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Private Insurers Step Into Spotlight On Health Care Reform
"Don"t expect the private insurance industry to go away under any kind of health-care reform initiative. That"s because most key health-reform measures gaining momentum in Washington not only leave private health plans intact but also may give them a greater role," The Chicago Tribune reports. Insurers also "got to ride the coattails" of the America Medical Association"s support for the private insurance system as President Barack Obama "sought the physicians" support" of his public insurance option. Health plans were "happy that the AMA stripped the words "public option" from a resolution."
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Effectiveness Of School Closure During A Flu Pandemic
An article published in the August edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases studies how the closing of schools during flu pandemics causes a health, social, and economic impact. The review is the work of Dr Simon Cauchemez and Professor Neil Ferguson, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, UK, and collaborators. They examined data from earlier epidemics and pandemics worldwide. They conclude that extended school closure early on can considerably relieve saturated hospitals by reducing the number of cases at the highest point of the pandemic. On the other hand, it is uncertain if the intervention would have a major impact on the total number of cases. Also, it is linked with high social and economical costs, and could potentially disrupt health care systems and other vital services. In closing, the review indicates that the ultimate decision to close schools for extended periods should cautiously consider the severity of the pandemic.
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Race/Ethnicity, Family Income And Education Associated With Sugar Consumption
The intake of added sugars in the United States is excessive, estimated by the US Department of Agriculture in 1999-2002 as 17% of calories a day. Consuming foods with added sugars displaces nutrient-dense foods in the diet. Reducing or limiting intake of added sugars is an important objective in providing overall dietary guidance. In a study of nearly 30,000 Americans published in the August 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers report that race/ethnicity, family income and educational status are independently associated with intake of added sugars. Groups with low income and education are particularly vulnerable to eating diets with high added sugars.
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Ethicists Debate New York State's Decision To Pay Egg Donors Who Aid Stem Cell Research

New York state"s decision last month to allow state-funded embryonic stem cell researchers to pay women for donating their eggs had drawn support from many scientists and doctors but fueled debate among some ethicists, Long Island Newsday reports. The state"s Empire State Stem Cell Board said that researchers can pay women up to $10,000 as compensation for their time and the invasive nature of the procedure.Scientists and research advocates say the decision could boost important research into cures of serious diseases while attracting investments and new jobs to the state. Opponents raise ethical concerns about using taxpayer money for research that some people find morally objectionable. Some also contend that payment might exploit low-income women, according to Newsday. The National Academy of Sciences and NIH do not permit payments to research participants beyond reimbursement.Thomas Berg -- director of the Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person and a Roman Catholic priest opposed to embryonic stem cell research -- cast the sole dissenting vote in the stem cell board"s decision. Berg said the board ignored his suggestions to open the discussion to the public. However, Samuel Packer -- a member of the board and chair emeritus at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System"s Department of Ophthalmology -- said the decision was made during a public meeting following a "long, lively debate." Packer said, "At some point the dissenting voice can"t stop the progress of science or anything else in society." He added, "There is a direct link between having better eggs and doing better research" (Ochs, Long Island Newsday, 7/9). Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women"s Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women"s Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company. © 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.


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