Alzheimer’s Association Ruptures Over ‘Care vs. Cure’ Friction, Extravagant Spending
Prominent chapters have left the national organization over concerns including whether fundraising money should go to finding a cure or providing care for those living with the disease.
STAT:
Leading Alzheimer's Group Splinters Over Claims Of Misplaced Priorities And Lavish Spending
The Alzheimer’s Association, one of the country’s most powerful disease advocacy groups, is rupturing amid an escalating dispute over its priorities: raising money for a future cure versus supporting patients and families struggling with the disease right now. (Graham, 3/2)
In other public health news, classes encourage students to pursue careers working with the elderly, and new research looks at a prescription treatment for low libido in premenopausal women —
Kaiser Health News:
UCLA Freshmen Learn About Growing Old
April Pearce is in the middle of her freshman year at UCLA, settling into life away from home for the first time. But instead of thinking about dorm food or exams, the 19-year-old is focused on something a little more abstract: old age. That’s because of a unique course Pearce is taking called Frontiers in Human Aging, designed to teach first-year college students what it means to get old — physically, emotionally and financially. In addition to teaching students about aging, the professors have another goal in mind: inspiring them to pursue careers working with the elderly. (Gorman, 3/2)
The Orlando Sentinel:
Pink Viagra: Meaningful Change 'Is Minimal,' Study Suggests
In the roughly six months since the Food & Drug Administration gave its blessing to the marketing of flibanserin, a prescription treatment for low libido in premenopausal women, the average patient taking the newly minted medication should have had three additional satisfying sexual events. She also would be four times likelier than a woman not taking the drug to suffer dizziness, four times likelier to report excessive sleepiness, and more than twice as likely to feel nauseated, says new research. (Healy, 3/2)
