Mesothelioma Digest

Years of Potential Life Lost From Asbestos Exposure

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:43 GMT

Asbestosis-Related Years of Potential Life Lost Before Age 65 Years --- United States, 1968--2005

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis and other diseases (1) after a latency of 10--40 years from initial exposure to onset of illness. Asbestos still is used in the United States (approximately 2,200 metric tons in 2006) in certain products manufactured domestically (2). In addition, an undocumented amount of asbestos continues to be imported in products manufactured elsewhere, and a substantial amount of asbestos remains in existing buildings and manufactured products. An estimated 1.3 million construction and general industry workers in the United States potentially are exposed to asbestos each year, mainly from manipulation of asbestos during renovation or demolition activities (3). Also, although asbestos ore is no longer mined in the United States (4), some U.S. mine workers might remain at risk for exposure to asbestos contained in other ores. To characterize trends in premature mortality attributed to asbestosis in the United States, CDC analyzed annual underlying cause-of-death data for 1968--2005, the most recent years for which data were available.* This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that annual years of potential life lost before age 65 years (YPLL) attributed to asbestosis increased 64%, from an average of 146.0 YPLL per year during 1968--1972 to 239.6 per year during 2001--2005 (regression trend for the 5-year moving average, p<0.001), for an overall total of 7,267 YPLL (mean per decedent: 6.2) over the entire period. These results demonstrate that asbestosis-attributable YPLL continue to occur and that efforts to prevent, track, and eliminate asbestosis need to be maintained.

For this analysis, decedents for whom the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for asbestosis was listed as the underlying cause of death were identified from 1968--2005 mortality data.? Given the occupational etiology and long latency of asbestosis, analysis was restricted to deaths of persons aged >25 years. Standard industry and occupation information that met CDC quality criteria was available for decedents in 26 states during the 1985--1999 period.§ After 1999, funds for coding industry and occupation were not available, and coding at the state level ceased. The number of states reporting data in any particular year varied from 16 to 22, and the number of years of data available for any one state varied from 2 to 15. Industry and occupation were classified according to two U.S. Census Bureau coding systems.¶ YPLL and mean YPLL were calculated using 5-year age groups and standard methodology (5). A simple linear regression model was used for time-trend analysis of YPLL (using 5-year moving averages).

During 1968--2005, asbestosis was identified as the underlying cause of death for 9,024 decedents. Of these, 1,169 (13.0%) were aged 25--64 years, including one (0.1%) decedent aged 25--34 years; 17 (1.5%) aged 35--44 years; 165 (14.1%) aged 45--54 years; and 986 (84.3%) aged 55--64 years, accounting for 7,267 YPLL (mean per decedent: 6.2). The majority of asbestosis decedents aged 25--64 years were male (1,125 [96.2%]) and white (1,064 [91.0%]), accounting for 7,038 (96.8%) and 6,470 (89.0%) YPLL, respectively (Table 1).

YPLL attributed to asbestosis deaths increased 64%, from an average of 146.0 per year during 1968--1972 to 239.6 per year during 2001--2005 (regression trend, p<0.001). YPLL varied annually, from a low of 69 (mean per decedent: 8.6) in 1973 to a high of 306 (mean per decedent: 5.9) in 1990 (Figure). The rate varied annually, from a low of 0.73 per million in 1973 to a high of 2.78 per million in 1970. During 1968--2005, asbestosis deaths in Texas (85; 577 YPLL), Pennsylvania (99; 544 YPLL), New Jersey (90; 527 YPLL), and California (76; 468 YPLL) accounted for 29.9% of all decedents aged 25--64 years with asbestosis as the underlying cause of death and 29.1% of the total YPLL attributed to asbestosis (Table 1).

Industry and occupation information was available for 153 (28.8%) of the 531 decedents aged 25--64 years with asbestosis as the underlying cause of death during 1985--1999 (Table 2). Of 54 industries reported, the greatest YPLL were in construction (244 YPLL; mean per decedent: 5.7); ship and boat building and repairing (41; mean per decedent: 5.9); and military (41; mean per decedent: 5.9). Of 59 occupations reported, the greatest YPLL were for insulation workers (112; mean per decedent: 5.9); managers and administrators, not elsewhere classified (43; mean per decedent: 7.2); and plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (42; mean per decedent: 4.7).

Reported by: JM Mazurek, MD, JM Wood, MS, Div of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.

Editorial Note:
YPLL are a measure of premature mortality that emphasizes deaths occurring among younger persons during their most productive years (5,6). Persons dying before age 65 years are considered as having years of potential work tenure lost, on the assumption that these are a worker's most productive years. During 1968--2005, asbestosis was identified as the underlying cause of death for 1,169 decedents aged 25--64 years, accounting for 7,267 YPLL. Overall, a mean of 6.2 YPLL per decedent was attributed to asbestosis during 1968--2005, indicating that, on average, decedents aged 25--64 years with asbestosis listed as the underlying cause of death died at age 58 years. Despite the decline in asbestos use and reduced exposures, the findings described in this report indicate that asbestosis-attributable YPLL continue to occur. Because asbestosis mortality typically manifests several decades after initial exposure to asbestos, much of the continuing YPLL likely is attributed to exposures experienced decades ago. During 1970--2004, the annual number of asbestosis-related deaths (based on the analysis of asbestosis deaths coded on the entity axis in multiple cause-of-death files**) in the United States increased nearly 17-fold, from 89 (age-adjusted death rate: 0.6 per million persons aged >15 years) in 1970 to 1,493 (6.9) in 2000, and then declined slightly to 1,470 (6.3) in 2004, for an overall total of 25,413 asbestosis deaths over the entire period (7). This slight decline in the age-adjusted death rate was attributed to several factors, including reduced use of asbestos and improved control of asbestos exposure (8,9). Beginning several decades ago, increased awareness of the health consequences of asbestos exposure stimulated voluntary and regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (8,9).

Available data (for 153 decedents) indicated that the greatest industry-specific YPLL values were associated with work in construction and ship and boat building and repairing, which is consistent with documented past industry-specific asbestos exposures (1). Likewise, two of the three occupations with the greatest YPLL values, insulation workers and plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, are well known to have been associated with asbestos exposures.

The findings in this report are subject to at least six limitations. First, this report used a death certificate--based definition of asbestosis as the underlying cause of death. Because some deaths from asbestosis might have been attributed to other diseases (e.g., idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) instead of to asbestosis, the findings in this report likely underestimate deaths and YPLL attributable to asbestosis. Second, complete work histories are not listed on death certificates, and the relevance of the reported usual industry and occupation to actual hazardous exposures could not be verified. Although no studies have examined the accuracy of usual industry and occupation information on death certificates specifically for asbestosis decedents, research suggests a generally good agreement of this information compared with that from other sources (10). Third, coded information on usual industry and occupation were available for decedents in only 26 states, accounting for 28.8% of all U.S. asbestosis decedents during 1985--1999. Thus, these data might not be nationally representative for 1985--1999. Fourth, the state issuing a death certificate is not always the state in which the decedent's asbestos exposure occurred. Fifth, ICD cause-of-death codes used in this analysis changed twice during 1968--2005. However, these revisions likely did not introduce bias or affect the temporal trend in asbestosis deaths (7). Finally, YPLL, as calculated, do not account for the full burden of asbestosis. During the period for which CDC analyzed U.S. death data, approximately 87% of the deaths with asbestosis listed as the underlying cause of death occurred in persons aged >65 years. Moreover, although YPLL do reflect premature mortality during the most productive years of life, YPLL do not account for all reduced quality of life or work years lost attributed to disability from asbestosis. Persons with asbestosis can live for many years with severely limited lung function and few treatment options, leading to inability to work.

The continuing occurrence of cases of asbestos in younger persons (asbestosis-attributable YPLL) underscores the need for persistent asbestosis prevention and elimination efforts. Effective primary prevention is critical because asbestos-related diseases can develop or progress even after occupational exposure ends. Guidance for persons concerned about exposure to asbestos and for health-care providers who work with patients potentially exposed to asbestos is available at http://www.cdc.gov/health/asbestos.htm. CDC continues to conduct surveillance for asbestosis and other asbestos-related deaths to follow trends and identify problems.

Acknowledgments

This report is based, in part, on contributions by RM Castellan, MD, and PJ Middendorf, PhD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.
References

   1. Rom WN. Asbestos-related lung disease. In: Fishman AP, Elias JA, Fishman JA, Grippi MA, Senior RM, Pack AI, eds. Fishman's pulmonary diseases and disorders. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008:943--58.

   2. Kelly TD, Matos GR. Historical statistics for mineral and material commodities in the United States: US Geological Survey data series 140. Reston, VA: US Geological Survey; 2007. Available at http://minerals.usgs.gov/ds/2005/140.

   3. US Department of Labor. Better protection against asbestos in the workplace. Fact sheet no. OSHA 92-06. Available at http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/training/oshasbes.htm.

   4. Van Gosen BS. Reported historic asbestos mines, historic asbestos prospects, and natural asbestos occurrences in the eastern United States. US Geological Survey open-file report 2005--1189. Reston, VA: US Geological Survey; 2006. Available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189.

   5. Wise RP, Livengood JR, Berkelman RL, Goodman RA. Methodological alternatives for measuring premature mortality. Am J Prev Med 1988;4:268--73.

   6. CDC. Premature mortality in the United States: public health issues in the use of years of potential life lost. MMWR 1986;35(2 Suppl):1S--11S.

   7. Bang KM, Mazurek JM, Syamlal G, Wood JM. Asbestosis mortality surveillance in the United States, 1970--2004. Int J Occup Environ Health 2008;14:161--9.

   8. US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA asbestos materials bans: clarification. Available at http://www.epa.gov/oppt/asbestos/pubs/asbbans2.pdf.

   9. Martonik JF, Nash E, Grossman E. The history of OSHA's asbestos rule makings and some distinctive approaches that they introduced for regulating occupational exposure to toxic substances. AIHAJ 2001;62:208--17.

10. Steenland K, Beaumont J. The accuracy of occupation and industry data on death certificates. J Occup Med 1984;26:288--96.

* Since 1968, CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has compiled multiple cause-of-death data annually from death certificates in the United States. CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) extracts information on deaths from occupationally related respiratory diseases and conditions from the NCHS data and stores the information in the National Occupational Respiratory Mortality System (NORMS), available at http://webappa.cdc.gov/ords/norms.html.

? ICDA-8 code 515.2 (asbestosis) for years 1968--1978, ICD-9 code 501 (asbestosis) for years 1979--1998, and ICD-10 code J61 (pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibers) for years 1999--2005. For years 1999--2005, decedents with ICD-10 underlying cause coded as J65 (pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis) or J92.0 (pleural plaque with presence of asbestos) also were included in the underlying cause-of-death tabulation for asbestosis if code J61 also was listed on the death certificate.

§ Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

¶ Industry and occupation information from death certificates was coded on the NCHS multiple cause-of-death data files according to the 1980 U.S. Bureau of Census Index of Industries and Occupations classification system from1985 to 1992, and according to the 1990 U.S. Bureau of Census classification system from 1993 to 1999. For the industries and occupations listed in this report, the 1980 and 1990 classification system codes and titles were the same.

** Entity axis includes information on all of the diseases, injuries, or medical complications, as well as the location (part, line, and sequence) of the information recorded on each death certificate. "Detail Record Layout" available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/mcd/1998mcd.htm.

Original article is located here: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5749a1.htm

Asbestos Line is Now Hot

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:06 GMT

The Asbestos Hotline is Now Launched and Online

Environmental Control Services has announced the official launch of TheAsbestosHotline.com, an informational website about asbestos that is totally free to the public.

Ashland, KY, November 01, 2008 -- Environmental Control Services, Inc. has announced the launch of their new website, TheAsbestosHotline.com. President & CEO, David Runyon has taken over 20 years of experience in the asbestos consulting, testing, and training field and created this very informational website that includes an online tutorial about asbestos, health effects, uses of the mineral, etc. TheAsbestosHotline is totally free to the public.

Mr. Runyon has worked in the asbestos field since 1986 and has extensive experience in the identification of asbestos containing materials, bulk material sampling, air monitoring, abatement design, and abatement project management. He has conducted hundreds of inspections in schools and commercial buildings as well as conducting asbestos awareness training for school system employees since the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) came into effect in 1989. Mr. Runyon also served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Environmental Council and was a member of an advisory council that reviewed and made recommendations for the development of the West Virginia State Asbestos Regulations.

TheAsbestosHotline.com also allows users to easily locate asbestos attorneys, abatement contractors, and asbestos inspectors in their state. There can be hundreds or in some cases thousands of licensed asbestos professionals in some states. TheAsbestosHotline.com makes it much easier to find the professional needed. Asbestos Attorneys, Lawyers, Asbestos Contractors, and Asbestos Inspectors can contact TheAsbestosHotline.com directly by phone or online for listing information.

Founder, David Runyon said about TheAsbestosHotline: "We found throughout the years that some people who have worked around asbestos containing materials in schools, commercial buildings and general industry, have at one time or another, been through an asbestos awareness training course. The vast majority of the people in the USA however, still know very little about asbestos. We also found that a lot of these people had only minimal knowledge about it and some had a lot of misconceptions. That's why we developed an online tutorial About Asbestos on TheAsbestosHotline.com."

Contact Information
Environmental Control Services
Dave Runyon
877-508-9887
daver@yoursafeworkplace.com
http://www.theasbestoshotline.com
Asbestos Attorneys, Contractors, and Inspectors may contact them directly to list your company or firm at 877-508-9887

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Major Cancer is Now Preventable

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:56 GMT

Ads Running Throughout the City Are Alerting New Yorkers That a Major Cancer is Now Preventable

"So Disfiguring, So Preventable," the Message about Oral Cancer that is Dominating the City.

New York, NY, October 30, 2008 -- Preventing oral cancer is the word on the street in New York City, as scores of people are spotting advertisements that are running on hundreds of city buses, inside and out. Oral cancer, which kills twice as many Americans as cervical cancer, is now especially on the rise in young people, women and non-smokers partly due to what is widely suspected to be an oral sex related increase in exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV). OralCDx Laboratories, a division of Oral Cancer Prevention International, has launched a bus ad campaign, urging people to visit BrushTest certified dentists for this routine screening test. The BrushTest, often compared to the Pap smear for the prevention of cervical cancer, tells patients if any of the common red and white spots that are found in almost everyone's mouth at one time or another are pre-cancerous and need to be removed, long before they have the chance to develop into cancer.

The ad appears on the outside and inside of 450 MTA buses. Simultaneously, a similar ad jointly placed by OralCDx Laboratories and the American Dental Association is running on over 100 MTA buses.

The bus ads will be running until the end of November, leading into the Greater New York Dental Meeting, taking place at The Javits Center starting on November 28.

Oral cancer, one of the most disfiguring cancers, kills about as many Americans as melanoma and twice as many as cervical cancer. Very few cancers are preventable, and OralCDx is on a mission to let people know that oral cancer has recently joined the short list of preventable cancers. The effectiveness and accuracy of the BrushTest is referenced by both the National Cancer Institute and the ADA, and the test is used by over 30,000 dentists nationwide.

About the BrushTest

OralCDx Laboratories, a division of Oral Cancer Prevention International, Inc., is the worldwide, exclusive provider of the BrushTest, utilizing patented and proprietary tissue sampling and cell analysis systems. The BrushTest is used by dentists and physicians to help prevent oral cancer, a disease that kills as many Americans as melanoma, twice as many as cervical cancer, and is rising among women, young people and non-smokers. Well over 25% of those found to have oral cancer do not use tobacco or abuse alcohol. Recent studies have also shown a link between HPV and an increase in oral cancer.

The BrushTest is taught in the majority of U.S. dental schools and is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private U.S. medical and dental insurance plans. The American Dental Association (ADA), in collaboration with OralCDx Laboratories, has recently embarked on a campaign to inform patients that because of the BrushTest, oral cancer has joined the short list of cancers that can now be stopped, years before they can even start. The accuracy of OralCDx was demonstrated in one of the largest studies in oral medicine ever conducted, performed at 35 academic centers in the U.S., involving nearly 1,000 patients. This study was published as the cover story of the Journal of the American Dental Association and earned OralCDx the ADA's prestigious Seal of Acceptance.

For more information on the OralCDx BrushTest, call (877) 672-5722 or visit www.BrushTest.com.

Contact Information

OralCDx Laboratories
Sharon Golubchik
845-368-7451
gsharon@cdxlabs.com
www.oralcdx.com

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Families Informed About Insurance Coverage With Medical Reimbursement Resource

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:52 GMT

Medical Reimbursement Resource LLC of Houston Helps Families Stay Informed, Choose Right Insurance Coverage

Company Educates Consumers of Medicare Part C Advantage Plan Enrollment Period Deadline - March 31, 2008

Houston, TX - March 12 -- Medical Reimbursement Resource (MRR) LLC, a leading patient advocacy company in Houston, advises the Medicare community of March 31st Medicare Part C enrollment deadline and helps educate consumers on the best health insurance choices for their situation.

MRR professionals explain that the Medicare program is a federal program that helps senior citizens and other qualifying individuals pay for health care. Divided into parts, A, B, C, and D, Part C is an alternative to Parts A and B. Under Part C, private health insurance companies can contract with the federal government to offer Medicare benefits through their own policies.

"Medicare Part C Advantage Plans are not for everyone. Generally the choice of providers is more limited than with traditional Medicare Parts A & B. Individuals with special health problems and working with physicians that are important to them are recommended to remain on Medicare Parts A and B," said MRR owner Jane Lehto.

"However, it's great to have another insurance option available for Medicare beneficiaries. This is where Medicare Part C comes in," Lehto added.

Lehto and her staff help clients choose the right insurance coverage and receive all benefits to which they are entitled under their particular policy. With over 40 plans from which to choose in Texas, it is an often difficult process through which to navigate for the unknowing consumer.

Lehto further explained that the type of candidates qualifying for the Medicare Part C, particularly the Medicare Part C Advantage Plus plan, would be those in fragile health and on fixed incomes. The relatively new plans include either HMO's or PPO's and come with modest premiums. A vast number of physicians and hospitals participate in the plans.

"And effective this past January is the option for those switching from Medicare Parts A and B to return to their plans for whatever reason during the enrollment period from November 15 through December 31, 2008," said Lehto.

MRR also assists patients and their families with problem health insurance claims and medical bills, benefit issues, along with insurance choices and a myriad of issues that the consumer faces in today's challenging and complex insurance world. To learn more about Medical Reimbursement Resource LLC, call 1-713-526-0955 or log onto www.mrrmedical.com today.

Press Contact: Philip O'Hara
Company Name: Medical Reimbursement Resource LLC
Texas Phone: 713-526-0955
Website: www.mrrmedical.com

Government Rejects Request to Clean up Asbestos

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:05 GMT

LegalView Reports About the Government's Rejection of a Monetary Request to Clean up An Asbestos-Tainted Site

LegalView updated its mesothelioma blog to include news of the government denying federal funds to an area in Arkansas that was left tainted with asbestos after nearly 150 World War II structures were destroyed in a fire. The government rejected the requests from the town of Chaffee Crossing where citizens are currently at risk of contracting mesothelioma cancer.

Denver, CO - LegalView.com, the number one resource for everything legal on the Web, recently reported on its mesothelioma blog that federal funds were denied to cleanup an asbestos-tainted town in Arkansas. Chaffee Crossing is the site of a recent fire, which destroyed nearly 150 World War II (WWII) structures, releasing asbestos fibers and dust into the area potentially increasing the risk of citizens developing mesothelioma. The city requested federal funds from the government to assist the cleanup of the town, which is considered by several citizens there to be a Superfund Site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is refusing to deem the site a Superfund because it claims that levels of asbestos in the air after the fire were too low to be deemed as such. However, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality found asbestos contamination in some areas to be much higher than EPA tests recorded. For those who live in the area or who have previously been exposed to asbestos, using LegalView's mesothelioma portal to locate a mesothelioma attorney is the best way to protect oneself.

Asbestos is a material that is derived from vermiculate, a mineral often mined for uses in construction and as building insulation. Asbestos was widely used as insulation in many early 20th Century constructions, such as those burned in Chaffee Crossing. However, after discovering the link of inhaling asbestos to an incurable form of lung cancer, the use of asbestos was discontinued and the EPA has spent billions of dollars in the removal of asbestos across the country. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos are advised to contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm to receive an attorney consultation on developing a mesothelioma lawsuit in which compensatory damages can be sought. Mesothelioma is a painful and deadly illness that takes decades to reveal itself, by which time it can be too late to find ways in paying for medical expenses. Use the mesothelioma portal to learn more about this and other recent asbestos-related news.

Additionally, LegalView offers several other information portals relating to a range of issues such as the Baxter Heparin recall, traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatments and Erb's Palsy jury verdicts. Heparin is a blood thinner injected into patients undergoing heart surgery or similar procedures. It is used to prevent blood clots, which can be fatal during surgery. Recently, the Baxter Healthcare Corporation issued a Heparin recall because several patients had reported severe allergic reactions to the drug, which has been associated with at least 19 patient deaths. LegalView.com reported updates continually to readers as this story unfolded, providing insightful and imperative news for victims of the Heparin recall. Similarly, individuals can use the TBI practice area to learn the most up-to-date news on brain injury lawsuits, jury verdicts, treatments as well as how to locate brain injury lawyers.

For information on Erb's Palsy, a condition that usually develops because of labor complications, visit Erb's Palsy lawsuit as the condition is usually preventable and caused by a physician pulling on a baby during birth.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Press Contact: Katie Kelley
Company Name: LegalView
Phone: 720-771-3246
Website: http://mesothelioma.legalview.com

Foundation Funds Follow-up Care in Revolutionary Cancer Vaccine Study

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:51 GMT

Onyx and Breezy Foundation Funds Follow-up Care in Revolutionary Cancer Vaccine Study

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation recently funded after-care for dogs engaged in a revolutionary research study to develop a cancer vaccine that may be given to both humans and animals when successful. The study is being conducted at The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, a small animal teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Tuxedo Park, NY and Philadelphia, PA - March 14 -- The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has announced a gift to The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The gift will cover the expense of follow-up care for 12 dogs that are currently enrolled in the School's cancer vaccine study.

"Thanks to this generous gift, more participants in our lymphoma cancer vaccine clinical trial will be able to return for follow-up care," said Dr. Karin Sorenmo, chief of oncology at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital. "This means that we can capture all the data that is needed for the study while pet owners are helped financially."

Prior gifts to The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital from the Foundation have been a respirator for their ICU department and a mast cell tumor research study.

Dr. Sorenmo treated Breezy, who had mast cell tumors. "Thanks to Dr. Sorenmo, Breezy lived another 2 years, of quality life, after other vets gave her only 6 weeks to live," said Wanda Shefts. "We are glad that this project will help owners of dogs in remission from lymphoma and help advance Dr. Sorenmo's work on the cancer vaccine.

Dr. Sorenmo stated that she was encouraged by the results and she is hoping that this is just the beginning of more trials that can benefit dogs and ultimately help people. Thanks to this study, a number of the participating dogs are now cancer free. The researchers now estimate that they are within two years of testing the vaccine on humans. Without the dogs, they would be more than a decade away.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for the work they do at the Hospital and we are glad to be able to fund another project for them", said Mark Shefts.

For more information about Penn Vet, please visit www.vet.upenn.edu; for more information about The Onyx and Breezy Foundation, please visit www.onyxandbreezy.org.

The Onyx and Breezy Foundation Background

The Foundation was created in 2004 and named after the trustees Mark & Wanda Shefts' two Labrador Retrievers. The Foundation lends financial support to organizations that benefit the welfare of animals.

The University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine Background

Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the world's premier veterinary schools. Founded in 1884, the School was built on the concept of Many Species, One MedicineTM. The birthplace of veterinary specialties, the School serves a distinctly diverse array of animal patients, from pets to horses to farm animals.

Press Contact: Barbara Kauffman
Company Name: The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
Phone: 201-782-7400
Website: www.onyxandbreezy.org

New, Flexible Individual Health Insurance Plans

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:01 GMT

HumanaOne Introduces New, Flexible Individual Health Insurance Plans in Nine States

Individual insurance plans from HumanaOne meet a wide range of consumer needs.

Louisville, KY  - March 11 -- Humana (NYSE: HUM) today announced the introduction of a new portfolio of individual health insurance plans under its HumanaOne® brand in nine states -- Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah. In 2007, Humana introduced the individual health insurance coverage options in 15 other states (listed below), where they have been popular with consumers.

The variety of plans makes it easy for individuals and families to select a plan according to their own personal preferences, lifestyles and budgets. HumanaOne plans are designed specifically for self-employed entrepreneurs, small-business employees, part-time workers, students and early retirees. Humana markets HumanaOne plans through insurance agents and brokers, as well as directly to consumers. Health insurance quote applications for the plans are available online or by phone.

HumanaOne's new personal health insurance plan portfolio includes a broad spectrum of benefits -- with three in-network coinsurance levels and 17 annual deductible choices -- organized into three, distinct packages, for:

    People who are security-minded and want benefits like those provided by big employers
    People who want flexibility to fit their financial plan, including HSA-qualified offerings
    People who want a low-cost plan with a safety net "just in case"

The plans can be further customized with optional benefits such as dental insurance, life insurance, and supplemental accident coverage.

"With the U.S. market for individual health insurance at 18 million and growing, we recognize that individual health insurance plans cannot be 'one size fits all,'" said Jerry Ganoni, president of HumanaOne, Humana Small Business and HumanaDental. "That's why we created three separate families of plans, each tailored for a particular kind of consumer, but at the same time highly customizable. This represents the most significant product expansion for HumanaOne since its inception in 2002."

In 2007, Humana launched the new products in 15 other states -- Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Soon, the company plans to introduce the new product portfolio in the remaining two states where HumanaOne currently operates. At present, HumanaOne serves more than 250,000 health plan members in 26 states.

The new plans from HumanaOne are designed to appeal to a variety of consumers -- from those who desire the security, coverage and service commonly found in health plans from large employers, to those wanting a simple safety net in the event of a major health problem.

The new portfolio of HumanaOne plans offers deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 for single coverage, and from $2,000 to $15,000 for family coverage. Premiums start as low as $30 per month for single coverage and increase according to the plan, its features and level of benefits.

"This new portfolio of products positions HumanaOne to serve a much larger portion of the individual health insurance market, which we believe will continue to grow at a rate of five to eight percent annually over the next five years," said Steve DeRaleau, chief operating officer of HumanaOne. "As more people leave group health plans, retire early, become self-employed or work part-time, they will increasingly look to individual health plans, and HumanaOne will be there to serve them with a plan ideally suited to their distinct needs."

Humana guarantees monthly premium rates on its HumanaOne plans for one full year after purchase, as long as the member remains in the same area and keeps the same benefits. Thanks to Humana's large network of doctors and hospitals, HumanaOne policyholders who move to a different state can simply take their plan with them, and in most cases, those who work or travel away from home can receive in-network benefits by seeing any of the more than 400,000 Humana-contracted doctors, hospitals and other health care providers across the country.

HumanaOne members have 24-hour access to online tools and resources, enabling them to check claims status, medical expenses, compare hospital, doctor and prescription costs and more. HumanaOne accepts applications by phone or via its Website at http://www.humana-one.com/.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 11.5 million medical members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and supplementary benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.

Over its 47-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at Humana.com, including copies of:
    Annual reports to stockholders
    Securities and Exchange Commission filings
    Most recent investor conference presentations
    Quarterly earnings news releases
    Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls
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Press Contact: Jim Turner
Company Name: HumanaOne
Phone: 502-476-2119
Website: http://www.humana-one.com/

New Patient Safety Solution Supported By Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:14 GMT

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Supports Florida's New Patient Safety Solution

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the leading national program that has certified more than 300,000 pharmacy technicians, supports and congratulates the Florida House of Representatives and Governor Charlie Crist for passing legislation requiring new standards for pharmacy technicians. The new Florida legislation takes a progressive step toward increasing patient safety for consumers. The legislation will ensure pharmacy technicians meet key requirements for training, certification and registration.

Washington, D.C. - June 27, 2008 -- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) (http://www.ptcb.org/), the leading national program that has certified more than 300,000 pharmacy technicians, is pleased to support and congratulate the Florida Legislature for passing SB 1360 and Governor Charlie Crist for signing it into law, requiring new standards for pharmacy technicians. Tireless advocacy efforts for the passage of this critical patient safety legislation and its final approval by Governor Crist were spearheaded by the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FSHP) and the Florida Pharmacy Association (FPA).

The new Florida legislation takes a progressive step toward increasing patient safety for consumers. By passing this legislation without amendment, and signing it into law, the Florida state legislature and governor will ensure pharmacy technicians meet key requirements for training, certification and registration. PTCB is proud to have certified 15,000 pharmacy technicians in Florida to date and looks forward to working with more pharmacy technicians and their employers.

"Florida's new pharmacy technician standards are an important patient safety solution for consumers in the Sunshine State and Governor Crist and the state's legislators should be applauded," said PTCB Executive Director and CEO Melissa Murer Corrigan. "To meet these new state standards, PTCB is looking forward to continued work with pharmacy technicians and significant employers of Florida's pharmacy technicians such as Walgreen's, CVS, Publix, Target, the U.S. military, multiple health-systems and independent pharmacists in communities across the state. Several of these employers presently support and endorse PTCB across the United States."

The landmark piece of Florida legislation (SB 1360) contributes to raising the bar for states across the country by providing an example of the high standards needed for pharmacy technicians. The more than 40,000 pharmacy technicians currently working in Florida will be required to register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy by 2010. In 2011, they will need to either complete a board-approved training program with 1,500 hours of work as a technician under a Florida licensed pharmacist, or be certified (https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Guidebook_to_Certification&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=2952) by a program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). PTCB is the pioneer in certifying pharmacy technicians (https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Learn&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=1384) and is accredited by the NCCA. PTCB's certification program has been included in regulations by more than 30 state boards of pharmacy. Through its strategic partnership with Pearson VUE, PTCB is able to offer highly scalable computer-based testing through the world's largest network of testing centers.

Studies show without a doubt that Americans support a standard of excellence for pharmacy technicians. A recent poll commissioned by PTCB confirms that 91% of American consumers support strong regulations across the country to protect patient safety by requiring that pharmacy technicians are trained and certified. While states like Florida reflect this growing need for action, almost twenty other states still have no requirement for certification. Clearly, consumers are relying on state boards of pharmacy to protect them and enact strong requirements such as Florida's for pharmacy technicians.

About the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) (http://www.ptcb.org/)

PTCB was established in January 1995 and is governed by five pharmacy organizations - the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP), the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Since PTCB's inception, PTCB has certified over 300,000 pharmacy technicians through the examination and transfer process. PTCB's certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The goal of the PTCB national certification program is to enable pharmacy technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. PTCB contracts with Pearson VUE, the industry's technology leader, as its computer-based testing vendor. PTCB draws upon the experience and expertise of its 13-year partner, Professional Examination Service (PES) for test development.

Contact Information
Mark Franco
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
http://www.ptcb.org
202-429-7508
202-828-9767

Suboxone Treatment Program Launched

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:51 GMT

InterventionTreatment.com Launches Suboxone Treatment Program

LOS ANGELES-- June 27, 2008 --Intervention Treatment announced today that it has launched a suboxone treatment program. The program will be used to increase Intervention Treatment's Global mission of providing Intervention and Treatment resources to those affected by alcohol and drug addiction. According to Dr. Jason Schiffman, Chief Medical Officer for Intervention Treatment, "There is a large, poorly met demand for outpatient, office-based treatment of opiate dependence and the addition of the suboxone treatment program to Intervention Treatment's array of alcohol and drug addiction related services will be a great tool for patients and their families."

Intervention Treatment is currently one of the fastest growing online resources for those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The new Suboxone Treatment program is designed to help those affected by opiate addiction.

About Suboxone:

Suboxone is the first drug approved by the FDA for opiate dependence treatment in office based settings. This means that patients addicted to opiates may now choose to receive opiate-based treatment as an outpatient instead of in a hospital setting. Patients are evaluated and treated during office visits and receive a prescription for suboxone which they may fill at any pharmacy. Suboxone is comprised of two separate medications: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist, meaning its opiate effects are significantly reduced compared to that of full opiate agonists, such as vicodin or heroin. The naloxone in suboxone is not appreciably absorbed from the digestive track when suboxone is taken orally and is in place to prevent the misuse of suboxone by injection drug users. The combination of these two medications leads to suboxone's effectiveness in treating opiate dependence.

About Suboxone Treatment:

Suboxone treatment differs significantly from standard opiate dependence treatment programs. Traditionally, opiate addicts undergoing medical detoxification have been administered either methadone or a combination of drugs, each targeting a symptom of withdrawal. The latter approach usually must take place in an inpatient setting in order to be done safely, while methadone treatment requires a patient to visit a clinic on a daily basis to receive a prescribed dose. Suboxone treatment differs from these treatments in several important ways. Firstly, a prescription for suboxone can be obtained at a specially licensed physician's office and filled at any pharmacy. This means the patient does not need to be admitted to a hospital or make daily visits to a methadone clinic in order to receive their medication. Secondly, because suboxone is a mixture of naloxone and buprenorphine, a partial opiate agonist with a long duration of action, the potential for abuse and overdose are much less than with methadone. Thirdly, because buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist, suboxone may be easier to taper off of than full opiate agonists like methadone.

About Intervention Treatment

Intervention Treatment, formed in 2007, is an internet resource offering help to those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Intervention Treatment provides referrals to drug and alcohol rehabs, intervention services, suboxone treatment referrals, and general information regarding addiction and treatment.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, and members of their management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-statements include fluctuation of operating results, the ability to compete successfully and the ability to complete before-mentioned transactions. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.
Contacts

Intervention Treatment
William Donovan, Co-Founder, 949-267-4113
bj@interventiontreatment.com
www.interventiontreatment.com

Physician Practice Documentation Receives CCHIT Certification

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:05 GMT

Dairyland Healthcare Solutions' Physician Practice Documentation Receives 2007 CCHIT Certification

Software Complies with 100 Percent of Updated 2007 Certification Criteria

GLENWOOD, Minn.-- June 18, 2008 --The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT®) today announced that Dairyland Healthcare Solutions' Physician Practice Documentation (PPD), Version 9.0.0 is CCHIT Certified®, and meets the Commission's ambulatory electronic health record (EHR) criteria for 2007. Ambulatory EHRs are designed for physician offices and clinics where most Americans get their healthcare. CCHIT - an independent, nonprofit organization - is the Recognized Certification Body in the United States for certifying health information technology products.

In the second year of the program's operation, the criteria and testing have been significantly enhanced. The Commission added 96 criteria to the 151 original requirements from last year. As a CCHIT Certified product has been tested and passed inspection of 100 percent of a set of updated criteria for functionality, interoperability and security.

"For 2007, the Commission raised the bar from the previous year's criteria. Ambulatory EHRs now must include electronic prescribing, demonstrate an ability to receive lab results, and show enhanced patient safety, quality, and security features," said Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., chair, CCHIT. "Investment in 2007 certified ambulatory EHRs gives providers even more powerful tools to improve quality, safety and efficiency while protecting the privacy of health information."

The CCHIT Certified mark - a "seal of approval" for EHR products - provides the first consensus-based, government-recognized benchmark for ambulatory EHR products. By looking to products with the CCHIT Certified seal, physicians and other providers can reduce their risk in selecting an EHR product, allowing them to focus their evaluation on the special needs of their practices.

"We are delighted to receive CCHIT certification," said James Burgess, CEO of Dairyland. "The CCHIT review process is rigorous and essential to ensuring that technologies carrying this important certification meet the highest safety and quality standards. We are pleased that CCHIT recognizes Dairyland's high standards," he added.

CCHIT's certification compliance criteria and its design for a certification inspection process have been thoroughly researched, taking into account the state of the art of EHRs and available standards, and comparing certification processes in other industries and other countries. The inspection process is based on real-life medical scenarios designed to test products rigorously against the clinical needs of providers and the quality and safety needs of healthcare consumers and payers. One script, for example, recreates a scenario of an elderly man with poorly controlled diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions in order to test EHR functions such as potential adverse drug reactions, disease management and treatment plans.

About Dairyland Healthcare Solutions

Dairyland Healthcare Solutions is an award-winning healthcare information systems company that links essential information between small community hospitals and their healthcare delivery and business networks. Dairyland enables its hospital partners to deliver the highest level of patient care by providing the information infrastructure required to operate effectively in the dynamic and complex healthcare delivery environment. For almost three decades, Dairyland has partnered with leading community hospitals to help them improve efficiencies, enhance profitability and ensure patient safety by providing solutions to manage, integrate and access key financial, clinical and patient information. Dairyland is the only company to be awarded three consecutive "Best in KLAS" ratings in the Community Hospital Information Systems category. To learn more, visit: http://www.dhsnet.com.

About CCHIT

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT®) is an independent, nonprofit organization that has been named by the federal government as the Recognized Certification Body for health information technology. Its mission is to accelerate the adoption of health information technology by creating a credible, sustainable certification program. The certification requirements are based on widely accepted industry standards and involve the work of hundreds of expert volunteers and input from a variety of stakeholders throughout the health care industry. More information on CCHIT and CCHIT Certified® products is available at www.cchit.org.

"CCHIT®" and "CCHIT Certified®" are service marks of the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology.

Contacts

Dairyland Healthcare Solutions
Tracey Schroeder, 612-787-3125
VP Marketing & Communications
tracey.schroeder@dhsnet.com
or
CCHIT
Sue Reber, 503-703-0813
sreber@cchit.org