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"Revolutionizing Healthcare" – An Event At The National Press Club

This event looks interesting to me – care to join me on Sept 5? Contact:  Larry Wojno. Here’s the press release:

Revolutionizing Health Care

Grace-Marie Turner, CEO Galen Institute — founder of a public policy research organization promoting informed debate over free-market ideas of health reform.

Melinna Giannini, Founder & CEO, ABC Coding Solutions — founder of a coding system and billing platform that helps connect health care professionals with the electronic insurance infrastructure,

Phil Davis, Manager, Committees on Publication for The First Church of Christ, Scientist — advocate for prayer-based health care,

Christine Filipovich, Executive Director, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

will discuss

Revolutionizing Health Care

Health care is one of the top domestic consumer issues facing Americans. Every state legislature is considering some form of health care reform, and it’s a main talking point on the presidential campaign trail. The central question to be discussed is: how can we make quality health care affordable for everyone? Hundreds of thousands of health care professionals are qualified to care for more than 80 percent of patients who are not in critical condition — but these professionals are unable to help on a scale that would mark true reform. Why? Because our system relies on high-cost doctors as gatekeepers, underutilizing lower cost professionals, such as advanced nurses, PAs, pharmacists, midwives and other qualified care givers. Panelists will discuss ways of reforming the system, as well as how a spiritual component is missing from the health care needs of many.

This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.

Leftovers: How Long Will They Keep?

Ever wondered how long that chicken (in your fridge) will remain safe to eat? Dr. Joe has found a handy “Safe Storage Times” magnet. Check it out

This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.

Quote of the Day

From the Happy Hospitalist, “And The Lawyers Win:”

They have now infiltrated the super old in the pursuit of world domination. How do I know? Because I had a 94 year old in the depths of delirium scream at the top of her lungs: “I’m going to sue you. I’m going to sue you”. As she tried to punch me during my exam of her.

This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.

Anorexia Claims The Life Of My Group Member

Prior to my work at Revolution Health I was the founding editor of an online peer reviewed journal called Clinical Nutrition and Obesity. At Revolution Health, I’ve been leading a thriving community group called, “Lose 20 Pounds.” Sadly, this past week we lost a group member to anorexia.

Anorexia affects 1 in every 200 American women.  It is quite common and can be deadly. Some statistics

  • Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
  • A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 5 – 10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30 – 40% ever fully recover.
  • The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females 15 – 24 years old.
  • 20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems

The group mourns the loss of Amy, a young dancer who leaves behind a husband and two children. Our group encouraged her to get professional help, and in fact she spent her last days in a world-renowned treatment center in England. Sadly, Amy lost her battle with anorexia despite a lot of love and support.

If you’d like to send a message of encouragement to her husband, feel free to click here. And if you know someone who struggles with anorexia, please encourage her/him to get professional help. This disease is dangerous and must be taken very seriously.

This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.

Heard Around The Blogosphere

Here’s my weekly list of things that caught my eye in the medical blogosphere:

Vaccines

With all the misinformed parents opting out of vaccinating their kids, could polio make a comeback the way measles has? Dr. Doug Farrago speculates about the new wave of paralyzed children that may be on the horizon.

Bloggers

What kind of person blogs? A new study suggests that bloggers are more likely to be both “open-minded” and “neurotic” by nature.

Drugs of Abuse

Steroid abuse can lead to a severe form of disfiguring acne. KevinMD found this example.

How NOT to forge a prescription for pain medicines. Thank you, Dr. White Coat.

The Healthcare System

Barack Obama says that a government-run single payer healthcare system makes sense for America. Now THAT’s scary.

Thousands wait in line for a free health clinic, staffed by volunteer physicians in Apalachia.

The government clamps down on pharmaceutical gift pens and paper to doctors while welcoming millions in sponsorship from them for political causes. Wow.

Gadgets

How about this new gadget? A clock that you can wear on your thumb nail.

Weird Anatomy

Would you like a vase shaped like your elbow or knee? Why not?

Are men with wider faces more likely to be violent? Dr. Joe presents the latest research.

This artist takes old fashioned anatomical drawings and makes them “joyful.”

Some serious exophthalmos from Happy Hospitalist.

The Cutest Animal Photo EVER

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Thanks, Medgadget.com

This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.

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