INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

WASHINGTON — Nearly 1-in-50 people in the United States are at risk of severe allergic reactions, according to a new study announced Monday by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

According to the study, severe, life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis are common in the United States, occurring in about 1.6% of the population. The rate, the study said, is probably higher, and closer to 5.1%. The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

One of the casualties associated with the recent government shutdown and game of chicken that legislators played with the nation's debt ceiling is consumer confidence. And this will have significant ramifications coming into the fourth quarter holiday season, especially as the debate over government spending and the debt ceiling crisis has not been resolved but only delayed until January. 

NEW YORK — The overall prevalence of obesity among adults remained unchanged between 2009 and 2012, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chattem recently announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved Nasacort Allergy 24HR nasal spray (triamcinolone intranasal) as an over-the-counter treatment for seasonal and year-round nasal allergies. And that means by spring 2014, there will be another allergy powerhouse alongside Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec. 

NEW YORK — Consumers are holiday shopping sooner and spending more this year due to a late Thanksgiving and shorter holiday shopping season, according to a new survey by American Express.

The latest American Express Spending and Saving Tracker indicates that shoppers will spend $1,260 this year — up $400 from last year — and 27% are already looking for deals and plan to finish before Dec. 1, from 24% last year. Thirty-seven percent expect to finish shopping the week before Christmas, compared with 33% last year.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Tetley USA, the U.S. subsidiary of the U.K.-based tea company, released results of a survey of tea drinkers to coincide with the launch of its new Black & Green blend.

LEBANON, N.H. — Medicare beneficiaries' use of medications — both effective and risky — varies widely across different regions of the United States, according to a new report.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Patients taking a drug used for weight loss were able to reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

According to data from a 475-patient study published in the journal Diabetes Care, Vivus' Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) reduced the annualized incidence rate of Type 2 diabetes by up to 78.7% in high-risk, overweight or obese patients with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome. Prediabetes is a condition in which a person has elevated blood sugar and a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.