Category Archives: Healthcare Information

Addictions, Clinics, Diagnostics, Drugs, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Medicine, Rehab, Society, Therapies

Data Shows Mid-Age Adults Overdosing At Greater Rates

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David Mineta, Deputy Director of Demand Reduction for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, presented a keynote address in California recently, highlighting the widespread abuse of strong prescription narcotics such as OxyContin.

In the past 4 years, prescription drug deaths have risen by 60 percent and most of those deaths have been related to the abuse of Oxycodone which is viewed by abusers as a synthetic, yet more expensive, form of heroin.

It was previously thought that young people were the ones most affected by such abuse and death; however, statistics show that many more deaths are happening within the 30 to 50 year-old-age range.

“These statistics are revealing,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “In the past, young people have been thought of as the ones we should target to prevent substance abuse. It is encouraging in that it seems that drug prevention programs are working with our youth. Unfortunately, maybe not enough time has been spent on educating adults on the risks of addiction.”

One explanation for this overdose explosion among 30 to 50 year olds could be related to the health problems some begin experiencing at this age. Many of those included within these statistics had diagnoses such as PTSD, chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and various mental disorders, specifically schizophrenia and manic depressive illness.

Via EPR Network
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Recent African Leaders Malaria Alliance Meeting Highlights Importance of Partnerships to Ensure Continued Progress on Malaria Vaccine

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During the recent African Union summit, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) gathered to discuss how to combat the threat of malaria in the continent. Inspired by this meeting, Madiké Seye, Vice-President for Africa – GlaxoSmithKline wrote a guest article on the Independent’s website calling for “new tools, such as a malaria vaccine, which could complement existing interventions.”

Seye wrote, “Vaccines and immunization services have been critical to improving Africa’s health over the last several decades. Anyone whose child has suffered f r o m malaria – and there are only few of us who have not directly been affected by the disease – can imagine what a malaria vaccine would mean.”

F r o m there, Seye highlighted the importance of partnerships between African leaders, policymakers, international groups and the pharmaceutical industry. These collaborations are required in order to move forward with making the dream of a malaria vaccine a reality, whether that’s through improving drug prices or investing in technology to fully develop the vaccine. Seye noted that the vaccine is already in the final phases of development and trial results have consistently shown an “acceptable safety profile.”

Global Health Progress supports the role of these public and private partnerships and the participation of the pharmaceutical industry, particularly when it comes to addressing issues involving drug prices, access to medicines, and the continued efforts to create innovative new drugs and vaccines. GHP believes research and development are especially critical components of improving health care and combating epidemics of neglected tropical diseases, such as malaria, in developing countries.

GHP echoes Seye’s call for countries, multilaterals, NGOs, the pharmaceutical industry and scientists to continue to work together to, “make sure Africa is ready for a vaccine. One day there may be the means to save many more lives and change the equation in the fight against malaria for good.”

Via EPR Network
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Health Reform, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Insurance, Healthcare Services, Public Health, Society

HealthInsuranceFinders.com Releases Comprehensive Guide

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HealthInsuranceFinders.com, an insurance quote aggregator offering the public the option of comparison shopping in the health insurance field, offers users access to its new guide designed to offer insightful information on health insurance for individuals.

Before you purchase an individual health insurance policy, take a look athealthinsurancefinders.com and their new insurance guide. It could save you time, money, or both.

Dedicated to educating Americans looking for medical coverage, their new individual health insurance guide is full of up-to-date informationregarding today’s coverage, your options, and how the new healthcare bill will impact individuals who don’t get medical insurance from an employer.

It also addresses more traditional concerns, including managing maternity issues, understanding how prices and premiums are decided, and the best means of finding good quality coverage at affordable prices.

No stranger to the ever-changing health insurance industry, healthinsurancefinders.com offers a variety of consumer resources on a state and federal level, including information for the unemployed, health insurance answers geared towards common but frustrating Medicare questions, and even information designed to explain COBRA and to examine supplemental insurance considerations.

“Health insurance is a hot topic today”, says Grace Della, VP of online marketing, “But with so much conflicting information out there, it’s easy to get overloaded. We like to keep our guides clear and easy to read, so consumers can focus on what’s really important: getting the coverage they need”.

Via EPR Network
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Recreational Prescription Painkiller Hospital Admissions Highest In Ten Years

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A July 2010 study published by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration has shown an increase in drug abuse admissions of four times the average of the past 10 years at hospitals nationwide, for recreational use of narcotic prescriptions.

The study shows that for those individuals age 12 and older, admissions involving abuse of narcotics rose over 400 percent between 1998 and 2008, across all segments of the population, without regard to gender, level of education, ethnicity or socio-economic status.

“One of the most striking points of this study is that the demographic for these admissions is so widespread,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Previously, we have seen increases in a specific group, such as adolescents, and it’s a bit disconcerting to see such a significant increase over all groups. Something within society is changing and, most likely, these increases are related to the availability of these narcotics. Many states are recognizing this issue and are working with the medical field on how best to control this problem.”

These studies show that the need for effective drug rehab has never been greater. Statistics show that recreational use of prescription painkillers is the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use and are the sole source of the fastest growing drug problem within the US .

Mountainside’s original, unique approach to drug rehab began 12 years ago. Professionals in the drug treatment fields have recognized the effectiveness of Mountainside’s treatment modalities and how they are giving individuals an optimum chance for sustained recovery.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as an on-staff Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specializations and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions.

Via EPR Network
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Harley Medical Group Reports Laser Hair Removal On The Up This Summer

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With the recent bursts of scorching weather, The Harley Medical Group has seen an 23% increase in people grooming themselves ready to hit the beaches at home and abroad this summer.

Laser Hair Removal, is the most popular summer-time non-surgical procedure with men and women across The Harley Medical Group’s 30 UK clinics.

Liz Dale, Director at Harley Medical Group, commented: “People of all ages opt for laser hair removal because it’s such an effective and convenient treatment. It’s particularly popular with women and men in their late twenties through to their forties, as they have more disposable cash to invest in themselves. The most popular areas for the treatment are London, Brighton and Leeds.

“While we do see a spike in treatment bookings between February and August, as people get ready for the beach, it’s our most popular non-surgical treatment so we have high demand all year round. This summer’s sunny warm weather has caused this increase in enquiry as more patients are having the opportunity to wear swimwear and skimpy summer clothing.”

The Harley Medical Group uses the Alexandrite (Class 4) laser designed to work on lighter skin, the YAG laser for darker skin and the Isolaz which can be used on all types of skin. All lasers penetrate deep into the dermis and as the heat builds up the hair follicles are disabled in the active growth phase, enabling effective hair removal.

An invisible laser beam zaps the hair follicle by seeking out the dark pigmentation in the hair then directing the laser beam at its root to destroy it. It’s proven to give permanent hair reduction. You’ll need a course of treatments to remove all hair permanently though because the laser can only kill active growing hairs. The actual session will only take around twenty minutes but for permanent hair removal you’ll need to have 6-8 sessions.

Via EPR Network
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Tighter Narcotic Prescription Regulations Hope To Decrease Need For Drug Rehab

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In a move to curtail prescription drug abuse, Washington State is considering legislation that would require physicians to refer chronic narcotic pain medication users to a physician who specializes in pain management.

The need for this legislation stems from the over-prescribing of narcotics and under-monitoring their effectiveness on patients with such ailments as chronic lower back pain or arthritis. Proponents of the legislation have noted that terminally ill or cancer patients would not be affected and physicians would be able to prescribe pain medications as needed for end-of-life comfort measures.

“Prescription drug abuse is growing at an unprecedented rate today,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Not only is this creating an increased need for effective drug rehab, but it’s creating an epidemic of fatalities from drug overdose. It’s evident that there are some individuals who truly are dependent on narcotic pain medications to function in their daily lives; there are those who oppose legislation controlling the prescribing of pain medications because they fear that those in need would be denied those medications. That should not be the case – in fact, referral to a pain management specialist would actually give chronic pain sufferers a better quality of life as the source of their pain can better be addressed and monitored by a specialist. In addition, it’s highly likely that a more effective, long-term solution will be provided to those individuals.”

It’s estimated that in the past year, narcotic pain killers accounted for 7 percent of the total prescribed drugs, and the number of individuals taking them increased by over a third compared to previous years. Increased use of long-acting opioids such as OxyContin and methadone has contributed greatly to the epidemic of death by prescription overdose, second only to car accidents in nationwide fatalities.

Via EPR Network
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Doctors Endorse VistaBay’s Drug Rehabilitation Provo-Area Programs

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Medical professionals don’t lend their name to just any drug rehabilitation program. They must study the program, follow up with referred patients, and see results before providing any endorsement. When it comes to Utah drug rehabs and those in surrounding areas, doctors often recommend VistaBay and its Narconon approach to drug rehabilitation. Let’s hear from some of the professionals themselves:

Dr. Alfonzo Paredes, M.D. – board certified in psychiatry and neurology and a professor at UCLA School of Medicine – has this to say about the Narconon-based, VistaBay methodology that has helped so many patients at Utah drug rehabs:

“Addicts characteristically subordinate values such as work, family relationships and community responsibilities to the ingestion and unwise use of alcohol and/or drugs. Social neglect and criminal behavior are frequent companions of drug abuse and alcoholism. Efforts to develop a functional normative system, as it is done by Vista Bay, should result in favorable outcomes. Vista Bay has demonstrated that this redefinition of the normative system of addicts is possible to implement with empathy, compassion, and respect for the addict.”

Dr. Megan Shields, M.D. – a diplomat with the American Board of Family Practice who presents often on substance abuse and public health – concurs with her colleague about the Narconon-based, VistaBay program used at Drug Rehabilitation Provo area facilities:

“There is not often good news in our struggle with the consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse in our society. I am happy to say that the Vista Bay program is good news. I encourage you to review it carefully and consider utilizing it. Many years ago I did and I have been able to help save many lives as a result.”

Via EPR Network
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Drug Rehab Henderson Nevada Locations Help To Combat The State’s Growing Methamphetamine Problem

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As Methamphetamine continues to flow into Nevada from out of state, more and more people are looking for options for effective drug rehab. Henderson, Reno, Las Vegas and other cities in the State continue to see the effects of the drug problem, including crime and social issues. Drug-Rehab.org, a nonprofit organization has been helping families in the region to sort through the wide range of drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers, placing their loved ones in the programs where they are most likely to succeed.

Families are often caught between a rock and a hard place when a loved one is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction. As their family member spirals deeper into the clutches of addiction, they are faced with an often overwhelming range of choices. There are literally thousands of rehab centers across the country and trying to find a residential drug addiction program that meets their needs can be time confusing and expensive. The counselors at Drug-Rehab.org work with families to help them choose the best facility for helping their loved one, whether it’s an alcohol rehab San Jose location or inpatient treatment in Carson City.

According to the DEA, Methamphetamine is the most widely available drug in Nevada and continues to grow in popularity. Most of the Methamphetamine (better known as Crystal Meth) isn’t produced locally, but is imported by Mexican drug organizations producing the drug in “Super Labs” and trucking it through California and into the state. This makes it difficult to shut down the industry simply by raiding and closing production labs. Besides Crystal Meth, other drugs identified by the DEA as being of concern in Nevada include: Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, Pharmaceuticals (including OxyContin, Valium and Xanax) and so-called Club Drugs such as LSD. With drugs so readily available and alcohol never being in short supply, the scene is set for widespread addiction. That’s why organizations such as Drug-Rehab.org are so important. With state resources stretched to the limit with enforcement issues, the families of addicts have few places to turn for help in finding effective drug rehab Henderson and other Nevada cities have numerous options and by contacting Drug-Rehab.org, a counselor can provide the guidance that helps families to quickly make the right treatment choice based on specific needs, budget and location.

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Study Reveals Significant Correlation Between Metabolism And Everyday Breathing

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According to a recent study released today, individuals with breathing problems, risk of asthma, and their prevalence in individuals whose weight exceeds healthy levels, is on-average 50 percent higher than those maintaining a healthy weight. The study, conducted in collaboration with The Laboratory of the Functional Reserves of the Human Body, Institute of Physiology of the Russian Science Academy, and Innovative Technologies Dept. and commissioned by BreathSlim, Inc., showed that respiration training had a significant impact on metabolism and an individuals ability to lose weight.

The results of the study, particularly those illustrating positive impact to Body Mass Index (BMI), corroborate BreathSlim’s decision to announce the launch of the new BreathSlim a weight loss system designed to modify the body’s traditional breathing cycle, expanding capacity through resistance training. Researchers observed that the average person utilizes 20 percent of oxygen upon inhalation. Training the respiratory system to increase oxygen absorption capacity through adaption of the body’s anti-hypoxia mechanisms, which include metabolism, ultimately contribute to increased weight loss.

“It’s never been easier to achieve a healthy lifestyle through reducing and maintaining a healthy weight. As our most recent study reveals the previously uncorrelated link between weight loss and everyday breathing is actually quite significant,” said Albert Shumoff, chief operating officer and global vice-president. “Moreover, BreathSlim is quick to implement and provides individuals with the methodology and lifestyle changes available today to improve their health and quality of life.”

Survey Key Findings
• 4 percent increase in oxygen absorption
• 3-5 percent improvement in BMI and 4.4-5.1 percent improvement in body fat

Survey Methodology
The study was conducted using volunteers in a three-phase breathing experiment utilizing the original form of equipment. The first phase used breathing through the nose, the second phase used pauses after inhalation, and the third phase used exhalation through the mouth with resistance. Each phase utilized varying combinations of time elapsed pre/post breathing cycle as well as water resistance. Observations were performed with subjects at a state of rest and collected in real-time, post one-month use, and post three-months. Observation methods used include anthropometry (e.g. measurements of height, weight, % of body fat, body mass index, control of blood pressure, heart rate) and spirography gas analyzer Oxyon-Pro Jaeger (e.g. breath volume, speed characteristics of breath, total gas analysis).

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VistaBay Provides The Drug Treatment San Diego, San Francisco And Las Vegas Residents Need To Get Back On Track

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Success rates say it all. A graduate from a VistaBay residential drug and alcohol treatment center has a better chance at long-term sobriety than an addict who completed a traditional rehab program. Why does VistaBay work when others often do not? Narconon. The non-traditional drug rehab program at the core of VistaBay’s program does not teach addicts that they are hopeless or that addiction is a disease to be cured. Instead, Narconon empowers its students by giving them the tools they need to free themselves of dependency. Those tools – used by all VistaBay locations, including the drug and alcohol rehab Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego area centers – include:

A Drug-Free Physical Detoxification – At VistaBay, each student undergoes a physical detoxification to rid his body of all alcohol and drugs, plus their residues, as residues can cause physical cravings months after an addict has taken the alcohol or drugs, triggering a relapse. Narconon employs dry sauna sessions and nutritional therapy to flush all toxins from the system and it never uses drugs to ease withdrawal symptoms. Students graduate from VistaBay alcohol and drug treatment San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas area programs truly drug-free.

Life Education Courses – Through these Narconon-based classes, a student will begin to understand his addiction, confront past mistakes related to his addiction and begin to heal relationships harmed by his addiction. At VistaBay drug and alcohol treatment San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas area programs, the student also will contemplate his future and learn how to deal better with life’s many obstacles. He will identify positive and healthy people to have in his life and set achievable goals.

Time – VistaBay’s alcohol and Drug Treatment San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas area programs take an open-ended approach. They do not limit a student’s stay to what an insurance company will pay, but instead offer a fixed-cost plan. This allows the student to heal on his own schedule and to leave VistaBay when he is ready to live a sober life outside of treatment. The average stay at a Vista Bay drug and alcohol treatment San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas area facility is three to six months.

Via EPR Network
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Drug Treatment Santa Francisco Addicts Need Can Be Found With Help Of Nonprofit Organization

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The toll of addictions -especially drug and alcohol abuse- on this nation is appalling, with more people than ever in desperate need of drug treatment. Santa Francisco and other California cities are often considered to be hotbeds of substance abuse, but it can be a challenge for addicts or the friends and families of addicts to find effective options for drug or alcohol treatment. San Francisco and other California cities actually have a very large selection of rehab clinics to choose f r o m, and Drug-Rehab.org, a nonprofit referral and placement service, is there to point the way to the facility that makes the best sense based on the client’s needs, location and budget.

August 4, 2010 — The drug treatment Santa Francisco substance abusers need is available, but finding it has often been a challenge. When someone decides that they need help, or when their family decides to intervene, time is usually of the essence. But wading through the options can be time consuming, confusing and there is also the risk of picking the wrong rehab center. Enter Drug-Rehab.org, a nonprofit organization that tracks over 3,000 facilities nationwide, including drug and alcohol rehab. San Diego, San Francisco and hundreds of other cities are part of this network and Drug-Rehab.org counselors are always available to help people in need find a center that has a good reputation, offers programs to fit their specific need, and is within their budget.

California has always been somewhat of a national hotspot when it comes to substance abuse. As the nation’s most populous state, that might be expected, but there are other factors at play as well, including industries (including entertainment and technology) that are high stress, high paying and known to sometimes cultivate excess. In San Francisco, for example, this translates into an average monthly toll of 20 alcohol-related deaths and 4 deaths attributed to drug abuse, along with a daily police blotter that includes 13 drug-related arrests and 10 DUI arrests. Clearly, there is a need for drug and alcohol treatment. San Francisco offers many options for those seeking help, but a quick call to a Drug-Rehab.org counselor can make all the difference in finding the right one.

San Francisco has a population of over 800,000 making it the 12th largest city in the US. It also holds the dubious distinction of having the highest number of homeless inhabitants per capita of any major US city. Homelessness and substance abuse go hand in hand and it seems likely that at least some of these people could use help, but are uncertain of where to turn for Drug Treatment Santa Francisco and area residents can find the help they need, quickly, by contacting Drug-Rehab.org.

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South Florida Cosmetic Dentist Describes Dangers of Neglecting Dental Treatment

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The Surgeon General’s first report on oral health observes that dental cavities are the most common childhood health problem – 5 times more common than asthma. More than 50% of children ages 5 to 9 have at least one filling.

One of South Florida’s best cosmetic dentists, Dr. Charles Nottingham, observes “We lack adequate access to dental care for many Americans. For every American with dental insurance, there are three more who don’t have it.”

Poor children are two times more likely to suffer from cavities than their more affluent peers. More than 51 million school hours are lost to dental-related illnesses and the corresponding pain can cause problems with learning, eating, and speaking. “We have the technology and know-how to ensure that everyone can improve their oral health, but not everyone has access to it,” notes Dr. Nottingham, one of South Florida’s best dentists.

Adults don’t fare much better. Fewer than two-thirds visit a dentist in a given year. Americans lose more than 164 million hours of work time each year from dental disease or dental visits. Severe periodontal disease affects 14% of adults 45-54. “Smoking and other forms of tobacco use are big contributors to poor oral health,” says Dr. Nottingham, a cosmetic dentist. “Yet many Americans remain unaware of that.”

“Oral care is an integral part of overall health care. Dental visits can prevent a number of problems – such as infections – which, left untreated, can spread to the rest of your body,” points out cosmetic dentistry specialist Dr. Nottingham.

Via EPR Network
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Prescription Drug-Impaired Drivers Difficult To Identify, Prosecute

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Lawmakers, prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement officials have all noted that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to not only prosecute individuals impaired by prescription drug use, but also difficult to identify such individuals.

Law enforcement officials, in particular, are taxed with the burden of discretion in judgment when approaching an individual who appears to be impaired in some fashion. When police officers suspect that an individual may be under the influence due to erratic behavior, the tough call is, ‘what substance has caused the impairment?’

In the case of alcohol or illegal drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, it’s an easy call to make. The difficulty comes when a legally prescribed medication is causing the impairment.

“Drunken driving is easy to discern – officials have tests at their disposal which check for not only the use of alcohol but also the degree of alcohol within the bloodstream,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center in Canaan , CT. “The problem arises with medications that are prescribed for an individual which cause impairment; such medications include painkillers, muscle relaxers or anti-anxiety medications. Clearly, the proper use of prescribed medications isn’t illegal, but their effects can cause mental and cognitive impairments that can become detrimental while driving. The challenge is that there really is no effective way to measure what amounts, specifically, cause impairments, particularly with those who have been on those types of medications for an extended period of time. Individuals who have been on a prescribed medication for a long period of time tend to build up a tolerance, requiring a higher dosage to get the same therapeutic effect as someone who has just begun taking the particular medication.”

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Global Health Progress Epitomizes Clinton, Gates’ Call for ‘Efficiency Savings’ In Regards to HIV/AIDS Prevention Treatments, Services

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During a recent international conference in Vienna for 20,000 AIDS scientists, health workers and activists, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Microsoft founder Bill Gates urged AIDS activists to try to generate the most value possible out of funds set aside for HIV/AIDS prevention services and treatments, including securing access to drugs. Reuters Health and Science Correspondent Kate Kelland highlighted the leaders’ remarks in a recent article:

“The world is awash in troubles. It is easy to rail at a government and say … give us more money. But we also have to change the way we do what we do,” Clinton told the conference. “If we’re going to make this case, they (donor governments) have to believe that we are doing our job faster, better and cheaper. Then we have the moral standing to go ask people to give us more money.” Gates, a philanthropist whose Gates Foundation spends a large portion of its $34 billion fund on fighting AIDS, said efficiency was vital to be able to scale up access to AIDS drugs for the 15 million people who need them, “We can’t keep spending AIDS resources in exactly the same way we do today,” he said. “As we … advocate for more funding, we also need to make sure we’re getting the most benefit from each dollar of AIDS funding and every ounce of effort.”

In keeping with this message, Global Health Progress’ recent 3rd Annual African Health Delegation let African officials share experiences, expertise and insights about how they efficiently employ available resources when battling diseases in Africa. These conferences are just one way GHP helps advocacy groups meet Clinton and Gates’ plea for activists to employ “efficiency saving” tactics when delivering treatments and securing access to drugs for countries “hardest hit and at highest risk” by HIV/AIDs and other diseases.

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Global Health Progress Highlights ViiV Healthcare’s Announcement of New Initiatives

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Global Health Progress highlights ViiV Healthcare’s announcement of a new series of initiatives, including improving access to medicines, to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

To address the evolving treatment needs in these countries, ViiV Healthcare will now allow people living with HIV/AIDS to access the whole portfolio of ViiV Healthcare antiretroviral medicines, produced by generic companies. Additionally, ViiV Healthcare is implementing the groundbreaking step of making all patents available to generic manufacturers in these countries for all future pipeline developments, such as the novel integrase inhibitor jointly under development Shionogi – ViiVHealthcare, LLC.

ViiV Healthcare is also expanding the number of countries eligible for this expanded access to medicines to include all least developed countries, all low income countries and all of sub-Saharan Africa – that is 80% of all people currently living with HIV. “At ViiV Healthcare we wanted to go one step further in addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis and supporting access for people living with HIV in the worst affected countries. As a company totally focused and dedicated to tackling this epidemic we are passionately committed to thinking and acting differently and taking new steps to expand access,” said Dr Dominique Limet, CEO of ViiV Healthcare, “At present the numbers of people in the least developed countries moving onto second line therapy is very low compared to the developed world. However as more people have access to treatment, there is an increased need for second and third line treatment options once initial treatment failure occurs.”

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Serenity, Peace Of Mind Key For Successful Drug Addiction Treatment

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One look at the breathtaking landscape of an innovative drug rehab on the East Coast and instantly a feeling of peace surrounds you and any cares that you may have, begin to melt away.

Within this private 30-acre tranquil setting, carved into the foothills of the Berkshires, you’ll find a drug addiction treatment facility like no other.

Long regarded as the pioneers in holistic drug rehab, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center was founded on a core set of philosophies that center on the utilization of a variety of different treatment modalities to help get addicted individuals into recovery.

“We have always believed in treating the whole of an individual,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside. “We know that the environment in which an individual starts their journey plays a crucial part in their recovery. An addicted individual’s life is completely chaotic prior to entering drug addiction treatment. The more chaotic an individuals’ life is, the less focus they have to deal with the underlying problems of their drug or alcohol abuse. Mountainside’s clients are assisted in developing a regime that works for them, according to their needs as well as their abilities at the time. A significant component of the program at Mountainside is our Mind Body Spirit Program that focuses on eliminating the chaos from one’s life through a variety of different methods such as Meditation, Yoga and Tai Chi, among others. Clients are assisted with developing a regime that works for them, according to their needs as well as the abilities that they possess at the time.”

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Medigap Plans Providing Prescription Drug Coverage Clarifications

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The MedicareSupplement.com News Center reported making a clarification that many are confused due to the name Medigap. Many seniors think that one of the “gaps” these Medicare insurance plans cover in traditional Medicare is prescription drug coverage. But they do not – at least all of the Medigap plans since the revamping of the plans in 2006, and more recent overhaul in June 2010, do not.

According to the website medicare.gov, prior to 2006, there were Medigap plans, notably H, I, and J, that did provide prescription drug coverage. These represent 3 out of the 4 Medigap plans that were eliminated in June 2010, only adding to the confusion. As explained on the Medicareinformational website, medicare.gov, Medicare Part D was introduced in 2006 to replace standardized Medigap polices that covered prescription drugs and to breakout prescription drug coverage from Medigap coverage. At that timepeople who were enrolled in one of the Medicare supplemental plans that had drug coverage were offered the choice of keeping those plans, changing them, or dropping the prescription drug coverage from them, and opting for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Since all lettered Medigap plans sold after 2006 did not offer prescription drug coverage, Medicare Part D is now the only prescription drug coverageavailable for seniors with original government Medicare and a Medigap plan. When purchasing prescription drug coverage only, to add to original Medicare, you are purchasing what is also known as a PDP, or Prescription Drug Plan. You may, during the open enrollment period, decide to switch out of original Medicare and into a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, also called a MA-PD.

If you have a pre-2006 Medigap plan that does have prescription drug coverage you still have a few options. If you are happy with that coverage you may continue to keep it and pay the premiums, EVEN IF THE PLAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED.

You may also opt to switch to a Medigap plan that does not have prescription drug coverage, and then enroll in Part D. Many Medicare advisors believe this is advantageous, because the prescription drug benefits offered by Part D exceed those in the Pre-2006 Medigap plans, and you may actually be able to lower your monthly premiums, and improve your benefits by switching to one of the newly offered low-cost Medigap plans such as N or M, and then enrolling in Part D.

Also be advised that there are only certain enrollment periods for Medicare Part D; so do not drop any existing drug benefits until you are enrolled in Medicare D. For more information about Medicare, Medigap plans, and Medicare Part D, visit medicare.gov.

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Help More Addicts With Your Drug Treatments Through Smart Internet Marketing

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The alcohol and drug treatment center industry is a crowded one. In any given area, an addict has hundreds – if not thousands – of alcohol and drug treatments from which to choose. In most cases, the addict and/or his loved ones begin the search online, which makes Internet marketing a vital piece of an alcohol and drug treatment center’s advertising strategy. Treatment-Centers.net delivers a simple Internet marketing solution – created specifically for centers that provide alcohol and drug treatments and/or addiction intervention – that delivers important information about the center while boosting the search engine result rankings for the center’s website.

Internet marketing expert and recovering addict Bernie Grohsman created Treatment-Centers.net, a website and comprehensive directory that features informational listings for more than 11,000 alcohol and drug treatment centers and professionals. It also offers online assessments and 24-hour live phone assistance, not only for the addict but also for loved ones seeking addiction intervention assistance. A basic listing on Treatment-Centers.net costs nothing, and use of the website and its services – including participation in its recently launched community forums and chat rooms – also is free.

A basic listing helps a drug treatment center reach more than 125,000 unique visitors a month. Those visitors are looking specifically for alcohol and drug treatments and/or addiction intervention, which results in increased referrals to the alcohol and drug treatment center and improved search engine result rankings.

Advertising on Treatment-Centers.net has an even greater impact in these areas. When an alcohol and drug treatment center purchases a featured listing on the website, it runs at the top of the center’s state category. It also runs in rotation on more than 11,000 other pages on the website, which can push an alcohol and drug treatment center’s website to the first page of results for specific searches.

Via EPR Network
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Get Matched With The Right Drug And Alcohol Treatment At Treatment-Centers.net

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For a drug or alcohol treatment to work, it must be the right treatment for the client. Many addicts struggle to find a drug and alcohol treatment center that fits them, though, which makes the service Treatment-Centers.net provides not only valuable but also vital to an addict’s long-term sobriety. The website and comprehensive directory include informational listings for more than 11,000 drug and alcohol treatment centers and professionals, plus confidential assessments and 24-hour live phone assistance to help the addict navigate the many treatment options in his area. Treatment-Centers.net does not charge the person seeking drug and/or alcohol treatment during any step of the referral process, and it also offers a robust community area on the website in which addicts can participate in forums and chats with others in similar situations.


When it comes to matching addicts with a drug and alcohol treatment center, Treatment-Centers.net leads by example. Recovering addict Bernie Grohsman created the directory to help others like him find the drug and alcohol treatment they need to battle addiction and regain control of their lives. The directory contains more than 11,000 listings for drug and alcohol treatment centers and professionals, and the website offers live phone assistance from addiction specialists trained to assist the addict during the assessment process and match him with the right drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Treatment-Centers.net surpasses all other referral services in terms of comprehensiveness of listings and access to qualified professionals.

The addict begins the referral process by filling out the confidential assessment form at Treatment-Centers.net. It asks for basic, personal information and a drug and medical history. An addict also can call Treatment-Centers.net for help filling out the assessment. If the addict does fill out the assessment online, he will provide a contact phone number and an addiction specialist will call him at a designated time to discuss drug and alcohol treatment options. A loved one also can fill out the assessment and have the initial conversation with an addiction specialist. The addiction specialist will then help the addict or his loved one determine which drug and alcohol rehabilitation center will work best for him.

For those addicts not quite ready to take the important first step of asking for help, Treatment-Centers.net has a thriving community area in which they can talk with other addicts about their struggles and successes with drug and alcohol treatment. Addicts discuss their own experiences with specific drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the forums and chats, and this interaction often gives the addict the final push he needs to request a drug and alcohol treatment center referral for him. The community area also features a blog that includes addiction news, inspirational quotes and stories, and videos on a variety of addiction-related topics.

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Global Health Progress Releases New Report that Features Innovative Solutions to Improve Access to Healthcare in India

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Global Health Progress’ recently released report, Innovative Solutions to Improving Health in India, summarizes how the organization is committed to building sustainable, innovative solutions to secure access to healthcare for all Indian communities.

The report notes that access to healthcare remains problematic in parts of India, especially in rural areas. For instance, forty percent of the country’s primary healthcare centers are understaffed and fewer than one in five have a telephone connection. Nearly one million Indians die every year due to inadequate healthcare facilities and lack of access to healthcare. Without qualified health care professionals and fully equipped health facilities, programs to assist patients with medicines (both patented and unpatented) are of little use.

Additionally, chronic diseases are on the rise in India and infectious diseases continue to afflict Indian patients. India has the highest prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world, 60 percent of the world’s heart disease, and malaria has staged a comeback after its near eradication in the 1960s. An estimated 40.9 million Indian patients suffer from diabetes, the highest number in the world, and 30 million people are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

Global Health Progress recognizes this serious situation and calls on joint action among local leaders and diverse global stakeholders to implement sustainable, innovative solutions. Fortunately, Indian communities have successful and long-standing collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies and other international partners.

The full report, which features examples of India’s successful and long-standing collaborations with international partners, is available here:
http://globalhealthprogress.org/mediacenter/index.php/global-health-progress-report…

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