Tobacco Cessation Programs
By funding an expansion of healthcare coverage for children with a 61-cent tobacco tax per cigarette pack, the U.S. government is doing their part in the crusade for tobacco cessation and prevention. Now, HIN examines how over 220 wellness companies, behavioral healthcare providers, PCPs, DM organizations, employers, health plans and hospital/health systems are contributing to the area of tobacco cessation and prevention.
To download this complimentary white paper, please visit:
http://hin.com/library/registertcp.html
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New Transmission Patterns May Have Global Impect on Rotavirus Epidemics
New vaccines have the potential to prevent or temper epidemics of the childhood disease rotavirus, protect the unvaccinated and raise the age at which the infection first appears in children. The findings were based on changing patterns of rotavirus transmission in the United States, where the disease is rarely fatal, and they have implications for combating epidemics in other countries where the death toll is much higher.
The research is based on mathematical modeling that takes into account regional birth rates and predicted vaccination levels and effectiveness. The model suggests that when 80 percent or more of children in a given population are vaccinated, annual epidemics may occur on a less regular basis and more unvaccinated children will be protected.
“Rotavirus vaccines have rapidly and dramatically reduced hospitalizations and emergency room visits for gastroenteritis in American children,” said investigator Umesh D. Parashar, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “This research not only explains the effects of the U.S. rotavirus vaccination program, but also lays the foundation for understanding the tremendous life-saving benefits of vaccination in the developing world, where more than half a million children die from rotavirus each year.”
The study showed for the first time that the timing of rotavirus epidemics is dependent on the birth rate in the population because they are driven by infants who have never been infected before. But with the introduction of two vaccines, rotavirus outbreaks may become less frequent and less pronounced. They also may make their first appearance in children when they are older than the previous norm of less than 5 years of age, according to the research.
To learn more about this research, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090716b.htm
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Health Coaching Trends in 2009
The health coaching field is evolving, as it is becoming more widely accepted as a means of helping patients better manage their health conditions. HIN's Survey
of the Month revisits this field to find out how and to what extent healthcare organizations are implementing health coaching into their organizations. Complete HIN's Survey of the Month on Health Coaching Trends in 2009 by July 31 and receive a free executive summary of the compiled results. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential.
To participate in this survey and receive its results, please visit:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/...
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Using a nicotine patch before quitting smoking can double success rates, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers. They say their latest data suggest changes should be made to nicotine patch labeling. The current labeling resulted from concerns that using a patch while smoking could lead to nicotine overdose. However, a literature review found concurrent use of a nicotine patch and cigarette smoking appears to be safe.
The accountable care organization (ACO) — a network of PCPs, one or more hospitals and subspecialists that provide patient-centered care — is receiving increasing attention as healthcare reform unfolds. Not only do ACOs complement the medical home model, but they are inextricably linked, says Dr. Craig Samitt, M.B.A., president and CEO of Dean Health System. Dr. Samitt discusses how ACOs complement the medical home model, the pros and cons of mandatory and voluntary ACOs and creating reimbursement strategies for ACOs.
