Category Archives: Society

Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Online, Public Health, Society

UK Enjoys Highest Net Income in Europe but Life Quality is Poorest

The UK and Ireland are the worst places in Europe to live, according to the latest uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index. While the UK enjoys the highest net household income in Europe, quality of life is the poorest, proving that there is more to good living than money. Long working hours, lower holiday entitlement and a high cost of living all contribute to a poor quality of life in the UK – and it’s not much better for the Irish either:

•Best quality of life can be found in France and Spain. The worst can be found in the UK and Ireland
•Depressing: UK workers can expect to work 3 years longer and die 2 years younger than their French counterparts
•Cost of living: consumers in the UK are paying above the European average for fuel, food, alcohol and cigarettes
•Health and education: the UK’s spend on healthcare and education is below the European average. Only Ireland and Poland spend less on healthcare, but Ireland has more doctors and hospital beds and Poland has more beds than the UK
•Longer life: Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden all enjoy longer life expectancy than the UK
•Retirement age in the UK has dropped, but it is still the 4th highest in Europe
•UK enjoys highest net household income, but workers in the UK get lowest holiday entitlement in Europe.

The latest uSwitch.com European Quality of life Index reveals that people in the UK are still getting a raw deal compared with their European neighbours. Despite the fact that the UK enjoys the highest net household income in Europe – GBP35,730 a year, which is more than GBP10,000 a year above the European average – this does not translate into a good life. Instead, people in the UK can expect to work longer, die younger and enjoy lower standards of healthcare and education.

The uSwitch.com study examined 17 factors in order to understand where the UK sits in relation to nine other major European countries. Variables such as net income, taxes and the cost of essential goods, such as fuel, food and energy bills, were examined along with lifestyle factors, such as hours of sunshine, holiday entitlement, working hours and life expectancy to provide a complete picture of the quality of life experienced in each country.

The findings show that people in the UK and Ireland have the poorest quality of life, while the French and Spanish enjoy the highest. The UK gets the lowest number of days holiday per year, pays the highest prices for diesel and food and spends below the European average (as a percentage of GDP) on health and education. It also has the 4th lowest life expectancy in Europe and workers retire later than most of their European counterparts.

France, which topped the league, enjoys one of the lowest retirement ages, has the longest life expectancy in Europeand spends the most on healthcare Its workers also benefit from 34 days holiday a year – compared with only 28 in the UK – and it comes only behind Spain and Italy for hours of sunshine.

Spain, which topped the league last year, enjoys the most sunshine – but it has more to smile about than just that. The Spanish can expect to live a year longer than people in the UK, enjoy the highest number of days holiday in Europe (41 days a year) and pay the lowest fuel prices. And as if that’s not enough to celebrate, they are paying the lowest prices for alcohol too.

This year’s index does not reveal the full impact of the recession – this can be expected to show next year. However, France officially went into recession in May 2009 and has already emerged again (August 2009). This quick turnaround could see it maintaining a high quality of life despite the economic difficulties facing most European nations. Spain entered recession in February 2009 with no official announcement as to when it is likely to exit. Poland is the only country in the study not to have gone into recession and it is widely expected to avoid it throughout 2009.

Out of the two countries experiencing the lowest quality of life, Ireland went into recession first in September 2008 while the UK officially went into recession in January 2009. Both are yet to exit and the impact on the UK is expected to be severe and long lasting. Unemployment has already hit a 14 year high at 2.47 million workers or 7.9% of the workforce – the highest rate since 1995. Even with the UK due to start recovery shortly, the jobless toll is still expected to rise with the British Chambers of Commerce predicting numbers exceeding 3 million next year.

Importantly, as politicians start to plot a way out of the financial mire, quality of life in the UK could suffer even more. This is because public spending is likely to be reined in so that the amount spent in the UK on education and health could fall. The Labour Government has already indicated GBP2 billion of cuts to come on education but it has so far rejected advice from management consultants to cut the NHS workforce by 10% over the next 5 years. The UK is already spending below the European average (as a percentage of GDP) on both health and education.

Health

The UK is spending below the European average (as a percentage of GDP) on both education and health. The largest shortfall is on health though, where the UK is spending 8.2% of GDP compared with the European average of 9%. Only Poland and Ireland spend less on health than the UK. France is the biggest investor, spending 11% of GDP on health, closely followed by Denmark and Germany.

The UK has 2.1 doctors per 1,000 people and 3.9 hospital beds. In contrast, France has 3.4 doctors and 7.3 beds. Poland, which spends less than the UK on health, has more hospital beds – 5.2 beds per 1,000 people. While Ireland spends less than the UK, but achieves a greater number of doctors per 1,000 and a higher number of hospital beds (2.9 doctors per 1,000 and 5.6 beds).

Lower spending on education and health could also be a contributing factor to the UK’s lower than average life expectancy, which is 4th lowest in Europe. There is some evidence to suggest that people who are better educated live longer and in better health than those who are less educated. This link between education and health cannot be explained by behavioural differences alone and has led scholars to suggest that having the right educational policies could improve a nation’s health considerably.

As well as shorter lives, people in the UK can expect to work for longer than most of their European neighbours too. The average European retirement age is 62 years old, however UK workers can expect to carry on working for 6 months longer than this. Poland has the lowest retirement age at just over 59 years old, closely followed by France. In real terms, these differences mean that UK workers can expect to work 3 years longer and die 2 years younger than their French counterparts.

Well being

Workers in the UK put in an average of 37 hours a week. Spain, France, Italy and Poland all work longer hours, but they also benefit from more days off. While workers in the UK get the lowest holiday entitlement in Europe – 28 days a year – the Spanish benefit from 41 days a year, the highest entitlement. As a result, UK workers can expect to work an average of 5 days more a year than their European counterparts and 13 days a year more than their Spanish counterparts. Over a lifetime of work (45 years) a Spanish worker could expect to have over 5 years off as holiday, while a UK worker could expect to have just over 3 years off.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “There is more to good living than money and this report shows why so many Brits are giving up on the UK and heading to France and Spain. We earn substantially more than our European neighbours, but this level of income is needed just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and our homes warm. It’s giving us a decent standard of living, but it’s not helping us achieve the quality of life that people in other countries enjoy.

“For too long the focus in the UK has been on standard of living rather than quality of life. As a result we have lost all sense of balance between wealth and well-being. The recession could prove to be a turning point, forcing us to re-evaluate our way of life, get back to basics and to the things that really count. Consumers are already beginning to do this – the Government and its policymakers would do well to follow suit.”

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Addictions, Clinics, Consultations, Drugs, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Services, Online, Rehab, Society, Sports Medicine, Therapies

Narconon, Drug-Free, Non-Profit, Drug Rehab Treatment

Narconon Vista Bay goes to the Fair! The Monterey County Fair is one of the largest in the state of California, with an average of 65,000 visitors. Taking advantage of that opportunity, Narconon Northern california had a booth in the middle of the action. The goal was to provide free drug education for children and also mingle with members of the community.

Over the five days of the fair, Narconon drug education material was placed in the hands of over 4000 children. While at the booth, kids enjoyed a prize wheel and gifts, as parents and community members appreciated the positive Narconon approach to drug prevention and education. The informative material offered was enjoyed by all.

Narconon programs assist schools across the country in meeting several criteria for the United States Department of Education, Title IV (Safe & Drug Free School) funds. Trends of youth substance abuse are tracked and monitored, and program presentations and training is modified to meet the ever changing needs of society. Prevention is the goal of drug education.

Perhaps the most unique concept behind Narconon Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment is that it is completely drug-free. The treatment has at least a 70% success rate. It is based on techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard, an author and philosopher. Each single component or phase of the treatment is designed to increase the abilities of the client.

Narconon is a drug-free treatment method that consists of two main stages; detoxification and rehabilitation. Besides nutritional supplements, sauna sessions are an important part of the detoxification stage. Rehabilitation includes specific courses designed to increase communication skills, study skills, orientation to the environment, understanding of moral principles, and preparation for work.

With a success rate of 76%, the “Narconon Drug Rehab” is backed by a ‘Graduate Assurance Plan’. The plan promises graduates following approved discharge plans that relapse within six months of the program, will be re-admitted at no charge. “Narconon Prescription Drug Treatment” is available for a flat fee, and the duration is based on need, not insurance coverage.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Insurance, Healthcare Services, Public Health, Society

The Young Are Being Hit Hardest By The Strains Of Modern Life

PruHealth has revealed that the old adage of ‘being over the hill’ in later life may need to be revised as it seems the stresses and strains of modern life are hitting the younger generation the hardest.

The latest research from PruHealth, the health insurance provider that rewards policyholders for being healthy, has found that today’s 20-somethings feel three years older than their birth certificate states and the average 30-something feels their actual age, but the average Brit aged 40+ feels 11.5 years younger than their actual age.*

However, 20-30 somethings seem to have energy levels closer to those of retirees. More people in their 20s and 30s have a dip in their energy levels throughout the course of the day than any other age group, while 12% of 30-somethings don’t feel energetic at any point during the day at all – compared with only 6% of people in their 60s.

The research highlights how people in their 20s and 30s live unhealthier lifestyles than those in their 40s and 50s, which could be the reason for the younger generation’s sluggish energy levels and feeling older than their years. The top three reasons for lower energy levels were identified as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and not getting enough sleep. However, little action appears to be being taken to counteract this with only 47% saying they eat a balanced diet, 18% never exercise, and a quarter sleep for less than 6 hours a night.

The older generation tends to follow a more balanced diet, eats less unhealthy foods such as takeaways, and participates in a similar level of exercise compared with the younger generation. However, as the over 40s require less calories than the under 40s** this could be the key to their youthfulness.

Interestingly, people of all ages who feel younger than their real age are more likely to feel most energetic in the morning, while those who experience a peak in energy levels in the afternoon are more likely to feel older than their actual age.

Shaun Matisonn, CEO, PruHealth, said: “While it’s wonderful to see that the older we get, the better we feel, the energy levels of those under 40 clearly needs more attention. This age group need to get more exercise – and more sleep – eat healthily and follow more active lifestyles to help boost their energy levels.

“Finding time in your 30s to exercise and eat healthily can be especially difficult while you’re juggling a career and looking after a young family, but incorporating small steps in your daily routine, such as getting off the bus a stop early and snacking on fruit rather than crisps, can help make all the difference.”

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Clinics, Cosmetic Surgery, Fitness, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Services, Plastic Surgery, Society, Surgery

Report Warns Against Botox Binges

The Harley Medical Group has revealed that recent reports from the States suggest women are binging on Botox to the point where their faces look frozen. Suffering from so-called ‘Wrinklerexia’, some Botox-devotees become so obsessed with their crease-free image they begin to see lines where there are none and binge on Botox to get a freeze-frame face.

Doctors at The Harley Medical Group – the UK’s largest cosmetic surgery provider – strongly recommend that patients opt for smaller doses of Botox and are turning patients away who demand treatment they don’t need.

Liz Dale, Director of The Harley Medical Group said: “Used properly, Botox is a fantastic treatment giving smoother, tighter and more youthful looking skin. But like with any procedure, it’s highly inadvisable to have more done than is necessary. At The Harley Medical Group all Botox treatments are administered by specially trained doctors who will look out for signs of a Botox ‘habit’ and will advise patients according to their individual needs.”

The Harley Medical Group works tirelessly to maintain the highest standards in the industry for the benefits all cosmetic surgery and non surgical patients. The group is at the forefront of the campaign to ensure that the Government continues to regulate the use of certain laser types used in cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments so that patients are protected from rogue practitioners.

Dr Nick Milojevic, Botox Doctor at The Harley Medical Group said: “When used correctly, it’s extremely difficult to see if someone has had a Botox treatment. Botox has a fantastic preventative benefit, helping to prevent more wrinkles from forming whilst stopping lines and creases already present from deepening. ‘Baby Botox’, a lighter variation of the treatment, only uses extremely low doses of the toxin to give a very subtle and natural effect.”

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Alternative medicine, Consultations, Disorders, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Healthcare Solutions, Medicine, Online, Society

Free Joint Pain Relief Analyzer Launched

While some struggle to relieve daily joint pain, many are overcoming their joint pain quickly and easily. Largely, because they have mastered the proven (but little-known) methods of preventing joint pain from becoming overwhelming, before it’s too late.

That’s the opinion of Joint Pain Relief Today, online joint pain relief resource and designer of this new free tool, the Joint Pain Analyzer.

“Middle-aged individuals today need solid, reliable information on what works in relieving joint pain – and what doesn’t,” says Mary Ogden, joint pain specialist. “As an online joint pain specialist, I have hundreds of people contacting me, asking questions such as:

– How can I relieve my joint pain so I can get started with my day without being slowed-down by joint pain?

– How can I prevent and protect myself against significant joint pain in the first place?

“I designed the free Joint Pain Analyzer tool, to give these folks some of the answers. What makes this joint pain tool different is this: it’s not based upon theories or untested ideas. Each of the methods built into the joint pain analyzer tool has been thoroughly tested. The tool’s answers have been checked by medical professionals and in real-world joint pain relief.”

Unlike many of today’s joint pain services, Ogden points out, this new joint pain tool has been released at no charge. “A lot of organizations and individuals can’t afford to hire joint pain consultants or joint pain relief specialists. And it takes time to read an entire medical book, listen to a CD or attend a joint pain seminar,” notes Ogden. “This free joint pain analyzer has been created for them, and takes less than 2 minutes to get.”

Personal joint pain data analyzed in the free joint pain analyzer include:

– how joint pain is currently affecting the daily life of the patient
– why joint pain prevention is so important and what to do
– where to get effective, free help on boosting your joint pain relief

The Joint Pain Analyzer can be accessed online free, right now by visiting: Joint Pain Relief Today

The free joint pain relief analyzer is available to all individuals – both young and old, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Assistants, Business of Medicine, Healthcare, Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Services, Medicine, Nurses, Physicians, Society

Health Care Industry Leader Joins Health by Design Executive Team

Health by Design of San Antonio, TX, a leading provider of health care services to businesses and individuals, has recently appointed Omar Rodríguez as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategic Planning. With nearly 30 years in the health care arena, Rodríguez assumes a newly created role to help Health by Design reach more companies with its unique approach to medical care. His first area of concentration will be to further develop the Texas market.

“Omar is an outstanding individual with a wealth of experience and knowledge both in managing companies as President and CEO and administering health care benefits for self-insured companies. As we look to expand our role in helping companies provide quality medical care to their employees through prevention, knowledge and personal care, Omar will be able to bring valuable industry insight to better serve our clients and mission,” said Health by Design CEO and Medical Director Dr. James Ogletree. Health by Design Management President Barney Randol also noted that through fiscal responsibility and client growth and retention Health by Design has had solid year over year revenue growth.

About Health by Design
Founded in 1982 by Dr. David Player in San Antonio, TX, Health by Design successfully blends medical care, physician knowledge and personalized care to provide quality health care for corporations, small businesses and individuals. Utilizing a long practiced unique approach to medical care, Health by Design physicians share a common philosophy of prevention, education and wellness. They perform comprehensive evaluations of a patient’s current physical condition and then develop a program that maximizes their health and lifestyle, while helping employers reduce health care costs and increase productivity. For more information, visit: www.hbdus.com.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

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

New Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Website By Mountainside

Mountainside Treatment Center, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center located in the northwest corner of Connecticut has launched a new informative web site in order to make more information about addiction and the treatment of addiction more accessible to the general public. The new website is designed to be easy to use and navigate, while still providing volumes of information to the end user. The new site is comprised of the newest and best technology available and is aimed at making the web experience as pleasant as possible. For many, this is the first glimpse of what Mountainside has to offer, so making the information accessible was one of the primary goals. Finding a suitable drug or alcohol rehabilitation center can be a difficult task, often, an informative and easy to use website makes this a less time consuming task; which allows the client more time to make the right decision.

Mountainside’s new site offers information on several important addiction related topics as well as information regarding its professional and credentialed staff and facility. The new drug rehab and alcoholism treatment center website contains information on heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, methamphetamine addiction, alcoholism, prescription drug dependence and addiction along with several other informative articles.

Information on the facility is abundant and contains many photographs from Mountainsides grounds. There is a section that introduces the clinical treatment team and provides the opportunity for people to become more familiar with the facility and its offerings. There are also powerful search functions which give web users the ability to find only the information that they are seeking.

Mountainside Drug Rehab Center’s focus and commitment over the years has been to the quality of its drug rehabilitation and alcoholism treatment program. Mountainside’s unique drug rehab program includes Individual and Group Counseling; Therapeutic Challenge; Addressing Nicotine Addiction; 12-Step Education and Meetings; Spiritual Enhancement including Guided Meditation, Yoga, Hypnosis, a Native American Stone Peoples Lodge; Family Counseling; Work Therapy; Adventure-Based Counseling; Writing, Art and Music Workshops. Working with their counselors, residents are able to take advantage of a long list of treatment initiatives designed to appeal to individual tastes and preferences. One of the tenets of its individualized drug addiction rehab program is to get people fully engaged in their recoveries.

Its licensed and credentialed counselors and clinical staff include two Advanced Nurse Practitioners who are specialists in drug addiction and alcoholism treatment. The highly capable drug addiction treatment team is dedicated to providing compassionate and quality alcohol and drug treatment. In these hard economic times – Mountainside Drug Rehab is there to help. Please contact us at the number below or visit its website at (www.mountainside.org/drug-rehab).

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

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

Take Rehab Seriously Or Run The Risk Of Never Beating Addiction

Addiction is both a physical and psychological disease. Addiction treatment, then, must promote both physical and psychological healing. The only successful rehab facilities are those which help their clients get better in mind as well as in body. In the end, there’s no other route to meaningful and lasting wellness.


Those considerations, in turn, are at the heart of Sunset Malibu’s treatment philosophy.

With its world-class caregivers and elegant accommodations, Sunset Malibu is an unparalleled recovery destination. The center has always catered to upscale clients from every corner of the globe. Now Sunset is renewing its commitment to its core values, with the goal of delivering life-changing comprehensive care to individuals who seek it. At Sunset Malibu, the client always comes first.

“Every one of our clients comes to us with some sort of emotional problem,” said Sunset Malibu Program Director Dr. Georgina Smith. “It’s our job to ensure that that problem gets solved, in order to lay a solid foundation for the long-term recovery process. With everything from advanced dual-diagnosis techniques to intensive depression treatment, we make it our mission to help patients heal from the inside-out.”

Unfortunately, that passion for holistic healing is precisely what sets Sunset apart from its competitors.

Most treatment facilities pay lip service to the importance of holistic recovery. But very few of them live up to their own promises. The truth is that many of the most “exclusive” clinics in California only target the physical symptoms of addiction. More often than not, those facilities fail to help clients get better for good.

Under the circumstances, argues Dr. Smith, those shortcomings are inexcusable.

“Addiction ruins lives,” Dr. Smith said. “Addiction treatment can save them-but only if it’s administered with empathy and expertise. We stop at nothing to ensure that our clients receive the best possible support along the road to wellness. To do anything less would be to forsake our personal and professional obligations.”

Substance abuse is an increasingly prevalent problem in the United States and around the world. The good news here is that it doesn’t have to be a fatal one. Sunset Malibu has proven itself capable of helping clients rediscover the world as they used to know it, before addiction stripped them of their hope and joy and dignity. It’s hard to imagine that any service could ever possibly be more valuable than that one.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

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

Drug Rehab Where You Are Surrounded By Luxury

Affluent addiction victims typically seek the services of elegant private treatment facilities. Unfortunately, that search is often impeded by a lack of information from and about the luxury rehab industry.

That’s about to change.

LuxuryDrugRehab.com is pleased to announce a new referral service linking affluent addiction victims to the best treatment and recovery facilities on earth. The goal of LuxuryDrugRehab.com is to help those victims find the facility that’s exactly right for them. To do that, the service provides clients with expert personal advice and a thorough understanding of the treatment options available to them.

For drug rehab patients and their families, that sort of enlightenment can often make all the difference in the world.

Rehab is always an arduous process. To be successful, patients need intimate and comprehensive support at every step on the road to wellness. The best treatment clinics, then, are invariably those which most effectively meet the needs of their individual clients. In the end, anything less than the most personalized care is and can only be a recipe for failure.

But those principles aren’t always put into practice.

It’s one thing for a rehab center to pay lip service to the importance of luxurious accommodations. It’s quite another for that facility to make a deep and abiding commitment to the physical comfort of its clients. The unfortunate truth is that many of the most well-known clinics in Los Angeles fall short of the promises they make in their advertising brochures. Unsurprisingly, those institutions rarely produce meaningful or lasting recovery.

Given the stakes in the fight against addiction, those sorts of failures can lead to disaster.

LuxuryDrugRehab.com is a referral service dedicated to connecting callers with the right drug rehab programs or alcohol rehab center. To learn more about the service, please call 1-888-488-0088, or visit the LuxuryDrugRehab.com Web site at www.luxurydrugrehab.com. Online visitors will find testimonials, staff profiles, and other valuable information about private drug rehabs the rehabilitation experience.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

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

Refreshing Take On Recovery Methods At Cliffside Malibu

Cliffside Malibu, a prestigious alcohol treatment facility on the Malibu coast, has long been a leading light in the California rehab community. Now, the center is pleased to announce its renewed commitment to providing clients with superlative luxury on the road to recovery.

Alcohol treatment is always difficult. Those patients who complete the process successfully are invariably the ones who feel most comfortable in their healing environments, and most supported in their recovery efforts. The best alcohol treatment clinics, then, are those which most effectively meet the physical and psychological needs of their clients. In the end, there’s simply no substitute for a private and luxurious rehabilitation facility.

Those principles, in turn, comprise the core of Cliffside Malibu’s luxury treatment philosophy.

With its expert caregivers and posh amenities, Cliffside Malibu is a world-class institution. The center has always catered to an elite clientele. Now Cliffside is expanding its mission, with the goal of delivering the best care on the planet to those individuals who need it. At Cliffside Malibu, nothing less than excellence will ever be acceptable.

“Alcohol treatment is a trying process,” said Cliffside Malibu Clinical Director Patricia Freeberry. “As an alcohol treatment clinic, it’s our job to ensure that our clients have everything they need to rise to the occasion. From gourmet meals to personal spa services, we stop at nothing in order to fulfill our obligations.”

It’s easy for an alcohol treatment center to pay lip service to the importance of luxury and elegance. It’s hard, though, for that center to live up to its own standards. The truth is that many so-called “luxury” alcohol treatment clinics in California fall far short of the facades they present in their advertising brochures. Unsurprisingly, these institutions rarely help clients achieve meaningful or lasting wellness.

Cliffside Malibu is a luxury drug and alcohol treatment center located in Malibu, California. For further details about Cliffside’s treatment methods, amenities, or other general information alcohol treatment program, please call 1-800-501-1988 or visit our Web site at www.cliffsidemalibu.com.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Assistants, Consultations, Diseases, Doctors, Health 2.0, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Medicine, Online, Pharmaceuticals, Society

Online Sexual Partners Calculator

According to new research released by Lloydspharmacy, the typical British adult has slept indirectly with 2,811,024 people.

The leading community pharmacy chain has developed an online calculator which allows people to work out the number of indirect sexual partners they have had.

The sexual partners calculator has been developed to help people understand the risks of unprotected sex. According to the Health Protection Agency, cases of sexually transmitted infections rose last year by 0.5%, to 399,738 and cases of Chlamydia increased by eight per cent between 2006 and 2008.

The average British man claims to have had nine sexual partners while the average women claims 6.3 partners, giving an overall average of 7.65. However, as the new calculator demonstrates, they are potentially exposed to the sexually transmitted diseases of hundreds of thousands of others.

The calculator, which uses data collected from more than 6,000 UK adults, is called Sex Degrees of Separation, a reference to the famous theory first proposed by Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy which states that no one person is more than six steps removed from another.

When people enter the age range of each partner, the calculator raids its database to work out how many previous sexual partners people within that age range have had on average. It then repeats this process for five further ‘generations’ of partner. This is added together to give a Sex Degrees of Separation total.

The launch of the calculator coincides with the introduction of Lloydspharmacy’s Relationship Screen, an online postal service which allows people and their partners to have a Chlamydia test – the most common STI in the UK – Gonorrhoea test and HIV test before committing to full intimacy.

Clare Kerr, head of sexual health at Lloydspharmacy said: “When we sleep with someone, we are, in effect, not only sleeping with them, but also their previous partners and their partners’ previous partners, and so on. It’s important that people understand how exposed they are to STIs and take appropriate precautions including using condoms and getting themselves checked out where appropriate.

“A simple sexual health test will give both partners in a relationship peace of mind. The majority of STIs are easy to rectify, but if left untreated, the long term implications can be very serious.”

The Sex Degrees of Separation calculator, and more information about Lloydpharmacy’s sexual health services, can be found at online.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Eye Care, Healthcare, Healthcare Services, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Society

GlassesUSA Offers Customers Generous Discount On Prescription Glasses During Sale

GlassesUSA is keeping prescription eyeglasses affordable. Staying in line with their philosophy of ensuring eyeglasses are an affordable necessity and not an expensive luxury, GlassesUSA recently launched a new marketing campaign for their customers. The newest campaign is aimed at selling a selected portion of their most popular, fashionable eyeglass frames at a discount to their customers.

Unlike many retailers who keep their sales under wraps and hidden in the dark corners of their websites with special landing pages in hopes that customers will not use the discount, GlassesUSA launched their “Autumn Sale 2009” campaign first via email to customers who signed up for their seasonal newsletter. After the successful email campaign was launched, GlassesUSA launched the promotion on their website – inviting customers to take 10% off any of the selected eyeglasses.

The final steps in the promotional campaign launch was reaching out to bloggers and affiliates in order to get the word out about the 10% discount. The campaign was well-received among bloggers and those running coupon and discount sites.

GlassesUSA, a company that endured many changes recently including moving their shipping outfit to St. Joseph, Michigan, is an international cooperative group with offices in New Jersey as well as Tel Aviv, Israel. The company believes that vision care should be within arms reach and that high-quality eyeglasses should not cost a fortune. In conjunction with their business philosophy, GlassesUSA established efforts for their customers to not only recycle broken glasses but to donate old and used eyeglasses in order to ensure that those around the globe who cannot afford eyeglasses will receive them free of cost.

Since launching as a company, GlassesUSA transformed into an organization committed to philanthropy as well as consumer education. Their customers have a blog available to find the best ways to keep themselves informed on anything new in the vision world. GlassesUSA also reaches out to its customers with creative and innovative ways to save money – such as their Autumn Sale 2009.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Alternative medicine, Cancer, Diagnostics, Donation, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Oncology, Online, Society

International Masters Publishers, Inc., On Behalf Of Its Collection Of Health And Well-Being Products Has Made A Donation To Rocking The Road For A Cure, Inc.

International Masters Publishers, Inc., on behalf of its collection of Health and Well-being products has made a donation to “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc.” — a non-profit organization founded to provide free education and support services for women and men going through the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Reflecting their strong commitment to providing valuable health information, International Masters Publishers, Inc. (IMP) recently announced its continuing support for breast cancer research and wellness programs through its contribution to the community-based non-profit organization “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc.”

Founded by Dawn Frey after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc” provides free support services aimed to enhance the coping skills of those in treatment, and expand the support networks that have proven so essential to their quality of life. These services include:

• Homebound Yoga, Reiki and massage
• Medical case management assistance
• Homebound Recreational Therapy
• Beauty consultations
• Nutrition advice and services

“We are proud to support the great work done by Rocking on the Road for a Cure, Inc.”, says Dilenia Chireno, IMP Spokesperson, “their programs use many of the same approaches to self-empowerment we cover in our collections, so it’s really an excellent fit for us. We are so proud to be part of this important and worthwhile cause.”

In addition to its generous corporate donation, IMP will also offer some customers of The Complete Guide to Natural Healing and Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit the opportunity to make an additional donation by contributing a portion of the proceeds it receives from these two products to this great cause.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Courses, Health 2.0, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Online, Society

The First Cookery And Nutrition Academy In Europe

New You Boot Camp launch Cookery & Nutrition Academy breaks as a lifestyle extension to the successful New You Boot Camp programme. If you are passionate about cooking and healthy eating without compromising on the taste then the New You Boot Camp Cookery & Nutrition Academy break might be perfect for you.

The Cookery & Nutrition Academy puts you on the path to discovering how to prepare delicious and healthy food which is quick and easy to prepare.

The aim of the break is to teach you about the nutritional value of food as well as a healthier way of cooking that can empower you to transfer all the skills that you have learnt into your lives at home.

The three day breaks teach you how to cook quick fix meals, family favourites, and even prepare for dinner party’s. Not only that you New You Boot Camp have put together a glossy booklet filled with all the delicious recipes that you that you tried throughout the break for you to take home.

The New You Boot Camp Cookery & Nutrition Academy concept has been designed so that each course’s dates theme will change ensuring that when you come back to visit again you will learn how to cook something new.

The New You Boot Camp Cookery and Nutrition Academy is based at a beautiful property located in the wonderful Dorset Countryside in the village of Thornicombe near Blandford.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Addictions, Clinics, Drugs, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Medicine, Online, Rehab, Society, Therapies

Treatment-Centers.net – Free Directory of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

Free services offered by websites such as Treatment-Centers.net are becoming more and more useful as a growing number of people struggle with an addiction problem. In fact, overdose rates for people addicted to prescription medication are now higher than those associated with the abuse of heroin and cocaine.

Although there has been a lot of media coverage in recent years surrounding celebrity deaths caused by drug overdoses, the problem is more far-reaching, affecting people from all types of backgrounds across the country.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are approximately 20,000 deaths a year related to drugs in the United States – the leading cause of fatal overdoses being drugs prescribed by a physician.

Connecting addicts and their families with the help they need – be it Alcohol Treatment or treatment for drug addiction – is the most important step in healing the thousands of people suffering with an addiction problem. In many cases it can be difficult or almost impossible for people to find the right treatment program.

This is why the service provided by Treatment-Centers.net is an effective solution for finding a good program, and linking treatment facilities in need of an affordable online marketing campaign with effective and innovative advertising solutions.

The website specializes in helping addiction treatment organizations market their programs and increase visibility on the Internet. The site provides Internet marketing consulting in addition to advertising products and services on the site’s treatment directory.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, call Treatment Centers at 1-877-335-4673 or visit http://www.Treatment-Centers.net.

Treatment-Centers.net was founded by Bernie Grohsman, an eight-year veteran in the Internet marketing field of behavioral healthcare. As the owner and creator of Treatment Centers, he has put his years of experience and expertise to good use. A recovering addict himself who lost his only brother to addiction, Grohsman wants to help addicts find the treatment they need to achieve a full recovery. The website is the best place to find an appropriate Alcohol Treatment Center, Alcohol Rehabilitation Center, drug rehab program, or addiction treatment facility.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Alternative medicine, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Obesity, Online, Society, Weight loss

HCG Hormone Study Reveals Secret To Long-Term Weight Loss

HCGSupplies.com, a pioneer of online HCG mixing supplies and instruction, is proud to be on the forefront of the HCG weight loss revolution by offering quality HCG-related products and accessories. Although many are just now learning what it can do for their bodies, HCG has been recognized by scientists for decades as an effective way to lose weight, control appetite and manage weight loss.

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a natural hormone produced during pregnancy and is used medically for the treatment of certain conditions. Research, such as the Asher-Harper study, has shown that people using daily HCG injections, along with a very low calorie diet, can lose a pound per day of body fat as well as experience a marked decrease in hunger.

“There’s been a lot written lately about HCG dieting so we urge dieters to learn the truth from unbiased studies like the Asher-Harper Study, “said Jim Sparks, marketing director, HCGSupplies.com. “Dr. Simeons’ Pounds and Inches is also a wonderful source of information on the HCG Diet Protocol.”

About HCGSupplies.com
HCGSupplies.com was founded as a one stop shop for those looking for the latest HCG weight loss products and instruction. Since its conception, HCGSupplies.com has strived to give intelligent people struggling with weight loss the products and mental edge to get control of their weight and their lives. While HCGSupplies.com does not sell HCG, it does offer such HCG related products as mixing kits, syringes, vials, and mixing solvents, as well as other weight loss tools such as Miracle Noodles and B12 injections. In addition to HCG related products, HCGSupplies.com also offers mixing instructions on HCG injections, dosage charts, how-to instruction on Dr. Simeon’s Diet, and more. HCGSupplies.com products can be ordered online or over the phone and can be shipped anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit http://www.hcgsupplies.com.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Alternative medicine, Consultations, Courses, Fitness, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Healthcare Solutions, Medicine, Society, Therapies

Anubhootiyoga.com – Natural Heath Science Web-Site For Physical-Mental-Emotional Wellbeing

Anubhootiyoga.com: Anubhooti Wellness for Physical-Mental-Emotional Wellbeing is online for more than a year. The website has become more and more popular since its launch. Easy to follow result-oriented and time-tested oriental wisdom of Acupressure & Yoga-Manoyoga is gaining more popularity all over the world today. By an estimate, approx. 45% Americans and 60% others acknowledge alternative medicine remedies for a variety of health conditions over traditional medicines.

In Acupressure, pressure with thumb or finger is applied on certian acupoints on the surface of the skin on the body and on palms & feet. Neurochemicals called endorphins released with the pressure relieve pain and set right the health conditions by balancing positive & negative energies in the body. Acupressure is so simple that it can be used safely by anyone without any side-effects and almost free. Most routines can be used without help for self-care and instant relief. The Efficacy of YOGA originated in India, is well known NOW and for Mental-Emotional health conditions Manoyoga: Yoga for the Mind is a handy and effective tool.

The number of visitors to anubhootiyoga.com has been growing steadily since its start in June 2008. Anubhootiyoga.com uses effective, convenient and simple way to present useful information and healing techniques to the visitors.

Visitors can easily find the natural healing ways or the information they are looking for. It is just a click away from the main page. Visitors can feel confident using all natural remedies/methods and the healthy information available on the web-site.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

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

Luxury Alcohol Rehabs Are Not All Equal

Cliffside Malibu, an elegant alcohol rehab facility on the Malibu coast, has long been a leading light in the California treatment community. Now, the center is pleased to announce its renewed commitment to helping clients win the fight against alcoholism under their own power.

Alcohol recovery is and must be a personal process. The most successful alcohol rehab programs are those driven by the active efforts of alcohol rehab patients, and the most successful alcohol rehabs are those which empower their clients. In the end, there’s no better way to cultivate meaningful and lasting sobriety.

Those principles, in turn, comprise the core of Cliffside Malibu’s alcohol rehab philosophy.

With its expert caregivers and posh amenities, Cliffside Malibu is a world-class institution. The center has always catered to an elite clientele. Now Cliffside is expanding its mission, with the goal of delivering the most empowering alcohol rehab on the planet to those individuals who need it. At Cliffside Malibu, nothing less than excellence will ever be acceptable.

“Alcohol rehab can’t be a passive experience,” said Cliffside Malibu Clinical Director Patricia Freeberry. “Our clients have to play an active role in their own recoveries, which is why our alcohol rehab programs are specially designed to promote personal strength and self-esteem. We believe that our record of success proves the soundness of our methods.”

Cliffside’s competitors, meanwhile, can hardly speak as glowingly about their own treatment efforts.

It’s easy for an alcohol rehab facility to talk about empowering its clients. It’s harder for that facility to put its principles into practice. The truth is that many of the most high-priced alcohol rehab clinics in Los Angeles treat their residents like babies, by stripping them of control and command during the healing process. More often than not, those institutions fall short of the promises they make in their advertising brochures. According to Cliffside administrators, that sort of failure is unacceptable.

Cliffside Malibu is a luxury drug and alcohol rehab center located in Malibu, California. For further details about Cliffside’s treatment methods, amenities, or other general information about alcohol rehabilitation, please call 1-800-501-1988 or visit our Web site at www.cliffsidemalibu.com.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

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

Environment Is A Key Factor In Effectively Treating People Suffering From Drug Addiction

Mountainside, known for its unique and highly effective individual drug addiction and alcoholism treatment approach, has evidenced a direct link between the environment in which someone receives their treatment and successful outcomes.

Mountainside Drug Rehab, a leading alcohol and drug addiction treatment center located in Connecticut offers a secluded environment for people suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism. Nestled on 33 Acres at the base of a mountain in the foothills of the Berkshires, Mountainside Drug Rehab provides progressive therapies in an ideal setting for those seeking to recover from their drug addiction or alcoholism. What began 11 years ago as the thesis of accomplished professionals in the drug treatment field has developed into one of the most successful treatment centers – providing quality and effective treatment in an ideal environment for thousands of people.

Mountainside Drug Rehab is guided by its commitment to provide the highest quality care to the leagues of people suffering from addiction. It does this through its compassionate and fully integrated individualized drug addiction treatment program.

Located at the base of their own mountain in Canaan Connecticut, complete with mountain streams, hiking trails to the summit and multiple waterfalls – Mountainside Drug Rehab offers its clients an opportunity to connect with nature and be immersed in the serenity that the beautiful surroundings provide.

An invitation by the White House in 2005 brought this center into the national spotlight, as Drug Czar John Walters announced his curiosity as to how Mountainside Drug Rehab was capable of providing so much to so many. Mountainside cited that the compassionate and individualized approach which it applies to each client that enters its facilities for treatment is strongly complimented by its serene surroundings. By incorporating the natural and expansive surroundings into its daily treatment offerings, Mountainside Drug Rehab offers its clients new ways to relax, connect and focus on issues and teaches them to use treatment tools to build strong and long lasting recoveries.

Mountainside Drug Rehab Center’s focus and commitment over the years has been to the quality of it’s drug rehabilitation and alcoholism treatment program. Mountainside’s unique drug rehab program includes Individual and Group Counseling; Therapeutic Challenge; Addressing Nicotine Addiction; 12-Step Education and Meetings; Spiritual Enhancement including Guided Meditation, Yoga, Hypnosis, a Native American Stone Peoples Lodge; Family Counseling; Work Therapy; Adventure-Based Counseling; Writing, Art and Music Workshops.

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction or alcohol addiction please call to get help now. Mountainside Treatment Center can be reached 24 hours a day at: 1-800-762-5433 or visit us on the web at: http://www.mountainside.org.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Public Health, Society

InsuranceAgents.com – Finding The The Right Health Insurance Policy For You

When it comes to purchasing health insurance, you generally have three options: group, state, or individual. Individual insurance can be a bit misleading because it covers not only you, the policyholder, but also your spouse and any dependents you may have. The best way to find optimum health insurance is to go online and compare health insurance quotes.

The pros of individual health insurance include the ability to claim tax benefits and the ability to keep it as long as you pay your premiums. According to the article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, “Generally, an individual health insurance policy is more costly than a group health insurance policy, since the policyholder is responsible for all premium payments.”

However, group insurance has its own benefits. “The most preferred type of health insurance is typically group health insurance,” the article continues. “Most commonly this means employer-sponsored group health insurance. Through a person’s job, he or she can receive health benefits for themselves as well as their entire family.”

Possibly the most attractive attribute of group health insurance is that it is generally cheaper than an individual policy. This is because your employer pays a portion of the premium and it also provides a greater variety of coverage. However, if you are unemployed or if your employer does not offer health benefits then your only option is individual.

Visit InsuranceAgents.com for expert articles and insurance quotes from up to five local agents.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases