NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pediatric Physician Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Overland Park, Kansas, pediatric physician pleaded guilty in federal court today to using concealed video cameras to secretly record 13 child victims for the purpose of producing child pornography over a three-year period from Oct. 4, 2020, to Oct. 28, 2023. Aalbers also admitted that he was in possession of child pornography.

    Brian Michael Aalbers, 50, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts to 13 counts of attempting to produce child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

    Aalbers, a pediatric neurologist at Overland Park Regional Hospital in Overland Park, Kan., remains in federal custody without bond.

    Concerns were received by both the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office regarding the potential victimization of patients of Aalbers’s pediatric practice. During the investigation, it was determined there was no evidence to indicate any current or former patients were victimized by Aalbers. To protect and maintain the privacy of Aalbers’s victims, no additional information regarding the victims will be released.

    According to today’s plea agreement, Kansas City, Mo., police officers investigated a report regarding concealed video cameras that had been found on Oct. 28, 2023. A witness later contacted officers to report that Aalbers was sending suicidal text messages. Lenexa, Kan., police officers located Aalbers and transported him to a local hospital to obtain voluntary mental health treatment. The hospital took possession of two laptop computers, two iPad tablets, and a cell phone that were inside a backpack Aalbers brought with him when he entered the facility.

    Investigators obtained search warrants for those devices, as well as other cameras and electronic devices owned by Aalbers. Investigators found more than 50,000 video files associated with the hidden video cameras used by Aalbers, including more than 1,000 videos that contained pornographic depictions of the 13 child victims.

    Investigators also obtained a search warrant for Aalbers’s iCloud account, which contained 1,000 additional images and 163 additional videos of child pornography, which included videos of the identified child victims that had been produced by Aalbers.

    Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Aalbers are jointly requesting a sentence of at least 20 years, but no more than 30 years, in federal prison without parole. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Lenexa, Kan., Police Department, the Merriam, Kan., Police Department, and the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas.

    Project Safe Childhood

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF temporarily suspends activities in Djibo, Burkina Faso

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Geneva – Faced with ongoing security challenges that threaten the ability to carry out activities in Djibo, Burkina Faso, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend our humanitarian response in the city. This decision prioritises the safety of our staff, and allows us to reassess working conditions, given the increasing difficulty of providing humanitarian medical assistance. MSF’s medical teams remain committed to continuing their efforts and maintaining a presence in other regions where we operate, to provide medical care to communities in need across Burkina Faso.

    MSF teams have been in close contact with local authorities, informing them of the reasons behind this suspension of activities. In November 2023 and again in July 2024, MSF offices, Ministry of Health-supported medical facilities, and water distribution sites were repeatedly targeted by gunfire. Tragically, a child was killed after being hit by a bullet near a water distribution point in September 2023.

    Four buildings still bear visible bullet holes, medical facilities have been set on fire, water distribution points vandalised, and our ability to supply the area by road has been severely restricted. These attacks have placed vital medical assistance and access to safe drinking water at serious risk for those impacted by the ongoing security crisis. As a result, we have been forced to significantly scale back our capacity to protect both patients and staff and we have now suspended activities altogether.

    This suspension comes during a particularly painful time for MSF. On 2 September, we were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our team members in Djibo under unknown circumstances. A 37-year-old father of 10, he had joined MSF in 2020. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. MSF offers its deepest condolences and is working to understand the circumstances surrounding his death.

    In Burkina Faso, local communities are the primary victims of insecurity and violence. As a neutral and impartial medical organisation, our priority remains providing humanitarian medical assistance. Caught in the crossfire, people have seen their living conditions deteriorate rapidly, and humanitarian aid is essential for their survival. MSF calls for the protection of healthcare facilities, displaced people, and humanitarian missions.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Company Fined $125,000 for Workplace Injury

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on October 21, 2024

    On October 10, 2024, Bakke Contracting Ltd. pleaded guilty in Moose Jaw Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

    The company was fined for contravening clause 3-1 (a) of the regulations (being an employer at a place of employment, fail to provide and maintain of a plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in a serious injury to a worker). As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $89,285.71 with a surcharge of $35,714.29, for a total amount of $125,000.

    Four other charges were withdrawn.

    The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on February 20, 2023, near Brownlee, Saskatchewan when a worker was seriously injured when they fell from an elevated platform.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Shane Seilman
    Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
    Regina
    Phone: 306-520-2705
    Email: shane.seilman2@gov.sk.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents invited to have their say on homelessness in the city

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Monday, 21st October 2024

    A review has been launched in Stoke-on-Trent to help identify what more needs to be done to support the city’s most vulnerable residents.

    The city council is carrying out the important piece of work to help it understand the current and likely future state of homelessness in the city and identify the prevention measures which need to be in place for residents who may become homeless.

    The review forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to support the city’s most in-need residents and ensuring everybody has a decent place to call home.

    Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “We have made some really positive progress, so much so that we are actually the best performing local authority in the West Midlands for preventing and relieving homelessness, for the fifth year in a row.

    “Despite all of our hard work, and the support from our partners, homelessness and rough sleeping have increased in the city over the years, in line with the national picture.

    “Through this review we want to develop new and innovative approaches to preventing and relieving homelessness in the city, especially focusing on residents who are at risk of experiencing the most harmful outcomes.

    “So, whether you have personal experience, know someone who has or are just interested in helping us to improve things, we would like to hear from you.”

    The Homelessness Act 2002 requires all local housing authorities to carry out a review of homelessness every five years, and use the findings to publish a strategy setting out how it will prevent and reduce homelessness and provide support to those affected by it.

    During the lifetime of the 2020-2025 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the city council has achieved many positive outcomes including;

    • the launch of a new Homelessness Hub in Hanley;
    • the creation of 74-new bed spaces through various rough sleeping programmes;
    • the implementation of the Changing Futures programme for people with complex needs;
    • a range of new measures to improve access to the private-rented sector;
    • the introduction of a Pre-Eviction Protocol within supported housing providers;
    • the commission of the new Homeless Healthcare Service which provides medical provision to the homeless community;
    • the recruitment of several new specialist members of staff;
    • and the award of around £20 million of funding for new rough sleeping initiatives.

    Residents are now being invited to submit their views about homelessness and rough sleeping in the city by Sunday 24 November by visiting http://www.stoke.gov.uk/homelessreview and filling in the online form.

    All of the feedback gathered from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Review will be considered in the development of the city council’s next Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which will be launched next year.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government appeals to all sectors of community to support seasonal influenza vaccination programmes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government today (October 21) appeals to all members of the public, especially priority groups, to timely receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). The Government has made special arrangements to facilitate priority groups (including school children) to receive SIV through various SIV programmes.

    Latest statistics on schools joining SIV programmes

         The 2024/25 SIV Programmes started on September 26. At present, around 870 kindergartens and child care centres (80 per cent), 620 primary schools (93 per cent) and 400 secondary schools (79 per cent) have joined the SIV School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP). As of October 20, 2024, 380 schools have completed the first dose vaccination and more than 77 800 students have received SIV under School Outreach Programmes.

    Flexible arrangements on SIV school outreach vaccination services in season 2024/25

         The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has been promoting SIV in schoolchildren, particularly young children in child-care centres and kindergartens, and optimising the vaccination programmes in response to the feedback from schools and parents.

         To boost the SIV coverage rate among schoolchildren, special arrangements have been made under the SIVSOP this year to offer a more flexible choice of vaccine options for kindergartens and child-care centres. Kindergartens and child-care centres can choose to provide both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal vaccines) (LAIV) at the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Among the kindergartens and child-care centres participating in SIVSOP, 246 schools will offer LAIV, ten schools will offer both IIV and LAIV, and the rest will offer IIV. As a pilot scheme, LAIV is also provided to selected primary and secondary schools which indicated their preference for LAIV earlier this year. So far, two primary schools and four secondary schools have joined the pilot scheme. The Department of Health (DH) will continue to monitor and review the arrangement as appropriate.

         Alternatively, schools can also invite doctors to arrange outreach service for injectable IIV and/or nasal LAIV at their campus under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme School Outreach.

    Ongoing promotion of SIV uptake amongst school children

         The DH has invited all schools in Hong Kong through the Education Bureau (EDB) to participate in the SIVSOP. Upon commencement of the 2024/25 SIV Programmes, the DH has reached out to non-participating schools one by one to understand their difficulties, offer necessary assistance and facilitate them to participate in the programmes. The DH has also liaised with the EDB to issue appeal letters again to the School Heads Association of Kindergartens/Child-Care Centres to promote SIV uptake amongst young children. The CHP spokesman calls on those schools that have yet to join the outreach vaccination programmes to enrol as soon as possible to seize the optimum timing for vaccination and do their part to provide the best protection for schoolchildren.

         Early childhood educators are also important points of contact with young school children and their parents. The DH has met a number of early childhood education and parent-teacher associations, as well as relevant medical associations to promote SIV among young children. The DH urges early childhood educators to join hands in appealing the parents to arrange for their children to participate in SIV, and at the same time to play their part in educating parents on the importance of vaccination to encourage more young school children to get vaccinated. With increased vaccination coverage, the protection of children could be strengthened and their risk of severe illness and death after contracting influenza could also be reduced.

         “Surveillance data up to October 20 showed a total of 34 severe paediatric influenza-associated complication and death cases as recorded by the CHP this year, which is comparable with 41 cases in the pre-COVID-19 era in 2019. Among these 34 cases, 25 (74 per cent) did not receive influenza vaccine, illustrating the importance of SIV,” a CHP spokesperson said.

         A range of health education materials on influenza prevention (including webpage, press releases, pamphlets, and FAQs) has been produced by the DH and disseminated through various channels, especially those parenting media. The DH will continue to maintain close communication with stakeholders (including doctors, schools and other relevant Government Departments). For the latest information, please refer to the CHP’s influenza page and Vaccination Schemes page.     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: EverCommerce Announces Date of Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EverCommerce Inc. (NASDAQ: EVCM), a leading provider of SaaS solutions for service SMBs, will report its third quarter 2024 financial results after the U.S. financial markets close on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

    Management will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time to discuss the Company’s financial results and provide a business update. Please visit the “Investor Relations” page of the Company’s website (https://investors.evercommerce.com/) for both telephonic and webcast access to this call; a replay will be archived on the website as well.

    About EverCommerce

    EverCommerce (Nasdaq: EVCM) is a leading service commerce platform, providing vertically-tailored, integrated SaaS solutions that help more than 690,000 global service-based businesses accelerate growth, streamline operations, and increase retention. Its modern digital and mobile applications create predictable, informed, and convenient experiences between customers and their service professionals. With its EverPro, EverHealth, and EverWell brands specializing in Home, Health, and Wellness service industries, EverCommerce provides end-to-end business management software, embedded payment acceptance, marketing technology, and customer experience applications. Learn more at EverCommerce.com.

    Investor Contact:
    Brad Korch
    SVP and Head of Investor Relations
    720-796-7664
    ir@evercommerce.com

    Press Contact:
    Jeanne Trogan
    VP of Corporate Communications
    512-705-1293
    press@evercommerce.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Spotlight on Services: UConn Health’s Respiratory Therapists

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    This week UConn Health celebrates its 33 respiratory therapists for their vital contribution to patient care.

    In the spirit of Respiratory Care Week, Oct. 20-26, here’s a first-hand account of a second-year medical student’s experience shadowing lead respiratory therapist Sherael Stephenson.

    Shadowing an RT today was a really informative experience. One of the first things I noticed was how involved RTs are across the whole hospital. We went to the ED, to med surg, to ICU floors, and there were always a handful of patients who required respiratory therapy.

    I also noticed how skilled a respiratory therapist must be to do different procedures like suctioning, tracheal interventions, ventilation equipment, oxygen machines, etc. Not only do they have to know how to operate all these machines and devices, but they also have to have a really deep understanding of respiratory physiology.

    I was really impressed by the RT today talking about arterial blood gas levels, vital signs and their specific meanings, breathing patterns etc. She was very interactive with different members of the health care team including the CNAs, nurses and physicians/providers. I watched the RTs communicate their interventions and findings with the patient-assigned nurses as well as making recommendations to physicians.

    The RT today also shared her story about how COVID heavily impacted the field, and how emotionally draining it was to work during the pandemic. I felt so much appreciation for her and the amount of lives she saved during such a tragic time.

    I did not get a chance to witness any suctioning on the floor today but I can imagine it can be really helpful for a patient who has increased secretions. While the procedure itself may be uncomfortable, the outcome of increased oxygen saturations and easier breathing is probably much appreciated by the patient.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Response and Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Response and Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina

    Response and Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina
    mseets

    After Hurricane Helene, North Carolina continues leading a robust response and recovery with the support of federal, local, and non-profit partners.

    Helene hit North Carolina 25 days ago as the deadliest tropical storm in the state’s history. Because Governor Cooper declared a State of Emergency Declaration before the storm hit, North Carolina National Guard soldiers, swift water rescue teams, equipment and supplies were positioned in Western North Carolina to respond as soon as the storm passed. Just as this storm was unprecedented, the response that followed has been unprecedented in its size and speed.

    Key Progress and Numbers

    Today there are approximately 5,000 customers without power down from more than one million customers just after the storm. Most of the cell phone coverage that was wiped out by the storm has been restored. The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has opened 789 roads of the approximately 1,200 roads that were closed as a result of the storm, which is significant considering the difficulty of making repairs in a rugged, mountainous region. NCDOT currently has approximately 2,000 employees and 900 pieces of equipment working to re-open roads that remain closed. 28 of the school districts that were closed following the storm have re-opened, with 7 still closed, two of which are scheduled to re-open this week.

    North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) soldiers and other military personnel rescued 765 people with local first responders and swift water teams rescuing hundreds more. The state has confirmed 95 fatalities and there are currently approximately 26 people still unaccounted for.

    Air Drop of Supplies and Commodities

    Because road access was limited, the state, local and federal government working with nonprofits and volunteers used a system for aerial delivery of supplies and commodities like water, food and medicine. Supplies were brought into the Asheville airport by plane and then delivered to other parts of Western North Carolina by helicopter.

    At the height of this operation, more than 30 planes and helicopters and 1,200 ground vehicles were in use. More than 27 million pounds of food and water were delivered by the state and federal government, with more being brought by non-profits and charities.

    National Guard and Military

    The response to Helene was the largest and fastest integration of U.S. military soldiers with the National Guard in North Carolina history.

    More than 3,150 Soldiers and Airmen have been working in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of the storm. Joint Task Force- North Carolina, led by the North Carolina National Guard is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states, two different XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty, a unit from Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, and numerous civilian entities working side-by-side to get the much-needed help to people in Western North Carolina.

    The Army Corps of Engineers is working with local, state and federal experts, including the EPA and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), to assess damages, remove debris and repair water systems.

    More than 1,600 responders from 39 state and local agencies have performed 146 missions supporting the response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

    FEMA

    Approximately $129 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds so far have been paid directly to people in Western North Carolina hurt by the storm and more than 207,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. More than 6,200 people have been able to get temporary housing through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. More than 5,100 registrations for Small Business Administration Loans have been filed.

    Approximately 1,500 FEMA staff are in the state to help with the Western North Carolina relief effort. In addition to search and rescue and providing commodities, they have been meeting with disaster survivors in their neighborhoods and homes, in shelters, and in other areas to provide rapid access to relief resources.

    Cooper Signed Bipartisan Bill for Funding and Elections

    Just days after the storm, state legislators returned to Raleigh on October 9 to begin the process of allocating state funding for storm recovery. On October 10, Governor Cooper signed HB 149 into law as a first step in that process. In addition to initial funding, the bill also allows people in affected counties to have more options in where they return absentee ballots and gives flexibility to local election boards in impacted counties to ensure people have opportunities to vote. The 2024 election will be safe and secure, and people impacted by the storm will be able to make their voices heard.

    Governor Cooper also raised the amount of weekly unemployment payments for the thousands of people temporarily out of work. The Executive Order increasing benefits won unanimous bipartisan support from the NC Council of State.

    Misinformation and Disinformation Permeate the Response

    Governor Cooper and a bipartisan array of local, state and federal North Carolina officials have called out the intentional spread of disinformation and misinformation as detrimental to this response and recovery, leading to threats and intimidation, breeding confusion, and demoralizing storm survivors and response workers.

    On October 11, Governor Cooper responded to one of Donald Trump’s social media posts by saying, “This is a flat out lie. We’re working with all partners around the clock to get help to people. Trump’s lies and conspiracy theories have hurt the morale of first responders and people who lost everything, helped scam artists and put government and rescue workers in danger.”

    At a media briefing on October 16, Governor Cooper was asked why he believes the misinformation and disinformation have been worse after this storm compared to others. Governor Cooper explained:

    “Candidates are using people’s misery to sow chaos for their own political objectives, and it’s wrong. This is a time where we all need to pull together to help the people of Western North Carolina and it’s disappointing when candidates, knowing full well what they’re doing, are continuing this kind of disinformation filled with lies,”

    Efforts Will Continue to Ensure Long Term Recovery

    Other resources have surged into the area following the storm. $100 million in emergency funding from US Department of Transportation has been granted. NC Department of Health and Human Services, NCDEQ, Department of Motor Vehicles, NC Department of Public Instruction and many other state entities are supporting response and recovery.

    Western North Carolina has never experienced a storm like this. Recovery in mountainous terrain will require a unique, united and sustained effort that focuses on people who’ve lost everything while leaving politics at the door. With just weeks until the 2024 election, the Governor’s office urges all leaders to stick to the truth and not spread disinformation and misinformation, which only hurts the people who need help and those on the ground giving it their all to provide that help.

    ###

    Oct 21, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Finding solutions for women and gender diverse people’s top health priorities

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    $13.7 million investment will support 24 health research projects

    October 21, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Canadian Institutes of Health Research

    For decades, the health of women and gender diverse people has been under-researched, leading to disparities in health outcomes, gaps in access to care and too many instances of mis- and under-diagnosis. The National Women’s Health Research Initiative (NWHRI), led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada, has been working to change that, with a focus on evidence-based solutions that will directly improve women’s and gender diverse people’s access to and experience within the health care system.

    Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced that the Government of Canada, through the NWHRI, is investing $13.7M to support 24 research projects that will delve into under-researched areas of women’s and gender diverse people’s health, including endometriosis, women’s heart health, intimate partner violence, mental health, access to safe abortion and more.

    This funding will help research teams tackle important issues such as developing and rapidly adopting screening measures for endometriosis in women and gender diverse youth in Canada, implementing highly efficient, evidence-informed treatment for youth with eating disorders and closing the gap in health disparities in rural, remote and northern Indigenous communities.

    Quotes

    “I am proud to see great science finding solutions for the broadest range of health issues facing women and gender diverse people. What makes this research even more important is that the topics were identified by women as their health research priorities.”

    The Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health

    “The National Women’s Health Research Initiative is about more than addressing gaps in women’s and gender diverse people’s health—it’s a commitment to advancing gender equality in Canada. By fostering talent development, supporting diverse researchers, and driving systemic change, this initiative ensures better health outcomes for all and strengthens the future of scientific research.”

    The Honourable Marci Ien
    Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

    “When it comes to improving health outcomes and access to health care, what women and gender diverse communities need are real-world, evidence-based solutions. That’s exactly what these 24 projects are delivering.”

    Dr. Angela Kaida
    Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Gender and Health

    Quick facts

    • Women and gender diverse people have been historically under-represented in medical research, such as clinical trials.

    • The purpose of this funding is to support innovative applied health research to address implementation gaps and advance real-world solutions that improve access to health care and ultimately improve health outcomes for women, girls and gender diverse people across Canada.

    • Translational research refers to projects focused on expediting the development and adoption of new health care diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices for the benefit of women, girls, and gender diverse people within the health care system.

    • Health care implementation science refers to projects focused on scaling up promising practices for removing barriers and improving access to health care.

    • The initiative goes beyond the sex and gender binary and welcomes the experiences and needs of all people who identify as a woman, girl, intersex, and/or an under-represented gender identity, including, but not limited to, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender fluid and agender people.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Matthew Kronberg
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health
    343-552-5654

    Media Relations
    Canadian Institutes of Health Research
    mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

    At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at a home-based transcranial direct current stimulation treatment (tDCS) and major depressive disorder

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Nature Medicine looks at home-based brain stimulation as a possible treatment for major depressive disorder. 

    Dr Julian Mutz, King’s Prize Research Fellow, King’s College London, said:

    “Depression is a common mental health condition that carries a significant disease burden.  While medication and psychotherapy are effective, they do not work for every patient and sometimes cause unwanted side effects.  Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic or electrical stimulation, offer alternative treatment options.  A barrier to more widespread use is the need for frequent visits to the clinic, usually five times a week for several weeks.  There is considerable interest in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) due to its potential for home-based use.  However, data from randomised clinical trials are limited.  Prior studies have supported its feasibility but more data are needed to establish efficacy, an important gap that this study addresses.  In this phase II trial of 174 patients, the authors show that tDCS was efficacious over a ten-week period, a longer duration than prior home-based trials.  Nearly half of the patients receiving tDCS achieved clinical remission, compared to just over 20% in the control group.  The treatment also showed a good safety profile, which will provide reassurance to both clinicians and patients.  Given that two of the largest randomised controlled trials of tDCS yielded negative results, this trial will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing discussions about tDCS as a treatment option for depression.

    “This is a well-designed trial of tDCS, with sample sizes comparable to those of the largest tDCS trials in the clinic.  The trial had appropriate procedures in place to mitigate potential risks of bias and the authors carefully monitored and reported on adverse events and safety.  The assessment of efficacy was not limited to clinician ratings but also included patient reported outcomes.

    “tDCS is different from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).  ECT involves inducing a seizure and is applied under general anaesthesia.  ECT is generally reserved for the most difficult-to-treat patients when other treatment approaches have been unsuccessful.  tDCS applies mild electrical stimulation to the scalp while the patient is fully awake.”

    Prof Jonathan Roiser, Professor of Neuroscience & Mental Health, UCL, said:

    “This paper reports on a moderately large clinical trial of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for depression.  tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that has been tested in many previous depression trials – with mixed success – and involves delivering a mild electric current to a specific brain region (often, as in this study, to the prefrontal cortex, with electrodes placed on the forehead).  tDCS was delivered several times per week for 10 weeks, for half an hour each time.  In the “sham” (i.e. placebo) group, patients received only very brief stimulation to mimic the sensation of the active tDCS on the skin, in an attempt to introduce blinding.  What was relatively new in this study was the use of a commercially available device patients could use at home by themselves, with remote support from the study team.  Patients were told to use the machine five times each week for the first three weeks, reduced to three times each week for the remaining seven weeks.  Around two-thirds of the patients were taking antidepressant medication.  Some of the study investigators had a financial interest in the company that makes the tDCS device.

    “On average, both groups had quite substantial reductions in depressive symptoms (rated by the research team using a standard clinical interview) over 10 weeks.  However, there was a greater reduction in the active stimulation group, around half of whom got completely better.  This improvement was statistically better than in the sham group, around one-quarter of whom got completely better.  The size of the difference was in the small-to-moderate range, which is quite similar to trials of antidepressant medication.  The major challenge in interpreting this otherwise promising finding relates to problems with blinding: around three-quarters of the active stimulation group correctly guessed their treatment allocation, while less than half did so in the sham stimulation group.  This was probably due to minor side effects caused by the stimulation device; mostly skin redness, which occurred in nearly two-thirds of those receiving active stimulation, but also skin irritation and cognitive problems (trouble concentrating) in a small number of patients.  If there was clear skin redness on the forehead, it is possible that the researchers conducting the clinical interviews might also have also guessed the treatment allocation.  It is worth noting that a couple of the patients had more serious side effects, specifically skin burns which may have been caused by incorrect use of the device.”

    ‘Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation treatment for major depressive disorder: a fully remote phase 2 randomized sham-controlled trial’ by Rachel D. Woodham et al. was published in Nature Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 21 October 2024.

    DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03305-y

    Declared interests

    Dr Julian Mutz: “I do not have any COIs to report.  I have co-authored publications with the senior author in the past, but have not been involved in any collaboration recently.”

    Prof Jonathan Roiser: “No interests to declare.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Inquest Into the Death of Kristin Grant

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on October 21, 2024

    A public inquest into the death of Kristan Grant will be held November 18 to 22, 2024, at the Kenosee Inn, 100 Kenosee Drive, in Kenosee.

    The first day of the inquest is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Subsequent start times will be determined by the presiding coroner.

    Grant, 36, called police regarding a complaint with people in her house on November 8, 2021 at approximately 20:57 hours. RCMP members responded, found her agitated and noted some injuries present on her body. While the RCMP members attempted to calm her down, she became more agitated. The RCMP members deemed she was becoming a danger to herself, put her in handcuffs and placed her in the back seat of the police car to await for EMS to arrive. Upon arrival of a first responder, Kristin Grant became unresponsive and life saving measures were initiated. EMS arrived and continued resuscitation on route to the Kipling Hospital. She was pronounced deceased by an attending physician at the hospital at 02:29 hours on November 9, 2021.

    Section 20 of The Coroners Act, 1999 states that the Chief Coroner shall hold an inquest into the death of a person who dies while an inmate at a jail or a correctional facility, unless the coroner is satisfied that the person’s death was due entirely to natural causes and was not preventable.

    The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected deaths. The purpose of an inquest is to establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death. The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

    Coroner William Davern will preside at the inquest.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Health App Update Makes Accessing Health Records, Managing Medications and Food Tracking Easier

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung is committed to empowering users’ health routines with a seamlessly connected ecosystem of personalized wellness experiences. Samsung Health makes this possible by bringing together fragmented health data into a consolidated platform, enabling users to easily monitor their wellbeing.
    To further this mission, Samsung Health now offers expanded health management capabilities1, enabling users to easily access their health records, effectively manage medications, and track their daily food intake with convenience – all through the latest Samsung Health app update available starting today. To bring these advancements to life, Samsung has partnered with industry leading companies specializing in health data integration, medications tracking, and food barcode scanning, optimizing the experience in select markets.
    Manage Health Record from a Single, Secure Place

    With a new Health Records feature2, users can easily access medical records from clinics, hospitals, and major health networks — all in the Samsung Health app. Samsung has partnered with b.well Connected Health, a platform that consolidates the largest electronic medical record (EMR) systems in the United States. including athenahealth, Cerner Health, Epic Systems and Veradigm®. The Health Records feature guides users toward preventative care by offering meaningful insights and alerts that suggest next steps, such as recommending medical tests or actions. By offering a holistic view of their health history ─ including vaccination and prescription records, past hospital visits, and even specific test results ─ users can more effectively communicate with their healthcare providers by having their important medical details at their fingertips.
    Advanced Medications Tracking Expands to More Users

    Launched in the U.S. last year, the Medications tracking feature3 has allowed users to easily keep a record of medications, and access relevant tips and information including general descriptions, potential side effects, and warnings about drug interactions or food-related reactions. The feature is one of the most frequently used among Samsung Health app users in the U.S., with around two-thirds returning to manage their medications at least three times per week. Through the latest update, the Medications tracking feature allows more users to easily manage their medications with expanded functionalities and availability. With the visual search, users can easily add medications to their personal medication list by simply scanning the pill bottle with their phone camera. They can also check adherence levels and easily monitor medication progress, including details on dosage schedules or a missed dose, through an intuitive dashboard.

    Medications tracking feature is also expanding to South Korea and India, forging strategic initiatives with leading regional partners to offer insightful information to even more users. In the U.S., through its partnership with Elsevier, a globally recognized healthcare data hub, the Samsung Health app also provides warnings for over 960 types of allergies and potential reactions to medications. In Korea, with Korea Pharmaceutical Information Center (KPIC), an authoritative institute under the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, users can receive warnings about medications to avoid during pregnancy. Plus, in India, through a collaboration with Tata 1mg, India’s leading digital consumer healthcare platform, users can not only receive reminders to refill medications, but conveniently do so online when needed.
    Effortlessly Monitor Food Intake with Barcode Scanning

    It is essential to monitor one’s daily dietary intake and establish healthy eating habits. Barcode scanning has now been added to the Food tracker in Samsung Health, making it even easier to log food details such as names, calories and nutrition facts. In partnership with fatsecret, one of the largest global providers of verified food and nutrition data, users can simply scan food barcodes to receive necessary nutritional information automatically in the app. The feature will first be available in the U.S. and select European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, and expand to additional markets in the future.
    Samsung is dedicated to shaping the future of comprehensive health management and continuously optimize wearable technology to bring smarter, more personalized solutions for everyday wellness. These advancements strengthen the foundation of Samsung’s digital health platform, and with other innovations, deliver more meaningful and impactful experiences globally.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mike Levin, San Diego Congressional Delegation Call for Federal Support for South Bay Air Quality Monitoring

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

    October 18, 2024

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (CA-49), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Scott Peters (CA-50) called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide support to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) as they work to monitor the air quality in communities impacted by Tijuana River Valley pollution.

    This summer, South Bay communities were overwhelmed by strong sewage odors from the Tijuana River Valley, and hydrogen sulfide was detected in higher-than-normal amounts for short periods of time. Because exposure to hydrogen sulfide can cause adverse health effects like headaches and difficulty breathing, it is important that our communities have access to continuous and robust air quality monitoring that will give public health officials the information they need to help keep people safe.

    “In the past year, researchers discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized and become airborne– unveiling an apparent threat not only to our water ecosystems, but the air in our communities. A recent heat wave in the region intensified the odors, and led constituents to report that the fumes have caused them to wake up in the middle of the night,” wrote the lawmakers. 

    “The [APCD] needs additional resources to ensure that they can properly measure and respond to the reported increase of noxious fumes,” the lawmakers continued. “That is why we are requesting that the EPA deploy whatever available federal resources to assist the San Diego County APCD with establishing a network of reference-grade monitoring equipment that can provide precise and real-time data.”

    Read the full letter HERE.

    The San Diego Congressional delegation has been focused on combating pollution in the Tijuana River Valley for years. 

    Together, the San Diego Congressional delegation has secured $400 million in federal funding which will be used to help improve and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Construction on the plant will begin soon. 

    In May, the Congressional delegation called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to look into the contaminants in the water, soil, and air in our communities and the potential connection to reported increases in illnesses and other symptoms. Thanks to their request, the CDC has begun an investigation into the public health impacts of the Tijuana River Valley sewage pollution.

    Earlier this year, the San Diego Congressional delegation reiterated their call to the President to declare a federal state of emergency to help address the pollution. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Warren, Welch Push to Increase Funding for Medical Research, Require Law-Breaking Drug Companies to Reinvest in NIH and FDA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    Bill applies to pharmaceutical companies who are found guilty or are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government.

    Full Text of Bill (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)

    EVANSTON – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), along with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Medical Innovation Act of 2024 to increase funding for medical innovation by requiring large pharmaceutical companies that are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government to reinvest a percentage of their profits into the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    In 2023, the NIH only had funds for 23% of the applications it received, contributing to a huge medical innovation gap. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies have been accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, marketing drugs for unapproved uses, illegally incentivizing doctors to prescribe drugs, lying about the safety of their drugs, and violating other criminal and civil laws. The companies have settled many of these claims with the federal government, treating the fines as a cost of doing business. Most recently, Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay the Justice Department $450 million to settle a set of lawsuits alleging that the company defrauded Medicare and conspired with other drug-makers to illegally inflate the prices of two generic drugs.

    Between 2019 and October 2024, the Department of Justice pursued new actions against or settled cases with at least 40 pharmaceutical companies. 

    The Medical Innovation Act would: 

    • Require pharmaceutical companies accused of breaking the law to reinvest a small percentage of their profits in NIH and FDA. These payments would increase with the severity of the settlement penalty, and would only be required of companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop billion-dollar, “blockbuster” drugs.  
    • Invest in life-saving medical innovation through the NIH and FDA. Payments collected through this bill would be used to develop treatments and diagnostics to address unmet medical needs; support research grants for early career scientists; research diseases that disproportionately contribute to federal health care spending; and advance basic biomedical research, among other uses.
    • Promote sustained investments in biomedical research. To ensure that the Act results in a net increase in funding for medical research, money from the supplemental settlement fees would only be available in years that annual appropriations for NIH and FDA are equal to or greater than appropriations for the agencies in the prior fiscal year.   

    “For too long, drug companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop their blockbuster drugs have gotten away with defrauding consumers and taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The Medical Innovation Act would make it more difficult for these drug companies to game the system by requiring them to provide a share of their profits to increase investments in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. We can continue to be a leading force in medical innovation and this legislation will help ensure that we have the means to cure diseases and save lives.” 

    “Big Pharma shouldn’t be able to defraud the federal government and get away with just a slap on the wrist,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This bill will help us save lives by ensuring giant drug companies that enter into settlement agreements with the federal government chip in to fund the next generation of medical research.”

    “The Medical Innovation Act is a commonsense way to advance more medical research by holding shady pharmaceutical companies accountable when they break the law,” said Senator Peter Welch. “I led this bill as a member of the House and am fighting today with my colleagues Senator Warren and Representative Schakowsky to maintain America’s leadership in biomedical science.”

    This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: National Women’s Health Network, AIDS United, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Families USA, Public Citizen, and Massachusetts Medical Society. 

    “The Medical Innovation Act reinvests in vital research. This legislation is a crucial step toward holding the pharmaceutical industry accountable while ensuring that taxpayer-funded research leads to tangible advancements in health. With women historically underrepresented in clinical trials, it’s imperative that we close the innovation gap. The Network thanks Senator Elizabeth Warren for her leadership on this issue and we are hopeful that together, we can create a healthier future for all women,” said Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth, Executive Director, National Women’s Health Network.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Warren, Schakowsky in Pushing to Require Law-Breaking Drug Companies to Reinvest Profits in NIH & FDA for Medical Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Medical Innovation Act applies to pharmaceutical companies who are found guilty or are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) in introducing the Medical Innovation Act of 2024, which would require large pharmaceutical companies that are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government to reinvest a small percentage of their profits into the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
    “The Medical Innovation Act is a commonsense way to advance more medical research by holding shady pharmaceutical companies accountable when they break the law,” said Senator Welch. “I led this bill as a member of the House and am fighting today with my colleagues Senator Warren and Representative Schakowsky to maintain America’s leadership in biomedical science.” 
    “Big Pharma shouldn’t be able to defraud the federal government and get away with just a slap on the wrist,” said Senator Warren. “This bill will help us save lives by ensuring giant drug companies that enter into settlement agreements with the federal government chip in to fund the next generation of medical research.” 
    “For too long, drug companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop their blockbuster drugs have gotten away with defrauding consumers and taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The Medical Innovation Act would make it more difficult for these drug companies to game the system by requiring them to provide a share of their profits to increase investments in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. We can continue to be a leading force in medical innovation and this legislation will help ensure that we have the means to cure diseases and save lives.” 
    In 2023, the NIH only had funds for 23% of the applications it received, contributing to a huge medical innovation gap. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies have been accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, marketing drugs for unapproved uses, illegally incentivizing doctors to prescribe drugs, lying about the safety of their drugs, and violating other criminal and civil laws. The companies have settled many of these claims with the federal government, treating the fines as a cost of doing business. Most recently, Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay the Justice Department $450 million to settle a set of lawsuits alleging that the company defrauded Medicare and conspired with other drug-makers to illegally inflate the prices of two generic drugs. Between 2019 and October 2024, the Department of Justice pursued new actions against or settled cases with at least 40 pharmaceutical companies.  
    The Medical Innovation Act would:  
    Require pharmaceutical companies accused of breaking the law to reinvest a small percentage of their profits in NIH and FDA. These payments would increase with the severity of the settlement penalty, and would only be required of companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop billion-dollar, “blockbuster” drugs.   
    Invest in life-saving medical innovation through the NIH and FDA. Payments collected through this bill would be used to develop treatments and diagnostics to address unmet medical needs; support research grants for early career scientists; research diseases that disproportionately contribute to federal health care spending; and advance basic biomedical research, among other uses. 
    Promote sustained investments in biomedical research. To ensure that the Act results in a net increase in funding for medical research, money from the supplemental settlement fees would only be available in years that annual appropriations for NIH and FDA are equal to or greater than appropriations for the agencies in the prior fiscal year.     
    Senator Welch introduced the Medical Innovation Act as a Member of the House of Representatives in the 114th Congress alongside Senator Warren and they have pushed for the legislation since 2015. The Medical Innovation Act is cosponsored this Congress by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).  
    This bill is endorsed by the National Women’s Health Network, AIDS United, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Families USA, Public Citizen, and the Massachusetts Medical Society.  
    View the bill text of the Medical Innovation Act.   
    Read more about the Medical Innovation Act.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Jasper’s wildfire recovery is challenged by its unique land classification and the approaching winter

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jack L. Rozdilsky, Associate Professor of Disaster and Emergency Management, York University, Canada

    On July 24, 2024, one-third of the structures in Jasper, Alta. were destroyed when the Jasper Complex Wildfire burnt an estimated 32,722 hectares.

    As a researcher of disaster and emergency management, I visited Jasper in October to observe disaster recovery efforts there.

    The Municipality of Jasper and its federal partners are actively managing the recovery. The municipality has submitted an application for $73.14 million in expenditures for reimbursement from Alberta’s provincial Disaster Recovery Program.

    For those outside of the disaster zone, the message is that Jasper still exists and it is open for business. In the meantime, visitors need to be aware that residents are facing daunting tasks in a recovery effort that will take not months but years.

    Visiting Jasper

    As I approached Jasper from the south, through the fire-scarred Jasper National Park, I was first struck by what visually appears as a wasteland of burnt sticks in a black, brown and grey landscape.

    Burned trees in Jasper National Park landscape.
    (J. Rozdilsky), CC BY

    Proceeding into Jasper, the landscape transforms into the disfigured skeletal remains of noncombustible portions of structures — the buildings have been reduced to piles of charred, rusting and decomposing objects in vast debris fields.

    However, portions of Jasper’s built environment did survive the fire, and it is entirely possible to spend time in some parts of the town that remained intact rather than looking like a burnt-out war zone.

    Clean-up challenges

    A very visible and immediate challenge to Jasper’s practical recovery is the removal of debris.

    A streetlamp lies on the ground in Jasper, outside what remains of the Wicked Cup Café.
    (J. Rozdilsky), CC BY

    Work is underway to expedite bulk debris removal action. The action would work by removing debris across multiple properties at the same time by using one contractor.

    One of the challenges of removing the debris is the rapid approach of winter. November sees the most snowfall in Jasper, with an average snowfall of 135 millimetres.

    Despite best efforts being made, if large tracts of disaster debris become frozen in place over winter, such a situation will impede recovery progress in 2025.

    In addition to health hazards and special worker safety related to fire debris, improper management of disaster debris can impede the timely recovery of the affected area.

    Land classification

    Less visible, but nonetheless important, challenges facing disaster recovery in Jasper are unfolding policy dilemmas related to a very nuanced land tenure situation. Rules of land tenure define how access is granted to rights to use, control and transfer land, as well as associated responsibilities and restraints.

    From the public administrative perspective, Jasper is not your typical Canadian town. It is formally a provincially classified specialized municipality that exists within the boundaries of federally administered national park lands governed under the National Parks Act.

    The situation means disaster recovery will take place under a unique set of rules governing everything from land use decisions to one’s right to reside in Jasper. In Jasper, residents own their homes, but not the property they sit on; the Crown is the only landowner in the park.

    Until an amendment to the Canada Parks Act known as Bill C-76 received royal assent on Oct. 3, 2024, Jasper’s local government did not have the ability to exercise control over its own land use and planning. Under Bill C-76, the Municipality of Jasper will formally take authority over specific elements of land-use planning and development that were previously held by Parks Canada.

    However, this nuanced land tenure situation in Jasper will complicate recovery. Unanticipated consequences of overlapping interests will occur as several parties in Jasper are allocated different rights to the same parcel of land.

    Collective recovery

    A sign that Jasper was moving in the right direction was evidenced by a municipally based public information campaign consisting of posters in the town centre. The headline on the poster was “We’re in this together.”

    A poster for a public information campaign addressing residents and visitors to Jasper.
    (J. Rozdilsky), CC BY

    The left column of the poster addresses Jasper residents, while the righthand side speaks directly to visitors. Visitors were advised to “ask us about our town, the park and our community. Try not to ask us what we lost in the fire.”

    The “We’re in this together” theme related to recovery applies beyond local affairs. For those far outside of Jasper, now is the time to support the town’s unique role as a national asset, facilitating access of 2.5 million visitors yearly to Canadian natural areas.

    For Jasper’s disaster recovery, we are indeed all in this together.

    Jack L. Rozdilsky receives support for research communication and public scholarship from York University. He also has received research support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

    – ref. Jasper’s wildfire recovery is challenged by its unique land classification and the approaching winter – https://theconversation.com/jaspers-wildfire-recovery-is-challenged-by-its-unique-land-classification-and-the-approaching-winter-241135

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Dan Goldman Calls for CDC Study on Gun Violence as Adverse Childhood Experience

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Estimated 3 Million American Children Exposed to Gun Violence Per Year, Potentially Traumatic Impact Following Throughout Their Lives

    Read the Letter Here

    New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) and 20 Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, calling on the CDC to include gun violence as part of its Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening tools and prioritize research on the trauma caused by gun violence in children. An ACE is a traumatic event or set of events that occurs for a person during childhood (0-17 years) and can continue to have effects on an individual throughout their life.

    “Many clinicians and professionals across the country will screen children for ACEs as it provides them with information on the likelihood of whether that child may be experiencing toxic stress,” the Members wrote. “Experiencing toxic stress, particularly for children, can impact many things, including their physical and mental health, their brain development, and their ability to succeed and thrive later on in life. Once an ACE clinical assessment has been completed, clinicians can create individualized plans to address and mitigate the harm a child is experiencing due to the ACEs. Gun violence needs to be explicitly part of these ACE screening tools.”

    As the leading cause of death for children in the United States, gun violence will have an impact on an estimated 3 million children every year. On average, 23 children and teens are shot a day. Of those children and teens shot, 74 percent will survive but carry emotional and sometimes physical scars for the rest of their lives, while the other 26 percent, will die – often a result of gun homicide. Additionally, the firearm suicide rate among children in the U.S. increased by 57 percent over the past decade.

    “Such high rates of daily gun violence mean that American children are threatened, afraid or traumatized where they live, play, and, infamously, where they learn. This compounding trauma is something that needs to be explicitly captured and more broadly defined when it comes to screening for ACEs. The CDC needs to provide additional guidance for clinicians and professionals to be able to capture the trauma from gun violence in their respective screening mechanisms,” the Members continued.

    Read the letter here or below:

    Dear Director Cohen,

    We are writing today to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide guidance on how to include gun violence in future Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) screening tools, prioritize studying gun violence as an Adverse Childhood Experience and prioritize funding, including policy evaluation research, focused on assessing the trauma caused by gun violence in our country.

    An Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) is a traumatic event or set of events that occurs for a person during childhood (0-17 years). Many clinicians and professionals across the country will screen children for ACEs as it provides them with information on the likelihood of whether that child may be experiencing toxic stress. Experiencing toxic stress, particularly for children, can impact many things, including their physical and mental health, their brain development, and their ability to succeed and thrive later on in life. Once an ACE clinical assessment has been completed, clinicians can create individualized plans to address and mitigate the harm a child is experiencing due to the ACEs. Gun violence needs to be explicitly part of these ACE screening tools.

    Far too many American children — an estimated 3 million each year — are exposed to gun violence. Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens in our country. On average, 23 children and teens are shot a day. Seventeen of those youth will survive but carry emotional and sometimes physical scars for the rest of their lives; six of those youth will die. The majority of those deaths are due to gun homicide, which encompasses everything from stray bullets to domestic violence and disproportionately impacts Black and Brown youth.

    Though gun homicide accounts for the most youth deaths, firearm suicide rates are rising at an alarming rate. Over the past decade, the firearm suicide rate among children in the U.S. increased by a staggering 57%. Today, although the majority of youth suicide victims are white, the firearm suicide rate for children of color is rapidly increasing. Such high rates of daily gun violence mean that American children are threatened, afraid or traumatized where they live, play, and, infamously, where they learn. This compounding trauma is something that needs to be explicitly captured and more broadly defined when it comes to screening for ACEs. The CDC needs to provide additional guidance for clinicians and professionals to be able to capture the trauma from gun violence in their respective screening mechanisms.

    Additionally, the CDC’s ongoing research regarding ACEs serves as a robust framework for comprehensively understanding childhood trauma. ACEs wield significant influence on future experiences of violence and long-term health outcomes and opportunities throughout one’s life. Scientific and medical research on a variety of public health issues has led to policy changes that have saved lives for decades, which is why Congress has, on a bipartisan basis, appropriated funds for the CDC to study firearm injury and mortality prevention research since Fiscal Year 2020. To that end, we request that you provide an overview of the CDC’s plans to study firearm violence, specifically as it relates to studying gun violence as it relates to an ACE and assessing the overall trauma that people are experiencing today living under the constant threat of gun violence.

    We thank you for your engagement on this issue and stand ready to use this critical research to shape public policy to ensure that gun violence is neither the leading cause of death for children nor a primary cause of trauma for children.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extra support for jurors thanks to launch of pioneering scheme

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Jurors on the most traumatic cases will be better supported than ever with access to round-the-clock help and free counselling sessions.

    • jurors in traumatic cases to receive 24/7 support and free counselling sessions
    • first-of-its kind scheme underway in 14 courts across the country
    • Six free sessions for jurors who hear disturbing evidence, including murder, abuse and cruelty

    In a new pilot launched earlier this month, jurors in 14 Crown Courts across the country will be able to self-refer themselves for 6 free counselling sessions with specially trained counsellors, as well as access a 24/7 helpline for support, advice and information. 

    Crown Courts from across the country taking part in the test scheme include The Old Bailey in London, Liverpool,  Birmingham, Bristol and Teesside. These courts hear some of the country’s most serious cases – including the trial of Ian Huntley at The Old Bailey and the recent trial of Piran Ditta Khan, convicted of the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky, at Leeds Crown Court.

    The justice system depends on the public joining a jury when they are called, and today’s news will provide further reassurance that those who hear distressing evidence such as murder, abuse and cruelty will get the support they need, when they need it.

    Justice Minister Heidi Alexander said:   

    Jury service is an essential part of criminal justice which underpins the impartiality and fairness that runs through our legal system.

    Offering free emotional and mental support is a significant step forward to help jurors performing a vital public service who have heard distressing and traumatic evidence in often demanding, long and high-profile cases.

    While many people find their experience of jury service to be fulfilling, some can experience significant distress after hearing traumatic evidence. Court staff are always on hand to support during the trial, but until now, any further help was limited to being signposted to a GP, the 111 telephone line for mental health crisis support, or the Samaritans. 

    The pilot is funded by the Ministry of Justice, provided by Vita Health Group (VHG), and will run for approximately six months. During that time the government will identify how best to direct resources on an ongoing basis to support the jurors who give their time to serve the criminal justice system.

    Notes to editors

    • Leaflets will be made available to all jurors in the pilot courts once they have finished a trial. At this point, jurors will have the opportunity to self-refer to VHG should they feel they need the support of a bespoke counselling service as a direct result of their jury service. 
    • The programme is expected to be rolled out in Mold Crown Court in Wales in the coming months.
    • Full list of regions and crown courts taking part in the pilot:
      • Yorkshire: Leeds
      • North-East: Teesside
      • North-West: Liverpool, Carlisle
      • South East: Oxford, Luton
      • South-West: Winchester, Bristol, Gloucester
      • Midlands: Nottingham, Birmingham
      • London: Central Criminal Court, Snaresbrook, Kingston Upon Thames

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release, Whangamarino death

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can now release the name of the man who died from injuries inflicted in an assault at Hampton Downs last Monday.

    He was 43-year-old Darshak Narran, from South Auckland.

    Darshak was located with critical injuries on the roadside in the vicinity of the Hampton Downs Racetrack. He never regained consciousness and died in Auckland Hospital last Thursday, 17 October.

    Two men have been arrested and charged with Darshak’s murder. They have been remanded in custody to appear next on 5 November in the High Court at Hamilton.

    The investigation is ongoing as Police work to locate other people believed to have been involved in the fatal assault.

    Police are again asking anyone who was travelling on Hampton Downs Road between 10pm on Sunday 13 October and 1am on 14 October to make contact, particularly if you have dashcam footage.

    If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241014/2225.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Recapture of inmate from the Stan Daniels Healing Centre – Section 81 facility

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    At approximately 10:55 pm on October 19, 2024, inmate William Mackinaw was apprehended by the Red Deer Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

    October 21, 2024 – Edmonton, Alberta – Correctional Service Canada

    At approximately 10:55 pm on October 19, 2024, inmate William Mackinaw was apprehended by the Red Deer Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

    This inmate had been unlawfully at large from the Stan Daniels Healing Centre, a Section 81 facility operated by the Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA), since January 4, 2024.

    NCSA and the Correctional Service of Canada are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    Ensuring the safety and security of institutions, staff, and public remains the highest priority in the operations of the federal correctional system.

    Jeff Campbell
    Regional Communications Manager
    Regional Headquarters – Prairies
    (306) 222-2258

    Follow the Correctional Service of Canada on X and Facebook.
    For more information, please visit our website.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Announces $4 Million for 11 Louisiana Infrastructure, Transportation, Economic Development Projects from His Infrastructure Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced Louisiana will receive $4,084,100.00 from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to boost economic development and improve the quality of life for Louisiana communities and residents thanks to his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
    “This is great news for Louisiana and an investment in our economy and workforce,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Thanks to the Infrastructure Law, which I helped negotiate, we can expect to see even more dollars coming our way.” 
    The 11 new investment projects will improve water and sewer systems, update transportation infrastructure, and bolster electrical reliability for 18,000 residents in communities across Louisiana. 
    Funding for these projects is provided by the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), which provides direct investment into community-based and regional projects to support basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce training and education, and small businesses development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), which targets physical infrastructure projects that help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region. DRA coordinates directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Louisiana and its local development districts for program funding implementation.
    Grant Awarded
    Recipient
    Project Description
    $509,000.00
    City of West Monroe
    This grant will provide federal funding to update and improve 770 feet of sewer infrastructure in Downtown West Monroe to help bolster the city’s growth, development and economic sustainability. 
    $509,000.00
    Town of Maurice
    This grant will provide federal funding to make water system improvements to service the town’s rapidly increasing population, remedy existing public health concerns and violations, and improve residents’ quality of life.
    $509,000.00
    North Desoto Water System
    This grant will provide federal funding to construct a new drinking water booster station to serve the Town of Stonewall, and other surrounding areas, to improve water storage and pumping capacity for the purposes of alleviating pressure on existing undersized stations, ensuring reliable water supply, and supporting new residential and economic developments.
    $509,000.00
    City of Minden
    This grant will provide federal funding for a water main replacement project to guarantee that the city’s distribution system continues to receive sufficient water and to improve the overall reliability, sustainability and fire protection of the system.
    $454,000.00
    Town of Marion
    This grant will provide federal funding to repair, rehabilitate and improve a 64-year-old sewer lift station to address poor conditions and health-code violations linked to the existing station and to provide and maintain adequate sewer service for residents.
    $418,100.00
    City of Kaplan
    This grant will provide federal funding to support a sewer system improvement project, which involves a comprehensive rehabilitation of the system to improve the resiliency and functionality of the city’s sewer collection system.
    $375,000.00
    Ouachita Parish
    This grant will provide federal funding for an emergency operations center renovation project, a critical infrastructure project that will play a vital role in ensuring effective emergency management and response capabilities in the region. 
    $304,000.00
    Ochsner LSU Health – Monroe Medical Center
    This grant will provide federal funding to install a new electrical distribution system to improve the center’s electrical infrastructure, resulting in increased electrical reliability and capacity and expansion of community services. 
    $218,000.00
    Village of Plaucheville
    This grant will provide federal funding to construct a new water main, which will reduce service disruptions and improve the water system for the entire village.
    $199,000.00
    Town of Lockport
    This grant will provide federal funding to make critical improvements to the sewer and wastewater treatment systems that are foundational to the town’s ability to sustain its rich Cajun cultural heritage, a livable community, and the increasingly important tourism economy.
    $80,000.00
    Town of Waterproof
    This grant will provide federal funding for a sewer improvement project that will replace the backup pumps inside of five sewer lift stations, providing additional capacity to meet usage demands from the town’s residents, businesses and detention center while also addressing regulations set by the Department of Environmental Quality.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Unapproved Drugs with Intent to Defraud over the Internet

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Department of Justice
    U.S. Attorney’s Office
    District of Vermont

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Thursday, October 17, 2024

    Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on October 17, 2024, Jeremy Brown, 55, of Simi Valley, California, pleaded guilty to introducing into interstate commerce new drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) with the intent to defraud or mislead.

    According to court records, between March 2019 and December 2023, Brown operated a company, Warrior Labz SARMs, and accompanying websites through which he sold unapproved versions of prescription drugs and other substances. Specifically, Brown sold Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (“SARMs”), which are substances similar to anabolic steroids; unapproved versions of erectile-dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis; and unapproved versions of weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

    Brown falsely claimed on his websites that the drugs offered for sale were for “research purposes only” and “not for human consumption.” Alongside those claims, however, were claims that the drugs would provide various benefits affecting the structure and function of the human body.

    Brown obtained the bulk of the drugs he sold from China. Brown did not verify shipping or storage conditions, nor did he use a lab to verify the contents of the drugs he received from China. But he falsely claimed on his websites that his company used only the highest quality pharmaceutical grade ingredients and U.S. manufacturing practices.

    After receiving a warning letter from the FDA in June 2023, Brown continued to sell unapproved drugs over the internet. Between August and December 2023, Brown made three sales of unapproved drugs to an undercover law enforcement account in Vermont.

    Brown faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

    “Drugs that are produced and distributed outside the FDA’s oversight present the risk of harm to the public health,” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office.  “We remain committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who attempt to subvert the regulatory functions of the FDA by distributing unapproved, and potentially dangerous, products.”

    United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

    The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Corinne Smith. Brown is represented by Rick Collins, Esq. and Lisa Shelkrot, Esq.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Orlando Doctor Indicted For Offering To Inject Silicone For Gluteal Augmentation Procedure

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Department of Justice
    U.S. Attorney’s Office
    Middle District of Florida

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Thursday, October 17, 2024

    Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Nhan Pham (54, Orlando) with three counts of violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for receiving in interstate commerce and proffering delivery of an adulterated device, misbranding a device after its shipment in interstate commerce, and failing to register as a device manufacturer. If convicted, Pham faces up to three years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Pham that the United States intends to forfeit any adulterated or misbranded device, any property used to commit the violations, and any proceeds traceable to the offense.

    According to the indictment, in October 2019, Pham received liquid silicone in interstate commerce and offered to inject the silicone into a person’s body for a gluteal augmentation procedure. Such use of injectable silicone has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    “Injectable silicone for body contouring is not FDA-approved and can cause serious injury and even death,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin C. Fielder, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Miami Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who place American consumers at risk.”

    This case was investigated by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina

    NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina
    hejones1

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how seasonal vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, help protect communities against severe illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications. Following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, NCDHHS and participants will also share health-related information and resources available to support Hispanic and Latino communities during disaster recovery.

    Event participants include:   

    • Carolina Siliceo Perez, MLAS, Acting Director for Latinx/Hispanic Policy and Strategy, NCDHHS  
    • Gabriela Plasencia, MD, MAS, Family Medicine Physician & Health Equity Researcher, Duke Family Medicine 
    • Sharon Muñoz, Health Literacy Consultant, LATIN-19 

    Everyone ages 6 months and older is due for their updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The updated shots were developed to protect communities against the newest strains of the viruses expected to circulate this fall and winter. Seasonal vaccines are the best way to prevent people from experiencing severe cases of flu and COVID-19, especially for those who are at a higher risk of complications from the viruses. This includes people who are under 5, those 65 and older, pregnant and/or living with chronic medical conditions.   

    Cafecito and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:   

    • How to get your seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines   
    • What to know about RSV protection, including RSV vaccines  
    • Ways to find health information, services and care in Spanish  
    • Steps to protect yourself and your household against seasonal illness  
    • How to access free vaccines for children 

    In addition to flu and COVID-19 vaccines, RSV vaccines are also now available for older adults and pregnant women. Some babies and children under 2 may also need to receive an immunization to help build protection against RSV. It’s important for individuals of all ages to be up to date on all recommended vaccines before enjoying seasonal activities or sporting events with loved ones. 

    Everyone should test for COVID-19 right away if they feel sick or have symptoms to help prevent the virus from spreading to others around them. Free, at-home COVID-19 tests are available at more than 300 local organizations statewide and by mail through CovidTests.gov. To find free tests near you, visit MySpot.nc.gov/Tests. 

    The Cafecito will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 112992#. 

    Visit MySpot.nc.gov for information, guidance and resources on seasonal vaccines and how they support respiratory health.  

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS) presentará un Cafecito, una conversación virtual y telefónica en vivo el miércoles 23 de octubre, de 6 a 7 p.m., para hablar sobre cómo las vacunas estacionales, incluidas las del COVID-19, la gripe (influenza) y el virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS), ayudan a proteger a las comunidades contra enfermedades graves, hospitalizaciones y complicaciones de salud a largo plazo. Después de los devastadores impactos del huracán Helene, las panelistas también compartirán información y recursos de salud disponibles para apoyar a las comunidades hispanas y latinas durante la recuperación ante desastres. 

    Panelistas del evento incluyen:  

    • Carolina Siliceo Perez, MLAS, directora interina de Política y Estrategia Latina e Hispana, NCDHHS   
    • Gabriela Plasencia, MD, MAS, médica de medicina familiar e investigadora de equidad en salud, Centro Médico de la Universidad de Duke   
    • Sharon Muñoz, consultora en educación en la salud, LATIN-19   

    Todas las personas de 6 meses de edad en adelante deben recibir las vacunas actualizadas contra la gripe y el COVID-19. Las dosis actualizadas se desarrollaron para proteger a las comunidades contra las nuevas cepas de los virus que se espera que circulen este otoño e invierno. Las vacunas estacionales son la mejor manera de prevenir que las personas padezcan casos graves de gripe y COVID-19, especialmente aquellas con mayor riesgo de complicaciones. Esto incluye a las personas menores de 5 años, mayores de 65 años, embarazadas y/o con condiciones médicas crónicas. 

    Las panelistas del Cafecito hablarán sobre los siguientes temas:  

    • Cómo recibir las vacunas estacionales contra la gripe (influenza) y el COVID-19   
    • Información sobre la protección contra el VRS, incluyendo las vacunas  
    • Maneras de encontrar información, servicios y atención médica en español   
    • Pasos para protegerse y proteger a su hogar contra las enfermedades estacionales   
    • Cómo acceder a vacunas gratuitas para los niños   

    Además de las vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19, las vacunas contra el VRS también están disponibles para adultos mayores y personas embarazadas. Algunos bebés y niños menores de 2 años también pueden necesitar recibir una inmunización para ayudar a desarrollar protección contra el VRS. Es importante que personas de todas las edades estén al día con todas las vacunas recomendadas antes de disfrutar de actividades estacionales o eventos deportivos con seres queridos. 

    Todos deben hacerse la prueba de COVID-19 de inmediato si se sienten enfermos o tienen síntomas, ya que esto ayudara a prevenir la propagación del virus a quienes los rodean. Pruebas caseras gratuitas de COVID-19 están disponibles en más de 300 organizaciones locales en todo el estado y por correo a través de CovidTests.gov. Para encontrar pruebas gratuitas cerca de usted, visite Vacunate.nc.gov/Pruebas. 

    El Cafecito se transmitirá en vivo y en español desde las cuentas de Facebook y YouTube del NCDHHS, donde los espectadores podrán enviar sus preguntas. El evento incluirá una opción de telecomunicación, que invita a las personas a escuchar y enviar preguntas por teléfono. Los participantes también pueden llamar al evento al 855-756-7520 Ext. 112992#. 

    Visite Vacunate.nc.gov para obtener información, orientación y recursos sobre las vacunas estacionales y cómo apoyan la salud respiratoria. 

    Oct 21, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Where there’s smoke: the rising death toll from climate-charged fire in the landscape

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fay Johnston, Professor, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania

    Daria Nipot, Shutterstock

    Inhaling smoke is bad for you. Smoke from any kind of fire, from bonfire to burn-off to uncontrolled wildfire, can have serious consequences.

    Even low levels of smoke can make many heart and lung diseases worse, sometimes triggering a rapid deterioration in health. When we are repeatedly exposed over months and years, air pollution, including smoke, makes us more likely to develop heart, lung and other chronic diseases.

    Now, new international research has linked the warming climate to some of the deaths from exposure to fire smoke in large parts of the world, including Australia.

    In 2012, I led the first team to estimate the number of landscape fire smoke-related deaths globally each year. Our estimate of 339,000 deaths did not attempt to pull out the influence of climate change. But we noticed much higher impacts during hotter and drier El Niño periods.

    The researchers behind the new study took this a step further, estimating how much of the historical burden of fire smoke-related deaths might be attributable to climate change. They found a considerably increasing proportion, from 1.2% in the 1960s to 12.8% in the 2010s.

    Where there’s fire, there’s smoke

    A wall of flames is way more deadly than a bit of smoke in the air – isn’t it? It’s not so simple. When you look back at a fire disaster, the smoke-related death toll in the aftermath can be surprisingly high.

    During the extreme Australian bushfire season of 2019–20, there were 33 deaths directly related to fire. But my team found the number of smoke-related deaths was 429, more than ten times higher.

    Smoke travels vast distances and can affect very large populations. Millions of people in Australia and New Zealand breathed smoke from the 2019-20 Australian fires. The sheer scale of the air quality impacts means the associated public health burden can be very large.

    Smoke harms our health in two ways. In the short term, it makes existing diseases worse. As soon as the body detects smoke, it initiates immune and stress responses that affect, among other things, blood pressure, blood glucose and the risk of forming blood clots.

    For some people with serious chronic illness such as heart and blood vessel disease, these subtle changes can trigger deadly complications including heart attacks or strokes.

    When smoke reaches our eyes, throats and lungs, it acts as an irritant. This can be enough to make people living with asthma or other lung conditions seriously unwell.

    Over the longer term, air pollution is a known risk factor for developing heart disease, lung disease, asthma, diabetes and stroke, and landscape fire smoke is increasingly contributing to the load.

    How did the researchers find this out?

    Most research on the health impact from air pollution focuses on the damage done by fine particles called PM2.5. These particles are defined as those less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, meaning they are small enough to get into the lungs and bloodstream.

    In the new paper, the authors used computer models to estimate how global changes in fire-related PM2.5 emissions between 1960 and 2019 had been influenced by the warming climate. To do this, they evaluated climate factors known to promote fire activity, such as higher air temperatures and lower humidity. Then, they used modelling to estimate how these changes would have influenced fire activity, smoke exposure and smoke related deaths globally.

    Using this approach, the authors attributed 669 (1.2%) of the wildfire-induced smoke-related deaths in the 1960s to climate change. But that rose to 12,566 (12.8%) in the 2010s. They found the influence of climate change was higher in some regions, including Australia.

    Climate change is making fires worse

    These reported numbers seem to be surprisingly low when put in context with previous global and regional estimates of deaths due to air pollution from landscape fires.

    But estimating how many deaths can be attributed to landscape fire smoke is a challenging task, requiring assumptions about the size and strength of the links between meteorology, fire activity, smoke production and dispersal, population vulnerability and health outcomes in the huge diversity of landscapes, climates and cultures across the world.

    Importantly, the estimates in this recent study were driven by changes in climate. But the modelling approach can less easily account for fluctuations and trends in another incredibly important driver of fire activity on Earth, human activity.

    For example, huge volumes of smoke globally are created by setting fires to burn and clear tropical forests for agriculture. Corporate activity and government policies drive these fires more than climate change, and are harder to capture in a modelling study.

    Nevertheless, these new results clearly support empirical studies showing increases in extreme fire activity attributable to climate change, and illustrates the relative impacts when other influences are held constant. Importantly, it points to parts of the world – including the north and southeast of Australia – where we can expect harmful population smoke impacts to get worse.

    The likely geographic impacts can be put together with information about the location of more vulnerable population groups, or higher population densities, to focus on responses where they are most needed. But in Australia that means pretty much everywhere, including the tropical north.

    What we can do about it?

    To adapt to a smokier world, we will need comprehensive education about escalating air quality hazards and ways to reduce the harm for both the general public and health professionals.

    These include keeping on top of long-term health conditions that could be made worse by air pollution, knowing how to keep track of air quality, and when to use strategies such as face masks, air filtration and managing the ventilation of homes and buildings to reduce individual smoke exposure.

    Adaptive responses alone do not get around the urgent need to act on climate change. Watching fire seasons around the world get steadily worse year on year really frightens me. We are getting into a vicious cycle where the hotter climate is driving more and more fire. These fires are increasingly venting long-stored carbon and contributing to further climate change.

    As well as ending the massive combustion of fossil fuels, we must halt the burning of tropical rainforests and agricultural crop residues globally. These actions will also dramatically improve air quality and health globally and support ongoing capture and storage of atmospheric carbon.

    Fay Johnston receives research funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the National Environmental Science Program, Asthma Australia and the health departments of the Tasmanian and ACT governments. She led the development of the air quality app AirRater, and is a founding director of AirHealth Pty Ltd, which provides air quality information services.

    – ref. Where there’s smoke: the rising death toll from climate-charged fire in the landscape – https://theconversation.com/where-theres-smoke-the-rising-death-toll-from-climate-charged-fire-in-the-landscape-241590

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Andrew Garfield and Elmo are going viral with their moving chat. Celebrities can help us talk about grief

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Breen, Professor of Psychology, Curtin University

    Sesame Workshop/YouTube

    When was the last time you heard someone talk in detail about their grief?

    For many of us, it could be rarely or never. There are several reasons for this.

    Grieving people often avoid raising the topic in conversation because they want to avoid upsetting or burdening people. Family and friends of grieving people often feel unsure or uncomfortable about asking them to talk about it, fearing they will infringe on the person’s privacy. One study of grieving adults in Australia and Ireland showed nearly one-third said they didn’t receive the support they would have liked. Some experts note we tend to deny or minimise others’ grief, increasing their isolation.

    Actor Andrew Garfield, best known for playing Spiderman, appeared on Sesame Street last week and spoke with Elmo in moving and affirming ways about grieving his mother’s death. Clips of their short conversation have been widely shared on social media. It presents a great example of communicating well about grief.

    Sadness can be a gift explains Garfield, ‘a lovely thing to feel in a way because it means you really loved somebody when you miss them.’

    Kids grieve too

    Issues around grief and isolation can be the same for children and young people as for older people.

    In fact, grief in young people is recognised as “the last taboo in public health”. By the age of 18, around one in 20 children have a parent die. Even more will experience grief following the deaths of other close people such as siblings and grandparents. Children also grieve the deaths of pets. Yet we struggle to acknowledge, let alone understand and help them with the grief.

    Due to a desire to protect them from harm or distress, adults are often reluctant to talk about dying and death with children. We also underestimate their abilities to understand such difficult topics. My recent work with Lionheart Camp for Kids shows such good intentions leave grieving children with many unanswered questions.

    So it was great to see Andrew Garfield (who has discussed the topic before on talk shows and in interviews) share his experience on children’s television.

    Losing the person who gave you life is bizarre tells Anderson Cooper. ‘It doesn’t make sense.’



    Read more:
    ‘Why did he Leve Me?’ 5 things grieving children want to know about the death of a loved one

    It takes two (or more)

    Their exchange begins with the character of Elmo checking in with Garfield, to see if he’s OK. He asks in a warm and open-ended way.

    What Garfield communicates well is checking if Elmo is willing and comfortable to hear him talk about his thoughts and feelings. He conveys his feelings of grief and speaks about how missing someone is due to love. He shares his understanding about the comforting role memories can bring to the bereaved, and about recognising a deceased person can be celebrated and missed at the same time.

    Elmo also does a great job of listening. He normalises Garfield’s thoughts and feelings, and gently affirms his memories of his deceased mother. Importantly, Elmo doesn’t make the conversation about himself or resort to tired clichés like “this shall pass” or “she’d want you to move on”. He doesn’t minimise his discomfort with jokes or provide unsolicited advice on how to feel or behave.

    Social support in the wake of loss helps grieving people – if it’s done right. Too often, however, it’s not, and can leave grieving people more distressed.

    Though an almost universal need, providing effective social support for grieving people is a complex process. It must involve:

    • a potential supporter recognising the bereaved person’s need for support

    • support that is available, sufficient and offered to the bereaved

    • them perceiving the support as helpful.

    Perceptions of whether an offer if support is useful can depend on where it comes from, the type of support, whether it is offered at the right time, and the griever’s level or receptiveness or social isolation.

    Listening, validating, support

    Garfield and Elmo aren’t the first celebrities to talk openly about grief.

    But in daily life, it’s rare to hear anyone talk openly about these feelings. That’s why it’s so refreshing when people in the public eye break the taboo that surrounds grief and loss. It is important for grieving people of all ages to be able to talk about their grief and be listened to. For potential supporters, it is enriching to think about they can listen, validate and support.

    As Garfield and Elmo show, grieving people and their support people can work together to develop a compassionate connection in a conversation that benefits both parties.

    Lauren Breen receives funding from Healthway and has previously received funding from Wellcome Trust, Australian Research Council, Department of Health (Western Australia), Silver Chain, iCare Dust Diseases Board (New South Wales), and Cancer Council (Western Australia). She is on the board of Lionheart Camp for Kids and is a member of Grief Australia and the Australian Psychological Society.

    – ref. Andrew Garfield and Elmo are going viral with their moving chat. Celebrities can help us talk about grief – https://theconversation.com/andrew-garfield-and-elmo-are-going-viral-with-their-moving-chat-celebrities-can-help-us-talk-about-grief-241782

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Prestons community a step closer to new ambulance station

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 23 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Minister for Regional Health

    The Liverpool community is a step closer to having a new purpose-built ambulance station at Prestons following the purchase of a site on Enterprise Circuit.

    The new Prestons Ambulance Station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.

    Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance carried out a thorough evaluation of the site to ensure the location best meets the needs of our emergency ambulance operations and paramedic staff.

    New ambulance stations are located at places which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the needs of local community. NSW Ambulance identified Prestons as a high priority location following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero (000) calls.

    The next steps for the project include design development and seeking planning approval for the new ambulance station. Construction and operational timeframes will be determined as the project progresses.

    The NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program will deliver 30 additional ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong over the coming years, boosting frontline emergency ambulance care.

    Health Infrastructure is working with NSW Ambulance and other Government stakeholders to identify potential sites for new ambulance stations.

    Sites are confirmed for North Sydney, South Windsor, Oran Park, Berowra and now Prestons.

    New stations across south-western Sydney are also planned to service the communities of Raby, Prairiewood, Doonside, Glenmore Park, the Aerotropolis and Bargo.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “I’m delighted our paramedics will have a purpose-built ambulance station to support them while they deliver world-class emergency mobile medical care to our communities well into the future.

    “The purchase of the site marks a significant milestone in delivering a vital health service for the local community and surrounding areas.

    “The new ambulance station at Prestons will bolster the ambulance station network across the growing communities of south-western Sydney and support existing ambulance stations including at Liverpool and Macquarie Fields.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong:

    “I welcome this investment in urgent medical care services for our rapidly-growing region.

    “An ambulance service at Prestons means more local jobs for south-west Sydney, and better response times in emergencies. It’s a win-win for our fast-growing communities.”   

    Quotes attributable to Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:

    “As Liverpool grows, it is important that we invest in health infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.

    “The new station is a testament to the NSW Government’s dedication to providing first-class emergency services in the fast growing communities of south west Sydney.

    “We know health services like Liverpool Hospital are under a lot of pressure, and this announcement demonstrates that the NSW Government is actively working to ensure Liverpool has what we need to meet the demand, now and into the future.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty:

    “This new ambulance station in Prestons will provide better care for families across the region.

    “South-western Sydney is growing rapidly, and it’s crucial that our frontline services grow with us.

    “This new station will strengthen the entire network and ensure our local paramedics have the resources and facilities they need to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New research shows problematic community attitudes allow child sexual abuse to continue

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea de Silva, Adjunct professor, Monash University

    Many Australians are victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

    Almost one in three have been sexually abused as a child, generally more than once, and often with significant and lifelong impacts.

    The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse has released findings from more than 4,000 adults in a new study examining the community’s attitudes towards, knowledge of, and responses to child sexual abuse.

    The data reveal some troubling findings, with pervasive and harmful community norms and attitudes that act to enable child sexual abuse to continue.

    What are social norms?

    Social norms are “rules” shared among people in a particular society, community, or group, and define what is considered “normal” and appropriate behaviour within the group.

    These rules are often unwritten and not openly discussed.

    These norms influence what people do (and don’t do) in many aspects of life, including preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.

    Why do they matter?

    Some cultures’ norms and attitudes limit disclosure of abuse.

    In our study, 62% were pretty sure they knew someone who had been sexually abused as a child.

    Yet only 9% had directly been told by a child about being sexually abused, while 35% had been told by an adult about historical child sexual abuse.

    These low rates suggest there are forces at play that limit talking about child sexual abuse.

    Some in the community believe it’s not acceptable to discuss child sexual abuse. In response to a hypothetical disclosure by an adult friend, about one in ten thought it was very/extremely important to tell their friend that it’s best not to talk about it at all.

    Some (5%) reported they would try to avoid their friend.

    What else did the research reveal?

    There was also evidence community members didn’t think child sexual abuse was an important problem or that it affected them directly.

    Around two in three adults felt they were not directly affected or were unsure if they were affected by child sexual abuse. More than half didn’t think child sexual abuse happened where they live.

    One in ten thought child sexual abuse receives too much media coverage.

    Some norms and attitudes also limit intervention to stop child sexual abuse.

    We found that of those who discovered or received a child’s disclosure about sexual abuse, less than half had a supportive conversation with the child (about 40%) and/or reported to authorities like police or child protection agencies (about 30%).

    Also, almost one in three adults were “not at all” confident about how to talk to the parent/carer of a child they suspected had been sexually abused. More than a quarter (28%) felt “not at all” confident about how to start a conversation with the child they suspected had been sexually abused.

    Not having these conversations or not reporting maintains secrecy around child sexual abuse. It can send a message to victims and survivors not to talk about it, or that nothing will be done to stop the abuse.

    Though the lack of intervention may be due to a lack of confidence, we also found adults held attitudes that children can’t always be believed (22%) or were too unreliable to take their word over an adult’s (18%).

    These attitudes mean many children won’t be believed and protected if they disclose sexual abuse.

    Some norms and attitudes increase acceptance of child sexual abuse, or blame victims, especially adolescents.

    Alarmingly, 40% of respondents in the study thought older children were responsible for actively resisting an adult’s sexual advances, and 12% believed adolescent girls who wear very revealing clothing are “asking” to be sexually abused.

    Adding to this, 13% believed children who act “seductively” are at least partly to blame if an adult responds sexually, while 8% thought obedient children are less likely to experience child sexual abuse, implying “good” children won’t be sexually abused.

    These harmful attitudes misdirect the blame for the abuse onto the victim, making it unsafe for them to disclose and at the same time, making it acceptable for adults to stay silent.

    Blaming victims maintains the status quo of unacceptably high levels of child sexual abuse and causes further harm.

    Where to from here?

    Putting an end to the sexual abuse of children in Australia requires concerted and co-ordinated action at all levels of society.

    Global initiatives offer some guidance on how shifting entrenched and harmful attitudes and norms can change behaviours.

    At a minimum, we must challenge gender inequality and power imbalances, promote equitable relationships and shared responsibilities. Mobilisation programs intervening directly at the community level and initiatives with specific populations who hold harmful and problematic attitudes are also promising in preventing child sexual abuse.

    Now we have benchmarks on the community’s attitudes towards child sexual abuse, we can measure the effectiveness of Australia’s efforts for change.

    It is everyone’s responsibility to know the signs, listen, believe and act in response to child sexual abuse.

    Andrea de Silva works for the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse who conducted this study. The National Centre is funded by the Department of Social Services. The National Centre is a partnership between the Australian Childhood Foundation, Blue Knot Foundation and the Healing Foundation.

    Amanda L. Robertson works for the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse who conducted the study with funding from the Department of Social Services.

    – ref. New research shows problematic community attitudes allow child sexual abuse to continue – https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-problematic-community-attitudes-allow-child-sexual-abuse-to-continue-241792

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rural News – OSPRI’s donation continues support for farmers

    Source: OSPRI New Zealand

    Disease management agency OSPRI has announced a funding package commitment for the Rural Support Trust, a charity they consider critical to the success of their work.
    The Rural Support Trust offers one to one support to those struggling with the pressures of life on the farm. As such, they are a vital safety net in the rural community, and their team of local experienced people will be relied on as the sector confronts tough economic conditions.
    To provide support when and where it is needed, resourcing is critical, and while partially funded by the Ministry of Primary Industries, the Trust relies on additional charitable donations. Recognising this and valuing the Trust’s support around the impact of its disease management programmes, OSPRI recently committed to annual donations over the next three years.
    “The impact of disease on farmers’ wellbeing is well documented, and we experience first-hand the stress that comes to bear on farming families when their livestock become infected with TB or M.bovis” says Helen Thoday, OSPRI’s North Island General Manager for Service Delivery. “So having a partner like The Rural Support Trust, often involving someone who’s been through it too, to help, is an important part of recovery”.
    As a not for profit itself, OSPRI understands just how important financial assurance is. “We’ve worked with the Rural Support Trusts previously, providing funding to ensure they could meet community needs during the Hawkes Bay TB outbreak. When taking on the surveillance of M.bovis last year, we also continued the funding, started by MPI, to support those farmers impacted by the disease. So, it’s gratifying to make a commitment of ongoing donations to support farmers dealing with infected herds, or any personal difficulty really” confirms Helen.
    Amanda Jordan, the Chair of Taranaki Rural Support has also been a long-time defender of biosecurity and continues this work with one of OSPRI’s farmer committees. As a 5th generation jersey cow farmer, Amanda and her family have battled through plenty of challenges, and she still remembers the impact of TB – at one stage managing three of the seven herds infected in Taranaki. Between that experience and calling on the Trust herself, Amanda was determined to do more for her industry and talks warmly about a network of locals. “We’ve an amazing coordinator, and an important part of her work is listening to the caller carefully, and then finding the right willing person in the community. If we’re concerned about welfare, we’ll find support quickly and close by, but often it’s about someone with the right experiences or background for a situation”.
    Fourteen Rural Support Trusts operate across regions throughout New Zealand, and then there is a national office providing coordination to ensure ground support remains widely accessible to those who need it. “I’m hugely proud of each Trusts’ efforts, there’s real comfort in having someone to walk with you during tough times – so providing those rural connections is such an important part of it” says Maria Shanks, General Manager of New Zealand Rural Support Trust. “We’re lucky to have a collection of principle sponsors and partners and pleased to have OSPRI’s support as they also work amongst our communities”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: More elderly living alone, survey says

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The number of elderly people living alone in China has increased significantly since 2010 as they tend to have fewer children, highlighting the significance of strengthening the nation’s elder care system, according to the results of a survey released recently.

    The survey considers an individual elderly once he or she reaches the age of 60.

    Elderly empty nesters — those who live by themselves or live with their spouses only — accounted for 59.7 percent of all the elderly people in China in 2021, up 10.4 percentage points from 2010, according to the fifth sample survey on the living conditions of urban and rural senior residents.

    About three-fourths of empty nesters lived with their spouses. The proportion of rural empty nesters was slightly higher than that of their urban counterparts, standing at nearly 62 percent, the survey said.

    The survey was jointly conducted in 2021 by six government departments and elder care industry associations, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Health Commission. The results were made public recently.

    It also shows that the average number of children that each senior had in 2021 was 2.6, down by 0.6 from 2010. Rural elderly had slightly more children on average at 2.9, compared with 2.3 for urban senior residents.

    “In various aspects of daily life, middle-old (70 to 79 years old) and very-old (80 and above) empty nesters tend to confront greater risks, so the growing size of this population has posed higher demands for developing at-home and community-based elder care services,” said the China National Aging Committee, which was involved in the survey, in a statement explaining the results.

    The committee added that the trend of having fewer children will diminish families’ ability to care for seniors, thus requiring accelerated efforts to improve supportive policies for home-based and public elder care.

    China is coping with a rapidly aging population. Official data shows that the number of people age 60 and older was almost 297 million last year, comprising 21.1 percent of the total population. The proportion of elderly is expected to exceed 30 percent of the nation’s population by 2035.

    The deepening aging trend has prompted authorities to step up development of home-based and community elderly care homes, strengthen the integration of medical and elder care services and encourage the private sector to make investments in the elder care industry.

    Survey results show that the number of elderly who have become more accepting of care provided by elder care institutions has increased by 3.3 percentage points since 2015.

    “Their demands tend to be more varied over time, and their top five demands are at-home medical services, meal assistance, cultural and entertainment activities, health education and at-home cleaning services,” the survey said.

    Li Yongxin, an official at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said during a news conference on Monday that the number of elder care facilities in China had increased to around 410,000 by June, double the figure seen in 2019. The majority of them are community-based.

    To address the prominent healthcare demands of the rural elderly, Li said that efforts are being made to upgrade rural elder care homes into regional eldercare centers. Public venues in the countryside that sit idle will be the first considered for conversion into care facilities or canteens for seniors.

    According to the survey, more than 56 percent of the elderly population in 2021 consisted of the younger group, from 60 to 69 years old, which was on par with the level seen in 2010.

    “Young elderly represent important and valuable human resources that have great potential,” said the committee, adding that the age structure of China’s elderly population in China will continue to remain relatively young.

    At the same time, the proportion of seniors with a senior high school diploma or degree from a higher education institute also increased from 2010 to 2021.

    MIL OSI China News –