Hello fellow followers of health news! Welcome back to Community Health Roundup: your source for the most interesting health stories from around the internet. This week I am living up to that tagline I just created because the stories I found I would definitely describe as “interesting”. First, we are going to look at the number one social determinant of health impacting community health center patients, then explore in depth the opioid epidemic, next look at what is being described as a potential “heroin vaccine”, and we will end with a couple stories about new (and potential) uses for blood tests.
If you had to guess, what do you think is the number one social determinant of health that is impacting community health center patients? Housing? Food? Transportation needs? Well, if you said housing, you would be correct. A new study out from Journal of the American Medical Association found that over 25% of the 3,100 patients surveyed reported they had moved two or more times in the last year or had difficulty making rent payments and 1.2% reported they were homeless. Read more about the study and the social determinants that are impacting CHC patients’ health here.
I’ve posted quite a few articles about the opioid epidemic (past and present), but I don’t think I’ve ever found one as well written and fascinating as this piece from New York Magazine. I suggest blocking off some time on your calendar because it is a bit long and you will not want to stop reading until you’re done.
Dave Matthews Band once sang “What would you say” and I would like to start with that phrase to ask you the reader a question: “What would you say if I told you that scientists are currently working on a vaccine for heroin and it’s been tested on mice?” Would you say “Why are you referencing Dave Matthews Band in this health roundup?” And that’s a good question, and after I expertly explain WHY I did it, I bet you would say “That’s really interesting William, tell me more!” Well I could, but I think this article from Health Day would do a much better job.
Did you know: The FDA recently approved a blood test to help detect concussions?
Did you know: Researchers in the UK have developed (and are still testing) a blood test to detect autism that has a 92% accuracy?
Did you know: Researchers are examining how blood tests could be used to determine treatment for patients suffering with PTSD?
Now you do.
William Jacob Amadeus Pinnock is a Research Coordinator at OCHIN where he assists with the creation, execution, and dissemination of research projects. He graduated with an MS in Communication from Portland State University where he focused on health communication, rural mass media, and qualitative research methods. He has experience working in commercial health insurance, healthcare research, and radio broadcasting. In his spare time, he is an Adjunct Instructor at Portland State University helping students master the art of public speaking.
