Most Clicked AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Stories
1. USPSTF: PSA prostate cancer screening offers more harm than good
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advised against the routine screening of men for prostate cancer using the prostate-specific antigen blood test, saying that the screening's harms outweigh its benefits. PSA screening leads to overdiagnosis and unneeded treatment that can lead to impotence and incontinence, the panel said. HealthDay News (05/21) Reuters (05/21)
2. CDC report finds disparities in stroke rates across U.S.
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Stroke rates across the U.S. did not change much from 2006 to 2010, but there were still disparities by geography, race and ethnicity, according to a CDC report. Only Georgia and South Dakota had significant declines in their stroke rates, while Alabama recorded the highest rate in 2010. The report found greater stroke incidence among Southerners, American Indians and Native Alaskans as well as people without high-school diplomas. Philadelphia Inquirer, The (05/24) MyHealthNewsDaily.com (05/24)
3. Obese patients might benefit from liraglutide treatment
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
A study presented at the European Congress on Obesity revealed obese patients treated with liraglutide lost more weight than those who took a placebo or orlistat. Researchers also found that daily intake of 3 mg of liraglutide for one year resulted in a mean weight loss of 35.6% of excess body weight in participants. Medscape (free registration) (05/22)
4. CDC: Fewer diabetes patients die of heart disease, stroke
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
The risk of heart disease- and stroke-related deaths declined 40% and the overall mortality rate fell 23% in patients with diabetes from 1997 to 2006, CDC researchers reported in the journal Diabetes Care. Diabetes patients were more likely to be obese, but less likely to smoke and more likely to be physically active. Reuters (05/22) WebMD (05/22)
5. Autism is often undiagnosed until age 5 or older, study shows
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
U.S. researchers looked at school-aged children with special health care needs and autism spectrum disorder and found that more than half of them were diagnosed with autism at age 5 or older. They also reported that more than 50% of the children received at least one psychiatric drug. The study was published in the NCHS Data Brief. WebMD (05/24)
6. Physician: Retail-based clinics may help boost health care
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Retail-based clinics may help bolster medical care by providing patients with convenient, immediate and cost-effective health care, according to Dr. Christine Cassel, writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association. "With good communication between multiple specialists, convenient access in evenings and on weekends, and familiarity with local community resources, the retail clinic potentially could be an important component of coordination of care aimed at reducing disease exacerbations, unnecessary hospitalizations and adverse drug interactions," Cassel wrote. Drug Store News (05/23)
7. Researchers tie osteoporosis drugs to atypical thigh fracture
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that commonly used osteoporosis treatments such as Warner Chilcott's Actonel and Merck & Co.'s Fosamax significantly increase the risk of atypical thigh fracture. A small number of women age 50 and older who used the drugs for years to prevent wrist, spine and hip fracture have broken a leg by daily action such as stepping off a curb. Wall Street Journal, The (05/21)
8. Study shows higher health risks for people in sedentary jobs
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
People who sit a lot at work have a higher risk of all-cause mortality and of cardiovascular and metabolic disease mortality compared with colleagues whose jobs require walking, lifting or heavy physical labor, Australian and Norwegian researchers reported. The study also found mortality risks were highest among sedentary workers with a high BMI. Medscape (free registration) (05/21)
9. Bruce Bodaken to Retire in December as Chairman, President and CEO of Blue Shield of California
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
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10. GWU launches online health data law portal
AHIP Solutions SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
The Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program at The George Washington University introduced the online portal Health Information and the Law on Wednesday. Health care providers, organizations and consumers can use the website to get a closer look at health information laws and policy changes. Healthcare IT News (05/24)
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