Chronic Illness, News & Research

Many cancer patients lack health insurance and this affects the treatment they receive. Uninsured people had fewer admissions, office visits, and other health care provider exchanges. The authors of this new study, published on the Health Affairs Web site, "conclude that expanding insurance coverage is the best way to improve cancer treatment." (Health Affairs) (pdf)

Find clear and practical strategies for talking to critically ill children when they want to know what is happening to them, what will be done to them, and what will it feel like.
Many other resources--some designed especially for parents (in English and Spanish) and others for teachers can be found on this rich Public Broadcasting Web site.

The Health Disparities Collaboratives (HDC) training manual and three resource manuals are now online. With a focus on collaborative care, the "manuals gather the best of what health centers have learned so far about improving the care of people with diabetes, asthma, and depression." (HDC)

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) issued new guidelines describing a "prehypertension" condition. Previously regarded as normal, blood pressure measuring between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, is now called prehypertension. A person with this condition is likely to develop hypertension and is encouraged to take action to reduce that likelihood. The NHLB has published new guidelines on their Web site.

The Pew Charitable Trust has an ongoing national program to put into place a system to track and monitor chronic diseases. The long-range goal is to help prevent diseases. Tracking trends and providing systematic information on chronic diseases, like childhood asthma and birth defect, could help discover causes and stimulate prevention efforts. A 3-page spring update on this project can be downloaded at the Trust's Web site.

A protein called C-reactive protein (CRP) produced by the liver and found in the blood seems to be a very good predictor of heart disease. There are other indicators, such as cholesterol levels, that indicate future development of cardiovascular disease but the test for CRP is easy and inexpensive.

A national public education initiative to focus on physical activity and obesity is underway. Supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJ), it is designed to provoke discussion and initiate action. A five-part series will be distributed free by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services on June 2 to U.S. newspapers. The program's producers are encouraging local organizations to participate with them in their efforts. A Community Action Guide in pdf format is available, along with other support materials, on the RWJ website.

Dr. Bruce Vladeck, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine delivered the keynote presentation at the Council of State Governments' State Official's Summit on Chronic Illness and Disease Management. Dr. Vladeck presented reasons why state leaders should pay attention to the needs of the chronically ill. View the webcast of this presentation or follow links to related information at the kaisernetwork.org Web site.

America's youth heard more beer and distilled spirits commercials on the radio in 2001 and 2002 than did people of legal drinking age, according to a report released by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown
University. Underage youth, ages 12-20, heard 14% more distilled spirits advertising than adults 21 and older. The exposure was even greater for the category, where youth heard 14% more advertising.

A new study reveals that physically fit adults are more likely to maintain
mental sharpness as they age. The study, performed at the VA Medical Center
in San Francisco, links cardiorespiratory fitness to mental function, though
the exact biological link is not quite clear.