2010 National LifeSmarts Championship streaming live – National Consumers League

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Starting at 9 am EDT Tuesday, April 27, the state champion LifeSmarts team from Kansas will face off against the team from Maryland in the first semi-final match at the 2010 National LifeSmarts Championship event being held in beautiful Miami Beach, FL.

Following that match is Arizona vs. North Dakota, and the winners of these two semi-finals will compete in the final match. Hosted by the National Consumers League and featuring MSNBC’s Herb Weisbaum as Question Master, the excitement begins bright and early. Watch the drama unfold at www.lifesmarts.org!

Car rental lesson – National Consumers League

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By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

I recently joined a car rental “club” for one of the big rental agencies. This allows me to be dropped off right at my car from the courtesy bus.  So I went online to book a car for this weekend, and the “daily rate” was $51+ a day for three days, starting on Saturday through Tuesday. They wanted a credit card in advance and I didn’t feel like putting my card down, so I called the number instead.

What do I get but a “weekend rate” that’s half of what was being offered online!  Of course, I grabbed it, but the final bill will literally be half of what I would have been charged had I not made the phone call. Once again, the lesson to consumers – Caveat Emptor – let the buyer beware, and don’t just look online when booking hotel or rental cars. Always call and try to negotiate a better rate!

Mobile marketing getting the message out – National Consumers League

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By Rebecca Burkholder, VP for NCL Health Policy

Did you know that Americans now send more text messages than make phone calls? We sent more than 135 billion text messages each month in 2009, up from 78 billion for all of 2008. Companies and organizations are recognizing texting and other mobile marketing techniques as a way to connect with and provide additional services to consumers.  These new marketing techniques were the topic of discussion at a recent briefing I attended sponsored by Google and the Ad Council.

Mobile marketing—marketing via mobile devices, such as cell phones—is the latest trend for reaching consumers on a variety of issues, including health. The Centers for Disease Control has been using texting to send health messages ranging from information on how to safely cook a Thanksgiving turkey to where to get the H1N1 vaccine.

Why turn to mobile to get the message out?  Because it engages people where they are, in real time, and has the ability to reach diverse audiences and allows for tailored messages.  The CDC KnowIt campaign, launched to encourage HIV testing, was a mobile texting campaign that encouraged users to text their zip code to “KnowIt” (566948) and, within seconds, receive a text message identifying an HIV testing site near them.  The campaign was promoted through radio and television ads and via the Internet. Through text messages, consumers can be directed to Web sites with more information or to sign up for more messages.  For information on H1N1, the CDC encouraged consumers (often through Twitter) to sign up for H1N1 text messages and to visit the CDC Web site.

Mobile phones are also being used to help remind consumers when to take their medications. Applications are now available that help consumers keep track of medicines by creating a customized “pillbox,” which can list all medications, identify  them by color and shape, and schedule alarms to tell consumers when to take the pills.

As we become a society that is dependent on mobile phones and devices (we have our mobile phone within arms’ reach 19 hours a day), using text messages and applications may be one of the best ways to provide health information and promote healthy behavior. And, as it is now, mobile marketing allows consumers to choose how (and how often) they are getting health information. Since consumers have more control over what they receive, perhaps they will be more receptive to the messages.

Mining tragedy uncovering worker safety issues – National Consumers League

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By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

I heard on the radio yesterday that the infamous CEO of Massey Energy, Don L. Blankenship, owner of the coal mine that killed 29 workers in West Virginia this month, made $17.5 million last year, not including his deferred compensation  (That 2009 pay represents a $6.8 million raise over 2008 and almost double his compensation package in 2007. Blankenship also has a deferred compensation package valued at $27.2 million at the end of last year.)

This information was contained in a report to shareholders the company is set to release at their annual shareholder meeting. This story prompted me to go back and look at Massey’s shareholder report from last year. I fell upon these ominous sentences in press release on Massey’s 2009 Shareholder Report:

“In response to weak economic conditions, Blankenship reiterated plans to cut operating costs as much as possible while adjusting production levels that are in line with consumer demand. The company has already reduced overtime and implemented a meaningful reduction in base pay and benefits.”

Blankenship is said to be obsessed with the productivity of his mines, checking production levels every few hours. His comments from last year’s shareholder report  portray a company that is trying to squeeze every last drop of profit out of the mine by reducing hours and benefits of the workers—and tragically, in the case of this mining company, short-changing the safety of the miners. An analysis conducted by NPR News found that 10 of Massey’s coal mines had injury rates in 2009 that exceeded the national rate. Miners in four of those mines, including Upper Big Branch, were injured at rates more than double the national rate. The 10 mines together received 2,400 federal safety violation citations last year.

Mining is a dangerous occupation. NCL acknowledged that in a letter to the Mine Safety and Health Administration sent earlier this month. Those who live in the small towns with coal mines often have few employment options. The inherent dangers in mining – methane gas inhalation, black lung disease from coal dust, and mine collapsing – compel the owners to do everything in their power to make the work as safe as possible. Having a union presence inside the mines is a way to ensure better safety, but CEO Blankenship fought to keep the union out, and he succeeded.

If companies won’t make mines safer and if they fight the union, then federal regulations have to be even tougher, mine inspections more frequent, and violations correctly quickly or the mine should not be permitted to operate (while workers should be paid if the mine is shut down for safety reasons). That process has been stymied by the mine owners’ ability to appeal fines and violations ad infinitum, in the process risking the lives of workers. We have seen the tragic results of these failed policies.

Massey Energy and Murray Energy, the two U.S. mining companies with the worst safety records, have been the sites of at least three accidents in the past decade, claiming 40 lives. The two companies together have more than 5,700 hundred safety violations, according to today’s Washington Post.

The juxtaposition of Massey Electric CEO Blankenship’s outsized salary against the myriad safety violations at his mining sites – that just this month has left 29 families without their fathers, brothers, husbands, uncles, and neighbors, is deeply troubling. It’s a shocking example of how, all too often, we allow profits to come before people, and weak regulations and lax enforcement to triumph over worker safety.  NCL welcomes President Obama speaking out for far more rigorous regulation of mines. We stand with the United Mine Workers union in insisting that all miners be represented by unions that will be a voice for safety. We hope this mining tragedy and all that it has uncovered will mean we get serious about mine safety and that no more miners have to die while corporate profits – and CEO salaries – soar.

Changes afoot at 2010 National LifeSmarts Championship – National Consumers League

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By Lisa Hertzberg, LifeSmarts Program Director

Florida-bound LifeSmarts coaches recently joined conference calls to learn more about the upcoming national competition. The energy and enthusiasm were contagious – now we’re really excited to see you all Miami Beach, FL, later this month!

Important format changes are in store for coaches and students traveling to the 2010 National LifeSmarts Championship next week:

  • All teams compete eight times (four buzzer matches, and four assessments) – and those advancing to the quarterfinals compete even more!
  • Point totals are cumulative
  • Teams may challenge answers and be awarded points following competition
  • Winning teams, individual students, and coaches will all be recognized for high achievement

To learn more, view the PowerPoint at our site and the fact sheet.

As we mentioned on the coach call, students can expect to work hard, and they should realize that they won’t know all the answers (and that’s OK!), but we are certain that they will arrive in Florida ready for the challenge!

Breastfeeding a public health issue – National Consumers League

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A study published recently brings news that breastfeeding could save 900 lives a year and billions of dollars if 90 percent of women breast-fed their babies for the first six months of life. These findings are from the journal Pediatrics, which determined that there are hundreds of deaths and many more illnesses from health problems that breastfeeding could prevent – like asthma, diabetes, ear infections, stomach viruses, or even childhood leukemia.

The analysis studied the prevalence of 10 common childhood illnesses, costs of treating those diseases, including hospitalization, and the level of disease protection other studies have linked with breastfeeding. The $13 billion in estimated losses due to the low breastfeeding rate includes an economist’s calculation partly based on lost potential lifetime wages, at $10.56 million per death.

Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight infections; it also can affect insulin levels in the blood, which may make breast-fed babies less likely to develop diabetes and obesity. One or two critical things the study failed to note – breastfeeding is FREE. Check out the prices of infant formula some time – it’s expensive!  And it doesn’t provide nearly the benefits that mother’s milk contains.

Secondly, breastfeeding is a wonderful bonding experience for baby and mom. We need to do so much more to encourage women to nurse their children – like a major education campaign for starters about the benefits of breastfeeding. And marketing baby formula to new moms should be vastly curtailed in hospitals and doctors’ offices. Happily, the new health reform legislation encourages breastfeeding by requiring that employers create a private space for working women to nurse their children. And under a new provision the Joint Commission, a hospital accrediting agency, hospitals may be evaluated on their efforts to ensure that newborns are fed only breast milk before they’re sent home.

“The magnitude of health benefits linked to breast-feeding is vastly underappreciated,” said lead author Dr. Melissa Bartick, an internist and instructor at Harvard Medical School. Bartick calls breastfeeding a public health issue, and I couldn’t agree more. About 43 percent of U.S. mothers do at least some breastfeeding for six months, but only 12 percent follow government guidelines recommending that babies receive only breast milk for six months.

Why do moms either never start or quit breastfeeding early? It’s not always easy to get started – the kid and the mom have to figure it out together, and it can be frustrating when the baby won’t “latch on.” It also can be messy and you have to keep up with it, which means pumping at work if you’re a working mom, which can be a pain. But as this study shows, it’s the best thing for the baby, and we have to do a much better job of communicating the importance of breastfeeding to expectant and new moms. In short, there are ways to address all of these challenges.

The pediatrics academy says babies should be given a chance to start breastfeeding immediately after birth. Bartick said that often doesn’t happen, and at many hospitals newborns are offered formula even when their mothers intend to breast-feed. “Hospital practices need to change to be more in line with evidence-based care,” Bartick said. “We really shouldn’t be blaming mothers for this.” Bartrick’s study is invaluable. No, not every woman can successfully breast-feed and she shouldn’t feel guilty if it doesn’t work for her. But the statistics in this study demonstrate that we need to do all that we can to ensure that women who want to and can nurse their infants are given all the encouragement in the world to succeed.

A sucker for public opinion research – National Consumers League

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By Mimi Johnson, Director of NCL Health Policy

The other night, the land line rang and, though I did not recognize the name or number, I answered.  My number is on the ‘Do Not Call’ list, which has – for the most part – kept the telemarketers away.  Rather than someone trying to sell me something, I now frequently get calls with people seeking my opinion.

While many might cringe and eagerly hang up when they hear that phrase ‘do you have a few minutes …’, I get a little excited.  Of course I have a few minutes to share my opinion.  I grew up always wondering who on earth was being polled about this or that, because it certainly wasn’t me.   In the last year or two, I’ve participated in polls and surveys about politics, health reform and the health industry, the regional power company, among other things.

Last night, I was able to share my thoughts on transportation in the region.  As the public transit system prepares to make cuts to services and raise fares, and the roads grow more clogged with cars each day, I surely had a thing or two to say!

At NCL, we frequently rely on consumer surveys to gauge consumer opinions on and understanding of various issues.  With this information, we are able to advocate on your behalf.  We testify before Congress or federal agencies, and we produce educational materials to address your questions and concerns.  Recognizing the value of this information, I have definitely grown to appreciate those “pesky” calls a bit more.

So, the next time you’re settling down to relax at night and the phone rings, think twice about ignoring it or cutting the call short.  As a savvy consumer, you should take every opportunity afforded to you to share your thoughts and opinions about products and services. But if you don’t want to participate in these surveys, that’s up to you — check out this amusing piece from the Consumerist.

Child Nutrition Act a positive step for kids’ health – National Consumers League

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By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

NCL’s Courtney Brein – the Linda Golodner Food Safety and Nutrition fellow – is working day and night with consumer colleagues to support reauthorization of  the Child Nutrition Act. The bill is before the Senate as we speak, and the House of Representatives will take up the issue while or shortly after the Senate takes action.

The legislation gives the Agriculture Department new powers to set long overdue nutritional standards for any food sold on school grounds, with an effort to phase out those foods that contribute to childhood obesity: sweetened drinks and high-fat, high-sodium snacks.

The bill expands use of locally grown or raised foods, supports school gardens and use of organic food. It will also increase funding for programs to improve the health and nutrition of our kids who eat school lunches each day. The President has requested an additional $10 billion over the next decade for child nutrition.

Schools cannot make kids fit or healthy all by themselves. But they can set the parameters for what makes a healthy meal. Because The Act is reauthorized only once every five years, this is an important opportunity to shape the future of school food, particularly in light of First Lady Michelle Obama’s call to end childhood obesity.

The annual survey of the School Nutrition Association found that “although rising food, labor, and indirect costs are significant challenges for school nutrition programs, healthy food and beverage items continue to increase in popularity and participation is increasing; nearly half of respondents report increased overall lunch and breakfast average daily participation in the 2007-2008 school year.”

We should help to support the movement to create meals – breakfast and lunch at school are sometimes the only meals a child will eat during the day – where fresh, healthy menus are the norm and all children have access to comprehensive nutrition education that instills in them an understanding of what it means to exercise, eat healthy foods, and live healthy lifestyles. We urge members of Congress to support the Child Nutrition Act.

Health care reform and lessons learned from Medicare Part D scams – National Consumers League

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By John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud

On January 1, 2006 the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit took effect. Medicare Part D today helps nearly 24 million Americans afford their prescription drugs. The $49.3 billion (annual) program has undoubtedly helped many American consumers avoid having to make the difficult choice between paying the rent and buying critically important medicine.

Unfortunately, one of the by-products of this new benefit was an increase in scams targeting seniors unfamiliar with the new benefit. In 2006, consumers were suddenly faced with multiple insurers offering different levels of drug coverage, a situation that confused many at first. Unsurprisingly, scam artists took advantage of the confusion and high visibility in news coverage to launch a wave of Medicare Part D-related scams.

Such scams included telephone calls, unsolicited emails, and house visits to seniors to trick them into paying a fee to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan (it costs nothing to enroll), disclosing bank account information say that the benefit could be “paid” into the victim’s account, or claiming to enroll the victim in a Medicare Part D plan only to enroll them in a more expensive Medicare Advantage plan. (Click here to read more from the FTC about these scams.)

Regardless of the specific con employed, all of these scams took advantage of consumers’ unfamiliarity with the new benefit to defraud them.

Fast-forward to 2010: the recently passed health care reform bill will extend Medicaid benefits to millions of previously uninsured Americans, set up insurance “exchanges,” and send rebate checks to millions of seniors to close the prescription drug “donut hole” in the Medicare drug coverage program. These and other benefits will require a sustained consumer education effort to inform Americans about the benefits. However, these new benefits will also likely create consumer confusion. Combined with the saturation of media coverage of health care reform, this is likely to be a ripe target for scammers.

Indeed, only weeks after the reforms were enacted, fraudsters already seem to be taking advantage. A recent National Public Radio story:

Days after President Obama signed the $938 billion bill into law, a cable television advertisement exhorted viewers to call an 800-number so they wouldn’t miss a “limited enrollment” period to obtain coverage available “now that historic health care legislation has passed.”

And there have already been reports of door-to-door salespeople peddling “Obamacare” insurance policies.

This is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. Medicare Part D covers only a fraction of those who will be affected by the new health care reforms. Tens of millions of Americans may be at risk.

The health care reform bills signed into law by President Obama included funds for consumer education and greater enforcement efforts. However, if the experience of Medicate Part D scams is any indication, these resources will be insufficient to meet the ever-evolving threat of opportunistic scammers. It will be up to consumers to educate themselves and those they look after to ensure that the coming wave of fraud victimizes as few consumers as possible.

Find time for fitness – National Consumers League

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By Mimi Johnson, Director of NCL Health Policy

We all know it’s good for us, but fitting in the recommended level of physical activity each day can be a challenge for many.

Just recently, a study reported that women in their 50s need to exercise at least 60 minutes daily in order to maintain their weight. Consumer health reporter Dr. Nancy Snyderman suggested this morning that this is just not a realistic expectation; she suggested aiming for something we are more likely able to do – 30 minutes or so, which is also good for our health.

We could take a lesson or two from kids. Try to give yourself a ‘recess’ after lunch, much like you did as a child, and go for a walk. Skip the elevator and take the stairs. Park at the back of the lot and take a few extra steps on your way into the office. Find something you enjoy doing and stick with it; after a few weeks, you’ll have formed a habit and you’ll find it hard NOT to take the long way.

I was recently at Disney World, and my friends and I remarked at one clever, cheap little toy that was available for use – free of charge – throughout the parks: the hula hoop. A toy that has remained relatively unchanged since its inception (and which is usually available for less than $1), the plastic hoop had kids of all ages moving and calorie burning when they would normally be standing in line.

Whether we use the hula hoop or less convenient parking spots, the more ‘fitness traps’ we set for ourselves, the easier it can be to get those 30 minutes in each day.