According to a recent survey conducted by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, the practice of “medical tourism” – traveling internationally for medical care – will explode over the next few years. In fact, the survey forecasts that the number of people turning to medical tourism will increase from 750,000 to 6 million by 2010.
An increasing number of type 2 diabetes patients in the U.S. are being treated by a progressively complex mix of therapies, according to a study featured in Archives of Internal Medicine, a JAMA/Archives journal. The report is the first to be published by members of the Health Services Research Network (HSRN), a consortium of leading U.S. academicians that conducts independent research using IMS Health’s evidence-based information to address key healthcare issues.
A nationally prominent expert at treating diabetes, a chronic illness with potentially serious complications including blindness, limb amputation and death, said today many complications of diabetes are preventable and family physicians play a key role in preventing and controlling the disease. Responding to a new study by the Lewin Group that puts the diabetes-related direct costs of treatment and indirect costs such as disability and early retirement at $218 billion a year in the U.S., Alan Glaseroff, MD, explained that these high costs and the underlying patient suffering are, in many cases, unnecessary.
The top serious health concerns for African Americans are: Cardiovascular Disease—The #1 killer of African Americans. Diabetes—3.2 million African Americans have diabetes, yet more than 33% do not know it. Vitamin D Deficiency—Low Vitamin D has been associated with several types of cancer as well as certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus. HIV/AIDS—Nearly half of the people who get HIV/AIDS are African American, suffering more deaths than any other race. Cancer—Lung, Breast, Colon, Prostate—African American men are 35% more likely to die from prostate or colon cancer than Caucasian men and African American women are 18% more likely to die from breast cancer because of a genetic predisposition to aggressive forms of cancer.
The current economic crisis has many consumers looking for ways to reduce expenses. One of the best strategies to reduce healthcare expenses is by exercising regularly. “Most of the chronic health problems in our society are a result of a sedentary lifestyle,” according to Stan Reents, PharmD, a certified personal trainer, fitness counselor, tennis coach. Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, coronary artery disease and others are largely preventable with regular exercise. “Healthcare costs – including medication costs – for these conditions can be reduced by exercising regularly,” says Reents.
A new survey from the Commonwealth Fund comparing patients in the United States to those in seven other countries finds more than half of chronically ill patients did not get recommended care, fill prescriptions, or see a doctor when sick because of costs. The survey underscores the importance for patients in exploring lower cost options, including generics, mail-service pharmacies, and electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.
With open enrollment season in full force across the country, many Americans are evaluating health care benefits for themselves and their families. But, according to a new survey conducted by BearingPoint and Zogby International, a startling percentage of citizens are considering denying themselves and their children health care to save money during this unstable economic environment.
One year ago this week, Linda suffered a debilitating stroke at the age of 52. This week, she’s planning a Mother and Son Retreat at her two teenage sons’ school. Tremendous family support, six months of in-home care covered by long term care insurance and a positive attitude helped Linda make a remarkable recovery.
Epocrates today announced hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals and consumers, including more than 50,000 U.S. physicians, have downloaded its drug and formulary reference application to an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch device in only four months. The free Epocrates Rx software, designed specifically for the iPhone platform, was available at the launch of the Apple App store in July. The professional drug guide was an immediate hit with physicians, and is continuously ranked as one of the most popular apps in the health and fitness category.
In the war on cancer, oncologists report that financial concerns are increasingly altering certain aspects of treatment and may be narrowing patient options. While six in ten (59%) oncologists express optimism about the future of oncology care in the US, 74% believe rising costs will eventually exceed society’s collective ability to pay for optimal oncology care.