American Adolescents And Mental Illness Treatment Variation
A new national investigation finds that many youth do not receive appropriate follow-up care soon after an initial insurance claim for a mental health condition. The study included data from more than two million children covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Of the more than 200,000 children in the study with at least one mental health claim, nearly 30% did not obtain any follow-up treatment in the three months after an initial claim. Published on September 29, 2020 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, the study examined insurance claims from children between the ages of 10 and 17 covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Of the more than two million children included in the study, nearly one in 10 had a claim related to mental illness between 2012 and 2018. Of those who were prescribed medication, 45% were given drugs that could be addictive or that were not FDA-approved for use in children. Having more psychiatrists in each child’s zip code increased the likelihood of medication treatment, while more therapists in the area increased the chances of therapy alone.
Alcohol-Induced Deaths Among Adults Aged 25 And Over: United States, 2000–2018
As reported in an October 2020 Data Brief from the National Center for Health Statistics, excessive alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor for mortality and has been causally linked to many diseases, conditions, and injuries, including alcohol-attributable cancer, liver cirrhosis, and alcohol poisonings. Age-adjusted rates of alcohol-induced deaths among adults aged 25 and over were stable from 2000 to 2006, then increased 43% from 10.7 per 100,000 in 2006 to 15.3 in 2018. For both males and females, alcohol-induced death rates increased at a greater rate between 2000 and 2018 in rural compared with urban areas. Among males, the rate of alcohol-induced deaths was highest in large central metro areas in 2000 (21.3); by 2018, rates in medium (25.1) and small metro (25.9), micropolitan (26.7), and noncore (25.3) areas were highest. Among females, the rate of alcohol-induced deaths in noncore areas (4.4) was among the lowest in 2000; by 2018, rates in noncore areas had more than doubled (9.9).
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Use Of Holographic Imaging To Detect Viruses And Antibodies
A team of New York University scientists has developed a method using holographic imaging to detect both viruses and antibodies. This approach has the potential to aid in medical diagnoses and, specifically, those related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Holographic immunassays can be targeted for specific diseases by replacing protein A as a surface binding group with appropriate specific antigens, including peptides, proteins, or other biomolecules. Holographic analysis yields results faster and at lower cost by eliminating reagents, processing steps, and expertise needed to apply fluorescent labels while yielding quantitative results for antibody concentration without requiring extensive calibration. According to an article published on October 8, 2020 in the journal Soft Matter, if fully realized, this proposed test could be done in under 30 minutes, is highly accurate, and can be performed by minimally trained personnel. Moreover, the method can test for either the virus (current infection) or antibodies (immunity).
Cell Revival Following A Heart Attack
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), small membrane-bound particles released from cells, have been shown to have cardioprotective effects and are promising tools for the next generation of therapies for everything from autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases to cancer and tissue injury. EVs derived from stem cells help heart cells recover after a heart attack. Exactly how they help and whether the beneficial effect is specific to EVs derived from stem cells has remained a mystery. Now, according to a study reported in the October 14, 2020 issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine, investigators from Harvard University have unraveled potential mechanisms behind the healing power of EVs and demonstrated their capacity not only to revive cells after a heart attack, but keep them functioning while deprived of oxygen during a heart attack. This functionality in human tissue was demonstrated using a heart-on-a-chip with embedded sensors that continuously tracked tissue contractions.
More October 2020 TRENDS Articles
IN SEARCH OF CONNECTIONS
Discusses COVID-19 in the context of a 19th century cholera epidemic and its subsequent linkage to the germ theory of disease that was based on four famous postulates involving causative pathogens. Read More
DUELING COVID-19 AID PACKAGES
Looks at efforts to add increased stimulus funding to address a wide range of problems stemming from this disease. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Points how out to achieve near-universal health insurance coverage, Medicare prices paid by private plans, and how a Supreme Court confirmation hearing involved discussions of the Affordable Care Act. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes the impact of the coronavirus on higher education, fostering research integrity, and launching of a new FAFSA cycle. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
American Adolescents And Mental Illness Treatment Variation
Alcohol-Induced Deaths Among Adults Aged 25 And Over, U.S., 2000-2018
Use Of Holographic Imaging To Detect Viruses And Antibodies
Cell Revival Following A Heart Attack Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
U.S. Women Living In Areas Devoid Of Proper Maternity Care
Mental Health Of U.S. Adults
Integrating Systems And Sectors Toward Obesity Solutions Read More
BIG DATA, RESEARCH, AND ETHICS CHALLENGES FOR IRBs
Examines how shifts in biomedical research have led to questions regarding which oversight bodies should be involved for this kind of research. Read More
HISPANIC GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HOSPITALIZED HEART PATIENTS
Pertains to the significant underrepresentation of women in heart failure studies and the need to develop health care strategies. Read More