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Where you live affects how long you live
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationVariation in life expectancy across counties in the United States is substantial and not fully explained by traditional social determinants of health, such as race and socioeconomic status. A recent study in Health Affairs finds that life expectancy is more broadly linked to individual and community-level factors ranging from the burden of disease to the safety of neighborhoods. It is the first study to establish a relationship between a summary measure of population well-being and life expectancy in a nation sample of 3,092 counties.
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What the new legalization of marijuana in California means
Sheila Pakdaman Mental HealthcareOn Nov. 8, Californians voted for our next president, and we also voted on a series of propositions. One of the most watched of these propositions was Proposition 64, the legalization of the use of marijuana. About 13 million Californians voted on Proposition 64, and 56 percent were in favor, thus passing the law. In 1996, Proposition 215 had legalized medical marijuana, so how is Proposition 64 any different? It legalizes recreational use — with restrictions.
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Researchers smell hope in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareA research group in Boston recently used an olfactometer to determine the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and they published the results of this study in the recent issue of Annals of Neurology. Those in the Alzheimer's disease community have been aware for many years of the deficits in olfactory function early in the disease process. The olfactory system is also impacted in Parkinson's disease.
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What does data analytics really mean?
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThere are times in every healthcare leader’s life when they feel overwhelmed by information and they struggle to make sense of it all. The chatter of big data and analytics tools indicate there are solutions, but some don't know what these words mean. Many healthcare professionals have already embraced data-driven decision-making, so what exactly do data analytics have to offer?
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Surgeon general addresses opioid addiction crisis
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareDoctors most often prescribe opioids to relieve pain from toothaches and dental procedures, injuries, surgeries and chronic conditions such as cancer. Opioids usually are safe when they are used correctly, but people who misuse opioids can easily become addicted.
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The relationship between physical activity and brain function
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareWe have all heard and read the advice about feeling, thinking and performing better overall — drink more water, exercise, eat more fruits and vegetables, meditate, and get enough sleep. While we all have good intentions, how many of us really follow this advice on a regular basis?
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Is this the end of the addiction profession?
Pete Nielsen Mental HealthcareVarious states have chosen to merge their alcohol and drugs departments with their mental health departments into a new department called "behavioral health." In investigating the impact of this change, something occurred to me: We may be harming addiction treatment's effectiveness.
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Trump presidency likely to bring major changes to healthcare
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationNow that the 2016 election season has come to a close, there really is only one thing most are agreeing on — they are glad it's finally over. Since the first political ad aired more than 500 days ago, the race to the White House has been one of the most divisive and hotly contested campaigns in modern history.
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Understanding how to teach students with mental health disorders
Brian Stack EducationIn quiet New Hampshire, among the beautiful autumn mountain backdrop and the New England seacoast towns, a silent killer known as opioids is making its way from family to family and from community to community. The issue is sending shockwaves throughout the state and leaving family and friends to question themselves on why they couldn't (or didn't) act sooner to save the lives of their beloved who are succumbing to addiction at an alarming rate.
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Why stress is causing interior designers to leave the profession
Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesEveryone has known of a colleague who has left interior design because they were burned out. The one thing they loved more than anything suddenly became the one thing they hated the most. Our profession is probably one of the most stressful. We are always under some sort of pressure either by our clients or ourselves to create something that is unlike anything else done before. The pressure to be perfectly fabulous every time we start a project is overwhelming.
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