As many Americans struggle to pay rising health insurance premiums, a CBS News investigation has uncovered a scheme that could make those premiums go even higher. Rural hospitals are being exploited by some health care executives who are using them to make up to ten times more from insurance companies. Jim Axelrod reports.
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/some-rural-hospitals-exploited-by-health-care-executives/
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Genetic Testing: Do You Really Want to Know?
Genetic testing is already a billion-dollar industry, and some research estimates that it could grow to $10 billion in the next decade.
From: https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20180327/genetic-testing-do-you-really-want-to-know?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Prince died from sky-high levels of fentanyl, report shows
AP obtained confidential toxicology report documenting what was in his system at time, including the super-potent synthetic opioid
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-died-from-sky-high-levels-of-fentanyl-report-shows/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-died-from-sky-high-levels-of-fentanyl-report-shows/
Recall: Treats May Spike Dog’s Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid hormone comes from ground livestock gullets -- cuts of meat from the cow’s throat. When these parts are used to make dog treats, it can send a dog’s thyroid gland into overdrive.
From: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/news/20180327/recall-treats-may-spike-dogs-thyroid-hormone?src=RSS_PUBLIC
ADHD Tied to Brain Size Changes in Young Children
The investigators found that those children with ADHD had significantly reduced volume in multiple regions of the cerebral cortex, including the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes.
From: https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20180327/adhd-tied-to-brain-size-changes-in-young-children?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Newly Discovered Human Organ May 'Drive Advances'
This discovery, his team said, could also lead to new ways to treat a wide range of health issues, including cancer and age-related conditions.
From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20180327/newly-discovered-human-organ-may-drive-advances?src=RSS_PUBLIC
ADA, ADAF scientists present work at national conference
ADA and ADA Foundation researchers presented original scientific abstracts and other works March 21-24 during the 47th annual meeting and exhibition of the American Association of Dental Research.
From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/ada-adaf-scientists-present-work-at-national-conference
From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/ada-adaf-scientists-present-work-at-national-conference
'I show kids they can make it out'
Growing up in Chicago's underserved South Side, Dr. Ogbonna Bowden remembers watching many of his classmates talk with their hands covering their mouths to hide stained teeth or put their heads down on their desks during class while in pain from toothaches.
From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/i-show-kids-they-can-make-it-out
From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/i-show-kids-they-can-make-it-out
Leading a concerted effort to improve oral health
This is the sixth in a series featuring graduates of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership and how these dental leaders continue to affect their communities.
From: By Kimber Solana
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/leading-a-concerted-effort-to-improve-oral-health
From: By Kimber Solana
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/leading-a-concerted-effort-to-improve-oral-health
Dolls May Comfort People With Alzheimer’s
Toy dolls can bring children comfort. And they may provide a similar perk later in life for people with dementia.
From: https://www.webmd.com/features/baby-dolls-dementia-alzheimers?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Alarm system on failed embryo tank was off, fertility clinic says
The alarm should have alerted staff when the storage tank's temperature began to rise
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/university-hospitals-alarm-system-was-off-on-failed-embryo-tank-ohio/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/university-hospitals-alarm-system-was-off-on-failed-embryo-tank-ohio/
Reading With Toddlers Boosts More Than Language
Evaluating prior studies on parent-child reading in children up to age 6, researchers in Hong Kong found positive effects for both sides in so-called psychosocial functioning, which includes mental well-being, emotions, behavior and relationships with others.
From: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20180327/reading-with-toddler-boosts-more-than-language?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Aging Can Be Tough to Swallow
The study included 31 adults, ages 62 to 91, with no swallowing problems, and 33 healthy young adults, ages 18 to 28. Both groups underwent an X-ray video test that revealed the mechanics of their swallowing.
From: https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20180326/aging-can-be-tough-to-swallow?src=RSS_PUBLIC
How to Talk to Loved Ones about Type 2 Diabetes Risk
An estimated 84 million Americans are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes—and someone you love could be among them. However, many people don’t realize that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or even prevented with healthy lifestyle changes. This means that even if your loved ones are at risk for diabetes, there’s still time for them to take the steps necessary to turn their health around.
Today, March 27, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day®, an opportunity to encourage the people in your life to learn their risk for type 2 diabetes by taking the one-minute Risk Test.
Not sure how to bring the topic up? Follow these tips to help your friends and family members learn about their risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Bring backup: You may have an understanding of type 2 diabetes, but not everyone does. Make sure to be prepared with information about diabetes symptoms and risk factors. You can review our resources on diabetes.org or work with your loved one’s health provider to gather this information.
- Be understanding: Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes has many myths and negative stigmas surrounding it. Diabetes can happen to anyone—but even if you understand this, your loved one may view your concern as an attack. Let your loved one know that you care about his or her health, and want to help prevent or delay a type 2 diagnosis.
- Get educated: Consider joining a support group or diabetes education class with your loved one so that you can learn more together. Our local field offices can help you find options for in-person opportunities in your area. You can contact your nearest office here, or search for local recognized education programs here.
- Take things slowly: Your health doesn’t change overnight. If your loved one is living with multiple risk factors, he or she may be overwhelmed by the thought of making long-term lifestyle changes. Let your loved one know that you’re in it for the long haul, and will be there for support.
- Build a team: Depending on your loved one’s Risk Test results, you may need to consult with a doctor or other health care professional. You can help your loved one build a diabetes care team, from a PCP, to an endocrinologist, to a mental health counselor. Our local offices can help with this, as can our new Mental Health Provider Directory.
Nearly half of all American adults live with diabetes or prediabetes, and chances are someone you love is one of them. Encourage them to make a change this Alert Day.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2018/03/27/how-to-talk-to-loved-ones-about-type-2-diabetes-risk/
Good news: fewer teens are being bullied
Follow me on Twitter @drClaire
New data from the US Department of Education brings some really good news: fewer teens are being bullied. In 2007, 31.7% of students ages 12 to 18 reported being bullied. In 2015, that number was down to 20.8%, a drop of a third.
Other stats were also encouraging:
- In 2007, 9.7% reported being called a hate-related word, compared with 7.2% in 2015
- The percentage of teens reporting being bullied at school dropped from 6.6% in 2007 to 4.2% in 2015
- More teens are telling an adult about bullying: those numbers went from 36.1% in 2007 to 43.1% in 2015.
There are still too many kids getting bullied, so we still have more work to do, but this is a sign that the work we’ve done so far is making a difference. And we have done a lot of work, through educational campaigns, media and social media, as well as tremendous work within schools:
- Bullying has been clearly described and identified. This makes it easier for everyone to recognize bullying when they see it — and do something. There will always be some gray area, but we have much more clarity than before.
- There is a clear consensus that bullying is a bad behavior that should be stopped. This has not always been the case. In many situations, bullying behavior was normalized, thought to be part of school and life in general. Now we understand better how harmful it can be. Because of this…
- Bullying is not tolerated, or at least it is much less tolerated. Youth have learned to call it out — and many schools have strict anti-bullying policies.
- Educational efforts have given youth and adults strategies to identify and deal with bullying.
Ultimately, what all of this adds up to is a culture shift. Bullying is far from gone, and we need to keep up our efforts, especially in our current political climate, with people taking sides and some hate-related behaviors on the rise. But we think about bullying differently now than we did 10 years ago, and that’s a good thing.
Even more, the efforts against bullying have given us a blueprint for cultural change: bring the behavior out of the shadows, talk about it, educate — and give people tools and resources. Hopefully we can use this blueprint more — we are seeing it now with the #metoo movement — and help make our society a healthier, more welcoming place for all.
The post Good news: fewer teens are being bullied appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Claire McCarthy, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/good-news-fewer-teens-are-being-bullied-2018032713549
Mayo Clinic Minute: Understanding chronic kidney disease
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jcL3TlgF4A
ADA offers opioids prescribing recommendations in FDA comments
The Association March 16 filed comments with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration offering ways the agency can improve opioid prescribing for dentistry.
From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/ada-offers-opioids-prescribing-recommendations-in-fda-comments
From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/ada-offers-opioids-prescribing-recommendations-in-fda-comments
ADA offers support for ‘Good Samaritan’ bill
Washington — The Association offered its support for legislation that would limit the liability of volunteer health care professionals, including dentists, when treating victims during a disaster.
From:
From:
By Kimber Solana
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/ada-offers-support-for-good-samaritan-billNew spending bill earmarks $4 billion for opioids
President Donald J. Trump on March 23 signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill that will keep the government running through Sept. 30 and includes $4 billion in funding for the nation's opioid crisis.
From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/new-spending-bill-earmarks-4-billion-for-opioids
From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/new-spending-bill-earmarks-4-billion-for-opioids
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