Unhealthy habits are what's killing us
Recent health Articles, Events, Jobs, and Resources.
CONTENTS
1. DCPCA in the News: Our holiday party!
2. CHC in the News: Unity Health Care's Vincent Keane and RAM
3. Article: The decade in health: New bugs, scary food, bad drugs
4. Article: New Year's resolutions from the experts themselves
5. Article: DC No. 2 among most-literate cities
6. Commentary: Unhealthy habits are what's killing us
7. Editorial: Swine flu follow-up
8. Editorial: Let illegal immigrants buy into health plans
9. Letter to Editor: PCPs are of primary importance
10. Letter to Editor: All isn't doom, gloom in search of an HIV vaccine
11. Letter to Editor: DC's medical marijuana godfather
12. Quiz: The year in health
Click to read SUMMARIES of all the articles.
ARTICLE SUMMARIES
1. DCPCA in the News: Friday's Holiday Party #1
By Emily Anthony, Emily's Sketchblog, December 19, 2009
Summary: Emily spent a cheery afternoon drawing the close-knit employees of DCPCA. While she drew, co-workers sat around a conference room table doing fun activities -- like trying to identify each other's baby pictures and taking a trivia quiz about each person. She learned which employee played Captain Hook in an 8th grade school play, and whose great-grandmother babysat Albert Einstein while he was a child in Germany. They also had a "white elephant gift exchange" and enjoyed a nice meal. Emily's color caricatures were quite the surprise, and were hung on the wall for all to see. Emily enjoyed being a part of a very warm and unique celebration at DCPCA. Happy Holidays to you and yours! | Read blog
2. CHC in the News: Let medical charity do its good in D.C.
By Dan Willett (Silver Spring), The Washington Post, December 19, 2009
Summary: In arguing against Remote Area Medical coming to the District, Unity Health Care's President/CEO Vincent Keane said that "the worst thing you can do to a patient is diagnose his problem and then not be able to treat it over the long haul" ["Group planning free health clinics objects to D.C.'s $77,000 fee"]. Willett thinks it's worse if a patient doesn't have his problem diagnosed and says let RAM come to town. Addressing the diagnoses the medical charity leaves behind will result in better public health. | Read letter
3. Article: The decade in health: New bugs, scary food, bad drugs
By Rita Rubin, USA TODAY, December 28, 2009
Summary: As the decade comes to a close, USA TODAY looks at some of the more newsworthy medical stories of the past 10 years. Most of them -- the first flu pandemic in 40 years, heightened concerns about drug and food safety -- will continue to play out in the next decade, while the full effect of others -- the sequencing of the human genome in 2003, President Obama's lifting this year of restrictions on stem cell research -- won't be felt for years or even decades. A far-from-comprehensive list includes: SARS leads to global coordination; Hormone therapy trial halted; Vioxx opens eyes to other dangers; Sickness in the food supply; and First cancer vaccine approved. | Read article
4. Article: New Year's resolutions from the experts themselves
By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY, December 24, 2009
Summary: What's your New Year's resolution for living a healthier 2010? Lose weight, eat better, exercise more, cut down on salt, lower your stress? Read about the resolutions of 14 top fitness and nutrition experts. What are your plans for a better life in 2010? | Read article
5. Article: Report: D.C. No. 2 among 'most-literate' cities
By Tierney Plumb, Washington Business Journal, December 28, 2009
Summary: DC ranks No. 2 among the nation's 75 most-literate major cities, according to a national survey by Central Connecticut State University. The report scored cities with 250,000 or more residents on several indicators, including education level, Internet use, newspaper circulation, number of booksellers, library services, and local publications. The study, titled "America's Most Literate Cities, 2009," measures cultural offerings and reading resources among major national cities. The study compares literacy with other quality of life factors, finding that cities that rank high for literacy also tend to feature great singles' scenes. Seattle topped the rankings, followed in order by DC, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta. Rounding out the top 10 are Portland, Ore.; St. Paul, Minn.; Boston; Cincinnati; and Denver. | Read article
6. Commentary: Unhealthy habits are what's killing us
By David Frum, CNN.com, December 28, 2009
Summary: Americans die comparatively young because they're much more likely to get sick in the first place. And that likelihood owes very little to the U.S. health care system and a great deal to the bad choices American individuals make. If you eat too much, exercise too little, drink too much, smoke, take drugs, fail to wear a seat belt, or ignore gun safety, there's only so much a doctor or hospital can do for you. And Americans do all those things, more than other people. And many are uncomfortably aware that self-destructive behavior is most often found among the poor and among minorities. Public policy can achieve only a limited impact against these problems. We'll have to rethink the deeper structure of American food policy: subsidies to corn and soybean growers, the paving over of exurban land that might provide nearby cities with less expensive fruits and vegetables. Ultimately, though, these are decisions that individuals must make for themselves. The present concept of medicalized health care sends some unwelcome messages. By outsourcing the concept of health as something that doctors, hospitals, and now government do for you -- rather than something that depends considerably on your own choices and efforts -- we ask the medical system to do more than any medical system can do. As you consider your new year's resolutions, remember: better habits will benefit not only your family and yourself -- but all your neighbors and countrymen as well. | Read commentary
7. Editorial: Swine flu follow-up
The Washington Post, December 24, 2009
Summary: The CDC, FDA, and the NIAID said that the second wave of the H1N1 virus reached a plateau, and remained relatively mild. There are now enough doses of the vaccine for anyone who wants one. The window of opportunity is open now to protect yourself against a possible third wave. There will be more than 100 million doses of the swine flu vaccine available. Dr. Anthony Fauci of the infectious diseases institute, said that the best way to avoid a third wave of infections is to get the vaccine shot or the nasal mist as soon as possible. Officials say all experience confirms that the vaccine is safe and effective. But there are still too many who eschew the shot. One popular assumption is that you could get the flu from the flu vaccine, which is produced from a dead virus. Use the Flu Vaccine Locator to find locations near you that have seasonal and swine flu vaccines. | Read editorial
8. Editorial: Let illegal immigrants buy into health plans
The Washington Post, December 26, 2009
Summary: One key area in which the House health care bill is superior to the Senate version involves health care for illegal immigrants. Neither the House nor the Senate version would pay for health care for those who are in the country illegally -- although it could be argued that, to the extent they land in emergency rooms without health insurance, everyone ends up footing that bill. The question is whether those who are in the country illegally should be permitted to purchase, entirely with their own money, insurance policies available on the newly created exchanges. The House measure would permit such purchases. The Senate would not -- and the White House has unfortunately come down on the Senate side. Allowing such purchases would benefit everyone. First, the more the ranks of the uninsured are reduced, the less the burden on hospitals and other parts of the health care system to provide uncompensated care, the costs of which are passed on to other consumers in the form of higher prices and premiums. Second, illegal immigrants to this country tend to be relatively young and healthy. The more such individuals purchase insurance, the healthier -- and less costly -- the risk pool. | Read editorial
9. Letter to Editor: Woman's tale of Addison's disease proves the value of primary-care physicians
By Christine Butler (Coordinator, Palliative Care Service, Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington), The Washington Post, December 22, 2009
Summary: "A piece of presidential history solved the puzzle," about the lady found to have Addison's disease, points out how crucial it is to have a primary care focus in evaluating patients. Often patients scramble through a maze of specialists, as she did, without a strong primary care clinician coordinating care. Butler's hope is that health reform will recognize the essential perspective that primary care physicians from family medicine, geriatrics, and internal medicine bring to patient care. They can save patients and the health care system heartache and money. It's the most challenging field in medicine and the most holistic. Our system should provide incentives for new medical school graduates to join these fields and reward these physicians appropriately. These doctors work very, very hard. Good primary care clinicians are worth their weight in gold. | Read letter
10. Letter to Editor: In search for an HIV vaccine, all is not doom and gloom
By Alan Bernstein, New York and Rafi Ahmed (Atlanta), The Washington Post, December 24, 2009
Summary: Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Ahmed have a very different perspective than the editorial "HIV/AIDS: The incurable epidemic," which suggested that scientists aren't making progress in the search for an HIV vaccine or microbicide. The search for a safe and effective method to prevent HIV infection and AIDS is a long journey in which we should expect both success and failure. The results of the microbicide trial are a disappointment. But it's unrealistic to expect that every trial will lead to a desired result. More important, as noted in the editorial, after more than two decades of failure a vaccine clinical trial has shown a measure of protection against HIV infection for the first time. The results of a Thai HIV vaccine trial, open a new chapter in HIV vaccine research. Even a partially effective vaccine is a source of encouragement for the field. The results provide critical proof that it's possible to develop a vaccine that can confer protection against HIV infection. Although the level of protection was modest (26-31%), this is something we can build upon. Contrary to the impression given by the editorial, this is a dynamic and productive time in HIV prevention research. (Dr. Bernstein is executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, and Dr. Ahmed is director of the Emory Vaccine Center and science committee chairman of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise.) | Read letter
11. Letter to Editor: The Post didn't quote a local medical marijuana expert
By Karen A. Szulgit (Washington), The Washington Post, December 19, 2009
Summary: The author was incredulous that three Post reporters chose to quote representatives of two national organizations advocating for the legalization of recreational marijuana use, rather than the local sponsor of DC Initiative 59, the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998 ["Vote moves D.C. closer to medical marijuana, abortion funding" and "Council chairman wants swift action on marijuana rules"]. The original sponsor of this popular voter initiative was the visionary Steve Michael, founder of the Washington chapter of ACT UP, who died of AIDS complications at 42 on May 25, 1998. Michael was a political mentor and respected friend to many local activists in the District, and it was sad and painful to watch his health decline as they gathered signatures and reached out to residents to garner support for the initiative. Michael's partner, Wayne Turner, became the initiative's sponsor after Michael died. As an attorney and an AIDS and D.C. democracy activist, Turner is by far the better authority on all issues related to the history and future of Initiative 59. (The writer helped gather signatures to place Initiative 59 on the ballot.) | Read letter
12. Quiz: The year in health
By Steve Sternberg, Liz Szabo, Nanci Hellmich and Rita Rubin, USA TODAY, December 28, 2009
Summary: Test your knowledge of this year's top health stories with these nine questions. 2009 in review includes: H1N1 pandemic; Mammogram guidelines spark outcry; Obesity takes a health -- and financial -- toll; and 'Octomom' raises concerns about fertility doctors. | Read quiz
EVENTS
Parent Sex Talk Training
Tuesday, January 5th, 6 - 8 pm
Kelly Miller Middle School Library
301 - 49th Street NE
Deborah Roffman, a nationally-known author and sex educator, will guide parents about issues that come up during conversations with their kids about sex. Free food, child care,
and translation services will be provided. To RSVP, contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
at (202) 442-5040.
2010 Preview: The Impact of Giving
Friday, January 8th, 1 - 1:30 pm
The Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington staff will share about its initiatives and upcoming convenings and solicit your feedback, suggestions, and input. While 2009 was difficult, 2010 is ready to raise the bar on challenges. To get dial-in information to join the call, contact Development and Membership Associate
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
at (202) 973-2505. Send your questions, comments, or ideas to Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
More Events...
JOBS
Senior Policy Coordinator, DCPCA
Senior Grants Writer/Specialist, DCPCA
More Job Postings...
RESOURCES
Make a Year-End Donation to DCPCA!
We know that you appreciate the news summaries, commentaries on DC politics, and the list of events/jobs/resources that come to your e-mail box every other day in the form of DCPCA's Health News Alert. You've told us! The Alert is one of the best sources of local "news you can use" in DC. But it does cost DCPCA to pull it all together -- research, writing, production, and list maintenance. If the Alert is worth something to you, please Donate to DCPCA to help cover what it costs to get the Alert to you. Whether large or small, your donation will be put to immediate use -- in time to get out the next Alert, for sure. Thank you for your support -- and for your interest in DCPCA's Health News Alert. Your contribution to DCPCA is tax-deductible. DCPCA is a 501(c)(3) organization and relies on charitable support to carry out its health action agenda. (Please send checks or money orders to the DC Primary Care Association, c/o Chief of Finance and Administration, 1411 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005.) Also read: Dec. 31 Is a Big Day for Online Charity by Stephanie Strom, The New York Times, December 18, 2009. For charities that solicit donations online, Dec. 31 is the most lucrative day of the year. The last week of the year and, in particular, the last day of the year, is huge for online fundraising. The broader base of givers doesn't itemize, so they don't have tax considerations in mind. Giving has just become part of what we do during the holiday season. Happy Holidays!
More Resources...
How to Submit a Post:
Send a brief summary (100 words or less) to HealthNewsAlert (at) dcpca (dot) org. Include links for fliers and/or your organization. If you don't have a Web site or immediate posting capabilities, send an attachment. In the subject line, write HNA POST and the event's DATE. The District of Columbia Primary Care Association is a nonprofit health care reform organization founded in 1998 to improve the health of DC's vulnerable residents by ensuring that they receive high quality primary health care -- regardless of their ability to pay. The DCPCA Health News Alert is prepared to share with colleagues news about health reform efforts, DC politics, local events, jobs, and resources. The summaries are provided for your information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of DCPCA. The circulation for the alert is over 5,000 recipients. Click to: Unsubscribe, Join DCPCA, or Donate to DCPCA.
Get informed. Stay involved. Take action.
Everyone Covered.
Everyone Cared For.
Anyone Can Help.
|
