The National Network to End Domestic Violence and Facebook have partnered up in an effort to keep survivors of domestic violence safe when using social media. In many stages of the domestic abuse cycle, using social media can be dangerous to the victim. Things an abuser finds online can cause further abuse, violence and stalking. Once the victim and abuser are no longer together, social media also can still allow an abuser access to the survivor’s life.
Some say that abusers should simply stop using social media if they are worried about abusers following their activities. However, NNEDV and Facebook feel that this solution is unacceptable and isolating. Survivors should have the same safety as anyone else when using social media. To help survivors, NNEDV and Facebook have created a guide to Facebook privacy and security settings. They hope that this guide will serve as a valuable resource for survivors who want to continue to connect with individuals who care about them. This guide could also be useful for those who are currently experiencing cyber bullying or other forms of virtual abuse.
Having children is an event that many in Americans choose to embark upon and has been built into the "typical" model of the American dream. While there are many factors that contribute to the decision to have a child, early child care costs from infancy to the start of grade school may be a large deterrent. According to Census Bureau, the cost of child care has almost doubled in the last 25 years. This burden falls heavily on working mothers as they are more likely to leave their jobs to take care of children if they make less than their partner. And once children reach grade school, these women find it difficult to get back into, and become a competitive force in the workplace again.
Regardless of income, many feel the strain of childcare. However some of the hardest hit are those right above the income bracket to receive government assistance and those living in poverty. While the average percent of household income spent on childcare is about 7%, It can be much higher for low income families (about 30%!). This can impact the families ability to pay for other things such as housing, utilities and food; which can effect the health and wellness of every family member.
Planning is an essential part of being prepared. If you are planning to have a child, start early (even before you are pregnant!) and figure out what options you have availible and what would work best for your family. Availible childcare services may even play a role in where you choose to live. Of course, almost half of pregnacies in the US are unplanned, giving parents less time to setup a gameplan. Once you discover you or your partner is pregnant it is time to start looking at options. Make sure to ultilize some of your most valuable resources... family and friends who have recently gone through the same thing! For those in the Philadelphia area http://www.philadelphiachildcare.org/ is a resources that helps parents find childcare. If you are not in the Philadelphia area, simply type "childcare" followed by your area for results. Good luck parents!
Bullying has always been a concern in schools, but the growth of technology allows for a new dimension of bullying called cyberbullying. On top of in-person verbal or physical abuse, a child may continue to receive hurtful messages or be slandered online even after the school day ends. This gives bullies the ability to harm their targets at times that used to be safe and many states with bullying laws do not include actions performed off campus.
It is also apparent that this is an issue we are seeing more in young girls. Girls are more likely to both be cyberbullied and cyberbully someone else. And while many student suicide cases are not based solely on cyber bullying, we have been seeing an increase of (girls especially) suicide in which cyberbullying is involved. In some of the worst cases, students are sexually assaulted only to have it posted on the internet where they are further humiliated and sometimes blamed for what happened. Examples like this have come to light recently with cases such as the Stubenville, Ohio rape case. ( As we mentioned in our "Rape Culture Around the World?" entry) What does this mean? As technology and social media remains an integral part of our lives, usage needs to be talked about more frequently between parents and children. Making sure that children and teens are safely using social media is very important. Moderation at younger ages may be an esstenital part of developing healthy online habits early on. Teaching children how to address different online situations and how to present themselves can be valuable not only in childhood, but for the the rest of their lives.
While less common, adults can also experience cyber bullying and virtual slander and should also be cautious when using different forms of social media. If you see these things happening, don't "like" it and make sure to talk to friends who you suspect could be vicitms of cyber bullying. Want more info on Cyber Bullying? Visit the Cyberbullying research center website Cyber-bullying in the news:
The Government may be in a gridlock right now, but the new Healthcare Marketplace developed by the Affordable Care Act opened yesterday! You can access it here at https://www.healthcare.gov/. Many people still have questions about what these changes mean for them and what steps they should take next.
We will try to answer some of your questions here:
What is the Affordable Care Act?
On March 23, 2010 the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. The Affordable Care Act is essentially a remodel of the current US healthcare system that strives to:
-Make healthcare affordable to all US citizens.
-Encourage greater utility of preventative care and screenings.
-Have almost every citizen covered by some health insurance plan.
What is the Healthcare Marketplace?
The healthcare marketplace allows you to shop for an insurance plan that works best for you and your family. The marketplace application will let you know what you are eligible for based on your income, and allows you to compare coverage options side by side.
How to I access the Marketplace?
You can access the Marketplace online: https://www.healthcare.gov/
Over the Telephone: 1-800-318-2596
and in person. To find a location near you, call the number listed above or type your zip code into the "find local help" section on the following linked page https://www.healthcare.gov/contact-us/
Who can buy insurance through the online marketplaces?
Individuals and families who are not offered affordable health insurance through their employer, those who are uninsured or under-insured and businesses with fewer than 50 employees can buy health insurance through the exchanges. “Unaffordable” insurance through an employer is considered to have premiums that are more than 9.5 percent of household income.
Will this be costing me money? It depends, but probably not as much as you've heard in the news. If you already have insurance through your job, this probably won’t directly affect your monthly premiums — and could actually end up saving you money in the long run byeliminating your co-pays for preventative care, like regular check-ups and STD screenings. If you don’t have insurance, on the other hand, you’ll be eligible for a plan in the new marketplaces and you’ll have to pay a premium for it. That’s more expensive than paying no monthly premium, but arguably cheaper than going uninsured and having to pay out of pocket for all of your health services, plus the penalty for not getting insurance. Depending on your income (and whether or not your employer offers an insurance plan), you could receive federal subsidies to help cover part of that premium.
What if I can’t afford any health coverage?
If you can’t afford health coverage right now, the Affordable Care Act hopes to change that for you. There are two ways the health reform law could accomplish that. If your income falls below 138 percent of the federal poverty line (for reference, that’s about $15,415 for an individual and $26,344 for a family of three), you could be eligible for expanded Medicaid coverage under the law. But it depends on where you live. Although the Affordable Care Act initially intended for the Medicaid expansion to be universal, the Supreme Court ruled that it should be optional — so now, not every state is participating.
You could be eligible for federal assistance to afford an insurance plan in the new insurance marketplace in your state. federal subsidies are also available to help Americans buy plans on the newly-created marketplaces, most of the options will be relatively inexpensive.
How Long do I have to sign up for a plan?
The initial open enrollment period started yesterday, October 1st, 2013 and ends on March 31, 2014 with some coverage plans projected to begin as early as January 1 2014.
Still want more information?
the following is a short clip that gives additional information on the changes that will be happening due to the Affordable care act. It is also available Spanish by clicking here.
Don't wait! Start talking about your options for healthcare today!
And don't forget to visit https://www.healthcare.gov/
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!
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.
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:
