HEALTH

The economy continues to be the single largest influencer in the growth of the health, beauty and wellness industry. The annual inflation rate has averaged just more than 2% during the past five years. More than ever, consumers are focused on living well with less and are making every effort to save money. Manufacturers are struggling to manage the ever-increasing cost of goods sold, and retailers are under tremendous pressure to increase profits in a very competitive environment.


An often-heard remark in arguments between people is, “You’re not looking at the big picture.” But it’s often just as important to look not just at the big picture, but all the little parts that constitute it, especially if you’re the head of store operations for a major retail chain.


Use of electronic health records 
improves medical outcomes among patients with diabetes, according to a recent study conducted by Kaiser Permanente.


SUPPLIER NEWS — Valeant Consumer Products recently announced that its line of Ocean Saline Nasal Sprays have been the most recommended by pharmacists for 15 years running. 


Ocean offers nonmedicated relief from dry and irritated nasal passages due to allergies, colds, flu, sinusitis and rhinitis. The nasal spray is gentle enough for infants and has three delivery options — standing the bottle upright delivers a spray; horizontally, a stream; and upside-down, a drop. 


Among those health conditions treated with OTCs, AccentHealth viewers reported that allergies, sinus/nasal congestion and pain — including back, muscle and menstrual — to be the most commonly suffered chronic conditions. And cold symptoms and headaches were the most commonly suffered acute conditions, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers that was conducted in September.

Older women are not yearning for the beauty of their teens and 20s, but their views on beauty do change as they grow older. Marked by a confidence that is beautiful in and of itself, older women do aspire to look their best at their age, and they desire more information and product ads that they can both relate to and believe, according to a recent study on female baby boomers.


WASHINGTON — The Natural Products Association on Wednesday announced its sponsorship of the Girls on the Run – DC 5K on Dec. 2 in Anacostia Park. Girls on the Run encourages girls in third through eighth grade to lead healthy lives using a fun, experience-based curriculum that integrates running.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Wednesday announced it is partnering with the National Osteoporosis Foundation in hosting a free webinar for pharmacists and nurse practitioners around updated recommendations and research of calcium and vitamin D.