Public Health in the News – March 28, 2016

Global

• A great outline of the things we know so far about the Zika virus.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a report analyzing the possible global health impacts of Obama’s proposed budget.
• “The global ‘war on drugs’ has harmed public health, human rights and development.” A commission of medical experts is calling for the decriminalization of drugs.

National

• Robert de Niro had planned on screening an anti-vaccination documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival, but ultimately decided to pull it after reviewing the decision with the scientific community.
• “No doctor has ever uncovered the solution to weight loss.” So why do so many write books about it?
• “It opens up a brand-new area of research.” How researchers are using data from smartphone apps to make new discoveries.
• Appendix cancer patients often have few options, but one controversial surgery may help. However, few institutions will perform it and it may raise some ethical questions about how we conduct clinical trials.
• Many diseases can probably be prevented by helping our cells age more slowly. But what costs will this bring to society?
• A glass of wine a day is good for you, right? Maybe not. “Moderate drinkers tend to be healthier on average because they’re well-educated and more affluent, not because they’re drinking a bottle of wine a week on average.”

Illinois/Chicago

• The state of Illinois now owes $2.8 billion in healthcare costs.
• Illinois now has seven confirmed cases of the Zika virus.
• The Chicago Department of Public Health has a new ad campaign focusing on raising awareness about congenital syphilis.

Northwestern

• A recent study from Northwestern researchers indicates that eating too many phosphates (found in things like lunch meat) can damage your heart.
• NU just built a new institution – the Northwestern Center for Water Research – which will develop and implement more sustainable water systems.