February 27, 2008

Wading Through The Insurance Morass? You'll Need More than a College Degree

by Stephanie Koze

A New York Times article, “Health Coverage Often Stops at the Campus Gate,” conveys that on many college campuses, ‘a family’s insurance plan is effectively worthless.’

Why is that you might ask? According to the article, most campus health centers have traditionally been funded through tuition, general fees or specific health fees, providing all students with the same access. In many cases, the campus health centers do not accept standard insurance.

So, what should parents do? Pay for two plans – the university’s and the family’s standard insurance plan – or, take a risk and pick one option over the other? The answer remains unclear. By the time you wade through the various points of view, however, you might have enough information to prepare a Master’s thesis.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 08:40 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

August 16, 2007

What WOULD Elaine Say?

by Stephanie Koze

It’s back…the TODAY SPONGE that is. Considering the limited number of efficient, non-hormonal birth control options available to women, I’m betting that Elaine and many other women might cheer.

While the sponge is not 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancies -- is abstinence really an option?? -- it does provide women with another form of contraception. That’s good news for ladies not concerned about STDs who can’t or don’t want to use hormonal birth control. It’s also good news for those couples who feel other traditional methods, such as condoms, diaphragms, creams and gels, are uncomfortable or affect spontaneity.

Whether you are for or against the reintroduction of the sponge, you have to admit it provides an alternative to existing contraception. And, choice is a good thing.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 08:31 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

March 30, 2007

What Patients and Consumers Want

by Michael Martell

MS&L Germany: 1. Health Survey 2007
The right for public information does not apply to all pharmaceuticals
Two out of three Germans want more information about Rx drugs

When it comes to Rx products, information is not easily accessible for patients in Europe. Unlike in the United States, where advertising of Rx products is possible even in lay media to a certain extent, Europeans face many restrictions concerning information to the public – a somewhat awkward notion if you consider that self-responsibility for one’s own healthcare (especially in terms of financing) is increasing at an ever-accelerating pace.A couple of years ago, the EU Commission failed in its attempt to ease restrictions on the information ban.

In Germany, for example, 60% of the public agrees to a liberalization of the information ban on Rx medications. Approximately one fourth of all interviewees would welcome a complete liberalization of all information available on these products. These are the major findings of a recent survey by MS&L Germany, which was conducted by TNS Healthcare in Q1 2007, including 1.003 interviewees of 14 years of age and over.

Further interesting aspects of the survey are the finding that females more strongly prefer the liberalization of information than males, as well as the fact that the level of agreement to a liberalization of the ban is rising with the increase in monthly net income. “Regardless of the differences between men and women or factors like the monthly net income of interviewees, the trend is obvious: Germans want to more freely access relevant informa-tion about Rx medications, and they want to inform themselves from a variety of sources”, says Michael Martell, Managing Director of MS&L International Public Relations in Germany.

The results of the survey show today’s lack of information in the larger part of the population. As people wish to be more informed about medicines, this also implies a big challenge and responsibility for the implementation of communication about Rx products. Thinking of physicians and pharmacists only – that is by far not enough in healthcare communication. With the growing burden for patients to cover healthcare costs themselves, they should at least be given the possibility to access the information about their condition and medications. “Experience from other countries clearly demonstrates that responsible information transfer from the pharmaceutical industry to the patient is not only possible, but that it is also appreciated by the public”, Michael Martell concludes.

Posted by michael_martell at 03:37 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

March 10, 2007

Global Women’s Equality? Not Really, Especially When it Comes to Health Matters

by Stephanie Koze

March 8, 2007 marked International Women’s Day. While gender and health equality are the expected norm – and almost taken for granted – in the U.S., advances in gender equality and women’s health globally need some work.

Consider the recent women’s health stories in the U.S. compared to the global news. Last week, U.S. media focused upon the benefits of fad diets in women, Botox, and other non-threatening health issues. Global media, however, asked why the Millennium Development Goals – established by the United Nations five years ago – promote gender equality and empower women, but they do not prioritize health issues, such as sexual health and violence against women.

According to a recent editorial in The Lancet, (vol 369; March 3-9, 2007), women count for three-quarters of the 960 million people worldwide who cannot read. What about their health? If they can’t read, how can they take, or administer medicine properly, let alone fight for access to healthcare?

Posted by stephanie_koze at 03:07 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

March 01, 2007

Even Empowered Consumers Require Activation

by Holly Heline Jarrell

We consumers have never been more empowered to maintain personal health. Our ability to find, filter and digest massive amounts of information, our access to the latest scientific and medical developments, and the national spirit of self-reliance that has permeated American society since the mid-1990s should all add up to a nation equipped to achieve better health. Yet, a very recent Harris Poll suggests that empowerment doesn’t always lead to positive action (see link: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=734 ).

The February 27 longitudinal poll among more than 2000 Americans puts added weight behind the obesity crisis: Since 1983, the proportion of people aged 25-plus who are obese has risen from 15% to 37% - an increase of 147%. Likewise, the percentage who are merely overweight rose from 59% in 1983 to 81% today.

By contrast, smoking is down to 23% of the public – but that’s only a 6-point decline over 24 years. And as Harris Interactive rightly points out, the big story here is not the change, but the slowness of change. Slowness despite abundant knowledge and educational resources – the real tools of empowerment.

The Harris Poll aptly demonstrates that when it comes to real change in personal health, consumers don’t just need to be empowered, they need to be activated.

Posted by holly_heline_jarrell at 05:17 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 28, 2006

The Male Biological Clock: It Ticks, Too

by Stephanie Koze

Now that erectile dysfunction, or ED, is out of the closet and men are seeking appropriate medical care to treat it, the time has come to address another sensitive subject – the impact of the ticking, male biological clock upon fertility and birth defects in offspring.

Medical experts know that male fertility declines with age. And, newer research has led to strong speculation that men 40 and older are more likely than younger men to produce children with medical conditions, such as schizophrenia and autism. Among other reasons, DNA strands in the sperm of older men are more likely to break – leading to potential birth defects.

While it is relatively common to hear about women’s concerns regarding their ticking biological clocks, we need to do more to educate couples that a woman’s age is not the only factor to consider when attempting to conceive. A male’s age is important, too.

As people put off having children due to careers, delays in finding the right partner and many other issues, medical professionals, the media and couples need to discuss the male’s age, as well as the female’s age, when it comes to having children.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 12:28 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 06, 2006

Hark! The Hormone Debate Continues.

by Stephanie Koze

Remember the major pandemonium that ensued when the results of Estrogen Plus Progestin Trial of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) were announced in July 1992?

Instead of protecting postmenopausal women from breast cancer and heart attack -- among other potentially deadly conditions -- combined estrogen and progestin was shown to actually increase their incidence. As a result, many physicians stopped prescribing hormone therapy, and women dumped their hormone therapy by the truckload.

Now, celebrity Suzanne Somers’ newest book, Ageless, raises more questions about hormone treatments. In her book, she claims compounded or bio-identical hormones (hormones produced from natural products, such as soy and wild yams, mixed in pharmacies and sold without a prescription) are far safer than synthetic hormones studied in the WHI.

Ms. Somers may have a point. It makes sense that naturally occurring products might be safer than man-made products. But, just because a hormone therapy is produced from a natural product does not make it safer than a synthetic product.

When it comes to hormones, women need to do their homework, speak with their physicians and evaluate carefully whether any type of hormone, bio-identical or synthetic, is right for them.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 08:44 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

October 26, 2006

Are We TOO PINK? I Think Not.

by Stephanie Koze

We’re in the last full week of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and some folks are tired of seeing pink. You know, the color associated most frequently with breast cancer awareness.

For years, pink ribbons have come out in full force during October as a means of raising breast cancer awareness and research contributions. Now, detractors are concerned that corporate entities are “getting in the pink” (i.e., pink lids for yogurt containers, pink soup containers, etc.) just to make a buck.

Perhaps we are heading toward pink overload. It does seem a bit incongruous that a soup manufacturer would sell its product in a pink container to generate awareness about breast cancer. And, perhaps “in the pink” corporations should donate more proceeds from their “pink sales” to breast cancer research.

But, “pink efforts” do raise awareness about breast cancer, as well as financial contributions that might not have been made otherwise. Just when I think I’m on the verge of pink overload, I remind myself that one life could be saved for every person who thinks about breast cancer, tells a friend or makes a research contribution because they saw, or purchased a pink commodity.

Let’s continue to support the “pink efforts;” while you are at it…don’t forget to “Go Red” to support awareness of heart disease in women.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 03:51 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

October 19, 2006

Are We Too Quick with the Hook??

by Kelly G. Dencker

In an era when tomorrow's print headlines are already old news, there's a growing tendency to move on too quickly from successful consumer health campaigns in search of the next national media hit. Think back. Have you felt compelled to present an entirely new national campaign idea despite the fact that the current program was smart and still very effective?

A decade ago, the typical consumer health campaign rolled out coast-to-coast over a 24-month period, allowing a good investment of time and planning to grow and blossom on a grassroots level nationwide. Today, there's a national advertising mentality that's pushing PR to create and roll out big campaigns on a regular basis. In part, this is due to pharma world pullback on DTC advertising and the need to sustain buzz in the national media year round.

Fact is, getting consumer education programs recognized nationally is challenging, but more importantly, it may not even be on strategy as the best way to reach your audience. Local market media, events and new media vehicles allow you surround and focus on your audience. A great deal of time and money is spent developing consumer campaigns, and too often not enough focus or credit is given to successful grassroots outreach, where the benefits can be most impactful. Further third party partners want to put their weight behind programs with staying prower - those that last (and are supported) for more than six months.

If you're feeling compelled to shake up your current program, ask yourself three questions: 1) is the current campaign still on strategy and achieving its objectives? 2) Are there markets, outlets or audiences that would still benefit from this campaign?, 3 ) Is there an ROI advantage to continuing or repackaging this program versus developing another? If you answered yes to any of the questions, take a moment to evaluate if you are moving on to a new campaign for the right reasons. Good ideas and solid campaigns don't come around every day, and the best program for you and your brand today just might be under your nose.

Posted by kelly_dencker at 09:14 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

October 05, 2006

Modern Medicine...Now What?

by Stephanie Koze

Many infertile couples now can conceive thanks to modern medicine. This progress has led to a number of quandaries, however – including preterm births and insurance coverage issues.

The Institute of Medicine reported in July 2006 that preterm births have increased 30 percent since 1981, costing society at least $26 billion a year. The use of fertility treatments has been linked to between 10 and 15 percent of preterm births.

The Institute has called for more research to be conducted to explore why preterm births are on the rise. What experts know now is that women opting for fertility treatments often experience multiple births, which can lead to preterm delivery.

Fertility treatments are very expensive, and insurance companies don’t cover in vitro fertilization, a common fertility treatment. As a result, many infertile couples end up opting for multiple embryos to be implanted via in vitro fertilization, or they opt for over-ovulation to increase their chances for conception. These approaches can lead to multiple births and preterm delivery.

If insurance companies provided better coverage for fertility treatments, they might actually reduce the incidence of multiple embryos and multiple births – thereby decreasing the astronomical medical costs associated with treating premature infants who suffer short- or long-term health consequences as a result of their early arrival.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 05:07 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

September 22, 2006

The Times They are a Changin'...Albeit Slowly

by Stephanie Koze

As recently as 20 years ago, women were still under-represented in clinical trials. The inequity made it difficult to observe women’s responses to medicine and to understand how certain health conditions affected women.

We’ve traveled far, especially when it comes to grasping issues such as breast cancer and women and heart disease. But, our journey is not complete. Breast cancer research and heart disease research in women must continue. And, we still have many miles to travel to understand other diseases, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), all of which affect women at disproportionately higher rates than men.

The National Institutes of Health’s division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has made a concerted effort to study lupus, MS and RA. Fortunately, their trials include a significant number of women.

Let’s support these trials and continue to research gender-based differences in medicine.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 10:43 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

September 13, 2006

Kid's and Health: It's A Bold New World

by Stephanie Koze

The recent approval of Merck’s HPV vaccine for young women ages 9 to 26 and the emerging trend of young athletes suffering from injuries linked typically to older, seasoned professionals are just two dramatic examples of a changing healthcare landscape for children.

Children, parents and the medical professionals who treat children are now being confronted with a new host of medical conditions to consider – opening uncharted territory for media, consumer and professional education.

From a communications perspective, how do we confront these issues and what do we say to our kids? Take a look at Christine Gorman’s Sept 10th TIME Magazine article, “To an Athlete, Aching Young” .

She raises some interesting points.

Posted by stephanie_koze at 06:07 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink