Latest news with #UTSouthwesternMedicalCenter
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Jersey looks to poach Texas health care workers with abortion-focused billboards
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new campaign from New Jersey is taking aim at Texas' strict abortion laws in an effort to lure medical students and health care providers to the Garden State. The Choose New Jersey Reproductive Rights Campaign launched April 14. It includes billboards in Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio — all located near major medical schools and hospitals. The effort is designed to attract doctors and medical students facing restrictions on reproductive health care in southern states. One billboard reads 'New Jersey: where health care providers determine patient care, not politicians.' Another says 'In New Jersey, your patients' care is prioritized. Not compromised.' Three of the campaign's four billboards are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with one placed near UT Southwestern Medical Center. Another billboard is near UT Health San Antonio. The campaign also includes a digital ad push on search platforms, social media and display ads. The state of New Jersey is behind the campaign. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, during a budget address, also called for other ways to incentivize providers to move to the state. Proposals included efforts to defray moving costs and loan forgiveness programs for doctors and nurse practitioners willing to relocate to New Jersey. Texas currently bans nearly all abortions, with narrow exceptions for life-threatening medical emergencies. The state's trigger law went into effect following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The law does not provide exceptions for rape or incest and includes felony penalties for doctors who perform unauthorized procedures. A bill clarifying when doctors can perform medically necessary abortions is being discussed in the state legislature. Using billboards to try to poach Texas talent is not anything new. In recent years, billboard campaigns have targeted law enforcement and teachers. Just last year, New Mexico also launched a campaign, including newspaper ads, targeting healthcare workers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
24-04-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Millions of U.S. measles cases forecast over 25 years if shots decline
The United States faces millions of measles cases over the next 25 years if vaccination rates for the disease drop 10 percent, according to new research published Thursday. No change in the current vaccination rate would result in hundreds of thousands of measles cases over the same period, according to a mathematical model produced by a team of Stanford University researchers. 'Our country is on a tipping point for measles to once again become a common household disease,' said Nathan Lo, a Stanford University physician and an author of the study published in the medical journal JAMA. At current state-level vaccination rates, the model predicts measles could become entrenched, resulting in 'hundreds of thousands of cases, where deaths are commonplace and hospitalizations are happening all the time,' said Lo, who researches the transmission of infectious diseases and the impact of public health interventions. The disease estimates are based on a simulation of what would happen in the United States under various vaccination rates for children. A small uptick in vaccination — a 5 percent increase in state-level rates — would prevent huge increases in measles cases, the study found. But Lo said he feared the most likely scenario is that childhood vaccination rates will continue to decline and the cumulative number of infections will rise sharply. Hesitancy to accept coronavirus vaccines has led more parents to question routine childhood vaccinations. Ongoing state policy debates about school vaccination requirements and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s interest in reexamining the childhood vaccine schedule could substantially reduce immunization coverage, he said. 'This is a warning of what our future could look like,' said Mujeeb Basit, a professor and expert on modeling and disease spread at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Basit was not part of the study. The measles cases will accumulate over time, Basit said. 'To re-bend that curve, it's going to take a lot of time to revaccinate so many people.' The United States already has recorded about 800 measles cases in the first 3½ months of 2025, the largest number in a single year since 2019. The numbers continue to grow, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments. Montana last week reported its first measles cases in 35 years. The majority of the infections have been reported in a West Texas outbreak that has led to the deaths of two children. A third death in New Mexico is also linked to the outbreak. Amid the continuing spread of the infectious-disease, most Americans have encountered false claims about the measles vaccine, and many aren't sure what the truth is, according to a KFF poll released Wednesday. More than half the adults surveyed expressed uncertainty about whether to believe false assertions, such as that the measles vaccine is more dangerous than the disease — claims that Kennedy has amplified. In the decade before a measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, an estimated 3 million to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year, 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized and 1,000 suffered swelling of the brain, or encephalitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But in 2000 the United States was finally able to declare measles eliminated, a term that means no continuous spread for more than a year. Cases and outbreaks still occur because of international travel, typically by an under-immunized U.S. traveler returning from a country where measles is endemic. For the new research, scientists used state vaccination, birth and death rates to find their results. They estimated current vaccination coverage for measles at between 87.7 percent and 95.6 percent. To prevent measles outbreaks, 95 percent of a community must receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Based on what scientists know about the epidemiology of measles, one of the most contagious diseases on Earth, they forecast how it would spread from one community to another and how quickly it could spread regularly at increased rates throughout the country. The study did not take into account the difference in vaccination rates within a state, the authors said. Nor did it account for changes in immunization rates when infections increased because of an outbreak, which occurred during the covid pandemic, Basit said. But even the most conservative estimates underscore the severe consequences if measles reestablishes itself in the United States, the authors said. Measles outbreaks are surging globally, with Romania last year reporting the largest number of cases among 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, according to the World Health Organization. Romania, with a population of about 19 million, had more than 30,000 cases in 2024, followed by Kazakhstan with about 28,000 cases. Romania's recent measles surge is linked to declining vaccination rates, vaccine hesitancy and disruptions in the health system during the coronavirus pandemic, health experts have said. In the United States, public health and infectious-disease experts have been talking for months about ways to combat false claims about vaccines and misinformation. On Thursday, an infectious-disease research center at the University of Minnesota announced an initiative to provide a coordinated response. 'People who care about preventing needless suffering and death from vaccine-preventable diseases have watched the current measles outbreak and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s rhetoric about vaccines with rising alarm,' said Michael Osterholm, director of the university's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, which launched the Vaccine Integrity Project. Initial funding for the project is from a foundation established by Christy Walton, an heir to the Walmart fortune, Osterholm said. The group does not plan to accept funding from industry. The goal is to address key vaccine issues 'if the U.S. government vaccine information becomes corrupted … or the system that helps to ensure their safety and efficacy are compromised,' Osterholm said in a news briefing. Osterholm cited an example in Minnesota, where Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that classifies mRNA vaccines as 'weapons of mass destruction' and criminalizes their manufacture, distribution and possession. The cutting-edge mRNA technology was behind the rapid development of lifesaving coronavirus vaccines. 'Is anybody at the federal government level going to respond to activities like that?' Osterholm said. 'That's a question I think we are left to at this point, unanswered.' The group will be led by an eight-member committee chaired by Margaret Hamburg, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, and Harvey Fineberg, past president of the National Academy of Medicine.
Al-Ahram Weekly
02-03-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
How to practice healthy fasting during Ramadan - Health - Life & Style
While it's safe for most people to fast, planning ahead and keeping nutrition in mind can make the month that much more meaningful, said Elfakhani, a nutrition expert at Pennsylvania State University. Manal Elfakhani looks back fondly on childhood memories from the month of Ramadan. She would break her fast at the mosque with family and snack on sweet semolina flour cookies that she's since learned to bake herself. Ramadan is about spiritual reflection and the value of having enough to eat, she said. For about a month, many Muslims don't eat or drink from dawn to sunset. This year, it's set to begin this weekend. While it's safe for most people to fast, planning ahead and keeping nutrition in mind can make the month that much more meaningful, said Elfakhani, a nutrition expert at Pennsylvania State University. Young children, the elderly and those who are pregnant, menstruating or breastfeeding are exempt from fasting. People with diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditions should talk to their doctor when deciding to fast, especially if they take medications regularly. 'You should be in a very good, healthy state in order to do this,' Elfakhani said. For the pre-dawn meal called suhoor, nutrition experts recommend fueling up with a variety of food groups. When Sonya Islam was too tired to crawl out of bed for suhoor as a child, her mother would bring her a banana and a glass of milk. Now a dietician at VCU Health, she sees the wisdom in that meal: a combination of fiber and protein. 'Having sustained fuel that can last for as long as possible is critical,' she said. She suggests foods with healthy fats in them — like avocados and nuts — as well as high-fiber, hydrating vegetables and fruits. Sugary foods aren't the best idea since they digest quickly and can trigger cravings. While that cup of coffee or tea may be tempting, experts say it's best to fight the urge. Instead, hydrate with water and non-caffeinated drinks The daily fast's duration can vary by location depending on the hours of daylight. Experts say to take it easy and listen to the body while fasting. Elfakhani tries to slow down during the day in between teaching stints and catches up on work after the evening iftar meal. Going for a short walk or stretching can help boost energy levels and keep the mind active. People who exercise regularly may want to work out right before breaking the fast or later in the evening to avoid dehydration. At the evening iftar meal, avoid overeating as this can make the body feel sluggish. Some choose to break their fast with a glass of water or a hot drink and fiber-rich dates. After that, consider having a few appetizers and a small entree. Wait a few hours and then snack as needed. 'It's more so about mindful eating and listening to when your body's actually hungry as opposed to just overloading,' said Zaiba Jetpuri from UT Southwestern Medical Center. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
USA Today
17-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
How to soothe dry, itchy skin during an eczema flare-up
Hear this story If you have eczema, you're already familiar with the incessant itching and redness that comes with experiencing a flare-up. When people classically think of eczema, they're usually referring to atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that's driven by inflammation. However, eczema could also point to a number of other kinds of dermatitis, such as contact dermatitis, hand eczema, neurodermatitis and dyshidrotic dermatitis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. You could take all the precautions in the world to minimize exposure to eczema triggers and keep skin moisturized, but sometimes, an eczema flare-up is simply unavoidable. Treating eczema starts with a solid skincare routine, but you might need a little more than moisturizer to soothe dry, itchy skin. Here's what experts recommend. What does eczema look like? Eczema causes dry, itchy red patches to appear on different parts of the body. Babies tend to get eczema on their cheeks, but as you get older, it can start to show up inside the elbows, on the back of knees, on the hands, and even on your eyelids, says Dr. Danielle Baruch, a board certified dermatologist with Mercy Medical Center. Moderate to severe eczema can cover extensive parts of the skin, says Dr. Katherine Gordon, an associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. When eczema covers as much as 25% to 30% of your skin, it can affect every part of your day, from discomfort at work and school to disturbed sleep at night. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. During a severe eczema flare-up, the skin becomes very inflamed. The rash can start to scale, flake, ooze and leak clear fluids, says Dr. Angad Chadha, a dermatologist and assistant professor at UChicago Medicine. Noted:How you treat dry skin can also prevent it. Here's how to do both. What causes eczema? 'We're still learning a lot about why some people develop eczema and some people don't,' says Baruch. However, it's likely that having a family history of atopy (a group of allergic conditions including asthma, allergies and eczema) can predispose you to having eczema, she says. Eczema typically appears in early childhood, impacting approximately 25% of children, per the AAD. However, there are adults who develop chronic adult-onset eczema in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Again, we still don't fully understand the exact reason why this could occur, although experts suspect it could be linked to changes in the immune system, says Chadha. There are many environmental factors that could trigger a flare-up of eczema; this will always differ from person to person, says Gordon. A few potential triggers include changes in temperature, having dry skin and exposure to irritating chemicals and preservatives found in common skincare products, she says. Dry skin bothering you?This is what's causing it. How do you make eczema go away? There is currently no cure for eczema, but some children can outgrow it as they get older. For those who experience consistent flare-ups, treatment plans typically involve a mix of prescription medications and following a strong skincare regimen, says Chadha. To alleviate dryness and itchiness, step one is finding a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer that will help seal this skin barrier. Patients with sensitive skin should gravitate toward fragrance-free, bland emollients and moisturizers that have a thicker consistency, says Gordon. Be sure to moisturize consistently, at least one to two times a day, recommends Chadha. If eczema symptoms persist, a dermatologist can prescribe topical medications, including steroid creams or calcineurin inhibitors, that can address the inflammation caused by eczema, says Chadha. If topical treatments aren't enough to keep symptoms at bay, or if the eczema is particularly severe, there are oral medicines and injectable biologics that can help modulate the immune system's response to eczema, says Gordon. You can't fully prevent an eczema flare-up from returning, but above all, you should try and minimize your exposure to common triggers, says Gordon. Additionally, consider getting a humidifier during the fall, winter and spring months. When it's a bit drier outside, a humidifier can encourage your skin to retain moisture, says Chadha. You should also try to keep your showers short and lukewarm, rather than long and hot. This will help preserve your skin's natural oils, he adds.
