law, companies must prove the safety and effectiveness of such devices to the FDA before they can enter the marketplace.
Joseph Blunt, Sr., 63, of St. Francis, had a Medtronic Marquis 7230 defibrillator implanted in 2004 to try to prevent his heart from failing.
The company warned the following year the devices’ batteries might fail in one out of 10,000 patients, which could lead to a potentially fatal loss of power. Many patients, including Blunt, had surgery to remove the devices.
The company knew of the problem more than two years earlier but kept selling the product. The FDA did not order a recall or withdraw its 2002 approval. In the meantime, Medtronic obtained approval from the FDA in 2003 to also sell an identical device with fixed batteries.
Blunt filed a lawsuit in Milwaukee County Circuit Court against Medtronic after his surgery, alleging the company was negligent for continuing to sell an unsafe device. A judge and an appeals court both ruled the lawsuit was not allowed under federal law.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that state lawsuits were barred in a similar case involving a malfunctioning heart catheter sold by Medtronic.
All seven Wisconsin justices agreed that ruling meant Blunt’s case must be dismissed. In the majority opinion, Justice Patience Roggensack said the FDA’s approval of the defibrillator with the fixed battery did not affect the approval of the original.
“It’s a sorry day when the law of the land is that a medical device manufacturer is free to sell less-safe, obsolete medical devices to clear out its inventory after having received FDA approval for a safer device,” said Blunt’s lawyer, John Cabaniss.
Two concurring justices — Walsh Bradley and Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson — criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision but said they must follow it. The decision leaves Wisconsin residents’ safety in the hands of the flawed FDA, Walsh Braldey wrote.
She cited a letter from FDA scientists released last month that charged “the scientific review process for medical devices at FDA has been corrupted and distorted by current FDA managers, thereby placing the American people at risk.”
“It is not at all apparent that the FDA approval process actually guarantees a minimum level of safety for medical devices,” Walsh Bradley wrote.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s powerful business lobby, and the Product Liability Advisory Council had urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
The council, a national group whose members include auto, pharmaceutical, chemical and electronics makers, said allowing the lawsuit would drive up the costs of lifesaving medical devices and hamper product innovations.
But the Wisconsin Association of Justice, which represents trial lawyers, said dismissing it would shield companies from being held accountable for marketing dangerous products.

Raleigh fitness program helping children shape up

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:15:53 +0000

Raleigh, N.C. —
Childhood obesity is a growing problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 percent of children are overweight or obese. The new
is trying to beat those odds.
“At Hi 5, we work very hard on basically getting them active, that means anything that is moving,” said Susan Caldwell, with Hi 5 Fitness.
The children in the program are from 5-years-old to 18-years-old, and are taught about living healthy, through exercise and eating right. When WRAL News visited the class on Monday, the children were making their own pizzas with brocolli, spinach and tomatoes.
“I can’t believe my children are eating that (pizza) to be honest with you. There aren’t any big slices of pepperoni. I can’t believe it,” mother Karen Phelps said.
Caldwell, 34, founded the fitness program but she hasn’t always been a fitness guru.
“It is hard to believe that I used to weigh 300 pounds,” she said.
Caldwell says she started gaining weight in college and was in the worst shape of her life in 2006. Inspired by a woman in People Magazine who lost a lot of weight, Caldwell began watching what she ate and working out.
Caldwell lost 123 pounds and dropped 14 dress sizes. Last year, she graced the pages of People Magazine’s “Half Their Size” issue.
She is now trying to inspire a younger generation to get fit. Caldwell says she called the program “Hi 5″ because she wants to encourage children to eat from the five basic food groups and have five days of physical activity every week.

Watch Out for Peanut-Based Treats, FDA Warns

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:49:43 +0000

January 26, 2009
NEW YORK — Warning: Peanut butter products could leave your pets at risk for salmonella, according to the Federal Drug Administration, which issued an alert on Sunday.
More brands and major pet product stores are now likely to follow the lead of PetSmart, which preemptively recalled seven Grreat Choice dog biscuit products last Tuesday.
The FDA has now listed 12 sources, both grocery stores and brands, from which it has identified potentially contaminated food.
Pet owners should be weary of purchasing peanut butter or peanut paste-based pet products from Avanza Supermarket, Econofoods, Family Fresh Market, Family Thrift Center, Food Bonanza, SunMart Foods, Shoppers Valu, Prairie Market, Wholesale Food Outlet and Ohio-based locations of Pick’n Save.
Mainstream products like Jiffy and Skippy have been cleared, for now, but owners should think twice about the grocery stores’ own brand of product.
Stores have also been pulling Happy Tails’ biscuits from their shelves.
PetSmart, which has more than 1,100 stores in the U.S. and Canada, determined that the assorted biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009, contain the peanut butter ingredient linked to the FDA’s initial salmonella warning, as Pet Pulse previously reported.
“While some of these products have been tested and no traces of salmonella were found, we have recalled these products as a precautionary measure,” said PetSmart in a message issued on its Web site. “Because of this potential risk, we’re immediately removing these products from our shelves and Web site.”
The FDA continues to conduct a “very active and dynamic investigation,” according to its press release. Peanut Corp. of America, however, is seemingly at the heart of the crisis, with its Blakely, Ga., plant under scrutiny.
Salmonella is a contagious infection that can cause medical complications relating to gastroenteritis, and can prove especially harmful to young children or elderly people. Pets who have encountered Salmonella infections may appear lethargic, or have diarrhea, vomiting and a fever.
Healthy animals with strong immune systems, however, may not exhibit extreme symptoms of salmonella, even if they are infected. Young puppies, elderly and pregnant dogs are most at risk.
Seemingly healthy animals stand the risk of acting as carriers and transferring the infection to other pets or humans.
The ASPCA has also advised pet owners to proceed with caution at the grocery or pet product store.
“It’s essential that pet parents take steps to protect both themselves and their animal companions from exposure,” Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine of the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, told The San Francisco Chronicle.
So far, no animal deaths have been linked to this recent outbreak. At least 495 humans, however, have reportedly contracted salmonella within the past few weeks.
Consumers who have packages of food made with peanut products should check with the manufacturer or consult the FDA recall list, which can be accessed at Fda.gov. Anyone who is not sure about a product’s ingredients should withhold the treat from a pet.
Tell us what you think about “Watch Out for Peanut-Based Treats, FDA Warns” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.
The Associated Content, MSNBC, Newsday and The San Francisco Chronicle contributed to this article.

Sun, Fun & Fitness: Fun and Fit as a Family Returns for the 2009 …

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:57:45 +0000

Driving home just how important this issue is, Schrager is pulling
out all the stops and producing a children’s health seminar, “Beyond
Chicken Nuggets: How to Raise a Healthy Eater,” hosted by Tara
Parker-Pope, the Well columnist for The New York Times. Modeled off
the symposium that took place as part of the inaugural Food Network
New York City Wine & Food Festival, featured seminar guests include
Rachael Ray, founder of the nonprofit Yum-O!, Dr. Arthur Agatston,
author of “The South Beach Diet” and founder of Healthier Options for
Public Schoolchildren, and Jessica Seinfeld, founder and president of
the nonprofit Baby Buggy. Taking place on Saturday, February 21 at
Jungle Island, the symposium is $35 and includes admission to Fun and
Fit as a Family that day.