"At least you've got your health.
" You've probably heard people over a certain age sympathetically say this after hearing about a misfortune such as losing a job or the end of a relationship.
Whether or not these words give comfort, they do have meaning because health is something to prize.
Ask anyone who suffers from a chronic illness if they would prefer a life without pricking themselves every day to test their blood sugar levels, or drag an oxygen tank behind them wherever they go.
Healthy people, some will say, don't know how good they have it.
If You're Healthy and Want Extra Cash, Consider Joining a Clinical Research Trial People who want to make a little extra cash may want to consider volunteering in a clinical trial that tests new approaches to treat diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
It's one way to earn money, learn more about how to stay healthy, get regular physical exams, and contribute to medical research that can benefit others who live with a chronic disease or illness.
Before a drug company can put a new medication or medical device on the market, it has to test it on different groups of people.
Generally, the first group includes healthy people who are willing to be part of a safety test to see if there are side effects and how severe they are.
If it sounds dangerous, be assured that before any drug or device can be tested on people, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the drug company to prove that its safety and potential benefits in laboratory-controlled situations.
This can include tests on animals or computer simulations.
Human drug trials are only permitted after a drug has been worked on and tested.
This can take years of study.
In addition, all clinical trial volunteers undergo medical exams before they are accepted for a trial.
Medical staff will examine them to make sure that they are not in danger by taking the drug or using the device being tested.
Payment for clinical trials varies.
Volunteers who take a medication and check in periodically with researchers can expect to earn at least $50 per visit and often more.
Some companies pay hundreds of dollars per visit.
Trials that need people to stay overnight in a facility pay more, perhaps up to $500 for a weekend.
Participants are constantly monitored, provided with meals and entertainment (books, videos, music) in pleasant although undeniably clinical surroundings.
People With Chronic Illnesses Can Participate After safety has been established, the FDA might give permission for more trials to go forward on groups of patients who have the disease being targeted.
For example, a new diabetes device that takes blood samples from the arm rather than fingertip will first be tested on volunteers without diabetes.
If the FDA is satisfied, a call will go out to people with diabetes to take part in a trial.
Doctors often refer patients to clinical trials for drugs that could benefit them but are not yet available by prescription.
Of course, most trials involve a double-blind study design where one group receives the medication and the other a placebo or other medication proven to be successful for their condition.
This is to truly test the effectiveness of a given medication or treatment.