First in spending -last in delivery

U.S. ranks last in study on healthcare
NEW YORK (UPI) -- Despite paying almost double for healthcare compared to any other country, the United States ranked last in a study of seven developed nations, a survey says.

The non-profit group, the Commonwealth Fund, used data from the 2007 International Health Policy Survey, conducted by telephone in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States; the 2008 International Health Policy Survey of Sicker Adults and the Commonwealth Fund 2009 International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians.

The United States ranked last for access to healthcare -- 54 percent of U.S. adults with chronic conditions reported not getting a recommended test, treatment or follow-up care because of cost.

U.S. patients are most likely to report being given the wrong medication or the wrong dose of their medication -- a preventable medical error, the study found.

In measuring efficiency, the U.S ranked last due to high administrative costs, lack of use of information technology, re-hospitalization rates of patients and duplicative medical testing. U.S. patients were three times as likely as those in Germany or the Netherlands to visit an emergency department for something a regular doctor could have treated.

For any category, the highest the United States ranked was fourth.

The Netherlands ranked first and has a per capita cost of healthcare of $3,837, the United States ranked last and had a healthcare per capita cost of $7,290.

Copyright 2010 by United Press International

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


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"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Interesting notes on FF (female frisky)

Big Pharma readies female sex med

Ladies, if you're not in a perpetual state of moistened sexual readiness, there's something wrong with you.

No, really -- you are mentally ill. Deranged, even. Insane with a lack of sexual will.

Think I'm kidding? Turn on the TV -- at some point, a botox creation by the name of Lisa Rinna will begin yammering about a condition called "hypoactive sexual desire disorder."

And if you're not constantly horny, you might have it.

Sorry, there's no cure -- you're just going to have to accept the fact that your life will never, ever be complete or fulfilling.

Except...

It just so happens that the commercials are being funded by a group called the Society of Women's Health Research and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, which just so happens to have a drug in front of the FDA right now to treat "hypoactive sexual desire disorder."

That's right -- Big Pharma wants its new female sex drug to be a blockbuster right out of the gate. They're hoping to build up so much sexual frustration that there's a prescription orgy the day this thing is approved.

The drug is called flibanserin, although if it reaches the market it'll have a name like Girosa or Ectris. But no matter what they call it, they can't change what it really is -- because this med isn't some sexual wonder drug that's going to turn your man into Fabio or whoever women lust after these days.

As I've told you before, it's really just a failed antidepressant, one with more side effects than benefits -- including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and urinary infections. In the mood yet? No?

Clearly, there's something wrong with you.

Feeling frisky,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


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"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Get your sunshine -vitamin D

Low vitamin D linked to mobility problems

Stay out of the sun... use sunscreen... cover up... wear a hat... nag, nag, nag.

I'm sick of it!

This bad advice has led directly to the vitamin D crisis and skin cancer explosion
-- and now, a new study shows how it's destroying senior's lives, too.

Researchers say older Americans with the lowest levels of vitamin D have the highest risk for mobility problems... while those with the highest levels of the sunshine vitamin had the lowest risk.

Which category are you in? If you answered "highest," you're probably wrong. Most Americans are badly deficient, and it's getting worse every year.

Just look at this new study: The researchers tested 2,641 golden oldies with an average age of 75, and found two-thirds of them had insufficient D levels.

All of these seniors were asked to perform basic mobility tasks, such as walking 400 meters quickly, rising from a chair without using their arms, and some balance tests similar to what a cop might ask a DWI suspect to do.

The seniors were given the tests again two years later, and two years after that... and those with the highest D levels from the start did the best all the way through, according to the study presented at the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting.

The researchers say now they want to study whether D supplements can keep you out of the wheelchair, but let's call that what it is: An easy play for another research grant.

I can tell you right now what they'll find if they use high levels of genuine, natural vitamin D3: Healthy, active seniors. Vitamin D won't just boost your mobility, it will also lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease, bone breaks, cancer, colds, flu and more.

You can get your own quality supplement easily enough, but the best way to take in the D is to soak up the sun.

Just use a little common sense, don't get burned... and ignore the nags.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
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"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Survey: People uncaring to mentally ill

Survey: People uncaring to mentally ill
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Twenty-two percent of U.S. adults say people show caring and sympathy to those with mental illness, a government survey indicates.

The national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the estimated 9.8 million U.S. adults living with serious mental illness, found the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18-25 age group.

The HealthStyles Survey, by SAMHSA and Porter Novelli, indicates 72 percent of young adults ages 18-24 say a person with mental illness would improve if given treatment and support. However, only 33 percent say a person can eventually recover from mental illness.

Forty percent of the survey respondents say a person with mental illness can succeed at work and 65 percent say treatment can help people with mental illness.

SAMHSA and The Advertising Council are beginning a national public service announcement campaign aimed at encouraging, educating and inspiring young adults to support friends and family experiencing a mental health problem.

"We know that people can recover from mental health problems," Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, says in a statement. "Today we are getting the word out that support from friends and family can make a difference in helping people overcome these illnesses."

No survey details were provided.

Copyright 2010 by United Press International

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care