American Heart Month - February 8, 2012
During Heart Health Month you'll learn about the risks for cardiovascular disease. Do you know YOUR cholesterol numbers?
We're offering our most popular heart disease lab panels at 10 percent off during Heart Health Month:
HealthCheckUSA announces our biggest sale of the year - August, 2010
Our biggest sale of the year: 20% off all tests at HealthCheckUSA.com, Tuesday August 3, 2010 and Tuesday, August 10, 2010.
HS-Omega-3 - June, 2010
HealthCheckUSA is pleased to announce a new partnership with OmegaQuant which will allow our customers to take advantage of a new test, HS-Omega-3 Index. The HS-Omega-3 Index lets you know if you have enough of the heart-healthy omega-3's in your diet. Even people who have ideal cholesterol levels or blood pressure can still have very un-healthy omega-3 scores. It's important to know your personal HS-Omega-3 Index levels to control your heart risk by altering your diet or taking fish oil supplements to achieve cardio-protective omega-3 levels. When asked about the new partnership, Dr. Bill Harris of OmegaQuant said, "I am tremendously excited to partner with HealthCheckUSA to provide the HS-Omega-3 Index test directly to thousands of consumers who will now be able to determine for themselves how much omega-3 they need to take in order to achieve cardioprotective blood levels."
HealthCheckUSA partners with the Hormone Diva - April, 2010
HealthCheckUSA has partnered directly with The Hormone Diva to develop specific packages and test options that will assist members in managing their condition and taking control of their health. This profile was designed to be used in conjunction with her books You're Not Crazy It's Your Hormones! and The Menopause Diet.
HealthCheckUSA has hormone lab tests and packages that make it simple for consumers to measure, monitor, and improve their health by being able to order their own lab tests without a doctor's order. HealthCheckUSA serves customers without insurance, have high deductible insurance plans, taking control of their health because their doctor won't order the test.
HealthCheckUSA and Social Media, A Letter from Our Founder - April, 2010
Dear Friends,
It seems that everyone these days is jumping on board the social media craze. HealthCheckUSA is no exception, We are proud to launch a number of outlets to better communicate with you, our loyal community. Using Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, we will keep you updated as well as provide a forum for you to communicate with us and with each other.
It humbles me to know that over 60% of our customers who visit us are repeat customers. Why do we have such a high repeat customer rate? Primarily, I'd like to say it is because we provide an invaluable service to consumers, enabling access to critical information about themselves in a convenient and affordable manner. Our customers are ones who recognize the importance of having regular blood testing and cataloging their results to monitor progress. In addition, however, the repeat customer rate is a tribute to the connection we have with our community. Over the years we have done everything possible to work as a team with our community, to listen to your test requests and other needs, and modify our model accordingly. Our perpetual yearning to improve ourselves makes us different, and I'd like to say relevant, to the many people who use us.
Taking the next step to create a strong presence in social media will ensure that we are perpetually communicating with you, our community. We want to understand your current needs and how we can best serve you at all times. We aim to keep you up to date with our latest test offerings and services so you can best utilize them to take charge of your own health!
We would be honored if you would follow us on Facebook, and/or Tumblr. As Director of HealthCheckUSA, ?I pledge to personally use these outlets to communicate with you directly, listen to you, and to address your needs. I post regular blogs of my thoughts not only on what we are doing day to day but broader thoughts on developments in our niche industry from a macro perspective. These social tools will remain transparent so you can communicate directly with us and each other about your experiences. We hope this will be another step to becoming even more in tune with what you, our community, needs us to be.
Thanks in advance and we look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Holt Vaughan - Founder & Director, HealthCheckUSA.com
HealthCheckUSA News Alert: Flu Shot - your best bet for avoiding influenza - October, 2009
Swine flu (H1N1) Symptoms and Self Care
The following information is from the Mayo Clinic.
Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza
Getting a flu shot often protects you from coming down with the flu. And while the flu shot doesn't always provide total protection, it's still worth getting..
by the Mayo Clinic
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the vaccines that will be available this fall to protect people against several seasonal flu (influenza) viruses expected to be in circulation this fall and winter.
This annual flu shot won't contain protection against the pandemic swine flu (novel H1N1) virus. A separate vaccine has been developed for the swine flu virus.
Influenza is a respiratory infection that sickens millions of people each year and can cause serious complications, especially in children and older adults. Fortunately, the flu vaccine — available in the form of a flu shot or a nasal spray — offers protection against the flu.
Here are the answers to common questions about flu shots.
When is the flu vaccine available?
?The flu vaccine is generally offered between September and mid-November, which is typically before the late-fall to early winter start of flu season. However, getting a flu shot even later in the flu season may still protect you. It takes up to two weeks to build immunity following a flu shot.
Why do I need to get vaccinated every year??
You need annual flu protection because the influenza virus changes from year to year. The flu vaccine you got last year wasn't designed to fight the virus strains in circulation this flu season.
Influenza viruses mutate so quickly that they can render one season's vaccine ineffective by the next season. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee meets early in the year to estimate which strains of influenza virus will be most prevalent during the upcoming flu season, and manufacturers produce vaccine based on those recommendations.
Who should get the flu vaccine??
Most people who want to reduce the risk of getting influenza can get a flu shot. The CDC recommends the flu vaccine each year if you:?- Are age 6 months up to 19 years?- Are pregnant?- Are 50 years old or older?- Have a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney or lung disease?- Have a weakened immune system such as from some medications or HIV infection?- Are a resident of a nursing home or other long term care facility?- Are a child care worker or health care worker or live with or care for someone at high risk of complications from the flu
Who shouldn't get the flu shot??
Don't get a flu shot if you:?- Have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past.?- Are allergic to chicken eggs.?- Developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious autoimmune disease affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, within six weeks of receiving the vaccine in the past. People who have experienced Guillain-Barre after the flu vaccine are at higher risk than are others of developing it again.?- Have a fever. Wait until your symptoms improve before getting vaccinated.
What are my options for the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine comes in two forms:
A shot. A flu shot contains an inactivated vaccine made of killed virus. The injection is usually given in the arm. Because the viruses in the vaccine are killed (inactivated), the shot won't cause you to get the flu, but it will enable your body to develop the antibodies necessary to ward off influenza viruses. You may have a slight reaction to the shot, such as soreness at the injection site, mild muscle ache or fever. Reactions usually last one to two days and are more likely to occur in children who have never been exposed to flu virus.
A nasal spray. Administered through your nose, the nasal spray vaccine (FluMist) consists of a low dose of live, but weakened, flu viruses. The vaccine doesn't cause the flu, but it does prompt an immune response in your nose and upper airways as well as throughout your body.
What kind of protection does the flu vaccine offer?
According to the CDC, when the match between flu vaccine and circulating strains of flu virus is close, a flu shot is between 70 and 90 percent effective in warding off influenza in healthy people under age 65.
The flu vaccine is less effective: When the vaccine isn't a close match to the type of flu viruses circulating in the community?- In people over the age of 65?- In people with compromised immune systems?- Why do children need two doses of the flu vaccine??- Children younger than 9 years old require two doses of the flu vaccine if it's the first time they've been vaccinated for influenza. That's because children don't develop an adequate antibody level the first time they get the vaccine. Antibodies help fight the virus if it enters your child's system. If a flu vaccine shortage were to occur and your child couldn't get two doses of vaccine, one dose might still offer some protection.
I heard the flu shot isn't very effective for older adults. Is it worth getting
vaccinated if you're over 65?
?If you're over age 65, the vaccine doesn't offer as much protection as it would to someone younger because older adults produce fewer antibodies in response to the virus. Still, the vaccine offers more protection than does skipping the shot altogether. More important, the flu vaccine decreases the risk of flu-related complications — especially pneumonia, heart attack, stroke and death — to which older adults are especially vulnerable.
Can I lower my risk of the flu without getting a flu shot?
?With or without a flu shot, you can take steps to help protect yourself from the flu and other viruses. Good hygiene remains your primary defense against contagious illnesses.?- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.?- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth whenever possible.?- Avoid crowds when the flu is most prevalent in your area.?- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Austin Business Journal - June 5, 2009
"Interest in health screenings is prompting new competitors... There is enormous potential on the consumer side, unfortunately, with the rise in uninsured... But there are also more people being proactive about their health," said Holt Vaughan of www.healthcheckusa.com.
(2009, June 5). Zaragoza, Sandra. Austin Business Journal, p. 1
San Antonio Express News - July 15, 2008 - "Doctors Can Help Keep Costs Down".
"Lab tests can cost hundreds of dollars. Again, with some thought and research, there are ways to save. For instance, for patients who are paying for their own blood work, we use HealthCheckUSA, a nationwide company that offers discounts of up to 50 percent (or more). A complete health profile blood test that runs $530 elsewhere costs $200 at HealthCheck.
We also save by running all basic tests before the physical. That way, we have the test results in hand for the appointment, saving both time and the expense of a follow-up visit to review test results.."
(2008, July 14). Jackson, MD, Greg. San Antonio Express News, p. 1E
Corgenix Medical Corporation (OTC BB: CONX) - August 29, 2007
Worldwide developer and marketer of diagnostic test kits, has partnered with HealthcheckUSA.com to provide consumers direct access to the state-of-the-art AspirinWorks(R) Test through HealthcheckUSA's network of over 3000 patient service centers nationwide at a consumer-friendly price.
According to Holt Vaughan, President of HealthCheckUSA.com, "The company is delighted to be one the first to offer the AspirinWorks(R) test directly to consumers. We have researched the AspirinWorks(R) test and think it is a major break through," Vaughan said. "With so many people in this day and age taking aspirin, we believe it is imperative that people understand aspirin does not have the same effect on everyone."
Gambeaux Magazine - June 7, 2007
"Direct-to-Consumer" lab testing service is first of its kind in Louisiana: HealthCheckUSA lab will allow individuals to order blood tests without a doctor's referral."
"To avoid the hassle of tangled and confusing medical bureaucracies, long waits and high costs, many patients go directly to lab testing sites to obtain medical profiles on their own," said Holt Vaughan, President of HealthCheckUSA. "We are proud to offer this convenient and affordable service to the Lake Charles area."
(2007, June 7). Gambeaux Magazine. Vol. 15 Number 11 p. 21
US News and World Report - January 8, 2007- "Unraveling Your DNA's Secrets."
"The U.S. News staffer, who took the test through HealthCheckUSA, had no family history and came up negative."
Shute, Nancy. (2007, January, 8). Unraveling Your DNA's Secrets US News and World Report, pp. 51-58.
Wall Street Journal - June 20, 2006 - "New Online Services Tout Low-Cost Medical Tests"
"On-line medical-testing services are proliferating as the drive for consumer-driven health care gains momentum... HealthCheckUSA... and others (are) offering to set up patients for the same diagnostic tests as walk-in lab services, hospitals and clinics. Customers visit a Web site, select a specific test, enter a zip code and receive directions to a specimen collecting laboratory. Users pay with credit cards or a health savings account and don't need their doctor's prescription -- unlike walk-in clinics, which typically require a personal physician's approval."
(2006, June 20). New Online Services Tout Low-Cost medical Tests. Wall Street Journal. P. D4.
Newsweek - February 6, 2006 - "In Our Blood"
"For $200 and up, a company called HealthCheckUSA will test your DNA (provided by cheek swab) for eight genetic illnesses, including Celiac disease (an intestinal disorder) and Hemochromatosis (an overload of iron). 'People call us on a daily basis and let us know we helped save their life,' says company President Holt Vaughan."
(2006, February 6). In Our Blood. Newsweek Magazine. P. 46-55.
WOAI News, Jaie Avila - July 3, 2005 - "Checking the Validity of Home DNA Tests"
"HealthCheck USA, a San Antonio company, offers the hemochromatosis test. For $205 you get a pair of brushes that you use to scrape DNA samples from the inside of your cheek. Then you ship in the samples, and the test results are sent back to you."
"The DNA testing is offering people the opportunity to find out things about their health they've never been able to do in the past," explains Company President Holt Vaughan."
Avila, Kaie. (Correspondent). (2005, July 3). WOAI News. San Antonio, TX: WOAI (NBC Affiliate, San Antonio, TX.)
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