Recent studies indicate, and local hearing experts confirm, hearing loss is becoming more prevalent in younger demographics. Rebecca Younk, audiologist for Amplifon USA, believes there are several factors involved but cites noise exposure as one of the biggest threats.

Healthy Travel Media, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), and the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion (CKMP) announce the launch of Patients Beyond Borders: Korea Edition published in English for international distribution. The 220-page guidebook provides in-depth instruction for budgeting and planning a medical journey; detailed descriptions of 23 fully accredited hospitals catering to the international patient; profiles of health travel agents; and essential information on accommodations and traveling in Korea. Print and electronic versions will be available through retail and online outlets worldwide as well as KHIDI and CKMP.

A ban on fast food advertisements in the United States could reduce the number of overweight children by as much as 18 percent, according to a new study being published this month in the Journal of Law and Economics. The study also reports that eliminating the tax deductibility associated with television advertising would result in a reduction of childhood obesity, though in smaller numbers.

GI Dynamics, a medical device company pioneering the development of new approaches to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, announced today a paper appearing in the advance online publication of the journal Obesity, which demonstrates that implantation of an innovative endoluminal sleeve mimics key, beneficial effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, inducing substantial weight loss and improved metabolic function in rats with diet-induced obesity. The dramatic effects of the removable device on blood glucose levels in this animal model suggest an important role for the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and jejunum (the central part of ...

Current economic conditions are escalating financial pressures and personal stress for many employees. With 44% of employees living paycheck-to-paycheck and 60% of employees very concerned about having enough money to make ends meet, according to the sixth annual MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends, it is easy to see how financial uncertainty could add to someone’s daily stress; however, it is important to prevent economic challenges from also taking a toll on your health.

A nationally prominent expert at treating diabetes, a chronic illness with potentially serious complications including blindness, limb amputation and death, said today many complications of diabetes are preventable and family physicians play a key role in preventing and controlling the disease. Responding to a new study by the Lewin Group that puts the diabetes-related direct costs of treatment and indirect costs such as disability and early retirement at $218 billion a year in the U.S., Alan Glaseroff, MD, explained that these high costs and the underlying patient suffering are, in many cases, unnecessary.