This is a great list from what Beth Braverman calls “The Beaten Generation” looking at what’s happened since 2005:

• Their home equity has dropped 51%
• Their net worth is down 55%.
• Their student debt is up 19%.
• Unemployment for college grads is up 64%.
• Their income is down 4.5%
• 31% more are living with their parents.
• The birth rate is down 7.1%.
• 22% less think they’ll be able to retire by age 65.

And, we wonder why they’re pessimistic…

According to some data shared by Money Magazine, here are some examples of stress related ailments and their average annual costs:

• Obesity – $2,600-$4,900
• Back Pain – $1,300
• Insomnia – $200-$1,200
• Hypertension – $1,100
• Teeth Grinding – $200-$1,100

That’s real money!

Some of their suggestions (other than going on a long vacation):

1. Take advantage of the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) that your company might offer.
2. Use the wellness programs that your employer might offer (since 74% of them do offer something).
3. Go see a therapist and look into CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy).
4. Workout.
5. Take a break from e-mail (or your smartphone and constant Facebook updates).
6. Stop multi-tasking.
7. Meditate.

(Beat Stress For Less by Kate Ashford)

Since happiness is correlated with better health, I thought this article in Money Magazine was relevant in the hints it gave about becoming happier. (Jan/Feb 2012 article by Donna Rosato)

1. Spend a little a lot of the time. (multiple, small indulgences are better than less, large indulgences)
2. Free yourself from credit card debt. (less satisfied in your relationship when have debt)
3. Focus on having a rainy day fund. (best predictor of financial satisfaction)
4. Find a new job. (if you’re not happy)
5. Give more to charity.
6. Use your vacation days. (even anticipation of a vacation increases happiness)

Here are a few more articles on happiness and health:

• RealAge article
• Health Affairs article

• 53% of Americans aren’t sure their kids will better off then they are.
• 67% are worked their quality of life will suffer in retirement.
• 80% say they’re eating at home more.
• 75% say time with family is more important than ever.

“Big periods of economic upheaval can define a generation. Not so much because of the depth of this recession, but because of its prolonged nature, it will have lasting impact.” Paul Flatters, Managing Director of Trajectory Partnership. (How The Economy Changed You by Dan Kadlec)

• 85% spend more time looking for deals before they buy. (hence the couponing craze)
• 57% are building an emergency fund.
• 51% are pessimistic about the US economy in the next 12 months.
• 61% are pessimistic about government officials spurring growth.

I don’t know about you, but I see a ton of nuggets in here about positioning generic drugs, preventative health, adherence, mail order, and many other cost savings actions in healthcare.

“Someone who has your best interest in mind will welcome that conversation.” Is what Dr. Jeffrey Cain, president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians says about telling your physician that you’re getting a second opinion

So, according to an article in Money Magazine, here’s what you do:

1. Check your coverage. You may be covered if you get a second opinion. If not, you might be able to appeal that decision.
2. Find the right doctor. The article suggests getting multiple names and finding MDs that work at different hospitals (to avoid group think).
3. Get your documents together. Make sure the physician has all the documentation before you go or bring it with you.

(Get More From A Second Opinion by Anne Lee)

I’m sure this is a little bit out there in terms of some of my ideas, but I like it. While a little Orwellian, I was talking with a retailer the other day about how to maximize the experience at the counter between the patient and the pharmacist. At a small independent pharmacy, the owner (pharmacist) probably knows a lot of this patients (customers) by name. On the other hand, this is a lot harder at the larger chains which are busier and with multiple pharmacists working different shifts.

I was thinking about how technology could address this. What if you had a camera that was monitoring customers as they came in the store (which most probably have today in terms of security cameras)? Could that be augmented by adding facial recognition software (which I have no idea how expensive it is)? Then, the pharmacy could know that George was in the store and tap into a CRM system that could remind Nancy the pharmacist that I have a dog and a fear of needles (for example). When I got to the counter, Nancy could greet me by name and ask about my dog. It would certainly make me feel welcome and should create some stickiness (although maybe less if I knew it was technology enabled).

One interesting example he talked about was the expression of a person on a poster (for example). If the expression is too easy to decipher, we simply move on…BUT if it’s hard to decipher, it causes us to pause and think.

He also talks about always putting images on the left hand side of the screen and words on the right. (Seems applicable to direct mail and maybe my next slide presentation.)

Another example is that the brain loves curves not sharp edges.

Given the shifting pharmacy marketplace, I would think this is a study that the industry needs. The PBMs should better understand what the consumer thinks about when they hear the word mail order. Manufacturers should understand the reaction to brand names or copay cards. The retailers should think about how brand equity plays into choice. There are endless opportunities here. (A business opportunity perhaps!)

(They Have Hacked Your Brain by Adam Penenberg)

• For the first $320, you pay 100% of the costs.
• For the next $2,610, you pay 25% of the costs.
• For the next $3,727 (the donut hole), you pay 50% of the costs for the brand drugs and 86% of the costs of the generic drugs.
• For everything above $6,658, you pay 5% of the costs.

You add that to the perception that many people have that a diet soda is better than a regular soda, and you have an interesting problem. Of course, the best problem is to pick healthier foods and understand their calories. Of course, even when restaurants began sharing how many calories were in their meals that simply got people to consume more calories not less. And, a USA Today article points out that the listed calories don’t always match the actual calories (and not in a good way).

Good luck figuring it out.