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Teens Influenced By Movie Characters Who Smoke, Both The Good Guys And The Bad Guys
Dartmouth researchers have determined that movie characters who smoke, regardless of whether they are "good guys" or "bad guys," influence teens to try smoking. The study, published in the July 2009 issue of the journal Pediatrics, is titled "Adolescent Smoking: Who Matters More, Good Guys or Bad Guys?"
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Washington Post Profiles Operation Rescue Founder Randall Terry
The Washington Post on Wednesday profiled Randall Terry, the founder and former head of the antiabortion-rights group Operation Rescue. According to the Post, Terry is known as a "shock jock of the antiabortion movement" with a "theatrical bent." The Post reports that Terry was arrested dozens of times in the late 1980s and 1990s during his protests. For a short period, his "tactics transformed the antiabortion movement," earning him praise from conservative Christian leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. However, after a 1994 federal law made blocking clinics a federal crime, Terry"s group "started to unravel" after he struggled to pay fines for violating the law. He lost in several lawsuits filed by Planned Parenthood -- resulting in him owing $1.6 million to the group -- and he filed for bankruptcy in 1998. Although Terry left as the leader of Operation Rescue in 1991, he now has moved to the Washington, D.C., area to "try to reclaim the prominence he once enjoyed within the antiabortion movement," an effort he is making "much to the consternation of people on both sides of the abortion debate," according to the Post. Most recently, he has been leading protests outside the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The Post reports that leaders in the antiabortion-rights movement "are cringing at Terry"s sudden return," saying that "his incendiary rhetoric and showy tactics turn off ordinary Americans and reflect Terry"s struggle to regain his glory years." He also is focused on starting a new organization, Operation Rescue Insurrecta Nex, a Latin term translated to mean "insurrection against death" (Salmon, Washington Post, 7/15). The Post also included a timeline of Terry"s personal life and history with the antiabortion-rights movement (Washington Post, 7/15).
News of the day
Policymakers, Experts, Public Agree: Physical Activity Plan Needed
Dozens of the nation"s leading organizations in health care, science, medicine and public health are meeting in Washington, D.C., this week with one goal in mind: to develop a national physical activity plan that will make America healthier. Congressional leaders and members of the public both agree that emphasizing disease prevention measures, such as increasing physical activity, is essential to combating chronic diseases, which account for 70 percent of all deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nutrition

New Study Finds 1 In 4 Multiple Sclerosis Patients With High Out-of-Pocket Costs Not Filling Prescriptions

One in four multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are declining to fill their prescriptions likely due to high out-of-pocket costs, according to new research conducted by pharmacy benefits manager Prime Therapeutics (Prime). The study found that patients with an out-of-pocket expense greater than $250 were seven times more likely to decline to fill their prescription than patients with an out-of-pocket cost of $100 or less. The study concluded that this increase in the number of patients who decline to fill their MS specialty prescriptions and do not continue taking the necessary MS medications may adversely affect long term patient care. According to the study, the majority of individuals had an out-of-pocket expense of $150 or less and their decline to fill rate was 5.8 percent. For individuals with an out-of-pocket expense of greater than $150 the decline to fill rate was 27.0 percent. "Specialty pharmacy costs are rising and insurers are focusing on ways to best manage costs, including increasing out-of-pocket costs for members," said Patrick Gleason, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, lead author and Director of Clinical Outcomes Assessment at Prime Therapeutics. "Our research suggests members who pay high out-of-pocket costs are declining to fill their prescription. Patients who aren"t taking their medications face serious medical and health complications, which could result in substantial medical or hospitalization expenses for both the patient and health insurer. Health insurers should consider member cost and the impact it has on adherence when designing specialty pharmacy benefits. " Multiple sclerosis specialty medications (Avonex(R), Rebif(R), Betaseron(R) or Copaxone(R)) have a typical average wholesale price of $2,500 per month supply, $30,000 annually. Due to the potential large member expense for this specialty drug class, Prime designed the study to examine whether an association existed between declining to fill and out-of-pocket expenses. The study considered a member as "declining to fill" whenever there was a reversed claim for a MS specialty medication and no paid claims for that medication during the following 90 days. The study looked at a database of seven million members from eight commercial Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans who presented a new MS medication prescription to be filled at the pharmacy. Prime Therapeutics LLC is a pharmacy benefit management company dedicated to providing innovative, clinically-based, cost-effective pharmacy solutions for clients and members. Providing pharmacy benefit services nationwide to approximately 14.7 million covered lives, its client base includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, employer and union groups, and third-party administrators. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Prime Therapeutics is collectively owned by 11 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those Plans. Prime Therapeutics LLC


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