Human Services News

Youth who drink heavily at an early age may be less less sensitive to the intoxicating effects of consumption, perhaps hinting at a genetic predisposition to alcohol abuse. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:08 PM

21 Turns 21

Raising the national drinking age 21 years ago has saved at least 20,000 lives, but much work remains to address underage drinking and its harms. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:02 PM

Habit leads to learning, new VA/UCSD study shows

Humans have a "robust" capacity to learn and retain new information unconsciously, retaining so-called habit memory even when conscious or declarative learning is absent, memory experts at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the San Diego Veterans Affairs Health System report in the July 28, 2005 issue of Nature. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:25 PM

A Company's Troubled Answer for Prisoners With H.I.V.

From NYT > Health:

A doctor hired by Prison Health Services to coordinate care at an Alabama prison concluded that much of the problem was Prison Health itself. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:10 PM

Many body-conscious teens use supplements to improve physique

A nationwide, population-based survey of more than 10,000 adolescents, published in the August issue of Pediatrics, reports a high rate of concern about body image in both boys and girls, and finds that adolescents with such concerns are much more likely to use hormones and dietary supplements to enhance their physique -- with a heavy dose of media influence. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:58 PM

Injuries sustained at home remain a leading cause of death for children, teens in the US

Preventable home injuries for children and adolescents in the United States account for more than 2,800 deaths each year. While the number of incidents have decreased in recent years, fatalities from unintentional injuries at home continue to be a leading cause of death among children and teens in the US. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:57 PM

July 28, 2005

The New Kid on the Block: What is Marriage Education and Does It Work?

by Theodora Ooms. This brief provides an introduction to marriage and relationship education, a new field attracting increasing government attention and funding. The brief highlights its research roots, describes program goals, formats and curricula content, and summarizes what is known thus far about the effectiveness of marriage education programs. Click here for an annotated version of this brief. Pub No. 05-35. 10 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:43 PM

Trained nurses and laypersons perform well as preschool vision screeners

Trained nurses and laypersons can be as adept at conducting vision screenings of preschoolers as optometrists and ophthalmologists according to the results of a recent study published in the August 2005 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS). Their performance was also comparable to that of eyecare professionals using similar screening tools. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:58 PM

Stanford Business School Research: A True Expert Knows What Question to Ask

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Posted by Michael at 9:17 PM

Mental-state reasoning is universal milestone in child development

A major social-cognitive achievement of young children is the understanding that other people act on the basis of their own representations of reality rather than on the basis of reality itself. Yet previous research has only been conducted in Western cultures, where children pass such tests around the age of 5. New research reveals that children reach this false-belief milestone at about the same age the world over. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:13 PM

Simple Screening Prevents Disease, Improves the Health of Young Women and Unborn Children

Simple steps by health care institutions can increase the number of women tested for and diagnosed with chlamydia according to a study conducted by Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of Atlanta, Georgia. The analysis, ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:11 PM

Delivery of routine preventive services suboptimal for medicare beneficiaries

Certain physician characteristics and practice-setting characteristics are associated with Medicare beneficiaries receiving routine preventive services below the national goals, according to a study in the July 27 issue of JAMA. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:34 AM

Secondhand Smoke Risky During Pregnancy

Any exposure to tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, presents a risk of genetic mutation for unborn children, researchers say. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:16 AM

Clinical Support System Available to Assist Physicians who Treat Patients Dependent on Opiates

SAMHSA has announced the availability of the Physician Clinical Support System (PCSS) to assist physicians who prescribe or dispense buprenorphine to their patients dependent on heroin or prescription drugs containing opiates. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:14 AM

Girls' confidence in math dampened by parents' gender stereotypes

A survey of middle-school girls reveals that their self-confidence in math suffers when their parents believe the gender stereotype that holds that math is a male domain and when the parents give unsolicited help with homework. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:52 AM

Blood pressure poorly controlled in the elderly, especially women

Controlling high blood pressure in individuals age 80 years and older has become a major national health problem, according to a study published in the July 27 issue of JAMA..The study found that almost three fourths of those 80 years and older have hypertension -- blood pressure greater than 140 systolic over greater than 90 diastolic. Fewer than 10 percent have "normal" blood pressure levels -- less than 120 systolic over less than 80 diastolic. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:38 AM

Bush Administration's Principles for Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization Jeopardize San Francisco's System of HIV Care

Today the San Francisco AIDS Foundation expressed grave concerns about the potential impact of the principles outlined by the Bush Administration for the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. The principles, issued today by Health and Human Services ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:23 AM

July 27, 2005

Literacy Expert Offers Study Tips for Children

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:51 PM

July 26, 2005

Youth Trade Drugs at 'Pharming' Parties

Prescribed Ritalin, OxyContin stolen from medicine cabinets at home, and other psychoactive prescription drugs are the stock in trade at so-called "pharming parties," where young people trade medicines and often mix pills with alcohol to get high. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:43 PM

Making the Case: Improving Head Start Teacher Qualifications Requires Increased Investment

by Katherine Hart and Rachel Schumacher. This policy paper, part of the Head Start Series, describes changes in Head Start teacher qualifications in light of recent policy history and assesses whether states and higher education systems are prepared for a major policy change requiring more teachers to have a B.A. It presents both relevant research and federal data from Head Start Program Information Reports (PIR) from 2002-2003. Pub No. 05-34. 16 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:32 PM

Medical Support Update: The Federal Scene

by Paula Roberts. In 1998, Congress enacted the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act (CSPIA). One outgrowth of CSPIA, the Medical Child Support Working Group (MCSWG), made nearly 80 recommendations for change in law, policy, and practice to improve the chances that children served by the child support enforcement program would obtain adequate, accessible, and affordable health care coverage. During the past 18 months, some progress has been made at the federal level to move forward on this agenda. This memo describes some of these recent developments. Pub No. 05-36. 6 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:26 PM

High blood pressure not well controlled among older men and women

Nearly two-thirds of men and women age 80 and older have high blood pressure, but their conditions are frequently not kept under control, according to a new data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) long-standing Framingham Heart Study. In this age group, only 38 percent of men and 23 percent of women had blood pressures that met targets set forth in the National High Blood Pressure Education Program's (NHBPEP) clinical guidelines. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:59 PM

Arts program provides services, guidance to HIV/AIDS patients

As an art educator and researcher, Julia Kellman has long been aware that art can impact people's lives in profound ways. The past four years, she's witnessed the phenomenal power of art-making from the perspective of a director who is on stage, engaging in an ongoing, intimate dialogue with the actors who are real people who've been hit head-on by the brutal reality of HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:57 PM

Students -- Like Icebergs -- Different Than First Impressions, Expert Says

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Posted by Michael at 10:55 PM

Professor: Students Should Put Away Technology to Make Friends

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Posted by Michael at 10:53 PM

U.S. Labor Secretary Chao Applauds House Passage of Bush Administration's Plan to Reduce Number of Uninsured Americans

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao made the following statement following the passage of H.R. 525, the Small Business Health Fairness Act, by the U.S. House of Representatives: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:18 PM

Blood pressure control and treatment is low, especially among older women with hypertension

Compared to current national guidelines, rates of blood pressure control in the community are low, especially among older women, according to a new study in the July 27 issue of JAMA. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:59 PM

Any exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy is risky

A re-examination of data from earlier studies suggests that exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy can be just as detrimental to a developing fetus as primary exposure through maternal smoking, according to a recent paper from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Significant evidence of genetic mutations linked to later development of disease, including cancer, was found in cord blood from newborns for all maternal exposure to tobacco smoke. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:57 PM

One hit of crystal meth causes birth defects: U of T study

A single prenatal dose of methamphetamine - commonly known as speed - may be enough to cause long-term neurodevelopmental problems in babies, say University of Toronto researchers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:56 PM

Exposure to pesticides in schools produces illnesses among school employees and students

The rate of new illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools increased significantly in children from 1998 to 2002, according to an article in the July 27 issue of JAMA. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:46 PM

Initiative to Address Needs of Children in Military Households; Study Results Could Benefit Other Vulnerable Children

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:43 PM

CHI PACC(r) Provides Child-Centered Solution During Medicaid Reform Debate

U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D- Va.) and Florida officials today hailed a new initiative developed by Children's Hospice International (CHI) in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that improves health care for very sick children through ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:41 PM

FreedomWorks Michigan Announces 2005 TABOR Tour Organizational Meetings to Focus on Taxpayer Rights

Michigan needs a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). That's the message from Michigan FreedomWorks as it launches a sixteen city educational and organizational tour next month. The tour kicks off a major grassroots campaign in support of TABOR in Michigan. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:45 AM

New UC study shows 'stop and go' traffic increases infant wheezing

University of Cincinnati (UC) environmental health researchers have found that 17 percent of infants living near "stop and go" traffic suffer from wheezing..The study is the first of its kind to analyze the effects of "stop and go" bus and truck diesel traffic versus highway traffic on infant respiratory health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:30 AM

What are the roles and responsibilities of the media in disseminating health information?

The way in which the media report health issues has recently come under scrutiny. A debate in the open access journal PLoS Medicine illuminates the duties of health reporters to their readers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:23 AM

Adult socioeconomic position and health of twins

In a paper published in the open access journal PLoS Medicine, adult socioeconomic position can significantly affect later health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:22 AM

Immigrants spend half as much on health care as native-born Americans

Immigrants in the United States receive less than half the health-care services than do native-born Americans, according to study findings published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:21 AM

New method shows it is possible to grow bone for grafts within a patient's body

An international team of biomedical engineers has demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to grow healthy new bone reliably in one part of the body and use it to repair damaged bone at a different location. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:19 AM

Patients learn more facts from videos but need contact with doctor to soothe their anxiety

Researchers have found that showing patients an educational video about their condition teaches them the facts about their disease even better than when their doctor tells them about the condition.But the power of videotaped information also has its limits. The same study, by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System, also found that anxiety and stress are reduced much more among patients after they have visited with their doctors than after viewing the information on the educational video. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:18 AM

Understanding biases in epidemic models important when making public health predictions

Mathematical models have become invaluable decision-making tools for public health officials. As demonstrated during the United Kingdom's foot-and-mouth epidemic of 2001, models can be useful in two ways: they can reveal the underlying characteristics of an infection and they can allow the comparison of alternative control measures. Often, however, such models make implicit assumptions that may systematically bias their predictions, say researchers at the University of Georgia. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:14 AM

House Republicans Highlight Healthcare Security Initiatives

From washingtonpost.com - US government, national security, science and national news and headlines.:

Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) today announced that House Republicans will be voting this week on a series of health care-related measures that will help hard working Americans not only afford health insurance, but improve the quality of the ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 AM

When Geography Influences Treatment Options

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In the past decade, the rate of back surgery among Medicare patients has increased by more than half, driven by factors including new technology to fuse damaged vertebrae, more advanced imaging to diagnose injury, generous federal reimbursements and greater demand. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:04 AM

July 25, 2005

Study on female twins finds occupational class influences adult health, above early life conditions

Nancy Krieger, a professor of society, human development and health at the Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues, compared the health status, education levels and adult occupational class among women who were identical twins and who lived together through adolescence, to demonstrate that adult socioeconomic conditions affect adult health, above and beyond genetics and early life conditions. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:57 PM

Justice Department Announces New Initiatives at ADA 15th Anniversary Celebration

The Justice Department today announced the signing of 22 agreements with cities and counties across the country, as well as a new interactive web- based course, to promote greater accessibility in businesses and communities. Justice Department leadership announced ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:52 PM

AFL-CIO HIT Announces $750 Million Housing, Economic Development Plan for Chicago

WHAT: The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust is announcing a $750 million community investment plan for Chicago that will be funded by pension funds and will spur economic development, create union jobs and produce affordable housing. AFL-CIO President ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:51 PM

D.C. Area Housing Market Cools Off (washingtonpost.com)

From Yahoo! News: Top Stories:

washingtonpost.com - Washington area temperatures may be sizzling, but the once-torrid real estate market seems to be cooling off as houses stay on the market longer and the number of homes for sale rises. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:50 PM

Minimally invasive solid tumor biopsy may replace surgery to get diagnostic specimens

Inserting biopsy needles through the skin appears to be a safe and reliable alternative to surgery for obtaining diagnostic samples of a suspected solid tumor in children, according to results of a study by investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:41 PM

New study reports the risk perceptions of natural vs 'medicalized' childbirth

Many vestiges of the "medicalized" approach to childbirth -- a paradigm that is being challenged by more natural, drug-free options like home birth, duolas, and midwives -- remain common. All of these options, argues Craig Thompson, a professor of marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, are consumer choices dictated by a complex matrix of risk assessment. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:40 PM

Fla. Antismoking Groups Seek Constitutional Amendment

Frustrated by budget cuts by Florida lawmakers, stop-smoking advocates say they will ask voters to amend the state Constitution in order to restore funding for youth tobacco-education programs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:23 PM

Tobacco Industry Masters at 'Manufacturing Uncertainty'

The tobacco industry has been the undisputed master of a tactic known as 'manufacturing uncertainty' -- questioning the science underlying government regulations in order to undermine policies that threatens corporate interests. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:19 PM

Health Groups Become Parties to Tobacco Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler, who is presiding over the government's landmark tobacco racketeering case, has granted a motion allowing antismoking and health organizations to become formal parties to the lawsuit. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:18 PM

Alcohol and Other Drugs Plague Soldiers in Iraq

Alcohol and drug offenses are the second and third most common charges brought against soldiers of a National Guard unit in Iraq. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:17 PM

Few Americans Diagnosed as Alcoholics

Researchers say about 8 percent of Americans are dependent on alcohol, but just .06 percent of health-plan members are diagnosed with alcoholism. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:16 PM

Ohio Drains Tobacco Settlement Funds

The Ohio state legislature voted to divert all $216 million of the state's tobacco settlement funds to the state's school construction program. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:15 PM

Cigarette Lawsuit Could Benefit Legacy

From washingtonpost.com - US government, national security, science and national news and headlines.:

If major tobacco companies are required by a federal judge to relinquish $10 billion over 5 years to fund a cross-country anti-smoking campaign, the American Legacy Foundation may be in the best position to benefit from the windfall. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:13 PM

Job Market in W.Va. Defies Efforts to Reform Welfare

DELBARTON, W.Va. -- Sophia Diamond was born poor and does not doubt that she will die the same way.
Diamond received welfare, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), until the 60-month limit ran out. Nearly two years later, she began receiving disability checks, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). She gets $479 a month and $160 in food stamps. Still, she says, she can barely afford the electric bills for her trailer or food for her 8-year-old daughter.

She believes this is how it will always be. "I can't work at all," she said, "and there ain't no jobs here no how, except in the coal mines. There's nowhere else for me to go, neither. Without my family, I would not survive."

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:21 AM

July 24, 2005

Fewer Americans Admitted for Alcoholism Treatment

A decline in the number of Americans admitted for treatment of alcoholism has spurred an overall drop in addiction-treatment admissions. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:37 PM

Colo. School May Ban Public Funding of Alcohol

Colorado State University may impose a ban on using student tuition funds or public money to purchase alcohol. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:35 PM

Alcohol Ads Far Outnumber 'Responsibility' Messages, Group Says

The average American youth sees hundreds more alcohol ads than spots promoting responsible use of alcoholic beverages, according to a new report. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:34 PM

Docs Can Ask Single Question to ID Problem Drinkers

A new clinician's guide to identifying and assisting heavy drinkers says a single question can be used to screen patients for potential problem drinking. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:33 PM

Tobacco Prevention Grants for Native American and Tribal Organizations

Approximately $1.7 million in funding is available to U.S. tribes and tribal organizations through the Centers for Disease Control's "Cooperative Agreements for Tribes and Tribal Organizations for Tobacco Prevention and Control" grants program. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:26 PM

NIH Funding for Alcohol and Other Drug Research

The National Institutes of Health are offering wide-ranging grants for research on alcohol and other drug abuse prevention. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:25 PM

University of Virginia Professor's New Book Lauds Virginia's Fairfax Public School System as 'Education Empire'; Why Fairfax County Public School System Best in Nation

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:13 PM

Efforts to improve hospital care

From washingtonpost.com - US government, national security, science and national news and headlines.:

In recent years, American hospitals have made significant improvements on standardized, evidence-based measures of clinical performance for several medical conditions, including heart attacks, heart failure, and pneumonia. But an editorial says it's not clear how much effect these improvements in patient care have had on public health, especially in reducing morbidity and mortality. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:07 PM

Bad Practices Net Hospitals More Money

In Medicare's upside-down reimbursement system, hospitals and doctors who order unnecessary tests, provide poor care or even injure patients often receive higher payments than those who provide efficient, high-quality medicine. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:36 PM

National Study Finds Direct Link Between Inactivity, Weight Gain in American Adolescent Girls

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:14 PM

July 22, 2005

Open U.S. Educational Resources to Benefit Online Students Across Mexico and Latin America

Shared goals for improving student performance in mathematics have led to an unprecedented agreement announced today between Corporacion Universitaria para el Desarrollo de Internet (CUDI), a Mexico City-based educational non-profit representing more than 70 Mexican colleges and universities, and the Monterey Institute for Technology and Education (MITE), a U.S. non-profit that distributes Internet-based education courses.
This agreement will offer Mexican secondary and college students free access to high-quality online mathematics courses developed in the U.S. In return, Spanish translations of the courses will be developed and distributed free of charge to Spanish-speaking students in the U.S. and beyond. Educators in both countries have actively sought ways to overcome poor preparation in mathematics. The online courses in this agreement will be used to improve test scores, especially with underserved students in urban and rural areas
. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:08 AM

July 21, 2005

Bentley College Teaches High School Students Wall Street 101; New Partnership With Nationally Recognized LEAD Program Also Brings Students from Underserved Communities to Wall Street Program

On July 24 Bentley College welcomes high school students from across the country to its popular business camp Wall Street 101 -- an entree to private enterprise and an inside look at Wall Street. During the one-week residential program students experience a technology-rich, interactive program where they explore the stock market, learn about investing and portfolio management, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and experience the world of higher education through an on-campus experience.

This year, Bentley partnered with the nationally recognized Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program to launch a new summer camp, LEAD to Wall Street. LEAD is well-known for its outreach to historically under-represented communities to encourage the pursuit of a business education. The majority of its members are ALANA (Asian, Latin, African, Native American) students. From July 31 - August 5, high school juniors from the LEAD program will participate in their own Wall Street 101 program, gaining valuable business expertise.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:11 PM

Minorities Face Wealth/Homeownership Gap; Housing Has Greatest Power to Disenfranchise and Greatest Power to Increase Wealth

Government policies and market practices have contributed to creating the wealth gap between minorities and whites, and because homeownership is the most powerful driver of wealth for most people, the nation must expand homeownership among minorities. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:09 PM

Wealth doesn't always equal health

Across Europe, children from poor families don't necessarily have worse health than children with more affluent and better educated parents, say researchers in this week's BMJ. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:02 PM

Fathers more involved when paternity is established in the hospital

A study published in the recent issue of Journal of Marriage and Family examines the effectiveness of in-hospital paternity establishment for babies born to unwed parents. The research shows that though establishing paternity at any time increases the amount of formal and informal child support and the amount of father-child visits, in-hospital establishment is associated with better outcomes.
Analysis of interviews conducted a year after the baby's birth with mothers who remained single showed that fathers, who were named in the hospital, are fifteen percentage points more likely to have seen their child in the past month. Those whose paternity was established outside of the hospital are only seven points more likely to visit than those who did not have their paternity established. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:01 PM

July 20, 2005

"Ask the Experts" About Health Information Technology

Kaisernetwork.org hosted a live "Ask the Experts" discussion on improving the nation's health technology infrastructure, addressing questions about the government's role in developing an electronic medical information network, what steps are necessary to protect patient privacy and more. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:58 PM

It Takes a Private Neighborhood to Make a Local Revolution

In the last 40 years the number of private communities -- homeowners' associations, condominiums, and cooperatives, some of them gated -- has grown from less than 1,000 to more than 250,000. In Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:41 PM

Tax Credits to Help Low-Income Families Pay for Child Care

Low-income working families face enormous challenges. Key among them is how to pay for decent child care. The federal income tax code subsidizes child care in several ways. The largest subsidy is the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), a nonrefundable tax credit that offsets up to 35 percent of working parents' child care costs, subject to limits. Though not earmarked specifically for child care, the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) provide more help to low-income working families. This paper considers options to reform the CDCTC to assist low-income families. and examines expansions to the refundable tax credits that help families with children. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:23 PM

Assessing smoking-cessation programs - Does the 5A program work?

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine provides the most comprehensive assessment yet available on the delivery of smoking cessation services recommended by the USPHS clinical practice guideline for tobacco - the 5A Program (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange). In contrast to commonly-held beliefs, smokers reported they wanted their doctors to discuss cessation at most medical visits, and were more satisfied with their health plan when they received help with quitting. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:33 PM

Quality of care in hospitals varies among regions and within individual hospitals

Ashish Jha, assistant professor of health policy and management at the Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Boston Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, have for the first time assessed the quality of care in U.S. hospitals. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:21 PM

Injuries higher among obese people, study finds

Results from a new study suggest that extremely obese people are more likely than normal-weight people to injure themselves. Researchers collected health and injury data during a one-year period on more than 2,500 adults living in Colorado . More than one out of four (26 percent) of the extremely obese male participants reported personal injuries, and more than one out of five (21.7 percent) extremely obese women also reported injuries. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:15 PM

Helping the elderly beat the heat

As the population ages, a growing number of people become more vulnerable to extreme summer heat. In 2003, a heat wave was blamed for 14,800 deaths in France. The July issue of the Harvard Health Letter offers tips for the elderly to beat this summer's heat. Tips include: heading for the air conditioning; staying out of the sun; wearing loose, light clothes; and others. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:14 PM

U of T study shows barriers to HIV vaccine acceptance

Public health officials must be sensitive to concerns about stigma and fear of vaccine-induced infection if they want women to take advantage of HIV vaccines now under development, says a University of Toronto researcher. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:06 PM

Patient reminders boost immunization rates

Patient reminders can help physicians improve immunization rates for their practice, according to a new review of studies. All six of the reminder and recall systems tested -- including post cards, letters and phone calls -- resulted in better immunization coverage, the review finds. The boost in immunization rates held true for both adults and children -- and across an array of clinical settings. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:43 PM

HHS Press Conference Cause for Concern; ASA Affirms Support for Bill Removing Mercury from Vaccines for Children

The Autism Society of America (ASA), the nation's most widely-recognized and largest grassroots organization serving the entire autism community, was concerned during a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) press conference yesterday, particularly ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:37 PM

July 19, 2005

Children Should Read for Pleasure in Summer, Literacy Expert Says

A Purdue University literacy expert has a simple piece of advice for children looking for ways to stimulate their brains in the summer in preparation for going back to school.
"Have fun, relax, enjoy yourself, read a book or two, and don't worry about the upcoming tests next school year," says Jill May, a Purdue professor of literacy education.

May, who specializes in children's literature, says virtually any book can be beneficial, as long as it holds the child's interest.

"Children should find books they enjoy and read them," May says. "Books give them a chance to escape into a new world. That's why Harry Potter is so popular."

May says teachers can see a big difference between children who read during the summer and children who don't because reading helps develop a wide range of skills.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:48 PM

Food And Nutrition Programs: Reducing Hunger, Bolstering Nutrition

Following the creation and expansion of the domestic food assistance programs in the second half of the 20th century, severe hunger, which had been a significant national problem, has become rare. The food assistance programs were developed in several steps. Concerns about the nutritional status of young men drafted for service in World War II led to the enactment of the National School Lunch Act in 1946. The Food Stamp Program was established on a pilot basis in the early 1960s, and extended nationwide in the early 1970s, to help low-income families and individuals purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children, popularly known as WIC, was created in the early 1970s to improve the health of low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children who are found to be at nutritional risk.
In the 1960s, various studies found hunger to be a significant problem in the United States. Today, it has become relatively rare, although it still exists. In addition to easing one of the major burdens of poverty — being unable to put enough food on the table — the nutrition assistance programs also have been found to improve birth outcomes and increase children’s intake of key nutrients.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:47 PM

Making the Tax System Work for Low-Income Savers: The Saver's Credit

The federal tax system provides little incentive for participation in tax-preferred saving plans to households that most need to save more for retirement and whose contributions would most likely represent an actual increase in savings. By contrast, the tax code provides its strongest incentives to those who already are generally better prepared for retirement and who are more likely to use tax-preferred vehicles as a shelter than as an opportunity to increase overall saving. The saver's credit, helps correct this "upside-down" structure of tax incentives for retirement saving. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:44 PM

Public Opinion Snapshot on Health Information Sources

While Americans of all ages are most likely to get information about health and health care mainly from traditional media sources, there are significant generational differences in their reliance on other sources of health information, according to the latest . Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:37 PM

Medicare Chartbook Highlights Latest Data and Trends

This 2005 chartbook features more than 80 charts and tables with detailed information about the Medicare program and the 42 million seniors and younger people with disabilities who rely on the program for health insurance coverage. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:32 PM

New Research Sheds Light On Risks From Increasing Medicaid Cost-Sharing And Reducing Medicaid Benefits

Leighton Ku Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:31 PM

Medicaid: Improving Health, Saving Lives

Leighton Ku Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:29 PM

Public Benefits: Easing Poverty and Ensuring Medical Coverage

Arloc Sherman Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:28 PM

Supplemental Security Income: Supporting People With Disabilities And The Elderly Poor

Eileen P. Sweeney and Shawn Fremstad Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:48 PM

The Earned Income Tax Credit: Boosting Employment, Aiding the Working Poor

Robert Greenstein Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:47 PM

Mich. May Raid Tobacco Fund for Economic Development

Michigan legislative leaders have endorsed a plan to sell off part of the state's share of the nationwide tobacco settlement in exchange for a $1-billion lump-sum payment, which would be used for economic development. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:40 PM

Fun foods and exercise may reduce childhood obesity

Children enrolled in kid-oriented diet and exercise programs are likely to adopt healthier eating and activity patterns, according to an updated systematic review. Although the youngsters did not experience significant weight loss during the studies, most of which lasted a year or less, the reviewers note promising trends. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:38 PM

Children born with extremely low-birth-weight have considerable health and educational needs

Children born in the 1990s weighing less than 2.2 lbs. are at significantly increased risk of experiencing chronic health conditions and functional and educational limitations compared to normal-birth-weight children, according to a study in the July 20 issue of JAMA. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:36 PM

Report card on America's children 2005

The adolescent birth rate has reached another record low, the death rate for children between ages 1 and 4 is the lowest ever, according to a yearly compendium of statistics from federal agencies concerned with children.These findings are described in America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2005, the U.S. government's 9th annual monitoring report on the well-being of the Nation's children and youth. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:35 PM

Local Public Health Expert Available to Discuss Importance of Childhood Vaccines

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Posted by Michael at 9:34 PM

Statement from Marguerite W. Sallee, President and CEO of America's Promise -- The Alliance for Youth

The Alliance for Youth, 703-535-3819 or mikem@americaspromise.org Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:33 PM

Are some medicines so good they should be free? In diabetes, the answer may be yes

Nothing in life is free, the old saying goes. But maybe some things should be, a new study shows. Specifically, a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors should be available at no cost to people over age 65 who have diabetes. The drugs are so beneficial that even giving them away ultimately would save Medicare and society large amounts of money by preventing heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:20 PM

National Organizations Launch Network to Increase Awareness about Medicare Drug Benefit

WHAT: Press conference to launch the Medicare Rx Education Network, a network of more than 30 national organizations coordinating activities, sharing resources, and disseminating information about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. Member ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:04 PM

Kids are cynics, too? Yeah, right

As a generally cynical society, we tend to assume that the only innocent minds worth cherishing are those of children. However, that idyllic thought could be dashed to pieces because as early as first or second grade, children can show definite signs they are gaining the lifelong skill of taking some information they hear with a grain of salt. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:46 PM

Female adolescents trendsetters in teen talk

A casual remark by a teenage girl such as "She's so not cool" may be dismissed as typical teen talk. Young women, however, are leading changes in the way adolescents speak, according to a University of Toronto linguistics expert. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:45 PM

July 18, 2005

Screening for Unhealthy Alcohol Use with One or Two Questions

A new study suggests that asking only one straightforward question can identify unhealthy alcohol use. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:18 AM

Reducing Alcohol Ads Kids See Won't Cost Industry Adult Market

The alcohol industry can better shield America's underage youth from alcohol ads and still direct its advertising to legal-age drinkers, according to a white paper recently released by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:18 AM

SAMHSA Funds Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded $59.5 million in treatment grants for homeless persons with mental-health and alcohol and other drug problems. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:09 AM

July 17, 2005

Governors Endorse a Standard Formula for Graduation Rates

From NYT > National:

The initiative is intended to help policy makers more accurately measure student success and identify academic programs that need improving. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:13 PM

Malpractice litigation wrongly blamed for inconsistent health care

Conventional wisdom holds that malpractice lawsuits are the bane of modern medicine, with high insurance premiums driving doctors from the profession and the threat of lawsuits discouraging health-care employees from reporting and correcting medical mistakes. A University of Illinois health-law scholar finds most of the assertions to be without factual basis. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:56 PM

Carter Center Awards 2005-2006 Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism

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Posted by Michael at 10:52 PM

New York Medicaid Fraud May Reach Into Billions

From NYT > Health:

A health care program for the poorest New Yorkers has become a $44.5 billion target for the unscrupulous and the opportunistic. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:47 PM

Why the healthcare crisis won't go away

From Christian Science Monitor | Work/Money:

Out-of-control costs and an evolving 'market' paint a bleak picture of US healthcare. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:46 PM

Teaching adults effective parenting skills best tool to treat children with serious conduct problems

Training adults to have more effective parenting skills is the most potent tool available and should remain the standard of care in treating preadolescent children with serious behavior problems. And, a study shows for the first time such training is equally effective in treating girls. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:25 PM

July 15, 2005

Cost of Meeting House and Senate Proposed Head Start Teacher Qualification Requirements

by Danielle Ewen. This analysis provides a preliminary estimate of the necessary level of funding needed to raise the degree qualifications to meet the requirements in the Head Start reauthorization legislation currently proposed in the House and Senate. CLASP's analysis demonstrates that it will cost at least $2.7 billion over six years to cover the cost of educating the necessary number of teachers in the House bill and raising their compensation to the levels of kindergarten teachers. To pay for the cost of the Senate requirements for increased education and raising compensation, CLASP estimates that it will cost as much as $3.4 billion over six years. Pub No. 05-33. 5 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:42 AM

Experts Say Gov't Parenting Website Lacks Alcohol Info

A parenting website set up by the Bush administration is being criticized by a panel of doctors and psychologists, who contend, among other things, that the site gives inadequate attention to youth alcohol use. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:38 AM

July 14, 2005

College Admission Professionals Call for More Support for Student Aid After Higher Education Act Markup

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) expressed disappointment after amendments to HR 609 were voted down during the House Education and the Workforce subcommittee Higher Education Act (HEA) markup on Thursday. These amendments included investments in student aid designed to improve college access for all students.
"As education professionals dedicated to helping students prepare for higher education, our members are concerned first and foremost about safeguarding and strengthening our commitment to students in the HEA," stated Joyce Smith, executive director of NACAC. "Investment in need-based student aid, improvement of early college awareness programs, and preservation of rules meant to protect student aid from fraud and abuse are the most important HEA issues for our members." Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:11 PM

American Federation of Teachers on the 2004 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Long-Term Trends in Academic Progress

From washingtonpost.com - US government, national security, science and national news and headlines.:

Following is a statement by Antonia Cortese, executive vice president, American Federation of Teachers, on the 2004 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Long-Term Trends in Academic Progress:
The 2004 NAEP long-term trend data released today show encouraging progress built on years of effort to raise standards and student achievement by teachers and other educators. Clearly, our nation's schools are staffed by committed professionals whose efforts are paying off for students.

Among the encouraging trends the data reveal is the narrowing achievement gap between Latino and African-American children and their white peers. Such progress takes time and sustained effort and predates the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. These important gains are the product of years of emphasis on reading and math using research-based instruction, as well as the result of a sharpened focus on high standards as the engine behind student progress. And, it is clear that if we want to continue these gains, we have to get NCLB right...

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:09 PM

9-Year-Olds Said Better in Math, Reading (AP)

From Yahoo! News: Top Stories:

AP - The nation's 9-year-olds last year posted their best scores in the building-block subjects of reading and math in more than three decades. Older students didn't fare as well. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:08 PM

Young Students Post Solid Gains in Federal Tests

From NYT > National:

Elementary school students made solid gains in both reading and mathematics in the first years of this decade, test results show. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:06 PM

School Achievement Gap Is Narrowing

Black and Hispanic students are catching up with their white counterparts in reading and math at the elementary-school level, but there has been little closing of that achievement gap in higher grades, according to a study released yesterday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:05 PM

Alcohol abuse: Early diagnosis is key to treatment success

The successful treatment of most diseases relies heavily upon an early diagnosis. However, most individuals with alcoholism or alcohol-abuse problems evade detection until severe medical, legal and/or social consequences occur. Symposium speakers at the October 2004 Congress for the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism in Mannheim, Germany discussed emerging approaches to early detection of alcohol abuse and/or dependence. Proceedings are published in the July issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:52 PM

Despite conflicting studies on obesity, most Americans think the problem remains serious

The past year has seen scientific studies that have varied in their estimates of the seriousness of obesity and overweight and their impact on premature death.[1] A new opinion poll by the Harvard School of Public Health finds that most Americans have not changed their minds about the seriousness of the obesity problem and do not believe that scientific experts are overestimating the health risks of obesity. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:46 PM

Conference Call Briefing: Are Key Low-Income Assistance Programs Effective? What Have They Accomplished?

WHAT: Conference Call Briefing: ARE KEY LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE? WHAT HAVE THEY ACCOMPLISHED? Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:21 PM

Benefit cuts won't solve Social Security's financing problem

From Economic Policy Institute:

President Bush proposes to solve the long-term financial problems of Social Security by lowering the share of income that Social Security provides for workers. This means cutting the income of families when a worker is no longer able to earn enough to maintain a family's lifestyle and a large number of American families do not have private counterparts to Social Security benefits. Read about it in this week's Snapshot. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:47 AM

The Employment Retention and Advancement Project

From MDRC:

Early results are mixed for Employment and Retention Advancement project programs in four sites, but programs in two sites appear to help some welfare recipients work more steadily and advance to higher-paying jobs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:32 AM

July 13, 2005

Desire to stop drinking could be more important than therapy

The positive outcomes of therapy for alcoholism may have less to do with the therapy itself and more to do with participants' determination to quit. These are the findings of a study published today in the Open Access journal, BMC Public Health, which provides a new analysis of previous data from Project MATCH, a clinical trial of three common forms of therapy used for the treatment of alcoholism. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:39 PM

Innovative Home Ownership Program to Build Stronger East Side Community

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:11 PM

Involved parents influence how teens think about substance use and the people who use them

Although it is understood that involved parents have adolescents less likely to use substances such as alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes, involved parenting actually affects a teenager's thought processes. A teen's image of one who engages in these activities, and a teen's own willingness to do so, are the areas most affected by involved parents. The results suggest that parents ultimately may be able to reduce the chance of substance abuse by influencing a teen's thinking. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:52 PM

After-school programs may foster academic achievement

Children who are highly engaged in after-school programs can improve their reading, academic motivation, and expectations for their own success when compared to children whose after-school care includes that of babysitters, relatives, and time alone. This study focused on ethnically diverse, economically disadvantaged children enrolled in three Northeast public schools. These results are relevant in light of growing numbers of children enrolled in after-school programs, and policy issue of how to fund these programs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:52 PM

Parental involvement, social understanding, protect teens from violence

Parental involvement and social understanding (thinking about social interactions in a non-hostile way) can create resilient teenagers who avoid violent behavior despite living in a dangerous neighborhood. This survey of 1,599 adolescents in a large northeastern urban public school system serving mostly low-income and minority families showed that girls and boys differ in what influences them to avoid violent behavior. These findings show the necessity of gender-based violence prevention efforts in communities. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:50 PM

Environment more than genes determines child's social aggressiveness

Social aggression, inflicting emotional rather than physical pain on others, seems to be only 20 percent genetically influenced while genetics account for over half of physical aggression's appearance. A new study of 234 six-year old twins' physical and social aggression suggests that socially aggressive tactics gradually replace physical aggression in a developmental shift. This shift implies that early intervention may prevent the development of social aggression in physically aggressive kids. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:49 PM

Timing of poverty in childhood critical to later outcomes

Poverty at any point in a child's early life negatively affects a child's educational and social competencies. New data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care, however, has shown that less serious long-term affects are seen with young children whose families move out of poverty later on. On the other hand, poverty later in childhood, from ages 4 to 9, was linked to increased school and social problems. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:48 PM

To know what your teenager is doing, get to know your teen

How do parents find out what their teenagers are doing? Interviews with 179 two-parent families with 16-year olds showed that the best way is to be in a relationship in which your teen openly shares with you and you know your child well enough to notice subtle cues. It seems that parents and children need to establish open, trusting relationships in childhood and early adolescence so that healthy communication is possible in the teenage years. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:47 PM

The Challenge of Scaling Up Educational Reform

From MDRC:

First Things First, a comprehensive school reform initiative, increased student achievement in Kansas City, Kansas, the first school district to adopt the reform model. It is not yet clear if First Things First is working in four other school districts in which it has been replicated. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:34 AM

Lack of Physician Training Part of Prescription Drug Abuse

Many doctors and pharmacists say that their training in prescribing powerful painkillers and other controlled substances is limited -- a shortcoming that is becoming more acute as misuse of these drugs grows. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:12 AM

Maine Kids: Alcohol Ads Target Us

Two-thirds of Maine students who took part in a survey on alcohol advertising believe that such ads target underage youth. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:11 AM

State Tax Credits for Child Care

Child care costs can represent a significant barrier for low-income working families. As of 2004, along with a federal credit for child care expenses, 27 states offered tax credits or deductions to offset child care expenses. Thirteen states offered a refundable child care credit - or a credit that was refundable for at least low-income families; twelve states offered child care credits that were non-refundable, and three states offered a deduction of child care expenses (Maryland offered both a non-refundable credit and a deduction). Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:38 AM

Students Storm Capitol to Advocate Social Security Reform; Student for Saving Social Security Rally in Upper Senate Park at 12 p.m., July 13

Students Storm Capitol to Advocate Social Security Reform Student For Saving Social Security Rally in Upper Senate Park in Washington D.C. at 12 p.m., July 13 Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:02 AM

July 12, 2005

New study: Many local health directors unsure of authority to curtail smoking

Local health department directors across North Carolina are confused about state laws covering whether their facilities can be made smoke-free, but still strongly support such policies, according to a new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study.The UNC schools of medicine and public health research showed that a majority of the directors were unsure or did not think they could enact tobacco-free policies on health department grounds. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:58 PM

US still spends more on health care than any other country

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the United States continues to spend significantly more on health care than any country in the world. They also found that supply constraints and malpractice litigation could not explain the difference in health care costs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:45 PM

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, ADA Foundation Announce Recipients of Grants for Improving Older Adult Access to Oral Care; Six Grant Winners to Receive Money From Fund Established by GSK Consumer Healthcare

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Posted by Michael at 11:40 PM

Camino Medical Group's School Nutrition Program is a Menu of Great Advice; Six San San Francisco South Bay Elementaries First to Welcome New Fitness Series

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:37 PM

Media Briefing on Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization

What: Media Briefing on Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:36 PM

Helping in a selfish world

Billions of people tuned into recent Live 8 concerts. What makes some of us look out for each other, while others look out for themselves? Traditionally, scientists have explained co-operation using kin selection. Help to relatives makes sense if it means your relative will have more children who will carry your genes into the next generation. However, McMaster University researchers show that in certain situations the reverse is true: unrelated individuals help more. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:07 PM

Save the Children Joins National Campaign to Save Lives of Children Under Five

Save the Children, a global humanitarian organization, has been chosen by WGBH and Vulcan Productions as a major partner in Rx for Child Survival -- a groundbreaking national campaign to save the lives of 6 million children under age 5 in the developing world. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:05 PM

July 11, 2005

New Survey Examines the State of Women's Health Care

A new national survey finds that more than one-quarter of non-elderly women have delayed or gone without health care they believed they needed in the past year because of the cost. The survey covers a broad range of issues facing women, including health status, health care costs, insurance, access to care, prevention, and their role in family health care. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:15 PM

Assessing The National Governors Association's Proposals To Allow Increases In Cost-Sharing Charges To Medicaid Beneficiaries