Lifestyle factors, including physical activity, make a difference in improving and controlling cardiovascular risks, according to a list of the top advances in cardiovascular and stroke research in 2011 by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA). 

"Multiple new studies this past year supported the importance of lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity in improving and controlling cardiovascular risks," says AHA/ASA. "These findings are especially important given that 39% of Americans believe they are in ideal cardiovascular health when in reality less than 1% are."

Since 1996, AHA/ASA has compiled an annual list of the major advances in heart disease and stroke. Other 2011 advances include congenital heart disease, genetics/personalized medicine, new drugs and treatment for atrial fibrillation, and improved systems of care to deliver faster care for heart attack and stroke.

The Federal Government Affairs Leadership Award is presented annually to an active APTA member who has made significant individual contributions to APTA's Federal Government Affairs efforts and has shown exemplary leadership in furthering the association's objectives in the federal arena. The Public Service Award is presented annually to 1 or more individuals who have demonstrated unique support for the physical therapy profession at a national level. Individuals from the following categories are eligible for nomination: members of Congress/Congressional staff members; members of a state legislature; federal agency officials; health/legislative association staff; and celebrities or other public figures. APTA's Board of Directors will choose award recipients in March. Award presentations will be held at the Federal Government Affairs Forum in Washington, DC. This year's Federal Advocacy Forum will be held in conjunction with a larger event, APTA's Leadership Forum, which integrates APTA's Board of Directors meeting, the Leadership Symposium for New Component President and Executive Teams, and the Federal Advocacy Forum. Participation at other events is not required to attend the Federal Advocacy Forum. Submit nominations by February 27 to Angela Boyd or fax to 703/706-8519. If you need a nomination form or have questions, call Angela Boyd at 800/999-2782, ext 3256.

The White House Champions of Change program highlights the stories and examples of citizens across the country that represent projects and initiatives that move their communities forward. In celebration of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed nearly 2 years ago, the program is seeking recommendations of individuals and organizations that are educating others about the new health care law to raise awareness about the benefits of ACA.

If you know a "health care reform champion" who is educating the community about the new health care law and helping people take advantage of the benefits from the law, nominate him or her to the program by midnight February 16.

If you couldn't attend World Physical Therapy 2011 or didn't get to all the presentations, you now can watch and listen to key sessions from the congress. As part of its continued efforts to facilitate information exchange across the profession, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is offering 4 discussion panels and 8 focused symposia free of charge. Discussion panels include a video recording of the session with an option to download PowerPoint presentations. Focused symposia include a full audio recording with accompanying PowerPoint slides.

For people with acute and subacute neck pain, spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) was more effective than medication in both the short and long term, say authors of an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine. However, a few instructional sessions of home exercise with advice (HEA) resulted in similar outcomes at most time points.

This randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 1 university research center and 1 pain management clinic in Minnesota. Participants included 272 people aged 18-65 years who had nonspecific neck pain for 2-12 weeks. Participants received 12 weeks of SMT, medication, or HEA. The primary outcome was participant-rated pain, measured at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. Secondary measures were self-reported disability, global improvement, medication use, satisfaction, general health status (Short Form-36 Health Survey physical and mental health scales), and adverse events. Blinded evaluation of neck motion was performed at 4 and 12 weeks.

For pain, SMT had a statistically significant advantage over medication after 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. HEA was superior to medication at 26 weeks. No important differences in pain were found between SMT and HEA at any time point. Results for most of the secondary outcomes were similar to those of the primary outcome.

In a new APTA podcast, association member Pamela Duncan, PT, PhD, FAPTA, discusses how new models of care developed through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) will help meet the 3-part aim of improving health, improving care, and lowering costs through continuous improvement.

Last month, Duncan was appointed to the Innovation Center's advisors program. Of 920 applicants, 73 individuals were selected from 27 states and the District of Columbia to serve on the program. In addition to supporting the Innovation Center in testing new models of care delivery, the advisors will work with other local organizations or groups in driving delivery system reform and build durable skill in system improvement throughout their area or region.

APTA's new Guide to Understanding and Adopting Electronic Health Records (EHR) aims to help physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) assess and implement EHRs.

Although PTs are not yet required or incentivized to adopt EHR systems for such initiatives as Medicare's Meaningful Use Program, which in 2015 will penalize eligible providers who do not meet the requirements for "meaningful use," physicians and facilities that are included in the program will expect PTs and PTAs with whom they share patients to use compatible EHR systems.

The guide takes users through 4 steps:   

• Part 1 – Decision: This section provides background information on why there is a push to adopt EHR and a brief introduction to the federal issues that impact physical therapist practice.

• Part 2 – Preparation: This section provides basic information on what PTs and PTAs will need to understand for successful adoption of an EHR system, including what constitutes an EHR and provides suggestions to help consider your current environment and workflow.

• Part 3 – Selection: This section will expand the user's knowledge about the available types of EHR software and hardware, and also provides considerations for choosing the right partner.

• Part 4 – Implementation: This section shows how successful implementation makes a smooth transition when adopting an EHR. An organized approach and clear communication with all members of a facility's staff is described and suggestions for implementation are provided.

The Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has updated its Medicaid Benefits Online Database to include 2010 state-level data about which benefits are covered by Medicaid programs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and United States territories. The online tool contains Medicaid benefits data for adults covered under fee-for-service, with information about benefits covered, limits, copayments, and reimbursement methodologies. Other years for which data are available include 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008. The tool allows users to access detailed profiles of which benefits are covered in a given state's Medicaid program, and also to see how a particular benefit is covered across all states.

Categories of acute care benefits tracked in the database include institutional and clinic services, practitioner services, prescription drugs, physical therapy, transportation services, and more. In long-term care, the database tracks community-based care and institutional care.

Users should note that this is 2010 data, and in the current fiscal environment states are evaluating and revising Medicaid benefits on an ongoing basis.  States' Medicaid agency portals will provide the most current information on Medicaid benefits, so be sure to also check your state Medicaid Web site.

A March 22 audio conference will examine the monumental challenges and opportunities that health care reform will bring in 2012. Join Justin Moore, PT, DPT, vice president of APTA Public Policy, Practice and Professional Affairs, and discover how clinicians, business owners, rehabilitation managers, and patients can prepare to successfully navigate the rapid changes, and get a bird's eye view of policy provisions specific to rehabilitation—including reforming payments, health care delivery, and the workforce.

In addition to examining how health reform initiatives address fee schedule updates, therapy caps, bundled payments for post-acute care, integrated delivery systems, prevention and wellness, and insurance reforms, Moore will focus on contemporary issues surrounding the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the law, the pressures on states to implement key provisions, and efforts in Congress to repeal, revise, and redirect funding related to the Affordable Care Act.

The audio conference will be held 2 pm-3:30 EST March 22. Online registration closes 11:00 pm ET March 19, or as soon as all available spaces are filled. 

APTA recently added 2 companies to its Strategic Business Partner program. Through the program, APTA seeks to enhance business relationships and develop meaningful partnerships with for-profit companies by offering services and marketing opportunities that provide mutual benefits to partners and APTA.

Performance Health, based in Akron, Ohio, is the maker of Thera-Band®, Biofreeze®, and Pedigenix™ products. As a Charter partner the company is entitled to varied promotional opportunities that give APTA added visibility to Performance Health customers.

As part of the strategic partnership, Performance Health is offering free membership for APTA members in the company's newly upgraded Thera-Band® Academy Web site. More information on this offer is available in APTA's press release.

Bioness Inc, is a manufacturer and marketer of innovative neuromodulation products that help individuals with central nervous system disorders regain movement in affected limbs. Its NESS L300® Foot Drop System, NESS H200® Hand Rehabilitation System, and NESS L300® Plus System, cleared for use by the Food and Drug Administration, are designed to help patients achieve new levels of physical independence and productivity.