Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Suicide Attempts Twice As Likely in US Muslims Than Other Religious Groups
NPR: U.S. Muslims Are 2 Times More Likely To Have Attempted Suicide Than Other Groups
U.S. Muslims are two times more likely to have attempted suicide compared with other religious groups, according to a study published last month in JAMA Psychiatry. Nearly 8% of Muslims in the survey reported a suicide attempt in their lifetime compared with 6% of Catholics, 5% of Protestants and 3.6% of Jewish respondents. "Anecdotally and in clinical settings, we're definitely seeing an uptick in suicides and suicide attempts," Dr. Rania Awaad told NPR. She's the director of the Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab at Stanford University and a researcher on the study. (Faheid, 8/10)
In other public health news —
USA Today: Chicken Recall: Nearly 60k Pounds Of Chicken Products Sold At Aldi, Other Stores Recalled For Possible Salmonella
Serenade Foods is recalling nearly 60,000 pounds of frozen, raw chicken products for possible salmonella contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the Milford, Indiana company's voluntary recall on its website late Monday. Five products are included in the recall under three brand names: Dutch Farms Chicken, Milford Valley Chicken and Kirkwood, which is an Aldi store brand. The items were shipped to distributors nationwide, but a list of the retailers that sold the affected products was not included with the recall notice. (Tyko, 8/10)
Oklahoman: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Scientist Connects Gut Health To Ability To Heal
New findings from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation suggest the gut microbiome may impact wound healing and cartilage regrowth. The research from OMRF physician-scientist Matlock Jeffries could lead to new treatment for skin wounds, severe injuries and post-traumatic arthritis, a form of osteoarthritis (OA) that develops after an injury or reconstructive surgery. Post-traumatic arthritis makes up more than 10% of OA cases and is one of the top reasons for injury-related discharge among active-duty U.S. soldiers. (Thomas, 8/10)
Mississippi Clarion Ledger: State Health Officials: Pool, Splashpad In Pelahatchie Closed After E. coli Outbreak
Several cases of E. coli have been identified connected to a swimming pool and splashpad at the Jellystone Park Camp Resort-Yogi on the Lake in Pelahatchie, health officials said. Those diagnosed with E. coil most likely used the pool and splashpad between July 30 and Aug. 1, although some people could have been exposed to the bacteria up as recently as Monday, Mississippi State Department of Health officials said. Resort management closed the pool and splashpad Monday. Health officials in a news release are still investigating to determine if there are additional cases. (Szymanowska, 8/10)
