Health and wellness

Sue Shepherd’s experiments with ‘Fodmaps’ diets are changing the way doctors and nutritionists look at unhealthy stomachs, and healthy ones too.

Fresno, Calif., would be first to test “health impact bonds” — a new means of financing preventive care programs where payers share savings with private investors.

Those living in red or blue states are likely to have very different feelings on PPACA, according to a new poll, and possibly different plans on how to deal with it.

According to a new survey, a majority of both Republicans and Democrats say that status quo is the most likely post-Election Day scenario for American health care.

Small businesses that have implemented health and wellness programs overwhelmingly report a positive impact on the bottom line. However, most of these employers still haven’t got the message.

Even as scientists predict DNA testing will transform medicine, advocates say that doctors and hospitals are ignoring existing tests that could help prevent thousands of cancer deaths and medical companies aren’t promoting their less-lucrative products enough.

Employers are keeping up their smoking-cessation efforts even as obesity grabs the headlines, says Provant’s Amy McAllister, and those who incentivize employees’ quit attempts are most likely to see health care costs reduced.

Rates of hearing loss in the workplace are rising rapidly and screenings and treatments to deal with the problem need to be strategized by employers who want to keep experienced workers.

Small businesses that have implemented health and wellness programs overwhelmingly report a positive impact on the bottom line. However, most of these employers still haven’t got the message.

Officials from Weight Watchers say that not only can their programs save companies money on health costs, the positive effects can spread to spouses and children.

Lifestyle, diet improvements may be linked to welcome decline in American adults’ cholesterol level.

Romney states during presidential debate that he would balance the budget in part by eliminating the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — but is that plausible?

Two health officials from Target try to bull’s-eye the company’s unique approach to health care, medicine and a culture of wellness, and they say it’s all about innovation.

The Association of American Medical Colleges says that nationwide the United States has a shortage of around 13,000 doctors, and it’s no longer just rural patients who are having to wait or travel for care.

Wellness plans, just like any other benefit an employer offers, are only effective if employees are aware of them and understand their features and advantages. Effective communication is critical to employee engagement, says BeAdvised contributor Doug Mantz.

During an at times confrontational second meeting between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, health care and the landmark health care reform bill rarely were mentioned. As Tuesday’s debate was the last time the candidates would discuss domestic issues prior to election day, some health care watchers were left wanting.

Advisers and employers need to be diligent about protecting employees’ personal medical information.

During an at times confrontational second debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney, health care and the landmark health care reform bill were, surprisingly, not a focus, and when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act did come up, it was primarily used as an attack vehicle.

The health insurer’s interim CEO has announced plans to create four separate business units for Medicare, Medicaid, commercial and individual sales and dental, vision and disability insurance.

Health care analysts mystified by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s promise to preserve the segment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that bars excluding Americans with preexisting conditions from obtaining coverage.