Decrease In Teen Suicide Attempts Linked To Same-Sex Marriage Laws
Laws that have the greatest impact on gay adults may make gay kids feel "more hopeful for the future," the study's lead author said. In other public health news, a nutrition pilot program, homeopathic remedies, the anti-vaccination movement and genomic medicine.
USA Today:
Study: Teen Suicide Attempts Fell As Same-Sex Marriage Was Legalized
Fewer U.S. teens attempted suicide in states where same-sex marriage was legal in the years leading up to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling upholding gay marriage, according to a new study. Analyzing data from 1999 to 2015, researchers found a 7% reduction in suicide attempts among high school students in the 32 states that legalized same-sex marriage. (Solis, 2/20)
USA Today:
Hospitals Target Nutrition, Other Social Needs To Boost Health
Tom Shicowich "really, really, really liked Coca-Cola" before he began a new nutrition program targeting his Type 2 diabetes and weight. Being on a "very tight budget," he couldn't afford the fruit and vegetables he cut up for a living at his part-time grocery store job. Dinner was often a pizza or fast food meal he picked up on the way home. Six months after getting free healthy groceries every week through the Geisinger hospital near his rural Pennsylvania home, Shicowich has cut his blood sugar level from nearly 11 to close to a normal level of 7. (O'Donnell, 2/17)
Stat:
Homeopathic Remedies Harmed Hundreds Of Babies, Families Say
A review of FDA records obtained by STAT under the Freedom of Information Act paint a far grimmer picture: Babies who were given Hyland’s teething products turned blue and died. Babies had repeated seizures. Babies became delirious. Babies were airlifted to the hospital, where emergency room staff tried to figure out what had caused their legs and arms to start twitching. Over a 10-year period, from 2006 and 2016, the FDA collected reports of “adverse events” in more than 370 children who had used Hyland’s homeopathic teething tablets or gel, a similar product that is applied directly to a baby’s gums. Agency records show eight cases in which babies were reported to have died after taking Hyland’s products, though the FDA says the question of whether those products caused the deaths is still under review. (Kaplan, 2/21)
The Washington Post:
Trump Energizes The Anti-Vaccine Movement In Texas
The group of 40 people gathered at a popular burger and fish taco restaurant in San Antonio listened eagerly to the latest news about the anti-vaccine fight taking place in the Texas legislature. Some mothers in the group had stopped immunizing their young children because of doubts about vaccine safety. Heads nodded as the woman giving the statehouse update warned that vaccine advocates wanted to “chip away” at parents’ right to choose. But she also had encouraging news. “We have 30 champions in that statehouse,” boasted Jackie Schlegel, executive director of Texans for Vaccine Choice. “Last session, we had two.” Now they also have one in the White House. (Sun, 2/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Genomic Medicine Goes Mainstream
After decades of work and ballyhoo, it's finally happening. Patients, as a regular part of their care, are getting their DNA sequenced, seeing it matched against known genetically related conditions and having their medications checked for genetic suitability. During the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society convention this week in Orlando, Fla., Inova, several other healthcare delivery organizations and their technology partners will tout their pioneering work in clinically applied genomics. Presentations at the show include both full-day and half-day symposia on precision medicine as well as multiple stand-alone educational sessions. (Conn, 2/18)
