U of L's Trover medical campus ranked among best for rural medicine education and addresing rural physician shortage

The University of Louisville School of Medicine Trover Rural Campus in Madisonville was rated third best in the nation for preparing medical students to practice in rural areas, which is critical to the state since most of Kentucky's rural counties are considered to be short of health professionals.

“From the president and the deans to the individual faculty and staff, our team has proven the value of a collaboration of a rural campus and an urban university. The beneficiaries are our students and the rural Kentucky communities who receive these new doctors who are well prepared to care for them,” Dr. Bill Crump, right, associate dean for the Trover campus, said in a UofL press release.
  
The study by researchers at the University of Colorado, which will be published in Academic Medicine in August, ranked 35 programs across the nation and found that 62 percent of Trover graduates practice medicine in rural areas, says the release.

“This national recognition is the fulfillment of Dr. Loman Trover’s vision outlined almost 60 years ago of providing first class medical education in a small town with the goal of producing more physicians for rural Kentucky, and is a testament to the strong support we’ve had from the Louisville Campus over the past 15 years,” said Crump.

Nationally, there is a physician shortage in rural areas because only 3 percent of medical students report want to practice rural medicine, while 16 percent of Americans live in rural areas. This problem is especially large in Kentucky, says the release, since a majority of the state's 59 counties classified as rural are considered to be short of medical professionals..

“Our Trover campus is vital to fulfilling this mission and especially critical now because our state faces such a significant shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas. Dr. Crump’s leadership of the program is one of the reasons for its success. We view the program as a model that has the potential to be implemented in other areas of Kentucky,” said School of Medicine Dean Dr. Toni Ganzel.

The University of Louisville School of Medicine Trover Rural Campus in Madisonville was rated third best in the nation for preparing medical students to practice in rural areas, which is critical to the state since most of Kentucky's rural counties are considered to be short of health professionals.

“From the president and the deans to the individual faculty and staff, our team has proven the value of a collaboration of a rural campus and an urban university. The beneficiaries are our students and the rural Kentucky communities who receive these new doctors who are well prepared to care for them,” Dr. Bill Crump, right, associate dean for the Trover campus, said in a UofL press release.
  
The study by researchers at the University of Colorado, which will be published in Academic Medicine in August, ranked 35 programs across the nation and found that 62 percent of Trover graduates practice medicine in rural areas, says the release.

“This national recognition is the fulfillment of Dr. Loman Trover’s vision outlined almost 60 years ago of providing first class medical education in a small town with the goal of producing more physicians for rural Kentucky, and is a testament to the strong support we’ve had from the Louisville Campus over the past 15 years,” said Crump.

Nationally, there is a physician shortage in rural areas because only 3 percent of medical students report want to practice rural medicine, while 16 percent of Americans live in rural areas. This problem is especially large in Kentucky, says the release, since a majority of the state's 59 counties classified as rural are considered to be short of medical professionals..

“Our Trover campus is vital to fulfilling this mission and especially critical now because our state faces such a significant shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas. Dr. Crump’s leadership of the program is one of the reasons for its success. We view the program as a model that has the potential to be implemented in other areas of Kentucky,” said School of Medicine Dean Dr. Toni Ganzel.

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At least one in eight teens, and perhaps one in five, have a mental-health issue; ADHD tops, substance abuse also high

The most comprehensive report yet on mental disorders in children shows attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed problem in those aged 3-17, and the most common health issues for teenagers include addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

An estimated 13 to 20 percent of U.S. children experience a mental disorder in a given year, says a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and children are increasingly suffering from and being hospitalized for mood disorders like depression; that hospitalization rate has increased 80 percent from 1997 to 2010, says the report. And, while 3.5 percent of children under 18 have behavioral problems, almost 7 percent of them are diagnosed with ADHD.

About 4.7 percent of teens, or 1.7 million children aged 12–17, have disorders involving abuse and dependence upon alcohol, drugs or tobacco, says the report. Alarmingly, two-thirds of teenagers had an illicit drug use disorder, one million teenagers abused drugs or alcohol, and more than 695,000 were addicted to tobacco.

“This first report of its kind documents that millions of children are living with depression, substance use disorders, ADHD and other mental health conditions,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said. “No parent, grandparent, teacher or friend wants to see a child struggle with these issues. It concerns us all. We are working to both increase our understanding of these disorders and help scale up programs and strategies to prevent mental illness so that our children grow to lead productive, healthy lives.”

The most comprehensive report yet on mental disorders in children shows attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed problem in those aged 3-17, and the most common health issues for teenagers include addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

An estimated 13 to 20 percent of U.S. children experience a mental disorder in a given year, says a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and children are increasingly suffering from and being hospitalized for mood disorders like depression; that hospitalization rate has increased 80 percent from 1997 to 2010, says the report. And, while 3.5 percent of children under 18 have behavioral problems, almost 7 percent of them are diagnosed with ADHD.

About 4.7 percent of teens, or 1.7 million children aged 12–17, have disorders involving abuse and dependence upon alcohol, drugs or tobacco, says the report. Alarmingly, two-thirds of teenagers had an illicit drug use disorder, one million teenagers abused drugs or alcohol, and more than 695,000 were addicted to tobacco.

“This first report of its kind documents that millions of children are living with depression, substance use disorders, ADHD and other mental health conditions,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said. “No parent, grandparent, teacher or friend wants to see a child struggle with these issues. It concerns us all. We are working to both increase our understanding of these disorders and help scale up programs and strategies to prevent mental illness so that our children grow to lead productive, healthy lives.”

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Knox County converting ambulance tax, taking 3/8 of health tax and asking library for same in order to save hospital

The Knox County Fiscal Court and the Knox County Board of Health reached a deal Monday to aid its debt-laden county hospital's recovery from bankruptcy by diverting, at least temporarily, 37.5 percent of local health tax revenue to the hospital, asking the local library to do likewise and converting an ambulance tax into a hospital tax.

The proposed agreement is "revenue neutral" and would not create any additional tax for Knox County residents while allowing the Knox County Hospital in Barbourville to stay open, writes Jeff Noble of The Times-Tribune in Corbin.

To save the hospital, the hospital board needs a tax of about 8 cents per $100 worth of property, County Judge-Executive J.M. Hall said. The deal would convert a 5-cent ambulance tax to a hospital tax, and the county health board has agreed to shift 1.5 cents of its 4-cent tax to the hospital. The library board is considering similar action, which would make up the total 8 cents, Hall told Noble.

Health Department Director Susan Liford said the two-year deal with the health board will begin in January 2014 and will be re-evaluated at the end of that period. The health department will be diverting $300,000 to $400,000 a year to the hospital, Noble reports.

"The board felt like we needed to help the hospital, and they were very adamant they did not want to put the health department in jeopardy and have no one here lose their jobs," Liford told Noble. "I think it’s the moral thing to do. And we need our hospital."

The hospital has a debt estimated at $23 million, though the Knox County Fiscal Court purchased it out of bankruptcy by in 2004 for just $7.2 million, according to documents analyzed by the Barbourville Mountain Advocate, Knox County's weekly newspaper. Last July, the fiscal court took over hospital operations of the hospital, borrowing $6 million to fund them, after the former owners filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (Mountain Advocate graphic; click on it for larger version)

The Knox County Fiscal Court and the Knox County Board of Health reached a deal Monday to aid its debt-laden county hospital's recovery from bankruptcy by diverting, at least temporarily, 37.5 percent of local health tax revenue to the hospital, asking the local library to do likewise and converting an ambulance tax into a hospital tax.

The proposed agreement is "revenue neutral" and would not create any additional tax for Knox County residents while allowing the Knox County Hospital in Barbourville to stay open, writes Jeff Noble of The Times-Tribune in Corbin.

To save the hospital, the hospital board needs a tax of about 8 cents per $100 worth of property, County Judge-Executive J.M. Hall said. The deal would convert a 5-cent ambulance tax to a hospital tax, and the county health board has agreed to shift 1.5 cents of its 4-cent tax to the hospital. The library board is considering similar action, which would make up the total 8 cents, Hall told Noble.

Health Department Director Susan Liford said the two-year deal with the health board will begin in January 2014 and will be re-evaluated at the end of that period. The health department will be diverting $300,000 to $400,000 a year to the hospital, Noble reports.

"The board felt like we needed to help the hospital, and they were very adamant they did not want to put the health department in jeopardy and have no one here lose their jobs," Liford told Noble. "I think it’s the moral thing to do. And we need our hospital."

The hospital has a debt estimated at $23 million, though the Knox County Fiscal Court purchased it out of bankruptcy by in 2004 for just $7.2 million, according to documents analyzed by the Barbourville Mountain Advocate, Knox County's weekly newspaper. Last July, the fiscal court took over hospital operations of the hospital, borrowing $6 million to fund them, after the former owners filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (Mountain Advocate graphic; click on it for larger version)

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UK HealthCare hosts 'Women, It's About You' conference June 1

On June 1 UK HealthCare will present its fifth annual "Women, It’s About You" conference, which is designed to educate women with the most up-to-date information about health topics ranging from mammograms to nutrition to financial abuse.

This year's conference will feature 15 presentations on the following women's health topics:

Menopause, presented by Dr. Kathy Dillon 

Memory and aging, presented by Dr. Gregory Jicha 

Women's heart health, presented by Dr. Susan Smyth 

Eye health, presented by Dr. Eric Higgins 

Physical fitness, presented by Richard Watson 

Gynecologic cancer, presented by Dr. Lauren Baldwin 

Financial abuse of women, presented by Susan Lawrence 

Weight loss, presented by Dr. Stephanie Rose 

Skin care and cosmetic procedures, presented by Dr. Amit Patel 

Stroke, presented by Lisa Bellamy 

Diabetes, presented by Sheri Legg and Beth Holden 

Nutrition, presented by Rachel Miller 

Mammography, presented by Dr. Margaret Szabunio

Pelvic Prolapse, presented by Drs. Rudy Tovar and Mark Hoffman.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of health screenings, including blood pressure and stroke-risk assessment, says a UK HealthCare press release. The event, which will take place at the Embassy Suites hotel on Newtown Pike in north Lexington, costs $10 and also includes a continental breakfast, a luncheon with entertainment, giveaways and an exhibitor fair. Click here for more information or to register by the Friday, May 17 deadline.

On June 1 UK HealthCare will present its fifth annual "Women, It’s About You" conference, which is designed to educate women with the most up-to-date information about health topics ranging from mammograms to nutrition to financial abuse.

This year's conference will feature 15 presentations on the following women's health topics:

Menopause, presented by Dr. Kathy Dillon 

Memory and aging, presented by Dr. Gregory Jicha 

Women's heart health, presented by Dr. Susan Smyth 

Eye health, presented by Dr. Eric Higgins 

Physical fitness, presented by Richard Watson 

Gynecologic cancer, presented by Dr. Lauren Baldwin 

Financial abuse of women, presented by Susan Lawrence 

Weight loss, presented by Dr. Stephanie Rose 

Skin care and cosmetic procedures, presented by Dr. Amit Patel 

Stroke, presented by Lisa Bellamy 

Diabetes, presented by Sheri Legg and Beth Holden 

Nutrition, presented by Rachel Miller 

Mammography, presented by Dr. Margaret Szabunio

Pelvic Prolapse, presented by Drs. Rudy Tovar and Mark Hoffman.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of health screenings, including blood pressure and stroke-risk assessment, says a UK HealthCare press release. The event, which will take place at the Embassy Suites hotel on Newtown Pike in north Lexington, costs $10 and also includes a continental breakfast, a luncheon with entertainment, giveaways and an exhibitor fair. Click here for more information or to register by the Friday, May 17 deadline.

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Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is accepting nominations for qualified persons to join its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.

The 15 directors are responsible for preserving the foundation’s endowment and upholding its charitable mission of addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. Nominations are being accepted for three seats, including one to be selected by the directors and one by the governor.

The third seat will represent Supreme Court District 6: Bath, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties. This director will be chosen by a Community Advisory Committee subcommittee, comprising five members who help run organizations addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians.

The foundation is also accepting Community Advisory Committee nominations in anticipation of electing two new committee members. The 31 members provide advice and recommendations to the board, serve as community liaisons, serve on foundation committees, take part in the annual policy forum and appoint or nominate directors.

Please complete the nomination form and attach a resume or bio. Self-nominations are allowed.  The deadline for receipt of nominations is July 15. Mail to Mary Jo Dike, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40223, or email to mdike@healthy-ky.org. For more information call 502-326-2583 (toll-free 1-877-326-2584).

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is accepting nominations for qualified persons to join its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.

The 15 directors are responsible for preserving the foundation’s endowment and upholding its charitable mission of addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. Nominations are being accepted for three seats, including one to be selected by the directors and one by the governor.

The third seat will represent Supreme Court District 6: Bath, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties. This director will be chosen by a Community Advisory Committee subcommittee, comprising five members who help run organizations addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians.

The foundation is also accepting Community Advisory Committee nominations in anticipation of electing two new committee members. The 31 members provide advice and recommendations to the board, serve as community liaisons, serve on foundation committees, take part in the annual policy forum and appoint or nominate directors.

Please complete the nomination form and attach a resume or bio. Self-nominations are allowed.  The deadline for receipt of nominations is July 15. Mail to Mary Jo Dike, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40223, or email to mdike@healthy-ky.org. For more information call 502-326-2583 (toll-free 1-877-326-2584).

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Could Medicare Part D be an inadvertent enabler of prescription drug abuse?

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

An examination of the Medicare Part D program that Congress established a decade ago, dedicating billions of dollars to subsidizing prescription drug purchases for 35 million elderly and disabled Americans, uncovers the program's risky lack of oversight -- and suggests that it might be contributing to Kentucky's prescription-drug abuse epidemic.

An analysis of Medicare prescription records by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit newsroom, found that the program has failed to properly monitor safety, ProPublica's Tracy Weber, Charles Ornstein and Jennifer LaFleur write in The Washington Post. And despite their findings that many providers prescribe antipsychotics, narcotics and other drugs known to be dangerous for older adults, Medicare officials told them it's not their job to monitor for unsafe prescribing or to stop doctors with criminal histories.

The largely unchecked prescribing habits of Medicare providers and the increased availability of prescription drugs suggests that Part D has inadvertently enabled prescription drug abuse, by making drugs available for abuse by Medicare patients, their friends, acquaintances and family members, particularly teenagers. A 2010 national survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 65 percent of teens who report that they have abused prescription medicine got them from friends, family and acquaintances rather than illegal drug dealers.

In Kentucky, drug overdose, mostly from prescription drugs, is the leading cause of death, and the widespread availability of drugs and easy access to drugs are some reasons for this trend, says the 2012 combined report from the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet. In addition to taking the lives of loved ones, drug overdose takes a huge financial toll on the state, and a recent study shows that the Medicare program bankrolls the single largest percentage of drug overdose inpatient hospitalizations.

Inpatient hospitalizations for drug overdoses by percentage of total charges,
among Kentucky residents treated in Kentucky acute-care hospitals, 2010

Medicare alone was billed for 30 percent of all inpatient hospitalizations for drug overdoses in Kentucky from 2000 through 2010, totaling over $440.7 million, says a report by the Kentucky Injury Prevention Research Center. During those 11 years, the number of unintentional drug-overdose hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries increased 222 percent.

The fact that almost a third of overdose hospitalizations involve Medicare patients is concerning, said Van Ingram, executive director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. In addition to these alarming statistics, Medicare and Medicaid incurred nearly $4 million worth of charges for drug-overdose visits to emergency rooms in 2010, which represents 41 percent of the total charges, says the KIPRC report. Also, during the period from 2008 to 2010, the number of unintentional Medicare drug-overdose emergency visits increased almost 44 percent.

Among prescription drugs, opiates and similar narcotics are most likely to be abused and most likely to lead to death. Since Medicare Part D began covering prescription drugs in 2006, drug overdose deaths involving opiates have increased almost 80 percent in Kentucky, says the KIPRC report.

ProPublica's Prescriber Checkup database shows that 30 percent of Medicare Part D patients have filled at least one narcotic prescription. The most common drug provided by Part D in Kentucky is hydrocodone-aceteminophen, which is an opiate painkiller known commercially as Lortab, Lorcet or Vicodin. Part D paid more than $12.6 million on 958,933 claims for hydrocodone-aceteminophen from 2007 to 2010.

Medicare officials told ProPublica that the government isn't responsible for monitoring these types of prescriptions because that is the duty of private health plans administering the program. Yet, health plans aren't given the tools to do so, the reporters write, and no one party has been slated the task of ensuring safe medication-use. This complacent mentality suggests Medicare officials, who also say it's not the providers' duty to "prevent inappropriate prescribing for individual patients," could be passively contributing to the drug-safety issue of prescription medications covered by Part D.

In addition to indicating that providers should not industriously discourage dangerous prescription drug usage, ProPublica’s examination of Part D data showcases numerous examples of Medicare officials failing to act against providers with troubled prescribing backgrounds. Such examination initiates a worthwhile discussion about the program's role in encouraging, or well, at least not actively combating, prescription drug abuse. Click here to visit Kentucky's Medicare Part D Prescriber Checkup. Individual doctors can be looked up.

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

An examination of the Medicare Part D program that Congress established a decade ago, dedicating billions of dollars to subsidizing prescription drug purchases for 35 million elderly and disabled Americans, uncovers the program's risky lack of oversight -- and suggests that it might be contributing to Kentucky's prescription-drug abuse epidemic.

An analysis of Medicare prescription records by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit newsroom, found that the program has failed to properly monitor safety, ProPublica's Tracy Weber, Charles Ornstein and Jennifer LaFleur write in The Washington Post. And despite their findings that many providers prescribe antipsychotics, narcotics and other drugs known to be dangerous for older adults, Medicare officials told them it's not their job to monitor for unsafe prescribing or to stop doctors with criminal histories.

The largely unchecked prescribing habits of Medicare providers and the increased availability of prescription drugs suggests that Part D has inadvertently enabled prescription drug abuse, by making drugs available for abuse by Medicare patients, their friends, acquaintances and family members, particularly teenagers. A 2010 national survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 65 percent of teens who report that they have abused prescription medicine got them from friends, family and acquaintances rather than illegal drug dealers.

In Kentucky, drug overdose, mostly from prescription drugs, is the leading cause of death, and the widespread availability of drugs and easy access to drugs are some reasons for this trend, says the 2012 combined report from the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet. In addition to taking the lives of loved ones, drug overdose takes a huge financial toll on the state, and a recent study shows that the Medicare program bankrolls the single largest percentage of drug overdose inpatient hospitalizations.

Inpatient hospitalizations for drug overdoses by percentage of total charges,
among Kentucky residents treated in Kentucky acute-care hospitals, 2010

Medicare alone was billed for 30 percent of all inpatient hospitalizations for drug overdoses in Kentucky from 2000 through 2010, totaling over $440.7 million, says a report by the Kentucky Injury Prevention Research Center. During those 11 years, the number of unintentional drug-overdose hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries increased 222 percent.

The fact that almost a third of overdose hospitalizations involve Medicare patients is concerning, said Van Ingram, executive director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. In addition to these alarming statistics, Medicare and Medicaid incurred nearly $4 million worth of charges for drug-overdose visits to emergency rooms in 2010, which represents 41 percent of the total charges, says the KIPRC report. Also, during the period from 2008 to 2010, the number of unintentional Medicare drug-overdose emergency visits increased almost 44 percent.

Among prescription drugs, opiates and similar narcotics are most likely to be abused and most likely to lead to death. Since Medicare Part D began covering prescription drugs in 2006, drug overdose deaths involving opiates have increased almost 80 percent in Kentucky, says the KIPRC report.

ProPublica's Prescriber Checkup database shows that 30 percent of Medicare Part D patients have filled at least one narcotic prescription. The most common drug provided by Part D in Kentucky is hydrocodone-aceteminophen, which is an opiate painkiller known commercially as Lortab, Lorcet or Vicodin. Part D paid more than $12.6 million on 958,933 claims for hydrocodone-aceteminophen from 2007 to 2010.

Medicare officials told ProPublica that the government isn't responsible for monitoring these types of prescriptions because that is the duty of private health plans administering the program. Yet, health plans aren't given the tools to do so, the reporters write, and no one party has been slated the task of ensuring safe medication-use. This complacent mentality suggests Medicare officials, who also say it's not the providers' duty to "prevent inappropriate prescribing for individual patients," could be passively contributing to the drug-safety issue of prescription medications covered by Part D.

In addition to indicating that providers should not industriously discourage dangerous prescription drug usage, ProPublica’s examination of Part D data showcases numerous examples of Medicare officials failing to act against providers with troubled prescribing backgrounds. Such examination initiates a worthwhile discussion about the program's role in encouraging, or well, at least not actively combating, prescription drug abuse. Click here to visit Kentucky's Medicare Part D Prescriber Checkup. Individual doctors can be looked up.

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Beshear announces launch of Kynect, the state's new online shop for health insurance; open enrollment starts Oct. 1

Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the launch of Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection, which is referred to as Kynect and is Kentucky's one-stop onlineshop for the state's new health insurance exchange.

Beginning next year, most Americans will be required to have health insurance, and Kynect is designed to help an estimated 640,000 uninsured Kentuckians get coverage through private insurance plans, Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program. The online service is also aimed to promote public education and awareness about the health benefit exchange, says a recent press release.

“When I issued an executive order last year creating a state-based health benefit exchange, I did so to ensure that our health benefit exchange would be designed to best meet the unique needs of Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “Individuals, families and small businesses will be able to use kynect for one-stop shopping to find health coverage and determine if they are eligible for payment assistance or tax credits to help cover costs.”

During open enrollment, which begins Oct. 1, Kentuckians and small businesses can compare and select health insurance plans using the Kynect website, a toll-free contact center, a mail-in application or in person, says the release. People can also use the website to find out if they qualify for payment assistance and special discounts on deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

For example, the website indicates that a family of four making $48,000 will receive a tax credit that can be used to pay insurance premiums, which is estimated to be $252 per month, in addition to government subsidies for medical care. A family of four making $80,000 will a receive tax credit too, and insurance premiums are estimated to be $634 per month. Small businesses can also use the website to see if they qualify for specific tax credits (Click here for a PDF fact sheet about payment assistance)

“Starting today, we are undertaking a major education and awareness campaign to ensure that all uninsured Kentuckians understand how Kynect can help them and their families find affordable health coverage,” said Audrey Haynes, secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which will oversee Kynect along with the Kentucky Office of the Health Benefit Exchange.

Beshear created the health exchange by an executive order in July 2012. A recent lawsuit alleges this action was not authorized and should first be approved by the General Assembly. To date, Kentucky has received about $250 million in federal grants to cover the initial costs of exchange, but the state will be responsible for all funding for the exchange beginning in 2015. Kentuckians can visit the service's website or watch the video below to learn more about the program. 

Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the launch of Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection, which is referred to as Kynect and is Kentucky's one-stop onlineshop for the state's new health insurance exchange.

Beginning next year, most Americans will be required to have health insurance, and Kynect is designed to help an estimated 640,000 uninsured Kentuckians get coverage through private insurance plans, Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program. The online service is also aimed to promote public education and awareness about the health benefit exchange, says a recent press release.

“When I issued an executive order last year creating a state-based health benefit exchange, I did so to ensure that our health benefit exchange would be designed to best meet the unique needs of Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “Individuals, families and small businesses will be able to use kynect for one-stop shopping to find health coverage and determine if they are eligible for payment assistance or tax credits to help cover costs.”

During open enrollment, which begins Oct. 1, Kentuckians and small businesses can compare and select health insurance plans using the Kynect website, a toll-free contact center, a mail-in application or in person, says the release. People can also use the website to find out if they qualify for payment assistance and special discounts on deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

For example, the website indicates that a family of four making $48,000 will receive a tax credit that can be used to pay insurance premiums, which is estimated to be $252 per month, in addition to government subsidies for medical care. A family of four making $80,000 will a receive tax credit too, and insurance premiums are estimated to be $634 per month. Small businesses can also use the website to see if they qualify for specific tax credits (Click here for a PDF fact sheet about payment assistance)

“Starting today, we are undertaking a major education and awareness campaign to ensure that all uninsured Kentuckians understand how Kynect can help them and their families find affordable health coverage,” said Audrey Haynes, secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which will oversee Kynect along with the Kentucky Office of the Health Benefit Exchange.

Beshear created the health exchange by an executive order in July 2012. A recent lawsuit alleges this action was not authorized and should first be approved by the General Assembly. To date, Kentucky has received about $250 million in federal grants to cover the initial costs of exchange, but the state will be responsible for all funding for the exchange beginning in 2015. Kentuckians can visit the service's website or watch the video below to learn more about the program. 

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New study finds texting and driving kills and injures more teens than drinking and driving, and is becoming more prevalent

A new study finds that texting while driving has become more dangerous among teenagers than drinking and driving, and it says the number of teens who are dying or being injured as a result of this habit has "skyrocketed."

Nationwide, more than 3,000 teens are killed and 300,000 are injured as a result of texting and driving, compared to 2,700 deaths and 282,000 injuries from drinking and driving, said researchers at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

"A person who is texting can be as impaired as a driver who is legally drunk," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen.

Adesman and his team found that the number of teens who text and drive exceed the number who drink and drive, that more boys admit to texting than girls, and that texting increases with age, writes Delthia Ricks of Newsday. While teens' texting is increasing, the CDC reports alcohol use among teen drivers has decreased by 54 percent over the past 14 years.

On Wednesday, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described texting as among the worst of driver distractions, and Adesman says texting is as hazardous as "drinking and driving, binge drinking, drug and tobacco use, unsafe sex and tanning devices," writes Ricks.

"We have very strong taboos against drinking and driving. Kids don't drink and drive every day," Adesman said. "But some kids are out there texting and driving seven days a week -- and they admit it."

A new study finds that texting while driving has become more dangerous among teenagers than drinking and driving, and it says the number of teens who are dying or being injured as a result of this habit has "skyrocketed."

Nationwide, more than 3,000 teens are killed and 300,000 are injured as a result of texting and driving, compared to 2,700 deaths and 282,000 injuries from drinking and driving, said researchers at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

"A person who is texting can be as impaired as a driver who is legally drunk," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen.

Adesman and his team found that the number of teens who text and drive exceed the number who drink and drive, that more boys admit to texting than girls, and that texting increases with age, writes Delthia Ricks of Newsday. While teens' texting is increasing, the CDC reports alcohol use among teen drivers has decreased by 54 percent over the past 14 years.

On Wednesday, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described texting as among the worst of driver distractions, and Adesman says texting is as hazardous as "drinking and driving, binge drinking, drug and tobacco use, unsafe sex and tanning devices," writes Ricks.

"We have very strong taboos against drinking and driving. Kids don't drink and drive every day," Adesman said. "But some kids are out there texting and driving seven days a week -- and they admit it."

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The country that eats worm and weed killer regularly can’t find a cure for cancer

A recent study by Natural News has shown that canola oil has been a very effective pesticide. It has been generously used to spray on vegetables to kill bugs. The book called 25 Amazing Facts About Foods by Mike Adams and David Guiterrez covers wonderfully detailed description on such topics.  The word ‘canola’ was originally a registered trademark by the manufacturers who wanted to sell rapeseed in low erucic acid content. In fact the sell of rapeseed was banned by the FDA in many countries because of its pesticide-like properties. The word has been derived from ‘Canadian oil, low acid’ for popular usage. Read more about it on: http://www.naturalnews.com/034733_canola_oil_rapeseed_food_labels.html#ixzz2SiHYtEea

The canola oil is being used at the whole foods “fresh foods” bar as an attractive ingredient for its aromatic properties. Natural News argues whether the customers should be charged extra for adding rather harmful oil to their misleading repertoire. There are food items alongside of canola oil which have minimal potential additives which are risky to your general health. This could lead to cancer, allergies and lower immunity in the human body. The claims by grocery food lines to be absolutely natural are a vague cry, whereas the government should take actions to remove canola from it sale list. There is much more information on this: http://www.naturalnews.com/040246_Whole_Foods_canola_oil_GMO.html

Did you know that global warming is also caused by harmful chemicals and pesticides which are being used for non-organic farming activities? This affect is also seen in green house gas pollution. Conventional food in making the planet toxic! It may come at the cheaper price than the organic foods, but the health and environment price to pay is HUGE. Moreover, GMOs are now becoming even costlier to produce and harvest due to superbugs and superweeds. You can read more on this topic on http://www.naturalnews.com/038242_dr_oz_flip-flopper_organic_consumers_association.html

 

 

A recent study by Natural News has shown that canola oil has been a very effective pesticide. It has been generously used to spray on vegetables to kill bugs. The book called 25 Amazing Facts About Foods by Mike Adams and David Guiterrez covers wonderfully detailed description on such topics.  The word ‘canola’ was originally a registered trademark by the manufacturers who wanted to sell rapeseed in low erucic acid content. In fact the sell of rapeseed was banned by the FDA in many countries because of its pesticide-like properties. The word has been derived from ‘Canadian oil, low acid’ for popular usage. Read more about it on: http://www.naturalnews.com/034733_canola_oil_rapeseed_food_labels.html#ixzz2SiHYtEea

The canola oil is being used at the whole foods “fresh foods” bar as an attractive ingredient for its aromatic properties. Natural News argues whether the customers should be charged extra for adding rather harmful oil to their misleading repertoire. There are food items alongside of canola oil which have minimal potential additives which are risky to your general health. This could lead to cancer, allergies and lower immunity in the human body. The claims by grocery food lines to be absolutely natural are a vague cry, whereas the government should take actions to remove canola from it sale list. There is much more information on this: http://www.naturalnews.com/040246_Whole_Foods_canola_oil_GMO.html

Did you know that global warming is also caused by harmful chemicals and pesticides which are being used for non-organic farming activities? This affect is also seen in green house gas pollution. Conventional food in making the planet toxic! It may come at the cheaper price than the organic foods, but the health and environment price to pay is HUGE. Moreover, GMOs are now becoming even costlier to produce and harvest due to superbugs and superweeds. You can read more on this topic on http://www.naturalnews.com/038242_dr_oz_flip-flopper_organic_consumers_association.html

 

 

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Poll shows strong support for medical marijuana in Kentucky

A statewide poll has found that 78 percent of Kentucky adults support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes if recommended by their doctor, while only 26 percent of favor it for recreational purposes.

There were no significant differences in the poll results among the regions of the state on the medical-marijuana question, but on the recreational-use question, the Louisville area and Northern Kentucky were more likely to favor it, at about 37 percent. For geographic and demographic breakdowns of the poll results, click here.

Nationally, 17 states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana, and three states have recently legalized it for recreational use.

“Our Kentucky Health Issues Poll is designed to be informative to Kentucky policymakers,” said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. “Over the past several years, bills dealing with legalization of marijuana have been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly. This research gives policymakers a snapshot of Kentuckians’ views on this issue and should be helpful as lawmakers consider issues for the 2014 legislative session.”

For years, Sen. Perry Clark, D-Louisville, has introduced bills in the Kentucky Senate aimed to legalize medical marijuana. Although the bills, referred to as The Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Memorial Act, gained media coverage in the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions, they have not received a committee hearing and have not passed.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and was conducted last year from Sept. 20 to Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

A statewide poll has found that 78 percent of Kentucky adults support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes if recommended by their doctor, while only 26 percent of favor it for recreational purposes.

There were no significant differences in the poll results among the regions of the state on the medical-marijuana question, but on the recreational-use question, the Louisville area and Northern Kentucky were more likely to favor it, at about 37 percent. For geographic and demographic breakdowns of the poll results, click here.

Nationally, 17 states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana, and three states have recently legalized it for recreational use.

“Our Kentucky Health Issues Poll is designed to be informative to Kentucky policymakers,” said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. “Over the past several years, bills dealing with legalization of marijuana have been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly. This research gives policymakers a snapshot of Kentuckians’ views on this issue and should be helpful as lawmakers consider issues for the 2014 legislative session.”

For years, Sen. Perry Clark, D-Louisville, has introduced bills in the Kentucky Senate aimed to legalize medical marijuana. Although the bills, referred to as The Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Memorial Act, gained media coverage in the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions, they have not received a committee hearing and have not passed.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and was conducted last year from Sept. 20 to Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

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Genetics of inherited hypokalemia in Burmese cats

Gandolfi B, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Malik R, et al. First WNK4-hypokalemia animal model identified by genome-wide association in Burmese cats. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7: e53173. [Free, full text article]
 
Potassium is an important cation required for establishing normal cell resting membrane potential and for normal cell excitability in all mammals. Generalized or localized episodic or persistent muscle weakness can occur due to low potassium levels secondary to low dietary potassium intake or abnormal metabolism or elimination of potassium caused by disease. Low potassium can also result from inherited defects and previous genetic studies have identified heritable syndromes of muscle weakness in humans, horses, and non-USA Burmese cats. Burmese hypokalemia periodic polymyopathy is thought to be an autosomal recessive condition characterized by episodic or constant muscle pain from palpation, generalized muscle weakness, or local muscle weakness evidenced by ventroflexion of the head and neck and head bobbing, stilted or crouched gait, dorsal scapulae protrusion, and muscle tremors. The disease usually becomes evident in kittens at 2 to 6 months of age, or rarely up to 2 years old.

Researchers from University of California, Davis and collaborators used performed a genome-wide association study to localize the gene responsible for hypokalemic periodic polymyopathy in non-USA Burmese breed. Thirty-five affected Burmese cats and 25 unaffected Burmese cats were identified from Australia, UK, and Germany and their DNA was used in the genetic case-control study. A significant association was identified on feline chromosome E1, and a mutation discovered in the WNK4 gene. All affected cats were homozygous for the mutation. The mutation causes a premature stop codon resulting in a truncation of the C-terminal coiled coil domain and the loss of its phosphorylation site. WNK4 is a serine-threonine protein kinase that is virtually exclusively expressed in the kidneys and is involved in salt, water, potassium, and pH homeostasis. WNK kinases have also recently been recognized to comprise a signalling pathway essential for normal development, regulation of arterial pressure, normal electrolyte balance, and for sensory nerve function. It is postulated that the mechanism causing hypokalemia in Burmese cats may involve a potassium-losing nephropathy. The researchers also developed a genetic test for identification of carrier cats prior to mating, and thus avoid propagation of the mutated gene. [GO]

Funding: This project was partially funded by the Cat Health Network grant D12FE-508.

See also: Mason K. A hereditary disease in Burmese cats manifested as an episodic weakness with head nodding and neck ventroflexion. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1988; 24: 147-51.

Lantinga E, Kooistra HS and van Nes JJ. [Periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion caused by hypokalemia in a Burmese cat]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1998; 123: 435-7. 

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Gandolfi B, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Malik R, et al. First WNK4-hypokalemia animal model identified by genome-wide association in Burmese cats. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7: e53173. [Free, full text article]
 
Potassium is an important cation required for establishing normal cell resting membrane potential and for normal cell excitability in all mammals. Generalized or localized episodic or persistent muscle weakness can occur due to low potassium levels secondary to low dietary potassium intake or abnormal metabolism or elimination of potassium caused by disease. Low potassium can also result from inherited defects and previous genetic studies have identified heritable syndromes of muscle weakness in humans, horses, and non-USA Burmese cats. Burmese hypokalemia periodic polymyopathy is thought to be an autosomal recessive condition characterized by episodic or constant muscle pain from palpation, generalized muscle weakness, or local muscle weakness evidenced by ventroflexion of the head and neck and head bobbing, stilted or crouched gait, dorsal scapulae protrusion, and muscle tremors. The disease usually becomes evident in kittens at 2 to 6 months of age, or rarely up to 2 years old.

Researchers from University of California, Davis and collaborators used performed a genome-wide association study to localize the gene responsible for hypokalemic periodic polymyopathy in non-USA Burmese breed. Thirty-five affected Burmese cats and 25 unaffected Burmese cats were identified from Australia, UK, and Germany and their DNA was used in the genetic case-control study. A significant association was identified on feline chromosome E1, and a mutation discovered in the WNK4 gene. All affected cats were homozygous for the mutation. The mutation causes a premature stop codon resulting in a truncation of the C-terminal coiled coil domain and the loss of its phosphorylation site. WNK4 is a serine-threonine protein kinase that is virtually exclusively expressed in the kidneys and is involved in salt, water, potassium, and pH homeostasis. WNK kinases have also recently been recognized to comprise a signalling pathway essential for normal development, regulation of arterial pressure, normal electrolyte balance, and for sensory nerve function. It is postulated that the mechanism causing hypokalemia in Burmese cats may involve a potassium-losing nephropathy. The researchers also developed a genetic test for identification of carrier cats prior to mating, and thus avoid propagation of the mutated gene. [GO]

Funding: This project was partially funded by the Cat Health Network grant D12FE-508.

See also: Mason K. A hereditary disease in Burmese cats manifested as an episodic weakness with head nodding and neck ventroflexion. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1988; 24: 147-51.

Lantinga E, Kooistra HS and van Nes JJ. [Periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion caused by hypokalemia in a Burmese cat]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1998; 123: 435-7. 

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Google+

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Education in modern America reiterating the history

 

The best way to rule people is to keep them stuck to a specific dogma beyond which they would not dare to venture. Perhaps the best way of achieving this is taking the general public through such an education system that will inculcate the dogma deep into their minds, hence, standardized "dummy" tests for easy results and easy grading.

 

Natural News reports that the U.S. government has started to make use of such a method, as it has already stepped forward to educate the children in the U.S. with ideas that are essentially socialist in nature. Most of the states more or less “signed up” for this new curriculum, but many of them are now opting out, after gaining a clear view of the consequences of such and education system. More at http://www.naturalnews.com/040179_common_core_public_education_socialism.html#ixzz2SEoi5Woh.

 

It is not a new practice in the world. In fact, governments across the globe have taken resort to this method from time to time in order to push forward with their own objectives. Adolf Hitler, for example, made use if the dilapidated condition of post World War I Germany to educate Germans that he was their the true messiah and that only he could lead them to glory. The atrocities of Nazi rule that followed in Germany is no more unknown to the world. The holocaust of the Jews, the slaughter of the Russians and the oppression on the French, all started with a simple yet deceptive education and brainwashing process. Read more of this at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/hitler.html.

 

The history of America is also in no way free of bloodshed and brutality. According to Natural News, Christopher Columbus, a divine figure for many Americans, started his conquest of America without showing any mercy to the Native Americans who had been protecting the land and its resources for centuries. http://thedailybanter.com/2012/10/christopher-columbus-should-a-mass-murderer-really-be-celebrated/This article clearly points out how the Spanish settlers looted the land and brought down a reign of terror on the Native Americans only to secure their own ends. The irony is that in the schools of the United States, Christopher Columbus is cast as a hero!

 

The best way to rule people is to keep them stuck to a specific dogma beyond which they would not dare to venture. Perhaps the best way of achieving this is taking the general public through such an education system that will inculcate the dogma deep into their minds, hence, standardized "dummy" tests for easy results and easy grading.

 

Natural News reports that the U.S. government has started to make use of such a method, as it has already stepped forward to educate the children in the U.S. with ideas that are essentially socialist in nature. Most of the states more or less “signed up” for this new curriculum, but many of them are now opting out, after gaining a clear view of the consequences of such and education system. More at http://www.naturalnews.com/040179_common_core_public_education_socialism.html#ixzz2SEoi5Woh.

 

It is not a new practice in the world. In fact, governments across the globe have taken resort to this method from time to time in order to push forward with their own objectives. Adolf Hitler, for example, made use if the dilapidated condition of post World War I Germany to educate Germans that he was their the true messiah and that only he could lead them to glory. The atrocities of Nazi rule that followed in Germany is no more unknown to the world. The holocaust of the Jews, the slaughter of the Russians and the oppression on the French, all started with a simple yet deceptive education and brainwashing process. Read more of this at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/hitler.html.

 

The history of America is also in no way free of bloodshed and brutality. According to Natural News, Christopher Columbus, a divine figure for many Americans, started his conquest of America without showing any mercy to the Native Americans who had been protecting the land and its resources for centuries. http://thedailybanter.com/2012/10/christopher-columbus-should-a-mass-murderer-really-be-celebrated/This article clearly points out how the Spanish settlers looted the land and brought down a reign of terror on the Native Americans only to secure their own ends. The irony is that in the schools of the United States, Christopher Columbus is cast as a hero!

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Researchers identify link between GPR126 gene and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood.

Their study is published today in the journal Nature Genetics.

AIS is the most common pediatric skeletal disease, affecting approximately 2% of school-age children. The causes of scoliosis remain largely unknown and brace treatment and surgery are the only treatment options. However, many clinical and genetic studies suggest a contribution of genetic factors.

To understand the causes and development of scoliosis, Dr Ikuyo Kou, Dr Shiro Ikegawa and their team have tried to identify genes that are associated with a susceptibility to develop the condition.

By studying the genome of 1,819 Japanese individuals suffering from scoliosis and comparing it to 25,939 Japanese individuals, the team identified a gene associated with a susceptibility to develop scoliosis on chromosome 6. The association was replicated in Han Chinese and Caucasian populations.

The researchers show that the susceptibility gene, GPR126, is highly expressed incartilage and that suppression of this gene leads to delayed growth and bone tissue formation in the developing spine. GPR126 is also known to play a role in human height and trunk length.

"Our finding suggest the interesting possibility that GPR126 may affect both AIS susceptibility and height through abnormal spinal development and growth," explain the authors.

"Further functional studies are necessary to elucidate how alterations in GPR126 increase the risk of AIS in humans," they conclude.

Source: RIKEN

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau is a Singapore chiropractor and 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:

Website - http://www.hiyh.info.
ScolioTrack Website - http://www.ScolioTrack.com.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealthInYourHands.
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/DrKevinLau.
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/DrKevinLau.

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood.

Their study is published today in the journal Nature Genetics.

AIS is the most common pediatric skeletal disease, affecting approximately 2% of school-age children. The causes of scoliosis remain largely unknown and brace treatment and surgery are the only treatment options. However, many clinical and genetic studies suggest a contribution of genetic factors.

To understand the causes and development of scoliosis, Dr Ikuyo Kou, Dr Shiro Ikegawa and their team have tried to identify genes that are associated with a susceptibility to develop the condition.

By studying the genome of 1,819 Japanese individuals suffering from scoliosis and comparing it to 25,939 Japanese individuals, the team identified a gene associated with a susceptibility to develop scoliosis on chromosome 6. The association was replicated in Han Chinese and Caucasian populations.

The researchers show that the susceptibility gene, GPR126, is highly expressed incartilage and that suppression of this gene leads to delayed growth and bone tissue formation in the developing spine. GPR126 is also known to play a role in human height and trunk length.

"Our finding suggest the interesting possibility that GPR126 may affect both AIS susceptibility and height through abnormal spinal development and growth," explain the authors.

"Further functional studies are necessary to elucidate how alterations in GPR126 increase the risk of AIS in humans," they conclude.

Source: RIKEN

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau is a Singapore chiropractor and 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:

Website - http://www.hiyh.info.
ScolioTrack Website - http://www.ScolioTrack.com.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealthInYourHands.
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/DrKevinLau.
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/DrKevinLau.

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