More Americans Skipping Necessary Prescriptions, Survey Finds

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 Read the rest of this entry »

Kennesaw may link health premiums to wellness program

Kennesaw’s city employees identified as high-risk for health complications may pay more for medical benefits unless they participate in a city-sponsored wellness program.
The council is scheduled to discuss the proposed policy today at a 7 p.m. meeting. The policy would affect known tobacco users, some overweight employees and others identified by the company’s wellness consultant as being at high risk of health complications, Mayor Read the rest of this entry »

Eat to Better Living

Eating more fruits and vegetables, cutting down on calories and carbohydrates and increasing exercise are all-important parts of any healthy diet. But according to new research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, a low-carbohydrate diet burns more excess liver fat than a low-calorie diet.
Researchers in the small clinical study found that people on low-carbohydrate diets are more dependent on the oxidation of fat in the Read the rest of this entry »

Lee's full fitness hope

Brett Lee is putting a positive spin on a fourth ankle operation that threatens his participation in the Ashes.
The Australian paceman suffered another foot injury during the second Test against South Africa in Melbourne and will miss the upcoming three-Test series against the same opposition.
But the 32-year-old insists the surgery will give him the chance to recharge his batteries away from the glare of Test match cricket, and allow him to fully Read the rest of this entry »

Cut costs, not care

Shopping for lower prices isn’t necessarily the first step you need to take if you want to lower your prescription drug bill, says Michael Cohen, president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Horsham, Penn. First, review the drugs you take (a good practice once each year regardless, doctors say), to determine whether you still need the drug or that dose and whether you could safely substitute a less expensive option for the drug.
A Read the rest of this entry »

Dance Marathon Benefits Children's Hospital

About 500 University of Nebraska students participated in a 12-hour dance marathon in Lincoln Friday night into Saturday morning that raised more than $35,000 for Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha.
The event ran from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday. Proceeds will help the hospital’s Child-Life Program and Rainbow House.
“Child-Life Program just gives different opportunities for the kids while they’re staying at the hospital, Read the rest of this entry »

Local Fitness Boot Camp Collects over 200 Toys For Troops Families

In 2008, the NJ National Guard deployed the highest number of troops in it’s history. This information was given to Ryan Toth, the founder of Total Core Fitness Boot Camp, by a boot camper who is in the Guard. To help the families of the Guard, toys which are collected for the Annual Boot Camp For Toys workout, would be donated to them.
“When word got out that we were collecting for the families of our troops, people opened up their pockets and Read the rest of this entry »

Parents may test own children for drugs

FARGO (AP) — Parents of Fargo middle school students can soon test their children for drugs.
Project 7th Grade, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based group, provides the kits to school systems, police and other organizations at no charge. The tests rely on urine samples.
Sullivan Middle school is the only school in North Dakota participating in the project, officials said.
“No family, no schools are exempt,” Fargo police officer Mike Clower Read the rest of this entry »

Watch Out for Peanut-Based Treats, FDA Warns

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 Read the rest of this entry »

FDA record cites tainted peanuts before outbreak

Text of the Food and Drug Administration record citing the September 2008 incident in which chopped peanuts from Peanut Corp. of America were caught at the U.S. border:
Section: 402(a)(3), 801(a)(3); ADULTERATION
Charge: The article appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or is otherwise unfit for food in that it appears to contain foreign objects.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office Read the rest of this entry »