The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) joins more than 150 national organizations in supporting Cover the Uninsured Week (April 23-29, 2007), the nation's largest nonpartisan campaign to call attention to the need for reliable, affordable health coverage for all Americans.
Cover the Uninsured Week, spearheaded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, spotlights the plight of the more than 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. The 2007 campaign will have a special focus on uninsured children as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) comes up for congressional reauthorization this year. SCHIP provides health coverage for the children of working parents who cannot afford insurance on their own.
"In 2005, nearly 22 million women had no health insurance, and 13% of all pregnant women in the US were uninsured. Additionally, thousands of Americans die each year solely because they do not have health coverage," says ACOG President Douglas W. Laube, MD, MEd. "The problem of uninsured Americans is not going away and will require the continued attention of the medical community and our elected officials. As ob-gyns, we must remain committed to advocating for better insurance coverage on our patients' behalf," he adds.
Access to health care is key to preventing or lowering the risk of chronic disease and managing current medical conditions. However, uninsured women are less likely to receive important preventive health care and screening tests, such as clinical breast exams and tests for cervical cancer, than are insured women. They are also more likely to receive diagnoses at more advanced disease stages and tend to receive less medical treatment once diagnosed.
ACOG Fellows are urged to participate in Cover the Uninsured Week to raise awareness of the plight of the uninsured in their hometowns and across the nation. During April 23-29, more than 1,000 events will take place in all 50 states and Washington, DC, in which participants will join together to tell their leaders that health care coverage for all Americans must be a top priority.
For more information about Cover the Uninsured Week and scheduled events, go to covertheuninsured.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is the national medical organization representing over 51,000 members who provide health care for women.
четверг, 7 июня 2012 г.
четверг, 31 мая 2012 г.
Some Experts Link Economic Downturn To Increase In Abortions, Vasectomies
Some women's health experts say the recent economic downturn has become a factor in couples' family planning decisions, including decisions about abortion and vasectomy procedures, Reuters reports. Although it is too soon for data to show that the number of abortions has increased since the economic downturn, experts say anecdotal evidence suggests that the economy is affecting the number of abortions. The abortion rate in 2005 -- the latest year data are available -- fell to the lowest point since 1974, according to the Guttmacher Institute. However, Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation, which operates a hotline for women seeking information on abortion, said there has been an influx in the number of calls, particularly from women who report losing their jobs or facing eviction. Saporta said, "As more and more women and families are struggling due to the crisis, it's affecting more than just low-income families," noting that more moderate-income families are seeking information and "facing the same types of problems" that the group typically sees among lower-income women.
Meanwhile, some abortion assistance groups report that they are facing funding shortfalls just as they are experiencing more requests for aid, Reuters reports. The New York Abortion Access Fund increased abortion-related funding by 60% compared with last year, and the number of women receiving assistance has more than doubled. The economic downturn also is affecting men's decisions to undergo vasectomies, according to Lawrence Ross, former president of the American Urological Association. Ross said he and his colleagues have seen about a 50% increase in the number of vasectomies performed in the past four to six months, which he attributed in part to the economy. "Many of them are afraid they are going to lose their jobs and their health insurance," which "push[es] them over the edge to get it done more quickly," Ross said (Kebede, Reuters, 4/22).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. 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.
Meanwhile, some abortion assistance groups report that they are facing funding shortfalls just as they are experiencing more requests for aid, Reuters reports. The New York Abortion Access Fund increased abortion-related funding by 60% compared with last year, and the number of women receiving assistance has more than doubled. The economic downturn also is affecting men's decisions to undergo vasectomies, according to Lawrence Ross, former president of the American Urological Association. Ross said he and his colleagues have seen about a 50% increase in the number of vasectomies performed in the past four to six months, which he attributed in part to the economy. "Many of them are afraid they are going to lose their jobs and their health insurance," which "push[es] them over the edge to get it done more quickly," Ross said (Kebede, Reuters, 4/22).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. 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.
четверг, 24 мая 2012 г.
Study Improves Recovery For Mothers With Depression
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a therapy programme to treat depression in women in developing countries.
Although depression is a major health problem world-wide, experts say its impact is greatest in developing countries where 80% of the population live. Often there are no resources available to treat sufferers.
Professor Atif Rahman from the School of Population, Community and Behavioural Sciences developed a therapy programme while working as a Wellcome Trust Career Fellow in Tropical Medicine in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
"Depression is one of the leading causes of mental illness in the world and when the condition affects mothers with newborn babies, it can lead to serious consequences" he says. "The impacts include low birth-weight, poor growth, frequent diarrhoea and the mother failing to ensure the child is properly immunised. These conditions tend to remain untreated in countries like Pakistan where only a fraction of the Government's budget is spent on health.
The programme, which is designed to be integrated into the routine work of ordinary village-based health workers, has been tested in Rawalpindi. Community health workers visiting expectant mothers are trained to use principles of cognitive behaviour therapy as treatment. Patients attend sessions every week in the last month of pregnancy, followed by three sessions in the first post-natal month, and nine monthly sessions thereafter.
The largest trial of the treatment of depression using community health workers from any country in the developing world involved 903 mothers 463 of whom were in the therapy group. The mothers from this control group were twice as likely to be depressed as those given the therapy after six and 12 months.
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
Liverpool
L69 3BX
liv.ac
Although depression is a major health problem world-wide, experts say its impact is greatest in developing countries where 80% of the population live. Often there are no resources available to treat sufferers.
Professor Atif Rahman from the School of Population, Community and Behavioural Sciences developed a therapy programme while working as a Wellcome Trust Career Fellow in Tropical Medicine in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
"Depression is one of the leading causes of mental illness in the world and when the condition affects mothers with newborn babies, it can lead to serious consequences" he says. "The impacts include low birth-weight, poor growth, frequent diarrhoea and the mother failing to ensure the child is properly immunised. These conditions tend to remain untreated in countries like Pakistan where only a fraction of the Government's budget is spent on health.
The programme, which is designed to be integrated into the routine work of ordinary village-based health workers, has been tested in Rawalpindi. Community health workers visiting expectant mothers are trained to use principles of cognitive behaviour therapy as treatment. Patients attend sessions every week in the last month of pregnancy, followed by three sessions in the first post-natal month, and nine monthly sessions thereafter.
The largest trial of the treatment of depression using community health workers from any country in the developing world involved 903 mothers 463 of whom were in the therapy group. The mothers from this control group were twice as likely to be depressed as those given the therapy after six and 12 months.
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
Liverpool
L69 3BX
liv.ac
четверг, 17 мая 2012 г.
Many Women Undertreated For Ovarian Cancer
One in three ovarian cancer patients in the U.S. fails to receive the recommended comprehensive surgical treatment, according to a study in the May 15, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study of hospital data from nine states found that women who were over 70, of African American or Hispanic race, or insured by Medicaid, were at greatest risk for undertreatment. In addition, women treated by non-gynecological oncologists, by surgeons who perform few ovarian cancer surgeries, and at facilities that perform fewer than 10 procedures per year were less likely to receive recommended surgical care.
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies to women, taking the lives of more than 14,000 women in the U.S. each year. The disease is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, and five-year survival is only 30-40 percent when all of the cancer can be resected and falls to 15 percent when residual disease remains after surgery.
Previous research has shown that women who receive care from a specific cancer specialist, the gynecologic oncologist; at a hospital that performs a high volume of ovarian cancer surgeries; or at a teaching hospital have significantly better short-term and long-term outcomes. However, the few studies investigating healthcare utilization of ovarian cancer patients suggest that few women receive such care. In one state, only 39 percent of women were treated by a gynecologic oncologist and 91 percent of the treating surgeons in another state performed an average one ovarian cancer case per year.
Dr. Barbara Goff, from the University of Washington, Seattle, and co-investigators analyzed hospital data from up to nine states over a three year period (1999-2002) to identify patient, surgeon and hospital factors associated with comprehensive surgical care.
This study's authors report that only 67 percent of the 10,432 women whose cases they reviewed received the recommended comprehensive surgical procedures. The study found 42 percent of patients were treated at teaching hospitals, while a third were treated at a hospital that performed fewer than 10 ovarian cancer surgeries per year. Analysis of the surgeon's attributes showed that almost half of the women were treated by physicians who performed fewer than 10 procedures per year and 25 percent were cared for by surgeons who perform only one ovarian cancer surgery annually.
The study also identified several patient factors that predicted the likelihood a patient received comprehensive surgical care, including: age under 50 years; Caucasian race; advanced tumor stage; and having private insurance. Other significant predictive factors included surgeon volume, surgeon specialty and hospital volume in non-teaching hospitals. Hospital volume did not influence comprehensive surgery rates in teaching hospitals.
Based on the findings, the authors recommend that "all ovarian cancer patients, especially those who are vulnerable because of age, race, or socioeconomic status, are referred to centers or surgeons from whom they are more likely to get optimal surgery."
Article: "Predictors of Comprehensive Surgical Treatment in Patients With Ovarian Cancer," Barbara Goff, Barbara J. Matthews, Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Michelle Wynn, Denise M. Lishner, Laura-Mae Baldwin, CANCER: Published Online: April 9, 2007 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr. 22604); Print Issue Date: May 15, 2007.
Contact: Amy Molnar
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies to women, taking the lives of more than 14,000 women in the U.S. each year. The disease is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, and five-year survival is only 30-40 percent when all of the cancer can be resected and falls to 15 percent when residual disease remains after surgery.
Previous research has shown that women who receive care from a specific cancer specialist, the gynecologic oncologist; at a hospital that performs a high volume of ovarian cancer surgeries; or at a teaching hospital have significantly better short-term and long-term outcomes. However, the few studies investigating healthcare utilization of ovarian cancer patients suggest that few women receive such care. In one state, only 39 percent of women were treated by a gynecologic oncologist and 91 percent of the treating surgeons in another state performed an average one ovarian cancer case per year.
Dr. Barbara Goff, from the University of Washington, Seattle, and co-investigators analyzed hospital data from up to nine states over a three year period (1999-2002) to identify patient, surgeon and hospital factors associated with comprehensive surgical care.
This study's authors report that only 67 percent of the 10,432 women whose cases they reviewed received the recommended comprehensive surgical procedures. The study found 42 percent of patients were treated at teaching hospitals, while a third were treated at a hospital that performed fewer than 10 ovarian cancer surgeries per year. Analysis of the surgeon's attributes showed that almost half of the women were treated by physicians who performed fewer than 10 procedures per year and 25 percent were cared for by surgeons who perform only one ovarian cancer surgery annually.
The study also identified several patient factors that predicted the likelihood a patient received comprehensive surgical care, including: age under 50 years; Caucasian race; advanced tumor stage; and having private insurance. Other significant predictive factors included surgeon volume, surgeon specialty and hospital volume in non-teaching hospitals. Hospital volume did not influence comprehensive surgery rates in teaching hospitals.
Based on the findings, the authors recommend that "all ovarian cancer patients, especially those who are vulnerable because of age, race, or socioeconomic status, are referred to centers or surgeons from whom they are more likely to get optimal surgery."
Article: "Predictors of Comprehensive Surgical Treatment in Patients With Ovarian Cancer," Barbara Goff, Barbara J. Matthews, Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Michelle Wynn, Denise M. Lishner, Laura-Mae Baldwin, CANCER: Published Online: April 9, 2007 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr. 22604); Print Issue Date: May 15, 2007.
Contact: Amy Molnar
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
четверг, 10 мая 2012 г.
Groups Launch Internet-Based 'Living Quilt' To Increase Awareness About HIV/AIDS Among Women In Southern U.S.
An Internet-based "living quilt" is scheduled to be launched on Wednesday in New Orleans to increase awareness of the effect of HIV/AIDS on women in the South, particularly minorities, the AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The Southern AIDS Living Quilt initiative will feature videos about women affected by the disease and highlight the disproportionate effect of HIV/AIDS on women. The project also will provide information about testing and prevention measures (AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune, 10/17).
The Southern AIDS Coalition and Test for Life will launch the project. According to the coalition, 70% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana are minorities, and AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 34 (Southern AIDS Coalition release, 10/16).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
The Southern AIDS Coalition and Test for Life will launch the project. According to the coalition, 70% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana are minorities, and AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 34 (Southern AIDS Coalition release, 10/16).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
четверг, 3 мая 2012 г.
BioSante Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation Of LibiGel(R) Study To Evaluate Its Effect On Cognitive Function In Women
BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPAX) announced the initiation of a LibiGel® (testosterone gel) clinical trial to evaluate its effect on cognitive function in menopausal women. The trial is a randomized, 6-month comparison of the effect of LibiGel compared to placebo treatment on a variety of learning and memory tasks. The study is being conducted by Dr. Susan Davis, Professor of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University Women's Health Program in Australia.
As previously reported, studies conducted by Dr. Davis have shown that testosterone significantly improved cognitive function, specifically visual and verbal learning and memory in menopausal women in a six month study. In addition, there was a reduction in parietal lobe blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal intensity during mental rotation, potentially indicating less neuronal recruitment being required to complete tasks.
"If this study demonstrates that testosterone improves cognitive performance, learning and memory, in healthy older women with normal cognition for their age, as compared to placebo, testosterone may be a potential strategy for the prevention of cognitive decline," said Dr. Davis. Further information about this study can be found here.
"It is exciting that a new clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate whether testosterone improves memory and learning," said Dr. Michael C. Snabes, BioSante's vice president of clinical development. "Positive results from this new study could provide scientific evidence for an additional advantage of testosterone for menopausal women."
About LibiGel
LibiGel® (testosterone gel) is in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of women who suffer from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The on-going Phase III efficacy trials are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that will enroll up to approximately 500 surgically menopausal women each for a six-month clinical trial. The efficacy trials are being conducted under an FDA-approved special protocol assessment (SPA) agreement. LibiGel is absorbed quickly through the skin after a once-daily pea-sized application on the upper arm, delivering testosterone to the bloodstream evenly over time and in a non-invasive and painless manner.
In a Phase II trial, LibiGel significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual events in surgically menopausal women suffering from FSD by 238 percent versus baseline (p
As previously reported, studies conducted by Dr. Davis have shown that testosterone significantly improved cognitive function, specifically visual and verbal learning and memory in menopausal women in a six month study. In addition, there was a reduction in parietal lobe blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal intensity during mental rotation, potentially indicating less neuronal recruitment being required to complete tasks.
"If this study demonstrates that testosterone improves cognitive performance, learning and memory, in healthy older women with normal cognition for their age, as compared to placebo, testosterone may be a potential strategy for the prevention of cognitive decline," said Dr. Davis. Further information about this study can be found here.
"It is exciting that a new clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate whether testosterone improves memory and learning," said Dr. Michael C. Snabes, BioSante's vice president of clinical development. "Positive results from this new study could provide scientific evidence for an additional advantage of testosterone for menopausal women."
About LibiGel
LibiGel® (testosterone gel) is in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of women who suffer from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The on-going Phase III efficacy trials are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that will enroll up to approximately 500 surgically menopausal women each for a six-month clinical trial. The efficacy trials are being conducted under an FDA-approved special protocol assessment (SPA) agreement. LibiGel is absorbed quickly through the skin after a once-daily pea-sized application on the upper arm, delivering testosterone to the bloodstream evenly over time and in a non-invasive and painless manner.
In a Phase II trial, LibiGel significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual events in surgically menopausal women suffering from FSD by 238 percent versus baseline (p
четверг, 26 апреля 2012 г.
First Coast Medicare To Provide Case By Case Reimbursement For The Renessa(R) Treatment For Incontinence In Women
Novasys Medical, Inc., a developer of innovative therapies in women's health, announced that as of July 1, 2009, First Coast Service Options, Inc. ("First Coast"), a large regional Medicare carrier serving over 3 million beneficiaries in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, has removed the non-surgical Renessa(R) treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) from its noncovered services list and will be looking at claims for the Renessa procedure on an individual case by case basis.
On its Web site, First Coast states, "in order to provide an option for those physicians who are appropriately trained in treating women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and who are appropriately trained in performing the Renessa procedure, we will be removing Renessa from our noncovered LCD and we will be looking at claims for the Renessa procedure on an individual case by case basis." First Coast goes on to state that it "expects that providers submitting claims for Renessa are providing the services within the FDA approved guidelines and in accordance with the indications supported by peer-reviewed literature which limits its use to moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females."
"We are very pleased with First Coast's decision," said Debra Reisenthel, Novasys Medical President and Chief Executive Officer, "as it enables access to this safe and effective treatment option for Medicare beneficiaries in Florida with moderate to severe SUI." First Coast joins Noridian Medicare, a large regional carrier administering benefits in nine states, in providing reimbursement for the Renessa procedure. Other private insurers, including AvMed and HealthFirst in Florida and Aetna US Healthcare nationwide, also cover this safe and effective non-surgical treatment for women who suffer from the debilitating effects of SUI.
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
SUI is the involuntary leakage of urine associated with laughing, coughing, sneezing and recreational activities. The condition is caused by a variety of factors, most commonly childbirth, and often restricts the social, professional, and personal lives of a significant number of women. With currently available surgical and non-surgical SUI therapies, many patients and physicians have concerns about safety, recovery, compliance, and/or effectiveness.
The FDA-cleared Renessa System includes a small probe which a physician passes through the natural opening of the urethra (transurethral). The probe heats multiple small treatment sites in the submucosa of the bladder neck and upper urethra, denaturing the patient's own collagen in the tissue, thereby reducing or eliminating leaks. The Renessa treatment can be performed in the convenience of a physician's office using local anesthesia. There are no incisions, bandages or dressings required. Recovery is rapid and comfortable, with minimal post-procedure limitations. The Renessa treatment offers an option for women who have tried conservative therapies such as Kegel exercises or biofeedback without success, but who cannot have or do not desire an invasive surgical procedure. To date, over 350 urologists, urogynecologists and gynecologists in 40 states have been trained and have performed the Renessa procedure in over 2500 patients.
About Novasys Medical
Novasys Medical, Inc. is a privately held, venture-backed company which develops innovative therapies in women's health. The company's initial focus is the development and commercialization of the Renessa System, a proprietary, non-surgical approach to the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Source: Novasys Medical, Inc
On its Web site, First Coast states, "in order to provide an option for those physicians who are appropriately trained in treating women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and who are appropriately trained in performing the Renessa procedure, we will be removing Renessa from our noncovered LCD and we will be looking at claims for the Renessa procedure on an individual case by case basis." First Coast goes on to state that it "expects that providers submitting claims for Renessa are providing the services within the FDA approved guidelines and in accordance with the indications supported by peer-reviewed literature which limits its use to moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females."
"We are very pleased with First Coast's decision," said Debra Reisenthel, Novasys Medical President and Chief Executive Officer, "as it enables access to this safe and effective treatment option for Medicare beneficiaries in Florida with moderate to severe SUI." First Coast joins Noridian Medicare, a large regional carrier administering benefits in nine states, in providing reimbursement for the Renessa procedure. Other private insurers, including AvMed and HealthFirst in Florida and Aetna US Healthcare nationwide, also cover this safe and effective non-surgical treatment for women who suffer from the debilitating effects of SUI.
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
SUI is the involuntary leakage of urine associated with laughing, coughing, sneezing and recreational activities. The condition is caused by a variety of factors, most commonly childbirth, and often restricts the social, professional, and personal lives of a significant number of women. With currently available surgical and non-surgical SUI therapies, many patients and physicians have concerns about safety, recovery, compliance, and/or effectiveness.
The FDA-cleared Renessa System includes a small probe which a physician passes through the natural opening of the urethra (transurethral). The probe heats multiple small treatment sites in the submucosa of the bladder neck and upper urethra, denaturing the patient's own collagen in the tissue, thereby reducing or eliminating leaks. The Renessa treatment can be performed in the convenience of a physician's office using local anesthesia. There are no incisions, bandages or dressings required. Recovery is rapid and comfortable, with minimal post-procedure limitations. The Renessa treatment offers an option for women who have tried conservative therapies such as Kegel exercises or biofeedback without success, but who cannot have or do not desire an invasive surgical procedure. To date, over 350 urologists, urogynecologists and gynecologists in 40 states have been trained and have performed the Renessa procedure in over 2500 patients.
About Novasys Medical
Novasys Medical, Inc. is a privately held, venture-backed company which develops innovative therapies in women's health. The company's initial focus is the development and commercialization of the Renessa System, a proprietary, non-surgical approach to the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Source: Novasys Medical, Inc
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