Legitimacy?

So as I embark on what could be called my career (yikes!) in health and health policy, I had a few milestones today.

• First, a report that I worked on for weeks was released this morning.
  Failing Grades is a "scorecard" that analyzes state regulations of the private individual market. The "Wild, Wild West" of health insurance, the individual market is one of the most poorly regulated segments of private health coverage. Currently, only about 5% of Americans own individual health insurance policies. However, John McCain's proposal to eliminate the tax exemption for employer spending on health insurance would undoubtedly shift more Americans into the individual market. The gist of the report is simple: the unregulated individual health insurance market leaves unacceptable room for consumer abuse. For details, take a peek at the key findings.

• Second, I gave a presentation on primary research at a national conference.
  Today, Lindsey and I presented our research at Food & Friends at the annual conference of the Association of Nutrition Services Agencies. Specifically, we gave short talks on our two projects: (1) a program model for diabetes prevention in Washington, D.C. and (2) service improvements for people with comorbid diabetes (in addition to either HIV/AIDS or cancer). Here's the rather serious-sounding blurb:
  
  Addressing Diabetes in Our Communities
  1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
  
  Diabetes is a burgeoning epidemic in the United States and will be diagnosed in more than 48 million Americans by the year 2050. As diabetes prevalence increases, a growing number of clients of ANSA member organizations will develop comorbid diabetes in addition to other life-challenging illness such as HIV/AIDS and cancer. This session explores the important role that nutrition services organizations can play in alleviating diabetes in our communities.
  
  First, this workshop will cover best practices in medical nutrition therapy for diabetes. Presenting data from a new collaborative study from ANSA and Food & Friends, the speakers will outline current approaches towards diabetes among ANSA member organizations. Further, a novel study from Food & Friends will be used as a case study in diabetes program evaluation. Second, this session will explore the role of nutrition services organizations in the prevention of diabetes in high-risk populations.

Add two notches to the belt, haha.