Briefs

New study paints dire diabetes picture NEW ORLEANS - One-third of U.S. children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetimes unless there are improvements in diet and exercise, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prediction, which is about three times greater than the American Diabetes Association's current estimate, is based on data from the annual National Health Interview Survey of 360,000 people, Census Bureau data and a previous study of diabetes as a cause of death. Under the new projection, between 45 million and 50 million U.S. residents could have diabetes by 2050. Currently, 17 million U.S. residents - about 6% of the population - have the disease. Hospital lowers costs, admissions with DSM AKRON, Ohio - The disease management program that Akron General Medical Center implemented for its heart failure patients in 2000 has resulted in costs savings and lower hospital admissions. The hospital asked 150 patients to weigh themselves each morning with a computerized scale that's connected to the hospital's computer system via a telephone. The scale readouts are monitored by a nurse, and when the scale indicates a problem, the nurse calls. The hospital studied 91 of the patients who participated and found costs for care dropped from $1.3 million to $723,000 after the program. Likewise, hospital admissions dropped from 182 to 107. Industry experts estimate that patients with chronic illnesses account for about 70% of all healthcare expenses. AirLogix signs DSM deal DALLAS - AirLogix has signed an agreement to provide disease management services for Great Lakes Health Plan members with chronic respiratory diseases. Per the three-year agreement, AirLogix will provide education and support for members based on clinical practice guidelines developed by the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the World Health Organization 2003 and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. AirLogix will use AirWorx, its proprietary advanced system technology, for member identification and stratification, enrollment, predictive modeling, risk assessment, data collection, and administrative and outcome reporting services.