Health

Consumer Reports launches online hospital ratings for more than 3,400 U.S. hospitals
[Aug. 29, 2009] A new Consumer Reports investigation into hearing aids has found that consumers pay high prices and get mediocre fittings. The new report—the first such report on hearing aids since 1992—offers a comprehensive guide to purchasing and owning a hearing aid.

Consumer Reports finds that hearing aid shoppers pay high prices, get mediocre fittings
[Jul. 8, 2009] A new Consumer Reports investigation into hearing aids has found that consumers pay high prices and get mediocre fittings. The new report—the first such report on hearing aids since 1992—offers a comprehensive guide to purchasing and owning a hearing aid.

Consumer Reports rate men’s and women’s Asics Gel-150tr as top overall athletic shoes
[Jul. 7, 2009] In its latest tests of athletic shoes, the August issue of Consumer Reports rated the Asics GEL-150TR as the top performing shoe for both men and women. Both models topped the charts for excellence in cushioning and fit and rated “Very Good” for stability.

Avoid turning fireworks from a joyful celebration into a painful memory
[Jul. 5, 2009] The American traditions of parades, cookouts, and fireworks help us celebrate the summer season, especially our nation's birthday on the Fourth of July. However, fireworks can turn a joyful celebration into a painful memory when children and adults are injured while using fireworks.

Chatham health department offers guidance on swine flu for children's summer programs
[Jun. 22, 2009] Even though it is summertime and the school year has ended, youth are still at risk of contracting the swine flu. The H1N1 flu doesn’t fall into the regular flu season, which usually lasts from November through March. This is why it is important for parents, vacation Bible school teachers, day and overnight camp employees, and other groups working with young people during the summer to pay attention to H1N1 symptoms to stop the spread of the disease.

Chatham Council on Aging hosts community forum about helping pay for prescription drugs
[May 28, 2009] The Chatham County Council on Aging is sponsoring a community forum for local seniors to identify resources to help pay for prescription drugs. The forum will be held Thursday, May 28, noon to 2 pm at the Western Chatham Senior Center in Siler City.

Consumer Reports finds that thirty-one percent of Americans never use sunscreen
[May 27, 2009] Thirty-one percent of Americans polled by the Consumer Reports National Research Center said they never wear sunscreen. But consumers aren’t oblivious to the sun’s risks: 22 percent of those polled said they’d been examined by a doctor for something they thought might be skin cancer. The July issue of Consumer Reports rates ten top selling sunscreens to slather on, noting that there’s plenty of variation among the brands tested. Consumers should choose carefully.

New Chatham County Physical Activity Resource Guide is on the way
[May 19, 2009] On June 1, 2009, the Chatham County Physical Activity Resource Guide will be released. The resource guide lists organizations that have facilities for physical activity. The resource guide provides the contact information, address and amenities available for each facility. A county map provides directions to the facilities. By Marissa Jelks

Consumer Reports finds that hands-on therapies among top-rated treatments for back pain
[Apr. 14, 2009] Hands-on therapies are among the top-rated treatments for people suffering with back pain according to a new survey by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. Fifty-eight percent rated chiropractic/spinal manipulation as helping a lot. And massage (48%) and physical therapy (46%) were close runners up.

Chatham Senior Centers offer physical therapy & fall prevention services
[Apr. 14, 2009] The Chatham County Council on Aging and Mobile Rehab, LLC have collaborated to offer general physical therapy services as well as exercises and therapy services related to preventing falls. The new services are available by appointment at the Siler City and Pittsboro Senior Centers, Monday through Friday.

Pittsboro health department clinic expands hours and services
[Apr. 10, 2009] The Chatham County Public Health Department Clinic in Pittsboro has expanded its hours and services.
Also: Chatham County Public Health Department

Consumer Reports finds that nearly 3 in 10 Hispanics opted not to fill M.D. script for cost reasons
[Mar. 31, 2009] Struggling to meet healthcare costs, 29 percent of Hispanic adults said they had decided against filling a script for cost reasons, according to a national poll conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Survey respondents said that they also economized by asking their doctor for free samples, skipping doses, taking smaller doses, or sharing a prescription with someone else on the same medicine.

Consumer Reports finds that 66% of Americans blindsided by cost of drugs and many not taking needed medications
[Mar. 29, 2009] Sticker shock is taking a toll on Americans when they fill their prescriptions: 66% of those polled by Consumer Reports said they found out the cost of a drug when they picked it up at the pharmacy counter, while just 4% said they had a conversation with their doctor about the cost of a drug. And 28% of Americans told Consumer Reports they’d taken potentially dangerous actions to save money, such as not filling prescriptions, skipping dosages, and cutting pills in half without the approval of their doctor.

Glass tables are an overlooked safety threat
[Mar. 25, 2009] Many households harbor a threat to young children that safety regulations, surprisingly, have overlooked: glass-topped tables and tables with glass panels. A review by Children’s Hospital Boston, in collaboration with Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, finds that glass-table injuries aren’t as rare as one might think, and that many could have been avoided had tempered glass been used.