Red and blue states divided by fatal traffic accidents

By Stuart Silverstein, FairWarning

The nation?s red and blue states often are miles apart in social attitudes and, of course, in political outlook. ?

It turns out that they also divide into distinct camps when it comes to a grimmer measure -- fatal traffic accidents.

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To an extent that mystifies safety experts and other observers, federal statistics show that people in red states are more likely to die in road crashes. The least deadly states ? those with the fewest crash deaths per 100,000 people -- overwhelmingly are blue.

In the absence of formal definitions for red or blue states, we labeled as red the states that favored Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and as blue those that supported the re-election of President Barack Obama.

The 10 states with the highest fatality rates all were red, while all but one of the 10 lowest-fatality states were blue. What?s more, the place with the nation?s lowest fatality rate, while not a state, was the very blue District of Columbia.

Massachusetts was lowest among the states, with 4.79 road deaths per 100,000 people. By contrast, red Wyoming had a fatality rate of 27.46 per 100,000.

When shown the pattern, author Thomas Frank -- who has examined the nation?s political culture in such books as ?What?s the Matter With Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America? ? called it ?amazing.?

?This is someplace where you would not expect to see a partisan divide,? Frank said.

Even the former federal auto safety researcher who brought the numbers to FairWarning?s attention, Louis V. Lombardo, couldn?t explain them. ?It may be something we don?t have a definitive answer for,? he said.

Some observers offered the possible explanation that blue states tend to adopt stronger safety laws, while red states opt for looser regulation, presumably leading to more fatalities. For example, red Texas last month opened a toll road with a speed limit of 85 mph, the nation?s highest.

85 mph! Texas to open toll highway with fastest speed limit in nation

But the sweeping generalization doesn?t hold up under scrutiny.

For one thing, federal pressure in many cases has prodded states to enforce similar safety rules, such as seat belt requirements. And states don?t always act along predictable liberal-vs.-conservative lines. As FairWarning has reported, blue Michigan in April repealed its requirement that all motorcyclists wear helmets, while some states with the toughest helmet laws are in the Deep South.

Traffic safety experts generally suggest that a mix of factors accounts for the varying rates. Possible variables include access to top-level trauma centers, weather conditions and how much of a state is rural, because rural residents may drive longer distances on narrow, winding roads. Lower income and education levels may also contribute to higher death rates.

"No matter how you look at fatal crash rates, there are some important things that explain why states are different, and they're not political explanations," said Anne McCartt, senior vice president for research with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Complicating things further is the possibility that deaths per 100,000 residents isn?t the best yardstick for comparisons. Fatalities per total miles traveled, some experts say, is better.

For his part, Lombardo says he?s less interested in the causes of the state differences than in reducing the toll of U.S. traffic deaths, estimated at 32,885 in 2010.

For instance, he advocates getting crash victims medical treatment more quickly by expanding air ambulance services.

The key question, Lombardo added, is, ?How do we move the people, and (have) the people then move their politicians, to do the right thing??

If he needs evidence that at least some parts of the country can do better, Lombardo can point to the striking red-blue divide in the accompanying chart.

FairWarning is a nonprofit investigative news organization based in Los Angeles that focuses on public health and safety issues.

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Source: http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/20/15224677-red-state-blue-state-divide-reflected-in-grim-statistic-fatal-traffic-accidents?lite

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Xoma's drug combo lowers high blood pressure in late-stage study

(Reuters) - Xoma Corp said its experimental combination of two drugs met the main goal of lowering hypertension better than a treatment based on either of the drugs alone in a late-stage study, sending the biotechnology company's shares up 6 percent.

The combination of perindopril arginine and amlodipine besylate showed statistically significant reduction in sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressure after six weeks of treatment, compared with either drugs alone, Xoma said.

The company is likely to file a new drug application for the combination in 2013, said RBC Capital Markets analyst Adnan Butt.

Xoma said it does not plan to market the product directly but intends to sublicense it to a third party.

"The next thing we expect is for the company to get a partnership for this drug. The terms could include an upfront payment and possible royalties on product sales," Butt said.

He added that the result would be a modest positive but the key driver is the company's experimental anti-inflammatory drug gevokizumab. The drug is being tested in a late-stage study for treatment of non-infectious uveitis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Xoma's partner, French pharmaceutical company Les Laboratoires Servier, already markets the combination under the trade name Coveram in 91 countries outside the United States.

Perindopril and amlodipine each target different cardiovascular functions and are, therefore, used in combination to treat high blood pressure, Xoma said. The company bought the rights to Servier's perindopril franchise in January.

The combination was well tolerated in the trial, and there were no serious adverse events, Xoma said.

Shares of the company rose to $2.84 in extended trade. They closed nearly 3 percent higher at $2.68 on Tuesday on the Nasdaq.

(Reporting By Vrinda Manocha in Bangalore; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/xomas-drug-combo-lowers-high-blood-pressure-stage-224531391.html

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Supplement use widespread among Americans - KFDA ...

By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new survey estimates that one in seven people in the United States regularly takes supplements that aren't vitamins or minerals -- such as fish oil, echinacea or ginseng -- but only 30 percent of them have had a doctor or nurse recommend supplements.

About one-third of supplement users have not alerted their doctor, even though they may take the drug for a potentially serious health issue, such as high blood pressure, arthritis or depression, the survey found.

"These are things that clinicians often treat with more complex treatments," said Robert Blendon, a professor of health policy at Harvard School of Public Health and co-author of a letter in the Nov. 19 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. "They need to be aware that people are using this as one form of treatment."

Although supplement use is widespread, not much is known about why people take these capsules, syrups and tablets, the researchers said. To address that gap, they surveyed nearly 1,600 people in the United States in 2011, weighing the answers to make the demographics of the group reflect those of the country at large.

Of those surveyed, 38 percent said they'd taken supplements -- but not vitamins or minerals -- in the past two years, and 14 percent said they did so regularly.

The most common reasons for taking supplements were to feel better, to improve energy and to boost the immune system. Smaller numbers of respondents reported taking supplements to treat digestive issues (28 percent), relieve pain (26 percent), lower cholesterol (21 percent) or blood pressure (16 percent), or to improve mood or depression (12 percent).

Fish oil tablets were the most frequently taken supplements. About one in four respondents said they had taken fish oil or related omega-3 supplements in the past two years.

The authors noted that perception of benefits rather than quantifiable, research-based evidence appears to drive many people to take supplements. Even if a government-funded study were to denounce claims made by supplement manufacturers, one-fourth of respondents said they would disregard it. And more than 80 percent said it was important that they have access to supplements.

The study didn't look at the potential benefits or harms of supplement usage. "We were more interested in what they were taking them for," Blendon said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, cautions that although supplements can boost health, they can lead to complications -- even life-threatening ones. For instance, taking them with prescription or over-the-counter medications can cause harmful interactions.

The report didn't note the age, gender or other characteristics of survey respondents, and some experts feel the report is flawed by such limitations.

Jeffrey Blumberg, professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University in Medford, Mass., said too little information about the respondents is available to make the findings meaningful.

Michael Ormsbee, assistant professor of nutrition, food and exercise sciences at Florida State University in Tallahassee, wonders if rewording some questions would influence the responses.

For instance, regarding the question about a government study discrediting a supplement, he wonders what the response would be "if the question was reversed to see if they would be impressed by government studies showing that certain supplements do work." Would they be more likely to consume the supplements? he wondered.

"It appears that people are driven by individual perception rather than research to back up products they take," Ormsbee said. "The logical question is what drives these perceptions -- TV, gym friends, peer pressure, experts, media outlets?"

In some cases, supplements may be appropriate, he said, but healthy eating and exercise need to come first.

More information

For more about dietary supplements, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Copyright ? 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.newschannel10.com/story/20146526/supplement-use-widespread-among-americans

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Communications Pacific Promotes Vo, Lum | Communications ...

Monday, November 19th, 2012

HONOLULU ? Communications Pacific (CommPac) has promoted Huy Vo to account supervisor and Andrea ?Anj? Lum to account executive.

?I?m happy to announce the promotion of these two terrific members of our team,? said Kitty Lagareta, CommPac CEO. ?In the short time Huy has been with CommPac he has done an outstanding job working with some of our biggest clients including Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and assisting with a number of major events, such as Aloha Festivals and the Waikiki 20/20 Conference. His organizational expertise and his ability to deliver creative solutions have made him valuable to both our company and the clients we serve. Anj?s energy, expertise in social media and complete commitment to any project she works on have made her a key part of CommPac?s marketing and communications efforts.?

Vo joined CommPac in February 2012 as a senior account executive, bringing with him six years of experience specializing in travel and retail clients, writing and editing for print and online media, social media and special events promotions.

Vo previously worked at Bright Light Marketing, where he spearheaded the public relations efforts for the Hawaii Tourism Authority?s Post-Arrival Promotional Campaign for Hawaii?s Festivals & Events, and provided strategic counsel for numerous clients in different industries. The Hawaii Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) named Vo the H?k?pa?a Young Public Relations Professional of the Year in 2011. He has also won several PRSA Koa Hammer Awards for his work. He is currently PRSA treasurer. Born and raised in Honolulu, Vo is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where he earned a journalism degree with a minor in Japanese language. He also speaks Vietnamese.

Lum joined CommPac as an assistant account executive in July 2011, providing support to a number of clients in the areas of corporate communications, travel and tourism public relations, and digital and social media. Born and raised in Hawaii, she earned a degree in public communications, with a minor in marketing, from American University in Washington, D.C. She also served as editor-in-chief of American Literary (the campus literary magazine), as director of the AU Ambassadors (the student branch of the Admissions Office) and as a student mentor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Communications Pacific is Hawaii?s leading integrated communications company, offering public relations, marketing, community building, crisis communication and enculturation services. Hawaii?s ?go to? communicators, CommPac is a trusted advisor to clients and partners. It strives not only to bring clients success, but also, in every way possible, to strengthen communities, the economy, and the social and cultural fiber of these Islands. For more than four decades, CommPac has provided strategic ? and creative ? communications counsel that gets results. It is a member of IPREX, one of the largest international partnerships of independent communications firms in major markets around the globe, providing clients with global reach while working with the local expertise of its award-winning partner firms.

# # # # #

Huy Vo, Account Supervisor

Andrea "Anj" Lum, Account Executive

Source: http://www.commpac.com/2012/11/19/communications-pacific-promotes-vo-lum/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=communications-pacific-promotes-vo-lum

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Moody's warns of fresh downgrade if French reforms stall

PARIS (Reuters) - Credit ratings agency Moody's, which stripped France of its AAA rating, would downgrade its creditworthiness further if the Socialist government fails to implement announced reforms, its lead France analyst said on Tuesday.

"We would downgrade the rating further in the event of an additional material deterioration in France's economic prospects or in a scenario in which there were difficulties in implementing the announced reforms," Dietmar Hornung, Moody's lead analyst for France's sovereign rating, told Reuters.

Moody's cut France to Aa1 with a negative outlook on Monday, citing structural economic challenges and a sustained loss of competitiveness in Europe's second-largest economy.

Hornung said France also remains vulnerable to external shocks from the euro zone crisis, particularly given the strong links between its economy and financial sector and those in troubled southern European countries.

"If there are substantial economic and financial shocks from the euro area debt crisis, that would also exert downward pressure on France's rating."

Hornung said France's 2013 budget, which included 30 billion euros in deficit-cutting measures, and a competitiveness pact unveiled this month aimed at reducing companies labor costs were "significant steps".

He said these had helped to limit the size of Moody's downgrade to just one notch, from Aaa to Aa1.

"We still think the 2013 budget and the medium-term budget plan is based on too optimistic growth assumptions," Hornung said.

(Reporting By Daniel Flynn; editing by Mark John)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/moodys-downgrade-france-further-reforms-stall-075412115.html

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HP Stock Price Drops 12.4 Percent After Unexpected $8.8 Billion Loss

At market opening today, HP took a big hit, with shares (NYSE:HPQ) trading at $11.65, 12.41 percent below yesterday's level. The company announced disappointing earnings before market opening. As analysts expected a $2.2 billion of net profit, the $8.8 billion loss came as a very bad last minute surprise. HP blames accounting frauds preceding HP's acquisition of Autonomy.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/4enoJpZKZoQ/

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Shows from Belarus, S. Africa headed to Navy Pier

BY HEDY WEISS Theater Critic/hweiss@suntimes.com November 18, 2012 9:30PM

Mercy Ojelade in the Olivier Award-winning production of Roadkill, which will have its American premiere in Chicago, presented by Chicago Shakespeare May 11?26, 2013. Photo by Tim Morozzo.

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Updated: November 18, 2012 10:07PM

Four shows will be visiting the city next year as part of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater?s World Stages series, the ongoing international festival that regularly exposes local audiences to some of the most intriguing productions from around the globe. Included will be productions from Belarus, South Africa, Great Britain and Italy:

? ?Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker? (Jan. 30-Feb. 3 in CST?s Upstairs Theater): Belarus Free Theatre, the embattled ensemble that thrilled audiences with its 2010 production of ?Being Harold Pinter,? will return with a show that explores the sexually repressive nature of one of Europe?s last surviving dictatorships. (Kathy Acker was an American experimental novelist, punk poet, playwright and essayist.)

? ?Cadre? (Feb. 15-24, Upstairs Theater): In partnership with the fabled Market Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa, Chicago Shakespeare will present this world premiere ? written by and featuring South African artist Omphile Molusi (the luminous star of ?Itoseng,? presented at CST in 2010) ? that tells the story of a former soldier in the sub-Saharan African Azanian People?s Liberation Army during and after apartheid.

? ?Roadkill? (May 11-26): This Olivier Award-winning American premiere, conceived and directed by Cora Bissett with text by Stef Smith, is a site-specific performance for which audience members will be transported by mini-van to an apartment in Chicago. There, they will be confronted with the brutal realities of sex trafficking in a story drawn from the harrowing details of a young Nigerian woman?s plight. (The production is the catalyst for the British Council?s collaboration with CST and St. Ann?s Warehouse in New York City to create a public program that engages local partners in a dialogue on the impact of human trafficking.)

? ?Inner Voices? (June 25-29 in CST?s Courtyard Theater): This production by the Piccolo Teatro di Milano of a 1948 play by Eduardo De Filippo, one of Italy?s most translated writers, investigates perceptions of morality amidst an economically devastated post-World War II landscape. It is being presented in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago to commemorate the Year of Italian Culture in America.

For tickets call: (312) 595-5600 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com. All tickets for ?Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker? and ?Cadre? are $20.

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/16430504-421/shows-from-belarus-s-africa-headed-to-navy-pier.html

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