State-by-State
‘Report Card’ on Care for the Dying
November 27, 2002 -
America does only a mediocre job of caring for its most seriously ill and
dying patients, according to the nation’s first state-by-state “report card”
on end-of-life care released today. Last Acts, the nation’s largest
coalition working for better care and caring near the end of life, issued
this report, grading all 50 states and the District of Columbia on eight key
elements of end-of-life care.
HHS
Announces New Blood Donation Initiative
November 26, 2002 - HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson
today announced his new blood donation initiative, "Give Thanks! Give Life! Give
Twice!" aimed at increasing the nation's blood supply reserve, which often dips
as low as a two-day supply.
Half
of Older Adults Fail to Control High Blood Pressure
November 2002 -
At least half of older adults with
hypertension do not have their blood pressure controlled to normal levels,
according to a survey of 5,888 patients around the country.
New
Railroad Retirement Board Internet Services
November 2002 - The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
announced a new Internet service to the railroad community. This service is
called the “Service and Compensation History”. With the use
of a Personal Computer, railroad workers can view and print a record of
railroad service months and compensation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Medicare
Announces Seven-State Pilot Program to Help Seniors Stop Smoking
November 21, 2002 - The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the launching of a pilot program in
seven states to study the best way to help older Medicare beneficiaries quit
smoking.
Eldercare
Locator Comes to FirstGov for Seniors
November 21, 2002 - Look on the left side of
this page just below "Federal Portals." You will see "Eldercare Locator,"
developed and maintained by the Administration on Aging. Enter your State and
ZIP to get information on Aging services in your area.
HHS
Launches First National Diabetes Prevention Campaign
November 20, 2002 - HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson
today launched the first national diabetes prevention campaign in an effort to
stem the explosion of diabetes and to help millions of Americans live longer and
healthier lives.
Mammograms
Benefit Elderly Women
November 20, 2002 -
Regular screening mammograms for women over the age of 75 are as beneficial as
they are for younger women. (MedlinePlus)
Postmenopausal
Women with Heart Disease Do Not Benefit from Hormone Therapy and Antioxidant
Vitamins, May Be Harmed
November 20, 2002 - A study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health found that
postmenopausal women with heart disease who took hormone therapy and high dose
antioxidant vitamins -- either alone or in combination with hormones -- did not
have fewer heart attacks, deaths, or progression of coronary disease.
November-December
Issue of FDA Consumer Magazine
November 19, 2002:
HHS
Issues Cancer Incidence Data by State for First Time
November 19, 2002 - HHS Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson today released U.S. Cancer Statistics: 1999 Incidence, the most
comprehensive federal data available to date on state-specific cancer incidence
rates.
Vaccination
Rates for Seniors are Low
November 15, 2002 - Despite the availability of
vaccine, rates of flu and pneumococcal shots for older Americans remain low.
This telebriefing transcript from the CDC states that influenza vaccination
is reaching only two-thirds of older Americans who could benefit from it.
Guide
to Disability Rights Legislation
November 2002 - Seniors comprise the largest
percentage of the disabled population. And there's a lot of legislation that
protects the rights of the disabled. The Justice Department provides a page that
summarizes the most important legislation.
Study
Shows Protein As Predictor of Breast Cancer Prognosis
November 15, 2002
- High levels of a particular protein called cyclin E in breast
tumors may help pinpoint those women who face a poorer chance of survival,
preliminary research suggests. (MedlinePlus)
Food
Safety Tips for Thanksgiving
November 15, 2002 - Meat and poultry, the centerpiece
of most holiday meals, can be a source of foodborne disease unless handled and
prepared properly. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind from the Maricopa
County, IL web site.
Preventing
Holiday Shopping Headaches
November 2002 - Many of us will
spend more money than we intended during the coming holidays. By using the tips
assembled by the FCIC and with a little care, planning, and budgeting, you can
have a less stressful holiday season. You might also want to try the FTC's
Tips For Holiday Shopping.
People
Who Give, Live Longer
November 14, 2002 -
Ann Arbor, MI
- For older
adults, it really is better to give than to receive, a University of Michigan
study suggests. The study, to be published in a forthcoming issue of
“Psychological Science,” finds that older people who are helpful to others
reduce their risk of dying by nearly 60 percent compared to peers who provide
neither practical help nor emotional support to relatives, neighbors or friends.
Air
Pollution and the Elderly
November 14, 2002 - Analysis involving millions
of Medicare records finds that high air pollution levels increase use of
outpatient care and respiratory hospital admissions by nearly 20 percent.
New
Test For Risk Of Heart Disease
November 14, 2002 - A blood test that measures
levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) appears to be as powerful as cholesterol
measurements in estimating a person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke,
according to new research. Elevated concentrations of CRP appear to identify
individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease even when their
cholesterol levels are normal.
HHS
Launches National Nursing Home Quality Initiative
November 12, 2002 – In a broad effort to
improve quality in nursing homes across the country, HHS Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson today launched the national Nursing Home Quality Initiative to further
improve the quality of care given to the millions of Americans who live in
nursing homes.
Medicare
and You - 2003
November 2002 - This valuable booklet is available
online in Acrobat format only.
American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
November 2002 - The Administration on Aging is
committed to these priorities for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN)
during the the month of November: integrating health and social services;
supporting our nation's family caregivers; and preventing disease by promoting
healthy lifestyles. See also the
Social Security
Administration pages devoted to AIAN and the
Healthfinder pages devoted to this group.
Study
Shows More Diligence Needed on Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines
November 12, 2002 -
National
recommendations for inpatient vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal
disease are not being followed for the vast majority of eligible Medicare
patients admitted to the hospital.
SAMHSA
Focuses on Mental Health Issues
November 5, 2002 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center highlights
topical mental health issues on its Web site. For November the focus is on two
brain disorders that are the focus of two November national health
observances—Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy.
