Older women who live alone are vulnerable to unwanted intrusions in their homes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caregivers of older women often evaluate crime risk and home security, but fail to identify women's intentions to reduce intrusion risk. In a new study, a University of Missouri professor has found that in order to feel safe at home, older women need to recognize safety risks and perceive themselves as capable of preventing intrusions.

"Older women's intentions to ensure accessibility to their homes for family, friends, and neighbors can override their concerns about preventing intrusions," said Eileen Porter, professor in the Sinclair School of Nursing. "Health care providers need to engage older women in conversations about the risks they perceive and their intentions to reduce those risks."

Previously, researchers had not evaluated the use of intention as a component of home safety assessments .....Full Story

A coalition representing health care firms, patients and medical providers on Friday presented a five-page report to Congress recommending changes to the health care system, CQ HealthBeat reports (Adams, CQ HealthBeat, 3/27). The report from the 18-member group, known as Health Reform Dialogue, called on lawmakers to complete health reform this year, maintain the employer-sponsored coverage system and make coverage available to everyone (Young, The Hill, 3/27). According to the Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire," the group "sidestepped the thorniest issues, such as whether individuals or employers should be required to buy or offer coverage, and whether a government-run health plan should be available to compete with private companies" (Meckler, "Washington Wire," Wall Street Journal, 3/27).

The group did not explicitly call for a requirement that all U.S .....Full Story