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Vaccine research continues as newest Ebola outbreak hits DRC
Anne Casey Medical & Allied HealthcareA recent outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was declared to be over on July 24 by the World Health Organization (WHO) — but then a new outbreak started on Aug. 1 in the country’s Kivu province. Vaccine research in several countries soldiers on amid the newest occurrence of the virus. As the new outbreak unfortunately begins, scientists in Spain and the United States continue to develop their own, promising vaccines.
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NIH study sheds new light on bacteria therapy for eczema
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareNot only do the embarrassing patches of rough, reddened eczema erode self-esteem, the intense itching often leads to infection that requires treatment with antibiotics. Eczema is a disease group that encompasses a few forms of dermatitis, both endogenous (atopic dermatitis) and exogenous (irritant and allergic contact dermatitis). While the cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown, studies suggest that the skin microbiome plays a key role, and scientists have known that people with atopic dermatitis tend to have large populations of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin.
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Help your clients face their fears about esthetic procedures
Elizabeth Donat PharmaceuticalFor many of us that work in the spa and medical spa industries, we are entirely convinced about the benefits of most esthetic procedures. Our clients, however, are not as well-versed and need a lot of encouragement and coaching. If your spa or clinic offers injectables, deep chemical peels or laser resurfacing, then you know that clients have tons of questions and concerns about these procedures and their outcomes. As professionals, it's our job to explain the reasonable outcomes of every procedure and manage our clients' expectations responsibly.
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Lead contamination in schools’ drinking water worse than previously…
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsLead contamination in U.S. schools is more pervasive than previously thought, new water testing results from 20 states say. The data was published in an interactive map by Environment America and U.S. PIRG in June. The map shows several other states where more than half of schools tested found some level of lead. These confirmed cases of contamination are likely only the tip of the iceberg, Environment America said in a statement.
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Medical-retail drugstore partnerships strengthen business, promote public…
Bill Becken RetailIn the last decade or so, some healthcare providers have partnered with retail drugstore chains like CVS and Walgreens to operate storefront health clinics. The clinics can deliver low-cost but high-quality care in a venue that is usually more convenient than a doctor's office. The clinics tend to be well-utilized, even if they offer only a relatively narrow set of authorized services for minor ailments. The clinics are open at times where the only alternative might be a hospital emergency room.
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The link between diabetes and cancer in women
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareNearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) by about four times in women but only about two times in men, and women have worse outcomes after a heart attack. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that people with diabetes are at significantly higher risk for many forms of cancer. In fact, diabetes and cancer often coexist in the same individuals.
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New ways actors can benefit your doctors-in-training
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationYou're no doubt familiar with "standardized patients" — professional actors who role-play with medical students and residents to simulate real-life patient interactions. Often, these interactive experiences teach doctors-in-training how to handle basic communication situations, such as how to prescribe medication or explain a diagnosis. New research initiatives, however, are greatly expanding the knowledge medical students and residents can glean from working with actors, leading to more emotional insight when they work with real patients, as well as better effectiveness at sharing medical information with those real patients.
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How to provide more transparency for patients at your practice
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationEvery primary care physician knows this undeniable truth: patients today are more informed about their health than ever (which is a very good thing). Thanks to information about vital concerns like medical conditions, insurance and billing that they can read about on the web, many patients aren't shy about wanting you, as their doctor, to allow them as much access to their care and records as possible. Read on to find out the right ways to provide more transparency for your patients, while respecting the rules of your healthcare organization, and relevant laws as well.
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Is fitness the right weapon to combat childhood obesity?
Sheilamary Koch Sports & FitnessIncreasing sedentariness among children around the world makes fighting the problem of childhood obesity even more challenging than ever. In the U.S. alone, more than 12 million children between the ages of 2 and 19 years are obese — one out of every six children, cite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Along with healthier eating, promoting physical activity has been long considered a cornerstone of obesity prevention and treatment. But how much impact do exercise and sports have on this critical issue?
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Massachusetts passes new law to combat opioid abuse
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalOn July 19, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a new package of legislation aimed to combat the persistent problem of opioid addiction, abuse and overdose in the state. Referred to as the "CARE Act" (an act for prevention and access to appropriate care and treatment of addiction), this 50-page, 97-section, piece of legislation hopes to address an issue that is said to be taking the lives of five people per day in Massachusetts. As a Massachusetts pharmacist myself, I’m encouraged to see that this issue remains a high priority.
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