Health Care, Family, and Community Factors Associated with Mental, Behavioral, and Developmental Disorders and Poverty Among Children Aged 2–8 Years
CDC - 12/21/2018
Childhood mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders are associated with adverse outcomes that can persist into adulthood.
Teens Using Vaping Devices in Record Numbers
CDC - 12/17/2018
America’s teens report a dramatic increase in their use of vaping devices in just a single year, with 37.3 percent of 12th graders reporting “any vaping” in the past 12 months, compared to just 27.8 percent in 2017.
Treatment Patterns and Costs Among Children Aged 2 to 17 Years with ADHD in New York State Medicaid in 2013
Sage Journals - 12/14/2018
In 2013, 1.4 million children aged 2 to 17 years were enrolled in NYS Medicaid. Medicaid claims and encounters were used to identify children with ADHD, classify them by type of treatment received, and estimate associated costs.
Frequency of Use Among Middle and High School Student Tobacco Products Users
CDC - 12/14/2018
Tobacco product use during adolescence increases the risk for lifelong nicotine addiction and immediate adverse health effects.
Predictors of Receipt of School Services in a National Sample of Youth with ADHD
Sage Journals - 12/10/2018
The objective of the study is to describe the extent to which students with ADHD received school-based intervention services and identify demographic, diagnostic, and impairment-related variables that are associated with service receipt in a large, nationally drawn sample.
NAS Linked to Smaller Head Circumference at Birth
AAP News - 12/10/2018
Infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) often were born with smaller head circumference compared to newborns who were not exposed to opioids, a new study found.
OBGYN's Role in Preventing FASD
NOFAS - 12/10/2018
Dr. Parisi discusses how to talk to pregnant women about their alcohol use and how to effectively relate to their perspective. She also talks about stigma issues around addiction.
Low-Income, Rural Kids at Higher risk for Second- or Third-Hand Smoke Exposure
NIH - 12/6/2018
Infants and toddlers in low-income, rural areas may be at higher risk for second- and third-hand smoke than previously reported, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Individuals with FASD and the Courts: What Social Workers Need to Know (pdf)
Social Work & The Courts - 12/1/2018
This past June, George Patterson and I had the opportunity to lead a program at the National Association of Social Worker conference in Washington, DC, about the development of the Social Work and the Courts Section’s Practice Recommendations for Forensic Social Work.
NIH Statement on World Aids Day
NIH - 11/30/2018
Each year on World AIDS Day, we reflect on the remarkable progress that has been made against HIV. Indeed, we have come a long way since the disease now known as AIDS was first reported in 1981.
Drug Overdose, Suicide Deaths Cut US Life Expectancy
Medscape - 11/29/2018
Driven largely by deaths from drug overdoses and suicide, life expectancy in the United States dropped during the period from 2016 to 2017, according to the latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How can Hospitals Reduce Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?
NICHQ - 11/27/2018
Between 2013-2017, national infant mortality rates dropped by 5 percent, an encouraging sign that efforts across the country were proving successful. Yet, nationwide sleep-related death rates remained relatively unchanged.
Lead Poisoning Continues to put too many Children at Risk
NICHQ - 11/27/2018
In more than 4 million homes across America, children are living and playing while being exposed to the damaging effects of lead.
Infections in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Study to Explore Early Development
NCBI - 11/26/2018
Immune system abnormalities have been widely reported among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which may increase the risk of childhood infections.
Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Levels
CDC - 11/23/2018
The number of pediatric cases of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) are decreasing in North Carolina. However, one county reported an increase in the number of children with confirmed BLLs ≥5 μg/dL, from 27 in 2013 to 44 in 2017.
Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Any Tobacco Product Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2018
CDC - 11/16/2018
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that provide nicotine and other additives to the user in the form of an aerosol. E-cigarettes entered the U.S. marketplace in 2007, and by 2014, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youths.
Zika may Hijack Mother-Fetus Immunity Route
Emory - 11/14/2018
To cross the placenta, Zika virus may hijack the route by which acquired immunity is transferred from mother to fetus, new research suggests.
All Adults Should be Screened for Unhealthy Alcohol Use, New Guidelines Say
CNN - 11/13/2018
You can expect a "drinking checkup" when you visit the doctor. All adults, including pregnant women, should be screened for unhealthy alcohol use by their primary care physicians, the United States Preventive Services Task Force advises.
Researchers Explore Health Effects of E-Cigarettes
HHS - 11/6/2018
E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the United States. Given their popularity, health officials see the fast-growing use of e-cigarettes as cause for concern among youth.
Surveillance for Cancers Associated with Tobacco Use
CDC - 11/2/2018
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer, contributing to at least 12 types of cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx; esophagus; stomach; colon and rectum; liver; pancreas; larynx; lung, bronchus, and trachea; kidney and renal pelvis; urinary bladder; and cervix.
Prevalence and Changes in Preexisting Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes Among Women Who Had a Live Birth
CDC - 11/2/2018
Diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk for adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Type 1 or type 2 diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy (preexisting diabetes) increases infants’ risk for congenital anomalies, stillbirth, and being large for gestational age.
This National Diabetes Month, Care for Your Health after Gestational Diabetes
NIH - 11/2/2018
Up to one in every 10 pregnancies in the United States is affected by gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes found for the first time when a woman is pregnant.
Mission Possible: Reducing Disparities in Preterm Births in the United States
CDC - 11/1/2018
In 2001, a woman was transported to a Georgia hospital in preterm labor. She delivered a baby boy at 34 weeks gestation, six weeks before her due date.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month
National Prenatal Association - 11/1/2018
The PPA + NPA global webinar series recognizes and honors the work of NICU Parent Leaders and Providers around the world. In this series we will learn about unique NICU experiences in different countries, identify their most pressing challenges, and discover what is universal to NICU families experiences - no matter where they live.
NIH to Fund National Data Collection on New Mothers with Disabilities
NIH - 11/1/2018
The National Institutes of Health will fund the collection of information from women with disabilities who give birth in the United States to supplement the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). PRAMS is a survey of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administered by state health departments, and covers approximately 83 percent of U.S. births.
Prenatal Marijuana Exposure: Implications for Florida
Drug Free America Foundation - 10/31/2018
Marijuana is also the most commonly used illicit substance among pregnant women in the US. Prevalence of self-reported marijuana use among pregnant women in the US increased 1.6 fold from 2.4% in 2002 to 3.9% in 2014, with the greatest increase occurring in women 18 -25 years of age.
Adherence to Recommended Care Guidelines in the Treatment of Preschool-Age Medicaid-Enrolled Children with a Diagnosis of ADHD
Psychiatry Online - 10/30/2018
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. Clinical guidelines recommend behavior therapy as the first-line treatment for preschool-age children with ADHD.
What is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death?
Children's Safety Network - 10/29/2018
Each year in the United States, approximately 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly. The frightening fact about SUID is that it can happen without warning and to infants who seem otherwise healthy.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Office on Women's Health - 10/22/2018
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans, including youth. Research suggests that unhealthy, abusive, or violent relationships can have short- and long-term negative effects on developing teens, and teens who experience dating violence are at increased risk for violent relationships as adults.
Communities can Help Prevent Dating and Sexual Violence
Office on Women's Health - 10/15/2018
Interventions may be implemented in schools (including middle school, high school, and college), at home, in communities, or in a combination of settings. Additionally, they can target groups at higher risk for violence or the general youth population.
How to Encourage Girls to Go after Their Dreams
Office on Women's Health - 10/10/2018
We all want the girls in our lives to go after their dreams, but the media, our celebrity culture, and social media can send mixed messages that affect their confidence.
Delayed Pushing Appears to have No Effect on Chances for Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
NIH - 10/9/2018
Delaying pushing during the second stage of labor — when the cervix is fully dilated at 10 centimeters — is a common practice at many U.S. hospitals, but it may have no effect on whether pregnant women deliver spontaneously (without a cesarean section or other intervention), according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Top Docs Radio Show - Mark Rapaport Interview
Medical Association of Georgia - 10/9/2018
Dr. Rapaport discusses various topics such as rising suicide rates, steps to help someone who is suicidal, the opioid misuse/abuse crisis and our innovative approach to brain health.
Maternal Cytokine Balance May Play Role in FASD Risk
NIAAA Spectrum - 10/5/2018
A study done in conjunction with the NIAAA-supported Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD) reports that disruptions in levels of certain immune system molecules during pregnancy can alter the risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
NIH-Led Task Force Submits Recommendations on Research Needs for Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers
NIH - 10/1/2018
The Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) has submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services final recommendations for research on therapies used by pregnant women and nursing mothers.
HRSA Releases New Data on Child Health Across the US
HRSA - 10/1/2018
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health data from nearly 21,000 households across the U.S. This voluntary survey, funded and directed by HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, provides annual national- and state-level estimates of key measures of child health and well-being.
An Interview about Suicide Prevention
Office on Women's Health - 9/26/2018
Suicide is a serious problem, and the rate of suicide among women is on the rise. People who consider suicide often feel like there is no hope, and they may often feel trapped or alone.
Healthy Moms. Strong Babies.
March of Dimes - 9/26/2018
March of Dimes is tackling the urgent health crisis facing moms and babies in our country. Its new awareness campaign, WONT STOP, shows the real faces and experiences of pregnancy and birth in this country.
Newborn Syphilis Cases More than Double in Four Years, Reaching 20-Year High
CDC - 9/25/2018
Reported cases of congenital syphilis – syphilis passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery – have more than doubled since 2013, according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Taking on a Leading Cause of Maternal Death: Improving Postpartum Hemorrhage Care
NICHQ - 9/21/2018
Cases of postpartum hemorrhage are on the rise, occurring in an estimated 3 percent of deliveries in the United States, or more than 100,000 births a year. These are alarming numbers, especially given that postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths.
Surgeon General Releases Spotlight on Opioids
Health and Human Services - 9/20/2018
Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight on Opioids calls for a cultural shift in the way Americans talk about the opioid crisis and recommends actions that can prevent and treat opioid misuse and promote recovery.
High Blood Sugar During Pregnancy Ups Risk of Mother’s Type 2 Diabetes, Child’s Obesity
NIH - 9/11/2018
Mothers with elevated blood glucose during pregnancy – even if not high enough to meet the traditional definition of gestational diabetes – were significantly more likely to have developed type 2 diabetes a decade after pregnancy than their counterparts without high blood glucose.
Daily Use of Marijuana Among Non-College Young Adults At All-Time High
CDC - 9/5/2018
The National Institute on Drug Abuse announced that the latest Monitoring the Future survey results on substance use trends as teens transition to adulthood are now available online, comparing substance use patterns of full-time college students to their non-college peers.
Children Born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome May Have Educational Disabilities
CDC - 8/30/2018
A study from the Tennessee Department of Health, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and March of Dimes, found that children born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) were more likely to have a developmental delay or speech or language impairment in early childhood compared to children born without NAS.
Marijuana study finds THC in breast milk up to 6 days after mom's use
CNN - 8/27/2018
A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics found that low levels of chemicals in marijuana, like tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, were measurable in several mothers' breast milk up to six days after they said they smoked pot or ate an edible, among other forms of use.
Taking Ondansetron During Pregnancy Does Not Appear to Increase Risk For Birth Defects
CDC - 8/10/2018
A study from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that taking ondansetron during early pregnancy did not appear to increase the chance of having a baby with a birth defect.
Interim Guidance for Preconception Counseling and Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus for Men with Possible Zika Virus Exposure
CDC - 8/10/2018
Zika virus infection can occur as a result of mosquitoborne or sexual transmission of the virus. Infection during pregnancy is a cause of fetal brain abnormalities and other serious birth defects. CDC has updated the interim guidance for men with possible Zika virus exposure who are planning to conceive with their partner, or want to prevent sexual transmission of Zika virus at any time.
Number of Opioid-Addicted Women Giving Birth Quadruples
Health Day - 8/9/2018
The number of pregnant women addicted to opioids as they give birth has more than quadrupled since 1999, a disturbing new report shows.
Zika-Associated Birth Defects and Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities Possibly Associated with Congenital Zika Virus Infection
CDC - 8/7/2018
Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes serious birth defects and might be associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities in children. Early identification of and intervention for neurodevelopmental problems can improve cognitive, social, and behavioral functioning.
Intervention for First-Time Moms and Their Infants Improves Child Weight Through Age 3
NIH - 8/7/2018
An intervention designed to help first-time mothers effectively respond to their infant’s cues for hunger, sleep, feeding, and other infant behaviors significantly improved the body mass index (BMI) z-scores of the child through age 3 years compared with the control group. Results of the study, call Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Health Trajectories (INSIGHT), published August 7 online in JAMA.
Possible Congenital Zika Syndrome in Older Children Due to Earlier Circulation of Zika Virus
American Journal of Medical Genetics - 8/2/2018
Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) was identified following a large Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil in 2015. Two children with clinical presentations consistent with CZS, ages 7 and 8 years old, are described. Both mothers lived in Cambodia, a region with known ZIKV, during their pregnancies and reported fever and rash in the second trimester.
Fetal Alcohol Disorders are More Common than You Think
PBS NewsHour - 7/23/18
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a possible result from mothers drinking during pregnancy, has flown under the radar for decades. Now new conservative estimates published in The Journal of the American Medical Association show that anywhere from 1.1 to 5 percent of the U.S. population is affected, meaning it could be more common than autism.
The Opioid Crisis: A Child's Fight and a Mother's Gain
Health and Human Services - 7/18/18
The drug test came back positive for opioids and the needle puncture sites in the young, pregnant woman’s arms were infected. At just 92 pounds, neither she nor her unborn child were benefiting from any nutritional intake.
Myth: A Diagnosis of FASD Does Not Change the Treatment Plan
NOFAS - 7/16/18
At first blush, it might appear that there’s little help in a diagnosis of a FASD. After all, most patients don’t come to the pediatrician with a Chief Complaint of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
National Academies Target Opioid Abuse and Infectious Disease Consequences
Emory - 7/13/2018
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) today released proceedings of a March 12 workshop exploring the rise in infectious diseases accompanying opioid abuse, and possible strategies for reducing both epidemics.
Prevelance and Variation of Developmental Screening and Surveillance in Early Childhood
JAMA Network - 7/9/2018
Despite more than a decade of initiatives, rates of developmental screening and surveillance remain low. However, state-level variation indicates continued potential for improvement. Systems-level quality improvement efforts, building on the medical home, will be necessary to achieve recommended screening and surveillance goals.
Drinking Alcohol and Smoking during Pregnancy Even More Deadly than We Knew
Times Live - 7/6/2018
The danger of even low levels of drinking and smoking by a pregnant woman have been researched in an extensive new study conducted in South Africa and America. Alarmingly‚ the researchers said‚ many mothers-to-be are smoking and boozing.
Drinking Alcohol and Smoking during Pregnancy Even More Deadly than We Knew
The Herald - 7/6/2018
Between 2007 and 2015‚ the international study followed the drinking and smoking behaviour of nearly 12‚000 South African and American women during pregnancy.
Postpartum Depression: You are Not Alone
Office on Women's Health - 6/28/2018
Ella had her first baby when she was 32. She dealt with so much pain throughout her pregnancy that she had to take time off from work. She was looking forward to relief from her symptoms after giving birth, but her pain was replaced with something else.
The World Confronts Maternal Mortality
HRSA - 6/21/2018
Maternal mortality rates in the United States have tripled over the past 25 years. They're highest among minority moms -- in the U.S., as in most developed countries.
Methadone and Buprenorphine Reduce Risk of Death after Opioid Overdose
NIH - 6/19/2018
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that treatment of opioid use disorder with either methadone or buprenorphine following a nonfatal opioid overdose is associated with significant reductions in opioid related mortality.
Moving the Needle
Emory - 6/12/2018
A national opioid epidemic is driving people from pills to heroin, filling emergency rooms with overdose cases, and killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. What are we doing about it?
A Life - Spiraled Viciously
HRSA - 6/7/2018
Courtney Lovell was at the end of her rope – a fugitive from the law in four counties – when she pulled her car over on the side of a country road on a bitterly cold night in 2008 and decided to end her life with an overdose of cocaine and heroin.
High Thyroid Hormone Level in Early Pregnancy Linked to Gestational Diabetes
NIH - 6/7/2018
Women in early pregnancy who have high levels of a certain thyroid hormone may be at greater risk for gestational diabetes, compared to women who have normal levels of the hormone, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Their study appears in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Describing the Increase in Preterm Births in the United States, 2014–2016
CDC - 6/1/2018
Infants born before 37 weeks of gestation, commonly referred to as preterm, are at greater risk of early death than those born later in pregnancy and can suffer numerous health and developmental problems, especially at earlier gestational ages (1–3).
June is National Safety Month
Children's Safety Network - 6/1/2018
The National Safety Council observes National Safety Month annually in June. It focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death in our homes and communities, on the road, and at work.
Tobacco Product Use Among Youths with and without Lifetime Asthma
CDC - 6/1/2018
The increasing availability of diverse tobacco products has led to complex tobacco product use patterns among youths. Use by youths of products containing nicotine in any form is unsafe; among young persons with asthma, use of combustible tobacco products, particularly cigarettes, is associated with worsening symptoms, poor asthma control, and an increased need for medical management.
Shared Decision-Making and Children with Disabilities: Pathways to Consensus
AAP News & Journals - 5/31/2018
Shared decision-making (SDM) promotes family and clinician collaboration, with ultimate goals of improved health and satisfaction. This clinical report provides a basis for a systematic approach to the implementation of SDM by clinicians for children with disabilities.
Child Welfare Social Workers & Children with Prenatal Exposure Substance Exposure
NASW - 5/31/2018
It is estimated that prenatal exposure to illicit drugs and alcohol (prenatal substance exposure, or PSE) affects 400,000 newborns annually in the United States. Most of the concern regarding maternal substance use focuses on drugs such as methamphetamine, crack cocaine and, recently, opioids.
Disability and Health Data at Your Fingertips
CDC - 5/29/2018
Disability doesn’t have to equal poor health. However, adults with disabilities are more likely to be obese, smoke, have high blood pressure and be physically inactive.
Helping Children and Youth Who have Traumatic Experiences
SAMHSA - 5/10/2018
Trauma experienced by children and youth is a pervasive and serious public health issue that requires a coordinated response from health and mental health providers.
Dispensaries Recommend Marijuana to Pregnant Women, Against Medical Advice
Colorado Public Radio - 5/9/2018
A Denver Health study reports that most dispensaries recommend marijuana to pregnant women with morning sickness, contrary to medical advice.
Children of the Opioid Epidemic
New York Times - 5/9/2018
In the midst of a national opioid crisis, mothers addicted to drugs struggle to get off them — for their babies’ sake, and their own.
More than One Day of Early-Pregnancy Bleeding Linked to Lower Birth Rate
National Institutes of Health - 5/9/2018
Women who experience vaginal bleeding for more than one day during the first trimester of pregnancy may be more likely to have a smaller baby, compared to women who do not experience bleeding in the first trimester, suggest researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
The Opioid Crisis: A Mother's Loss
Health & Human Services - 5/3/2018
The sixth overdose was fatal. My only child Brendan died at the age of 24. He and some friends started messing around with pot when he was 13. By the age of 14, he got oxycodone pills from a friend, and by 16, he was addicted to heroin.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health America - 5/1/2018
When we talk about health, we can’t just focus on heart health, or liver health, or brain health, and not whole health. You have to see the whole person, and make use of the tools and resources that benefit minds and bodies together.
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children Aged 8 Years
CDC - 4/27/2018
A new report from NCBDDD’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network shows that many children are living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), underscoring the need for services and support, both now and as they grow into adolescence and adulthood.
Prenatal Cannabis Use Associated with Low Birth Rates
Medical Press - 4/23/2018
With marijuana use during pregnancy on the rise, a new study led by the Colorado School of Public Health shows that prenatal cannabis use was associated with a 50 percent increased likelihood of low birth weight, setting the stage for serious future health problems including infection and time spent in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
Teen Substance Use & Risks
CDC - 4/16/2018
Parents play a critical role in their children’s lives. As their children grow to pre-teens and teens, parents worry about new risks they may experience. One such risk is the use of substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs.
Nuestra Salud-Bringing Behavioral Health Best Practices to Latino Communities Livestream
SAMHSA - 4/11/2018
SAMHSA, together with the National Latino Behavioral Health Association, invites you to participate in a four-part webcast series called “Nuestra Salud.” This webcast series, conducted in Spanish, will share best practices for behavioral health treatment and recovery for the Latino population. Registration is required for the webcasts.
Alcohol and Pregnancy: A Bad Mix
AAP News & Journals Gateway - 4/3/2018
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders might be more prevalent than thought. A recent study found 1% to 5% of first-graders in four communities were affected.
Elevated Blood Pressure before Pregnancy may Increase Chance of Pregnancy Loss
National Institutes of Health - 4/2/2018
Elevated blood pressure before conception may increase the chances for pregnancy loss, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine and Psychostimulants
CDC - 3/30/2018
During 1999‒2015, 568,699 persons died from drug overdoses in the United States.* Drug overdose deaths in the United States increased 11.4% from 2014 to 2015 resulting in 52,404 deaths in 2015, including 33,091 (63.1%) that involved an opioid.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
CANTASD - 3/29/2018
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! CANTASD is offering a series of learning opportunities and tools to raise awareness. Subscribe to our mailing list using the form on the left to stay up to date on our Prevention Month activities and more.
Webcast Series: The Power of Perceptions and Understanding
SAMHSA - 3/29/2018
This four-part series educates health care professionals about the importance of using approaches that are free of discriminatory attitudes and behaviors in treating individuals with substance use disorders and related conditions. The series will feature discussions among experts in the field of addiction treatment, research, and policy.
A Third of Young Adults have Ridden with an Impaired Driver
National Institutes of Health - 3/19/2018
Roughly a third of recent high school graduates have ridden in a motor vehicle with a substance-impaired driver, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.
FDA to Lower Nicotine in Cigarettes to "Nonaddictive" Levels
Medscape - 3/15/2018
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking what it calls a historic first step toward eliminating cigarettes' addictive properties by seeking comments on the impact of lower nicotine levels, how lowering of nicotine levels might be accomplished, and whether doing so might have unintended consequences.
Emotions During and After Pregnancy
National Child & Maternal Health Education Program - 3/15/2018
Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. In fact, many women feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious at different times during their pregnancy and even after the baby is born.
Use of ADHD Medicine is Increasing among Pregnant Women
CDC - 3/9/2018
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that an increasing number of pregnant women are taking attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicine. The study also found that women who took ADHD medicine during early pregnancy may be more likely to have a baby with some types of birth defects compared to women who did not take ADHD medicine.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
US Department of Health and Human Services - 3/9/2018
This National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), the Office on Women's Health wants everyone to make the best choices when it comes to protecting their health.
Opioid Overdoses Treated in Emergency Departments
CDC - 3/7/2018
Emergency department (ED) visits for opioid overdoses rose 30% in all parts of the US from July 2016 through September 2017. People who have had an overdose are more likely to have another, so being seen in the ED is an opportunity for action.
Drug Use Hurts Unborn Children
National Institute on Drug Abuse - 3/5/2018
When a woman is pregnant, a baby is growing inside her. If the woman uses drugs while she is pregnant, the drugs can pass to the baby. Mothers drinking alcohol when pregnant is the most common cause of birth defects that can be avoided.
Feed Your Family Healthfully on a Low Income Budget
Eat Right - 3/2/2018
When resources are tight, many families must choose between paying household bills or buying food. Poor nutrition can impair health and immunity, lower productivity, and hinder development and learning. If a limited budget makes it difficult for you to buy food, there is help for you and your family.
Understanding Mental Disorders
American Psychiatry Association - 3/2/2018
Based on the latest, fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — known as DSM-5® — Understanding Mental Disorders provides valuable insight on what to expect from an illness and its treatment—and will help readers recognize symptoms, know when to seek help, and get the right care.
School Peer-to-Peer Awareness Program Addressing Adolescent Depression
American Psychiatric Association - 3/1/2018
A high school peer-to-peer program to develop depression awareness campaigns can lead to improved knowledge and attitudes toward depression, greater likelihood to seek help if needed and reduced stigma, according to a new study published online today in Psychiatric Services in Advance.
CDC Launches New Website for Understanding the Effects of Alcohol on Health
Centers for Disease Control - 3/1/2018
To help consumers better navigate alcohol information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launcheda new online alcohol portal. The new portal gives consumers 24/7 access to all of CDC’s alcohol prevention related information and highlights CDC’s key program areas including excessive drinking, impaired driving, underage drinking, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Cigarette Smoking During Pregnancy
CDC - 2/27/2018
Maternal tobacco use during pregnancy has been linked to a host of negative infant and child outcomes, including low birthweight, preterm birth, and various birth defects.
Let's Shatter the Myths about Drugs
NIDA for Teens - 2/26/2018
Whether you realize it or not, you’re seeing and hearing a lot of things about drugs that just aren’t true. For instance, movies and TV sometimes make smoking look like a cool thing to do. But often, tobacco companies are paying the shows’ producers to show smoking that way—so the tobacco companies can get into your head and into your pockets.
Medications for Opiod Use Disorder (pdf)
SAMHSA - 2/12/2018
This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) reviews the use of the three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD)—methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine—and the other strategies and services needed to support recovery for people with OUD.
Video: Children Discuss Thoughts and Experiences with Suicide
Voices for Georgia's Children - 2/9/2018
Children discuss their thoughts and experiences with suicide. The goal of this video is to work to stem the crisis many youth are having with hopelessness, depression and anxiety, as well as suicide attempts.
Finding Quality Treatment for Substance Use Disorders (pdf)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration - 2/8/2018
This fact sheet serves as guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.
Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration - 2/7/2018
This Clinical Guide provides comprehensive, national guidance for optimal management of pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorder and their infants.
What Today's Parents Should Know about the Gateway Drug Theory
NCADD - 2/6/2018
While scanning the latest news, it’s easy to feel as if we’ve traveled back in time to the 1980s. “Just say no?” “The war on drugs?” After nearly three decades, there’s still little evidence to suggest these outdated addiction prevention and treatment strategies work, and some evidence even shows that they are counterproductive.
Study of First-Graders Shows Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevalent in US Communities
National Institutes of Health - 2/6/2018
A study of more than 6,000 first-graders across four U.S. communities has found that a significant number of the children have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), with conservative rates ranging from 1 to 5 percent in community samples.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Children Up to 10 Times More Common than Experts Thought
Good Morning America - 2/6/2018
A new multisite study released by The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that FASD are up to 10 times more common than they thought -- perhaps as high as one in 10 children.
Induced Labor after 39 Weeks in Healthy Women may Reduce Need for C Section
National Institutes of Health - 2/1/2018
Healthy first-time mothers whose labor was induced in the 39th week of pregnancy were less likely to have a cesarean delivery, compared to a similar group who were not electively induced at 39 weeks, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Women's Health and Smoking
U.S. Food and Drug Administration - 1/28/2018
Smoking continues to have a profound impact on the health and well-being of women and their families in the United States.
One Cigarette a Day Increases Heart Disease and Stroke Risk
BBC News - 1/25/2018
People who smoked even one cigarette a day were still about 50% more likely to develop heart disease and 30% more likely to have a stroke than people who had never smoked, researchers said.
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults
Centers for Disease Control - 1/19/2018
The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that the burden of death and disease from tobacco use in the United States is overwhelmingly caused by cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. adults, and about 480,000 U.S. deaths per year are caused by cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure.
CDC Launches New Milestone Tracker App
Centers for Disease Control - 1/11/2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the launch of the "Milestone Tracker," a free app for tracking every child's development in a fun and easy way. This app adds to the popular suite of free, family-friendly materials available through CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." program.
Safe Sleep for Babies (pdf)
CDC Vital Signs - 1/10/2018
There have been dramatic improvements in reducing baby deaths during sleep since the 1990s, when recommendations were introduced to place babies on their back for sleep. Other recommended safe sleep practices today include eliminating hazards, such as keeping blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of the sleep area.
Spread Prevention, Not the Infection during Pregnancy
MotherToBaby - 1/5/2018
In keeping with the theme Prevent to Protect: Prevent Infections for Baby’s Protection, read on to learn more about the top five preventable infectious diseases that we get questions about here at MotherToBaby, and what you can do to prevent exposure during pregnancy.
The Flu: Why Prevention is Key during Pregnancy
MotherToBaby - 1/1/2018
The Influenza virus may not make sensational headlines, but it’s a serious problem every year, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to this infection.
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month!
Centers for Disease Control - 1/1/2018
Each January the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raises awareness among women about actions they can take to prevent birth defects. This January we will encourage women to Prevent to Protect: Prevent infections for baby’s protection.