Meaningful Use and HIT

Tomorrow the executive subcommittee meeting on 'meaningful use' begins here in Washington, DC and will focus on use as it relates to the capacity and functionality of electronic health records, quality reporting, health information exchange, and population/public health.

Sessions also will discuss meaningful use in health IT product certification, and panelists will talk about ways to help vendors, providers and other healthcare stakeholders reach health IT goals by 2011.

I will be there to find out what all of this means to minority and underserved populations, I hope to see you there.

www.PenningtonEmpowerment.com

Sebelius-New HHS Sec'y - Good for All?

The nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to Secretary of Health and Human Services will go to the Senate this week. She will likely take the helm of her new post very soon.

Though she has a decent management background as Governor and Insurance Commisssioner, we wonder whether she has the breadth of knowledge to handle health issues for everyone in the country - including minorities, rural populations and all medically underserved people.

Dr. Andrea Pennington, passionate advocate for health empowerment gives her insight.

Will Sebelius, new HHS Secretary, Focus on Minorities? If not, I WILL!

On Monday of this week the nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius for the post of secretary of Health and Human Services passed in the Senate Finance Committee 15-8. Her nomination for HHS secretary now goes to the full Senate, which is expected to vote this week. Sebelius was Obama’s second choice after Tom Daschle, who withdrew from the nomination after it was revealed that he owed more than $120,000 in federal taxes. Daschle had been pegged to run both HHS and the White House Office for Health Reform.

Previously President Obama nominated Nancy Ann DeParle to the post of director of the White House Office for Health Reform. DeParle was previously Tennessee’s commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and she handled health budget issues, Medicare, and Medicaid in the Clinton administration.

President Obama is quoted as saying, “Healthcare reform that reduces costs while expanding coverage is no longer just a dream we hope to achieve; it’s a necessity we have to achieve.” Governor Sebelius brings significant experience and political savvy to the table. “To her credit, her managerial expertise as Governor for Kansas has afforded her valuable direct experience with Medicaid. And her record as Insurance Commissioner shows that she brings the rigor and commitment to consumers needed for a ‘chief watchdog’ role.

But she hasn't always enjoyed success while in office—she failed to get health coverage extended to children through age five and was unsuccessful in passing a cigarette tax increase for the expansion of Medicaid—most are confident that she will do well working with President Obama due to a history of bipartisan administration. And, once she effectively takes the helm, we hope she will quickly dispel myths about being the ‘back-up’ plan since Daschle’s withdrawal from consideration.

Managed care executives can expect that as Secretary of HHS, Sebelius will reinforce Obama’s accountability mantra. Her record shows that she's got the guts to fight for the underdog and will root out waste and mismanagement.

I personally look forward to working with the two nominees, the Congress and Administration to improve healthcare quality, control health spending and put America on the path to healthcare coverage for everyone. And I mean, everyone. From rural populations,to  inner-city minorities and every child in America. Stay tuned.

Please share your comments here!

Fructose and Fat - Not all sugars are equal!

Remember hearing health and nutrition experts, like me, tell you to avoid products with high fructose corn syrup because it could be worse for your health than straight glucose – or table sugar? This came from data that showed that high consumption of sodas, breakfast cereals and other sweet treats that contain high fructose corn syrup cause weight gain and problems like diabetes.

Well, you may have heard that researchers retracted their criticism of high fructose corn syrup – much to the relief of the corn farmers, because all of the ill effects were found in animals, not humans.

Now, a new report in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that Fructose compared to table sugar, appears to pose more problems with insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and abdominal fat in heavy patients.

The study of overweight or obese patients who consumed soft drinks sweetened with either glucose or fructose both gained weight. But only those who had the fructose drinks saw an increase in visceral adipose tissue, high cholesterol, new fat generation in the liver, and insulin resistance, The researchers said these changes "may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease."

You are strongly urged to read the labels of the foods and drinks you consume. Natural is clearly better.

Foor more insights into nutrition and how to achieve Weight Success, I invite you to join us for a live tele-course where I'll share insights on my new book, The Pennington Plan for Weight Success on Monday May 18 at 8pm EDT.

Please visit www.AndreaPennington.com to sign up for our mailing list and e-newsletter to receive the call-in details. You can also find details on how to buy the book and audio program. 

What's the meaning of "Meaningful Use"?

Those of us involved in health information technology have been pondering the meaning of a the term 'meaningful use'. Because for those health care providers, hospitals and clinics looking to get their share of the $20 billion of stimulus money aimed at HIT applications this term defines everything.

When you read the HITECH act, the over 100 pages of the 2009 stimulus package that defines which health IT applications qualify for stimulus incentives you understand that the money is not paid up front, but instead will be distributed to those who implement a certified electronic medical record that meets certain criteria some of which will be described by the office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. This role was recently filled by David Blumethal from Harvard by President Obama

Health providers who want clearer definitions of 'meaningful use' before they make significant investments in IT to comply with federal regulations will want to attend hearing on “meaningful use” for healthcare information technology next week hosted by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics.

On April 28-29 executive subcommittee meeting will be held in Washington, DC and will focus on use as it relates to the capacity and functionality of electronic health records, quality reporting, health information exchange, and population/public health. Sessions also will discuss meaningful use in health IT product certification, and panelists will talk about ways to help vendors, providers and other healthcare stakeholders reach health IT goals by 2011.

I will be there to find out what all of this means to minority and underserved populations, I hope to see you there.

Can lack of health insurance make you sicker than usual?

Recently I spoke with a friend who has no health insurance. She still sees one doctor regularly for her check-ups and diabetes management, she pays out of pocket for this care.

Well, last month she went in for help with terrible allergies and sinus pressure. The front office staff all but barred  her from seeing the doctor unless she signed an agreement to pay a large sum of money each month. All this despite the fact that she has been paying on a current bill each month.

Well, suffice it so say that she did NOT see the  doctor that day. Three weeks later she ended up with pneumonia!!!

How are you dealing with the economic stress? Are you still plugged into the healthcare system?

Please share your comments and watch the video!

Best of health to you,

Dr. Andrea  

Do you love yourself?

Today I began brainstorming with a team of public health advocates the design of electronic health resources to connect at-risk youth with the health care system.

And as the various leaders and experts around the room shared, with passion, their ideas of how  to 'solve' the problems that adolescents face as they 'drop out' of the healthcare system, I was struck by one comment - "any curriculum we build must teach the value of self." I could not agree more!

Last year I started a new empowerment movement called "I Love You, Me!" that is designed to empower young people around the world, especially young women, to learn to love themselves.

In my work with addictions and eating disorders and obesity I noticed that many of my clients didn't even feel they were worthy of attention and nurturing. When you suffer from a lack of self-love you are less likely to take care of yourself, abstain from unhealthy behaviors and resist temptatoin to 'self-medicate' with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling or shopping. 

So as you look to embrace an empowered lifestyle, I ask, do YOU love yourself?

Check out my other blog at www.ILoveYouMe.com

PS: I co-wrote a beautiful song that includes a mirror meditation on self-love - check it out!

www.MySpace.com/dreahsound

Got Beauty & Skin Health Questions? Ask the experts!

What if you could gather up the nation's brightest dermatologists and surgeons to get in-depth answers to your burning questions on skin health and how to look and feel your best?

Well, I've done it for you! You've got questions, we've got answers!

My work as Chief Medical Officer for  Logical Images includes serving as your personal skin health and beauty advisor for the best online resource center for understanding skin conditions and how to keep your skin healthy - www.VisualDxHealth.com

Visit the new blog site that includes Q&A's from me and a host of brilliant doctors and surgeons who are leaders in dermatology, plastic surgery and more. (Read my current post about how the economic health crisis is driving people to rely on 'cheap' cosmetic fixes that end up ruining their  skin! YIKES!)

Beauty truly radiates from within and my team of experts will give you insider secrets on how to create, maintain and improve your overall wellbeing and care for your largest organ - your skin!

From acne to zoster, we've got you covered!

PS: Be sure to visit the Q&A section under the Community tab to leave questions for me - I'll get one of our experts to give me the best up-to-date knowledge on the topic for you!

Black Girls Are 50% More Likely To Be Bulimic Than White Girls

As the immediate past President of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals it has been my business to spread the word about the world-class resources available to therapists and others in the field. Now I feel inspired to share info that may be relevant to you or someone you know.

You've heard of bulimia, right? It's an eating disorder that is marked by periods of binge eating and later purging that food. Bulimia is different from anorexia in several ways, but one is that it's not always obvious to lay people is that bulimics are often overweight. That's typically how they find my medical practice – they complain about their weight.

People are often surprised to learn that many of the clients I see are African-American. I guess the media and our social networks make us think that bulimia is a 'rich, white girl problem.' Well, new results out of the University of Southern California show that black girls are twice as likely to be bulimic than white girls.

You can check out the details of the news story here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142820.php

I find it interesting that the approach this study took – actually asking girls about their behaviors – as opposed to studying hospital admission data – points out that many bulimic girls who are minorities or from low socio economic status were probably missed all along.

Anyway, I thought I'd point this out to you since there may be some young (or not so young) girls in your life that may be silently struggling with this or another eating disorder.

If you need help finding a therapist in your area, visit http://web.memberclicks.com/mc/directory/viewsimplesearch.do?orgId=iaedp to find someone who is certified as an eating disorder specialist.

I highly recommend learning more about my Cornerstone program which outlines 5 keys for empowered living. I shared this 5 tiered matrix with eating disorders specialists in Long Beach, California last month. The video of my talk will be online soon.

Best of health to you,

Dr. Andrea

Economic Crisis Spurs Health Meltdown

More people are talking about the effects this recession is having on our health. The harsh reality is that more Americans will suffer from acute stress-related illness and chronic diseases as a result of the economic crisis in the United States.

In August of 2008 I spoke on several radio shows, including WTOP in Washington, DC about this. Read info that has been shared with millions...

Dr. Andrea Pennington, immediate past President of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and owner of Pennington Empowerment Media says, “Over the next 12 months to 10 years we will notice more people suffering from insomnia, depression, rage, addiction and abuse as a result of the pressures of living with our economic recession.” African-Americans and Latinos will suffer in greater numbers than their Caucasian counterparts according to Pennington. This is of particular importance now, as we focus on health disparities during April - Minority Health Month.

Dr. Pennington states that her practice is now filled with people suffering from emotional and physical health issues that are directly related to their financial troubles. She explains that the stress of losing everything – jobs, homes and health benefits – or the mere threat of bankruptcy and foreclosure have put many of her clients into a tailspin of binge eating, drug use and rage.

Dr. Pennington has appeared twice on the Oprah Winfrey show to educate millions of viewers on the basics of wellness, nutrition, diabetes and weight loss. She has authored two books and numerous videos and audio programs designed to empower people to regain total wellness. She believes that her message is now more important than ever.

Pennington explains that “as fewer people can afford basic healthcare and prescription medications, chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes will remain at epidemic levels in this country. This is tragic because these are preventable diseases.”

SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS

Dr. Pennington predicts that the current economic climate will cause problems now and over the next several years. Besides the immediate effects that economic hardship causes, Dr. Pennington outlines that the long-term effects of the recession will include physical, psychological, and social breakdowns and even strains within the healthcare system itself. Hospitals and Emergency Departments will see more people who have no means of paying preventive medical care or treatment of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

As a result of shouldering the financial burdens of maintaining a family, Dr. Pennington explains that frustration, anger and rage may lead some people into unexpected situations such as physical abuse and domestic violence. According to Dr. Pennington, self-abuse, in the form of drug use, alcohol abuse and binge eating will also take their tolls over time.

Dr. Pennington suggests we watch for the following conditions over the next 10 years: depression, anxiety, obesity, heart disease, cancer, problems of self-hygiene, domestic violence and child abuse.

Five-Step Holistic Approach to SURVIVAL!

In order to survive and make it through this economic meltdown, Dr. Pennington believes that all of us will need to focus on self-protection and self-preservation. “This requires a holistic approach to our overall wellbeing. We must give attention to our physical, emotional and even spiritual health now and over the next few years to avoid the detrimental effects of living in these uncertain financial times.”

In her next post, Dr. Pennington suggests a 5-step approach to surviving financial troubles with your health intact! This will also be featured in an in-depth interview for BlogTalkRadio! (www.blogtalkradio.com/drandrea

Welcome to Empowered for Life!

The current economic climate has got everyone running scared. My friends, my colleagues and certainly my clients are a little (or a lot!) nervous about the future. 

What is interesting to me, however, is that everyone is now focusing on their health. Either because their bodies have fallen apart or because they realize that no matter what, without health ain't got nothin'!

I've certainly noticed an increase in requests for workshops and seminars on stress management. I've seen more clients with impulse control problems like binge eating, addictions and relationship-hopping. These times put a severe strain on the human eco-system. And they can also be perceived as a type of 'trauma' to the system. 

So since not everyone can follow me around the world for my Wellness Retreats, may not be ready for Empowerment Coaching, I'll share insights and wisdom here - in a FREE blog...lol...

So, feel free to post comments or questions.