(Amy Pisani) - The summer heat still lingers, but parents and caregivers have embarked on the annual ritual of preparing children for the school year ahead. Store shelves overflow with school supplies, and dorm décor, a clear sign of this busy season. Amidst the hustle, one crucial task often gets overlooked: ensuring children are up to date on their recommended immunizations. This is especially vital for students heading to college or living in group settings, where reminders or school-entry vaccination requirements may be lacking.

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. While many parents have heard of this disease, they may not fully understand the risks.  It spreads easily through respiratory droplets, like those produced when coughing or sneezing, and close contact, such as kissing or sharing drinks, e-cigs, vapes and utensils.

One alarming aspect of meningitis is its similarity to the flu in its early stages, often delaying diagnosis. By the time the disease is identified, it may be too late for effective treatment. Meningitis can progress rapidly, leading to severe consequences within hours, including brain damage, organ failure, limb loss, and even death.

There are five serogroups of meningococcal disease: A, B, C, W, and Y. Each year, hundreds of people in the United States contract this vaccine-preventable disease and since 2021, cases of meningococcal disease have increased sharply, now exceeding pre-pandemic levels. While rare, the statistics are sobering: 10-15 percent of those infected will die, and 20 percent of survivors will suffer permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, kidney dysfunction, or limb amputations. As our family advocates attest, their children’s illnesses progressed like wildfire, too often resulting in death. 

While anyone can contract meningococcal disease, it is most prevalent among infants under one year old (who are too young to be vaccinated), individuals aged 16-23, and adults over 85 years of age. Meningitis B accounts for about 60 percent of cases in individuals under 24 years of age.  

For years, vaccines have been available to protect against four of the five serogroups: A, C, W, and Y. In 2014, new vaccines covering the meningitis B strain were approved. While about 89 percent of teens have been vaccinated for meningitis ACWY, rates for meningitis B vaccination are far lower at about 30 percent. This is particularly concerning since meningitis B has been responsible for every college outbreak since 2011.

Fortunately, late last year, a new vaccine combining all five serogroups was approved by the FDA. This fall will be the first back-to-school season with this simplified option, which should reduce confusion about the vaccines and increase the likelihood that older teens are fully protected against this disease. But a flag for parents—to please make a proactive ask of your provider about the vaccines to protect against meningitis B, as many young adults are not up to date.

As the school year approaches, parents and caregivers must prioritize their children’s health by ensuring they are fully vaccinated, including the meningococcal vaccines. Colleges and group living situations are breeding grounds for diseases, making immunization essential.

To learn more about meningitis and other back-to-school vaccine resources visit https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/firstdayvax/. 

Amy Pisani, MS, is the CEO of Vaccinate Your Family, an organization whose mission is to ensure the timely immunization of people of all ages.

(NewsUSA) - Newly diagnosed college student Trevor Dixon shows that managing diabetes doesn’t get in the way of an active life at the transition to adulthood

Trevor was in his second semester of his senior year in high school, when he found himself feeling abnormally thirsty and needing to use the bathroom excessively. He first dismissed it as a symptom of all the exercise he was doing. However, after his mother encouraged him to pay a visit to the family doctor, it was clear all was not well.

Trevor commented; “Born in Arizona, you would think I would drink a lot of water, as it’s usually hot most of the year. But I never really did drink a ton of water or need the bathroom so frequently, so this was strange for me.”

The doctor ran some tests and Trevor’s blood glucose levels were far too high. After being rushed to the ER, Trevor was shocked to learn that he had type 1 diabetes.

The time after the diagnosis was a frightening and confusing period for Trevor and his mother, especially since he was preparing to attend college out-of-state in a matter of weeks. Suddenly, passing finals, enjoying summer and setting up a new life in Southern California seemed more daunting than ever.

Trevor would have to adapt to managing a condition that he knew little about, quickly. Thankfully, there is diabetes education available to people who need support.

One of the big changes Trevor had to make was to his diet and nutrition. He was always partial to sweet things and sodas, but all that had to change; “the biggest thing for me, was I had a sweet tooth, like my mom. After my diagnosis, sweets became a rare treat on occasion,” Trevor said.

Trevor and his mom spoke to their doctor to learn about all the options available to help reduce the burden of managing diabetes effectively. He tried a range of traditional short-term continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), but found them bulky and felt they didn’t work for his lifestyle. He had trouble with the accuracy of some CGMs and felt frustrated that others would be easily knocked off.

Trevor wanted to manage his diabetes and not the limitations of his CGM. He wanted to live his life without worry and pursue his passion of swimming. He wanted to feel comfortable managing his diabetes as he left home for college.

After returning to the doctor for more answers, Trevor’s mom spotted a poster for Eversense and they decided to give it a try. Eversense is the world’s first and only fully implantable long-term CGM and the latest version, Eversense E3, lasts for 180 days vs. just a week or two for other available CGMs.

Trevor acquired his Eversense E3 and began studies at a University in Southern California.

The unique design of the Eversense E3 CGM simplified Trevor’s diabetes management, allowing his life as a college student to be less interrupted by diabetes. The implantable sensor, paired with the removable smart transmitter, is an especially useful feature for Trevor, as it makes swimming for the college team easier.

Trevor also appreciates several other features of Eversense that make his life easier and reduces the burden on him day-to-day, including the discrete on-body vibrations, which don’t draw attention during his college classes.

“Eversense has on-body vibration alerts, which means I can choose to have cell phone notifications either on or off and still manage my diabetes. This is nice because my phone isn't going off all the time in situations like classes where that would be embarrassing to me personally.” Trevor said.

Eversense makes it easy for Trevor to check his real-time glucose readings, glucose trends, as well as receive alerts that predict hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, all while maintaining his active, busy life. This has been particularly reassuring for Trevor’s mom, who worried about him looking after himself away from home for the first time – and that was before he was diagnosed with diabetes!

Trevor is now a college sophomore, majoring in business and finance. He is on his fourth 180-day Eversense sensor, and doesn’t let diabetes slow him down from swimming, studying and spending time at the beach with friends.

“Make sure some of your friends know about your condition, so they can offer support if you need it,” says Trevor. But overall, Trevor says he has been able to incorporate diabetes management into his life without much fuss, thanks to Eversense.

The Eversense E3 is broadly covered for people living with diabetes across the United States. For more information about successfully managing diabetes, visit EversenseDiabetes.com/get-started-today.

Trevor Dixon is an Eversense brand ambassador and this article was sponsored by Ascensia Diabetes Care

(NewsUSA) - Buying over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or dietary supplements online can be easy and convenient, but how can you be sure that you know and trust the seller? As the number of counterfeit OTC products sold online has grown in recent years, along with scammers’ abilities to mimic legitimate products, experts at the Health In Hand Foundation, a non-profit with 20 years of helping consumers safely choose and use consumer healthcare products, are here to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of counterfeit and resold OTC products.  

Honest consumer healthcare companies ensure the safety and quality of their products in many ways, including using regulated factories that follow strict safety standards and verified manufacturing practices. However, some individuals produce counterfeit versions of these same medicines in facilities with little or no regulation, quality control, or safety standards. 

When you purchase products online, the options can seem endless. One option is buying directly from a manufacturer’s website ([BRAND].com), where products are sold and shipped directly to you from the manufacturer. 

Alternatively, you may purchase products from an online retailer that sells multiple brands and products (e.g. Amazon, Walmart, Costco, or a pharmacy retailer). But make sure to look carefully because well-known e-commerce websites can have different sellers offering what seems to be the same product on the same results page. So. how can you be sure you’re purchasing from a legitimate seller? Keep these tips and red flags in mind the next time you plan on buying an OTC product online: 

• Prices that are too good to be true. Sellers of fake OTC medicines will often offer them at prices much lower than businesses selling the genuine product. Although the products may be fake, these sellers can still appear at the top of search results.  

• Photos that do not match the product. A low-quality image or an image that differs from the advertised item is another sign of a fake product. Some sellers will alter a photo by blurring or blocking the brand to avoid counterfeit detection. 

• Wording that doesn’t describe the product. If the brand name is missing from the listings, be cautious. Some sellers don’t mention the brand name in the listing to avoid counterfeit detection, and they may have an image of a branded product with a nonspecific description. 

• Unclear or confusing reviews. Reviews that don't match the product listed or comments that are confusing or inauthentic are red flags alerting you to a possible fake. 

• No contact information. If the seller doesn't have a physical address or telephone number listed within the United States, the business could be fake. 

• Poor or non-existent customer service policies.* Beware of companies with no return and/or refund policy. Also, avoid sellers who don’t have secure payment protocols in place to protect your financial information when you purchase from them online.  
   

*Important note: Genuine sellers often do not allow returns on OTC medications, so please review all factors mentioned before buying. 

If you have already placed an online order for an OTC product, inspect it closely when it arrives to ensure it has not been damaged or disturbed. Trust your instincts. If the packaging or labeling looks off or if the product itself does not look right, return it and report it. Becoming an informed shopper helps you find the legitimate and trustworthy products you need to help you feel your best. 

Visit healthinhand.org  for more tips and advice about choosing and using consumer healthcare products safely.  

(NewsUSA) - President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Hugh Jackman, Diane Keaton, Melanie Griffith, Richard Simmons and Caitlyn Jenner have all had nonmelanoma skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. More than 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with this disease every year, and most undergo Mohs surgery, which can be painful and disfiguring. Seattle-area resident Cheryl Cayford was happy to find an FDA-cleared device providing a nonsurgical cure.

“I’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer twice before and treated successfully with Mohs surgery, so I am certainly familiar with that procedure,” she says. “When my doctor subsequently told me a sore on my nose was malignant, thoughts of those surgeries with the accompanying discomfort and scarring came flooding back. There was a real bit of panic as well. Surgery on my nose with plastic surgery to follow seemed way more daunting than the previous surgeries on my shoulder and arm.”

But this time, her dermatologist told her there was a noninvasive option that delivers the same 99%-plus cure rate as Mohs surgery, with no pain, surgical scarring or need for reconstructive surgery. Cheryl chose that alternative, called image-guided SRT or the GentleCure Experience. It involves the use of low-level x-rays precisely targeted with the aid of high-resolution ultrasound imaging. Cheryl sat for a series of 15-minute treatment sessions in her dermatologist’s office over the course of six weeks. 

“I was in and out in minutes,” she says, “and during each visit my provider showed me ultrasound images of the cancer cells shrinking away. Today, I’m cancer-free with no visible signs of having had any medical procedure at all.”

For Cheryl, GentleCure had additional meaning. “I have two daughters and I think their noses are adorable,” Cheryl notes with a laugh. “Thanks to my dermatologist, mine still is as well.”

Jacob Scott, MD, president and chairman of Dermatology Association of Radiation Therapy, noted, “The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays are a leading cause of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and the cellular damage is cumulative over time. That explains why we see more of this type of cancer in seniors. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, but there are other factors that put some of us at higher risk, such as having fair skin, red or blond hair, or green, blue or gray eyes. For those who fear surgery or who are, due to medical conditions, poor candidates for Mohs surgery, image-guided SRT can be a life-changing alternative.”

Image-guided SRT, the essence of the GentleCure Experience, is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. It is available in select dermatology practices around the country. Information about the treatment is available at www.gentlecure.com. 

(Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) - Due to a new law, more people qualify for more prescription drug savings with Medicare’s Extra Help program, so it could pay to apply even if you don’t think you qualify or if you were denied before. Many people qualify for Extra Help and don’t know it. 

You may be able to save money on your Part D prescription drug costs through Medicare’s Extra Help program, including $0 drug plan premiums, $0 deductibles, and lower out-of-pocket costs. With Medicare’s Extra Help, you’ll pay no more than $4.50 for generic drugs and $11.20 for brand-name drugs. The savings can really add up.

Apply for Extra Help if you have income below these limits:

• Individuals—Your yearly income is less than $22,590.
• Married and living with your spouse—Your yearly income is less than $30,660.

Apply through the Social Security Administration by visiting ssa.gov/extrahelp where you can complete and submit your application.

Need help applying? Access personalized health insurance counseling in your community at no cost, available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE for locations near you.

Even if you don’t qualify for Extra Help now, you can reapply for Extra Help any time if your income and resources change.

To learn more about Medicare’s Extra Help program, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Debido a una nueva ley, más personas califican para ahorrar más en medicamentos recetados con el programa Ayuda Adicional de Medicare, por lo que podría valer la pena solicitarlo incluso si cree que no califica o si se le negó antes. Muchas personas califican para Ayuda Adicional y no lo saben.

Usted podría ahorrar dinero en los costos de sus medicamentos recetados de la Parte D a través del programa Ayuda Adicional de Medicare, que incluye primas del plan de medicamentos de $0, deducibles de $0 y costos de bolsillo más bajos. Con la Ayuda Adicional de Medicare, no pagará más de $4.50 por medicamentos genéricos y $11.20 por medicamentos de marca. Los ahorros realmente pueden sumar.

Solicite el programa de Ayuda Adicional si sus ingresos están por debajo de estos límites:

• Individuos: Sus ingresos anuales son menores de $22,590.
• Está casado y vive con su cónyuge: Sus ingresos anuales son menores de $30,660.

Solicite a través de la Administración del Seguro Social (Social Security Administration) visitando ssa.gov/extrahelp donde puede completar y enviar su solicitud.

¿Necesita ayuda para presentar su solicitud? Acceda a un asesoramiento personalizado sobre seguro médico en su comunidad sin costo, disponible a través de su Programa Estatal de Asistencia sobre Seguros de Salud (State Health Insurance Assistance Program, SHIP). Visite shiphelp.org o llame al 1-800-MEDICARE para conocer las ubicaciones más cercanas a usted.

Incluso si no califica para la Ayuda Adicional ahora, puede volver a solicitarla en cualquier momento si cambian sus ingresos y recursos.

Para obtener más información sobre el programa Ayuda Adicional de Medicare, visite es.Medicare.gov o llame al 1-800-MEDICARE.

Información proporcionada por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU.

(U. S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Due to a new law, more people qualify for more prescription drug savings with Medicare’s Extra Help program, so it could pay to apply even if you don’t think you qualify or if you were denied before. Many people qualify for Extra Help and don’t know it. 

You may be able to save money on your Part D prescription drug costs through Medicare’s Extra Help program, including $0 drug plan premiums, $0 deductibles, and lower out-of-pocket costs. With Medicare’s Extra Help, you’ll pay no more than $4.50 for generic drugs and $11.20 for brand-name drugs. The savings can really add up.

Apply for Extra Help if you have income below these limits:

• Individuals—Your yearly income is less than $22,590.
• Married and living with your spouse—Your yearly income is less than $30,660.

Apply through the Social Security Administration by visiting ssa.gov/extrahelp where you can complete and submit your application.

Need help applying? Access personalized health insurance counseling in your community at no cost, available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE for locations near you.

Even if you don’t qualify for Extra Help now, you can reapply for Extra Help any time if your income and resources change.

To learn more about Medicare’s Extra Help program, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

(JC Scott) - Recently, there has been a lot of discussion by politicians about how to address prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket costs for Americans. Unfortunately, some of that discussion has wrongfully pointed the finger at pharmacy benefit companies (PBMs).

How do PBMs work? PBMs help ensure more than 275 million Americans can get the medicines they need, easily and affordably. Your employer or health insurance company chooses to hire a PBM for their expertise in prescription drugs and pharmacy benefits. PBMs negotiate directly with drug companies to lower drug costs by $1,040 per patient every year. They also reduce medication errors, provide valuable clinical services, and help keep patients healthy.

Because of the savings PBMs secure, drug companies who want to be paid more for their products and pharmacies that want to be paid more for their services are funding self-interested attacks on the PBM industry.

Americans should be skeptical of these attacks on PBMs – the only stakeholder dedicated to lowering drug costs.

Concerningly, some members of Congress have taken the bait from drug companies and are considering misguided policies targeting PBMs. For example, a proposed policy called “delinking” is being pushed as a solution, yet respected economists from the University of Chicago, USC Schaeffer Center, and Jack Kemp Foundation agree that the policy would instead increase costs for patients, employers, and taxpayers.

Fortunately, encouraging innovation in the pharmacy benefits market is improving how patients access and pay for their prescription drugs. For example:

• The PBM marketplace has grown more competitive with over 70 full-service companies offering varying benefit design and contracting options.
• In light of rising drug prices, PBMs have implemented new innovative offerings to help employers lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.
• PBMs have responded to the high list prices of popular GLP-1 weight loss medications by negotiating savings and providing employers options to cover these drugs.
• Greater biosimilar uptake is being encouraged by PBMs, as a more affordable alternative to high-priced brand name drugs.
• PBMs are empowering pharmacists to practice at the top of their license and implementing programs to support rural pharmacies.

Policymakers have an opportunity to deliver what patients need when it comes to prescription drugs – lower costs and better access. By encouraging the market to continue innovating to address these needs and tailoring policies to promote competition and build on this progress, we can work together to help patients have affordable access to the drugs they need.

Learn more about how PBMs are delivering value to patients, employers, and pharmacies at www.HowPBMsWork.org.

(NewsUSA) - The viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu continuously change or “mutate” to escape our natural immune responses and the protection provided by vaccines. As a result, for both flu and COVID-19, vaccination is not a “one and done” proposition.  

Fortunately, as these viruses change, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are updated to protect the public against the variants that are currently circulating. Experts at Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP)—a coalition dedicated to educating the public about vaccines and promoting equity and access—emphasize that the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness from both flu and COVID-19 is to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.

Some viruses, such as those that cause measles and polio, change infrequently. This means that the vaccines for these viruses can provide immunity that is longer-lasting. By contrast, frequent changes in the viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu mean the protection provided by these vaccines will wane as new variants emerge.

Flu and COVID-19 are serious diseases. Between October 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, there were approximately 44,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19, and at least 24,000 deaths associated with flu. These numbers highlight the ongoing importance of staying current with vaccinations to protect yourself and your family from these viruses. 

Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available this fall that are formulated to protect against the variants that are most likely to be circulating during the upcoming respiratory illness season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines and routine annual influenza vaccines for individuals aged 6 months and older.

COVID-19 remains a serious threat to public health and still poses significant risks. Staying current on your flu and COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to maintain protection from these illnesses. Help reduce the risk of interruptions and challenges that come from upticks in flu and COVID-19 infections by getting vaccinated this fall. 

Visit cveep.org/stayupdated for more information or consult with your healthcare provider.

(NewsUSA) - Los virus que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe cambian continuamente o "mutan" para escapar de nuestras respuestas inmunitarias naturales y de la protección proporcionada por las vacunas. Como resultado, tanto para la gripe como para el COVID-19, la vacunación no es una proposición de "una sola vez".

Afortunadamente, a medida que estos virus cambian, las vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 se actualizan para proteger al público contra las variantes que están circulando actualmente. Los expertos de los Defensores de la Educación, la Equidad y el Progreso de la Vacunación (CVEEP, por sus siglas en inglés), son una coalición dedicada a educar al público sobre las vacunas y promover la equidad y el acceso y enfatizan que la mejor manera de reducir el riesgo de enfermedades graves tanto por la gripe como por el COVID-19 es mantenerse al día con las vacunas recomendadas.

Algunos virus, como los que causan el sarampión y la polio, cambian con poca frecuencia. Esto significa que las vacunas para estos virus pueden proporcionar una inmunidad que dura más tiempo. Por el contrario, los cambios frecuentes en los virus que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe significan que la protección proporcionada por estas vacunas disminuirá a medida que surjan nuevas variantes.

La gripe y el COVID-19 son enfermedades graves. Entre el 1 de octubre de 2023 y el 1 de junio de 2024, hubo aproximadamente 44,000 muertes atribuidas al COVID-19 y al menos 24,000 muertes asociadas con la gripe. Estos números destacan la importancia continua de mantenerte al día con las vacunas para protegerte a ti mismo y a tu familia de estos virus.

Este otoño estarán disponibles vacunas actualizadas contra la gripe y el COVID-19, formuladas para proteger contra las variantes que probablemente estarán circulando durante la próxima temporada de enfermedades respiratorias. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés), recomiendan las vacunas contra el COVID-19 para 2024-2025 y las vacunas anuales de rutina contra la influenza para todas las personas de 6 meses y mayores.

El COVID-19 sigue siendo una amenaza seria para la salud pública y aún representa riesgos significativos. Mantenerte al día con tus vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 es la mejor manera de mantener la protección contra estas enfermedades. Ayuda a reducir el riesgo de interrupciones y desafíos que surgen de los aumentos en las infecciones de la gripe y el COVID-19 vacunándote este otoño.

Visita cveep.org/es/mantentealdia para obtener más información o consulta con tu proveedor de atención médica.