Month: February 2023

2023-02-28T09:01:00

(BPT) – Talent wars. Great resignation. Quiet quitting. Hiring, retaining and inspiring employees to be their best is no small feat these days. Leadership at companies big and small are looking for ways to improve their workforce and professional development is a hot topic.

The high cost of turnover

Hiring good people and keeping them is a challenge. Stakes are high and the cost of employee turnover is significant. Companies can lose time, money and resources, not to mention it can be a blow to workplace morale and brand reputation.

According to the Society of Human Resources Management, direct employee replacement costs can reach as high as 50%-60% of an employee’s annual salary, with total costs associated with turnover ranging from 90% to 200% of annual salary. That means if an employee makes $50,000 it can cost up to $30,000 directly and $200,000 total.

A people-first workplace

Looking closely at benefits and company culture can provide important insights into employee relations. To help attract and retain talent, many organizations are taking a people-first approach. Putting employees first means prioritizing things like work-life integration, career pathing and professional development.

“Tuition benefits programs are sought after by employees and can be a great way for companies to invest in their future while encouraging skills development,” said Dave Barnett, DeVry University’s chief human resources and university relations officer. “Whether it’s training to learn a specific skill, earning a certification or completing an entire degree, tuition benefits programs show employees you’re willing to invest in them so they are invested in you.”

Employer tuition benefits

Employees are eagerly seeking out organizations that offer tuition benefits. According to an EdAssist survey, 84% of respondents cited these programs as an important factor in their decision to join their organizations. In fact, 71% rated tuition assistance among the best benefits offered by their employers after health care.

However, a DeVryWorks Talent Outlook Study found leaders ranked tuition benefits as the least frequently offered form of professional development at their organizations with just 69% indicating it’s available to employees. According to the study, here are some top reasons organizations offer tuition benefits:

• 62% helping individuals grow professionally
• 53% retaining individuals at the organization by offering development opportunities
• 51% improving quality and execution of work

The good news is the Wall Street Journal reported that 90% of large and midsized companies offer some kind of tuition reimbursement. The bad is less than 10% of workers use the tuition reimbursement.

Filling the skills gap

“Aligning impactful development opportunities with future career pathways is becoming an expectation for employees as early as the first interview,” said Clark Barber, vice president of DeVryWorks, the workforce solutions team at DeVry University. “While training and developing frontline workers is a top priority for HR leaders, few are leveraging a typically passive benefit like tuition reimbursement as a proactive tool to attract, retain and grow talent.”

Barber said the key for business leaders is to ensure their tuition programs are equitable and accessible for employees. Organizations should consider how their policy is structured and measured to ensure inclusivity.

But where are leaders seeing the biggest skills gaps? The DeVryWorks Talent Study asked business leaders about the most in-demand skills and opportunities for employee improvement. The results: leadership, data-driven decision-making and digital fluency are the three critical skill gaps leaders are looking to address.

These skills and more can be learned through programs supported by a company’s tuition benefits program. For example, nontraditional learners — like part-time adult students — benefit from an educational option like DeVry University. The school strives to close society’s opportunity gap by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change.

“As critical skills continue to emerge, expand and expire, there’s an ongoing need for professional development,” added Barnett. “Establishing and promoting tuition benefits programs is critical to the vitality of the organization and the professional journey of employees. It’s an untapped resource with endless potential.”

2023-02-28T11:49:00

(BPT) – Two years ago, NASA’s Perseverance Rover landed on Mars, an aerospace feat helping prepare the mystery planet for potential human exploration. While many companies are proud to have contributed to the project, a large part of the mission’s success is thanks to Airborne Systems (a TransDigm company) who supported the design and production of the parachute which brought the Rover safely to the surface of the Red Planet.

“Percy,” as the spacecraft is affectionately called at mission control, launched back in July 2020 and landed on Mars in February 2021. One of the principal objectives of the mission was so-called “astrobiology” — the search for possible signs of life on the Red Planet.

Perseverance’s parachute measured 70.5 feet (21.5 meters) in diameter and deployed about 240 seconds after atmospheric entry — all at a head-spinning altitude of about 7 miles (11 kilometers) and a mindboggling velocity of about 940 mph (1,512 kph). All told, the parachute inflated at about Mach 1.75.

With Percy weighing in at over 2,200 lbs., about the weight of a car, this was the heaviest Mars landing to date and required the strongest parachute ever flown on Mars or any other planet except Earth. What makes this landing even more special is that it’s the first time anybody has seen a parachute perform in the Mars atmosphere. In the past, parachute performance on Mars has been deduced or inferred based on data, but this time high-speed video captured the parachute in action. Now, scientists and engineers have video that they can pore over frame by frame to aid future missions to Mars and other celestial frontiers.

The parachute, weighing approximately 180 pounds, deployed from the back of the aeroshell and inflated in less than a second. In the blink of an eye, Perseverance’s parachute transformed from an 18-by-26-inch cylinder of nylon, Kevlar and Technora compressed to the density of wood, into a fully inflated, 70.5 foot nominal diameter parachute. The tens of thousands of pounds of force that the parachute generated during this supersonic inflation stressed both the parachute and the vehicle.

Perseverance reached Mars after a nearly 300-million-mile journey that lasted more than six months. Perseverance and her teams lived up to the rover’s namesake by overcoming the challenges of preparing for the journey’s final stages during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to Airborne Systems’ parachute, Perseverance was able to send back its first images of the landing site immediately after touchdown.

The mission also carried the Ingenuity helicopter to Mars. The Ingenuity helicopter can fly short distances in Mars’ thin atmosphere, which has a density of less than 1% of Earth’s. Ingenuity is the first craft to conduct powered flight outside of Earth’s atmosphere.

After Perseverance used its cameras to share the first video of a mission landing on Mars and capturing some of the first sounds humans have heard on the red planet, Perseverance reused those same cameras to capture the inaugural flight of Ingenuity as it lifted through the Martian atmosphere.

Thanks to the Perseverance, Earthlings can see for the first time a panorama of its recently completed sample gathering. These samples and accompanying photos represent a big milestone for the Perseverance mission, as they are humanity’s first collection of rock samples from another planet. The panorama, stitched together from 368 images that were sent to Earth, captures more than a month of careful placement and mapping of 10 titanium tubes.

Besides keying researchers into the planetary science of Mars — how the composition of its regolith varies and how the planet has changed over time — the Perseverance mission is looking for astrobiological clues. Researchers hope to find ancient microbial biomarkers, which would show that the now-hostile world once held life.

Extraterrestrial missions require a whole orchestra of support from partners on the ground, including companies like Airborne Systems and TransDigm Group Inc., whose work extends from the American communities that play host to its facilities, to commercial flight paths, all the way to the edges of outer space.

2023-02-28T13:03:00

(BPT) – How well do you know your health coverage? Now is the perfect time to review your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and make sure you’re getting the most from your benefits.

It can be challenging to figure out how to use health plan benefits. And you might not be aware of all the benefits that come with your MA plan. “Reviewing your benefits is important because good health isn’t just about not being sick,” says Terri Swanson, senior vice president of Medicare for Aetna^®, a CVS Health^® company. “It’s also about having access to the resources and support you need to maintain your physical and mental well-being. By understanding your benefits, you can make sure you have the coverage you need to stay happy and healthy.”

To make the most of your plan and prioritize your health and well-being in the year ahead, check out these three tips.

1. Get to know your benefits

The first step to getting the most from your health plan is to know what benefits are included in your plan. Your plan’s member website is a great resource for understanding your benefits. Many of them include tools that describe your benefits and also help you find care. Also, check your Evidence of Coverage document, which outlines exactly what’s covered. You can also download your health plan’s app if you want to view the info from your cell phone.

If you have questions about your benefits, you can call the Member Services phone number listed on your member ID card.

2. Schedule your preventive care visits

MA plans often offer more preventive care benefits and services than Original Medicare. These may include routine dental, vision and hearing exams. It’s important you schedule these exams early in the year:

• Dental: Most plans cover routine dental exams and cleanings so you can keep your teeth and gums healthy. Many plans may cover routine work, like fillings, but some plans may include an allowance or coverage for things like crowns and dentures.
• Vision: You may be entitled to an annual routine eye exam at no extra cost. Most plans also include a yearly allowance to buy prescription eyeglasses.
• Hearing: Your plan may cover an annual hearing check and a fitting for a hearing aid, if you need one, at no added cost. It may also include an allowance to buy hearing aids.

Even if you don’t have a toothache, poor eyesight or hearing problems, don’t skip these annual exams. These checkups can help you catch an issue before it becomes a bigger problem. For example, during a routine exam, your dentist may detect signs of leukemia or immune deficiency. Your eye doctor can see early signs of glaucoma and cataracts, as well as diabetes and some types of cancer. Early detection and timely treatment of these conditions can help you maintain your health as you age so you can continue doing what you love.

3. Check for other benefits

Some plan members may not know about other benefits that come with their plan. These benefits, which help care for your overall health, may surprise you because they’re not your typical medical benefits. For example, your plan could offer debit cards to buy healthy foods and pay for utilities.

Also, some MA plans provide an allowance for certain over-the-counter items such as hand sanitizer, cold medicine, bandages and more. Sometimes these are quarterly allowances, so be sure to use them early in the quarter, or you could miss out.

Many plans even offer fitness programs at no extra cost. If you’ve been paying for a monthly gym membership, you may be able to cut this expense. Some plans cover a basic membership to SilverSneakers^®. Their fitness program offers in-person and online classes for all fitness levels. And they’re led by trained instructors.

Other plan benefits may include rides to doctor’s appointments, the pharmacy and more. You may also get help quitting smoking and receive home-delivered meals when you return from a hospital stay.

You should also check to see if your plan has a rewards program, another bonus. You may earn rewards to use at various stores, just for completing healthy activities.

You can also visit BenefitsCheckUp^® to see if you qualify for other programs that can save you money.

Following these tips will help you use your MA benefits wisely this year. And they can help you stay healthy, too. To learn more about Medicare, visit AetnaMedicare.com.

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2023 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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2023-02-28T13:45:00

(BPT) – As we’ve learned, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted many people’s mental health, which intensified the need for more behavioral health services across the country. Mental health is defined as an overall state of well-being that includes biology, emotional health and habits while behavioral health examines how habits impact a person’s overall physical and mental well-being.

While the pandemic created mental health challenges for many people, it also spurred advancement in health care services in America. Behavioral telehealth is one example. It is a growing area of care that is helping to deliver greater access to mental health care for patients across the country, including those in rural and underserved communities.

Here are three innovative ways to use behavioral telehealth services that patients can access safely, privately and conveniently from home.

Individual Teletherapy

Individual, one-on-one teletherapy is the most common form of telebehavioral health and may be able to be performed through video or audio-only telehealth services. It can offer privacy and convenience, including reduced travel and disruption to daily activities like work and childcare, in addition to easing the stigma of going in-person to a clinic or office. You can access individual teletherapy in multiple ways:

• Virtual Talk Therapy helps address both your emotional and psychological concerns.
• Telepsychiatry is where you can get prescriptions and manage your medications.
• Online Apps can help with tracking and monitoring your mood.
• Text Therapy allows you to communicate with a health care professional at any time with relative anonymity.

Group Teletherapy

Group teletherapy involves a few people who meet with one or more therapists remotely. This effective and affordable alternative to individual therapy offers the added benefits of community support, reduced feelings of isolation and new perspectives. There are several options for group teletherapy:

• Live Talk Therapy is where you can virtually interact with several other individuals at the same time via video or phone calls.
• Asynchronous Communication is when individuals elect to interact by group chat or email. You can share your thoughts and respond to other group members at your convenience.
• Online Applications is the creation of a group of people who interact through social media or chat rooms, in real-time or asynchronously. Sessions typically do not involve a clinical provider and are not covered by insurance, but it may be helpful if you prefer anonymity.

Substance Use Disorder Telehealth Treatment

When used in combination with other treatment methods, behavioral telehealth interventions can be part of a co-occurring, integrated approach to treating substance use disorders. You can get care from your home instead of a public clinic, have access to providers who understand substance use disorder, and choose to continue care with your regular individual or group therapist or provider while receiving treatment. Speaking with a health care provider while at home can also allow your provider to see how you are managing treatment in your home environment.

Telehealth.HHS.gov has patient resources to help you learn more about what behavioral telehealth services are available, find out how to access telebehavioral health services and determine associated costs, so you can use telehealth to manage your health care needs effectively.

2023-02-28T06:01:00

(BPT) – With warmer weather, blooming flowers and longer days right around the corner, for many, this means one thing: spring cleaning.

Whether you already have your essential cleaning supplies and a playlist queued up or don’t know where to begin, accomplishing a major deep clean that leaves your house sparkling can feel rewarding.

But before you dive into your to-do list, you need to get your cleaning tools in order. It’s best to opt for tools that are versatile and multi-purpose to lighten your load as you might be overlooking a few areas or items in your home that are long overdue for cleaning. Products like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes can wipe out dirt, grime and allergens while also tackling illness-causing germs and viruses. Once you have your tools in order, you can start tackling these forgotten spots that you may be missing.

Tops of ceiling fans, shower heads and doors

Out of sight, out of mind. Often, you don’t clean what you don’t see, but getting rid of hidden dust can make a big difference in minimizing the allergens around your home.

First things first, work from the tallest to lowest surfaces. With an extendable duster, wipe down the tops of light fixtures, doors, cabinets and picture frames, ceiling fan blades and even the top of your shower head in the bathroom, all of which are prone to collecting dust you’re likely not seeing daily. Vacuum once you’re done to pick up any of the dust that may have ended up on the floor.

Baseboards

You walk past your baseboards every day, but most people don’t give them a second glance. But when not cleaned regularly, baseboards are prime real estate for dirt and grime build-up.

Wiping down your baseboards with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, which are safe to use on a variety of hard, non-porous surfaces around your home, as part of your regular cleaning routine is an easy way to pick up the dust and dirt that’s gathered, especially for painted white baseboards that can show dirt easily.

Inside your fridge, cabinets and pantry

Most people are guilty of holding onto produce past its prime or forgetting about expired flour lurking in the back of the pantry. While it’s hard to ignore grease splatters on your stove or pasta sauce spills across your counter, cleaning the inside of your fridge, cabinets and pantry may not be a part of your everyday routine, but doing so every three or four months can remove lingering grease, grime and crumbs and cut down on potential odors.

As part of your next refrigerator refresh, start by tossing all expired products or produce. You can use disinfecting wipes to pick up any crumbs, wipe away sticky or dried-on spills and kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria while you’re at it. After you’re done, rinse or wipe down any food contact surfaces, like your produce shelves, with warm water and allow to air dry.

Next, remove everything from your pantry and cabinets, working in sections if needed. Toss out any expired items along the way, and once empty, vacuum up any lingering crumbs. Following that, you can wipe surfaces down with a disinfecting wipe to clean, disinfect and deodorize at the same time. Now you’re ready to restock the shelves.

Under appliances

Appliances such as your stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer can harbor hidden dirt, dust and even crumbs. Once or twice a year, it’s worth moving what you can, like your fridge which is typically on wheels, or using the crevice attachment of a vacuum to clean beneath and around the base of the appliance. You can also wipe the areas down to remove crumbs, stubborn food smudges, grease and grime.

Cleaning tools

That’s right — your cleaning tools need a little TLC too. Your cleaning supplies deserve the same attention as the rest of your home to avoid simply spreading around the dirt and grime.

On top of emptying your vacuum regularly, make sure to remove dust, hair or threads clinging to the beater bar or brush. You can disinfect toilet brushes, mop heads and smaller tools like brushes and sponges in a hot water and bleach solution regularly to help you get a more thorough clean and ensure that your tools are ready for your next big deep clean.

Knowing how to uplevel your cleaning routine can help you maintain a cleaner space and a happier you. To find more tips and product recommendations like these, visit Clorox.com.

2023-02-28T13:01:00

(BPT) – Have you ever bought something, tried it out and realized it just wasn’t “the one”? Well, how about choosing a Medicare plan and then after using it for about a month, you realize you chose the wrong plan. Enter the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

Currently running through March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is basically for those people with “buyer’s remorse” and only for people with a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Part C.

During this time, you can basically do 3 things:

1. Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
2. Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and switch back to Original Medicare
3. Add a stand-alone prescription plan (also known as Part D) to Original Medicare if you drop your Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan

In 2022, more than 28 million people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, according to KFF.org — that’s nearly half of all people on Medicare. And for those people on a Medicare Advantage plan, this is probably the last time they can change their plan until the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period rolls around in October.

There are many reasons why you may want to consider making changes to your Medicare Advantage plan during this enrollment period. Here are just a few:

1. Your healthcare needs have changed: If your doctor prescribed a new medication or treatment, and your current plan doesn’t cover it, you may want to consider switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan that covers your needs better.
2. You realize your current plan isn’t “the one”: We all make mistakes. Your Medicare Advantage plan may have looked good on paper, but in action, it didn’t give you the coverage you thought you were getting. During this time period, you get to make one change to another Medicare Advantage plan that will work better for you.
3. You missed the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Even with all the TV ads, mail in your mailbox or even your friend reminding you about the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period this past October, you still may have missed it. This is your last chance to make a change to your Medicare Advantage plan until October (unless you become eligible for a Special Enrollment Period).

Whatever your reason to change, now is the time to make the switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period ends on March 31.

The knowledgeable licensed insurance agents at ClearMatch^TM Medicare can help. They will listen to your needs, compare plans, explain them in great detail, and make sure you are satisfied with your new plan.

Call ClearMatch Medicare today for a Free Medicare Review at 1-888-921-1287/TTY: 711, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (EST), or visit ClearMatchMedicare.com, open 24/7.

2023-02-28T13:01:00

(BPT) – These days, we often associate the word hybrid with a vehicle that runs on both a gas engine and an electric motor, but did you know we are all hybrids as well? Allow me to explain.

The word hybrid can also be utilized to describe each one of us because, we are all hybrids in one form or another. Whether you’re a science teacher and a ballet dancer, or a firefighter and a podcaster, being a hybrid means you celebrate the fact that we all have more than one characteristic and more than one skill or talent that can help us go the distance!

Being a hybrid has multiple benefits

As hybrids, we are all equipped with various talents and strengths. For example, a science teacher can excel both at school and on stage as a ballet dancer. As hybrids we embrace our strengths to explore and pursue our interests. When we tap into our hybrid nature, we don’t fit into one box and can gain a broad knowledge that helps us be more innovative and solve problems differently.

In the automotive industry, hybrids are more than just vehicles that run on a gas engine and electric motor, they’re also vehicles equipped with a variety of features and options. Hybrids, like the Toyota Camry Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid, are built to make the transition into electrification simple and seamless for all drivers, and with their countless options, there’s a hybrid for everyone.

“As hybrids, one of our greatest gifts is recognizing we all have incredible skills and talents,” said Katya Echazarreta, who is collaborating with Toyota and SiriusXM on the We Are ALL Hybrids campaign. “How we use these talents is what makes us unique. As an electrical engineer and a citizen astronaut, I’m very passionate about promoting STEM education, so that others have the chance for future opportunities. That’s why I’ve chosen to work with Toyota and SiriusXM to help celebrate the hybrid spirit in all of us.”

Living the best of both worlds with a hybrid

Just like everyday hybrids, this year’s lineup of Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) displays an impressive list of hybrid qualities.

Powerful, efficient, and head turning style, that’s Camry Hybrid. Offering the best of both worlds, the stylish Camry Hybrid combines 208 total system hp and impressive fuel efficiency with an up-to EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined rating. Add in advanced tech and a drive that makes you want to keep on going, there is a Camry Hybrid for everyone including the new SE Hybrid Nightshade with accents made for a second look.

There’s also the RAV4 Hybrid, designed for drivers looking for capable performance and bold style. The RAV4 Hybrid has 219 combined net horsepower thanks to the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine assisted by electric motors. The RAV4 Hybrid’s standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) also provides all-weather capability and confident on-road driving dynamics.

Whether you enjoy a nice night on the town or a long drive across the country, with a Toyota Hybrid you have the best of both worlds without having to compromise on performance or style.

Hybrid listening on-the-go

This year, Toyota and SiriusXM^® are coming together to launch “We Are ALL Hybrids,” a campaign that celebrates everyone and features the 2023 Camry Hybrid and 2023 RAV4 Hybrid. Every new Toyota comes with a three-month trial subscription to the SiriusXM Platinum Plan, which delivers SiriusXM’s full lineup of exclusive and curated content, plus access to SiriusXM outside the vehicle on the SXM App and on connected devices and speakers.

Now that you’ve learned we’re all hybrids, visit www.Toyota.com/WeAreAllHybrids to learn more about Katya Echazarreta and other hybrids!

2023-02-28T14:01:00

(BPT) – Physician anesthesiologist Dr. Bonnie Milas provides life-saving treatment every day, so when she found her 21-year-old son unresponsive on the kitchen floor, his lips blue, she knew what to do. He was suffering an opioid overdose only hours after being discharged from an inpatient treatment program. She started CPR and administered naloxone, a medication that reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of the drug and restoring breathing and consciousness. Dr. Milas’ quick actions, and naloxone, saved her son’s life and offered him a second chance to heal from his addiction.

Unfortunately, Dr. Milas’ experience is all too common in the U.S. The tragic wave of overdose deaths has not subsided, and the number of fatal overdoses continues to increase each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2021, a nearly 15% increase over 2020 and more than any prior year. A majority of these deaths — more than 80,000 in 2021 — involved opioids. And even after doing everything right — including finding appropriate treatment options, maintaining a safe and supportive environment, and using naloxone to treat prior overdoses — Dr. Milas ultimately lost both of her adult sons to the opioid epidemic.

“No one should have to suffer such loss or the deeply unsettling experience of reviving an overdosing loved one, yet this epidemic makes it likely all of us will encounter someone experiencing an overdose at some point. Having naloxone on hand means we have the ability to be immediate responders and make the difference between life and death for a family member, friend or stranger,” said Dr. Milas, clinical professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) Committee on Trauma and Emergency Preparedness. “While I have no remaining children, naloxone gave me more time with my sons and gave my sons more opportunities to find success. You never know when one more chance will turn into lifelong healing, which is why I am deeply committed to reducing the stigma associated with opioid use disorder and saving lives from opioid overdoses.”

Anyone can witness an overdose

The majority of overdose deaths occur in the victim’s home or in someone else’s home. It takes an average of seven minutes — and far longer in rural areas — for emergency medical services to arrive at the scene of a respiratory arrest. But minutes mean the difference between life and death. Brain damage from lack of oxygen during an overdose begins after five minutes.

Opioid overdoses don’t only impact people who have a prescription for opioids or live with someone with substance use disorder. Moreover, an overdose can happen anywhere, including public spaces, such as restrooms, libraries and parking garages, or on public transportation, such as buses, trains and airplanes. This means everyone needs to be prepared to be an immediate responder. Simple bystander training, like how to administer CPR, and easy access to the lifesaving medication naloxone, can give anyone the ability to potentially save a life.

Why naloxone should be more widely available

Currently, naloxone is available with or without a prescription but is sold behind the pharmacy counter. There is still a significant stigma associated with opioid use, so many people who could carry this medication may be afraid to purchase it.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists represents physician anesthesiologists who play a critical role in the fight against overdoses, starting with effectively and responsibly managing patients’ pain after surgery or chronic pain. The Society strongly supports a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommendation to make naloxone — commonly sold as a nasal spray — available over the counter.

“Naloxone is an effective and life-saving medication to reduce the number of opioid-related overdose deaths. While it doesn’t treat the underlying epidemic, it can prevent the most tragic consequences,” said ASA President Michael W. Champeau, M.D., FAAP, FASA. “By expanding community access to naloxone, we also are helping to provide equitable access to a treatment for overdose, which does not discriminate and can happen to anyone anywhere.”

Naloxone is easy to administer, can be used without training and will not cause negative effects if given to someone who doesn’t have opioids in their system. In addition to supporting the over-the-counter sale of naloxone, ASA also recommends the creation of a voucher system, supported by the opioid settlement funds, for patients to receive access to the life-saving medication and a nationwide education and training program on the safe use of over-the-counter naloxone. A mail-to-home option for naloxone — like the U.S. government’s free at-home COVID-19 test program — could be another method to provide wider access to the medication.

Learn more and make a difference

Take the first step toward being an immediate responder. Familiarize yourself with common signs that someone is experiencing an overdose, which include:

• Shallow, slow or irregular breathing (fewer than eight breaths a minute or a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
• Small pupils
• Extreme sleepiness or unconsciousness (e.g., “passed out”)
• Inability to talk
• Blue or gray skin color, with dark lips and fingernails
• Snoring or gurgling sounds
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures

“I vividly remember the emotions I felt performing rescue maneuvers on my child and I can’t imagine what it’s like for those who don’t know what to do until help arrives or don’t have access to naloxone,” Dr. Milas said. “With basic life support skills, access to naloxone and a dose of empathy, we can turn the tide and save lives. It’s what we all would want for our friends, family and loved ones if this happened to them.”

To learn more about naloxone, as well as how to recognize an opioid overdose, react and revive, visit www.REVIVEme.com.

2023-02-27T08:01:00

(BPT) – When you’re car shopping, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the options. To help you identify the best 2023 models, the ninth annual Best Buy Awards from Kelley Blue Book make the daunting task of finding the right vehicle a lot easier. With so many choices and such stiff competition among automakers, Kelley Blue Book does the research to make your next major purchase as well-informed and effortless as possible.

Whatever your transportation needs, the Best Buy Awards program includes categories representing a wide range of vehicles. The winners are based on a year-long regimen of expert vehicle evaluation, plus an intensive period of final testing, giving you confidence in the top contenders from each category.

The award’s 19 categories cover the spectrum of automotive needs: Best New Model, Best Electric Vehicle, Best Compact Car, Best Subcompact SUV, Best Compact SUV, Best 2-Row Midsize SUV, Best 3-Row Midsize SUV, Best Full-Size SUV, Best Compact Pickup Truck, Best Midsize Pickup Truck, Best Full-Size Pickup Truck, Best Electric Truck, Best Minivan, Best EV Under $35K, Best Plug-in Hybrid, Best Luxury Car, Best Subcompact Luxury SUV, Best Compact Luxury SUV and Best Midsize Luxury SUV. Selections from each category reflect the top blend of performance, capability, affordability and overall appeal.

Here are highlights from popular categories you may be considering.

Best New Model:

For the top honor of overall best new model, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 makes it easy to go all-electric. It offers over 300 miles of range plus a spacious, tech-filled interior. It was designed from the ground up with an electric powertrain in mind, and you may also enjoy the futuristic yet retro chassis design.

Best Compact SUV: The 2023 Honda CR-V comes from a line with a proven history of reliability, excellent resale value and inviting interiors. The CR-V also offers more cargo room than competitors — you can fold down the rear seatbacks to transform it into a small moving van, with a class-leading cargo volume of 76.5 cubic feet. The CR-V doesn’t just haul more; it hauls it more easily.

Best Full-Size SUV:

The 2023 Ford Expedition offers an impressive combination of capability, comfort, refinement and technology. Its comfortable cabin seats up to eight, and it has a 9,300-pound towing capability. Their excellent safety suite comes standard, and you can choose seats that are heated (first and second rows) and cooled, or even massaging. The Expedition has an EPA-rated fuel economy of up to 23 miles per gallon.

Best Compact Car: The 2023 Honda Civic is a joy to drive, providing a worry-free mode of transport that won’t bust your budget. The Civic holds its value exceptionally well, and it offers a comfortable cabin with logical instrumentation that is elegant and easy to figure out. The roomy interior can easily fit four adults (five in a pinch), and the cargo space is generous.

Best Electric Vehicle Under $35,000:

If you’re looking for an EV with a great price, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV provides a roomy back seat and an impressive range of 247 miles — and it’s also fun to drive. With One Pedal Drive, you hardly ever need to touch the brakes, and the Regen on Demand paddle (on the steering wheel) lets you fine-tune the amount of deceleration and brake energy regeneration.

Best Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle: The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid offers 34 miles of all-electric range and 84 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent, so you can enjoy driving in comfort while only occasionally stopping for gas. Two trim levels offered are exceptionally well appointed and similar to the top trims of the regular non-hybrid Sportage compact SUV.

Best Full-Size Pickup Truck: Whether you’re looking for a work truck that can tow and haul with the best of them or something more elegant, the 2023 Ford F-150 fills the bill. With its vast array of cab configurations, choice of six powertrains, eight trim levels and more, there is an F-150 for every truck buyer.

Best Electric Truck: If you’re in the market for a truck but want to go electric, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning has an impressive range (up to 320 miles), quick acceleration and advanced technology. On top of that, you can tow up to 10,000 pounds and it has a 2,000-pound payload capacity.

Best Luxury Car: The 2023 Lexus ES checks all the right boxes for a luxury vehicle, with a stellar value proposition and rock-solid reliability. Buyers can choose from a base 4-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in the ES 250 models, a smooth and powerful V6 in the ES 350 with 302 horsepower, or a fuel-sipping hybrid in the ES 300h offering 44 miles per gallon combined.

To see the full list of winners, visit KBB.com/awards/best-buy-awards-2023.