health education

Health care in America has lately been getting the exposure it needs. The American health care has now become more hopeful at the same time problematical and baffling. But there is promise in some health care insurance carriers where concerns of access and affordability are dealt with honestly. Quality is handled at its best.

California health and medical insurance come within reach of to get better quality care and preventive health services. It is centered on value which means members can only get the best possible services regarding health care.

Major health and medical insurance carriers in California are making a commitment to make better health care for all of their members. They have become the best health insurance of California. The health and medical insurance carriers present many options to clear out the complexities and intricacies baffling the prospective members. They are making it simple for members and prospective members to understand these different insurance plans compare in term of coverage and cost.

The California medical insurance quote differs from carrier to carrier. Each carrier has different rules and requirements for member enrollment and approval. But they would be happy to explain the various options available to fit the individual requirements. These would include small business, family plans, individuals and groups.

Enrolling in health insurance a prospective member should go for the best health insurance of California. California medical insurance quote are probably the most affordable in the country nowadays. Most online insurance companies have online tools to help you check out how much health insurance will cost in accordance to your requirements and qualifications. California health and medical insurance companies employ medical underwriting process to look at your age, sex and health and medical history to determine approval and how much it will cost to afford coverage.

But there is a catch. Not all insurance companies use the same underwriting guidelines which normally not made public. Nevertheless, individual company policies, insurance guidelines are government approved. They are required to file with a government agency for this purpose.

Generally online insurance companies will answer any questions regarding how to qualify for insurance coverage. This would include height, drinking habits, weight and others. The answers to the questions are deciding factors to offer medical and health insurance. The insurance companies will also look at your smoking habits. There a lot of heath factors to consider when seeking to enroll in medical and health insurance. Approval is usually based on these factors.

Online insurance companies hold fast to the conviction that members should be made to understand the insurance plan they require and the protection that the members needed. The best California health and medical quote might as well the best California medical insurance company. It can explain the various health insurance plans in simple, direct and honest way.

California health and medical insurance companies will educate you and to get down to the nuts and bolts of what makes the perfect health insurance plan for you and the members of your family.



By: Karen Fountain

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Going overseas for surgical treatment can be overwhelming for anybody. After all, it’s not like going to a hospital down the road where you have been to before and know all the doctors and nurses. To be successful in your pursuit of low-cost high quality medical treatment, there is a step by step process that you must follow to gain confidence in your decision, get the right care and save money.

STEP 1: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TREND OF MEDICAL TOURISM

Find out why everybody is raving about it and why they are willing to travel half the world for it. Learn from the experience of others. Read news and articles on the subject. Check out the frequently asked questions that medical tourists have at https://www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/medical-tourism-faq.jsp.

STEP 2: RESEARCH ON THE MEDICAL PROCEDURE

Find out all you can about the medical procedure in question – problems it solves, follow-up care needed, physical therapy required, etc. This will help you clear 3 doubts: is the procedure right for your condition; are you the right candidate for the procedure; and should you go abroad for it.

STEP 3: FIND OUT IF MEDICAL TOURISM IS WHAT YOU WANT

Medical tourism is not always a good choice for non-emergency medical treatments. Sometimes transportation costs may outweigh the possible savings achievable by going abroad. In some cases, the time required for the surgery abroad may be too much for you to spare. Or, the surgery you need may not be available abroad with a reputable health care provider.

STEP 4: LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Some countries have the reputation for top-quality cardiac surgery while others for world-class orthopedics and yet others for cosmetic procedures. So make your selection wisely. Sometimes distance can also play an important role in your decision-making, like in the case of small dental jobs. You should also prepare yourself for culture differences.

STEP 5: LEARN ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES AND SURGEONS

When researching on any health care provider try to find answers to the following:

Does the hospital or clinic employ the latest equipments and technology? Do they have expertise in the medical procedure you are seeking? What accreditations and awards do they have? Are the surgeons qualified enough? Where did they receive their education and training?

Answering these questions will give you a fair idea of the standard of quality of the provider.

STEP 6: ARRANGE ALL YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS

You will need them at the time of pre-consultation with your overseas surgeon as well as when you go abroad for surgery. Depending upon the condition you are treating, medical records you may need are: X-Rays, X-Ray reports, MRI’s, health histories, photographs, immunization record, prescriptions, etc..

STEP 7: REQUEST AND COMPARE QUOTES

Costs of health care vary from country to country and provider to provider. So request for quotes and compare them. Your selection of a particular provider and country should be based not just on low cost but also on quality as well as distance.

STEP 8: CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE FOR COVERAGE

With the numerous benefits that medical tourism offers, today some insurance companies have medical tourism plans. So, if you are covered under an overseas medical treatment plan, your insurer might cover your medical tourism expenses in full or in part. So check with your health insurance company for coverage details.

STEP 9: ACQUIRE YOUR PASSPORT AND VISA

If you and/or your travel companion (if any) do not have a passport, you will need to acquire it. Check with the foreign country’s embassy if a visa is required for entry and apply for it accordingly.

STEP 10: PLAN YOUR ITINERARY

When planning your itinerary, allow ample time for recovery. Be prepared to stay longer/shorter than expected. If you have travel or tourism on mind, allow time for that as well.

STEP 11: BOOK TICKETS AND ROOMS

Book tickets for yourself and your companion. After your surgery, you can choose to relax at a resort or in a hotel or go traveling in the foreign country. So if possible, make arrangements beforehand.

STEP 12: APPLY FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN

Consider purchasing one of the short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Travel insurance gives medical tourists coverage for unforeseen problems, from a canceled flight to a serious illness.

STEP 13: APPLY FOR MEDICAL FINANCE LOAN

If you do not have enough money for your medical treatment overseas, you may consider applying for medical loan or dental loan. Loan processing companies provide patient payment plans for plastic surgery, dental procedures, bariatric procedures, dermatology treatments, hospital, etc.

STEP 14: PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR RECOVERY

In certain cases, you may need to prepare your home for recovery. For example, if you are seeking affordable hip resurfacing surgery abroad, you may want to rearrange furniture in your house in advance before you leave to aid during the recovery stages.

STEP 15: PACK YOUR BAGS AND TAKE THE TRIP

Ensure that you have packed comfortable clothing. Bring some local currency, travelers checks, and one or two major credit cards. Keep important contact information handy. Bring all the required medical records. Remember to carry all your medical reports as well as any medicines in your carry-on luggage. Finally, take your well-planned medical trip and return home happy and healthy!

The above step by step medical tourism guide will help you with most aspects of medical tourism. To make your medical travel easy you may want to use a medical tourism provider to help you with all the logistics of medical tourism. Medical tourism providers like Healthbase (http://www.healthbase.com) connect you with the hospital of your choice while providing many other related valuable services.

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, international healthcare facilities and surgeons, and the details of the medical tourism process by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com. Healthbase.com is a medical tourism facilitator committed to providing low-cost high quality medical travel services to the global medical consumer.



By: Healthbase

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Over 43,000 Americans have been lost to Mesothelioma since 1979, a vicious form of cancer which strikes the protective sac around most of the internal organs within the human body.

This number is pathetically high considering that Mesothelioma is a preventable form of cancer. Asbestos exposure causes Mesothelioma, and 10 to 40 years can pass before there is even the slightest symptom of this deadly sleeper.

Just as someone with a headache wouldn’t go to a podiatrist for guidance, a patient struck down with Mesothelioma should seek out a specialized California mesothelioma attorney. California mesothelioma lawyers have undergone the necessary training to understand the specialized aspects of asbestos related cases.

This specialized education gives California mesothelioma lawyers a leading edge in fighting the big business practices which negligently exposed their employees to without a second thought to the potential health hazards. California mesothelioma lawyers understand the statistics, and what the statistics actually mean to this American health crisis.

Jury awards and Mesothelioma settlements reflect the very nature of Mesothelioma, a significant injustice portrayed upon the American worker. The preventability of the disease is perhaps the most incredulous sin of the entire ordeal. While the removable of asbestos can be a significant expense for a company to voluntarily take on, juries are sending the message that it is only a fraction of the cost of allowing the heart of the company to fall ill.

California mesothelioma lawyers have come through for their clients with unquestionable vigor, and those who now march in the fight attribute the groundbreaking Mesothelioma lawsuits in the early eighties, where a handful of brave attorneys took on Corporate American against all odds. Initially companies denied knowledge of the asbestos risks, while some equated the lawsuits to fraudulent workers comp claims.

Corporate America spent more than ten years blaming the victims of Mesothelioma, equating their cancer to that of cigarette smokers who then want to sue the tobacco companies. The pioneering Mesothelioma lawyers in California dug deep and were able to prove that the loyal employees of these companies had no idea of the dangers that lurked in their workplace and thus were unable to make informed decisions about their health.

The early work of the initial California mesothelioma lawyers paved the way and set a few vital precedents to allow current Mesothelioma lawyers to crack down harder and more aggressively than ever before.

The overall success of these Mesothelioma settlements can be attributed to company knowledge, as California mesothelioma lawyers were pivotal in exposing the vast majority of companies with high risk factors for asbestos related illnesses were well aware of these factors but chose to do nothing about it.

Banking on the longevity of the dormant nature of asbestos caused cancers, the vast majority of American companies felt they would not be held responsible by the time their loyal employees became ill. Over the last ten to fifteen years, California mesothelioma lawyers have exposed countless companies for their ignorant and callous company practices.

Public knowledge has led to what has been coined, “Mesothelioma sympathy cases.” Juries only need to hear the words “asbestos” and “Mesothelioma” in conjunction with big business and the trial can often pack it in. Ten jurors from nine various Mesothelioma lawsuits were recently polled, and the admitted that their minds were made up prior to hearing actual evidence.

While this is completely against the fiber of our country, so is sacrificing your employees for the almighty dollar. Mesothelioma has gained such a significant reputation of negligence that the greatest mistake a company can make is to take a hearing to a jury trial. Mesothelioma settlements are becoming more likely, with higher amounts awarded, to avoid the potential devastation a jury trial can ultimately lead to.

The astonishing fact that there are still companies with toxic levels of asbestos floating around in the companies is absolutely ridiculous. Perhaps it takes a Mesothelioma lawsuit to convince these companies that this stuff is actually dangerous enough to be removed.

In one three minute internet search, I found 6 companies from various parts of the country who have been fined more than once for having higher than legal levels of asbestos in their buildings, warehouses, materials, or production floors.

They are obviously willing to pay these fines repetitively rather than remove the asbestos. They are obvious willing to jeopardize the lives of their employees rather than to pay to have the asbestos removed. 17 companies had their asbestos removed after the year 2000. This was a quick search that only took a few minutes, certainly far from an extensive search that revealed these results.



By: Nick Johnson

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Florida Health Insurance Rate Hike

Florida Health insurance premiums have touched new heights! Every Floridian has the common knowledge that most annual health insurance contracts will endure a rate increase at the end of the year. This trend is not new and should be expected. Every time this issue pops up it seems as though the blame game starts. Floridians blame Health insurance companies; Health insurance companies blame Hospitals, Doctors and other medical care providers, Medical care providers blame inflation and politicians, well, we really don’t know what they do to help the issue… No one seems to be interested in finding the real cause of the health insurance premium rate increase. Most individuals, self employed, and small business owners have taken Florida Health Insurance Rate Hikes as the inevitable evil.

Hard Facts

What are various reports telling us? Why do Health insurance premium have annual rate increases?

Rate of inflation and heath insurance premium rate increase.

America’s health expenditure in the year 2004 has increased dramatically, it has increased more than three time the inflation rate. In this year the inflation rate was around 2.5% while the national health expenses were around 7.9%. The employer health insurance or group health insurance premium had increased approximately 7.8% in the year 2006, which is almost double the rate of inflation. In short, last year in 2006, the annual premiums of group health plan sponsored by an employer was around $4,250 for a single premium plan, while the average family premium was around $ 11,250 per year. This indicates that in the year 2006 the employer sponsored health insurance premium increased 7.7 percent. Taking the biggest hit were small businesses that had 0-24 employees. There health insurance premiums increased by nearly 10.4%

Employees are also not spared, in the year 2006 the employee also had to pay around $ 3,000 more in their contribution to employer’s sponsored health insurance plan in comparison to the previous year, 2005. Rate hikes have been in existence since the “Florida Health Insurance” plan started. In covering an entire family of four, a person will experience an increase in premium rate at every annual renewal. If they would have kept the record of their health insurance premium payments they will find that they are now paying around $ 1,100 more than they paid in the year 2000 for the same coverage and with the same company. The same item was found by the Health Research Educational Trust and the Kaiser Family Foundation in their survey report of the year 2000. They found out that the premiums of health insurance that is sponsored by the employer increases by around 4 times than the employee’s salary. This report also stated that since 2000 the contribution of employees in group health insurance sponsored by employer was increased by more than 143 percent.

One business man predicts that if nothing is done and the Health insurance premiums keep increasing that in the year 2008, the amount of health premium contribution to employer will surpass their profit. Professionals within and outside the field of Florida health insurance, think that the reason for increase in Florida health insurance premium rates are due to many factors, such as high administration expenditure, inflation, poor or bad management, increase in the cost of medical care, waste etc.

Florida health insurance rate hikes affect whom?

Rising rates of Florida health insurance generally affects most of the Floridians who live in our beautiful state. The highest affected individudals are the minimum wage and low wage workers. Recent drops in the renewal of health insurance are mostly from this low income group. They just can’t afford the high premiums of Florida health insurance. They are in the situation where they can not afford the medical care and they can not afford the medical insurance premiums that are assosiated with adequate coverage. Almost half of all Americans are of the opinion that they are more worried about the high health insurance rate and high cost of health care, over any other bill they have on a monthly basis. A survey also finds that around 42% of Americans can not afford the high cost of health care services. There is one very interesting study conducted by Harvard University researchers. They found out that 68% of people who filed bankruptcy covered themselves and their family by health insurance. Average out-of-pocket deductibles for people filed bankruptcy were around $ 12,000 per year. They also found some co-relation between medical expenditure and bankruptcy. A national survey also reports that main reason for people not to take health insurance is the high premium rate of health insurance.

How to reduce Florida’s high health insurance cost? Nobody knows for sure. There are different opinions and experts are not agreeing with each other. Health professionals believe that if we can raise the number of healthy people by improving the lifestyle and regular exercise, good diets etc. than naturally they will need less medical care services which decreases the demands of health care and hence the cost.( This year in Florida the smoking rate has increased by 21.7 percent) One Floridian sarcastically suggested that there are ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ in health care that are needed to reversed. That the state of Florida is to ‘high’ in cost of medical care compare to other States and ‘low’ in the quality of health care.

Florida Health insurance rate hike has attracted many frauds. These frauds float many bogus insurance companies and offer cheap health insurance rate which attract many people to them. These companies usually through assosiations that are based in other states.

Meanwhile reputable Florida health insurance companies provide different types of health insurance like employer sponsored group health insurance, small business health insurance, individual health insurance etc. to vast number of employees and their families. Still there are many people in Florida that lack any health coverage. Today the employer also has found it challenging to decide how to offer employer sponsored group health insurance to their employees, so that both of them arrive at some point of agreement.

For Floridians it is very important to shop around for a quality health insurance program that doesn’t break the bank.

You need to find an agent or web portal like Florida Health Insurance Web, www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com that offers a variety of products. There you will most likely be able to get quotes, compare plans, and apply online.

Florida Health Insurance Consultants can help you!



By: Morgan Q. Moran

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Content

There are numbers of institutions offering online nursing education and before you decide on one of them it is essential that you know which course you want to take. You can register for an online nursing degree online or on the phone. You would be required to submit high school and college transcripts, work experience certificates, and personal background information along with your admission application. If you need any help, you can always contact a student advisor.

University Of Phoenix

It is the largest accredited private university in North America and has a very strong reputation in the professional world. Its registered nursing degree online programs are well recognized in the professional world. It offers the following online degrees- BS in Health Care Services, BS in Nursing, MBA in Health Care, MS in Nursing- Health Care Education, MS in Nursing- Integrative Health, MS in Nursing- Health Care Management, etc. Its online nursing master degree programs are designed to advance the careers of Registered Nurses in their chosen field of specialization.

Online nursing students of Phoenix University Online are taught various concepts in nursing and are given practical experience in their fields. Due to its reputation, students find it easier to enroll in a nursing home or hospital for clinical practice. University of Phoenix Online is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The BS in nursing and online nursing master degree programs is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Various financial aids options are available to online nursing master degree students. Its strong reputation helps students in getting student loans. Fee reimbursement option is also available.

Walden University is another well-known institution offering online nursing degrees. It has been providing online education for the past 30 years. It provides accredited masters and PhD programs. Its online nursing master degree programs include MS in Nursing (BSN-MSN) and MS in Nursing (RN-MSN). Its online nursing master degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Norwich University also offers online nursing master degree programs. It was the first private military college in the nation. It offers MS in Nursing- Nursing Administration. Most of the students do not need to take GRE to gain admission to this program. The coursework can be completed in 18 months without sacrificing work or family life. Norwich University is accredited by the prestigious New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc, (NEASC).

Online nursing master degree programs are as good as regular college programs in the same field. With online programs students can set their own schedules and this works well with working students. These programs are good new for nursing profession.



By: Ekta Jain

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Introduction

“And when the female infant (Al-Maw\’udah) buried alive is questioned, for what sin she was killed!” (Surah 81, al takwir: 8-9). On judgmental day, fathers will be asked for which reason they abused their daughters. Islamic teachings ended those cruel pre-Islamic practices of female infanticide “wa\’d” which was common in dark ages. However, child abuse has for a long time been recorded in literature, art and science in many parts of the world. The historical record is also filled with reports of unkempt, weak and malnourished children cast out by families to fend for themselves and of children who have been physically, sexually, and emotional abused. In recent years, countries witnessed a movement towards child abuse addressing and prevention.

This concept paper aims at portraying the different types of child abuse, manifestations and consequences. Different types of child abuse are caused by many factors; those factors will be discussed also. The prevention approaches by family and health service providers will by highlighted at the end of this paper with the therapeutic approaches. Most of the available studies are concerned with aspects of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, and therefore the discussion and recommendations would have the most validity when applied to such situations.

Anyone under age 18 who\’s been neglected or abused by a parent or someone responsible for his care is considered a victim of child abuse. In statistics for 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services revealed that: about 896,000 American children were victims of abuse and neglect. Of all abused children, 60.5% suffered neglect; 18.6%, physical abuse; and 9.9%, sexual abuse. Some experienced more than one type. An estimated 1,400 children died from abuse or neglect; 76.1% of them were under age 4. Parents were the most common abusers. Although these numbers on child abuse are appalling, many authorities believe they\’re conservative. Because abuse occurs within the family and often involves young preverbal children, many cases are never discovered or reported. Particularly, 63% of the participants were identified as victims of domestic violence on Karachi Domestic Violence Screening Scale. 36% of the victims were males and 64% of the victims were females. 35% of the victims reported facing physical abuse, 52% of the victims reported psychological abuse and 30% of the victims reported sexual abuse from their relatives. 60% of the victims had depression and 67% of the victims had anxiety. Another Study by medical students of AKU (class of 1996) in a sample of 176 children, it showed that 27% of them had suffered physical abuse.

Child abuse crosses all ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic lines. There is clear evidence that child abuse is a global problem. “It occurs in a variety of forms and is deeply rooted in cultural, economic and social practices” (Bethea, L, 1999). Many parents who abuse their children are immature and impulsive, with low self-esteem. Sometimes family is isolated within the community and one or both parents may be a substance abuser. Environmental stressors that can trigger abuse include work problems, poverty, unemployment, illness of family members, marital tensions, and domestic violence between adults. The child consequences lead to consider child prevention as the priority in primary health care system. “The short-term consequences of abuse are the physical and behavioral indicators that led to suspect abuse in the first place in health care system”.

The role of the community, religious leaders and school teachers is vital in countering the exploitation of children, but, unfortunately, there is often ambivalence among people regarding such issues. So that there is a need to nurses to sensitize parents and teachers on the crucial issues around child abuse and mobilize them to form networks to protect children. Typically, neglect comes to light when a teacher reports a child who has poor hygiene and inappropriate clothing, appears listless, frequently complains of hunger, or frequently misses school without explanation. Neighbors may report a child being left unsupervised, or a health care provider may report that a child is missing appointments for medical care. As a health care professional, nurse role is reporting child abuse and neglect, especially when a nurse discovers it during home visitation. “Nurses who work with children and families in various health care, education, and social service settings can play a key role in stopping neglect and abuse before they begin, by promoting primary prevention procedures”. ( Kathleen ,2004)

Body

The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect recently compared definitions of abuse from 58 countries and found some commonality in what was considered abusive. In 1999, the WHO Consultation on Child Abuse Prevention drafted the following definition: ‘‘Child abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.’’

The definition given above covers a broad spectrum of abuse. This paragraph focuses primarily on manifestations and consequences of three types of child maltreatment, namely: physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional abuse and the neglect.

Physical abuse of a child is defined as those acts that cause actual physical harm or have the potential for harm. Injuries inflicted by a caregiver on a child can take many forms. Serious damage or death in abused children is most often the consequence of a head injury or injury to the internal organs. Head trauma as a result of abuse is the most common cause of death in young children, with children in the first 2 years of life being the most vulnerable. Because force applied to the body passes through the skin, patterns of injury to the skin can provide clear signs of abuse. The skeletal manifestations of abuse include multiple fractures at different stages of healing, fractures of bones that are very rarely broken under normal circumstances, and characteristic fractures of the ribs and long bones.

Sexual abuse is defined as those acts where a caregiver uses a child for sexual gratification. Children may be brought to professional attention because of physical or behavioral concerns that, on further investigation, turn out to result from sexual abuse. It is not uncommon for children who have been sexually abused to exhibit symptoms of infection, genital injury, abdominal pain, constipation, chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections or behavioral problems. To be able to detect child sexual abuse requires a high index of suspicion and familiarity with the verbal, behavioral and physical indicators of abuse. Many children will disclose abuse to caregivers or others spontaneously, though there may also be indirect physical or behavioral signs.

Emotional abuse includes the failure to provide an appropriate and supportive environment, and includes acts that have an adverse effect on the emotional health and development of a child. Such acts include restricting a child’s activities, ridicule, threats and intimidation, discrimination, rejection. Neglect refers to the failure of a parent to provide for the development of the child – where the parent is in a position to do so – in one or more of the following areas: health, education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions. Neglect is thus distinguished from circumstances of poverty in that neglect can occur only in cases where reasonable resources are available to the family or caregiver.

Many risk factors are responsible on child abuse phenomena, among which: community and social factors, age and sex. Numerous studies across many countries have shown a strong association between poverty and child maltreatment. Rates of abuse are higher in communities with high levels of unemployment and concentrated poverty. Such communities are also characterized by high levels of population turnover and overcrowded housing. Research shows that “chronic poverty adversely affects children through its impact on parental behavior and the availability of community resources”. Community correlation represents the degree of cohesion and solidarity that exists within communities. “Children living in areas with less ‘‘social capital’’ or social investment in the community appear to be at greater risk of abuse and have more psychological or behavioral problems” (Macmillan, 1994). On the other hand, “social networks and neighborhood connections have been shown to be protective of children” (Macmillan, 1994). This is true even for children with a number of risk factors – such as poverty, violence, substance abuse and parents with low levels of educational achievement – who appear to be protected by high levels of community correlation.

Vulnerability to child abuse – whether physical, sexual or through neglect – depends in part on a child’s age. Fatal cases of physical abuse are found largely among young infants. In reviews of infant deaths in Fiji, Finland, Germany and Senegal, for instance, the majority of victims were less than 2 years of age Kathleen,M(2004). Young children are also at risk for non-fatal physical abuse, though the peak ages for such abuse vary from country to country. For example, “rates of non-fatal physical abuse peak for children at 3–6 years of age in China, at 6–11 years of age in India and between 6 and 12 years of age in the United States” (Kathleen,M(2004) ). Sexual abuse rates, on the other hand, tend to rise after the onset of puberty, with the highest rates occurring during adolescence ( ). Sexual abuse, however, can also be directed at young children.

Sex is another vulnerability to child abuse. In most countries, girls are at higher risk than boys for infanticide, sexual abuse, educational and nutritional neglect, and forced prostitution. Findings from several international studies show rates of sexual abuse to be 1.5–3 times higher among girls than boys. Globally, more than 130 million children between the ages of 6 and 11 years are not in school, 60% of whom are girls (Macmillan, 1994). In some countries, girls are either not allowed to receive schooling or else are kept at home to help look after their siblings or to assist the family economically by working. Male children appear to be at greater risk of harsh physical punishment in many countries. Although girls are at increased risk for infanticide in many places, it is not clear why boys are subjected to harsher physical punishment. It may be that such punishment is seen as a preparation for adult roles and responsibilities, or else that boys are considered to need more physical discipline. Clearly, the wide cultural gaps that exist between different societies with respect to the role of women and the values attached to male and female children could account for many of these differences.

The majority of programmers focus on prevention of child abuse. Very few emphasize primary prevention approaches in the first place. Family support approaches, health service approaches, therapeutic approaches are described below.

A number of interventions for improving parenting practices and providing family support have been developed. These types of programmers generally educate parents on child development and help them improve their skills in managing their children’s behavior. As an example, Wolfe et al. evaluated a behavioral intervention to provide training in parenting, specifically designed for families considered at risk. Mother–child pairs were randomly assigned to either the intervention or a comparison group. Mothers who received the training in parenting reported fewer behavioral problems with their children and fewer adjustment problems associated with potential maltreatment compared with mothers in the comparison group. Furthermore, a follow-up evaluation by the caseworkers showed that there was a lower risk of maltreatment by the mothers who had received the training in parenting.

A number of health care organizations have developed training programmers to improve both the detection and reporting of abuse and neglect, and the knowledge among health care workers of available community services. In the United States, for example, the “American Medical Association has produced diagnostic and treatment guidelines for child maltreatment and sexual abuse”. (Kempe,1962) The detection of child abuse and neglect, however, is not always simple. Specific interview techniques and types of physical examination are generally required. I have conducted a presentation about ethical dilemma on domestic abuse last year. It was emphasized on nursing role in helping child by solving that dilemma according to teleological and deontological methods.

A review of treatment programmers for physically abused children found that “therapeutic day care with an emphasis on improving cognitive and developmental skills – was the most popular approach” ( ). Therapeutic day care has been advocated for a range of conditions related to abuse, such as emotional, behavioral or attachment related problems and cognitive or developmental delays. The approach incorporates therapy and specific treatment methods in the course of the child’s daily activities at a child care facility. Most programmers of this type also include therapy and education for the parents.

Ill health caused by child abuse forms a significant portion of the global burden of disease. While some of the health consequences have been researched, others have only recently been given attention, including psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior. Importantly, there is now evidence that major adult forms of illness – including ischemic heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia – are related to experiences of abuse during childhood (99– 01). Similarly, there are many studies demonstrating short-term and long-term psychological damage. Such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, aggression, shame or cognitive impairments. The financial costs associated with both the short term and long-term care of victims form a significant proportion of the overall burden created by child abuse and neglect. Included in the calculation are the direct costs associated with treatment, visits to the hospital and doctor, and other health services. In 1996, “the financial cost associated with child abuse and neglect in the United States was estimated at some US$12.4 billion.” (Kempe,1962)

From my point of view, child abuse is serious hidden problem, which I had already suffered in my childhood in side home. But the role of professionals at that age 1990 was not effective. Otherwise, I could have been protected. I believe that health care professionals have a key part to play in identifying, treating and referring cases of abuse and neglect and in reporting suspected cases of maltreatment to the appropriate authorities. It is vital that cases of child maltreatment are detected early on, so as to minimize the consequences for the child and to launch the necessary services as soon as possible.

As I mentioned above, I can conclude that child abuse is a serious global health problem. It has different types, and every type leads to different short and long term consequences. Many factors were responsible to increase voluntarily of child abuse. Prevention methods can be applicable on known cases which reach the clinical levels; however, we can’t predict the violence forms if they are hidden inside houses secrets.

The complex nature of child abuse doesn\’t allow for easy solutions. But nurses who work with children and families in various health care, education, and social service settings can play a key role in stopping neglect and abuse before they begin. Here\’s how. Primary prevention targets the general population. Public service announcements encourage positive discipline techniques, media campaigns tell people how and where to report suspected abuse. And parent-education programs teach parents about child development and parenting skills. For example, expectant and new parents may know little about the basics of child care. They typically know even less about a child\’s emotional, social, and medical needs; the stages of normal development; and how critically the first 3 years of life affect development. Seize your opportunities to teach and model behaviors in clinic settings, childbirth and parenting classes, home visits, and parent support groups

I recommend we should not take a defeatist attitude toward child prevention. Despite the absence of strong evidence to guide our preventive efforts, nurses can do many things to try to prevent abuse. At the very least, showing increased concern for the parents or caregivers and increasing our attempts to enhance their skills as parents or caregivers may help save our most vulnerable patients from the nightmare of abuse and neglect. Recognition and awareness, although essential elements for effective prevention, are only part of the solution. Prevention efforts and policies must directly address children, their caregivers and the environments in which they live in order to prevent potential abuse from occurring and to deal effectively with cases of abuse and neglect that have taken place.

References :

- Kempe,CH et al. The battered child syndrome. Journal of the American Medical

Association, 1962,181:17–24.

- Key,j (1999). Protecting children. New York. Continuum

- Macmillan HL, MacMillan JH, Offord DR, Griffith L, MacMillan A. Primary

prevention of child physical abuse and neglect: a critical review. Part I. J Child

Psychol Psychiatry 1994;35(5):835-56.

-Bethea,L(1999).Primary prevention of child abuse

From http://www.rcn.org rcn.org.ukww.rcn.org.uk

- Kathleen,M(2004).How to recognize and respond to child abuse

From http://www.findarticles.com/



By: Nigar Fatima Zafar

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Children are very special and central to our lives. The schools we can send our children to will help build their development during those years that are important for education. To allow these children to develop and have the ability to interact socially it is necessary to send them to daycare centers or even kindergarten. At these places a child care worker will care for young children will make sure that they have all of the care and love they need until their parents some for them.

The child care worker is trained to help with the development of your child while you are not with them. The care and health of your child is also left to the training and experience that is present in the day canters. As this is a very profitable job market there are always openings for the skilled child care worker to make their mark.

These child care providers are the first people who help to shape our children’s social abilities. As this is the case it is best to see if the care and teaching methods that are used will help your child. There is a note of caution that you may want to keep in mind. At present there are no regulations in place stating the experience and training level a child care worker must possess.

The ordinary daycare will be satisfied if the child care worker is willing to work at varying hours, look after the children in the daycare, and feed them at the required mealtimes. The child care worker is also responsible for making sure that the children don’t get into trouble or fights during playtime. The education a child will receive at these daycare centers will not be the same as their peers who are in a well regulated daycare.

In these daycare centers a child care worker is also responsible for the physical condition of the children in their charge but they have other duties too. At these daycare centers the children will be taught how to play with each other. Their toys are designed to stimulate interest and curiosity. The child care worker will divide the day so that they children have a time table to work by.

This time table teaches the children that certain things will occur at allotted times. They will have time to play outside to stimulate their physical condition and so they will have fun. During the story time the children will learn to sit quietly and listen. This will allow them to develop their mental interest in learning. Once the story is finished the children will be allowed to ask questions.

The difference between a well trained child care worker and one who is that well trained is apparent . Parents who desire their child to develop this trait will look for the daycare where such child care is given.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

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Type 1 diabetes mellitus – diabetes, for short. This chemical disorder disrupts the body’s ability to utilize certain nutrients, primarily a blood sugar called glucose.

Treatment for diabetes is made more difficult because a person can have the disease a long time before it is diagnosed. “Because the early symptoms are relatively mild,” notes Asiaweek magazine, “diabetes often goes unrecognized.” Hence, diabetes has been dubbed the silent killer.

Why Serious

Diabetes has been called “a disorder of the very engine of life,” and for good reason. When the body cannot metabolize glucose, a number of vital mechanisms can break down, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. “People don’t die directly from diabetes,” says Dr. Harvey Katzeff, “they die from complications. We do a good job of preventing complications, but a poor job of treating [them] once they occur.”

Diet and Exercise

Although Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, scientists are studying the genetic risk factors and are trying to find ways to suppress an immune attack. “With type 2, the picture is much brighter,” says the book Diabetes – Caring for Your Emotions as Well as Your Health. “Many of those who might be genetically susceptible avoid showing any sign of this disease simply by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, thereby staying physically fit and keeping their weight within normal limits.”

Underscoring the value of exercise, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a large study involving women. The study found that “a single bout of physical activity increases insulin-mediated glucose uptake [by the body's cells] for more than 24 hours.” Hence, the report concludes that “both walking and vigorous activity are associated with substantial reductions in risk of type 2 diabetes in women.” The researchers recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most if not all days of the week. This can include something as simple as walking, which, says the American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes, “is probably the best, safest, and least expensive form of exercise.”

However, exercise by people with diabetes should be professionally supervised. One reason is that diabetes can damage the vascular system and nerves, thus affecting blood circulation and feeling. Hence, a simple scratch on the foot may go unnoticed, get infected, and turn into an ulcer – a serious condition that may lead to amputation if not treated immediately.

Insulin Therapy

Many with diabetes must supplement their diet and exercise program with daily testing of glucose levels along with multiple insulin injections. As a result of improved health through diet and a good routine of exercise, some with Type 2 diabetes have been able, at least for a time, to discontinue insulin therapy. Karen, who has Type 1 diabetes, found that exercise increases the efficiency of the insulin she injects. As a result, she has been able to cut her daily insulin requirements by 20 percent.

If insulin is needed, however, there is no reason for the sufferer to feel discouraged. “Going on insulin does not imply failure on your part,” says Mary Ann, a registered nurse who cares for a number of diabetes patients. “Whatever form of diabetes you have, if you carefully control your blood sugar, you will minimize other health problems later.” In fact, a recent study revealed that people with Type 1 who kept strict control of their blood-sugar levels “had drastic reductions in the occurrence of diabetic eye, kidney, and nerve diseases.” The risk of eye disease (retinopathy), for instance, was cut by 76 percent! Those with Type 2 who keep tight control of their blood-sugar levels enjoy similar benefits.

To make insulin therapy easier and less traumatic, syringes and insulin pens – the most common tools used – have microfine needles that give minimal discomfort. “The first shot is usually the worst,” says Mary Ann. “After that, most patients say they hardly feel a thing.” Other methods of injection include automatic injectors that shoot a needle into the skin painlessly, jet injectors that literally fire insulin through the skin by means of a fine jet blast, and infusers that employ a catheter that stays in place for two or three days. About the size of a pocket pager, the insulin pump has gained popularity in recent years. This programmable device dispenses insulin through a catheter at a steady rate according to the body’s daily needs, making insulin administration more precise and convenient.

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All told, there is no blanket therapy for diabetes. When considering treatment, each individual must take into account a number of factors in order to make a personal decision. “Even though you may be under the care of a medical team,” says Mary Ann, “you are in the driver’s seat.” In fact, the journal Diabetes Care states: “Medical treatment of diabetes without systematic self-management education can be regarded as substandard and unethical care.”

The more those with diabetes learn about their disease, the better equipped they will be to manage their health and increase their prospects of living a longer, healthier life.

The Role of Glucose

Glucose fuels the body’s trillions of cells. To enter the cells, however, it needs a “key” – insulin, a chemical released by the pancreas. With Type 1 diabetes, insulin is simply not available. With Type 2, the body makes insulin but usually not enough. Moreover, the cells are reluctant to let insulin in – a condition called insulin resistance. With both forms of diabetes, the result is the same: hungry cells and dangerous levels of sugar in the blood.

In Type 1 diabetes, a person’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Hence, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is sometimes called immune-mediated diabetes. Factors that can trigger an immune reaction include viruses, toxic chemicals, and certain drugs. Genetic makeup may also be implicated, for Type 1 diabetes often runs in families, and it is most common among Caucasians.

With Type 2 diabetes, the genetic factor is even stronger but with a greater occurrence among non-Caucasians. Australian Aborigines and Native Americans are among the most affected, the latter having the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world. Researchers are studying the relationship between genetics and obesity, as well as the way excess fat seems to promote insulin resistance in genetically susceptible people. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in those who are over 40 years of age.

About 90 percent of those with diabetes have Type 2. Previously, this was referred to as “non-insulin dependent” or “adult onset” diabetes. However, these terms are imprecise, for up to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes require insulin. Furthermore, an alarming number of young people – some not even in their teens – are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

The Role of the Pancreas

About the size of a banana, the pancreas lies just behind the stomach. According to the book The Unofficial Guide to Living With Diabetes, “the healthy pancreas performs a continuous and exquisite balancing act, managing to sustain smooth, stable blood-sugar levels by releasing just the right amount of insulin as glucose levels wax and wane throughout the day.” Beta cells within the pancreas are the source of the hormone insulin.

When beta cells fail to produce enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. The opposite – low blood sugar – is called hypoglycemia. In concert with the pancreas, the liver helps manage blood-sugar levels by storing excess glucose in a form called glycogen. When commanded by the pancreas, the liver converts glycogen back into glucose for use by the body

The Role of Sugar

It is a common misconception that eating a lot of sugar causes diabetes. Medical evidence shows that getting fat – regardless of sugar intake – increases the risk among genetically susceptible individuals. Still, eating too much sugar is unhealthy, since it provides poor nutrition and contributes to obesity.

Another misconception is that people with diabetes have an abnormal craving for sugar. In reality, though, they have the same desire for sweets as most others. When it is not controlled, diabetes can lead to hunger – but not necessarily for sugar. People with diabetes can eat sweets, but they must factor their sugar intake into their overall diet plan.



By: Ken McClendon

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2008.11.26 20:10 B C:\Documents and Settings\roxel\My Documents\blogsPlugins\Caffeinated Content 3.3.1\links\WS_FTP.LOG –> ftp.0fees.net /htdocs/wp-content/plugins/Caffeinated Content 3.3.1/links WS_FTP.LOG

Officially, an Agent is an individual or company that acts on behalf of the insurance company to market, sell and service insurance. The Agent has a contract with the insurance companies in order to represent a specific insurance company. A broker is person who also contracts with insurance company but officially acts on behalf of you the client. All agent and agencies are compensated by the insurance companies and therefore are at no cost to you. The difference between agent and agency is that agent is individual contracted with insurance companies and agency usually has many agent working under umbrella of the agency. In most cases agents working under agency are employees.

Agents role is to find best possible and the most affordable option for your money. In most cases there is no incentive on the agent’s part of which company you decide to go with. How agents get paid by the insurance company is strictly regulated by the insurance commissioner. When looking for agency or agent make sure that they are brokers who represent as many health insurance companies as possible. There are dozens of plans on the market, therefore finding agent who can get you the best possible plan for your money will save you thousands long term. Just looking a rate quote and benefit summary is only half of the story when choosing health insurance. Some plans exclude certain benefits or apply caps to other types of coverage. Agents know the lay of the land and you would personally not want to purchase health insurance just based on a rate quote.

Some insurance companies have captive agent representing them. Captive agents can only represent one insurance company. They are essentially employees for that company. I would avoid such companies as they may not have the best interest of the client at heart. If a company cannot quote multiple carriers, beware. The major carriers in California are Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, Pacificare, and Kaiser. Beyond these five, we do not feel very secure about the others.

How are agents or brokers paid? Agents are paid a commission by the carriers for policies issued and in force. The commission tends to be about the same from carrier to carrier. This commission does not affect the rate. The insurance rate you will get through an agent/broker is the same as you would get going directly through the insurance company. The benefit of the agent relationship is that they navigate the insurance company to expedite processing, help with service issues once enrolled, and act a third party. Insurance company’s main interest to keep you enrolled as policy subscriber but your interest may actually lie with another insurance company or plan. An independent broker can help bridge the two at no additional cost to you.

What to expect from your broker/agent?

This really is the most difficult part and it is the reason that people put off getting health insurance. There are many plans and the language is pretty technical. Most people glaze over when they see the brochures or instant quote results. Let’s face it….health insurance is not a common purchase. Typically, people have not needed to shop health insurance in years…if ever. With a few targeted questions, the plan selections can be narrowed down significantly. With great agent you wish you would have called they earlier rather than try to navigate the volumes of information provided the plans. Most Insurance agent do not sell. They listen, advise, and then it’s up to you what you wish to do.

California application and enrollment.

The health application is one more reason that people procrastinate. There are sections in there are mandated by law but which are thoroughly confusing such as the HIPAA qualification. Small Group can be equally difficult in terms of qualification for Small Group health coverage. Insurance agents are happy to walk you through the application once a plan has been decided on. This is also the time to ask about the process, payment options, cancellation options, time table for enrolling in coverage.

Health Insurance Service and Membership.

Once the plan is in effect, agent is your point of contact for membership issues, claims, and future changes. Agents go in at the end of each month and make sure that faxed changes, additions, and requests have been processed correctly. The insurance companies are pretty good but 1 out of 100 requests do not show in the system. You do not want to be that one with such a critical issues as your health insurance. We can also advise for ways to reduce costs when the rate increase occur based on your changing health insurance needs.

Keep in mind that you can always contact the carrier directly if you choose but why would you? Let Insurance agent do the work for you since there is no additional cost to you.

Agents and brokers are required to have a license and continuing education by the California Department of Insurance. You can always research an agent’s history, insurance company contracts, and other information through them. There are different types of licenses. The two most common are Life/Health which is used to transact California health insurance and Property and Casualty is used to transact insurance such as auto or home insurance.



By: Jesse Segle

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CRISIS IN INDIAN MEDICAL EDUCATION

Time to verify the Issues

Dr.T.V.Rao MD

Improving the health of a common man is a Universal priority, every elected Government should fall in line to show the citizens that health is a concern for them, they promise to find ways to improve it. India continues to spend less on basic health care when compared with many of our neighboring Nations. India with mass population base of more than 1 billion can do little to date; the existing Governmental system is compromised with politics, lethargy, and corruption. The vision to start many Medical colleges in India in private sector has greatly changed the face of National health in the last three decades. Many Institutes are recognized as centers of excellence and produced many competent Doctors who are no less than Doctors created by the reputed Government Institutions Recently there is sudden surge of several Medical colleges in private sector The challenges to run a private medical college are many and much more difficult than running a Government Medical College. The Medical Council of India regulates to build infrastructure, and bring in qualified and experienced persons who are more of spent out force, few have current perceptions to build modern Institutions, and many have to compromise with private managements. The Medical council is interested in physical verification and head counting. No body asks about our vision to develop the Department or College. If the present number of establishing Medical Colleges continues will produce substandard Doctors who are outdated even for today’s needs. The results are evident with mushrooming of private Medical and Nursing College’s producing less equipped, less productive and highly exploitive doctors. But question remains who will bear the burden, the answer is certainly innocent public. In spite of several difficulties the private medical institutes should create something more imaginative so our students are prepared to improve the health system and adapt rapidly to changing health scenario in the Nation. The present resentment of our young medical graduates to go to rural areas exposes, that we have created Doctors for urban care and comforts, they are afraid to work alone without guidance of seniors The major fault lies with us we are producing graduates in modern medicine with modern facilities without teaching adoption to poor patients and rural need, In allopathic system of Medicine we are teaching on evidence based protocols , proving good in theory and poor in practice The question comes are we elders justified in blaming young Doctors who are not willing to go rural areas. Many policy makers have no idea of rural life; make policies on paper which will never work. In next few decades only private medical institutes will decide the future of Nations health. It is time that upcoming Institutes should decide their priorities, can we do the best care of patients, create and encourage better teachers and save many lives. Our less performing Medical graduate’s lies with poor practical training, rapid expansion made many Doctors as teachers without passion for teaching imparting poor knowledge. The greatest down fall of our degrees lies without poor practical assessment of our students. Many private management’s asses the teacher’s capabilities to produce good percentage of results, every sincere teacher is a loser in the present commercial system of education where managements market results as source of their strength. There are several medical colleges started in the last 5 -10 years, waiting for social judgments, and people are watching how they perform, and many substandard students awarded degrees will spoil the reputation of their parent Institutions. We are certain to see many Medical graduates produced in the substandard Institutes are harmful, non competitive and bring in dangerous trends in Medical Profession Several medical institutions which do not comply with ethics and integrity will certainly face Darwin’s law waiting to set right things. It is time Medical Council of India should monitor the events and start Academic grading and continued performance based support in need of crisis in upcoming Medical colleges, otherwise vision of elders making our’s as healthy Nation will be a unachievable dream.

E mail tvraodoctor2000@yahoo.co.in



By: Dr.T.V.Rao MD

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