Everyday, 67 children are diagnosed with autism, in boys, the likelihood of an autism diagnosis is four times that of girls. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined, yet startlingly, many parents don’t know how to spot the early warning signs of autism in their children or where to turn for help when those signs are identified.

Devereux, the nation’s largest non-profit providing behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral disorders and mental illness, has been a leader in diagnosing, and caring for those with autism through quality educational, training and support services since the 1940s.

“So much is being learned about the complex and confusing world of autism,” says Bob Kreider, president and CEO of Devereux, “but from the practical perspective, for parents who are concerned about the warning signs and how to properly identify issues they are seeing with their children, little is available. And once those signs are properly identified, it’s even more difficult to find the correct course of treatment and care to help children live fulfilling lives. Parents are a child’s primary advocate and most important support system. No one – no doctor or expert knows a child like their parents. Empowering parents with information so they can access the resources and services that their children need is critical for the most successful outcomes.”

Ten Tips for Parents

To that end, the experts at Devereux, through decades of work – and some of the earliest and most storied treatment of autism in the disorder’s history – have developed a list of early indicators for parents to watch for in their young children. These signs are not meant as diagnostic tools, but rather as guidelines to help parents direct their thoughts and conversations with experts. Parents should watch for:

1. A child who doesn’t make eye contact, fails to show enthusiasm for caregivers as they approach, who doesn’t examine the faces of others and does not offer a social smile.

2. A child who doesn’t engage in conversation with others.

3. A child who does not enjoy common games that other children enjoy such as tickle games or hide-and-seek.

4. A child who may not appropriately play with common toys.

5. A child who engages in repetitive movements such as hand flapping.

6. A child who does not imitate the vocal sounds or actions of peers or adults.

7. A child who is delayed in talking, gestures and use of facial expressions.

8. A child who doesn’t seem to understand others’ verbal and non-verbal communication.

9. A child who had learned to talk and picked up on social skills, but seems to suddenly regress and not speak or connect with others.

10. A child whose development was progressing normally and then suddenly regresses noticeably.

Parents, who may be concerned that their child shows signs of autism, should contact their pediatrician or a health professional with experience in the field of autism or developmental disabilities.

“With autism reaching alarming rates, it is crucial that families receive an accurate diagnosis so that early intervention can immediately begin,” explains Dr. Lorrie Henderson, senior vice president and chief clinical officer for Devereux. “Clinical experts agree that an early diagnosis and intervention are important to helping a child build their cognitive and language skills. Parents need to begin to look for effective educational programs at a very early age. Partnering with a quality provider that can not only educate children, but also helps young adults and their parents prepare for a life that is as independent and productive as possible will be paramount in achieving success.”

Devereux’s History with Autism

Dr. Leo Kanner, who first identified Autistic Disturbances of Affective Disorder in children and a former national Devereux trustee, contacted Devereux founder, Miss Helena Devereux, looking for a place to educate children diagnosed with autism early in the history of the disorder. That began Devereux’s long history with helping individuals with autism and their families. Today, Devereux serves more than 600 children, adolescents and adults with a primary and secondary diagnosis of autism at centers located throughout the United States, offering specialized educational programs, vocational training, social skills development, group homes and supported living services that encompass a continuum of care.

National experts, including Bob Kreider and Dr. Lorrie Henderson are available for interviews on autism, these ten practical tips to help parents, the disorder’s impact on families and early intervention and education. For more information, please call Abbey Luterick at 610.542.3030 or 610.291.5902.

Devereux is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider serving children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral, mental health and intellectual/ developmental disabilities. Founded in 1912 by a Philadelphia schoolteacher, Helena Trafford Devereux, the Devereux Philosophy of Care focuses on bringing out the strengths of each individual through research-based assessment and treatment programs. Devereux employs nearly 6000 staff and operates 15 centers in 11 states, providing services to over 15,000, annually.

Source: Devereux


Health Disparities Among Minority Populations Getting Worse

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Apr 2,2009

Despite government efforts to address disparities in the past decade, beginning with President Clinton’s 1998 Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Initiative, there has been very little progress. African-Americans have more disease, disability, and early death than Caucasians(1).

The statistics are alarming:

  • African-Americans are 1.6 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Latino Caucasians.(2)
  • African-Americans have higher death rates for coronary heart disease (CHD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and stroke.(3)
  • The prevalence of high blood pressure among African-Americans is among the highest in the world.(4)
  • There is an estimate that 80% of black women and 60% of black men are overweight or obese (which contributes to heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure, diabetes among other chronic health conditions). (5).
  • African-American women are 3 times more likely to have lupus than Caucasian women. (6)
  • African-Americans are 38% less likely to get joint replacement to alleviate chronic joint pain than Caucasians.(7)

While health disparities worsen for African-Americans, according to Verona Brewton, Zimmer’s Director of Minority Initiatives, African-Americans can take control by focusing on those individual behaviors that positively impact one’s health.

“Whether you suffer from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or another chronic health condition, there is a key factor that will make a difference in your quality of life – exercise,” explains Ms. Brewton.

Keeping weight under control plays a critical role in managing these health issues. However, many African-Americans face a major hurdle: they are living with chronic joint pain.

“Every warning from governmental and non-profit health organizations implores our community to ‘get moving’ because of the positive impact it has on combating these conditions,”: explains Ms. Brewton. “But we have failed to make the direct link between painful movement and poor health.”

That’s the situation that Stephanie Mace and Jean Pompey faced. Stephanie was severely overweight and battling other chronic health conditions. After joint replacement, Stephanie regained her mobility and was able to exercise, losing 100 pounds, which improved her overall health.

Jean Pompey suffered from arthritis – causing severe joint pain and her legs to bow two inches. After joint replacement restored her ability to exercise, Jean was able to lose weight and manage her other chronic health conditions.

Early intervention is key as there many options to alleviate joint pain. Knee or hip discomfort should not be dismissed as one of the natural signs of aging without discussing it with a primary care physician. Today’s treatment options offer non-surgical solutions, which provide temporary pain relief and more permanent solutions such as joint replacement. Total knee replacement (TKR) is an effective method of reducing pain and improving physical function among those with disabling knee osteoarthritis. However, a February 2009 report from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) revealed health disparities for African-Americans in getting joint replacement have worsened, from 37% to 39% between 2000 and 2006.(7) Although doctors performed 58% more total knee replacement procedures between 2000 and 2006, African-Americans were 39% less likely than Caucasians to get joint replacement.(7)

Regaining mobility and being active is critical in helping to manage and defeat chronic health conditions. Healthcare disparities for African-Americans in getting joint replacement represent a serious healthcare barrier. Zimmer’s Back In The Groove program is an education-based community partnership that addresses healthcare disparities impacting African-Americans in the area of joint replacement. For more information, visit www.backinthegroove.zimmer.com.

(1) Minority Women’s Health – African Americans – National Women’s Health Information Center, US Dept of Health and Human Services, 2008

(2) Diabetes Statistics For African Americans – American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org 2008

(3) African Americans and Cardiovascular Disease – American Heart Association Statistical Fact Sheet 2007 update.

(4) See reference above

(5) Losing the War on Weight – Obesity Rates Growing For African-Americans. Black Enterprise May 2007

(6) Minority Women’s Health > African Americans > Health Topics > Lupus – National Womens Health Information Center, US Dept of Health and Human Services, 2008

(7) Racial Disparities in Total Knee Replacement Among Medicare Enrollees – MMWR Weekly, Centers For Disease Control – February 20, 2009

Source: Zimmer


Patients with schizoaffective disorder who received paliperidone extended release tablets (paliperidone ER) for six weeks showed significant improvement in a broad range of schizoaffective symptoms, according to a new study presented today at the 12th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (ICOSR) in San Diego, Calif.(1) The findings of the study provide additional evidence for symptomatic improvement of schizoaffective disorder following therapy with paliperidone ER.(2)

“This well-designed and conducted study of paliperidone ER in patients with schizoaffective disorder found that this medication is both efficacious and well-tolerated,” said Nina Schooler, Ph.D., SUNY Downstate Medical Center. “These new data support the potential use of paliperidone ER as an effective option for the treatment of this understudied group of patients.”

Schizoaffective disorder is a condition, which encompasses the symptoms of both schizophrenia and a major mood disorder. Patients with schizoaffective disorder experience the psychosis characteristic of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, as well as symptoms of mania and/or depression.(3) Schizoaffective disorder can be difficult to distinguish from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder because the symptoms are similar to both. The disorder is about one third as common as schizophrenia(4) but within those people that frequently use mental health services, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder may account for approximately 32% and 24% of cases respectively.(5)

In the six week, international, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, 311 patients with an established diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, who were experiencing acute symptoms, were randomized to receive either paliperidone ER or a placebo. The paliperidone ER dose was initiated at 6 mg/day and could be adjusted in range from 3mg/day to 12mg/day up to day 15, after which no dose adjustments were allowed. In addition to study medication, subjects were permitted to receive concomitant treatment with an antidepressant and/or mood stabilizer, provided these medications had been given at a stable dose within 30 days of screening. Approximately half the subjects enrolled received ongoing treatment with an antidepressant and/or mood stabilizer during the study.

Based on the primary outcome parameter of change in PANSS total score from baseline to week 6 endpoint results showed that patients in the paliperidone ER group had significantly greater improvement as compared to patients on placebo (p=0.001). Changes were also noted in many secondary outcomes parameters measured in the trial. The paliperidone ER group exhibited a significant improvement in mean Clinical Global Impressions of Severity for Schizoaffective Disorder (CGI-S-SCA) scores when compared to patients taking placebo (p=0.002). Further, among patients with prominent manic symptoms as measured by the Young Mania Ratings Scale (YMRS score greater than or equal to 16) paliperidone ER exhibited significant improvement compared to placebo on the YMRS (p=0.001). Likewise, among patients with prominent depressive symptoms as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-21 score greater than or equal to 16), paliperidone ER exhibited significant improvements compared to placebo on the HAM-D-21 (p<0.001).

The most common adverse events occurring in this trial were: headache (32%), dizziness (18%), insomnia (14%), akathisia (13%) and dyspepsia (12%).

The study was sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.

Paliperidone ER, an atypical antipsychotic medication, was first approved in the U.S. in December 2006. Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., markets paliperidone ER as INVEGA(R). It is approved for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in the U.S. and for the treatment of schizophrenia in the E.U.

In February 2009, two supplemental new drug applications (sNDAs) were submitted to the FDA requesting approval for the use of paliperidone ER for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder as monotherapy and for use in combination with antidepressants and/or mood stabilizers. If approved by the FDA, INVEGA(R) would be the only medication indicated to treat the condition.

Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is based in Titusville, N.J. and is the only large pharmaceutical company in the U.S. dedicated solely to mental health. It has prescription medications for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania and the treatment of symptoms associated with autistic disorder. For more information about Janssen, visit http://www.janssen.com/.

Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, and Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., are part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR INVEGA(R)

Elderly Patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. INVEGA(R) (paliperidone) is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially fatal side effect reported with INVEGA(R) and similar medicines. Call your doctor immediately if the person being treated develops symptoms such as high fever; stiff muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness. Treatment should be stopped if the person being treated has NMS.

One risk of INVEGA(R) is that it may change your heart rhythm. This effect is potentially serious, and you should talk to your doctor about any current or past heart problems. Some medications interact with INVEGA(R). Please inform your healthcare professional of any medications or supplements that you are taking.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a serious, sometimes permanent side effect reported with INVEGA(R) and similar medications. TD includes uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, and other parts of the body. The risk of developing TD and the chance that it will become permanent is thought to increase with the length of therapy and the overall dose taken by the patient. This condition can develop after a brief period of therapy at low doses, although this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if therapy is stopped.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with INVEGA(R) and similar medications. If the person being treated has diabetes or risk factors such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, blood sugar testing should be performed at the beginning and throughout treatment with INVEGA(R). Complications of diabetes can be serious and even life threatening. If signs of high blood sugar or diabetes develop, such as being thirsty all the time, going to the bathroom a lot, or feeling weak or hungry, contact your doctor.

INVEGA(R) and similar medications can raise the blood levels of a hormone known as prolactin, causing a condition known as hyperprolactinemia. Blood levels of prolactin remain elevated with continued use. Some side effects seen with these medications include the absence of a menstrual period; breasts producing milk; the development of breasts by males; and the inability to achieve an erection. The connection between prolactin levels and side effects is unknown.

People with narrowing or blockage of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach or small or large intestine) should talk to their healthcare professional before taking INVEGA(R).

Some people taking INVEGA(R) may feel faint or lightheaded when they stand up or sit up too quickly. By standing up or sitting up slowly and following your healthcare professional’s dosing instructions, this side effect may be reduced or it may go away over time.

INVEGA(R) may affect your driving ability; therefore, do not drive or operate machinery before talking to your healthcare professional. Avoid alcohol while on INVEGA(R).

INVEGA(R) should be used cautiously in people with a seizure disorder, who have had seizures in the past, or who have conditions that increase their risk for seizures.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) are usually persistent movement disorders or muscle disturbances, such as restlessness, tremors, and muscle stiffness. If you observe any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant while taking INVEGA(R). Caution should be exercised when INVEGA(R) is administered to a nursing woman.

INVEGA(R) may affect alertness and motor skills; use caution until the effect of INVEGA(R) is known.

INVEGA(R) may make you more sensitive to heat. You may have trouble cooling off, or be more likely to become dehydrated, so take care when exercising or when doing things that make you warm.

INVEGA(R) should be swallowed whole. Tablets should not be chewed, divided, or crushed. Do not be worried if you see something that looks like a tablet in your stool. This is what is left of the tablet after all the medicine has been released.

The most common side effects that occurred with INVEGA(R) were restlessness and extrapyramidal disorder (for example, involuntary movements, tremors and muscle stiffness).

Source: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD)


Independence Blue Cross offers resources to quit smoking for a healthier lifestyle

The federal tax on a pack of cigarettes has gone up to just over a dollar with the increase that went into effect today, and might be just the push smokers need to kick the habit. Independence Blue Cross offers members help in many ways to stop using tobacco products.

Quitting smoking not only saves money, it saves lives. Approximately one in five adults in the United States smokes cigarettes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cigarette smoking results in an estimated 443,000 premature deaths each year, and costs the economy $193 billion in health care expenses and lost time from work. Smoking is also widely known to cause or contribute to heart disease, certain cancers, and lung disease.

The federal tax on cigarettes, which had been 39 cents per pack, was raised 62 cents today to $1.01 — the biggest cigarette tax increase in history. The tax will help fund national health care programs for children. Pennsylvania already charges another $1.63 in state taxes to the cost of a pack of cigarettes, which means a typical pack now costs close to $6.50. Smokers in the state who quit a pack-a-day habit would save about $2,370 per year.

The federal tax on smokeless tobacco increased today from 19 cents a pound to 50 cents a pound. Smokeless tobacco is just as addictive as cigarettes. Those who use smokeless tobacco are at increased risk for other serious health conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, and cancers of the lip, tongue, cheeks, and throat.

“Sadly, people choose to smoke or chew tobacco despite their awareness of the benefits of quitting — breathing easier, suffering fewer serious illnesses, and living a longer life,” said Dr. Esther Nash, senior medical director, Independence Blue Cross. “But successful attempts to quit are often inspired by a strong motivator, like a personal health scare. We’re hoping the tax hike pushes more smokers to seek help quitting and we stand ready to help.”

Independence Blue Cross helps members kick the habit through:

  • Reimbursement of up to $200. To help members age 18 or older stop smoking, IBC will reimburse them for completing an approved tobacco cessation program. If the program costs less than $200, a member may apply the difference toward reimbursement for nicotine replacement products, prescription smoking cessation medication, or other aids. To earn the $200 reimbursement, IBC members may enroll in programs like SmokeStoppers(R) or the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking(R) Program. Most programs include help in managing barriers to quitting, like handling stress and avoiding weight gain. Members can also choose a program offered by a network hospital in their area. Tobacco cessation programs also support individuals who want to quit using smokeless tobacco.
  • Online support. IBC also offers members free online education modules at www.ibxpress.com to help them quit smoking or make other lifestyle changes that improve health. The modules routinely begin with a short survey about smoking habits, current lifestyle, and general health. Based on answers provided, the online program creates a personalized wellness plan, complete with follow-up information and support to help members stay on track.
  • Free counseling. IBC also offers pregnant members enrolled in IBC’s Baby BluePrints(R) program free counseling by phone to help them quit smoking. IBC offers Medicare members a similar option.
  • Gift-card incentives. Earlier this year, IBC launched Healthy Lifestyles(SM) Rewards, an incentive program to encourage steps toward better health. Employers who add this program to their health plans through IBC reward employees for healthy behaviors. Non-smokers who participate in this program can earn gift card rewards for taking a tobacco-free pledge, while smokers can earn rewards for completing a tobacco cessation program.

For more information about quitting, IBC members can call the Health Resource Center at 1-800-ASK-BLUE.

Non-IBC members who use tobacco products can find plenty of online resources to help them quit. They can also order a free copy of “Clearing the Air,” a self-study booklet from the National Cancer Institute with information on what to expect, avoiding weight gain, and fighting the urge to smoke. Call 1-800-4-CANCER.

Source: Independence Blue Cross


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