Health Matters

61% of Americans Look Online for Health Information

A new report, “The Social Life of Health Information,” by the Pew Internet/California HealthCare Foundation, found that 75% of American adults now go online, and that 61% of adults look online for health information -- a significant increase from 2000, when only 46% had Internet access and 25% looked online for health information. In addition, interactive features have allowed a large fraction of this group to find information tailored to their needs and to post their own contributions. The survey also found that the percentage of Americans getting exercise and fitness information online jumped from 21% in 2002 to 38% in 2008 -- the most rapid increase for any health topic. More than 4 in 10 adults (42%) indicated that they or someone they know has been helped by following advice or health information found on the Internet -- a significant increase from the 25% who said that just three years ago. Health information obtained online has been a significant source of information, and the use and availability of this information can be helpful in the self-management of many conditions. Learn more.

New CDC Website Helps Employers Address Obesity

Given the health and productivity as well as the financial and other implications of overweight and obesity, employers have appropriately targeted this epidemic problem as a leading target for employee wellness efforts. In response to employers’ request for help in managing this common problem, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a new website, LEANWorks!, at www.cdc.gov/leanworks. The new site provides useful tools employers need in order to take action to prevent and control this leading problem. The site provides much information about effective interventions that employers can promote in the workplace in order to minimize the potential contribution of obesity to high blood pressure, diabetes, and to other chronic diseases. LEANWorks! can assist with much-needed employee wellness efforts in addressing this problem.

Fall Prevention Identified as a Top Priority for Research

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released today its report identifying the 100 topics most in need of comparative effectiveness research -- studies to determine how different treatments stack up when they are compared directly. Health issues affecting older adults figured prominently in the identified priority areas, and fall prevention -- given its importance and impact on society -- was identified in the highest priority group for further study. View the report.

H1N1 Flu has Infected More than 1 Million Americans... and Continues to Spread

The novel H1N1 flu virus continues its worldwide spread, even though the normal flu season is over in the US. H1N1 has accounted for nearly all of the new cases of flu in the US. Health officials reported this week that it’s likely that more than 1 million Americans have been infected with H1N1, based on survey data and modeling. In order to protect against the new virus, as many as 60 million doses of new vaccine may be available for distribution in September, just before the start of the regular flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continued vigilance is recommended, and they have advocated a “Plan and Prepare” campaign for businesses as well as individuals (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/). Employers can do much to protect employee health as well as to limit the negative impact to the economy and to society.

Older Adults in the U.S. Do Better Than Those in Britain on Cognitive Test

An online report in BMC Geriatrics of research funded by the National Institute on Aging and the British government found that older adults in the U.S. did better on a standard test of cognitive function than did their counterparts in Great Britain. This was surprising given that the sample in the U.S. had a higher burden of heart disease and diabetes – two important factors associated with dementia. There were some differences in how the tests were performed, which may have affected the findings, and those sampled in the U.S. were better educated and wealthier than the sample in Britain, and may have been treated more successfully for high BP – a known risk factor for cognitive dysfunction - than those in Britain. The report is of interest; learn more.

Historic Tobacco Legislation Likely to Have Positive Impact on Public Health

With the passage earlier this week of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, tobacco will now be a substance regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), much like other addictive compounds. The FDA will now have the authority to require that all ingredients, compounds, and additives in tobacco products be reported to the agency, and those found to have harmful health effects may be banned. Every year, more than 435,000 Americans die of tobacco-related illnesses and smoking is associated with significant morbidity and a decreased quality of life. Nearly $100 billion is spent annually on health care costs related to tobacco use, in addition to its effects on morbidity and mortality. Eliminating cigarette smoking is critical if we are to improve public health and control health care costs and this Act is a central first step. Read commentary from a leading medical journal regarding this issue.

What Provides the Greatest Risk Reduction in the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet was introduced about 30 years ago as a health protecting diet and has since been well linked with longevity. A large long term study of healthy Greek adults has now identified the following elements of this diet which contribute the most to reducing mortality risk:

• Moderate consumption of alcohol
• Low intake of meat
• High consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and olive oil

Lifestyle management programs emphasize the benefits of healthy nutrition, and can point specifically to these nutritional components as being linked with longevity. Learn more.

Older Adults are More Likely to Have Healthy Aging if They Keep Socially Active

Healthy aging has been linked with continued cognitive, physical, and social activity. In a just reported study from the Rush Memory and Aging Project and funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), older adults who were followed over time demonstrated better physical function if they were more socially active. For example, older adults who were more socially active were able to walk faster (an important measure of overall physical function) than those who limited their socialization. Social activity was measured by the frequency of activities such as visiting relatives, playing bingo, doing volunteer work, and going to religious services. This study provides support to public health initiatives that emphasize the pursuit of healthy leisure activities in order to decrease the burden of physical disability associated with aging. Learn more.

No Slowdown in Rising Health Care Costs Expected for Some Time

The ongoing health care reform discussions in the Capitol may yet lead to meaningful changes in health care financing and delivery, but even if legislation does emerge this year, it will not lead to any decrease in expected health care costs for employers or employees next year. Employees will likely see a further increase in their share of health care costs, according to a survey released by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Over 40% of employers surveyed indicated that they would increase workers’ share of costs next year, continuing a trend noted over the past few years. Further details on the survey results are available in an article from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Older Adults with Greater Purpose-in-Life Have Lower Mortality Risk

An interesting study just out in Psychosomatic Medicine found that community-dwelling older adults who scored higher on a purpose-in-life scale had a lower risk of death when followed over a five year period. It’s been thought for some time that older adults who are actively engaged, focused, and who participate in meaningful activities are more likely to age successfully, and this study not only provides support of that concept, but indicates a measurable mortality benefit as well. The abstract of the study is available.