Category Archives: Public Health

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Bupa International Launches Short Term IPMI

Bupa International has launched a new flexible short-term international private medical insurance (IPMI) policy, called Bupa Flex. The product will allow customers to purchase IPMI, but on a 3-11 month basis and anywhere in between, down to the day they require.

Previously, people moving abroad for less than a year did not have the option to buy a short term IPMI product. Bupa Flex will allow these customers to choose the length of their policy, offering them value for money, as well as access to all the benefits of being one of Bupa’s international health insurance customers.

Muriel MacCallum, marketing director, Bupa International, said: “We’ve listened to our customers and designed Bupa Flex specifically for their short term needs. If you are relocating abroad, or travelling on an overseas assignment through work, you don’t necessarily want to take out a full year’s policy, but you still want the comprehensive cover IPMI provides.

“This new product means that our customers will still have access to the appropriate care and treatment they need, wherever they are in the world (except the USA), through an insurance policy with a timeframe and price that suits their needs.”

Bupa International offers customers access to more than 200,000 medical providers worldwide and can settle bills directly with over 7,500 hospitals and clinics. Customers can contact Bupa International’s doctors and advisers for medical advice and guidance, 24 hours a day, and have access to a second medical opinion at no extra cost.

More information about Bupa’s short term international health insurance and quotes are available at www.bupa-intl.com/bupa-flex.

Via EPR Network
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Smoking, Obesity And Lack Of Activity Named As Global Killers

Research published in leading medical journal The Lancet suggests that a lack of exercise can be as big a killer as obesity and smoking.

According to the study, approximately one third of adults do not do a healthy amount of exercise, and it is suggested that this could be causing 5.3 million deaths worldwide each year – the equivalent of one in ten deaths – from related illnesses such as breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Nutritionist Caron Leckie, who works for the UK’s largest provider of chef prepared meals and delivered diets, Diet Chef, comments: “In my experience the weather has a big impact on activity levels, certainly in the UK, and many people use it as an excuse to stay indoors and watch television, rather than getting out and about.

“In addition to this, thousands of our customers have jobs which see them sitting down at a desk for up to nine hours each day. It is logical that this sedentary lifestyle can be conducive to obesity.”

Ms Leckie also added that Diet Chef is “working hard to help people to lose weight with our calorie-controlled diet” and that as a company they are also “working closely with a personal trainer to offer advice and tips on how to move more, no matter what your age, weight or health status.”

It is recommended that adults should do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, this equates to just over 20 minutes per day.

According to a report by the BBC, “researchers said the problem was now so bad it should be treated as a pandemic”.

Ms Leckie’s top tips for motivation to exercise include:
1. Add An Activity
2. Try Something Different
3. Find a Positive Each Week
4. Take up a Hobby

Read her full list of tips on the Diet Chef blog.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa announces major expansion in dentistry

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Bupa has announced a multi-million pound investment to grow its dental business and become one of the largest private dental chains in the UK by 2015.

Bupa has operated dental centres since 1999 and currently looks after around 13,000 people in 11 centres. Bupa also insures or funds over 130,000 dental customers through dental insurance and cash-plans.

The healthcare group plans to add up to 50 additional private dental centres to its existing portfolio, increasing Bupa’s presence in dentistry by as much as five-fold.

Ruth Chesmore, Director of Dental Services, Bupa said: “Bupa has run a successful dental business in the UK for more than a decade and we want to build on this by opening a chain of dental centres in convenient city centre locations. We have been in the business of healthcare for over 60 years, and because we have no shareholders, we can invest the money we make into more and better healthcare. The private dental market has continued to grow in recent years and as one of the most trusted healthcare brands in the UK, we know that we have a good opportunity to provide more people with convenient, high quality, good value dental care.”

The private dentistry market is currently worth £2.4bn. The market is forecast to grow at 2.7%pa over the next 5 years* reflecting the greater numbers of patients visiting a dentist and accessing a wider variety of treatments.

The new Bupa centres will provide customers with high quality, affordable dentistry in major UK cities. They will be located close to where people work, with appointments available outside of traditional office hours.

Bupa dental centres are open to all and provide a wide variety of dental services from routine examinations to specialist treatments and cosmetic dental treatments, all led by experienced clinicians, working to the highest clinical standards and using the latest technology.

Bupa also offers a wide range of ways to pay, including pay as you go, great value dental insurance and 0% financing options.

Bupa already provides high quality healthcare and excellent customer service to over three million customers in the UK and oral healthcare is an important part of this. It has operated a successful chain of dental centres in Spain for the past 12 years serving over 650,000 customers with 81 dental clinics distributed throughout the country.

Owners of city based dental practices who are interested in working with Bupa should go to www.bupa.co.uk/sellingyourdentalpractice for more information.

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Bupa Launches Series Of Cancer Support Booklets For Children

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Bupa has launched a series of booklets to support children when someone close to them has cancer. The booklets are free and available to all and have been developed through consultation with children and the advice of specialists, including Bupa’s cancer experts.

Child psychologist Professor Tanya Byron has today said that more emotional support is needed for families dealing with cancer, highlighting the difficulty of helping children to understand the illness. She said: “When we as adults receive information that is devastating to deal with, it’s almost harder to tell our children than it is to hear it ourselves. But research has shown that by not talking at all, in order to avoid the painful truth, many parents may be causing excessive levels of anxiety for their children when there are simple steps to manage this.

“Up until now there has been little advice available to help with this problem, which is why these new booklets, available now, are such an important initiative.”

The series of four booklets, called ‘I Know Someone with Cancer’, are aimed at 7-11 year olds. They explain cancer and treatments in a simple and sensitive way, using language and visuals that children can relate to. They also offer children ideas for dealing with their feelings and helping their family in small ways, as well as activities to occupy them at home or at hospital. They can be read independently by the child or used as a guide for discussion.

The initiative is also supported by actor Stephen Mangan, who has been personally affected by cancer and has young children of his own.

Stephen Mangan said: “My family has been affected by cancer and I’ve seen how hard it is to talk about the illness with loved ones. Now I have two young children I have wondered what I would do in that situation. These booklets are a wonderful tool to help with a very difficult conversation, to help children understand what the adult with cancer is going through and how to cope with their feelings about it.”

Dr Katrina Herren, medical director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing, said: “It can be very confusing and frightening for a child to find out someone they love is ill with cancer. We have set out to create something that children can understand and read in their own time and share with their friends and family.”

Bupa’s dedicated Oncology Support Team takes over 10,000 calls per month from people with cancer and their relatives, who often seek advice on the many emotional, physical and practical difficulties associated with cancer.

Bupa has been providing expert cancer care for over 60 years, funding treatment for over 23,000 people per year and follow-ups and support for an additional 20,000 cancer survivors who have been treated for cancer in the past.

The ‘I Know Someone with Cancer’ series can downloaded from www.bupa.co.uk/iknowsomeonewithcancer.

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Bupa Reveals Only Half Of Brits Visit The Dentist

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Bupa has revealed that more than half of Brits believe that the quality of a person’s teeth has a major impact on a person’s career or romantic life, yet only half of UK residents visit the dentist regularly.

Bupa’s research found that three in five people (63 per cent) believe having bad teeth can prevent someone from finding a partner while over half (52%) believe having nice teeth can help someone get a better job. Almost half (46%) of respondents believe having nice teeth can help a person to make more friends.

However, only half of the people polled (53 per cent) attend a regular dental examination and one in seven (14 per cent) has not used any dental services in the last four years, with four per cent having never visited the dentist at all.

Despite the trend for American-style perfectly straight, sparkling white teeth, a British smile was voted the most popular in the poll, with Kate Middleton’s natural smile trouncing the competition and being voted the nation’s favourite.

Not only does the nation think that having a nice smile is important, it seems that many people would do an awful lot to get one, with one in seven (14 per cent) saying that they would give up having sex for a whole year if it meant they could get perfect teeth. Similarly, one in five (22%) would forgo booze for a year if they could have a spectacular smile

Brian Franks, Clinical Director, Dentistry, Bupa Health and Wellbeing said: “Being happy with your teeth can have a big impact on your confidence and this can affect your work and relationships. So it’s surprising that so many people don’t go for regular dental examinations. Even people who are currently happy with their teeth should pay attention to their dental health, as problems can happen at any time and get worse if not treated. For example, gum disease is very common, affecting more than half of adults. If left untreated for a long time it can lead to tooth loss. But the good news is that in its early stage it is completely reversible so it’s vital to visit your dentist regularly so they can spot any potential problems early and help prevent them getting worse.”

More than one in three people said that the expense is the main reason for not visiting the dentist regularly. Although three in ten people have landed themselves in debt or had to make sacrifices in order to cover unexpected dental bills, only one in ten people have dental insurance or a dental cash plan.

Via EPR Network
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Coalition For The Advancement Of Brachytherapy

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The Coalition for the Advancement of Brachytherapy (CAB) has reviewed recent media reports stemming from a study originally presented in December 2011 by physicians associated with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study compared the efficacy of whole breast irradiation (WBI) to accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), including the use of brachytherapy to treat select patients with early stage breast cancer. CAB believes that the methodology used in the MD Anderson study is misleading as it utilizes a Medicare billing claims database that does not include patient risk stratification data and therefore is not appropriate to use to compare outcomes and toxicities of ABPI to that of whole breast irradiation (WBI).

The treatments examined utilize different methodologies for delivering radiation therapy following surgery for the treatment of breast cancer. APBI delivers a targeted radiation therapy to select low risk patients over a five-day period. Whereas WBI delivers a broader radiation therapy whereby the entire breast is treated over the course of 30-40 days. The conclusions reached regarding the relative efficacy of the two forms of treatments are based completely on a retrospective study of insurance billing claims. This retrospective study fails to take into account key patient clinical characteristics, including, but not limited to pathology and staging, which determine risk assignment of a patient. Further, the billing code data was collected from patients treated from 2000 through 2007. Since that time, advances in brachytherapy product design, physics planning and delivery of dose have led to greater precision and accuracy of radiation treatment with improved outcomes.

CAB contends that it is impossible to draw any meaningful comparisons or conclusions without taking into consideration patient risk assessments. Counter to the findings in the MD Anderson study are multiple peer-reviewed publications available supporting the safe and effective use of APBI in appropriately selected patients. The safety and effectiveness of APBI is further supported by the fact that the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) reaffirmed its Consensus Statement in 2011 endorsing the use of APBI in appropriately selected patients. The ASTRO APBI Consensus Statement was originally issued in 2009 based on an exhaustive search of the available medical literature in combination with expert opinion and public comment.

More recent data from a trial comprising over fourteen hundred breast cancer patients, presented on May 5, 2012 at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Annual Meeting, found that APBI is equally effective, if not more effective, in preventing local breast cancer recurrence than WBI. * This trial’s findings not only contradict the MD Anderson data in finding that tumor control in the breast appears to be similar for APBI and WBI, but suggest that disease control at the initial tumor site may be better with APBI.

Michael Krachon, CAB Chair notes, “The MD Anderson study is by no means sufficient to condemn a promising procedure like APBI brachytherapy. As we await results of the randomized NSABP-B39 Phase III Trial comparing WBI to APBI, physicians should be mindful of the many positive peer-reviewed publications analyzing the efficacy and toxicity associated 2 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20004 with APBI brachytherapy. The technique has been endorsed by ASTRO in appropriately selected patients, and physicians must take into account the clinical presentation of the patient and their own clinical judgment in the safe and appropriate use of this treatment modality.”

For more information contact: Richard White, Roberti + White at (202) 624-0395

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PruHealth Reveals Brits Are Eating Less Healthily Due To Rising Living Costs

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PruHealth has announced that, according to its recent study, every one in five Brits (22%) is eating less healthily due to the rising cost of living.

With the UK dipping back into recession and food inflation on the rise, new data from PruHealth, the health insurance provider that rewards healthy behaviour, finds the continuing rise in cost of living means that 10.6 million Brits are not eating as healthily as they would like to and over half (52%) believe their health has suffered as a result of the recession.

The study, which ran at the start of the financial downturn in 2008 and again this year, highlights the nation’s health is sinking further into the doldrums in terms of its eating habits.

Over the last four years 75% of Brits have changed their eating and shopping habits and 85% of these stated the recession and or rising food prices as the cause for the change.

The ‘five-a-day’ mantra is one of the most high profile Government health campaigns, but the number of Brits struggling to reach the recommended target has increased by 26%. Three fifths (59%) admit they are currently finding it a challenge compared to 47% at the start of the recession in 2008

More than two thirds (68%) of Brits say healthier foods tend to be more expensive. One in six (16%) respondents said they’re buying as much as they can that is ‘reduced to clear’ and one in ten (11%) only buy foods that are on special offer. Worryingly, around one in four (24%) Brits say they regularly take vitamin supplements because they are unable to eat as healthily as they like or to supplement their diet.

Naturally most parents want to put their children’s health first and ensure they have a nutritionally balanced diet, but almost one in five (18%) are doing this at the expense of their own health. One in ten (9%) are even skipping meals so their children eat well.

Dr Dawn Richards, Head of Clinical Service at PruHealth, commented: “We can clearly see how people’s healthy eating habits have been affected, with the picture having got significantly worse since the start of the economic downturn. People are only too well aware of the need to eat healthily, but financial constraints are making it difficult, resulting in people’s health being negatively affected.”

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Reveals Workplace Absence Costs Britain’s Small Businesses 10% Of Turnover

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A significant proportion of the UK’s small business bosses are risking burnout and ill health as they battle absence to keep businesses afloat, according to Bupa research.

Four in ten (40 per cent) heads of small companies told researchers they continue to work from their sick beds when ill, rather than take time off to recover because there’s nobody else to pick up their work.

They are also battling mental as well as physical strain. With financial pressure and a lack of resources hampering succession planning, a third of SME bosses (31 per cent) said that their business would collapse if they were to take time off.

However, while small business owners put their own physical and mental health and wellbeing at risk, it seems their employees may be compounding the problem. Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of small business bosses say that employee absence is negatively affecting their business, and according to 46 per cent, high levels of employee absence are estimated to contribute up to a 10 per cent drop in turnover in small businesses.

Tony Wood, sales and marketing director at Bupa said: “Small business bosses are real troupers; they are totally committed to running their firms in sickness as well as health. However they need to think about how to take care of their health needs and those of their staff, as working through sickness isn’t a long-term solution for anyone.”

Four in ten (38 per cent) bosses admit they spend more on office stationery than initiatives that support employee health and wellbeing, such as flu jabs, cycle to work schemes and subsidised gym membership.

Dr Jenny Leeser, Clinical Director of Occupational Health, Bupa, suggests that small business heads should see investment in employee health and wellbeing as a beneficial long-term investment: “There are lots of things bosses can do to support staff and reduce the pressure of sickness absence. Staff benefits such as flu jabs or health checks can make a huge difference and are relatively low cost. Absence can be less of a burden if it is properly managed, for example through part-time return to work plans which can see staff return sooner. To get advice tailored to individual business needs, bosses should consult an occupational health specialist.”

The Bupa research showed that the sectors worst affected by workplace absence are property and technology companies, with 77 per cent of small business bosses surveyed in each of these sectors agreeing that sick leave has a financial impact on business. Other sectors which said that unplanned leave caused their business to suffer significantly were hospitality (58 per cent) and retail (50 per cent).

These figures come in the wake of Bupa’s 2011 study that found over half (51 per cent) of all HR managers claim that staff sickness absence puts additional work related stress on those employees left to ‘hold the fort’. One in three (31 per cent) staff stated they had to take on extra overtime to pick up additional workload as a result of colleagues being off sick. The research was in response to the Government’s Sickness Absence Review in November which found that the way sickness absence is managed by businesses can radically alter the length of time someone is off work.

Via EPR Network
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Ribbon Cutting & Launch of Breathmobile® in Alameda

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On Friday, January 20, 2012, the Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, Inc. (PJCCE), in partnership with the Alameda Boys & Girls Club and Alameda Head Start will host a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, 1900 3rd Street in Alameda as it launches services of the PJCCE Breathmobile®, a 33ft pediatric mobile asthma clinic, in the City of Alameda. The press conference and ceremony will start at 10:00am and will include members of the Alameda School Board, City elected officials, Alameda Head Start representatives, Alameda County representatives, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Light refreshments will be provided.

Event: Breathmobile ® Press Conference & Ribbon Cutting
Friday, January 20, 2012
10:00am – 10:30am
Alameda Boys & Girls Club
1900 3rd Street, Alameda

Asthma rates for children in the City of Alameda, and particularly at Alameda Point are high in the 0-5 age group. Many families do not have insurance to access regular asthma health care,” says Washington Burns, MD, Executive Director of the Breathmobile. “We are happy to be partnering with the Alameda Head Start and Alameda Boys and Girls Club.” Dr. Burns was contacted in 2011 by Daniel Javes of Alameda Head Start, after Javes concerned about asthma rates in Head Start children, had heard about the work the Breathmobile was doing at schools in Oakland. Javes contacted Dr. Burns and said that the Boys and Girls Club would be a perfect site in Alameda to see children with asthma. Javes suggested he should contact George Phillips, Executive Director of the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, which he did. “The Breathmobile fits right in with our other health care initiatives like our dental clinic.” says George Phillips, the Club’s Executive Director, “It allows us to offer convenient access to services they might not otherwise use and will help us realize our goal of instilling healthy lifestyle habits in the children of our community.”

The Breathmobile®, the first of its kind in Northern California is owned and operated by PJCCE and is a 33 ft. Winnebago RV outfitted with the latest equipment to function as a pediatric mobile asthma clinic. Inside the van, there are an intake station, a small waiting space, a testing area for vital signs including Oximetry, allergen skin testing and spirometry, and an exam room. On board are two computer systems, the first has a health risk assessment system for asthma, and a screening module for pre-diabetes, and the other system is a state of the art electronic medical records system called “AsmaTrax.” Asthma and allergy specialists on-board include Pediatric Allergists, Registered Nurses, and Respiratory Therapists. A video system is also on board to play educational videos and CDs. Services are provided in English and Spanish, and are available at no cost to children and families. The Breathmobile® will also provide services at the Matheson Head Start in Alameda Point.

The Breathmobile’s® mission is to reduce the effects of asthma among economically challenged families by providing a sustainable, accessible asthma management program that will focus on regular preventive care, thereby shifting families away from acute episodic and emergency care.

There are other Breathmobiles® operating throughout the US, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Baltimore, University of Alabama, and Phoenix, Arizona. All of these units form a national collaborative organization linked by a computer system located at USC to study and improve the effective treatment and management of asthma. Collaborative studies of Breathmobile® units in Chicago, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Orange counties in Southern California show a dramatic 73% reduction in Emergency Room visits and hospitalizations of asthma children being served by their Breathmobiles®. In its two years of operation, the PJC Breathmobile® has shown significant decrease in emergency room visits from 122 to 2, asthmarelated hospitalizations from 63 to 1, and school absences from 351 days to 17.

“There are so many diseases that we cannot control, but asthma is a controllable disease,“ says Dr. Burns, “By having the Breathmobile®, we can drastically reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, school absenteeism, reduce medical costs, and decrease morbidity and mortality of asthma by teaching patients how to control their children’s asthma. We are also increasing children’s academic performance.”

Founded in 1995, the Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, Inc. works to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and families in the West Oakland community through a broad range of wellness, education and cultural programs, and resources delivered in a safe, welcoming, respectful environment. Prescott Joseph Center partners with organizations and agencies to deliver services and referrals within the community. Located in the Prescott district, also called the Lower Bottom,” of West Oakland it is a center for community services, education, culture and development. Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement has a three-fold mission to: promote the individual self-esteem of citizens in the community through education, skill training and cultural programs, thus supporting healthy families and economic self-sufficiency; promote the on-going renewal of community spirit among West Oakland residents and to organize and promote community activities that facilitate economic, social and cultural development within West Oakland community.

For more information, about the Breathmobile ® of Northern California, please contact Washington Burns, Executive Director at 510-290-1476 or e-mail:drburns@prescottjoseph.org. You may also visit the Breathmobile® website at:www.breathmobile-nca.org.

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Bupa partners with the Ramblers

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Bupa, the leading healthcare group, has teamed up with the Ramblers to help people live healthier lives through walking.

The Ramblers is Britain’s Walking charity, working to help everyone realise the pleasures and benefits of walking, and to enhance and protect the places where people walk, whether rural or urban.

Walking can help people to reach the recommended healthy level of physical activity of 150 minutes of moderate exercise over a week in bouts of 10 minutes or more. The many benefits of regular walking include stress reduction, protecting against a number of illnesses and boosting fitness.

Sue Moore, Marketing and Customer Development Director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing said: “We are always looking for ways to help people live healthier lives, and we know that walking is an excellent way to do that. We hope that many of our members get involved with the Ramblers and start enjoying the benefits of walking.”

Robert McKinnon, Head of Marketing, the Ramblers said: “At the Ramblers we know that walking is a great way to keep in shape. We hope that Bupa members will join us and discover the friendship, fresh air and fitness that comes with getting outside and walking.”

Bupa members will be offered a 50% discount on Ramblers membership for the month of February. Ramblers members are also entitled to a special discount on Bupa health coverand Bupa health assessments.

For more information visit www.bupa.co.uk/ramblers.

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Bupa Launches Its First Dental Insurance Product

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Bupa is introducing a consumer dental insurance product for the first time, in response to high demand from customers.

Dental Cover 10 and 20 from Bupa allow customers to choose whichever dentist they want to visit. Dental Cover 10 offers customers a full refund for NHS treatment* and market-leading oral cancer cover up to £15,000 per person per year**.

Dental Cover 20 allows customers with a privately registered dentist to claim up to £150 a year of dental insurance for routine treatment such as check-ups, dental x-rays and scale and polish. For more expensive, non-cosmetic treatment such as fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns, bridgework and dentures, customers can claim up 75% of each bill, with up to £700 paid back per year. Cover also includes emergency dental treatment and treatment for dental injury***.

With no underwriting or pre-enrolment checks required****, set-up is quick and easy for the customer.

Previously Bupa dental cover was only available to individual customers as an option with the healthcare group’s adaptable health insurance product, Bupa By You.

Sue Moore, Marketing and Customer Development Director, Bupa Health & Wellbeing said: “Having listened to our customers, we have designed a product which gives people extensive cover when they visit the dentist, whether NHS or private. We know that our customers will value the peace of mind that this gives them.”

To obtain a quote, consumers can call 0800 600 500 or visit www.bupa.co.uk/dentalinsurance.

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Bupa Health Foundation and Alzheimer’s Australia Announce UK Availability Of Brain Health App

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The Bupa Health Foundation and Alzheimer’s Australia have announced the UK launch of a world-first brain health app, the latest digital tool to help in the fight against dementia.

Based on latest research that links brain health and a reduced risk of dementia, to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, ‘BrainyApp’ is the first dementia risk reduction iPhone app designed to help people monitor and improve their brain-heart health.

The new app, which was designed by Alzheimer’s Australia and Bupa Health Foundation, has already knocked Facebook off the number one spot in the Australia and New Zealand Top Free Apps list and has clocked up more than 130,000 downloads down under.

Now available to people in the UK, ‘BrainyApp’ helps users monitor and improve the physical, mental, dietary and social aspects of their lifestyle.

There are currently 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is predicted to rise to over a million by 2021. Delaying the onset of dementia by just five years would reduce deaths directly attributable to dementia by 30,000 a year.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Most people know how to reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke but they don’t realise that the same healthy lifestyle choices may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s diseaseand other kinds of dementia. The idea is that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain.”

‘BrainyApp’ allows users to take a brain-heart health survey about their diet, exercise patterns and lifestyle. It then provides suggestions and ideas about how to make improvements to each. It also includes all-new brain games, and encourages users to build brain-heart points by staying physically and mentally active, socialising with friends and family, and sharing their progress on Facebook.

One of the brain games – ‘Word Tennis’ – requires players to unscramble anagrams in order to move a paddle and hit a ball back to their opponent.

Director of dementia care for Bupa Care Services, Dr Graham Stokes, said: “There is evidence to show that keeping the mind exercised can stave off the onset of dementia but ‘BrainyApp’ highlights that good physical health also has a part to play. Best of all it’s good fun.”

‘BrainyApp’ is available as a free download for users of iPhone, iPod and iPad devices from the App Store. There are plans to develop an Android version in early 2012.

More information about BrainyApp is available at www.bupa.co.uk/brainy-app.

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Bupa International Releases Health Guides To Hong Kong And Singapore

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Bupa International has published two new health guides for expatriates in Hong Kong and Singapore. The guides include information on vaccinations, medical insurance and emergency healthcare.

Expatriate health information is increasingly sought after as a growing number of people relocate to foreign countries for work. Information on healthcare in the East Asian region is particularly needed, as the area’s many booming industries have drawn a large number of foreign workers in recent years.

Expatriates already living in Hong Kong or Singapore and those who are planning to move to either country can access the health guides via the Bupa International website.

The Hong Kong health guide discusses vaccinations and the various infectious diseases that expatriates in Hong Kong may be susceptible to. For those wondering whether to take anti-malarial medicines prior to their move, the health guide explains that this is unnecessary, as the mosquito-transmitted disease is not found in Hong Kong.

However, though malaria is not found in Singapore, the Singapore health guide suggests that expatriates take measures to prevent mosquito bites, as dengue fever and chikungunya have both been reported on the island.

The two health guides also provide information on international health insurance options that expatriates in Singapore and Hong Kong can benefit from and give an overview of the healthcare systems in both city-states, such as the availability of specialist care, the number of hospitals and the nature of primary care.

“Moving and living abroad can be daunting, particularly when it comes to the subject of health,” said Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director for Bupa International. “These health guides will help people to prepare for their move to Singapore or Hong Kong and offer them detailed information about hospital and treatment options there.

“Healthcare systems can vary enormously from one place to another so it’s vital to be prepared for any eventuality before you move or travel abroad. These health guides give an overview of the situation in Singapore and Hong Kong but you should always seek advice from an expert if you have a serious medical condition.”

Bupa International’s website also includes expatriate guides to other countries. The guides offer advice on culture and cost of living in various countries as well as other information such as how people can ship their belongings when relocating to a foreign country.

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Bupa Reveals Brits In Denial About Realities Of Too Much Drink

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Bupa is warning Brits to face up to the realities of excessive drinking as research reveals that despite having one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the world, they are the least likely to want to cut down their intake.

The International Bupa Health Pulse survey which studied over 13,000 people in 12 countries, found that Brits are over a third (41%) more likely to drink alcohol than the international average. They are also twice as likely to describe themselves as ‘regular drinkers’, with almost 1 in 10 (9%) admitting to drinking ‘every day’ – over double the international average.

But despite the proven link between excess* alcohol consumption and a range of life-threatening health conditions, more than 1 in 3 of Brits who drink (38%) say they don’t want to change their behaviour. Internationally, almost 3 in 4 of drinkers have admitted they would like to cut down.

Assistant Medical Director for Bupa, Dr Layla McCay said: “This is a worrying observation which implies that Brits are particularly resistant to change when it comes to drinking habits. Whether that is due to a lack of awareness about alcohol effects or whether we are simply in denial, there is clearly more work to be done to raise awareness of the associated risks and the real impact it can have on lives.

“Excessive drinking carries several health risks, including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, many types of cancer, and even diabetes. Something needs to be done immediately and we need to challenge the social norms – social lives too often revolve around drinking and it is important that we work towards coming up with healthier alternatives. It’s not about total abstinence, but it is about drinking responsibly and being aware of the effects that heavy drinking can have.”

Chief Executive of Drinkaware, Chris Sorek, said: “There is always an excuse to drink but there are plenty of reasons to cut down too. It can be easy to drink more than you intended, by not being aware of the units in your favourite drink or pouring large measures at home. However drinking can affect your sleep patterns, meaning you wake up feeling stressed and tired the next day.

“Regularly drinking over the daily guidelines can lead to more serious health harms including alcohol-related liver disease, which has no warning signs. Alcohol is also the second biggest risk factor for cancer after smoking – responsible for cancer of the breast, liver, bowel and mouth.”

For people worried about the amount they drink Bupa hosts a free alcohol calculator available on its website which calculates how much alcohol an individual consumes and provides alcohol information and support on how to drink less.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa International Launches New Health Insurance Video

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Bupa International has announced the launch of a new video detailing its international private medical insurance (IPMI) product.

Bupa International, a global health insurance provider which gives its members access to more than 7,500 medical facilities around the world, has released the video to show how customers can use its flexible Worldwide Health Options insurance to create a healthcare plan that suits their unique situation and needs. Rather than produce a text-heavy brochure, the company decided to launch a video giving an overview of what the product offers.

The video gives examples of people who have moved abroad following retirement, individuals who travel around the world for work and families who have relocated to another country. By using characters based on real-life stories, the video conveys the flexibility that the product offers and shows customers how they can tailor their international health insurance to fit their own unique situation.

Customers who purchase Bupa’s IPMI can choose as many Worldwide Health Options to add to their cover as they wish, or they can simply stick with the core cover. Options include cover for doctor consultations, medicines, screenings, evacuation and treatment in the United States. Additionally, customers can also apply for cover for pre-existing conditions.

Bupa Worldwide Health Options allows customers to combine modules to create the best solution for each individual or family.

Via EPR Network
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Sales Of Second-Hand Child Car Seats Raises Safety Fears

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Cash strapped parents could be putting their children’s safety at risk by buying second hand infant car seats, industry experts have warned.

New figures show that purchases of pre-owned child travel seats are rising, as families struggle to cope with today’s difficult economic conditions.

Car accessories retailer Halfords reports that 7% of its customers admit they have recently bought second hand car seats for their children, a rise of 2% compared to figures from its 2009 customer survey.

This is despite the fact that it can be virtually impossible to tell how old a second hand child seat is, if it has been involved in an accident, or even how to fit it, as most are rarely sold with the original fitting instructions or safety manuals.

“A lot of wear-and-tear on a pre-owned child car seat may not be visible to the untrained eye and buckles and straps that look fine at first glance may actually be so damaged that they could fail during an accident,” warned Halfords Child Travel Expert Samantha Preece.

“We know from our own research that 51% of parents do not know how to check if their child seat is correctly fitted, so it is a big worry that some people may buy a second hand car seat that doesn’t even come with instructions.”

Statistics on car accidents involving children are stark: every year 30 children between the ages of 0 to 11 years are killed, 400 seriously injured and over 7,000 slightly injured while travelling in cars 1. A correctly fitted car seat can help prevent some of these injuries.

Robert Anslow, managing director of the Baby Products Association, explained: “Generally a car seat will be used numerous times each day for many years and the BPA can’t stress enough the importance of buying new from a retailer who can provide expert product advice and the correct fitting instructions, which in the event of an accident, could save their child’s life.”

Samantha Preece added: “Some child seats will last for around 12 years, so given the added protection to the child and the peace of mind for the parent, a new child seat, correctly fitted, is an investment worth making.”

Via EPR Network
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E HealthPoint is One of 15 Innovators From Around the World Recognized for Applying Technology to Benefit Humanity

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E-HealthPoint, was today named as a laureate of The Tech Awards 2011, amongst one of 15 global innovators ecognized each year for applying technology to benefit humanity and spark global change. The Tech Awards, a signature program of The Tech Museum, and presented by Applied Materials, Inc., selected E HealthPoint from among more than one thousand nominations representing 54 countries.

“The Tech Awards is an incredible honor, recognizing individuals and organizations whose ideas and execution of those ideas are changing the world, hence this award for E-HealthPoint’s pioneering and futuristic social business model catering to the low-income communities is very gratifying for the community of social entrepreneurs like us ” said Amit Jain, Co- Founder & President, E-HealthPoint. “We are proud to be among those recognized for their contributions, and will continue to develop solutions in healthcare and safe drinking water sectors that improve the overall well being of people worldwide.” added Dr. Allen Hammond Co Founder and Executive Chairman, E HealthPoint

“The global challenges of the day have become increasingly strident, more deeply rooted,” said David Whitman, Vice President of Signature Programs at The Tech Museum. “Still, there is hope. These incredibly impressive Laureates have all proven to be equal to, or better than, the challenge to make the world a better place. By celebrating their accomplishments today, we are encouraging future innovators to work toward solutions to make the world healthier, safer and more sustainable.” This year, the laureates represent the truly global vision of the program, spanning countries such as India, Honduras and Ethiopia. Their work impacts people in many more countries worldwide.

About E-HealthPoint
E HealthPoint, cofounded in 2009 by Al Hammond, Amit Jain & Chris Dickey, is a pioneering and futuristic social enterprise that operates rural clinics that provide safe drinking water, affordable telemedical video consultations by qualified doctors, a wide range of diagnostic tests, and a licensed pharmacy on site in a highly affordable manner for low income communities. During past 18 months in India, E HealthPoint has successfully conducted more than 15,000 diagnostic investigations, 28,000 medical consultations, 33,000 filled-in-prescriptions, and serves more than 4,00,000 people daily with safe drinking water. E HealthPoint has helped such communities (mostly rural) cut down on treatment costs towards water-related diseases and travel costs to urban centres for seeking healthcare as also created hundreds of job opportunities across such villages. E HealthPoint is planning to expand this pioneering healthcare model to other few other countries in near future. Ashoka Innovators for the Public helped in incubating E HealthPoint in 2009.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Puts Real People At The Heart Of New Health Insurance Campaign

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Bupa has unveiled its latest TV advertising campaign to promote its new health insurance product, ‘Bupa By You’.

The multi-million pound, integrated, through-the-line campaign launched on 5 September and promotes the adaptable and affordable nature of ‘Bupa By You’.

The direct response TV advert, direct marketing and digital advertising have all been created by OgilvyOne.

‘Bupa By You‘ is a natural evolution of the brand’s ‘Helping You Find Healthy’ campaign launched earlier this year which demonstrated that healthy means different things to different people. The product meets this ambition by providing customers with the ability to personalise their insurance cover to best reflect their individual health needs, priorities and budget.

The campaign focuses on real people in real situations revealing them to be doing something that isn’t initially expected. This helps to demonstrate that ‘Bupa By You’ is adaptable and Bupa doesn’t make assumptions about its customers health insurance needs.

“‘Bupa By You’ is proof that health insurance doesn’t need to be one-size-fits-all,” commented Sue Moore, marketing and customer development director at Bupa Health & Wellbeing. “We have put the customer at the heart of the decision making process and the adaptable nature of the product reflects how we have listened to their needs.”

Annette King, Chief Executive, OgilvyOne, added: “This campaign demonstrates how Bupa is doing things differently – providing an adaptable product that meets individual customer needs. Our multi-platform approach allows us to communicate with customers on a very personal level.”

Media buying was undertaken by Carat.

Further information about Bupa By You can be found on Bupa’s website, with the new TV advert available on Bupa’s YouTube channel.The product is available for purchase by phone now and online from late September via www.bupa.co.uk/byyou

Via EPR Network
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New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Cited for Non-Assistance to a New York Community in 9/11 Crisis

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Charges of non-assistance to a New York community, post 9/11, in a context of bias and discrimination, were filed with the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), and the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR).

According to the Verified Complaints, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) ignored repeated requests to assist in the medical and mental health care of French-American residents of New York, and of French tourists trapped by the 9/11 cataclysm.

As official coordinator for the French consular 9/11 crisis task force, Gérard Sunnen, MD, a U.S. veteran and dual national, reported that many individuals were severely distraught and maximally stressed by the 9/11 catastrophe and needed acute and chronic support services. He pointed out that French president Jacques Chirac was the first president of a foreign nation to come to New York after 9/11, offering his nation’s condolences and assistance. After his visit, he promptly dispatched French senator Monique Cerisier-ben Guiga to New York to oversee consular humanitarian actions.

“The prejudicial actions of the NYSDOH then reached new heights in the era offreedom fries” as part of a pattern and in a spirit of retribution for France’s non-participation in the Iraq conflict. Curiously, nowhere did it ever reach the intensity of New York,” reports Dr. Sunnen, “please recall the well-publicized incidents of wine bottles vindictively smashed in the streets, the eggs thrown at the façade of the Consulate of France, and the inflammatory headlines in the New York tabloids during those times. Because of coordinated boycotts, many French-owned businesses failed in New York, creating widespread mental health calamities.”

“Consequences of NYSDOH’s usage of its powers traveled far beyond New York,” said Dr. Sunnen, adding, “We were working with our Egyptian colleagues on two clinical studies, under the auspices of the University of Cairo and the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Both studies aimed at major public health issues in the Middle East and in the U.S., one regarding hepatitis C in Egypt, where the hepatitis C prevalence is by far the highest in the world, and the other on diabetic skin ulcers, a major cause of lower leg amputations worldwide. “

“Due to NYSDOH’s interference, the research contracts fell through and the studies were abandoned.” Information on the impedance to these international medical research initiatives can be found on the Internet. Legislative attempts designed to curb NYSDOH’s oft-reported undemocratic practices were all vetoed by Governor George E. Pataki in 2004.

Dr. Sunnen concluded, “In countering today’s tendency for international polarizations, friends and allies need to solidify their ties and cooperative efforts, and there may be nowhere better to start than with actively nurturing medical fellowship and goodwill.”

Via EPR Network
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Pruhealth Becomes Nectar’s Exclusive Healthcare Partner

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PruHealth customers can now collect up to 200 Nectar points and 10 Vitality points each week when buying £20 worth of healthy foods* during the weekly shop at Sainsbury’s, under PruHealth’s new and exclusive partnership with Nectar, the largest loyalty programme in the UK.

Enhancing PruHealth’s existing partnership with Sainsbury’s**, the innovative insurer that rewards healthy behaviour has become Nectar’s exclusive healthcare partner within the programme.

Policyholders with Nectar membership can now receive 10 Nectar points per £1 spent in Sainsbury’s on over 1,500 healthy foods***. Customers will also be rewarded 1 Vitality point for every £2 spent on healthy foods, which contributes towards discounts with PruHealth’s reward partners and cashback on the individual’s policy.

Furthermore, Nectar customers wishing to join PruHealth will receive 5,000 Nectar points for taking out a new private medical insurance policy, meaning they could potentially collect up to 15,400 Nectar points in the first year, as well as 520 Vitality points.

Recent findings from PruHealth indicate a third of British adults (33%)**** want to improve their diets and eat more healthily in 2011, and PruHealth and Nectar are committed to helping their members live a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Katie Tryon at PruHealth commented: “We all know what we should be doing to look after ourselves, but we need encouragement to implement these changes into our lifestyle on an ongoing basis. Incentivising healthy behaviour is our core philosophy and we believe our healthy foods initiative can help drive behavioural change amongst our members. We are extremely excited about the possibilities presented by our new partnership with Nectar and our enhanced relationship with Sainsbury’s and look forward to developing further initiatives in the future.”

The innovative insurer hopes the rewards offer an attractive incentive for members to eat healthily, while also providing an attractive proposition for new customers as well. One in ten (12%) British adults said receiving discounts for leading a healthy lifestyle would be an incentive to take out private medical insurance.

Via EPR Network
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