Health and

HHS HealthBeat

(December 25, 2009)

Throwing cold water on the waterpipes

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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

There is no healthy way to use tobacco, only unhealthy ones. And if you think waterpipes are some kind of exception, think again.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, Thomas Eissenberg compared carbon monoxide, nicotine and smoke levels in 31 people after they smoked a cigarette and after they used a waterpipe.

[Thomas Eissenberg speaks] "When they were smoking a waterpipe, we saw three times the carbon monoxide, 1.7 times the nicotine and 48 times the smoke, so there were dramatic differences."

The smoke is worth noting because there are lots of cancer-causing chemicals in it. Eissenberg says the idea that the water somehow filters the smoke is just wrong.

The study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine was supported by the U.S. Public Health Service.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

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Health and

HHS HealthBeat

(December 21, 2009)

The Slim-Fast recall

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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Consumers are being warned not to use Slim-Fast canned drinks because these weight-loss products might be contaminated by bacteria. The company that makes Slim-Fast, Uniliver, issued the recall.

The bacteria, bacillus cereus, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. People generally get over it in 24 hours. But Food and Drug Administration spokesman George Strait says:

[George Strait speaks] "The FDA recommends that anyone who has consumed the recalled Slim-Fast product should see a healthcare provider if they experience either diarrhea or vomiting."

People who have the products should get rid of them. Unilever is offering a refund to consumers who call a toll-free number, 1-800-896-9479.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

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Health and

HHS HealthBeat

(December 18, 2009)

How much meat?

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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Jeff Levine with HHS HealthBeat.

A big chunk of steak may taste good. But a small chunk may do as much good.

Douglas Paddon-Jones of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston saw that when he had 17 young people and 17 old people eat 4- or 12-ounce portions of lean beef and then took blood and muscle samples.

For young and old alike, 4 ounces of protein in food was all they needed to build protein in muscle. Paddon-Jones says the rest could be turned into glucose – or ultimately fat.

So he says:

[Douglas Paddon-Jones speaks] "In simplest terms, my recommendation is to eat a moderate amount of protein, three times a day. Choose a variety of protein-rich foods that you enjoy – eggs, dairy, fish, nuts, meat."

The study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Jeff Levine.

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Health and

States Get Bonuses for Boosting Enrollment

in Children's Health Coverage

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the award of more than $72 million to nine states for making significant progress in enrolling children in health coverage through Medicaid and improving access to children’s coverage through Medicaid and the state children’s health insurance program.

Funding for the “performance bonuses” was included in the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization (CHIPRA) law. CHIPRA also set performance goals that states must meet to qualify for a bonus.

“Today, we’re happy to reward states that have taken important steps to help insure more children and made a real difference in the lives of families across the country,” said Secretary Sebelius. “These awards will provide crucial support and help states continue to serve children and families.”

States receiving funds today include: Alaska, Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. (See below for a complete list of state awards.) Awards vary by state according to a formula set out in CHIPRA but total $72.6 million this fiscal year.

To receive these performance bonuses, states had to meet two types of performance goals set forth in the CHIPRA statute. States had to qualify by adopting at least five of eight listed program features—like providing 12 months of continuous eligibility, using a joint application for both Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and streamlining eligibility renewal processes—that are known to encourage enrollment and retention of eligible children. States also had to document significant increases in Medicaid enrollment among children over the course of the year.

Performance bonuses are not the only federal incentive for states to maintain and expand their Medicaid programs. A short-term boost in Medicaid reimbursement rates authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) also provided relief to states with suffering economies, enabling them to extend care to eligible children.

-more-

“In the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, decisive action in ARRA and CHIPRA, along with focused state activity, helped ensure that children got the health care they need,” said Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). “We are pleased to see the success these states have achieved as well as the actions to enroll eligible children taken by other states that we expect may qualify for the bonus next year.”

Today’s announcement closely follows the release of a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured which also credited ARRA and CHIPRA with enabling States to expand access to care for low-income, uninsured children. In a 50-state survey, the Commission concluded that 26 states expanded and/or simplified their Medicaid and CHIP programs in 2009. A copy of the complete report can be found at http://www.kff.org.

State award amounts today are:

Alabama $39.1 million

Alaska $789,000

Illinois $9.1 million

Louisiana $1.5 million

Michigan $3.7 million

New Jersey $4.2 million

New Mexico $5.1 million

Oregon $1.6 million

Washington $7.5 million

Total: $72.6 million

CMS today also released a letter to state health officials providing more detailed guidance on the criteria for qualifying for a bonus payment for 2009 and in future years.

http://significant progress-dobi.blogspot.com/health and

Health and

Willamette Shelling Recalls Shelled Hazelnuts Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Ben Mitchell
503-538-9256
Amy Wood
503-274-0086, ext. 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 17, 2009 - Willamette Filbert Growers of Newberg, OR is recalling 29,861 lbs of Shelled Hazelnuts and Shelled Organic Hazelnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

After product sampling, Salmonella was found on one production lot at the facility where Willamette Filbert Grower's hazelnuts were shelled. To ensure consumer safety, Willamette Filbert Growers has decided to recall all shelled hazelnuts and shelled organic hazelnuts processed from October 12th 2009 through November 25th 2009.

Shelled Hazelnuts and Shelled Organic Hazelnuts were distributed in Oregon and California through wholesale distributors and direct delivery. Unshelled hazelnuts are not subject to this recall.

All products subject to recall were packed in 25 lbs. corrugated boxes bearing Willamette Filbert Growers or Meridian Organic Hazelnuts labeled with lot code numbers 289091A and 311091A.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased Willamette Filbert Growers Shelled Hazelnuts or Meridian Organic Hazelnuts are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Ben Mitchell at (503) 538-9256, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST.

http://Salmonella-dobi.blogspot.com/health and