Sports imPULSE

EMR's - we're finally seeing the value

In one of the most methodologically rigorous studies to date on health information technology, NORC at the University of Chicago has found that Americans favor use of electronic medical records (EMRs) by a wide margin (78 percent). The results of the NORC study are important because they appear to show popular support for initiatives of President George W. Bush in 2004 and President Barack Obama in 2009 to assure that all Americans have EMRs by 2014. The findings were published in the February edition of the journal, HSR: Health Services Research.

Other findings showed that

• 78 percent of Americans believe EMRs could improve care
• 59 percent believe EMRs could reduce health costs
• 72 percent support sharing of health care information among providers
• 80 percent favored use of e-prescribing (sending prescriptions electronically from the physician to the pharmacy)
• 79 percent thought that personal health records (an electronic record designed specifically for consumers to access over the web) would help patients to be better informed about their health.
• Despite the fact that 48 percent of Americans are concerned about the privacy of medical records, fully 64 percent said that the benefits of EMRs outweigh privacy concerns

Sports Technologies We Hate - Ineffective Doping Tests

Fans want to believe sports are free of doping, or at least that professional leagues are making an honest attempt to catch cheaters. But while some athletes get caught, the evidence in front of our eyes suggests anti-doping technology is at least two steps behind the offenders. Without steroids, you probably wouldn't find many NFL linebackers who are 6'2", weigh 270 pounds, hit as hard as Hulk Hogan and run nearly as fast as Carl Lewis. Even worse, pro football and baseball don't even bother testing for the commonly used human growth hormone, because no urine test exists and players have lobbied against blood testing.

SGMA Sports Trends in America - Biggest Increase is in Ultimate Frisbee

The Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association (SGMA) issues an annual report highlighting sports trends in the US and which sports are growing and which sports are, well, not growing.

Lacrosse remains the fastest growing sport, however, the biggest increase in participation in team sports in 2008 was ultimate Frisbee, up 20.8 percent.

The worst decline in participation in team sports in 2008 was roller hockey, down 15.4 percent.

And, did you know last year, 6 percent of tackle football players and 18 percent of paintball players were female.

For more, check out Darren Rovell's (of CNBC) story here