Women at risk: why many women are forgoing needed health care (USA)

"Rising health care costs coupled with eroding health care benefits are having a substantial effect on Americans' ability to get needed health care, with women particularly affected. Women experience cost-related access problems and medical bill problems more often than men. In 2007, more than half (52%) of women reported problems accessing needed care because of cost and 45 percent of women accrued medical debt or reported problems with medical bills. Since women use more health care services than men, they are more exposed to the fragmentation and failings of the current health care system - underscoring the need for affordable and high-quality health insurance coverage that is available to all" - The Commonwealth Fund

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll - February 2009 (USA)

"The first Kaiser Health Tracking Poll of 2009 finds the (USA) public is increasingly worried about the affordability and availability of care, with many postponing or skipping treatments due to cost in the past year and a notable minority forced into serious financial straits due to medical bills. Slightly more than half (53%) of Americans say their household cut back on health care due to cost concerns in the past 12 months. The most common actions reported are relying on home remedies and over-the-counter drugs rather than visiting a doctor or skipping dental care. In the face of the country’s current economic challenges the public's support for health reform remains strong and their trust in President Obama to do the right thing in health care reform is high. The February Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, the first in a series designed and analyzed by the Foundation's public opinion survey research team, examines voters' specific health care issue interests and experiences and perceptions about health care reform" - Kaiser

Tips to protect your heart in a bad economy

"A bad economy can take its toll on the heart with increased stress, poor eating and forgoing healthful activities like going to the gym when money is tight. UCLA cardiologists suggest the following tips to help protect the heart during this time of financial uncertainty. 'We've seen an increase in patients complaining about heart palpitations, anxiety and stress over the past months,' said Dr. Karol Watson, associate professor of cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 'Much of heart disease can be prevented, that’s why it is so important to follow a healthy lifestyle and to control your cardiovascular risk factors.'" - newswise

Introducing the Quality Insight measurement and reporting program

"What is the state of health care quality in Saskatchewan? Evidence and examples from elsewhere tell us that to adequately understand the current state of health care quality, assess the impact of improvement efforts, and determine whether we are holding the gains, Saskatchewan needs a program of continuous measurement and reporting. Such a program must also provide health system stakeholders with information on quality in ways that are most useful and meaningful to them. The inaugural Quality Insight report serves as a starting point toward providing this comprehensive picture of the quality of care in Saskatchewan. This first iteration provides baseline information from the 5-year period spanning 2001/02 to 2005/06"

Small, rich countries provide top cardiac care in Europe

"Three small countries - Luxembourg, Norway, and Switzerland - have emerged as the top nations for cardiac care in Europe, according to a new report, the Euro Cardiovascular Healthcare Index 2008, presented by Dr Arne Björnberg (Health Consumer Powerhouse, Stockholm, Sweden) during a clinical-trial update session at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2008 last week. Björnberg said that these three do best by virtue of the fact that they have the highest healthcare spending per capita in Europe, illustrating the fact that financial muscle seems to make it easier to attain really good cardiac care"