This report presents findings from a study of large private-sector employers conducted by researchers at Hewitt Associates and the Kaiser Family Foundation between July and September of 2002. The study is based on survey responses of 435 large private-sector firms (1,000+ employees) that currently offer retiree health benefits, and includes 36% of all Fortune 100 companies and 28% of all Fortune 500 companies. Information was collected on a variety of topics including costs, premiums, retiree contributions, benefit design, prescription drug benefits, recent changes and expected changes within next three years, and the implications of a Medicare drug benefit for employers.

• News Release
• Report
• Chart Pack
• Webcast

The third in a series of fact sheets on topics related to children, media and health pulls together the key facts on the amount of time young people spend online; their favorite online activities; how and where young people access the web; and how use varies by age, gender and ethnicity.

• Key Facts:
• Key Facts: Children and Video Games

• Issue Brief

Health News Index September/October, 2002

The Health News Index measures public attention to and knowledge about leading health stories covered in the news in August and September. The Health News Index is designed to help news media and people in the health field gain a better understanding of which health stories Americans are following and what they understand about those issues.

• HNI September-October 2002
• Topline/Survey

New Data Source on Hospital Use by California’s Medi-Cal Enrollees

A project sponsored by The Kaiser Family Foundation has resulted in a new source of data that will enhance research on the Medi-Cal program, including the impact of Medi-Cal managed care. The project linked 2 datasets: the Patient Discharge Dataset containing hospital discharge information maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), and a Medi-Cal dataset containing eligibility and health plan information maintained by the California Department of Health Services (DHS). Data from these linked datasets are available for all Medi-Cal hospital discharges from 1994 through 2000.

Two research files were developed from this project a Non-identifiable Research File (NRF) and a Special Research File (SRF):

• The NRF contains patient demographic information (e.g., gender, county of residence, zip code, age, race), a record identifier, treatment data, and Medi-Cal eligibility information (e.g., eligibility status, coverage, health plan). To obtain this data, a review committee from OSHPD must first approve the release of this information and justification for specific data elements. The NRF can be obtained from the Healthcare Information Resource Center of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Questions should be directed to Mary MacDonald at (916) 322-2814 or mmacdona@oshpd.state.ca.us.
• The SRF includes the same variables as the NRF, but also includes more sensitive information such as dates and other identifiers. To obtain data from the SRF, review committees in both OSHPD and DHS must first approve a project protocol and justification. The SRF can be obtained from the Medical Care Statistics Section of the Department of Health Services. Questions should be directed to Carolyn Tagupa at (916) 651-6601 or ctagupa@dhs.ca.gov.

A broad and informative bimonthly report, the new Kaiser Health Poll Report provides key tracking information, including historical trends and in-depth analysis of public opinion about hot health care topics.

The current Featured Topic contains additional trends in public knowledge and attention to news about seniors and prescription drugs, as well as public opinion about who should be covered by a Medicare prescription drug benefit and what constitutes a good plan.

• Report
• Topline & Methodology

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have had a disparate impact across the country, with some regions being harder hit than others. The southern region of the U.S., which includes 16 states and the District of Columbia, has been disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS and STD epidemics. This fact sheet provides an epidemiological overview of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the southern region of the United States.

Rating Sex and Violence in the Media: Media Ratings and Proposals for Reform

The second release in a series of fact sheets and issue briefs on key topics in the field of children, media and health. The Media Ratings issue brief provides an overview of parental advisory ratings for movies, television, music and video games, as well as proposals to reform those rating systems.

Issue Brief: Rating Sex and Violence in the Media: Media Ratings and Proposals for Reform (pdf)

Grantmaking FoundationsNonprofit and Other Support OrganizationsSouth Africa News MediaU.S. and Regional Government Agencies

GRANTMAKING FOUNDATIONSAmerican Express Company

American Express supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations each year through its foundation and corporate giving activities. Grants are made under three program themes: Community Service, Cultural Heritage, and Economic Independence.

Carnegie Corporation of New York

Carnegie Corporation of New York is a general-purpose, grantmaking foundation established in 1911 by Andrew Carnegie “for the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding among the people of the United States.” Subsequent charter amendments have allowed the Corporation to use 7.4 percent of its income for the same purposes in countries that are or have been members of the British Commonwealth. Overseas grants are currently concentrated in Commonwealth Africa.

Chevron

Chevron supports communities where thier employees live and work and where they do business. Programs are developed through existing partnerships in an extensive community relations network, with emphasis in the areas of education, environment, and international development.

The Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation’s goals are to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. The Foundation’s initiative, Human Development and Reproductive Health, helps to attain these goals by working within the areas of children, youth, and families and reproductive health.

Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationGE FundThe Harry Frank Guggenheim FoundationIBM FoundationInternational Youth FoundationW.K. Kellogg FoundationBernard Van Leer FoundationThe John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur FoundationThe McKnight FoundationThe Andrew W. Mellon FoundationCharles Stewart Mott FoundationThe Rockefeller FoundationThe Joseph Rowntree Charitable TrustSoros Foundations NetworkTrinity Church Grants ProgramThe UN FoundationWorldspace Foundation

NONPROFIT AND OTHER SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONSAfrica Policy Information CenterAfricareCoporate Council on AfricaHuman Rights WatchInternational Republican InstituteNational Democratic Institute for International AffairsNational Summit on AfricaSouth African National NGO CoalitionSouthern Africa Development Community

SOUTH AFRICA NEWS MEDIAIndependent NewspaperMail & GuardianThe Star

U.S. AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIESUS State DepartmentUS Agency for International DevelopmentAfrican Development FoundationOverseas Private Investment CorporationAngolaBotswanaMozambiqueNamibiaSouth AfricaSwazilandTanzaniaZimbabwe

The NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School Congressional Election Tracking Survey examines which issues are important to people when deciding how to vote in the November 2002 election for Congress. Just a few days prior to the election, the survey found that no single issue emerges as dominant for likely voters in deciding their vote.

• Topline & Methodology