Category Archives: Fitness and Exercise
Guest Blog: PCORI’s Big Idea for Big Data
Talk about “Big Data” is common lately, especially in healthcare. After all, there are few fields where more data are collected and consulted on a daily basis—and where there is such widespread agreement that the information isn’t being used as well as it could be to improve outcomes.Many have tackled this challenge. But given all of the complex issues faced daily by patients and those who care for them, much more remains to be done.
Many of us recognize that, as a nation, our current way of conducting healthcare research isn’t sustainable. Research budgets are tightening, the cost of clinical trials is accelerating, and new data are revealing ever greater nuances to consider in how we categorize and treat patients.
In short, we have more research questions than ever before and fewer resources to put toward finding answers.
For research to more effectively serve patients, clinicians and others who make health care decisions, we need a new model that brings healthcare systems, clinicians, and patients themselves fully into the process of using data to improve health and healthcare outcomes.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute advances comparative effectiveness research
Numerous organizations have contributed to laying the foundation for this effort. These inc
Biden on mental health: It’s okay to talk about it
In closing remarks at the White House’s National Conference on Mental Health Monday, Vice President Joe Biden delivered an emotional plea to those struggling with mental illness and their families.
“Let’s use this moment to send a message to tens of millions of Americans especially the young people and the parents of young people all over this country,” Biden said, speaking quietly. “There is nothing, nothing to be ashamed of if you are struggling with mental issues or if your child is or your spouse or your friend. It’s okay. It’s okay to talk about it. It’s okay to ask for help. It is okay to acknowledge that it is frightening.”
The vice president spoke from personal experience, detailing the treatment he received during two craniotomies as a younger man and the steep odds for survival he faced.
Weight loss maintenance in African American women: a systematic review of the behavioral lifestyle intervention literature
We performed a systematic review of the behavioral lifestyle intervention trials conducted in the United States published between 1990 and 2011 that included a maintenance phase of at least six months, to identify intervention features that promote weight loss maintenance in African American women. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Generally, African American women lost less weight during the intensive weight loss phase and maintained a lower percentage of their weight loss compared to Caucasian women. The majority of studies failed to describe the specific strategies used in the delivery of the maintenance intervention, adherence to those strategies, and did not incorporate a maintenance phase process evaluation making it difficult to identify intervention characteristics associated with better weight loss maintenance. However, the inclusion of cultural adaptations, particularly in studies with a mixed ethnicity/race sample, resulted in less percentage weight regain for African American women. Studies with a formal maintenance intervention and weight management as the primary intervention focus reported more positive weight maintenance outcomes for African American women.
New Tips for Meeting the Stage 2 Meaningful Use Transition of Care Measure
Are you looking for more support on how to meet the transition of care measure that is required for Stage 2 Meaningful Use?
Jolie’s mastectomy highlights genetic testing company
Angelina Jolie’s decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy has put the spotlight on Myriad Genetics, the only company in the world that conducts genetic tests for breast cancer.
In an op-ed piece published by the New York Times on Tuesday, the Oscar-winning Jolie wrote that she decided to have the surgery based on the discovery that she has a “faulty” BRCA1 gene.
Jolie said her doctors estimated that she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.
“Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could,” wrote Jolie. “I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent.”
Jolie explains that it’s possible for women to find out if they’re at risk for breast cancer through a blood test, however she doesn’t mention any companies by name.
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