Chipotle CEO apologizes for sicknesses traced back to the fast-food chain

On Thursday, the CEO of the Chipotle food chain issued an apology after a Norovirus outbreak sickened at least 140 people at a Chipotle in Boston

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/chipotle-ceo-apologizes-for-sicknesses-traced-back-to-the-fast-food-chain/

Norovirus discovered at Boston Chipotle

The discovery of Norovirus at a Boston area Chipotle has prompted health concerns

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/norovirus-discovered-at-boston-chipotle/

Norovirus and E. coli: What you need to know

Both foodborne illnesses can make you miserable, but their differences may surprise you

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/norovirus-e-coli-what-you-need-to-know/

Hoverboard Injuries, Fires on Rise

Hoverboard injuries have become increasingly common in recent months. Here's what you need to know from WebMD.

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20151210/hoverboard-injuries-fires?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Chipotle CEO says he's sorry as sick count climbs

Founder of restaurant chain apologizes as Boston College hikes number of students sickened, saying it expects additional cases

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chipotle-ceo-says-hes-sorry-as-sick-count-climbs/

Fewer teens are driving drunk

Drunken driving by people in their early 20s is more common but also is falling, survey finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fewer-teens-are-driving-drunk-national-survey-says/

1 in 5 U.S. children has unhealthy cholesterol

Cholesterol issues are higher in obese children compared with normal-weight kids

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/1-in-5-u-s-children-has-unhealthy-cholesterol-levels/

USDA Announces Funding Available for Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Programs

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $17.6 million in funding to support research and outreach activities that will help growers, producers, and processors find innovative ways to improve organic agriculture.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/12/0337.xml&contentidonly=true

9/11 health bill held up over pricetag

Even after facing intense public pressure from comedian Jon Stewart, lawmakers are still quibbling over passing a bill to help 9/11 first responders

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/911-health-bill-held-up-over-pricetag/

9/11: Still killing

Photographer Allan Tannenbaum's photos of first responders, recovery workers and residents still battling the devastating health impact of 9/11 more than a decade later

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/9-11-still-killing-health-issues-linger-zadroga-act/

Many U.S. schools failing sex ed

More than half of high schools across the country fall short of teaching all of the recommended sex education topics

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/many-u-s-schools-failing-sex-ed/

6 Ways to Control Type 2 Diabetes

Time to get control of your type 2 diabetes. WebMD shares six things you can do right now to improve your health.

From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/five-ways-to-control-type-2-diabetes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Announces $40 Million Available to Help Ranchers Restore Sage Grouse Habitat

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $40 million to help ranchers and other partners in 11 western states restore and protect sagebrush habitat for greater sage-grouse on privately-owned land.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/12/0339.xml&contentidonly=true

Woman with cancer lives long enough to deliver baby

Pregnant mother of three postponed treatment for stage IV melanoma to protect unborn child

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pregnant-woman-with-cancer-lives-long-enough-to-deliver-baby/

Effective Clinical Management of Borderline Personality Disorder 2016

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQpPGa8RX1Q

Prenatal yoga: What you need to know

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-yoga/art-20047193

Health Highlights: Dec. 10, 2015

Chipotle Executive Apologies for Food Illness Outbreaks, Promises Improved Safety First Dengue Vaccine Gets Its First Approval, in Mexico

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20151210/health-highlights-dec-10-2015?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Lumpectomy Plus Radiation May Beat Mastectomy for Early Breast Cancer

Study suggests 21 percent greater odds of survival after 10 years

From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20151210/lumpectomy-plus-radiation-may-beat-mastectomy-for-early-breast-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Teens with upbeat friends may have better emotional health

Pediatricians and child behavior specialists who work with teens know that adolescence is an incredibly important time for social growth. Yet these years can be fraught with anxiety for the parents of teens. How will you know if your moody teen is hanging out with the right people? Which friends might be a bad influence? How can you help your son or daughter develop healthy relationships?

Recent research has addressed some aspects of these questions. One study entitled “Spreading of healthy mood in adolescent social networks,” published this year in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, investigated whether a teen whose friends have a healthy mood is less likely to be depressed. It also looked at how emotionally healthy friends affected a teen’s recovery from depression. Basically, the researchers wanted to find out: is a good mood contagious?

The study involved roughly 3,000 teens. Each study volunteer completed two surveys, six months apart, in which he or she listed up to five male and five female friends. Each teen was then followed over time, to see how his or her mood changed.

One of the interesting things about this study is that these researchers defined depression as a behavior, not necessarily as a disease that someone could get. This allowed them to do their statistical analysis a little differently from previous studies looking at the same subject matter, and it uncovered the potential power of positively minded friends.

The investigators found that having a social network made up of friends with a healthy mood cut a teenager’s probability of developing depression in half over a 6- to 12-month period. It also significantly improved the chances of recovering from depression for teens who already suffered from it. While the data don’t show a direct cause and effect, this study does suggest that having friends with a healthy mood may reduce the risk of depression and make it a little easier to recover from depression should it occur.

Surprising findings on from social networking research

This study is a nice example of a recent trend in epidemiology — using data about an individual’s social network to learn things about that person. This type of research has led to numerous interesting findings, and has really shaped an entire new area of inquiry. A study published in 2007 in The New England Journal of Medicine was one of the first of this kind. It showed that people who had obese friends and family were themselves more likely to be obese. Since then, additional research has looked at how social networks influence an individual’s risk of developing (or sidestepping) specific health conditions, such as obesity, smoking, and depression.

Results of these studies have been, at times, surprising, thus giving the medical community valuable new information. For example, I myself led a study in 2011 called “The influence of social networks on patients’ attitudes toward type II diabetes.” When I started this research, I supposed that patients would be less concerned about having diabetes if more of their friends and family members had diabetes. I had guessed that these patients might have become so used to the idea of diabetes that the disease would seem common and almost normal. But in fact, my team found the opposite! Patients with a higher prevalence of diabetes within their social networks expressed greater concern about their illness. This unexpected result gave me information that helped me to better take care of my patients.

Using social network data to improve your teen’s mental health

This type of research is not only helpful to doctors, but it also provides important information for anyone trying to improve his or her own health, or the health of one’s family. The study on positive mood in teens’ social networks suggests that parents may be able to reduce their teen’s chances of developing depression — or improve her or his mood if she does have depression — simply by promoting and supporting friendships with emotionally healthy peers. With much controversy about using antidepressants in teens, results such as these can give parents a simple way to promote emotional health and well-being in their adolescent children — with no medications involved.

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The post Teens with upbeat friends may have better emotional health appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Nandini Mani, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/teens-with-upbeat-friends-may-have-better-emotional-health-201512108797

USDA Provides Loan Guarantee Conditional Commitment to Build Georgia Biofuel Plant

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a conditional commitment for a $70 million loan guarantee to help build a cellulosic biorefinery in central Georgia. USDA is providing the loan guarantee conditional commitment, an important milestone in the ongoing development of the project, through its Biorefinery Assistance Program.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/12/0338.xml&contentidonly=true

Unhappiness Won't Kill You

Long-running U.K. study shows it's poor health that's linked to early death

From: http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20151209/unhappiness-wont-kill-you?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Pesticide in Milk Years Ago May Be Linked to Signs of Parkinson's: Study

Men in Hawaii who drank more milk showed brain changes, but more research needed to confirm link

From: http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20151209/pesticide-in-milk-years-ago-may-be-linked-to-signs-of-parkinsons-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Health Highlights: Dec. 9, 2015

Cooling Cap to Reduce Chemo-Linked Hair Loss Approved by FDA No Change in U.S. Life Expectancy for Third Year in a Row: CDC CDC Tests Fail to Detect E. Coli in Onion/Celery Mix Used in Costco Chicken Salad

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20151209/health-highlights-dec-9-2015?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Happiness may not be the key to a longer life

"Happiness is very nice," researcher says, but it won't actually help you live longer

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/happiness-may-not-be-the-key-to-a-longer-life/

Living with Diabetes in College: Madison

For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.

The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.

The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.

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Name and Age: Madison, 19

School: California State University–San Marcos (CSUSM), Class of 2018

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 13 years old. I was (and still am) going through “diabetes burn out.” However, I have become much more involved in the community, such as serving as the president of my CDN chapter, and I have learned about how I can help others like me.

Heading to college wasn’t difficult for me. I talked to other students with diabetes to see what doctor they were going to, and I finally found one who was covered by my mom’s insurance. The doctor is really great and recommends diabetes education for his patients. Wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) helps me pay more attention to my blood glucose levels while I’m busy being a super student (18 credit hours, three jobs, joining a sorority and starting a CDN chapter this year). I also only live about 20 minutes from home, which is a big plus!

Through my involvement with the diabetes community and CDN, I have learned a lot about diabetes research, and that people living with diabetes have a great sense of humor. My favorite part is making new friends and connections and encouraging other students with diabetes to get involved.

My fellow CDN members and I are able to attend the Taking Care of Your Own Diabetes conference and learn more about research and new management strategies. One our members, Gemma, even got an internship at the Diabetes Research Connection (a crowdfunding website for new scientists).

I would not consider myself a “closet diabetic.” I like finding other people with diabetes because it’s nice to be able to complain about my “bleh-sugar” when it does weird things for no reason at all. We share diabetes memes all the time. I tell my professors that I am diagnosed with diabetes because I have the worst luck during finals—my insulin pump always seems to malfunction in at least one class every year.

I try to make diabetes easy to understand for my friends and roommates. If they ask questions, I love answering them until they have a better understanding of what diabetes really is. I also try to break the stigma that if you live with diabetes (regardless of being type 1 or 2) then you must be fat and can’t eat cake. If people say certain jokes, I politely begin to educate them on diabetes—and they usually don’t make those jokes again. Instead, my friends and I make medically accurate jokes, like how our pancreas needs to start paying rent if it’s not going to work.

I wear my OmniPod on my arm, so I get a lot of questions about it. (“What’s that suction cup on your arm?”) Sometimes I give funny answers like, “I’m a cyborg.” Other questions I get often are, “What is the difference between the types of diabetes?” and, “Do you have the ‘bad’ diabetes?” My response is simple yet effective. I tell them that having type 1 or type 2 isn’t bad, and both are difficult to handle.

Right now at CSUSM, there are no educational programs in place for people living with diabetes. Once our CDN chapter gets university recognition, we are hoping to create a better diabetes community. We hope to help students find their way to the university’s Disabled Student Services and get them the accommodations that they need.

One thing I wish I knew about diabetes management before heading out to college was how to develop a better routine. Diabetes burnout is a real thing, and it is so hard for me to get back into the swing of things. It is easy for me to get off-track with my diabetes management when classes and work and everything else I’m trying to do just overwhelm me. I can’t lie: My diabetes can be a huge headache in my busy life. But having friends with diabetes is helping me slowly gain back control.

If you’re a high school senior living with diabetes and getting ready for college, remember: You can do this, and there are others out there who will help you. You got this!

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The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters.

Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.

 

From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2015/12/10/diabetes-in-college-madison/

New global framework to eliminate rabies

A new framework to eliminate human rabies and save tens of thousands of lives each year has been launched today by WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for the Control of Rabies (GARC).

The framework calls for 3 key actions - making human vaccines and antibodies affordable, ensuring people who get bitten receive prompt treatment, and mass dog vaccinations to tackle the disease at its source.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/eliminate-rabies/en/index.html

Mayo Clinic Minute: The Importance of Flu Shots for People with Diabetes

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l74ZplhooTo

New global framework to eliminate rabies

A new framework to eliminate human rabies and save tens of thousands of lives each year has been launched today by WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for the Control of Rabies (GARC).

The framework calls for 3 key actions - making human vaccines and antibodies affordable, ensuring people who get bitten receive prompt treatment, and mass dog vaccinations to tackle the disease at its source.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/eliminate-rabies/en/index.html

Cheerleading injuries less common, more severe

Supporters say that when cheerleading is not considered an official sport, there can be dangerous consequences

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cheerleading-injuries-less-common-more-severe-than-other-sports/