Content about Human behavior

November 21, 2011
Americans least able to afford health care are the heaviest smokers

Almost one-third of Americans who have not had enough money to pay for health care and/or medicine in the past 12 months are smokers, according to the October 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Almost one-third of Americans who have not had enough money to pay for health care and/or medicine in the past 12 months are smokers, according to the October 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The percentage of smokers is cut in half (14.2%) when it comes to the population that can afford to pay for health care and/or medicine in the past 12 months. Of the Americans without a personal doctor, 27.5% smoke.

November 17, 2011
AAA: Thanksgiving travel will be up despite economic uncertainty

Despite continued economic uncertainty, more Americans are expected to choose family over finances, resulting in first significant increase in any holiday travel this year, AAA announced Thursday.

WASHINGTON — Despite continued economic uncertainty, more Americans are expected to choose family over finances, resulting in first significant increase in any holiday travel this year, AAA announced Thursday.

AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 4% increase from people who traveled one year ago. This is the first significant increase in any holiday travel this year.

November 17, 2011
Safeway kicks off Help Us End Hunger (Every Bag Counts) food drive

Safeway announced it is teaming up with Kraft Foods, customers, local food banks and broadcast partners to collect food donations at all Safeway stores now through Dec. 24, through the retailer's Help Us End Hunger (Every Bag Counts) food drive.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced it is teaming up with Kraft Foods, customers, local food banks and broadcast partners to collect food donations at all Safeway stores now through Dec. 24, through the retailer's Help Us End Hunger (Every Bag Counts) food drive.

As part of the campaign, Safeway has created a specially produced shopping bag filled with the items that food banks need the most. The bag, which will be available for $10 at all Safeway stores, includes:

  • Chicken of the Sea chunk white tuna;

November 16, 2011
Natrol partners with yoga icon on new line of supplements

Natrol on Wednesday announced its partnership with Bikram Choudhury, a world renowned yoga instructor who developed the brand of yoga known as Bikram yoga, to offer a new line of ayurvedic supplements called Vedic Mantra.

CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Natrol on Wednesday announced its partnership with Bikram Choudhury, a world renowned yoga instructor who developed the brand of yoga known as Bikram yoga, to offer a new line of ayurvedic supplements called Vedic Mantra.

November 16, 2011
Sam's Club donates $1 million to help end child hunger

Sam's Club announced that it will donate $1 million to support child hunger programs through Feeding America as part of its Holiday Taste of Sam's Club event, which will be held from Nov. 18 to 20.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it will donate $1 million to support child hunger programs through Feeding America as part of its Holiday Taste of Sam's Club event, which will be held from Nov. 18 to 20.

November 14, 2011
Colonial Life: Three healthcare trends that can impact retail pharmacy in 2012

Colonial Life and Accident Insurance last week released its top five trends and predictions for health care in 2012 — three of which may have some direct impact on retail pharmacy.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Colonial Life and Accident Insurance last week released its top five trends and predictions for health care in 2012 — three of which may have some direct impact on retail pharmacy.

November 11, 2011
CDC: 7-in-10 smokers want to quit; half have tried in past year

Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday.

ATLANTA — Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday.

November 7, 2011
Tobacco cos. win stay on implementation of emotionally charged anti-smoking images

Tobacco companies received a favorable ruling Monday and as a consequence will not have to institute new graphics that depicted images like diseased smokers on their packaging next year.

WASHINGTON — Tobacco companies received a favorable ruling Monday and as a consequence will not have to institute new graphics that depicted images like diseased smokers on their packaging next year.

November 1, 2011
Rite Aid, LifeScan officially kick off Rite Track Diabetes Tour

Rite Aid and LifeScan kicked off the Rite Track Diabetes Tour in New York on Tuesday with a special appearance by celebrity chef Sam Talbot.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid and LifeScan kicked off the Rite Track Diabetes Tour in New York on Tuesday with a special appearance by celebrity chef Sam Talbot.

The tour, which runs through November — to mark American Diabetes Month — and December will visit more than 30 locations across the Northeast in a specially outfitted RV and offer free diabetes testing, resources and materials.

October 28, 2011
Whole Foods supports Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign

Whole Foods is promoting Share Our Strength's hunger awareness campaign.

AUSTIN — Whole Foods is promoting Share Our Strength's hunger awareness campaign.

Whole Foods is supporting Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign with several promotions:

  • Whole Foods will match donations up to $25,000 of funds donated online, WholeFoodsMarket.com/holidays, to the cause;

  • When shoppers purchase gift cards from Nov. 16 through Dec. 31, Whole Foods will donate $1 for every card purchased to No Kid Hungry;

October 18, 2011
Dove to hold second annual Dove Self-Esteem Weekend

Unilever’s Dove brand is launching a nationwide effort to help girls build self-esteem by holding its second annual Dove Self-Esteem Weekend on Oct. 21 to 23, which brings together Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Inc. and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and encourages women to spend an hour on a self-esteem building activity.

NEW YORK — Unilever’s Dove brand is launching a nationwide effort to help girls build self-esteem by holding its second annual Dove Self-Esteem Weekend on Oct. 21 to 23, which brings together Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Inc. and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and encourages women to spend an hour on a self-esteem building activity.
 

October 14, 2011
Rite Aid's Wellness+ loyalty program wins 2011 LEADER Award

Rite Aid's customer loyalty card program has received recognition from a trade organization that focuses on marketing practices that use technology, Rite Aid said Friday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's customer loyalty card program has received recognition from a trade organization that focuses on marketing practices that use technology, Rite Aid said Friday.

The retail pharmacy chain announced that it received the 2011 LEADER Award in the loyalty category from the Shopper Technology Institute for its Wellness+ program. The institute presents the LEADER Awards for Excellence, sponsored by IBM, at its LEAD Marketing Conference. The award's name is an acronym for loyalty, engagement analytics and digital applications.

October 7, 2011
Venture Products unveils new line of yoga products

Venture Products earlier this week announced a new line of yoga and fitness accessories under its Shock Athletic brand name. These products complement Venture’s existing lineup of yoga mats.

FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Venture Products earlier this week announced a new line of yoga and fitness accessories under its Shock Athletic brand name. These products complement Venture’s existing lineup of yoga mats.

Available in various fashionable colors, the new fitness accessories lineup — being launched at select Sears and Kmart locations nationwide — includes yoga blocks, straps, mat carriers, nonslip socks, towel mats, stability balls, exercise bands and toning tubes.

September 30, 2011
Cardinal Health joins Practice Greenhealth

Cardinal Health on Thursday announced that it has joined Practice Greenhealth, a membership organization for institutions and businesses in the healthcare field that are engaged in reducing their environmental footprints.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Thursday announced that it has joined Practice Greenhealth, a membership organization for institutions and businesses in the healthcare field that are engaged in reducing their environmental footprints.

September 15, 2011
Quitting smoking can turn that frown upside down

University of Missouri researchers earlier this week revealed evidence that showed those who quit smoking show improvements in their overall personality.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri researchers earlier this week revealed evidence that showed those who quit smoking show improvements in their overall personality.

"The data indicate that for some young adults, smoking is impulsive," stated Andrew Littlefield, a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science. "That means that 18 year olds are acting without a lot of forethought, and favor immediate rewards over long-term, negative consequences."

September 13, 2011
Maybelline NY introduces its new Great Lash Lots of Lashes mascara

Maybelline New York has expanded its mascara portfolio with the September launch of its new Great Lash Lots of Lashes.

NEW YORK — Maybelline New York has expanded its mascara portfolio with the September launch of its new Great Lash Lots of Lashes.

The popular Great Lash brand, known for its bright pink and green packaging, now features, with Lots of Lashes, a new heart-shaped elastomer brush to simplify the application process. In one sweep, the little grabber brush reaches the inner and outer corner of the eye, multiplying and building the lash look with no clumps.

September 12, 2011
Train2Cheer comes to DVD

A new strength and conditioning program designed specifically for cheerleaders and dancers has made its way to DVD.

RIVER EDGE, N.J. — A new strength and conditioning program designed specifically for cheerleaders and dancers has made its way to DVD.

Train2Cheer offers a workout that is designed to increase cardio and muscular endurance, resulting in stronger cheer and dance performances. Train2Cheer is set to high-energy music and is hosted by its creator, Stacey DelPreore.

Train2Cheer, which includes a 60-minute workout video and bonus CD soundtrack, retails for $19.99.

September 9, 2011
Stop & Shop, Unilever donate $150K to Feeding America

Stop & Shop has teamed up with Unilever to support the hunger relief efforts of Feeding America and its local member food banks.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop has teamed up with Unilever to support the hunger relief efforts of Feeding America and its local member food banks.

The companies said that they are donating $150,000 to the organization, which will provide more than 1 million meals to families in need.

September 7, 2011
Study: CPG brands grow slightly but battle consumer defection, loyalty erosion

Total revenues of the top 100 brands in the nationwide Catalina Network of food, drug and mass grew by just 0.7% during the 12-month period ended in early July, according to new research by Catalina.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Total revenues of the top 100 brands in the nationwide Catalina Network of food, drug and mass grew by just 0.7% during the 12-month period ended in early July, according to new research by Catalina. The report also demonstrated that brand defections and reduced share among previously highly loyal consumers represent a major drag on individual brand performance.

September 6, 2011
Both number of smokers and frequency of tobacco use on decline

Not only are there fewer smokers across the country, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday, but the men and women that are still smoking also are smoking less.

ATLANTA — Not only are there fewer smokers across the country, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday, but the men and women that are still smoking also are smoking less.

The report, which covered data from 2005 to 2010, showed an estimated 19.3% of American adults, ages 18 years and older, continue to smoke, a decline from 20.9% in 2005.

September 6, 2011
Weis kicks off annual hunger relief campaign

Weis is highlighting hunger relief with its fourth annual, month-long campaign that encourages customers to donate shelf-stable products and make monetary donations to local food banks and emergency food providers.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis is highlighting hunger relief with its fourth annual, month-long campaign that encourages customers to donate shelf-stable products and make monetary donations to local food banks and emergency food providers.

For its annual Fight Hunger Food Drive, Weis said that customers may contribute to hunger relief efforts in the following ways:

  • Donate such shelf-stable items as cereal, apple sauce, pasta, granola bars, 100% fruit juice, canned foods (i.e., beans, chicken, fish, etc.) and more;

August 31, 2011
American Diabetes Association encourages participation in annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event

Just a few months after Novo Nordisk announced it would serve as the national premier sponsor for the American Diabetes Association's annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event in 2011 and 2012, the ADA is encouraging Americans to participate in this year's annual fundraising walk.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Just a few months after Novo Nordisk announced it would serve as the national premier sponsor for the American Diabetes Association's annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event in 2011 and 2012, the ADA is encouraging Americans to participate in this year's annual fundraising walk.

August 26, 2011
HHS boosts smoking cessation, vaccinations with $137 million to states

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday awarded $137 million to states to boost prevention and public health initiatives, including support for smoking-cessation programs and vaccinations.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday awarded $137 million to states to boost prevention and public health initiatives, including support for smoking-cessation programs and vaccinations.

Awarded in nearly every state, the grants enhance state, tribal, local and territorial efforts to provide tobacco cessation services, strengthen public health laboratory and immunization services, prevent healthcare-associated infections, and provide comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment.

August 24, 2011
Kraft announces second annual Huddle to Fight Hunger initiative

Kraft Foods once again is on a mission to donate meals to Feeding America through the company's second annual hunger relief campaign.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods once again is on a mission to donate meals to Feeding America through the company's second annual hunger relief campaign.

Kraft, along with its brands, have commenced the second annual Huddle to Fight Hunger initiative, which encourages Americans to generate meal donations for Feeding America through several social media initiatives, including Facebook and Twitter. This year, Kraft is looking to donate 25 million meals, up 4 million meals from its 2010 efforts.

August 19, 2011
Tobacco companies sue FDA over mandate of new, graphic no-smoking packaging images

Five tobacco companies filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration challenging nine new cigarette warnings as an unconstitutional way of forcing tobacco manufacturers to disseminate the government's anti-smoking message.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Five tobacco companies filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration challenging nine new cigarette warnings as an unconstitutional way of forcing tobacco manufacturers to disseminate the government's anti-smoking message.

Under the FDA's recently announced regulation, cigarette packs and cartons and all cigarette advertising must display new graphic warnings by Sept. 22, 2012. The suit seeks a preliminary injunction to stay the effective date of the regulation and a declaration that the regulation is unconstitutional.