Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
LGBT Community's Classification As Health Disparity Population May Spark Much Needed Research
Stat: NIH Gives Boost To LGBT Research, Once Seen As ‘Disposable’
The National Institute of Minority Health Disparities (NIMHD) this month classified sexual and gender minorities as a health disparity population — that is, a group whose health is significantly worse than the general population in terms of disease and mortality. [LGBT health researcher Kellan] Baker, who regularly meets with the [National Institutes of Health] on issues of LGBT health policy, said that the Center for American Progress has been pushing for this classification for almost a decade.Though it does not allocate any additional funding, the classification means that LGBT research will now be eligible for health disparity funding from any institute within the NIH. (Wetsman, 10/18)
WBUR: How 'Deprescribing' Could Change Your Medical Routine
There’s an old problem in medicine. Too many meds in your drug cabinet. Some you don’t need anymore, some are interacting and making you feel worse. Then bingo, you get a new prescription to cure that. Or you grab some over-the-counter fix. Now, there’s a push to take millions of Americans off their meds. (Clayson, 10/18)
WBUR: New Science On Gut Bacteria And Allergies
Are kids too clean today? One of the big new fronts in medical research is the study of the microbiome, and how the galaxy of germs in our bodies keep us healthy. More and more research shows that infants who are supposed to germs have fewer allergies. (10/18)
Los Angeles Times: More Than Half Of U.S. Kids Don't Get Dental Sealants, And The CDC Wants Schools To Change That
How can elementary schools save nearly $50 per student? By bringing in dental professionals to put sealants on their molars, federal health officials said Tuesday. If that doesn’t sound like an education-related problem, consider this: Cavities that go untreated cause kids to do worse in school. (Kaplan, 10/18)
