Health care updates, July 2

Surgeon General Urges Exercise for Optimal Health
The US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin released a paper The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation [2010] earlier this year with exercise as the main theme. The surgeon general states:

“…I am asking healthcare organizations across this country to join the Exercise is Medicine initiative. Exercise is Medicine is a multinational, multiorganizational initiative. It brings physical activity to the forefront of disease prevention and treatment, by making exercise a part of every patient’s interaction with a health clinician. Exercise is Medicine strives to provide the essential connection between clinicians, fitness professionals, and the public, so that everyone can receive the guidance they need to stay healthy and active. All the partners in this initiative are dedicated to the idea that exercise is the new medicine.”

Healthcare 411 – Leaving the Hospital
The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a guide for patients leaving the hospital to help them with follow-up care and recovery at home. The guide is called Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital and covers the following issues:

• What medicines have you been prescribed and when should you take them?
• When are your next medical appointments?
• Who do you contact if you have a problem?

FDA Marks First Anniversary of Tobacco Control Act
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was signed by US President Barck Obama on June 21, 2009, giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products. During the past 12 months, the FDA initiated a lot of changes and new regulations that address sale, distribution, marketing, advertising and packaging of cigarettes and other tobacco products. More changes are expected in the coming year.

HHS Launches New Consumer Focused Health Care Website www.HealthCare.gov
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new on-line tool that will help consumers and patients understand the health care reform and how this could affect them. In particular, the website HealthCare.gov will help them access, affordable health care coverage.

“HealthCare.gov  helps consumers take control of their health care and make the choices that are right for them, by putting the power of information at their fingertips,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “For too long, the insurance market has been confusing and hard to navigate.  HealthCare.gov makes it easy for consumers and small businesses to compare health insurance plans in both the public and the private sector and find other important health care information.”