Human Services News

Clinical trials of drugs intended to prevent HIV infection in high-risk populations must be developed and carried out in close collaboration with the local communities and national governments of the countries in which they are conducted, according to 18 international leaders in HIV prevention writing in the current (Sept. 30, 2005) issue of Science. Oral, daily use of the antiretroviral drug tenofovir is considered a key potential strategy for preventing infection of HIV. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:19 PM

Housing for Storm's Evacuees Lagging Far Behind U.S. Goals

A month after Hurricane Katrina left thousands homeless, FEMA has placed just 109 Louisiana families in temporary homes. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:14 PM

Failing To Deliver: Administration's Medicaid Waiver Policy Excludes Many Katrina Survivors and Provides No Guarantee of Full Federal Financing

The Administration has come out against bipartisan Senate legislation (S. 1716) introduced by Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) that would provide temporary, fully federally funded Medicaid coverage to low-income survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Despite the endorsement of the National Governors Association, the support of Senate Majority and Minority Leaders Bill Frist and Harry Reid when the legislation was introduced, and the support of numerous health care provider groups such as the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association and of charities like the Red Cross, Senators Grassley and Baucus have been unable to bring the legislation to a vote on the Senate floor. Several Senators are blocking the legislation.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:04 PM

Katrina Survivor Turns to Valium, Alcohol to Ease Mental Woes

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

Beer and Valium are the drugs of choice for Tom Leynes, 49, who is trying to ward off depression after losing his house and job in Hurricane Katrina. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:00 PM

'No Child' Rules to Be Eased for a Year

Under pressure from hurricane-stressed states, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced yesterday that the agency will for one year relax academic accountability standards under the administration's signature education initiative, allowing schools affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita to...
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Posted by Michael at 10:42 PM

Child Care Assistance Policies 2005: States Fail to Make Up Lost Ground, Families Continue to Lack Critical Supports

From 2001 to 2005, it became more difficult for low-income families to get needed child care assistance, according to two new reports released by the National Women’s Law Center. An examination of child care policies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and interviews with parents and providers about access to child care reveal that most states took steps backward on child care assistance. As a result, many low-income parents struggling to work and support their children are being denied needed child care help.

Child Care Assistance Policies 2005: States Fail to Make Up Lost Ground, Families Continue to Lack Critical Supports, at
http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/ChildCareSubsidyReport_September2005.pdf.

In their own voices: Parents and Providers Struggling with Child Care Cuts, at
http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/ChildCareVOICESReport_September2005.pdf.

Posted by Michael at 2:09 PM

Groundbreaking Forum Explores Fate of American Dream; Business, Government Leaders Gather to Find Solutions for Education and Workforce Crisis

On Sept. 19-20, top corporate, education and workforce policymakers came together to address the failure to prepare the nation for the demands of the knowledge-based, global economy of the 21st century. Through a dynamic, interactive forum, town hall-style gatherings, and addresses by prominent policymakers, 100 business and government leaders discussed how we can restore the "American dream." Participants emerged with concrete strategies and resources to help provide more young people and adults with a better education and better careers.
The two-day event, called "The Fate of the American Dream: A National Forum on Strengthening Our Education and Skills Pipeline," was sponsored by Jobs for the Future, Ford Motor Company Fund, and eight other national corporations. At the conclusion, Ford made a commitment to help launch a follow-up meeting in 2006 to build on the forum and to develop "on-the-ground" efforts to better integrate corporate initiatives into the mainstream of education reform efforts in targeted states.

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Posted by Michael at 12:18 AM

September 28, 2005

Is rural Canada a good place to grow old?

The experiences of rural seniors in Canada have provided researchers in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta with valuable information that will be used in the development of policies governing a national home-care program.October 1 2005 marks the United Nations International Day of the Older Person and as part of the occasion; researchers at the University of Alberta are highlighting the results of a recent review of three rural communities as places to live for older people.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:38 PM

Violence Against Women Act Has Strengthened Communities and Provided Critical, Life-saving Support to Victims of Violence

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi submitted the following statement into the Congressional Record this afternoon in support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which was approved by the House today: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:29 PM

Census Bureau Philadelphia Office Survey Gauges Household Wealth

Beginning in October, field representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau will visit 45,000 randomly selected households nationwide to conduct the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a continuous survey launched more than 20 years ago. One question they hope to answer: Is the median net worth (the difference between assets and liabilities) of U.S. households climbing as fast today as it has in the past? Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:10 PM

Children whose parents smoked are twice as likely to begin smoking between 13 and 21

Twelve-year-olds whose parents smoked were more than twice as likely to begin smoking cigarettes on a daily basis between the ages of 13 and 21 than were children whose parents didn't use tobacco, according to a new study that looked at family influences on smoking habits. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:03 PM

September 27, 2005

Physicians Find Improved Operational Efficiencies in BCBS Programs; Partnerships Selected by Harvard Medical School Researchers Give Physicians More Time to Focus on Patient Care

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

Doctors are spending less time on administrative duties and more time with patients as a result of their participation in four programs created by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:25 PM

Why Did I Ignore Charter Schools?

Charter schools -- tax-supported schools independent of their local school districts -- have become an important part of the education story in America. At The Washington Post we have tried to give them the attention they deserve. We write about them often, including a major series of stories on...
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:19 PM

Gang injunctions give communities short-term relief, study shows

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

In the first study examining how civil gang injunctions affect community members, researchers at UC Irvine and the University of Southern California have found that injunctions provide short-term benefits, such as reducing residents' fear of run-ins with gang members. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:11 PM

Report Details Growth in Illegal Migration

The number of new illegal immigrants to the United States surpasses the number of authorized immigrants from 1999 through at least last year, according to a study based on government statistics that was released today by the Pew Hispanic Center. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:03 PM

Stop Alcohol-Fueled Sports Violence!

Alcohol-fueled violence at professional sporting events is ruining America's favorite pastimes, and unsafe alcohol serving practices are part of the problem. The Marin Institute urges you to take action. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:44 PM

Unwed mothers are less likely to marry, study shows

Unwed mothers are significantly less likely to marry; when they do marry, they are less likely to improve their socioeconomic status through marriage than their childless counterparts, says a Cornell University study. The results have implications for marriage promotion policies. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:42 PM

September 26, 2005

Smoking may increase risk of diabetes

Smoking may increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to new research by investigators at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:54 PM

Medicaid Categorical Eligibility Rules are Proving a Major Obstacle To Getting Health Coverage to Impoverished Katrina Victims in Louisiana

New information from Louisiana demonstrates that substantial gaps in health care coverage are emerging among impoverished Hurricane Katrina survivors in that state. The information, gathered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and presented below, shows that as a result of restrictions in federal law and policy, the state is being forced to deny Medicaid coverage to many indigent Katrina survivors solely because they do not fit into one of Medicaid’s eligibility “categories.” These findings have significant implications for a debate underway in Congress over how to meet the health care needs of Katrina survivors, especially the most destitute.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:46 PM

Joint Center Health Policy Institute Launches Initiative to Reduce the Root Causes of Health Disparities

Katrina victims underscore need for stronger social safety net Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:36 PM

New NH Roadmap on Underage Drinking Says Everyone Must Pitch In

A new report, "Recommendations for Success: New Hampshire's Strategy to Reduce Underage Alcohol Problems," makes New Hampshire one of the first states in the nation to lay out a single state strategy on the subject. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:34 PM

NASADAD Calls for Education, Coordination in Wake of Disasters

The public needs to know that addiction problems will increase in the aftermath of natural and manmade disasters, and relief efforts aimed at addiction issues need to be coordinated with state substance-abuse agencies. NASADAD says. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:32 PM

Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction Counseling

Red Cross officials issued a letter saying that emergency shelter managers "must allow substance abuse counselors to enter the shelters in order for people with substance-abuse problems to receive appropriate counseling." Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:30 PM

Youth At Risk: SIECUS Attacks Abstinence, Says Abstinence Clearinghouse

Today at the annual Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) "Back to School" briefing, the pro-contraceptive sex education organization will once again spread distortions and deceptions about abstinence education, says the Abstinence ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:21 PM

September 25, 2005

College Students Provide Fresh Fruits, Vegetables for WIC Participants

At 7 a.m. on Tuesday mornings, 14 first-year students at Hampshire College begin harvesting fresh organic produce on the college farm, which they then box and deliver to Greenfield, a town about 20 miles from campus, for distribution through the regional office of the WIC Program.
The students are enrolled in a course on "Agriculture, Food and Human Health," taught by Associate Professor of Public Health Elizabeth Conlisk. The students and their professor hope that this fall's five-week pilot program can be expanded (October 4 will be the final delivery for the fall harvest season).

WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is a federal program that safeguards the health of women, infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, as well as nutrition counseling and referrals to health care. The program provides a variety of healthy foods, such as nutritious cereals and milk, but not generally fresh fruits and vegetables. Through the WIC office in Greenfield, the Hampshire students are helping to provide fresh fruits and vegetables each week to 25 area families.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:56 PM

What the news and the movies leave out: Behind the scenes of disaster aid

The hurricane that devastated the Gulf Coast and the tsunami that ravaged southeast Asia was the stuff one expects to see in overblown movies, not on the nightly news. Peter Walker, PhD, director of the Feinstein International Famine Center at Tufts' Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, critically assesses what the movies skip over: the behind the scenes workings of disaster relief. The insight he offers will be helpful in the months to come as the Gulf Coast begins to rebuild. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:49 PM

New nutritional challenges emerge for HIV care providers

Nutritional therapy for HIV-infected patients is shifting focus. Drug treatments designed to combat the HIV virus have improved, decreasing some nutritional problems, while bringing others to light. As researchers from the Nutrition/Infection Unit in the Department of Public Health and Family Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine describe in an editorial review and other research reports, new nutritional challenges in HIV/AIDS care have emerged. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:41 PM

High blood pressure has stronger effect on mental function in blacks

Not only does high blood pressure adversely affect mental functioning, but the correlation appears to be stronger among African-Americans than among whites, researchers report in the current issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:40 PM

Address To Coalition of Bankers and Advocates at Financial Links for Low-Income People (FLLIP) Awards Luncheon

Michele Latz, director of the Division of Financial Institutions at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, will address over one hundred leaders in the financial education and asset-building movement at the Financial Links for Low-Income People, or FLLIP, coalition's fifth annual awards luncheon at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on Sept. 28. Latz will discuss Illinois's success in combating predatory lending through financial education, consumer protection policies, and the development of lower-cost alternative financial products and services.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:08 PM

As Test Scores Jump, Raleigh Credits Integration by Income

Wake County's effort to integrate schools economically has led to drastically improved test scores, officials and parents say. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:04 PM

Katrina Causes Wave of Addiction Problems

Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands of people with addictions from their support networks, added strain on people who may have been walking the line between moderate use and addiction, and put millions at risk of turning to alcohol or other drugs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:56 PM

Troubling trends converge

Researchers at the University of Chicago describe three cases of rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal Staphylococcus aureus infections in small children. The infection caused severe sepsis, rapid clinical deterioration and bleeding into the adrenal glands, a complication usually associated with fulminant bacterial meningitis. The disease progressed so rapidly that antibiotics had no effect. Such cases highlight a disturbing convergence of drug-resistant and virulent strains of Staph. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:54 PM

Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation Prevention Grants

From Substance Abuse Funding News:

Up to $9.6 million over three years is available to tobacco-prevention programs through the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:50 PM

National League of Cities Media Availability to Discuss City Leaders Response to Hurricanes

What: Media Availability to discuss affects of hurricanes on children and families Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:50 PM

Violent crime in US stays at historic low: report (Reuters)

Reuters - Reports of violent crime in the United States in 2004 stayed at the lowest level since the government began compiling statistics 32 years ago, but males, youths and those of more than one race were victimized at higher rates than others, the Justice Department said on Sunday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:48 PM

'Mothering the Mother' During Childbirth, and After

Doulas - part mentors, part hand-holders - are increasingly offering their childbirth services to low-income teenagers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:47 PM

September 22, 2005

Study Links Teen Depression to Drug Use, Sex

Teens who use drugs or are sexually active are more likely to become clinically depressed later on, according to a report from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:06 PM

Mass. Recovery Advocates Rally in Boston

About 250 recovery advocates marked National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month with a rally at Boston's City Hall and a meeting with lawmakers at the State House. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:05 PM

September 21, 2005

Survey of Hurricane Katrina Evacuees in Houston Area Shelters

To give voice to people whose lives have been devastated by the hurricane, this unique survey from The Washington Post, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health examines how evacuees are coping and includes information about their experiences, health, and plans for the future. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:46 PM

America's Second Harvest Network Prepares For Hurricane Rita; Amidst Continued Katrina Relief All Along the Gulf Coast, Texas Food Banks Ready Resources For Impact

Now a powerful category 5 storm, Hurricane Rita is gaining strength in the Gulf - an ominous sign to weary residents of communities still reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While the storm's track may change at any moment, America's Second Harvest ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:10 PM

September 20, 2005

Learn How to Use an Indicator Reporting Program to Reduce Alcohol and Drug Problems in Your Community

Join Together announces the release of the 2005 edition of our popular publication, How do we know we are making a difference? A community alcohol, tobacco, and drug indicators handbook. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:19 PM

Ministers work toward viable mining communities

Federal, provincial and territorial mines ministers from across the country gathered today for the 62nd Annual Mines Ministers' Conference in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:08 PM

Closing Doors on Americans' Housing Choices

[ Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:01 PM

Foundation Center Takes Spanish-Language Fundraising Training Across the Country; Instruction Dedicated to Nonprofits Serving Latino Communities

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:58 PM

Campaign for Youth Issues Considerations for Youth and Communities Impacted by Hurricane

by Linda Harris. This collective response from a coalition of national policy and advocacy organizations draws attention to the needs of the vulnerable youth impacted by Hurricane Katrina and makes a set of recommendations. 3 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:55 PM

Payrolls up moderately, but slack persists despite low unemployment

From Economic Policy Institute:

EPI's Jobs Picture explains why, despite moderate payroll growth and a small improvement in the official unemployment rate in July, this problematic labor market still has considerable slack, especially when compared to prior recessions and recoveries. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:53 PM

The Hefty Penalty on Marriage Facing Many Households with Children

Over the past seventy years Congress has enacted dozens of tax and transfer programs, giving little if any attention to the marriage subsidies and penalties that they inadvertently impose. Although the programs affect both rich and poor Americans, the penalties fall most heavily on low- or moderate-income households with children. In this article, Adam Carasso and Eugene Steuerle review important penalties and subsidies, explain how they work, and help fill a big research gap by beginning to provide comprehensive data on the size of the penalties and subsidies arising from all public programs considered together. [ Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:49 PM

Researchers link childhood asthma to exposure to traffic-related pollution

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

This study focuses on children's health and the burden of pollution from cars and trucks. University of Southern California researchers found that the closer children live to a freeway, the greater their risk of diagnosed asthma. Findings come from the USC-led Children's Health Study, a landmark examination of the links between air quality and respiratory health in Southern California. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:35 PM

Officials Lower Tally Of 'Missing' Children

Authorities trying to track down more than 2,600 children in Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama still missing three weeks after Hurricane Katrina believe that most of them are not really "missing." Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:30 PM

We the People: Blacks in the United States has been published by The US Census Bureau.

This new report provides statistics on African-Americans in the US. Topics include: employment, earnings/income, age, marital status by sex, nativity and citizenship, the poverty rate, origin of foreign born African-Americans, gender, education attainment, housing tenure, occupations and more. These topics include comparisons to the general population.

SELECTED FINDINGS

* The median income for African-American families was $16,700 less than for all US families.

* Among African-Americans, 29.7% of women and 20% of men worked in management and professional occupations.

* The poverty rate for African-Americans was twice that of the general population (24.9% compared to 12.4%).

* 13.1% of African-American males obtained a B.A. degree or higher, compared to 26% of all US males in 2000.

* 54% of African-American households were renters, compared to 34% of the general population in 2000.

censr-25.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Posted by Michael at 10:27 AM

Closing Door on Choices: On-site Tests Find Racial, Disability Discrimination in Housing Market

Newspapers and TV commentaries have been buzzing with alarm about skyrocketing housing prices. But for many Americans, spiraling home prices and rents aren't the only barriers to housing. Discrimination -- by landlords, real estate agents and mortgage lenders -- stands in the way of too many families searching for a place to live.
Discrimination isn't as overt as it once was. Often it is so subtle victims don't even recognize it. Compelling evidence that discrimination persists comes from a recent series of "paired-testing" studies by the Urban Institute. In a paired test, two people (one minority and one white, or one disabled and one nondisabled) pose as equally qualified homeseekers. Both call or visit a real estate agent or landlord to ask about a house or apartment advertised. Both make the same request and record the information and service they receive.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:14 AM

Turning the Lights On from Coast-to-Coast; Cities Nationwide Gear Up for National Afterschool Rally

From the courthouse in Moultrie, Georgia to the Children's Museum in Pittsburgh to the Houston Zoo, afterschool programs are lining up fun and exciting venues for the sixth annual Lights On Afterschool. Each October, hundreds of thousands of parents, children ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:57 AM

Alcoholic Teens May Suffer Brain Damage

A new study finds that teenage alcoholics have smaller-than-average regions of the brain that are involved in complex thinking and emotional control. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:31 AM

Survey finds many Katrina evacuees had chronic health problems and no health insurance

To give voice to people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing floods, The Washington Post, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a unique survey of evacuees in shelters in the Houston area. One-third (34%) of Katrina evacuees report that they were trapped in their homes and had to be rescued. Half (50%) of those who were trapped said they waited three or more days to be rescued. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:04 AM

September 19, 2005

Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology Launches Program to Train Latino and Non-Latino Psychologists to Meet Critical Shortage, Address Complex Mental Health Needs of Latinos in the U.S.

To meet a critical need for culturally-sensitive mental health services for Latino populations, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP) is launching one of the first programs in the country designed through immersion in Spanish language and cultures--to train Latino and non-Latino psychologists to care for these underserved communities.
The program will also supplement the training of Latino psychologists educated outside the U.S. to make them eligible for licensure and to practice in the U.S. MSPP will launch the Lucero Latino Mental Health Program on Thursday, September 22, 2005. The general public and members of the media are invited. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:45 PM

New Orleans' health care might never be the same (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - The city's health system of public and private hospitals, clinics and individual medical practices is among the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:39 PM

Minnesota Join Together Keeps Advocacy Alive

Although Minnesota Join Together's funding ended last year, the coalition continues to work on a volunteer basis to advance policies that keep alcohol out of the hands of young people. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:33 PM

For investors with a conscience, options grow

From Christian Science Monitor | Work/Money:

With $10,000, ethically minded investors can help fund budding companies devoted to community development. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:17 PM

BRAVE program - Help available for children with anxiety

A pioneering University of Queensland (UQ) research project will help children overcome extreme anxiety. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:09 PM

Preschool children display innate skill with numbers, addition

Psychologists at Harvard University have found that five-year-olds are able to grasp numeric abstractions and arithmetic concepts even without the formal education or language to express this knowledge in words. The discovery of these inborn skills among preschoolers could point the way to new teaching techniques, making arithmetic easier and more pleasant for elementary school children. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:03 PM

In Everybody's Best Interests: Why Reforming Child Support Distribution Makes Sense for Government and Families

by Vicki Turetsky. More than 17 million children are served by the public child support program-but many never see the funds collected on their behalf. Instead, collections are used to recoup the public costs of families' welfare cash assistance. Although welfare cost recovery was one of the initial goals of the child support program, recent proposals to reform the policy would shift the primary emphasis to family support. This brief describes the regulations governing assignment and distribution of funds, and how families and government alike stand to benefit from the direct pass-through of child support payments to children. Pub No. 05-38. 8 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:57 PM

Should Impending Upper-Income Tax Cuts be Implemented While Katrina Costs Mount and Other Domestic Programs May be Cut?

Robert Greenstein, Joel Friedman, and Isaac Shapiro Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:54 PM

Sent to live far from home, children learn how to fit in (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Among Hurricane Katrina's more than 1 million survivors are an estimated 372,000 children whose homes and schools were damaged or destroyed. Since the devastating strom hit three weeks ago Monday, schools closest to its path have taken in most of the students. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:53 PM

September 16, 2005

Teacher quality important for at-risk children

High quality teachers who are emotionally supportive can have a positive effect on at-risk children, and reduce their academic and social problems. A large-scale study exposed at-risk children to classrooms of high instructional quality and emotional support. The at-risk children showed the same achievement levels as their peers who were not at-risk. The results show that school reform is absolutely necessary to improve teacher quality and to greatly reduce children's social and academic problems. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:04 AM

Spouses in bad marriages face greater risk for serious health problems

Spouses in a poor marriage are more likely to be stressed during the workday, a finding that could mean a greater likelihood of strokes and heart disease for both husband and wife, according to researchers at Brandeis University and University College in London. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:29 AM

Key strategy to limit managed care drug costs failing, survey shows

With rising concern over the cost of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit program - going into effect January, 2006 and estimated to cost $593 billion over the next decade - a new UCSF study reveals that a key cost-cutting strategy employed by HMOs for 15 years is simply not working. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:25 AM

National study shows black immigrants' health erodes the longer they live in US

Black immigrants from Africa arrive healthier than those from Europe, and their health erodes the longer they live in the US. Sociologists at Rice University and the University of California, Irvine say this suggests that racial discrimination harms health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:11 AM

Researchers discover how compounds prevent viruses from entering cells

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

Compounds called defensins -- known to prevent viruses from entering cells -- appear to do so by preventing the virus from merging to cells' outer membrane, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:08 AM

Kraft Introduces 2 Somewhat Healthier Cookies Made of Whole Grains

From NYT > Health:

In the efforts of food companies to appease nutrition advocates and serve an increasing number of health-conscious consumers, Kraft Foods has crossed an improbable threshold - a healthier cookie. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:02 AM

If New Orleans Is a Blank Canvas, Many Are Poised to Repaint

NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans has gone retro -- way retro. It is, in a fundamental sense, as it was long ago, 287 years ago, when a French aristocrat named Jean Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, decided it would be a nice spot to have a city.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:58 AM

Health Premiums Rise 6.6%

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

Health insurance premiums for federal employees and retirees will rise an average of 6.6 percent next year, the lowest increase in nine years, the Bush administration said yesterday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:53 AM

Purdue scientists treat cancer with RNA nanotechnology

Using strands of genetic material, Purdue University scientists have constructed tiny delivery vehicles that can carry anticancer therapeutic agents directly to infected cells, where they are able to halt viral growth or cancer's progress. The team has already tested the nanoparticles successfully against cancer growth in mice and lab-grown human cells. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:51 AM

Key neural system at risk from fetal alcohol exposure

In a study of adult monkeys who were exposed to moderate amounts of alcohol in utero, scientists have found that prenatal exposure to alcohol - even in small doses - has pronounced effects on the development and function later in life of the brain's dopamine system, a critical component of the central nervous system that regulates many regions of the brain. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:48 AM

Downward mobility quadruples risk of depression in men, but not women

Downward mobility hits men far harder than women, quadrupling their risk of depression, finds research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:42 AM

New Kaiser Medicare Q&A Column distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service

This weekly column prepared by the Kaiser Family Foundation is being distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune beginning mid-September. The column will answer questions from readers related to the new Medicare drug benefit. This week's question: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:41 AM

miRNAs and musculature

In an effort to understand the biological function of the microRNA mir1, Drs. Nicholas Sokol and Victor Ambros (Darmouth Medical School) have studied the expression profile, transcriptional regulation and loss-of-function phenotype of Drosophila mir-1 (Dmir-1). Strikingly, their study shows that, in Drosophila embryos, mir-1 expression is not required for mesodermal cell fate decisions or cell proliferation during embryogenesis, but rather, that it appears to act to reinforce and maintain cell identity during times of rapid growth. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:40 AM

Resources Related to Health Coverage and Hurricane Katrina

As part of the Kaiser Family Foundation's commitment to help respond to the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, you will find resources related to an ongoing effort to monitor and study the health coverage and needs of the victims. Check back frequently in the coming months for the latest updates. In the past week, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured held two briefings on the health status and coverage needs of victims and the challenges for states affected by Hurricane Katrina and released an issue brief and fact sheets. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:39 AM

Michael Mazerov Revised 9/1/05 Summary: 60K-HTML, 14pp. Full report: 1090K-PDF, 94pp. Statement By Robert Greenstein On Administration Mischaracterizations Regarding The Economy And New Data On Poverty, Income, And Health Insuran

8/31/05 Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:30 AM

Medicaid and SCHIP Retention in Challenging Times: Strategies from Managed Care Organizations

Pat Redmond Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:29 AM

Bush Pledges Federal Role in Rebuilding Gulf Coast

President Bush said the government would provide help on taxes, housing, education and job training for the hurricane victims. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:23 AM

Report: High-Growth Occupations Within Reach for Many Low-Skilled U.S. Workers; Report Identifies Workforce Development Strategies for Job Growth, Especially Among Minorities, Immigrants, Low-Income Americans

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:18 AM

Good parenting in kindergarten increases chances of good kids in fourth grade

Early parent-child relationships are important to establish strong communication and monitoring in later childhood years. A study involving 267 children from strong family backgrounds concluded that a parent-child relationship based on warmth and understanding reduces the appearance of conduct problems in adolescence. It is important to note that both the parent and the child must contribute to the relationship. The results may aid in conduct problem intervention. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:16 AM

Physically abused children highly distracted by anger

Research has shown that physically abused children are attuned to noticing signs of anger and threat. This study examined how both abused and non-abused 4-year olds were able to focus and control their attention when exposed to hostile conversation between adults. Physiological measures revealed that abused children became more emotionally aroused as the confrontation moved towards anger. The results may explain why abused children are especially distracted in classroom and social situations. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:14 AM

Environment, not genes, key in family relationships

Nature or nurture? In terms of family relationships between adolescents and parents, new findings suggest that nurture may play a larger role. A study of 674 families with same-sex adolescent siblings examined the factors that comprise family relationships and personalities of adolescents. The researchers were able to identify traits that had a greater correlation with environmental components versus with genetic components. Results underscore that identifiable gene-based systems help to shape family interaction systems. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:12 AM

Warm, nurturing parents have well-adjusted adolescents

A new study of 186 adolescents across a six-year period found that warm parenting at an early age foreshadows whether children will have behavioral problems as adolescents. The study evaluated how well adjusted children were, including how well these children could "self-regulate," or control certain behaviors and emotions. It was seen that parents who interacted warmly and positively with children early on had children who better self-regulated, and therefore functioned positively, two years later. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:09 AM

Determining causes of long-term effects of harassment

In a new study of 381 children, the long-term effects of peer harassment on teens, such as anxiety and depression, were found to be related to the increase or decrease of peer victimization between fourth grade and sixth grade. Findings showed that victimized children's self-perceptions usually became more positive during preadolescence, however, their beliefs about their schoolmates tended to become more negative. Such findings have implications on improving school-based programs to reduce peer harassment. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 AM

Study: Abused children stay highly attuned to anger

Even the subtlest hints of anger or hostility in their environment sets physically abused children on prolonged 'alert', even if a conflict has nothing to do with them. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:05 AM

Former Prisoners Returning to Chicago Lack Services, Support

For recently released prisoners, finding jobs and housing while avoiding criminal activity are keys to staying out of prison. Now a new Urban Institute report finds that where former prisoners settle after their release also influences their prospects. [View the corresponding Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:03 AM

Can Financial Literacy Enhance Asset Building?

Even when incentives to save and invest are strong, many low- and moderate-income families lack the basic knowledge to manage their income wisely, build wealth, and avoid excessive debt. This brief examines financial literacy research and programs to improve financial knowledge and decision-making. While research suggests that existing programs do make a difference in financial behavior, data collection and policy concerns make financial literacy a fertile ground for further development as part of an asset-building agenda. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:01 AM

September 15, 2005

Chicago Communities and Prisoner Reentry

"Chicago Communities and Prisoner Reentry" is part of "Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry," a multistate research initiative exploring ways to improve reentry outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. This report is the latest publication in the study of how former convicts in Illinois fare after prison and what types of assistance help reduce reincarceration rates. The report is based on prerelease surveys of 400 male prisoners and postrelease interviews with them six months after release; focus groups of residents in communities receiving the most ex-prisoners; and interviews with reentry service providers and state and local officials. The report discusses the community's role in the reintegration process for former prisoners, as well as the impact of prisoner reentry on the community. [View the corresponding Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:59 PM

Popular kids more likely to smoke than less popular classmates

Warning: Popularity may be hazardous to pre-teens' health. According to a study in the October issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, popular students in 16 Southern California middle schools were more likely to become smokers than their less popular peers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:59 PM

Welfare Reform in Los Angeles

From MDRC:

Welfare caseloads fell, employment increased, and neighborhood conditions improved in Los Angeles during a period of economic growth and welfare reform. However, most welfare recipients still remained poor, the concentration of poverty increased, and those who worked were usually in low-wage jobs without benefits. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:57 PM

Expert Offers Tips to Help Children Cope With Katrina's Devastation

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:57 PM

States Are Decoupling From The Federal "Qualified Production Activities Income" Deduction

Elizabeth McNichol and Nicholas Johnson Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:50 PM

September 12, 2005

Should States have More Control Over Head Start?

by Danielle Ewen. [Opinion] Some of the reauthorization debate has focused on whether to expand state control over the program-but a better question is, How can Congress raise Head Start's quality and availability? The answer: increase the resources to local programs, improve teacher education standards, boost federal accountability, and support collaboration among states, federal agencies, and Head Start grantees. This opinion piece first appeared in the August 26, 2005 issue of CQ Researcher (vol. 15, no. 29, p. 701). 1 page. HTML Version. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:09 PM

Medicaid Spending on Foster Children

This policy brief presents the first national analysis of Medicaid health care spending on children in foster care and children adopted from foster care. Data from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) document that states expended approximately $3.8 billion of Medicaid on 869,087 foster and adopted children in Federal Fiscal Year 2001. The brief documents the types of services most commonly received by foster children and the amount states expended on these services. The brief also highlights variation in spending across states; among children of different genders, ages, and races; and among children receiving and not receiving capitated health care services. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:06 PM

Briefing and Materials Related to Health Coverage and Hurricane Katrina

The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured held a briefing with Ruth Kennedy, Medicaid deputy director of Louisiana, and others on health coverage in states affected by Hurricane Katrina. Background data on health coverage and demographics is also available. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:57 PM

Calif. Study Finds Tobacco Use Popular in Niche Populations

Korean men, gays and transsexuals, and U.S. Marines all share one thing in common: an above-average fondness for smoking. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:51 PM

Cost Savings from Alcohol Intervention for Trauma Patients

A recent study lends support to broader implementation and funding for alcohol screening and intervention efforts in emergency departments and trauma services. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:49 PM

Brain Receptor for Marijuana Also Responds to Alcohol

Researchers say a new animal study shows that cannabinoid receptor sites in the brain also seem to stimulate the reward and pleasure responses to alcohol. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:47 PM

'Fire Water' and Firefighters

The head of the International Association of Fire Chiefs says that events for firefighters should not include public drinking -- a statement that goes against fire-department tradition, to say the least. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:46 PM

Survey Finds Little Change in U.S. Drug Use

Relatively few Americans admit to being regular users of marijuana, and fewer than one in 20 say they recently used drugs other than marijuana -- rates that have not budged much over the past few years. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:43 PM

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman Takes 'Conversations with the Community' Series to Asian & Hispanic American Communities in Washington & Oregon

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Ken Mehlman will travel to Kent, Washington on Tuesday, Sept. 13, to deliver remarks at an Asian American roundtable. It will be the Chairman's first Asian American Conversation with the Community. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:15 PM

Why the Senate Higher Education Bill Is Good News For Low-Income Adults-And How to Make It Even Better

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

by Julie Strawn and Amy-Ellen Duke. On September 8th, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously approved S. 1614, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Among the bill's provisions that will help low income adults are new, supplemental Pell grants to the poorest students; expansion of Pell grants to students enrolled less than half-time or attending year round; pilots of student aid for modularized programs; and grants to prepare nontraditional students for high growth jobs. Further improvements in the bill are needed, though, to increase aid to working adults, to simplify student aid applications, and to prevent fraud and abuse. Pub No. 0541. 4 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:13 PM

Baby Born to Brain-Dead Mother Dies After Five Weeks

Susan Anne Catherine Torres, whose mother was declared brain dead but kept on life support machines for three months so she could be born, died of heart failure Sunday night at Children's Hospital in Washington, her uncle, Justin Torres, said today. She was 5 weeks old. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:11 PM

September 6, 2005

Low-Income Working Families: Facts and Figures

The vast majority of low-income parents are working but still struggling to make ends meet. This fact sheet shows how low-income working families have much in common with other American families as they seek to balance work and family life, yet face much greater risk and vulnerability than their higher-income counterparts. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:00 AM

September 5, 2005

This Labor Day sees continuation of off-kilter economic expansion

From Economic Policy Institute:

EPI's Labor Day Briefing Paper, An Off-Kilter Expansion, examines a variety of economic indicators to illustrate that, despite the fact that measured unemployment is historically low, there is still much slack in the job market. Data on wages, employment, and the current 3.2 million job deficit portray a labor market that still has a long way to go before it is performing at potential. Wages for most workers continue to lag inflation--thus wages have fallen in real terms--yet productivity has been growing at a particularly fast clip over the past five years. Until the engine of economic growth lifts the fortunes of all working families, not just the chosen few, the economy will continue to disappoint most workers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:07 AM

September 3, 2005

Federal Aid Is Offered to Schools

From NYT > Washington:

The federal government will ignore deadlines facing school systems in gulf states on some federal financing programs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:28 AM

Institutions without walls still institutions, says mental health researcher

Mental health researcher Dr Lorna Moxham continues to find that people with mental illness may be de-institutionalised but often remain under institution-like conditions. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:19 AM

Study holds promise for new way to fight HIV

Researchers have confirmed for the first time the benefit of an innate defense system present in the few patients who remain healthy after years of infection with HIV despite receiving no treatment, according to an article published in the September edition of the Journal of Virology. The study found that the subset of HIV-infected patients referred to as long-term survivors or nonprogressors have higher amounts of a key enzyme in their white blood cells. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:16 AM

Tracking Poll Finds Seniors Now Split on Medicare Drug Benefit

The latest Kaiser Family Foundation tracking survey shows seniors now as likely to view the Medicare drug benefit favorably as unfavorably, with modest progress in knowledge about the new benefit. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:16 AM

USA Today/Kaiser/Harvard Health Care Costs Survey

This comprehensive public opinion survey and related USA Today articles explore how Americans are being affected by health care costs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:13 AM

Patients treated with respect more likely to follow medical advice

Attention doctors: Want patients to follow your advice? Treat them with dignity, a Johns Hopkins study has found.In a national survey of more than 5,000 Americans, those who said they were treated with dignity during their last medical encounter were more likely to report higher levels of satisfaction with their care, adhere to therapy and get preventive services. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:06 AM

Shame More Likely than Guilt to Lead to Addiction

People who feel badly about themselves are more likely to fall into alcohol or other drug abuse than those confronted with feelings of guilt. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:55 AM

Early Drinking Increases Later Risky Behaviors in Urban Youth

Study results confirm the dangers and prevalence of early alcohol use, which suggests that screening and prevention programs must begin well before the teenage years. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:52 AM

Health Groups Request Billions for Smoking Cessation

Health groups that joined the federal racketeering lawsuit against the tobacco industry this week requested that cigarette firms be forced to spend billions on smoking-cessation programs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:45 AM

SAMHSA Funds for Medication Research

From Substance Abuse Funding News:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has made $4 million available to fund pilot clinical studies on alcohol and other drug abuse. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:28 AM

Study finds mixed results on teen sexual behavior from abstinence-only intervention

Abstinence-only education can influence teen sexual behavior and beliefs, according to a study from Case Western Reserve University.This community-based evaluation reveals that abstinence-only intervention can influence knowledge, beliefs and intentions, and among sexually experienced students, may reduce the prevalence of casual sex. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:18 AM

Online Giving Continues at Record Pace as Donors Respond to Hurricane Katrina Disaster

Online giving continues to surge, nearly doubling day-over day this week, as donors respond to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, reports Convio, Inc.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many nonprofit organizations are setting new single-day records for online fundraising. On Thu., Sept. 1, Convio customers involved in hurricane disaster relief efforts collectively raised more than $20 million online. In 48 hours (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) Convio's customers brought in more than $44 million over the Internet for hurricane victims. For some nonprofits, including large organizations that normally raise significant funds online, donations coming in over the Internet are more than 3000 percent higher than their typical daily online totals.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:14 AM

Single Sales Factor Formula for State Corporate Taxes: A Boon to Economic Development or a Costly Giveaway?

In a number of states, business representatives are lobbying aggressively for an arcane change in tax law that could dramatically reduce state taxes on the profits of many multistate corporations. Corporate interests are seeking a fundamental change in the so-called “apportionment formula” that is embedded in each state’s corporate income tax law and used to determine the share of a multistate corporation’s nationwide profit that an individual state may tax.
This change is being advanced as a way to stimulate job creation and investment. There is little evidence that would happen. Rather, the cost in lost tax revenue of changing the apportionment formula may impair the ability of states to provide vital services needed by both citizens and businesses.Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:12 AM

HUD Secretary Seeks Urgent Action from the Nation's Mayors; U.S. Conference of Mayors Assess National Housing Stock for Victims of Hurricane Katrina

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

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has called on the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) to assist in the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:12 AM

'You Wonder Why It Didn't Kill a Million'

Mississippi is running dangerously low on fuel and medical personnel, and faces a looming housing crisis for tens of thousands of people, officials said four days after Hurricane Katrina blasted through the state. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:04 AM

Returning Home Illinois Policy Brief: Health and Prisoner Reentry

This research brief discusses the health challenges faced by male prisoners being released to Chicago, Illinois. Three out of ten survey respondents reported having a chronic physical or mental health condition, but it is likely that even higher shares have health problems, given that many diseases can remain undetected in the absence of routine screening and medical care. Study participants had high expectations for maintaining good health after release, but few means of doing so: fewer than 10% reported a referral to health care from prison and over 80% were uninsured. One year after release, health problems were not linked to recidivism, but mental illness was associated with increased substance use and unemployment. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:57 AM

Returning Home Illinois Policy Brief: Prisoner Reentry and Residential Mobility

The growth in the number of persons released from incarceration and returning to communities has sparked great interest in the topic of prisoner reentry, and specifically in strategies to increase the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons.
These strategies can benefit from an understanding of the challenges released prisoners face in navigating the reentry process. One such challenge that has been virtually neglected in the literature is that of maintaining residential stability over time. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:56 AM

Returning Home Illinois Policy Brief: Employment and Prisoner Reentry

Finding employment is one of the most important reintegration challenges ex-prisoners face after release, and one that can have a significant impact on their chances of remaining crime-free. Prior research shows that finding and maintaining a legitimate job after release can reduce the chances of reoffending following release from prison, especially for older offenders. Research also shows that the higher the wages, the less likely persons released from prison will return to crime.
Although two-thirds of former prisoners report that they held a job just prior to their incarceration, most prisoners experience great difficulties finding jobs after their release. During the time they spend in prison, individuals lose work skills, forfeit the opportunity to gain work experience, and sever interpersonal connections and social contacts that could lead to legal employment opportunities upon release. And, while the period of incarceration could be viewed as an opportunity to build skills and prepare for placement at a future job, the evaluation literature provides mixed support for the effectiveness of in-prison job training programs. After release, the stigma of their ex-prisoner status makes the job search even more difficult: a recent survey of 3,000 employers in four major metropolitan areas revealed that two-thirds of the employers would not knowingly hire an ex-prisoner.

This policy brief draws on employment data gathered as part of the Returning Home study through interviews with 400 male Illinois prisoners before and up to three times after their release.7 We present findings on pre- and in-prison employment training and experiences as well as postrelease employment outcomes among released prisoners who returned to Chicago. We also detail the characteristics of successful job seekers and briefly discuss the policy implications.
Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:56 AM

Does Making Work Pay Pay?

From MDRC:

Four programs that supplemented the earnings of low-income adults increased employment, earnings, and income - particularly for the most disadvantaged - but these effects generally faded after the programs ended. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:46 AM

Psychology Professor Offers Parents Ways to Talk About Hurricane Aftermath With Children

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:43 AM

Pelosi: Compassion No Substitute for Food, Water, Shelter, a Job, Education for Children

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi held a news conference in the Capitol this afternoon after the House held a special session to pass a $10.5 billion emergency supplemental spending bill for disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Below are a ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:40 AM

Statement By Robert Greenstein On Administration Mischaracterizations Regarding The Economy And New Data On Poverty, Income, And Health Insurance

8/31/05 Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:40 AM

Houston Center Helps Parents Find Children (AP)