what various communities are doing to grapple with the ever-rising health insurance costs.
Aside from the size of the weekly paycheck, health insurance is the benefit that a worker cares most about. It offers peace of mind and a real measure of security, especially for those workers with children.
As this benefit takes a bigger and bigger bite out of employers’ budgets, employees are finding that they, too, are having to pay increasing amounts Read the rest of this entry »

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators set a safety threshold Friday for the industrial chemical melamine that is greater than the amount of contamination found so far in U.S.-made infant formula.
Food and Drug Administration officials set a threshold of 1 part per million of melamine in formula so long as a related chemical isn’t also present. They said they are continuing to analyze the results of tests on 87 samples of infant formula, but Read the rest of this entry »

The physical fitness test is wreaking havoc on local Army recruiters who say they could get 60 percent more applicants enlist if they could pass the test.
Meeting the Army's physical standards is a struggle for many potential soldier's in our area. Because we live in a fast food nation and have more sedentary lifestyles our young people are paying the price.
Sergeant Cody Porter says, “It takes so long for some people to change their lifestyle Read the rest of this entry »

Venlo, The Netherlands, January 12, 2009 – The European Union
launched a new research project targeting to expand the potentials
and utility of in-vitro diagnostics through the creation of new
standards for the collection, handling and processing of blood,
tissue, tumor and other sample materials. Under the 7th Framework
Programme, the European Commission approved the initiative’s funding
and scope to develop corresponding Read the rest of this entry »

“This is the largest event that provides free cardiac screenings, demonstrations, medical experts and service providers all in one place for a complete, pro-active experience,” said Allison Buchalter, campaign director for Sister to Sister Baltimore.
Last year’s fair attracted 3,000 women, a turnout that Buchalter attributed to support from the business community and local government. Sister to Sister is hoping for a turnout tomorrow like last Read the rest of this entry »

With the continuing unhappy news about layoffs at area companies, one insurance provider is reaching out to this growing group of former employees and offering to link them up with government-subsidized health care coverage.
Fidelis Care offers free and low-cost insurance through New York’s Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid programs, according to a press release from Fidelis.
“What most don’t realize is that Read the rest of this entry »

The University of Michigan Hospital and Health System Tuesday said that it would lay off 80 people in December.
“Despite efforts to meet budget goals through attrition, a hiring freeze, and reductions in overtime and temporary positions, reductions in force in a few departments will be necessary,” said Doug Strong, chief financial officer, in a statement.
The health system would not say which departments are affected.
The announcement follows Read the rest of this entry »

Backed by both presidential candidates, Silicon Valley tech giants and other companies are leading an effort to create electronic health records containing data about your most intimate health conditions — from your bunions and bad back to your chronic hemorrhoids and psychiatric history — so the information can be easily shared with doctors, insurers and others.
Proponents of electronic health records believe they can dramatically cut Read the rest of this entry »

The Department of Public Health encourages Connecticut families to take a few minutes on Thursday, November 27th – Thanksgiving Day – to discuss their family health history. Thanksgiving Day was designated by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2004 as national Family History Day, dedicated to families increasing their knowledge of their own health history.
“Knowing your family health history is an important way to understand your risk factors and Read the rest of this entry »

Warren Fung, 20, of Alameda, remains hospitalized at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center-Fremont for a severe case of hypothermia stemming from a December incident under investigation by authorities in Santa Cruz County.
Fung, a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz and graduate of Oakland’s Patten Academy of Christian Education, became unconscious after spending time in the water and on a rugged beach south of Davenport. Authorities say he has regained consciousness, Read the rest of this entry »