Free Medicine Foundation Helps Patients Taking Costly Cholesterol Drugs Receive Prescription Assistance
People with high cholesterol or a history of heart problems, concerned over how to pay for their prescription medication now have a resource to help them: Free Medicine Foundation. Although free medicine assistance has been around for more than 50 years, most people have never heard about and do not know how to apply for free medicine. Free Medicine Foundation's mission is to inform the media and the public of assistance that may be available to thousands of Americans who don't even realize they qualify for such help.
People with bad cholesterol, or LDL, know that can be inherited from their family members with a history of heart problems or can be a result of their body chemistry. It can also be the result of a diet high in saturated fats, lack of exercise or diabetes. Changing one's diet and losing weight help in reducing high cholesterol levels, but many people also need to take medicine to keep their bad cholesterol levels down. That's where Free Medicine Foundation can help.
Many lipid-lowering treatments are available for free or low-cost. The following medicines may be available through a free or low-cost plan located through Free Medicine Foundation: Lipitor, Zocor, Vytorin, Lescol, Altocor, Mevacor, Simvastatin, Aspirin and Pravastatin, Atorvastatin, Atromid-S, Clofibrate, Ezetimibe, Fluvastatin, Gemfibrozil, Lescol XL, Lopid, Lopid Tablets, Lovastatin, Pravigard Pac, Zetia and hundreds more. Patients can apply for as many medicines as they need; there is no limit. Keep in mind that prescription assistance is available for most all medications.
Free Medicine Foundation works tirelessly to match patients with hundreds of free or low-cost available programs by scouring available medicine assistance plans to find plans that match applicant needs. "Since our inception, we have helped countless families across the nation completely eliminate or substantially reduce their prescription drug bills," says Cindy Randolph, spokesperson for the Free Medicine Foundation organization. "Although we cannot guarantee your approval, if you believe you may qualify to participate, we will be diligent in our efforts to assist you. Past results have proven our program successful."
This program is for those who are falling through the cracks financially, and make just enough money so they don't qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford a prescription coverage plan or to buy their own medications. Keep in mind these programs are not just for poor people. For people who find it a hardship to buy their medicines, should apply for prescription assistance.
Drug sponsors recognize that sometimes exceptions need to be made based on a patient's individual circumstances. Individuals who do not meet these criteria may still qualify if both they and their physicians attest that the patients have special circumstances of financial and medical hardship, and their incomes are below an established limit. With each medication, the income criteria varies from below the poverty level up to $39,200 for individuals, $52,800 for couples, and as high as $80,000 for a family of four.
Upon approval, brand-name free medicines typically arrive in two to three weeks, sent directly to the patient's home, or a coupon is given to take to a local pharmacy or sent to the doctor's office, typically in a 90-day supply. These programs can provide an ongoing lifetime supply of free medication. If the patient is not approved, and receives no medicine assistance, Free Medicine Foundation refunds the full processing fee per no risk money back guarantee. The patient has everything to gain and nothing to lose.
3.4 million seniors will enter the uninsured "donut hole" and start paying the next $2,850 out of their own pockets. Free Medicine Foundation can help cut this cost by over 90%. Pet medicines are also available through low-cost assistance programs.
Caregivers, churches and social organizations are encouraged to utilize Free Medicine Foundation's services. Volunteers are needed to help spread the word to those who cannot afford the high costs of prescription medication. Send Free Medicine Foundation an e-mail or call 1-573-996-3333 to request a free supply of brochure-enrollment forms that are designed to provide the patient/applicant with information and an application for the program. Patients can apply directly online or print the application in English or Spanish. Free Medicine Foundation requires a one-time refundable $5 processing fee for each medication requested.
For patients who require ongoing cholesterol lipid-lowering treatments, Free Medicine Foundation can be a lifesaver. To learn more, apply or request a free brochure visit: http://www.FreeMedicine.com
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Seven Ways to Help Prevent Getting a Heart Attack
According to the American Heart Association, more than 50 million Americans suffer from high cholesterol which can lead to serious cardiovascular disease.
Having high cholesterol will greatly raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Here are a few recommended tips to help you control or lower your cholesterol levels:
• Use only nonfat or low-fat dairy products.
• Moderate exercise is essential to maintain your cardiovascular system.
• A daily supplement helps provides the essential nutrients your body needs.
• Choose lean cuts of meat, trim fat off and remove skin from poultry.
• Eat enough beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains daily.
• Minimize saturated fat consumption and avoid foods that contain trans- fats.
• Men and women aged 35 years or older should check their cholesterol levels yearly.
Having high cholesterol will greatly raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Here are a few recommended tips to help you control or lower your cholesterol levels:
• Use only nonfat or low-fat dairy products.
• Moderate exercise is essential to maintain your cardiovascular system.
• A daily supplement helps provides the essential nutrients your body needs.
• Choose lean cuts of meat, trim fat off and remove skin from poultry.
• Eat enough beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains daily.
• Minimize saturated fat consumption and avoid foods that contain trans- fats.
• Men and women aged 35 years or older should check their cholesterol levels yearly.
New 'Wine Diet' Adds Years to Your Life
There's mounting evidence that shedding a few pounds and drinking red wine go together. Roger Corder's celebrated new book "The Wine Diet" extols the virtue of red wines and dark chocolate. Really, who would want to cheat on that diet?
If you're contemplating giving up wine for your diet...Don't! There are far too many studies now showing the significant long-term health benefits from a daily glass or two of red wine to worry about the extra calories.
Top U.S. killers are heart disease and cancer, but it doesn't have to be that way. One study shows men can lower their risk of heart disease by 50% by drinking two glasses of red wine per day. And women who drink one glass per day reduce their risk by 30%.
What makes red wine so healthy? Red grape skins, seeds and stems all contain high concentrations of compounds called polyphenols - more commonly known as antioxidants. These same antioxidants also help prevent certain types of cancer such as prostate, colon, and skin cancer.
Do you think high blood pressure is at epidemic levels? Perhaps it's because not enough Americans have wine savvy. Wine lovers now realize a glass of wine also helps your body excrete excess sodium, which lowers your blood pressure.
And now you can stop worrying about growing old. Red wine also has resveratrol, which was most recently linked by two studies in mice, to living longer and to showing signs of reducing the leading factors that cause Alzheimer's disease. It might be too soon to predict if the results in mice will be duplicated in humans, but it's a promising step.
If you're contemplating giving up wine for your diet...Don't! There are far too many studies now showing the significant long-term health benefits from a daily glass or two of red wine to worry about the extra calories.
Top U.S. killers are heart disease and cancer, but it doesn't have to be that way. One study shows men can lower their risk of heart disease by 50% by drinking two glasses of red wine per day. And women who drink one glass per day reduce their risk by 30%.
What makes red wine so healthy? Red grape skins, seeds and stems all contain high concentrations of compounds called polyphenols - more commonly known as antioxidants. These same antioxidants also help prevent certain types of cancer such as prostate, colon, and skin cancer.
Do you think high blood pressure is at epidemic levels? Perhaps it's because not enough Americans have wine savvy. Wine lovers now realize a glass of wine also helps your body excrete excess sodium, which lowers your blood pressure.
And now you can stop worrying about growing old. Red wine also has resveratrol, which was most recently linked by two studies in mice, to living longer and to showing signs of reducing the leading factors that cause Alzheimer's disease. It might be too soon to predict if the results in mice will be duplicated in humans, but it's a promising step.
Reproductive Endocrinologist Suggests 15 Simple Ways to Prevent Infertility
Each year more than 7.3 people in the United States are affected by infertility, yet there are many simple ways to prevent infertility from affecting you. Dr. Sweet, a board certified practitioner in both the specialty of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility offers 15 ways you can combat infertility:
1. Adopt stress busters
Some stress is normal but extremes of stress or inappropriate response to stress may affect fertility. By eating inadequately or in excess, your general medical condition may deteriorate making conception more difficult. By coping with stress through smoking and alcohol, additional damage to your fertility may occur.
2. Avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Either through abstinence or condoms, one should always attempt to avoid sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes and venereal warts.
3. Avoid substance abuse
Nearly all forms of substance abuse can affect sperm production, egg release and embryo development. These substances include recreational drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.
4. Check your family tree
If you know that a close relative (parent or sibling) had diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), early menopause and hypothyroidism, you may be at an increased risk for some of these same diseases. While not usually inherited like the color of hair and eyes, many families have predispositions for specific diseases and these diseases may affect fertility.
5. Freeze sperm, eggs, ovarian and testicular tissue
If there is going to be a significant delay in reproduction or if a patient may be at risk for loss of their eggs or sperm (i.e., chemotherapy and/or surgery), the freezing of sperm and eggs (considered investigational) may want to be considered. There may be some circumstances where it may be wise to consider freezing testicular and ovarian tissue although these procedures are experimental.
6. Get vaccinated
Diseases such as Mumps can affect sperm production. Many diseases (i.e., German Measles) are dangerous during pregnancy.
7. Have children sooner
Women are at greater risk for more sexual partners should marriage and childbearing be delayed. As women age, gynecologic conditions such as endometriosis and uterine polyps/fibroids become more common. Women become dramatically less fertile as they age, especially in the late 30's and 40's. Men's sperm production does also deteriorate with age.
8. If you are having problems, seek help quickly
The definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. If this time has passed, seek the assistance of your OB/GYN. If over the age of 35, consider seeking the assistance of a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist since time is running out.
9. If you have had surgery or infections, seek assistance sooner
If a woman has had ovarian surgery in the past or any sexually transmitted diseases, consider seeking evaluation sooner. Men who have had infections of the prostate, testicles/nearby structures and men, who have injured their testicles to the point of bruising or swelling, may be at risk for sperm problems.
10. Maintain your ideal body weight
Weight-related fertility factors are certainly known. Obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes can affect ejaculation, sperm production, ovulation, miscarriage rates and increase fetal malformation rates. A balanced diet is important for numerous health concerns including fertility.
11. Some forms of hormonal contraception may prevent disease
Hormonal contraception seems to reduce the incidence of some sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, the hormonal contraception may protect from endometriosis, endometrial polyps and the formation of endometrial cancer.
12. Stay active
It is very important part of a balanced lifestyle to stay active and healthy. Sedentary lifestyles lead to weight problems, which can potentially impact fertility.
13. Stay healthy
While too numerous to list, many significant medical problems, especially those that are not under strict control, may damage your fertility potential over time. One classic example is diabetes. Stay as healthy as you can and treat existing medical problems effectively. Remember that delivery is like a mini-marathon and if you are out of shape, it may be a difficult run, at best.
14. Take a look at your meds
Calcium channel blockers used for high blood pressure and medications used to treat arthritis may affect fertility potential. Many medications are not recommended during pregnancy while others may be taken without concern to current & future fertility issues. Seek consultation with your physician for additional information. Cancer treatment (i.e., chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation treated) may result in sterility.
15. Think quantity not quality
Couples, who have frequent intercourse, up to five times per week, seem to get pregnant the fastest. Relations every 36 and 48 hours bracketing around ovulation is probably ideal. Sexual position does not play a role in fertility.
1. Adopt stress busters
Some stress is normal but extremes of stress or inappropriate response to stress may affect fertility. By eating inadequately or in excess, your general medical condition may deteriorate making conception more difficult. By coping with stress through smoking and alcohol, additional damage to your fertility may occur.
2. Avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Either through abstinence or condoms, one should always attempt to avoid sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes and venereal warts.
3. Avoid substance abuse
Nearly all forms of substance abuse can affect sperm production, egg release and embryo development. These substances include recreational drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.
4. Check your family tree
If you know that a close relative (parent or sibling) had diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), early menopause and hypothyroidism, you may be at an increased risk for some of these same diseases. While not usually inherited like the color of hair and eyes, many families have predispositions for specific diseases and these diseases may affect fertility.
5. Freeze sperm, eggs, ovarian and testicular tissue
If there is going to be a significant delay in reproduction or if a patient may be at risk for loss of their eggs or sperm (i.e., chemotherapy and/or surgery), the freezing of sperm and eggs (considered investigational) may want to be considered. There may be some circumstances where it may be wise to consider freezing testicular and ovarian tissue although these procedures are experimental.
6. Get vaccinated
Diseases such as Mumps can affect sperm production. Many diseases (i.e., German Measles) are dangerous during pregnancy.
7. Have children sooner
Women are at greater risk for more sexual partners should marriage and childbearing be delayed. As women age, gynecologic conditions such as endometriosis and uterine polyps/fibroids become more common. Women become dramatically less fertile as they age, especially in the late 30's and 40's. Men's sperm production does also deteriorate with age.
8. If you are having problems, seek help quickly
The definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. If this time has passed, seek the assistance of your OB/GYN. If over the age of 35, consider seeking the assistance of a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist since time is running out.
9. If you have had surgery or infections, seek assistance sooner
If a woman has had ovarian surgery in the past or any sexually transmitted diseases, consider seeking evaluation sooner. Men who have had infections of the prostate, testicles/nearby structures and men, who have injured their testicles to the point of bruising or swelling, may be at risk for sperm problems.
10. Maintain your ideal body weight
Weight-related fertility factors are certainly known. Obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes can affect ejaculation, sperm production, ovulation, miscarriage rates and increase fetal malformation rates. A balanced diet is important for numerous health concerns including fertility.
11. Some forms of hormonal contraception may prevent disease
Hormonal contraception seems to reduce the incidence of some sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, the hormonal contraception may protect from endometriosis, endometrial polyps and the formation of endometrial cancer.
12. Stay active
It is very important part of a balanced lifestyle to stay active and healthy. Sedentary lifestyles lead to weight problems, which can potentially impact fertility.
13. Stay healthy
While too numerous to list, many significant medical problems, especially those that are not under strict control, may damage your fertility potential over time. One classic example is diabetes. Stay as healthy as you can and treat existing medical problems effectively. Remember that delivery is like a mini-marathon and if you are out of shape, it may be a difficult run, at best.
14. Take a look at your meds
Calcium channel blockers used for high blood pressure and medications used to treat arthritis may affect fertility potential. Many medications are not recommended during pregnancy while others may be taken without concern to current & future fertility issues. Seek consultation with your physician for additional information. Cancer treatment (i.e., chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation treated) may result in sterility.
15. Think quantity not quality
Couples, who have frequent intercourse, up to five times per week, seem to get pregnant the fastest. Relations every 36 and 48 hours bracketing around ovulation is probably ideal. Sexual position does not play a role in fertility.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Medical Malpractice
In one of many recent cases of medical malpractice, The Birmingham News reported last week that an Alabama woman received an overdose of anti-nausea medication, slipping into a coma for 26 hours before awaking with stroke-like symptoms such as having to relearn words. She and her husband had no idea that the attending doctor had previously roamed from job to job, and reportedly had over 100 malpractice suits brought against him between 2002 and 2003..
“These doctors lose their license to practice, only to move to another state with another license,” said Allan Zelikovic, head of the Medical Malpractice Unit at Weitz & Luxenberg. “Better coordination and cooperation between states, malpractice insurance companies, and hospitals or health care organizations, would avoid most of these activities,” he added.
Zelikovic contends that our medical information-sharing systems—vastly improved from 25 years ago—are not being utilized. As a result, said Zelikovic, “The public continues to be victimized and good doctors and hospitals are vilified by the few bad apples.”
In an article in last Saturday’s paper, The Birmingham News reported that the doctor, Christopher Martin, has left a trail of open negligence suits in his wake. Among those pending cases are accusations of maiming or killing patients through medical malpractice.
Martin, reportedly, has surrendered or lost his license to practice medicine in at least five states, and allowed it to expire in two others. Most galling is that to date, Martin may still practice in seven other states where he has managed to maintain a medical license.
“These doctors lose their license to practice, only to move to another state with another license,” said Allan Zelikovic, head of the Medical Malpractice Unit at Weitz & Luxenberg. “Better coordination and cooperation between states, malpractice insurance companies, and hospitals or health care organizations, would avoid most of these activities,” he added.
Zelikovic contends that our medical information-sharing systems—vastly improved from 25 years ago—are not being utilized. As a result, said Zelikovic, “The public continues to be victimized and good doctors and hospitals are vilified by the few bad apples.”
In an article in last Saturday’s paper, The Birmingham News reported that the doctor, Christopher Martin, has left a trail of open negligence suits in his wake. Among those pending cases are accusations of maiming or killing patients through medical malpractice.
Martin, reportedly, has surrendered or lost his license to practice medicine in at least five states, and allowed it to expire in two others. Most galling is that to date, Martin may still practice in seven other states where he has managed to maintain a medical license.
Family Dinner Key to Healthier Eating for Most Americans
Americans are gathering around the dinner table to eat healthier foods, according to a new national survey released here today by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention magazine. The study found a strong correlation between consumers who try the hardest to eat healthfully and those who eat dinner at home nearly every day.
Nearly three in four shoppers (71%) believe the food they eat at home is healthier than meals consumed out. More than nine in 10 consumers prepare at least one home-cooked dinner from scratch every week, and more than half (68%) do it almost daily.
This home-equals-health belief extends to school lunches. Parents are far more satisfied with the nutritional value of the bagged lunches they prepare at home for their children (60%) vs. school cafeteria food (30%).
“These findings underscore the powerful impact of the family dinner,” said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. “Regular family dinners are the best way parents can help their children eat healthy meals. These dinners also help children perform well in school and avoid abusing alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs, according to research by Columbia University.”
“The study shows most Americans recognize the importance of eating healthier and are laying the foundation to do so: eating at home, buying organic and making healthier choices,” said Cary Silvers, director of consumer and advertising trends for Rodale, the publisher of Prevention. “But Americans are still having trouble doing this. Supermarkets have a real opportunity to offer and package solutions rather than just display products.”
Shoppers Seek More Healthy Choices
Relatively few shoppers believe that grocery stores offer “many” healthy options in frozen entrees (16%), packaged foods (8%), or even ready-to-cook (10%) and prepared foods (12%). Even fewer feel this way about healthy options from fast-food (5%) and other take-out establishments (6%).
Many shoppers expressed interest in nutrition guidance from supermarkets through:
Signs indicating healthy food choices (73%)
Signs and information about disease management (66%)
Staff who can answer nutrition questions (62%)
Weight loss and diet information (56%)
Cooking classes to teach consumers about healthy meals (49%)
Americans Strive and Struggle to Eat Right
The report also found that Americans continue to strive and struggle to eat more nutritious diets: 57% are trying “a lot,” 55% say they are overweight, and 23% of parents report having an overweight child.
Consumers tend to be “free agents,” trying to manage diets on their own, which makes them more susceptible to fads, according to the study. Among those who diet, 59% say they are just “calorie watching or watching what they eat,” 11% follow a low-carb diet, and 9% follow the Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers program.
Consumers Buying More Organic Foods Throughout the Store
More consumers are turning to organic foods to improve their diets. In fact, organic food purchases increased in virtually all the major categories:
44% purchased organic fruits and vegetables in the past six months vs. 37% last year
30%, organic milk or other dairy products vs. 23%
29%, organic cereals, breads or pastas vs. 25%
24%, organic meats or poultry vs. 17%
24%, organic packaged foods (e.g., snacks and beverages) vs. 21%
21%, organic eggs vs. 18%
16%, organic soups and sauces vs. 12%
The chief motivation to buy organic foods remains the perceived nutrition value, cited by eight in 10 shoppers, and nearly two-thirds mentioned long-term health effects. Just over half listed the environmental impact of growing or producing these foods.
This Shopping for Health 2006: Making Healthy Eating Easier survey is the 15th in a series of annual surveys of America’s supermarket shoppers conducted by FMI and Rodale Inc.’s Prevention magazine with support from Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines. The survey examines shoppers’ interests and attitudes regarding health and nutrition, their efforts to manage diets, and the ways in which health and nutritional concerns play out in buying decisions at the supermarket.
Methodology
This report is based on a national telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults conducted July 2006. All respondents had primary or equally shared responsibility for their household’s grocery shopping.
To purchase Shopping for Health 2006: Making Healthy Eating Easier, visit the FMI Store at www.fmi.org/store/ or call (202) 220-0723. Survey reports are free to the press.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in research, education, industry relations and public affairs on behalf of its 1,500 member companies — food retailers and wholesalers — in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate approximately 26,000 retail food stores with a combined annual sales volume of $340 billion — three-quarters of all retail food store sales in the United States. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 companies from 50 countries.
Prevention magazine, America’s leading healthy lifestyle publication and the 11th largest magazine in the nation, has been providing readers with the most current information on health, fitness, nutrition, and cutting-edge medical news for more than 50 years. It is the nation’s most authoritative, trustworthy and innovative source for practical health information. Every month, the magazine reaches an audience of more than 11 million readers and its highly acclaimed Web site, Prevention.com, averages 1.6 million unique visitors. Prevention also publishes 14 special-interest titles, four bookazines, and 12 international editions; produces the top-selling Prevention Fitness Systems workout videos; and conducts national surveys examining important health issues. Prevention is published 12 times a year by Rodale Inc.
Nearly three in four shoppers (71%) believe the food they eat at home is healthier than meals consumed out. More than nine in 10 consumers prepare at least one home-cooked dinner from scratch every week, and more than half (68%) do it almost daily.
This home-equals-health belief extends to school lunches. Parents are far more satisfied with the nutritional value of the bagged lunches they prepare at home for their children (60%) vs. school cafeteria food (30%).
“These findings underscore the powerful impact of the family dinner,” said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. “Regular family dinners are the best way parents can help their children eat healthy meals. These dinners also help children perform well in school and avoid abusing alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs, according to research by Columbia University.”
“The study shows most Americans recognize the importance of eating healthier and are laying the foundation to do so: eating at home, buying organic and making healthier choices,” said Cary Silvers, director of consumer and advertising trends for Rodale, the publisher of Prevention. “But Americans are still having trouble doing this. Supermarkets have a real opportunity to offer and package solutions rather than just display products.”
Shoppers Seek More Healthy Choices
Relatively few shoppers believe that grocery stores offer “many” healthy options in frozen entrees (16%), packaged foods (8%), or even ready-to-cook (10%) and prepared foods (12%). Even fewer feel this way about healthy options from fast-food (5%) and other take-out establishments (6%).
Many shoppers expressed interest in nutrition guidance from supermarkets through:
Signs indicating healthy food choices (73%)
Signs and information about disease management (66%)
Staff who can answer nutrition questions (62%)
Weight loss and diet information (56%)
Cooking classes to teach consumers about healthy meals (49%)
Americans Strive and Struggle to Eat Right
The report also found that Americans continue to strive and struggle to eat more nutritious diets: 57% are trying “a lot,” 55% say they are overweight, and 23% of parents report having an overweight child.
Consumers tend to be “free agents,” trying to manage diets on their own, which makes them more susceptible to fads, according to the study. Among those who diet, 59% say they are just “calorie watching or watching what they eat,” 11% follow a low-carb diet, and 9% follow the Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers program.
Consumers Buying More Organic Foods Throughout the Store
More consumers are turning to organic foods to improve their diets. In fact, organic food purchases increased in virtually all the major categories:
44% purchased organic fruits and vegetables in the past six months vs. 37% last year
30%, organic milk or other dairy products vs. 23%
29%, organic cereals, breads or pastas vs. 25%
24%, organic meats or poultry vs. 17%
24%, organic packaged foods (e.g., snacks and beverages) vs. 21%
21%, organic eggs vs. 18%
16%, organic soups and sauces vs. 12%
The chief motivation to buy organic foods remains the perceived nutrition value, cited by eight in 10 shoppers, and nearly two-thirds mentioned long-term health effects. Just over half listed the environmental impact of growing or producing these foods.
This Shopping for Health 2006: Making Healthy Eating Easier survey is the 15th in a series of annual surveys of America’s supermarket shoppers conducted by FMI and Rodale Inc.’s Prevention magazine with support from Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines. The survey examines shoppers’ interests and attitudes regarding health and nutrition, their efforts to manage diets, and the ways in which health and nutritional concerns play out in buying decisions at the supermarket.
Methodology
This report is based on a national telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults conducted July 2006. All respondents had primary or equally shared responsibility for their household’s grocery shopping.
To purchase Shopping for Health 2006: Making Healthy Eating Easier, visit the FMI Store at www.fmi.org/store/ or call (202) 220-0723. Survey reports are free to the press.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in research, education, industry relations and public affairs on behalf of its 1,500 member companies — food retailers and wholesalers — in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate approximately 26,000 retail food stores with a combined annual sales volume of $340 billion — three-quarters of all retail food store sales in the United States. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 companies from 50 countries.
Prevention magazine, America’s leading healthy lifestyle publication and the 11th largest magazine in the nation, has been providing readers with the most current information on health, fitness, nutrition, and cutting-edge medical news for more than 50 years. It is the nation’s most authoritative, trustworthy and innovative source for practical health information. Every month, the magazine reaches an audience of more than 11 million readers and its highly acclaimed Web site, Prevention.com, averages 1.6 million unique visitors. Prevention also publishes 14 special-interest titles, four bookazines, and 12 international editions; produces the top-selling Prevention Fitness Systems workout videos; and conducts national surveys examining important health issues. Prevention is published 12 times a year by Rodale Inc.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Use of Antibiotics To Treat Upper Respiratory Infections
Millions of people suffer from sinusitis, making it a common ailment of the cold and flu season. The best policy for patients who might have sinusitis and do not have signs of complications or severe infection is to wait for natural recovery, rather than utilize antibiotics finds this study. A secondary analysis of 300 patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial finds that signs and symptoms of sinusitis and abnormal sinus x-rays do not help physicians predict the course of the illness or whether the patient will benefit from antibiotics. Although antibiotics are not generally effective in treating this condition, they are effective in treating a bacterial type of sinusitis that affects a minority of patients.
Another study about the use of antibiotics finds that patients with sore throat, who hope for antibiotics, may in fact be more concerned about receiving pain relief. In this study of 298 sore throat patients, the three most common reasons for consulting their physician were to find out the cause of the symptoms, pain relief and information about the course of the illness. Additionally, a patients’ desire for pain relief was a strong predictor for their hope of receiving an antibiotic. The authors suggest that physicians should address patients’ expectations and needs for managing pain when treating sore throat, rather than prescribing antibiotics.
Another study about the use of antibiotics finds that patients with sore throat, who hope for antibiotics, may in fact be more concerned about receiving pain relief. In this study of 298 sore throat patients, the three most common reasons for consulting their physician were to find out the cause of the symptoms, pain relief and information about the course of the illness. Additionally, a patients’ desire for pain relief was a strong predictor for their hope of receiving an antibiotic. The authors suggest that physicians should address patients’ expectations and needs for managing pain when treating sore throat, rather than prescribing antibiotics.
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