April 2013 News Articles

Some Teens More Genetically Predisposed to Become Heavy Smokers

Some teenagers appear to be more genetically predisposed than others to become heavy smokers, a new study suggests.

The researchers developed a genetic risk profile for heavy smokers. They then applied the findings to a study of 1,000 people from birth to age 38, to determine if there was a link between a high risk score and smoking patterns.

They found genetic risk score did not influence whether a person started to smoke. However, among people who did start to smoke, those with higher genetic risk were more likely to start smoking daily as teens, to become heavy smokers more quickly, to smoke heavily for a longer period, to develop nicotine dependence, to rely more on smoking to cope with stress and to have a harder time quitting, compared with people with a lower genetic risk.

Teens with a high genetic risk score who tried smoking were 24 percent more likely to smoke daily by age 15, and 43 percent more likely to smoke a pack a day by age 18, HealthDay reports. They were 27 percent more likely to become addicted to nicotine, and 22 percent more likely to fail their attempts at quitting smoking as adults.

Those with high risk genetic profiles smoked about 7,300 more cigarettes than the average smoker by the time they were 38, the researchers report in JAMA Psychiatry.

“The effects of genetic risk seem to be limited to people who start smoking as teens,” researcher Daniel Belsky of Duke University’s Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development and the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, said in a news release. “This suggests there may be something special about nicotine exposure in the adolescent brain, with respect to these genetic variants.”

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Study: Energy Drinks May Disturb Heart’s Natural Rhythm

Energy drinks may increase blood pressure, and lead to changes in the heart’s natural rhythm, according to a study presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association.

The drinks may make the heart more prone to electrical short circuits, HealthDay reports. The researchers noted it is not clear how much of the drinks’ effect is due to the caffeine in the drinks.

Researchers reviewed seven studies. They included 93 people who consumed energy drinks and had their QT interval measured. This interval indicates how the heart resets itself electronically while it beats. A longer interval increases the risk that the heart will develop a “short circuit,” a potentially deadly problem.

An additional 132 people consumed energy drinks and had their blood pressure measured. Most of the participants had one to three cans of Red Bull, the article notes.

The study found participants’ QT intervals were longer after they consumed energy drinks. Their systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) increased 3.5 points after participants had the drinks, noted co-author Dr. Ian Riddock.

“QT prolongation is associated with life-threatening arrhythmias [heart rhythm problems]. The finding that energy drinks could prolong the QT, in light of the reports of sudden cardiac death, warrants further investigation.” Dr. Riddock said in a news release.

“The correlation between energy drinks and increased systolic blood pressure is convincing and concerning, and more studies are needed to assess the impact on the heart rhythm,” noted lead researcher Sachin A. Shah, Pharm.D. “Patients with high blood pressures or long QT syndrome should use caution and judgment before consuming an energy drink. Since energy drinks also contain caffeine, people who do not normally drink much caffeine might have an exaggerated increase in blood pressure.”

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March 2013 News Articles 

The motivational qoute of the month:

"The human voice is the organ of the soul."

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: 19th century American
poet and educator

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Prepare for severe weather, urge NOAA and FEMA

Be a Force of Nature: know your risk, take action, be an example

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have partnered again this year for National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 3 to 9.During this week, NOAA and FEMA are calling on people across the country to Be a Force of Nature in their communities by preparing for severe weather and encouraging others to do so as well.

Severe weather is far more common than most people realize. The five most dangerous weather hazards -- tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, floods and winter storms, can be powerful and damaging. While spring is considered the height of the season, severe weather occurs in every month of the year. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather related fatalities and over 2,600 injuries.

“Improvements in the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts and warnings, and the way we communicate weather threats are helping the public stay safe,” said Dr. Louis Uccellini, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. “But this information can save lives and property only if individuals and communities know when and how to take proper action. Preparing for severe weather is a component of building a Weather-Ready Nation and is a national priority.”

“Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We urge everyone to take steps in advance and to pledge to prepare, take action and share what you have done with others. You can find information on how to prepare for severe weather at Ready.gov.”

Be a Force of Nature - Every one of us has the potential to help our communities prepare for extreme weather by following these guidelines:

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Every state in the United States has experienced tornadoes and severe weather, so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk. Check the weather forecast regularly and visit Ready.gov/severeweather to learn more about how to be better prepared and how you can protect your family when severe weather strikes.

Take Action, Pledge to Prepare: Be a Force of Nature by making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. Pledge to prepare at Ready.gov. Fill out your family communications plan that you can email to yourself, put together an emergency kit, and keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

Stay informed by having multiple sources for weather alerts such as a NOAA Weather Radio, Weather.gov, and Wireless Emergency Alerts. And, sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials.

Be an example: Once you have taken action, Be a Force of Nature by telling family, friends, and co-workers to do the same. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered through your social media network.

Create a preparedness video and post on a video sharing site; post your story through your social media network and comment on a blog. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to help us achieve the vision of a Weather-Ready Nation.

Join us today and pledge to prepare for the severe weather in our area.

In partnership, NOAA and FEMA have developed a tool kit that can be found at ready.gov/severeweather that includes key information related to severe weather. Each day of severe weather week, NOAA and FEMA will share key information on preparedness such as how to develop an emergency plan, what to include in a plan, tips to better understand a forecast, and steps to recovery through our social channels. Follow us today.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels at social media channels.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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February 2013 News Atricles

Camp Lejeune Veterans: Health Care

 Veterans already enrolled in VA health care can contact their local VA medical facility to receive care under the new law. Veterans who are not enrolled should apply for VA health care benefits by completing a VA Form 10-10EZ. The application can be submitted online, by calling toll-free 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or in person at their local VA medical care facility. To find the location of the nearest VA medical facility, use the facility locator.

Certain Family members who resided at Camp Lejeune will be eligible for health care once Congress appropriates funds to VA and final regulations are published. Family members can call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) to obtain more information.

The VA Office of Public Health website provides information about Camp Lejeune water contamination here.

 The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provides information on its website. The US Marine Corps also maintains information here and encourages all who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune before 1987 to register to receive notifications.

•Bladder cancer
• Miscarriage
• Breast cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Esophageal cancer
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Female infertility
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Hepatic steatosis
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Kidney cancer
• Renal toxicity
• Leukemia
• Scleroderma
• Lung Cancer

Terry J. Walters is the Co-Chair of the VA Camp Lejeune Task Force and Deputy Chief Consultant of Post Deployment Health in the Office of Public Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

I was stationed at Camp Lejeune located in Jacksonville, North Carolina from 1979 to 1984.  I got exposed during that time. The Commandant of the United States Marine Corps sent me a letter of notification and a survey from the CDC.   Its very important that you contact your local Veterans Affairs Office for those stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from January 1, 1957 through December 31, 1987.

Dr. Jerome Yelder, Sr.

Veterans Service Officer at Veterans CareGivers.com and Give an Hour Non-Profit Organization.

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Comprehensive Health and Family Services will launch a new program that target High-Risk Youth. The program will accept referrals from Juvenile Courts, DSS and Schools for the At Risk Home Based Program which will be available nationally.   Comprehensive Health and Family Services At-Risk Home Based Program offer employment of new jobs positions creation.   

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November 2012 News Articles

Comprehensive Health and Family Services received a Certificate of Appreciation for distinguished service in support of U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Preparedness Month.

October 2012 News Articles

“Love Hormone” Oxytocin May Block Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

The hormone oxytoxin, known as the “love hormone” because of its role in social bonding, may help block symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, a new small study suggests.

Previous studies conducted in rodents have shown the hormone can block alcohol and heroin withdrawal symptoms, Time reports. If given before someone becomes addicted, oxytocin might prevent the development of tolerance and dependence, according to the magazine.

The new study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, included 11 people whose alcoholism produced withdrawal symptoms that were not severe enough to cause potentially life-threatening seizures.

During detox, people with alcoholism generally are given benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam) or Ativan (lorazepam), to relieve withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. People who do not suffer seizures are given the drugs as needed, so the amount of benzodiazepines they take can be used as a measure of how severe their withdrawal is.

The study found participants given oxytocin through a nasal spray needed almost five times less lorazepam, compared with those given a placebo medication. They also experienced less anxiety. Oxytocin itself is not addictive, the article notes.

The researchers say their study is the first evidence that oxytocin may block alcohol withdrawal symptoms in humans. They add the results should be considered very preliminary, because the study was so small.
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Some Groups in Low-Income Neighborhoods at Increased Risk for Problem Drinking

Adults living in low-income neighborhoods are generally more likely to be non-drinkers, compared with people living in higher income areas—except for black and Hispanic men, a new study concludes.

The study of almost 14,000 adults found among people who drink, black adults in low-income neighborhoods are more likely than those in wealthier areas to be heavy drinkers, HealthDay reports. Black men and white women from low-income neighborhoods who drink are more likely than their wealthier peers to suffer drinking-related consequences, the study found. These include fights, run-ins with the police and trouble at work.

“There are a lot of aspects of your environment that can affect your drinking behavior and what happens when you do choose to drink,” lead researcher Katherine Karriker-Jaffe of the Public Health Institute’s Alcohol Research Group in Emeryville, California, said in a journal news release. Although low-income neighborhoods may have many places to obtain alcohol, a person may drink less because they may not be able to afford alcohol, or they may have cultural beliefs that discourage drinking, she said.

Karrifer-Jaffe said increased levels of drinking in black men may be related to the high levels of stress in their lives.

The study is published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

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September 2012 News Articles

HIV and AIDS--Medicines to Help You

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person with HIV is called HIV positive (HIV+).

HIV makes it hard for your body to fight off sickness. There are cells in your blood called "CD4 cells" or "T cells". These cells help protect your body from disease. HIV kills these cells. A person with HIV does not have as many of these cells as a healthy person.

There is hope.

There are drugs that can treat HIV and help people live longer. These medicines help to keep the virus from building up in your body. These drugs do not stop you from spreading HIV. You can still give the disease to someone else.

People with HIV may need to take 3 or more different medicines every day. You and your doctor will decide which ones are right for you. It is important that you take your HIV medicines every day. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor. Over time, you can get very sick if you do not take your medicines.

Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about the HIV medicines you are taking. This guide provides some basic facts about the HIV medicines that have been approved by the FDA.

There are many things you can do to help improve your health.

• Work closely with your doctor to monitor your health.
• Take your medicine.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Quit smoking and using illegal drugs.
• Get regular exercise.

Women and HIV

Women from all backgrounds and cultures can get HIV. However, increasing numbers of African American and Latino women have HIV.

Learn the facts about women and HIV. Educate yourself to help you live longer. Educate yourself so that you can teach other women how to prevent HIV and AIDS.

Did you know?

• Most women get HIV from having unprotected sex with men.
• A woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
• A woman can also pass HIV to her baby during breastfeeding.
• A pregnant woman can take medicine to lower the chance of giving her baby HIV. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of taking medicines for HIV. Some anti-HIV medicines should not be taken during pregnancy because they can cause birth defects.
• Babies born to women with HIV may need to take anti-HIV medicines after birth to lower the chance that they will get HIV. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your baby.
• Women who are HIV positive should get regular pap smears and exams to test them for other health problems.
• Women with HIV are more likely to have:
  • Vaginal yeast infections
  • Other infections such bacterial vaginosis
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhea or HPV
  • Changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer

Anti-HIV Medicines

The main drug treatment for people with HIV is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (also called HAART). HAART drugs help to slow the growth of HIV in your body.

HAART is made up of different kinds of medicines:

1. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

2. Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)

3. Protease Inhibitors

4. Fusion Inhibitors

5. Integrase Inhibitors

6. Entry Inhibitors

7. Combination Drugs

The seven different groups of HAART drugs are listed on this page. The brand names and generic names are listed for each drug.

Risks and Side Effects

The drugs used to treat HIV can sometimes cause side effects. Side effects may be different depending on the person and the kind of medicine. Some people have no side effects. Others can have very bad side effects.

Tell your doctor about any side effects you are having. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may tell you tips to help you cope with the side effects. The doctor may also decide to have you take different drugs.

This guide does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each HAART drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Information about specific drugs can also be found on the FDA Web site at: Index to Drug-Specific Information²

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors: What You Should Know

This guide does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Warnings

• Women should not breastfeed while taking these medicines.
• These medicines may cause lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood).
• These medicines may cause serious liver or pancreas problems.
• People with liver problems including hepatitis and people with kidney problems should talk to their doctor before taking these medicines.
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).

Warning Signs

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Feeling very weak or tired
• Problems Breathing
• Weakness in arms and legs
• Tingling, numbness, or pain in feet or hands
• Skin or eyes look yellow
• Pain in the upper stomach area

Common Side Effects

• Trouble sleeping
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Upset stomach
• Mild nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Do not feel like eating

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors: What You Should Know

This guide does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Warnings

• Women should not breastfeed while taking these medicines.
• These medicines may cause serious liver problems or severe skin rashes.
• People with liver problems including hepatitis and people with kidney problems should talk to their doctor before taking these medicines.
• Women with CD4 counts higher than 250 should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking Viramune (Nevirapine).
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).

Warning Signs

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Feeling tired
• Do not feel like eating
• Dark urine (looks like tea)
• Pale stools
• Upset stomach/ nausea
• Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)
• Pain, aches, or sensitivity to touch on right side below your ribs

Also call your doctor right away if you have a severe rash along with blisters, swelling, pink eye, fever, muscle/ joint pain, or mouth sores.

Common Side Effects

• Skin rash
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Problems concentrating
• Feeling tired
• Vomiting
• Trouble sleeping
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Strange dreams

Protease Inhibitors

Protease Inhibitors: What You Should Know

This guide does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Warnings

• Women taking birth control pills need to use another birth control method.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking. Protease Inhibitors may cause serious health problems or death if mixed with other medicines.
• These medicines may cause serious liver problems.
• These medicines may cause increased bleeding in people with hemophilia.
• These medicines may make diabetes worse or cause people to get diabetes.
• Some people taking protease inhibitors notice large increases in their cholesterol.
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).
• Women should not breastfeed while taking these medicines.

Warning Signs

Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:

• Serious skin rash
• Feeling very weak or tired
• Unusual muscle pain
• Trouble breathing
• Stomach pain with nausea and vomiting

Common Side Effects

• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Nausea (Upset Stomach)
• Vomiting
• Feeling Tired
• Headache

Fusion Inhibitors

Fusion Inhibitors: What You Should Know

This guide does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Warnings

• People taking Fuzeon with other HIV medicines may be more likely to get pneumonia. Tell your doctor if you have a cough, fever, or trouble breathing.
• Women should not breastfeed while taking Fuzeon.
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).

Warning Signs

Fuzeon may cause serious allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs.

• Trouble breathing
• Fever with vomiting and a skin rash
• Blood in urine
• Swelling of the feet

Common Side Effects

• Itching, redness, pain, bumps or swelling where the shot is given
• Pain and numbness in feet or legs
• Problems sleeping
• Depression
• Weakness or loss of strength
• Muscle pain
• Constipation

Integrase Inhibitors

Integrase Inhibitors: What You Should Know

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

• Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should talk to their doctor before taking Isentress (Raltegravir).
  
  
• Women should not breastfeed while taking Isentress (Raltegravir).
  
  
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies before you start taking Isentress (Raltegravir).
  
  
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).

Warning Signs

You should also see your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
• Signs of an infection

Common Side Effects

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headache

Entry Inhibitors

Entry Inhibitors: What You Should Know

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Warnings

• People with liver problems including Hepatitis B or C should talk to their doctor before taking Selzentry (Maraviroc).
  
  
• People with kidney problems or heart problems should talk to their doctor before taking Selzentry (Maraviroc).
  
  
• Tell your doctor if you are taking high blood pressure medicines or if you have low blood pressure.
  
  
• Do not drive a car or use heavy machinery if you feel dizzy while taking Selzentry (Maraviroc).
  
  
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies before you start taking Selzentry (Maraviroc).
  
  
• Women should not breastfeed while taking Selzentry (Maraviroc).
  
  
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).

Warning Signs

Selzentry may cause serious liver problems. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Itchy rash on your body
• Skin or eyes look yellow
• Dark (tea- colored) urine
• Vomiting and stomach pain

You should also see your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Nausea
• Flu-like symptoms
• Fatigue

Serious Side Effects

• Possible chance of infection or cancer

Common Side Effects

• Cough
• Fever
• Colds
• Rash
• Muscle and Joint Pain
• Stomach Pain
• Dizziness

Multi-Class Combination Drugs

Combination Drugs: What You Should Know

This guide does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each drug. Check the drug label and ask your doctor for the side effects and warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Warnings

• Atripla may cause lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood).
• Atripla may cause serious liver problems.
• People who have kidney or liver problems including Hepatitis B should talk to their doctor before using this medicine.
• People who have ever had seizures and people taking medicines for seizure should talk to their doctor before using this medicine.
• People who have ever had mental illness and people with bone problems should talk to their doctor before using this medicine
• Women should not get pregnant or breast feed while taking Atripla.
• Women taking birth control pills need to use another birth control method.
• In some cases, people taking HIV medicines notice changes in body fat (like extra fat in the neck or upper back or loss of fat in the face or arms).

Warning Signs

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Feeling very weak or tired
• Unusual muscle pain
• Trouble breathing
• Stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Dark urine
• Light colored stools
• Loss of appetite for several days
• Upset stomach (nausea)
• Stomach pain
• Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)

Common Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling drowsy
• Problems concentrating
• Unusual dreams

Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What drugs am I taking?
• What are the side effects of taking these drugs?
• What do I do if I start having bad side effects?
• What other prescription drugs should I avoid while taking my HIV medicines?
• What herbs (like St. John's Wort) or over-the-counter medicines should I avoid?
• When should I take each drug?
• Should I take my medicines with food?
• How should I keep my medicines when I go out of town?
• How long can I stay on this regimen?

Ask your doctor to tell you what you should know about your HIV medicines. Write down the important facts in the space below.

My Regimen:

It is important that you take your HIV medicines exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not skip a pill. The medicines may not work correctly if you skip a pill.

Here are some tips to help you remember when to take your HIV medicines.

• Use a schedule or planner
• Set the alarm on your watch or clock
• Find a friend to remind you
• Use a pillbox to help you organize your pills

My Medicine Schedule

To Learn More

FDA Office of Special Health Issues
FDA HIV/AIDS Info
Web: www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/virals.html¹⁰

AIDS.gov

US Department of Health and Human Services
Web: http://aids.gov/¹¹

AIDSinfo
US Department of Health and Human Services
Web: www.aidsinfo.nih.gov¹²
Phone: 1-800-448-0440
TTY/TTD: 888-480-3739

CDC
US Department of Health and Human Services
Web: www.cdc.gov/hiv/¹³
Phone: 1-800-232-4636
TTY/TTD: 1-888-232-6348

This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available to FDA concerning these products. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or analyses become available.

For the most recent information about each drug, check Drugs@FDA: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda 

August 2012 News Articles

Eligible for Government Financing? Use SBA's Search Tool Looking to grow your business? Not sure youll qualify for a traditional business bank loan? SBA's program of government-backed (or guaranteed) loans make it possible for many small businesses to get the financing they need to grow their business without using working capital. > Read more   Do Your Email Marketing Activities Comply with the Law? Do you use or are you thinking of using email to connect with your prospects and customers? The payoffs can be fruitful, but did you know that every email you send to your customers must comply with the law? Heres what you need to know. > Read more Give Your Blog a Boost How to Find and Work with Guest Bloggers If you have a blog, then you likely face the challenges of coming up with ideas, finding time to write, and lets face it keeping that blog alive. One recommendation for keeping your blog fresh is with a guest blogger program. These tips can help you find and work with guest bloggers. > Read more Use the Dog Days   Rethink Your Marketing Strategy Is August a slow season for your small business? For many, business slows down as the days heat up. Fortunately, that makes the rest of the month the ideal time to reassess your marketing strategy. Here are some tips. > Read more Are You Prepared For a Disaster? Start your disaster recovery plan today with free tools from SBA.   LEARN MORE Counseling and Training Get free business training and counseling - online and across the country.   LEARN MORE Online Government Contracting Training Understanding government contracts and how to obtain them.   LEARN MORE ___________________________________________ Embassy Suites Columbia 200 Stoneridge Dr. Columbia, SC 29210 803-252-8700 NAMI SC group room rate of $121. Mention NAMI SC when reserving your room. Upcoming Events from NAMI South Carolina Dear Jerome, Save the date for NAMI South Carolina's Best Conference Lineup Ever! The annual NAMI South Carolina State Conference will be September 28-29 at the Embassy Suites in Columbia. Featuring the following Plenary Sessions: Back by popular demand: Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, M.D., Psychiatrist, Former President of NAMI National- Living Successfully with Bipolar Disorder. Dan Westbrook and Stuart Andrews- Partners with Nelson-Mullins Law Firm. Discussing and updating the Class Action Suit Against the Department of Corrections' Treatment of the Mentally Ill.   Bull Street Behind the Wall- Panel Discussion with John Morris-Former Director of Mental Health and National President of Mental Health America, Buck Terry- Advocate, Former Board Member of NAMI SC and MHA, Current Mental Health Commissioner, and John Magill- Current Director of the Department of Mental Health. Breakouts Featuring: Joshua Smith, Ph.D.- Dual Diagnosis Don DuBose, M.D., M.S.- ADHD, Autism, Medications Tom Mayne- Disability, SSI, SSDI Mary Hall- DBT Patricia Frish, Ph.D.- Author of Polarized- a Bipolar Memoir Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, M.D.- Ask the Doctor NAMI Programs- Betsey O'Brien, Director of Education Programs and Michelle Ready, State Trainer Carol Crabtree- Double Trouble-Dual Diagnosis Program.

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July 2012 News Articles

Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh Shares Hepatitis B Awareness Tools for AAPI Communities

Posted: 17 Jul 2012 02:59 PM PDT

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2 Let The Games Begin: Dad Games 2012 As the nation cheers on Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics, we're also cheering for Team Dad in The Dad Games of 2012! Every week we'll have a challenge for fathers to be a Gold Medal Dad by giving them specific and fun actions to help build their connection with their children. It's important for dads to invest in their relationship with their kids no matter what, but we're excited to make it extra fun this month with great prizes and giveaways - including autographed memorabilia from celebrity athletes and free skin care products for men! Know of any dads who may be interested in participating? Have them sign-up to receive our Dad E-mail and join Team Dad!

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Advocates Call for State Laws to Encourage People to Seek Help for Overdose Victims

Advocates around the nation are pushing for state laws that give people limited immunity on drug possession charges if they seek medical help for someone suffering from an overdose, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Eight states have passed such Good Samaritan laws during the past five years, the article notes. A similar measure is under consideration in the District of Columbia, but faces opposition from prosecutors and police.

Critics of the laws say they are equivalent to get-out-of-jail-free cards. The measures condone drug use, and could prevent police from investigating drug dealing, or juvenile drug use, they argue.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington found 88 percent of opiate users surveyed in the state, which passed a Good Samaritan law in 2010, said they would now be more likely to call 911 during an overdose. The study found 62 percent of police surveyed said they would not make an arrest for possession anyway, so their behavior would not be changed by the law.

Most of the state laws protect people from prosecution if they have small quantities of drugs and seek medical aid after an overdose. The laws are designed to limit immunity to drug possession, so that large supplies of narcotics would remain illegal.

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May 2012 News Articles

Choosing Treatment for Pregnant Women Addicted to Opioids

Doctors caring for pregnant women addicted to opioids may face a difficult choiceshould they treat with methadone or buprenorphine? While a study published in 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine provides some guidance, physicians must consider the individual circumstances of the mother, says study co-author Karol Kaltenbach, PhD, Director of Maternal Addiction Treatment Education and Research at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

She spoke recently about treating pregnant women for opioid addiction at the 2012 Ruth Fox Course for Physicians, part of the American Society for Addiction Medicine annual conference.

Methadone is the recommended treatment for pregnant women who are addicted to opioids. When properly used, methadone is considered relatively safe for the newborn. But it is associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a group of symptoms caused by opioid withdrawal in the newborn that often require medical treatment and long hospitalization.

The 2010 study found that compared with methadone, buprenorphine resulted in similar maternal outcomes, but buprenorphine was better than methadone in reducing withdrawal symptoms in the newborns. This meant babies required less medication and less time in the hospital.

The Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) trial included 131 pregnant women who were addicted to opioids, such as heroin or prescription pain medication, with low rates of other illicit drug use. This meant the researchers knew that cases of NAS were caused by opioids, and not other drugs, said Dr. Kaltenbach, who is also Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Jefferson Medical College.

Buprenorphine is a newer medication, and less is known about its effect in pregnant women and their babies. Our study was not seeking to replace methadone as an option for treatment of opioid dependence, Dr. Kaltenbach says. We wanted to clearly delineate the different effects of the two medications.

There have been no changes in the recommendations for treatment of opioid-addicted pregnant women since the study was published, she notes. A physicians decision has to be made on whats clinically best for the mother, she says. If a woman has been successfully maintained on buprenorphine, she should continue on that drug, and the same holds for methadone.

She says the transition from methadone to buprenorphine can be difficult. Even though the infant outcomes are better at birth, and we want to minimize the hospital stay for the babies, we also need to consider the health of the motherif methadone is effective for her, she should stay on it.

Pregnant women who are addicted to opioids who have never been treated for their addiction are probably good candidates to start buprenorphine, Dr. Kaltenbach states. If that doesnt prove to be effective, she can easily be transferred to methadone.

Many doctors are uncomfortable starting pregnant women on buprenorphine, since there is less experience of using buprenorphine in this population. Our trial had very rigorous monitoring conditions, in that we hospitalized all of the women for induction onto buprenorphine or methadone so we could maximize their safety and ensure they werent going into withdrawal, Dr. Kaltenbach says. But thats not necessarily feasible in community-based organizations or private practices that are treating pregnant women with opioid addiction.

The study also focused on women who were addicted to opioids, but not to other substances, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol. In real life, most women using opioids also use benzodiazepines, which affects NAS, making it longer in duration and harder to treat, she notes.

Dr. Kaltenbach and her colleagues received additional funding to follow the infants in the study through their first three years to see how they developed. The data is currently being analyzed

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2012

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Health care law increases payments to doctors for primary care

Primary care providers received additional Medicare payments in 2011; will receive boost in Medicaid funding in 2013 and 2014

Primary care physicians serving Medicaid patients would see their Medicaid payments rise under a proposed rule announced today by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Through the Affordable Care Act, the increase would bring Medicaid primary care service fees in line with those paid by Medicare. The boost would be in effect for calendar years (CY) 2013 and 2014. States would receive a total of more than $11 billion in new funds to bolster their Medicaid primary care delivery systems.

Secretary Sebelius also announced today that, in 2011, over 150,000 primary care providers nationwide received almost $560 million in higher Medicare payments because of the Affordable Care Act. This is another way the Affordable Care Act rewards doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other primary care providers who are central to our health care system.

Promoting high-quality primary care is a pillar of the Affordable Care Act, and this proposed rule helps States and physicians provide every American, no matter where they live, access to the care they need to stay healthy, Secretary Sebelius said. This new rule can help improve health and reduce costs by preventing illnesses before they happen and catching small problems before they turn into big ones.

Todays proposed rule would implement the Affordable Care Acts requirement that Medicaid reimburse family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatric medicine, and related subspecialists at Medicare levels in CY 2013 and CY 2014. The increase in payment for primary care is paid entirely by the federal government with no matching payments required of States.

The payment increase proposed today will be an important tool for States to ensure their primary care networks are prepared for increased enrollment as the health care law is implemented, said Marilyn Tavenner, acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Todays action will help encourage primary care physicians to continue and expand their efforts to provide checkups, preventive screenings, vaccines, and other care to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Todays announcement is another piece of the Obama administrations efforts to support the primary care workforce and ensure every American has high quality affordable care, including preventive services. It comes shortly after Secretary Sebelius announced Affordable Care Act grants to help build and expand community health centers across the country.

The health care law also includes other initiatives to bolster primary care and support the primary care workforce, including efforts to boost primary care residency slots, physician assistant and nurse practitioner training, and the National Health Service Corps.

For more information about todays proposed rule visit: www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx.

April 2012 News Articles

Linda Halliday of the VA's Office of Inspector General testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on April 25 at a hearing that focused on VAs mental health care.

Nearly seven years after problems with wait-time data were uncovered, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) still has a patient-scheduling system that is "broken," according to Linda Halliday of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG). And on April 25, Halliday testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) at a hearing that focused on VAs mental health care.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., opened the hearing as committee chair and quickly drew attention to an OIG report released April 23 that found VHAs data on waiting times for mental health care patients was grossly inaccurate. Murray said the OIG findings "show some serious discrepancies in what VA has been telling this committee" and that "the existing scheduling system is hopelessly insufficient and needs to be replaced." She said VA "is failing to meet its own mandates for timeliness, and instead is finding ways to make the date look like they are complying."

While VHA reported, for fiscal year 2011, that 95 percent of first-time patients received full mental health evaluations within 14 days, Halliday testified that OIGs analysis "projected that VHA provided only 49 percent (approximately 184,000) of first-time patients their evaluations within 14 days." The report also noted that VHA completed only 64 percent of new patient appointments within 14 days of their desired date.

"We found VHAs mental-health performance data is not accurate or reliable," Halliday told the committee. "VHAs measures do not adequately reflect critical dimensions of mental health-care access." She said that inaccuracies in data collected by VHA on mental-health staffing and productivity made it less useful for VHA decision-makers to "evaluate productivity across the system, and establish mental-health staffing and productivity standards."

American Legion National Commander Fang A. Wong said the hearing "shines a bright light on the problems VHA continues to have with its data collection on waiting times for our veterans being treated for mental-health issues. We can understand a four- or five-percent margin of error in these statistics, but they were off by almost 50 percent. How does one account for such wild inaccuracy by a federal agency? Especially one that is responsible for treating our veterans?"

Wong said the Legion has urged VA to increase its mental-health care staff and facilities. "Adding 1,900 more positions in mental health care is a step in the right direction, but it now appears they may be in need of some new data analysts at VHA." They should have gotten the message by now. We saw this problem crop up in two previous OIG audits one in 2005 and another in 2007. And their patient-scheduling problem still isnt fixed. The American Legion is asking the same question as Congress asked at the hearing: Why?"


The SVAC held two previous hearings on VA mental health care last year in July and November. Murray said the committee was finding "a discrepancy between what VA was telling us, and what the providers were saying" and called upon the VAs OIG "to investigate the true availability of mental health-care services at VA facilities."

William Schoenhard, testifying for VA, agreed with OIGs assessment that the patient-scheduling system needs to be revised. He also said mental-health services must continue to be further integrated into primary care, and that stigmas associated with mental health care need to be addressed. "Madame Chairman, we know our work to improve the delivery of mental health care to veterans will never be done. We appreciate your support and encouragement in identifying and resolving challenges, as we find new ways to care for veterans."

VA has been working to develop a new scheduling system for its patients. "VA officials told us that their new scheduling package would be open-sourced and could take up to two years to put into place," said Jacob Gadd, deputy director of health in the Legions Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division. "We most assuredly applaud VAs addition of 1,900 additional mental health-care workers, but without an accurate and effective scheduling system, how will optimal use be made of all those new clinicians and support staff?"

While the committee members asked many tough questions during the hearing, Murray made it clear that "while we have discussed a number of problems with the system at large, none of this reflects poorly on VAs providers. I believe I can speak for all of us in thanking VAs many mental health providers for the incredible job they do. Let there be no mistake, these individuals are incredibly dedicated in their mission."

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HHS announces new Affordable Care Act options for community-based care

Medicaid and Medicare introduce greater flexibility for beneficiaries to receive care at home or in settings of their choice

New opportunities in Medicaid and Medicare that will allow people to more easily receive care and services in their communities rather than being admitted to a hospital or nursing home were announced today by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

HHS finalized the Community First Choice rule, which is a new state plan option under Medicaid, and announced the participants in the Independence At Home Demonstration program. The demonstration encourages primary care practices to provide home-based care to chronically ill Medicare patients.

Both are made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Studies have shown that home- and community-based care can lead to better health outcomes.

We know that people frequently prefer to receive services in their own homes and communities whenever possible. The rule and demonstration announced today give people choice and provide states with flexibility to design programs that better meet the needs of beneficiaries, Secretary Sebelius said. Prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, many families had few choices beyond nursing homes or other institutions for their loved ones. The actions taken today will help change that and can lead to better health for these individuals.

The final rule released today on the Community First Choice Option provides states choosing to participate in this option a six percentage point increase in federal Medicaid matching funds for providing community-based attendant services and supports to beneficiaries who would otherwise be confined to a nursing home or other institution.

Also today, the first 16 organizations that will participate in the new Independence at Home Demonstration were announced. They will test whether delivering primary care services in the home can improve the quality of care and reduce costs for patients living with chronic illnesses. These 16 organizations were selected from a competitive pool of more than 130 applications representing hundreds of health care providers interested in delivering this new model of care.

The Independence at Home demonstration, which is voluntary for Medicare beneficiaries, provides chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries with a complete range of in-home primary care services. Under the demonstration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will partner with primary care practices led by physicians or nurse practitioners to evaluate the extent to which delivering primary care services in a home setting is effective in improving care for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions and reducing costs. Up to 10,000 Medicare patients with chronic conditions will be able to get most of the care they need at home.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2012, and conclude May 31, 2015.

HHS is also seeking comment on a proposed rule that describes a separate Home and Community-Based Services state plan option, which was originally authorized in 2005 then enhanced by the Affordable Care Act. Like the Community First Choice Option, this benefit will make it easier for states to provide Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services.

Our goal is to provide person-centered support to every Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary, regardless of their physical ability or chronic health conditions, Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said. These services and programs will help keep these individuals health stable, and keep them home where they want to be, while giving us even more tools to achieve better care for the patient, better health for the population, all at lower costs.

The announcements made today are one part of the Obama administrations efforts to help people with disabilities and those living with chronic illness stay in their own homes when they wish to do so. Earlier this month, Secretary Sebelius announced the creation of the new Administration for Community Living, bringing together key HHS organizations and offices dedicated to improving the lives of Americans with functional needs into one coordinated and stronger entity. This new agency will work on increasing access to community supports and achieving full community participation for seniors and people with disabilities.

For more information on the Administration for Community Living visit: http://www.hhs.gov/acl/.

For more information on the Community First Choice Option visit: http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp.

For more information on the Independence at Home demonstration and the organizations selected to participate visit: http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/independence-at-home.

The rules may be viewed at www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx.

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March 2011 News Articles

What is Bullying?

Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm.

Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves:

• Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves
• Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm
• Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group

Types of Bullying

Bullying can take many forms. Examples include:

• Verbal: name-calling, teasing
• Social:spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships
• Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
• Cyberbullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others

An act of bullying may fit into more than one of these groups. Go to Stop Bullying.gov

PEPFAR Partners in Global Effort To Eliminate Sexual Violence Against Girls

By Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (Cross-posted from the State Department Blog)

This week, we celebrate International Women's Day. According to the World Health Organization, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 15-44, and nearly 60 percent of the people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women. Throughout the week, PEPFAR will be highlighting its work in addressing gender and the needs of women in this epidemic.

Sexual violence against girls is a global human rights injustice with severe health and social consequences. The data are stark. In 2002, the World Health Organization estimated that 150 million girls had experienced sexual violence sometime in their lives. This tragedy is not unique to one country or continent. Rich and poor nations, urban and rural populations -- all are afflicted, with devastating impacts on the lives of survivors and disastrous effects on society.

In addition, sexual violence against girls has dire public health consequences. Girls who are survivors of sexual violence are at increased biological risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Evidence also suggests sexual violence alters the life path of many girls, leading them down a road of depression, substance abuse and high-risk behavior. In sub-Saharan Africa, girls are two to 4.5 times more likely to become infected with HIV than boys, and women constitute approximately 60 percent of those living with HIV.

Continue reading "PEPFAR Partners in Global Effort To Eliminate Sexual Violence Against Girls"

Posted at 06:26 PM in Ambassador Eric Goosby, PEPFAR | Permalink |

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

By David Vos, Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

David Vos, HUD

I am pleased to share with you the Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) implementation plan for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). HUD is committed to working with our Federal and community partners to ensure the success of this national response to HIV/AIDS. In addition to the attached summary, I invite you to review HUDs plan as posted on AIDS.gov.

Research has demonstrated that stable housing is an effective strategy in both reducing an individuals HIV risk and increasing treatment adherence for persons living with HIV/AIDS. As the nations housing agency, HUDs contributions will involve actions to maximize the effective use of housing resources and to enhance integration of housing programs with comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and supportive services. HUDs FY2010-2015 Strategic Plan and Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness (PDF 3MB) will also serve as foundations for carrying out these efforts.

These new documents are unified in proposing actions to increase stable housing for low-income, homeless and special needs populations, and to enhance their access to health care, supportive services, income supports, employment and other assistance. The Office of HIV/AIDS Housing will work with its Federal and community partners to develop place-based approaches to more effectively plan, deliver, and evaluate Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs and other related resources. Place-based approaches recognize that different places face vastly different challenges, which require very different solutions. This approach enables communities to identify distinct needs and develop locally-driven, integrated, and place-conscious solutions. Communities that have demonstrated success in this arena will be identified as

model programs and will help inform our efforts to achieve housing stability and improved health outcomes for persons living with HIV/AIDS in other communities. As the partnerships with community efforts make use of multiple resources to achieve housing stability and improved health, HUD is also seeking to better engage with program stakeholders, grant administrators, area providers and program clients to enhance our results.

Continue reading "The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy "

Posted at 02:21 PM in Housing, National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Policy | Permalink |

PEPFARMarch 08, 2011

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission: Creating Better Health for Women, Children, and Families

By Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (Cross-posted from the State Department Blog)

This week, we celebrate International Women's Day. According to the World Health Organization, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 15-44, and nearly 60 percent of the people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women. Throughout the week, PEPFAR will be highlighting its work in addressing gender and the needs of women in this epidemic.

Pregnant women in developing countries face a range of obstacles in getting health services they need, including support to protect their babies from HIV. Mother-to-child transmission is a significant cause of new HIV infections among children worldwide. Yet interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) are extraordinarily effective. Without PMTCT, 25-40 percent of babies of HIV-positive mothers will be born infected; with PMTCT that number can be reduced to below 5 percent. PMTCT has a triple life-saving benefit: saving the life of the woman, protecting her newborn from HIV infection, and protecting the family from orphanhood. Because it works so well and touches so many lives, PMTCT is a smart investment for PEPFAR -- high-impact and cost-effective.

Continue reading "Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission: Creating Better Health for Women, Children, and Families"

Posted at 05:30 PM in Ambassador Eric Goosby, PEPFAR | Permalink |

Taking Action for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: What can you do?

By Jennie Anderson, AIDS.gov Communications Director

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). This annual observance encourages people to take action around HIV and to educate each other about the epidemic's impact on women and girls. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), "Women and girls of colorespecially black women and girlsbear a disproportionately heavy burden of HIV infection. In 2009, for adult and adolescent females, the rate of diagnoses of HIV infection for black females was nearly 20 times as high as the rate for white females and approximately 4 times as high as the rate for Hispanic/Latino females".

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH) is the lead organizer for the day and this years theme is Women and Girls Taking Action in the Fight against HIV/AIDS. What can YOU do? Throughout March, many local organizations in the United States will hold HIV education and testing events. If you want to know whats happening in your area, we encourage you to check out these event listings. Also, do you have a Twitter account? If so, don't forget to use the hashtag #NWGHAAD for all of your tweets around this observance.

Are you organizing an event for NWGHAAD? Or looking for a simple way to take action? Posters, graphics, web badges, and e-cards are available on the NWGHAAD resource pages. Now it's time for you to decide: What can you do?

Posted at 12:06 PM in Awareness Days, HIV/AIDS Awareness Days, New Media

December Newsletter

SCAYFL MENTOR PROGRAM

We are pleased that your youth mentoring program, South Carolina American Youth Football League, is now an active member of MENTOR's National Mentoring Database (NMD) and volunteer referral service. The NMD features a network of over 4,000 youth mentoring programs across the nation.

Thousands of prospective volunteers visit Mentoring.org each month and use a zip code search to find mentoring programs in their community. As an active member of the NMD, your program information appears to those searching within a radius of your program zip code(s), and you will receive volunteer referrals via email from prospective volunteers who have expressed an interest in your program. Remember to set your email to allow mail from @mentoring.org so that you will not miss your volunteer referrals.

Using the volunteer information provided via e-mail, we request that you contact those prospective mentors directly after receiving their inquiry. If you find that you are unable to contact prospective volunteers, please let us know right away so that volunteer inquiries do not remain unanswered.

RESEARCH ON ALCOHOL

New research from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) found one in three drivers killed on the road in 2009 had drugs in their system, USA Today reported Nov. 30.

Drug tests came back positive for a range of substances, from prescribed narcotics to illegal stimulants and anabolic steroids.

The results excluded drivers who tested positive for alcohol.

The data indicated a 5-percent jump in positive drug tests among traffic fatalities since 2005, an increase Office of National Drug Control Policy director Gil Kerlikowske said in an accompanying press release was "alarmingly high."

"Drugged driving is a much bigger public health threat than most Americans realize and unfortunately, it may be getting worse," said Kerlikowske.

"It is critical that communities across the nation address the threat of drugged driving as we redouble our efforts to make America's roadways safer by increasing public awareness, employing more targeted enforcement, and developing better tools to detect the presence of drugs among drivers."

Veterans and Military Health

Every racial or ethnic group has specific health concerns. Differences in the health of groups can result from

• Genetics
• Environmental factors
• Access to care
• Cultural factors

September Newsletter

FDA PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2010

Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 301-796-4668 , siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA acts against 5 electronic cigarette distributors
Agency cites unsubstantiated claims, poor manufacturing practices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued warning letters to five electronic cigarette distributors for various violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) including unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices.

Also today, in a letter to the Electronic Cigarette Association, FDA said the agency intends to regulate electronic cigarette and related products in a manner consistent with its mission of protecting the public health. The letteroutlines the regulatory pathway for marketing drug products in compliance with the FDCA.

For a drug product to gain FDA approval, a company must demonstrate to the agency that the product is safe and effective for its intended use. The company must also demonstrate that manufacturing methods are adequate to preserve the strength, quality and purity of the product.

FDA invites electronic cigarette firms to work in cooperation with the agency toward the goal of assuring that electronic cigarettes sold in the United States are lawfully marketed, the letter to the association read.

FDA has determined that the electronic cigarette products addressed in the warning letters to the distributors, and similar products, are subject to FDA regulation as drugs. Under the FDCA, a company cannot claim that its drug can treat or mitigate a disease, such as nicotine addiction, unless the drugs safety and effectiveness have been proven.Yet all five companies claim without FDA review of relevant evidence that the products help users quit smoking cigarettes.

The companies receiving warning letters today are: E-CigaretteDirect LLC, Ruyan America Inc., Gamucci America (Smokey Bayou Inc.), E-Cig Technology Inc. and Johnsons Creek Enterprises LLC.

Certain companies received warning letters for additional reasons. For example, E-Cig Technology markets drugs in unapproved liquid forms, such as tadalafil, an erectile dysfunction drug, and rimonabant, a weight loss drug that has not been approved for use in the United States. These liquid pharmaceuticals are designed to refill cartridges used in e-cigarettes so that the drugs can be vaporized and inhaled.

The FDA cited Johnson Creek Enterprises, which markets Smoke Juice, a liquid solution used to refill depleted cartridges in e-cigarettes, for several significant deficiencies in its manufacturing processes, including failure to establish quality control and testing procedures required under the FDCA.

For more information:

Letter to Electronic Cigarette Association (PDF - 39KB)
Questions and Answers
FDA Analysis of E-Cigarettes
Center for Tobacco Products
Warning Letters:
- E-CigaretteDirect LLC
- Ruyan America Inc
- Gamucci America (Smokey Bayou Inc)
- E-Cig Technology Inc
- Johnsons Creek Enterprises LLC

This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners.

DHS and FEMA Updates

Call for Stories!! Individuals Going Above and Beyond in Community Preparedness & Safety

The American spirit is steeped in an appreciation for individual contribution and the guiding principle of helping others. FEMA would like to recognize individuals who have made a difference in making their community safer and better prepared. These are people who have given their time and energy, offered skills and capabilities, been leaders in providing education and training, responded to crises and disasters, or simply made a call when they saw something suspicious. As a result, they have saved lives, property, or positively impacted their communities. These are the individuals we wish to highlight and celebrate.

Rich Text Area.By August 15, 2010 please send us stories about individuals who have made a difference in their community. Send us your stories by email, in a format that is best for you, to citizencorps@dhs.gov with Outstanding Individual in the subject line. We are excited to hear from you and look forward to providing awards for these great achievements. Thank you!

Spread the Word: National Preparedness Month 2010
September is National Preparedness Month! Make sure to get the word out. If you are using Twitter, include the tag #NPM10 in your Tweets to keep everyone in the loop! Citizen Corps has already started using the #NPM10 tag. If you are interested in learning more about National Preparedness Month 2010, check out the Ready.gov website for NPM 2010.

Citizen Corps Partners and Affiliates Updates

Governor Schwarzenegger Launches Disaster Corps
California Governor Schwarzenegger launched the Disaster Corps to professionalize, standardize and coordinate highly trained disaster volunteers statewide. Disaster Corps volunteers will be registered by their local government organization under the Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Program and will meet Disaster Corps training, typing, certification and security screening guidelines. According to the Governor,volunteers are an incredible resource, and no state has more giving, more passionate or more dedicated volunteers than California. Together, we will take volunteerism to a whole new level and make California better prepared and better equipped than ever before, for any emergency. Read the full article for more details.

Largest Day of Service in U.S. History to Observe 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
Following the passage of federal legislation that formally established 9/11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, a consortium of influential private and government entities today unveiled plans to organize the largest day of service in U.S. history in 2011 in observance of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The plans were announced by the 9/11 nonprofit MyGoodDeed. Please see the full article for more details.

NOAA Seeks Final Comments on Next Generation Strategic Plan
NOAA seeks final public comments on a plan that charts the future of the agency. Individuals can download a copy of the draft strategic plan and submit comments online via NOAA's Next Generation Strategic Plan website. The plan renews NOAAs mission and vision of the future in light of national and global challenges and new opportunities. The plan lays the foundation for NOAA to play a leading role in responding to the nation's most urgent challenges, ranging from climate change, severe weather, and natural or human-induced disasters to declining biodiversity and threatened or degraded ocean and coastal resources.

New Orleans to Host World's Largest Conference on Volunteering and Service in 2011
The world's largest gathering of service and volunteer leaders will hold its 2011 conference in New Orleans. With the Gulf Coast reeling from its second disaster-driven economic blow in five years, Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute and Co-Founder of the HandsOn Network, declared that the region's largest city was not just the natural choice to host the 2011 gatheringit was the only choice. See the full article here.

National Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15
An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners pets. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is joining ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club (AKC) for the third annual National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15 to spread awareness about how to prevent pets from starting home fires and keep pets safe in the event of an emergency. See full details here.

Emergency Preparedness Updates

Coping With a Disaster: Disaster Mental Health Resources
Following a disaster, when many people have suffered great losses, it is normal to feel sad, angry, or nervous. Some who have experienced a disaster may have bad feelings right away. Others may not notice a change until much later, after the crisis is over. It can take time to feel better and for things to return to normal, especially with so much loss. Many people find support and comfort by talking to family members, close friends, doctors, nurses, and religious leaders. Sometimes, help from mental health professionals may be needed. Links to CDC resources and those of other organizations are here. Individual experiences and needs may differ, so sites may be more helpful to some than others.

Gulf Oil Spill 2010: Information for Parents
Although oil may contain some chemicals that could cause harm to children, at this time the CDC expects the levels of these chemicals to be well below the level that could cause harm. The effects would depend on things like how children have come into contact with the oil, how much contact they have had with the oil, and if they have conditions such as asthma. See this CDC article for tips and resources to protect children.

Funding and Grants

HHS Provides $390.5 Million This Month to Improve Hospital Preparedness and Emergency Response
States, territories, and large metropolitan areas will receive grants totaling $390.5 million this month to help hospitals and other health care organizations strengthen the medical surge capability across the nation. The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response will provide the funds through the Hospital Preparedness Program. This grant funding will be used to enhance community resilience by increasing the ability of hospitals and healthcare facilities to respond to the public health and medical impacts of any emergency, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or acts of terrorism. For more details please read the full press release.

These news stories and other Individual & Community Preparedness news can be found on our website at www.citizencorps.gov.

Sincerely,

The National Office of Citizen Corps
FEMA Individual & Community Preparedness Division

UNAWARE HIV INFECTIONS IN THE US.

CDC estimates that more than one million people are living with HIV in the United States. One in five (21%) of those people living with HIV is unaware of their infection.
Despite increases in the total number of people living with HIV in the United States in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at far too high a level, with an estimated 56,300 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year.

More than 18,000 people with AIDS still die each year in the United States. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are strongly affected and represent the majority of persons who have died. Through 2007, more than 576,000 people with AIDS in the United States have died since the epidemic began.

By Risk Group Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): By risk group, gay, bisexual, and other MSM of all races remain the population most severely affected by HIV.

MSM account for more than half (53%) of all new HIV infections in the U.S. each year, as well as nearly half (48%) of people living with HIV.

While CDC estimates that MSM account for just 4% of the US male population aged 13 and older, the rate of new HIV diagnoses among MSM in the United States is more than 44 times that of other men and more than 40 times that of women.

White MSM account for the largest number of annual new HIV infections of any group in the United States, followed closely by black MSM.

HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.

HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006. HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006

This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.HIV Incidence and Prevalence, United States, 1977-2006
This graph is a line chart with the following movements
There solid representing People Living HIV/AIDS. The starts in 1997 zero infections remains flat until mid-way through 1979 when it to an upward curve. It then begins curve upwards sharply 1989 at about 700,000 infections, plateau 1996 where another steady incline year stops 1.1 million infections.

also dotted that represents New Infections. lines 1977 1981 increases 150,000 1984 decreases 100,000 1986 1991 again 40,000 Midway 1996, indicate increase number of 56,000 remains, stopping 2006.

* This fact sheet highlights key information about those most affected by HIV and AIDS in the United States. For information about other risk populations, visit www.cdc.gov/hiv.

The term men who have sex with men (MSM) is used in CDC surveillance systems. It indicates the behaviors that transmit HIV infection, rather than how individuals self-identify in terms of their sexuality.
HIV and AIDS in the United States Page 2
MSM is the only risk group in the U.S.
in which new HIV infections have been
increasing since the early 1990s.
Estimated number of New HIV
Infections in the United States, By
Transmission Category, 2006
IDU
12%
MSM-IDU
4%
MSM
53%
Heterosexual
31%
Hall HI, Song R, Rhodes P, et al. Estimation of HIV
Incidence in the United States. JAMA 2008;300:
520529.
Heterosexuals and Injection Drug Users:
Heterosexuals and injection drug users also
continue to be affected by HIV.
Individuals infected through heterosexual
contact account for 31% of annual new
HIV infections and 28% of people living
with HIV.
As a group, women account for 27% of
annual new HIV infections and 25% of
those living with HIV.
Injection drug users represent 12% of
annual new HIV infections and 19% of
those living with HIV.
By Race/Ethnicity
African Americans: Among racial/ethnic
groups, African Americans face the most
severe burden of HIV and AIDS in
the nation.
While blacks represent approximately
12% of the U.S. population, they account
for almost half (46%) of people living
with HIV in the United States, as well as
nearly half (45%) of new infections each
year. HIV infections among blacks overall
have been roughly stable since the
early 1990s.
At some point in their life, approximately
one in 16 black men will be diagnosed
with HIV, as will one in 30 black women.
The rate of new HIV infections for black
men is about six times as high as that
of white men, nearly three times that of
Hispanic men, and more than twice that of
black women.
The HIV incidence rate for black women
is nearly 15 times as high as that of white
women, and nearly four times that of
Hispanic women.
Estimates Rates of New HIV
Infections, By Race/Ethnicity, 2006
Cases per 100,000 Population
0
20
40
60
80
100
African American
Hispanic/Latino
American Indian/Alaska Native
White
Asian/Pacific Islander
Hall HI, Song R, Rhodes P, et al. Estimation of HIV
Incidence in the United States. JAMA 2008;300:
520529.
Latinos: Latinos are also disproportionately
impacted.
Hispanics represent 15% of the population
but account for an estimated 17% of
people living with HIV and 17% of
new infections. HIV infections among
Hispanics overall have been roughly
stable since the early 1990s.h
The rate of new HIV infections among
Hispanic men is more than double that of
white men and the rate among Hispanic
women is nearly four times that of
white women.
Additonal Resources:
CDC HIV & AIDS
www.cdc.gov/hiv
Visit CDCs HIV and AIDS
Web site.
CDC-INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-CDC-INFO FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting or
1-800 (232-4636)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Get information about
personal risk, prevention,
and testing.
CDC National HIV Testing
Resources
www.hivtest.org
Text your ZIP code to KNOW
IT or 566948
Locate an HIV testing site
near you.
CDC National Prevention
Information Network
(CDC NPIN)
1-800-458-5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-458-5231 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.cdcnpin.org
Find CDC resources and
technical assistance.
AIDSinfo
1-800-448-0440 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-448-0440 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.aidsinfo.nih.gov
Locate resources on HIV
and AIDS treatment and
clinical trials.
For more information, visit the
CDC HIV/AIDS Statistics and
Surveillance Web site at www.
cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance.

JUNE Newsletter

Campaign Launches as New Survey Data Show Only One in Five Young Adults Believes That People Are Caring and Sympathetic to Those With Mental Health Problems

• Less than half (40%) of Americans believe a person with mental illness can be as successful at work as others.
• While almost two thirds (65 percent) of young adults who know someone with a mental illness believe that treatment can help people with mental illnesses lead normal lives, only one in five (22 percent) young adults believes that people are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

May 31, 2010

Veterans increasingly find service helps in court

May 21, 2010

Genes Help Determine Brain Response to Alcohol, Medication, NIAAA Says

Research Summary
Alcohol consumption prompts the brain to release the pleasure chemical dopamine, but genes may influence the degree to which the brain responds to drinking and -- by extension -- how effective medications like naltrexone are in treating alcoholism.

Researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that genetic variations in the mu-opioid receptor sites in the brain's reward system seem to influence the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine and the degree of pleasure that individuals get from drinking.

Researchers also found that naltrexone -- a drug that works to block the release of dopamine resulting from drinking -- was more effective for patients with some genetic profiles than others.

"Our data strongly support a causal role of the 118G variant of the mu-opioid receptor to confer a more vigorous dopamine response to alcohol in the ventral striatum," said NIAAA researcher Vijay A. Ramchandani, Ph.D. "The findings add further support to the notion that individuals who possess this receptor variant may experience enhanced pleasurable effects from alcohol that could increase their risk for developing alcohol abuse and dependence. It may also explain why these individuals, once addicted, benefit more from treatment with blockers of endogenous opioids."

Markus Heilig, NIAAA's clinical director, noted that naltrexone also worked better in the early stages of alcoholism, when the body still believes it is being rewarded for drinking ('reward craving'). At a certain point, however, the brain switches to a pattern called 'relief craving' -- what Heilig called a "pathological pattern of anxiety" -- where naltrexone isn't nearly as helpful.

The latest findings were published online in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Green Tea Could Reduce Glaucoma Risk

Catechins in green tea could help protect you against glaucoma and other eye diseases. New research finds that the ingredients travel from your digestive system into the tissues of your eyes.

Scientists analyzed eye tissue from rats that drank green tea. They found that eye tissues such as the lens and retina had absorbed green tea catechins.

According to NutraIngredients:

The [studys] authors said that oxidative stress causes biological disturbances such as DNA damage and activation of proteolytic enzymes that can lead to tissue cell damage or dysfunction and eventually many ophthalmic diseases.

Sources:

NutraIngredients April 26, 2010

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry February 10, 2010;58(3):1523-34

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

National Institute of Mental

Health Study

Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Many mental disorders have their beginnings in childhood or adolescence. The National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey found that 13 percent of children ages 8 to 15 had at least one mental disorder, a rate that is comparable to diabetes, asthma, and other diseases of childhood. Yet, mental disorders often go undiagnosed and untreated for years. NIMHs research focuses on identifying symptoms early and finding effective treatments that can have a significant impact on how children develop and function as they grow into adults.

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April 05, 2010

NIMH Outreach Partnership Program

The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide initiative of the NIMHs Office of Constituency Relations and Public Liaison (OCRPL) with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Program partners with national and state organizations to strengthen the public health impact of research by disseminating the latest scientific findings; informing the public about mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction; and reducing the associated stigma and discrimination. The Program strives to increase public awareness about the important role of basic and clinical research in transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses and addiction disorders, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. The Program also provides NIMH with the opportunity to engage community organizations in a dialogue to help develop a national research agenda to improve Americas mental health.

Objectives

The Outreach Partnership Program is a vital element in NIMH outreach efforts to deliver science-based information to the public, health professionals, constituency groups, and all interested stakeholders. Through its Outreach and National Partners, the Program strives to:

• Disseminate science-based information on mental illnesses, alcoholism, and drug abuse to consumers, families, and policymakers at the state and local level.
• Support the understanding of brain disorders, specifically mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders, and the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
• Encourage individuals with symptoms of mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction to seek help.
• Eliminate disparities that exist in access to care and health outcomes due to race, culture, age, geographical location, and gender.
• Facilitate information exchange between the NIMH and national and state groups.
• Engage state-level community groups in the research priority-setting process.

Outreach Partners

There are 55 Outreach Partner organizations from each state and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As part of the agreement with NIMH, each competitively selected Outreach Partner conducts a statewide or regional mental health outreach and education program to deliver science-based messages to the public, health professionals, and traditionally underserved populations. Partners also collaborate with universities and other research institutions to increase opportunities for volunteer participation in NIMH and NIH sponsored clinical studies.

Benefits provided to the Outreach Partners include anannual stipend, travel reimbursement to anannual meeting, and access to NIMH scientific and educational publications for mass dissemination. Partners also have numerous opportunities for networking with Federal, national, and state organizations through the annual meetings, a listserv, and a biweekly update with the latest news and resources.

National Partners

There are over 80 National Partners, including professional, consumer, advocacy, and service-related organizations with a nationwide membership and/or audience. National Partners are concerned primarily with mental health, alcoholism and drug abuse disorders, but also include a broad range of groups involved in general health and medicine, social services, andeducation. The Outreach Partnership Program strives to connect state and national organizations with one another to build coalitions. The resulting partnerships extend outreach and educational activities to more diverse populations, allow for cost and information sharing, and help national campaigns reach the state grass roots level.

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April 4, 2010

Medical psychology is a new and rapidly growing field in health care. Medical psychologists are experts in the biomedical basis of behavior.

Medical psychologists undergo specialized medical training that allows them to prescribe medication and treat both the physical and psychological symptoms of illnesses.

Medical Psychologist Job Description

The duties of clinical psychologists and medical psychologists have much overlap. However, in addition to the psychotherapeutic aspects of clinical psychology, medical psychologists receive advanced training in the ways that psychological factors affect physical illness. Medical psychologists call on their training in general medicine, psychopharmacology, physiology and rehabilitation to treat the types of patients they see on the job.

Some common responsibilities of medical psychologists include:

• Psychotherapy - helping patients manage the emotional aspects of chronic illnesses.
• Pain Management - finding ways to curb the physical symptoms of a disease and minimize the side effects of treatments.
• Pharmacology - prescribing psychotropic medications for patients with mental issues or disorders.
• Behavior Therapy - initiating and implementing behavioral interventions and stress reduction techniques that will positively affect patients' immune systems.

Medical psychologists work in a variety of settings. Many take positions at hospitals, medical centers or health care facilities. Some medical psychologists work solely in research positions, studying the ways that mental and physical factors are interrelated. Medical psychologists also work as consultants to other psychologists and health care professionals.

Medical Psychologist Salary

Although specific salary information for medical psychologists is unavailable, salaries in medical psychology are similar, if not higher than those in clinical psychology. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), the median salary for a licensed clinical psychologist was $85,000 in 2007. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the annual salary for clinical psychologists working in scientific research or scientific consulting servicesboth popular career paths for medical psychologistsobtained a mean annual salary of $88,830 and $150,890 respectively. Those working in medical offices made a mean annual salary of $93,330.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts faster than average growth for all psychology jobs in the next several years. As the medical community continues to discover the manners in which mental and physical health intersect, jobs in medical psychology should grow along with all healthcare positions.

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FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

American College of Forensic Examiners

The American Board of Psychological Specialties, a division of The American College of Forensic Examiners, has created a board certified specialty in the area of Medical Psychology. Medical psychologists have post doctoral training in various methods to help patients who have chronic and/or serious medical problems. Typically this includes working with the person on managing the emotional aspects of their illness, and also, reducing physical symptoms of the disease and the side effects of various treatments.

In 1986, research on neuropeptides by neuroscientist Candace Pert at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) demonstrated that we truly are a body/mind, as opposed to a separate body and mind. Pert showed that every cell in the body has both physical and emotional memory and function. The implications of this research are far reaching, and have served as a theoretical basis for much of the work of medical psychologists.

Most diseases common in modern society are opportunistic. When we experience a traumatic event or live in a state of chronic stress, the immune system is severely compromised. As a result, the body becomes more hospitable to everything from allergies to cancer. A medical psychologist helps clients properly process the stresses in their lives with the intention of bolstering the immune system. They also help clients manage specific conditions. For example, a patient with cancer might be in a state of shock from the diagnosis, feel fear and confusion about the treatment options, or depression over a poor prognosis or the limitations the disease poses. They might also worry about the effect the illness will have on loved ones. The medical psychologist helps the person manage this emotional turmoil.

Medical psychologists are also trained in various interventions to help patients minimize physical symptoms. Some of the techniques that are commonly used are behavioral interventions and relaxation techniques, hypnosis, and guided imagery, which all tend to effect physical changes by enhancing the persons immune system and decreasing tension. Energy medicines such as acupressure, bodywork, and homeopathy are also frequently used. Different practitioners have different training and specialties.

Individual practitioners may have specific areas of focus. Pain management is one of the most common, because pain responds so well to psychological intervention. Pain is a combination of many things the actual physical site of the pain, exacerbated by tension, fear, and anxiety. When the patient can learn to relax his or her body, there is a natural reduction of pain. Most of my work in Medical Psychology is as a pain specialist (cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc.) and allergy elimination work (yes, in most cases, allergies can be permanently eliminated). Others specialize in neuromuscular, genetic, or birth disorders, gynecological problems, or other specific ailments. Most medical psychologists will work with any presenting problem, in conjunction and consultation with other health care providers.

Author's Bio
Dr. Bowers is a Licensed Psychologist in Villanova, PA. She is a board certified Medical Psychologist and a Fellow of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. She is listed in the 2nd Edition of Whos Who in Healthcare. For more information regarding Medical Psychology, you can visit her website at: www.drleebowers.com, contact her at: (610) 520-0443 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (610) 520-0443 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting , or e-mail her at: leebowers@comcast.net.com.

The U.S. could face a wave of addiction and mental-health problems among returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars greater than that resulting from the Vietnam War, according to experts at the recent Wounds of War conference sponsored by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA*) at Columbia University (Join Together is a project of CASA).

Rather than the heroin addictions many Vietnam veterans brought back with them from Southeast Asia, however, today's returning soldiers are more likely to be addicted to prescription medications -- the very opiates prescribed to them by the military to ease stress or pain -- or stimulants used by soldiers to remain alert in combat situations.

"I think there's a lot more [soldiers addicted to] pharmacological opiates than the data show," said John A. Renner Jr., M.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine and associate chief of psychiatry at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System. "A lot of them were using opiates before they went, and a lot are reporting that opiates are freely available in combat areas."

Nora Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), noted that while many soldiers receive prescription opiates for traumatic injuries and pain, the drugs also are effective in relieving stress. "So, even if you don't take it for that, it will work," she said.

Prescription drug abuse may be a top concern among conference participants, but experts noted that excessive drinking remains a huge problem among soldiers, sailors and airmen despite being banned from combat zones in Muslim countries.

Historically, substance abuse has "not only been present but fostered by the military," said keynote speaker Jim McDonough, a retired U.S. Army officer and former strategy director at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "At Agincourt, the Somme and Waterloo, soldiers got liquored up before combat ... There's been almost no break in that [tradition] today."

In the U.S., "drinking heavily was part of military culture until the mid-1980s, when we had a series of reforms that just pushed it underground," said McDonough. "The Officer's Clubs closed, but that moved the drinking into the homes and private parties."

A recent study found that 43 percent of active-duty military personnel reported binge drinking within the past month, and researchers say that returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars are at especially high risk of binge drinking and suffering alcohol-related harm.

"There's nothing new under the sun with the current experience except that the nature of the substances is different," McDonough said.

Long Tours a Major Source of StressPanelists at the May 20 conference, held at CASA's conference center in New York, said that while combat may have been more intense in Vietnam, tours of duty were limited. Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, by contrast, often have served multiple tours in combat areas, with extended periods of time away from family and home.

"In the history of the Republic, never has so much been placed on the shoulders of so few for so long," said Brigadier General Loree K. Sutton, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, part of the Defense Department's Military Health Systems. As a result, she said, "We have no reference population" to compare with the addiction and mental-health problems facing today's military personnel.

Unsurprisingly, the strains on the system have led military commanders to "get men back in the fight" rather than confronting addiction and mental-health problems in the ranks, said McDonough. "Between 2004 and 2006, the incidence of substance abuse went up 100 percent, while treatment referrals by commanders went up zero percent," he said.

Renner predicted that the rate of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) "will be much higher than in Vietnam."

"We knew in Vietnam that the limit was one year [in combat] if you wanted to avoid PTSD," he said. "Now, with tours of 18 to 24 months, we should expect a higher level of problems."

Gen. Sutton noted that the military has ended the "stop-loss" policy of involuntarily retaining personnel in the service beyond the end of their enlistment. "In terms of tour length, tour repetition, and dwell time in between we are moving in the right direction, but we know that 12-15 months in combat takes its toll," she said.

News from Home Can Help and Hurt
The Internet and cell phones may help keep soldiers more in touch with the home front than in past wars, but access to instantaneous communication also can be a double-edged sword, experts said. Gulf War veteran and Texas Tech psychology professor M. David Rudd, Ph.D., said that today's soldiers are more exposed to family-related stress over finances, children, and other issues. Robert Bazell, chief medical correspondent for NBC News and a conference panel moderator, said its "definitely not a de-stressor" when soldiers chat online with family members who may be terrified about harm coming to those serving in combat.

Nor does short-term leave do much to alleviate problems like addiction or PTSD, especially among those with underlying drinking problem who come from an essentially alcohol-free zone back to home communities with a bar or liquor store on every corner.

"I'm hearing from returnees that, 'If I'm going to be home for two weeks then I'm going to be drunk for two weeks,'" said Rudd. Added Fred Gusman, executive director of the California Transition Center for Care of Combat Veterans: "Young wives tell us all their husband wants to do is come home, have sex, eat pizza and drink beer."

Many soldiers return to their families with an array of problems that make it very difficult for them to pick up their old lives and reintegrate with civilian society. Addiction and exposure to traumatic incidents literally cause changes in the brain, experts note, so it's not surprising that family members often say that their loved ones are different people when they return from combat. "They've been trained to get the mission done and not to have feelings, because that gets you killed," said Monica Martocci, clinical director of New Directions, a Los Angeles based program for troubled veterans and their families.

"They've done and witnessed terrible things, and can't talk to anyone about it," said Martocci. "They are supplied with meds while in the military, so they don't know they have a problem ... a lot don't realize they need meds to function until they get home."

Martocci noted that many soldiers are barely out of their teens when they return from combat. "They go from high structure to none -- some can't even write a check," she said. Long separation from spouses and children can cause estrangement, and young veterans face the highest risk of problems because they are the most likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs, least experienced in dealing with the stress of being parents and running a household, and reluctant to reach out to professionals or even fellow veterans for help.

Conference panelists said that the VA and other healthcare providers need to engage the families of servicemembers in getting those who need help into treatment, as well as providing support and counseling for families dealing with a veteran who comes home with addiction and mental-health problems.

Stigma, Fear for Career are Barriers
Returning veterans are screened for addiction and mental-health problems like PTSD, but many soldiers are reluctant to admit to problems out of fear that disclosure will affect their careers inside and outside the military, experts said. In many cases, "The reality is that if you come forward and get help ... it will be in your record," said Gen. Sutton.

Most soldiers who get treatment "get better" and return to duty, Gen. Sutton said. On the other hand, "It you have a problem and don't get intervention, I can promise you things won't go well for as well for your career as they could," she added.

However, Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently approved policy reforms that allowed soldiers to answer "no" when asked about past mental-health treatment episodes if they were related to combat stress and certain other circumstances. "That's an important step forward," said Gen. Sutton. "... We're on a journey, but we haven't gotten to the promised land yet."

Female Vets Face Special Challenges
Female soldiers are technically barred from serving in most combat-related positions, but in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan there are no real front lines, and women often come under fire and face the existential threat of roadside bombings alongside their male colleagues.

Women also have reported high rates of sexual abuse and rape while in combat areas, but are often reluctant to report incidents to male superiors. "Many prefer to live with the trauma than the address it," said Alexander Neumeister, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry at Yale University and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.

The combination of combat stress and abuse puts women at particularly high risk of PTSD and drug problems, according to panelists. Yet some are so traumatized by their experiences that they won't even identify themselves as veterans.

Noting that only 1/4 to 1/3 of veterans ever seek help from the Veterans Administration, panelists called on the VA to do more outreach to returning veterans and to increase spending on treatment, noting that only about one-third of soldiers needing addiction or mental-health care actually get help.

"Many veterans feel better about coming to an office in a strip mall or a private-practice office than to a VA hospital," said Martocci. The prospect of going to the VA -- which is "full of men in uniform" -- is particularly difficult for female veterans who have been sexually abused, added Martocci.

"It's a national disgrace how un-barrier-free access to early intervention services is in the VA" and the Defense Department's TriCare program, said McDonough. "There's a perfect storm of bureaucracy that prevents soldiers from getting any services."

Panelists also called on military leaders to break down the stigma surrounding addictions and mental illness among service members. "The top-level brass is saying the right things, but it takes time to filter down," said Gusman.

Tours of duty also need to be limited to limit the stress on soldiers and their families, many panelists agreed. "We need to start there," said Neumeister.

* The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA") or any of its member organizations with the name of "CASA."

 Most alcoholics start drinking during their teen years, but the disease can also strike those who begin using alcohol at a younger age -- and the problem often goes unrecognized, experts say.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported July 16 that Mary Brennan of suburban Chicago began drinking at age 10 with friends of her older brother; by 15, she was bringing vodka to school in Gatorade bottles and getting drunk every day. Her father, a single parent, didn't recognize the problem, even after she overdosed and nearly died.

The underage-drinking rate in the U.S. has remained steady in recent years, but some research indicates that youths are starting to drink at a younger age. One study, from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, concluded that about 10 percent of nine-year-olds had consumed more than a sip of alcohol. And research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates that children who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to have drinking problems than those who start drinking at age 21 or later.

"A third of kids ages 12 to 17 had their first drink before 13," said Susan Foster, director of policy research for the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. "That's about 6.4 million kids, many more than there have been historically. Very young drinkers are a huge concern."

"We've received calls from parents of kids as young as 8," said Cole Rucker, CEO and cofounder of the Echo Malibu treatment center. "Every year, alcohol use shows up in younger and younger kids."

Young drinkers often get started with alcohol use by getting drinks from friends or family liquor cabinets. Polls have shown that youths ages 13 and up say it is easy to get alcohol from adults -- and sometimes their own parents, who may themselves have drinking problems.

"The traditional thinking is that risk factors for alcohol abuse show up in adolescence," said Robert A. Zucker, Ph.D., director of the Addiction Research Center at the University of Michigan. "But, actually, they can show up earlier -- in children 9 or younger, even in preschoolers."

Few treatment programs exist for very young alcoholics, who rarely get adequate services, such as intensive inpatient care.