The consulting firm Milliman invites you to a town hall meeting focused on healthcare reform, specifically on electronic health records (EHRs) and how they might affect the next era in healthcare. [Editor's note: Milliman provides consulting services on employee benefits, healthcare, investment, life insurance and financial services, and property and casualty insurance.]
Dr. Catherine Wilfert developed the idea that it was possible to prevent the AIDS virus from spreading from an infected mother to her uninfected newborn by giving an anti-HIV drug to the mother just before and to the child right after delivery. The approach can cut mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 80% and [...]
Dr. Catherine Wilfert developed the idea that it was possible to prevent the AIDS virus from spreading from an infected mother to her uninfected newborn by giving an anti-HIV drug to the mother just before and to the child right after delivery. The approach can cut mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 80% and is credited [...]
The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research is sponsoring a essay contest for 7th and 8th grade students in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Essays are to focus on the the question “How does biomedical research benefit your life or the life of someone you know?” The entries will be read by scientists from the Northwest [...]
Despite recent legislation to keep dangerous toys off the market, many hazardous toys are still available on store shelves, warns the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer activist organization. The reason? Many of the new law’s protections will not take affect until next year. The group has put out a Tips for Toy Safety [...]
President-elect Barack Obama’s choice of Tom Daschle to head up the Department of Health and Human Services and to be his point man on health-care reform suggests that, despite the economic turmoil and the challenges of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the incoming administration plans to move ahead on health-care reform quickly. First in [...]
The weight-loss product Zhen De Shou Fat Loss Capsules have been recalled after the product has been found to contain the prescription appetite-suppressant sibutramine. The drug, according to the company’s press release, “poses a potential threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present [...]
The Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Leadership Conference last month focused on the region’s growing role in global health initiatives. Representatives of the Washington Global Health Alliance, an organization of local nonprofit organizations, foundations, university programs and businesses involved in addressing global health problems, addressed the Chamber, describing the scale of these challenges and scope [...]
An urgent recall has been issued for a dietary supplement sold as STARCAPS DIET SYSTEM DIETARY SUPPLEMENT because it contains a diuretic drug. The drug, bumetamide, is a prescription only product. “Potential risks associated with the use of Bumetanide include serious and significant fluid and electrolyte loss and an elevation in uric acid concentrations,” the company, Balanced [...]
Air on Seattle school buses contains considerably more harmful airborne particles than the surrounding outside air, researchers at the University of Washington report. In the study, the researchers measured levels of small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can release harmful chemicals and have been linked to respiratory diseases and other [...]
Diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other health conditions run in families, so knowing your family’s health history can help you and your health provider take steps to reduce your risk of developing many preventable conditions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created an online tool that allows you to easily put together [...]
An estimated 76 million Americans come down with food poisoning every year. To reduce your risk during the upcoming holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control urges you to follow the four basic rules of food safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
View Calendar
✔ Subscribe
Add to Google
Seattle Times Health News
Some insurers deny ER coverage to people who have been drinking
Laws in more than half the states permit insurers to deny payment for medical services related to alcohol or drug use. Faced with the prospect of not getting paid for care, some ER personnel sidestep the problem by simply not testing patients’ blood or urine for alcohol.
Travel insurance can protect your wallet — and your health on vacation
Think your regular health insurance policy will cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas?
Don’t bet on it.
Out-of-network care is expensive — but a couple of new options help
A new database lets you find out the prevailing rates for medical procedures in your area, and the 2010 health-care reform law provides better protection when people receive out-of-network emergency care.
Recent Comments