July 15, 2010
Patients are More Likely to Take Asthma Medications if Doctors are Engaged in Monitoring Use
According to a recent study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, as reported in Healthday, patients with asthma were more likely to take their asthma medications if doctors followed them closely. Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that patients were more likely to take their inhaled corticosteroids consistently for asthma control when their doctors monitored medication use carefully and reviewed electronic prescription information (such as how often prescriptions were filled). The study included 193 doctors.
These findings are nothing new. For example, in a study conducted some years ago, patients were taught how to use a metered-dose inhaler. Later, when they were brought back for a second visit, only half of them performed it correctly. This goes to show that an ongoing doctor-patient relationship is extremely important.
July 15, 2010
New Jersey Urged to Continue Funding Anti-Tobacco Programs
In June, the Newark Star-Ledger reported that New Jersey advocates are asking Gov. Chris Christie to continue funding anti-tobacco programs. In the past, New Jersey contributed $30 million a year to anti-tobacco programs. This year, due to budget cuts, funding dropped to $7.5 million. If Gov. Christie's proposed budget is approved, funding would be eliminated entirely. Fred Jacobs, former state health commissioner and the current chairman of anti-smoking organization NJ BREATHES, said that if funding fails, “New Jersey will be the worst state in the country when it comes to the support of tobacco-control programs.”
As we’ve reported earlier in our blog, tobacco smoke – including second-hand smoke – is a powerful trigger of asthma symptoms, not to mention contributing to other health problems. We’re hopeful that legislators can see their way to maintaining funding for anti-tobacco programs.
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