In Brief

The bariatric specialty bed and support surface market in the U.S. will jump from $170.7 million in 2005 to $522.2 million in 2012, according to research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. A recent report from the firm said the home care industry is seeing a huge increase in the need for bariatric products as patients are moved from nursing homes to acute care, but the lack of bariatric-sized products in that setting often causes obese patients to be turned away from treatment. Additionally, the need for bariatric products is being fueled by the fact that morbidly obese people are one of the fastest-growing segments of the population.

Danish scientists said that at least one in four heavy, long-term smokers who do not quit will develop COPD. During a 25-year study of 8,000 people, scientists found that unrelenting smokers were six times more likely to develop COPD than non-smokers. The study, published in the journal Thorax, found that none of the smokers who quit developed severe COPD. The World Health Organization estimates COPD will become the third-largest cause of death worldwide by 2020.

America’s Health Insurance Plans has announced a plan designed to give health insurance coverage to all Americans within 10 years. The plan would expand eligibility for public programs, enable all consumers to buy insurance with pre-tax dollars, provide financial assistance to working families and encourage states to develop and implement access proposals.