News Items from the Healthcare International Publication
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Americans Lead Medical Tourism Exodus
The number of Americans heading abroad for medical procedures is surging as the country’s 46 million people without health insurance look for treatment they can afford and cashstrapped U.S. companies struggle to find cheaper ways to provide high-quality medical care to their employees..pg10 full story Issue 17
Elite Athlete Cardiac Tests
A clinical study of USA Weightlifting and U.S. Men’s Rowing, led by Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center (MGH) in Boston, will use an advanced, miniaturized cardiovascular ultrasound system to examine athletes hearts before and after competition...pg12 full story Issue 17
Prevention Best Cure for Flu?
For flu, prevention is definitely better than cure and a regular flu shot can prepare the immune system to face the virus in the event of an outbreak...pg14 full story Issue 17
WHO day focuses on Climate Change
World Health Day, on 7 April, marks the founding of the World Health Organization and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year...pg16 full story Issue 17
Three Speed Euro Health Service
Combining easy, hassle free access to treatment and excellence in outcomes has put Austria just ahead of perennial patient pleasers, the Netherlands, and last year’s winner, France, which has slipped to 3rd place...pg10 full story Issue 16
Dubai Set to Boom
The Dubai Healthcare Provision report is the result of the joint efforts of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), its regulatory body, the Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality and Dubai Municipality...pg12 full story Issue 16
GM Deal on Health Insurance
It is expected that GM will fund a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA, with an amount that should cover health care costs for retirees in the future...pg14 full story Issue 16
Health Politics Centre Stage in US
The advert went out to Iowa and New Hampshire, and although it does not make mention of President Bush’s negative views of a proposed $35 billion expansion of child health coverage, the message is made very clear with the mantra...pg16 full story Issue 16
Saudi Healthcare Expo 2008
A rapidly rising population means that forward planning is essential and this, of course, includes preparing the healthcare services in all sectors for the future...pg21 full story Issue 16
Bupa Wins Virgin Media Contract
Bupa Health Insurance has won the contract to provide private healthcare to around 13,000 employees of entertainment and communications giant Virgin Media. The contract covers the next three years.pg10 full story Issue 15
Superbug Fears Spark Insurance Spike
Tens of thousands of people could be infected in the next 12months, with the most widespread hospital superbug known to the medical profession, and currently staged campaigns and procedures are not as effective as hoped...pg13 full story Issue 15
Malta - Medical Tourism Boom
Malta’s geographical position, slap bang betwixt east and west, as well as its renowned and respected high calibre of medical care, is the reason that the tiny Mediterranean island is becoming a magnet for medical tourists...pg14 full story Issue 15
Singapore “Top Healthcare Destination”, Says Guide
Singapore rated as a “leading healthcare destination”, according to Medical Handbook - Patients Beyond Borders. The book provides Middle East travellers with an introduction to South East Asia’s Most Advanced Healthcare System...pg17 full story Issue 15
U.S. Young Adults Uninsured
Adults aged 19 to 29 is the biggest group of the newly uninsured, according to an independent research group’s report...pg22 full story Issue 15
H5N1
Germany: Highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Bavaria [Aug 27 Brussels Belgium] news stories
England: Government announces advanced supply contracts for pandemic flu vaccine [Aug 27 London] news stories
Expats Must be Insured
According to the results of the recent MediCare International Industry Report, 95% of those living and working overseas consider international health insurance to be essential for peace of mind...pg10 full story Issue 14
ABI Assists Consumers
The Association of British Insurers has set up a task force designed to look into helping older consumers shop around for travel and motor insurance...pg13 full story Issue 14
US User-Payer Survey Mixed Reactions
The “user-pays” system, in which Republications and businesses replace US healthcare insurance has been found wanting, in practice, and is widely considered unpopular for failing to account for the way people use them, according to a survey by Towers Perrin, a risk and financial management consultancy...pg14 full story Issue 14
CardioBelt™ Wireless ECG System
The CardioBelt™ Electrode System allows patients to easily obtain their ECG and wirelessly transmit it to a health care provider, enabling remote heart monitoring. Monebo Technologies, Inc..pg16 full story Issue 14
Reform - Key to US Crisis
Few would disagree that the US health system is in a state of crisis and the flag of health reform is running high up the mast of all wouldbe presidential candidates ...pg23 full story Issue 14
Team DRF Mission Statistics 2006
On board of specially equipped helicopters the TEAM DRF pilots, emergency physicians and paramedics started on 26,549 emergency missions in Germany, Italy and Austria. In addition, the TEAM DRF transported 9,094 intensive care patients between clinics and repatriated 856 patients from 102 countries to their home countries for further medical treatment... pg10 full story Issue 13
Healthcare City Dubai Phase II
The Wellness Center will be developed with Duke University Health System and Partners Healthcare System. The AED 1 billion World-Care Wellness Center will offer wellness programmes modelled and designed after the award winning Duke Diet and Fitness Program, the most respected and effective weight loss programme in the United States...pg12 full story Issue 13
China - Tough Healthcare Goals
Premier Wen Jiabao’s pledge to accelerate the reform of China’s ailing rural health system, the issue of affordable healthcare for Chinese people on the wrong side of the wealth divide is back under the spotlight. The report delivered at the opening of the National People’s Congress (NPC)...pg14 full story Issue 13
EAA Eyes the Competition
For European Air Ambulance (EAA), Synergies point to the future in a competitive market. In an increasingly competitive market, air operators are looking for that extra edge...pg8 full story Issue 12
CIGNA New Appointments
Susan Knapp Pinnas is to lead South Florida/Caribbean Operations for CIGNA Healthcare. A Florida native and five-year veteran of CIGNA HealthCare, Knapp was named president and general manager...pg16 full story Issue 12
AXA Acquisition
AXA announces an acquisition that strengthens its distribution platform through the provision of broking services to the SME market. AXA UK announced that it has reached agreement with insurance brokers Stuart Alexander and Layton Blackham, to acquire both businesses...pg22 full story Issue 12
East Meets West Shanghai... “a triumph”
Uniting leading healthcare leaders from around the World, East Meets West Shanghai, 6th - 8th February 2007, proved to be the summit conference for leaders in healthcare around the world, with an eye on the exploding Chinese economy...pg26 full story Issue 12
President Bush Praises
Cancer Successes President Bush hailed the downward trend in cancer deaths in the United States, a signal that medicine is making strides in battling a disease that kills nearly 1,500 Americans a day...pg10 full story Issue 12
Uterus Transplant
A New York hospital is taking steps to offer the first uterus transplant in the U.S., a radical experiment that might allow women whose wombs were removed, or are defective, to bear children...pg14 full story Issue 12
Drug resistance in an
Influenza Pandemic Stockpiling large amounts of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and related antiviral drugs, with the intent to treat a large fraction of the population is a key part of pandemic preparedness in many countries...pg21 full story Issue 12
Medical Insurance- Disasters
Employees soon will be automatically enrolled in a new medical insurance plan if their own health plan goes out of business or can’t function because of a disaster, under new rules, from immediate effect...pg23 full story Issue 12
Angolan Cholera Outbreak
More than 2,760 people have died of cholera in Angola since an epidemic broke out last February, authorities said...pg25 full story Issue 12
AXA Group Performances
Activity indicators at AXA confirm strong top-line growth momentum: Life & Savings New Business Volume up 14% & New Business Value up 19%, Property & Casualty Revenues up 4%, Asset Management Revenues up...pg8 full story Issue 11
CIGNA Helps to Ease Burden
CIGNA HealthCare is supporting U.S. Senate and House bipartisan effort to make consumer health coverage more affordable, accessible and flexible...pg12 full story Issue 11
Pandemic… What Pandemic?
Earlier this year, bird flu panic was in full swing: the French feared for their foie gras, the Swiss locked their chickens indoors, and Americans enlisted prison inmates in Alaska to help spot infected wild birds...pg16 full story Issue 11
BUPA Comes Clean
BUPA is the first to publish patient- friendly outcomes data. Patients and GPs can now access outcomes data about all BUPA Hospitals thanks to a pioneering new initiative...pg28 full story Issue 11
CIGNA Acquires vielife
CIGNA announced it has further expanded its consumer engagement and health advocacy capabilities through its acquisition of privately held vielife, a U.K.- based leading provider of integrated online health management and coaching programs...pg10 full story Issue 11
Tackling UK’s Obesity As a British government health agency recommended that doctors offer the controversial stomachstapling surgery to severely obese children. In an attempt to deal with the rising obesity epidemic across Britain...pg14 full story Issue 11
High Blood Pressure under Control
‘’I think it gives more evidence that the modest improvement in blood pressure control rates are continuing,’’ said Dr. Daniel Jones, the American Heart Association’s president-elect. ‘’The good news is they’re better than 10 to 15 years ago...pg20 full story Issue 11
Russia, Vietnam Alliance
During a recent visit to Russia, a Vietnamese health ministry delegation headed by Minister of Health Tran Thi Trung Chien discussed with its counterpart issues of mutual concern.The two sides agreed to further boost cooperation.The Russian appreciated Vietnam’s achievements in healthcare, especially in preventing and controlling deadly diseases like SARS and bird flu...pg34 full story Issue 11
Fundamental Care
CIGNA CIGNA HealthCare announced the availability of Fundamental Care, a plan that will give employers the ability to provide substantial benefits to employees who are ineligible for or do not have access to traditional major medical coverage... full story Issue 10
DKV and Apollo Alliance
The Indian Apollo Hospitals Group and DKV Deutsche Krankenversicherung have joined forces to form a health insurance company in India...pg24 full story Issue 10
AXA Acquisitions Latest
AXA announced it has entered into an agreement with Alpha Bank to acquire its insurance subsidiary, Alpha Insurance, for Euro 255 million. Alpha Bank is the second largest bank in Greece...pg31 full story Issue 10
US Corporates Sign up to Far East Healthplan
United Group Programs, a health insurer in Boca Raton, Florida, began offering the programme six months ago. Medical costs are skyrocketing in the United States, causing a revolution in how healthcare is paid for and delivered...pg 10 full story Issue 10
CIGNA’s New Wellness Director
Previously, Rizk was vice president of international services for Methodist Health Care System in Houston and director of planning and marketing for Rizk Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, where she says she “grew up in health care”...pg14 full story Issue 10
70% MRSA Imported by Patients
That’s what chiefs at East and North Herts NHS Trust said about the levels of the superbug infection on their wards. They estimated 67 per cent of those with MRSA since September last year already had it in their bloodstream when they entered the hospital doors...pg18 full story Issue 10
Tropical Disease Strategy
The approach contained in a newly published manual, Preventive Chemotherapy in Human Helminthiasis, focuses on how and when a set of low-cost or free drugs should be used in developing countries to control a set of diseases caused by worm infections. Preventive chemotherapy, in this context, means using drugs that are effective...pg30 full story Issue 10