Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA17 May 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

E. coli bacteria are present in over half of all public swimming pools, according to a new report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

E. coli (Escherichia coli), a fecal indicator was found in 58% of pool samples, the CDC informed. Fecal material (poop material) can get into a pool during a formed or diarrheal fecal incident in the water or washing off of swimmers bodies. In other words, pool water can become contaminated if people don't shower beforehand or poop while in the pool.

According to the Report - "Microbes in Pool Filter Backwash as Evidence of the Need for Improved Swimmer Hygiene - Metro-Atlanta, Georgia, 2012" - researchers checked out 161 public swimming pools from the metro-Atlanta area during the summer of 2013.

Potentially harmful microorganisms were found in:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) found in 59% of samples - indicates contamination from the environment (dirt), swimmers, or fomites. Fomites are any inanimate objects that can transmit microorganisms, such as towels, kickboards, etc.

E. coli was found in 58% of samples - indicates contamination from swimmers and/or their feces



It is important that babies and some toddlers wear proper swimmers diapers

The researchers wrote "Although this study focused on microbial DNA in filters (not on illnesses), these findings indicate the need for swimmers to help prevent introduction of pathogens (e.g., taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea), aquatics staff to maintain disinfectant level and pH according to public health standards to inactivate pathogens, and state and local environmental health specialists to enforce such standards."

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium typically found in the gut of warm blooded organisms (endotherms), including humans.

The normal flora of the human gut has several types of E. coli. Many of these bacteria have beneficial functions, including the production of vitamin K2. They may also protect us from pathogenic bacteria, or harmful bacteria, from gaining a foothold in the intestine and causing illness.

The majority of E. coli are harmless to humans, except for some serotypes which can infect humans, make them ill, and sometimes dangerously ill. Serious infection is also possible with some less common serotypes, including O104:H4, O121, O26, O103, O111, O145 and O104:H21.

Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include:
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Nausea

Signs and symptoms usually appear three to four days after becoming infected; less rarely they may appear within a day or after one week.

The 0157:H7 E. coli strain produces a potent toxin - Shiga toxin - that is harmful for the lining of the small intestine.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA17 May 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

E. coli bacteria are present in over half of all public swimming pools, according to a new report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

E. coli (Escherichia coli), a fecal indicator was found in 58% of pool samples, the CDC informed. Fecal material (poop material) can get into a pool during a formed or diarrheal fecal incident in the water or washing off of swimmers bodies. In other words, pool water can become contaminated if people don't shower beforehand or poop while in the pool.

According to the Report - "Microbes in Pool Filter Backwash as Evidence of the Need for Improved Swimmer Hygiene - Metro-Atlanta, Georgia, 2012" - researchers checked out 161 public swimming pools from the metro-Atlanta area during the summer of 2013.

Potentially harmful microorganisms were found in:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) found in 59% of samples - indicates contamination from the environment (dirt), swimmers, or fomites. Fomites are any inanimate objects that can transmit microorganisms, such as towels, kickboards, etc.

E. coli was found in 58% of samples - indicates contamination from swimmers and/or their feces



It is important that babies and some toddlers wear proper swimmers diapers

The researchers wrote "Although this study focused on microbial DNA in filters (not on illnesses), these findings indicate the need for swimmers to help prevent introduction of pathogens (e.g., taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea), aquatics staff to maintain disinfectant level and pH according to public health standards to inactivate pathogens, and state and local environmental health specialists to enforce such standards."

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium typically found in the gut of warm blooded organisms (endotherms), including humans.

The normal flora of the human gut has several types of E. coli. Many of these bacteria have beneficial functions, including the production of vitamin K2. They may also protect us from pathogenic bacteria, or harmful bacteria, from gaining a foothold in the intestine and causing illness.

The majority of E. coli are harmless to humans, except for some serotypes which can infect humans, make them ill, and sometimes dangerously ill. Serious infection is also possible with some less common serotypes, including O104:H4, O121, O26, O103, O111, O145 and O104:H21.

Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include:
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Nausea

Signs and symptoms usually appear three to four days after becoming infected; less rarely they may appear within a day or after one week.

The 0157:H7 E. coli strain produces a potent toxin - Shiga toxin - that is harmful for the lining of the small intestine.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA17 May 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

E. coli bacteria are present in over half of all public swimming pools, according to a new report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

E. coli (Escherichia coli), a fecal indicator was found in 58% of pool samples, the CDC informed. Fecal material (poop material) can get into a pool during a formed or diarrheal fecal incident in the water or washing off of swimmers bodies. In other words, pool water can become contaminated if people don't shower beforehand or poop while in the pool.

According to the Report - "Microbes in Pool Filter Backwash as Evidence of the Need for Improved Swimmer Hygiene - Metro-Atlanta, Georgia, 2012" - researchers checked out 161 public swimming pools from the metro-Atlanta area during the summer of 2013.

Potentially harmful microorganisms were found in:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) found in 59% of samples - indicates contamination from the environment (dirt), swimmers, or fomites. Fomites are any inanimate objects that can transmit microorganisms, such as towels, kickboards, etc.

E. coli was found in 58% of samples - indicates contamination from swimmers and/or their feces



It is important that babies and some toddlers wear proper swimmers diapers

The researchers wrote "Although this study focused on microbial DNA in filters (not on illnesses), these findings indicate the need for swimmers to help prevent introduction of pathogens (e.g., taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea), aquatics staff to maintain disinfectant level and pH according to public health standards to inactivate pathogens, and state and local environmental health specialists to enforce such standards."

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium typically found in the gut of warm blooded organisms (endotherms), including humans.

The normal flora of the human gut has several types of E. coli. Many of these bacteria have beneficial functions, including the production of vitamin K2. They may also protect us from pathogenic bacteria, or harmful bacteria, from gaining a foothold in the intestine and causing illness.

The majority of E. coli are harmless to humans, except for some serotypes which can infect humans, make them ill, and sometimes dangerously ill. Serious infection is also possible with some less common serotypes, including O104:H4, O121, O26, O103, O111, O145 and O104:H21.

Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include:
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Nausea

Signs and symptoms usually appear three to four days after becoming infected; less rarely they may appear within a day or after one week.

The 0157:H7 E. coli strain produces a potent toxin - Shiga toxin - that is harmful for the lining of the small intestine.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA

Poop Bacteria In Most Public Swimming Pools, USA17 May 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

E. coli bacteria are present in over half of all public swimming pools, according to a new report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

E. coli (Escherichia coli), a fecal indicator was found in 58% of pool samples, the CDC informed. Fecal material (poop material) can get into a pool during a formed or diarrheal fecal incident in the water or washing off of swimmers bodies. In other words, pool water can become contaminated if people don't shower beforehand or poop while in the pool.

According to the Report - "Microbes in Pool Filter Backwash as Evidence of the Need for Improved Swimmer Hygiene - Metro-Atlanta, Georgia, 2012" - researchers checked out 161 public swimming pools from the metro-Atlanta area during the summer of 2013.

Potentially harmful microorganisms were found in:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) found in 59% of samples - indicates contamination from the environment (dirt), swimmers, or fomites. Fomites are any inanimate objects that can transmit microorganisms, such as towels, kickboards, etc.

E. coli was found in 58% of samples - indicates contamination from swimmers and/or their feces



It is important that babies and some toddlers wear proper swimmers diapers

The researchers wrote "Although this study focused on microbial DNA in filters (not on illnesses), these findings indicate the need for swimmers to help prevent introduction of pathogens (e.g., taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea), aquatics staff to maintain disinfectant level and pH according to public health standards to inactivate pathogens, and state and local environmental health specialists to enforce such standards."

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium typically found in the gut of warm blooded organisms (endotherms), including humans.

The normal flora of the human gut has several types of E. coli. Many of these bacteria have beneficial functions, including the production of vitamin K2. They may also protect us from pathogenic bacteria, or harmful bacteria, from gaining a foothold in the intestine and causing illness.

The majority of E. coli are harmless to humans, except for some serotypes which can infect humans, make them ill, and sometimes dangerously ill. Serious infection is also possible with some less common serotypes, including O104:H4, O121, O26, O103, O111, O145 and O104:H21.

Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include:
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Nausea

Signs and symptoms usually appear three to four days after becoming infected; less rarely they may appear within a day or after one week.

The 0157:H7 E. coli strain produces a potent toxin - Shiga toxin - that is harmful for the lining of the small intestine.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Allergies Less Common Among Foreign Born Children, USA

Allergies Less Common Among Foreign Born Children, USA30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Researchers have found that foreign born children who reside in the U.S. have a lower risk of allergic diseases, however, their risk increases in time the longer they live in the country, according to a study published Online First in the journal JAMA.

The study, which was led by Jonathan I. Silverberg, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, and colleagues, involved analyzing data gathered from a questionnaire in the 2007-2008 National Survey of Children's Health, which included a total of 91,642 children 0 to 17 years old.

They were able to calculate the number of children who suffered from some form of allergic disease such as asthma according to their origin of birth.

Allergies are particularly common in the U.S., research published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that food allergies affect 8 percent of children under 18 years of age, or about 5.9 million kids in the US.

The results of the study revealed that kids who were born outside the U.S. were at a lower risk of atopic disorders (such as ever-asthma, current-asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergies) compared to U.S. born children.

Children whose parents were foreign born were also at a lower risk of atopic disorders compared to U.S. born parents.

Factors associated with living in the U.S. may increase allergy risk


Interestingly, foreign born children who had been living in the U.S. for less than two years were at a significantly lower risk of developing allergic disorders compared to those who had been living in the country for at least a decade.

This suggests that there are factors associated with living in the United States that can increase the risk of developing allergies. In fact, previous research published in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that children with allergic sensitizations in economically developed countries are much more likely to develop asthma than similarly sensitized children in poorer countries.

Allergic diseases are becoming more and more common in the richer countries.

The authors of the study concluded:

"In conclusion, foreign-born Americans have significantly lower risk of allergic disease than US-born Americans. However, foreign-born Americans develop increased risk for allergic disease with prolonged residence in the United States."

Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA24 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Misdiagnosing patients or making diagnostic errors is one of the most costly and dangerous mistakes made by doctors in the U.S., resulting in up to 160,000 deaths per year.

Johns Hopkins researchers have reviewed over 350,000 malpractice claim payouts in the U.S over the past 25 years. They found that most of the claims were due to diagnostic errors, and that those errors were often the cause of severe patient harm and accounted for the highest total payouts.

Between 1986 and 2010 the total diagnosis-related payments were close to $38.8 billion.

The leader of the study, which was published in BMJ Quality and Safety, David E. Newman-Toker, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said:

"This is more evidence that diagnostic errors could easily be the biggest patient safety and medical malpractice problem in the United States. There's a lot more harm associated with diagnostic errors than we imagined."

The study only looked at claims that were at the level of malpractice payout, though the researchers estimate that there are around 80,000 to 160,000 patients suffering misdiagnosis-related injury or death in the U.S.

In a previous malpractice analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins, they revealed that a surgeon in the United States leaves a foreign object such as a sponge or a towel inside a patient's body after an operation 39 times a week.

Diagnostic errors are identified through some sort of additional testing or finding. The errors result in failure to adequately treat the patient's present condition.
Newman-Toker said:

"Overall, diagnostic errors have been under appreciated and under-recognized because they're difficult to measure and keep track of owing to the frequent gap between the time the error occurs and when it's detected. These are frequent problems that have played second fiddle to medical and surgical errors, which are evident more immediately."

He added: "Progress has been made confronting other types of patient harm, but there's probably not going to be a magic-bullet solution for diagnostic errors because they are more complex and diverse than other patient safety issues. We're going to need a lot more people focusing their efforts on this issue if we're going to successfully tackle it."

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA24 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Misdiagnosing patients or making diagnostic errors is one of the most costly and dangerous mistakes made by doctors in the U.S., resulting in up to 160,000 deaths per year.

Johns Hopkins researchers have reviewed over 350,000 malpractice claim payouts in the U.S over the past 25 years. They found that most of the claims were due to diagnostic errors, and that those errors were often the cause of severe patient harm and accounted for the highest total payouts.

Between 1986 and 2010 the total diagnosis-related payments were close to $38.8 billion.

The leader of the study, which was published in BMJ Quality and Safety, David E. Newman-Toker, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said:

"This is more evidence that diagnostic errors could easily be the biggest patient safety and medical malpractice problem in the United States. There's a lot more harm associated with diagnostic errors than we imagined."

The study only looked at claims that were at the level of malpractice payout, though the researchers estimate that there are around 80,000 to 160,000 patients suffering misdiagnosis-related injury or death in the U.S.

In a previous malpractice analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins, they revealed that a surgeon in the United States leaves a foreign object such as a sponge or a towel inside a patient's body after an operation 39 times a week.

Diagnostic errors are identified through some sort of additional testing or finding. The errors result in failure to adequately treat the patient's present condition.
Newman-Toker said:

"Overall, diagnostic errors have been under appreciated and under-recognized because they're difficult to measure and keep track of owing to the frequent gap between the time the error occurs and when it's detected. These are frequent problems that have played second fiddle to medical and surgical errors, which are evident more immediately."

He added: "Progress has been made confronting other types of patient harm, but there's probably not going to be a magic-bullet solution for diagnostic errors because they are more complex and diverse than other patient safety issues. We're going to need a lot more people focusing their efforts on this issue if we're going to successfully tackle it."

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA24 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Misdiagnosing patients or making diagnostic errors is one of the most costly and dangerous mistakes made by doctors in the U.S., resulting in up to 160,000 deaths per year.

Johns Hopkins researchers have reviewed over 350,000 malpractice claim payouts in the U.S over the past 25 years. They found that most of the claims were due to diagnostic errors, and that those errors were often the cause of severe patient harm and accounted for the highest total payouts.

Between 1986 and 2010 the total diagnosis-related payments were close to $38.8 billion.

The leader of the study, which was published in BMJ Quality and Safety, David E. Newman-Toker, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said:

"This is more evidence that diagnostic errors could easily be the biggest patient safety and medical malpractice problem in the United States. There's a lot more harm associated with diagnostic errors than we imagined."

The study only looked at claims that were at the level of malpractice payout, though the researchers estimate that there are around 80,000 to 160,000 patients suffering misdiagnosis-related injury or death in the U.S.

In a previous malpractice analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins, they revealed that a surgeon in the United States leaves a foreign object such as a sponge or a towel inside a patient's body after an operation 39 times a week.

Diagnostic errors are identified through some sort of additional testing or finding. The errors result in failure to adequately treat the patient's present condition.
Newman-Toker said:

"Overall, diagnostic errors have been under appreciated and under-recognized because they're difficult to measure and keep track of owing to the frequent gap between the time the error occurs and when it's detected. These are frequent problems that have played second fiddle to medical and surgical errors, which are evident more immediately."

He added: "Progress has been made confronting other types of patient harm, but there's probably not going to be a magic-bullet solution for diagnostic errors because they are more complex and diverse than other patient safety issues. We're going to need a lot more people focusing their efforts on this issue if we're going to successfully tackle it."

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA

Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA24 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Misdiagnosing patients or making diagnostic errors is one of the most costly and dangerous mistakes made by doctors in the U.S., resulting in up to 160,000 deaths per year.

Johns Hopkins researchers have reviewed over 350,000 malpractice claim payouts in the U.S over the past 25 years. They found that most of the claims were due to diagnostic errors, and that those errors were often the cause of severe patient harm and accounted for the highest total payouts.

Between 1986 and 2010 the total diagnosis-related payments were close to $38.8 billion.

The leader of the study, which was published in BMJ Quality and Safety, David E. Newman-Toker, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said:

"This is more evidence that diagnostic errors could easily be the biggest patient safety and medical malpractice problem in the United States. There's a lot more harm associated with diagnostic errors than we imagined."

The study only looked at claims that were at the level of malpractice payout, though the researchers estimate that there are around 80,000 to 160,000 patients suffering misdiagnosis-related injury or death in the U.S.

In a previous malpractice analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins, they revealed that a surgeon in the United States leaves a foreign object such as a sponge or a towel inside a patient's body after an operation 39 times a week.

Diagnostic errors are identified through some sort of additional testing or finding. The errors result in failure to adequately treat the patient's present condition.
Newman-Toker said:

"Overall, diagnostic errors have been under appreciated and under-recognized because they're difficult to measure and keep track of owing to the frequent gap between the time the error occurs and when it's detected. These are frequent problems that have played second fiddle to medical and surgical errors, which are evident more immediately."

He added: "Progress has been made confronting other types of patient harm, but there's probably not going to be a magic-bullet solution for diagnostic errors because they are more complex and diverse than other patient safety issues. We're going to need a lot more people focusing their efforts on this issue if we're going to successfully tackle it."

Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA

Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA17 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

After a 5-year plateau, the infant mortality rate in the USA dropped 12% from 2005 to the end of 2011, says a new "NCHS Data Brief" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Reductions for post-neonatal and neonatal mortality were similar.

Infant mortality is a major indicator of the health of a country.

The five leading causes of infant death in the USA account for 56% of all infant deaths; these include unintentional injuries, maternal complications, sudden infant death syndrome, congenital malformations, and short gestation/low birthweight.

4 of the 5 leading causes of infant death from 2005 to 2011 saw declines


Congenital malformations (birth defects) - 6% drop in mortality rate
Short gestation/low birthweight - short gestation means preterm births. Here, the mortality rate fell 9%
Maternal complications - infant mortality declined by 7%
SID (sudden infant death syndrome) - mortality fell 20%


16 states and the District of Columbia had the steepest falls in infant mortality

From 2005 through 2010, infant mortality declined most rapidly for selected Southern states.

Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, which used to have a history of persistently high infant mortality rates, saw declines of 20% or more.

Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas also experienced significant reductions.

States which historically have had the highest infant mortality rates had the largest declines.

The authors added that not one US state had a "statistically significant increase" in infant mortality during the 2005-2011 period.



States with high infant mortality rates

Mississippi and Alabama had infant mortality rates of at least 8 per 1,000 live births, compared to the national average of 6.15.

Thirteen states, as well as the District of Columbia had infant mortality rates of between 7 and 7.99 per 1,000 live births, compared to twelve states rates below 5 per 1,000 live births.

The authors wrote "Although infant mortality rates declined most rapidly among selected Southern states, selected states in the South and Midwest regions still had the highest infant mortality rates in 2010. Pennsylvania and Rhode Island also had high infant mortality rates (7.00 or above) in 2010. Differences by state reflect, in part, differences in the population composition of states by race and ethnicity."



Summary




After leveling off between 2000 and 2005, the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped by 12% to 6.05 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011.

According to preliminary data for 2012, infant mortality rates across the country appear to continue declining.

The fall in infant mortality rates from 2005 to the end of 2011 was observed in all major racial and ethnic groups. The fastest fall was seen in non-Hispanic African-Americans.

Infant mortality fell in four of five leading causes of infant death.

Some Southern states experienced very significant declines in infant mortality rates

In 2010, infant mortality rates in the Midwest and South were higher than other regions of the country

According to a 2008 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) report, the USA ranked 27th in infant mortality. In spite of the recent decline in infant mortality rates, the USA would still be ranked 27th in 2011, the authors added.

The "NCHS Data Brief" was written by Marian F. MacDorman, Ph.D., Donna L. Hoyert, Ph.D., and T.J. Mathews, M.S., who work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics.

U.S.News - World Report quoted Dr. Marian MacDorman as saying, "Even though we do have a decline, preterm birth rates are much higher than in other countries, and the same is true with infant mortality. Infant mortality among blacks is about twice what it is for white women." However, "the decline in infant mortality among blacks is more rapid than seen with whites, so it may be that the gap is narrowing."

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA

Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA17 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

After a 5-year plateau, the infant mortality rate in the USA dropped 12% from 2005 to the end of 2011, says a new "NCHS Data Brief" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Reductions for post-neonatal and neonatal mortality were similar.

Infant mortality is a major indicator of the health of a country.

The five leading causes of infant death in the USA account for 56% of all infant deaths; these include unintentional injuries, maternal complications, sudden infant death syndrome, congenital malformations, and short gestation/low birthweight.

4 of the 5 leading causes of infant death from 2005 to 2011 saw declines


Congenital malformations (birth defects) - 6% drop in mortality rate
Short gestation/low birthweight - short gestation means preterm births. Here, the mortality rate fell 9%
Maternal complications - infant mortality declined by 7%
SID (sudden infant death syndrome) - mortality fell 20%


16 states and the District of Columbia had the steepest falls in infant mortality

From 2005 through 2010, infant mortality declined most rapidly for selected Southern states.

Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, which used to have a history of persistently high infant mortality rates, saw declines of 20% or more.

Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas also experienced significant reductions.

States which historically have had the highest infant mortality rates had the largest declines.

The authors added that not one US state had a "statistically significant increase" in infant mortality during the 2005-2011 period.



States with high infant mortality rates

Mississippi and Alabama had infant mortality rates of at least 8 per 1,000 live births, compared to the national average of 6.15.

Thirteen states, as well as the District of Columbia had infant mortality rates of between 7 and 7.99 per 1,000 live births, compared to twelve states rates below 5 per 1,000 live births.

The authors wrote "Although infant mortality rates declined most rapidly among selected Southern states, selected states in the South and Midwest regions still had the highest infant mortality rates in 2010. Pennsylvania and Rhode Island also had high infant mortality rates (7.00 or above) in 2010. Differences by state reflect, in part, differences in the population composition of states by race and ethnicity."



Summary




After leveling off between 2000 and 2005, the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped by 12% to 6.05 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011.

According to preliminary data for 2012, infant mortality rates across the country appear to continue declining.

The fall in infant mortality rates from 2005 to the end of 2011 was observed in all major racial and ethnic groups. The fastest fall was seen in non-Hispanic African-Americans.

Infant mortality fell in four of five leading causes of infant death.

Some Southern states experienced very significant declines in infant mortality rates

In 2010, infant mortality rates in the Midwest and South were higher than other regions of the country

According to a 2008 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) report, the USA ranked 27th in infant mortality. In spite of the recent decline in infant mortality rates, the USA would still be ranked 27th in 2011, the authors added.

The "NCHS Data Brief" was written by Marian F. MacDorman, Ph.D., Donna L. Hoyert, Ph.D., and T.J. Mathews, M.S., who work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics.

U.S.News - World Report quoted Dr. Marian MacDorman as saying, "Even though we do have a decline, preterm birth rates are much higher than in other countries, and the same is true with infant mortality. Infant mortality among blacks is about twice what it is for white women." However, "the decline in infant mortality among blacks is more rapid than seen with whites, so it may be that the gap is narrowing."

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA

Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA17 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

After a 5-year plateau, the infant mortality rate in the USA dropped 12% from 2005 to the end of 2011, says a new "NCHS Data Brief" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Reductions for post-neonatal and neonatal mortality were similar.

Infant mortality is a major indicator of the health of a country.

The five leading causes of infant death in the USA account for 56% of all infant deaths; these include unintentional injuries, maternal complications, sudden infant death syndrome, congenital malformations, and short gestation/low birthweight.

4 of the 5 leading causes of infant death from 2005 to 2011 saw declines


Congenital malformations (birth defects) - 6% drop in mortality rate
Short gestation/low birthweight - short gestation means preterm births. Here, the mortality rate fell 9%
Maternal complications - infant mortality declined by 7%
SID (sudden infant death syndrome) - mortality fell 20%


16 states and the District of Columbia had the steepest falls in infant mortality

From 2005 through 2010, infant mortality declined most rapidly for selected Southern states.

Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, which used to have a history of persistently high infant mortality rates, saw declines of 20% or more.

Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas also experienced significant reductions.

States which historically have had the highest infant mortality rates had the largest declines.

The authors added that not one US state had a "statistically significant increase" in infant mortality during the 2005-2011 period.



States with high infant mortality rates

Mississippi and Alabama had infant mortality rates of at least 8 per 1,000 live births, compared to the national average of 6.15.

Thirteen states, as well as the District of Columbia had infant mortality rates of between 7 and 7.99 per 1,000 live births, compared to twelve states rates below 5 per 1,000 live births.

The authors wrote "Although infant mortality rates declined most rapidly among selected Southern states, selected states in the South and Midwest regions still had the highest infant mortality rates in 2010. Pennsylvania and Rhode Island also had high infant mortality rates (7.00 or above) in 2010. Differences by state reflect, in part, differences in the population composition of states by race and ethnicity."



Summary




After leveling off between 2000 and 2005, the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped by 12% to 6.05 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011.

According to preliminary data for 2012, infant mortality rates across the country appear to continue declining.

The fall in infant mortality rates from 2005 to the end of 2011 was observed in all major racial and ethnic groups. The fastest fall was seen in non-Hispanic African-Americans.

Infant mortality fell in four of five leading causes of infant death.

Some Southern states experienced very significant declines in infant mortality rates

In 2010, infant mortality rates in the Midwest and South were higher than other regions of the country

According to a 2008 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) report, the USA ranked 27th in infant mortality. In spite of the recent decline in infant mortality rates, the USA would still be ranked 27th in 2011, the authors added.

The "NCHS Data Brief" was written by Marian F. MacDorman, Ph.D., Donna L. Hoyert, Ph.D., and T.J. Mathews, M.S., who work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics.

U.S.News - World Report quoted Dr. Marian MacDorman as saying, "Even though we do have a decline, preterm birth rates are much higher than in other countries, and the same is true with infant mortality. Infant mortality among blacks is about twice what it is for white women." However, "the decline in infant mortality among blacks is more rapid than seen with whites, so it may be that the gap is narrowing."

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Dementia Care Costing Over $150 Billion, USA

Dementia Care Costing Over $150 Billion, USA04 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Caring for people with dementia is costing up to $157 billion each year in the U.S., which makes the disorder more expensive than treatments for heart disease and cancer.

The finding came from a new study conducted by the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit organization that helps improve policy and decision-making through research, and was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.


Dementia is a chronic disease of aging that results in progressive cognitive decline which can severely undermine independent functioning. The disease includes Alzheimer's and other illnesses.

The largest financial cost of dementia is not drugs and other medical treatment. It is the task of taking care of the patients either in nursing homes or in their own homes.

This is the most comprehensive study conducted in recent years on the costs of dementia, according to the authors.

The prevalence of dementia is strongly associated with age, and according to the experts, the financial toll of dementia could double by 2040 if the age-specific prevalence rate of the disease stays constant as people live longer.


Michael Hurd, lead author and a senior economist at RAND, said:

"The economic burden of caring for people in the United States with dementia is large and growing larger. Our findings underscore the urgency of recent federal efforts to develop a coordinated plan to address the growing impact of dementia on American society."

The Alzheimer's Association has previously reported lower cost estimates than the ones in the new study. The economic strain placed on people as a result of dementia is more clearly portrayed in this report.

According to scientists, this is because the new study:
excludes costs associated with other illnesses suffered by dementia patients
uses a better approximation of the incidence of the disease
accounts for variations in the severity of dementia


The National Alzheimer's Project Act was signed by President Obama in 2011. The law demands that efforts are raised to discover novel treatments and to better care for patients with dementia. It also calls for the economic toll of the disease to be tracked.


The new research used data from the Health and Retirement study, an ongoing survey of Americans aged 51 and older which started in 1992. A subset of those participants were given a comprehensive clinical evaluation for dementia at their home as part of the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study, a nationally representative assessment of dementia in the U.S.

An evaluation was included in the survey to determine whether patients could dress themselves, prepare their own food, and perform other daily activities.

The subjects were also asked about the health care expenses they paid out-of-pocket for services like home health care, nursing home stays, and other medical services.

Whether or not they received help from other people for their daily living activities was also addressed. For the majority of volunteers, medicare spending information was associated with medical claims.

In 2010, about 14.7% of people in the U.S. aged 71+ years were affected by dementia, according to the report. However, that number is much lower than what has been found in previous, smaller studies.

The scientists said:

"The total economic cost of dementia in 2010 was estimated to be $109 billion for care purchased, and $159 billion to $215 billion when the monetary value of informal care is included. The range of estimates reflects two different methods researchers used to place a value on unpaid care. The per-person cost of dementia was $56,290 or $41,689. Medicare paid about $11 billion of dementia-related costs."

The costs for institutional and home-based long-term care are mainly responsible for the dementia costs, rather than drugs and other medical treatments. Seventy-five to 84% of dementia costs are for nursing home care, and formal and informal care at home.

A previous study presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease revealed that outpatient costs can be reduced by nearly 30% with an early diagnosis followed by information and support.

"People with dementia do not get much more additional health care services than other people," Hurd explained. "The real drivers of the cost are for non-medical care."

The cost of dementia care purchases ($109 billion) was comparable to the estimates of the direct health care costs for heart disease ($102 billion) and were considerably greater than the direct health costs for cancer ($77 billion).

The researchers pointed out that costs for heart disease and cancer did not include informal care costs, which is likely to be substantially higher for dementia.

Hurd concluded:
"There are no signs that the costs of dementia will decrease given that the nation will have a larger number of 85-year-olds in the future than we do today. Unless there is some sort of medical breakthrough, these costs will continue to rise."


A UK report from 2010 indicated that the burden of dementia on the nation's economy is twice that of cancer, however, dementia research receives less funding.

Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Dementia Care Costing Over $150 Billion, USA

Dementia Care Costing Over $150 Billion, USA04 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Caring for people with dementia is costing up to $157 billion each year in the U.S., which makes the disorder more expensive than treatments for heart disease and cancer.

The finding came from a new study conducted by the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit organization that helps improve policy and decision-making through research, and was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.


Dementia is a chronic disease of aging that results in progressive cognitive decline which can severely undermine independent functioning. The disease includes Alzheimer's and other illnesses.

The largest financial cost of dementia is not drugs and other medical treatment. It is the task of taking care of the patients either in nursing homes or in their own homes.

This is the most comprehensive study conducted in recent years on the costs of dementia, according to the authors.

The prevalence of dementia is strongly associated with age, and according to the experts, the financial toll of dementia could double by 2040 if the age-specific prevalence rate of the disease stays constant as people live longer.


Michael Hurd, lead author and a senior economist at RAND, said:

"The economic burden of caring for people in the United States with dementia is large and growing larger. Our findings underscore the urgency of recent federal efforts to develop a coordinated plan to address the growing impact of dementia on American society."

The Alzheimer's Association has previously reported lower cost estimates than the ones in the new study. The economic strain placed on people as a result of dementia is more clearly portrayed in this report.

According to scientists, this is because the new study:
excludes costs associated with other illnesses suffered by dementia patients
uses a better approximation of the incidence of the disease
accounts for variations in the severity of dementia


The National Alzheimer's Project Act was signed by President Obama in 2011. The law demands that efforts are raised to discover novel treatments and to better care for patients with dementia. It also calls for the economic toll of the disease to be tracked.


The new research used data from the Health and Retirement study, an ongoing survey of Americans aged 51 and older which started in 1992. A subset of those participants were given a comprehensive clinical evaluation for dementia at their home as part of the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study, a nationally representative assessment of dementia in the U.S.

An evaluation was included in the survey to determine whether patients could dress themselves, prepare their own food, and perform other daily activities.

The subjects were also asked about the health care expenses they paid out-of-pocket for services like home health care, nursing home stays, and other medical services.

Whether or not they received help from other people for their daily living activities was also addressed. For the majority of volunteers, medicare spending information was associated with medical claims.

In 2010, about 14.7% of people in the U.S. aged 71+ years were affected by dementia, according to the report. However, that number is much lower than what has been found in previous, smaller studies.

The scientists said:

"The total economic cost of dementia in 2010 was estimated to be $109 billion for care purchased, and $159 billion to $215 billion when the monetary value of informal care is included. The range of estimates reflects two different methods researchers used to place a value on unpaid care. The per-person cost of dementia was $56,290 or $41,689. Medicare paid about $11 billion of dementia-related costs."

The costs for institutional and home-based long-term care are mainly responsible for the dementia costs, rather than drugs and other medical treatments. Seventy-five to 84% of dementia costs are for nursing home care, and formal and informal care at home.

A previous study presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease revealed that outpatient costs can be reduced by nearly 30% with an early diagnosis followed by information and support.

"People with dementia do not get much more additional health care services than other people," Hurd explained. "The real drivers of the cost are for non-medical care."

The cost of dementia care purchases ($109 billion) was comparable to the estimates of the direct health care costs for heart disease ($102 billion) and were considerably greater than the direct health costs for cancer ($77 billion).

The researchers pointed out that costs for heart disease and cancer did not include informal care costs, which is likely to be substantially higher for dementia.

Hurd concluded:
"There are no signs that the costs of dementia will decrease given that the nation will have a larger number of 85-year-olds in the future than we do today. Unless there is some sort of medical breakthrough, these costs will continue to rise."


A UK report from 2010 indicated that the burden of dementia on the nation's economy is twice that of cancer, however, dementia research receives less funding.

Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Dementia Care Costing Over $150 Billion, USA

Dementia Care Costing Over $150 Billion, USA04 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Caring for people with dementia is costing up to $157 billion each year in the U.S., which makes the disorder more expensive than treatments for heart disease and cancer.

The finding came from a new study conducted by the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit organization that helps improve policy and decision-making through research, and was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.


Dementia is a chronic disease of aging that results in progressive cognitive decline which can severely undermine independent functioning. The disease includes Alzheimer's and other illnesses.

The largest financial cost of dementia is not drugs and other medical treatment. It is the task of taking care of the patients either in nursing homes or in their own homes.

This is the most comprehensive study conducted in recent years on the costs of dementia, according to the authors.

The prevalence of dementia is strongly associated with age, and according to the experts, the financial toll of dementia could double by 2040 if the age-specific prevalence rate of the disease stays constant as people live longer.


Michael Hurd, lead author and a senior economist at RAND, said:

"The economic burden of caring for people in the United States with dementia is large and growing larger. Our findings underscore the urgency of recent federal efforts to develop a coordinated plan to address the growing impact of dementia on American society."

The Alzheimer's Association has previously reported lower cost estimates than the ones in the new study. The economic strain placed on people as a result of dementia is more clearly portrayed in this report.

According to scientists, this is because the new study:
excludes costs associated with other illnesses suffered by dementia patients
uses a better approximation of the incidence of the disease
accounts for variations in the severity of dementia


The National Alzheimer's Project Act was signed by President Obama in 2011. The law demands that efforts are raised to discover novel treatments and to better care for patients with dementia. It also calls for the economic toll of the disease to be tracked.


The new research used data from the Health and Retirement study, an ongoing survey of Americans aged 51 and older which started in 1992. A subset of those participants were given a comprehensive clinical evaluation for dementia at their home as part of the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study, a nationally representative assessment of dementia in the U.S.

An evaluation was included in the survey to determine whether patients could dress themselves, prepare their own food, and perform other daily activities.

The subjects were also asked about the health care expenses they paid out-of-pocket for services like home health care, nursing home stays, and other medical services.

Whether or not they received help from other people for their daily living activities was also addressed. For the majority of volunteers, medicare spending information was associated with medical claims.

In 2010, about 14.7% of people in the U.S. aged 71+ years were affected by dementia, according to the report. However, that number is much lower than what has been found in previous, smaller studies.

The scientists said:

"The total economic cost of dementia in 2010 was estimated to be $109 billion for care purchased, and $159 billion to $215 billion when the monetary value of informal care is included. The range of estimates reflects two different methods researchers used to place a value on unpaid care. The per-person cost of dementia was $56,290 or $41,689. Medicare paid about $11 billion of dementia-related costs."

The costs for institutional and home-based long-term care are mainly responsible for the dementia costs, rather than drugs and other medical treatments. Seventy-five to 84% of dementia costs are for nursing home care, and formal and informal care at home.

A previous study presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease revealed that outpatient costs can be reduced by nearly 30% with an early diagnosis followed by information and support.

"People with dementia do not get much more additional health care services than other people," Hurd explained. "The real drivers of the cost are for non-medical care."

The cost of dementia care purchases ($109 billion) was comparable to the estimates of the direct health care costs for heart disease ($102 billion) and were considerably greater than the direct health costs for cancer ($77 billion).

The researchers pointed out that costs for heart disease and cancer did not include informal care costs, which is likely to be substantially higher for dementia.

Hurd concluded:
"There are no signs that the costs of dementia will decrease given that the nation will have a larger number of 85-year-olds in the future than we do today. Unless there is some sort of medical breakthrough, these costs will continue to rise."


A UK report from 2010 indicated that the burden of dementia on the nation's economy is twice that of cancer, however, dementia research receives less funding.

Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

4th World Congress On Diabetes -amp; Metabolism, 14-16 August 2013, Chicago-North Shore, USA

Millennials: The Most Stressed-Out Generation, USA

Millennials: The Most Stressed-Out Generation, USA08 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Young adults in the USA find it particularly hard to manage their stress and get the health care that meets their needs, says a new American Psychological Association survey "Stress in America: Missing the Health Care Connection".

The survey found that adults aged from 18 to 33 years, also known as "Millennials", have an average stress level of 5.4 on a 10-point scale, compared to the national average of 4.9.

In fact, the survey found that a significant proportion of Americans feel there is a gap between what they want from their health care system and what it actually delivers.

The Harris Interactive survey involved 2,020 American adults who were asked questions in August 2012. The report states that people are not getting what they require from their health care providers to address lifestyle and behavior changes to improve their overall health and to manage stress.

A previous study, 2010 Stress in America, also reported that a considerable number of people in the USA had serious problems with stress and were trapped in a vicious cycle of unhealthy attempts to manage it.

Although Americans appear to value healthy lifestyles and stress-related issues as important factors in overall physical and mental well-being, their experiences are not matching their expectations or aspirations.

Only 17% of those surveyed said that they often or always had conversations with their health care providers about stress management, even though 32% believe that being able to talk to their doctor about this is extremely important.

APA (American Psychological Association) CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD., said:

"When people receive professional help to manage stress and make healthy behavior changes they do better at achieving their health goals. Unfortunately, our country's health system often neglects psychological and behavioral factors that are essential to managing stress and chronic diseases.

In order for our nation to get healthier, lower the rates of chronic illnesses, and lower health care costs, we need to improve how we view and treat stress and unhealthy behaviors that are contributing to the high incidence of disease in the U.S."

The authors explained that the most vulnerable people are those with either very little or no stress or behavior management support from their health care provider. There are many - 53% of respondents said they got little or no support for stress management, while 39% said the same regarding behavior management support.

Respondents with little or no stress or behavior management support tended to report increased stress levels over the previous 12-month period compared to those who did receive support. 29% said they got a lot/great deal of support.

20% of respondents reported experiencing stress levels at 8/9 or 10 on a 10-point scare, what the authors described as "extreme stress".

Sixty-nine percent of respondents with reportedly high stress levels said their problem had gotten worse over the last twelve months. Surprisingly, 33% of American adults have never talked with a health care professional regarding their stress and how to manage it.

The authors describe Americans' attempts at keeping healthy stress levels as a hard "struggle". Average stress levels across the nation, at 4.9 in August 2012, dropped in comparison to 5.2 in August 2011. However, this is higher than 3.6, what experts define as a healthy level of stress. A sizeable minority of Americans (35%) say that their stress levels have risen over the last 12 months.

Millennials Report High Stress and Lack of Support

Americans aged from 18 to 33 years appear to be the most badly affected by mental stress and getting support for it from their health care providers. With an average stress level of 5.4, this is higher than the 4.9 national average and considerably higher than the 3.6 "healthy" level.

Millennials give their health care providers the lowest ratings of any age group; only 25% gave their providers an "A" grade compared to 31% among all ages.

When asked whether they believe they are doing enough to manage their stress, 49% of Millennials said "No" or "Not sure". Very few reported receiving stress or behavior management support from their primary care physician/clinic or any health care provider.

When asked "Does your health care provider support you a lot or a great deal in making behavior or healthy lifestyle changes?" only 23% said "Yes". Just 17% were happy about the support they received from their health care provider for stress management.

The Association of Chronic Illness with Stress

The survey found that patients with chronic illness get less stress and behavior management support than those with no chronic illness.

59% of Americans with chronic illness report that they are doing enough to manage their stress

66% of Americans without chronic illness say they are doing enough to manage their stress

41% of Americans with chronic illness report worsening stress levels over the last 12 months

35% of Americans without chronic illness say their stress levels have worsened over the last 12 months



Patients with chronic illness in the USA do see their doctor more frequently than the rest of the population (average) - 51% see their doctor at least three times a year, compared to 17% of those with no chronic illness - but seeing a health care professional more often does not necessarily mean they are getting better stress management support.

Just one quarter of patients with chronic illnesses say that they receive "a great deal or a lot" of stress management support from their primary care physician or health care provider.

Patients with chronic illness who do get plenty of stress management and behavior support tend to say that they are doing enough to manage stress (68%). Only 54% of those receiving little or no support say they are doing enough to manage stress.

What is stress? What is chronic stress?

People suffering from stress commonly describe themselves as feeling worried, overwhelmed and run-down. We usually use the word "stress" when everything seems to have become too much - we are overwhelmed and wonder whether we are able to cope with the pressures that are placed upon us.

Stress does not discriminate - it affects people of all income levels, genders, ages and circumstances, and can eventually result in both psychological and physical illnesses and conditions.br>

The American Psychological Association defines "Stress" as:
"Any uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes."

Sometimes stress can be good for you - it provides a boost that gives us drive and energy and helps us through situations, such as deadlines or exams. However, when stress levels go too high, they can have negative health consequences.

Too much stress can:

Undermine the immune system

Affect the cardiovascular system, making the person more susceptible to cardiovascular disease and events

Affect the neuroendocrine system

Affect the CNS (central nervous system)

Take a severe emotional toll



Most of us can deal with everyday stressors with healthy stress management behaviors. However, untreated chronic (long-term) stress can lead to muscle pain, insomnia, hypertension (high blood pressure), a weaker immune system and anxiety, which can lead to dozens of illnesses, including heart disease, depression, and obesity.

Even everyday stressors that are poorly managed or ignored can lead to chronic stress. If chronic stress contributes to depression and/or anxiety, the consequences can be serious. People with depression and anxiety are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as the rest of the population. In fact, stress may cause illness by altering genes. The risk of abusing addictive substances is also significantly greater.

Below are some of the most common causes of stress:

Relationships (including divorce)

Moving home

Lack of time

Work-related issues. Work stress can raise the risk of heart attack

Illness

Money

Family problems

Caring for someone who is not well, especially if they have a long-term illness/condition

Bereavement

Your surroundings - overcrowding, noise, pollution, crime, etc

Life-threatening or traumatic events - people who faced awful events, such as rape, a natural disaster, or witnessed/suffered a horrifying event during a war or terrorist attack can develop PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)



Disaster rescuers may experience extremely high levels of stress

Researchers from the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University in New York, plus Grand Valley State University in Michigan, reported in the American Journal of Public Health that giving time to help others can shield us from stress and help us live longer.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Millennials: The Most Stressed-Out Generation, USA

Millennials: The Most Stressed-Out Generation, USA08 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Young adults in the USA find it particularly hard to manage their stress and get the health care that meets their needs, says a new American Psychological Association survey "Stress in America: Missing the Health Care Connection".

The survey found that adults aged from 18 to 33 years, also known as "Millennials", have an average stress level of 5.4 on a 10-point scale, compared to the national average of 4.9.

In fact, the survey found that a significant proportion of Americans feel there is a gap between what they want from their health care system and what it actually delivers.

The Harris Interactive survey involved 2,020 American adults who were asked questions in August 2012. The report states that people are not getting what they require from their health care providers to address lifestyle and behavior changes to improve their overall health and to manage stress.

A previous study, 2010 Stress in America, also reported that a considerable number of people in the USA had serious problems with stress and were trapped in a vicious cycle of unhealthy attempts to manage it.

Although Americans appear to value healthy lifestyles and stress-related issues as important factors in overall physical and mental well-being, their experiences are not matching their expectations or aspirations.

Only 17% of those surveyed said that they often or always had conversations with their health care providers about stress management, even though 32% believe that being able to talk to their doctor about this is extremely important.

APA (American Psychological Association) CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD., said:

"When people receive professional help to manage stress and make healthy behavior changes they do better at achieving their health goals. Unfortunately, our country's health system often neglects psychological and behavioral factors that are essential to managing stress and chronic diseases.

In order for our nation to get healthier, lower the rates of chronic illnesses, and lower health care costs, we need to improve how we view and treat stress and unhealthy behaviors that are contributing to the high incidence of disease in the U.S."

The authors explained that the most vulnerable people are those with either very little or no stress or behavior management support from their health care provider. There are many - 53% of respondents said they got little or no support for stress management, while 39% said the same regarding behavior management support.

Respondents with little or no stress or behavior management support tended to report increased stress levels over the previous 12-month period compared to those who did receive support. 29% said they got a lot/great deal of support.

20% of respondents reported experiencing stress levels at 8/9 or 10 on a 10-point scare, what the authors described as "extreme stress".

Sixty-nine percent of respondents with reportedly high stress levels said their problem had gotten worse over the last twelve months. Surprisingly, 33% of American adults have never talked with a health care professional regarding their stress and how to manage it.

The authors describe Americans' attempts at keeping healthy stress levels as a hard "struggle". Average stress levels across the nation, at 4.9 in August 2012, dropped in comparison to 5.2 in August 2011. However, this is higher than 3.6, what experts define as a healthy level of stress. A sizeable minority of Americans (35%) say that their stress levels have risen over the last 12 months.

Millennials Report High Stress and Lack of Support

Americans aged from 18 to 33 years appear to be the most badly affected by mental stress and getting support for it from their health care providers. With an average stress level of 5.4, this is higher than the 4.9 national average and considerably higher than the 3.6 "healthy" level.

Millennials give their health care providers the lowest ratings of any age group; only 25% gave their providers an "A" grade compared to 31% among all ages.

When asked whether they believe they are doing enough to manage their stress, 49% of Millennials said "No" or "Not sure". Very few reported receiving stress or behavior management support from their primary care physician/clinic or any health care provider.

When asked "Does your health care provider support you a lot or a great deal in making behavior or healthy lifestyle changes?" only 23% said "Yes". Just 17% were happy about the support they received from their health care provider for stress management.

The Association of Chronic Illness with Stress

The survey found that patients with chronic illness get less stress and behavior management support than those with no chronic illness.

59% of Americans with chronic illness report that they are doing enough to manage their stress

66% of Americans without chronic illness say they are doing enough to manage their stress

41% of Americans with chronic illness report worsening stress levels over the last 12 months

35% of Americans without chronic illness say their stress levels have worsened over the last 12 months



Patients with chronic illness in the USA do see their doctor more frequently than the rest of the population (average) - 51% see their doctor at least three times a year, compared to 17% of those with no chronic illness - but seeing a health care professional more often does not necessarily mean they are getting better stress management support.

Just one quarter of patients with chronic illnesses say that they receive "a great deal or a lot" of stress management support from their primary care physician or health care provider.

Patients with chronic illness who do get plenty of stress management and behavior support tend to say that they are doing enough to manage stress (68%). Only 54% of those receiving little or no support say they are doing enough to manage stress.

What is stress? What is chronic stress?

People suffering from stress commonly describe themselves as feeling worried, overwhelmed and run-down. We usually use the word "stress" when everything seems to have become too much - we are overwhelmed and wonder whether we are able to cope with the pressures that are placed upon us.

Stress does not discriminate - it affects people of all income levels, genders, ages and circumstances, and can eventually result in both psychological and physical illnesses and conditions.br>

The American Psychological Association defines "Stress" as:
"Any uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes."

Sometimes stress can be good for you - it provides a boost that gives us drive and energy and helps us through situations, such as deadlines or exams. However, when stress levels go too high, they can have negative health consequences.

Too much stress can:

Undermine the immune system

Affect the cardiovascular system, making the person more susceptible to cardiovascular disease and events

Affect the neuroendocrine system

Affect the CNS (central nervous system)

Take a severe emotional toll



Most of us can deal with everyday stressors with healthy stress management behaviors. However, untreated chronic (long-term) stress can lead to muscle pain, insomnia, hypertension (high blood pressure), a weaker immune system and anxiety, which can lead to dozens of illnesses, including heart disease, depression, and obesity.

Even everyday stressors that are poorly managed or ignored can lead to chronic stress. If chronic stress contributes to depression and/or anxiety, the consequences can be serious. People with depression and anxiety are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as the rest of the population. In fact, stress may cause illness by altering genes. The risk of abusing addictive substances is also significantly greater.

Below are some of the most common causes of stress:

Relationships (including divorce)

Moving home

Lack of time

Work-related issues. Work stress can raise the risk of heart attack

Illness

Money

Family problems

Caring for someone who is not well, especially if they have a long-term illness/condition

Bereavement

Your surroundings - overcrowding, noise, pollution, crime, etc

Life-threatening or traumatic events - people who faced awful events, such as rape, a natural disaster, or witnessed/suffered a horrifying event during a war or terrorist attack can develop PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)



Disaster rescuers may experience extremely high levels of stress

Researchers from the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University in New York, plus Grand Valley State University in Michigan, reported in the American Journal of Public Health that giving time to help others can shield us from stress and help us live longer.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Alzheimer's Prevalence May Triple By 2050, USA

Alzheimer's Prevalence May Triple By 2050, USA07 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

The USA could be facing an Alzheimer's explosion as the baby boom generation ages, placing a massive burden on society, researchers from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, reported in the journal Neurology.

The authors specifically mentioned a tripling of the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease by 2050.

Co-author Jennifer Weuve, MPH, ScD, said:

"This increase is due to an aging baby boom generation. It will place a huge burden on society, disabling more people who develop the disease, challenging their caregivers, and straining medical and social safety nets. Our study draws attention to an urgent need for more research, treatments and preventive strategies to reduce this epidemic."

The team gathered and examined data from 10,802 people who lived in Chicago between 1993 and 2011. They were all Caucasians and African-Americans, aged 65 or more. The researchers interviewed them and assessed them for dementia once every three years. They took into account compounding factors, such as level of education, race and age.

The authors then combined the data with US death rates, education and current/future population estimates from the US Census Bureau.

The study predicts that by 2050 there will be 13.8 million people with Alzheimer's disease, compared to 4.7 million in 2010. Seven million of them in 2050 will be at least 85 years of age.

Weuve said:


"Our detailed projections use the most up-to-date data, but they are similar to projections made years and decades ago. All of these projections anticipate a future with a dramatic increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's and should compel us to prepare for it."

In an Abstract in the journal, the authors concluded "The number of people in the United States with AD dementia will increase dramatically in the next 40 years unless preventive measures are developed."

Alzheimer's numbers set to triple by 2050 globally too

In April 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that today's population of 35.6 million people with Alzheimer's worldwide will rise to at least 115 million by 2050.

WHO added that by 2030, at least 65 million people will have dementia, 58% of whom will be from developing nations - these countries will have more than 70% of the global population with dementia.

Over $600 billion are spent globally on the treatment and care of people with dementia. Caregivers often have to leave their jobs to look after a person with Alzheimer's disease.


Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Pharma Packaging And Labeling USA, 26-27 February 2013, Philadelphia, USA