Adolescent girls who go through puberty early and have parents who do not nurture them, communicate with them, or have knowledge of their activities appear more likely to display aggressive behavior, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Early puberty in girls is related to conduct problems, delinquency and substance use, according to background information in the article. Many of these problems persist through adolescence and into early adulthood.
“As adults, early-maturing girls demonstrate lower academic and occupational achievement and report lower relationship quality and life satisfaction,” the authors write. “It is thus important to identify protective factors that may mitigate negative effects of early maturation on girls’ adjustment.”
Sylvie Mrug, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues interviewed 330 fifth-grade girls (average age 11) and their parents from three metropolitan areas.
The girls reported how often they engaged in aggressive behavior, such as hitting, teasing and spreading rumors to hurt others; whether they displayed delinquency (fighting at school, getting injured in a fight or inflicting injuries); how often their mother was affectionate and how often they did things together; whether their parents had talked to them about violence, tobacco and sex; and whether and when they had started their periods. Parents responded to seven items measuring the extent to which they knew their child’s friends and how he or she spent her free time.
One-fourth of the girls had matured early, defined as beginning their period one year before the average age for females of their racial and ethnic group. Those who did were more likely to be delinquent, but not aggressive. However, those who matured early and also had low levels of parental nurturance, communication and knowledge were more likely to be aggressive. “Also, early maturation only predicted physical aggression when combined with low maternal nurturance,” the authors write.
Early-maturing girls may be at higher risk of aggression or delinquency because they are more likely to be accepted by and form relationships with older boys, who are more likely than younger children to engage in undesirable behaviors, the authors note.
“Parental nurturance may decrease girls’ susceptibility to negative peer influence,” they write. “Also, parental nurturance may help girls cope with challenges associated with early puberty. By listening to their daughters’ difficulties and providing support and encouragement, nurturing parents can help them develop better coping skills and diffuse negative emotions that might otherwise manifest as aggression.”
Parental communication and knowledge may also protect girls from aggressive behavior, they continue. “By discussing difficult peer situations (e.g., provocation, peer pressure) and ways of dealing with them, parents may help their daughters develop a repertoire of adaptive responses that will minimize the need for inappropriate (i.e., aggressive) behavior,” they write. “In addition, knowing how their daughters spend free time may help parents identify and prevent negative peer and other influences.”
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Showing posts with label Family Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Health. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
STUDY: Less Time Spent in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Associated With Being Overweight Among Children & Teens
Children and teens who get less sleep, especially those who spend less time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, may be more likely to be overweight, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
The obesity rate has more than tripled among children aged 6 to 11 years in the past 30 years, and approximately 17 percent of U.S. adolescents are now overweight or obese, according to background information in the article. Obesity results from an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure from physical activity, but little is known about other factors that can alter this balance. A number of studies have documented an association between fewer hours of sleep and higher body mass index (BMI) in both adults and children.
Xianchen Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, and colleagues studied 335 children and adolescents age 7 to 17 years (average age 10.8). For three consecutive nights, participants’ sleep was monitored through polysomnography, which assesses total sleep time, time spent in REM, the time it takes to fall asleep and other variables. Weight and height were measured to calculate BMI.
A total of 49 participants (14.6 percent) were at risk for becoming overweight and 45 (13.4 percent) were overweight. Compared with children at a normal weight, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night and had lower sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed that an individual is asleep), shorter REM sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep and a longer wait before the first REM period.
After adjusting for other related factors, one hour less of total sleep was associated with two-fold increased odds of being overweight and one hour less of REM sleep was associated with three-fold increased odds.
“Although the precise mechanisms are currently under investigation, the association between short sleep duration and overweight may be attributed to the interaction of behavioral and biological changes as a result of sleep deprivation,” the authors write. Sleep loss causes changes in hormone levels that may affect hunger, and also provides an individual with more waking hours in which to eat. In addition, sleep loss contributes to fatigue the following day, which may decrease physical activity and calorie expenditure.
“Given the fact that the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents continues to increase and chronic sleep insufficiency becomes more prevalent in modern society, family- and school-based sleep interventions that aim to enhance sleep hygiene and increase sleep duration may have important public health implications for the prevention and intervention of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children,” the authors conclude. “
Furthermore, our results demonstrate an important relationship between REM sleep and high BMI and obesity, suggesting that the short sleep–obesity association may be attributed to reduced REM sleep time and decreased activity during REM sleep.”
The obesity rate has more than tripled among children aged 6 to 11 years in the past 30 years, and approximately 17 percent of U.S. adolescents are now overweight or obese, according to background information in the article. Obesity results from an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure from physical activity, but little is known about other factors that can alter this balance. A number of studies have documented an association between fewer hours of sleep and higher body mass index (BMI) in both adults and children.
Xianchen Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, and colleagues studied 335 children and adolescents age 7 to 17 years (average age 10.8). For three consecutive nights, participants’ sleep was monitored through polysomnography, which assesses total sleep time, time spent in REM, the time it takes to fall asleep and other variables. Weight and height were measured to calculate BMI.
A total of 49 participants (14.6 percent) were at risk for becoming overweight and 45 (13.4 percent) were overweight. Compared with children at a normal weight, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night and had lower sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed that an individual is asleep), shorter REM sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep and a longer wait before the first REM period.
After adjusting for other related factors, one hour less of total sleep was associated with two-fold increased odds of being overweight and one hour less of REM sleep was associated with three-fold increased odds.
“Although the precise mechanisms are currently under investigation, the association between short sleep duration and overweight may be attributed to the interaction of behavioral and biological changes as a result of sleep deprivation,” the authors write. Sleep loss causes changes in hormone levels that may affect hunger, and also provides an individual with more waking hours in which to eat. In addition, sleep loss contributes to fatigue the following day, which may decrease physical activity and calorie expenditure.
“Given the fact that the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents continues to increase and chronic sleep insufficiency becomes more prevalent in modern society, family- and school-based sleep interventions that aim to enhance sleep hygiene and increase sleep duration may have important public health implications for the prevention and intervention of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children,” the authors conclude. “
Furthermore, our results demonstrate an important relationship between REM sleep and high BMI and obesity, suggesting that the short sleep–obesity association may be attributed to reduced REM sleep time and decreased activity during REM sleep.”
STUDY: U.S. Immigrant Childfren May Be Less Physically Active Than US-Born Children
Immigrant children in the United States appear to be less physically active and less likely to participate in sports than U.S.–born children, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
“Because of a dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity and diabetes mellitus during the past two decades, physical activity has assumed an increasingly prominent role in disease prevention and health promotion efforts in the United States and is considered one of the 10 leading health indicators for the nation,” according to background information in the article. This has resulted in a closer monitoring of physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in children and adults in the U.S.
With immigrants now accounting for 12.6 percent of the total U.S. population, “it is important to know how patterns of physical activity, inactivity and sedentary behaviors for this increasing segment of the population differ from those of the majority native population,” the authors note.
Gopal K. Singh, Ph.D., of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland., and colleagues analyzed data from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health, a telephone survey measuring regular physical activity, inactivity, television watching and lack of sports participation in U.S. children.
Of the total participants, more than 11 percent of U.S. children were found to be physically inactive, while 73.5 percent engaged in physical activity three or more days per week.
More than 42 percent of children did not participate in sports and 17 percent watched three or more hours of television per day.
“Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors varied widely among children in various ethnic-immigrant groups,” the authors write. “For example, 22.5 percent of immigrant Hispanic children were physically inactive compared with 9.5 percent of U.S.-born white children with U.S.-born parents.” Immigrant children were more likely to be physically inactive and less likely to participate in sports than native children; “they were, however, less likely to watch television three or more hours per day than native children, although the nativity gap narrowed with increasing acculturation levels.”
“Given the health benefits of physical activity, continued higher physical inactivity and lower activity levels in immigrant children are likely to reduce their overall health advantage over U.S.-born populations during adulthood,” the authors conclude. “To reduce disparities in childhood physical activity, health education programs designed to promote physical activity should target not only children from socially disadvantaged households and neighborhoods but also children in immigrant families.”
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“Because of a dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity and diabetes mellitus during the past two decades, physical activity has assumed an increasingly prominent role in disease prevention and health promotion efforts in the United States and is considered one of the 10 leading health indicators for the nation,” according to background information in the article. This has resulted in a closer monitoring of physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in children and adults in the U.S.
With immigrants now accounting for 12.6 percent of the total U.S. population, “it is important to know how patterns of physical activity, inactivity and sedentary behaviors for this increasing segment of the population differ from those of the majority native population,” the authors note.
Gopal K. Singh, Ph.D., of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland., and colleagues analyzed data from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health, a telephone survey measuring regular physical activity, inactivity, television watching and lack of sports participation in U.S. children.
Of the total participants, more than 11 percent of U.S. children were found to be physically inactive, while 73.5 percent engaged in physical activity three or more days per week.
More than 42 percent of children did not participate in sports and 17 percent watched three or more hours of television per day.
“Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors varied widely among children in various ethnic-immigrant groups,” the authors write. “For example, 22.5 percent of immigrant Hispanic children were physically inactive compared with 9.5 percent of U.S.-born white children with U.S.-born parents.” Immigrant children were more likely to be physically inactive and less likely to participate in sports than native children; “they were, however, less likely to watch television three or more hours per day than native children, although the nativity gap narrowed with increasing acculturation levels.”
“Given the health benefits of physical activity, continued higher physical inactivity and lower activity levels in immigrant children are likely to reduce their overall health advantage over U.S.-born populations during adulthood,” the authors conclude. “To reduce disparities in childhood physical activity, health education programs designed to promote physical activity should target not only children from socially disadvantaged households and neighborhoods but also children in immigrant families.”
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Friday, June 20, 2008
Great Moves! Offering Cooking & Fitness Classes for Kids This Summer
Parents get ready to get your kids ready to start the morning moving to their favorite tune in a high-speed dance-off; jumping and climbing in a race to match the flashing sequence on a wall of colored lights; and working up a sweat as they maneuver obstacle courses, balls, and high-action video games!
And when it's time for lunch, they can try your hands at cooking a healthy and delicious meal in a kid-friendly kitchen. It's all part of the new week-long "Summer Fun at Great Moves!" program that shows kids ages 6 to 9 years old how to live a fun and healthy life.
The program's "goal for this new summer program is to help all kids learn how to make healthy choices that will sustain them throughout their lives, " said Stanley Goldstein, CEO of Great Moves!, which opened its center in Newton in April.
The cooking classes offered by Summer Fun at Great Moves! include daily instruction on nutrition in addition to basic cooking skills. Physical activity is encouraged through high-tech games like Xerdance, Wii and Sports Wall.
"It's important for kids to learn that exercise and healthy eating are not only good habits, but fun habits, " Goldstein said.
The summer sessions for kids take place the weeks of July 7, 14 and 28, & August 4 and 11. Classes will be held in the morning, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
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Great Moves! is a medically supervised weight management program for children ages 6 to 18 years and their families. Great Moves! programs in Massachusetts are operated in collaboration with the physicians of Children's Hospital Boston. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to weight management that includes physical activity, nutrition and behavioral support. The focus is to help children and their families develop healthy lifestyle habits that can be sustained over the long term. More information about Great Moves! available at www.greatmoves.com, or by calling 617-928-0006
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And when it's time for lunch, they can try your hands at cooking a healthy and delicious meal in a kid-friendly kitchen. It's all part of the new week-long "Summer Fun at Great Moves!" program that shows kids ages 6 to 9 years old how to live a fun and healthy life.
The program's "goal for this new summer program is to help all kids learn how to make healthy choices that will sustain them throughout their lives, " said Stanley Goldstein, CEO of Great Moves!, which opened its center in Newton in April.
The cooking classes offered by Summer Fun at Great Moves! include daily instruction on nutrition in addition to basic cooking skills. Physical activity is encouraged through high-tech games like Xerdance, Wii and Sports Wall.
"It's important for kids to learn that exercise and healthy eating are not only good habits, but fun habits, " Goldstein said.
The summer sessions for kids take place the weeks of July 7, 14 and 28, & August 4 and 11. Classes will be held in the morning, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
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Great Moves! is a medically supervised weight management program for children ages 6 to 18 years and their families. Great Moves! programs in Massachusetts are operated in collaboration with the physicians of Children's Hospital Boston. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to weight management that includes physical activity, nutrition and behavioral support. The focus is to help children and their families develop healthy lifestyle habits that can be sustained over the long term. More information about Great Moves! available at www.greatmoves.com, or by calling 617-928-0006
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Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Truth About Violent Video Games & Children
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers dispel myth about why children play violent video games, which children are at risk, and offer practical advice for parents
BOSTON – With last night's release of Grand Theft Auto IV, millions of parents are deciding whether to give in to children’s pleas to buy the game, and are worried about how to set limits.
A new book by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do (Simon & Schuster), may be just what parents are looking for.
The book’s common-sense advice is based on a two-year, $1.5 million research program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as a review of relevant studies from around the world. Authors Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D. and Cheryl K. Olson, Sc.D., are a husband-and-wife research team at MGH’s Center for Mental Health and Media, which is part of the psychiatry department. They are also the parents of a teenage boy who plays video games.
Using extensive surveys and focus groups with 7th and 8th grade children and their parents, Olson and Kutner studied how and why children play video games, and looked for patterns of play linked to greater risk of school or behavior problems. A survey of over 1,200 children showed that - although most of children’s top 10 games were rated Teen (for ages 13+) or below - Grand Theft Auto was by far the most popular game series among boys.
In fact, 44% of them reported playing at least one game in the series “a lot in the past six months.” (Similarly, a 2005 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that over 3/4 of boys in grades 7 to 12 had ever played a GTA game.) Surprisingly, Grand Theft Auto was the second most popular series among girls, after The Sims.
“Parents told us they were concerned about violent games, but frustrated by their lack of knowledge and their limited control,” says Kutner.
As one parent lamented in a focus group, “I know that my son does not play Grand Theft Auto in my house. But he seems to know all the characters and what they say, so he must be playing it someplace.” Another noted, “He may bring a Mario game to his buddy’s house and bring back a Grand Theft Auto when I’m not aware of it.”
If you are the parent of a young teen, there’s a good chance that your child will play Grand Theft Auto IV - if not at home, then at a friend’s house. Here are some points to keep in mind, drawn from the book Grand Theft Childhood:
What attracts children to Grand Theft Auto games?
Grand Theft Auto IV is rated Mature (for ages 17 and older), with six content descriptors including “intense violence,” “blood,” and “strong language.”
“Boys’ comments suggest that the open environment, rather than the violence, may be the key to the series’ appeal,” says Olson. “Boys told us they liked the freedom either to carry out missions and win the game, or to explore the wide variety of places, vehicles, weapons and characters.”
One boy in their study explained, “If you happen to get a police car, or a tank, or a fire truck, or ambulance or whatever … you press a button, and all of a sudden, you’re working for them. You can catch criminals, or drive people places, or put out fires. It's more creative than just walking around, than shooting people, and doing a mission when you feel like it.” Another boy added, “And you can be a good guy and a bad guy at the same time!”
Parents may worry that if their child enjoys playing a thug in Grand Theft Auto IV, it might inspire similar behavior in the real world. “In focus groups, boys told us repeatedly that they liked the ‘unreality’ of games such as GTA,” says Kutner. “As one said, ‘You get to see something that, hopefully, will never happen to you. So you want to experience it a little bit without actually being there.’”
What can parents do to monitor game play and minimize problems?
* Get familiar with the content of the game. Parents can find plot details, screenshots, videos and reviews at WhatTheyPlay.com and CommonSenseMedia.org, or at web sites aimed at game players such as Gamespot.com.
* Talk with your child about aspects of the game you like (such as humor), and aspects that offend you or go against your values.
* Keep video game consoles in common areas, such as the living room. Game consoles in bedrooms are associated with more M-rated game play. This also allows parents to monitor game content over time; objectionable behavior or language may not appear until higher levels of the game.
* Ask older children and adult relatives to keep an eye on their games. M-rated game play is more common among children who often play with older siblings.
Because GTA games are so flexible, watching how children choose to play may give insights into their thoughts and feelings. “Our research found that many children play Grand Theft Auto to deal with stress or get out anger; others enjoy competing with friends,” says Olson. If your child seems more angry or stressed after playing a violent game, consider locking the game away until he or she is older.
For more information for parents, see <http://www.grandtheftchildhood.com/>.
About the Massachusetts General Hospital Founded in 1811, the MGH is the third oldest general hospital in the United States and the oldest and largest in New England. The 900-bed medical center offers sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. Each year the MGH admits more than 46,000 inpatients and handles nearly 1.5 million outpatient visits at its main campus and health centers. Its Emergency Department records nearly 80,000 visits annually. The surgical staff performs more than 35,000 operations and the MGH Vincent Obstetrics Service delivers more than 3,500 babies each year. The MGH conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the country, with an annual research budget of more than $500 million. It is the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, where nearly all MGH staff physicians serve on the faculty. The MGH is consistently ranked among the nation’s top hospitals by US News and World Report
BOSTON – With last night's release of Grand Theft Auto IV, millions of parents are deciding whether to give in to children’s pleas to buy the game, and are worried about how to set limits.
A new book by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do (Simon & Schuster), may be just what parents are looking for.
The book’s common-sense advice is based on a two-year, $1.5 million research program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as a review of relevant studies from around the world. Authors Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D. and Cheryl K. Olson, Sc.D., are a husband-and-wife research team at MGH’s Center for Mental Health and Media, which is part of the psychiatry department. They are also the parents of a teenage boy who plays video games.
Using extensive surveys and focus groups with 7th and 8th grade children and their parents, Olson and Kutner studied how and why children play video games, and looked for patterns of play linked to greater risk of school or behavior problems. A survey of over 1,200 children showed that - although most of children’s top 10 games were rated Teen (for ages 13+) or below - Grand Theft Auto was by far the most popular game series among boys.
In fact, 44% of them reported playing at least one game in the series “a lot in the past six months.” (Similarly, a 2005 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that over 3/4 of boys in grades 7 to 12 had ever played a GTA game.) Surprisingly, Grand Theft Auto was the second most popular series among girls, after The Sims.
“Parents told us they were concerned about violent games, but frustrated by their lack of knowledge and their limited control,” says Kutner.
As one parent lamented in a focus group, “I know that my son does not play Grand Theft Auto in my house. But he seems to know all the characters and what they say, so he must be playing it someplace.” Another noted, “He may bring a Mario game to his buddy’s house and bring back a Grand Theft Auto when I’m not aware of it.”
If you are the parent of a young teen, there’s a good chance that your child will play Grand Theft Auto IV - if not at home, then at a friend’s house. Here are some points to keep in mind, drawn from the book Grand Theft Childhood:
What attracts children to Grand Theft Auto games?
Grand Theft Auto IV is rated Mature (for ages 17 and older), with six content descriptors including “intense violence,” “blood,” and “strong language.”
“Boys’ comments suggest that the open environment, rather than the violence, may be the key to the series’ appeal,” says Olson. “Boys told us they liked the freedom either to carry out missions and win the game, or to explore the wide variety of places, vehicles, weapons and characters.”
One boy in their study explained, “If you happen to get a police car, or a tank, or a fire truck, or ambulance or whatever … you press a button, and all of a sudden, you’re working for them. You can catch criminals, or drive people places, or put out fires. It's more creative than just walking around, than shooting people, and doing a mission when you feel like it.” Another boy added, “And you can be a good guy and a bad guy at the same time!”
Parents may worry that if their child enjoys playing a thug in Grand Theft Auto IV, it might inspire similar behavior in the real world. “In focus groups, boys told us repeatedly that they liked the ‘unreality’ of games such as GTA,” says Kutner. “As one said, ‘You get to see something that, hopefully, will never happen to you. So you want to experience it a little bit without actually being there.’”
What can parents do to monitor game play and minimize problems?
* Get familiar with the content of the game. Parents can find plot details, screenshots, videos and reviews at WhatTheyPlay.com and CommonSenseMedia.org, or at web sites aimed at game players such as Gamespot.com.
* Talk with your child about aspects of the game you like (such as humor), and aspects that offend you or go against your values.
* Keep video game consoles in common areas, such as the living room. Game consoles in bedrooms are associated with more M-rated game play. This also allows parents to monitor game content over time; objectionable behavior or language may not appear until higher levels of the game.
* Ask older children and adult relatives to keep an eye on their games. M-rated game play is more common among children who often play with older siblings.
Because GTA games are so flexible, watching how children choose to play may give insights into their thoughts and feelings. “Our research found that many children play Grand Theft Auto to deal with stress or get out anger; others enjoy competing with friends,” says Olson. If your child seems more angry or stressed after playing a violent game, consider locking the game away until he or she is older.
For more information for parents, see <http://www.grandtheftchildhood.com/>.
About the Massachusetts General Hospital Founded in 1811, the MGH is the third oldest general hospital in the United States and the oldest and largest in New England. The 900-bed medical center offers sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. Each year the MGH admits more than 46,000 inpatients and handles nearly 1.5 million outpatient visits at its main campus and health centers. Its Emergency Department records nearly 80,000 visits annually. The surgical staff performs more than 35,000 operations and the MGH Vincent Obstetrics Service delivers more than 3,500 babies each year. The MGH conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the country, with an annual research budget of more than $500 million. It is the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, where nearly all MGH staff physicians serve on the faculty. The MGH is consistently ranked among the nation’s top hospitals by US News and World Report
Thursday, April 10, 2008
April 17 Workshop: My Child is Different
Children’s Museum in Easton is hosting a workshop on Thursday night, April 17 -- Parenting 101: My Child is Different. Join licensed marriage and family therapist Natasha Edelhaus on April 17 as she leads a parenting workshop, My Child is Different. This workshop is for parents who want suggestions for children with unique needs including but not limited to: learning needs, medical needs, and strong temperaments. Come to the workshop and learn useful tips for everyday situations at home, on play dates and for helping your child feel accepted.
The workshop will be held at the Children’s Museum in Easton from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Registration is $5. Pre-register by calling 508-230--3789; space is limited.
The Children's Museum in Easton is located in the Old Fire Station on Sullivan Avenue in North Easton Village. Admission is $6 per person; members and children under 1 are free. For more information visit www.childrensmuseumineaston.org
The workshop will be held at the Children’s Museum in Easton from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Registration is $5. Pre-register by calling 508-230--3789; space is limited.
The Children's Museum in Easton is located in the Old Fire Station on Sullivan Avenue in North Easton Village. Admission is $6 per person; members and children under 1 are free. For more information visit www.childrensmuseumineaston.org
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Advocating for A Better Children's Mental Health Plan in Massachusetts
"Children can’t vote, so they are often overlooked in the legislative process. We as pediatricians must speak for them," said MassGeneral Hospital for Children resident Anna Rosenquist, who helped organize yesterday's Residents and Fellows Day at the Massachusetts Statehouse.
At this annual event, she was joined by more than 50 residents and other physicians from Baystate Medical Center, Children's Hospital Boston, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Tufts Medical Center, and UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center. The event familarized these child health experts with the legislative process and connect them with their legislators during afternoon meetings.
Below is the reason why one resident is an advocate for better services for children:
By Catherine Aftandilian
A MassGeneral Hospital for Children Resident
"It was a Friday night, and I was partway through my shift on the inpatient pediatric unit at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children when I got the call: “We have a 15-year-old female we’re admitting to you after a suicide attempt. She’s medically stable, but we can’t find a psychiatric bed for her.”
Mary, as I’ll call her, had spent the past four days in the emergency room while numerous psychiatrists and case managers scrambled to get her admitted to a psychiatric facility that would be covered by her insurance. By Friday evening, the emergency room staff decided that they were unlikely to find a bed over the weekend, so Mary was admitted to the pediatric floor for monitoring and observation while the hunt for psychiatric placement continued.
When I finally met her late that Friday night, it had been more than 4 days since her suicide attempt, and she and her family looked exhausted. As I interviewed them, I learned that Mary had been feeling depressed for over a year. Her family had been aware that Mary seemed down, but did not understand the extent of her depression. She had not received any outpatient treatment because it was not covered by her insurance. It was frustrating and sad to watch the story unfold and realize that this could have been caught much earlier. It was even more frustrating to not be able to get Mary the treatment she needed in a timely fashion.
It is because of my experience with patients like Mary that I have become involved in pediatric advocacy.
As a new pediatrician, much of my time is spent learning the intricacies of the body, and I am only now realizing that I must begin to understand the intricacies of politics as well. Children cannot speak for themselves and so pediatricians must speak for them.
Through the MassGeneral Hospital for Children Advocacy Group, I have recently become aware of a bill currently under consideration: “An Act Relative to Children’s Mental Health, S.2518.”
This bill dates back to a 2002 class action lawsuit, Rosie D vs. Romney, which was filed on behalf of eight children with serious psychiatric problems who were unable to obtain services at home. The lawsuit claimed that the Commonwealth violated the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program of the Medicaid Act which is designed to assure availability and accessibility of health care resources for low-income children. The trial began in 2005 and involved more than 30 witnesses over 6 weeks testifying about the need for home-based services and the harm that occurs when these services are not available.
In early 2006, Judge Michael Ponsor ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and went on to say that Massachusetts did not provide adequate screening, in-home behavioral and crisis services, case management and care coordination for an estimated 15,000 children with serious emotional disturbances.
This landmark decision resulted in a flurry of activity to remedy the situation.
After 2 years of work and numerous revisions, “An Act Relative to Children’s Mental Health” is currently under review. This bill would improve and expand mental health services for children in Massachusetts by mandating early screening for behavioral health problems, ensuring children are treated in the most appropriate setting, improving insurance coverage and broadening delivery of state services.
Yesterday on Tuesday, April 8, I and other pediatricians from across Massachusetts gathered at the Statehouse to advocate for this bill and others like it. April 8th was Residents and Fellows Day at the State House. It is organized by the residents at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This event is an opportunity for new pediatricians to gather at the State House for lobbying workshops from leaders in the field, learn about pediatric-relevant bills currently undergoing review, and meet with their own legislators.
Politicians need to hear from parents and other pediatricians about the importance of bill S.2518.
As a parent, if you are interested in supporting this bill, please find your elected officials at http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php.
To contact them, please visit http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenu.htm.
Hopefully through our joint efforts, other families will not have to experience a suicide attempt, 4 days in the emergency room and 2 days admitted to the hospital in order to get their daughter the help that she needs.
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At this annual event, she was joined by more than 50 residents and other physicians from Baystate Medical Center, Children's Hospital Boston, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Tufts Medical Center, and UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center. The event familarized these child health experts with the legislative process and connect them with their legislators during afternoon meetings.
Below is the reason why one resident is an advocate for better services for children:
By Catherine Aftandilian
A MassGeneral Hospital for Children Resident
"It was a Friday night, and I was partway through my shift on the inpatient pediatric unit at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children when I got the call: “We have a 15-year-old female we’re admitting to you after a suicide attempt. She’s medically stable, but we can’t find a psychiatric bed for her.”
Mary, as I’ll call her, had spent the past four days in the emergency room while numerous psychiatrists and case managers scrambled to get her admitted to a psychiatric facility that would be covered by her insurance. By Friday evening, the emergency room staff decided that they were unlikely to find a bed over the weekend, so Mary was admitted to the pediatric floor for monitoring and observation while the hunt for psychiatric placement continued.
When I finally met her late that Friday night, it had been more than 4 days since her suicide attempt, and she and her family looked exhausted. As I interviewed them, I learned that Mary had been feeling depressed for over a year. Her family had been aware that Mary seemed down, but did not understand the extent of her depression. She had not received any outpatient treatment because it was not covered by her insurance. It was frustrating and sad to watch the story unfold and realize that this could have been caught much earlier. It was even more frustrating to not be able to get Mary the treatment she needed in a timely fashion.
It is because of my experience with patients like Mary that I have become involved in pediatric advocacy.
As a new pediatrician, much of my time is spent learning the intricacies of the body, and I am only now realizing that I must begin to understand the intricacies of politics as well. Children cannot speak for themselves and so pediatricians must speak for them.
Through the MassGeneral Hospital for Children Advocacy Group, I have recently become aware of a bill currently under consideration: “An Act Relative to Children’s Mental Health, S.2518.”
This bill dates back to a 2002 class action lawsuit, Rosie D vs. Romney, which was filed on behalf of eight children with serious psychiatric problems who were unable to obtain services at home. The lawsuit claimed that the Commonwealth violated the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program of the Medicaid Act which is designed to assure availability and accessibility of health care resources for low-income children. The trial began in 2005 and involved more than 30 witnesses over 6 weeks testifying about the need for home-based services and the harm that occurs when these services are not available.
In early 2006, Judge Michael Ponsor ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and went on to say that Massachusetts did not provide adequate screening, in-home behavioral and crisis services, case management and care coordination for an estimated 15,000 children with serious emotional disturbances.
This landmark decision resulted in a flurry of activity to remedy the situation.
After 2 years of work and numerous revisions, “An Act Relative to Children’s Mental Health” is currently under review. This bill would improve and expand mental health services for children in Massachusetts by mandating early screening for behavioral health problems, ensuring children are treated in the most appropriate setting, improving insurance coverage and broadening delivery of state services.
Yesterday on Tuesday, April 8, I and other pediatricians from across Massachusetts gathered at the Statehouse to advocate for this bill and others like it. April 8th was Residents and Fellows Day at the State House. It is organized by the residents at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This event is an opportunity for new pediatricians to gather at the State House for lobbying workshops from leaders in the field, learn about pediatric-relevant bills currently undergoing review, and meet with their own legislators.
Politicians need to hear from parents and other pediatricians about the importance of bill S.2518.
As a parent, if you are interested in supporting this bill, please find your elected officials at http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php.
To contact them, please visit http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenu.htm.
Hopefully through our joint efforts, other families will not have to experience a suicide attempt, 4 days in the emergency room and 2 days admitted to the hospital in order to get their daughter the help that she needs.
.
.
Monday, March 31, 2008
WEEKEND PICK: April 5th Fashion Show Benefits Ellie Fund
Isis Maternity, New England's largest provider of prenatal and postpartum health education and wellness services, is welcoming spring with a grand fashion show displaying a full line of hip and chic maternity and nursing collections.
The Spring Fashion Show will benefit the Ellie Fund (http://www.elliefund.org/), a non-profit organization that improves the health and welfare of women and families undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts. The event will be hosted by WCVB's Kelley Tuthill, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006 and she chose to share her journey through cancer surgery and treatment with the public through a series of video diaries and blogs.
(Tuthill was profiled in Bay State Parent magazine's award-winning Think Pink Guide in the October 2007 issue. Read her story at: http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2007/1001/Articles/014.html)
Isis Maternity will host the Fashion Show on Saturday, April 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. in its Needham center location at 110 Second Avenue. In addition to the runway show, there will be exciting raffle items including a Stokke Sleepi and Care Nursery Set and Cariboo Bassinet & Petunia Pickle Bottom Fawn Bedding.
Tickets for the event are $25 with $20 donated directly to the Ellie Fund. In addition, Isis Maternity will be donating all raffle proceeds and 10% of all sales for the night to the Ellie Fund.
To register, purchase tickets, or obtain more information about this event and other programs organized by Isis Maternity, call 781-429-1500 or visit the company's Web site at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001t1y346AgVtoBDKEgYtW1L-FJMOsnRjr8RTKkcGGwYVNi_5DcmGD8InWkLnPZHAUzu98ISA9v-MZzil6OYEVMovz3nY5hVVVFNNeYRTDwPZTyNPCn_ogHDQ==.
About Isis Maternity: Isis Maternity has served more than 20,000 families in the Greater Boston Area through classes, products and private consultations that focus on prenatal, postpartum and early child development needs. Isis Maternity, founded in 2002, has close relationships with Boston's two largest obstetric programs - Brigham & Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - and has educated expecting parents delivering at every hospital in Eastern Massachusetts. Its centers, located in Brookline, Needham and Arlington, are staffed with experienced nurses, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, child development specialists, massage therapists and fitness experts. Isis Maternity operates a specialty retail store within its centers. The company's unique, one-stop combination of products and services led the Retailers Association of Massachusetts to award Isis Maternity "The Rookie of the Year" award in 2005. The company also operates the Isis Maternity Community Fund, which is supported by a portion of membership dues. The Fund is used to help families of all means access services that prepare them for parenting. The Fund also helps support Isis Maternity's community partners, local benefit auctions including school fundraisers and charitable activities. For more information on Isis Maternity, visit www.isismaternity.com .
The Spring Fashion Show will benefit the Ellie Fund (http://www.elliefund.org/), a non-profit organization that improves the health and welfare of women and families undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts. The event will be hosted by WCVB's Kelley Tuthill, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006 and she chose to share her journey through cancer surgery and treatment with the public through a series of video diaries and blogs.
(Tuthill was profiled in Bay State Parent magazine's award-winning Think Pink Guide in the October 2007 issue. Read her story at: http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2007/1001/Articles/014.html)
Isis Maternity will host the Fashion Show on Saturday, April 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. in its Needham center location at 110 Second Avenue. In addition to the runway show, there will be exciting raffle items including a Stokke Sleepi and Care Nursery Set and Cariboo Bassinet & Petunia Pickle Bottom Fawn Bedding.
Tickets for the event are $25 with $20 donated directly to the Ellie Fund. In addition, Isis Maternity will be donating all raffle proceeds and 10% of all sales for the night to the Ellie Fund.
To register, purchase tickets, or obtain more information about this event and other programs organized by Isis Maternity, call 781-429-1500 or visit the company's Web site at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001t1y346AgVtoBDKEgYtW1L-FJMOsnRjr8RTKkcGGwYVNi_5DcmGD8InWkLnPZHAUzu98ISA9v-MZzil6OYEVMovz3nY5hVVVFNNeYRTDwPZTyNPCn_ogHDQ==.
About Isis Maternity: Isis Maternity has served more than 20,000 families in the Greater Boston Area through classes, products and private consultations that focus on prenatal, postpartum and early child development needs. Isis Maternity, founded in 2002, has close relationships with Boston's two largest obstetric programs - Brigham & Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - and has educated expecting parents delivering at every hospital in Eastern Massachusetts. Its centers, located in Brookline, Needham and Arlington, are staffed with experienced nurses, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, child development specialists, massage therapists and fitness experts. Isis Maternity operates a specialty retail store within its centers. The company's unique, one-stop combination of products and services led the Retailers Association of Massachusetts to award Isis Maternity "The Rookie of the Year" award in 2005. The company also operates the Isis Maternity Community Fund, which is supported by a portion of membership dues. The Fund is used to help families of all means access services that prepare them for parenting. The Fund also helps support Isis Maternity's community partners, local benefit auctions including school fundraisers and charitable activities. For more information on Isis Maternity, visit www.isismaternity.com .
Monday, March 17, 2008
Four Children Have Died From Influenza This Month
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health today confirmed the state’s fourth pediatric death associated with influenza. A 12 year-old girl from Webster in Worcester County died on March 16 from complications of influenza.
Health officials also confirmed that a 15-year old boy from Newton died March 14 from influenza-related pneumonia. Families in Newton were notified about the death late Friday afternoon via an e-mail message from school officials.
Health officials last week announced the state’s first confirmed pediatric death associated with flu involving a six year-old child from Suffolk County. The child, who died March 2, suffered from a number of health problems that likely contributed to complications from the flu. The second case, which was recently reported to the state's health department, involved a 14-year old child from Middlesex County who died on March 1. This child also had a number of health problems that likely contributed to complications from the flu.
Individuals with chronic health conditions are at high risk of bad outcomes from influenza, and children often bear a significant burden from influenza disease.
“This has been a very difficult flu season for the residents of Massachusetts,” said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the Department of Public Health's Director of Communicable Disease Control. “While flu-related deaths of children are rare, tragically they do occur. These deaths are a reminder that flu is a serious illness that can result in severe consequences for children, particularly those with underlying medical problems.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine issues, recently voted to expand the recommended ages for the annual influenza vaccination to include all children from six months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was to vaccinate children from six months through age 5.
This year’s flu shot was not the best match for some of the flu strains circulating this year, however, health officials say that problems with the vaccine this season should not prevent people from getting vaccinated against the flu in the future. The vaccine usually offers some protection, even if it is not 100 percent effective. The shot can also be helpful in preventing serious complications from the flu, particularly for people with high-risk medical conditions.
Flu activity in Massachusetts continues to drop from widespread to regional activity and appears to have peaked in our state the week of February 17.
However, reports of flu activity remain high and are expected to circulate into April in this part of the country.
Health officials are reminding Massachusetts residents that steps can be taken to reduce the spread of influenza, including:
* Getting vaccinated. If you want to prevent the flu, a flu shot is still the best protection against getting the illness. You can still get a flu shot, even though the influenza season seems to be winding down in Massachusetts. Although this year's influenza vaccine was not as effective as health officials hoped, immunization is the best protection against getting the flu. Next year's vaccine will protect against three new strains of flu based on this year's flu viruses.
* Staying at home when sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers or friends.
* Practicing good “cough etiquette” or coughing into your elbow or a tissue and not into your hands.
* Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used when water is not available.
For more information on influenza, or for a copy of the state's publication Flu: What you can do. Caring for people at home, visit www.mass.gov/dph, or call 617-983- 6800.
.
Health officials also confirmed that a 15-year old boy from Newton died March 14 from influenza-related pneumonia. Families in Newton were notified about the death late Friday afternoon via an e-mail message from school officials.
Health officials last week announced the state’s first confirmed pediatric death associated with flu involving a six year-old child from Suffolk County. The child, who died March 2, suffered from a number of health problems that likely contributed to complications from the flu. The second case, which was recently reported to the state's health department, involved a 14-year old child from Middlesex County who died on March 1. This child also had a number of health problems that likely contributed to complications from the flu.
Individuals with chronic health conditions are at high risk of bad outcomes from influenza, and children often bear a significant burden from influenza disease.
“This has been a very difficult flu season for the residents of Massachusetts,” said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the Department of Public Health's Director of Communicable Disease Control. “While flu-related deaths of children are rare, tragically they do occur. These deaths are a reminder that flu is a serious illness that can result in severe consequences for children, particularly those with underlying medical problems.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine issues, recently voted to expand the recommended ages for the annual influenza vaccination to include all children from six months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was to vaccinate children from six months through age 5.
This year’s flu shot was not the best match for some of the flu strains circulating this year, however, health officials say that problems with the vaccine this season should not prevent people from getting vaccinated against the flu in the future. The vaccine usually offers some protection, even if it is not 100 percent effective. The shot can also be helpful in preventing serious complications from the flu, particularly for people with high-risk medical conditions.
Flu activity in Massachusetts continues to drop from widespread to regional activity and appears to have peaked in our state the week of February 17.
However, reports of flu activity remain high and are expected to circulate into April in this part of the country.
Health officials are reminding Massachusetts residents that steps can be taken to reduce the spread of influenza, including:
* Getting vaccinated. If you want to prevent the flu, a flu shot is still the best protection against getting the illness. You can still get a flu shot, even though the influenza season seems to be winding down in Massachusetts. Although this year's influenza vaccine was not as effective as health officials hoped, immunization is the best protection against getting the flu. Next year's vaccine will protect against three new strains of flu based on this year's flu viruses.
* Staying at home when sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers or friends.
* Practicing good “cough etiquette” or coughing into your elbow or a tissue and not into your hands.
* Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used when water is not available.
For more information on influenza, or for a copy of the state's publication Flu: What you can do. Caring for people at home, visit www.mass.gov/dph, or call 617-983- 6800.
.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
State's Health Department Bans Jewelry With Lead & Establishes New Regulations
Massachusetts Department of Health press release issued yesterday:
In an effort to protect children’s health, the Department of Public Health announced new regulations banning the manufacture, transport or sale of children’s jewelry containing dangerous levels of lead. Under the new regulation, the sale of children’s leaded jewelry would be banned in all venues in Massachusetts, including Internet and catalogue sales.
The regulations were approved at the monthly meeting of the Public Health Council the body that approves public health regulations in Massachusetts. The regulations will go into effect in June 2008 to give industry time to come into compliance and to allow for a 30-day comment period on a guidance document outlining laboratory testing methods and compliance requirements.
“Because high levels of lead in toy jewelry can present long-term health consequences for children, we think this new regulation will go a long to way to protect the health of children in the Commonwealth,” said Health Commissioner John Auerbach.
Over the past three years, the Department collected and tested jewelry samples from vending machines, children’s toy sections of retail stores, and jewelry counters in stores across the Commonwealth. Although the percent of children’s jewelry samples containing lead has decreased from samples collected in 2004, more than one in 10 samples collected in 2007 had sufficiently high lead levels that present serious health concerns to young children.
The Council expressed strong support for the regulations, which were first proposed last September. The Council approval comes following two public hearings that were held in Framingham and Boston in November 2007.
“Despite numerous voluntary recalls of these products issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission over the past few years, children’s jewelry sold in Massachusetts continues to have dangerous levels of lead,” said Suzanne Condon, Director, Bureau of Environmental Health.
The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s primary objective is to protect children from residential lead paint exposure through education, outreach and remediation of lead hazards.
Massachusetts law requires that every child be screened for lead at ages one, two and three and again at age four if they live in one of 14 communities determined to be a high-risk community for lead poisoning. The Massachusetts Lead Law bans toys, eating or drinking utensils with a coating of paint, enamel or glaze with a lead content of 600 ppm (parts per million) or greater, but the law does not apply to lead in metallic form.
The new regulations will define children’s leaded jewelry as:
* jewelry marketed to or intended for use by children under 14 years of age,
* jewelry that contains a concentration of lead that either is more than 600 ppm total lead content as determined by the U.S. screening test for total lead analysis or similar methods subject to the approval of DPH, or
* jewelry that would expose a child to greater than 15 ug (micrograms) of lead per day over a chronic exposure period.
The regulation will apply to:
* Children’s leaded jewelry manufactured, shipped or sold at retail or wholesale, indoors or outdoors, over the Internet or through catalogs. This includes, but is not limited to,
* jewelry sold in vending machines, toy stores or toy displays, toy departments or toy sections, or
* jewelry that may use images or otherwise be designed or packaged to be especially attractive to children.
Enforcement plan:
* Spot checks will be conducted across the state to ensure compliance.
* Violators will be subject to the penalties described in M.G.L. Chapter 94B: Hazardous Substances, including up to $5,000 fine or imprisonment and a product embargo.
Future plan:
Later this year, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will explore developing additional regulations to protect children from lead found in other products besides jewelry.
Discussion groups will be held for both industry and advocacy groups to determine the products that pose the greatest public health threat to children.
In an effort to protect children’s health, the Department of Public Health announced new regulations banning the manufacture, transport or sale of children’s jewelry containing dangerous levels of lead. Under the new regulation, the sale of children’s leaded jewelry would be banned in all venues in Massachusetts, including Internet and catalogue sales.
The regulations were approved at the monthly meeting of the Public Health Council the body that approves public health regulations in Massachusetts. The regulations will go into effect in June 2008 to give industry time to come into compliance and to allow for a 30-day comment period on a guidance document outlining laboratory testing methods and compliance requirements.
“Because high levels of lead in toy jewelry can present long-term health consequences for children, we think this new regulation will go a long to way to protect the health of children in the Commonwealth,” said Health Commissioner John Auerbach.
Over the past three years, the Department collected and tested jewelry samples from vending machines, children’s toy sections of retail stores, and jewelry counters in stores across the Commonwealth. Although the percent of children’s jewelry samples containing lead has decreased from samples collected in 2004, more than one in 10 samples collected in 2007 had sufficiently high lead levels that present serious health concerns to young children.
The Council expressed strong support for the regulations, which were first proposed last September. The Council approval comes following two public hearings that were held in Framingham and Boston in November 2007.
“Despite numerous voluntary recalls of these products issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission over the past few years, children’s jewelry sold in Massachusetts continues to have dangerous levels of lead,” said Suzanne Condon, Director, Bureau of Environmental Health.
The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s primary objective is to protect children from residential lead paint exposure through education, outreach and remediation of lead hazards.
Massachusetts law requires that every child be screened for lead at ages one, two and three and again at age four if they live in one of 14 communities determined to be a high-risk community for lead poisoning. The Massachusetts Lead Law bans toys, eating or drinking utensils with a coating of paint, enamel or glaze with a lead content of 600 ppm (parts per million) or greater, but the law does not apply to lead in metallic form.
The new regulations will define children’s leaded jewelry as:
* jewelry marketed to or intended for use by children under 14 years of age,
* jewelry that contains a concentration of lead that either is more than 600 ppm total lead content as determined by the U.S. screening test for total lead analysis or similar methods subject to the approval of DPH, or
* jewelry that would expose a child to greater than 15 ug (micrograms) of lead per day over a chronic exposure period.
The regulation will apply to:
* Children’s leaded jewelry manufactured, shipped or sold at retail or wholesale, indoors or outdoors, over the Internet or through catalogs. This includes, but is not limited to,
* jewelry sold in vending machines, toy stores or toy displays, toy departments or toy sections, or
* jewelry that may use images or otherwise be designed or packaged to be especially attractive to children.
Enforcement plan:
* Spot checks will be conducted across the state to ensure compliance.
* Violators will be subject to the penalties described in M.G.L. Chapter 94B: Hazardous Substances, including up to $5,000 fine or imprisonment and a product embargo.
Future plan:
Later this year, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will explore developing additional regulations to protect children from lead found in other products besides jewelry.
Discussion groups will be held for both industry and advocacy groups to determine the products that pose the greatest public health threat to children.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Saturday, March 15: Diabetes EXPO
Don’t miss the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes EXPO Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.
The Diabetes EXPO is everything you need to know about diabetes under one roof including exhibits featuring the latest products & services, questions answered by medical professionals, exciting lectures, cooking demonstrations, bilingual materials, speakers, FREE health screenings, entertainment and lots more!!
Admission is free.
For more information call 1-800-DIABETES or visit www.diabetes.org/EXPO.
The Diabetes EXPO is everything you need to know about diabetes under one roof including exhibits featuring the latest products & services, questions answered by medical professionals, exciting lectures, cooking demonstrations, bilingual materials, speakers, FREE health screenings, entertainment and lots more!!
Admission is free.
For more information call 1-800-DIABETES or visit www.diabetes.org/EXPO.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
6-Year-Old Suffolk County Girl Dies of the Flu
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health today announced today the state’s first pediatric death associated with influenza.
The 6-year-old child was a resident of Suffolk County. Health officials did not release what community she resided in.
Health officials said the child, who died last weekend, suffered from a number of health problems that likely contributed to complications from the flu.
Individuals with chronic health conditions are at high risk of bad outcomes from influenza, and children often bear a significant burden from influenza disease.
“This is a tragic reminder of how serious the flu can be for some people,” said Dr. Susan Lett, Medical Director of DPH’s Immunization Program. “Fortunately, pediatric deaths resulting from influenza complications are rare in Massachusetts.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine issues, recently voted to expand the recommended ages for the annual influenza vaccination to include all children from six months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was to vaccinate children from six months through five years of age.
Last week, flu activity in Massachusetts dropped from widespread to regional activity and appears to have peaked in our state the week of February 17. However, flu activity remains high and is expected to circulate into April in this part of the country.
“While this year’s flu shot was not the best match for some of the flu strains circulating this year, that should not prevent people from getting vaccinated against the flu,” Dr. Lett said. “The vaccine usually offers some protection, even if it is not 100 percent effective - preventing against complications, particularly for people with high risk medical conditions.”
Health officials are reminding Massachusetts residents that steps can be taken to reduce the spread of influenza, including;
*Getting vaccinated. If you haven’t received a flu vaccination this year it is not too late to get one -- particularly for people at high risk of complications from the flu, including children and the elderly.
*Staying at home when sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers or friends.
* Practicing good “cough etiquette” or coughing into your elbow or a tissue and not into your hands.
* Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used when water is not available.
For more information on influenza, or for a copy of the state's department of health's publication Flu: What you can do. Caring for people at home, visit www.mass.gov/dph/flu, or call 617-983- 6800.
The 6-year-old child was a resident of Suffolk County. Health officials did not release what community she resided in.
Health officials said the child, who died last weekend, suffered from a number of health problems that likely contributed to complications from the flu.
Individuals with chronic health conditions are at high risk of bad outcomes from influenza, and children often bear a significant burden from influenza disease.
“This is a tragic reminder of how serious the flu can be for some people,” said Dr. Susan Lett, Medical Director of DPH’s Immunization Program. “Fortunately, pediatric deaths resulting from influenza complications are rare in Massachusetts.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine issues, recently voted to expand the recommended ages for the annual influenza vaccination to include all children from six months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was to vaccinate children from six months through five years of age.
Last week, flu activity in Massachusetts dropped from widespread to regional activity and appears to have peaked in our state the week of February 17. However, flu activity remains high and is expected to circulate into April in this part of the country.
“While this year’s flu shot was not the best match for some of the flu strains circulating this year, that should not prevent people from getting vaccinated against the flu,” Dr. Lett said. “The vaccine usually offers some protection, even if it is not 100 percent effective - preventing against complications, particularly for people with high risk medical conditions.”
Health officials are reminding Massachusetts residents that steps can be taken to reduce the spread of influenza, including;
*Getting vaccinated. If you haven’t received a flu vaccination this year it is not too late to get one -- particularly for people at high risk of complications from the flu, including children and the elderly.
*Staying at home when sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers or friends.
* Practicing good “cough etiquette” or coughing into your elbow or a tissue and not into your hands.
* Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used when water is not available.
For more information on influenza, or for a copy of the state's department of health's publication Flu: What you can do. Caring for people at home, visit www.mass.gov/dph/flu, or call 617-983- 6800.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Get Active & Get Fit!
Inside this month's issue, Dr. Suzanne McLaughlin focuses on ways families can exercise and get fit together. The May FamilyHealth column, suggests ways families can be active in just 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes.Children bring a lot of energy and curiosity to everyday activities - they don't need exercise equipment or organized sports to get moving, says Dr. McLaughlin. Age-appropriate activities that give them a chance to get moving are the goal: and they carry the same benefits of increased physical activity, she says. "In other words, just running around counts," said Dr. McLaughlin, who is a pediatrician and internist at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
Pick up a copy of the May issue of Bay State Parent magazine or read her article and fitness tips online at: www.baystateparent.com/news/2007/0501/Articles/011.html
Monday, March 5, 2007
Honored with 20 National Awards!
Bay State Parent magazine won 20 awards at the national Parenting Publications of America (PPA) Conference this past weekend in Nashville, Tenn.Thus far this year, the magazine has won 28 awards. In fact, Bay State Parent has won 74 awards since changing our name to Bay State Parent from Today's Parent three years ago. We truly are Massachusetts' Premier Magazine for Families.
As always I am thrilled that we were honored by our peers, but what is most important is how loved we are by our readers, who passionately call, e-mail, and write to me often. Thanks so much for your input.
I'm most proud of our first place awards for overall reporting and investigative reporting, since I come from a newspaper background. The judges wrote: "From special reports to annual guides, The Bay State Parent offers superior coverage of its community along with a wide mix of timely articles. It represents the best kind of work a medium-size monthly can offer."
We swept the special section category with gold, silver, and bronze awards (Last year, we took gold and silver in the same category.) We must be doing something right with our guides & special reports!
Our March 2006 & November 2006 covers took first and second place respectively.
We compete in the medium circulation division - 30,001 to 50,000.
Below is a rundown of our 20 awards & what the judges had to say (I'd apologize for the length of this blog entry, but I'm NOT sorry we did so well.)
I'm very proud to be editor of Bay State Parent and extremely proud of our entire staff and all the freelance writers & photographers (including Portrait Simple Studios, who won three awards for us) of the work they do to produce a high-quality publication month in and month out!
DESIGN AWARDS:
Front Cover: Newsprint with Original Photo:
Gold: March 2006 issue - Puddle Jumpers (Photographer: Portrait Simple Studios)(www.portraitsimple.com)
Judges comments: Terrific color coordination makes this cover pop. Cute subject and popsicle colors blend perfectly. And the type works well without obscuring the image.
Silver: November 2006 - 4th Annual Adoption Guide (Photographer: Steven King)
Judges: This endearing portrait doesn’t need any adornment to draw readers into the cover. The subtle lighting and colors focus attention on the subject.
Interior Illustration
Silver: Camp illustration by Steve Haske
Judges: Haske visually tells the story of camp burnout with a creative illustration that has camp activities weighing on a young camper’s brain. The expression of the camper emphasizes the idea of the story and helps entice the reader.
Original Interior Photography
Silver: Puddle Jumpers - March 2006 (Photographers: Portrait Simple & Nancy MacDonald)
Judges: The photographer, designer and editors invested space, wit, style and, most importantly, a sense of fun, all of which are on display by both the young models and the generous layout. In this world, rain equals joy, not gloom. A great example of taking a standard fashion assignment and turning it on its head.
Gold: Rebuilding Families after 9/11 - September 2006 (Photographer: Portrait Simple Studios)
Judges: These pictures speak volumes of a mother’s ability to pull together and move forward a family that faced unbearable tragedy. Those faces and the joy they now share overshadow the horror described in the accompanying story. Instead, the pictures and full story offer inspiration to all.
Feature Layout - Black & White
Silver: Designed by Paula Monette Ethier - Coping With the Baby Blues.
Judges: This layout works thanks to its simplicity and grace. The designer very artfully conveys the content with a portrait and only minimal display type, but what a portrait it is. The entire story is conveyed through emotion, and the type works just enough to help make the connection.
Best Special Section - Design
Silver: Designer Paula Monette Ethier - Baby Guide - March 2006
Judges: The strength of this section lies in the photography. Stock images are played well – they illustrate the point, they're not just there to break up the grey. The cutouts on the fashion spread give the pages a real 3-D feel, and the generous use of images with the feature on the Pampers model really drive home why this one little girl was selected. Overall, a great example of how to make the most of your photography.
EDITORIAL AWARDS
Cover Lines
Bronze: Submitted was June & October 2006 covers written by editor Susan Scully Petroni
Judges: Bay State Parent cover-line writers manage to fill lots of information in a little space. These lines also promote stories that we see every year in a refreshing way.
Family Matters Column
Bronze: Family Health columns written by doctors Robert Lindeman & Mark Vining
Judges: Informative, yet entertaining. A strong voice throughout helps carry the reader through the piece.
Family Fun Column
Gold: Day Trip Destination columns written by Stacy Juba and Susan Spencer
Judges: Each of the writers excels at combining a good topic, lots of "how to do it" info and a conversational style. Great anecdotes and structure easily lead the reader through the adventure – and, indeed, these pieces do capture that sense of excitement.
Humor Column
Silver: Pondering Parenting columns by Kerri Augusto
Judges: These columns aren't just funny and well written, they contain parenting advice from a licensed clinical psychologist. The combination is appealing and make for good value to readers.
Travel Feature
Silver: Camping with six children on Cape Cod written by James Lang and Matt Robert
Judges: The title becomes even more intriguing when the opening paragraph reveals that this adventure is fathers and kids only. The combination of humanity and utility makes this feature both enjoyable and helpful.
Profile
Silver: "Rebuilding Families After 9/11" written by Kate M. Jackson
Judges: Excellent attention to detail and good use of quotes make this profile of two 9/11 widows worthy of note. The story is a good read, from the scene-setting lead to the conclusion that revisits it. A focus on how these women have moved forward make this story relevant to all readers, not just those who lost someone on 9/11.
Investigative Reporting
Gold: Special Report: Protecting Our Children (October 2006) written by Sarah MacDonald, Marguerite Paolino & Susan Scully Petroni
Judges: This package of articles offers an exhaustive look at troubles with sex offenders and online predators. The stories are filled with rich detail about local incidents that will no doubt strike a nerve with readers.
Service Feature
Silver: Embracing Your Child's Culture written by Rosemary Cafasso
Judges: This article about celebrating an adopted child's cultural heritage presented a topic not often seen, and it did so in an interesting and informative way. The writer made good use of regional experts but also found a local family to use as an example for the recommendations offered by the experts. An 8-point sidebar of how-to’s gave specific recommendations.
Feature Writing
Gold: Rebuilding Families After 9/11 written by Kate M. Jackson
Judges: A story of surviving a horrible tragedy that doesn't stoop to being maudlin. Instead this is a tale of widows reaching out to other widows of terrorism in Afghanistan. It's an absorbing read with a window of hope.
Special Sections
**Gold: 4th Annual Adoption Guide - Nov. 2006
Judges: This comprehensive guide for adoption does not shy away from the tough issues. You'll find not only local stories about traditional parents but also stories about single people wanting to adopt and others about same-sex couples. A courageous undertaking.
Writers were: Marguerite Paolino, Amy Rodgers-Dryfoos, Peter Gibbs, Carrie Wattu, Barbara Ford, Sarah MacDonald, & Susan Scully Petroni
**Silver: Special Report: Protecting Our Children - Oct. 2006
Judges: In this Internet age, what parent isn't worried about online predators? Strong reporting and writing about local communities help this section stand out. Excellent.
Writers were: Sarah MacDonald, Marguerite Paolino, & Susan Scully Petroni
**Bronze: 7th Annual Day Trips & Weekend Getaway Guide - July 2006
Judges: Family vacations for Massachusetts folks don't have to break the bank when they can take fun and adventurous day trips and one-night sleepovers. This guide tells you where to go and what to see if you're on a budget. It's full of great information.
Writers were: James Lang, Matt Robert, Sarah MacDonald, Carrie Wattu, Amy Benoit, & Susan Scully Petroni
Overall Reporting
Gold: Judges: From special reports to annual guides, The Bay State Parent offers superior coverage of its community along with a wide mix of timely articles. It represents the best kind of work a medium-size monthly can offer.
Writers for the submitted issues of August, October & November 2006 included: Carrie Wattu, Kerri Augusto, Amy Benoit, Elizabeth Eidlitz, Peter Gibbs, Heidi Hynes, Robert Lindeman, Sue Lovejoy, Sarah MacDonald, Marguerite Paolino, Amy Rodgers-Dryfoos, Roderick Robinson, Robyn Silverman, Susan Spencer, Debbie Swanson, Donna White, Joanna Zarkadas & Susan Scully Petroni
Parenting Publications of America (PPA) gave out more than 350 Editorial and Design Competition awards to 80 parenting publications. PPA's Editorial and Design Awards Competition recognizes excellence in journalism, photography and design achieved by publishers, editors, writers and designers at member publications. Prof. Daryl Moen of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism coordinated the annual contest. A panel of judges reviewed 1,184 entries this year (up from last year) to choose the winners in each category. All judges have had significant professional experience.
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