Public Health in the News – October 25, 2015

Global

• Japan has reported the first possible case of a cancer death resulting from cleanup of the Fukushima disaster.
• The plague may have affected humans as early as 3000 B.C.
• A malaria vaccine is slowly being introduced in Africa.

National

• The American Cancer Society recently changed its mammogram recommendations, pushing back the suggested age to start getting mammograms to 45 and recommending that women 55 and older get screened every other year.
• Schizophrenia patients who received talk therapy and family support in addition to small doses of drugs recovered more than patients who received the standard drug regimen, a new study shows.
• 23andMe, a genetic testing company, will start offering limited data to their customers again – they were previously ordered to stop by the FDA.
• In the past, some studies have shown that small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy might be okay, but a new recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that no amount of alcohol is safe.
• Marijuana use is skyrocketing, and so are associated problems like addiction.
• A high sales tax on sugary beverages drove down their consumption in Mexico. A New York Times editorial considers whether the U.S. could implement the same policy.

Illinois/Chicago

• A new report indicates which Chicago-area hospitals are safest for Medicare patients, as one out of six Chicago residents on Medicare has visited hospitals with a higher-than-expected mortality or complication rate.

Northwestern

• The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation recently hosted a benefit luncheon, where over 1000 guests helped raise over $1 million for breast cancer research and education programs at Northwestern.
• Northwestern Medicine profiles Dr. Stephen Gryzlo, NU professor and head orthopaedic surgeon for the Chicago Cubs.
• NU dermatology researchers found that melanoma skin checks can help strengthen relationships between family members or friends.