MATURE MARKET HEADLINES 11/30/2000
Prosperity Weighs Heavy on Mature Women
Extra pounds can be expensive for middle-aged women, according to University of Michigan researchers analyzing data on more than 7,000 men and women in their 50s and 60s. The findings suggest that the economic cost of obesity is high and that it continues as women age.
Analyzing data from the U-M Health and Retirement Study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, the researchers at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR) investigated labor market and wealth consequences for obese and non-obese women. The effects of obesity were generally smaller for men and not statistically significant.
They found that in 1992 the individual net worth of a moderately to severely obese woman between the ages of 51 and 61 was about 40 percent less than that of her non-obese counterpart, after statistically controlling for health, marital status, and a number of other demographic factors.
In 1998, a moderately to severely obese woman between the ages of 57 and 67 had an individual net worth of about 60 percent less than her non-obese peer, an average difference of about $135,670, again controlling for important demographic and health factors.
"That an effect of obesity on net worth remains even when we consider these other factors (demographic, physical and mental health) is consistent with the notion that obesity is economically burdensome for women. This may be due to cultural norms of attractiveness, which stigmatize obese women in a variety of ways," the researchers conclude.
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Racial Differences in Kidney Transplant Rates
A study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has identified factors that account for racial differences in surgical procedures for Blacks and Whites. Harvard researchers have found that both under use of kidney transplants for Black patients and overuse for White patients contribute to a wide gap in use between the groups. Many studies have identified racial disparities in access to surgical procedures but not the underlying causes.
While some have argued that racial disparities mainly reflect broad differences in medical conditions according to race, others have argued that these differences are mainly due to racially based barriers to the receipt of appropriate care. But researchers led by Arnold Epstein, Harvard School of Public Health, studied patients with end-stage renal disease and found a more complex picture.
Using objective measurements of medical condition that take into account the co-existence of other diseases, the researchers found that about twice as many Whites as Blacks were rated as appropriate (20.9 percent vs. 9.0 percent), and Blacks were more likely to have incomplete workups (47% vs 39%).
"There was a clear difference in the medical condition of the two populations," says Epstein. There were significant differences by race at points all along the treatment path to transplantation. The following are examples that illustrate these differences.
- Referral to a transplantation center for evaluation (98% of whites vs. 79% of blacks)
- Wait listing (87 percent vs. 71 percent)
- Transplantation (52 percent vs. 17 percent).
"We have known about racial disparities in care and health outcomes for a long time, and they still persist," says Epstein, "... because no one knew for sure what the disparities meant."
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Public Health Not Focus of Physician Lobby
Physicians are frequent and effective lobbyists on Capitol Hill, but their lobbying efforts generally do not
address public health issues, according to a study conducted by Steven Landers and Ashwini Sehgal of Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine and MetroHealth Medical Center. "This is the first known study to systematically look at how physicians lobby members of Congress," says Professor Sehgal.
Based on surveys of congressional legislative assistants, the study found that physician lobbying focuses on Medicare reimbursement (mentioned by 80 percent of legislative assistants), managed care reform (75 percent), and biomedical research funding (25 percent). By contrast, public health issues, such as access to care for the uninsured, tobacco control, abortion rights, and violence prevention are rarely discussed, according to the study.
The congressional staffers rated physicians as very effective lobbyists, but wanted physicians to provide input on a broader range of public health issues. One staffer said, "Physicians should be aware of the impression that their main concern is reimbursement rates." Another commented that physicians should "convey passion ... and recognize the power they have to influence Congress."
"Like any other group, physicians have a right to inform legislators about issues that affect their livelihood and working conditions," said Landers, a medical student at CWRU. "But because of their unique qualifications, physicians also should educate members of Congress about how legislative decisions affect patient care and public health."
Sehgal said, "Policy makers told us they want more input from physicians about public health issues. We urge both individual physicians and physician organizations to work with legislators to improve our health care system."
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Extended Longevity Rocks the 21st Century
"Death and Its Enemies," a conference exploring the social and ethical implications of extended longevity in the 21st century, will be held December 1-2, 2000 in Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., on the University of Michigan Central Campus.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Life Sciences, Values, and Society Program which is part of the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Initiative. The other co-sponsor is the Project on Death in America.
Speakers will include experts from the U-M, Yale, Harvard, Cornell and Columbia, as well as representatives of the Project on Death in America.
Organized by Robert Burt, visiting professor of law from Yale University, the two-day conference will feature presentations on scientific prospects for increased longevity, changing cultural attitudes toward death and dying people, and legal and cultural implications of efforts to regulate or control death.
The conference is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. To register by e-mail, send notice to: LSVSP1@umich.edu (be sure to type "dying registration" in the e-mail subject line). Registrations are also accepted via voice-mail at: (734) 647-4571.
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Online Guide for Today's Eldercare Provider
The Administration on Aging (AoA) has announced the launch of its new "Because We Care" guide to assist America's family caregivers to deal with the day-to-day challenges associated with caregiving. Caregivers can
receive immediate access to information about services and educational tools by logging onto http://www.aoa.gov/wecare.
Designed as a consumer-friendly online resource, the new site is dedicated to the growing numbers of caregivers in communities across the country. "Since older adults are turning increasingly to the Internet for information, this easy-to-use online service gives caregivers and their families immediate access to essential information" says Jeanette C. Takamura, Assistant Secretary for Aging in the Department of Health and Human Services.
AoA's comprehensive caregiver guide provides information and a range of suggestions on how to make caregiving easier and more effective. Topics include tips on
- how to maximize your care receiver's independence and health
- how to improve or maintain a good quality of life
- how to bring about positive lifestyle changes
- where to turn for help with housing
- where to find affordable long-term care
- how to cope with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Caregivers also will find suggestions on how to avoid "burning the candle at both ends." Much of the information is drawn from ongoing research by AoA and recommendations made by hundreds of caregivers across the country.
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USDA Website Offers Nutrition Guidance
Do you want an on-line assessment of the quality of your diet? How about a few tips on healthy meals? If so, surf on over to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Center for Nutrition and Policy Promotion website.
The Center is the focal point within the USDA where scientific research is linked with the nutritional needs of the American public. It serves as a place where the public is assured that the nutrition guidance they receive is based on sound research and analysis.
Visitors to the USDA website will find electronic versions of the following USDA publications.
- "Nutrition Insights"
A series of fact sheets on nutrition, ethnic foods, elder diets.
- "Consumer Education Booklets"
A series of brochures on dietary guidelines and food pyramids.
- "Family Economics and Nutrition"
A peer-reviewed quarterly journal.
In addition to the Center's publications, visitors will find links to other USDA websites that address food and nutrition issues. The USDA's Center for Nutrition and Policy Promotion website is located at: www.usda.gov/cnpp
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Five Seniors Honored As Ageless Heroes
Five outstanding seniors are this year’s “Ageless Heroes” Award winners given by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), in its third year of the national Ageless Heroes Awards program. They range in age from 70 to 100 and each honoree’s story is a testament to an inspirational life.
BCBSA President and CEO Scott Serota will be joined by award winning entertainer Rita Moreno and television weather personality Willard Scott in presenting the five honorees with awards to recognize their heroic qualities during a luncheon on Tuesday, December 5, 2000, at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.
“The Ageless Heroes Awards Program provides Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association with an opportunity to honor our nation’s outstanding seniors who are committed to staying vital and active,” says Serota. “Their efforts to live life to its fullest serve as an inspiration to all generations.”
The five inspiring winners of this year’s Ageless Heroes program are:
- Harding Kneedler, M.D., age 100, Davidson, North Carolina.
Kneedler receives the "Vigor and Vitality" award for extraordinary physical or mental abilities.
- Lillian Embick, age 75, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Embick is being recognized for "Community Involvement".
- Oscar Fishtein, age 93, West Kingsburg, New Jersey.
Fishtein receives the "Love of Learning" award for sharing his knowledge.
- Kenneth J. Carson Jr., age 70, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Carson earned the "Bridging Generations" award for bringing elders and young people together.
- Doris Hicks, age 80, San Angelo, Texas.
Hicks receives the "Against the Odds" award for overcoming challenging obstacles.
In addition to these five winners, BCBSA will present a special award to the Honorable Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz for his outstanding contributions in Chicago. BCBSA is a federation of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide health care coverage to nearly 78 million Americans.
Read the Ageless Hero Profiles in the AgeVenture archives.
Harding Kneedler, M.D., 100 year old Track and Field Athlete
Lillian Embick, Community Activist at Age 75
Oscar Fishtein, age 93, Lifelong Learner
Kenneth J. Carson Teaches Kids the Write Stuff
Doris Hicks, 80 year old Medalist Swimmer
Super Seniors: inspirational profiles of active adults
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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