Published October 3, 2009
in General.
An inexpensive combination of one drug to lower cholesterol and one to lower blood pressure can reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes by as much as 60% — but getting patients to begin the regimen and then to stay on it is an extremely difficult task, Kaiser Permanente researchers reported Thursday.
Giving the drugs to nearly 70,000 people with cardiovascular disease or diabetes prevented an estimated 1,271 heart attacks and strokes in one year, Dr. James Dudl of Kaiser Permanente’s Care Management Institute and his colleagues reported in the American Journal of Managed Care.
Continue reading ‘Drug duo may reduce heart attacks and strokes’
Published October 3, 2009
in Cancer.
Today the chance of a woman being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer is 1 in 8. The chance of it killing her is 1 in 35. And it remains the second leading cause of cancer death for American women behind lung cancer.
But missing in those statistics from the American Cancer Society is a message of progress and hope for October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Millions of lives have been saved through advances in early detection, surgical procedures and research into prevention and new ways to attack the cells.
Continue reading ‘Breast cancer research advancing’
Published October 3, 2009
in General.
As the unemployment rate climbs, President Barack Obama is trying to make the case that his health care overhaul would create jobs by making small business startups more affordable.
Dismissive Republicans blamed the continuing job losses on Democratic policies and said the president’s health proposals won’t help.
Continue reading ‘Obama links job growth to health care proposal’
Published October 3, 2009
in General.
Who should get the shot?
The following people have priority when the novel H1N1 swine flu shot becomes available:
Pregnant women
Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than six months
Healthcare and emergency medical workers
All people ages 6 months to 24 years
People ages 24 years to 64 years with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk, including HIV infection, diabetes, asthma, muscular dystrophy and more. If you have questions, ask your doctor.
Continue reading ‘Swine flu vaccine starts shipping Tuesday’
