Monday, June 30, 2014

A Laptop May Boost a Hospitalized Child's Recovery

A Laptop May Boost a Hospitalized Child's Recovery

Laws on guns, Medicaid expansion set for Tuesday | savannahnow.com

Laws on guns, Medicaid expansion set for Tuesday | savannahnow.com

Experts on a roll … to help rural doctors | Georgia Health News

Experts on a roll … to help rural doctors | Georgia Health News

More insurers seek to join 2015 Georgia exchange | Georgia Health News

More insurers seek to join 2015 Georgia exchange | Georgia Health News

Medical Boards Draft Plan to Ease Path to Out-of-State and Online Treatment - NYTimes.com

Medical Boards Draft Plan to Ease Path to Out-of-State and Online Treatment - NYTimes.com

Hobby Lobby Decision May Not Be The Last Word On Birth Control Coverage - Kaiser Health News

Hobby Lobby Decision May Not Be The Last Word On Birth Control Coverage - Kaiser Health News

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Research finds BMI measurement may be missing 25 percent of children who could be considered obese - Medical News Today

Research finds BMI measurement may be missing 25 percent of children who could be considered obese - Medical News Today

American children 'consuming too many vitamins and minerals' - Medical News Today

American children 'consuming too many vitamins and minerals' - Medical News Today

Feelings of depression in children may be exacerbated by growth hormone treatment - Medical News Today

Feelings of depression in children may be exacerbated by growth hormone treatment - Medical News Today

For Young Kids, Nasal Spray Beats Needle for Flu Immunization

For Young Kids, Nasal Spray Beats Needle for Flu Immunization

Few Doctors Warn Expectant Mothers About Environmental Hazards : Shots - Health News : NPR

Few Doctors Warn Expectant Mothers About Environmental Hazards : Shots - Health News : NPR

Former Memorial Health CEO claimed physician overcompensation during his tour | savannahnow.com

Former Memorial Health CEO claimed physician overcompensation during his tour | savannahnow.com

In Virginia, Medicaid expansion fight escalates - The Washington Post

In Virginia, Medicaid expansion fight escalates - The Washington Post

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Almost 20% of fully vaccinated children with persistent cough 'have whooping cough' - Medical News Today

Almost 20% of fully vaccinated children with persistent cough 'have whooping cough' - Medical News Today

A kinder, gentler way to measure newborns - Medical News Today

A kinder, gentler way to measure newborns - Medical News Today

Many Pregnant Women Not Told to Avoid Environmental Toxins

Many Pregnant Women Not Told to Avoid Environmental Toxins

Some Acne Products Can Trigger Severe Allergic Reactions: FDA

Some Acne Products Can Trigger Severe Allergic Reactions: FDA

Deadly Delays | Watchdog Update - U.S. House passes newborn screening reforms

Deadly Delays | Watchdog Update - U.S. House passes newborn screening reforms

Child Care Policies May Increase Urgent Care Visits

Child Care Policies May Increase Urgent Care Visits

Cardio, motor fitness appear to boost kids' academic performance - Medical News Today

Cardio, motor fitness appear to boost kids' academic performance - Medical News Today

Rare genetic disorders diagnosed by computer analysis of photos - Medical News Today

Rare genetic disorders diagnosed by computer analysis of photos - Medical News Today

Mother's Birthplace May Affect Autism Risk in Kids

Mother's Birthplace May Affect Autism Risk in Kids

Pediatrics Group Wants Parents to Read to Their Children Every Day

Pediatrics Group Wants Parents to Read to Their Children Every Day

DFCS requires overtime to speed up investigations | Georgia Health News

DFCS requires overtime to speed up investigations | Georgia Health News

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Savannah groups entering battle against obesity | savannahnow.com

Savannah groups entering battle against obesity | savannahnow.com

New immunization requirements to go into effect for Georgia seventh-graders

New immunization requirements to go into effect for Georgia seventh-graders

Study Links Pesticide Exposure During Pregnancy to Autism Risk in Kids – WebMD

Study Links Pesticide Exposure During Pregnancy to Autism Risk in Kids – WebMD

Missouri legislation would allow assistant doctors - SFGate

Missouri legislation would allow assistant doctors - SFGate

Virginia lawmakers finalize budget, averting a shutdown as GOP thwarts McAuliffe veto - The Washington Post

Virginia lawmakers finalize budget, averting a shutdown as GOP thwarts McAuliffe veto - The Washington Post

Advocates Worry Conn. Decision Could Undermine Autism Coverage - Kaiser Health News

Advocates Worry Conn. Decision Could Undermine Autism Coverage - Kaiser Health News

Friday, June 20, 2014

Genes Tied to Curvature of Spine in Kids

Genes Tied to Curvature of Spine in Kids

Teen 'Sexting' Has a Double Standard, Study Shows

Teen 'Sexting' Has a Double Standard, Study Shows

Certain Birth Defects More Common Among Hispanics: Report

Certain Birth Defects More Common Among Hispanics: Report

Asthma rates drop but experts not breathing easier | www.wsbtv.com

Asthma rates drop but experts not breathing easier | www.wsbtv.com

Cagle Begins 'Top Down Assessment' Of DFCS As Details Of Child's Death Emerge | WABE 90.1 FM

Cagle Begins 'Top Down Assessment' Of DFCS As Details Of Child's Death Emerge | WABE 90.1 FM

Chikungunya virus strikes in Georgia | Georgia Health News

Chikungunya virus strikes in Georgia | Georgia Health News

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Anxious children have bigger "fear centers" in the brain - reports new study - Medical News Today

Anxious children have bigger "fear centers" in the brain - reports new study - Medical News Today

Parents of a Child With Autism Often Forgo Further Childbearing: Study

Parents of a Child With Autism Often Forgo Further Childbearing: Study

Antidepressants in Pregnancy Won't Harm Baby's Heart, Study Suggests

Antidepressants in Pregnancy Won't Harm Baby's Heart, Study Suggests

As Antidepressant Warnings Toughened, Teen Suicide Attempts Rose: Study

As Antidepressant Warnings Toughened, Teen Suicide Attempts Rose: Study

Fewer Women Are Having Labor Induced Early : Shots - Health News : NPR

Fewer Women Are Having Labor Induced Early : Shots - Health News : NPR

A dangerous habit that still haunts baseball | Georgia Health News

A dangerous habit that still haunts baseball | Georgia Health News

Governor Wants to Fix Child and Family Services

Governor Wants to Fix Child and Family Services
BY MCCLATCHY NEWS | JUNE 13, 2014
By Greg Bluestein, Alan Judd and Craig Schneider
Gov. Nathan Deal ousted the head of Georgia's child protection agency Thursday and instructed her successor to embark on a more aggressive approach to protecting children, which could send more children into foster care.
In a significant strategy change for the state Division of Family and Children Services, Deal said he has issued marching orders to reverse the "indoctrination" of caseworkers, who he said have been trained to focus more on keeping families together than protecting children.
"There is a culture within DFCS that probably has not produced the best results," Deal said of the focus on keeping families together. "While that is a laudable goal, I believe the more appropriate goal is the welfare of the child."
The distinction speaks to the toughest decision a caseworker can make -- whether to remove a child in danger of abuse or neglect into foster care, or to keep the child in a troubled household as the agency works to improve care.
Throughout the years, DFCS has swung its emphasis back and forth between these starkly different approaches, rarely finding the right balance.
Deal made clear the pendulum was on the move again.
His announcement drew mixed reactions from child welfare advocates. Some saw it as the correct action following the highly publicized deaths of two children and reports in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that agency mistakes contributed to at least 25 deaths in 2012.
"I applaud Gov. Nathan Deal for being proactive and recognizing the need for major changes in this agency," said state Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford.
Others expressed concerns that the shift was an election-year tactic that could introduce new troubles at the Division of Family and Children Services, such as an overwhelming spate of new cases and children drawn into foster care.
"Anybody can score points by saying, 'I'm going to get tough and protect children,'" said Normer Adams, a child advocate for 30 years. He worried that the new policy fails to recognize the emotional trauma on children removed from their homes. "My fear is that families will be destroyed in the name of child safety."
Deal said Bobby Cagle, who currently leads the state's early care department, will replace DFCS Director Sharon Hill, who will take a job in the state budget agency.
The governor also said he would support legislation next year that would make it a criminal offense for parents who know they are facing a DFCS investigation to move without telling state authorities. Child welfare advocates said that this is a common tactic by parents trying to evade the agency, and that investigations frequently stall when a family leaves town without telling anyone.
A similar scenario played out in the recent death of 5-year-old Heaven Woods, said Pat Willis, executive director of Voices for Georgia's Children. When DFCS intervened in the family's life, the girl's mother moved to another county without informing the agency, she said. The child died May 20 of blunt force trauma, and murder charges have been leveled against her mother, Amanda Hendrickson, and the mother's boyfriend, Roderick Buckner.
DFCS has yet to release the case file on the family. While some child advocates praised the prospect of tougher penalties, Willis questioned whether such a law would have much impact on parents desperate to escape the agency's eyes.
The appointment of Cagle as interim DFCS director drew praise from advocates, even as many complimented his predecessor. Hill had the support of many in the child welfare community, and some saw her departure as merely part of the sweep of change.
At the same time, Hill has overseen an agency long in the spotlight of public criticism for its problems with child protection as well as a crisis in the management of the food stamp system that resulted in thousands of Georgians wrongfully losing benefits.
Cagle was tapped in January 2011 to lead the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, where he oversaw the state's pre-kindergarten programs and rolled out new day care licensing rules.
While his status at DFCS is interim, officials are eyeing him to assume the post permanently.
Deal said he instructed Cagle to be "more aggressive" in handling early signs of abuse. He said under past administrations, case workers have been sanctioned for not meeting a certain family reunification ratio.
"Governor Deal has charged me with assuring Georgia's child welfare system is first and foremost laser-focused on the safety of our children," Cagle said.
Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, a longtime child advocate, praised Cagle's work with young children and said he understands the need to balance the goal of protecting a child with that of keeping a family together.
However, Oliver worried about the "repetitive leadership changes" occurring at the helm of DFCS -- an agency that regularly sees one leader replaced by another -- saying it "creates a level of chaos when there's a shuffling at the top."
Deal's ideas represent a shift of policies adopted during the administration of former Gov. Sonny Perdue, himself a former foster parent. Perdue had hired a get-tough DFCS director after the deaths of two 2-year-old boys, but that strategy resulted in a tremendous increase in caseloads and children taken into foster care.
In response, Perdue appointed B.J. Walker as social services commissioner, and she ordered DFCS caseworkers to leave as many children as possible in their homes.
From a statistical standpoint, Walker's policies succeeded. From 2004 to 2010, the number of children in Georgia's foster care system dropped from more than 14,000 to about 7,000. The shift away from foster care made a fiscal impact, as well. The state saved at least $120 million a year by halving the number of children in its care.
But an AJC investigation last year found that children suffered under the policies, known widely as "diversion." The newspaper examined the cases of 86 children who died in 2012 despite DFCS intervention in their families. In 50 of those cases, the agency had provided family "preservation" or "support" or similar services that kept children at home and out of foster care.
Deal said Cagle will report directly to the governor's office rather than to the commissioner of the Department of Human Services. Deal said further changes may come. He previously backed a plan to spend $27 million over the next three years to hire more than 500 caseworkers and supervisors for the agency.
Deal ruled out a special legislative session this year to create an autonomous child protection agency, but said he would back a proposal to make DFCS more independent if these changes succeed over the next six months. DFCS currently is part of the Human Services department.

Anxiety May Affect Kids' Brains

Anxiety May Affect Kids' Brains

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Many Georgians pay bargain ACA rates, report says | Georgia Health News

Many Georgians pay bargain ACA rates, report says | Georgia Health News

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

'Education, awareness, and vaccination' are keys to fighting pertussis (whooping cough) - Medical News Today

'Education, awareness, and vaccination' are keys to fighting pertussis (whooping cough) - Medical News Today

Studies show adolescent brains process sugar differently than adult brains; changes in adipose tissue begin at very young age for obese children - Medical News Today

Studies show adolescent brains process sugar differently than adult brains; changes in adipose tissue begin at very young age for obese children - Medical News Today

E-Cigarette Sources Soaring, Study Finds

E-Cigarette Sources Soaring, Study Finds

Study Sheds Light on How Immune System Works in Infants

Study Sheds Light on How Immune System Works in Infants

Mosquito-borne virus may soon hit GA, health dept. warns

Mosquito-borne virus may soon hit GA, health dept. warns

Health survey ranks U.S. last among rich peers

Health survey ranks U.S. last among rich peers

Healthcare Reform Update: Primary-care docs resist end to Medicaid payment boost | Modern Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Update: Primary-care docs resist end to Medicaid payment boost | Modern Healthcare

Monday, June 16, 2014

Gut Bacteria in Young Diabetic Kids Show Differences

Gut Bacteria in Young Diabetic Kids Show Differences

Background TV May Hinder Toddlers' Language Development

Background TV May Hinder Toddlers' Language Development

Initiative Leads to Significant Reduction of Hospital Readmission Rates for Asthma

Initiative Leads to Significant Reduction of Hospital Readmission Rates for Asthma

Dads Who Do Housework May Spur Daughters to Aim High: Study

Dads Who Do Housework May Spur Daughters to Aim High: Study

Caffeine Affects Teen Boys, Girls Differently, Study Says

Caffeine Affects Teen Boys, Girls Differently, Study Says

Cagle Looks To Bring Stability To State's Child Welfare Agency | WABE 90.1 FM

Cagle Looks To Bring Stability To State's Child Welfare Agency | WABE 90.1 FM

Sex questions still taboo on state teen survey | Georgia Health News

Sex questions still taboo on state teen survey | Georgia Health News

Once again, U.S. has most expensive, least effective health care system in survey - The Washington Post

Once again, U.S. has most expensive, least effective health care system in survey - The Washington Post

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

To protect against child obesity both parent and child must get enough sleep - Medical News Today

To protect against child obesity both parent and child must get enough sleep - Medical News Today

Health officials report on TB outbreak, MERS scare | Georgia Health News

Health officials report on TB outbreak, MERS scare | Georgia Health News

Virginia Governor May Try to Expand Medicaid on His Own - NYTimes.com

Virginia Governor May Try to Expand Medicaid on His Own - NYTimes.com

Michigan To Reward Medicaid Enrollees Who Take ‘Personal Responsibility’ - Kaiser Health News

Michigan To Reward Medicaid Enrollees Who Take ‘Personal Responsibility’ - Kaiser Health News

The Continuing Drama Over Medicaid Expansion – Capsules - The KHN Blog

The Continuing Drama Over Medicaid Expansion – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

FDA Sets Safety Standards for Infant Formula

FDA Sets Safety Standards for Infant Formula

Combo Vaccine Raises Risk of Fever-Related Seizures in Toddlers: Study

Combo Vaccine Raises Risk of Fever-Related Seizures in Toddlers: Study

Scans Show Even 'Late' Preemies Have Brain Differences

Scans Show Even 'Late' Preemies Have Brain Differences

Pregnant or Breast-feeding Women Urged to Eat More Fish

Pregnant or Breast-feeding Women Urged to Eat More Fish

U.S. News releases this year's list of best children's hospitals - FierceHealthcare

U.S. News releases this year's list of best children's hospitals - FierceHealthcare

GA woman sentenced in multimillion Medicaid scheme | www.wsbtv.com

GA woman sentenced in multimillion Medicaid scheme | www.wsbtv.com

Study Puts A Price Tag On Autism – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Study Puts A Price Tag On Autism – Capsules - The KHN Blog

School Nurses' Role Expands With Access To Students’ Online Health Records - Kaiser Health News

School Nurses' Role Expands With Access To Students’ Online Health Records - Kaiser Health News

Sophisticated Chest Scans May Raise Children's Lifetime Cancer Risk

Sophisticated Chest Scans May Raise Children's Lifetime Cancer Risk

Monday, June 9, 2014

Looking for answers to the rural health care crisis | Georgia Health News

Looking for answers to the rural health care crisis | Georgia Health News

Bidding on Medicaid contract scrapped | Georgia Health News

Bidding on Medicaid contract scrapped | Georgia Health News

Study Puts A Price Tag On Autism – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Study Puts A Price Tag On Autism – Capsules - The KHN Blog

New Classification System Could Improve Tracking of Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths

New Classification System Could Improve Tracking of Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths

GlaxoSmithKline agrees to $105 million settlement - The Washington Post

GlaxoSmithKline agrees to $105 million settlement - The Washington Post

Senator quits, imperiling Virginia Medicaid push | www.ajc.com

Senator quits, imperiling Virginia Medicaid push | www.ajc.com

Too-Clean Homes May Encourage Child Allergies, Asthma: Study

Too-Clean Homes May Encourage Child Allergies, Asthma: Study

Vaccine for Infant Tummy Bug Cuts Hospitalizations: CDC

Vaccine for Infant Tummy Bug Cuts Hospitalizations: CDC

Measles Journey Highlights Risk to Unvaccinated Kids

Measles Journey Highlights Risk to Unvaccinated Kids

Olens: Federal law bans testing food stamp recipients for drugs | AccessNorthGa

Olens: Federal law bans testing food stamp recipients for drugs | AccessNorthGa

Gov. Nathan Deal appoints 15 to boards - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Gov. Nathan Deal appoints 15 to boards - Atlanta Business Chronicle

More Than 1.7 Million Consumers Still Wait For Medicaid Decisions - Kaiser Health News

More Than 1.7 Million Consumers Still Wait For Medicaid Decisions - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The quality of child anesthesia improved by parental presence - Medical News Today

The quality of child anesthesia improved by parental presence - Medical News Today

Exposure to secondhand tobacco or cooking smoke in childhood increases pain and complications after tonsillectomy - Medical News Today

Exposure to secondhand tobacco or cooking smoke in childhood increases pain and complications after tonsillectomy - Medical News Today

Obama may tap Cleveland Clinic's Cosgrove to fix VA scandal - FierceHealthcare

Obama may tap Cleveland Clinic's Cosgrove to fix VA scandal - FierceHealthcare

Feds say drug testing for food stamps violates law | Georgia Health News

Feds say drug testing for food stamps violates law | Georgia Health News

Medical providers upset over health plan collections | Georgia Health News

Medical providers upset over health plan collections | Georgia Health News

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Traffic accidents leave many children affected by post-traumatic stress disorder - Medical News Today

Traffic accidents leave many children affected by post-traumatic stress disorder - Medical News Today

Measles cases in the United States reach 20-year high - Medical News Today

Measles cases in the United States reach 20-year high - Medical News Today

Giving children a taste for vegetables 'often and early' - Medical News Today

Giving children a taste for vegetables 'often and early' - Medical News Today

Hospital Prices Vary Wildly For Common Treatments - Kaiser Health News

Hospital Prices Vary Wildly For Common Treatments - Kaiser Health News

Pre-Existing Condition Bans – Are They Really Gone? – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Pre-Existing Condition Bans – Are They Really Gone? – Capsules - The KHN Blog

1 of 8 U.S. Kids Mistreated Before Age 18, Study Finds

1 of 8 U.S. Kids Mistreated Before Age 18, Study Finds

Among New Smokers, Teen Boys More Likely to Quit Than Girls: Study

Among New Smokers, Teen Boys More Likely to Quit Than Girls: Study

Hormone Levels in Womb Tied to Autism Risk in Boys: Study

Hormone Levels in Womb Tied to Autism Risk in Boys: Study

What Should Georgia Do with Those Closed, Rural Hospitals?

What Should Georgia Do with Those Closed, Rural Hospitals?

Program to provide meals to low-income GA children - The Newnan Times-Herald

Program to provide meals to low-income GA children - The Newnan Times-Herald

Cost is a big question, and here’s an answer | Georgia Health News

Cost is a big question, and here’s an answer | Georgia Health News

Monday, June 2, 2014

Smokers still underestimate the risks to children posed by exposure to second-hand smoke - Medical News Today

Smokers still underestimate the risks to children posed by exposure to second-hand smoke - Medical News Today

5 or More Bad Sunburns While Young Tied to Higher Melanoma Risk

5 or More Bad Sunburns While Young Tied to Higher Melanoma Risk

E-Cigarette Advertising Soars on American TV, Study Finds

E-Cigarette Advertising Soars on American TV, Study Finds

Frustrated By The Affordable Care Act, One Family Opts Out - Kaiser Health News

Frustrated By The Affordable Care Act, One Family Opts Out - Kaiser Health News

When Doctors Need Advice, It Might Not Come From A Fellow Human - Kaiser Health News

When Doctors Need Advice, It Might Not Come From A Fellow Human - Kaiser Health News

CDC: No Measles In Georgia Despite Rise In US Case Numbers | WABE 90.1 FM

CDC: No Measles In Georgia Despite Rise In US Case Numbers | WABE 90.1 FM