HHS Issues Final Regulation on Medicare-Endorsed Prescription Drug Card Initiative
August 30, 2002 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued the final regulation for drug discount cards endorsed by Medicare that will help people who are covered by Medicare buy their prescription drugs at lower costs and obtain other pharmacy services.

Premature Menopause Risks and Early Treatment
August 30, 2002 - Women with spontaneous premature ovarian failure (POF) are three hundred times more likely than members of the general population to develop a serious condition in which the body attacks the adrenal glands, according to a study by researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). 

Seniors Who Exercise Cut Depression Risks
August 29, 2002  - The benefits of exercise for seniors are being reported on a regular basis. New reports now show that older people who exercise are less likely to be depressed. (MedlinePlus).

HHS Expands Health Plan Options in Medicare+Choice
August 27, 2002 - 33 new health plans in 23 states will begin to serve Medicare beneficiaries in January as part of a demonstration program modeled after the preferred provider organization (PPO) coverage available to the vast majority of Americans under age 65.

New Parkinson's Disease Research Proposed
August 27, 2002 - The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a component of the National Institutes of Health, today announced five-year grants totaling $20 million for three centers to conduct research on the relationship between exposures to environmental agents and subsequent Parkinson's disease.

USPS and FTC Unite to Combat Fraud Against Seniors
August 26, 2002 - This is National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week. Remember these tips:

Special FDA Page Explains Whole-Body CT Scans
August 26, 2002 - You've probably seen or heard ads for whole-body CT (computed tomography) scans that tout the procedure as a screen for disease in healthy individuals who have no symptoms or suspicion of disease.  However, the FDA knows of no scientific data showing that any benefits the procedure may have as a screening device for healthy people outweigh its potential risks (which include radiation dose).

Custom-fit Aerobics May Cut Older Women's Fall Risk
August 23, 2002 - Aerobic dance geared toward the older crowd may give women the balance and agility to avoid falls, according to the results of a small study in Japan. (MedlinePlus)

Study Suggests Ginkgo Ineffective Memory Enhancer
August 21, 2002 - Medline news item on ginkgo biloba suggests that you may be disappointed if you are using it for memory enhancement. The study released Tuesday, found no apparent memory-enhancing benefit for healthy people over 60.

CMS Proposes New Appeals Process for Medicare Coverage Decisions.
August 21, 2002 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule today that would establish a process for beneficiaries to appeal local or national Medicare coverage determinations. The proposed rule provides for independent review of these coverage policies.

HHS Issues First Major Protections for Patient Privacy
August 20, 2002 – Last week HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson issued the first-ever comprehensive federal regulation that gives patients sweeping protections over the privacy of their medical records. The final regulation, which takes effect April 14, 2003, will ensure strong privacy protections without interfering with Americans' access to quality health care.

Elder Abuse and Neglect
August 2002 - The Administration on Aging web site has information on all aspects of this tragically commonplace occurrence. See also: Consumer Protection and the Elderly, Elderlaw and Nursing Homes.

FDA's Top Official Issues Statement on Metabolife
August 19, 2002 - FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Lester M Crawford says FDA has asked the Justice Department to pursue a criminal investigation of Metabolife regarding possible false statements made to FDA about the existence of adverse event reports related to the company's products.

Public Should Avoid Chinese Diet Pills with Fenfluramine
August 19, 2002 - Following reports from Japan of sickness and death associated with certain Chinese weight-loss products that contain fenfluramine, FDA has warned consumers to avoid these products.

CMS Approves New Program for Frail Elderly
August 14, 2002 - The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, today approved a request by Providence ElderPlace-Seattle in Seattle, Wash., to become the third provider under a permanent program of comprehensive care that allows frail elderly people to live in their communities.

Sites Chosen For Public-Private Osteoarthritis Initiative
August 13, 2002 - Four clinical centers and a data coordinating center have been selected to conduct the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), the public-private partnership that will bring together new resources and commitment to help find biological and structural markers (biomarkers) for development and progression of this joint disease.

Colorectal Cancer Drug Approved on 'Fast Track'
August 13, 2002 - After its fastest review yet for a cancer drug, FDA has approved the colorectal cancer drug Eloxatin (oxaliplatin).  Used in combination with other cancer drugs, the drug was shown to shrink tumors in some patients and delay resumed tumor growth.

Recreation.Gov
August 2002 - The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range. This is only one of many recreation opportunities available through Recreation.Gov.

West Nile Virus Alert
August 8, 2002 - Human illness from West Nile virus is rare, even in areas where the virus has been reported. The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite is low. Still preventive measures as noted in this Center for Disease Control web page, would be prudent, especially for the elderly.

New Medications and Treatments Address Migraines
August 7, 2002 - New treatments and drugs like Botox promise to help more than 25 million Americans who suffer the debilitating headaches.

Nursing Shortage Poses Health Care Risk
August 7, 2002 - The growing shortage of nurses in America's hospitals requires immediate attention, according to an urgent call for action released today by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). See also the news article dated June 4 on how the Administration is dealing with this crisis.

Exercise for Seniors - Medline
August 2002 - See Medline's new section on exercise for older citizens. It's comprehensive, authoritative and recommended.

Medicated Gum Helps Boost Seniors' Oral Health
August 6, 2002 - Older adults can lower their risk of developing oral infections by chewing a sugarless, medicated gum, researchers in England report.

Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs
August 2002 - The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has a directory of pharmaceutical company programs that provide drugs to physicians whose patients could not otherwise afford them.  Under each entry in the directory is information about how to make a request for assistance, what prescription medicines are covered, and basic eligibility criteria.

State Assisted Drug Coverage
August 2002 - Many states are attempting to provide drug coverage for low-income seniors through Medicaid and state-funded pharmacy assistance programs according to this Health Affairs article

Many Seniors Unaware of Drug Company Discount Cards
August 5, 2002 - Since Medicare prescription legislation did not pass, pharmaceutical companies say they are focusing attention on boosting sluggish enrollment in their own drug-discount card programs.

Three Physiological Measures Linked To Longevity in Men
August 5, 2002 - Three physiological measures associated with long-term caloric restriction in monkeys have been linked to longevity in men, according to scientists at the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Generic Drug Bill Passes Senate Vote
August 2, 2002 - S.812 -  Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2001 passed a Senate vote yesterday. There is a related bill in the House - H.R.1862.

New Study on Obesity and Risk for Heart Failure
August 1, 2002 - According to a new study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), excess body weight is strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of heart failure.