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Home / Critical illness cover / - HIV or AIDS from Blood Transfusion
Background information
By the end of 2001, more than 48,000 people had been diagnosed HIV-positive.
Over the same period, over 12,000 had died with AIDS.
In addition, it is estimated that there are currently more than 11,000 people living with HIV - unaware of being HIV-positive.
While the number of people dying from AIDS is falling (due to the widespread introduction of 'combination therapy' in 1996), the number of people living with HIV is set to increase by 47% between 2000 and 2005.
(Terrence Higgins Trust, 2002)
Definition
Infection by HIV or AIDS provided:
- the infection results directly from a blood transfusion;
- the blood transfusion was given in the European Union, The Channel Islands or The Isle of Man after the cover start date; and
- there is clear evidence that the infection was acquired from the blood transfusion.
What does this mean?
A claim would be paid where there was evidence that the HIV infection was as a direct result of a blood transfusion.
NEWS
Tai Chi can have positive effect on diabetes
02 April 2008 16:45:18
A new study has suggested that Tai Chi could be an exercise that offers those with diabetes - a condition which may affect life insurance policies - a new way of minimising the impact of the condition.
Research conducted by scientists in Taiwan looked at the effect a 12-week Tai Chi programme has on T helper cells, which form part of the body’s immune system.
According to the report, which is to be published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, strenuous exercise limits the immune system’s response, yet moderate exercise boosts this response.
Cathy Moulton, care adviser at Diabetes UK, described the research, which may be of benefit to those with life insurance, as “interesting”, as it confirms that moderate exercise could help to manage Type 2 diabetes.
“In addition to the importance of moderate physical activity, the relaxation element of Tai Chi may help to reduce stress levels, preventing the release of adrenalin which can lead to insulin resistance and high blood glucose levels,” she remarked.
Diabetes UK claims to be the largest organization currently working with people with the condition in the UK.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
Heart hormones used to treat cancer
27 February 2008 17:23:00
Hormones produced by the heart have been used to cure cancers in mice.
The discovery could pave the way to new human cancer treatments - which may affect life insurance policies for people suffering from the disease.
Scientists in America claim to have eliminated human pancreatic cancer in more than three-quarters of mice treated with the hormones and eliminated human breast cancer in two-thirds of the mice, reports Medical News Today.
A private biotechnology company is reported to be raising funds to begin human trials of the treatment.
The pancreatic cancers that were not cured were reduced to less than ten per cent of their original size.
None of the mice died of cancer and none suffered any side effects.
Dr David Vesely, from the James A Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, will present his research at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference in San Diego, on April 9th.
Hormone therapy is used in the UK to treat breast, prostate and womb cancers.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
Heart attack survival rate increase
30 January 2008 17:40:22
Official figures from Scotland have revealed that the number of people surviving heart attacks has risen.
The statistics showed that at the end of last year, 85.8 per cent of people taken into hospital in need of emergency treatment following a heart attack were alive 30 days later, the Press Association reports.
According to the news provider, this compares with 81.2 per cent of patients in 1998.
In related news, Ellen Mason, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation suggested that a "combination of moderate drinking and physical activity appears to be a winning one in reducing the risk of fatal heart disease".
Ms Mason made her comments following a report published in the European Heart Journal which found that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol and are active are less at risk of heart disease than those who do not drink at all.
However, the expert noted that physical activity has been shown to offer greater health benefits than drinking alcohol.
02 April 2008 16:45:18
A new study has suggested that Tai Chi could be an exercise that offers those with diabetes - a condition which may affect life insurance policies - a new way of minimising the impact of the condition.
Research conducted by scientists in Taiwan looked at the effect a 12-week Tai Chi programme has on T helper cells, which form part of the body’s immune system.
According to the report, which is to be published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, strenuous exercise limits the immune system’s response, yet moderate exercise boosts this response.
Cathy Moulton, care adviser at Diabetes UK, described the research, which may be of benefit to those with life insurance, as “interesting”, as it confirms that moderate exercise could help to manage Type 2 diabetes.
“In addition to the importance of moderate physical activity, the relaxation element of Tai Chi may help to reduce stress levels, preventing the release of adrenalin which can lead to insulin resistance and high blood glucose levels,” she remarked.
Diabetes UK claims to be the largest organization currently working with people with the condition in the UK.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
27 February 2008 17:23:00
Hormones produced by the heart have been used to cure cancers in mice.
The discovery could pave the way to new human cancer treatments - which may affect life insurance policies for people suffering from the disease.
Scientists in America claim to have eliminated human pancreatic cancer in more than three-quarters of mice treated with the hormones and eliminated human breast cancer in two-thirds of the mice, reports Medical News Today.
A private biotechnology company is reported to be raising funds to begin human trials of the treatment.
The pancreatic cancers that were not cured were reduced to less than ten per cent of their original size.
None of the mice died of cancer and none suffered any side effects.
Dr David Vesely, from the James A Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, will present his research at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference in San Diego, on April 9th.
Hormone therapy is used in the UK to treat breast, prostate and womb cancers.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
30 January 2008 17:40:22
Official figures from Scotland have revealed that the number of people surviving heart attacks has risen.
The statistics showed that at the end of last year, 85.8 per cent of people taken into hospital in need of emergency treatment following a heart attack were alive 30 days later, the Press Association reports.
According to the news provider, this compares with 81.2 per cent of patients in 1998.
In related news, Ellen Mason, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation suggested that a "combination of moderate drinking and physical activity appears to be a winning one in reducing the risk of fatal heart disease".
Ms Mason made her comments following a report published in the European Heart Journal which found that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol and are active are less at risk of heart disease than those who do not drink at all.
However, the expert noted that physical activity has been shown to offer greater health benefits than drinking alcohol.