08/29/16

Monday, August 29, 2016

Russian man volunteers for first human head transplant

While two surgeons are eager to perform the procedure, others say it's dangerous – "rotten scientifically and lousy ethically”

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Frussian-man-volunteers-for-first-human-head-transplant%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Many Depressed Adults Not Getting Treatment: Study

Reasons range from dismissal of symptoms to shame or stigma

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdepression%2Fnews%2F20160829%2Fmany-depressed-adults-not-getting-treatment-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

An approach to therapy that may make depression treatment more accessible

It makes no difference that effective depression treatments exist if you don’t have access to them. Increasing the availability of behavioral treatments is a key challenge for the field of mental health care. A recent study has just suggested a way to do this. The research was published in The Lancet.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral activation (BA)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most researched non-medication treatment for depression. It’s been shown to be effective, yet access to CBT is limited. One reason is that there are not enough well-trained clinicians (usually psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists) to meet demand. And, training clinicians well is expensive. The upshot is that if you do have access to CBT, it is costly — either to you or your insurance company. Is there an alternative to CBT that could be more available and less costly to the system and individuals?

Researchers at the University of Exeter in Great Britain examined the effectiveness and cost of just such an alternative. It’s called behavioral activation (BA) and its focus is on actions — getting back to doing enjoyable activities as well as those that offer the opportunity to achieve a goal or improve a skill. BA also addresses the avoidance of certain activities (read: procrastination) that, when a person can actually do them, have an upside — for example, meeting new people or trying new activities. CBT involves changing behaviors, too (the “B” part). But, part of the process includes evaluating our thoughts, or cognitions (the “C” part), to see if we’re viewing ourselves, other people, our future, and the world around us accurately. Patients learn to challenge negative thinking — not to fool themselves into thinking everything’s okay, but to look at things more objectively.

A big difference between CBT and BA is that it’s easier to provide BA. Paraprofessionals can offer BA, whereas you need clinicians with more — and therefore more expensive — training to provide CBT.

Comparing behavioral activation and cognitive behavioral therapy

In this study, BA worked equally well as CBT (it was “non-inferior” to CBT), and was 21% less expensive because the providers were less expensive. The good news is that this form of depression treatment works as well as CBT, and is more affordable; therefore it should become available more broadly.

Here’s how the study worked. In just five days, the research team trained junior mental health workers to deliver BA. These workers had no prior training in mental health interventions. They also recruited therapists with extensive training in CBT and gave them a five-day workshop to ensure they would all follow the same CBT approach to depression treatment. (In this study, the CBT approach emphasized the “C” — cognitive therapy.) Investigators went on to ensure that all the providers (BA and CBT) were delivering the therapies correctly.

Study participants included 440 patients with major depressive disorder (that’s a large sample). Half received BA and half received CBT — 67% of the BA and 72% of the CBT patients completed at least eight sessions (a good completion rate). Twelve months after they started treatment, approximately 80% of patients in both groups no longer met the criteria for having major depressive disorder. That’s an encouraging success rate for both forms of therapy.

One caveat about this study was that there wasn’t a “no treatment” comparison group, so we don’t know how many patients would have improved on their own. But what’s especially interesting is that 78% of the participants were taking antidepressant medications and were still depressed before the study. These volunteers also averaged six to seven prior episodes of depression. That suggests that they probably would not have improved much without the BA or CBT.

Overall, this study is exciting because it suggests ways to treat depression that can reach the many people who need treatment but are having trouble getting it.

The post An approach to therapy that may make depression treatment more accessible appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: James Cartreine, PhD http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fan-approach-to-therapy-that-may-make-depression-treatment-more-accessible-2016082910174&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

ADA names members who earned Certificate for International Volunteer Service

Dr. Jack Levine, a New Haven, Connecticut-based dentist, had had a busy year.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Faugust%2Fada-names-members-who-earned-certificate-for-international-volunteer-service&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Colgate sponsoring two free courses at ADA 2016

In partnership with the ADA, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals have created two free continuing education courses at ADA 2016 – America's Dental Meeting, both on Oct. 21.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Faugust%2Fcolgate-sponsoring-two-free-courses-at-ada-2016&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Cheaper alternative to EpiPen may carry risks

For allergy sufferers at risk of anaphylactic shock, do-it-yourself syringes could fall short

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fcheaper-epipen-alternative-may-carry-risks%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

3 Drugs Identified to Potentially Fight Zika Virus

But only one is already approved in the United States

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160829%2F3-drugs-identified-to-potentially-fight-zika-virus%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Playing sports with concussion doubles recovery time

Continuing to play despite a concussion also leads to worse short-term mental function, new research shows

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fplaying-sports-with-concussions-doubles-recovery-time-study%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Your Rights, One Voice: Carol’s Story

It’s probably one of the worst fears there is for a parent of a child with diabetes: That their child could suddenly not have access to life-saving diabetes medications.

That is what happened to Carol. Her 31-year-old son Dan, who has had type 1 diabetes since age 18, was sentenced to 60 days at a Minnesota county jail for a misdemeanor offense. It may not seem like a very long time, but for someone with type 1 diabetes, 60 days of potentially receiving very poor diabetes care can be life-threatening.

Just 10 days after being incarcerated, Dan was already experiencing physical symptoms from constant high blood glucose levels. He was being denied access to appropriately timed insulin—and was being punished for demanding to see a nurse or requesting insulin. Dan was extremely anxious and felt helpless about his situation. He resorted to not eating in order to keep his blood glucose from going even higher. This resulted in jail officials deeming him a danger to himself and placing him in lock-up.

Dan was doing his best to advocate for himself from within the facility. On three different occasions, he filed grievances about the lack of diabetes care, and those grievances were refused. He requested to be taken to the emergency room because of how ill he was feeling (weakness, blurry vision, back and side pain that he associated with his kidneys, etc.) and that was also refused.

Carol used the facility’s online system to put money in a phone account for Dan, so he could call and inform her of what was going on. Dan was scared and begged for help. He told his mother this was the worst situation he’d ever been in. He had never felt as ill because of his diabetes as he did when he was in jail, and he feared for his life and well-being.

Carol, too, was trying to advocate for better care for her son from her home in Michigan, but to no avail. She had Dan’s personal doctor send his prescribed insulin regimen and medicine to the jail in an effort to educate the jail medical unit. Carol also spoke with jail officials and was told that they limit insulin in order to protect staff and themselves from liability. Carol also spoke with the Sheriff on two occasions, but those conversations were not productive.

Aside from the poor diabetes care he was receiving, Dan was also denied access to a work release program that the judge approved him for—a program that would have allowed him an earlier release from jail. Officials were denying him access because his blood glucose levels were too high, a condition that they were responsible for causing and that only they could correct.

All of this amounted to one thing: Dan was being discriminated against because of his diabetes. He went five weeks without proper diabetes care. It was a horrifying experience.

Then, Dan told Carol about a time that he fainted in front of other inmates and guards; rather than get him medical help, the guards removed him and put him in isolation. That’s when she called the American Diabetes Association® for help for her son.

Carol spoke to a Legal Advocate who gave her information about her son’s rights and guidance on how to move forward. The Legal Advocate also sent information directly to Dan and referred the case to Tim Phillips, a Minnesota attorney who is a member of the Association’s Advocacy Attorney Network.

Dan used the information and sample language provided by the Legal Advocate to write a fourth grievance, which was finally accepted by jail officials. At the same time, Phillips sent letters to the Sheriff’s office and to the jail’s medical unit demanding adequate care and access for Dan.

Immediately, Dan began receiving his insulin as prescribed, including corrective insulin, and blood glucose checks as needed. His health improved and he was allowed work release for the last few weeks of his sentence.

Phillips was very pleased that jail officials finally decided to do the right thing. He encourages other attorneys to take on these cases: “Prisons and jails aren’t safe for anyone. Attorneys should intervene on behalf of people whose rights are violated, whether by writing letters or filing lawsuits.”

Dan did not stop there. He shared the information he received from the Association with other detainees with type 1 who were not receiving adequate diabetes care. He talked to them about their options and used the materials to educate them about their rights.

“This is when he learned how important it is to have a family member or someone on the outside to assist with making contact with administrators, sheriff, prosecutor, among others,” Carol says of her son. “So many inmates do not have the benefit of a caring family member or friends.”

“Thank you [ADA] so much for all your help in getting him the help he needed during his time in [the] Minnesota jail system. We are both very appreciative of your efforts, calls, referrals and materials that gave Dan a voice in his diabetes care during incarceration.”

The American Diabetes Association leads the effort to prevent and eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, at work and in other parts of daily life. If you need help, call 1-800-DIABETES or visit http://diabetes.org/gethelp.

Learn about the rights of individuals in detention and strategies to obtain adequate medical care.

Give the gift of fairness — donate now to help people with diabetes facing discrimination, just like Dan.

From: American Diabetes Association http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesstopshere.org%2F2016%2F08%2F29%2Fcarols-story%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

USDA Announces $18.9 Million to Improve Research Facilities at 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities

GREENSBORO, N.C., Aug. 29, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $18.9 million in renewal awards to build or improve agricultural and food science research facilities and equipment at historically black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fusda%2Fusdahome%3Fcontentid%3D2016%2F08%2F0184.xml%26contentidonly%3Dtrue&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mayo Clinic Minute: Back to School Concussion Screening

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpoDlCehDFNg&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

More parents believe vaccines are unnecessary

The percentage of pediatricians who refuse to see patients over repeated vaccine refusals is also growing

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fmore-parents-believe-vaccines-are-unnecessary%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Many with depression have something else in common

Health officials have recommended routine screening for depression, but often those who need treatment don't get it

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fdepression-screening-many-patients-dont-get-treatment%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Friendships Matter if You Want to Lose Weight

Study found overweight people more likely to shed pounds if they spend time with thin friends

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdiet%2Fnews%2F20160826%2Ffriendships-matter-if-you-want-to-lose-weight%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Take Special Care With This Contact Lens Solution

Product requires a neutralizing step to prevent stinging, burning, FDA says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Feye-health%2Fnews%2F20160826%2Ftake-special-care-with-hydrogen-peroxide-contact-lens-solution%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Same-sex couple sues N.J. over fertility health coverage law

A lesbian couple in New Jersey says they were unfairly prevented from getting health insurance coverage for infertility treatments. The married women are now suing over the very specific way the state law defines infertility. Elaine Quijano speaks to the couple about their painful experiences trying to have a child.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fsame-sex-couple-sues-nj-over-fertility-health-coverage-law%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Elmo's Mayo Clinic story

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJTY0Sem7xKc&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Eye Opener at 8: Arrests made in shooting death of NBA star's cousin

A look back at what we've been covering on "CBS This Morning." Subscribe to get the Eye Opener delivered straight to your inbox.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Feye-opener-at-8-arrests-made-in-shooting-death-of-nba-stars-cousin%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

EpiPen maker announces major move amid pricing outrage

Pharmaceutical company Mylan to offer generic version of critical drug to allergy sufferers, cutting cost in half

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fmylan-generic-epipen-price-allergy-drug-epinephrine-pharma%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

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