This morning a state House Committee will consider whether or not Pennsylvania should ban teens from tanning salons.
The proposal keeps anyone under 18 from using an indoor tanning bed. Sponsor RoseMarie Swanger, a Lebanon County Republican, is convinced the beds cause melanoma, which her younger sister is currently battling. “One of my colleagues did ask me – he said, ‘don’t people have the right to make stupid decisions?’ And my response to him was, yes, if you’re an adult,” she explained. “But if you’re a child, I think we owe children our protection from anything we could control that would prevent them from having to go through this later in life.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently called for a national ban on teens using tanning beds, warning, "The intensity of ultraviolet-A radiation produced by large, powerful tanning units may be 10 to 15 times higher than that of the midday sun."
A national trade group, the Indoor Tanning Association, insists the concern is unfounded, and the legislation is a government overreach. “I can just assure you that there’s absolutely no proof that using a tanning bed causes melanoma,” said its executive director, John Overstreet. He argued the beds’ ultraviolet lights aren’t any more dangerous than the sun. “Ultraviolet light is ultraviolet light, whether it comes from the sun or whether it comes from an indoor tanning bed,” he said. “And moderation is the key. And just like outdoor sunlight, you have risks and you have benefits. And you have to avoid overexposure. You definitely have to avoid…getting a sunburn.”
The bill would charge salons with a criminal offense, if they let teens in to tan. Swanger called the penalty an oversight, and promised to amend the legislation in committee. “I don’t agree with sending anyone to jail for violating this law,” she said. “But I would certainly advocate for a civil penalty of a substantial fine for a first offense. And then any other offense after that, just a loss of license.”
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Emergency Physicians Want Protection from Liability
Emergency Medicine physicians are gathered in Washington this week calling on their representatives in Congress to approve medical liability reform.
53% of emergency room doctors who were surveyed said the main reason they conduct the number of test they do is fear of being sued. The survey by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was released in time for the Washington meetings. ACEP President Sandra Schneider said medical liability reform is essential to meaningful health car reform and without the reform, health care costs will continue to rise. The organization estimates the cost of "defensive medicine" range from $60 billion to $151 billion per year.
Dr. Daniel Wehner, chair of Emergency Medicine for the Connemaugh Health System, says legislation in the House includes protection from liability for emergency physicians like public health providers have. Wehner says emergency doctors are required by federal law and emergency care is considered high risk for malpractice suits because patients are more seriously ill or injured and physicians often don't have access to their medical histories.
Wehner says it would also be more reasonable to hear malpractice suits in special panel courts..."instead of a jury of 12 lay people deciding upon whether medicine was practiced appropriately, to have some scientists aboard on that panel, physicians or other people with some experience in dealing with scientific logical reasoning to decide whether or not there was liability on the part of the physician."
Last week the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts released data that shows in 2010 the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed in the state dropped for a sixth straight year...down 45.4% since the base years of 2000-02. Those base years were just prior to 2 major rule changes made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court: attorneys have to obtain from a medical professional a certificate that established the medical procedures in a case fell outside acceptable standards; and, medical lawsuits can only be brought in the county where the alleged malpractice occurred.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille says progress has been made..."One of our fundamental priorities is to assure the Commonwealth's citizens that the legal process will not be abused in malpractice cases. We're very encouraged by these statistics. The crisis is over."
53% of emergency room doctors who were surveyed said the main reason they conduct the number of test they do is fear of being sued. The survey by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was released in time for the Washington meetings. ACEP President Sandra Schneider said medical liability reform is essential to meaningful health car reform and without the reform, health care costs will continue to rise. The organization estimates the cost of "defensive medicine" range from $60 billion to $151 billion per year.
Dr. Daniel Wehner, chair of Emergency Medicine for the Connemaugh Health System, says legislation in the House includes protection from liability for emergency physicians like public health providers have. Wehner says emergency doctors are required by federal law and emergency care is considered high risk for malpractice suits because patients are more seriously ill or injured and physicians often don't have access to their medical histories.
Wehner says it would also be more reasonable to hear malpractice suits in special panel courts..."instead of a jury of 12 lay people deciding upon whether medicine was practiced appropriately, to have some scientists aboard on that panel, physicians or other people with some experience in dealing with scientific logical reasoning to decide whether or not there was liability on the part of the physician."
Last week the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts released data that shows in 2010 the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed in the state dropped for a sixth straight year...down 45.4% since the base years of 2000-02. Those base years were just prior to 2 major rule changes made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court: attorneys have to obtain from a medical professional a certificate that established the medical procedures in a case fell outside acceptable standards; and, medical lawsuits can only be brought in the county where the alleged malpractice occurred.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille says progress has been made..."One of our fundamental priorities is to assure the Commonwealth's citizens that the legal process will not be abused in malpractice cases. We're very encouraged by these statistics. The crisis is over."
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Biking, Climbing, Paddling Highlight Outdoors Celebration
The 10th annual Great Outdoors Week celebration continues throughout the Pittsburgh region with more than 60 events to highlight outdoor opportunities.
Ginette Walker Vinski of Sustainable Pittsburgh, the organizer of the celebration, says the idea is to showcase the natural amenities of southwestern Pennsylvania....
"From our rivers to our parks to our trails to our forest lands, and also to encourage people to try out some of the activities that use these resources, whether it's hiking, biking, paddling, climbing--you name it--there are tons of activities and opportunities available in this region."
The signature events include National Bike to Work Day and Learn to Row and Paddle on Friday, May 20.
walker Vinski says the biggest event is probably the Venture Outdoors Festival at Point State Park Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m....a free event with all kinds of activities including a climbing wall, fishing, kayaking, dragon boating, yoga and biking. Vinski says they expect about 6,000 to 7,000 people to attend the festival.
She says the final major event, "Pedal Pittsburgh" is Sunday, May 22 and is hosted by the Community Design Center...
"We say it's a ride, not a race where you ride your bike anywhere from 6 to 60 miles. It's all about learning about the architecture and design of the city, and learning how good design really makes for a better quality of life here in the city of Pittsburgh."
Vinski says there have been major changes over the last 10 years focusing on the region's natural amenities.
Ginette Walker Vinski of Sustainable Pittsburgh, the organizer of the celebration, says the idea is to showcase the natural amenities of southwestern Pennsylvania....
"From our rivers to our parks to our trails to our forest lands, and also to encourage people to try out some of the activities that use these resources, whether it's hiking, biking, paddling, climbing--you name it--there are tons of activities and opportunities available in this region."
The signature events include National Bike to Work Day and Learn to Row and Paddle on Friday, May 20.
walker Vinski says the biggest event is probably the Venture Outdoors Festival at Point State Park Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m....a free event with all kinds of activities including a climbing wall, fishing, kayaking, dragon boating, yoga and biking. Vinski says they expect about 6,000 to 7,000 people to attend the festival.
She says the final major event, "Pedal Pittsburgh" is Sunday, May 22 and is hosted by the Community Design Center...
"We say it's a ride, not a race where you ride your bike anywhere from 6 to 60 miles. It's all about learning about the architecture and design of the city, and learning how good design really makes for a better quality of life here in the city of Pittsburgh."
Vinski says there have been major changes over the last 10 years focusing on the region's natural amenities.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Race for the Cure
The 19th Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held this Sunday, Mother's Day in Schenely Park in Oakland.
The race starts around 8am. Over 30,000 people participate and over two million dollars were raised last year.
"Seventy five 75 percent of that money stays in the Pitstburgh region to fund breast health and breast cancer awareness programs such as the Mammogram voucher program that helps women who are uninsured or underisnured to get a mammogram and then 25 percent of the money raised goes to the national organization to fund breast cancer research,' said Kathy Purcell, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Executive Director.
Those interested in donating but don't want to run or walk can do "Sleep in for the Cure" where they donate money but can stay in bed while the race occurs.
The race starts around 8am. Over 30,000 people participate and over two million dollars were raised last year.
"Seventy five 75 percent of that money stays in the Pitstburgh region to fund breast health and breast cancer awareness programs such as the Mammogram voucher program that helps women who are uninsured or underisnured to get a mammogram and then 25 percent of the money raised goes to the national organization to fund breast cancer research,' said Kathy Purcell, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Executive Director.
Those interested in donating but don't want to run or walk can do "Sleep in for the Cure" where they donate money but can stay in bed while the race occurs.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Allegheny: 42nd Healthiest County in PA
What's billed as the most comprehensive report of its kind ranks the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states. The second annual "County Health Rankings" report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is intended to give communities a roadmap to improve health.
The report looks at health outcomes: the rate of people dying before age 75; the percent of people who report being in fair or poor health; the number of days people report being in poor physical or mental health; and, the rate of low-birthweight babies.
The rankings also look at 4 categories of factors that impact health: health behavior (including smoking, drinking, teen birth rates), clinical care (including uninsured adults, primary care providers and diabetic screening) , social and economic factors (including unemployment, children in poverty, crime rate) and physical environment (air pollution and access to recreational facilities).
In Pennsylvania, Union County has the healthiest residents and Philadelphia is the least healthy county in the state. Allegheny County is 42nd among the 67 counties, an improvement from the 2010 report when it ranked 48th.
Bridget Booske is a senior scientist with the institute and deputy director of the County Health Rankings project...."When I look at Allegheny County, there's a high percentage of low-birthweight babies (8.6% compared to the national benchmark of 6%) than elsewhere. Other factors, like smoking and obesity, Allegheny is pretty much running about average, but average in Pennsylvania doesn't necessarily mean there's not a whole lot of improvement that can take place there."
Booske says that set a national benchmark of a 90th percentile where only 10% of the counties had healthier numbers in those categories because they believe improvement to reach that top 10% "is attainable."
Allegheny County exceeds the national benchmark in the category of health coverage with 11% of uninsured adults compared to the national figure of 13%.
Booske says it's not unusual to have neighboring counties with wide-ranging rankings. While Allegheny County is number 42, Fayette is 63rd, Greene-65th and Cambria is 64th; while Butler is number 11, Indiana is 17 and Westmoreland is 20th...
"Where we live, learn, work and play does really matter across the state."
Booske adds that improvements can be made through policy, through community programs and in individual homes..."Health is everyone's business. There is something we each can do. It's good for all of us to live in healthier economies. It's good for the economy to be healthy."
The report looks at health outcomes: the rate of people dying before age 75; the percent of people who report being in fair or poor health; the number of days people report being in poor physical or mental health; and, the rate of low-birthweight babies.
The rankings also look at 4 categories of factors that impact health: health behavior (including smoking, drinking, teen birth rates), clinical care (including uninsured adults, primary care providers and diabetic screening) , social and economic factors (including unemployment, children in poverty, crime rate) and physical environment (air pollution and access to recreational facilities).
In Pennsylvania, Union County has the healthiest residents and Philadelphia is the least healthy county in the state. Allegheny County is 42nd among the 67 counties, an improvement from the 2010 report when it ranked 48th.
Bridget Booske is a senior scientist with the institute and deputy director of the County Health Rankings project...."When I look at Allegheny County, there's a high percentage of low-birthweight babies (8.6% compared to the national benchmark of 6%) than elsewhere. Other factors, like smoking and obesity, Allegheny is pretty much running about average, but average in Pennsylvania doesn't necessarily mean there's not a whole lot of improvement that can take place there."
Booske says that set a national benchmark of a 90th percentile where only 10% of the counties had healthier numbers in those categories because they believe improvement to reach that top 10% "is attainable."
Allegheny County exceeds the national benchmark in the category of health coverage with 11% of uninsured adults compared to the national figure of 13%.
Booske says it's not unusual to have neighboring counties with wide-ranging rankings. While Allegheny County is number 42, Fayette is 63rd, Greene-65th and Cambria is 64th; while Butler is number 11, Indiana is 17 and Westmoreland is 20th...
"Where we live, learn, work and play does really matter across the state."
Booske adds that improvements can be made through policy, through community programs and in individual homes..."Health is everyone's business. There is something we each can do. It's good for all of us to live in healthier economies. It's good for the economy to be healthy."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Determine Your Risk of Having Diabetes
As part of American Diabetes Association Alert Day, Allegheny County’s health department urges residents to take the Diabetes Risk Test on Tuesday, March 22.
According to Lorraine Starsky, a public health nurse with the Allegheny County Health Department, the risk test is a fairly simple questionnaire. She said in addition to identifying your age and ethnicity, the survey asks questions about “your weight, family history, [or] if you’re a female if you had a baby that weighed more than nine pounds at birth.”
According to the Center for Disease Control the number of people diagnosed with diabetes yearly continues to escalate. The center estimates 26 million people to be afflicted by diabetes, and a disturbing 27 percent don’t know they have it, contributing to the disease’s moniker “America’s Silent Killer.”
“The symptoms can be so easily overlooked and so we’re asking people look at your risk factors and if you see that you have two or more, if you’re scoring high on this test, then it’s important, it’s a wakeup call,” Starsky says.
Even more important, recently, is the increase of obesity leading to Type II diabetes in youth. Type II diabetes formerly affected mostly adults over the age of 45 but youth have continued to be diagnosed at younger ages.
Starsky says that untreated and unrecognized diabetes can be very detrimental to a person’s health.
“It’s doing a lot of damage to major body systems. It’s affecting your eyes, it’s affecting your kidneys, it’s affecting your cardiovascular system, your heart, and so a lot of times this damage goes on silently,” Starsky says.
To access the risk test, you can call 1-800-342-2383 to request a copy of the questionnaire or you can fill out the survey online.
According to Lorraine Starsky, a public health nurse with the Allegheny County Health Department, the risk test is a fairly simple questionnaire. She said in addition to identifying your age and ethnicity, the survey asks questions about “your weight, family history, [or] if you’re a female if you had a baby that weighed more than nine pounds at birth.”
According to the Center for Disease Control the number of people diagnosed with diabetes yearly continues to escalate. The center estimates 26 million people to be afflicted by diabetes, and a disturbing 27 percent don’t know they have it, contributing to the disease’s moniker “America’s Silent Killer.”
“The symptoms can be so easily overlooked and so we’re asking people look at your risk factors and if you see that you have two or more, if you’re scoring high on this test, then it’s important, it’s a wakeup call,” Starsky says.
Even more important, recently, is the increase of obesity leading to Type II diabetes in youth. Type II diabetes formerly affected mostly adults over the age of 45 but youth have continued to be diagnosed at younger ages.
Starsky says that untreated and unrecognized diabetes can be very detrimental to a person’s health.
“It’s doing a lot of damage to major body systems. It’s affecting your eyes, it’s affecting your kidneys, it’s affecting your cardiovascular system, your heart, and so a lot of times this damage goes on silently,” Starsky says.
To access the risk test, you can call 1-800-342-2383 to request a copy of the questionnaire or you can fill out the survey online.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Changes to PA Drug Abuse Programs
A new cabinet-level state department opens its doors July 1. A law passed last year separates the Pennsylvania Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs from the Health Department, creating a new entity.
Republican Representative Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks County authored the 2010 law. He says the new department will make substance abuse programs more accessible.
"I believe it's also a question about efficiency - government efficiency, fiscal efficiency. I think it's a big question of public safety. I think it's going to go a long way towards reducing crime in this state. "
DiGirolamo says the new agency won't cost extra tax dollars.
"It's about saving money, it's about public safety. But I think it's about saving lives. And it happens every day in every one of our communities across this great state."
The department's initial staff will only have around ten positions. This will be the first new state department formed since 1995.
Republican Representative Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks County authored the 2010 law. He says the new department will make substance abuse programs more accessible.
"I believe it's also a question about efficiency - government efficiency, fiscal efficiency. I think it's a big question of public safety. I think it's going to go a long way towards reducing crime in this state. "
DiGirolamo says the new agency won't cost extra tax dollars.
"It's about saving money, it's about public safety. But I think it's about saving lives. And it happens every day in every one of our communities across this great state."
The department's initial staff will only have around ten positions. This will be the first new state department formed since 1995.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Study: Radiation Works After Breast Cancer Surgery
Radiation and tamoxifen treatments reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in women who’ve had non-invasive breast lumps removed, according to a new study from Allegheny General Hospital.
Not only do radiation and tamoxifen reduce cancer recurrence, but the study also notes women who’ve had these treatments have a lower death rate than those who opt out – even when the cancer does come back.
Principal investigator Dr. Thomas Julian says adding radiation therapy following lumpectomy surgery reduced cancer recurrence in his study group by about 53%. He says most women with breast cancer could have the therapy, but many don’t take it due to bias against it in patients and physicians.
Julian says adding tamoxifen treatment to the patients’ therapy reduced cancer recurrence by an additional 32%; however, that treatment only works in 80- 85% of patients, depending on the type of cancer they have.
Julian says while many oncologists believe radiation therapy is overly diagnosed, the 15-year study shows a clear benefit to women who’ve had the treatment.
Not only do radiation and tamoxifen reduce cancer recurrence, but the study also notes women who’ve had these treatments have a lower death rate than those who opt out – even when the cancer does come back.
Principal investigator Dr. Thomas Julian says adding radiation therapy following lumpectomy surgery reduced cancer recurrence in his study group by about 53%. He says most women with breast cancer could have the therapy, but many don’t take it due to bias against it in patients and physicians.
Julian says adding tamoxifen treatment to the patients’ therapy reduced cancer recurrence by an additional 32%; however, that treatment only works in 80- 85% of patients, depending on the type of cancer they have.
Julian says while many oncologists believe radiation therapy is overly diagnosed, the 15-year study shows a clear benefit to women who’ve had the treatment.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Department of Health Reaches Out to Problem Gamblers
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board along with the Department of Health, Revenue and Agriculture is sponsoring “Problem Gambling Awareness Week” which aims to reach out to individuals who may not realize they have a gambling problem.
The board wants people to understand that while the public should enjoy the state’s casinos and lottery games, it can be a slippery slope for many gamblers. They believe the worst part for many gamblers is that they don’t realize they have a problem and therefore, don’t seek help, often at the cost of relationships, finances, and personal anguish.
In January the board launched a statewide campaign for a help website and the state's gambling addiction hotline takes calls 24 hours a day according to the Department of Health.
Robin Rothermel, director of the Health Department’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, says the counseling service has a financial aspect.
“The majority of these individuals by the time they’re seeking service have destroyed themselves financially,” Rothermel says. “We do a lot of work with credit counselors and financial planning and those types of things to individuals back on their feet as well.”
The department of health has joined in the cause to raise awareness of problem gambling because gambling can be as much of a health issue as excessive drinking or smoking.
“Individuals who smoke gamble at a significantly higher rate than those who don’t. Individuals who are chronic users of alcohol gamble at a significantly higher rate than those who don’t,” Rothermel says. “We know that the public health issues are all intertwined so that why we feel it’s addressed by the health department.”
For those seeking help, the department of health encourages people to call the 24-hour hotline at 1-877-565-2112 or by accessing the new website www.paproblemgambling.com.
The board wants people to understand that while the public should enjoy the state’s casinos and lottery games, it can be a slippery slope for many gamblers. They believe the worst part for many gamblers is that they don’t realize they have a problem and therefore, don’t seek help, often at the cost of relationships, finances, and personal anguish.
In January the board launched a statewide campaign for a help website and the state's gambling addiction hotline takes calls 24 hours a day according to the Department of Health.
Robin Rothermel, director of the Health Department’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, says the counseling service has a financial aspect.
“The majority of these individuals by the time they’re seeking service have destroyed themselves financially,” Rothermel says. “We do a lot of work with credit counselors and financial planning and those types of things to individuals back on their feet as well.”
The department of health has joined in the cause to raise awareness of problem gambling because gambling can be as much of a health issue as excessive drinking or smoking.
“Individuals who smoke gamble at a significantly higher rate than those who don’t. Individuals who are chronic users of alcohol gamble at a significantly higher rate than those who don’t,” Rothermel says. “We know that the public health issues are all intertwined so that why we feel it’s addressed by the health department.”
For those seeking help, the department of health encourages people to call the 24-hour hotline at 1-877-565-2112 or by accessing the new website www.paproblemgambling.com.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
New PA Dept. Could Make Treatment More Accessible
A new cabinet-level state department opens its doors July 1. A law passed last year separates the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, creating a new entity.
Republican Representative Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks County authored the 2010 law and says the new department will make substance abuse programs more accessible.
"I believe it's also a question about efficiency - government efficiency, fiscal efficiency. I think it's a big question of public safety. I think it's going to go a long way towards reducing crime in this state."
DiGirolamo says the new agency won't cost extra tax dollars.
"It's about saving money, it's about public safety. But I think it's about saving lives. And it happens every day in every one of our communities across this great state."
DiGirolamo says the department will save lives by making treatment programs more accessible. The department's initial staff will only have around ten positions. This will be the first new state department formed since 1995.
Republican Representative Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks County authored the 2010 law and says the new department will make substance abuse programs more accessible.
"I believe it's also a question about efficiency - government efficiency, fiscal efficiency. I think it's a big question of public safety. I think it's going to go a long way towards reducing crime in this state."
DiGirolamo says the new agency won't cost extra tax dollars.
"It's about saving money, it's about public safety. But I think it's about saving lives. And it happens every day in every one of our communities across this great state."
DiGirolamo says the department will save lives by making treatment programs more accessible. The department's initial staff will only have around ten positions. This will be the first new state department formed since 1995.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Benchmark Study Looks At Pgh Region & 14 Others
The Pittsburgh region is doing better than most others in cost of living, unemployment and job growth. That's according to a new benchmarking study released today by the Regional Indicators at Pitsburghtoday.org. The study, Pittsburgh Today and Tomorrow," measures a 22 county Pittsburgh region that includes some of eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia against 14 other cities: Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Richmond and St. Louis....in 10 categories: demographics, arts, education, economy, environment, housing, health, public safety, government and transportation.
The study looks at how the region rebounded since the early 1980's when unemployment topped 17%. Now the jobless rate remains well below the national average.
"We have by no means perfected the region, says Douglas Heuck, director of the Regional Indicators at Pittsburghtoday.org, "but after 30 years, we are poised to consider our regional future, not with a measure of fear, but from a position of strength."
While the Pittsburgh area experienced a net gain of 1,144 residents in domestic migration in 2009, the overall population declined by 434 due to more deaths than births.
The study indicates that in the transportation category 20% of road miles are listed in "poor" condition. Only Kansas City, Baltimore and Philadelphia have a higher percentage of poor or mediocre road miles.
Heuck says that Pittsburgh remains an arts rich region and the arts continue to attract visitors to the area.
The full report will be published in Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine this week.
The study looks at how the region rebounded since the early 1980's when unemployment topped 17%. Now the jobless rate remains well below the national average.
"We have by no means perfected the region, says Douglas Heuck, director of the Regional Indicators at Pittsburghtoday.org, "but after 30 years, we are poised to consider our regional future, not with a measure of fear, but from a position of strength."
While the Pittsburgh area experienced a net gain of 1,144 residents in domestic migration in 2009, the overall population declined by 434 due to more deaths than births.
The study indicates that in the transportation category 20% of road miles are listed in "poor" condition. Only Kansas City, Baltimore and Philadelphia have a higher percentage of poor or mediocre road miles.
Heuck says that Pittsburgh remains an arts rich region and the arts continue to attract visitors to the area.
The full report will be published in Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine this week.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
High Court Rules Against Mt. Lebanon Family
A Pittsburgh area family has lost its case before the U.S. Supreme Court over the side-effects from a childhood vaccine.. Russell and Robalee Bruesewitz of Mt. Lebanon sued the drug maker Wyeth in a state court over the health problems they claim their daughter Hannah, who is now 19, suffered as a result of Wyeth's Tri Immunol diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine.
The couple says their daughter experienced seizures after receiving the 3rd of 5 doses of the vaccine as a baby. The Bruesewitz's say Wyeth should have sold a safer vaccine that was available. By a 6-2 vote today, the high court ruled that a 1986 law preempts such claims. Under that law, vaccine makers fund a limited compensation program for vaccine injuries. In return, the manufacturers cannot be sued.
The Bruesewitz's challenged that law saying the vaccine was defective and a safer one was available. The family says Hannah will need care her entire life.
Writing for the court, Justice Antonin Scalia said the law sets up a special vaccine court to provide compensation without driving drug manufacturers from the vaccine market. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. Justice Elena Kagan did not take part in the ruling. This decision seems to block lawsuits from families who claim that vaccines are to blame for autism in their children.
The couple says their daughter experienced seizures after receiving the 3rd of 5 doses of the vaccine as a baby. The Bruesewitz's say Wyeth should have sold a safer vaccine that was available. By a 6-2 vote today, the high court ruled that a 1986 law preempts such claims. Under that law, vaccine makers fund a limited compensation program for vaccine injuries. In return, the manufacturers cannot be sued.
The Bruesewitz's challenged that law saying the vaccine was defective and a safer one was available. The family says Hannah will need care her entire life.
Writing for the court, Justice Antonin Scalia said the law sets up a special vaccine court to provide compensation without driving drug manufacturers from the vaccine market. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. Justice Elena Kagan did not take part in the ruling. This decision seems to block lawsuits from families who claim that vaccines are to blame for autism in their children.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Health Care Providers Urge City to Regulate Diesel Emissions
A number of physicians, health care professionals and organizations are sending a letter to Pittsburgh Council asking it adopt the "Clean Construction" Diesel emission regulation ordinance. Diesel emissions have been linked to heart attacks, asthma, lung cancer and premature deaths and the Pittsburgh Clean Air Act currently before council would require contractors working on large, publicly funded projects to retrofit their equipment and use cleaner fuels. Dr. Bernard Goldstein, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Pittsburgh says diesel emissions have been on the radar of health professionals for a long time, but it's been difficult to regulate because emissions come from so many small, local sources. Goldstein says he's happy to see a construction boom in the Pittsburgh region, "because it means we're coming out of our economic problems. As we do, we're going to have even more sources (of diesel emissions) -- the time to control them is now, the time to put in new controls to be sure people are using the most effective controls for their diesel sources is now."
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day Becomes National Organ Donor Day
The Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) hopes that this Valentine’s Day, people considering becoming an organ donor and giving a true gift of affection.
Misty Enos, Associate Director of Community Outreach for CORE says that the number of organ donations needed remains high, but the list of providers is still very low.“Last year we transplanted a little bit over 27,000 organs but over 110,000 people are waiting,” Enos says. “So the demand is very high, the need is very high, but the list of people who are actually registered as donors or who say yes is actually pretty low.”
Enos encourages those considering becoming an organ donor to do the research and educate themselves about the reality of donation. She asks the people on the fence to imagine if the person in need of a donation was a close relative and what you would want others to do.
“For me I look at my son, my husband, my mother, my brothers and sisters, and I think to myself if there was ever a time where their lives depended on a lifesaving organ transplant, what decision would I want my family to make?” Enos says.
Only 44 percent of people choose to be organ donors in the state of Pennsylvania and Enos says that anyone interested in becoming an organ donor should visit www.donatelife-pa.org and register using the PA State Donor Registry run through the DMV. Another method would be including your decision to be an organ donor in a living will.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Study Addresses Damaged Arteries
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have figured out how to grow arteries with highest level of elastin protein found in natural arteries, the most reported in vessels grown outside the body. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a weekly journal.
This could overcome a major barrier to creating living tissue replacements for damaged arteries.
The researchers used smooth muscle cells from adult baboons to make the elastin. The elastin allows the cells to expand and retract in response to blood flow. They cultured the baboon cells in a nutrient-rich solution to bear arteries with approximately 20 percent as much elastin as an inborn artery.
Elastin, unlike collagen, which is tougher and gives vessels their shape, has been dfficult to reproduce.
It took them three weeks to have functional arteries. They seeded muscle cells from baboons into degradable rubber tubes. Then they pumped the tubes into degradable rubber tubes chambered like honey combs. Those were then transferred to a bioreacter that pumped the nutrient solution through, mimicking the human circulatory system. This resembles how it would be used in a patient.
Lead researcher Yadong Wang said although this process took three years, they still are in the early phases. They will then test it out on animals and humans.
This could overcome a major barrier to creating living tissue replacements for damaged arteries.
The researchers used smooth muscle cells from adult baboons to make the elastin. The elastin allows the cells to expand and retract in response to blood flow. They cultured the baboon cells in a nutrient-rich solution to bear arteries with approximately 20 percent as much elastin as an inborn artery.
Elastin, unlike collagen, which is tougher and gives vessels their shape, has been dfficult to reproduce.
It took them three weeks to have functional arteries. They seeded muscle cells from baboons into degradable rubber tubes. Then they pumped the tubes into degradable rubber tubes chambered like honey combs. Those were then transferred to a bioreacter that pumped the nutrient solution through, mimicking the human circulatory system. This resembles how it would be used in a patient.
Lead researcher Yadong Wang said although this process took three years, they still are in the early phases. They will then test it out on animals and humans.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Pennsylvania Gets "F" Grade in Cessation Coverage
Pennsylvania might not provide enough protection against tobacco use. The American Lung Association released an annual scorecard that tracks tobacco control policies at state and federal levels. Pennsylvania received an "F" in Tobacco Prevention and Control. The state's grade in Cessation was also downgraded from a "C" last year, to an "F".
Deb Brown, President of the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania, says the state should provide more money for cessation and prevention. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has best practices that they recommend 155 million dollars be spent on prevention and cessation in Pennsylvania, and we only spend 14.7 million."
Brown says that although the state received money in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) made with the tobacco companies, funding has dwindled over the years. She says that originally 12% of the MSA was legislated to cessation and prevention, but in 2010 there was a 45% decrease in spending.
No state in the scorecard earned straight "A"s while the federal government drew an "A" for FDA regulation of tobacco, a "C" for cession coverage, and a "D" for the federal cigarette tax.
Deb Brown, President of the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania, says the state should provide more money for cessation and prevention. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has best practices that they recommend 155 million dollars be spent on prevention and cessation in Pennsylvania, and we only spend 14.7 million."
Brown says that although the state received money in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) made with the tobacco companies, funding has dwindled over the years. She says that originally 12% of the MSA was legislated to cessation and prevention, but in 2010 there was a 45% decrease in spending.
No state in the scorecard earned straight "A"s while the federal government drew an "A" for FDA regulation of tobacco, a "C" for cession coverage, and a "D" for the federal cigarette tax.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
UPMC Hopes for a Vaccine Factory
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hopes to put a vaccine factory that is partially federally funded in a 30 acre brownfield site in Hazelwood.
First, they would have to go through a selective process through the Department of Health and Human Services. If the facility were to be built in Pittsburgh, it would cost about $600 to $800 million dollars, with about half of that cost coming from UPMC and the other half coming from the government.
Last year the Department of Health and Human Services, which has set aside more than $12 billion to improve vaccine production asked for comments prior to requesting the Request for Proposal. UPMC submitted as did other institutions.
UPMC has established a non-profit arm to prepare for the facility called 21CB. It has partnerships with IBM, Merck and Co. and GE Healthcare.
If selected, Robert Cindrich, Special Advisor to UPMC's President Jeffrey Romoff, said it would be several years before the facility would be up and running. It would focus on flu vaccines and medical countermeasures for bio-terrorism. It's estimated the facility would employ thousands.
There are no other vaccine factories in Pittsburgh.
"That's one of the reasons why we're so interested in this. This is a new industry for Pittsburgh, it fits our high tech and health care face that we're putting on the region and we have the talent for it and this would be, we hope, the precursor for other businesses in the vaccine field," said Cindrich.
First, they would have to go through a selective process through the Department of Health and Human Services. If the facility were to be built in Pittsburgh, it would cost about $600 to $800 million dollars, with about half of that cost coming from UPMC and the other half coming from the government.
Last year the Department of Health and Human Services, which has set aside more than $12 billion to improve vaccine production asked for comments prior to requesting the Request for Proposal. UPMC submitted as did other institutions.
UPMC has established a non-profit arm to prepare for the facility called 21CB. It has partnerships with IBM, Merck and Co. and GE Healthcare.
If selected, Robert Cindrich, Special Advisor to UPMC's President Jeffrey Romoff, said it would be several years before the facility would be up and running. It would focus on flu vaccines and medical countermeasures for bio-terrorism. It's estimated the facility would employ thousands.
There are no other vaccine factories in Pittsburgh.
"That's one of the reasons why we're so interested in this. This is a new industry for Pittsburgh, it fits our high tech and health care face that we're putting on the region and we have the talent for it and this would be, we hope, the precursor for other businesses in the vaccine field," said Cindrich.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Antibiotics Ease Ear Infection Symptoms in Infants & Toddlers
Alejandro Hoberman, M.D. and a team from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh recently found that antibiotics are an effective treatment for young children diagnosed with acute otitis media, or a middle ear infection. Hoberman’s research is another in a series of trials worldwide that look at the effects of antibiotics on the relief of symptoms and overall recovery, while shielding children against the risk of becoming resistant to drugs.
“Most children in the U.S. with acute otitis media have been treated routinely with antibiotics but there has been concern with antibiotic overuse and clinical practice guidelines have included an option that provides for “watchful waiting” in children older than six months with mild symptoms, reserving antibiotics for children who do not improve with time,” Dr. Hoberman says.
His research looked at a variety of characteristics of ear infections and he studied 291 children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The children were randomly assigned to a placebo group and a group that received the antibiotic amoxicillin-clavulanate for 10 days. The study found that at both check points, five days and 10 days, the children who had been given the antibiotics were recovering earlier and symptoms were significantly less intense.
Dr. Hoberman insists that although the findings show that antibiotics can be a great help in the treatment of ear infections, it is still essential for children to have a certain diagnosis of acute otitis media before being treated with drugs. He says that drug resistance in children is still an issue that needs to be accounted for.
“These considerations underscore the need to restrict treatment to children whose illness is diagnosed using stringent criteria,” Dr. Hoberman says. “Provided the diagnosis of acute otitis media is certain we favor treatment of antibiotics for all children under two years of age with acute otitis media.”
“Most children in the U.S. with acute otitis media have been treated routinely with antibiotics but there has been concern with antibiotic overuse and clinical practice guidelines have included an option that provides for “watchful waiting” in children older than six months with mild symptoms, reserving antibiotics for children who do not improve with time,” Dr. Hoberman says.
His research looked at a variety of characteristics of ear infections and he studied 291 children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The children were randomly assigned to a placebo group and a group that received the antibiotic amoxicillin-clavulanate for 10 days. The study found that at both check points, five days and 10 days, the children who had been given the antibiotics were recovering earlier and symptoms were significantly less intense.
Dr. Hoberman insists that although the findings show that antibiotics can be a great help in the treatment of ear infections, it is still essential for children to have a certain diagnosis of acute otitis media before being treated with drugs. He says that drug resistance in children is still an issue that needs to be accounted for.
“These considerations underscore the need to restrict treatment to children whose illness is diagnosed using stringent criteria,” Dr. Hoberman says. “Provided the diagnosis of acute otitis media is certain we favor treatment of antibiotics for all children under two years of age with acute otitis media.”
Monday, January 10, 2011
Wheelchair Games To Be Held in Pittsburgh
The 31st National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be held in Pittsburgh this August. The games are the largest annual wheelchair sports event and will have about 600 competitors.
The games consist of 17 different sports and are open to Veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or neurological diseases. The games last several days and are free and open to the public. Bill Lawson, the National President of the Paralyzed Veterans of America said watching his fellow veterans play sports such as basketball or baseball is "inspirational."
Rob Morris, an Army Veteran from Grindstone has competed and won medals in the past. "Everybody has a competitor in them," he said, "You come back for the competition but there is relationships there, people from all other states, a chance to get out and see other parts of the country and again compete. It all rolls up into something thats just...Its hard to explain. It just all rolls up into something where you want to do it again and again and again."
On Monday, local insurance company Highmark presented the games with a check for $100,000.
The games consist of 17 different sports and are open to Veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or neurological diseases. The games last several days and are free and open to the public. Bill Lawson, the National President of the Paralyzed Veterans of America said watching his fellow veterans play sports such as basketball or baseball is "inspirational."
Rob Morris, an Army Veteran from Grindstone has competed and won medals in the past. "Everybody has a competitor in them," he said, "You come back for the competition but there is relationships there, people from all other states, a chance to get out and see other parts of the country and again compete. It all rolls up into something thats just...Its hard to explain. It just all rolls up into something where you want to do it again and again and again."
On Monday, local insurance company Highmark presented the games with a check for $100,000.
Children's Hospital and Pitt School of Medicine Receive $8.2 million Grant from NIH
Researchers at Children’s Hospital and Pitt’s School of Medicine have received an $8.2 million dollar grant to study antibiotic resistance in children.
The most frequent reason to prescribe an antibiotic to a child is acute otitis media—an ear infection. Dr. Alejandro Hoberman, Chief of Academic Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital, says not many new antibiotics are being developed and some children don’t respond to first and second line antibiotics available now. Hoberman says doctors are then stuck with injectable antibiotics or even draining the eardrum, so there are not many options for treating children with ear infections from drug resistant organisms.
600 children will be studied over five years to see if a 5-day course of antibiotics rather than the standard 10-day course can produce the same outcome with less drug resistance.
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