HEALTH

NEW YORK — Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is developing a protein that could offer a new way to treat Type 1 diabetes, according to published reports.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the pancreas's beta cells, but the drug, DiaPep277, stops that from happening, according to Bloomberg.

WASHINGTON — The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board on Tuesday announced a push to inform patients with practical solutions on how to best utilize remaining 2011 flexible spending account funds.

CHICAGO — A hike in blood pressure during middle age significantly raises the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to new Northwestern Medicine research released Monday. The study offers a new understanding on the importance of maintaining low blood pressure early in middle age to prevent heart disease later in life.

NEW YORK — Compared with those who continue to smoke, quitters are both happier and more satisfied with their health, both one year and three years afterward, than those who continue to smoke, according to new research published last week in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Smokers hold strong beliefs about how stopping smoking will reduce their quality of life. Positive experiences of smoking cessation, including improved well-being, could be used by clinicians to educate and motivate individuals to stop smoking.

For those of us in the healthcare and wellness business, we realize our industry is changing and evolving quickly, mostly out of pure necessity.  The healthcare industry is overburdened, over budget and in need of an overhaul.  But the potential for our healthcare and wellness system is incredible for all audiences it touches — from consumers to medical professions to healthcare and wellness marketers. Throughout this past year familiar themes rang clear across our industry, giving us insights into what will play vital roles for healthcare in our future.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Bayer recently engaged the Goldstein Group to rejuvenate the cough-cold Neo-Synephrine brand and improve the brand's identity on shelf.

The brand design group employs such tools as its trademarked Shelf Sight Sequence, a packaging design service that improves shelf presence with "a visual vocabulary of proprietary colors, shapes, symbols and verbiage ... to trigger the consumer's purchasing impulse at first sight."

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Paul White to the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer. White will report to Mike Bloom, president and COO.

“Through Paul’s leadership and strategic vision, Family Dollar has created a compelling mix of discretionary merchandise, which has led to a more fun place to shop for our customers,” Bloom said. “Paul’s promotion will help us continue to broaden our appeal and deliver greater value to our customers.”

NEW YORK — Nielsen Holdings on Monday announced that Rick Kash has been appointed vice chair and will join CEO David Calhoun and vice chair Susan Whiting in the office of the CEO. Nielsen also named Mitchell Habib COO.