Vehicles are doing a better job of protecting people in crashes, but a new crop of advanced technology aims to prevent many crashes from happening altogether. A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds that one kind of advanced forward collision avoidance system is working to prevent about a quarter of the common low-speed crashes that happen in everyday commuter traffic.
The study of insurance claims found that Volvo XC60 midsize SUVs outfitted with a standard collision avoidance feature called City Safety are far less likely to be involved in low-speed crashes than comparable vehicles without the system. City Safety is designed to help a driver avoid rear-ending another vehicle in slow-moving, heavy traffic. Claims under property damage liability coverage — the insurance that pays for damage to vehicles that an at-fault driver hits — were filed 27 percent less often for the XC60 than other midsize luxury SUVs.
For more information: www.iihs.org
When it comes to their health, nearly 90 percent of Americans lack the literacy skills to understand basic medical information and instruction. Low literacy has been linked to poor health outcomes such as higher rates of hospitalization and less frequent use of preventive services. A few quick minutes with a physician is not sufficient for most of us to understand a complex or chronic medical condition and how we can manage it. But new research indicates that video storytelling can be an effective way to educate people about health conditions - and watching others share their health stories can empower people to take control of their own health.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/besmartbewell/50819/
With today’s launch of Windex® Mini, a concentrated refill pouch that uses 90 percent less plastic packaging than a traditional 26 fluid ounce trigger bottle, global environmental leader SC Johnson is taking another bold step to help consumers make greener choices.
Concentrates use less packaging, decrease shipping impacts and reduce waste that ends up in our nation’s landfills. Yet sales data shows U.S. consumers prefer not to refill their household cleaning bottles. This means stores won't stock concentrates and companies hesitate to create them. With this test, SC Johnson wants to understand how to motivate consumers and retailers to consider trading up from traditional cleaning methods to a greener choice.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/scjgreenerchoices/50904/
New data revealed that nearly 100 percent (99%) of 200 U.S. primary care physicians surveyed agree that heart disease and stroke are the number one cause of death and disability among type 2 diabetes patients; however, almost 40 percent (36%) of these physicians underestimate the number of patients who die from cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, while people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than people without diabetes, the survey, conducted by Harris Interactive and supported by Merck, found only one out of five (21%) patients (n=664) listed heart attack or heart failure as their biggest worry regarding diabetes complications, and even fewer patients (7%) listed stroke.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/merck/50638/
With Arizona facing its share of tragedies lately – economically, politically and most recently the wildfires which have impacted thousands of residents – the community has found comfort in rallying together to celebrate the grand opening of the new Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The campus of Arizona’s only hospital 100 percent for children grew from 345 licensed beds to 465, and will ultimately house 626 licensed beds at full build-out, expected in 2013.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/phoenixchildrenshospital/50358/
According to the new Schick Xtreme3 “Refresh Your Scents” survey, two-thirds of men (70 percent) feel it is hard to get going in the morning, with 43 percent indicating they don\'t wake up with a feeling that they are ready for the day ahead. The makers of Schick Xtreme3 hope their latest innovation will help men address this challenge by providing a dose of morning refreshment that leaves them ready to take on the day.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/schickmens/50729/
Business optimism is rising, according to a recent study. Ninety-two percent of executives interviewed for The Robert Half Professional Employment Report (http://www.roberthalf.us/per) said they are confident in their firms’ growth prospects in the third quarter of 2011; 44 percent said they are very confident. This compares with 86 percent who expressed confidence in the second-quarter survey.
to view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/rhi/46963/
In a bold move to address the healthcare affordability crisis, Blue Shield of California Chairman & CEO Bruce Bodaken announced a pledge today that Blue Shield will limit its annual net income to no more than 2 percent of revenue. This commitment will apply retroactively to income earned in 2010, when Blue Shield’s net income exceeded the 2 percent target by $180 million. That amount will go back to Blue Shield’s customers and the community.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/bsc/50440/
Millions of U.S. drivers are putting themselves at risk and wasting fuel by failing to properly check tire pressure, according to a new survey by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
Only 15 percent of motorists revealed that they know how to correctly check tire pressure. Under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 highway fatalities and 33,000 thousand injuries each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, under inflated tires cause U.S. drivers to waste 1.2 billion gallons of fuel annually.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/rma/50200/
According to Congress’ “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite” Act of 2009, bed bug populations have grown by 500 percent in the United States in recent years, primarily due to increased travel and antique merchandise. Bed bugs are creepy, crawly and hard to kill – an emotional topic that literally and figuratively keeps people up at night. Becoming educated on the bug, its habits, detecting, treating and preventing an infestation is an effective first step to control. Luckily, there is a solution: Ortho Home Defense Max BEDBUG Killer. Take back your bed and keep the critters from turning bedtime into bite time.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/47692-Ortho-Home-Defense-Max-BEDBUG-Killer/
Today, the 2011 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test results revealed that nearly 1 in 5 drivers on the road today cannot meet the basic requirements to get a driver’s license, meaning that 36.9 million American drivers – roughly 18 percent – would not pass the written drivers test if taken today. Kansas continued their reign in first place (82.9 percent average score), while New York was bumped from last by Washington, D.C. (71.8 percent average score). Take the test and view the full results at www.gmacinsurance.com.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/gmacinsurance/50150/
Virgin America, the new domestic airline that is reinventing travel, today launches its low-fare, upscale service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), with daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). With legacy airlines representing 98 percent of domestic departures at ORD, the airline hopes to inject some healthy competition into the market. Known for friendly service, beautifully designed cabins and high-tech amenities, like touch-screen entertainment at every seat, Virgin America has been winning over consumers and travel awards since its 2007 launch, including “Best Domestic Airline” in both Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for the past three years. Today, Virgin America welcomes its dual inaugural flights with a red carpet welcome on the ORD tarmac followed by a party with a Virgin twist at the airline’s new L3 gate. Local officials and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson will greet the airline’s first guests, including “Flight for Chicago” Facebook fans who scored the chance to “taste test” the new airline versus the competition with a free one-way flight on a legacy carrier and a return on Virgin America. To mark its entrance into the ORD ring, the airline today launches a knockout combination for Chicago flyers: a Groupon deal, *a Flash Flyaway,**a Fare Sale,***and a triple points offer**** that flyers can actually use – good for travel now through August 31,2011, via the airline’s no-blackout date Elevate frequent flyer program.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/virginamerica/50393/
