Trade Associations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.
Featured Stories
New WTA Report Explores How VHTS Satellites are Impacting and Reshaping the Ground Segment
NEW YORK, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The World Teleport Association issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
The World Teleport Association (WTA) today released Ground Segment for the VHTS Generation (https://www.worldteleport.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=24814470), a new research report that examines the impact of VHTS satellites on the ground segment, the underlying technologies and their role in reshaping the industry. The report is sponsored by Kratos.
"Very high throughput services in GEO, MEO and LEO have gone from concept to reality with unprecedented speed," said executive director
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The World Teleport Association issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
The World Teleport Association (WTA) today released Ground Segment for the VHTS Generation (https://www.worldteleport.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=24814470), a new research report that examines the impact of VHTS satellites on the ground segment, the underlying technologies and their role in reshaping the industry. The report is sponsored by Kratos.
"Very high throughput services in GEO, MEO and LEO have gone from concept to reality with unprecedented speed," said executive directorRobert Bell. "Amid all the excitement of developments in space, the crucial need to update ground technology was ignored. Technology providers and teleport operators, however, have seen it coming and are accelerating efforts to create ground segment as flexible and capable as the assets on orbit."
WTA members can access the report by signing into their accounts on the WTA website. The report is free for WTA Members and available for purchase by others. Members may directly download the report by following this link and logging in with their user name and password.
Quotes from the Report
A technology expert noted: "A multi-orbit ground infrastructure needs to be global and integrated with the satellites' traffic orchestration. Real-time traffic orchestration becomes the must-have feature because we will not be able to assign static pools of bandwidth on a certain satellite or group of satellites."
An expert with a technology provider summed it up: "To support higher data rates, we are now moving into higher frequencies, and we are seeing Ka-band multi-beam antennas for user links and Q/V-band antennas for feeder links, which are crucial components to cope with VHTS mission requirements."
More on Ground Segment for the VHTS Generation
While all eyes may be on low Earth orbit, the real story is about high-throughput satellites (HTS) and VHTS flying in GEO, MEO and LEO. Since the first HTS satellite, IPSTAR, was launched in 2005, the frequency-sharing, multi-beam architecture it pioneered has become standard in LEO and MEO satcom. Intelsat's decision to launch its EPIC Ku-band HTS satellites made clear that it would become common in GEO as well. Then came the very high-throughput birds Jupiter 3 with its 500 Gbps and ViaSat 3 with its Terabit of capacity (sharply degraded on the first satellite by an antenna problem). All of this has stacked up challenges for the ground segment. Hub infrastructure must scale to support hundreds of beams, support dynamic allocation of return channels and waveform optimization, handle higher symbol rates and greater throughput. Advanced network management will be needed to handle multi-orbit, multi-beam, multi-satellite handovers.
In this report, teleport and technology executives report on the technical, operational and business challenges they face and the paths they are navigating to achieve profitable growth while meeting new needs.
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About World Teleport Association
The World Teleport Association (http://www.worldteleport.org) has been helping its members aim higher since our founding in 1985. Today, WTA is the leading partner in growth for teleport operators, advocating for their commercial interests and promoting excellence in their business practices, technology and operations. The association publishes best-practice reports and presents webinars on technology changes and their business and market impacts. It also presents events and awards and provides global certification and assessment programs to validate excellence and drive improvement. Aiming higher creates opportunity. Aiming higher brings risk. WTA is dedicated to helping its members seize the opportunities and manage the risks to find the paths to growth in a massively changing market.
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Original text here: https://www.worldteleport.org/news/687291/New-WTA-Report-Explores-How-VHTS-Satellites-are-Impacting-and-Reshaping-the-Ground-Segment.htm
[Category: Telecommunications]
LIMRA: Canadian Life Insurance New Premium Rises 4% in Third Quarter 2024
WINDSOR, Connecticut, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- LIMRA issued the following news release:
Total Canadian life insurance new annualized premium was $478 million (CAD) in the third quarter 2024, 4% higher than the prior year's results, according to LIMRA's Retail Canadian Life Insurance Sales Survey. In the third quarter, policy count fell 17%, largely due to term life sales declines.
"Strong economic conditions have propelled permanent life insurance sales in the third quarter. Both participating whole life and universal life recorded substantive gains as consumers look to protect investment growth,"
... Show Full Article
WINDSOR, Connecticut, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- LIMRA issued the following news release:
Total Canadian life insurance new annualized premium was $478 million (CAD) in the third quarter 2024, 4% higher than the prior year's results, according to LIMRA's Retail Canadian Life Insurance Sales Survey. In the third quarter, policy count fell 17%, largely due to term life sales declines.
"Strong economic conditions have propelled permanent life insurance sales in the third quarter. Both participating whole life and universal life recorded substantive gains as consumers look to protect investment growth,"said John Carroll, senior vice president and head of Life & Annuities, LIMRA and LOMA. "LIMRA is projecting this trend to continue through 2025."
Year-to-date, new annualized premium totaled $1.5 billion, up 5% from prior year. In the first nine months of 2024, policy count dropped 5%, compared with results from same period of 2023.
Whole Life
Whole life new annualized premium topped $324 million, increasing 9% in the third quarter. The number of whole life policies sold fell 1%. Eight in 10 whole life carriers reported new premium growth. Year to date (YTD), whole life new premium rose 9% to $984 million, and the number of policies sold was level with prior year's results. YTD, whole life premium represented 68% of the total Canadian life insurance market.
"Participating whole life product sales continue to dominate the market, representing 9 in 10 dollars spent. Nearly 70% of carriers selling these products reported double-digit growth this quarter," said Matthew Rubino, senior research analyst, LIMRA Insurance Product Research.
Universal Life
For the second consecutive quarter, universal life (UL) new premium improved. UL new premium was $63 million in the third quarter, up 7% from prior year's results. Non-level cost of insurance (COI) product sales drove the growth. The number of policies sold also increased in the third quarter, up 2%. YTD, UL new premium totaled $189 million, 1% higher than the same period in 2023. Through the third quarter, policy count was 2% higher than prior year's results. UL premium held 13% of the total Canadian life insurance market in the first three quarters of 2024.
Term Life
Term new premium fell 11% in the third quarter to $91 million. Policy count plummeted 27% in the quarter. Third quarter results pulled down the overall results for 2024. YTD, term new premium was $278 million, down 3%. Policy count dropped 10% in the first nine months of 2024. YTD, term premium held 19% market share.
"In 2023, term sales spiked due to new product introductions and relationships among a few companies. In 2024, term sales have returned to normal levels," said Rubino. "While new policy count fell 27% year over year, it was more than 3% higher than third quarter 2022 results."
For more details on the sales results, go to Canadian Life Insurance Sales Growth Rates (Third Quarter 2024) (https://www.limra.com/siteassets/newsroom/fact-tank/sales-data/2024/3q/canada-3q-life.pdf) in LIMRA's Fact Tank (https://www.limra.com/en/newsroom/fact-tank/).
Started in 1993, LIMRA's Canadian Individual Life Insurance Sales Survey represents 93% of the Canadian market. With more than 100 years of expertise, LIMRA conducts over 80 benchmark studies -- producing nearly 500 reports annually -- for our members and the industry as a whole. These studies provide trusted insights and a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, trends, and behaviors.
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About LIMRA
Serving the industry since 1916, LIMRA offers industry knowledge, insights, connections, and solutions to help more than 700 member organizations navigate change with confidence. Visit LIMRA at http://www.limra.com.
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Original text here: https://www.limra.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2024/limra-canadian-life-insurance-new-premium-rises-4-in-third-quarter-2024/
[Category: Financial Services]
Journal of Marketing: Why Inclusive Product Lines May Not Be Seen As Equally Positive By All Consumers
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The Journal of Marketing, a part of the American Marketing Association, issued the following news release:
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Why Inclusive Product Lines May Not Be Seen As Equally Positive By All Consumers - And How Companies Can Respond
Researchers from Texas Christian University, Brooks Running, and University of Washington published a new Journal of Marketing study that examines why underrepresented consumers may feel skeptical towards product line extensions aimed at inclusivity and how companies can do better to reach them.
The study, forthcoming in the Journal
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The Journal of Marketing, a part of the American Marketing Association, issued the following news release:
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Why Inclusive Product Lines May Not Be Seen As Equally Positive By All Consumers - And How Companies Can Respond
Researchers from Texas Christian University, Brooks Running, and University of Washington published a new Journal of Marketing study that examines why underrepresented consumers may feel skeptical towards product line extensions aimed at inclusivity and how companies can do better to reach them.
The study, forthcoming in the Journalof Marketing, is titled "Is This for Me? Differential Responses to Skin Tone Inclusivity Initiatives by Underrepresented Consumers and Represented Consumers" and is authored by Jennifer D'Angelo, Lea Dunn, and Francesca Valsesia.
To better represent consumers who have traditionally been underrepresented in the marketplace, an increasing number of brands are extending or launching product lines that are more inclusive of a diverse consumer base. However, this new study finds that inclusivity initiatives may not be seen as equally positive by all consumers. Though these initiatives are generally met with positivity, consumers who feel underrepresented in the marketplace--the very consumers these initiatives may serve--may respond less favorably than represented consumers.
Underrepresentation in the Marketplace
D'Angelo explains that "our research examines how feeling underrepresented can increase consumers' skepticism about whether the products in these expanded lines will fit their needs. When consumers feel underrepresented in the marketplace, they likely experience products and consumption situations in which their needs are either unconsidered, unheard, or misconstrued by companies." Consumers of all races feel underrepresented and, not surprisingly, feelings of representation are strongly correlated with race. In the 2020 United States Census, Black and Hispanic consumers account for 30.8% of the population, with the White population decreasing from 63.7% of the population to 57.8%. Despite this, White consumers have been the primary focus for skin tone related products--with many brands offering a truncated range of skin tones. As such, many consumers are left using products that do not fully meet their needs.
"We suggest that consumers' past experiences create an expectation that new products, even in different product categories, may not meet their needs. This hesitancy creates a sense of product fit skepticism. In other words, doubting whether the product will actually match skin tone needs. In turn, this product fit skepticism limits the extent of positive brand attitudes," Dunn says.
Product line extensions aimed at inclusivity are met with more positive responses from represented consumers. Underrepresented consumers, however, have lower positive responses. These lower responses span a wide range of parameters: attitude, click-through/engagement with marketing endeavors, interest in purchase, and sharing information about the product with others. Valsesia says that "this lower attitude is not because underrepresented consumers are more negative towards brand innovations overall. In fact, we find that this lower brand attitude only persists for product line extensions that are aimed at inclusivity versus general innovation. These consumers have a higher feeling that the product will not fit or match their needs."
What Can Companies Do?
How can companies better meet and articulate the needs of their consumers? Demonstrating respect for a consumer's needs can help boost reception of product line extensions. Specifically, underrepresented consumers are less likely to believe that their needs are taken into account during the product development stage. When a company can show that underrepresented consumers' specific needs have been taken into account and voices have been heard, underrepresented consumers may be less skeptical and more open to the product.
Some different avenues through which a company can demonstrate respect include:
* Customization, which allows consumers to closely tailor their experiences, could reduce questions about whether the product can truly meet their needs.
* Brand positioning, a longer-term marketing tool, can demonstrate that the company cares about the needs of underrepresented consumers.
For example, Fenty Beauty's "Beauty for All" campaign chose representative celebrity spokespeople, utilized social media to reignite the conversation around diversity in the beauty industry, and involved beauty scientists of color during product development. This likely converged to create a positioning of high respect of consumer needs.
In other words, companies need to show that their approach is not a one-off activation but part of the brand's strategic positioning prior to launch. They need to continually articulate their positions on representation and act upon their goals even after launching products targeted at underrepresented customers. Consumers want to know that these extensions are more than just a marketing tactic.
Altogether, the study shows that while inclusivity-based product line extensions are generally viewed favorably in the marketplace, underrepresented consumers are still skeptical and show lower response and engagement with the brand. If companies truly want to serve the needs of a diverse consumer base, they must be willing to put in the work to demonstrate respect and ongoing care for their consumers--especially those who have not felt represented within the marketplace.
Full article and author contact information available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429241268634
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About the Journal of Marketing
The Journal of Marketing develops and disseminates knowledge about real-world marketing questions useful to scholars, educators, managers, policy makers, consumers, and other societal stakeholders around the world. Published by the American Marketing Association since its founding in 1936, JM has played a significant role in shaping the content and boundaries of the marketing discipline. Shrihari (Hari) Sridhar (Joe Foster '56 Chair in Business Leadership, Professor of Marketing at Mays Business School, Texas A&M University) serves as the current Editor in Chief. https://www.ama.org/jm
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About the American Marketing Association (AMA)
As the leading global professional marketing association, the AMA is the essential community for marketers. From students and practitioners to executives and academics, we aim to elevate the profession, deepen knowledge, and make a lasting impact. The AMA is home to five premier scholarly journals including: Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, Journal of International Marketing, and Journal of Interactive Marketing. Our industry-leading training events and conferences define future forward practices, while our professional development and PCM(R) professional certification advance knowledge. With 70 chapters and a presence on 350 college campuses across North America, the AMA fosters a vibrant community of marketers. The association's philanthropic arm, the AMA's Foundation, is inspiring a more diverse industry and ensuring marketing research impacts public good.
AMA views marketing as the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. You can learn more about AMA's learning programs and certifications, conferences and events, and scholarly journals at AMA.org.
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Original text here: https://www.ama.org/press-releases/why-inclusive-product-lines-may-not-be-seen-as-equally-positive-by-all-consumers-and-how-companies-can-respond/
[Category: Marketing]
Association of American Medical Colleges: Adult ADHD - Overdiagnosed? Or Finally Getting the Attention It Deserves?
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The Association of American Medical Colleges issued the following news:
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15 million U.S. adults say they have a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But some experts worry that ADHD can be overhyped and that too few doctors are prepared to treat a condition that was long considered an issue only for kids.
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By Stacy Weiner, Senior Staff Writer
Judy Sandler, 62, could never control her fidgetiness in meetings with fellow teachers. At home, she would lose bills in the untamed piles that filled her office. Too often, she would forget
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The Association of American Medical Colleges issued the following news:
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15 million U.S. adults say they have a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But some experts worry that ADHD can be overhyped and that too few doctors are prepared to treat a condition that was long considered an issue only for kids.
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By Stacy Weiner, Senior Staff Writer
Judy Sandler, 62, could never control her fidgetiness in meetings with fellow teachers. At home, she would lose bills in the untamed piles that filled her office. Too often, she would forgetsimple tasks like locking the door of her home in Lincolnville, Maine.
But the worst was a few years ago when she decided to write a book. Her mind would skitter off in pursuit of a random thought, or she'd get up just briefly and never return to the task at hand.
"I had a goal I wanted to achieve. I was intelligent and willing to work hard. But I couldn't get anything accomplished," she says. "I felt lost."
So Sandler sought treatment for her growing depression -- and after an in-depth assessment, a psychiatrist diagnosed her with ADHD. "I was shocked," she adds. "But so much about it made sense."
Sandler is one of a growing number of U.S. adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In 2023, the estimated prevalence of adult ADHD was tallied at 6% -- or 15.5 million people. Previous estimates had set that number at around 4.5%.
What's more, 1 in 4 U.S. adults now suspect they have the condition. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulant prescriptions used to treat ADHD leaped 30% among Americans ages 20 to 39.
But whether the increased numbers are due to a long-overdue awareness, inappropriate diagnoses, or both is unclear.
"During the pandemic, many people felt very impaired, so they were approaching providers hoping it was ADHD and could be fixed with medication," says Craig Surman, MD, director of the Clinical and Research Program in Adult ADHD at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
"There's also been a lot of misinformation, sensationalizing, and generalizing on social media," he adds. "Diagnosing ADHD is complicated and needs to be based on specific criteria. It's a lot to put into a TikTok sound bite."
Leaders in the field point to other concerns as well. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called the lack of U.S. consensus guidelines for diagnosing and treating adult ADHD a public health concern.
And since few physicians are trained to treat the adult version of the condition, some may decide to prescribe medication simply to see if it helps. "Nearly all people, if you give them a stimulant, they will say, 'Doc, you're a genius. I'm doing great.' But that doesn't prove the person has ADHD," says David Goodman, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore and director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland.
At the same time, diagnosis has brought great relief to some patients who for years misinterpreted symptoms as a sign that they were somehow deeply flawed.
Goodman describes treating one patient with classic ADHD symptoms who went undiagnosed for decades. "At one appointment, she started crying from relief. She said, 'I finally realized that I'm not stupid ... like people told me.' Patients come to see that ADHD isn't who they are. It's something that they have."
What, exactly, is adult ADHD?
Signs of ADHD include difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and restlessness as well as disorganization, irritability, forgetfulness, and trouble completing tasks. Of course, most people experience such problems at some point. So to qualify for a diagnosis, a patient has to experience significant impairment in two or more areas of their lives, such as work and relationships.
Symptoms also must have started in childhood. "As the condition is currently defined, there is no such thing as late-onset ADHD," says Ryan Sultan, MD, an ADHD researcher and an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in Manhattan.
Yet identifying the condition can take time, with more than half of adult ADHD patients reporting they weren't diagnosed until 18 or older.
Recognizing ADHD in adults can be tougher than in children. "Children may be disruptive in school, run around, and interrupt the class," says Goodman. "You don't see adults bouncing around the office. They may tap their foot endlessly at their desk instead."
Further complicating matters is that the adult version of the condition has been little understood until fairly recently, and skepticism lingers. "Some people think the symptoms are normal parts of the human experience that are being pathologized," says Goodman. "But just like depression is different from sadness, ADHD is different from basic inattention."
If so, some wonder, shouldn't ADHD appear in physiological measures like brain scans?
"Many neurological pathways are involved in ADHD, so there's no single fingerprint in the brain for it," says Maggie Sibley, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. "Instead, there's a combination of features that add up to it."
For example, people with ADHD generally have less of the neurotransmitter dopamine, "which means they are in a less activated state of attention. That can make it harder for them to engage in activities that don't particularly interest them," says Sultan.
Research suggests that environmental triggers -- parental smoking and early lead exposure, among them -- play a role in ADHD. Mostly, it's considered genetic, though. If your sibling has ADHD, for example, you're nine times as likely to have it too.
But people with ADHD are not destined to struggle, says Goodman. Often, their creativity, intelligence, and skills help counterbalance their symptoms.
"We see people who come in for the first time because of a major life change like getting a new job," he notes. "That change starts overtaxing their ability to compensate."
Diagnostic dilemmas
For many patients, a diagnosis of ADHD begins in a primary care provider's office. Early steps can include a brief screening questionnaire, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist. But such tools are insufficient on their own, says Lenard Adler, MD, a psychiatrist at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan who helped create the checklist.
In fact, a 2021 study estimated that some 90% of people who screened positive on a World Health Organization adult-ADHD screening questionnaire did not have the condition.
Instead, an accurate diagnosis requires a thorough patient interview, a medical and developmental history, and when possible, input from close contacts familiar with the patient's moods and behaviors, says Adler. It also involves ruling out other possible causes -- there are many -- for ADHD symptoms.
Although failure to evaluate patients carefully can drive overdiagnosis, it's not clear the extent to which it contributed to the recent bump in reported ADHD cases.
Possible explanations for the increase include that the pandemic exacerbated existing symptoms, says Sultan. Also possible is that the loosening of telehealth rules during the pandemic -- which included allowing the prescription of stimulants without an initial in-person appointment -- increased access to much-needed care. After extensive debate, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently extended those flexibilities through December 31, 2025.
But inappropriate prescribing of stimulants is also worrisome, says Sultan.
On an individual level, "a person who doesn't have ADHD likely has more normal levels of dopamine, which stimulants increase. When you get to higher levels of dopamine, you can start to get psychotic."
At a societal level, excessive prescribing can fuel medication misuse and diversion as well as stimulant-use disorders. In 2023, nearly 4 million Americans misused prescription stimulants.
But prescribing is a balancing act, given that underdiagnosis also can be problematic. "People with untreated ADHD are more likely to smoke, have substance-use disorders, and get into car accidents. They're also more likely to get divorced. Those are significant consequences," says Adler.
How is adult ADHD treated?
ADHD treatment often involves medication, but the type, dosing, and duration require careful thought, says Sultan. Among the considerations is that symptoms fluctuate over time as, for example, a young adult's brain matures.
When it comes to choosing medications, some patients prefer to avoid the potential downsides of stimulants such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine). Those include difficulty sleeping, feeling on edge, and upset stomach. Particularly concerning for older adults are elevated blood pressure and heart rate.
But compared with non-stimulant medications such as Strattera (atomoxetine) and Intuniv (guanfacine), stimulants work faster and are considered more effective. "Stimulants for ADHD are the most effective medicine in all of psychiatry. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia -- none of the medications for any of those work as well," says Sultan.
Maria Camin,/* 40, a Manhattan fitness instructor and entrepreneur, started medication last year. "My brain can be all over the place. I can't even read a long email," she says. "Medication slows things down. I never realized how noisy just living felt until I tried medication. It helps me block out some distractions."
Meanwhile, shortages of stimulants, driven partly by DEA efforts to prevent misuse by limiting their production, have left patients scrambling in recent months. Some have even turned to illegal markets.
Despite the focus on medications, Sultan advises against relying on them alone. He shares a pithy caution: "In ADHD, skills are as important as pills."
Cognitive behavioral therapy -- which addresses both attitudes and actions -- is considered the most effective counseling method for the condition. "Let's say random thoughts about your to-do list keep popping up. The patient learns to write them down and address them later, to make them much less distracting," says Surman.
Self-care behaviors that improve brain function, like sleep, nutrition, and exercise, are important too, he adds. "For one, we know that physical activity, especially cardiovascular activity, raises dopamine levels."
A significant aim of counseling is helping ADHD patients build supportive structures. "Therapy asks some key questions," says Sibley. "'What environments and people boost you up? What kind of work and activities hold your interest? What really helps you be your best self?'"
The hard road ahead
Much work remains for physicians and researchers aiming to better understand and treat adult ADHD.
For one, two-thirds of providers who treat adults report being ill-equipped to address the condition. So a key goal is educating providers trained back when ADHD was seen solely as a pediatric issue to identify and treat the condition in adults, as well as to ensure better integration of the topic into current medical education.
Sibley, Adler, and others have been working on a tool to help educators and providers: the first U.S. consensus guidelines for diagnosing and treating adult ADHD. After years evaluating evidence and drafting recommendations -- a process overseen by the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders -- the document is expected to be published in 2025. Providers seeking help applying the guidelines will be able to turn to specialty-specific toolkits crafted by the nonprofit CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
Among the guidelines' aims is addressing inequities experienced by underserved populations. Black and Brown men with ADHD are more likely to have been misdiagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder in childhood, for example, and women's symptoms are more frequently misinterpreted as depression.
Expanding adult ADHD research is also crucial, says Sibley. The gap between adult and pediatric research funding is large: $5.5 million for the former versus $42 million for the latter, according to one estimate.
Among the questions researchers would like to tackle is how to better diagnose adults. Currently, diagnostic criteria tweak those that are crafted for children -- even though symptoms can appear quite different in adults.
Numerous treatment-related questions remain unanswered too. How might menopause affect ADHD medication? How do medications stack up against behavioral therapies among specific populations? What are the particular risks and benefits of ADHD medications for older adults?
Researchers also aspire to create a brand-new medication that targets the same brain mechanisms as stimulants -- but without their potential downsides. That's an extremely slow, complicated, and costly process, though.
Meanwhile, patients say they are grateful for the support that advances allow. "I'm excited that people are researching and talking about adult ADHD much more," says Camin. "I'm so grateful that people with ADHD are learning how we can use our many strengths to succeed and feel valuable in the world we live in."
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Stacy Weiner, Senior Staff Writer
Stacy Weiner is a senior staff writer for AAMCNews whose areas of focus include health equity, women's health, mental health, and medical education. She can be reached at stweiner@aamc.org.
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Footnote:
*/ Not her real name
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Original text here: https://www.aamc.org/news/adult-adhd-overdiagnosed-or-finally-getting-attention-it-deserves
[Category: Medical]
American Lung Association: New Report - Lung Cancer Survival Rate Improves
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The American Lung Association issued the following news release:
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American Lung Association's 'State of Lung Cancer' report reveals stark differences in survival, screening and treatment across states
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American Lung Association: New Report - Lung Cancer Survival Rate Improves, But Gaps in Biomarker Testing, Lack of Screening Hinder Progress
Lung cancer is the leading cause of the cancer deaths in the U.S., but the American Lung Association's 2024 "State of Lung Cancer" report reveals positive news. The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The American Lung Association issued the following news release:
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American Lung Association's 'State of Lung Cancer' report reveals stark differences in survival, screening and treatment across states
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American Lung Association: New Report - Lung Cancer Survival Rate Improves, But Gaps in Biomarker Testing, Lack of Screening Hinder Progress
Lung cancer is the leading cause of the cancer deaths in the U.S., but the American Lung Association's 2024 "State of Lung Cancer" report reveals positive news. The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% inthe last five years. The report also presents opportunities for states to further improve lung cancer survival by increasing access biomarker testing, and for the federal government to work to increase access to screening.
The organization's seventh annual "State of Lung Cancer" report highlights how the toll of lung cancer varies by state and examines key indicators throughout the U.S. including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, screening rates and insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.
"More people with lung cancer are living longer, and that is something to celebrate. However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "This year's 'State of Lung Cancer' report provides a path for states and the federal government to take to improve the lives of people living with this devastating disease. Increasing lung cancer screening rates and expanding biomarker testing are enormous opportunities to catch cancer earlier and provide the best treatments for people diagnosed with the disease. There is more work to do, but I am incredibly optimistic about the future of lung cancer care."
New this year, "State of Lung Cancer" examines insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing across the U.S. Lung cancer biomarker testing, sometimes referred to as tumor, molecular, genomic or genetic testing, looks for changes in the tumor's DNA. The results of the test may show biomarkers that can help determine what treatment options would be best for an individual patient. Insurance coverage of biomarker testing is important for removing a cost barrier to people with lung cancer, but coverage for biomarker testing is only required in some states. The report found that only 15 states require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, five states require some plans to cover testing, and 30 states and Washington, D.C. have yet to require any coverage of biomarker testing.
The report also closely tracks lung cancer screening nationally and by state. In 2023, only 16% of those eligible were screened nationally. Rhode Island has the best screening rating at 28.6%, while Wyoming has the worst at 8.6%. Note that this year, the Lung Association used a new data source for lung cancer screening rates, so they cannot be compared to previous "State of Lung Cancer" reports.
Close to 235,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. In addition to screening rates and state health coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, which were discussed above, the 2024 "State of Lung Cancer" report found the following national trends in survival rate, early diagnosis, surgery, lack of treatment and health disparities:
* Survival Rate: Lung cancer has one of the lowest five-year survival rates because cases are often diagnosed at later stages, when it is less likely to be curable. The national average of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 28.4%. Survival rates were best in Massachusetts (37.9%) and worst in Oklahoma (22.2%).
* Early Diagnosis: Nationally, only 27.4% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the five-year survival rate is much higher (64%). Unfortunately, 43% of cases are not caught until a late stage when the survival rate is only 9%. Early diagnosis rates were best in Massachusetts (34.7%), and worst in Hawaii (21.1%).
* Surgery as First Course of Treatment: Lung cancer can often be treated with surgery if it is diagnosed at an early stage and has not spread. Nationally, 20.7% of cases underwent surgery. Surgical treatment rates decreased by 2% in 2021, likely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization of medical care.
* Lack of Treatment: There are multiple reasons why patients may not receive treatment after diagnosis. Some of these reasons may be unavoidable, but no one should go untreated because of lack of provider or patient knowledge, stigma associated with lung cancer, fatalism after diagnosis or cost of treatment. Nationally, 20.9% of cases receive no treatment. Lack of treatment rates were highest in Nevada (36.7%), and lowest in Massachusetts (13.2%).
* Health Disparities: The report also highlights that people of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white individuals. According to "State of Lung Cancer," people of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer are less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to be alive five years after diagnosis, less likely to receive surgical treatment and more likely to receive no treatment. More must be done to eliminate lung cancer health disparities.
The 2024 "State of Lung Cancer" report highlights opportunities for states and the federal government to reduce the burden of lung cancer and encourages everyone to help end lung cancer. This year, the American Lung Association calls for all states to implement policies to require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. The Lung Association also calls on Congress to pass the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 4286).
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About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
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Original text here: https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/state-of-lung-cancer-2024
[Category: Health Care]
American Lung Association Applauds New Surgeon General Report Addressing Persistent Tobacco-Related Health Disparities
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The American Lung Association issued the following news release:
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Report underscores urgent need for state and local communities to pass policies to reduce tobacco-related disparities, including ending sale of menthol and other flavored tobacco products
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Today, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released the 35th Surgeon General Report's on tobacco, Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities, which focuses on the myriad of tobacco-related health disparities in the U.S.
Important findings and conclusions from the report
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The American Lung Association issued the following news release:
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Report underscores urgent need for state and local communities to pass policies to reduce tobacco-related disparities, including ending sale of menthol and other flavored tobacco products
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Today, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released the 35th Surgeon General Report's on tobacco, Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities, which focuses on the myriad of tobacco-related health disparities in the U.S.
Important findings and conclusions from the reportinclude:
* Cigarette smoking remains a major cause of death and disease, causing more than 490,000 deaths per year, including 50,000 Black adults, 15,000 Hispanic adults, and 400,000 White adults.
* The breadth of tobacco-caused disparities continues to persist and expand within race and ethnicity, level of income, level of education, sexual orientation and gender identity, occupation, geography, behavioral health status, and disability status. Some have widened further since the last Surgeon General's report on tobacco-related disparities in 1998.
* The tobacco industry's targeted marketing of its deadly products is largely responsible for these disparities. Tobacco marketing in general and marketing for menthol cigarettes in particular is more common in neighborhoods with greater percentages of African American residents and residents with lower incomes.
In response, the American Lung Association's President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:
"For decades, the Surgeon General has been a trusted medical voice, sounding a clarion call for action in battling the death and disease caused by tobacco. Today's report builds upon that history and once again lays out a blueprint for policymakers and the public.
"The American Lung Association welcomes the Surgeon General's findings regarding health disparities in the use of tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke and the death and disease that disproportionately affects in the communities insidiously targeted by the tobacco companies. Achieving health equity requires knowing where these disparities exist and acting to eliminate them.
"The Surgeon General traces the path of the industry's destruction throughout the nation. While no community is spared, the discriminate targeting and aggressive marketing by the tobacco industry is shown through who is affected by tobacco-caused death and disease.
"Among its many findings, the report concludes that menthol flavored tobacco products increase the likelihood of tobacco initiation, addiction, and sustained use; and are target marketed and used disproportionately by certain population groups, including Black people and people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Following the Biden administration's failure in 2023 to finalize the lifesaving rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars across the country, the American Lung Association urges cities and states across the U.S. to pass policies to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars and flavored e-cigarettes.
"The Surgeon General's report also emphasizes that many people who now use commercial tobacco products have the least resources for and face the greatest barriers to quitting. It is imperative to pair passage of proven tobacco prevention policies with evidence-based, accessible support to help people quit the use of tobacco products."
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About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
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Original text here: https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/fy25-surgeon-general-report-statement
[Category: Health Care]
Alliance Applauds Gerald's Law Passing Through Congress
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The National Association for Home Care and Hospice issued the following news release:
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The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act moves closer to becoming law
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The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) celebrates the historic passage of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last night with a bipartisan vote of 389-9. This landmark legislation includes Section 301, Gerald's Law, which addresses a critical
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The National Association for Home Care and Hospice issued the following news release:
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The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act moves closer to becoming law
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The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) celebrates the historic passage of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last night with a bipartisan vote of 389-9. This landmark legislation includes Section 301, Gerald's Law, which addresses a criticalgap in benefits impacting seriously-ill veterans and their families receiving hospice care.
The story of Gerald "Jerry" Elliott, a U.S. Army veteran, underscores the importance of this legislative achievement. Diagnosed with cancer, Jerry was admitted to his local Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in 2019 before transitioning to VA hospice care at home to be surrounded by his family. After his death, his family discovered they were ineligible for full burial and funeral financial support because Jerry died outside of a VA facility.
Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01) introduced H.R. 234, Gerald's Law Act, to address this inequity, ensuring that no veteran family would face similar hardships in the future.
The AllianceAlliance, has played an active role in garnering support for this legislation and educating congressional offices on the critical resources needed for veteran patients who need serious illness and end-of-life care.
Nearly 350,000 veterans die annually in the U.S., with 95% dying outside of VA facilities. As of 2024, over 3,000 hospice and non-hospice community partners have committed to providing veteran-centric care through the Alliance's We Honor Veterans program, underscoring the need for equitable benefits for all veterans regardless of where they receive care.
The passage of Gerald's Law ensures that terminally-ill veterans who receive VA-furnished hospice care--whether at home, in a nursing home, or in another non-VA setting--will no longer lose access to their full VA burial allowance. This legislation prioritizes the dignity and comfort of veterans and their families during one of life's most challenging times.
"We are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support of Gerald's Law as part of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act," said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO for the Alliance. "This legislation ensures that veterans and their families can choose hospice care in the setting that best meets their needs without risking the loss of crucial burial benefits. We thank Chairman Bost and the VA Committee for their leadership and look forward to its swift passage in the Senate, hopefully before the end of the year."
The National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care joined the Alliance in endorsing Gerald's Law: "As a Coalition, we are honored to support Gerald's Law alongside the Alliance," said Jessica Hausauer, PhD, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care. "Veterans and their families deserve care in the setting of their choice without losing critical burial benefits because of outdated policies. This legislation upholds veterans' wishes and ensures equitable access to quality end-of-life care.
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About the National Alliance for Care at Home
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is a new national organization representing providers of home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and other health care services mainly delivered in the home. The Alliance brings together two organizations with nearly 90 years of combined experience: NAHC and NHPCO. NAHC and NHPCO are in the process of combining operations to better serve members and lead into the future of care offered in the home. Learn more at http://www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.
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Original text here: https://nahc.org/the-alliance-applauds-geralds-law-passing-through-congress/
[Category: Health Care]
