The number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased nearly 80 percent in the past decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced. Currently, one in 88 children receives an ASD diagnosis, and of those children diagnosed, boys outnumber girls 5-to-1. Janet Farmer, director of academic programs at the University [ Read More ]
Health insurers should use both medical and pharmacy data to forecast specialty medication utilization and improve outcomes for members, according to a new study by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics (Prime). The study will be presented today at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)’s 24th Annual Meeting & Expo in San Francisco. Pharmacy benefit [ Read More ]
A new study suggests there may be a starting point at which blows to the head or other head trauma suffered in combat sports start to affect memory and thinking abilities and can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in the brain. The research was released today and will be presented as part of [ Read More ]
Becker College announced a new four-year nursing program that leads to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Successful completion of this program provides a student eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Applications for the program are currently open, and enrollment will begin in fall 2012. The new [ Read More ]
To commemorate World Hemophilia Day, Bayer HealthCare has announced the expansion of its unique interactive program, the Virtual Walk for Hemophilia (www.walkforhemophilia.com), now in its second year. The Virtual Walk is an innovative contest that raises awareness and money for bleeding disorder organizations across the U.S. and globally. Once again, Bayer is asking people to [ Read More ]
Early symptoms of major mental illness can be subtle personality changes. Therefore, initial warning signs can often be missed, or even ignored due to conventional wisdom that suggests it’s better to wait for true behavioral deterioration and prolonged patterns of abnormality before diagnosing and treating a mental illness. But experts warn that waiting until someone [ Read More ]
Tobacco and nicotine use are known to impair the body’s ability to heal bones and wounds. Two new studies presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons looked at the effects of smoking on total joint replacement. A separate Smoking Cessation Forumfeatured expert testimony on how orthopaedic surgeons may successfully [ Read More ]
Last year, the media revealed the story of the mother who gave her 8-year-old daughter BOTOX injections before a junior beauty pageant. The news created a stir, upsetting many parents. This socially unacceptable and marginally legal act remains outside society’s norm, but there are times when plastic surgery procedures can help a child. Having an [ Read More ]
Allergy experts predict a longer allergy season is likely coming this year due to the mild winter that most parts of the U.S. experienced. So it’s more important than ever to jumpstart efforts to reduce allergy and asthma irritants around your home – and especially inside your vehicles. “The air inside your vehicle can be [ Read More ]
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has translated consumer tips for Spanish-speaking patients and their families to mark the beginning of Healthcare Patient Advocacy Week, April 9-15. “The Authority strongly supports patient advocacy and encouraging patients and their families to actively participate in their healthcare to reduce the risk of medical errors,” Mike Doering, executive director [ Read More ]