New SNL Data Shows U. S. Life Insurance Companies Rebounding in the 2nd Quarter of 2009 and Posting Strong Net Income Results

New SNL Data Shows U. S. Life Insurance Companies Rebounding in the 2nd Quarter of 2009 and Posting Strong Net Income Results

Lower expenses offset declining revenues and investment losses to help the life insurance industry generate $8.9 billion in 2nd-quarter net income.

Charlottesville, VA (Vocus) October 7, 2009

According to new data released by SNL Financial (http://www. snl. com/), strength in second-quarter income statements more than compensated for first-quarter weakness as the U. S. life and health insurance industry saw its capital and surplus levels rebound just short of year-end 2008 levels.

Unexpectedly strong life sector profitability helped the industry's policyholders' surplus jump to $252.2 billion in the aggregate as of June 30, up from $240.6 billion as of March 31 and not far from the year-end 2008 level of $252.5 billion. The increase in surplus stands in contrast to the quarter-over-quarter declines the life sector experienced in five of the six previous reporting periods.

SNL data indicate that 16 of the top 25 U. S. life groups saw their statutory net income improve sequentially in the second quarter, despite declining revenues and investment losses. Lower expenses helped the life industry produce net income of $8.9 billion in the second quarter, up from a loss of $804 million in the first quarter and a $556.7 million loss in the year-earlier period.

Total underwriting deductions of $162.6 billion marked a sharp decline from $193.1 billion in the first quarter and $201.1 billion in the year-earlier period. Death benefits fell only slightly on a linked-quarter basis to $14.5 billion from just under $15 billion. Surrender benefits and withdrawals for life contracts amounted to $54.9 billion in the second quarter, compared with $63.7 billion in the first quarter and $67.9 billion in the year-earlier period.

However, the most notable factor identified by SNL in the lower underwriting deductions and, in turn, sharply higher net income, came in the line item labeled "increase in aggregate reserves for life and accident and health contracts" on the statutory income statement. That increase totaled just $9.8 billion in the second quarter, down from $31.5 billion in the first quarter and $26.4 billion in the year-earlier period.

"In the midst of the global financial crisis, it's reassuring to see such a striking increase in surplus, particularly in a sector governed by its capitalization," said Jon Wright, associate director of Insurance at SNL. "However, even with the increase, invested asset leverage for life insurance industry remains almost 12 times equity, only slightly below the decade-high level of 12.5 recorded in the first quarter."

SNL's statutory insurance data, available exclusively as part of SNL Unlimited service for Financial Institutions, includes detailed financial data on each filer, reinsurance, investment and loss reserve schedules, data by state and line of business and hundreds of ratios, snapshots and analytics. SNL is the only information provider to offer clients a comprehensive insurance product, linking statutory data with public company data, mergers & acquisitions data, proprietary news, documents and more. To find out more, contact sales (at) snl (dot) com or call 866.296.3743.

About SNL Financial
SNL collects, standardizes and disseminates all relevant corporate, financial, market and M&A data - plus news and analysis - for the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Real Estate, Energy and Media & Communications industries. For more information, visit www. SNL. com.

Visit the SNL Press Room (http://www. snl. com/SNL-Financial/home/press-list. aspx) to learn more about resources available to members of the media.

SNL Contact

Monica Jenkins
Press Relations Manager
+1.434.951.6951
Mjenkins (at) snl (dot) com

SNL Financial
One SNL Plaza
Charlottesville, VA 22902
+1.434.977.1600

Other office locations:
Ahmedabad, India; Arlington, Va.; Boston, Mass.; Boulder, Colo.; Islamabad, Pakistan; Jersey City, N. J.; London; Monterey, Calif.; New York.

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Healthcare Professionals Gain Insight into Electronic Health Records at Forum

Healthcare Professionals Gain Insight into Electronic Health Records at Forum

Participants from the healthcare industry learned first-hand how electronic health records are transforming the healthcare delivery system for both consumers and providers. They gained the necessary understanding of the strategies of design and implementation in both the public/private healthcare sectors of this upcoming required change by the federal government.

Hazel Crest, Illinois (PRWEB) October 15, 2006

Regina Greer-Smith, MPH CHE, President of HealthCare Research Associates hosted a forum for healthcare professionals on Monday, September 18, at the IBM Innovations Center located at the Hyatt Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Over sixty healthcare professionals and participants spent the day learning and sharing best practices, issues on patient safety and privacy and initiatives in the planning, implementation, and use of electronic health records in healthcare delivery and gained knowledge of the current initiatives of the Illinois Electronic Health Records Task Force.

TGuest speakers included Jonathan A. Handler, M. D. FACEP, Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University; Leonard Lamkin, MPA, Executive Director, Chicago Patient Safety Forum; Jonathan Dopkeen, Ph. D., Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Public Health; Angel Evans, MS Clinical Informatics Coach, Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Roger LaHayen, MBA, CPA, Clinical Informatics Coach, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Guido Corono, IBM Human Abilities & Accessibility Center.

TParticipants learned first-hand how electronic health records are transforming the healthcare delivery system for both consumers and providers, along with strategies used to design and implement them in both the public/private healthcare sectors. According to Greer-Smith, "The event received tremendous praise from those who attended, many of whom took the time to extend their personal appreciation for the wealth of information, implementation strategies and solutions they received from the forum."

HealthCare Research Associates is a consulting firm located in the Chicago metropolitan area that specializes in Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Technology Convergence, Regional Health Information Networks (RHIN) and Network Infrastructure Consulting. For information on the solutions offered by HealthCare Research Associates to healthcare systems, public health agencies and community health organizations, you may contact us at (708) 335-0519 or on the web at www. hra-health-it. com.

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Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED): How to Cope with Life’s Frustrations Before Resorting to Destructive Behavior

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED): How to Cope with Life’s Frustrations Before Resorting to Destructive Behavior

Intermittent Explosive Disorder or IED, a disorder in which people exhibit impulsive, aggressive behavior, affects as many as 16 million Americans or 7.3% of the adult population. Experts disagree on the causes and treat ments for IED. This release is about a potential solution.

Sedona, AZ (PRWEB) June 20, 2006

A study based on data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a survey of over 9,000 US adults, has found that Intermittent Explosive Disorder or IED affects as many as 16 million Americans or 7.3% of the adult population.

What exactly is IED? Simply put, it is a state of mind where a person feels so frustrated and out of control that he physically acts out, destroying property and even hurting other people, with minimal provocation to warrant such an outburst. An individual must exhibit this impulsively aggressive behavior more than three times in their life (and have no other mental or physical explanations like a clinical personality disorder or neurological disease), to be diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder. It is believed that IED first manifests in the teen years, and then escalates from there, as life’s daily frustrations begin to take a cumulative toll over time.

The Nature and Causes of Anger: Of Course We are Frustrated!

Americans especially are completely overwhelmed with stress. Everything from financial distress, broken relationships, peer pressure, unemployment, skyrocketing gas and food prices, war, threats of a bird-flu pandemic in which there supposedly isn’t enough vaccine for everyone, poverty, car accidents, threats of “terrorism,” crime, online predators…and the list goes on for miles. And none of these things seem to be in our control. And the truth is, to some degree, that is correct. Therefore, we are at a loss as to how to cope with that overwhelming sense of frustration. We become angry when we feel we are not “heard” or “seen,” or that our feelings don’t matter, or we feel helpless and powerless to change things. Enter Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

Essentially, from a biological perspective, it’s quite simple. Stress is everywhere. Then the pressure becomes so overwhelming that it has to sort of “escape” somehow. Like a kettle blowing off steam when it gets too hot. But that only brings temporary relief, potentially creating hurtful situations with others, and ultimately leads to…you guessed it, more anger!

According to Hale Dwoskin, an international speaker and author who has been teaching people emotional control for over 30 years with a simple technique called The Sedona Method, the truth is that anger is a secondary emotion, and there are emotions BEHIND anger that none of us want to feel—like fear, grief, and apathy. In anger, he says, we feel more “alive” than in these other emotions. So to keep from feeling paralyzing fear, unbearable grief, and deadened apathy, we tend to keep ourselves angry. Dwoskin reports that there is a better, healthier, and more productive way to get that same sort of quickening, and then some.

Dwoskin says that the most amazing news is that there are emotions behind anger and there are also emotions in FRONT of it! Emotions like courageousness, acceptance, and peace.

Calm in the Angry Storm: Letting Go Before Becoming an IED Statistic

Experts disagree on the causes of Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Many anger therapists are now categorizing IED with other psychotic and mental disorders. Dwoskin feels it is “ridiculous to believe that everyone is a sociopath just because it’s a crazy world that we feel helpless to change.” It is almost a contradiction, he says, that treatments like anger management courses talk about role playing and acting out the anger in a “healthy” way, almost begging to create a condition as intense as Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Therapies such as screaming into a pillow or hitting a beanbag with a bat can only go so far. While acting out anger can bring temporary relief, it has limitations on permanent effectiveness. All of the underlying issues and core reasons for the anger remain, festering under the surface.

Eventually, anger disorders such as IED may continue to grow without proper release until the individual is prescribed a treatment regimen that is expensive, ongoing and potentially embarrassing, such as cognitive therapy and anti-depressant medications, which have many negative side effects. These treatments are the same protocol for psychopaths.

Dwoskin says anger can be released well before it becomes dangerous to yourself and others. The Sedona Method is a technique that teaches you to easily let go of your anger and allow it to dissolve quickly, long before it ever turns into some kind of emotional disorder. You can take back your own personal power, and no longer be a slave to your anger. The results are quick, painless, and permanent, and without negative side effects.

The following questions are a piece of The Sedona Method that can be used right away to start letting go of anger before it reaches critical proportions:

Could I let this feeling go?

Would I let it go?

When?

The Sedona Method Audio Course, a home study program, teaches people how to quickly and easily transform unhealthy anger into the ultimate sense of peace and calm right in the comfort of their own homes.

Hale Dwoskin, New York Times Best-Selling author of The Sedona Method, and co-author of the best-selling Happiness Is Free (five-book series) is the CEO and Director of Training of Sedona Training Associates, an organization that teaches courses based on the emotional releasing techniques originated by his mentor, Lester Levenson. Dwoskin is an international speaker and featured faculty member at Esalen and the Omega Institute. He is also a featured speaker in the made-for-TV movie, “The Secret.” For over a quarter century, he has regularly been teaching The Sedona Method techniques to individuals and corporations throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. www. sedona. com

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Inc. Magazine Lists Isagenix® Among Fastest-Growing Companies

Inc. Magazine Lists Isagenix® Among Fastest-Growing Companies

Isagenix International, the World Leader in Nutritional Cleansing, was recently named as one of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in the United States. Up 247 spots from last year, Isagenix is proud to be a part of this list for a second year.

Chandler, Ariz. (PRWEB) August 27, 2008

The rapid growth of Isagenix (http://www. isagenixstory. com/)® has earned the World Leader in Nutritional Cleansing (http://isagenix. com/us/en/cleanse_overview. dhtml)™ a spot on Inc. magazine's 2008 list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the U. S. for the second year in a row. Isagenix is ranked No. 1,284, up 247 spots from last year.

"We are honored to be part of the Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row as it recognizes Isagenix and our mission to become the largest health-and-wellness company in the world," says Jim Coover (http://isagenix. com/us/en/founders. dhtml), Isagenix President and CEO. "Our growth represents the hundreds of thousands of people we have been able to impact by offering them greater health and wealth."

Isagenix has experienced a 296 percent growth over the last four years, which has also been fueled by its recent international expansion to Taiwan. Isagenix has more than 200,000 members worldwide who use the company's products and systems, which are currently sold in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Isagenix is also ranked No. 82 in Inc. 5000's list of the top companies in the health industry

Inc. magazine also recognized Isagenix as "notable" for its products and systems, which in addition to helping thousands achieve greater health and wellness, have helped 114 people lose 100 pounds or more and helped seven people lose 200 pounds or more.

Isagenix offers targeted and complete systems that make it convenient for people to achieve safe, lasting weight loss and long-term wellness. The systems focus on Nutritional Cleansing, a process that improves on the ancient health practice of fasting by feeding the body with nutrients to assist in its natural ability to remove toxins and impurities. Isagenix systems (http://isagenix. com/us/en/cleanse_overview. dhtml) combine cleansing with a low-calorie meal regimen and infusion of essential nutrients for a total health and wellness (http://isagenix. com/us/en/totalhealth. dhtml) approach.

The complete Inc. 5000 list, along with a profile on Isagenix can be viewed by visiting, www. inc5000.com and will be published in the September issue of Inc. magazine.

About Isagenix®
Isagenix®, the World Leader in Nutritional Cleansing™, develops and manufactures systems to assist in weight management, long-term wellness and skincare. Isagenix products are distributed through an independent network of Associates in the U. S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. The company's vision is to impact world health and free people from physical and financial pain. Isagenix, established in 2002, is a privately owned company with headquarters in Chandler, Arizona. For more information, visit www. Isagenix. com.

About Inc. 5000
Each year, Inc. magazine and Inc. com celebrate the remarkable achievements of today's entrepreneurial superstars -- the privately held small businesses that drive our economy. The 2008 Inc. 5000 list measured revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U. S.-based and privately held, for profit, independent - not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies - as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www. inc5000.com.

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US Nordic Walking Pioneer to be Honored by Global Nordic Walking Organization

US Nordic Walking Pioneer to be Honored by Global Nordic Walking Organization

Nordic walking is one of the world's fastest growing fitness trends. U. S. Nordic walking pioneer Tom Rutlin has been a leading force in the movement for more than two decades, and the International Nordic Walking Federation has invited him to deliver a keynote address before their 10th Anniversary Celebration Convention in Riga, Latvia on September 26th, 2010.

Madison, WI (Vocus) August 17, 2010

U. S. pole walking pioneer and CEO/Founder of Exerstrider Products inc. Tom Rutlin has accepted an invitation from the board of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA) to deliver a keynote address at the organization’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Conference in Riga, Latvia on September 26th, 2010. INWA has member organizations in more than 20 countries around the globe.

Despite having gone somehow little noticed in his own back yard, Rutlin is widely considered to be the “father” of the rapidly growing Nordic walking movement. He has tirelessly promoted the health and fitness benefits of fitness walking with poles throughout the U. S. since introducing the first line of poles specially designed fitness walking poles, and easy-to-learn techniques which turn walking into a whole body exercise similar in benefits to Nordic (cross-country) skiing in 1988.

Called “Nordic walking” because the activity combines the simplicity and accessibility of fitness walking with specially designed poles, used much as they would be in Nordic skiing, to involve the muscles of the core and upper body, the activity first exploded in popularity across Scandinavia and Northern Europe in the decade following its introduction in Nordic skiing loving Finlanders in 1997.

There are currently an estimated 10 million plus Nordic walkers involved in the movement which is now growing in popularity throughout all of Europe and the UK, North America, Australia and Asia. The theme of INWA’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Conference is "Celebrating Nordic Walking Past, Present and Future” and Rutlin’s invitation as one of the movement’s pioneers symbolizes the organization’s growing commitment to recognizing individuals and other organizations which have made significant contributions to the evolution and advancement of the activity.

One week prior to INWA convention in Riga, Rutlin has been invited to participate in another major Nordic walking event in Milton Keynes, U. K. at the invitation of the nation’s leading Nordic walking organization. He will take part in a panel discussion as part of Nordic Walking UK’s Instructor Conference along with two other Nordic walking pioneers, Marko Kantaneva (who pioneered the Nordic walking movement in Finland and played a leading role launching INWA in 2000) and Michael “Walking Wizard” Gates, holder of both 24 and 36 hour Nordic walking endurance records and the leading figure in the Nordic walking movement in Australia. Nordic Walking UK has trained more than 1,400 Nordic walking instructors who are recognized by the UK’s Register of Exercise Professionals, and their event will also focus on the future of what is becoming one of the hottest new trends in fitness globally.

At age 63, Rutlin who has been regularly Nordic walking for more than 25 years serves as a living example of the fitness benefits of transforming ordinary walking into a whole body "Nordic walking".

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Cosmetic Dentistry in Cincinnati: Increase Seen in Mercury Filling Removal Requests

Cosmetic Dentistry in Cincinnati: Increase Seen in Mercury Filling Removal Requests

More patients are inquiring about having their mercury fillings removed.

West Chester and Greater Cincinnati, Ohio (PRWEB) February 2, 2008

A dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry in Cincinnati is seeing an increase in patients seeking to have their mercury fillings removed.

Fillings containing mercury can be replaced with porcelain or ceramic for a more aesthetically pleasing look that also is safer than mercury fillings.

Referred to in the industry as dental amalgam, mercury fillings are comprised of almost equal parts of elemental liquid mercury and an alloy powder composed of silver, tin, copper and sometimes smaller amounts of zinc, palladium, or indium.

Scientific studies have shown that these fillings emit small amounts of mercury vapor, which some experts believe could be harmful to people's health because they can inhale and ingest this vapor, Munowitz said.

Due to the massive amount of articles and literature on the subject, more patients are inquiring about having their mercury fillings removed.
Munowitz, who often seeks to take a holistic approach to treating dental problems, recognizes the impact of toxic materials as they relate to dental and physiologic health, she said.

"As a cosmetic dentist, I obviously want my patients' teeth to look as healthy and white and natural as possible," Munowitz said. "From a health standpoint, I want to use the highest quality materials that provide the most benefits without compromising health. For that reason, I don't use mercury fillings."

In addition to being unsightly, mercury fillings can corrode and expand over time to cause cracks to form that eventually can result in tooth fractures.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about having mercury fillings removed or other cosmetic dentistry (http://www. smilesohio. com/) topics, please call Dr. Munowitz's office: (513) 755-8000 or email: info@smilesohio. com

About Dr. Mindy Munowitz
Dr. Munowitz creates beautiful, healthy smiles through the practice of cosmetic, restorative and neuromuscular dentistry. Through the most state-of-the art dental techniques, Dr. Munowitz brings Greater Cincinnati smiles back to life through the expert application of veneers (http://www. smilesohio. com/veneers. htm), bonding, Zoom!® whitening, dentures, dental implants, orthodontics, and TMJ relief. Her office is located at 9393 Cincinnati-Columbus Road (Route 42), West Chester, Ohio, 45069 

© 2008 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Mindy Munowitz, DDS, LLC. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Just A Little Naughty Specializes in Romance Parties, Internet Parties, E-Store, and Career Opportunities

Just A Little Naughty Specializes in Romance Parties, Internet Parties, E-Store, and Career Opportunities

Just A Little Naughty will help put back the spark into your personal relationship, or keep it on a healthy track! We specialize in private adult novelty home parties. No room? That's ok, you can still host an internet party and reap the benefits!

(PRWEB) October 31, 2004

Just A Little Naughty is a great company located in Illinois. We specialize in home romance parties, internet sales, and career opportunities.

If you are interested in trying to keep that romance alive, let Just A Little Naughty be there to help. We offer a private, tasteful, and fun evening of laughter where you can purchase many products to help you with the task at hand.

As long as everyone attending the party is over the age of 18, then you're ready to go. Men and women are welcome, that decision is your's to make.

We offer a wide selection of romance products! Our parties are perfect for divorce, bachelor/bachelorette, birthday parties, as well as a ladies/gentlemen's night out! Games are played. Prizes are won. Everyone walks away with a free gift.

We currently have Consultants in OH, MN, WV, FL, NJ, IL, IN, DE, PA and CO. If we do not have a Romance Consultant in your area, we will find a 'sister' company that will be able to help you out with your party!

Just A Little Naughty doesn't stop there, with only home parties to have a choice of products. We now offer online parties. The Party Hostess will still earn FREE SPENDING MONEY.

If you're not wanting to host a party of any sort, then Just A Little Naughty has a website where all your shopping needs will be met. If there is something in particular you're searching for, we have GREAT Customer Support. Not finding your product on our site? Just ask. We WILL find it for you. Never fear, JALN is here.

JALN is also hiring Romance Consultants. If you are in need of an extra income, and have the talent to sell and entertain, then Just A Little Naughty would be delighted to have you join the team.

If you are interested in helping couples find that romance they strive for? Then you want to become a Just A Little Naughty Romance Consultant. You can introduce couples to numerous adult products that may help put back that spark.

As a JALN Romance Consultant, you are your own boss. Be home with the family when you wish. We extend endless opportunties for our Reps. to make money. #1 in Customer Support. If our Consultants/Customers aren't happy, we're not happy.

For more party information, career opportunity information, or product information, please visit our website, call information, or drop us an email.

Just A Little Naughty is definitely an exciting opportunity any way you look at it. Numerous parties, numerous customers, numerous Consultants, all of which would be happy to provide positive information about the party fun or career choice they have made.

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