ACLA Results for Life News

Letter to Washington Post Addresses Underutilization (PDF)

Tues, 9 June 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A word of caution about over-generalization regarding over-use of health care services ["Decision Makers Differ on How to Mend Broken Health System," June 9]. There's no question that overuse exists and will be reduced by electronic health records, but - as the RAND reports that you cite clearly state - the real challenge in America is underuse, not overuse.

RFL Joins with Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association for Capitol Hill Event

Tues, 9 June 2009 14:00:00 GMT

On June 9, RFL teamed-up with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA), the American Heart Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others, to sponsor the "Heart Health Expo" on Capitol Hill. The event showcased for Members of Congress the many aspects of maintaining heart health, including the primary role of laboratory tests.

News Feature: Lab Tests for Heart Health

Mon, 8 June 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Keeping your heart healthy is one of the main jobs of laboratory tests. They give you and your doctor a heads-up when there are trouble signs, and they tell you how much progress you're making in addressing any problems. Most people are familiar with cholesterol tests-some even can quote you their "good" and "bad" cholesterol numbers. But fewer people know about the wide range of lab tests that play a big role in all aspects of heart health-preventing heart problems, diagnosing heart attacks when they occur, and helping manage heart conditions.

Politico Ad Underscores Key Role of Laboratory Medicine in Health Reform

Mon, 4 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

With the headline,"Lab Tests Were Health Reform Before Health Reform Was Cool," RFL again published an advertisement in a Capitol Hill newspaper emphasizing how laboratory medicine is a critical element in achieving the goals of health reform. The full page ad ran on May 4 in the widely read Capitol hill newspaper Politico.

News Feature: Protect Your Kids' Hearts - Summer Fun Can Trigger Genetic Disorder

Thurs, 21 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Before your kids are out the schoolroom door and off to the pool or baseball field this summer, take a few preventive steps to help protect their hearts. Prevention may be as simple as making sure children eat nutritionally balanced meals, get plenty of exercise, stay away from cigarettes and have regular check-ups. Be aware that for some children who have an inherited heart disorder known as Long QT Syndrome, research shows that typical summer activities can trigger sudden cardiac arrest. Genetic tests can identify Long QT Syndrome and aid physicians in managing the condition.

Hill Ad Lauds Value of Lab Tests in Health Reform

Mon, 27 April 2009 14:00:00 GMT

With the headline "Lab Tests Were Health Reform Before Health Reform Was Cool," an RFL newspaper advertisement on April 24 underscored to an influential Capitol hill audience that lab testing is central to achieving key goals of health reform. "Prevention, wellness, curbing the high cost of healthcare, attacking chronic disease...many of the central goals of health reform are being achieved through lab testing," said the ad, which ran in The Hill.

Upcoming World Kidney Day Underscores Role of Low-Cost Lab Tests in Combating High-Cost Kidney Disease

Thurs, 10 March 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Inexpensive, well-established lab tests may hold the key to combating the epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is the focus of World Kidney Day, March 12. Kidney disease costs about $60 billion annually and often results in kidney failure, cardiovascular disease and anemia. Some 27 million Americans have CKD-an increase of 30 percent over the past 10 years. But kidney disease can be slowed down or stopped through early detection and treatment made possible by information from two key laboratory tests.

For Reporters Covering World Kidney Day: See the RFL Facts/Figures "Storyboard" on Chronic Kidney Disease (PDF)

Thurs, 10 March 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Laboratory tests provide early-warning that allows for medical interventions that can prevent progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and help control its damaging effects. Two tests detect the disease in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) — to determine how well the kidneys are functioning — and Urine albumin — to identify excess protein in the urine. These tests tell physicians how severe the disease is and give clues to its likely cause. That helps them select treatments that can halt the disease for many patients and prevent it altogether in others. The result: healthy kidneys.

House Small Business Committee Chair Hails Breakthroughs in Lab Testing

Thurs, 11 February 2009 14:00:00 GMT

In a Capitol Hill newspaper read widely by Members of Congress and staff, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Chairwoman of the U.S. House Small Business Committee, today emphasized the critical role that small laboratories play in addressing chronic diseases and cutting health care costs.

Radio Interviews with Associated Press and VOA Reach 8.7 million

Thurs, 22 January 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A Results for Life radio media tour in December featured interviews with ACLA’s Alan Mertz on the importance of genetic testing in early detection and management of disease. The interviews aired on more than 2,000 stations, including the Associated Press Radio Network, the Voice of America, and the Accent Radio Network. In addition, KOA-AM in Denver, the #1 News Talk station in the region, and adult contemporary WNIC-FM in Detroit carried the interviews. Total listeners for the segments totaled 8,696,700.

RFL Ad in Hill Newspaper Welcomes New President, New Congress

Tues, 20 January 2009 14:00:00 GMT

On January 20, the day that Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States, Results for Life celebrated his continued leadership on personalized medicine and genetic testing in a full-page ad in The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. The advertisement featured several of Senator Obama's quotes from 2007 on the importance of genomics. RFL said it looked forward to working with the new Administration and new Congress in translating the promise of personalized medicine into reality.

RFL Genetic Testing Views Aired on 600 Stations; Audience Tops 3 Million

Thurs, 8 January 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A two-minute radio report on the importance of genetic testing-that emerged from RFL's October briefing on the topic-was played by more than 600 radio stations in November, reading an audience of some 3.4 million listeners. That included the nationwide USA Network which aired the segment 1,860 times on its 560 affiliate stations. The report highlighted the role of genetic testing in early diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of diseases, and featured comments by ACLA President Alan Mertz.

New York Times Examines Impact of Genetic Testing on Patient Quality, Cost-Savings

Mon, 29 December 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Experts say that most drugs, whatever the disease, work for only about half the people who take them. Not only is much of the nation’s approximately $300 billion annual drug spending wasted, but countless patients are being exposed unnecessarily to side effects. No wonder so much hope is riding on the promise of "personalized medicine," in which genetic screening and other tests give doctors more evidence for tailoring treatments to patients, potentially improving care and saving money.

Washington G-2's National Intelligence Reports on 10/28 "Primer on Genetic Testing"

Thurs, 20 November 2008 14:00:00 GMT

"Spotlight on Genetic Testing in Front-Line Health Care," National Intelligence Report, November 10 Edition

Listen to the October 28 "Primer on Genetic Testing"

Tues, 4 November 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The October 28 Primer on Genetic Testing explained what genetic testing is and how it is used in a wide range of medical conditions. Click below to listen to the session and follow along with the two major slide presentations.

Oct 28 RFL Primer Stresses that Most Genetic Tests Used in Front-Line Health Delivery

Tues, 28 October 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The vast majority of genetic tests are used in front-line health delivery to improve diagnosis and treatment for such conditions as HIV, childhood leukemia, and cardiovascular disease, according to experts at a Washington D.C. briefing held today. In contrast, they said, the direct-to-consumer, online genetic testing services that have generated extensive media attention are only a tiny segment of testing.

Slides, Backgrounder, Materials for "Primer on Genetic Testing"...Oct 28, 9-10:30am ET

Mon, 27 October 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The following materials will be used during Tuesday's primer on genetic testing.

Results for Life to Hold "Primer on Genetic Testing" at National Press Club, Oct. 28

Tues, 21 October 2008 14:00:00 GMT

On October 28, please join us for "A Primer on Genetic Testing: What Is It? How Does It Work? Why Does It Matter?" You will hear from nationally-known experts about the science, economics, and policy issues of genetic testing, as well as how genetic testing is used in healthcare today.

Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) Points to Prevention and Lab Tests as Key Part of Controlling Chronic Disease Epidemic

Mon, 29 September 2008 14:00:00 GMT

A member of the influential U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) today called for greater efforts to bring the epidemic of chronic disease under control. Rep. Rodriguez made the comments in a guest OpEd article in today’s issue of The Hill, a newspaper that circulates widely on Capitol Hill and among Congressional staff. "We can stop or significantly control these widespread chronic diseases…," wrote Mr. Rodriguez, who is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. "The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that chronic disease occurs largely as a result of what people do, or don’t do, in their daily lives. Exercise and better eating habits help, as do early disease detection and treatment. The CDC points out that diagnostic tests can detect breast cancer, colon cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions early, when they are most effectively corrected and controlled."

RFL Chair Ron Weiss Makes "The Case For Personalized Medicine" in Health Affairs Blog

Fri, 19 September 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Personalized medicine and genetic testing offer cost-savings and improved health care for Americans and have the potential to impact the quality and cost of health care as much as any other issue currently on the US health care reform radar. That was the view expressed by Dr. Ronald Weiss, President and Chief Operating Officer, of ARUP Labs and Chairman of the Results for Life campaign, in a posting on the prestigious blog of Health Affairs, a health policy journal read widely by policymakers, legislators, and the news media. Dr. Weiss emphasized that genetic testing enables significant improvements in a range of medical conditions—from breast cancer to cardiovascular conditions—and that tailored therapy brought about by genetic testing promises fewer side-effects, cost savings, and more effective treatment.

Tests Save Money and Lives, says RFL on Washingtonpost.com

Fri, 12 September 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Part of health care realism also involves asking how well the old canards about “unneeded” and “dubious” testing and procedures jibe with today’s reality [“Health Care Realism,” Robert J. Samuelson, September 10, 2008]. In fact, as recent studies by RAND point out, the bigger problem today is that diagnostics are under-utilized —not over-utilized. A RAND study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found significant under-use of sound, well-established procedures, such as screening for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer.

Washington Post OpEd Challenges News Story on Prostate Cancer Screening

Tue, 26 August 2008 14:00:00 GMT

[Washington Post] The Wrong Call on Prostate Cancer Screening By William J. Catalona; Tuesday, August 26, 2008; Page A13. Numerous media reports followed a federal task force's announcement this month that there is insufficient medical evidence to assess the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening in men younger than 75 and that doctors should stop testing men over age 75 ["U.S. Panel Questions Prostate Screening; 'Dramatic' Risks for Older Men Cited," front page, Aug. 5]. It's important to note that consideration was not given to the overwhelming body of emerging evidence that screening with PSA tests and digital rectal exams saves lives. Rates of death from prostate cancer and rates of diagnosis at advanced stages have decreased markedly since testing became widespread.

Results for Life Submits Letter On Genetic Testing to Time Magazine

Tue, 12 August 2008 14:00:00 GMT

[PDF] Although direct-to-consumer tests are grabbing much media attention, it is important to recognize that this is only one aspect of genetic testing. ["Should Genetic Tests be Regulated?", July 22, 2008, Time.com]. Many well-established genetic tests are on the front-lines of medical care in physician offices and hospitals and are currently saving lives through better diagnosis and treatment of such diseases as leukemia, HIV, breast cancer, and heart disease.

New Personalized Medicine Storyboard Focuses on Genetic Tests in Use Today

Wed, 16 July 2008 14:00:00 GMT

A new Results for Life storyboard on personalized medicine highlights genetic tests that are already helping provide more effective diagnosis and treatment for patients with a wide range of conditions. These include breast, ovarian, colon, and cervical cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and emphysema, among others.

Hill Testimony Highlights Importance of Genetic Tests in Diagnosis and Treatment

Fri, 12 June 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Genetic tests are improving patient care today in a wide range of diseases and conditions thanks to earlier detection, targeted treatments, and better management of disease. That was one of the primary messages presented today to a special roundtable forum of the Senate Special Committee on Aging by Dr. Elaine Lyon, Medical Director of Molecular Genetics at ARUP Laboratories, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Lyon was speaking on behalf of the American Clinical Laboratory Association.

Salt Lake Tribune Publishes OpEd Highlighting GINA and Benefits of Genetic Testing

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The recently adopted Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) represents an important step forward in helping realize the value of genetic testing for more patients, according to a guest OpEd article by Dr. Ron Weiss, President of ARUP Laboratories, published on May 29, 2008 in the Salt Lake Tribune.

New RFL Website Features Expand Convenience and Outreach

Fri, 2 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

New features just added to the Results for Life website make it more convenient for users and more effective in sharing news about the value of laboratory medicine.

Letter to Boston Globe Stresses Value of Genetic Tests

Thu, 22 April 2008 14:00:00 GMT

In a letter to the Boston Globe today, ACLA President Alan Mertz stressed that "genomics-based scientific advances over the past decade have increased our ability to diagnose disease earlier and tailor treatment to the exact genetic profile of the individual patient." The letter came in response to an April 21 article in the Boston Globe, headlined "Some Doubt Genome's Value as Health Tool."

Results for Life Publishes "Open Letter to Congress" Ad on the Value of DNA Tests

Thu, 17 April 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Because many media reports have confused the public about the value and safety of genetic tests for patients, the Results for Life campaign on April 16, 2008, published an "open letter to Congress" advertisement in The Hill, one of the most widely read publications by Members of Congress and their staffs. The full page ad urged Congress to recognize the dramatic improvements in care brought about by sophisticated genetic tests. It also reassured lawmakers that genetic tests performed in certified laboratories are safe and are saving and improving lives daily.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette Cites Value of Lab Testing

Wed, 6 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo), emphasized the value of laboratory medicine in managing chronic disease in an opinion editorial published in the February 6, 2008, edition of "The Hill", a Washington, DC, newspaper that circulates widely in Congress, federal agencies, and the Washington news media.

Salt Lake City Papers Print OpED on Value of Lab Testing

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The Salt Lake City Tribune and the Deseret News-the two largest daily newspapers in Utah-published opinion editorials authored by Dr. Ron Weiss, President and COO of ARUP Laboratories and Chairman of Board of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, on January 26 and 27.

National Kidney Foundation and RFL stress critical role of lab medicine in controlling chronic kidney disease

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Chronic kidney disease is a silent killer that demands more attention from the American public, medical professionals, and policymakers, according to the National Kidney Foundation and “Results for Life,” a coalition of laboratory organizations that is conducting a national education campaign on the importance of laboratory medicine.