She's made quite a name for herself since her Sports Illustrated swimsuit debut in 2012, and now Nina Agdal garnered herself a little added exposure by covering the November 2013 issue of Ocean Drive magazine.
While donning designer garb from Versace and Neiman Marcus for the Gavin Bond-shot spread, the 21-year-old stunner dished about her breakup with Adam Levine and reveals the pressures that come with being a supermodel.
Check out a few highlighs from Miss Agdal's interview below. For more, be sure to visit Ocean Drive!
On her split with Adam:
"I am 21 years old, and I don't think anyone who is 21 knows what love is about yet. I think love just happens. It happened to [Adam and now fiance Behati Prinsloo] and I'm happy for them. I am not even worried about anything like that. If something is meant to be, then it will be. I feel like so many young girls have this idea of a relationship or marriage or love and [they] don't even know. We are 21 years old, okay? Go out, have a tequila, and stop worrying about it."
On her weight-loss pressures:
"There have been times when people have told me to lose weight or tone up certain areas. There is a difference between toning and losing weight. You shouldn't tell skinny girls to lose weight because it hurts. It hurts no matter who you are and how skinny you are or how big you are. If somebody tells you to lose weight, it is like a punch in the face."
On her style away from the runways:
"Very casual and comfortable. Today I wore this Forever 21 T-shirt, an H&M sweater, Nike Air Max sneakers, and a Michael Kors bag. And Ray-Bans. I am really good at saving my money. I think that's important. I want, like, 100 kids, so I'm going to have to save a lot of money for that."
On her thoughts on plastic surgery:
"If something is bothering and it's not going to completely destroy your face and looks like you have massive wind hitting you, then it's fine. If you've had kids and you want your boobs lifted a little bit, of course you should get them lifted. When you get older, if it makes you feel better, I'm totally for it."
The Mac has been getting more social and OS X Mavericks is no exception. Not only can you now add your Twitter, Facebook, and email accounts, but Google, Flickr, LinkedIn, and more. OS X Mavericks refers to them as Internet Accounts. Not sure how to set get them linked up? Here's how!
Click on the Apple in the upper left hand corner of your Mac's screen.
Now click on System Preferences.
From the System Preferences pane, click on Internet Accounts.
Click on the + sign in the lower left hand corner of the left side navigation in order to add a new account.
Choose your account type in the right hand navigation.
Enter your credentials when asked and then click Next.
Depending on what kind of account you added, you may now be able to customize how your Mac interacts with this account. Once you do that, you're done!
That's all there is to it. Your account is now linked to your OS X Mavericks user account. You can delete it or edit it by returning to Internet Accounts any time you'd like. Keep in mind you may get notifications now through Notification Center. If you want to edit those, just hop into System Preferences > Notification Center from the Apple menu. You can then edit what kind of notifications each of your accounts will send to Notification Center.
Contact: Kayee Ip ip@aaos.org 847-384-4035 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Authors of article on dangers, considerations for driving
WHO: Orthopaedic surgeons Geoffrey S. Marecek, MD, and Michael F. Schafer, MD, co-authors of a new literature review outlining the potential limitations and necessary precautions for driving after orthopaedic surgery and procedures.
WHY: While the topic can have emotional, legal and public safety implications, there are currently no laws, or well-established insurance or medical guidelines, to help patients and physicians determine when it is definitively safe to drive again following orthopaedic procedures. As a result, many patients drive without consulting their physician, while still on narcotic pain medication, and/or while wearing splints or casts which can significantly impair their ability to drive.
WHAT: "Driving after Orthopaedic Surgery," appears in the November 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS).
Highlights from the literature review include:
Patients should never drive if they are taking narcotic pain medication.
The use of both arms is essential to the safe operation of a vehicle.
Splints, casts, slings and other devices used for post-surgical immobilization, and the treatment of fractures and dislocations in the upper extremities, may seriously diminish a driver's ability to control the wheel.
A lower extremity injury, cast or splint may limit a driver's ability to use a car brake or gas pedal.
HOW: Contact the AAOS public relations department at 847-384-4035 to schedule an interview with Drs. Marecek or Schafer.
###
November 1, 2013 Full JAAOS Table of Contents
Management of Septic Arthritis Following ACL Reconstruction: A Review of Current Practices and Recommendations
Foot Compartment Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management
Hip Pathology in the Adolescent Athlete
Tendon Transfers for Radial, Median, and Ulnar Nerve Palsy
Management of Metastatic Bone Disease of the Acetabulum
Driving After Orthopaedic Surgery
For more AAOS news, visit the News Bureau
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Is it safe to drive with my arm in a cast?
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
4-Nov-2013
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Contact: Kayee Ip ip@aaos.org 847-384-4035 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Authors of article on dangers, considerations for driving
WHO: Orthopaedic surgeons Geoffrey S. Marecek, MD, and Michael F. Schafer, MD, co-authors of a new literature review outlining the potential limitations and necessary precautions for driving after orthopaedic surgery and procedures.
WHY: While the topic can have emotional, legal and public safety implications, there are currently no laws, or well-established insurance or medical guidelines, to help patients and physicians determine when it is definitively safe to drive again following orthopaedic procedures. As a result, many patients drive without consulting their physician, while still on narcotic pain medication, and/or while wearing splints or casts which can significantly impair their ability to drive.
WHAT: "Driving after Orthopaedic Surgery," appears in the November 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS).
Highlights from the literature review include:
Patients should never drive if they are taking narcotic pain medication.
The use of both arms is essential to the safe operation of a vehicle.
Splints, casts, slings and other devices used for post-surgical immobilization, and the treatment of fractures and dislocations in the upper extremities, may seriously diminish a driver's ability to control the wheel.
A lower extremity injury, cast or splint may limit a driver's ability to use a car brake or gas pedal.
HOW: Contact the AAOS public relations department at 847-384-4035 to schedule an interview with Drs. Marecek or Schafer.
###
November 1, 2013 Full JAAOS Table of Contents
Management of Septic Arthritis Following ACL Reconstruction: A Review of Current Practices and Recommendations
Foot Compartment Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management
Hip Pathology in the Adolescent Athlete
Tendon Transfers for Radial, Median, and Ulnar Nerve Palsy
Management of Metastatic Bone Disease of the Acetabulum
Driving After Orthopaedic Surgery
For more AAOS news, visit the News Bureau
Follow AAOS on Twitter
Follow AAOS on Facebook
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Share
]
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Republicans know that as time goes on, the constituency of new Affordable Care Act beneficiaries will grow, and eventually cross a point of no return past which “repeal,” in the sense that they’ve been promising conservatives they will “repeal Obamacare,” will become impossible. After all, Republicans are in the midst of proving how politically dangerous it is to pass laws that result in people losing their health insurance.
They understand the attraction of government benefits as well as anyone, which explains why they’re attacking the law so aggressively in the early days of its enrollment period, before coverage kicks in on Jan. 1, and while its botched rollout is preventing hundreds of thousands of people from completing applications for insurance.
The Hula features 4-corner protection against drops and keeps the display and back of your device safe from scratches by elevating it away from flat surfaces. As an added bonus, this iPhone 5C bumper case also includes a screen protector for the front and back of the device. Now you not only have edge to edge protection, but scratch protection from front to back as well!
Population Council to present more than 40 studies at International Conference on Family Planning
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
4-Nov-2013
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Contact: Sasha Gruber sgruber@popcouncil.org 760-351-6420 Population Council
Research will highlight development of new contraceptive technologies, strategies for expanding access to family planning, and efforts to promote gender equity
NEW YORK (4 November 2013) The Population Council, an international organization that conducts research to address critical health and development issues, will present findings from more than 40 studies at the International Conference on Family Planning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (November 12-15, 2013).
Notable presentations will focus on the positive impact of investing in programs that strengthen gender equity; improve financing mechanisms to reduce inequities and increase the use of long-acting contraceptives; bolster family planning interventions for young people; and discuss challenges and opportunities for introducing new contraceptives to advance the health and well-being of women and their families.
"This conference provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborate, and learn from the experience of our partners as we work towards our shared goal of improving access to quality family planning," said John W. Townsend, Ph.D., vice president and director of the Population Council's Reproductive Health program. "We look forward to discussing how innovations in contraceptive technology, financing strategies, and gender equity can improve the health and well-being of those living in poor and underserved communities."
Dr. Ruth Merkatz, Director of Clinical Development in the Council's Reproductive Health program, will present research on the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring and the Council's progesterone vaginal ring during a U.S. Agency for International Development-sponsored press conference (Thursday, November 14 from 14:30-15:30 (2:30-3:30 PM). The press conference, focusing on improved and new contraceptive technologies, will take place in Briefing Room #5.
The Council will also launch a new book, The Unfinished Agenda to Meet FP2020 Goals: 12 Actions to Fill Critical Evidence Gaps, at the conference. Council authors Ian Askew and Martha Brady will be available for a meet-the-authors session at Booths #35 and #37 on Wednesday, November 13 from 13:30-14:30 (1:30-2:30 PM). Book supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
A list of notable Council presentations is included below. A full list of Council presentations can be found at: http://www.popcouncil.org/mediacenter/events/2013ICFP/home.asp.
Special Sessions
Thursday, November 14 (8:30 AM): "The young and the restless: Effective teenage pregnancy prevention programs" (Tigest Tamrat, Berhane Hewan project)
Friday, November 15 (10:30-11:50 AM): Best in Class: Top Scientific Research. "Developing a model of acceptability for a new long-acting contraceptive vaginal ring" (Ruth Merkatz Large Conference Hall)
Council Participation in Panel Sessions
Wednesday, November 13
10:30-11:50 AM: "Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Assessing its acceptability to users and critical stakeholders" (Saumya RamaRao Medium Conference Hall)
12:00-1:20 PM: "Development of the Nestorone/Ethinyl Estradiol Contraceptive Vaginal Ring (NES/EE CVR): Challenges, opportunities, and obligations of a non-governmental organization" (Ruth Merkatz Large Conference Hall)
2:30-3:50 PM: "Provision of emergency contraception as part of comprehensive post rape care: Experience from South Africa" (Ravikanthi Rapiti 2nd Level, Small Conference Hall 2)
2:30-3:50 PM: "Evaluation of a reproductive health program for married adolescents and husbands in rural Ethiopia" (Annabel Erulkar Second Level, Caucus Room 17)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Improving uptake of family planning and HIV counseling and testing services among postpartum women in Kenya: Findings from the Integra Initiative" (James Kimani Old Building, Small Conference Hall)
Thursday, November 14
12:00-1:20 PM: "Adapting the WHO tool on sexual and reproductive health and human rights: Experiences in four countries" (Ian Askew Ground Floor, Briefing Room 3)
2:30-3:50 PM: "Documenting quality in integrated services: The Assessing Integration Methodology (AIM)" (Harriet Birungi Old Building, Medium Conference Hall)
Friday, November 15
12:00-1:20 PM: "Constructing a socio-behavioral framework for multipurpose prevention technologies: Lessons learned from family planning" (Martha Brady 3rd Level, Small Conference Hall 3)
Oral Presentations
Wednesday, November 13
10:30-11:50 AM: "Introducing the Progesterone Vaginal Ring (PVR) as a new method of postpartum family planning in sub-Saharan Africa: The role of stakeholders' engagement in planning and implementation" (Salisu Ishaku Old Building, Medium Conference Hall)
10:30-11:50 AM: "Fertility and infertility in men: A male contraception R&D view from both sides" (Patricia Morris and John Townsend - Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
12:00-1:20 PM: "Re-invigorating male involvement in family planning: An assessment in southern Ghana" (Gertrude Nsorma Nyaaba Old Building, Small Conference Hall)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Community-level task sharing teamsThe potential to strengthen community based family planning services: The dual cadre approach" (Charlotte Warren Ground Floor, Briefing Room 3)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Quality of care and client willingness to pay: An assessment of MSI family planning services in Burkina Faso" (Placide Tapsoba Third Level, Small Conference Hall 3)
Thursday, November 14
10:30-11:50 AM: "Review of performance-based incentive models for community-based family planning programs" (Ian Askew Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
10:30-11:50 AM: "User-controlled long-acting reversible contraception: The pharmacokinetic profile of the Nestorone/Ethinyl Estradiol Contraceptive Vaginal Ring (NES/EE CVR): A 1-year cyclical re-useable vaginal ring" (George Creasy Second Level, Caucus Room 19)
12:00-1:20 PM: "The effect of a voucher program on the uptake of long-acting and permanent methods of contraception (LAPMs) in Kenya: A quasi-experimental study" (Sam Wangila Wafula Second Level, Caucus Room 20)
2:30-3:50 PM: ""The impact of a reproductive health voucher program on increasing uptake of long-acting and permanent family planning methods in Cambodia: Evidence from a difference in difference analysis" (Ashish Bajracharya Ground Floor, Briefing Room 4)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Organizing the evidence on family planning voucher programs: A taxonomy of program implementation and studies" (Ben Bellows Second Level, Caucus Room 24)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Determinants of contraceptive behavior and unmet need for family planning among rural young women in three states of India" (Daliya Sebastian and Mary Philip Sebastian Ground Floor, Briefing Room 4)
Friday, November 15
10:30-11:50 AM: "Men's gender equity ideologies, women's control of family planning and family size, and unmet need for contraception among married couples in rural India" (Mohan Ghule and Niranjan Saggurti Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
12:00-1:20 PM: "Improving postnatal family planning uptake in Kenya: Evidence from facility-level integration of postnatal and HIV services" (James Kimani Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
###
About the Population Council
The Population Council confronts critical health and development issuesfrom stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Population Council to present more than 40 studies at International Conference on Family Planning
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
4-Nov-2013
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]
Share
Contact: Sasha Gruber sgruber@popcouncil.org 760-351-6420 Population Council
Research will highlight development of new contraceptive technologies, strategies for expanding access to family planning, and efforts to promote gender equity
NEW YORK (4 November 2013) The Population Council, an international organization that conducts research to address critical health and development issues, will present findings from more than 40 studies at the International Conference on Family Planning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (November 12-15, 2013).
Notable presentations will focus on the positive impact of investing in programs that strengthen gender equity; improve financing mechanisms to reduce inequities and increase the use of long-acting contraceptives; bolster family planning interventions for young people; and discuss challenges and opportunities for introducing new contraceptives to advance the health and well-being of women and their families.
"This conference provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborate, and learn from the experience of our partners as we work towards our shared goal of improving access to quality family planning," said John W. Townsend, Ph.D., vice president and director of the Population Council's Reproductive Health program. "We look forward to discussing how innovations in contraceptive technology, financing strategies, and gender equity can improve the health and well-being of those living in poor and underserved communities."
Dr. Ruth Merkatz, Director of Clinical Development in the Council's Reproductive Health program, will present research on the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring and the Council's progesterone vaginal ring during a U.S. Agency for International Development-sponsored press conference (Thursday, November 14 from 14:30-15:30 (2:30-3:30 PM). The press conference, focusing on improved and new contraceptive technologies, will take place in Briefing Room #5.
The Council will also launch a new book, The Unfinished Agenda to Meet FP2020 Goals: 12 Actions to Fill Critical Evidence Gaps, at the conference. Council authors Ian Askew and Martha Brady will be available for a meet-the-authors session at Booths #35 and #37 on Wednesday, November 13 from 13:30-14:30 (1:30-2:30 PM). Book supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
A list of notable Council presentations is included below. A full list of Council presentations can be found at: http://www.popcouncil.org/mediacenter/events/2013ICFP/home.asp.
Special Sessions
Thursday, November 14 (8:30 AM): "The young and the restless: Effective teenage pregnancy prevention programs" (Tigest Tamrat, Berhane Hewan project)
Friday, November 15 (10:30-11:50 AM): Best in Class: Top Scientific Research. "Developing a model of acceptability for a new long-acting contraceptive vaginal ring" (Ruth Merkatz Large Conference Hall)
Council Participation in Panel Sessions
Wednesday, November 13
10:30-11:50 AM: "Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Assessing its acceptability to users and critical stakeholders" (Saumya RamaRao Medium Conference Hall)
12:00-1:20 PM: "Development of the Nestorone/Ethinyl Estradiol Contraceptive Vaginal Ring (NES/EE CVR): Challenges, opportunities, and obligations of a non-governmental organization" (Ruth Merkatz Large Conference Hall)
2:30-3:50 PM: "Provision of emergency contraception as part of comprehensive post rape care: Experience from South Africa" (Ravikanthi Rapiti 2nd Level, Small Conference Hall 2)
2:30-3:50 PM: "Evaluation of a reproductive health program for married adolescents and husbands in rural Ethiopia" (Annabel Erulkar Second Level, Caucus Room 17)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Improving uptake of family planning and HIV counseling and testing services among postpartum women in Kenya: Findings from the Integra Initiative" (James Kimani Old Building, Small Conference Hall)
Thursday, November 14
12:00-1:20 PM: "Adapting the WHO tool on sexual and reproductive health and human rights: Experiences in four countries" (Ian Askew Ground Floor, Briefing Room 3)
2:30-3:50 PM: "Documenting quality in integrated services: The Assessing Integration Methodology (AIM)" (Harriet Birungi Old Building, Medium Conference Hall)
Friday, November 15
12:00-1:20 PM: "Constructing a socio-behavioral framework for multipurpose prevention technologies: Lessons learned from family planning" (Martha Brady 3rd Level, Small Conference Hall 3)
Oral Presentations
Wednesday, November 13
10:30-11:50 AM: "Introducing the Progesterone Vaginal Ring (PVR) as a new method of postpartum family planning in sub-Saharan Africa: The role of stakeholders' engagement in planning and implementation" (Salisu Ishaku Old Building, Medium Conference Hall)
10:30-11:50 AM: "Fertility and infertility in men: A male contraception R&D view from both sides" (Patricia Morris and John Townsend - Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
12:00-1:20 PM: "Re-invigorating male involvement in family planning: An assessment in southern Ghana" (Gertrude Nsorma Nyaaba Old Building, Small Conference Hall)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Community-level task sharing teamsThe potential to strengthen community based family planning services: The dual cadre approach" (Charlotte Warren Ground Floor, Briefing Room 3)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Quality of care and client willingness to pay: An assessment of MSI family planning services in Burkina Faso" (Placide Tapsoba Third Level, Small Conference Hall 3)
Thursday, November 14
10:30-11:50 AM: "Review of performance-based incentive models for community-based family planning programs" (Ian Askew Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
10:30-11:50 AM: "User-controlled long-acting reversible contraception: The pharmacokinetic profile of the Nestorone/Ethinyl Estradiol Contraceptive Vaginal Ring (NES/EE CVR): A 1-year cyclical re-useable vaginal ring" (George Creasy Second Level, Caucus Room 19)
12:00-1:20 PM: "The effect of a voucher program on the uptake of long-acting and permanent methods of contraception (LAPMs) in Kenya: A quasi-experimental study" (Sam Wangila Wafula Second Level, Caucus Room 20)
2:30-3:50 PM: ""The impact of a reproductive health voucher program on increasing uptake of long-acting and permanent family planning methods in Cambodia: Evidence from a difference in difference analysis" (Ashish Bajracharya Ground Floor, Briefing Room 4)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Organizing the evidence on family planning voucher programs: A taxonomy of program implementation and studies" (Ben Bellows Second Level, Caucus Room 24)
4:20-5:40 PM: "Determinants of contraceptive behavior and unmet need for family planning among rural young women in three states of India" (Daliya Sebastian and Mary Philip Sebastian Ground Floor, Briefing Room 4)
Friday, November 15
10:30-11:50 AM: "Men's gender equity ideologies, women's control of family planning and family size, and unmet need for contraception among married couples in rural India" (Mohan Ghule and Niranjan Saggurti Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
12:00-1:20 PM: "Improving postnatal family planning uptake in Kenya: Evidence from facility-level integration of postnatal and HIV services" (James Kimani Second Level, Caucus Room 18)
###
About the Population Council
The Population Council confronts critical health and development issuesfrom stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Researchers warn of the 'myths' of global medical tourism
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
4-Nov-2013
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Contact: Caron Lett caron.lett@york.ac.uk 44-019-043-22029 University of York
A team of British researchers, led by the University of York, is warning governments and healthcare decision makers across the globe to be wary of the myths and hype surrounding medical tourism.
In an article, to be published in the journal Policy & Politics by Policy Press, the researchers challenge the idea that ever greater numbers of patients are prepared to travel across national borders to receive medical treatment.
'Medical tourism' is where people leave their own country to seek medical treatment abroad. They are typically treated as private patients and the costs are fully recouped. This is distinct from 'health tourism' where there is not always an intention to pay.
In the article, the authors, who include academics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Royal Holloway University, and the University of Birmingham, looked beyond the NHS and the UK to address the wider international issues of medical tourism, examining how other countries are addressing this global phenomenon.
They describe 'three myths' of medical tourism: the rise and rise of medical tourism; enormous global market opportunities; and that national governments have a role to play in stimulating the medical tourism sector through high-tech investment.
The researchers say these three widely-held assumptions cannot be backed up with hard evidence but are encouraged by interested parties such as healthcare providers, and brokers and facilitators who act as intermediaries between providers and patients.
Lead author Dr Neil Lunt, from the University of York's Department of Social Policy and Social Work, said: "In the past decade or so, the global health policy literature and consultancy reports have been awash with speculations about patient mobility, with an emphasis on how ever greater numbers of patients are travelling across national jurisdictions to receive medical treatments.
"Yet authoritative data on numbers and flows of medical tourists between nations and continents is tremendously difficult to identify. What data does exist is generally provided by stakeholders with a vested interest rather than by independent research institutions. What is clear is that there exists no credible authoritative data at the global level, which is why we are urging caution to governments and other decision-makers who see medical tourism as a lucrative source of additional revenue.
"Our message is: be wary of being dazzled by the lure of global health markets, and of chasing markets that do not exist."
The paper was informed by a research project funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research (NIHR HS&DR) Programme. It uses the findings from a two-year study into the impact of medical tourism on the UK's health system to make broader observations which the researchers believe apply to medical tourism globally.
The report authors argue that in terms of medical tourism, a level playing field does not necessarily exist and they challenge the view of open and global markets. Networks, history and relationships, they say, may explain a great deal about the success of particular destinations.
Dr Daniel Horsfall, from York's Department of Social Policy and Social Work, who carried out the statistical analysis for the study, said: "We found that historical flows between different countries and cultural relations account for a great deal of the trade. The destinations of medical tourists are typically based on geo-political factors, such as colonialism and existing trade patterns. For example, you find that medical tourists from the Middle East typically go to Germany and the UK due to existing ties, while Hungary attracts medical tourists from Western Europe owing to its proximity."
The team of researchers has already published an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on their findings, while Dr Lunt has delivered their message of caution to the World Health Organisation and the Portuguese and Ukraine Governments. On 6 November, Dr Lunt will be a speaker at a professional networking event organised by the magazine Scientific American which will address trends in medical tourism.
###
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Share
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Researchers warn of the 'myths' of global medical tourism
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
4-Nov-2013
[
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]
Share
Contact: Caron Lett caron.lett@york.ac.uk 44-019-043-22029 University of York
A team of British researchers, led by the University of York, is warning governments and healthcare decision makers across the globe to be wary of the myths and hype surrounding medical tourism.
In an article, to be published in the journal Policy & Politics by Policy Press, the researchers challenge the idea that ever greater numbers of patients are prepared to travel across national borders to receive medical treatment.
'Medical tourism' is where people leave their own country to seek medical treatment abroad. They are typically treated as private patients and the costs are fully recouped. This is distinct from 'health tourism' where there is not always an intention to pay.
In the article, the authors, who include academics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Royal Holloway University, and the University of Birmingham, looked beyond the NHS and the UK to address the wider international issues of medical tourism, examining how other countries are addressing this global phenomenon.
They describe 'three myths' of medical tourism: the rise and rise of medical tourism; enormous global market opportunities; and that national governments have a role to play in stimulating the medical tourism sector through high-tech investment.
The researchers say these three widely-held assumptions cannot be backed up with hard evidence but are encouraged by interested parties such as healthcare providers, and brokers and facilitators who act as intermediaries between providers and patients.
Lead author Dr Neil Lunt, from the University of York's Department of Social Policy and Social Work, said: "In the past decade or so, the global health policy literature and consultancy reports have been awash with speculations about patient mobility, with an emphasis on how ever greater numbers of patients are travelling across national jurisdictions to receive medical treatments.
"Yet authoritative data on numbers and flows of medical tourists between nations and continents is tremendously difficult to identify. What data does exist is generally provided by stakeholders with a vested interest rather than by independent research institutions. What is clear is that there exists no credible authoritative data at the global level, which is why we are urging caution to governments and other decision-makers who see medical tourism as a lucrative source of additional revenue.
"Our message is: be wary of being dazzled by the lure of global health markets, and of chasing markets that do not exist."
The paper was informed by a research project funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research (NIHR HS&DR) Programme. It uses the findings from a two-year study into the impact of medical tourism on the UK's health system to make broader observations which the researchers believe apply to medical tourism globally.
The report authors argue that in terms of medical tourism, a level playing field does not necessarily exist and they challenge the view of open and global markets. Networks, history and relationships, they say, may explain a great deal about the success of particular destinations.
Dr Daniel Horsfall, from York's Department of Social Policy and Social Work, who carried out the statistical analysis for the study, said: "We found that historical flows between different countries and cultural relations account for a great deal of the trade. The destinations of medical tourists are typically based on geo-political factors, such as colonialism and existing trade patterns. For example, you find that medical tourists from the Middle East typically go to Germany and the UK due to existing ties, while Hungary attracts medical tourists from Western Europe owing to its proximity."
The team of researchers has already published an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on their findings, while Dr Lunt has delivered their message of caution to the World Health Organisation and the Portuguese and Ukraine Governments. On 6 November, Dr Lunt will be a speaker at a professional networking event organised by the magazine Scientific American which will address trends in medical tourism.
###
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