MATURE MARKET HEADLINES POSTED 12/15/97
Implants Bridge Our Generation's Gaps
The American Dental Association estimates that 110 million people are missing one or more teeth. In a recent study by the National Institute of Dental Research, 35 million Americans reported wearing dentures. 21 million reported problems with dentures such as lack of stability and retention.
One solution to the problem is dental implants which offer permanent replacement teeth which are surgically inserted into the patient's jaw. These replacements to dentures provide stable, natural-looking teeth that help minimize bone atrophy which can result in facial collapse that gives the appearance of premature aging.
Steri-Oss, the largest U.S. manufacturer of dental implants, has improved upon the implant by introducing a special coating that stimulates bone growth around the implant and enhances its integration into the jaw. Baby Boomers, who are doing everything they can to maintain their youthful appearance, will no doubt be interested in this alternative to dentures.
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Five Most Embarrassing Health Issues
In a recent Harris Poll conducted for the Take Time to Talk Advisory Council, 93% of physicians agreed that serious medical problems could be averted if patients were more willing to talk about their health problems. Two-thirds of the physicians reported difficulties treating patients who are too embarrassed to talk about their problems. Here are the top five health conditions that patients reported being too embarrassed to discuss with their doctor.
- Incontinence, the involuntary passage of urine, which affects 13 million Americans headed the list with the average patient waiting 2-3 years before seeking treatment.
- Enlarged prostate, which affects half of all males over age 60 was often a taboo topic for patients.
- Sexual dysfunction, commonly known as impotence affects 30 million U.S. men. Yet, the majority find it too embarrassing to discuss.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are among the most common infectious diseases today, affecting 13 million men and women. Despite the fact that most STDs are easily treated, many victims are too embarrassed or frightened to seek treatment.
- Gynecological Problems, such as vaginal infections, complicate menstruation and menopause. These problems are common and treatable, yet unreported or untreated due to embarrassment.
Support for this effort to strengthen physician-patient communication was provided by Pharmacia & Upjohn of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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Aging Workforce Spawns New Benefit
Social trends such as increased longevity and the delay of parenthood have converged to create the dual burden of caring for aging parents and raising young children. According to a survey conducted by AARP, nearly 6 million full-time workers are also family caregivers who provide anywhere from 9 hours to 56 hours of caregiving per week because their is no money to hire help.
Now, company's like Viaticus Inc, an affiliate of CNA insurance, provide a new kind of employee benefit called a "viatical settlement" which enables a person with a serious illness to sell all or part of their existing life insurance policies for a percentage of the face value. Individuals who receive these funds can use them in any manner that they wish such as the hiring of professional caregivers or payment of medical bills. In most cases, the funds from viatical settlements are free of federal income tax. 2,000 adults have already taken advantage of this new benefit.
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Brussels Sprouts Kimberly-Clark Findings
A survey of 6,000 women attending a global conference in Brussels made some interesting findings. The women, all from the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, France, and Spain reported that household electrical appliances and contraceptive devices are the two product innovations that have most improved the quality of life for women.
85% and 81% of the women, respectively, indicated that these products improved their lives significantly. 75% said that disposable personal hygiene products such as diapers and feminine pads contributed significantly to quality of life. Beauty care products and frozen foods ranked 4th and 5th.
In other areas, American women voiced higher optimism about the future than their non-American peers. For example, significant differences were identified on drug problems (69% vs. 56%), unemployment (62% vs. 42%), world poverty (65% vs. 55%), and the future of democracy (75% vs. 64%).
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the sponsor of the survey, is a leading global manufacturer of personal care, consumer tissue, and away-from-home products that include such brandnames as Huggies, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex and Scott.
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Travel Agency To Peddle Bike Tours
Grand Circle, a $200 million travel corporation has announced the acquisition of Vermont Bicycle Touring of Bristol, Vermont and Meursault, France. The 27 year-old company's unique bicycling and hiking tours throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific will extend Grand Circle Corporation's current offerings of more than 250 cultural, educational, and adventure vacations worldwide to Americans age 50-plus.
The agency's travel opportunities serve more than 60,000 senior Americans each year. "Our goal", says Grand Circle CEO, Alan Lewis, "is to be the world leader in direct market travel for older Americans, and that means a diverse market with a comprehensive range of vacation choices". Choices currently range from exotic cruise tours to well-paced hiking excursions. Vermont Bicycle Touring will retain its offices in Vermont and France.
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AgeVenture News Service, 21946 Pine Trace, Boca Raton, FL 33428 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
E-mail: demko@demko.com
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