UDOH Looking for People Ready to Quit Tobacco

(SALT LAKE CITY) – If you’re ready to quit using tobacco products and want to share your story with Utah, now is your chance. The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) is hosting a casting call to recruit current Utah tobacco users for its new, statewide reality TV campaign, ‘Be A Quitter.’

Anyone who is thinking about quitting in 2013 can visit www.beaquitterutah.com and tell their story in 250 words or less for a chance to star in the commercials. Those who do will receive extra quit support and motivation, and will be an inspiration to others who are trying to quit.

Participants will receive a stipend plus a tablet device to help them document their quitting process, including struggles and successes, through social media and video updates. The campaign will cast 8-10 participants from across Utah who represent a range of ages and types of tobacco use.

The ‘cast’ will be taped once or twice a week for reality-style TV commercials that will be aired throughout the quit attempt process. They will also be asked to upload their own videos and social media posts to keep viewers updated on their progress. The group may also appear in news stories and documentaries about the Utah Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and www.UtahQuitNet.com that will include messages urging other tobacco users to join the fight.

Participants aged 18 years and older will agree to share their struggles and successes with the public as they try to quit tobacco, and give details about the effects, both good and bad, that quitting has had on them, their families, co-workers, and friends.

“Quitting for good is a hard thing to do and there are hurdles like relapsing, starting over on quitting, and finding alternatives to kick the habit,” said Amy Oliver, UDOH TPCP marketing manager. “We want this campaign to show tobacco users that they’re not alone in the quitting process and to encourage them to never give up.”

The television campaign, slated to begin airing in February 2013, will target the approximately 200,000 Utah adults who currently use tobacco.  

Free resources are always available for people who want to quit tobacco. For help, call the Utah Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.UtahQuitNet.com. 

Media Contacts: 

Amy Oliver

Tobacco Prevention and Control Program

(o) 801-538-6917 (c) 801-783-9067

Janae Duncan

(o) 801-538-9273 (c) 801-960-8536

Continue reading →

UDOH Releases Data on 5 New Measures of Hospital Safety

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) today released the

Utah Hospital Comparison Report, 2011. Utahns can use the report to access important information on all Utah hospitals regarding quality and patient safety measures that include:

1. Rates of accidental lacerations and punctures;

2. Death rates for diagnoses that should rarely result in death (e.g., hip dislocation, cesarean delivery);

3. Rates of incidental appendix removal among the elderly;

4. A composite rating for six mortality measures including heart attack, heart failure, acute stroke, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hip fracture, and pneumonia, and;

5. A composite rating of selected patient safety performance measures, including infection due to medical care and postoperative hip fracture.

The Utah Hospital Comparison Report is released annually to improve transparency, help the public choose a hospital for various services, and ultimately improve the quality of health care. Compared to the nation, Utah does better in rates of incidental appendix removal among the elderly, but worse in rates of accidental lacerations and punctures and in death rates for procedures that rarely result in death. Utah performed better than the nation for the mortality composite but worse for the patient safety composite.

“Some complications may be inevitable in caring for people who are seriously ill and require complex medical care, but methods are available to prevent most complications,”   said UDOH Deputy Director Dr. Robert Rolfs. “Data like these are important in helping us measure our progress, and in helping doctors and health care systems identify areas for improvement,” Rolfs added.

Under the direction of the Health Data Committee, the Utah Department of Health has released hospital comparison reports since 2005, as mandated by the Health Care Consumer Bill (SB 132).  The previous and current hospital comparison reports have been generated by MONAHRQ, a web development tool created by the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).  The information available in the MONAHRQ system is based on admission rates and pre-calculated AHRQ Quality Indicator (QI) measures derived from local hospital discharge data. 

The report also includes detailed quality statistics and the numbers of hospital visits for a given condition and the average charges associated with that hospital stay.

In addition to the newly-released measures, the majority of other health indicators that have been reported on in the past are still accessible. For example, expectant mothers can look for a hospital that excels in uncomplicated newborn deliveries.  Older patients needing hip replacement can learn how much they would be charged at one hospital versus another.

In addition, health care professionals, policy makers, and legislators can use the findings to develop and implement important health policies and best practice guidelines that will increase the quality of health care, while reducing costs. 

Each of the five new measures has been endorsed by the non-profit National Quality Forum, which is dedicated to improving the quality of health care in the United States. Utah Hospital Comparison report can be found at http://health.utah.gov/myhealthcare/.

Media Contact:

Zach Burningham, MPH

Senior Research Analyst

(o) 801-538-6355 (m) 801-857-8646

Continue reading →

What You Don't Know About Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are at it again, and in the news.  The 5 Hour Energy CEO has played the "I don't know" game along with "I'll have to get back to you with that information" and more prattle while avoiding the real issues. While 5 Hour Energy is not the only member of this product category, one thing for sure is that it does contain sucralose. And if you don't know about sucralose (marketed as Splenda) by now you can go here for more information. Another of my trusted sources, that today re-issued one of their older articles, has this to say:

Energy drinks are labeled wrong. They don’t energize you – they stimulate you. Research shows that beyond a brief caffeine high, there are actually no health benefits to energy drinks. In fact, the combination of different chemicals is likely to do more harm than good, especially for children. People need to stop over-reaching for that buzz that will not carry through the day. Drinking 3, 4 or even 5 Five Hour Energy shots in one sitting will not help you stay energized throughout the day. The circumstances suggest that, for some, it could be deadly.

Here's why: 5 Hour Energy Shots contain synthesized versions of Citicoline, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Taurine, Malic Acid, Glucuronolactone, and phenylalanine.

Besides the same amount of caffeine as 12 ounces of the leading cup of premium coffee, 5 Hour Energy does not contain carbohydrates, yet they claim it provides energy. 5 Hour Energy contains 2000% daily value of B6 and the 8333% of B12. All other ingredients including amino acids are in amounts considered to be healthy, but what about the amount of B Vitamins? The company states that the B Vitamins in their supplement; B6, B12, B3, and B9 are water soluble, any amount that is not absorbed is “expelled with no toxic effects.”  

What they fail to explain is that water, an essential ingredient that is needed to expel unused B Vitamins, should be mega-dosed to offset the mega-dose of B Vitamins in a 5 Hour Energy shot. Contrary to belief, it is possible to overdose on Vitamin B. Overdosing on Vitamin B happens when intolerable amounts are taken over a long period of time which can result in headache, dizziness, fainting, yellowing of skin, and temporary nerve/brain damage that can last 3 months to 3 years.

One case for toxicity reported 5,500mg for one dose, while another reported 500mg over a period of time (3 months or so), which happens to be the equivalent of B12 in one bottle of 5 hour energy. The recommended daily dose for B3 is 6mg, .8 for B6, and 30mg for B12. The amount of B3 in a 5 Hour Energy drink is 30mg, 40mg of B6, and 500mcg of B12. The amount of B Vitamins could potentially lead to an overdose. In the most extreme case, if taken daily and over a period of time 5 Hour Energy shots could very well cause temporary nerve/brain damage (in the most extreme cases). Symptoms such as numb hands and feet are signs of toxic levels. This is also the type of toxicity that can be expected from synthesized B vitamins.

If you are interested in a really unique, safe, and health promoting energy shot please be open to using our reliable and effective EVB Concentrate, you'll be glad you did!

SELECTIONS FROM NATURAL HEALTH NEWS

and there are about 30 more...

Natural Health News: Sports and Energy Drinks Again

May 02, 2012

More today on the dangers of commercailly available sports and energy drinks from Health Day. In the midst of this just remember this is the reason I created herbalYODA's sportZtea many years ago. This is an all natural and ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Energy Drinks

Jan 17, 2012

Energy Drinks. UPDATE:15 January 2012. Once again energy drinks are in the news and it appears that it isn't good (no surprise!). Agence France-Presse reports that "Australia experts call for energy drink warnings".

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Learn More Facts About Energy Drinks

Oct 13, 2009

For some time we have been writing about energy drinks, and out most recent update gives you information along with the several other articles we have posted about energy drinks here on Natural Health News. Safe Energy ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Energy Drinks: Again!

Aug 20, 2010

Study authors Stephanie Ballard of Nova Southeastern University and colleagues Jennifer Wellborn-Kim and Kevin Clauson say energy drinks typically feature caffeine and a combination of other ingredients -- including ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Continue reading →

What You Don't Know About Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are at it again, and in the news.  The 5 Hour Energy CEO has played the "I don't know" game along with "I'll have to get back to you with that information" and more prattle while avoiding the real issues. While 5 Hour Energy is not the only member of this product category, one thing for sure is that it does contain sucralose. And if you don't know about sucralose (marketed as Splenda) by now you can go here for more information. Another of my trusted sources, that today re-issued one of their older articles, has this to say:

Energy drinks are labeled wrong. They don’t energize you – they stimulate you. Research shows that beyond a brief caffeine high, there are actually no health benefits to energy drinks. In fact, the combination of different chemicals is likely to do more harm than good, especially for children. People need to stop over-reaching for that buzz that will not carry through the day. Drinking 3, 4 or even 5 Five Hour Energy shots in one sitting will not help you stay energized throughout the day. The circumstances suggest that, for some, it could be deadly.

Here's why: 5 Hour Energy Shots contain synthesized versions of Citicoline, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Taurine, Malic Acid, Glucuronolactone, and phenylalanine.

Besides the same amount of caffeine as 12 ounces of the leading cup of premium coffee, 5 Hour Energy does not contain carbohydrates, yet they claim it provides energy. 5 Hour Energy contains 2000% daily value of B6 and the 8333% of B12. All other ingredients including amino acids are in amounts considered to be healthy, but what about the amount of B Vitamins? The company states that the B Vitamins in their supplement; B6, B12, B3, and B9 are water soluble, any amount that is not absorbed is “expelled with no toxic effects.”  

What they fail to explain is that water, an essential ingredient that is needed to expel unused B Vitamins, should be mega-dosed to offset the mega-dose of B Vitamins in a 5 Hour Energy shot. Contrary to belief, it is possible to overdose on Vitamin B. Overdosing on Vitamin B happens when intolerable amounts are taken over a long period of time which can result in headache, dizziness, fainting, yellowing of skin, and temporary nerve/brain damage that can last 3 months to 3 years.

One case for toxicity reported 5,500mg for one dose, while another reported 500mg over a period of time (3 months or so), which happens to be the equivalent of B12 in one bottle of 5 hour energy. The recommended daily dose for B3 is 6mg, .8 for B6, and 30mg for B12. The amount of B3 in a 5 Hour Energy drink is 30mg, 40mg of B6, and 500mcg of B12. The amount of B Vitamins could potentially lead to an overdose. In the most extreme case, if taken daily and over a period of time 5 Hour Energy shots could very well cause temporary nerve/brain damage (in the most extreme cases). Symptoms such as numb hands and feet are signs of toxic levels. This is also the type of toxicity that can be expected from synthesized B vitamins.

If you are interested in a really unique, safe, and health promoting energy shot please be open to using our reliable and effective EVB Concentrate, you'll be glad you did!

SELECTIONS FROM NATURAL HEALTH NEWS

and there are about 30 more...

Natural Health News: Sports and Energy Drinks Again

May 02, 2012

More today on the dangers of commercailly available sports and energy drinks from Health Day. In the midst of this just remember this is the reason I created herbalYODA's sportZtea many years ago. This is an all natural and ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Energy Drinks

Jan 17, 2012

Energy Drinks. UPDATE:15 January 2012. Once again energy drinks are in the news and it appears that it isn't good (no surprise!). Agence France-Presse reports that "Australia experts call for energy drink warnings".

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Learn More Facts About Energy Drinks

Oct 13, 2009

For some time we have been writing about energy drinks, and out most recent update gives you information along with the several other articles we have posted about energy drinks here on Natural Health News. Safe Energy ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Energy Drinks: Again!

Aug 20, 2010

Study authors Stephanie Ballard of Nova Southeastern University and colleagues Jennifer Wellborn-Kim and Kevin Clauson say energy drinks typically feature caffeine and a combination of other ingredients -- including ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Continue reading →

CODEX: Yes to Malnutrition

Our thanks go to the National Health Federation and Scott Tips for his shattering report on the recent CODEX deliberations in Germany.  You should too.

As these government directed pundits go you see for the most part that not only do they have no understanding of nutrients and nutrition, they seem stubbornly to hold on to old thinking not based on current science.  This thinking too is not in the best interest of your health and well being, only the corporate mantras.

This excerpt clues you in to what is on the way to your food, well beyond the interest in labeling GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients in food.

[3] The proposed Codex NRVs are: Vitamin A (dropped from 800 mcg to 550 mcg); Vitamin D (5 mcg or 200 IUs); Vitamin E (8.8 mg); Vitamin K (60 mcg); Vitamin C (dropped from 60 mg to 45 mg); Thiamin (dropped from 1.4 to 1.2 mg); Riboflavin (dropped from 1.6 mg to 1.2 mg); Niacin (dropped from 18 mg to 15 mg); Vitamin B6 (dropped from 2 mg to 1.3 mg); Folate (raised to 400 mcg); Vitamin B12 (2.4 mcg); Pantothenate (5 mg); Biotin (30 mcg); Calcium (raised from 800 mg to 1000 mg); Magnesium (dropped from 300 mg to 240 mg); Iodine (150 mcg); Iron (14.3-43.1 mg depending upon bioavailability); Zinc (dropped from 15 mg to 3.6-11.9, depending upon bioavailability); Selenium (30 mcg); Phosphorus (700 mg); Chloride (2.3 grams); Copper (900 mcg); Fluoride (3.5 mg); Manganese (2.1 mg); Chromium (30 mcg); and Molybdenum (45 mcg).

To read the complete article and learn more about why these nutrient values are non supportive of health please go here.

SELECTIONS FROM NATURAL HEALTH NEWS

Natural Health News: Update on CODEX

May 17, 2010

UPDATE: 17 May, 2010 - International Advocates for Health Freedom was the first to call the Codex international threat to health freedom in 1996 via an article by John C. Hammell in Life Extension Magazine. More about ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Obama Pens US Alignment with CODEX

Sep 13, 2010

In regard to herbs and CODEX. NB: While I do not accept the move to standardization of herbs, because it moves them more into the category of drugs as they become fractionated and may offer more in the form of side effects ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: CODEX UPDATE - Food Additives Meeting

Jul 06, 2008

The National Health Federation is the only sanctioned Codex-accredited health-freedom organization with the right to attend Codex committee meetings such as the one reprted here. In fact, NHF has for years been attending ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Is CODEX for Killing the Elderly?

Jul 13, 2005

By explaining to those vitamin-popping seniors that CODEX's bottom-line purpose is not to make Big Pharma and doctors and pharmacists rich, but to reduce socialist nations' elderly populations, and to the reduce the life ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

 

Natural Health News: The FDA Attacks Again! Both vitamin ...

May 03, 2006

In recent years the Codex process has been criticized by the international agency's parent organizations, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization for failing to contribute to better health.

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Health Freedom: Beware of False Messengers

Aug 24, 2007

Additionally, we work closely on Codex issues with the National Health Federation, which is the only health freedom organisation to have official observer status— and thus enabling it to speak—at Codex meetings. However ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Supplements Saved

Apr 13, 2010

Supplements Are Exempted From Codex Language in Food Safety Bill The FDA Food Modernization Act (S. 510), also referred to as the “Food Safety” bill, has been modified to exempt dietary supplements from language that ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Vitamin Combo Helps Delay Aging

Apr 16, 2010

ALLOWABLE VITAMIN POTENCY UNDER CODEX: Vitamin C (225 mg - up from the original 60 mg); Vitamin E (15 mg - up from the original 7)(Gamma Tocopherol); Magnesium (400 mg); Vitamin B-12 (9 mcg when normal ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Continue reading →

CODEX: Yes to Malnutrition

Our thanks go to the National Health Federation and Scott Tips for his shattering report on the recent CODEX deliberations in Germany.  You should too.

As these government directed pundits go you see for the most part that not only do they have no understanding of nutrients and nutrition, they seem stubbornly to hold on to old thinking not based on current science.  This thinking too is not in the best interest of your health and well being, only the corporate mantras.

This excerpt clues you in to what is on the way to your food, well beyond the interest in labeling GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients in food.

[3] The proposed Codex NRVs are: Vitamin A (dropped from 800 mcg to 550 mcg); Vitamin D (5 mcg or 200 IUs); Vitamin E (8.8 mg); Vitamin K (60 mcg); Vitamin C (dropped from 60 mg to 45 mg); Thiamin (dropped from 1.4 to 1.2 mg); Riboflavin (dropped from 1.6 mg to 1.2 mg); Niacin (dropped from 18 mg to 15 mg); Vitamin B6 (dropped from 2 mg to 1.3 mg); Folate (raised to 400 mcg); Vitamin B12 (2.4 mcg); Pantothenate (5 mg); Biotin (30 mcg); Calcium (raised from 800 mg to 1000 mg); Magnesium (dropped from 300 mg to 240 mg); Iodine (150 mcg); Iron (14.3-43.1 mg depending upon bioavailability); Zinc (dropped from 15 mg to 3.6-11.9, depending upon bioavailability); Selenium (30 mcg); Phosphorus (700 mg); Chloride (2.3 grams); Copper (900 mcg); Fluoride (3.5 mg); Manganese (2.1 mg); Chromium (30 mcg); and Molybdenum (45 mcg).

To read the complete article and learn more about why these nutrient values are non supportive of health please go here.

SELECTIONS FROM NATURAL HEALTH NEWS

Natural Health News: Update on CODEX

May 17, 2010

UPDATE: 17 May, 2010 - International Advocates for Health Freedom was the first to call the Codex international threat to health freedom in 1996 via an article by John C. Hammell in Life Extension Magazine. More about ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Obama Pens US Alignment with CODEX

Sep 13, 2010

In regard to herbs and CODEX. NB: While I do not accept the move to standardization of herbs, because it moves them more into the category of drugs as they become fractionated and may offer more in the form of side effects ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: CODEX UPDATE - Food Additives Meeting

Jul 06, 2008

The National Health Federation is the only sanctioned Codex-accredited health-freedom organization with the right to attend Codex committee meetings such as the one reprted here. In fact, NHF has for years been attending ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Is CODEX for Killing the Elderly?

Jul 13, 2005

By explaining to those vitamin-popping seniors that CODEX's bottom-line purpose is not to make Big Pharma and doctors and pharmacists rich, but to reduce socialist nations' elderly populations, and to the reduce the life ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

 

Natural Health News: The FDA Attacks Again! Both vitamin ...

May 03, 2006

In recent years the Codex process has been criticized by the international agency's parent organizations, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization for failing to contribute to better health.

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Health Freedom: Beware of False Messengers

Aug 24, 2007

Additionally, we work closely on Codex issues with the National Health Federation, which is the only health freedom organisation to have official observer status— and thus enabling it to speak—at Codex meetings. However ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Supplements Saved

Apr 13, 2010

Supplements Are Exempted From Codex Language in Food Safety Bill The FDA Food Modernization Act (S. 510), also referred to as the “Food Safety” bill, has been modified to exempt dietary supplements from language that ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Vitamin Combo Helps Delay Aging

Apr 16, 2010

ALLOWABLE VITAMIN POTENCY UNDER CODEX: Vitamin C (225 mg - up from the original 60 mg); Vitamin E (15 mg - up from the original 7)(Gamma Tocopherol); Magnesium (400 mg); Vitamin B-12 (9 mcg when normal ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Continue reading →

Introducing Magazines on Google Play for the UK

Following hot on the heels of the recent launch of music on Google Play in the UK, we’re pleased to announce that from today, you’ll also be able to buy digital versions of your favourite magazines for reading on the go.

Popular titles from some of the world’s leading publishers such as Condé Nast UK, Dennis Publishing, Future, Haymarket, Hearst UK, Immediate Media and IPC Media are now available for purchase on your Android phone or tablet.

Get in shape with Men’s Fitness, cook up a storm with olive, work off all that turkey and Christmas pudding with Slimming World, catch up on the latest must-have gadgets with T3 and read a preview of The Hobbit in this month’s edition of Total Film.

You can stay abreast of the week’s key events with Hello!, New Statesman and The Spectator and keep on top of the latest lifestyle news with Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Tatler. Petrolheads can pick out some new wheels with What Car?, while domestic goddesses can take their inspiration from Good Housekeeping.

Browse the Play Store to find your favourite magazines, discover new titles with a 30-day free trial, buy single issues or purchase a money-saving monthly or annual subscription to leading titles such as Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Wired. New Nexus devices even come pre-loaded with free issues of Men’s Fitness, .net and Vogue to get you started.

All your latest issues will be instantly available on your Android tablet or phone, or online, using our web reader, and organised in your collection in the cloud. You can flip through your magazine carousel to quickly decide what to read next or simply search for a specific title in your magazine collection.

Magazines are available today to enjoy on the sofa or on the go via your Android devices and on play.google.com, so please take a look.

Posted by Avi Yaar, Product Manager, Google Play

Continue reading →

Sound Search for Google Play widget, now available on Google Play

“What's this song?” Starting today, the Sound Search for Google Play widget is available to download from the Play store, so you can start identifying music playing around you, directly from your Android device’s homescreen.

 

Sometimes, you hear a song you like while you’re out and about but don’t want to download it right at that moment. The Sound Search widget syncs across all of your devices, so that song you recognized with your phone in the coffee shop can be quickly purchased from your tablet at home.

For devices running Android 4.2, you can add the widget directly to your device’s lockscreen, letting you recognize songs without even unlocking your phone, making it even easier for you to catch that song at the club.

The Sound Search for Google Play widget is available on Google Play for devices in the U.S. running Android 4.0 and above. After you’ve installed it, go to the widget picker and drag the Sound Search widget onto your homescreen. You can click on the widget at any time to start recognizing music around you.

Posted by Annie Chen, Software Engineer

Continue reading →

New in Google Currents: Scan through your favorite categories, editions and breaking news

Keeping up on the news out there can be overwhelming. That's where Google Currents comes in—an app that allows you to discover, share and read your favorite news outlets, blogs and online magazines (what we together refer to as “editions”) on your smartphone or tablet—even when you’re offline. Currents is filled with great editions like The Los Angeles Times, CBS Sports, Android Central, The Guardian, Shortlist, and Forbes. Today, we’re revamping Currents to make it even easier to scan through all your favorite categories and specific editions with just the swipe of a finger. And, we’re using some of the technology behind Search to bring you breaking stories on those celebrity scandals, that fiscal cliff negotiation or hottest holiday gift.

Scan through categories 
We’re now grouping editions into categories to help you keep track of your existing subscriptions and discover new ones. Check out editions related to your interests through categories like Entertainment, Sports, Lifestyle and more. All of your content will be grouped in these categories, accessible from a sidebar. And you can organize your editions in each category with favorites on top.

We’ve also made it easy to quickly browse through top articles from all your favorite editions in a category—just swipe horizontally. If you subscribe to more than a dozen News editions like The Atlantic, ABC News and The Telegraph, you can quickly swipe through the entire category and dive into editions with articles of interest.

 

Scan through editions 
We’ve also made it easier to scan headlines in a particular edition—just swipe vertically. Want to see what’s new in Popular Science? Just swipe through through the headlines. After you view a story we’ll mark it as read, so it’s easier to see new content each time you use Currents.

Scan through breaking stories 
To help you stay up-to-date with the latest news, Google Currents now uses some of the technology behind Search to deliver the hottest breaking stories in categories such as World, Entertainment, Sports, Science and more. You’ll find new articles from hot topics that interest you, while discovering existing Currents editions you can subscribe to. Breaking stories are customized to your country and language—so we’ll only show you relevant news.

Currents optimizes editions to look great on whatever type of device you're using. Now articles shine, with larger images and layouts that are intelligently optimized for your device, whether you're on a phone or a tablet. Check out some of our newest featured partners like Cars.com, Voice of America News and New Scientist.

Back in April we expanded Google Currents internationally. Since then millions of readers around the world have downloaded Currents, reading over 700 publisher editions and tens of thousands of self-produced editions. The updated app is now available for download on Google Play and coming soon to iOS. We hope that today’s updates make keeping up with the latest news fast, easy and fun no matter where you are or what device you’re using.

Posted by Mussie Shore, Group Product Manager

Continue reading →

Utah Keeps Spot in Top 10 Healthiest States

(SALT LAKE CITY) — For more than two decades, Utah has been an example of how to keep people healthy and safe. This year, the 23^rdannual United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings™ report calls Utah the 7^th healthiest state in the nation. Highlights include:

• The lowest adult smoking rate in the U.S. at 11.8%;
• The lowest prevalence of adult diabetes at 6.7%;
• The 3^rd lowest rate of binge drinking;
• A 2% increase in immunization coverage among children ages 19 to 35 months;
• A 21% drop in preventable hospitalizations among Medicare enrollees since 2007;
• The lowest rate of cancer deaths at 128.6 per 100,000 population, and;
• The 2^nd highest percentage of residents who stay physically active.

“We’re pleased to continue on a course of healthy behaviors, like exercising and avoiding smoking and binge drinking,” said Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Executive Director Dr. David Patton. “But our work truly is never done, as we still don’t have enough primary care physicians, our air is often unhealthy to breathe, and our low immunization rates are apparent in the fact that we rank near the bottom in preventing infectious diseases.”

And while the state appears to be doing well in the obesity battle, ranking 6^th lowest in the nation, UDOH leaders say numbers can be deceiving.

“Right now, one in every four Utahns is obese, and the number goes up every  year,” said UDOH Deputy Director Robert Rolfs, M.D. “Our eating habits – especially the  empty sugar calories we consume –  are killing us,” Rolfs added. 

Health disparities are another area of concern for UDOH staff. The UHF report finds that more than 30 percent of the state’s non-Hispanic Native Americans, and more than 29 percent of Hispanics, are obese.

The report also cited low public health funding as a significant hurdle.  In 29^th place, Utah spends an average of $67 per resident.  In contrast, the number 1 state spends 3.5 times that at $236 per person.

           

“We have a lot of work to do, and we can become the healthiest state in the nation,” said Teresa Garrett, UDOH Director of Disease Control and Prevention.  “We can do it with the help of our partners, including those at the local health departments. They deserve much of the credit for helping keep people healthy through their clinics, immunization programs, and numerous other services,” Garrett added.

In all, Utah ranks in the top 10 in 13 of the 24 determinants:

• 1^st in smoking, diabetes, and cancer deaths
• 2^nd in sedentary lifestyles and preventable hospitalizations
• 3^rd in binge drinking
• 4^th in infant mortality and deaths from cardiovascular disease
• 5^th in violent crime
• 6^th in obesity and premature death 
• 8^th in children in poverty

The state’s lowest rankings are:

• 46^th in geographic disparities
• 45^th in the number of primary care physicians, especially in rural areas
• 39^th in rates of infectious diseases

There are many factors at work in Utah’s consistent top 10 ranking over the 23 years of the UHF report. “The rankings document much of the valuable work done in public health,” said Dr. Patton.  “And we must also give credit to other significant factors, like our culture of health and healthy behaviors, like avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and to our nationally-recognized, high quality private health care systems,” he added.

Media Contact:Cyndi BemisPublic Information Officer(o) 801-538-6348 (m) 801-550-4228

After-hours media line: 801-209-2591

Continue reading →