Precision Medicine Initiative Seeks Partners In Research, Not Just ‘Human Subjects’
The government wants millions of volunteers to become a part of a "precision medicine cohort," with the goal of more fully understanding the causes and cures of disease. But it doesn't just want "human subjects," it wants the participants to play an active role in the long-term study.
The New York Times:
Uncle Sam Wants You — Or At Least Your Genetic And Lifestyle Information
Government scientists are seeking a million volunteers willing to share the innermost secrets of their genes and daily lives as part of an ambitious 10-year research project to understand the causes and cures of disease. Those selected to be members of the “precision medicine cohort” will be asked to provide a detailed medical history and blood samples so researchers can extract DNA. They will also be asked to report information about themselves — including their age, race, income, education, sexual orientation and gender identity, officials said. (Pear, 7/23)
In other public health news, sitting increases heart disease risk if it's for more than 10 hours a day, teenagers see e-cigarettes as cool and a new study looks at football players' severe head trauma —
Reuters:
Sitting Can Be Bad, Especially If You Do It For More Than 10 Hours A Day
Being sedentary in moderation is unlikely to cause heart disease, according to a new review of past research. Researchers concluded that only very high levels of sedentary time — more than 10 hours a day — are linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular-disease-related death. Compared with sitting for less than three waking hours a day, more than 10 hours of sedentary time was tied to an 8 percent increase in the risk of developing heart disease, according to results in JAMA Cardiology. (7/24)
WBUR:
Vaping Is Cool, Smoking Is Not: Could Rise Of Teen E-Cig Use Have An Upside?
A recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal claims the vibe of "cool/fun/something new” is what’s motivating kids to try e-cigarettes. Many of my friends crave new experiences and sensations; plus, who doesn't want to break the rules once in a while? According to the CDC, in 2015, 16 percent of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the last month. For comparison, teen cigarette use is the lowest it's been in 40 years, reports the CDC, with just 9 percent of high schoolers reporting smoking in the last 30 days. (Michaels, 7/22)
Athens Banner-Herald:
UGA Study: Player-On-Player Hits Cause More Serious Head Impacts
In football, player-vs.-player hits will likely cause more severe head impacts than other impacts, according to a new study by a University of Georgia researcher.
The research also points to potential rule changes to further protect players. The study, which is published in the most recent issue of the journal Pediatrics, analyzed nearly 7,000 head impacts during 13 games in a high school football team’s season and post-season. (Morales, 7/22)
