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5 services for small businesses to prepare for the busy summer season

2022-04-27T07:01:00

(BPT) – As warmer weather approaches, small businesses should start prepping for the busiest time of year. According to a study by IncFile, 38% of small business entrepreneurs said summer is the busiest season. Also, May is Small Business Month, so consumers will have small businesses in mind, increasing your potential revenue and workload.

You don’t have to face the busy season alone. FedEx Office offers a variety of solutions for small businesses, adapts to your needs and supports you at every turn. Check out these five flexible services you can take advantage of this summer.

1. Notary services

Notarizing official documents like contracts and other critical documents for your business can help you reduce fraud, improve your record keeping, and improve your customer experience. FedEx Office has teamed up with NotarizeSM, an online notarization platform, to offer businesses and consumers a simple, smart, and safe way to legally notarize most of their documents online within minutes, 24/7.

2. Design services

If you need professional marketing materials but don’t know where to start, FedEx Office has multiple options. Small businesses can access more than 8,000 free templates through FedEx Office’s collaboration with Canva, an online one-stop design shop. For a more personalized experience, FedEx Office also offers in-store design services. Whether you have a design or theme in mind or need help getting started, you’ll get personal support from your neighborhood FedEx Office store.

3. Signs and graphics

If you need signs, banners, posters or other graphic elements, you can design and print them all online or in-store through FedEx Office. They also offer industry-specific solutions, like the retail and hospitality sectors. This includes signage around health and safety protocols specific to COVID-19. You can request a consultation to create tailored solutions for your small business.

4. Printing and shipping

As the bread and butter of its business services, FedEx Office printing and shipping offerings provide you with simplicity and convenience. You can access its Print Online service from any device, anywhere, so you can quickly print documents, presentations, posters and more. You can also ship documents and packages using standard, express or international shipping options from your local FedEx Office locations. You can even have them handle the packing for you!

5. Direct mail

Do you need help reaching new customers? FedEx Office offers direct mail services for any budget. You can design direct mail campaigns in three easy steps using the online tools. Using geographic and demographic filters, you can search for your target prospects, design your materials and schedule your launch date.

FedEx Office has more than 2,200 locations, which means there’s likely one in your neighborhood! To find a location near you and learn more about these and other small business services, visit Fedex.com.

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Five Steps for Spring Cleaning Your Finances

2022-04-26T08:31:00

(BPT) – Spring is about decluttering and tidying up our homes; but it can also be a great chance to dust off our finances. With April recognized as Financial Literacy Month, it’s an ideal moment to organize your accounts and paperwork, revisit budgets and goals, and spruce up your saving and spending habits.

There are many options available for today’s savvy savers to ensure their financial affairs are in order; they range from innovative savings accounts to discounts on medical expenses, to personal loan options — and many of them are available to AARP members. Here are five steps individuals can take to spring clean their finances this Financial Literacy Month.

Dust Off Your Savings Accounts

Choosing the right savings account can be an excellent way to make your finances more robust with minimal effort. With the High Yield Savings from Marcus by Goldman Sachs®, AARP members earn a rate that’s 0.10% higher than the stated available Annual Percentage Yield (APY) at marcus.com for 24 months. You can protect and grow your savings in a high-yield account that’s FDIC-insured and backed by the financial expertise of Goldman Sachs. You can open an account online or by phone without incurring fees, and easily transfer funds from your current bank.

AARP members can also take advantage of the 8-Month No-Penalty CD from Marcus by Goldman Sachs®. AARP members can open an 8-month No-Penalty CD online in minutes with no fees and lock in a higher interest rate than what’s available with a Marcus Online Savings Account. You’ll have the flexibility to withdraw your full balance online beginning seven days after funding, with no penalty.

Healthcare is the most important expense for many of us, and individuals can save for health by utilizing the AARP® Health Savings Account offered by Optum Bank®. Members with a qualifying high-deductible health plan can take advantage of tax benefits as they save for qualified medical expenses. They can also access tools, resources and information tailored to their retirement needs. AARP members under 65 receive a 20% discount on monthly maintenance fees, and if you’re 65 or older, your monthly fees are waived.

Revamp Your Credit Card

Choosing the right credit card is vital for optimizing your overall financial goals. Still, with so many options available, it can become overwhelming to choose a card that fits all your needs. Some cards have features that help support you financially across multiple expenses, such as the AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays. Card members can earn a $100 cash back bonus if they spend $500 on purchases in the first 90 days, and they also earn 3% cash back on gas station and drug store purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®), 2% cash back on eligible medical expenses and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Declutter Your Loans

Loans can be a way for anyone to achieve their financial goals, but it’s vital to ensure you choose the right product that fits your lifestyle and gives you bang for your buck. Thankfully, there are many options available for individuals looking for a loan that doesn’t break the bank. With Personal Loans from Marcus by Goldman Sachs®, AARP Members could be eligible to receive special pricing when they apply for a no-fee personal loan ranging from $3,500 to $40,000.

Spruce Up Your Medical Expenses

With healthcare costs on the rise, it’s important to look for ways to save where you can. One way to do this is by ensuring you’re getting the best possible prices on your prescriptions. AARP® Prescription Discounts provided by OptumRx® offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on all FDA-approved medications. The program is open to anyone, but AARP members receive additional benefits, including deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for your dependents and more.

Long-term care can be another major expense for many, but options are available to help prepare for the future. AARP Long-Term Care Options from New York Life can provide custom options to help protect your assets and lifestyle with solutions that can assist in addressing your specific needs and budget.

Reorganize Your Estate Planning

Estate planning is essential for anyone looking to keep their financial affairs in order by arranging for the long-term. The documentation needed, however, can sometimes be intimidating. Options are available to AARP members such as Trust & Will Estate Planning, that can help reduce stress by streamlining the process. When you create an estate plan online through Trust & Will, you get access to customer support, customizable documents and one year of free unlimited updates. AARP members receive a 10% discount on trusts, wills and estate planning documents.

This Financial Literacy Month, make sure you’re utilizing all the tools at your disposal to spring clean your finances, many of which are available to AARP members. From savings accounts, to personal loans, to medication discounts, the products and services available on today’s market will ensure you’ve optimized your finances and are receiving the best possible returns.

AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

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Employer health care costs are lowered by increased transparency and employee engagement

2022-04-26T00:01:00

(BPT) – In an extensive analysis of patient claims data, health plan member engagement has emerged as employers’ single best-practice solution for controlling costs and improving outcomes for their employees.

In the fifth joint white paper by the Health Action Council and UnitedHealthcare, a comprehensive analysis of 320,000+ covered lives identified 50% of nearly $2 billion in cost to employers was limited to five conditions:

Cancer – 15%

Musculoskeletal – 13%

Cardiovascular – 9%

Gastrointestinal – 7%

Neurological – 6%

The study, Costly Conditions: Identifying and Addressing Top Clinical Cost Drivers, offers insights into why employer cost varies so widely across gender, age, income, geography and social determinants of health. In addressing these dominant conditions, the report shows why individual communities matter so much in terms of total cost of care, billing patterns, treatments and outcomes. In addition to the “why,” the report shows how employers can reduce costs by encouraging more employee engagement.

Best-Practice Recommendations

Patty Starr, president and CEO, Health Action Council, and Craig Kurtzweil, vice president, UnitedHealthcare Center for Advanced Analytics, stress that employer, management and budget priorities should focus on these strategic imperatives:

Transparency

Empowering people with more information about their care options may help everyone make more informed decisions and save. Integrated online resources available today provide personalized wellness support, decision-making power and comparison-shopping options for employees. Employers can achieve significant gains by providing tools for employees to evaluate providers, treatment options and cost estimates of medical services.

Engagement

Encouraging employee engagement — activation — helps optimize plans and incentives. For example, the UnitedHealthcare HAI™ tool evaluates 53 evidence-based decisions as well as life-stage, demographic and social determinants, to identify under-engaged individuals and groups. The report shows that highly activated patients are significantly less costly, and far healthier, than those lower on the activation scale.

Affordability

Lower drug prices have the greatest impact on plan affordability for the company and employee. Introducing pharmacy step therapies to support the use of high-quality, lower-cost generics or biosimilars before turning to more expensive solutions is one example. Also, look for differences in practice patterns by geographic region (over- and undertreating; low adoption of best practices) when targeting high-cost conditions. Did you know that neurological treatment differs greatly by location? For example, patients in Greensboro are eight times more likely to have carpal tunnel surgery than people in Phoenix. Billed charges also vary widely. The average billed by providers in Los Angeles is four times higher than Philadelphia for the same procedure code.

Advocacy

Employers should also make sure their employee health strategy includes a commitment to helping their employees navigate the health care system. Using advanced algorithms to identify the next best actions personalized to each member, advocacy and clinical resources can go beyond basic customer service to develop a deeper understanding of an individual and their needs, including social needs, to deliver personalized guidance. The goal is to create a simpler experience, so a person can make more informed health decisions, improve their health, connect with relevant clinical programs, avoid unnecessary costs, understand lower-cost treatment options and find community resources.

Employers can learn more about how to lower costs and help employees achieve better health by reading the full white paper HealthActionCouncil.org/News/Health-Action-Council-and-UnitedHealthcare-Release.

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Reaching your financial goals: What to do if you are new to credit

2022-04-25T07:01:00

(BPT) – Many people have financial goals – maybe it’s to get an education, buy a car, purchase a home, or start a business – that require access to credit. However, if you are new to credit, trying to build a credit history can be daunting. It helps to know the basics about the FICO® Score.

A FICO Score summarizes your credit report into a three-digit number. Credit reports are maintained by the three nationwide credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The FICO Score includes measures on how long you’ve had credit, how much credit you have, how much of your available credit is being used and if you’ve paid on time. A FICO Score helps lenders determine how likely you are to repay a loan. This, in turn, affects how much you can borrow and how much it will cost (e.g., the interest rate).

“Knowing that access to credit is a key building block for economic inclusion and financial independence, FICO has been spearheading efforts to help more consumers gain access to credit, safely and responsibly,” said Sally Taylor, vice president and general manager of FICO Scores. “Before FICO, human bias could play a factor in the decision.”

But what if you are a young adult or immigrant with no FICO Score at all?

The good news is lenders want to include new borrowers. To help support this, FICO and lenders are using alternative data and innovative credit scoring techniques, while ramping up consumer credit education efforts.

FICO introduced FICO® Score XD and UltraFICO™ Score, which enhance credit bureau data with alternative data not typically found in traditional credit bureau files, such as how you have paid your telecom and utilities, or balance information from your consumer permissioned checking account. FICO also recently introduced FICO® Score 10T, which taps into trended data – a deeper look at traditional credit bureau data, the use of trended data considers a historical view such as account balances for the previous 24+ months, giving lenders more insight into how individuals are managing their credit.

People can also take steps to actively build their credit history. To help, here are five things to know if you are new to credit:

#1 Understand the basics about your FICO Score

Ninety percent of the top U.S. lenders use FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions. To get a FICO Score, you need at least one credit account opened for six months or more and at least one account that is reporting to the credit bureaus in the last 6 months (those criteria can be met with the same account).

If you have zero credit history, you can consider applying for a credit-builder loan or a secured credit card.

#2 Take advantage of new ways to establish credit

More lenders are using newer scores that tap into alternative data sources, such as telecom, utilities and checking account data. To help establish credit history, consider opportunities with reputable lenders and the credit bureaus to proactively share your personal, responsible financial information (such as on-time rent and cell phone payments).

#3 Actively monitor your FICO Score

Research has shown that consumers who frequently check their credit score are more likely to have a higher overall score. There are several ways you can monitor your FICO Score. FICO works with over 200 institutions to provide FICO Scores free to consumers. You can check your monthly credit card statement, your online banking environment or go to myFICO.com to monitor your score.

#4 Demonstrate responsible borrowing and stay the course

The good news is your FICO Score is dynamic; it changes with your credit behavior. Your score today doesn’t have to be your score tomorrow. Plan and stay the course with positive borrower behaviors that will be reflected in your credit file. Stay up to date on your bills, keep balances low and only apply for the credit you need.

#5 Empower yourself with knowledge

Understanding your credit score and how to manage it doesn’t have to be a mystery. There are many educational resources available, including free workshops supported by FICO where you can learn about your credit score directly from the experts. Visit www.scoreabetterfuture.com to learn more.

Whether your goal is purchasing your first home, going to college, or financing a new car, it is helpful to envision a target credit score that allows you to achieve it. With that target in mind, and these tips and educational resources, you can start building a sustainable path toward a FICO Score that achieves your financial goal, regardless of your current credit experience.

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How a new innovation can help improve diabetes care

2022-04-24T18:01:00

(BPT) – Denver native Matt Callis has a busy, active lifestyle to balance, and he doesn’t want his diabetes to interfere with either enjoying time playing with his young kids or riding his motorcycle. Like the 37.3 million other people in the U.S. who have diabetes[i], Matt relies on available therapies, medical technology and a treatment plan from his healthcare team to help manage his condition and stay as healthy as possible.

“I do everything I can to stay on top of my health,” says Matt, “so I can be there for my kids when they need me.”

Medical technology to aid people with diabetes

Fortunately, medicine has advanced a great deal in the 100 years since insulin was first discovered. Technology to help those with diabetes has improved dramatically, providing people with better tools to help manage their condition and improve treatment outcomes. One of the biggest technological innovations in recent times is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which offers people with diabetes insights into the impact of their glucose-lowering medications (mainly insulin), plus their activity, diet and lifestyle on their glucose levels. The information gleaned from these easy-to-use devices can help people improve their outcomes and avoid low sugar levels that can be dangerous.

How CGMs work

CGMs use a small sensor placed under the skin to measure your glucose levels every few minutes, all day and night, and then sends that information to a monitor or mobile device. Anyone wearing a CGM can check their glucose level easily at any time, allowing them to better balance factors like their medications, food intake and physical activity. An alert can sound to notify you (or a parent, in the case of children) if glucose levels become too high or too low and need to be addressed. Family and friends can also follow this on their own smartphones, if that is what both you and they want.

The knowledge provided by CGMs not only helps improve each person’s daily well-being, but the information collected over time also allows healthcare providers to assess patterns and trends so they can evaluate the effectiveness of the overall treatment plan for each individual.

Groundbreaking improvement to the CGM

One of the few drawbacks to using some CGM systems is that the majority of available CGM sensors can only last for a limited time. Depending on the type of CGM, the sensor may need to be replaced as often as every week or two. However, the FDA has just approved a 180-day (up to 6 months) sensor for the Eversense E3 CGM System, which was developed by Senseonics, Inc and brought to people by Ascensia Diabetes Care. As the longest-lasting system available in the U.S. today, the new Eversense E3 CGM System provides a significant step forward for people with diabetes.

“It gives me great peace of mind knowing that I won’t have to worry about replacing my CGM sensor for months,” says Matt. “Wearing this new CGM means that I will likely only need two sensor insertion and removal procedures per year, which is a big improvement. That freedom and convenience is so important for my active lifestyle.”

How to learn more about the Eversense E3 CGM System

The Eversense CGM System is a prescription device designed for adults (18 years of age and older) with diabetes taking insulin. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more or, to get started with Eversense E3, you can sign up at EversenseDiabetes.com/get-started-today.

“People today want choice and functionality that allows them to seamlessly integrate medical technology to meet their unique needs and their lifestyle,” says Dr. Francine Kaufman, chief medical officer of Senseonics and former President of the American Diabetes Association. “This new system offers people — and their healthcare providers — unparalleled flexibility and convenience, with a CGM sensor that is long-lasting as well as highly accurate.”

For important safety information, see EversenseDiabetes.com/safety-info/.

[i] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html

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Sustainable cookout: How backyard chefs can go green by using electric grills

2022-04-22T10:01:00

(BPT) – Summer is approaching, which means it’s time to take your grill out of storage and prepare for backyard barbecue season. If you’re thinking about replacing your old grill, consider a more sustainable approach and buy an electric grill.

More and more people have become aware of how their individual choices impact the environment and are willing to make lifestyle changes, including their shopping habits. According to consumer data by Forrester, post-pandemic consumers are more aware of sustainability when purchasing products.

Many companies have pivoted and are offering more sustainable products, including those in the grill market to keep up with consumer trends. A study from The Insight Partners predicts that the multibillion-dollar electric grilling market is expected to grow more than 67% over the next five years.

“We’re a progressive company,” said Stephen Schroeter, Co-CEO of Napoleon, a leading manufacturer of outdoor grills. “We want to lead change that will contribute to a better future for our world, and that starts with making energy-efficient, eco-friendly products.”

The intersection of sustainability and grilling

When you think of an outdoor barbecue, you may not immediately think about sustainability, but how you cook your food does impact the environment. Compared to some other grilling methods, such as burning wood pellets, electric grills release 99% less carbon monoxide and 91% less carbon dioxide. Producing and burning wood pellets is not only bad for the environment, but also harmful to you and others. On the other hand, electric grills are a safe, sustainable choice for backyard chefs.

Other benefits of using an electric grill include:

  • Quick and efficient heating, leading to low cooking times
  • Easy temperature control
  • Easy to use and clean
  • Less maintenance
  • Safer cooking with no gas leaks or fumes
  • More cost-effective

By investing in an electric grill, you’re going green and simplifying your grilling experience.

Not your dad’s electric grill

While it’s true that electric grills mainly were limited to indoor use and travel-sized models, full-size models have been widely unattainable.

Napoleon has launched the Rogue EQ™ Connected Electric Grill Series, the first line of full-size connected outdoor electric grills. These grills come equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) controls, allowing you to manage every aspect of the grill with your smartphone.

The two-burner Napoleon Rogue EQ 365 is designed to heat as quickly as most similar-sized gas grills and reach a maximum temperature that meets or exceeds traditional gas grills. It is also versatile, featuring three different ways to cook: grill mode for traditional grilling and searing, oven mode for roasting, and smoker mode to infuse smoky flavor.

“Our electric grill series demonstrates our commitment to continued industry-leading technology,” said Chris Schroeter, Co-CEO of Napoleon. “As consumers evolve their mindset around sustainability, our goal is to make it easy for people to make more sustainable choices in their everyday living.”

The Napoleon Rogue EQ™ Connected Electric Grill will be available in the Fall of 2022 at participating dealers. For more information visit:

Canada napoleon.com/en/ca/barbecues/rogue-electric-bbq-series

U.S. napoleon.com/en/us/grills/rogue-electric-grills-series

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High-impact green upgrades transform your home and save money

2022-04-22T11:01:00

(BPT) – Improving your property, increasing its value and cutting down on costs are common goals for homeowners. So naturally, investing in features that are better for the environment is, by extension, good for the wallet because it reduces the costs of utilities in the long run. However, it can be difficult to know which home improvements can make the biggest impact on the comfort and value of your home — and the planet.

To help guide your efforts, consider these four green ideas that can help improve efficiencies, save you money and protect the earth:

1. Participate in the ENERGY STAR® Home Upgrade program

Start by thinking about which eco-smart steps make the most sense for your home. The ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a series of six high-impact, efficient improvements that can save the average family about $500 a year on utility bills.

You can work through the steps as budget and need arise. Two of the most accessible home improvements in the program are insulating your attic and upgrading to an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat with smart climate controls.

2. Upgrade to a heat pump water heater

Water heaters are the second-highest energy user in homes. Switching to an ENERGY STAR certified high-efficiency water heater with heat pump technology can save homeowners over $300 every year, making this a high-impact upgrade.

Meeting the EPA’s ENERGY STAR requirements, the new Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater from LG is integrated with cutting-edge, high-performance technologies. As a result, it’s an energy-efficient alternative to electric resistance and gas water heaters, helping homeowners save money and the planet. Visit LGComfortZone.com to learn more.

3. Upgrade your HVAC to a heat pump system

To continue your home’s transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, earth-friendly options, consider heat pump technology for your heating and cooling needs. Heat pumps work efficiently by transferring heat in or out of a home for ideal comfort rather than generating it. This makes it possible to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round in an efficient manner across a variety of climates.

Heat pump HVAC systems, like those from LG, are an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners that rely on costly fossil fuel resources to warm or cool air as needs change throughout the year.

4. Install high-performance windows

Windows are important parts of a home, letting in natural light, providing ventilation options and making your home aesthetically appealing. Window technology has changed tremendously over the decades, meaning older windows are often drafty and leaky, which wastes energy and can let in moisture that may later lead to mold problems.

According to the EPA, replacing old, poorly made windows with modern ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by an average of 12%. In addition, look for windows with low-emissivity glass coatings (also called low-e) because they help filter ultraviolet rays from coming into your home, which means you get to enjoy the natural light with less sun damage to floors, carpets and furniture.

Upgrading your home for yourself and the planet is a win-win. These steps will help make your home more comfortable and increase its value while lowering your utility bills and environmental impact, helping to make your energy choices count.

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3 ways to make your oral care routine more sustainable

2022-04-22T11:01:00

(BPT) – More people are looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of everyday habits and actions, and some companies are helping them do just that. Did you know sustainability actions can include your oral care habits and the oral care products you use daily, like your toothbrush and toothpaste tubes?

Crest and Oral-B have been working on developing sustainable solutions from improving their product designs to responsible manufacturing using 100% purchased renewable electricity. In order to help less plastic material waste go to landfills and find innovative solutions, the Crest and Oral-B Recycle On Us program recycles your oral care waste that cannot be processed through traditional recycling. The best part: It’s free and easy! It’s just one small action you can take for positive impact.

Want to further reduce the environmental impact of some of your daily habits? Here are three concrete actions, including the Recycle On Us program, to help make a difference when it comes to your oral care routine:

1. Turn off your tap

Did you know that turning off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water a day? In between wetting your toothbrush and rinsing your teeth after you’re finished brushing, make sure to turn off the water rather than letting it run down the drain. Even better, consume less energy by opting for cold water.

2. Recycle your used oral care products

Did you know it’s possible to recycle things like old toothbrushes and dental floss containers? First, check the packaging to see if it can be recycled curbside. If not, Crest and Oral-B’s Recycle On Us recycling program helps consumers recycle many of their oral care products that cannot be processed through traditional recycling, including:

  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothbrush heads
  • Toothpaste tubes
  • Mouthwash containers
  • Dental floss containers
  • Floss picks

It’s easy. Here are the 3 easy steps to participate in Recycle On Us:

  • Step 1: Request a free shipping label at OralB.com/Recycling.
  • Step 2: Gather and put your used oral care materials in any size box, seal and attach the shipping label.
  • Step 3: Ship the box from your local shipping center directly to their processing facility for recycling — so your discarded items can be turned into things like park benches, clothes and more.

3. Unplug your electric toothbrush

Most electrical appliances continue to use some electricity as long as they are plugged in, so remember to unplug the base charger when you’re not charging your electric toothbrush to help save energy.

Perhaps you’re already practicing some of these actions — great work! Keep it up and see if you can incorporate all three into your oral care routine. You’ll see it’s easy to help reduce your environmental impact and be more sustainable. The planet thanks you!

Photograph by Kai Casey

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Acute myeloid leukemia in first remission? Learn about an important treatment option today

2022-04-22T17:23:00

(BPT) – For the more than 20,000 patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the U.S. each year, managing and coping with disease symptoms can be incredibly difficult.

AML, a rare blood cancer, causes the buildup of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow, which can interfere with normal blood cell production, resulting in decreased healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.

Many AML patients tend to present with non-specific symptoms associated with more common ailments like the flu. AML World Awareness Day (April 21) is a reminder to look into symptoms you may otherwise brush off. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), AML symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss or appetite
  • Weakness or feeling tired
  • Red or purple pinpoint spots on the skin

Research has also found that the average age at first diagnosis of AML is around 68 and it is slightly more common among men than women.

“Older Americans must be vigilant about any changes in their health and behaviors,” said Dr. George Yaghmour, assistant professor of Clinical Medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine. “Seeing a doctor about possible AML symptoms may help to detect — and, more importantly, treat — AML in its early stages before it rapidly progresses.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

Prevalence and risk factors

AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults and makes up 31% of all adult leukemia cases, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. While anyone can develop AML, particularly as they age, some factors increase the risk of developing this condition. These risk factors include:

  • Smoking
  • Exposure to radiation or certain cancer-causing chemicals
  • Having certain blood disorders, such as chronic forms of leukemia
  • Having a family history or genetic syndrome

If you have any of these risk factors, you should consider talking with your doctor.

Current treatments and challenges

Prior to 2018, treatment options were limited for people living with AML, but the AML treatment landscape has been rapidly evolving with new treatment options in recent years. In particular, some hematologists are exploring continued treatment as an alternative for patients who cannot proceed to stem cell transplant. Continued treatment is a post-remission option that may help adult AML patients live longer.

Frontline treatments like chemotherapy and others can be effective in getting patients into remission, however many patients will unfortunately relapse following treatment.

“Current treatments have left a gap in care for AML patients, who need innovative, continued treatment options that can prolong overall survival,” said Dr. Yaghmour.

Prolonging survival

There is an oral treatment available for AML patients in first remission who may not proceed to transplant due to either clinical eligibility or non-clinical reasons such as patient preference or caregiver support. This therapy may provide patients a better chance at living longer.

Onureg® (azacitidine) tablet is the first and only FDA-approved continued AML therapy indicated for continued treatment of adult patients with AML who achieved first complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) following intensive induction chemotherapy and are not able to complete intensive curative therapy. This oral medication also gives patients the option of treatment in the privacy of their own home.

As with any medication, it is important to discuss possible side effects that may occur with Onureg with your doctor, including the most common symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness or weakness, constipation, stomach area (abdominal) pain, pneumonia, joint pain, decreased appetite, pain in arms or legs, and dizziness. Find the complete list of possible side effects in Onureg’s Prescribing Information here.

See additional Onureg Important Safety Information here.

“Ultimately, we know that most patients with AML will face a relapse or progression of disease despite best available treatment,” said Dr. Thomas William LeBlanc, hematologic oncologist and associate professor of medicine at Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, North Carolina. “As a hematologist, my primary goal in this setting is to delay the progression of the disease and to better the patient’s probability of survival. Continued therapy plays an important role in helping to provide adult patients with AML a chance at living longer.”

If you’re living with AML, talk with your doctor and see if Onureg is suitable for you. To learn more, visit ONUREG.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is ONUREG®?

ONUREG® is a prescription medicine used for continued treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who had a first complete remission (CR) following intensive induction chemotherapy with or without recovery of your blood cell counts, and who are not able to complete intensive curative therapy. It is not known if ONUREG® is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Do not take ONUREG® if you:

are allergic to azacitidine or any of the ingredients in ONUREG®. See the Patient Information for a complete list of ingredients in ONUREG®.

Before taking ONUREG®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney or liver problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ONUREG® can harm your unborn baby.
  • Females who are able to become pregnant:
    • Your healthcare provider should perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with ONUREG®.
    • You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose of ONUREG®.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with ONUREG®.
  • Males with a female sexual partner who can become pregnant:
    • You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose of ONUREG®.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ONUREG® passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of ONUREG®.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I take ONUREG®?

  • Take ONUREG® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
  • Your healthcare provider will prescribe an anti-nausea medicine for you to take to help prevent nausea and vomiting during your treatment with ONUREG®.
    • Take the anti-nausea medicine 30 minutes before each dose of ONUREG®.
    • Your healthcare provider may decide to stop the anti-nausea medicine after your second cycle of ONUREG®, if you do not have any nausea or vomiting.
  • Take ONUREG® by mouth 1 time each day beginning on Day 1 through Day 14 of each 28-day cycle.
  • Take ONUREG® with or without food at about the same time each day.
  • Swallow ONUREG® tablets whole. Do not cut, split, crush, or chew the tablets.
  • If the powder from ONUREG® tablets comes in contact with your skin, wash the area well right away with soap and water. If the powder from ONUREG® tablets comes in contact with your eyes or mouth (mucous membranes), flush the area right away with water.
  • If you miss a dose of ONUREG®, or if you do not take your dose at the usual time, take the dose as soon as possible that day. Take your next dose at the regular time the next day. Do not take 2 doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose.
  • If you vomit after taking a dose of ONUREG®, do not take another dose on the same day. Take your next dose at the regular time the next day.

What are the possible side effects of ONUREG®?
ONUREG® can cause serious side effects, including:

  • New or worsening low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). New or worsening low white blood cell counts are common but can also be severe during treatment with ONUREG®. If your white blood cell counts become very low, you are at increased risk for infections. Your healthcare provider will check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment with ONUREG®. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine to help increase your white blood cell count if needed.

    Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:

    • fever or chills
    • body aches
    • feeling very tired or weak
    • unusual headaches
  • New or worsening low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Low platelet counts are common but can also be severe during treatment with ONUREG®. Your healthcare provider will check your platelet counts before and during treatment with ONUREG®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any unusual bruising or bleeding. Your healthcare provider may change your dose or tell you to stop taking ONUREG® if you have low blood cell counts.

ONUREG® may cause fertility problems in males and females, which may affect your ability to have children. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.

The most common side effects of ONUREG® include:

  • nausea and vomiting. See “How should I take ONUREG®?”
  • diarrhea. You may need to be treated with anti-diarrheal medicines.
  • tiredness or weakness
  • constipation
  • stomach area (abdominal) pain
  • pneumonia
  • joint pain
  • decreased appetite
  • pain in arms or legs
  • dizziness

These are not all of the possible side effects of ONUREG®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1800FDA1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of ONUREG®.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use ONUREG® for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ONUREG® to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about ONUREG® that is written for health professionals.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for ONUREG®.

Individual patient experiences may vary.

ONUREG is a trademark of Celgene Corporation, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

© 2022 Bristol Myers Squibb. All rights reserved. 2011-US-2200114. 04/22.

Posted on

Healthcare’s obligation to fight climate change

2022-04-22T08:01:00

(BPT) – By Kees Wesdorp, Chief Business Leader, Precision Diagnosis at Philips

As we contemplate our planet’s health on Earth Day, we are mindful of the unique set of challenges the healthcare industry faces in expanding access to care while developing more sustainable technology and systems. With much of the world still lacking access to quality care, our work is far from done.

But this important work comes at a high environmental cost. In the U.S. alone, 8.5% of all CO2 emissions stem from healthcare.[i] For healthcare organizations, implementing greener practices is not just a nicety, it’s also a moral responsibility.

The magnitude of the challenge can be daunting. But there are effective steps healthcare organizations can take to incorporate climate-friendly improvements into their operations. At Philips, we’ve started this work by partnering with our customers and suppliers, and this is what we’ve learned.

Redefining the “3R’s” for healthcare

The 3R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle – are widely recognized environmental principles that have a profound relevance in the healthcare sector. Let’s face it: there’s a significant amount of waste in healthcare. Reducing inefficiencies, pursuing more precise diagnostic and treatment pathways, and reusing, remanufacturing, and responsibly recycling old medical equipment, are just a few ways that healthcare companies can make small changes with big impact.

First, we can address inefficiencies that not only waste money, time, and precious staff resources, but also energy and C02. For example, scheduling and communication glitches, low value diagnostic tests, and late or improper diagnoses all come with heavy human health and carbon costs. It’s time to fix them.

Innovation has been the driving force for good in the healthcare industry, but it should not happen at the expense of the planet. While the idea of material reuse in healthcare is still gaining traction, it’s clear that circular economy principles – upgrade, refurbish, remanufacture, and recycle – must become our new normal.

Going circular

According to a seminal study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation[ii], materials extraction, supply, and the manufacturing of equipment account for 40-50% of global CO2 emissions. Every year, more than 100 billion tons of resources enter the economy, with just 8.6% being reused. Current levels of consumption are running at 1.7 times the resource capacity of the planet.

The good news is, environmental impact can be dramatically reduced by reclaiming products and responsibly repurposing them, or “closing the loop.” Closing the loop can reduce the carbon footprint of equipment by 50-85% over its lifetime[iii]. That’s a powerful incentive to change how healthcare approaches the supply chain.

As with many challenges, a shift in mindset is needed to make change. But healthcare companies and suppliers are uniquely positioned to take on this challenge. Philips, for example, has already taken steps in its design practices to remove waste and employ eco-friendly design principles. Examples include removing single-use disposables and hazardous and rare materials; eliminating a reliance on scarce natural resources, such as helium, in MRI technology; applying eco-friendly design principles we see in our personal lives (such as devices that “sleep” when not in use or cars that power down when stopped) to high-energy-use medical equipment; and shifting to 100% carbon-neutral operations.

Rethinking healthcare from a net zero lens

The climate crisis can make us feel overwhelmed and at a loss about where to begin. Yet, there are immediate steps that can be taken to help improve care delivery and have a measurable impact on the environment. Here’s where we are focusing our efforts:

  1. Greening operations and fostering a committed culture of circularity and sustainability
  2. Creating a network of sustainable vendors and business partners who uphold the same standards
  3. Building coalitions of experts and colleagues that want to team up to accelerate progress and breakthrough solutions
  4. Setting aggressive, measurable goals with deadlines and enlisting the entire organization (regardless of their position in the supply chain) to reach them
  5. Proactively measuring, monitoring, and improving performance

By setting goals and working with the right partners, all healthcare entities, both large and small, have the power to make sustainable healthcare a reality. The time is right for the healthcare industry to come together and make a commitment to change for a healthier future.

Interested in learning more? Hear from Philips CEO, Frans van Houten, and other business leaders and experts on how Philips is pioneering the circular economy for good. [Going circular – good for business, good for the planet | Philips].

[i] Victor J. Dzau et al., Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector — A Call to Action, N Engl J Med 2021; 385:2117-2119. (link)

[ii] Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021 reprint. (link)

[iii] Accelerating the transition towards a net zero NHS, University of Exeter and Philips, 2022. (link)