MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'access'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:51:35 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181789&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FmU1-nyCeM44%2F By Rozalynn Goodwin. Everyone seems to be quoting and tweeting the tender line of Miss Aibileen in “The Help”, “You is kiiiind. You is smaaaart. You is important.” But there was another line in the blockbuster movie that moved me even more. I heard it and the heavens seemed to open. The light bulb came on. Hilly Holbrook’s new maid is $75 short on one of the college tuitions for her twin sons and asks Hilly and her husband for a loan so she doesn’t have to choose which son should go to college. Doing the ‘Christian thing,’ Hilly refuses, “God does not give charity to those who are well and able.” Twelve simple words from a fictional 1960’s character summed up our nation’s current political will regarding the poor. And allow me to condense this into just one ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181789 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:43:53 +0100 5181789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182205&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F08%2F30%2FCrizotinib-Approval-For-Lung-Cancer-Shows-Our-Miracles-Arent-Getting-Less-Expensive.aspx   Today I would like to share with you some thoughts on the topic of the costs of cancer treatments. It is the result of a moment on Saturday morning while, in the midst of listening to hurricane coverage on television, I was scanning the pages of my morning paper. There in the headlines was the comment that the Food and Drug Administration on Friday-presumably a bit later in the day, since the article was posted online at 8PM-approved a new drug called crizotinib (Xalkori®) for the treatment of lung cancer.   The news didn't get much attention, likely because it was overwhelmed by the hurricane. But at any other time, I suspect it would have been all over the media since this drug in fact represents a breakthrough treatment for some patients with lung cancer (more on th... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182205 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0100 5182205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181790&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FFSpBgAwfDVs%2F By Mary Grealy. When we talk about people who don’t have access to healthcare, there’s a natural assumption that it’s because they can’t afford it.  A new study shows that’s not necessarily the case. According to the study published in the journal Health Services Research, 21 percent of American adults said they had delayed care for non-financial reasons compared to 19 percent that cited cost as the primary reason for not seeking healthcare. Those non-financial reasons included not being able to get to a doctor’s office during working hours, long commutes to the medical office, or not being able to get an appointment soon enough.  As the study’s lead author said, “In reality, there are all kinds of reasons why people can’t get the care they need when they need it.” Th... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181790 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:16:36 +0100 5181790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169510&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Forlinst.puflet.info%2FDepeche%2520Mode%2520-%25202009%2520-%2520Sounds%2520of%2520the%2520Universe%2F03%2520Wrong.mp3 Meanwhile you might want to listen to “Wrong” (Depeche Mode) Yesterday I screened my spam-folder. Between all male enhancement and lottery winner announcements, and phishing mails for my bank account, there was an invitation to peer review a paper in “SCIENCE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY”. Such an invitation doesn’t belong in the spam folder, doesn’t it? Thus [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169510 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:26:53 +0100 5169510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159631&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F25%2Fthere-are-some-blog-posts-id-like-to-forget-on-returning-to-the-ndp%2F I’ve always tried to make this blog somewhat of a record of my life, however fragmented, warts and all.  Here in the archives is my defiant abandonment of the New Democratic Party for, let’s say, greener pastures.  However right it felt at the time, and for a couple of by-elections and a general election after, [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159631 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:54:54 +0100 5159631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158847&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F21%2Fsunday-news-round-up-not-on-vacation-edition%2F I know I’ve been posting infrequently when I get an email from a reader saying they thought I might be on vacation. I’m not. That message was about updates in the Juana Villegas case, which I’ll post about separately later this week. In the meantime, here are some things that have caught my attention recently: New York City is going to make sure middle and high school students get at least a little sex ed as part of their health education classes. Good. Maternal mortality for Black women got a bit of attention at BET. The New York Times explores the issue of pregnancy reduction when there are twins/two fetuses. “Selective reduction” is pretty well accepted (but not uncontroversial) when there are many fetuses, but it apparently seems more complicated to som... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158847 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:32:45 +0100 5158847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130741&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FUsPPCVyvHnQ%2F The following is a guest post by WomanCare Global CEO Saundra Pelletier. Besides serving as the founding CEO of WomanCare Global, Saundra is an international marketing expert, published author, keynote speaker and executive coach. By Saundra Pelletier. In 1965, Griswold v. Connecticut gave a married woman the right to use birth control to prevent or delay pregnancy as she saw fit. This guarantee of a basic human right led to other reforms that allowed millions more American women to decide the direction of their own reproductive lives.  This summer, we are proud to see another key reform go through: starting next year, the Affordable Care Act will allow even more women in the United States to be in charge of their own health by requiring new health plans to provide free birth control with... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130741 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:10:30 +0100 5130741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125906&cid=t_101666_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fnymwars-content-is-king-and-king-is.html My patience has ended. I'm just about to pull the pin on Google+ so that I can take some time and think about my reliance on other Google services. The entire debate tells me that for whatever reason, google as a corporation has jumped the shark and I do not feel comfortable investing my social capital in it.And if that social capital were not valuable, they would not be locked in a death match with Facebook over data-mining futures, and governments would not be petitioning them for their databases.Oddly, my decision is not based on whether I have anything to hide. I have always made the point of never putting anything on the Internet that could put me at risk, and I make a point of distancing myself from those who do."Content is King, and King is Content." The reality of the Internet... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125906 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:19:00 +0100 5125906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125708&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2Fthe-coming-transformation-of-public-addiction-treatment%2F Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and other recent legislative changes will transform public substance abuse treatment in the United States, substantially increasing the funding, expanding access to care, and better integrating it with other health services. That’s the conclusion of an article by Jeffrey Buck, senior advisor for behavioral health in the Center for [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125708 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:10:57 +0100 5125708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118917&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F08%2F10%2FWelcome-to-the-World-Rayna-Analiese-and-Looking-Forward-to-Many-Happy-Birthdays%21.aspx (A letter to my newborn granddaughter)   Good morning, Rayna Analiese. Welcome to the world!   You are a teeny 8 pound 8 ounce bundle of beauty and joy who arrived yesterday afternoon at 1:32 PM CDT--100 years (almost to the very day) after one of your great grandmothers was born.    Grandpa--who is normally not a big lover of babies--went gaga over you. "So cute! So cute!" is about all he could say as he snuggled you in his tall arms--afraid all the while that he might drop this football-size bundle of love.   You have lots of people who love you, and lots more who are going to love you--not to mention all the people who love you who haven't had a chance to meet you in person yet. You have aunts and uncles and great aunts and uncles and grandmothers and grandfathe... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118917 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:22:00 +0100 5118917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103315&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F05%2Flatina-week-of-action-for-reproductive-justice%2F This week, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and other organizations have been observing the second annual Latina Week of Action for Reproductive Justice: This year’s theme is Caminamos: Justice for Immigrant Women. We’re inviting everyone to join us in moving toward a brighter future for immigrant women and their families. Mean-spirited enforcement, workplace exploitation, and the criminalization of basic rights like education and health care are just a few of the challenges that have forced immigrant women into the shadows and ignored the crucial, positive role we play in our communities. Action items for the week include calling for a review of the 287(g) program and online discussion on the theme, “what’s the real problem behind the targeting of ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103315 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:27:53 +0100 5103315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096217&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fz_hroKVr_D8%2F Sick of your patients waiting in the ED for life saving treatment as a result of interminable ICU / CCU bed-block? Worry no more...move to Indonesia (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096217 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:10:43 +0100 5096217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096098&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F02%2Fliving-car-free-in-a-food-desert%2F CC BY-SA 2.0, dain of the iron hillsUntil I started trying it myself, I honestly did not understand why food deserts are defined in such a short radius – surely people 1-2 miles from a grocery story, even without a car, can’t really have *that* hard a time getting to food, right? Wrong. I have been without a car for about 3 months now, and have to spend a good chunk of time planning around and acquiring food. There are a number of challenges to getting around a city like Nashville – not known for great transit options – without a car. Below, I’m sharing some of my methods, challenges, helpful supplies, and privileges that make things easier for me but which suggest how difficult getting to food in a food desert can really be. It’s clear to me that some... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096098 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:00:29 +0100 5096098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086114&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2F31%2Fsunday-news-round-up-attack-kitty-edition%2F I haven’t done one of these in a while, having been distracted by the heat, the carless situation, dad’s cancer, mom’s hip replacement re-replacement, work, leveling my first character in Warcraft (now a level 71 undead frost mage – I don’t want to duel you!), and life in general. Tonight, though, I’m at my parents’ house (sitting with mom after said re-replacement), in a town with <30 thousand people that gets really, truly dark at night, World of Warcraft won't run on this computer, and I think I've reached the end of the internet. Might as well do something. The FDA has issued a warning not to use emergency contraception labeled as Evital. The agency says, These products may be counterfeit versions of the “morning after pill” ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086114 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:40:55 +0100 5086114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069466&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fkacp3b2MFJc%2F The sky is the limit it seems when it comes to mobile health. Proving once again the myriad possibilities for that smartphone apps present to every facet of the health sector, Orca MD — a company dedicated to producing apps aimed at educating patients and helping them find the most effective treatment for their ailments — just released two new patient education apps – these focusing on cosmetic procedures. The new apps (FaceDecide & BreastDecide) come in addition to their six existing Orthopedic patient education apps — including an orthopedic app called ShoulderDecide, which was recently reviewed by iMedicalApps.com. While these latest apps are obviously less focused on chronic medical conditions than the original six, they do call attention to just how great the ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069466 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:05:56 +0100 5069466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5057888&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F07%2F22%2FSocial-Securitys-Compassionate-Allowances-Program-Means-So-Much-To-People-In-Their-Time-Of-Need.aspx Sometimes-if you hang around long enough-you get the opportunity to see some good things happen.  The Compassionate Allowances Program from the Social Security Administration is one of those "good things," and last week I had the opportunity to participate in an event in Washington, DC marking the completion of adding the first 100 diseases to this program.   The basics of the program are fairly straight forward: patients who are diagnosed with one of 100 medical conditions-of which 31 are related to cancer-have their Social Security disability applications accelerated through the review process, meaning the delay in getting them their disability payments is considerably minimized.   That may not sound like much to you, but to people suddenly diagnosed with a life-threatenin... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5057888 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:31:00 +0100 5057888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050452&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2F21%2Finstitute-of-medicine-recommendations-released-birth-control-could-become-a-copay-free-preventive-service%2F The Institute of Medicine released its recommendations of which women’s health services should join the list of copay-free preventive services under the Affordable Care Act health care reform legislation. Birth control was included, along with services related to STIs, breastfeeding, and domestic violence. Over at OBOS, I have more information and links to some good commentaries and coverage of the news. Filed under: Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Access, Rights, & Choice, Breastfeeding, Contraception, Government, HIV/AIDS, HPV (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050452 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:39:41 +0100 5050452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050794&cid=t_101666_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FwbRRoA18ohw%2F In case you were still of the opinion that Google and Microsoft were the major players and groundbreaking pioneers of personal health records, here’s a partial list of other companies that have been at it for at least as long. I believe CapMed goes back as far as 1991. Some have been bought by larger firms, but many are still independent. Clip and save, or pass on to your favorite tech journalist that got snookered by the Google PR machine. Access Strategies CapMed ActiveHealth Management MEDecision HealthCapable MyMedLab NoMoreClipboard.com Carefx Good Health Network iPHER MedicalDrive.com MediKeeper Applied Research Works In any case, I remain unconvinced that the direct-to-consumer, “untethered” model—no connection to an electronic medical record unless the patient s... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050794 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:43:06 +0100 5050794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050506&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F18%2Fpatient-advocates-flies-in-the-ointment-of-evidence-based-care%2F The women recounted how their lives had been saved as they pleaded for the Food and Drug Administration not to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for advanced breast cancer. They did so even without evidence that it provides benefit and with evidence that it confers risks. Their efforts were ultimately not successful: the [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050506 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:07:44 +0100 5050506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028117&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F14%2Fmedicaid-expansion-and-reform-hopes-and-lessons-from-california%2F Editor’s note: In addition to Autumn Kieber-Emmons (photo and bio above), this post is coauthored by Tom Bodenheimer and Kevin Grumbach. Bodenheimer is Professor of Family and Community Medicine at University of California, San Francisco. Grumbach is Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UCSF and Chief of Family and [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028117 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:21:45 +0100 5028117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008112&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F08%2Fchallenges-for-hospitals-payment-readmissions-governance-and-access%2F Four papers in the newly released July 2011 issue of Health Affairs examine key topics for hospitals, including the extent to which hospitals “cost shift” to private payers; the success of efforts to reduce avoidable rehospitalizations; new responsibilities for hospital boards of trustees as a consequence of the Affordable Care Act; and expanding access to [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008112 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:07:18 +0100 5008112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992645&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F01%2Fsmaller-practices-and-the-patient-centered-medical-home%2F A new national study of small and medium-size physician practices shows that this group is not using many of the organized care processes of the patient-centered medical home model of health system reform included in the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The study by Diane Rittenhouse of the University of California-San Francisco and coauthors was [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992645 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:13:35 +0100 4992645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984393&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F29%2Fwho-knows-or-cares-how-planned-parenthood-cuts-affect-nashville-womens-health-care%2F Not the Governor who pushed for the move, apparently. Earlier this month, I wrote about how Republican-led efforts to defund Planned Parenthood in Tennessee will affect women in Nashville – one of two TN cities where the state usually gives federal family planning and cancer prevention money to Planned Parenthood. In Nashville, that money will now go to the local health department, which explicitly said that it doesn’t expect to serve the same number of women for the money. Planned Parenthood made up the gap between the federal funds and what it takes to actually serve Nashville’s women by raising funds from donations. The health department does not expect any additional funds to make the shortfall, and would need local tax increases to make up the difference. As at le... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984393 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:44:39 +0100 4984393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984637&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F29%2FFDA-Advisors-Vote-Unanimously-That-Avastin-Approval-Should-Be-Withdrawn-And-You-Could-Hear-The-Pain.aspx The votes are in, and the Food and Drug Administration's Advisory Committee said unanimously that the approval of Avastin (bevacizumab) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer should be withdrawn.   The decision did not go down quietly, with women loudly voicing their disagreement, and one saying that this shouldn't be happening in the United States of America. I could not sit there and hear the cries without feeling their pain and anguish.   But the FDA advisors were very clear in their assessment: despite treating thousands of women, there was no group of women who appeared to benefit from the drug.  The side effects are real and the potential harms significant, and to have the drug remain on the market could mean that many  women would continue to be... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984637 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:25:00 +0100 4984637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976138&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F28%2FThe-FDAs-Decision-to-Remove-Approval-for-Avastin-in-Metastatic-Breast-Cancer-is-Caught-Between-Data-and-Emotion.aspx I attended a hearing today held by the Food and Drug Administration outside of Washington DC on the question of whether or not Avastin® (bevacizumab) should retain approval for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.  As one might expect, the experience ran the gamut from deeply felt emotions to cold hard statistics.   The presentations by patients and physicians for the most part opposed the FDA decision to remove the breast cancer indication, while an occasional person supported the FDA based on their interpretation of the data.  For the patients and their supporters, it was the reality that many of them were alive and well with few symptoms, which they and their physicians attributed to the fact that Avastin® had a significant treatment benefit for their breast... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976138 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:58:00 +0100 4976138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975812&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F27%2Fnew-cardiac-surgery-programs-improving-access-or-duplicating-services%2F With cardiac services contributing 25 to 40 percent of a hospital’s net revenues, do new cardiac surgery programs improve access or exacerbate the duplication of services? To answer this question, the authors of a new Health Affairs Web First article published June 23 examined Medicare claims data to identify where new cardiac surgery programs were [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975812 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:35:27 +0100 4975812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952734&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F19%2Fwhy-a-fertilized-egg-is-not-a-baby-a-gardeners-analogy%2F With blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and the like, I think we all have a tendency to surround ourselves with people like us, who share many of our core beliefs. In the feminist blogosphere, we can feel like we’ve already had a discussion 100 times, already settled a matter, and we’re all kind of operating with the same definitions and understandings (even if that isn’t really the case). I know I can feel like, “I’ve already covered that topic” – like whether “life begins at conception” – but a comment thread at Kat Coble’s* made me want to revisit an issue when a commenter all-caps declared a fertilized egg to be “a BABY.” Medical people do not consider having a fertilized egg alone to mean that you are pregnant. Pregn... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952734 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:12:07 +0100 4952734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953272&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F06%2F17%2FCancer-Facts-and-Figures-2011-Poverty-is-a-Carcinogen-Does-Anyone-Care.aspx "Poverty is a carcinogen."   Those were the words of Dr. Samuel Broder when he was director of the National Cancer Institute in 1989.     As amply documented in the annual "Cancer Facts and Figures 2011" released today by the American Cancer Society, cancer shows that poverty remains one of the most potent a carcinogen-rivaling tobacco and obesity-as we have ever seen.   We have heard lots and lots about how cell phones and Styrofoam cause cancer.  But do you hear anyone talking about the huge impact of poverty and limited education on cancer?   If you don't hear anything about a true carcinogen that statistics show causes 37% of the deaths from cancer in people between the ages of 27 and 64, then maybe you have the answer to a very important question: If we a... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953272 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:40:00 +0100 4953272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934014&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F16%2Freport-of-a-woman-asked-to-stop-breastfeeding-in-memphis-area-social-security-office%2F Via Lindsey at The Memphis Blog, I learned of a report of a woman told by security at a Memphis, TN area Social Security office that she could not breastfeed her eight-month-old baby while waiting in line at the office. When she told the officer that she had the right to breastfeed where she was, the officer and then a manager tried to shuttle her off to a conference room, and was allegedly told that the office as a federal facility has its own rules. Problem is, there is apparently a law specifically authorizing women to breastfeed on federal property where they are otherwise allowed to be – and it’s been law for more than a decade (see section 647). Tennessee law is also quite clear, stating that “A mother has a right to breastfeed her child who is twelve (12) months ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934014 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:34:05 +0100 4934014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934015&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F13%2Fdefunding-planned-parenthood-in-tennessee-tying-together-the-news%2F I posted on Friday about Nashville’s Department of Health deciding to accept the funds that would normally go to Planned Parenthood for family planning services, and stating when they did so they were taking the money on the condition that they did not have to serve the same number of people. A commenter here – who appears to be close to the issue – pointed out that the county would probably need more local tax dollars to provide the same amount of service that Planned Parenthood provided with a combination of those federal funds and private donations. I saw a few news items today that don’t make a coherent whole, but that I felt were related to the issue. 1. State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper reportedly sent a letter to the Metro Public Health Department urgin... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934015 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:19:41 +0100 4934015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902384&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F05%2Fsunday-news-round-up-if-this-is-may-edition%2F The local newspaper is covering genetic tests for breast cancer, privacy, gene tests patents, cost, and the fears some people have about getting tested. Iris Carmen at Jezebel has a piece, “The Fight For Abortion Access For Military Women,” that is really about barriers in the military that prevent women from reporting sexual assault, the institutional difficulties faced by women servicemembers who become pregnant, and their lack of access to abortion coverage and providers. Via the CDC’s National Prevention Intervention Network (@cdcnpin) Follow @CDCNPIN@CDCNPINCDC NPIN #30years ago today, @CDCMMWR reported on 1st cases of what became known as #AIDS. http://ow.ly/59vq3 about 23 hours ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite The link in the tweet goes to the actual June 5, 1... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902384 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 16:49:56 +0100 4902384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893337&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F02%2Fvanderbilt-becomes-one-of-few-u-s-hospitals-to-give-women-nitrous-oxide-option-for-labor-pain%2F Nitrous oxide (an inhaled gas) is commonly available in European and other countries as an option for women to help alleviate labor pain, but very few (like, 2 or 3) places in the U.S. offer it. This week, Vanderbilt University* in Nashville, TN began offering this option, which is often of particular interest to women who do not want an epidural but would like something to take the edge off the pain. The Tennessean, a Nashville, TN newspaper, has coverage, as does local tv station WKRN. I’m happy to say that I am working with Shelly (Michelle) Collins and Sarah Starr on a project at work right now, and am excited for them that they were able to get this option implemented. Congrats, ladies! *Full disclosure: this is my larger workplace. Opinions on this blog and pretty much everyw... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893337 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:52:04 +0100 4893337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883723&cid=t_101666_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gpo.gov%2Ffdsys%2Fpkg%2FFR-2011-05-31%2Fpdf%2F2011-13297.pdf Today's Federal Register includes the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) modifying the HIPAA Privacy Rule's Accounting of Disclosure requirements for protected health information. OCR was required to make these modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) section of the ARRA. HIPAA Privacy Rule Accounting of Disclosures Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Office for Civil Rights, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (76 FR 31426, May 31, 2011)The regulations greatly expand the responsibility for health care covered entities and business associates to document and track the use and disclosure of health information he... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883723 Tue, 31 May 2011 15:57:44 +0100 4883723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883583&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epmonthly.com%2Fwhitecoat%2F2011%2F05%2Frefusing-to-treat-obese-patients%2F I discussed whether or not ambulances should be required to add equipment costing $12,000 in order to be able to transport 850 pound patients in a previous post, so I won’t belabor the point here. Providing medical care to morbidly obese patients presents multiple challenges. Then I read an article in the Florida Sun Sentinel about how some obstetrician/gynecologists in South Florida are refusing to provide medical care to obese women. Fifteen out of 105 Ob/Gyns refuse to treat patients based upon either weight or BMI. Some won’t take any patients who weigh more than 200 lbs. In the article, other obstetricians without such a policy state that “no doctor should be unable to treat patients just because they are heavy.” The “ability” to treat patients is... WhiteCoat's Call Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883583 Tue, 31 May 2011 10:43:57 +0100 4883583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883527&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F30%2Fi-am-a-giant-whiner-about-the-heat-and-attempts-to-defund-planned-parenthood-in-tennessee%2F Ugh. The air conditioner at my place has been broken for the last few weeks, and it’s been a pretty constant 85 degrees in here. I have no idea how people tolerate the south without a/c on a regular basis – the persistent heat is making me whiny and angry and just generally unpleasant. It also has the effect of making it less pleasant for me to focus the energy to post about whatever nonsense our state legislature is up to related to women and their bodies. If the heat didn’t make me cranky enough, Senator Stacey Campfield (R, duh), added an item to the state budget to “cut off $747,900 a year in federal money for non-abortion family-planning and women’s health services to Planned Parenthood in Memphis and $335,000 to Planned Parenthood in Nashville.” No... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883527 Mon, 30 May 2011 15:05:25 +0100 4883527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852862&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-new-way-to-find-a-vein-vein-lights-for-iv-access%2F2011.05.22 Here’s how we used to find a difficult vein.  If a floor nurse could not get an IV in, they asked one of their colleagues to try.  If their colleague could not find the impossible-to-locate vein, they contacted an ICU nurse.  If the ICU nurse couldn’t get one, sometimes an ER nurse or a flight nurse would try.  If they still couldn’t get an IV, then I would be paged to ask if they could get an order for an anesthesiologist to try.  And if the anesthesiologist couldn’t figure out how to find a difficult vein, we got a PICC line with the PICC nurse or with the radiologist or I placed a central line if the patient could not wait for a PICC line. That’s how we used to find a difficult IV. How do we find one now?  If you’re on the floor, you use one of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852862 Sun, 22 May 2011 17:00:00 +0100 4852862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852818&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F22%2Fmaddow-contrasts-republican-stances-actions-on-abortion%2F Rachel Maddow put together a montage of videos featuring Republicans talking about two things – 1) not wanting bureaucrats between people and their doctors, and 2) wanting less regulation overall – and contrasted that with what they’ve been up to on abortion, including legislature-driven, medically inaccurate consent scripts and TRAP laws. WordPress won’t let me embed it, but it’s online at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#43103392 (with a transcript). Filed under: Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice, Government (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852818 Sun, 22 May 2011 16:05:03 +0100 4852818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852819&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F22%2Ftennessee-constitutional-amendment-on-abortion-to-go-to-voters-planned-parenthood-responds%2F SJR127, a joint resolution in the Tennessee legislature to “provide that nothing in Constitution of Tennessee secures or protects right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion,” has passed through the legislature. It will go to a public vote on the 2014 state ballot. The resolution has been raised for years, but never made it through both arms of the legislature until now. Supporters argue that the change would Tennessean’s abortion rights in line with those in the rest of the country by making our state Constitution neutral on the matter. Voting in the change could allow further restrictions, and in the (presumably unlikely) event of a total Roe overturn, it would allow a state ban on abortion. Naturally, I’m not too enthused about this move to make th... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852819 Sun, 22 May 2011 16:00:58 +0100 4852819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841469&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FdfmEiCMqXOw%2F The rise of the Tea Party has come with increased concern over the federal deficit and strained state budgets, and cries for less government spending. The Medicaid program has a bright red bull’s eye target on its back, mainly because several erroneous stereotypes exist about its recipients who often don’t have the means to speak and fight for themselves. The situation is no different in my state of South Carolina. Last week, one of our state senators referred to South Carolina’s Medicaid program as a “Mercedes health plan.”  Our Department of Health and Human Services responded by saying, “It’s a little bit of a stretch to call it a Mercedes.” This morning, that same senator posted a guest editorial on FITSNews, “A Hand Up, Not a Hand-Out.”  In this piece, the indepe... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841469 Thu, 19 May 2011 19:58:11 +0100 4841469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820800&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F05%2F12%2Fwhat-health-reform-means-for-medicare%2F While President Barack Obama and congressional leaders continue to tussle over what to do about the nation’s unsustainable entitlement spending programs, the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) seem to have gone largely unnoticed. This oversight is hard to explain. In recent decades, real Medicare spending has been growing at a [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820800 Thu, 12 May 2011 12:26:08 +0100 4820800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813280&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allhealth.org%2Fhealth-issues-sourcebook2011%2Fcovering-health-issues-2011.pdf The completely updated 200-page Alliance sourcebook, “Covering Health Issues, 6th Edition,” is now available. Written with reporters in mind, “Covering Health Issues” is useful for anyone looking for concise information on health policy issues, and experts from across the political spectrum. Chapters contain fast facts, background, tips for reporters, story ideas and experts with contact information. The book also includes an extensive glossary, ideas and examples for TV and radio reporters, and links to polls on health issues. Supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To see a video demonstration of the book by Julie Rovner of NPR, click here. To see individual chapters, click on any of the chapter titles below. To download the entire sourcebo... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813280 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:00:06 +0100 4813280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803005&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F08%2Fsunday-news-round-up-car-freecarless-edition%2F This post is late because I was busy taking the bus to get here.* I wrote several times in 2008 about the case of Juana Villegas, an immigrant in Nashville who was arrested as the result of a traffic stop and ultimately ended up shackled to a hospital bed during labor, separated from her newborn for two days without seeing him, and denied a breast pump or cream for lactating women. This past week, a federal judge ruled in her favor that the shackling during labor and after delivery violated her civil rights. I have a full post up at Our Bodies Our Blog on this topic. I also have a full post up at the OBOS blog on the Skin Deep database, which provides info on the safety and ingredients of skin care and cosmetic products. I spent the last few days at the IHA Health Literacy conference. I... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803005 Sun, 08 May 2011 17:00:17 +0100 4803005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762895&cid=t_101666_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2011%2F04%2F28%2Fopen-access-social-media-guide-for-pharma-want-to-join%2F I’ve been planning to launch this project for some time but before launching it officially I wanted to get feedback from some companies I spoke at about this important topic. So here is the deal. I would like to create collaboratively an open-access set of guidelines that pharma companies could use for free and personalize for their own needs and preferences. I believe we (medical professionals and patients) have to know how the pharma sector do and should not use social media and vica versa. Let’s get together and please let me know if you think you would like to contribute to that. Myself, I would cover the Wikipedia usage section but I would need participants focusing on pharma and Twitter, blogs or Facebook, etc. Please let me know what you think! If there are enough partic... ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762895 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:18:11 +0100 4762895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734087&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FSmas1Bps-RU%2F This post was co-authored by Disruptive Woman Archelle Georgiou and Emma Dougherty, Senior Analyst at TripleTree and originally published on the firms blog site, Uncommon Clarity. It was also posted on Archelle on Health. 9 million. That’s how many web hits are returned during a Google search for “Accountable Care Organization,” and reflects the countless articles, white papers and opinions that have been published regarding the potential successes and more likely pitfalls of the proposed ACO mandate. As highlighted in TripleTree’s recent post, our team is continuously evaluating the business development opportunities being fueled by the demands and requirements of these new provider organizations.  Last week, the members of our Healthcare Executive Roundtable recently discuss... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734087 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:33:32 +0100 4734087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734104&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-it-a-crime-to-help-illegal-immigrants-get-healthcare%2F2011.04.20 According to some state legislators, the answer is yes. Lawmakers in South Carolina are pushing legislation that would “make it illegal to transport immigrants anywhere, including a hospital” reports the New York Times. Fox News Phoenix reports that in Arizona, a bill has been introduced to “require hospitals, when admitting nonemergency cases, to confirm that a person seeking care is a U.S. citizen or in the country legally. In emergency cases where the patient isn’t here legally, the hospital would be required to call immigration authorities after the treatment is done. Hospitals in non-emergency situations would also be required to contact federal immigration authorities, but they would have more apparent discretion about whether to treat illegal immigrants.” Such ill-advi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734104 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0100 4734104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723754&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F17%2Fsunday-news-round-up-not-intended-to-be-a-factual-statement-edition%2F Actually, the round-up is not a joke – but I have been cracking up at Stephen Colbert’s response (and the resulting tweets) to Republican John Kyl’s way, way off statement on the Senate floor that >90% of what Planned Parenthood does is abortion (it’s more like 3%), and his spokesperson’s response, when Kyl was called on the error, that it “was not intended to be a factual statement.” [more via Know Your Meme] At Our Bodies Our Blog, some discussion of “opiate babies” as the new “crack babies,” with all of the problematic media coverage and decentering of women’s stories and experiences that implies. Also, OBOS is looking for individuals who might want to be on the cover of the 40th anniversary edition of the book,... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723754 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:12:13 +0100 4723754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723755&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F16%2Fnotes-from-a-lecture-hormone-therapy-for-transgender-adolescents%2F I have several sets of lecture notes to write up from talks given at the larger workplace’s LGBT health week in March of this year. Yes, it has taken me forever to get to this – March and April have sort of gotten away from me somehow. As a result, some of my notes may not be as rich as I’d like, as they would be if I had converted them to posts right away, but I hope they’ll still be interesting and useful to readers. The followin is built from my notes on a presentation on Friday March 18, “Case Presentations in Adolescent Hormonal Therapy,” by Dr. Jennifer Najjar and Dr. Lisa Beavers. Before we get into the lecture notes, I’d like to introduce the basic concept, although I am by no means an expert. One thing the speakers didn’t really get ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723755 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 20:07:29 +0100 4723755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696585&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F11%2Fwhat-should-i-do-with-my-uterus-lets-put-it-to-a-vote%2F In this morning’s Nashville, TN newspaper: Tennessee’s abortion protections are scheduled to come up for debate in the legislature today, in a critical vote that could determine whether the issue goes before voters in 2014. What’s meant to go before voters – if/when it clears the state legislature – is an amendment to the state Constitution to say that “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” Supporters plan to implement waiting periods, legislated scripts for doctors, and other restrictions if the amendment is passed. Naturally pro-choice folks -including me – are concerned about: a) amending the Constitution to suggest fewer rights for women; b) putting it up to a popul... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696585 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:15:25 +0100 4696585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696587&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F10%2Fsunday-news-round-up-whining-about-the-heat-edition%2F This week I added one more lecture to the list of lectures I need to write up for posts here; this week it was Kevin Pho, better known as KevinMD. I’ll have more detail and commentary later, but I particularly appreciated his closing remark that patients *are* going online for health information, and physicians can either roll their eyes and resist or get on board – I’ve made the same argument in various posts here. One more example of the Tennessee state legislature being up to utter hateful bullshit: Legislature moves quickly to nullify council’s newly adopted nondiscrimination ordinance. Nashville passed an ordinance basically meaning that businesses contracting with the metro government have to have nondiscrimination policies in place that include protections a... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696587 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:40:39 +0100 4696587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676727&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F03%2Fsunday-news-round-up-sunny-day-edition-2%2F The New England Journal of Medicine published a freely available Clinical Practice article, “Care of Transsexual Persons.” It covers hormones, surgery, and adolescents. Note that it does use the problematic gender identity “disorder” language as included in the DSM and it also promotes the standard psychological counseling hoops that transgender persons must jump through prior to obtaining treatment – Julia Serano‘s “Whipping Girl” provides a good primer on why those hoops can be problematic. It might be worth checking out what kinds of materials health care providers are seeing regarding these topics, including how they’re problematic. Relatedly, there’s a possibility that “gender identity disorder” will be renamed &... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676727 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:04:37 +0100 4676727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664131&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F31%2Facos-medical-homes-and-reform-a-crucial-consensus%2F With the federal government poised to propose rules governing accountable care organizations, a broad array of public and private health care stakeholders has laid out a consensus on how to use ACOs and patient-centered medical homes to move toward the “triple aim” of better health, better care, and lower costs. The report, Better to Best: [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664131 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:50:17 +0100 4664131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658579&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2FMedicare-Decides-To-Pay-For-Provenge-Leaving-The-Battle-Over-Cost-And-Value-To-Be-Fought-Another-Day.aspx I bet there was a huge collective sigh of relief about the land among men with prostate cancer, their families, their physicians and especially the company involved when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)-which runs the Medicare program-announced their decision this afternoon to cover the new cancer immunotherapy treatment for advanced prostate cancer, called Provenge®, under Medicare.   The stakes are huge: I suspect the market (and cost to Medicare) will run into potentially billions of dollars, yet the benefits for all of that money at first glance seem to be modest.   Ordinarily, the outcome in favor of approval would have been as close to certain as possible.    After all, this new treatment for prostate cancer did increase the survival o... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658579 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 22:29:00 +0100 4658579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658345&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2Fat-obos-growing-objections-to-makena-price-hike%2F Over at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have a post on the FDA’s approval of Makena (17-Hydroxyprogesterone or 17OHP) for prevention of preterm birth and the huge price hike that followed, with links to commentaries on the controversy, including calls for boycotts, questions about the March of Dimes’s role in supporting the approval, lots of good posts from The Preemie Primer blog, and a New England Journal of Medicine perspective piece decrying the potential impact on Medicaid and decrease in access to the drug as a result of the price hike. Filed under: Access, Rights, & Choice, Drugs, Ethics, Pregnancy (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658345 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:26:25 +0100 4658345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642566&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F28%2Fmedicares-embedded-ethics-the-challenge-of-cost-control-in-an-aging-society%2F The challenge of reining in the rising costs of the Medicare Program is particularly thorny because it confronts a recalcitrant societal tension between the necessity for cost control and the value of open-ended technology use for life extension in the later years. That tension is becoming more deeply entrenched because a growing number of older [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642566 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:02:43 +0100 4642566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642547&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F27%2Fsunday-news-round-up-5%2F Assorted items of interest collected over the last week or so; as usual, the Sunday round-up is more socially than medically oriented, this week with several items on transgender women and related rights, issues, and prejudices as I’ve been trying to read more about these topics. Scientific American has an excerpt from a new book, Demand Better! Revive Our Broken Health Care System. It’s a pretty clear explanation of how little doctors apply the best, most current evidence to medical treatment, and might be pretty shocking for folks who are not involved in evidence-based medicine issues. For example: Even though clinical guidelines exist…physicians get it right about 55 percent of the time across all medical conditions. In other words, patients receive recommended care ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642547 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:25:47 +0100 4642547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636661&cid=t_101666_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FuVd-z-wEiP4%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is our regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that the Baker & Daniels national lawfirm has elected J. Patrick Fitzsimmons as a lead partner in its life sciences and health care practice group in the Chicago office, effective April 4. For the past six years, he has been associated with var... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636661 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:26:16 +0100 4636661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626827&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FTrEXv67U4VI%2F A year after President Obama signed health reform into law, the public remains deeply divided over the landmark legislation, with a year of political debate over its merits and the beginning stages of its implementation doing little to alter Americans’ opinions about the law. In March, one year after enactment, 42 percent of Americans hold favorable views of the law while 46 percent view it unfavorably, a basic division that has changed little during the last 12 months. (In April 2010, 46 percent had favorable views and 40 percent unfavorable ones, but both figures have ticked up and down over the last year.) Opinion of the law continues to break sharply along partisan lines, with 71 percent of Democrats backing the law and 82 percent of Republicans opposing it. About half (51%) of Ame... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626827 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:45:14 +0100 4626827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622201&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fsouth-dakota-passes-law-requiring-potentially-deceptive-non-medical-counseling-for-abortion%2F HB1217 was signed into law today by the Governor of South Dakota; it will require women to visit crisis pregnancy centers (called “pregnancy help centers” in the bill) in order to effectively get their permission to obtain an abortion. Those centers are known for misleading women about the medical risks of abortion, and exist primarily to try to convince women not to choose abortion. These centers are not staffed by licensed medical or psychological professionals. Women will be required to receive a presentation on “what education, counseling, and other assistance is available to help the pregnant mother keep and care for her child.” This would be fine, if it were intended to help women make an educated choice rather than to sway them to a specific choice (without unduly i... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622201 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:11:27 +0100 4622201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622202&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fnotes-from-a-lecture-homelessness-and-health%2F I have notes from at at least three lectures I need to write up here; this is the first, on homelessness and health. Upcoming posts when I get a chance to process my notes will cover a talks by Bishop Gene Robinson, on adolescent hormone therapy for trans youth, and on taking a sexual history. The post below is from a talk I attended on February 2, 2011. As part of the larger workplace’s Health Disparities Week 2011, I attended a lecture by Robertson Nash, MBA, MSN, ACNP, BC entitled “Homelessness and Poverty: Suffering in Nashville.” Nash is a nurse practitioner and has worked with homeless populations in Nashville in various capacities; his talk emphasized the causes and cycle of homelessness, and focused somewhat on breaking down people’s assumptions on what caus... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622202 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:42:29 +0100 4622202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622472&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2FTobacco-Tourism-Comes-Of-Age-In-Northeast-US.aspx Know what a "dilly" is?  The dictionary describes a "dilly" as something that is remarkable or extraordinary, as in size or quality.    The headline I came across the other day from the Associated Press story is in fact a dilly of a story.  It has some of my colleagues here at the American Cancer Society and our affiliated advocacy organization American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network more than a bit concerned: "NH, RI, NJ Buck Trend, Propose Cigarette Tax Cut."   Hard to believe, but after years of making progress in the fight against big tobacco and helping people to kick the habit or prevent young people from taking up smoking in the first place, now come proposals that would take us backwards, putting more people at risk for their lives all in the nam... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622472 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:58:00 +0100 4622472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622252&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F_Ppf0Pv89xM%2F A review of the effectives and use of intraosseous devices in the emergency department. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622252 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:44 +0100 4622252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4605787&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F17%2Flgbt-health-resources-for-health-care-providers-from-the-american-medical-student-association%2F It’s LGBT Health Week at work, which consists of lectures on the health and issues faced by LGBT persons and an LGBT health fair on Saturday in Nashville. As a result of the timing and previous conversations, I’ve been looking for LGBT health resources to add to our e-resource portal, and thought I’d share here this set of items I found from AMSA. LGBT National Inclusion Campaign – includes materials for use by educators/presenters on the health of queer people of color and transgender patients. Transgender Health Resources – provides links to clinical guidelines, patient education materials, and trans health 101 resources. LGBT Local Projects in a Box – tools for organizers/students/educators on LGBT health 101, being an ally, inclusive terminology/l... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4605787 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:53:28 +0100 4605787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592320&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F15%2Fon-doctors-patients-and-the-internet-an-analogy%2F This a topic that bears further discussion later, but I wanted to share this analogy I came up with after talking to a friend who experienced hostility when asking her doctor about information found online. I posted it to Facebook a while ago, but wanted to put it here where I will be able to find it again, too. Warning patients away from “the internet” because some sources are bad is like telling patients to avoid all medications because some/most would be inappropriate or dangerous for that patient. Both miss opportunities to educate, collaborate, and improve care. People – including patients! – use the internet. Period. It’s my opinion that doctors and nurses who immediately scoff at any mention of the internet – rather than appreciating the wide web... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592320 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:59:34 +0100 4592320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592321&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F15%2Fupdate-on-cdc-abortion-surveillance-data%2F Over at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have a link to the published 2007 abortion surveillance data for the U.S., and some highlights. Not too surprisingly for folks who follow this data over the years, there’s nothing particularly new or worth-hiding there. Filed under: Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592321 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:04:39 +0100 4592321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570713&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F10%2FCancer-Survivors-Are-%28Fortunately%29-Very-Much-A-Part-Of-Our-Lives.aspx An article just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their weekly publication "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" provides an assessment of the progress we have made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.   Clearly, since 1971, we have made substantial advances in the cancer treatment.  We have become a larger and older nation.  We have pushed the threshold for the diagnosis of cancer, with breast and prostate cancers as leading examples.   The result is that we have many millions more people alive with cancer today than was ever the case in our history.   But with the progress also comes cautions about what the data means, and where our journey must go if we are to address some of the key issues reflected in these statistics. &nbsp... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570713 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:40:00 +0100 4570713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570761&cid=t_101666_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzGaMvXkB8L0%2F After weeks of anticipation and furious lobbying, Canada’s House of Commons passed a bill called C-393, which was designed to allow generic versions of patented AIDS meds to be sent to developing countries. The bill was conceived to amend a 2004 law called Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime, which proved ineffective. Since its passage six years ago, only one license was ever issued and this involved exporting just one order of an AIDS med to Rwanda. However, the legislation, which the pharmaceutical industry has fought over concerns that intellectual property rights would be undermined, still has another hurdle to clear, because it must still be approved by the Senate before becoming law. And the Senate is controlled by the Conservative Party, and supporters are now ramping up th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570761 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:01:41 +0100 4570761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4554594&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F06%2Fsunday-news-round-up-now-with-fewer-omitted-gs%2F A few things of interest from the past week: RHRC has a whole series on obstetric fistula. March 3 was International Sex Workers Rights Day. As Naomi shared in the comments of a previous post, Rachel Maddow recently had on two Republican women who are Wyoming state reps and who reject recent state anti-abortion efforts. The two women describe themselves as small government conservatives, and state that they don’t believe government should interfere in such private decisions. The video is here, with a transcript mode option. Book Nerds! Deeply Problematic has an essay, “Hermione Granger and the Failures of Feminism.” It focuses primarily on how Hermione tries to bust in and forcibly “free” the house elves without actually talking to them about what they want... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4554594 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 17:36:11 +0100 4554594 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549902&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F03%2F04%2FWhy-Is-New-York-Using-Public-Money-To-Support-Unproven-And-Possibly-Unethical-Screening-For-Brain-Tumors-With-Public-Money.aspx Sometimes you see a story that is just too important to pass up--even if the comments I make here are going to get some New York politicians upset with me and possibly with the American Cancer Society.   But when you see something that defies logic and evidence, and involves millions of dollars that could be put to much better and more effective use, then I believe we have the responsibility to say something, even if it is at our peril.   The story is about New York City subsidizing "screening MRI brain scans" to detect brain cancer early as reported in yesterday's New York Times.  And my opinion and that of others is that at the least New York is wasting the taxpayers' money and at worst is promoting an unethical and experimental procedure to its citizens.   Here are ... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549902 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:26:00 +0100 4549902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4527720&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F27%2Fsunday-news-round-up-sunburn-edition%2F A bit of what I’ve been reading this week, when I haven’t been outside getting a mild sunburn. In February. Via fellow librarian Bobbie Newman, I learned of this piece, “The Hazards of Leading Culture Change” (click on the download link for the PDF). It’s kind of oriented toward businesses/organizations instead of movements/activism, but there were a few points I thought were relevant: “When you are up to your backside in alligators,” goes the oft-quoted line, “it is hard to remember you were there to drain the swamp.” Organizations under pressure are fraught with alligators-those seemingly never ceasing crises that keep leaders up at night. But, if all the energy goes into simply fighting alligators, there will always be alligators. Culture change is... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4527720 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:34:44 +0100 4527720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522248&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2011%2F02%2F25%2FWho-Can-You-Turn-To-When-Insurance-Coverage-Is-Denied-And-There-Is-No-Where-To-Turn-The-Impact-Of-ERISA-Plans.aspx Sometimes we have moments which may help us focus our thinking on an issue, or perhaps clarify our understanding of a problem.  We can ponder large problems, but it is those experiences on a more "micro" basis that brings clarity to our thoughts.   A discussion I had this past week with a couple facing an insurance denial for cancer-related surgery was just such an experience.   I can't go into all the details, but the bottom line for me is that if we don't find some way to bring clarity and rationality to our health care non-system soon, many people are going to find themselves wondering what happened when they needed help the most.   The events as recounted to me were pretty straightforward: a young lady had a strong history of ovarian cancer on both her mother's and... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522248 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:10:00 +0100 4522248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512356&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F23%2Fwalk-for-choice-this-saturday-in-nashville%2F Walk for Choice events will be held in cities all across the United States this Saturday to show support for abortion rights in response to recent anti-choice legislation — especially HR 3, The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. The Nashville Walk for Choice event is being held this Saturday, February 26 from noon to 3 pm. The route for the Walk should be announced around noon on Friday. More details are available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126279230779223, where you can indicate that you will attend and send invitations to your other pro-choice contacts on the site. For more information on the Walks, including info for other cities, visit walkforchoice.tumblr.com. There is also a Twitter profile and hashtag (#walk4choice) for the event. Notes: Official... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512356 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:24:29 +0100 4512356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507238&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F21%2Fsunday-news-round-up-monday-style-2%2F The Now@NEJM blog posted a new item in its Clinical Practice series, Streptococcal Pharyngitis. This seemed particularly relevant after a worker fixing a light on Friday – after about 20 minutes in my office – told me all about how his current case of strep throat. The NEJM piece doesn’t seem to address people like me, though – I have a penicillin allergy! Acquaintance Ilissa has a diary up at Daily Kos on her first morning as an abortion clinic escort. I particularly liked one of the comments: “There is not room in one skin for two people with full rights.” At the New York Times, Study of Breast Biopsies Finds Surgery Used Too Extensively. This would be the kind of harm people were talking about when they talked about what happens when we do too many m... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507238 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:23:18 +0100 4507238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495171&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F18%2Fthe-future-of-consumer-directed-health-care%2F Over the next decade I believe we are going to see a major transformation of American medicine. It won’t be the kind of transformation that is normally discussed at health care conferences and at inside-the-Beltway briefings. Nor will it be the kind of change anticipated by the people who gave us the Affordable Care Act [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495171 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:51:44 +0100 4495171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540544&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F17%2Ffoundation-blogs-round-up-health-reform-disparities-global-health-obesity-and-more%2F%3Fcat%3Dgrantwatch As my work week draws to a close, I have put together a quick listing of some foundation-related posts that I think you might want to check out. If your foundation has a blog about health care and it is not listed on GrantWatch Blog’s Blogroll, let me know about it! Disparities in Health: “Poll [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540544 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:56:06 +0100 4540544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472937&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F13%2Fsunday-news-round-up-attacks-on-reproductive-rights-edition%2F Three things this week that I think are important to focus on for advocates of reproductive rights and justice: HR3, HR358, and proposed cuts to Title X family planning funding and other women’s health services. I wrote about HR3 and HR358 at Our Bodies Our Blog this week. There, I note that I particularly appreciated the succinct explanations provided by Jennifer Steinhauer in the New York Times, excerpted below. 1) On HR3: One bill, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” would eliminate tax breaks for private employers who provide health coverage if their plans offer abortion services, and would forbid women who use a flexible spending plan to use pre-tax dollars for abortions. Those restrictions would go well beyond current law prohibiting the use of federal money for ab... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472937 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:36:07 +0100 4472937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482934&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F02%2F11%2Fpublic-health-alert-rash-of-opiate-related-overdoses-in-greater-boston%2F There are have been a rash of fatal and non-fatal opiate-related overdoses in greater Boston over the past two weeks. We’re not sure what the cause of the overdoses are — whether it’s related to purity or poly-drug use. Whatever the cause, we want people to be safe. Here are tips from the Boston Public Health Commission for opiate users, family, friends, and bystanders: Know your risk for overdose, including low tolerance, mixing drugs, using alone, and having no plan. Then create a plan of action for whan you’re using. Signs of an overdose include shallow breathing, blue lips/fingertips, and being unconscious. What to do if you see an overdose: Yell at the person; rub your knuckles on their breastbone; check their breathing. Call 911 and give rescue breathing and N... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482934 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:14:04 +0100 4482934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464452&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F11%2Fi-get-to-choosewhen-and-if-i-give-birth%2F Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy performed a song about abortion at a NARAL Pro-Choice luncheon yesterday. You know I have to love a song that includes the line, “But I make the rules/For my uterus.” brightcove.createExperiences(); [I haven't seen a transcript for it yet] Filed under: Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice, Funny (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464452 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:29:13 +0100 4464452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459931&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2Fthe-individual-mandate-neither-essential-nor-enough%2F All eyes are focused on the many state challenges to health reform.  Florida’s recent federal court decision held the entire health reform law unconstitutional, based on the unconstitutionality of the mandate requiring all U.S. citizens to maintain a minimum level of health insurance coverage beginning in 2014, or pay a penalty.  Virginia’s earlier decision severed [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459931 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:48:36 +0100 4459931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455243&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F09%2Fand-then-the-dessert-arrived-global-health-dichotomies%2F The story was tragic. A Tuberculosis patient from India who died because the system which was expected to provide for his treatment failed to deliver… and then the dessert arrived.  The setting? The official dinner of the First Global Symposium on Health Systems Research organized at the Montreux Casino. A photo of the dying TB [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455243 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:13:45 +0100 4455243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441965&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F06%2Fsunday-news-round-up-everything-is-miscellaneous%2F Via Siobhan, a project intended to train volunteer interpreters to provide services to survivors of torture, trauma, and sexual abuse. Lyon-Martin Health Services in San Francisco, which serves a lot of people of color, gay and lesbian and transgender people, is raising money to try to stay open. Vivir Latino is going to be tweeting on Monday from a media breakfast hosted by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Latina Magazine, on issues and inequalities in reproductive health care affecting Latinas. I’m not terribly familiar with abortion laws in Mexico, but the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health network reports on the case of a woman apparently sentenced to a 23-year jail term for murder/abortion for what she states was a miscarriage. The Ovarian Canc... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441965 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:29:31 +0100 4441965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4438878&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F04%2Fon-the-timing-of-cdc-abortion-data-publication%2F If the Obama administration were deliberately hiding abortion rate data in order to obscure the effects of his presidency or health reform legislation (as the National Review suggested) you’d think he would wait until it was time for data from *after he was actually elected* to be released. 2008 data? Before he was elected (mostly) or health care reform had been voted on? Unless you are positing the existence of time travel, that’s a serious flaw in logic. It’s not even truly accurate to characterize the annual reports as though they have nearly always been published in the November three years after the data year, for as long as the reports have been released, as RedState did in their “breaking” story. RedState avoided this truth by saying, “The Mortal... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4438878 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:52:17 +0100 4438878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436726&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F04%2Ffrequent-churning-predicted-between-medicaid-and-exchanges%2F Income fluctuations among people who will become eligible for subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act could disrupt coverage for as many as 28 million adults within the first twelve months, as their eligibility shifts between Medicaid and the new state health insurance exchanges, according to a new study published in the February 2011 [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436726 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:13:19 +0100 4436726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429059&cid=t_101666_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F02%2Fdoes-schizophrenia-need-a-new-name%2F I was very nervous when my editorial about schizophrenia — there we go, a word I ought not to be using — appeared Open Access online in the December 2010 Journal of Mental Health (published by Informa Healthcare, New York). It contains personal details which it is not customary to reveal. Having got over that I had more anxiety when the printed journal was delayed by a month for unknown reasons. Now that it’s out I am calm again. Why should I not be using the ‘S’ word? What’s in a name? The answer is that it has acquired a stigma in the course of a hundred years owing to the small minority of people with our condition who are violent and attack or kill other people. Furthermore, according to Jim van Os, a professor of psychiatry at Maastricht University in the Neth... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429059 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:13:17 +0100 4429059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419067&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F30%2Fsunday-news-round-up-still-here-edition%2F Some things that caught my eye this week; for new folks, the Sunday news round-up tends to focus more on social issues than research or resources, including whatever I’ve noted for later reading from my RSS feeds or Twitter. First, the English-language site for Al Jazeera has the most complete coverage I’ve seen of what’s going on in Egypt for those who need it in the English language. I’m woefully behind on the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” proposed by House Republicans, so this first chunk is catching up. It seems to me to be completely unnecessary political posturing on the backs of women (and especially rape victims, as we’ll see), given that there are existing restrictions preventing federal funding for abortion. I know it includes... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419067 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:31:37 +0100 4419067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414514&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F29%2Fmayor-dean-this-is-an-insult-to-libraries-and-health%2F I don’t often blog about hyper-local issues that aren’t completely focused on health or reproductive rights, but this story brought to my attention via B’s blog is an important one, I think, for people who care about how government is run and appropriate funding of important and necessary services. The Nashville City Paper reports that a former government employee has essentially been asked to work a part-time, made-up position in the Nashville’s Department of Finance, for an estimated $60,000 a year. The Finance Director is quoted in the article saying things that make it explicitly clear that this was not an existing job opening, one with clearly defined responsibilities and needed qualifications, that other people were able to compete for. “We’ll assign... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414514 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:21:57 +0100 4414514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405718&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fat-obos-breast-implants-cancer-early-births-breastfeeding-promotion-and-more%2F Some of my recent posts at Our Bodies Our Blog: Breast Implants and Possible Risk of Rare Cancer – links to FDA information on the possibility of a link between breast implants and a rare cancer. Leapfrog Group Releases Data on Early Elective Births – rates of early (37-39 weeks) induction and early cesarean without a medical indication from hospitals around the U.S. Surgeon General Releases Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding – link to the call to action and a brief overview of its contents, which include not only encouraging women to breastfeed, but a call for workplaces, fathers, grandmothers, and communities to work to reduce barriers to breastfeeding. Upcoming Event: EQUAL/OBOS House Party in Palo Alto – in three days, OBOS’s Judy Norsigian will be... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405718 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:27:07 +0100 4405718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405784&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epmonthly.com%2Fwhitecoat%2F2011%2F01%2Fgaming-obamacare%2F Remember my post a few months back about how some large companies were getting waivers so they didn’t have to pay into the new health care system? Things are getting worse.  According to this article on The Hill, the feds just granted new insurance waivers to more than 500 groups, bringing the total number of individuals covered by waivers to 2.1 million. The system just isn’t going to work. Let me get my soapbox out here. [Tap tap tap] Is this thing on? Good. First, there’s still this misconception that the “mandate” to purchase insurance will somehow translate into accessibility of medical care. It doesn’t work that way. I’ve said it before. Purchasing health insurance doesn’t mean that you have access to health care any more than purchasi... WhiteCoat's Call Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405784 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:24:46 +0100 4405784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386257&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F22%2Fblog-for-choice-day-2011-concerns-about-congress%2F Yesterday was the sixth annual Blog for Choice day – officially, I missed it, but I think the issues raised in yesterday’s post on the Kermit Gosnell abortion clinic atrocities are important ones to discuss. Today (the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade), I’m getting with the official program to attempt to answer this year’s theme question: Given the anti-choice gains in the states and Congress, are you concerned about choice in 2011? Of course. Of course. Of course I’m concerned at the national level. Efforts to change provisions of health care reform or penalize people and companies when their health insurance covers abortion may have serious effects, and represent further anti-choice efforts to mislead people about “federal funding for abortion.”... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386257 Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:40:10 +0100 4386257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382718&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F21%2Fin-response-the-kermit-gosnell-abortion-clinic-case%2F Dr. Kermit Gosnell was a Philadelphia abortion provider, and has been charged with several counts of murder after one patient died and several infants born alive were allegedly murdered. The grand jury documents [PDF] related to this case describe horrors encountered by patients who were ostensibly in the care of Dr. Gosnell. Let me be perfectly clear: it is an abomination when women cannot receive safe, legal abortion services. What happened at Kermit Gosnell’s “clinic” is unacceptable at any time, in any place. I also believe that this horrific story is not a case study in why abortion should be further restricted. The situations described in news reports are a violation of the women who trusted Dr. Gosnell and his staff to provide safe, good quality, abortion procedu... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382718 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:14:01 +0100 4382718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4371999&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F19%2Fan-mlk-commentary-on-peace-and-justice%2F Each MLK Day, I try to find at least one letter, speech, or other material of Dr. King’s that I’m not familiar with – something beyond the usual “I Have a Dream” speech – and read it. Below is a powerful excerpt of the piece I read this year, via The Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute Research and Education Institute at Stanford. The context is a larger sermon on peace, stemming from a comment in the local newspaper that “Things are quiet in Tuscaloosa today. There is peace on the campus of the University of Alabama,” after Autherine Lucy was accepted at the University’s first black student but was asked to leave after a violent and threatening response from opponents of desegregation. But peace is not merely the absence of this tensio... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4371999 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:36:43 +0100 4371999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372020&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F01%2F19%2Fthe-real-problem-with-withdrawing-avastin%2F In late December, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked approval of the cancer drug Avastin for metastatic breast cancer. The decision set off a firestorm of reaction: the right condemned the denial of a potential life-saving drug for breast cancer patients, while the left cheered the withdrawal of an expensive drug that seemed to offer little [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372020 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:16:23 +0100 4372020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355702&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F16%2Fweekly-news-round-up-two-day-weekend-edition%2F A few stories that have caught my attention over the last week: Unlike many people, the larger workplace does not have MLK Day tomorrow as a holiday. I’m going to two lectures at work, though – the first is from Robert L. Satcher, Jr., physician and astronaut, on “Fulfilling the Dream: Minorities in Biosciences.” The second will be Julian Bond, civil rights activist, on “The Road to Freedom: From Alabama to Obama.” The Julian Bond talk is free and open to the public but tickets are required; on Friday the Sarratt box office still had tickets. The CDC released their first report on health disparities and inequalities. It provides data on a number of issues and disparities, including exposure to air pollution, health insurance coverage, infant deaths, inadequate... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355702 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:37:25 +0100 4355702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337953&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epmonthly.com%2Fwhitecoat%2F2011%2F01%2Fcaring-for-morbidly-obese-patients%2F Not sure how I feel about this. Boston Emergency Medical Services debuts an ambulance with a mini-crane and reinforced stretcher to transport patients weighing up to 850 pounds. It cost $12,000 to retrofit the ambulance. My problem is this: I think we need to do our best to provide medical care to all patients. But patients need to take some basal level of responsibility for their own health. If you’re saying that you got to be 850 pounds due to a “glandular problem,” you’re blowing smoke. See this post (hat tip to MDOD) and then come talk to me. Let’s say you want to go hiking in some secluded location or you want to go spelunking far beneath the surface of the earth. When you take those risks, you implicitly accept the chance that if something happens to you... WhiteCoat's Call Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337953 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:44:18 +0100 4337953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330984&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F01%2F11%2Fsome-mental-health-lessons-from-the-tucson-tragedy%2F We may never know the motivations behind the horrific acts in Tucson and whether they could have been prevented. Mental illness, however, has been tentatively identified as a “suspect” in the shootings.   If we are to learn anything from this tragedy, we must look at mental health as a public health issue and give it [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330984 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:34:04 +0100 4330984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318484&cid=t_101666_132_f&fid=35013&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpedrobeltrao%2F%7E3%2FendDvGvX3IU%2Fwhy-would-you-publish-in-scientific.html The Nature Publishing Group (NPG) is launching a fully open access journal called Scientific Reports. Like the recently launched Nature Communications, this journal is online only and the authors cover (or can choose to cover for Nat Comm) the cost of publishing the articles in an open access format. Where 'Scientific Reports' differs most is that the journal will not reject papers based on their perceived impact. From their FAQ: "Scientific Reports publishes original articles on the basis that they are technically sound, and papers are peer reviewed on this criterion alone. The importance of an article is determined by its readership after publication." If that sounds familiar it should. This idea of post-publication peer reviewing was introduced by PLoS ONE and Nature app... Public Rambling blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318484 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:40:00 +0100 4318484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309852&cid=t_101666_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6G2WLJ5CltI%2F In a move hailed by consumer advocates, India has rejected a patent for an HIV med sold by Abbott Laboratories, because it was not deemed to be a novel invention (the Indian Patent Act does not permit patenting of incremental innovations). The decision is expected to give a significant boost to domestic generic drugmakers that are willing to make and sell lower-cost versions of the Kaletra protease inhibitor, which combines lopinavir and ritonavir, in India and developing countries. “The impact of the case is tremendous,” writes Tahir Amin, co-founder and director of the Intellectual Property Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge in a note to us. His group fought to reject the Indian patent and he complained that Abbott has been “gaming the patent system&#8221... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309852 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:04:39 +0100 4309852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305059&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F02%2Fpm-harpers-new-years-toast-to-canadians%2F Stephen Harper has shaken a bottle of champagne sparkling cider, held it against the collective ass of Canadians, and let the cork fly into our nether regions with a monotone “Bonne année Canada, happy new year Canada.” At this time last year Canadians by the thousands held cold weather protests against dictator Harper’s proroguing of [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305059 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 18:00:59 +0100 4305059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272260&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F19%2Fsunday-news-round-up-4%2F First things first: the Senate voted on Saturday to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Hurray! The roll call vote for all of the Senators is here, reflecting the 65 votes for repeal and 35 votes against. The votes for repeal came almost exclusively from Democrats, with just eight Republicans voting yes. My own Senators, Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, were unsurprisingly among the Republicans who voted against repeal; I’m disappointed in them for voting their party and their prejudice to be on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of human rights and dignity. The repeal will not become active for at least 60 days; HRC has a Pathway to Final Repeal document [PDF] that explains the necessary next steps, and warns service members about the interim: The Human Rights Campaign i... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272260 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 18:00:59 +0100 4272260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266136&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F17%2Fa-simple-gesture-over-the-holidays-that-could-make-a-world-of-difference%2F   I know that I was not the only Canadian very proud a few years back when Parliament passed legislation designed to make it easier for generic pharmaceutical companies to ship life-saving AIDS medications, and others, to developing nations of the south. So it was rather shameful to learn that, so far, only one shipment [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266136 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:49:11 +0100 4266136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258860&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F7gpw8bM5xI0%2F By Tine Hansen-Turton.  In the face of an acute primary care physician shortage, and the steady reduction in the number of physicians who are willing to accept Medicaid and Medicare, it is unclear whether our existing primary care system will be able to meet the needs of the 30 + million Americans who shortly will become insured as a result of national health reform. Health care delivery is strained under tremendous pressure from the demands of chronic health issues, downward trends in third party payments, and while insurance coverage will address some of these issues, many of these problems may persist even when near universal insurance coverage is achieved in the United States. So what else needs to happen to make health care reform a success?  In recent years, a series of “disrupti... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258860 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:27:06 +0100 4258860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4259129&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F14%2Factivists-warmly-received-okay-met-with-mild-bemusement-during-very-cold-die-in-for-bill-c-393%2F It was such a cold walk down to Yonge-Dundas Square this morning I was glad to be able to walk the full block south from Gerrard to Gould Streets through the corridors of Jorgenson Hall at Ryerson University. I was dressed for the outdoors reminiscent of my childhood in Quebec.  Fluorescent red earmuffs, attached to [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4259129 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:20:09 +0100 4259129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258798&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F13%2Fsunday-monday-news-round-up-way-overdue-edition%2F Some items that have caught my interest recently – I haven’t done one of these in a long time because of work and life and other ponderings about the best current use of the blog, but here are some news items, issues, and commentary of potential interest to readers, on women’s health, feminism, and miscellaneous topics: The CDC provides Consider Cholera: Information for U.S. Healthcare Professionals for clinicians who are asked to be on the lookout for U.S. cases, with info on diagnosis, treatment, and reporting. Aunt B has an excellent commentary in Self-Avowed Feminist, Gail Kerr, Has some Opinions about Emily Evans on the message sent when one female newspaper columnist attempts to trash a female councilperson using language like “shrill” and “class k... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258798 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:12:21 +0100 4258798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253464&cid=t_101666_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2010%2F12%2Fmcounty-medical-society-launches-direct-access-testing-web-site.html Direct access testing (DAT) has been a special interest of mine over the past many months. In general, it provides a way for healthcare consumers to obtain lab tests at a reasonable price by ordering them on the web. Mr. HIStalk alerts us to one such site launched by a physician in Ohio and using his county medical society web site as the test ordering vehicle (see: News 12/10/10). His goal was to provide such testing for uninsured patients but anyone can use it. Here's the initial report: An Ohio doctor, angry that his uninsured patients can’t afford the lab tests they need, strikes a deal with LabCorp and an online lab test marketer to offer his patients discounted tests (example: a $148 lipid panel costs his patients $18). The patients simply order their tests from the county medi... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253464 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:38:00 +0100 4253464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253378&cid=t_101666_132_f&fid=35006&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnsaunders.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F13%2Fcan-a-journal-make-a-difference-lets-find-out%2F Academic journals. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of any of them. There are too many. They cost too much. Much of what they publish is inconsequential, read by practically no-one or just downright incorrect. Much of the rest is badly-written and boring. The people who publish them have an over-inflated sense of their own importance. They’re hidden behind paywalls. And governed by ludicrous metrics. The system by which articles are accepted or rejected is arcane and ridiculous. I mean, I could go on… No, what really troubles me about journals is that they only tell a very small part of the story – the flashy, attention-grabbing part called “results”. We learn from high school onwards that a methods section should be sufficient for anyone to reproduce the resu... What You're Doing Is Rather Desperate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253378 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:34:13 +0100 4253378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253397&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F12%2Fthe-re-activation-of-an-aids-activist%2F While no one could say that I had ever completely stopped my AIDS activism I have, I would suggest, limited myself in recent years to writing or speaking about it on a smaller scale. It was consistent, determined protests – some of which I was a part of – that led to government speeding up [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253397 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:45:55 +0100 4253397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253139&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwomens-health-in-the-u-s-gets-an-f%2F2010.12.12 The Oregon Health and Science University has published its fifth report card since 2000. It grades and ranks the United States on 26 health-status indicators for women. In 2010, not one state received an overall “satisfactory” grade for women’s health, and just two states — Vermont and Massachusetts — received a “satisfactory-minus” grade. Overall, the nation is so far from meeting the goals set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that it receives an overall grade of “unsatisfactory.” The national report card uses status indicators to assess women’s health: Women’s access to healthcare services (medically under-served area, no abortion provider, no health insurance and first trimester prenatal care) Wellness... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253139 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4253139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245490&cid=t_101666_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2Fdie-for-access-to-generic-aids-meds-in-the-poorest-of-countries-it-wont-kill-you%2F Over the lunch hour this coming Monday the Bill C-393 Student Coalition, along with members of AIDS ACTION NOW and other allies, will join in creative protest in support of vital legislation before Canada’s Parliament. Bill C-393 is designed to reform CAMR (Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime), the legislation passed back in the dying days [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245490 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:37:35 +0100 4245490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241697&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F12%2F08%2Fstudies-puncture-arguments-about-benefits-of-imaging-self-referral%2F When physicians who aren’t radiologists refer patients to imaging facilities they own or lease—known as self-referral—their patients don’t always benefit. In fact, these self-referrals lead to overuse of services, escalate spending, and rarely shorten the duration of illness, according to a series of studies in the December issue of Health Affairs. The findings challenge what [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241697 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:24:00 +0100 4241697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237842&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2Fpeople-still-waiting-for-it-to-get-better-in-tennessee%2F Several people have been all over these stories, but I would be remiss in not at least mentioning them and pointing you to some good coverage. 1) In Jackson, TN, a transwoman was assaulted during post-Thanksgiving shopping at a Kohl’s store. Akasha Adonis was not assaulted because of her identity; that was the usual Black Friday mayhem. She has filed a complaint alleging that the responding police offer became rude and dismissive once he saw Adonis’s ID with a male name. The Tennessee Equality Project has more. I also appreciate Amie Newman, not-a-local, for writing about this at Change.org. 2) The women’s soccer coach at Belmont University in Nashville, TN lost her job after revealing that she is a lesbian (in the course of revealing that she and her partner are expecti... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237842 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:40:36 +0100 4237842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237892&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fvl1sGhcHWQU%2F By Former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson. Too often, when we talk about innovation, there’s a ‘yes…but’ quality to the discussion.  Yes, we appreciate the concept of developing new medicines and technologies to extend and enhance human life, but we increasingly question whether the cost of innovation is commensurate with the value it delivers. Logically, if the weight of public and policymaker opinion continues in this direction, that innovation undermines the greater national goal of affordability, then this will inevitably lead to policy actions that reflect this line of thinking.  We’re already seeing this to some degree with the weighty pharmaceutical and device taxes that are part of the new health reform law and the creation of an independent board with the power to slash Me... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237892 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:31:44 +0100 4237892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230164&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epmonthly.com%2Fwhitecoat%2F2010%2F12%2Fdeath-panels-and-access-to-care%2F I read an article in the New York Times that underscores my argument that health care insurance does not and never will equal health care access. Our federal and state governments are being crushed by debt. There are many reasons for that debt, and addressing the reasons for the debt are a necessary aspect of decreasing the debt. For example, if a family household had overdrawn its checking account by several thousand dollars and their credit cards were maxed out, most people would consider it foolish for the family to purchase expensive cars, to donate large sums of money to charity, to go out to eat at expensive restaurants, or to continue purchasing large amounts of weapons to stockpile in its basement. When in debt, there are two options – earn more money or reduce spending. Usin... WhiteCoat's Call Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230164 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:49:17 +0100 4230164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225264&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epmonthly.com%2Fwhitecoat%2F2010%2F12%2Fhealthcare-update-12-02-2010%2F Also see the satellite edition of this week’s update over at ER Stories. Problems with Canadian health systems getting worse. “We’re trying to get a Size 13 foot into a Size 8 shoe.” Emergency department overcrowding increasing due to lack of available beds. The president of the Edmonton Emergency Physicians Association described the situation as a “potential catastrophic collapse” of emergency medicine. Edmonton plans to decrease hospital emergency department crowding by moving patients out of the emergency departments sooner once the hospitals meet certain criteria such as the ED being 110% full or there are more than 35% boarding patients in the emergency department. Five times this past year, Dr. Raj Sherman’s 73-year-old father almost died after waiti... WhiteCoat's Call Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225264 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:23:42 +0100 4225264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225171&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F02%2Fcommentary-on-the-princeton-abortion-conference-new-u-s-sti-data-and-more%2F Over at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have compiled some commentary from the recent “common ground” abortion conference at Princeton, including my own annoyance at William Saletan’s proposal to achieve common ground by having women simply surrender some more of their access to abortion. I also have links to info on SisterSong’s upcoming “Let’s Talk About Sex” conference (with a focus on women of color and reproductive justice), pointers to the Center for Reproductive Rights’s renewed efforts to expand access to emergency contraception, and a bit about new data on U.S. sexually transmitted infections from the CDC. Short version: yay, data!, but women and infants are two separate things. Filed under: Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice, Contracep... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225171 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:20:13 +0100 4225171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214126&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D900 With the election of a Coalition Government to Victoria this week, and Premier Ted’s promise of a new era of transparent, accountable government with no spin doctoring, will we finally have a government willing to acknowledge the doubling of ED overcrowding, ambulance presentations and an inexcusable trebling of ED patient waiting times to see a DOCTOR that has occurred over the past 11 years of the prior government – which like most other State governments during this unprecedented boom time, seemed to have failed to plan for hospitals, public transport, roads, public safety, etc. When the Labour party came to power 11 years ago, everything seemed possible, we had a massive budget surplus, plenty of money to spend, the impetus of Y2K computer issues to stimulate a revamp of ou... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214126 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:02:31 +0100 4214126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219784&cid=t_101666_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSciencebaseScienceBlog%2F%7E3%2FhMTz5gMJcZM%2Fscience-snips.html It is legal to remove snow and ice from outside your property, pathways and public spaces as long as you do it considerately Start early – much easier to clear fresh, loose snow Don’t use hot water – it melts the snow, but replaces it with black ice Use table salt, rock salt, ash or sand to prevent ice forming but avoid spreading it on plants or grass Be a good neighbour and help anyone that may not be able to clear snow and ice from their own pathways If shovelling snow: Think about where you will put the snow so you don’t block paths or drainage channels Use a wide shovel Make a line down the middle of your path first, so you have a safe surface to walk on – then shovel the snow from the centre to the sides Use the sun to your advantage by removing the top laye... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219784 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:00:09 +0100 4219784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214176&cid=t_101666_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSciencebaseScienceBlog%2F%7E3%2FhMTz5gMJcZM%2Fscience-snips.html Yet more science news snippets from David Bradley Related Posts:Periodic Table of Science BloggersMicrobial BioremedySpectral LinesHappy New YearCassini-Huygens newsScience snips is a post from: Sciencebase Science Blog (Source: Sciencebase Science Blog) Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214176 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:00:09 +0100 4214176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4200558&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FJRvQsKEqZuM%2F You probably don’t need anything else to be thankful for, but just in case what you have been so patiently for is finally here – the last two video installments of our “Health Reform After the 2010 Election: Assessing the Viability of Health Insurance in the Aftermath of the Mid-Term Elections” event. That’s right… as a special holiday treat, we have not one but TWO segments for you today – chock full of information and analysis about what the midterm elections could mean for health care reform and, more importantly, how these changes could affect YOUR life, YOUR insurance and YOUR health care. So grab some popcorn (or one more little slice of pumpkin pie), cuddle up by the fire with your laptop and click away at the links below! In the States: The Future of Health Insurance ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4200558 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 13:29:54 +0100 4200558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186889&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F20%2Fone-take-on-tsa%2F Like a lot of people, I’ve been reading, hearing, and talking about the new TSA procedures this week. I’m not a fan of the choice between overly familiar imaging and overly familiar pat down. I think it’s likely to go to court in order to work out whether it might violate the 4th amendment. I’m not entirely convinced by arguments that the small amounts of radiation from one type of scanner are very harmful to human health, but I think people should have a choice about being deliberately irradiated (however small the dose). There’s no good option here that doesn’t impinge upon the body and privacy in some problematic ways. As a flyer, I haven’t decided what I will choose. As an information professional, I’d like to see people presented with a... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186889 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:48:15 +0100 4186889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190274&cid=t_101666_113_f&fid=34933&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpalmdoc.net%2F%3Fp%3D3367 Available in English. Medical Abbreviation Pal is a great tool for anyone in the medical field that needs to use medical abbreviations for charts, records, or data entry. MAP includes over 850 of the most commonly used abbreviations and there meanings, with options to search easily and quickly. You can save your favorite or most commonly used abbreviations, or copy them with there definitions to the clip board. If your a student and want to study, memorize or learn them, your in luck, this app includes a flashcard practice area. You can go through the “cards” randomly, or in alphabetical order. You can also just study the ones you have saved. If you want to start with the meaning, you can do that too. Doctor, Nurse, Administrator, or Student, you will find this a handy referenc... The Palmdoc Chronicles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190274 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4190274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179295&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2F18%2Fconsumers-and-insurance-experiences-in-eleven-countries%2F As the United States begins implementing health reform, how does the U.S. experience compare with that of other high-income countries? To answer that question, The Commonwealth Fund conducted its thirteenth annual health policy survey, this year focusing on access, cost, and care experiences. The survey findings were published today in a Health Affairs Web First [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179295 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:51:36 +0100 4179295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179296&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2F18%2Fthe-fiscal-commission-co-chairs%25e2%2580%2599-health-proposals-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly%2F The federal government’s unsustainable long-run fiscal picture has been outlined in successive versions of the Congressional Budget Office’s Long-Term Budget Outlook.  The policy problem is that spending rises above any reasonable level of taxation for the indefinite future.  As it currently stands, committed federal expenditures are expected to grow from 20 percent of gross domestic [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179296 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:33:36 +0100 4179296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159175&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F12%2Fpublic-input-requested-on-upcoming-review-of-nitrous-oxide-for-labor-pain-relief%2F AHRQ is about to do a comparative effectiveness review to look at the evidence on nitrous oxide for labor pain relief, and is soliciting public comment on the key questions that will be reviewed. This will help make sure that when the review gets started, the right questions are being asked and answered. This project is of particular interest to me – in addition to my interest the topic itself – because I am part of the project team conducting the review. More details are at Our Bodies Our Blog; comments close December 8, 2010. Filed under: Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Drugs, Government (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159175 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:09:49 +0100 4159175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151681&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F08%2Fobos-round-up-elections-pelvic-exams-breast-cancer-pinkification-and-more%2F Some of my recent posts at Our Bodies Our Blog are highlighted below. Don’t forget the upcoming 40th anniversary of the landmark book; a new edition will come out next year to celebrate the milestone! In the meantime, catch up with health news and commentary over at http://www.ourbodiesourblog.org Election-Related Repro Rights Round-Up – a collection of commentary from reproductive rights advocates on what the recent election may mean for women. NPR Takes on Pink Ribbon Fatigue: Views from Komen, Breast Cancer Action – NPR talked to a representative of Breast Cancer Action, which has criticized pink ribbon campaigns for breast cancer, and a representative of Komen, which kind of thrives on them. Meeting Dispatch: Resources from the CUE/Cochrane/Campbell Colloquium &#821... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151681 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:37:44 +0100 4151681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118781&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F29%2Fthe-assassination-of-dr-tiller-msnbc-documentary-narrated-by-rachel-maddow%2F The MSNBC documentary The Assassination of Dr. Tiller aired earlier this week. I don’t think there’s a lot that’s new big picture stuff there if you followed the story closely – most repro rights people likely know why Tiller was targeted and about the history of violence against him and other providers. In broad strokes, I think those of us who follow these things all kind of know the story. The documentary does provide some specifics that may be new or interesting, though. The discussion with members of Tiller’s church and interviews with his staff were interesting, as were interviews with Scott Roeder’s ex-wife proving his backstory on his anti-abortion activities. The material on the ramping up of anti-choice activities beyond the violent act of one... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118781 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:04:02 +0100 4118781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077224&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2F18%2Freform-starts-now-more-choice-for-medicares-low-income-rx-beneficiaries%2F An oft-heard criticism of the new health care law is that its major provisions do not kick in until 2014, leaving little immediate benefit for most Americans, especially those struggling in this economy. However, the reality is that the Affordable Care Act is already helping millions of low-income seniors who have had tenuous coverage for [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077224 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:57:28 +0100 4077224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074010&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2F15%2Fhealth-reform-what-is-the-future-for-undocumented-aliens%2F Editor’s Note: Today on Health Affairs Blog, Courtney Burke and Erica Martin of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government at the State University of New York in Albany examine two related issues that will be important to monitor and address as health reform is implemented. Below, the two researchers discuss access to care for undocumented immigrants [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074010 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:27:52 +0100 4074010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065363&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FocADkdRwoHk%2F By Jane Sarasohn-Kahn. In a ballroom at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco on October 6, 2010, several hundred people shared ideas, debated, and painted a multi-faceted picture of the NewPatient: the networked patient. The meeting was convened, in “unconference” style, in conjunction between the Health 2.0 Conference and Gilles Frydman, founding father of ACOR, the Association of Cancer Online Resources. Gilles knows a lot about the NewPatient: he’s organized people focused on cancer for over 15 years through his organization, which has helped tens of thousands of health citizens connect to clinical trials, researchers, information, and each other – all seeking to cure virtually every form of known cancer, and identifying forms unknown. As Jeremy Shane of Health Central kick... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065363 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:00:58 +0100 4065363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053277&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F10%2Fsunday-news-round-up-3%2F A few things of interest: Nikki has notes from a recent Twitter chat on health literacy, including a bunch of suggested resources on the topic. PF Anderson points to a great presentation (embedded there) on using social media for sharing family planning messages. It’s a useful introduction to tools like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube with examples of how they’re being used by groups like Planned Parenthood. A nice response to the ridiculous “i like it…” statuses on Facebook that are inexplicably supposed to make people feel like they’re doing something about women’s health: I like it without pinkwashing Weight loss drug Meridia was taken off the market, “because of clinical trial data indicating an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053277 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:10:16 +0100 4053277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040559&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FnNYdAVoYOwc%2F Do you find yourself a little confused about what happens when with the health care reform law? To help clear up the confusion the Kaiser Family Foundation wrote and produced a short animated video that explains the problems with the current health care system, the changes that are happening now, and the big changes coming in 2014. The video is narrated by Cokie Roberts, a news commentator for ABC News and NPR and a member of Kaiser’s Board of Trustees. View the video. In addition to this video, the Kaiser Family Foundation has great resources/basic information to help you understand the new law. To access this information, click here. Related posts:Health Reform Resources The NHMA Forum on Health Care Reform offers an opportunity to impact health reform legislation Transition and ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040559 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:43:47 +0100 4040559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031240&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-app-improves-healthcare-access-in-remote-areas%2F2010.10.05 A team of student and faculty researchers at MIT have developed an open source software system with the goal of improving healthcare access to patients in remote regions. The software is called Sana and runs on the Android platform. The app allows healthcare workers in remote clinics to send pictures and videos to a database where they can be reviewed by a physician who is then able to provide a preliminary diagnosis via texting. Sana is different than other collaborative electronic medical sharing efforts because it allows complex medical imaging, such as X-rays and ultrasound images to be uploaded and analyzed. Since Sana is open source, it can be customized to a specific regions needs and tailored to specific pathologies that need to be studied. Program developers hope this gives health... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031240 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:00:30 +0100 4031240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031234&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FSSDslBspAdY%2F By Jane Sarashon-Kahn. The following, originally posted on Health Populi on September 30th summarizes the ePatient Connections Conference that took place last week. The ePatient Connections (ePC) conference convened this week in the City of Brotherly Love, my town, Philadelphia. And indeed, the eHealth love did flow between health citizens and organizations that seek to serve them: technology developers and health providers, alike. My flying fingers recorded nearly fifty pages of notes, and these don’t even include two tracks’ worth of presentations — social networks in health and health games — because I was the emcee for mobile health track. However, this gave me the opportunity to get to know the 11 mHealth presenters and their organizations up-close-and-personal and to brain... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031234 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:32:48 +0100 4031234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002874&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F26%2Fsunday-news-round-up-the-website-is-done-edition%2F A libraryland interlude: we finally launched the new website (the first overhaul in >8 years) for the library where I work, wrapping up months of work. With it, we launched our Twitter and Facebook accounts, chat ref via Meebo, remote access to UpToDate, online payment for document delivery for departments, a PolyMeta federated search tool, and a new WordPress-based news site. Whew. I’m glad that’s done. Now for some things that have flown through my reader and networks while I’ve been buried in work: I can’t believe I missed this: Planned Parenthood clinic in California damaged; California Planned Parenthood Medical Center Firebombed Madera police say someone threw a makeshift explosive through the clinic’s window early Thursday morning, breaking the gla... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002874 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:40:43 +0100 4002874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3999298&cid=t_101666_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FFZ0JwxcX8g4%2Fcan-fda-keep-up-with-pharma-advertising.html AccessRx.com looks at the current balancing act Pharma companies are playing with the FDA while advertising to consumers. The USA and New Zealand are the only two countries in the world that allow Pharma companies to advertise to their consumers. The Pharma companies spend over $4.8 billion every year. The FDA regulates these ads, but is often far behind in monitoring and enforcing their policies on the ads.What do you think the FDA can do to better patrol Pharma Marketing? While the number of warning letters from the FDA has increased from 21 in 2008 to 45 as of August this year, the FDA is having trouble with the volume of advertising and reviewing campaigns. (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3999298 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:12:00 +0100 3999298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994234&cid=t_101666_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F09%2F22%2FWhat-Norway-Tells-Us-About-Screening-Mammograms-And-Access-To-Care.aspx An article and editorial in today's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine once again calls into question the true value of screening mammography.  And, despite the quality of the study there are still some serious questions that are likely not going to be quickly put to rest.   Mammography remains at the forefront of much discussion and contention among experts and much confusion among the public.  Now comes a new study on the subject which aims to determine how much of a role screening mammograms actually play in reducing deaths from breast cancer in women between the ages of 50 and 74.   To look at that question, the researchers examined the very thorough medical records of women in Norway who underwent screening mammography as part of a nationwide roll-out o... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994234 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:14:00 +0100 3994234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987008&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F20%2Frecent-obos-posts-on-maternal-deaths-breastfeeding-henrietta-lacks-cesarean-and-older-womens-health%2F Ha, that was a mouthful. Here are a few posts I’ve done recently at Our Bodies Our Blog that I’ve neglected to link up here: Quick Hit: WHO Releases New Report on Worldwide Maternal Deaths – The World Health Organization, with UNICEF, UNFPA and The World Bank, has released a new report on trends in global maternal mortality from 1990-2008. CDC Releases Breastfeeding Report Card: Initiation is Up, but Continuation is Stagnant – The CDC released a new breastfeeding report card, reporting that 3 out of 4 new mothers in the now U.S. start out breastfeeding, meeting the Healthy People 2010 national objective for breastfeeding initiation for the first time. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – report from my attending a talk by author Rebecca Skloot, and a bit ab... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987008 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:19:36 +0100 3987008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3983398&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F_ZOPpReDXXg%2F The Man from Snowy River or The Man that is intellectually disabled, violent, and age inappropriate for a Nursing Home...challenges the 4 hour rule in South Australia (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3983398 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:37:46 +0100 3983398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976496&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F2MwMst4AJMs%2F Every three seconds, a child somewhere in the world dies due to the lack of basic health care. Of those children under the age of five, almost two-thirds could be saved with simple low-cost health interventions, if only they had access to basic health care. Save the Children is addressing this with their “See where the good goes” campaign. Launched in partnership with the Ad Council, the Good Goes campaign aims to mobilize citizen action in the U.S. to help local health workers save more children worldwide by using social media strategies to raise awareness about the importance of local health workers in developing countries. Every four seconds, a child survives thanks to the basic health care provided by local health workers – such as the ones Save the Children helps train and suppl... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976496 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:50:25 +0100 3976496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972892&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2F15%2Fhealth-policy-brief-patient-centered-medical-homes%2F “Patient-centered medical homes” are widely considered to be among the most promising approaches to delivering higher-quality, cost-effective primary care in the United States, especially for those with chronic health conditions.  Health care reform legislation authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to test medical homes, among other new care-delivery models, to help avert [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972892 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:07:07 +0100 3972892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965408&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F_8iLuMv1C-o%2F This report did not make the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Lest you think I am making the case for government run health care, I would observe that the private sector could control all of health care. In particular, we might want to find ways to preserve our Catholic and church owned hospitals. Perhaps they have value positions that influence their choices…hmmmm. My argument is that health care should not be a for-profit enterprise. If you have read thus far, I congratulate you. In our current befuddled state as a nation, we are not even having this discussion. It is assumed that health care for profit is the wave of the future. Heaven help our grandchildren! Related posts:Solutions To Scale: Proven Health Care Models for Primetime Health Care as a Right Health Reform: Patient... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965408 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:15:32 +0100 3965408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3961797&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F12%2Fsunday-news-round-up-catching-up-edition%2F I haven’t done one of these in a couple of weeks; here are some things that have caught my attention recently. Movin’ Meat is the blog of an emergency physician – it’s hard to succinctly explain what happened as described in this recent post without giving it away, but let’s just say it involves sex and a nitroglycerin patch. Birthing Beautiful Ideas has 30 things about pregnancy and childbirth she never wants to hear again. Someecards, my absolute favorite place to find funny (if sometimes inappropriate) ecards, has an editor’s pick on abortion. I wish I could embed it, but it reads “I bet you one unplanned pregnancy that you are secretly pro-choice.” The Independent has a round-up of some online communities for patients, including Patie... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3961797 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:46:42 +0100 3961797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938323&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FF88z0wtMIlI%2F By Stephanie Cohen. This month’s health insurance issue: Linda is having surgery in the morning, but at 4 p.m. the afternoon before, she gets a call from her HMO requiring her to post a $400 advance deposit — or the surgery is off. What should she do? The situation: Our client Linda was scheduled to have surgery using a surgical group that had negotiated fees with her HMO carrier. Besides being told to post $400 in advance, she was told she needed to sign a form stating she would pay whatever fees the carrier would not pay to the doctor. This came despite the fact that the surgeon was in her HMO network and Linda had gotten the proper referral and authorization from the carrier. In fact, her policy dictates that when a provider has signed a contract with an insurance carrier, the patie... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938323 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:00:03 +0100 3938323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3934505&cid=t_101666_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F04%2Fspecial-issue-on-schizophrenia-is-free-and-open%2F Late last week, I received this notice that may be of interest to readers who are interested in the topic of schizophrenia and peer-reviewed journal articles: The Special Issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science on Schizophrenia has been getting so much attention that, in special arrangement with our publisher SAGE, we have just made the issue completely Open Access. Open Access means that all the articles are open to anyone to read and download — it’s free! It’s rare to see a journal publisher agree to make an entire issue of their journal open and free to the public to read. So enjoy this little gift from the Association for Psychological Science and SAGE. While schizophrenia is likely to affect less than 1% of the general population, it’s impact on ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3934505 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:08:21 +0100 3934505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3914922&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F29%2Fan-election-update-pro-choice-candidates-can-almost-win-in-tennessee%2F In July, I wrote about why I planned to vote for Tennessee state senate candidate Jeff Yarbro – because of his explicitly pro-choice position, a rarity around here – over long-time incumbent Doug Henry in the Democratic primary. I did, and others did too, as Yarbro very nearly won. On election night, Yarbo was behind by two(!) votes. And there were two provisional ballots left to count. Those two votes went to Yarbo, but then absentee ballots were recounted, puttin Henry back up by 13 votes. And then there was a recount, and Henry was declared the winner by 17 votes. The point is, it was close. It wasn’t a blow-out in which the incumbent who is more Republican-y on choice easily walked away with it. I know, I know – it’s a small sample in one district and it&... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3914922 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:19:08 +0100 3914922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911698&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnations-largest-tele-health-network-launched%2F2010.08.27 California launched the nation’s largest tele-health network, a $30 million public/private project to bring broadband access designed to reduce the cost of followup care by 40 percent and overall costs by 6 percent. The network seeks to connect more than 800 California healthcare facilities, including rural, underserved, and Indian health facilities, to a statewide network of healthcare and emergency services. (Healthcare IT News) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911698 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3911698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907596&cid=t_101666_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsilver.neep.wisc.edu%2F%7Elakes%2Fiatrogenic.pdf Disruptive Women Archelle Georgiou was interviewed for the blog below, originally posted on August 21st on Big Think.  In order to be a patient advocate you need to be well informed of the issues, this post reminds us of that: You may want to think twice before your next visit to the doctor’s office. According to Dr. Barbara Starfield’s now-famous study, iatrogenic deaths (those resulting from treatment by physicians or surgeons) are the third leading cause of mortality in the United States, resulting in the loss of 225,000 lives per year. Of that total, nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections kill 80,000, physician errors claim 27,000, and unnecessary surgery results in 12,000 deaths.   But iatrogenic errors aren’t the only reason people should avoid hospitals, says ph... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907596 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:48:39 +0100 3907596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3902937&cid=t_101666_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2FyWrqFhSDHFY%2Finteresting-take-on-peer-review.html I assume many supporters of open science may have seen this already but if not it is worth a look.  The New York Times had an interesting article on Monday by Patricia Cohen: For Scholars, Web Changes Sacred Rite of Peer Review. The article starts off with a familiar refrain For professors, publishing in elite journals is an unavoidable part of university life. The grueling process of subjecting work to the up-or-down judgment of credentialed scholarly peers has been a cornerstone of academic culture since at least the mid-20th century.It follows with a very important discussion focusing on how the web can transform scholarly publishing.  For example: ... scholars have begun to challenge the monopoly that peer review has on admission to career-making journals and, as a con... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3902937 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:58:21 +0100 3902937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3891653&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F22%2Fweekly-news-round-up-822%2F NPR’s Shots blog points to some foreign body stories. I love foreign body stories. The New York Times has an overview of non-pill contraception. Krafty is talking about PubMed Health and the confusion (and duplication of effort?) it may cause. ScienceBlogging.org is newly helping me to keep up with science-oriented blog posts from around the web. Dave Munger explains it a bit here. In short, they’re displaying headlines from places like ScienceBlogs (from where several bloggers recently vacated due to the Pepsi scandal), Nature, Wired Science, and others in one central location. At RH Reality Check, Pamela Merritt takes on the fetuses=slaves analogy. Molly at FirstTheEgg talks about the attitudes about pregnant women, mothers, and their bodies uncovered by her writing stude... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3891653 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:13:24 +0100 3891653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3881026&cid=t_101666_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2010%2F08%2F18%2Fbritish-medical-journal-open%2F I was a bit surprised but at the same time glad to see the details about the upcoming (autumn, 2010) BMJ Open, an open access journal of the BMJ Group. BMJ Open is an open access journal for general medical research. Not only will the journal publish traditional full research reports, including small or low-impact studies, but we intend to shed light on all stages of the research process by publishing study protocols, pilot studies and pre-protocols. The journal will also place great emphasis on the importance of data sharing; raw data will be linked to at its repository or hosted online as supplementary material wherever possible. Authors will be asked to pay article-processing charges on acceptance, although waivers will be available on request. The ability to pay will not influence edit... ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3881026 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:59:29 +0100 3881026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868710&cid=t_101666_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F15%2Fsunday-news-round-up-hot-tomato-edition%2F Yesterday I went to the Tomato Art Fest here in Nashville. It was almost 100 degrees out, and I was coated head to toe in sunscreen (good thing, because there was practically no shade). I really enjoyed much of the tomato art at the Art & Invention Gallery, especially the handful of pieces that made me laugh out loud. I got to see Whit Hill & the Postcards perform. I love them, and didn’t realize until their show that they have relocated from Detroit to Nashville. I also had the cantelope popsicle from Las Paletas. Yum. On to items of interest from the week: This past week was the first annual Latina Week of Action for Reproductive Justice, and Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz has a blog carnival rounding up posts from the week. Joan has had two abortions! They are just wrapping u... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868710 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:29:03 +0100 3868710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865271&cid=t_101666_88_f&fid=38959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epmonthly.com%2Fwhitecoat%2F2010%2F08%2Fmore-visits-less-availability%2F A new study released in JAMA shows that the number of annual emergency department visits between 1997 and 2007 increased from 94.9 million to 116.8 million — nearly twice as much as would be expected for population growth. Also published recently was the Department of Health and Human Services’ 2007 Emergency Department Summary (.pdf file here). Lots of interesting statistics. Most of the increase in ED visits were due to Medicaid patients. One quarter of the 117 million visits to the emergency department in 2007 were made by patients with Medicaid or SCHIP. Seventeen percent of visits were covered by Medicare. In other words, 42% of hospital ED visits (50 million or so) are paid for by the state or federal government. The graph to the right from the San Francisco Chronicle sho... WhiteCoat's Call Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865271 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:14:53 +0100 3865271