Rape Culture Around the World?

Recently, India has been making headlines around the world for what has been called a rape "epidemic". Rapes of the very young, foreign tourists and violent gang rapes have been causing mass protests in a call for women's rights. One of the stories that sparked the most controversy was the gang rape of a medical student who later died of her injuries (Read Here) Despite protests, cities are still seeing a rise in reported rape cases which is leading to the creation of new anti-rape laws. Bad exposure is definitely effecting their economy as well. Since December, tourism has decreased by 25%, mostly with Western female travelers. Many have criticized India, expressing that their patriarchal culture is to blame. But it has also been argued that there is a culture of rape in the U.S.

From 2004-2008, the U.S was the world leader for reported rapes with about 80,000. however, since so many rapes go unreported. The US Department of justice estimates an actual 300,000 per year (making the 80,000 figure more like 1.3 million).

What is meant by rape culture? One is example  is the recent high school rape case in Stubenville, Ohio. A young women was raped by two football players after she became overly intoxicated at a party. Instead of coming to her aid, many students joked and posted pictures of her on the internet. Following the event the town was torn. While some did support the young girl, many felt that she was to blame and shunned her for giving the football team and the town a bad name. And these incidents are not uncommon. Studies show that college students believe about 50% of  reported rapes are false claims, while the real number is about 2-8%.  And while the issue of false rape gets a a lot of attention, 97% of rapists will never spend a day in prison.

 Many people who are raped or sexually harassed internalize the issue and begin to blame themselves. 73% of rapes in America are committed by non-strangers and 28% happen between intimate partners. Especially in the case of intimate partners, some people may not understand how to escape a dangerous situation and it may not be easy.

If you or someone you know has been a victim or living in a dangerous situation, there are resources to help! For those in the Philadelphia area, the nonprofit organization Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) provides physical, mental and legal assistance. They also have a 24 hour hotline for round the clock assistance (number available on their website). Nationwide the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) also has a 24 hour hotline and online hotline services for those in need. There are also options for volunteers to help if you are looking to be part of the solution. No matter your reason, do not hesitate to take advantage of these resources!

More in India:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-22901918

50 Interesting facts about rape... you'll keep reading!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/50-facts-rape_b_2019338.html

Rape in America and Statistics:
http://www.policymic.com/articles/22035/steubenville-rape-case-does-america-have-an-unadmitted-rape-culture-problem

http://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/sexual-assault-offenders

Stress and Poverty: An issue of Public Health

In an article recently published in the New York Times entitled Status And Stress, author Moises Velasquez-Manoff discusses chronic stress, its correlation with poverty and the impact it has on public health in the United States.

There are different types of stress that effect the people in various ways both mentally and physically. Scientists have found that some of the most dangerous types of stress arise when individuals feel that they have little to no control over their daily responsibilities. This feeling of helplessness is most often found in people with lower socio-economic statues, with income being a major determining factor. Not being able to pay bills, put food on the table, no control within the work environment among other things can lead to constant chemical stress reactions from the body.

This type of stress does not only wear a person down mentally, but can also adversely effect ones' health. Those living with chronic stress tend to live shorter lives than those who do not. They are also significantly more likely to develop health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. The "American Dream" implies that anyone can overcome hardships through hard work and determination. While the article explains that predisposition does not have complete control over an individuals future, among more affluent people, those who were never poor still have better health outcomes than those who once were. Why is this? Chronic stress can have a major effect on cognitive function and the brains' nervous system development, sometimes creating lasting effects even if chronic stress is no longer a problem.

This issue goes beyond the individual level because the effects of chronic stress are costly. Some of the conditions those who face high stress and prone to are some of the most expensive to treat. And the extent of inequality may be getting worse. The original article suggests that by investing more time and energy into this population (especially children), in the future, we will start to see an economic return. In addition, this could mean improvement in the quality of health for many who need it.


Additional Info on stress in America:
Stressed in America: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stressed-america.aspx

How stress effects your health : http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress.aspx

BRAIN CORNER: Clinical Trials and Memory Disorders: Your Top Questions Answered

WHAT IS A CLINICAL TRIAL AND WHY IS IT CALLED A TRIAL?

“Clinical” is the word used to describe all things patient related, while “trial” is the word used when in the process of proving or trying something.  Together, a clinical trial is essentially a research study that involves human volunteers as the participants.  The volunteers try a treatment, which may include new or updated drugs, devices, procedures, or action plans.  The side effects, safety, optimal dosage, and the overall effectiveness of the treatment are determined as a result of the clinical trial.  Clinical trials are a vital component of the research process; without them, we would not have safe, regulated, and effective drugs available for disease treatment.

WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?
Some participants may significantly benefit from the study. They may have see that their condition is developing at a slower pace or experience an ease of symptoms. In some cases, a cure may even be found. Some trials do not result in direct, immediate benefits, but they help researchers to continue to develop treatments.  Participants that do not receive any direct benefit should understand that their participation will further the medical community’s knowledge of the disease and hopefully, lead to a cure. 

HOW DO I DECIDE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME OR MY FAMILY MEMBER?

When deciding whether or not a clinical trial is right for you, it is important to be both an informed and savvy participant.  There are many places where you can find information about your condition as well as current trials. Organizations like the NIH and Drexel Medicine are great places to find  up to date information about diseases and current initiatives (specific links included at the end of the post). Also do not be afraid to express your concerns and hesitations to the research study team. Keep in mind the following questions: What options do I currently have for treatment?  Am I comfortable with the conditions of the trial?  Are both my caregiver and I willing to fully commit to this process attending scheduled appointments, following directions, and adhering to all procedures?  What are the risks associated with this study?  Are the risks worth the potential reward?  Does my doctor and family support and encourage my participation in this trial?

WON'T I JUST BE PART OF AN EXPERIMENT? 

A common myth is that clinical trials are “science experiments” and the participants are “guinea pigs”.  An informed participant will tell you, this is not the case.  Volunteers are respected individuals and valued within the scientific community; often regarded as heroic. A new drug is not just created on a whim and immediately given to a volunteer; the new drug must first go through a number of carefully carried out tests. The Drug Development Plan is strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Click here for a deeper explanation of the drug development process and how the drug gets from the lab to the person.

HOW SAFE IS CLINICAL RESEARCH?

Researchers take a number of steps to make clinical trials as safe as possible, both medically and ethically.  Trials are well regulated to make sure potential side effects are not missed. Throughout the trial, all volunteers report any adverse events.  This includes both minor issues, such as a headache or dizziness, or serious problems, including hospitalizations and death.  If patterns of serious problems arise, the clinical trial may be stopped to prevent any further medical issues.  Clinical trials are also ethically sound, as they must first be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRBs’ mission is to protect the safety and welfare of the volunteers.  The IRB oversees the study procedures, ensures all staff have been properly trained, and ensures responsible conduct of the study.  Click here to learn more about Drexel’s IRB and patient protection.

WHO WILL I BE WORKING WITH?

Clinical trials include a team of people with important, individual roles.  The “Principal Investigator”, or PI, is the doctor who supervises the trial at a certain location.  The PI is responsible for all aspects of the research.  The “Study Coordinator” is your main point of contact.  The coordinator works directly with the PI and schedules appointments, draws blood for labs, takes vital signs, administers drugs, and collects and reports data.  The “Sponsor” is the company that develops the specific drug.  Typically, a pharmaceutical company develops a drug and picks different sites to carry out the study.  As a volunteer you will have limited to no contact with the sponsor.  The “Participants” are the patients that volunteer to be in the study.  The participants are a key aspect to the clinical trials team.  All members of the clinical trials team work together to reach the ultimate goal of a productive and worthwhile clinical trial experience.

SOUNDS GOOD...HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

The Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine, directed by Carol Lippa, MD( https://www.drexelmedicine.org/find-a-doctor/l/carol-lippa-f/), hosts a variety of clinical trials.  The trials explore different interventions for memory disorders including mild memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and the common symptoms associated with memory loss (agitation, aggression, emotional changes).  Examples of previous trials include vaccines, immunotherapies, vitamins, nutritional supplements, genetic screens, and technology research.  The clinical trials team members have extensive experience managing trials and they encourage patients and their caregivers to participate. Visit the following link to see what Memory Disorder Trials are underway at Drexel:  http://www.drexelmedicine.org/patient-services/neurology/clinical-studies/memory-disorder-studies/.  If interested in learning more about the clinical trials in the Memory Disorders Program, contact Carolyn Edwards at 215-762-7783 or cedwards@DrexelMed.edu

Resources for conditions mentioned in this blog post:

Alzheimer's Disease : http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers 

http://drexel.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=1&gid=000760

Dementia: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm 

http://drexel.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=1&gid=000739

Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick Disease): http://drexel.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=1&gid=000744 

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month!! Youth sports teams around the city can lace up with the Philadelphia Union in supporting the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation’s annual Get Real with Teal campaign. Laces are provided free of charge to youth sports teams while supplies last. Please join us in wearing teal shoelaces for games during September to help spread awareness about ovarian cancer!

Know the symptoms of ovarian cancer:

- Bloating

- Pelvic pain or abdominal pain

- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

* These symptoms are persistent and are a change from a woman’s normal body*

For more information on how your sports team can participate:

http://www.sandyovarian.org/get-involved/

Also, mark your calendars! September 15th is the Turn up the Volume Walk on Ovarian Cancer in Harrisburg, PA. Check out this and other great events that are upcoming on the Sandy Rollman events calendar.