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Healthnetwork Pulse - July 2007

If you'd like to receive this monthly e-newsletter by email just send us a note (katie@healthnetworkfoundation.org) and we'll be happy to add you to our distribution list.  And be assured we never rent, sell or share your  information.

U.S. News & World Report Hospital Rankings - 2007

The latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of hospitals was just released.  Of the more than 5400 hospitals in the U.S., only 173 excelled “at treating a variety of demanding illnesses and procedures within a specialty.”  And of those 173 hospitals only 18 hospitals made it into the “super elite honor roll”. We are proud to announce that 8 of the top 18 hospitals recognized, are Healthnetwork partner hospitals.   For the complete list.

 

Better Outcomes at Top Ranked Hospitals

On the heels of this news comes a report by Archives of Internal Medicine.  Per the study  “Individuals admitted for heart attack to a hospital ranked as one of “America’s Best” by U.S. News & World Report are less likely to die within 30 days than those admitted to a non-ranked hospital.”  The study also found that “ranked hospitals were also more likely to have lower-than-expected death rates.”   

New Test May Tell Who Needs Prostate Surgery

While some prostate tumors require treatment, others are slow-growing and pose little threat.  Determining which tumors are aggressive and which are not is not always easy.   Scientists have found  a new way to identify  a particularly deadly form of prostate cancer that could save many men from undergoing unnecessary surgery each year.

Imagine, after having 4 heart attacks and exhausting all conventional treatments, you’re told that you need a heart transplant.  Then while waiting for the transplant you undergo a revolutionary stem cell procedure at Healthnetwork partner hospital Texas Heart Institute  at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and learn that your damaged heart is now functioning normally. If heart disease runs in your family you'll want to read this remarkable story.

We all read the headlines, but it’s worth repeating.  According to Healthnetwork partner hospital, Johns Hopkins, if Americans keep gaining weight at the current rate, by 2015, it’s predicted that 75 percent of U.S. adults will be overweight and 41 percent, obese.  Understanding what triggers when, why and what we eat isn’t simple but Time Magazine attempts to unravel the mysteries of appetite.   And if food and self-control are an oxymoron, here’s 30 food tricks that might help take off pounds.

Here's more proof that our Western diet needs an overhaul “researchers found that overweight, postmenopausal Chinese women who ate a western-style diet -- heavy on meat and sugary foods --had a greater than twofold increased risk of certain breast cancers. There was no association between breast cancer risk and a vegetable-soy-fish diet.” 

Researchers from Healthnetwork partner hospital UCLA Medial Center took part in a study that discovered "a chemical found in curry may help the immune system clear away brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease."  The findings are interesting in light of  another study “that found that only 1 percent of elderly Indians developed the disease -- a quarter of the rate seen in the United States.”

"Studies just keep piling up that showed no association between the childhood vaccine MMR or thimerosal exposure and autism. About a dozen studies have investigated autism's link to one or the other, and none has found one.  Among the scientific community, it's pretty generally accepted that that there is no link."

 Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antidepressants are the country's most commonly prescribed medication.  They account for 118 million prescriptions in 2005 (high blood pressure drugs were the next most-common with 113 million prescriptions.) Contrary to the belief that there’s a pill for every ill, now, a number of experts are questioning whether there's over reliance on antidepressants. Healthnetwork partner hospital, Cleveland Clinic research is cited.  Remember, if you or someone you love needs assistance with a mental health issue, please contact Healthnet at help@healthnetfoundation.org or 440/893-0830.   

“Healthnetwork, what you accomplished on behalf of this family was nothing short of miraculous.”  (read more)

 

Henry “Hank” Frigon

CEO, Frigon Group Ventures, Inc.

Scottsdale, AZ

If you've been to our website lately  you've seen testimonials and photos of members Healthnetwork has been able to assist.  We'd love to include your photo and story as well.  If you would like to share your story please contact katie@healthnetworkfoundation.org

Thank You!

Thank you to all who have renewed their GOLD status and donated to Healthnetwork. You--our Healthnetwork GOLD supporters--help fund the majority of our day-to-day operations and inspire us to excel and continue our "priceless" and "life-saving" work.  If you haven't yet renewed your support or if you would like to become a Healthnetwork supporter, please contact katie@healthnetworkfoundation.org or call us at 440/893-0830.

Healthnetwork Partner Hospitals in the News

Seven Healthnetwork partner hospitals were recognized by the American 
College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program:

“Even though the Healthnet office was closed, I received an immediate response from them. I am impressed with Healthnet – the response and the care the liaison provided us was phenomenal.”

Ron Cloud Healthnet GOLD Member