Author: Model Welt

Eating more fish is good for your health. That’s the finding of research conducted by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (HCRA) at the Harvard School of Public Health.

The study, “A Quantitative Analysis of the Risks and Benefits Associated with Changes in Fish Consumption,” analyzed the potential impact of consumer reactions to federal advisories that warn about the effects of mercury exposure from fish. Advisories could be misinterpreted and keep people from eating fish and seafood.

On average, Americans consume less than half the weekly intake of fish recommended by the federal government, in part due to fears of mercury exposure. However, the immense health benefits of fish and seafood far outweigh the minute risk of mercury contamination from commonly consumed fish.

“Fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect against coronary heart disease and stroke, and are thought to aid in the neurological development of unborn babies,” said Joshua Cohen, lead author and senior research associate at HCRA. “If that information gets lost in how the public perceives this issue, then people may inappropriately curtail fish consumption and increase their risk for adverse health outcomes.”

Since the body cannot manufacture omega-3 fatty acids, people rely on fish to provide this essential compound.

Eating less fish was also linked to a significant increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The study concluded that pregnant women, who are at far greater risk for mercury exposure, could increase the cognitive development benefits for their unborn child by eating the recommended servings of fish per week and choosing from a variety of fish and seafood low in mercury. The benefit from fish consumption during pregnancy could amount to an increase in IQ level for the newborn.

“There is no debate within the scientific community that the fatty acids in fish are essential for human health. Study after study demonstrates that from birth to old age, omega-3 fatty acids confer important health benefits, from optimal brain function and the reduced risk of heart attack and stroke to improved eye health,” said Joyce Nettleton, D.Sc., R.D., author of “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health.” “Fish is a healthful food for people of all ages.”

Clear messages resulting from studies such as this encourage people to continue to enjoy fish and seafood as part of a healthy diet.

Health care costs have continued to skyrocket and every politician, business owner and employee is trying to find ways to cut costs.

The recent Buying Trends Study, released by the National Association of Health Underwriters and ChapterHouse LLC, shows that nearly 90 percent of insurance agents and brokers predict that the health insurance market will look remarkably different within the next five to 10 years. They predict a shift away from traditional plans and a migration to consumer-driven health plans.

With open enrollment season upon us, consumers have a chance to evaluate these consumer-driven plans and decide if these new options might be right for them. Past editions of this study have accurately predicted other health care changes, so these findings carry a great deal of weight among industry leaders.

Consumer-driven health plans, which include health reimbursement accounts and health savings accounts, are high-deductible medical plans that are coupled with a savings account. Employees can use those funds to pay their health care costs.

With lower premiums than traditional health insurance plans, consumer-driven health plans enable consumers to choose what kind of health care services they would like to receive, making them more active participants in the decision-making process.

Nearly 30 percent of employers are planning to offer these consumer-driven health plans, and employees will need to determine if they are ready to switch to this new way of approaching health care.

The study also revealed that there is not much hope for those awaiting nationalized health care. Only 3 percent of respondents felt that there was a likelihood of adopting a single-payer system and only 7 percent saw U.S. government mandates in America’s future.

While the future of health care is still unknown, the study predicts that America is headed toward private market initiatives to help solve this crisis.

Health insurance is increasingly important. With the rate at which medical expenses have continued to rise over previous years, and the reductions in government funded health care programs, being without health insurance is less an option today than ever. Many young people have never had to think about health insurance as their parents have always taken care of this aspect of life for them. But for many kids setting out for college, health insurance is one thing you can’t afford to forget about.

Be Aware

Everyone has specific health care needs, and young people often make the mistake of thinking they, as a group, do not need to worry about health care. While statistically, students may not be the biggest health care users, there are any number of unplanned events that can lead to you needing health care. If you don’t have insurance you’ll regret it. These can range from driving and sporting accidents, std’s and other illnesses, and travel insurance needs.

Whatever your specific needs, you might want to consider investing what’s on offer as part of student health care plans. They will often provide the right balance between protection and affordability that students are looking for.

Many students when they head off to college go out with the HMO network of their parent’s insurance plans and this will be another reason to investigate student health insurance. Many schools and colleges will have some form of insurance available if students require it. You will have to pay of course, but often, because of the amount of insurance they buy, they can negotiate better deals and prices than you would otherwise be able to find.

They can also have terms and coverage that suit you and the activities and needs you are likely to experience most closely. As with all insurance though, shop around. Just because it’s your college’s plan, doesn’t mean it’s the best option available to you. There are as many insurance plans, as there are customers these days, so you should see what’s available and make sure you are getting something you want and need before you hand over your money.

Health Insurance

In other cases, your school will require you to have some form of health insurance. This may be a condition before you can enrol. If you cannot afford a full traditional health plan, a student insurance plan may be more affordable and will allow you to meet your school’s insurance requirements.