Richard Franki

The cost of topical anesthetics and topical anti-infectives rose considerably from 1999 to 2008, while the price of topical steroids with and without anti-infectives fell, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The mean expense for a single purchase of a prescribed topical anti-infective went from $32 in 1999 to $198 in 2008, an increase of 519%. The per-prescription price of topical anesthetics rose by even more – 676%.

The mean cost of a topical steroid fell by 41%, and the cost of filling a prescription for a combined topical steroid/anti-infective dropped 69%, according to the AHRQ report. All of the 1999 figures were adjusted for inflation.

The total expenditure for dermatologic drugs dropped from $3.3 billion in 1999 to $3.0 billion in 2008, a nonsignificant change. The total number of prescriptions for dermatologic agents fell from 75.8 million to 45.0 million, according to the report.

Notes: Based on data from the civilian noninstitutionalized population from the 1999 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Data adjusted to 2008 dollars. Topical psoriasis drugs not included due to small sample size.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The cost of topical anesthetics and topical anti-infectives rose considerably from 1999 to 2008, while the price of topical steroids with and without anti-infectives fell, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The mean expense for a single purchase of a prescribed topical anti-infective went from $32 in 1999 to $198 in 2008, an increase of 519%. The per-prescription price of topical anesthetics rose by even more – 676%.

The mean cost of a topical steroid fell by 41%, and the cost of filling a prescription for a combined topical steroid/anti-infective dropped 69%, according to the AHRQ report. All of the 1999 figures were adjusted for inflation.

The total expenditure for dermatologic drugs dropped from $3.3 billion in 1999 to $3.0 billion in 2008, a nonsignificant change. The total number of prescriptions for dermatologic agents fell from 75.8 million to 45.0 million, according to the report.

Notes: Based on data from the civilian noninstitutionalized population from the 1999 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Data adjusted to 2008 dollars. Topical psoriasis drugs not included due to small sample size.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The cost of topical anesthetics and topical anti-infectives rose considerably from 1999 to 2008, while the price of topical steroids with and without anti-infectives fell, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The mean expense for a single purchase of a prescribed topical anti-infective went from $32 in 1999 to $198 in 2008, an increase of 519%. The per-prescription price of topical anesthetics rose by even more – 676%.

The mean cost of a topical steroid fell by 41%, and the cost of filling a prescription for a combined topical steroid/anti-infective dropped 69%, according to the AHRQ report. All of the 1999 figures were adjusted for inflation.

The total expenditure for dermatologic drugs dropped from $3.3 billion in 1999 to $3.0 billion in 2008, a nonsignificant change. The total number of prescriptions for dermatologic agents fell from 75.8 million to 45.0 million, according to the report.

Notes: Based on data from the civilian noninstitutionalized population from the 1999 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Data adjusted to 2008 dollars. Topical psoriasis drugs not included due to small sample size.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The percentage of Americans who reported difficulties affording prescription medications remained stable from 2007 to 2010, according to a report from the Center for Studying Health System Change.

According to the report, 13% of respondents said they were unable to meet their prescription drug needs because of cost concerns in 2010, compared with 13.1% in 2007. "This translates to approximately 39 million Americans going without needed prescriptions because of cost concerns in 2010," authors of the report wrote.

Notes: The sample size for the 2010 survey was 17,000, with response rates of 46% for the landline sample and 29% for the cell phone sample. Previous surveys used only a landline sample. The sample size for the 2007 survey was 18,000, with a 43% response rate. The sample size for 2003 was 47,000, with a 57% response rate.

Source: Center for Studying Health System Change – 2003 Community Tracking Study Household Survey and 2007 and 2010 Health Tracking Household Surveys

The percentage of Americans who reported difficulties affording prescription medications remained stable from 2007 to 2010, according to a report from the Center for Studying Health System Change.

According to the report, 13% of respondents said they were unable to meet their prescription drug needs because of cost concerns in 2010, compared with 13.1% in 2007. "This translates to approximately 39 million Americans going without needed prescriptions because of cost concerns in 2010," authors of the report wrote.

Notes: The sample size for the 2010 survey was 17,000, with response rates of 46% for the landline sample and 29% for the cell phone sample. Previous surveys used only a landline sample. The sample size for the 2007 survey was 18,000, with a 43% response rate. The sample size for 2003 was 47,000, with a 57% response rate.

Source: Center for Studying Health System Change – 2003 Community Tracking Study Household Survey and 2007 and 2010 Health Tracking Household Surveys

The percentage of Americans who reported difficulties affording prescription medications remained stable from 2007 to 2010, according to a report from the Center for Studying Health System Change.

According to the report, 13% of respondents said they were unable to meet their prescription drug needs because of cost concerns in 2010, compared with 13.1% in 2007. "This translates to approximately 39 million Americans going without needed prescriptions because of cost concerns in 2010," authors of the report wrote.

Notes: The sample size for the 2010 survey was 17,000, with response rates of 46% for the landline sample and 29% for the cell phone sample. Previous surveys used only a landline sample. The sample size for the 2007 survey was 18,000, with a 43% response rate. The sample size for 2003 was 47,000, with a 57% response rate.

Source: Center for Studying Health System Change – 2003 Community Tracking Study Household Survey and 2007 and 2010 Health Tracking Household Surveys

From 1997 to 2009, the average cost of an inpatient hospital stay rose 43% for nonelderly patients and 34% for elderly patients, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The total cost of inpatient admissions for nonelderly (64 years old and younger) patients was $207.6 billion in 2009, up from an inflation-adjusted $123.3 billion in 1997. Total cost for the elderly (65 years and older) went from $106.1 billion in 1997 to $153.9 billion in 2009, the AHRQ said.

Growth in the cost of care for the elderly "was dampened by a decline in the average length of stay ... as well as by a decrease in the number of stays per population," the report said. The rate of stays among elderly patients dropped from 363 per 1,000 population in 1997 to 342 per 1,000 in 2009, while the average length of stay went from 6.4 days in 1997 to 5.4 days in 2009.

Without these declines, "the aggregate cost of elderly stays would have exceeded that of the nonelderly," the AHRQ noted.

Note: Based on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

From 1997 to 2009, the average cost of an inpatient hospital stay rose 43% for nonelderly patients and 34% for elderly patients, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The total cost of inpatient admissions for nonelderly (64 years old and younger) patients was $207.6 billion in 2009, up from an inflation-adjusted $123.3 billion in 1997. Total cost for the elderly (65 years and older) went from $106.1 billion in 1997 to $153.9 billion in 2009, the AHRQ said.

Growth in the cost of care for the elderly "was dampened by a decline in the average length of stay ... as well as by a decrease in the number of stays per population," the report said. The rate of stays among elderly patients dropped from 363 per 1,000 population in 1997 to 342 per 1,000 in 2009, while the average length of stay went from 6.4 days in 1997 to 5.4 days in 2009.

Without these declines, "the aggregate cost of elderly stays would have exceeded that of the nonelderly," the AHRQ noted.

Note: Based on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

From 1997 to 2009, the average cost of an inpatient hospital stay rose 43% for nonelderly patients and 34% for elderly patients, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The total cost of inpatient admissions for nonelderly (64 years old and younger) patients was $207.6 billion in 2009, up from an inflation-adjusted $123.3 billion in 1997. Total cost for the elderly (65 years and older) went from $106.1 billion in 1997 to $153.9 billion in 2009, the AHRQ said.

Growth in the cost of care for the elderly "was dampened by a decline in the average length of stay ... as well as by a decrease in the number of stays per population," the report said. The rate of stays among elderly patients dropped from 363 per 1,000 population in 1997 to 342 per 1,000 in 2009, while the average length of stay went from 6.4 days in 1997 to 5.4 days in 2009.

Without these declines, "the aggregate cost of elderly stays would have exceeded that of the nonelderly," the AHRQ noted.

Note: Based on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Acute bronchitis was the most commonly treated condition in U.S. children aged 17 years and under in 2008, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

A total of 11.9 million children received treatment for acute bronchitis at a cost of $2.7 billion in 2008. The five most commonly treated conditions – bronchitis, asthma, trauma-related disorders, otitis media, and mental disorders – accounted for 60.4% of all ambulatory visits among noninstitutionalized children, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) said.

At $12.2 billion, the total cost of treatment for mental disorders was the highest among the top five in 2008, even though it was the least common. The cost of asthma treatment was next at $9.3 billion, followed by trauma ($6.9 billion), bronchitis, and otitis ($2.3 billion), the AHRQ reported.

Total spending for the year on all conditions in children was $114.5 billion. The figures for these conditions include medical services such as ambulatory visits, inpatient stays, emergency care, prescription medications, and home health care visits, the AHRQ said.

Note: Based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Acute bronchitis was the most commonly treated condition in U.S. children aged 17 years and under in 2008, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

A total of 11.9 million children received treatment for acute bronchitis at a cost of $2.7 billion in 2008. The five most commonly treated conditions – bronchitis, asthma, trauma-related disorders, otitis media, and mental disorders – accounted for 60.4% of all ambulatory visits among noninstitutionalized children, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) said.

At $12.2 billion, the total cost of treatment for mental disorders was the highest among the top five in 2008, even though it was the least common. The cost of asthma treatment was next at $9.3 billion, followed by trauma ($6.9 billion), bronchitis, and otitis ($2.3 billion), the AHRQ reported.

Total spending for the year on all conditions in children was $114.5 billion. The figures for these conditions include medical services such as ambulatory visits, inpatient stays, emergency care, prescription medications, and home health care visits, the AHRQ said.

Note: Based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Acute bronchitis was the most commonly treated condition in U.S. children aged 17 years and under in 2008, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

A total of 11.9 million children received treatment for acute bronchitis at a cost of $2.7 billion in 2008. The five most commonly treated conditions – bronchitis, asthma, trauma-related disorders, otitis media, and mental disorders – accounted for 60.4% of all ambulatory visits among noninstitutionalized children, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) said.

At $12.2 billion, the total cost of treatment for mental disorders was the highest among the top five in 2008, even though it was the least common. The cost of asthma treatment was next at $9.3 billion, followed by trauma ($6.9 billion), bronchitis, and otitis ($2.3 billion), the AHRQ reported.

Total spending for the year on all conditions in children was $114.5 billion. The figures for these conditions include medical services such as ambulatory visits, inpatient stays, emergency care, prescription medications, and home health care visits, the AHRQ said.

Note: Based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Vermont earned the top health rating in the United States for the third year in a row, according to the 2011 edition of "America’s Health Rankings."

New England is well represented in the top five, with New Hampshire second, Connecticut third, and Massachusetts fifth. Hawaii is ranked fourth. The lowest-ranked state is Mississippi, with Louisiana 49th, Oklahoma 48th, Arkansas 47th, and Alabama 46th. Mississippi has been the 50th-ranked state for the last 10 years, and has finished among the bottom three every year since the rankings were first compiled in 1990, the report notes.

"America’s Health Rankings" is published jointly by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and Partnership for Prevention. The private, not-for-profit United Health Foundation was founded in 1999 by UnitedHealth Group, which operates UnitedHealthcare.

Note: State scores are calculated using 23 measures, including early prenatal care, poor mental health days, obesity prevalence, air pollution, and public health funding.

Source: United Health Foundation

Vermont earned the top health rating in the United States for the third year in a row, according to the 2011 edition of "America’s Health Rankings."

New England is well represented in the top five, with New Hampshire second, Connecticut third, and Massachusetts fifth. Hawaii is ranked fourth. The lowest-ranked state is Mississippi, with Louisiana 49th, Oklahoma 48th, Arkansas 47th, and Alabama 46th. Mississippi has been the 50th-ranked state for the last 10 years, and has finished among the bottom three every year since the rankings were first compiled in 1990, the report notes.

"America’s Health Rankings" is published jointly by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and Partnership for Prevention. The private, not-for-profit United Health Foundation was founded in 1999 by UnitedHealth Group, which operates UnitedHealthcare.

Note: State scores are calculated using 23 measures, including early prenatal care, poor mental health days, obesity prevalence, air pollution, and public health funding.

Source: United Health Foundation

Vermont earned the top health rating in the United States for the third year in a row, according to the 2011 edition of "America’s Health Rankings."

New England is well represented in the top five, with New Hampshire second, Connecticut third, and Massachusetts fifth. Hawaii is ranked fourth. The lowest-ranked state is Mississippi, with Louisiana 49th, Oklahoma 48th, Arkansas 47th, and Alabama 46th. Mississippi has been the 50th-ranked state for the last 10 years, and has finished among the bottom three every year since the rankings were first compiled in 1990, the report notes.

"America’s Health Rankings" is published jointly by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and Partnership for Prevention. The private, not-for-profit United Health Foundation was founded in 1999 by UnitedHealth Group, which operates UnitedHealthcare.

Note: State scores are calculated using 23 measures, including early prenatal care, poor mental health days, obesity prevalence, air pollution, and public health funding.

Source: United Health Foundation

Overall death rates for cancer dropped by 1.8% per year in men and 1.6% per year in women from 2004 to 2008 in the United States, while incidence rates declined by 0.6% per year in men and were stable in women over the same period, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

The most rapid declines in death rates occurred among African American and Hispanic men (2.4% and 2.3% per year, respectively). Even with the decline, African American men still have a 33% higher death rate than white men, and a 15% higher incidence. African American women have a 16% higher death rate but a 6% lower incidence than white women, the society said.

Lung cancer accounted for almost 40% of the total decline in deaths for men, and breast cancer accounted for 34% of the total decline in deaths among women, the report noted.

A total of 1.6 million new cancer cases are projected in the United States for 2012, along with 577,190 deaths, according to the society.

Note: Estimates are based on 1995-2008 incidence rates as reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

Source: American Cancer Society

Overall death rates for cancer dropped by 1.8% per year in men and 1.6% per year in women from 2004 to 2008 in the United States, while incidence rates declined by 0.6% per year in men and were stable in women over the same period, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

The most rapid declines in death rates occurred among African American and Hispanic men (2.4% and 2.3% per year, respectively). Even with the decline, African American men still have a 33% higher death rate than white men, and a 15% higher incidence. African American women have a 16% higher death rate but a 6% lower incidence than white women, the society said.

Lung cancer accounted for almost 40% of the total decline in deaths for men, and breast cancer accounted for 34% of the total decline in deaths among women, the report noted.

A total of 1.6 million new cancer cases are projected in the United States for 2012, along with 577,190 deaths, according to the society.

Note: Estimates are based on 1995-2008 incidence rates as reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

Source: American Cancer Society

Overall death rates for cancer dropped by 1.8% per year in men and 1.6% per year in women from 2004 to 2008 in the United States, while incidence rates declined by 0.6% per year in men and were stable in women over the same period, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

The most rapid declines in death rates occurred among African American and Hispanic men (2.4% and 2.3% per year, respectively). Even with the decline, African American men still have a 33% higher death rate than white men, and a 15% higher incidence. African American women have a 16% higher death rate but a 6% lower incidence than white women, the society said.

Lung cancer accounted for almost 40% of the total decline in deaths for men, and breast cancer accounted for 34% of the total decline in deaths among women, the report noted.

A total of 1.6 million new cancer cases are projected in the United States for 2012, along with 577,190 deaths, according to the society.

Note: Estimates are based on 1995-2008 incidence rates as reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

Source: American Cancer Society

Melanoma survivors are more likely to regularly use sunscreen, when compared with individuals who have never had cancer, but only 46.2% of survivors report frequent use, according to a new study published online.

Among 156 melanoma survivors who took part in the 2005 and 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey, 25% reported always using sunscreen and 21.2% reported often using sunscreen when outdoors for more than an hour on a warm, sunny day. Frequent use among those who reported never having cancer (n = 11,408) was 32.4% (14.5% always/17.9% often), reported Deborah Mayer, Ph.D., and her associates at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The rate of frequent use of protective clothing was 70.5% among melanoma survivors and 65.8% for cancer-free control subjects. Frequent use of shade was 41% for melanoma survivors and 35.5% for controls (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2012;66;e9-10).

"Given the high risk for new skin cancers, one would expect higher adherence," wrote Dr. Mayer and her associates, who noted that "10 melanoma survivors reported using tanning beds after their cancer diagnosis."

The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute. The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest.

Note: 2005 and 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey data.

Source: J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2012;66;e9-10

Melanoma survivors are more likely to regularly use sunscreen, when compared with individuals who have never had cancer, but only 46.2% of survivors report frequent use, according to a new study published online.

Among 156 melanoma survivors who took part in the 2005 and 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey, 25% reported always using sunscreen and 21.2% reported often using sunscreen when outdoors for more than an hour on a warm, sunny day. Frequent use among those who reported never having cancer (n = 11,408) was 32.4% (14.5% always/17.9% often), reported Deborah Mayer, Ph.D., and her associates at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The rate of frequent use of protective clothing was 70.5% among melanoma survivors and 65.8% for cancer-free control subjects. Frequent use of shade was 41% for melanoma survivors and 35.5% for controls (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2012;66;e9-10).

"Given the high risk for new skin cancers, one would expect higher adherence," wrote Dr. Mayer and her associates, who noted that "10 melanoma survivors reported using tanning beds after their cancer diagnosis."

The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute. The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest.

Note: 2005 and 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey data.

Source: J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2012;66;e9-10

Melanoma survivors are more likely to regularly use sunscreen, when compared with individuals who have never had cancer, but only 46.2% of survivors report frequent use, according to a new study published online.

Among 156 melanoma survivors who took part in the 2005 and 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey, 25% reported always using sunscreen and 21.2% reported often using sunscreen when outdoors for more than an hour on a warm, sunny day. Frequent use among those who reported never having cancer (n = 11,408) was 32.4% (14.5% always/17.9% often), reported Deborah Mayer, Ph.D., and her associates at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The rate of frequent use of protective clothing was 70.5% among melanoma survivors and 65.8% for cancer-free control subjects. Frequent use of shade was 41% for melanoma survivors and 35.5% for controls (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2012;66;e9-10).

"Given the high risk for new skin cancers, one would expect higher adherence," wrote Dr. Mayer and her associates, who noted that "10 melanoma survivors reported using tanning beds after their cancer diagnosis."

The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute. The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest.

Note: 2005 and 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey data.

Source: J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2012;66;e9-10

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans increased by about 6% from April 2010 to April 2011, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

The GAO analysis – which excluded individuals with medical savings accounts as well as plans that only provided Part B benefits and certain plans that restricted enrollment – covered about 71% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

Total enrollment in the plans analyzed rose from 7.9 million in 2010 to 8.4 million in 2011, with total spending of $115 billion in 2010. Enrollment in HMOs, which have the largest share of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, rose by 9%. Local PPOs saw an increase of 38% and regional PPOs increased enrollment by 58%, but private fee-for-service plans saw a drop of 54%, the GAO said.

The number of Medicare Advantage plans went from 2,307 to 1,964 in the same period, with most of the decrease coming from the private fee-for-service sector, which declined from 435 plans to 239, according to the report.

Note: Total number of Medicare beneficiaries was 11.1 million in April 2010 and 11.8 million in April 2011.

Source: Government Accountability Office

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans increased by about 6% from April 2010 to April 2011, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

The GAO analysis – which excluded individuals with medical savings accounts as well as plans that only provided Part B benefits and certain plans that restricted enrollment – covered about 71% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

Total enrollment in the plans analyzed rose from 7.9 million in 2010 to 8.4 million in 2011, with total spending of $115 billion in 2010. Enrollment in HMOs, which have the largest share of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, rose by 9%. Local PPOs saw an increase of 38% and regional PPOs increased enrollment by 58%, but private fee-for-service plans saw a drop of 54%, the GAO said.

The number of Medicare Advantage plans went from 2,307 to 1,964 in the same period, with most of the decrease coming from the private fee-for-service sector, which declined from 435 plans to 239, according to the report.

Note: Total number of Medicare beneficiaries was 11.1 million in April 2010 and 11.8 million in April 2011.

Source: Government Accountability Office

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans increased by about 6% from April 2010 to April 2011, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

The GAO analysis – which excluded individuals with medical savings accounts as well as plans that only provided Part B benefits and certain plans that restricted enrollment – covered about 71% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

Total enrollment in the plans analyzed rose from 7.9 million in 2010 to 8.4 million in 2011, with total spending of $115 billion in 2010. Enrollment in HMOs, which have the largest share of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, rose by 9%. Local PPOs saw an increase of 38% and regional PPOs increased enrollment by 58%, but private fee-for-service plans saw a drop of 54%, the GAO said.

The number of Medicare Advantage plans went from 2,307 to 1,964 in the same period, with most of the decrease coming from the private fee-for-service sector, which declined from 435 plans to 239, according to the report.

Note: Total number of Medicare beneficiaries was 11.1 million in April 2010 and 11.8 million in April 2011.

Source: Government Accountability Office

The prevalence of coronary heart disease among adults in the United States declined 10.4% from 2006 to 2010, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that the overall rate fell from 6.7% in 2006 to 6.0% in 2010. Among racial/ethnic populations, the overall decline was mirrored among whites (down 9.4%) and Hispanics (down 11.6%) but not among blacks (up 1.6%). Prevalence was down 23.5% among Asians or Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders and was up 2.7% among American Indians/Alaska natives, the CDC said (MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011;60:1377-81).

CHD prevalence was down for both men and women, with considerable variation by sex. Prevalence for men dropped from 8.5% in 2006 to 7.8%; the rate for women went from 5.2% to 4.6%.

Since CHD mortality has been declining for half a century, prevalence should be increasing as more people live with the disease. The observed decline, however, suggests that efforts at prevention and risk factor control may be having an effect on CHD incidence, the CDC report noted.

Note: Based on age-adjusted data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Source: MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011;60:1377-81

The prevalence of coronary heart disease among adults in the United States declined 10.4% from 2006 to 2010, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that the overall rate fell from 6.7% in 2006 to 6.0% in 2010. Among racial/ethnic populations, the overall decline was mirrored among whites (down 9.4%) and Hispanics (down 11.6%) but not among blacks (up 1.6%). Prevalence was down 23.5% among Asians or Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders and was up 2.7% among American Indians/Alaska natives, the CDC said (MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011;60:1377-81).

CHD prevalence was down for both men and women, with considerable variation by sex. Prevalence for men dropped from 8.5% in 2006 to 7.8%; the rate for women went from 5.2% to 4.6%.

Since CHD mortality has been declining for half a century, prevalence should be increasing as more people live with the disease. The observed decline, however, suggests that efforts at prevention and risk factor control may be having an effect on CHD incidence, the CDC report noted.

Note: Based on age-adjusted data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Source: MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011;60:1377-81

The prevalence of coronary heart disease among adults in the United States declined 10.4% from 2006 to 2010, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that the overall rate fell from 6.7% in 2006 to 6.0% in 2010. Among racial/ethnic populations, the overall decline was mirrored among whites (down 9.4%) and Hispanics (down 11.6%) but not among blacks (up 1.6%). Prevalence was down 23.5% among Asians or Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders and was up 2.7% among American Indians/Alaska natives, the CDC said (MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011;60:1377-81).

CHD prevalence was down for both men and women, with considerable variation by sex. Prevalence for men dropped from 8.5% in 2006 to 7.8%; the rate for women went from 5.2% to 4.6%.

Since CHD mortality has been declining for half a century, prevalence should be increasing as more people live with the disease. The observed decline, however, suggests that efforts at prevention and risk factor control may be having an effect on CHD incidence, the CDC report noted.

Note: Based on age-adjusted data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Source: MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011;60:1377-81

Long-term unemployed Americans are almost twice as likely as are fully employed workers to skip or delay needed health care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation/NPR News survey released Dec. 12.

Among 713 respondents aged 18-64 years who were unemployed or underemployed for a year or more, 56% said that they had put off or postponed needed health care in the last 12 months, compared with 29% of the 757 respondents with full-time jobs. Unemployed people also were more likely to skip a recommended test or treatment and to not get a prescription filled, the survey said.

When they did seek health care, only 34% of the unemployed or underemployed went to a private physician’s office, compared with 63% of respondents who were full-time workers. Those with long-term unemployment or underemployment were at least three times as likely to be uninsured as were those who were employed full time: 53% for the unemployed, 48% for the underemployed, and 15% for the fully employed, according to the Kaiser/NPR survey.

Note: Based on a national survey conducted Oct. 17-Nov. 16, 2011.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, NPR

Long-term unemployed Americans are almost twice as likely as are fully employed workers to skip or delay needed health care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation/NPR News survey released Dec. 12.

Among 713 respondents aged 18-64 years who were unemployed or underemployed for a year or more, 56% said that they had put off or postponed needed health care in the last 12 months, compared with 29% of the 757 respondents with full-time jobs. Unemployed people also were more likely to skip a recommended test or treatment and to not get a prescription filled, the survey said.

When they did seek health care, only 34% of the unemployed or underemployed went to a private physician’s office, compared with 63% of respondents who were full-time workers. Those with long-term unemployment or underemployment were at least three times as likely to be uninsured as were those who were employed full time: 53% for the unemployed, 48% for the underemployed, and 15% for the fully employed, according to the Kaiser/NPR survey.

Note: Based on a national survey conducted Oct. 17-Nov. 16, 2011.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, NPR

Long-term unemployed Americans are almost twice as likely as are fully employed workers to skip or delay needed health care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation/NPR News survey released Dec. 12.

Among 713 respondents aged 18-64 years who were unemployed or underemployed for a year or more, 56% said that they had put off or postponed needed health care in the last 12 months, compared with 29% of the 757 respondents with full-time jobs. Unemployed people also were more likely to skip a recommended test or treatment and to not get a prescription filled, the survey said.

When they did seek health care, only 34% of the unemployed or underemployed went to a private physician’s office, compared with 63% of respondents who were full-time workers. Those with long-term unemployment or underemployment were at least three times as likely to be uninsured as were those who were employed full time: 53% for the unemployed, 48% for the underemployed, and 15% for the fully employed, according to the Kaiser/NPR survey.

Note: Based on a national survey conducted Oct. 17-Nov. 16, 2011.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, NPR