HEALTH

ROCHESTER, Minn.— Men and women with large waist circumferences — even those with a healthy body mass index — are more likely to die younger, and were more likely to die from such illnesses as heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer after accounting for BMI, smoking, alcohol use and physical activity, according to a study led by a Mayo Clinic researcher.

The study is published in the March edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

More Americans are more often seeking their ounce of prevention. According to Bain & Co.’s recent Healthy Living Survey, 75% of consumers are in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. Take that predominant mindset, coupled with the outcomes-driven preventive focus associated with the Affordable Care Act, and you have a formula for OTC success at retail pharmacy.

To get a better sense of how OTC brands are helping to improve patient outcomes and drive down healthcare costs, DSN invited some leading OTC executives to share their opinions on the value of OTCs.

CHICAGO and ORLANDO, Fla. — Prescription and over-the-counter products are often the first remedy consumers turn to when seeking relief from such conditions as allergies and heartburn, according to IRI. In its latest report, "Best Practices for Rx-to-OTC Product Launches," the company offers some tactics to help drive success for companies looking to execute the category switch.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A new study suggests that calcium and vitamin D supplements after menopause can improve women's cholesterol profiles, and much of that effect is tied to raising vitamin D levels.

The study is from the Women's Health Initiative and was recently published online in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Kid, a maker of organic snacks for kids, has announced the nationwide availability of the newest addition to the Clif Kid Zbar line — Zbar Protein.

A snack made with organic whole grains, Zbar Protein is designed to be a good source of complete protein.

CHICAGO and ORLANDO, Fla. — IRI announced on Wednesday the results of its 2013 New Product Pacesetters report, a benchmark analysis of exceptional first-year consumer packaged goods sales success for newly launched products.

There were 190,000 new UPCs and 9,500 new brand launches that hit the shelves in 2013.

SOLNA, Sweden — Aerocrine AB, a medical products company focused on improved management and care of patients with such inflammatory airway diseases as asthma, has announced that a new randomized clinical trial shows lower incidence of asthma exacerbations and increased asthma control with Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided anti-inflammatory treatment.  

The study has been published on theweb site of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.