Despite the uncertainty of health care reform, most U.S. employers say they are continuing to make investments today that will improve the long-term health and productivity of their workforce, according to a new survey by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company. But while well-intentioned, Hewitt’s survey shows most companies are just beginning to consider and implement the types of strategies, tactics and goals that will create positive and sustainable improvements in employee health and constrain escalating health care costs.

Hewitt’s annual health care trends survey of nearly 600 large U.S. companies representing more than 10 million employees shows that employers’ short- and long-term approaches to health care remain consistent with last year. Almost two-thirds (65 percent) say they currently invest in long-term solutions to improve the overall health and productivity of their workforce while less than a third (32 percent) are primarily focused on controlling their annual health care costs. Just 3 percent reported currently moving away from directly sponsoring health care. When asked about their future approach to health care, more companies (80 percent) plan to focus on improving health and productivity in the next three to five years.

Hewitt’s survey, conducted from December 2009 to January 2010, found that employer concerns regarding rapidly rising health care costs continue to grow. Almost all (95 percent) of companies say managing costs is a top business issue, up slightly from 91 percent in 2009. This concern is not surprising; Hewitt’s research shows that total health care costs¹ have more than doubled in a decade—from $4,793 in 2001 to $11,058 in 2010—and are expected to continue increasing over the next 10 years.

“The harsh reality is that with or without comprehensive health care reform, employers remain on course for having the same or greater cost and employee health problems over the next few years as they have in recent years,” said Jim Winkler, leader of Hewitt’s U.S. Health Care practice. “Employers know they aren’t getting results using traditional approaches and are taking steps to reverse that trend. However, they still have a lot of work to do to get on a path where they’ll see positive, sustainable changes that really move the needle.”

Developing a Health Care Strategy Is Critical

Even with the uncertain health care landscape, Hewitt’s survey shows that fewer than half (42 percent) of employers have a formal policy or strategic health care plan in place, which is consistent with last year. In addition, while 80 percent say offering competitive benefits is a key component of their health care strategy, most indicate managing cost as their top business priority—a clear disconnect between HR benefit goals and overall business objectives.

“Health care is one of the biggest expenditures for a company, yet most organizations don’t have a formal plan that outlines their program’s goals and ties them to business objectives,” said Ken Sperling, leader of Hewitt’s Global Health Care practice. “This makes it easy for companies to revert to traditional, less-sophisticated cost-cutting tactics when things get tough and short-term challenges need to be resolved.”

Laying the Groundwork for the Future

Despite a minority of companies having a formal overall strategy in place, Hewitt’s survey suggests there is a growing recognition among employers that programs and tactics, tailored to an employee’s specific needs, will provide them with the best foundation for future change. These programs and tactics are often built on existing targeted initiatives. For example, disease management and health improvement programs continue to remain a priority for employers. More than half (53 percent) of companies currently have a disease management/health improvement strategy in place. Of those that don’t, 11 percent plan to implement one in 2010 and another 75 percent plan to implement one in the next three to five years.

• Increasing the focus on improving both physical and mental health. While still emerging, there is an increasing interest among employers to incorporate mental health and absence management programs into their health and productivity strategy. Today, just over a third (35 percent) of companies incorporate behavioral health programs (e.g., Employee Assistance Programs and/or targeted networks of mental health specialists) into their strategies, and more than half (58 percent) are planning to do so over the next three to five years. In addition, while less than one in five (19 percent) consider absence management as part of their current health and productivity strategy, 56 percent plan to incorporate it over the next three to five years.
• Using incentives and penalties to encourage participation. To encourage participation in health care programs, more than a half (58 percent) of companies offer incentives to employees and a quarter (24 percent) extend these incentives to spouses and/or family members. The number of companies offering cash incentives for completing a health risk questionnaire almost doubled from last year—from 35 percent in 2009 to 63 percent in 2010. In addition, 37 percent of companies provided cash incentives for participating in health improvement and wellness programs, up from 29 percent in 2009.

Penalties, such as higher benefit premiums or deductibles, are also emerging as a popular tactic. Almost one in five (18 percent) employers already use penalties and another 29 percent say they will use them in the next three to five years. Smoking and failure to participate in disease management programs are the most common behaviors where penalties are deployed.

“It’s important for employers to tie incentives to steps that require actual behavior change,” said Winkler. “Giving a diabetic $100 to complete a health risk questionnaire may identify that diabetic as high risk, but it won’t do much to ensure he/she is taking steps to exercise, eat properly and get preventative care. Employers with programs that require workers to demonstrate these sustainable behaviors before receiving an incentive will have a more meaningful impact than those that base the reward on one-time actions, such as signing up for a disease management program.”

• Considering the diverse workforce. Hewitt’s survey shows that nearly 60 percent of employers say they take the diversity of their workforce into account when they design and communicate their health plans.

“Leading-edge employers are beginning to use this information to understand cultural nuances in the use of health care services as well the role of the extended family in health decisions,” said Sperling. “They can then change their approach to employee communication, how they provide access to on- site services and how they offer family versus individual incentive programs to drive positive behavior change.”

• Measuring success through behavior change. Hewitt’s survey shows that the majority of companies continue to measure the success of their health and productivity programs by how well they manage medical costs (58 percent) or by how well their programs are being utilized (57 percent). Just 19 percent measure employee behavior change and 15 percent measure behavioral modification. However, employers expect to reverse this emphasis in three to five years. More than half (53 percent) say they plan to measure employee behavior change and/or behavioral modification in the next three to five years.

“The way employers intend to measure these programs over the next three to five years are encouraging and shows they are thinking about moving beyond short-term financial tactics,” said Sperling. “Measuring clinical changes in health risk, for example, can help employers gauge whether these programs are actually changing employee behaviors and ultimately leading to longer-term cost mitigation and improved employee health.”

Not only has the recession left small business owners financially devastated, but a new survey has found that their physical and mental health has also suffered.

A new survey of 713 small business owners across the United States by management consulting firm George S. May International found that 52 percent experienced negative health effects – both physically and mentally – from the economic recession, and 27 percent do not have financial resources to weather the next quarter.

“These survey results show that small business owners must take action immediately to not only save their business, but to save their lives,” said Paul Rauseo, managing director of the George S. May International Company.

Eighty percent of the respondents give their business a nine-month lifespan if economic conditions do not improve, 16 percent said three months and four percent reported six months of survival.

“There continues to be a lot of fingerpointing going around, and small business owners are blaming the banks for not lending credit to them, which may result in their businesses folding,” Rauseo said. “But, the banks are not the problem; small business owners needs to get themselves into a position where the banks will be able to lend to them.”

There are a number of actions that business owners can take to make their companies attractive to lenders, which will lead banks to extend loans, or vendors offering lines of credit, Rauseo added.

“Small business owners can be victims or victors,” Rauseo said. “And, we’re here to show them that they can, in fact, be victors if they start paying attention to the business side of the business and reach out for management help.”

The survey also found 41 percent of small business owners not having taken a salary in 2009 in order to stay in business, 20 percent have had to pull money from their personal 401K, and 80 percent said they reduced the number of employees.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index™ (WBI) fell slightly in February 2010, dropping a statistically insignificant 0.2 percentage points to close the month at 66.8, still among the highest scores yet recorded. Year-over-year, the overall index increased 2.8 percentage points, representing an improvement in overall well-being for more than nine million Americans.

While the majority of the six sub-indices that comprise the WBI’s Composite Score experienced only minor changes during February, the Work Environment Sub-Index (WEI) dropped a further 0.9 percentage points to 48.0, an all-time low. This record low score is more than 5.0 percentage points below the WEI’s all time high score of 53.3, recorded on October 2008, a decline in workplace well-being and on-the-job satisfaction for more than 17 million people.

The WBI’s Life Evaluation Sub-Index (LEI), which asks respondents to rate their current lives and future outlook, inched upward in February to 50.4, a new high. The Physical Health Sub-Index (PHI) and Healthy Behaviors Sub-Index (HBI) are up 1.0 and 1.3 percentage points respectively over the same time last year.

To download the February report, please click here.

Seventy-four percent of those enrolled in the Federal Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) oppose a new effort by Congress to change the program’s prescription drug benefits, according to a new poll released by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA).

The survey of 305 civilian federal employees in the Washington, DC metro area was conducted in response to the FEHBP Prescription Drug Integrity, Transparency, and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 4489) sponsored by Representatives Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX). The bill would give Congress the power to set prices, limit the pharmacy organizations that can participate, and force the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which administers FEHBP, to make other changes as well.

Currently, FEHBP uses the same approach to pharmacy benefits as Fortune 500 companies, Medicare Part D and other benefits programs which rely upon consumer choice and competition rather than price controls to hold down costs and maintain flexible benefits. Eighty-three percent of FEHBP’s enrollees are satisfied with their prescription drug coverage, according to the survey.

“These new data clearly show that politicians supporting legislation to change FEHBP’s pharmacy benefit could be walking into a political minefield. By lopsided margins, federal workers like their prescription drug benefits, like the way OPM administers FEHBP, and think Congress could make things worse, not better, by trying to micromanage it,” said PCMA President and CEO Mark Merritt.

Key findings from the Ayres, McHenry & Associates survey include:

• Civilian federal employees in the DC metro area are overwhelmingly satisfied with the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and with their prescription drug coverage. These federal employees say they are satisfied with the prescription drug program by an 83 to 14 percent margin.
• These employees overwhelmingly prefer a benefits system that has no price controls but greater choice to a system that offers fewer choices but has the government set prices. Civilian federal employees in the DC area prefer the “current FEHBP system which offers more choices but the government does not set prices” to a “system like some other government programs, which offer fewer choices but has the government set prices” by a 74 to 22 percent margin.
• DC area civilian federal employees think the Office of Personnel Management does a good job of making sure the FEHBP offers health benefits that are as good as those offered in the private sector, and think Congress should leave the OPM in charge of their benefits. These employees think the OPM does a good job in this regard by a 78 to 13 percent margin. Employees think Congress should leave the OPM in charge of any changes to the FEHBP, rather than Congress being in charge of those changes, by a 74 to 25 percent margin.
• These employees think Congress should allow federal employees to choose the plan that works best for them regardless of whether the plans are owned by pharmacy chains or health plans. When asked whether “Congress should pass a law prohibiting prescription drug plans from participating in federal employees programs if they are owned by pharmacy chains or health plans” or “Congress should allow federal employees to choose the plan that works best for them, regardless of whether they are owned by pharmacy chains or health plans,” federal employees prefer maintaining the choice for themselves by an 86 to 12 percent margin.
• A majority of federal employees agree that Congress will hurt the quality of their benefits if it takes more of a role in regulating their benefits, and think Congress should make any changes to Congress’ own plan before applying changes for all federal employees. These civilian federal employees think Congress will hurt rather than help their benefits if it becomes more involved in regulating their benefits by a 60 to 24 percent margin, and agree that Congress should make changes to its own plan first by a 90 to 8 percent margin.

PCMA represents the nation’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which improve affordability and quality of care through the use of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), generic alternatives, mail-service pharmacies, and other innovative tools for 210-plus million Americans.

As the incidence of diabetes and hypertension continues to grow worldwide – and increasing numbers of patients progressing to kidney disease and kidney failure place a financial strain on public health systems – the need for early patient education about kidney disease and treatment options, including home-based treatments, has become critical.

More than 240 million people have diabetes and this figure is projected to rise to 380 million by 2025¹. In the United States alone, 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes resulting in medical and indirect costs (e.g., lost workdays, restricted activities and disability) of $174 billion or approximately one of every five health care dollars spent in US^2,3. About 40 percent of people with diabetes will develop chronic kidney disease, which also increases the risk of cardiovascular or other complications⁴. Today, 26 million American adults have chronic kidney disease and millions of others are at increased risk⁵.

“People with diabetes or hypertension, over the age of 60 or with a family history of kidney disease are at higher risk of progressing to chronic kidney disease. These patients should undergo screening and talk to their doctor about this disease regardless of if they display symptoms,” said Sarah Prichard, MD, vice president of global clinical affairs for Baxter’s Renal business. “Early detection of chronic kidney disease can dramatically affect how long you can preserve kidney function, what treatment options you will have and ultimately determine the quality of life you will experience while living with the disease.”

Baxter encourages patients with diabetes or hypertension around the world to learn about the symptoms and treatment options for chronic kidney disease on World Kidney Day, March 11. World Kidney Day is a global health campaign of The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundation (IFKF) that raises awareness about the importance of our kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems.

According to two recent studies, chronic kidney disease patients who received early guidance from their nephrologist about their condition and dialysis treatment had a significantly lower risk of death within the first year of treatment^6,7. Studies have also demonstrated that people living with kidney disease who are informed about treatment options and are given a choice more often choose a home therapy.

Several studies report that patients on peritoneal dialysis, the most common type of home dialysis, are more satisfied with their care and experience a reduced impact of kidney disease on their lives compared to patients receiving in-center hemodialysis^8,9. In addition, home dialysis is cost-effective, associated with continued employment¹⁰ and can offer more flexibility and time for family and social activities. Recent studies also indicate that more than 75 percent of dialysis patients are eligible to choose either a home or center dialysis modality^11,12.

Recently, a new Medicare benefit went into effect that provides chronic kidney disease patients with six face-to-face kidney disease and treatment options education sessions, and provides physicians and certain physician extenders with reimbursement for educating patients. These classes are intended to educate patients about ways to slow the rate of kidney function loss, attenuate complications associated with kidney failure and provide them with information about treatment options (transplant, home dialysis, or in-center dialysis).

“It is important for people with diabetes and hypertension to learn as much as possible about the progression of kidney failure to prevent complications from chronic kidney disease,” said Prichard. “If kidney replacement treatment is necessary, patients should learn about all of their treatment options to select one that is best suited to their condition and lifestyle.”

The human kidney works to remove wastes and fluids from the body. When kidney disease progresses, the kidneys work less and less effectively. If the disease is detected early, lifestyle changes and selected medications can preserve kidney function for a longer period of time. If the disease progresses, people living with kidney disease must depend on renal replacement therapies, usually in the form of dialysis or transplantation, to make up for lost kidney function in order to survive. People may receive dialysis treatment at home (peritoneal or home hemodialysis), or in a dialysis center or hospital (in-center hemodialysis).

For more information on kidney disease screening and treatment options, visit www.renalinfo.com.

¹ The International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, World Kidney Day: Prevalence of Disease, http://www.worldkidneyday.org/page/prevalence-of-disease

² American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Statistics 2007, http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

³ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diabetes Statistics and Research: Frequently Asked Questions, http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/faq/research.htm#4

⁴ The International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, World Kidney Day: Prevalence of Disease, http://www.worldkidneyday.org/page/prevalence-of-disease

⁵ National Kidney Foundation, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), http://www.kidney.org/kidneyDisease/ckd/index.cfm

⁶ Bradbury B., et.al., “Predictors of Early Mortality among Incident US Hemodialysis Patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS),” Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, no. 2 (2007), 89-99.

⁷ Hasegawa T., et. al., “Greater First-Year Survival on Hemodialysis in Facilities in Which Patients Are Provided Earlier and More Frequent Pre-nephrology Visits,” Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, no. 4 (2009), 595-602.

⁸ Carmichael P, et. al. “Assessment of quality of life in a single centre dialysis population using the KDQOL-SF questionnaire.” Qual Life Res, (2000), 9:195-205.

⁹ Kutner NG, et. al. “Health status and quality of life reported by incident patients after 1 year on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.” Nephrol Dial Transplant, (2005), 20:2159-2167.

¹⁰ Paul M. Just, et.al., “Reimbursement and economic factors influencing dialysis modality choice around the world,” Nephrology, Dialysis, and Transplantation, January 30, 2008, no. 23, 2365-2373.

¹¹ Mendelssohn D., et. al., “A Prospective Evaluation of Renal Replacement Therapy Modality Eligibility,” Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, (2009) 24: 555-561.

¹² Little J., et. al. “Predicting a Patient’s Choice of Dialysis Modality: Experience in a United Kingdom Renal Department. American Journal of Kidney Disease, 2001; 37: 981–986

According to new survey data released last week by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), enrollment in doctoral nursing programs increased by more than 20% this year, signaling strong interest among students in careers as nursing scientists, faculty, primary care providers, and specialists. Final results from AACN’s 2009 annual survey confirm that enrollments in all types of baccalaureate and higher degree programs continue to trend upward. Though nursing schools have been able to expand student capacity, the latest data show that more than 54,000 qualified applications to professional nursing programs were turned away in 2009, including more than 9,500 applications to master’s and doctoral degree programs.

“Expanding capacity in baccalaureate and graduate programs is critical to sustaining a healthy nursing workforce and providing patients with the best care possible,” said AACN President Fay Raines. “Even though these across-the-board increases in enrollments are encouraging, we simply must find ways to advance policy and programs that will enable schools to accommodate all qualified applicants in professional nursing programs. Bringing more nurses into graduate programs is urgent given the calls for more expert nurses to deliver high quality, cost-effective care in a healthcare system undergoing reform.”

AACN’s latest survey findings update the preliminary data announced in December 2009 and determine enrollment trends by comparing data from the same schools reporting in both 2008 and 2009. Final survey data show that enrollments in entry-level baccalaureate programs in nursing rose by 3.6% in 2009. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/pdf/EnrollChanges.pdf.

This increase in baccalaureate student population is welcome news given the calls by AACN, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Nurses Association, and other authorities to concentrate the education of new nurses in baccalaureate programs. In a recent report by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Dr. Patricia Benner and colleagues state that “profound changes in nursing practice call for equally profound changes in the education of nurses.” The authors found that many of today’s new nurses are “undereducated” to meet practice demands across settings and strongly support baccalaureate programs as the appropriate pathway for RNs entering the profession.

Growth in Doctoral Programs in Nursing

Given the need for more nurses to serve as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), faculty, and research scientists, the growth in the number of students entering both practice-focused and research-focused doctoral programs last year is particularly gratifying to nursing’s academic leaders.

In October 2004, AACN member schools voted to endorse the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, which called for moving the level of preparation for advanced nursing practice from master’s to doctoral by 2015. Nursing schools have made great strides in the past six years toward realizing this vision by planning and launching Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, now available in 35 states. AACN’s survey found that 28 new DNP programs were opened in 2009, bringing the total number of programs to 120. AACN survey data found that an additional 161 DNP programs are in the planning stages. At present, 71.9% of schools with APRN programs (388 schools) are either offering or planning a DNP program.

“The stunning growth in the number of DNP programs is truly impressive, as we are only at the midway point in realizing the 2015 vision for advanced nursing education,” said Dr. Raines. “A change of this magnitude is enormous, and we realize that schools in many states are facing great economic, resource, and regulatory challenges in their efforts to move to the DNP. AACN stands ready to focus its efforts on influencing policymakers, advocating for resources, and developing tools to support schools committed to making this transition.”

The number of research-focused doctoral programs (e.g., PhD, DNSc, DNS) is climbing with 120 programs currently enrolling students and another 8 programs in development. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/pdf/Docprograms.pdf.

Other key findings from AACN’s 2009 survey include the following; trends in applications, acceptance rates, and total enrollment in nursing programs (including accelerated programs, degree completion programs, clinical nurse leader programs, baccalaureate-to-doctoral programs, and doctoral nursing programs), survey response rates and student diversity data (including men in nursing). For details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2010/enrollchanges.html.

The National Retail Federation today urged Congress to reject calls to use fast-track budget reconciliation rules to push flawed health care reform legislation through the House and Senate.

“We strongly oppose efforts to ram health care reform into law,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations Steve Pfister said. “Health care represents one-sixth of the U.S. economy. Good health care policy should easily command an overwhelming majority in Congress and widespread support among the public.”

NRF strongly opposed separate health care reform bills passed by the House and Senate late last year because both included controversial employer mandates and other provisions that would drive up costs for employers while not doing enough to make health care more affordable. With the current economy making it difficult for retailers to absorb new costs, NRF believes employer mandates and penalties would force many retailers to lay off workers.

“Mandated coverage requirements are hazardous to a job-starved economy and are especially dangerous for small employers,” Pfister said. “We remain adamantly opposed to legislation that will drive up unemployment through higher labor costs.”

Pfister said NRF would support health care reform legislation that reduces immediate and long-term costs for employers, individuals and government payers; reforms the health insurance market to ease access to coverage and mitigate rate increases; and provides help to small businesses and individuals to access coverage. Legislation should build on the existing employer-based system without including employer mandates, taxes on coverage or extensive benefit requirements that fail to provide flexibility for high-turnover industries like retail, he said. Legislation also needs to preserve ERISA, which allows national companies to provide uniform health insurance benefits across state lines.

Pfister’s comments came in a letter to leadership and members of the House.

Pfister said legislation outlined by President Obama over the past two weeks “fails to solve our concerns.”

Obama on Wednesday urged Congress to use “the same kind of up or down vote” that was previously used by Republicans to pass Bush Administration tax cuts and other measures opposed by Democrats. The so-called “reconciliation” process allows a limited bill addressing revenue and spending items to pass the Senate with a simple majority of 51 votes rather than the 60 normally needed to cut off a filibuster. Democrats control only 59 votes and all 41 Senate Republicans are expected to oppose the Obama bill.

The Biggest story in healthcare isn’t the reform bill, it’s that already-below-market physician reimbursement rates are being cut 21%. Due to Congressional inaction, Medicare’s reimbursement rates to doctors for their care of our nation’s elderly population will be cut a staggering 21 percent today. This is a result of an unwillingness or inability – pick your poison – to permanently secure the Medicare payment formula system or to even temporarily extend the patchwork fix already in place (the Sustainable Growth Rate formula or SGR). The Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights supports a strong Medicare and a fair formula that will provide physicians with the resources they need to treat America’s seniors and also allow patients and physicians to negotiate any differences in cost to ensure patients get the care they need.

Former president of the American Medical Association and current spokesman for the Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights, Dr. Donald Palmisano, made the following statement on the Medicare payment cuts:

“What are physicians to do? What are senior citizens to do?

“As Congress debates, seniors are at peril of losing the medical care they desperately need. Doctors are already providing care to the nation’s seniors at a reduced rate, but this latest cut makes treating those on Medicare financially impossible for doctors, nurses, and hospitals.

“And a one-time patch isn’t going to fix the problem for long. Although more than 40 million Americans rely on Medicare for their well-being and as enrollment is expected to explode as baby-boomers age and retire, Congress has recently proposed gutting Medicare – to the tune of $500 billion. There’s no way Medicare can be cut and still provide the medical service our most vulnerable populations need. Congress must fund Medicare so that it becomes solvent, pays physicians for the work and treatments they provide, and give seniors the peace of mind they deserve.

“Unfortunately, when medicine is subject to the limits of government-control and price-fixing, patients suffer. This isn’t just the case for Medicare, but also for Medicaid, or any other government controlled healthcare system – no matter what it’s called. Congress must do what it can to empower patients and physicians in healthcare, while limiting the role of bureaucrats.”

Over the past several years Americans have seen numerous food recalls related to our nation’s food supply. Spinach, peanut butter and even pet food are just some of the food items that have been subject to massive recalls. While the safety of our food supply is mission critical for our food manufacturers and suppliers, fully four in ten (42%) Americans indicate they have become sick or ill over the past two years from what they attribute (at least in part) to something they ate.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,010 adults surveyed online between January 13 and 15, 2010 by Harris Interactive.

While some who attribute an illness to a food item may have contracted their illness elsewhere, the perception of a food-attributed illness poses a major problem for our nation’s food manufacturers and suppliers. In fact, seven in ten (69%) of those who attribute an illness to a food item think they know what made them sick.

As a result, one-quarter (26%) of those who indicate they became sick from something they ate have eliminated that food from their diet entirely. Moreover, another 15% indicate that they advised family, friends and colleagues not to eat that food item, increasing the impact of their individual experience.

Americans give Food Manufacturers and Suppliers the Benefit of the Doubt

While many people will stop a behavior such as eating a food item that they believe made them sick, most Americans do not have large levels of concern regarding the safety of eating different foods. However, among four types of foods (fresh, canned, frozen and other packaged foods), two in ten adults are either extremely or very concerned that fresh foods are safe to eat (21%), followed by canned foods (15%), other packaged foods such as boxes, jars, bags, etc. (14%) and frozen foods (13%).

When we cast our net broader and include those who are at least somewhat concerned we see that at least three quarters to one half of Americans are concerned to some extent that these foods are safe to eat: fresh foods (73%), other packaged foods such as boxes, jars, bags, etc. (64%), canned foods (59%), and frozen foods (53%). Those who are at least somewhat concerned that fresh foods are safe to eat are most concerned about fresh meats (31%), fresh poultry (23%), fresh fish (20%), vegetables (16%) and fruit (8%).

For our nation’s food manufacturers and suppliers these findings show the importance of ensuring food safety. While Americans generally trust that our foods are safe to eat, the result of a food related illness can be a severe consumer backlash in the form of a permanent de-selection and grass roots advocacy against consumption of a food product that can extend well after a bad experience. At its worst, food illnesses can lead to heightened media scrutiny and more legislative and regulatory efforts at the local, state and national level.

General Knowledge about the Health and Nutritional Value of Foods is Low

Apart from issues related to the safety of our foods, concerns about obesity are already influencing public policy decisions, including a recent Executive Order from the President, and the types of foods available to Americans in restaurants and grocery stores across the country. While some Americans are opting for organic and other healthier foods, most Americans do not feel particularly knowledgeable about health and nutritional value of the foods their family eats on a regular basis. In fact, only one quarter (27%) of Americans feel either extremely or very knowledgeable about the health and nutritional value of the foods their family eats.

Why are Americans Gaining Weight?

Recent studies, including the annual Harris Polls on the subject, indicate that roughly two-thirds of Americans are officially classified as either overweight or obese based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). While a variety of factors are influencing this trend, between sedentary lifestyles or food choices a majority of Americans (57%) feel sedentary lifestyles and a lack of physical activity play a larger role than individual food choices and eating habits (43%). This does lead to the question, can Americans just exercise their way to better health?

So What?

A great deal of progress has been made with respect to food quality, safety, nutritional content and affordability. Moreover, food labeling provides Americans with information they need to make good decisions about their health. Yet, with the publicity surrounding several recent food recalls as well as growing concerns about the problem of obesity in America, it is very likely that issues related to the safety and overall health and nutritional value of our nations foods supply will come under increasing pressure from the media, special interest groups and local, state and federal government.

According to Chris McAllister, Senior Research Director, Public Affairs and Policy Research, Harris Interactive, “The reality is that no one benefits when problems with our nation’s food supply emerges. Consumers deselect food products, food manufacturers and suppliers suffer from the backlash in the form of reduced sales and government feels the pressure to act.”

President Clinton’s stent surgery brought new focus to America’s number-one killer, but it did little to expose the bias that is often present when women seek treatment for a heart attack.

“Despite the fact that more women than men die from cardiovascular disease in the United States, and despite the established benefits of PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary angioplasty) in reducing fatal and nonfatal ischemic complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction and high-risk acute coronary syndromes (ACS), only an estimated 33 percent of annual PCIs are performed in women,” says an American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Statement.

FACTS About Florida and Heart Disease:

• Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of women in Florida.
• Heart disease and stroke account for 33.4% of all female deaths in Florida.
• On average, nearly 76 females die from heart disease and stroke in Florida each day.
• Hispanic women generally have higher rates of certain cardiovascular risk factors – including physical inactivity, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome – than white women, and are less likely to have detected or treated them.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mortality data based on WISQARS Leading Cause of Death Reports, 2005; Risk factor data from the BRFSS, 2007.