Latest news with #UniversityofMarylandSchoolofMedicine
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Viral Video Shares 3 Ways to Help Prevent Child Abuse—Experts Say It Shouldn't Stop There
Fact checked by Sarah Scott Parents are the anxious types for good reason. Our job is to protect our children, not just from bumps and bruises, but also from much serious abuse that can occur right under our noses, sometimes even at school or from people we think we can trust. Ever vigilant, parents are always on the lookout for tips to help put a stop to this kind of abuse before it can even occur. As the author of Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice, parenting expert Jon Fogel (@wholeparent) regularly shares insights on social media that many parents find both useful and relatable. In one recent video, Fogel includes tips parents can implement in their everyday lives to help prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse—and while his advice is a solid start, experts say it doesn't cover everything kids need to stay safe. Here, we'll break down what the video gets right, and where experts say parents need to take further steps in order to help prevent abuse. Fogel lays out three succinct points about preventing sexual abuse in children, offering examples from how he parents his eight-year-old: Not teaching blind obedience: Using the phrase, 'Because I said so,' is putting children at risk for manipulation, he says, adding, 'Kids who are trained to not question authority are easy targets.' Avoiding punishment: Fogel states that he does not punish or shame for certain behavior or mistakes. He notes that the threat of getting in trouble with their parents is one of the ways abusers gain control over their victims. Talking openly about bodies: 'Bodies are not taboo,' he says, adding that he will never make his child feel ashamed of their bodily functions or body parts. Generally speaking, Fogel provides helpful parenting advice, says Wendy Lane, MD, Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Medical Director at the Lifebridge Health Center for Hope, which provides intervention for and prevention of child abuse. 'I think they're generally good parenting tips,' she says. 'These are great tips for developing a strong connection to your kids and making [them] feel comfortable talking to you about anything, including challenging subjects.' That said, she explains that these three tips alone, although valuable, are not enough to prevent child sexual abuse. '[Parents] can also expand on [these tips] by doing other things to make sure that their environment is protective,' she adds. Fogel mentions that preventing sexual abuse is not just about 'one-off talks' or teaching phrases like 'see something, say something,' but rather consistently showing up as a safe and secure presence. While being a present and engaged parent is essential, preventing abuse requires more concrete action, according to experts. Here are a few expert-backed ways parents can help prevent abuse: This doesn't necessarily mean physical safety or self defense skills, but rather teaching kids to say 'no' when they feel uncomfortable, even to authority figures, and to make their boundaries clear. 'As far as abuse prevention, we talk about teaching personal safety skills to both kids who don't have traumatic events in their history and for those who do,' says George (Tripp) Ake, PhD, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center, and Training and Implementation Program Director for the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. He offers a few examples of how to teach these skills to your kids, including: Practice saying no: Encourage your child to practice how they might say 'no' in different situations—like if someone asks them to do something that feels uncomfortable, or if a stranger tries to get them to go somewhere. Encourage physical boundaries: Use role-playing to help your child practice stepping back or moving away when someone makes them feel uncomfortable. Emphasize consent: Let your child decide when (and if) they want to hug or show affection, even with friends and family. Teach them how to speak up in unsafe situations: For example, teaching your child to yell, 'I don't know this person!' or 'This isn't my parent!' if someone tries to lead them away while in a public place (and then having them practice it.) Given that nearly 90 percent of child sexual abuse involves a family member or trusted adult, Dr. Lane highlights the need for close supervision and ongoing awareness of the people in your child's life. 'Supervision is important,' she says. 'You can't watch your child 24/7, but there are things that you can look out for that may raise a level of concern.' Some of the warning signs she shares include: Another caregiver constantly or frequently wants to be alone with your child Another adult buying your child expensive gifts An adult or other caregiver trying to persuade your child to keep secrets 'There should be no secrets between parents and kids,' she adds. 'If somebody asks them to keep a secret, that's not okay.' In a similar vein, it is also vital to stay on top of your child's screen habits, she says. This includes keeping devices in public spaces such as the family room or kitchen, not allowing your child to use screens behind closed doors, and staying aware of the games, apps, and social media platforms they are using—especially because predators can use any of these platforms to discreetly message minors. Fogel highlights the importance of talking openly about bodies, and Dr. Lane expands on that by emphasizing the need for teaching bodily autonomy. 'Beyond just open conversation about your body is a clear message to kids that their body is their body, and if they feel uncomfortable with how somebody is approaching them or approaching their body, they should tell somebody,' she explains. 'They have a right to decide who touches them. If they're uncomfortable, they should tell a parent or a trusted adult.' She suggests having these discussions early on, explaining, 'Once [your child] can speak in full sentences, you can talk to them about their bodies, give them names for their private parts, talk to them about about bodily autonomy, what's okay and what's not okay, and that [they] can always come to you if something's not okay.' While Fogel's no-punishment tip is somewhat vague, Dr. Ake offers his take, focusing on developmentally appropriate consequences without invoking fear. He explains, 'We don't want to scare kids to behave, to make sure they're compliant, or [to make sure] they're listening, because that's not good for [parents] either, or for the [parent-child] relationship. It's [about] praising what you want to see more of, ignoring [minor] behavior, and then providing consequences that are reasonable and developmentally appropriate when that's not enough.' When it comes to a predator grooming a child by threatening that they'll 'get in trouble' for telling a parent, Dr. Ake echoes Fogel's sentiment, adding, 'The hope is that they have built a relationship with their parents in a way [where] they know they can come talk to them about anything.' To help build this type of parent-child relationship, Dr. Ake stresses the importance of consistency, structure, and routines in daily life. 'Kids just crave structure,' he says. 'They want to know where the limits are, and they thrive when they know that. They can do that in a comforting and supportive relationship. That's kind of the recipe for great parenting and strong relationships between children and families.' Dr. Lane suggests examining closely any school, daycare, or organization that interacts with or cares for your child. 'Ideally, they will have policies for how staff interact with kids, and that may be things like having a code of conduct, what's acceptable behavior, and what's not,' she says. 'Parents can look at what their school [or daycare] requires, and they can also look at what their policies are for staffing their child's classroom.' Along these lines, it's important to ensure that a nanny, babysitter, or other caregiver is fully vetted before they are left alone with your child. Requesting and verifying references, doing an initial trial period, and conducting background checks (if possible) can offer peace of mind that your child is in good hands. Building on Fogel's advice to avoid teaching blind obedience, Dr. Lane emphasizes that fostering a child's self-confidence and self-assurance is a crucial step in preventing abuse. 'When a predator is looking for somebody to abuse, they look for kids who are vulnerable, or whose parents may be vulnerable,' she explains. 'So a parent who is attuned to ensuring a child's self-confidence, but also attuned to the behavior of the adults around them, will be better able to protect their child.' Ultimately, a child who walks with confidence, makes eye contact, and isn't afraid to say 'no' or step back in uncomfortable situations is less likely to be targeted by predators, says Dr. every parenting approach is different, some of the key factors in preventing child sexual abuse are having open, honest conversations, teaching bodily autonomy and personal safety skills, and staying aware of the people in your child's life. It's not always easy, but Dr. Ake reminds us that doing your best with the information you have is all anyone can ask for. 'Parenting is hard. It doesn't come with a manual,' he says. 'All of us want our kids to be safe, and I believe that most parents are doing the best that they can.' Keeping your child safe isn't about doing everything perfectly, but about being present, aware, and ready to listen—that's what matters the original article on Parents
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ENA Respiratory Partners with University of Maryland and Leading Respiratory Disease Expert to Conduct Phase 2 Study of INNA-051 Antiviral Host Defence Enhancer
Phase 2 to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy of INNA-051 in the prevention of illness due to viral respiratory infections Study to be led by global health physician scientist, Dr. Justin Ortiz, Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine MELBOURNE, Australia, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ENA Respiratory, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing antiviral host defence enhancers to minimize the impact of viral respiratory infections, announces today that it has secured the University of Maryland's renowned global health institution, CVDGH, as clinical partner to conduct a Phase 2 proof of concept study of INNA-051. Dr. Justin Ortiz, Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine and Global Development (CVD) and a global health physician scientist with expertise in respiratory virus protection and control will be Principal Investigator. INNA-051 is being developed as a convenient, once-a-week nasal dry powder product to reduce the impact of viral respiratory infections and prevent severe complications in at-risk populations, including the elderly, those with an underlying medical condition and individuals with occupational risk such first responders, military or essential services personnel. The study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, study of INNA-051 in generally healthy adult participants who are at increased risk to viral respiratory infections during the North American 2025/26 fall/winter season. Top line data is anticipated in Q3 2026. 'Partnering with CVD and having Professor Justin Ortiz as one of the Principal Investigators for this Phase 2 trial is a significant step for ENA Respiratory,' said Christophe Demaison, PhD CEO of ENA Respiratory. 'The esteemed team at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, led by Professor Justin Ortiz alongside colleagues Professor Kirsten Lyke and Dr. Meagan Deming, brings extensive experience and a proven track record in conducting similar trials. We now look forward to working together to deliver the next step in the development of what we believe could be a significant new approach to reducing the enormous burden of respiratory viral diseases.' Dr. Justin Ortiz, Principal Investigator, said: 'Viral respiratory infections are a major global public health problem and there is a clear need for new approaches to tackle the complications that lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We are excited to be partnering with ENA Respiratory on this important study to test their new approach for boosting the body's natural host defence pathways.' Note: Dr. Ortiz previously served as a paid scientific advisor for ENA Respiratory, but he no longer maintains any financial relationship beyond funding for research. About ENA Respiratory ENA Respiratory is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company tackling respiratory viral infections through the development of host defence enhancers which locally prime and boost the body's natural first line of defence against invading pathogens. Being virus-agnostic, ENA's approach offers a solution to protect against common and emerging respiratory viruses for which vaccines or direct-acting antivirals have limitations or do not exist. The company's lead product, INNA-051, is being developed as a convenient, once-a-week nasal dry powder product to reduce the impact of viral respiratory infections and prevent severe complications in at-risk populations, including the elderly, those with an underlying medical condition (including chronic lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease) and individuals with occupational risk (e.g. first responders, military or essential services personnel). INNA-051 is a potent agonist of toll-like receptor 2/6 (TLR2/6) which plays a key role in recognising pathogens and potentiating innate immune responses. With a safety profile supporting seasonal prophylaxis use, it has demonstrated accelerated virus clearance and stimulation of antiviral host defences, including IFN Type I & III responses, in a Phase IIa proof-of-principle study using a human influenza-challenge model. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, the company has raised US$33 million (AU$46 million) in financing from Brandon Capital, The Minderoo Foundation, Flu Lab and Uniseed. It is partnered with the US COPD Foundation to support patient-centered clinical development of INNA-051 in COPD and has been awarded a US$13.1 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. It is an alumni member of BLUE KNIGHT™, a joint initiative between Johnson & Johnson Innovation and BARDA designed to accelerate novel potential solutions for future pandemics. For more information, please visit Follow us on LinkedIn. For further information please contact: Media – Australia Kirrily Davis, E: kdavis@ M: +61 (0)401 220228 Media – International Charles Consultants Sue Charles, E: M: +44 (0)7968 726585 Chris Gardner, E: Chris@ M: +44 (0)7956 031077Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare drug makes human blood deadly to mosquitoes: Study
(NewsNation) — The deadliest animal in the world is the pesky blood sucking mosquito, killing an estimated 700,000 people a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a new study published Wednesday suggests that a rare medication has the potential to make human blood deadly to mosquitoes, offering a new way to treat deadly diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Dengue fever. Dr. Omer Awan, a physician and a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, joined 'Morning in America' to discuss nitisinone, an FDA-approved drug used to treat rare metabolic diseases. Now, the drug could be used to treat malaria. Trump administration to end funding for vaccinating children in poor countries 'The way it works is that it prevents a mosquito's ability to digest its blood meal, and that will kill a mosquito very quickly, so it could potentially be a game changer when you consider just how common malaria is,' Awan said. An estimated 263 million malaria cases were reported worldwide in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, and 597,000 people died from the disease caused by mosquitoes. 'This is really starving the mosquito. That's literally what it's doing, so they will die within hours,' Awan said. The researchers in the study compared mosquitoes that were given human blood that had nitisinone versus blood that did not. 'Even at low therapeutic doses, nitisinone remained deadly to mosquitoes,' the study said. 'These findings warrant further investigation of nitisinone for vector control and the prevention of malaria transmission.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
05-03-2025
- CBS News
Maryland woman pleads guilty to stealing 3.6 million in Medicaid fraud scheme
A Parkville woman pleaded guilty to stealing more than $3.6 million in a Maryland Medicaid fraud case, the attorney general's office said Tuesday. Tasha Saunders, 44, admitted to operating two behavioral health companies that submitted fraudulent claims for psychiatric rehabilitation program services between November 2019 and September 2024. Investigators found she forged signatures, created fake patient records, and stole the identities of healthcare providers and Medicaid recipients. "This outrageous conduct is an insult to the one in five Marylanders who rely on Medicaid for health coverage," Brown said. This marks Saunders' second Medicaid fraud conviction. In May 2021, she pleaded guilty to similar fraud schemes involving different mental health companies and was sentenced to nine months in prison, nine months of home detention, and ordered to pay $470,744 in restitution. After Saunders' first conviction, she was placed on a federal exclusion list prohibiting her from participating in federal healthcare programs. Prosecutors say she lied on Medicaid provider applications to conceal her involvement with the new companies. The investigation involved nearly a dozen search warrants for email records, cloud storage accounts, and cell phones. Investigators discovered Saunders had stolen the identities of legitimate providers, including University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty members, to create fraudulent service authorizations. Saunders pleaded guilty on February 25 and is set to be sentenced on July 21. Maryland sees similar fraud cases In February, the owner of multiple Baltimore childcare centers was charged with stealing more than $2.5 million from Maryland through a decade-long fraud scheme. In another case, a Baltimore man pleaded guilty to stealing more than $82,000 from Maryland's Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
CTT Pharma Adds Independent Director With NIH/NSF Experience
TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / February 5, 2025 / CTT Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK:CTTH) is pleased to announce adding Dr. Katherine Cole as an Independent Director for CTT. Dr. Cole. a Ph.D. in Pathology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Following her Ph.D. she spent 3 years at the National Cancer Institute(NCI) at the National Institutes of Health(NIH) where she spent her time focused on anti-cancer mechanisms of novel chemotherapeutic compounds. From there Dr. Cole worked at four different universities as a Biomedical scientist, professor, and eventually as a vice Provost and Dean. She has published twenty-two peer reviewed papers and has been granted two patents related to a human liver cell line. Dr. Cole has been awarded many notable grants including grants from the National Science Foundation(NSF) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Cole's professional development as a scientist, an educator and a university-level administrator has provided her with a distinct scientific perspective and an ability to critically analyze meaningful data and research design. Her Ph.D. in Pathology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and postdoctoral experience at the NIH/NCI in cancer research have positioned her well to not only understand the science behind this technology, but the impact from a human pathological perspective. CTT is honored to have Dr. Cole on our team and looks forward to her contributions. About CTT Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. CTT has patented technology in The United States, Europe, Canada and many additional countries to allow many actives on a dissolvable strip that include but are not limited to Nicotine, Vitamins, and Pharmaceuticals. CTT believes that there is a need for our technology in many industries, which includes a smoke-free nicotine strip that can be used as a smoking cessation product and deliver drugs that can help with pain management and anxiety. CTT Pharma incorporates micelle technology into its drug delivery. These strips would dissolve quickly, deliver low dose options and offer better bioavailability.
