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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.”

Survey: Economy hurting hospital projects

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:16:17 +0000

Hospitals are stopping or postponing construction projects that would not only improve community health care, but also increase jobs and support the local economy, according to a new survey released Thursday by the
.
The survey, to which 639 hospital CEOs across the country responded, showed that hospitals’ ability to obtain the necessary funds to upgrade their facilities or invest in new clinical and information technologies is severely restricted due to the “capital crunch” and current recession.
Hospitals primarily rely on borrowed money, philanthropy and reserves to fund capital projects to improve their ability to meet communities’ health care needs, but many now find it difficult to obtain funds from these sources, the survey found.
The vast majority of respondents reported borrowing funds through tax-exempt bonds — the main source of borrowing for most hospitals — which has become difficult or impossible.
In addition, loans from banks or other financial institutions are similarly difficult to obtain, according to the survey.
Hospitals’ reserves, or savings, also have taken a hit due to falling stock prices. In addition, net income is down and philanthropic donations have slowed, leaving hospitals with less of their own funds to make needed improvements.
Nearly half of hospitals surveyed have postponed projects that were to begin within the next six months and many have stopped projects that were already in progress.
There was evidence of this happening last week in Milwaukee when Columbia St. Mary’s Inc. announced it was slowing down construction of its new east side hospital because of the economy.
The decision left about 160 tradespeople without work and will mean the new hospital will now open in fall 2010 instead of January 2010, as originally planned.
“From cancer centers to expanded emergency departments to electronic health records systems, hospitals are postponing or delaying projects that could greatly benefit health care in communities across the country,” association president Rich Umbdenstock said in a written statement. “Stopping these projects also means new jobs are not created within the health care field or for construction workers, contractors, IT specialists and others. The ripple effects of the capital crunch on employment are cause for great concern.”
According to the survey, the planned hospital projects currently on hold would have responded to a variety of health care needs, such as:
• 13 percent of hospitals reported they postponed projects related to inpatient behavioral health, at a time when behavioral health care needs are more important than ever.

Mental health disorders common in young adults: survey

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:01:38 +0000

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Almost half of college-age Americans have suffered from some type of mental health problem in the past year, but few seek treatment, a survey finds.
The survey, of more than 5,000 U.S. adults ages 19 to 25, found that mental health disorders were common among both college students and those not in college. But neither group was likely to have had the problem addressed; overall, one-quarter had sought treatment for their mental health disorder in the previous year.
“These findings underscore the importance of treatment and prevention interventions among college-aged individuals,” the researchers report in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Early treatment of disorders like depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol dependence can cut the risk that the problem will persist past young adulthood, note the researchers, led by Dr. Carlos Blanco of the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University.
The researchers based their findings on a large government health survey conducted in 2001-2002. Participants answered standard questions used to diagnose substance abuse and other mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder.
Focusing on the 5,092 respondents between the ages of the 19 and 25, Blanco’s team found that roughly 46 percent of college students and 48 percent of non-collegians had suffered from a mental health disorder in the past year.
Alcohol abuse was slightly more common among college students, while their non-student peers were at greater risk of drug abuse. The prevalence of anxiety disorders and mood disorders, which include depression and bipolar disorder, was similar in each group.
Nearly 12 percent of non-students had a mood disorder, as did almost 11 percent of students. The rate of anxiety disorders was also around 12 percent in each group.
Treatment rates were low in both groups, but college students were only about half as likely to have sought help for their alcohol or drug problem.
All of this points to a need for better awareness and treatment, according to Blanco and his colleagues.
“As these young people represent our nation’s future,” they write, “urgent action is needed to increase detection and treatment of psychiatric disorders among college students and their non-college- attending peers.”
SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry, December 2008.

Survey Shows Americans Crave Easier Ways to Eat Healthfully

admin — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:51:46 +0000

(1) United States Government Accountability Office. Food Labeling: FDA
Needs to Better Leverage Resources, Improve Oversight, and Effectively
Use Available Data to Help Consumers Select Healthy Foods. Report to
the Chair, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Committee on
Appropriations, House of Representatives. 2008. Accessed at:
http://www.gao.gov/.
(2) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. 6th Edition,
Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, January 2005.

Contact: Kara Middendorf
312-240-3362
kara.middendorf@edelman.com

http://www.NutrientRichFoods.org

New State Public Health Department Survey Results Highlight …

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:21:07 +0000

Of those states responding, 42 indicated that they’ve established an office or coordinator for women’s health. Twelve have an office or coordinator for men’s health. All 50 and D.C. have a website with information specifically related to women’s health. Fourteen (including D.C.) have a website with information specifically covering men’s health. Thirty-three have a commission to study and make recommendations regarding the health or general status of women. Four have a comparable entity for the health or general status of men. All states have women’s health coordinators and representatives organized through the federal Office of Women’s Health within DHHS. There is no federal Office of Men’s Health.

New Survey Points to Web as Opportunity for Delivering Youth …

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:15:14 +0000

When asked to contribute suggestions for websites geared towards
youth mental health and wellness, youth stressed the importance of
marketing its availability widely. Safety and anonymity were also
important, followed by ease of use. Responses suggest sites are most
helpful when they include both accurate, accessible information and a
community where users can interact and obtain personal support from
both peers and professionals. An ideal site would, of course, also be
fun and interactive.

Survey finds another fallout of downturn

admin — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:30:33 +0000

One in five adults aged 45 and older are suffering health problems due to financial stress, according to a new survey by
.
• One in six, 16 percent, are not confident they will be able to afford health care in the coming year
The survey also found health problems due to financial stress is having a greater affect on those between the ages of 45 to 64 than on those ages 65 and older.
Over the last five years, health insurance premiums for families have increased by 65 percent, according at AARP release. The average cost of health insurance for an American family now exceeds the yearly income of a minimum wage worker.
, insurance premiums have increased 119 percent from 1999 to 2008, while workers' earnings have risen just 29 percent.
Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit membership group aimed at improving the qualify of life for those over 50 years old. It has 40 million members with offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

National Family Health Survey report

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:12:26 +0000

Imphal, October 10 2008:
The report of the National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) was officially released during a function at State Gust house here today.
The report had been prepared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India with the Mumbai-based International Institute for Population Sciences as the nodal agency.
Health Minister Ph Parijat released the report as chief guest of the function organised jointly by the International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai and the State Health Society, Govt of Manipur.
Chief co-ordinator of NFHS-3 Kamala Gupta, Family Welfare Director Dr Th Biren, Director of Health Directorate Dr W Motilal and Commissioner of Health SD Gonmei were also present at the occasion.
A technical session on the issue of health was also conducted at the occasion.

Survey Says… Men, Women on Valentine's Day

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:54:41 +0000

In honor of Cupid’s annual visit Feb. 14, Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines conducted a joint survey to figure out how men and women feel about topics ranging from the perfect Valentine’s Day gift in this downtrodden economy to whether it’s cliche to propose on Valentine’s Day and more.
The questions, answered by more than 1,000 men and 1,000 women on the magazines’ respective Web sites, offer insight into the surprising similarities between men and women when it comes to Valentine’s Day and modern relationships.
1. Do you expect to have sex because it’s Valentine’s Day?
Yes: 43.1%
No: 56.9%
2. Who is supposed to plan Valentine’s Day?
The guy: 30.3%
The girl: 1.6%
A couple should plan it together: 68.1%
3. Who is supposed to pay for Valentine’s Day?
The guy: 40.3%
The girl: 0.4%
The couple should split the costs: 24.8%
Whoever planned the night: 34.4%
4. Not having a date on Valentine’s Day:
It’s horrible: 20.7%
It doesn’t matter at all: 79.3%
5. Going on a blind date on Valentine’s Day:
Sure, why not: 38.4%
No way: 61.6%
6. Having a first date on Valentine’s Day:
Cheesy: 61.7%
Romantic: 38.3%
7. Getting engaged on Valentine’s Day:
Cheesy: 60.8%
Romantic: 39.2%
8. Have you ever forgotten Valentine’s Day?
Yes: 24.5%
No: 75.5%
9. Saying “I love you” for the first time on Valentine’s Day:
Cheesy: 63.4%
Romantic: 36.6%
10. Your relationship is almost over. You break up:
Before Valentine’s Day: 75.3%
After Valentine’s Day: 24.7%
11. How important is it to get a gift on Valentine’s Day?
If he/she forgets — it’s over: 15.0%
It’s not important at all: 85.0%
12. How much money are you spending on a Valentine’s Day gift?
$25 or less: 48.9%
$26-$50: 26.2%
$51-$74: 9.9%
$75 and up: 8.0%
I’m not — he/she is supposed to spend money on me: 7.0%
13. How much should your partner spend on a Valentine’s Day gift?
$25 or less: 31.0%
$26-$50: 21.8%
$51-$74: 7.9%
$75 and up: 8.0%
He/she doesn’t need to get me a gift: 31.3%
14. Which best describes how you feel about V-Day?
Ick! It’s a Hallmark holiday: 45.3%
Love it! It’s another excuse to show I care: 54.7%

Rase’a calls on donors to support health survey in Yemen

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:19:33 +0000

Minister of Public Health and Population, Abdul-Karim Rase’s called on donors to support the Health Demographic Survey that the ministry will conduct in forthcoming months.
The survey has significant importance in the short and long term planning process, and in setting up the fourth five-year plan to update national health indicators, said Rase’a in a speech he delivered in the workshop held in the Ministry of Health. The purpose of the workshop was to announce results of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey the ministry carried out in 2006, said Rase’a
He said that this survey, conducted in 2006, is complementary to the Family Health Survey carried out by the ministry in 2003-2004. It shows the great efforts exerted by the ministry in reducing mortality rates of children under five from 102 to 78 cases per 1,000 , and increasing the number of women using family planning means to 27 percent.
For his part UNICEF’s representative in Yemen Abdo Karim Adbjawi delivered a speech in which he indicated the importance of health indicators for drafting and setting programs. He also highlighted plans to protect children and fulfill their aspirations, calling for the enhancement of the monitoring process on such programs.
Finally the Director General of the Information and Research Department, Abdul-Jabbar al-Ghaithi reviewed the indicators and the results of the survey, and pointed out the measures and mechanisms the department used for carrying out the survey in cooperation with local concerned bodies, the Arab League and International organizations.