Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/sDxYhMrCDrpaABtaKw


	November 3, 2009

Spotlight

The next generation of employee health screenings


Dr. Charles Nagurka National Medical Director OptumHealth Care Solutions

According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50 percent of individuals do not visit their physicians on a regular basis. Another recent study found that more than 87 percent of medical claims costs could be attributed to individual lifestyles.

People who are passive when it comes to managing their health may be unaware of hidden problems -- until a costly medical event or condition surfaces.

"Avoidance and being unaware can be hazardous to a person's health," said Dr. Charles Nagurka, national medical director for OptumHealth Care Solutions. "Not all key health indicators -- such as high blood pressure -- have obvious symptoms, so they can go undetected. The result can be an unfortunate and preventable situation. This is why it's so important that people get regular checkups and screenings." Click here to continue reading this article online.

Ask Dr. Charles Nagurka a question about health screenings.

Employer Solutions

Leading by example to promote health in the workforce
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are leading the federal workforce by example by living healthy lifestyles, with one participating in running and basketball and the other focusing on healthy foods. "As many private companies have demonstrated, making employee wellness a priority can save health care costs down the road and make for a stronger workplace," said the first lady. Government Executive (10/19)

Solutions:

For more information about unique programs, please contact an OptumHealth sales representative by calling toll-free (866) 427-6845, 8am - 6pm CST, M-F. Or email us at engage@optumhealth.com

Emerging Trends

Study shows food workers smoke the most
People in food-serving and food-preparing occupations have the highest smoking rate among Americans who work full time, according to a U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study. "The study provides important insight and updated information that can be used to assist in the developing or refining of smoking-cessation efforts to specific workplace groups," said SAMHSA's acting administrator. Human Resource Executive (10/26)

Poll: Health care public option supported by a clear majority
The proposal for a government-managed health care plan, often called the public option, now has the support of 57% of Americans, while 40% are against the idea, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found. Approval for the public option has increased since mid-August, when just 52% of those questioned said they liked the public option. The latest polling data showed clear support for a proposed legal requirement that all Americans purchase health insurance. The Washington Post (10/20) , The New York Times/Prescriptions blog (10/19)

Group urges health-reform focus on curing disease
The American Center for Cures Initiative is urging lawmakers to focus on preventing and curing disease as part of efforts to cut costs with health care reform. The group says chronic diseases account for almost 75% of the more than $2.1 trillion spent on health care in this country every year. United Press International (10/27)

Solutions:

For more information about unique programs, please contact an OptumHealth sales representative by calling toll-free (866) 427-6845, 8am - 6pm CST, M-F. Or email us at engage@optumhealth.com

Tapping Technology

Study: Health IT applications improve clinical outcomes
Consumer health informatics tools can effectively encourage patients to manage their health and improve clinical outcomes across a number of diseases, according to an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality study. Computer-generated, tailored feedback systems and interactive Web sites are among the consumer health IT applications assessed in the study. Government Health IT (10/23) , Modern Healthcare (free registration) (10/23)

Doctors use Web tool to identify H1N1 vaccine candidates
A new Web-based tool enables doctors to quickly pinpoint tier 1 candidates for H1N1 flu shots using a set of criteria issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The application has identified nearly 300,000 qualified patients. TMCNet.com (10/21) , Healthcare IT News (10/21)

Smart-card executives call for standards for identity management
Smart-card experts want the federal government to create identity-management standards to help stop deaths attributable to patient misidentification. "There must be a way to uniquely and securely authenticate each person across the health care infrastructure, whether that interaction is in person or over the Internet," said the Smart Card Alliance Healthcare Council chairman. Healthcare IT News (10/8)

Solutions:

For more information about unique programs, please contact an OptumHealth sales representative by calling toll-free (866) 427-6845, 8am - 6pm CST, M-F. Or email us at engage@optumhealth.com

Clinical Connections

Collaborative care improves outcomes for older cancer patients suffering depression
Primary care doctors can play an important role in treating older cancer patients suffering depression, a study reported in a Journal of General Internal Medicine supplement found. When these patients received collaborative care supervised by both a psychiatrist and a primary care provider, they fared better in a number of areas, including depression, fatigue and quality of life. The strategy "can literally double the likelihood that the patient's depression will improve over time," a researcher said. United Press International (10/22)

NP lifestyle counseling helps patients lose weight
Research in the Netherlands found 77% of overweight or obese patients who received lifestyle counseling from a nurse practitioner lost or maintained weight, compared with 65% who had usual care by a general practitioner. Obese patients lost more weight than those who were overweight, and men lost more than women, the study found. Modern Medicine/HealthDay News (10/13)

Diabetics, non-diabetics benefit from healthy behavior
Recently presented research finds that healthy behavior benefits people with diabetes as well as those who do not have the disease. "Few previous studies have measured the effectiveness of healthy behaviors in delaying mortality among adults with diagnosed diabetes," the lead researcher said. The study found a link between healthy behavior and a lower risk of dying of any cause in both diabetics and non-diabetics. Reuters (10/20)

TIF procedure treats acid reflux without scars
Acid reflux patients are getting relief through Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication, or TIF, which many physicians are using to treat severe cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease. An EsophyX device is passed down the throat and into the stomach, allowing physicians to repair the anti-reflux barrier in a 40-minute procedure that leaves no scar. The Times (Gainesville, Ga.) (10/18)

Indoor smoking bans reduce heart attack risk, studies show
U.S. health experts said data from 11 studies show indoor smoking bans have reduced the rate of heart attacks by up to 47%. The report, created by the Institute of Medicine for the CDC, said the risk of heart attack has been reduced even among nonsmokers because they are not exposed to secondhand smoke. ABC News/Reuters (10/15)

Solutions:

For more information about unique programs, please contact an OptumHealth sales representative by calling toll-free (866) 427-6845, 8am - 6pm CST, M-F. Or email us at engage@optumhealth.com

Policy Watch

New rules would halt rewards used in wellness programs
Proposed federal rules say employers and health plans can't offer workers financial incentives to participate in health risk assessments that include family medical history information. The new rules protecting genetic information aren't yet final; employers and insurers have until Jan. 5 to comment. The Wall Street Journal (10/15)

Reid to include public option in Senate health care bill
Proposed legislation aimed at overhauling the U.S. health care system will include a public option but will give states the choice of opting out, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "While the public option is not a silver bullet, I believe it's an important way to ensure competition and to level the playing field for patients with the insurance industry," Reid said. The Democratic leader said he will send his version of the bill to the Congressional Budget Office for an evaluation of its fiscal effects. A White House spokesman said President Barack Obama is pleased that the public option will be included in the bill. BusinessWeek (10/26) , Reuters (10/26) , Los Angeles Times (10/26) , The New York Times (free registration) (10/26)

Bill would extend parents' health coverage for children to age 27
A provision in the health reform legislation in the House would allow children to remain on their parents' insurance policies until they are 27, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. The proposal is based on legislation from Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Penn., who says almost a third of Americans age 19 to 29 have no health insurance coverage. Google/The Associated Press (10/13)

Solutions:

For more information about unique programs, please contact an OptumHealth sales representative by calling toll-free (866) 427-6845, 8am - 6pm CST, M-F. Or email us at engage@optumhealth.com

SmartQuote

The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not."

--Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens, American author

Subscriber Tools

Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

About OptumHealth

OptumHealth optimizes the health and well-being of individuals and organizations through personalized health management solutions that help people stay healthy, get healthy or live with health conditions. optumhealth.com.


	Recent OptumHealth Insights Issues: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Monday, August 31, 2009 Thursday, August 13, 2009 Monday, August 03, 2009			Distributed by: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005