Viral Disease Spreads to Southeast Asia

Summary:

A viral disease known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome has reached Asia from Malaysia and the Philippines. The Malaysian Health Ministry said a 54 year old man who came back recently from a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia died of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome on Sunday. Also, a Filipino nurse was quarantined, along with his family, after a positive blood test. Even though the nurse appeared healthy she had been in contact with a Filipino paramedic in the United Arab Emirate who died of MERS. On Wednesday there was 10 new cases which were all health workers who treated a MERS patient who died on April 10th. The disease was discovered in 2012. Since ten there have been 243 confirmed cases with 93 deaths. The coronavirus that causes this disease appears to originate in bats and is widespread in Middle Eastern Camel herds. Occasionally, it infects humans and can spread among them, most often after close contact. 

Analysis:

This viral disease is originated in bats and seems to be most common in the middle east. It was first discovered in 2012 and there has only been 243 confirmed cases with only 93 deaths. Relatively speaking I would say that these numbers seem to be substantially low. I feel like the health organizations and hospitals are doing a pretty good job at containing the disease. Now that they suspect that it is commonly transmitted through herds of Middle Eastern Camels I feel as though everyone should make an effort in containing the disease in the herds of camels and maybe begin to treat the camels who have the disease as preemptive step in preventing the disease in humans.

Doctors Shun Insurance, Offering Care for Cash

Summary:

In Laredo, Texas, Dr. Gustavo Villarreal's family practice is always packed with patients who pay a flat $50 for a walk in or quick turn doctor's visit. Efforts at the state as well as the federal lever are underway to decrease Texas' ridiculously high rate of residents without health coverage. Nearly a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Dr. Villarreal does not accept health insurance but instead he has switched to a cash based model. Doctors who use this model say that they are able to keep costs down by simply avoiding the bureaucracy of the health insurance system and the high processing costs, which includes additional staff, that are associated with accepting coverage. This doctor regularly treats patients who have health insurance who are just trying to avoid the need of meeting high deductibles. 

Analysis:

Some  health care specialists worry that if too many practitioners choose this path the state could start struggling to find doctors to accommodate patients with insurance as the federal health care overhaul is making such coverage mandatory for most Texans. Only about 6 million of the population have enrolled in the federal insurance marketplace which is crucial to the success of the Affordable Care Act. Insurers are afraid that consumers are not anticipating their medical needs which will not protect them from unexpected medical expenses. I believe that there is nothing wrong with this method. If the population is too poor to afford the health care being pushed upon them then maybe it should be adjusted. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/us/doctors-shun-insurance-offering-care-for-cash.html?ref=health&_r=0 

Hand-Held Treatment for Overdoses is Approved

Summary:

A new hand-held treatment for overdoses has recently been approved by federal health regulators. They say that this will be a powerful tool used against the rising epidemic of prescription drug abuse. The hand-held device will deliver a single dose of naloxone which is a medication that reverses the side effects of an overdose. This medication is the standard treatment given in hospitals to patients who have overdosed but by that point it is usually already too late. This treatment was approved within fifteen weeks due to the increasing number of deaths caused by opioid overdoses. The number of opioid drug overdoses is now greater than that of car crashes and accidents. Once the instrument is turned on it will give you instructions on how to properly administer it.

Analysis:
This new hand held treatment could potentially save a lot of lives not to mention how many families would be saved from the heartache of having to deal with the grief caused by a drug overdose. However, fifteen weeks seems a little soon to approve something. Shouldn't the process be a little more in depth and not to mention more carefully scrutinized. My fear is that this hand held treatment may take away the fear and even consequences of the effects of overdosing on drugs. Could this treatment potentially cause more and more people to actively participate in taking drugs. Taking away a scary consequence such as death seems like it could be a reason for someone to start participating.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/health/fda-approves-portable-drug-overdose-treatment.html?src=me

Project to improve poor childrens intellect led to better health

Summary:

In 1972, researches began to follow two groups of babies. The first group received full time day care up to the age of five which included most of their daily meals, talking, and games along with other stimulating activities. The other group received no extra or special care besides baby formula. The scientists were testing to see whether the special treatment would lead to better cognitive function.Forty two years later the scientists discovered that the group that received better care were healthier, with lower rates of blood pressure and diabetes, as well as higher levels of good cholesterol or HDL.




Analysis:

The study is a part of a growing body of evidence that hardship in early childhood will result in complications in later life. This study is proof that adversity matters and it does affect health in adulthood. Programs started during early childhood, possibly even in infancy, will help prevent illnesses in later adulthood.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/health/project-to-improve-intellect-of-poor-children-led-to-better-health-too-research-finds.html?ref=health&_r=0 Project

Blog 6

A recent study, studied the impact of everyday chemicals on fertility. Researchers spent four years tracking 500 couples as they tried to have children. The findings concluded that while both men and women are exposed to toxic chemicals, men were more likely to suffer fertility problems as a result. The gender gap was especially wide when it came to a specific chemical known as phthalates. This compound is used to make plastics more flexible as well as cosmetic lotions slide on more smoothly. They found that women who wore cosmetics often had a higher level of phthalates in their bodies measured by a urinalysis. However, it was only in their male partners that phthalate levels correlated with infertility. Phthalates belong to a group of industrial compounds which are known as endocrine disruptors because they interfere with the endocrine system. The endocrine system is what is responsible for governing the production and distribution of hormones in the body. The chemicals have also been known to cause other health problems such as birth defects, cancers as well as diabetes.

It was shocking to me to find that one chemical found in products that people use everyday could do so much harm to the body. If this chemical does so much harm to the body then why are they still being used in products today. This compound known as phthalates are used in plastic as well as cosmetics. It has been found that it can interfere with masculinization of young animals and result in weird physical changes to male reproductive tracts. They simply interfere with how testosterone is made. Anything that is testosterone-dependent is more than likely to be affected. Even though phthalates is metabolized with a few hours, the consistent exposure is what is really harming us.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/21/a-threat-to-male-fertility/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=health&_r=0

Rare Mutation Kills Off Gene Responsible For Diabetes

Summary:
A new study has found a rare mutation that even protects fat people from developing Type 2 diabetes. This study was based on the genetic testing of 150,000 people in Sweden. Apparently the mutation destroys a gene which is used by the pancreas cells which is where insulin is made. People with the mutation seem to make slightly more insulin while also having slightly lower blood glucose levels for their entire lives. The first time their journal was sent in for review it was denied because this contradicts the evidence of the mutation found in mice. However, the second time it was submitted it was accepted. They are now starting programs that are aiming to develop potential drugs that act like the mutation. However, it can take up to about 10 to 20 years for a new drug to market after a new discovery about human genetics and disease.

Analysis:
A mutation that was found to be harmful in mice has recently been discovered to be beneficial to humans. The mutation apparently protects people from developing Type 2 diabetes. The mutation reduces the risk by two-thirds. They are already aiming to develop new drugs that act like the mutation. However, the new drug could take up to twenty years to market. In my opinion, this is a huge step towards finding a cure for type two diabetes. Type two diabetes alone accounts for a large percentage of deaths and/or large hospital bills in the US and even the world. This potential new drug could help save a lot of people as well as save a lot of money in the long run.

The Real World is Not an Exam

The Real World is Not an Exam

Summary:
When you are in Medical school you become really good at memorizing thousands of so called "best answers". Exams are usually multiple choice in which there is only one best answer in which you are being graded on if you nail the right answer or not. However, upon graduation, these students are not necessarily efficient in diagnosing their patients. The multiple choice exams prepares the student to think of the absolute worst case scenario even though this is generally not the case in day to day life. Recently, the supreme court has ruled in favor of getting rid of best answer multiple choice tests in Firefighter training.

Analysis:
In this article, the author points out the fact that his friend, like many other doctors, are trained in a way that does not prepare him for the actual work of being a Doctor. They become so well trained to catch key words and phrases that it does not actually efficiently train a doctor. This is a very hands off and lazy approach in my opinion. Multiple choice tests are actually interfering with the training and learning process. It does not actually prepare the student for the real predicaments one will encounter in the medical professional field of being a doctor. In the long run, these multiple choice tests are costing more money than necessary and is therefore hurting the eco

Why Russian Men Don't Live as Long

Summary:
According to research Russians typically have a lower life expectancy. A Russian man has a 25% chance of dying before the age of 55 which is extremely low compared to other developed countries. Recent research of two large studies have suggested that the main cause of this difference is vodka. Russians love their vodka as much as they love their cigarettes. Russians typically drink more frequently than other men in other countries. Not only do they drink more frequently but they also tend to keep drinking after they reach the point of drunkenness. Male smokers who reported drinking three or more half liter bottles of vodka per week had a substantially higher risk of death than those that reported drinking one bottle or less per week. Recent price increases as well as a crackdown on black market sales have cut sales down to a third.

Analysis:
Alcohol is a major cause of Russia's low life expectancy rate. Twenty-five percent of Russia's male population will die before the age of 55. This is especially shocking to me because here in America a majority of our grandparents typically live between the ages of 70-80 years old. Of course Russia is not the only place where men like to enjoy vodka or other types of alcohol. Russian men just tend to drink more at a time as well as drink more frequently. I believe that this is due to their culture. In American society we would look at someone who drinks three bottles of vodka a week and immediately assume that they are an alcoholic. But in Russia I believe that this is not a violation of a social norm.

Bosnians Sweep Up After Violent Protests

Summary:

Following the war in Bosnia between 1992-1995, privatization decimated the middle class which sent the working class into poverty as a few tycoons flourished. Corruption and high taxes is widespread and eat away at people's paychecks. Bosnia has a complicated political system that consists of Bosniak-Croat federation and a Serb republic with each having their own government and parliament that are linked by a central government, parliament and presidency. This form of government is very expensive and ineffective. Endless bickering among political officials often ends in constant disagreement which means that nothing is getting done. Citizens are angry about the nations near 40 percent unemployment rate and corruption. They set fire to many government buildings. Many political officials resigned and some even fled the country. 

Analysis: 

It appears that after the war a complicated and ineffective form of government was put in place. Many people are afraid of a centralized government and that is why they have so many different levels. However this system is unproductive and has not met the needs of the country, Citizens are growing more restless as their unemployment continues to rise. Political officials are filling them with empty promises. The fact that some government officials fled the country because of these protests is a sign a real problem. Government officials need to start focusing on the issues and really listen to what needs to be done.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/08/world/europe/ap-eu-bosnia-protests.html?ref=europe