Centers for Disease Control

New Study Highlights Increase in A.D.H.D Diagnoses

Elisabeth Harrison — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:54:40 +0000

New data from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show nearly one out of every five high school boys has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The data also show an overall 11 percent of American schoolchildren have received a diagnosis for the condition, which is characterized by difficulty paying attention and controlling impulsive behavior.

Flu Vaccine Less Effective but Still Urged for Seniors

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:23:48 +0000

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates this year’s flu vaccine was effective about fifty percent of the time. But the vaccine was much less protective for older adults.

The CDC found that vaccinations against influenza types A and B were about 56 percent effective overall. But in people aged 65 and older, the vaccines only worked 27 percent of the time. But Rhode Island Department of Health director Doctor Michael Fine says that’s no reason NOT to get vaccinated.

Could New Obesity Guidelines Hike Insurance Rates?

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently (end of June, 2012) issued revised guidelines for treating obesity. They recommend that doctors (1) screen all patients for obesity (defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher) and (2) refer obese patients for comprehensive behavioral “interventions” to help them lose the weight.That means some insurers could be asked to cover multiple group or individual behavioral counseling or weight management sessions for overweight patients. But could it mean your insurance rates go up?