New rules limit shot availability at Brazos County Health Department
The Texas Department of State Health Services is implementing new rules that may prevent some residents from continuing to obtain vaccinations from the Brazos County Health Department.
The changes will go into effect on Jan. 1.
Under the new rules, only uninsured adults 19 years and older can be vaccinated at the health department.
Study: Statins linked with small diabetes risk
A study published Monday adds to the evidence, finding a modest risk among older women who used a variety of statins.
It’s a puzzling link, and specialists say people who most need statins because of a high risk for a heart attack should stick with the drugs.
“What I fear here is that people who need and will benefit from statins will be scared off of using the drugs because of reports like this,” says Dr. Steven Nissen, cardiology chairman at the Cleveland Clinic, who wasn’t involved with the research. “We don’t want these drugs in the water supply, but we want the right people treated.
TODAY Moms share resolutions for a quiet, harmonious new year
If many of us can accomplish our parenting resolutions, 2012 is going to be one quiet year. That’s because eliminating yelling is top of many TODAY Moms’ resolutions, which were .
Ellyn Kunich Wheeless has a goal of showing “more grace and mercy, less yelling and more hugging.” Her mantra for the new year resonated with many readers:
“If the house isn’t on fire, we don’t have to yell!”
Amanda Long Stone also wants to keep the yelling (hers and her kids’) to a minimum, while Steph Gardner strives to be more patient and quieter. She says:
Mental health – be vigilant this Christmas
AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, urged all Australians to keep an eye out for neighbours and relatives for signs of stress, distress, depression or loneliness over the Christmas period.
Dr Hambleton said that the Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration and family for most people but it can also be a time of sadness and isolation for others.
“The Christmas period can heighten loneliness, social isolation, financial stress, and other stressors, and this is associated with a higher use of crisis and support services such as Lifeline.
“Support services report that suicide and self-harm rates are typically high over the Christmas period.
“At the same time, there is increased demand on mental health services and support when they are not running at full capacity.
“It is also a busy time for public hospitals.
“Rural areas in particular feel the impact of reduced mental health support at holiday times.
“It is important that family and friends look out for any signs of mental illness and offer comfort to people and refer them to appropriate help where it is available,” Dr Hambleton said.
AMA Queensland (AMAQ) launched a campaign earlier in the year outlining signs of mental illness to look out for, which include:
AMAQ also recently launched the Suicide Watch initiative to urge anyone having trouble seeing a way forward to see or phone a GP for urgent help.
A Jon Huntsman surge could help the health care debate
Republican primary voters could help trigger a substantive health care policy debate in this country by giving Jon Huntsman a turn among the frontrunners. Weve seen a surge of multiple anybody-but-Romney candidates that have failed to address health care in any kind of serious or sophisticated way. Even Newt Gingrich, an idea guy with a variety of provocative views, hasnt been much help in advancing the debate. Thats because in reality his views are fairly close to Romney and even President Obama.
As a result, Romney hasnt been pushed to lay out his real views on health care. Hes been able to get away with just throwing darts at the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.