134,000 Kentucky families will split $15.3 million in health insurance rebates

About 134,000 families in Kentucky will get money back from their health insurance companies this summer. The families, representing about 249,000 people, will get a total of $15.3 million in rebates, which averages out to about $114 for each family. The returns are the result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

"As part of the controversial 2010 health insurance overhaul pushed by President Barack Obama, insurance companies must spend 80 percent of all premiums they collect to pay claims or improve health outcomes," reports Beth Musgrave for the Lexington Herald-Leader. "The remaining 20 percent may be spent on administrative costs, such as salaries and advertising."

Insurance companies that did not meet that standard must return the money by Aug. 1. How much each family gets depends on their health insurance policy. (Read more)

About 134,000 families in Kentucky will get money back from their health insurance companies this summer. The families, representing about 249,000 people, will get a total of $15.3 million in rebates, which averages out to about $114 for each family. The returns are the result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

"As part of the controversial 2010 health insurance overhaul pushed by President Barack Obama, insurance companies must spend 80 percent of all premiums they collect to pay claims or improve health outcomes," reports Beth Musgrave for the Lexington Herald-Leader. "The remaining 20 percent may be spent on administrative costs, such as salaries and advertising."

Insurance companies that did not meet that standard must return the money by Aug. 1. How much each family gets depends on their health insurance policy. (Read more)

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KET program will focus on children's health this Sunday

A discussion about the problems Kentucky families and children face on a daily basis will be at the heart of this week's "One to One" with Bill Goodman on KET.

Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, will be speaking about the 2012 legislative session. The program airs Sunday at 1 p.m. EST and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST.

KYA has been busy as of late, holding KIDS COUNT conversations in different parts of the state. A recent conversation in Hardin County painted a picture of the health status in the area as well as pointed out which public policies are in place to improve children's health. The conversation turned to topics like childhood obesity, oral health, health insurance, physical activity and birth-related indicators and outcomes like smoking during pregnancy and low-weight births.

The conversations are held in different counties about four times a year. Last week, there was another KIDS COUNT conversation in Jefferson County.

"We try to cover topics across the child's lifespan," said Amy Swann, KIDS COUNT coordinator. "We're touching on infants, touching on issues when they're still in utero, we're touching on school-age stuff, touching on teens."

A discussion about the problems Kentucky families and children face on a daily basis will be at the heart of this week's "One to One" with Bill Goodman on KET.

Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, will be speaking about the 2012 legislative session. The program airs Sunday at 1 p.m. EST and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST.

KYA has been busy as of late, holding KIDS COUNT conversations in different parts of the state. A recent conversation in Hardin County painted a picture of the health status in the area as well as pointed out which public policies are in place to improve children's health. The conversation turned to topics like childhood obesity, oral health, health insurance, physical activity and birth-related indicators and outcomes like smoking during pregnancy and low-weight births.

The conversations are held in different counties about four times a year. Last week, there was another KIDS COUNT conversation in Jefferson County.

"We try to cover topics across the child's lifespan," said Amy Swann, KIDS COUNT coordinator. "We're touching on infants, touching on issues when they're still in utero, we're touching on school-age stuff, touching on teens."

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New report lists contaminant, treatment violations at Kentucky's 461 public water systems

Reporters can now find out if their local public water systems were recently cited with violations related to contaminants in the water or inadequate treatment.

The Kentucky Division of Water's annual compliance report was released last week. Statewide, it shows that maximum contaminant level and treatment violations decreased from 116 in 2010 to 96 in 2011. "The majority of violations at Kentucky's public water systems last year involved administrative infractions rather than problems with water treatment," said Julie Roney, coordinator of the DOW Drinking Water Program. "These results are encouraging."

There are 461 public water systems in Kentucky, which are tested on a regular basis for bacteria, nitrate and other inorganic chemicals, radiological elements and more than 100 industrial chemicals and pesticides.

The report is detailed and quite dense. Reporters can call Natalie Bruner at 502-564-3410, ext. 4987 for help interpreting the results for their water systems. (Read more)

Reporters can now find out if their local public water systems were recently cited with violations related to contaminants in the water or inadequate treatment.

The Kentucky Division of Water's annual compliance report was released last week. Statewide, it shows that maximum contaminant level and treatment violations decreased from 116 in 2010 to 96 in 2011. "The majority of violations at Kentucky's public water systems last year involved administrative infractions rather than problems with water treatment," said Julie Roney, coordinator of the DOW Drinking Water Program. "These results are encouraging."

There are 461 public water systems in Kentucky, which are tested on a regular basis for bacteria, nitrate and other inorganic chemicals, radiological elements and more than 100 industrial chemicals and pesticides.

The report is detailed and quite dense. Reporters can call Natalie Bruner at 502-564-3410, ext. 4987 for help interpreting the results for their water systems. (Read more)

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Large percentage of patients with dementia given drugs they don't need; see how your nursing home is doing

Kentucky reporters can now see how the nursing homes in their area are treating patients with dementia. The Boston Globe has published a list of all the nursing homes in the country that shows the percentage of residents without psychosis or a related condition but who are being given antipsychotic drugs. The data came from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Almost 40 percent of nursing home residents with dementia are on powerful antipsychotic drugs though they don't have psychosis or a related condition, federal regulators announced at the end of May. Their aim is to cut the use of these drugs on these patients by 15 percent by the end of this year.

The median use nationwide for patients being given antipsychotic drugs but who don't have psychosis is 16.7 percent. In Kentucky, 161 of 280 nursing homes surveyed were over the median number, according to the nonprofit advocacy group Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform.

To see how your nursing home is doing, click here. (Read more)

Kentucky reporters can now see how the nursing homes in their area are treating patients with dementia. The Boston Globe has published a list of all the nursing homes in the country that shows the percentage of residents without psychosis or a related condition but who are being given antipsychotic drugs. The data came from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Almost 40 percent of nursing home residents with dementia are on powerful antipsychotic drugs though they don't have psychosis or a related condition, federal regulators announced at the end of May. Their aim is to cut the use of these drugs on these patients by 15 percent by the end of this year.

The median use nationwide for patients being given antipsychotic drugs but who don't have psychosis is 16.7 percent. In Kentucky, 161 of 280 nursing homes surveyed were over the median number, according to the nonprofit advocacy group Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform.

To see how your nursing home is doing, click here. (Read more)

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Child's Scoliosis Stresses Patients, Parents: Study

THURSDAY, June 21 (HealthDay News) -- Having to wear a body brace for the treatment of scoliosis (curved spine) causes stress for teen patients and their parents, a new study finds.

But parents worry most of all. While teen girls dislike wearing a hard plastic brace around their torso, parents are more worried than their children about scoliosis itself, said the researchers at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland.

The study, published June 15 in the journal Spine, included 63 girls with scoliosis who wore a brace to prevent the spinal curve from worsening. Their average age was 14. In such cases, patients generally must wear the brace at least 12 hours a day until they finish growing.

The girls in this study wore their braces an average of nearly 16 hours a day. After about 14 months of brace treatment, the patients and their parents were asked to rate their levels of emotional stress associated with the brace treatment and with scoliosis itself.

Both the patients and their parents found the brace treatment moderately stressful. But while the girls reported low levels of stress related to the scoliosis itself, their parents rated this form of stress as moderate.

Stress levels in both patients and parents were unrelated to the severity of the spinal curve or how long the patient had worn her body brace, according to a journal news release.

The findings suggest that both patients and parents should be evaluated for emotional stress related to scoliosis and treatment with a body brace, the researchers said in the news release.

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more about scoliosis.

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

THURSDAY, June 21 (HealthDay News) -- Having to wear a body brace for the treatment of scoliosis (curved spine) causes stress for teen patients and their parents, a new study finds.

But parents worry most of all. While teen girls dislike wearing a hard plastic brace around their torso, parents are more worried than their children about scoliosis itself, said the researchers at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland.

The study, published June 15 in the journal Spine, included 63 girls with scoliosis who wore a brace to prevent the spinal curve from worsening. Their average age was 14. In such cases, patients generally must wear the brace at least 12 hours a day until they finish growing.

The girls in this study wore their braces an average of nearly 16 hours a day. After about 14 months of brace treatment, the patients and their parents were asked to rate their levels of emotional stress associated with the brace treatment and with scoliosis itself.

Both the patients and their parents found the brace treatment moderately stressful. But while the girls reported low levels of stress related to the scoliosis itself, their parents rated this form of stress as moderate.

Stress levels in both patients and parents were unrelated to the severity of the spinal curve or how long the patient had worn her body brace, according to a journal news release.

The findings suggest that both patients and parents should be evaluated for emotional stress related to scoliosis and treatment with a body brace, the researchers said in the news release.

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more about scoliosis.

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

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Six Kentucky community health centers receive $3.7 million in grants

Kentucky has received $3.7 million in grants to expand six community health centers, part of an effort to improve access to primary care. The federal funds were distributed through the Affordable Care Act.

Centers that will receive funds include Cumberland Family Medical Center in Burkesville ($608,333); Grace Community Health Center, Inc. in Gray ($650,000); Community Health Centers of Western Kentucky, Inc. based in Greenville ($599,055); Health Help, Inc. in McKee ($650,000); Sterling Health Solutions, Inc. in Mount Sterling ($650,000); and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center in Whitesburg ($541,667).

Nationwide, $128.6 million were handed out in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Money was awarded to 219 health centers, which will improve care for more than more 1.25 million patients and create about 5,640 jobs, according to a press release by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. In Kentucky, about 27,000 more patients are expected to benefit from the funds.

"Health centers serve more than 20 million patients nationwide and are an integral part of our health care system," said Mary K. Wakefiled, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration. "These awards demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to quality health care through the creation of new health center sites." (Read more)

Kentucky has received $3.7 million in grants to expand six community health centers, part of an effort to improve access to primary care. The federal funds were distributed through the Affordable Care Act.

Centers that will receive funds include Cumberland Family Medical Center in Burkesville ($608,333); Grace Community Health Center, Inc. in Gray ($650,000); Community Health Centers of Western Kentucky, Inc. based in Greenville ($599,055); Health Help, Inc. in McKee ($650,000); Sterling Health Solutions, Inc. in Mount Sterling ($650,000); and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center in Whitesburg ($541,667).

Nationwide, $128.6 million were handed out in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Money was awarded to 219 health centers, which will improve care for more than more 1.25 million patients and create about 5,640 jobs, according to a press release by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. In Kentucky, about 27,000 more patients are expected to benefit from the funds.

"Health centers serve more than 20 million patients nationwide and are an integral part of our health care system," said Mary K. Wakefiled, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration. "These awards demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to quality health care through the creation of new health center sites." (Read more)

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Coventry must extend contract with Appalachian Regional Healthcare until Nov. 1, judge rules

Conventry Cares must continue its contract with Appalachian Regional Healthcare through Nov. 1 so the 25,000 Eastern Kentucky Medicaid patients affected don't get "thrown under the bus," a federal judge ruled yesterday.

"The health and well-being of thousands of these patients hang in the balance, and many have already suffered hardships, stress and confusion as a result of Coventry's sudden notice of termination of its contract with ARH," U.S. Senior Judge Karl Forester wrote. "ARH serves a high-risk population in an economically depressed area. If faced with a lengthy and costly trip to visit their primary care physician, many patients will simply forego preventive care, leading to worse health problems, higher risk, and more expensive treatment in the future."

ARH operates eight hospitals and other health clinics in Eastern Kentucky. Coventry, also known as Coventry Health & Life Insurance Company, is "one of three companies the state hired Nov. 1 to manage care for the 560,000 Kentuckians enrolled in the federal-state health care program for the poor and disabled," report Valarie Honeycutt Spears and Beth Musgrave for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Coventry has since said it has lost $50 million in the first quarter of 2012 in Kentucky and is trying to make up for the losses by renegotiating its contracts across the state. When Coventry said it would terminate its contract with ARH in May, the hospital system filed a lawsuit asking for a preliminary injunction to prevent that from happening. Forester ruled the injunction "essential."

After Nov. 1 this year, Forester said Coventry could terminate its contract but "ordered Coventry to provide ARH a list of its members who have used ARH during the past five years so ARH may contact those patients." Right now, ARH only has a contract with one of the two other managed care organizations. (Read more)

Conventry Cares must continue its contract with Appalachian Regional Healthcare through Nov. 1 so the 25,000 Eastern Kentucky Medicaid patients affected don't get "thrown under the bus," a federal judge ruled yesterday.

"The health and well-being of thousands of these patients hang in the balance, and many have already suffered hardships, stress and confusion as a result of Coventry's sudden notice of termination of its contract with ARH," U.S. Senior Judge Karl Forester wrote. "ARH serves a high-risk population in an economically depressed area. If faced with a lengthy and costly trip to visit their primary care physician, many patients will simply forego preventive care, leading to worse health problems, higher risk, and more expensive treatment in the future."

ARH operates eight hospitals and other health clinics in Eastern Kentucky. Coventry, also known as Coventry Health & Life Insurance Company, is "one of three companies the state hired Nov. 1 to manage care for the 560,000 Kentuckians enrolled in the federal-state health care program for the poor and disabled," report Valarie Honeycutt Spears and Beth Musgrave for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Coventry has since said it has lost $50 million in the first quarter of 2012 in Kentucky and is trying to make up for the losses by renegotiating its contracts across the state. When Coventry said it would terminate its contract with ARH in May, the hospital system filed a lawsuit asking for a preliminary injunction to prevent that from happening. Forester ruled the injunction "essential."

After Nov. 1 this year, Forester said Coventry could terminate its contract but "ordered Coventry to provide ARH a list of its members who have used ARH during the past five years so ARH may contact those patients." Right now, ARH only has a contract with one of the two other managed care organizations. (Read more)

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Graphic warning labels help smokers remember tobacco health risks, study finds

Study participants looked at these two images while
researchers assessed how effectively they were viewed.
Graphic by Penn Medicine.

Graphic warning labels on cigarette packages can help smokers remember the message and the health risks associated with smoking, a study has found.

Researchers asked 200 smokers to look at either a text-only label advertisement — which is similar to warnings that have been on cigarette packages since 1985 — or a graphic warning label showing a hospitalized patient on a ventilator along with a written warning — which has been proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Researchers used eye-tracking technology to measure how the advertisement was looked at and for how long, reports research-reporting service Newswise. Then participants were asked to rewrite the message they'd seen to show how well they remembered it.

Results showed 50 percent of participants who saw the text-only ad remembered the warning label, while 83 percent of those who saw the graphic image warning remembered what they'd seen.

"In addition to showing the value of adding a graphic warning label, this research also provides insight into how the warning labels may be effective, which may serve to create more effective warning labels in the future," said Andrew A. Strasser, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where the study was conducted. "We're hopeful that once the graphic warning labels are implemented, we will be able to make great strides in helping people to be better informed about their risks, and to convince them to quit smoking."

The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act mandated the FDA to require graphic warning labels on cigarettes packaging starting in September 2012. The mandate has since been held up in court. (Read more)

Study participants looked at these two images while
researchers assessed how effectively they were viewed.
Graphic by Penn Medicine.

Graphic warning labels on cigarette packages can help smokers remember the message and the health risks associated with smoking, a study has found.

Researchers asked 200 smokers to look at either a text-only label advertisement — which is similar to warnings that have been on cigarette packages since 1985 — or a graphic warning label showing a hospitalized patient on a ventilator along with a written warning — which has been proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Researchers used eye-tracking technology to measure how the advertisement was looked at and for how long, reports research-reporting service Newswise. Then participants were asked to rewrite the message they'd seen to show how well they remembered it.

Results showed 50 percent of participants who saw the text-only ad remembered the warning label, while 83 percent of those who saw the graphic image warning remembered what they'd seen.

"In addition to showing the value of adding a graphic warning label, this research also provides insight into how the warning labels may be effective, which may serve to create more effective warning labels in the future," said Andrew A. Strasser, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where the study was conducted. "We're hopeful that once the graphic warning labels are implemented, we will be able to make great strides in helping people to be better informed about their risks, and to convince them to quit smoking."

The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act mandated the FDA to require graphic warning labels on cigarettes packaging starting in September 2012. The mandate has since been held up in court. (Read more)

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Scoliosis question from readers:

I had surgery on my upper back before, but now my lower back had a curve too. Does the book help me to prevent? Just by eating healthier will it help?

Dr. Kevin Lau's reply: 
The diet portion of the book has 2 actions depending on the age of the person. For a child who is going through their growing years it would help supply them with the necessary building blocks for a developing spine. The diet for adults on the other hand is for preventing age related degeneration. I highly recommend whether you have scoliosis or not to eat healthier to prevent most degenerative conditions.

For scoliosis prevention using the diet and exercises prescribed in the book is important. This is because the intervertebral discs between each vertebra have poor blood supply and require movement to pump fluid and nutrients into these discs to keep them healthy.

If you have any other questions email them to: scoliosis.feedback@gmail.com

In good health,
Dr. Kevin Lau

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

I had surgery on my upper back before, but now my lower back had a curve too. Does the book help me to prevent? Just by eating healthier will it help?

Dr. Kevin Lau's reply: 
The diet portion of the book has 2 actions depending on the age of the person. For a child who is going through their growing years it would help supply them with the necessary building blocks for a developing spine. The diet for adults on the other hand is for preventing age related degeneration. I highly recommend whether you have scoliosis or not to eat healthier to prevent most degenerative conditions.

For scoliosis prevention using the diet and exercises prescribed in the book is important. This is because the intervertebral discs between each vertebra have poor blood supply and require movement to pump fluid and nutrients into these discs to keep them healthy.

If you have any other questions email them to: scoliosis.feedback@gmail.com

In good health,
Dr. Kevin Lau

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

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Hyperthyroidism and kidney disease in cats

Progress report, Winn grant 09-013
Identification of a biomarker for masked renal failure in hyperthyroid cats
Investigator: Thomas Schermerhorn, Kansas State University and collaborators
 
These researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and prognosis of cats with both hyperthyroidism and kidney disease, two common ailments of aging cats. Often, hyperthyroidism masks underlying kidney disease until it is revealed during treatment. The investigators are attempting to define a method for identifying the kidney disease before treatment of hyperthyroidism. This would improve the well-being of the cat as well as its life expectancy. To do this, they are analyzing the urine of hyperthyroid cats using a cutting-edge technique to identify literally thousands of urine components to see if any correlate with post-treatment appearance of kidney disease.

It has been a challenge acquiring sufficient numbers of cases of cats with hyperthyroidism able to participate in the study. Despite this, analysis is ongoing. To date, no identifiable correlate with renal disease has been found. However, the urine composition of hyperthyroid cats has been determined at a much more detailed level, which may allow future diagnosis of this condition via a simple urine test. [MK]

See also: Riensche MR, Graves TK, Schaeffer DJ. An investigation of predictors of renal insufficiency following treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. J Feline Med Surg 2008;10:160-166.

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Read the Cat Health News Weekly
Join us on Google+

Progress report, Winn grant 09-013
Identification of a biomarker for masked renal failure in hyperthyroid cats
Investigator: Thomas Schermerhorn, Kansas State University and collaborators
 
These researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and prognosis of cats with both hyperthyroidism and kidney disease, two common ailments of aging cats. Often, hyperthyroidism masks underlying kidney disease until it is revealed during treatment. The investigators are attempting to define a method for identifying the kidney disease before treatment of hyperthyroidism. This would improve the well-being of the cat as well as its life expectancy. To do this, they are analyzing the urine of hyperthyroid cats using a cutting-edge technique to identify literally thousands of urine components to see if any correlate with post-treatment appearance of kidney disease.

It has been a challenge acquiring sufficient numbers of cases of cats with hyperthyroidism able to participate in the study. Despite this, analysis is ongoing. To date, no identifiable correlate with renal disease has been found. However, the urine composition of hyperthyroid cats has been determined at a much more detailed level, which may allow future diagnosis of this condition via a simple urine test. [MK]

See also: Riensche MR, Graves TK, Schaeffer DJ. An investigation of predictors of renal insufficiency following treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. J Feline Med Surg 2008;10:160-166.

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Read the Cat Health News Weekly
Join us on Google+

Read More

With more than 2,000 product recalls in 2011 alone, consumers may be suffering from 'recall fatigue'

Regulators, retailers and manufacturers are getting worried that the public is suffering from "recall fatigue."

Last year, there were 2,363 recalls, according to data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That's a 14 percent increase over 2010 when there were 2,081 recalls. In 2007, there were 1,460.

"We have this growing concern for safety, but with there being so many recalls going on, [is the public] paying attention to them and responding to them in a manner that is necessary for the recalls to be handled effectively?" asked Mike Rozembajgier, a vice president of Stericycle ExpertRecall.

There have already been hundreds of recalls this year. Pfizer recalled birth-control pills after it was discovered they could have been packaged out of sequence, increasing chances for pregnancy. Nearly 170,000 Ikea customers were asked to return high chairs after it was found the restraint buckle opened unexpectedly. Today, Samsonite recalled suitcases because they were made with high levels of compounds linked to cancer.

Experts believe "the increase is the result of a combination of greater oversight by regulators, better testing procedures and the use of social media where consumers can quickly point out and discuss problems with other people," reports Christopher Doering of the Des Moines Register. (Read more)

Regulators, retailers and manufacturers are getting worried that the public is suffering from "recall fatigue."

Last year, there were 2,363 recalls, according to data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That's a 14 percent increase over 2010 when there were 2,081 recalls. In 2007, there were 1,460.

"We have this growing concern for safety, but with there being so many recalls going on, [is the public] paying attention to them and responding to them in a manner that is necessary for the recalls to be handled effectively?" asked Mike Rozembajgier, a vice president of Stericycle ExpertRecall.

There have already been hundreds of recalls this year. Pfizer recalled birth-control pills after it was discovered they could have been packaged out of sequence, increasing chances for pregnancy. Nearly 170,000 Ikea customers were asked to return high chairs after it was found the restraint buckle opened unexpectedly. Today, Samsonite recalled suitcases because they were made with high levels of compounds linked to cancer.

Experts believe "the increase is the result of a combination of greater oversight by regulators, better testing procedures and the use of social media where consumers can quickly point out and discuss problems with other people," reports Christopher Doering of the Des Moines Register. (Read more)

Read More

University Hospital cuts contribution to U of L by half

University Hospital. Photo by Bill Luster, The Courier-Journal.

In the midst of financial woes, University Hospital gave just half of what it normally does to the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center — and is considering reducing its contribution to zero.

The hospital gave $5.5 million rather than its usual $11 million annually.

In the past, critics have asked why the hospital wasn't using the funds given to the health center to shore up its own financial problems. Dr. David Dunn, U of L's executive vice president for health affairs, said "symbiotic arrangements between teaching hospitals and health sciences centers are common across the nation, and cutting the contribution in half has meant struggles to recruit and retain physicians and nurses," Laura Ungar reported for The Courier-Journal.

University Hospital has long been looking at ways to stabilize its finances. Last year, Gov. Steve Beshear nixed plans for the hospital to merge with a Catholic health system since it would have been subject to Catholic health directives. Since, it's been looking for a new merging partner, a process that has been delayed until the end of this month. (Read more)

University Hospital. Photo by Bill Luster, The Courier-Journal.

In the midst of financial woes, University Hospital gave just half of what it normally does to the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center — and is considering reducing its contribution to zero.

The hospital gave $5.5 million rather than its usual $11 million annually.

In the past, critics have asked why the hospital wasn't using the funds given to the health center to shore up its own financial problems. Dr. David Dunn, U of L's executive vice president for health affairs, said "symbiotic arrangements between teaching hospitals and health sciences centers are common across the nation, and cutting the contribution in half has meant struggles to recruit and retain physicians and nurses," Laura Ungar reported for The Courier-Journal.

University Hospital has long been looking at ways to stabilize its finances. Last year, Gov. Steve Beshear nixed plans for the hospital to merge with a Catholic health system since it would have been subject to Catholic health directives. Since, it's been looking for a new merging partner, a process that has been delayed until the end of this month. (Read more)

Read More

Facing budget shortfalls, many county and district health departments cut hours and staff

Reduced hours and staff will be the new reality for many health departments across Kentucky starting in July as they deal with funding shortages and changes.

Though the total amount of state funding to local health departments has not gone down, the way it is allocated has changed. “Part of the new formula took into account the population served and percentage of population below the poverty level,” reports Beth Musgrave for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Counties that serve more “working poor” — people who are employed but don’t have insurance — were hit the hardest by the reformulation.

Kentucky’s move to managed care for its Medicaid recipients also affected funding because reimbursement rates went down. Meanwhile, retirement and health insurance costs continue to go up.

There are 59 county and district health departments in Kentucky, all of which are funded partly by local property taxes, ranging from 1.8 cents to 4 cents per $100 worth of property. With the recession, local tax revenues have decreased, contributing to funding shortfalls.

Musgrave reports of furloughs, staff cuts and program cuts in various counties surrounding Lexington. Local news outlets should look at what is happening to health departments in their areas. (Read more) 

Reduced hours and staff will be the new reality for many health departments across Kentucky starting in July as they deal with funding shortages and changes.

Though the total amount of state funding to local health departments has not gone down, the way it is allocated has changed. “Part of the new formula took into account the population served and percentage of population below the poverty level,” reports Beth Musgrave for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Counties that serve more “working poor” — people who are employed but don’t have insurance — were hit the hardest by the reformulation.

Kentucky’s move to managed care for its Medicaid recipients also affected funding because reimbursement rates went down. Meanwhile, retirement and health insurance costs continue to go up.

There are 59 county and district health departments in Kentucky, all of which are funded partly by local property taxes, ranging from 1.8 cents to 4 cents per $100 worth of property. With the recession, local tax revenues have decreased, contributing to funding shortfalls.

Musgrave reports of furloughs, staff cuts and program cuts in various counties surrounding Lexington. Local news outlets should look at what is happening to health departments in their areas. (Read more) 

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Black lung affects Kentucky surface miners more than those in other states, CDC study finds and Courier-Journal reports

Photo by Getty Images.

Nearly 4 percent of surface coal miners who work in Central Appalachia who were tested for a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have black lung disease, compared to 2 percent of all U.S. surface miners and 3.2 percent of underground coal miners.

Though the study didn't test Kentucky separately from the 14 other states assessed, Laura Ungar of The Courier-Journal in Louisville asked about it and found that "13 of 230 Kentucky surface miners tested — or 5.7 percent — had black lung," she reports, quoting Cara Halldin, a CDC epidemic intelligence service officer, as calling that number " a disproportionate burden."

It's not clear why the incidence is higher in Central Appalachia than other parts of the country, but Halldin suspects it has to do with "more years spent mining, area geology or the safety culture at mines," Ungar reports. One study showed miners who work in Central Appalachia typically work 28 years in the mines while non-Appalachian miners work average 20 years.

Black-lung disease, or coal workers' pneumoconiosis, is the result of miners repeatedly inhaling the dust that comes from extracting coal. That dust occurs whether the miner is under- or above-ground. "Coal mining is really, really dusty. Don't matter what you do, you're in the dust," said John Bud Ritchie, a retired surface miner who has black lung disease. "It's real rough. You can't hardly keep the dust down on hot days."

The federal exposure limit for "respirable dust" in underground and surface mines is 2 milligrams of coal dust per cubic meter of air. That limit was set in 1969, along with a law that set up "a surveillance system for assessing prevalence of black lung among underground coal miners," Ungar reports. "But the requirement for surveillance doesn't extend to surface miners." Haldin said, "Industry should recognize this is a problem and their workers are at risk and bring down the levels." (Read more)

Photo by Getty Images.

Nearly 4 percent of surface coal miners who work in Central Appalachia who were tested for a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have black lung disease, compared to 2 percent of all U.S. surface miners and 3.2 percent of underground coal miners.

Though the study didn't test Kentucky separately from the 14 other states assessed, Laura Ungar of The Courier-Journal in Louisville asked about it and found that "13 of 230 Kentucky surface miners tested — or 5.7 percent — had black lung," she reports, quoting Cara Halldin, a CDC epidemic intelligence service officer, as calling that number " a disproportionate burden."

It's not clear why the incidence is higher in Central Appalachia than other parts of the country, but Halldin suspects it has to do with "more years spent mining, area geology or the safety culture at mines," Ungar reports. One study showed miners who work in Central Appalachia typically work 28 years in the mines while non-Appalachian miners work average 20 years.

Black-lung disease, or coal workers' pneumoconiosis, is the result of miners repeatedly inhaling the dust that comes from extracting coal. That dust occurs whether the miner is under- or above-ground. "Coal mining is really, really dusty. Don't matter what you do, you're in the dust," said John Bud Ritchie, a retired surface miner who has black lung disease. "It's real rough. You can't hardly keep the dust down on hot days."

The federal exposure limit for "respirable dust" in underground and surface mines is 2 milligrams of coal dust per cubic meter of air. That limit was set in 1969, along with a law that set up "a surveillance system for assessing prevalence of black lung among underground coal miners," Ungar reports. "But the requirement for surveillance doesn't extend to surface miners." Haldin said, "Industry should recognize this is a problem and their workers are at risk and bring down the levels." (Read more)

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Almost half of Americans did not receive routine preventive care before 2010, study finds

Los Angeles Times graphic by Mel Melcon

Though preventive medicine is considered a cornerstone in improving health, nearly half of Americans did not receive routine preventive care before 2010, a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhas found.

The findings show “there are large disparities by demographics, geography, and health care coverage and access” when it comes to receiving preventive clinical services, said CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden.

The analysis looked at “how many people with vascular heart disease were prescribed aspirin or antiplatelet therapy to prevent heart disease (just 46 percent) and how many adults with hypertension had their blood pressure under control (just 43 percent). Only 28 percent of adults between 18 and 64 had received the seasonal influenza vaccine. Only 7.6 percent of tobacco users were prescribed tobacco cessation medication,” reports Eryn Brown for the Los Angeles Times.

When it came to cholesterol testing the results were more positive, with 70 percent of men and women considered at risk receiving screening in the last five years. Preventive care to manage diabetes was also more readily accessible.

The goal of the study was to establish a baseline of preventive care before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which “gave 54 million Americans at least one new free preventive service through private health insurance plans,” Brown reports. (Read more)

Los Angeles Times graphic by Mel Melcon

Though preventive medicine is considered a cornerstone in improving health, nearly half of Americans did not receive routine preventive care before 2010, a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhas found.

The findings show “there are large disparities by demographics, geography, and health care coverage and access” when it comes to receiving preventive clinical services, said CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden.

The analysis looked at “how many people with vascular heart disease were prescribed aspirin or antiplatelet therapy to prevent heart disease (just 46 percent) and how many adults with hypertension had their blood pressure under control (just 43 percent). Only 28 percent of adults between 18 and 64 had received the seasonal influenza vaccine. Only 7.6 percent of tobacco users were prescribed tobacco cessation medication,” reports Eryn Brown for the Los Angeles Times.

When it came to cholesterol testing the results were more positive, with 70 percent of men and women considered at risk receiving screening in the last five years. Preventive care to manage diabetes was also more readily accessible.

The goal of the study was to establish a baseline of preventive care before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which “gave 54 million Americans at least one new free preventive service through private health insurance plans,” Brown reports. (Read more)

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States with helmet laws have far fewer motorcycle-related deaths; Kentucky doesn't require bikers to wear protective headgear

Petersburg (Tex.) Volunteer Fire Dept. photo

“Fewer motorcyclists die in states that require helmets, and the costs to society are lower too,” reports Mike Stobbe for The Associated Press. About five times as many no-helmet biker deaths occur in states with less restrictive laws.

Kentucky once had a helmet law for motorcyclists, but repealed it several years ago. Nationwide, 20 states had universal motorcycle helmet laws in 2010, but Michigan has since reversed course and allowed helmets to be optional for riders over 21.

The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked at 14,283 motorcycle-related deaths from 2008 to 2010. Of those, 6,027 bikers did not wear a helmet. “Only about 12 percent of those deaths occurred in the 20 states that required everyone on motorbikes to wear helmets,” Stobbe reports.

The study also found that helmet use saved $3 billion in U.S. medical expenses. Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all states had helmet laws, the CDC concluded. Motorcycles account for about 3 percent of vehicles on the road, but 14 percent of deaths caused by traffic accidents. (Read more)

Petersburg (Tex.) Volunteer Fire Dept. photo

“Fewer motorcyclists die in states that require helmets, and the costs to society are lower too,” reports Mike Stobbe for The Associated Press. About five times as many no-helmet biker deaths occur in states with less restrictive laws.

Kentucky once had a helmet law for motorcyclists, but repealed it several years ago. Nationwide, 20 states had universal motorcycle helmet laws in 2010, but Michigan has since reversed course and allowed helmets to be optional for riders over 21.

The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked at 14,283 motorcycle-related deaths from 2008 to 2010. Of those, 6,027 bikers did not wear a helmet. “Only about 12 percent of those deaths occurred in the 20 states that required everyone on motorbikes to wear helmets,” Stobbe reports.

The study also found that helmet use saved $3 billion in U.S. medical expenses. Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all states had helmet laws, the CDC concluded. Motorcycles account for about 3 percent of vehicles on the road, but 14 percent of deaths caused by traffic accidents. (Read more)

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Lexington physician will lead American Medical Association

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A Kentucky physician has been chosen to head the American Medical Association.

Dr. Ardis Hoven of Lexington, an infectious-disease specialist, ran unopposed and will be the AMA's 168th president and the third woman to hold the position.

"The honor here is that I've been given a large responsibility, of which I'm very aware," she said. "We have the opportunity to take medicine, to take health care, to a better place."

Hoven was at the forefront in battling the first wave of the AIDS epidemic, reports Cheryl Truman of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Hoven, a Cincinnati native, was president of the Kentucky Medical Association from 1993-94 and was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2005. (Read more)

Add caption

A Kentucky physician has been chosen to head the American Medical Association.

Dr. Ardis Hoven of Lexington, an infectious-disease specialist, ran unopposed and will be the AMA's 168th president and the third woman to hold the position.

"The honor here is that I've been given a large responsibility, of which I'm very aware," she said. "We have the opportunity to take medicine, to take health care, to a better place."

Hoven was at the forefront in battling the first wave of the AIDS epidemic, reports Cheryl Truman of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Hoven, a Cincinnati native, was president of the Kentucky Medical Association from 1993-94 and was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2005. (Read more)

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New resource guide and school curriculum aimed at expanding farm-to-school programs in Kentucky

A resource guide and school curriculum are the latest efforts to expand farm-to-school programs in Kentucky. With fewer than 30 percent of Kentuckians consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, farm to school is a “win-win for students, school food service, farmers and local economies,” said Elaine Russell, coordinator for Kentucky Obesity Prevention Program and chairwoman of the Kentucky Farm-to-School Task Force.

The guide includes advice from Kentuckians who have already participated in projects; resources to connect farmers and school food service directors, how to follow procurement rules; recipes; a produce calculator; funding sources; and how to get kids to eat their vegetables.

The curriculum helps students recognize the sources of the food they eat and explains how eating locally-grown food can improve their diet and nutrition.

The undertaking is a joint effort between the Kentucky Department for Public Health the state Department of Agriculture the state Department of Education and the University of Kentucky. The new resources will be presented to school food service personnel June 19 at the Kentucky School Nutrition Association’s conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. (Read more)

A resource guide and school curriculum are the latest efforts to expand farm-to-school programs in Kentucky. With fewer than 30 percent of Kentuckians consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, farm to school is a “win-win for students, school food service, farmers and local economies,” said Elaine Russell, coordinator for Kentucky Obesity Prevention Program and chairwoman of the Kentucky Farm-to-School Task Force.

The guide includes advice from Kentuckians who have already participated in projects; resources to connect farmers and school food service directors, how to follow procurement rules; recipes; a produce calculator; funding sources; and how to get kids to eat their vegetables.

The curriculum helps students recognize the sources of the food they eat and explains how eating locally-grown food can improve their diet and nutrition.

The undertaking is a joint effort between the Kentucky Department for Public Health the state Department of Agriculture the state Department of Education and the University of Kentucky. The new resources will be presented to school food service personnel June 19 at the Kentucky School Nutrition Association’s conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. (Read more)

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Feline heart disease and pimobendan

Hambrook LE, Bennett PF. Effect of pimobendan on the clinical outcome and survival of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy. J Feline Med Surg 2012;14:233-239.
 
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an uncommon form of cardiac disease in cats that can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), aortic thromboembolism (ATE), arrhythmias, and sudden death. Taurine deficiency was found to be a major cause of feline DCM in 1987. Subsequent supplementation with taurine of cat foods has significantly reduced, yet not eliminated the incidence of feline DCM. This study looked at the effect of pimobendan on the median survival time (MST) of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy. Thirty-two client owned cats were divided into pimobendan (n=16) and non-pimobendan (n=16) treatment groups. All the cats received standard treatment of frusemide, taurine, and benazepril or enalapril. The MST of the pimobendan group (49 days, range 1 to > 502 days) was four times as long as the non-pimobendan group (12 days, 1 to 244 days). Pimobendan therapy appears to improve the survival time of cats with non-taurine responsive DCM. Pimobendan therapy was not associated with adverse effects in the cats. Hypothermia and fractional shortening (FS) of <20% were associated with a poor prognosis in cats. [VT]

See also: MacGregor JM, Rush JE, Laste NJ, et al. Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006–2010). J Vet Cardiol 2011;13:251-260.

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Hambrook LE, Bennett PF. Effect of pimobendan on the clinical outcome and survival of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy. J Feline Med Surg 2012;14:233-239.
 
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an uncommon form of cardiac disease in cats that can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), aortic thromboembolism (ATE), arrhythmias, and sudden death. Taurine deficiency was found to be a major cause of feline DCM in 1987. Subsequent supplementation with taurine of cat foods has significantly reduced, yet not eliminated the incidence of feline DCM. This study looked at the effect of pimobendan on the median survival time (MST) of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy. Thirty-two client owned cats were divided into pimobendan (n=16) and non-pimobendan (n=16) treatment groups. All the cats received standard treatment of frusemide, taurine, and benazepril or enalapril. The MST of the pimobendan group (49 days, range 1 to > 502 days) was four times as long as the non-pimobendan group (12 days, 1 to 244 days). Pimobendan therapy appears to improve the survival time of cats with non-taurine responsive DCM. Pimobendan therapy was not associated with adverse effects in the cats. Hypothermia and fractional shortening (FS) of <20% were associated with a poor prognosis in cats. [VT]

See also: MacGregor JM, Rush JE, Laste NJ, et al. Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006–2010). J Vet Cardiol 2011;13:251-260.

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Read the Cat Health News Weekly
Join us on Google+

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