Public Health in the News – August 31, 2014

Global

• To fight the outbreak of Ebola, we need developed countries to assist with basic healthcare, public health officials are arguing.
• Scientists have now sequenced the genome of Ebola, which may help lead to better treatments and vaccines.
• An article in Aeon explores the history of infectious disease outbreaks and argues that the next pandemic will come from disease factories that we have created – crowded hospitals and refugee camps.

National

• What can the movies teach us about mental disorders like psychopathy? NPR’s Science Friday explores.
• There are several different types of stigmas surrounding mental health disorders like depression, argues the science blog Headquarters.
• E-cigarettes: a device to help people stop a harmful habit, or dangerous in and of themselves? Scientists are divided.
• A new study has linked Alzheimer’s Disease with vitamin D deficiency.
• When do beauty treatments cross the line into being harmful to health? Things like laser hair removal, manicures, and spray tans may carry risks.
• Nursing homes, contrary to popular belief, sometimes do not have nurses present on site. Some advocates and legislators are trying to get this changed.

Illinois

• The state has released new rules regarding fracking. Among other things, it states that companies must disclose what chemicals they use.

Northwestern

• Differences between the sexes matter when it comes to healthcare and scientific research, but studies are often carried out on only males, says a new Northwestern study. The National Institutes of Health is listening, and will soon require researchers to study both sexes.
• NU Assistant Professor Dr. David Zich talked to Living Healthy Chicago about finding the balance between beneficial caffeine intake and drinking too much.
• A study from Northwestern researchers shows that in young athletes, the repetitive rotational movements seen in sports like baseball, tennis, and golf may be linked to spinal injury.
• Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Cadence Health have finalized plans for their merger.