Health Care Idea Generator
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WHYY Health and Science Reports October 2007 - February 2008 ArchivesElectronics DisposalFebruary 29, 2008 The environmental dilemma of disposing of old electronic products will be on the increase. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Mike Weilbacher, science and environment expert who also heads the Lower Merion Conservancy. AntidepressantsFebruary 26, 2008 A study published this week finds some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs are no better than a sugar pill. Researchers looked at data submitted to the FDA for the approval of four drugs. Those were prozac, paxil, effexor and serzone, all of which were approved in the 80s and 90s. The study was published in the most recent edition of the journal PLoS Medicine. As WHYY's Kerry Grens explains, the results don't necessarily mean antidepressants don't work.
Genetic testingFebruary 22, 2008 The ethical dilemma of genetic testing of children who may be predisposed to developing breast or ovarian cancer later in life is the focus of a study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. Dr. Angela Bradbury was the lead author of the study that recruited interview subjects through the University of Chicago Cancer Risk Clinic. She now directs the Margaret Dyson Family Rish Assessment Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Northeast Philadelphia. She talked with WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett. Pharmaceutical factoriesFebruary 15, 2008 Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have teamed up with a Massachusetts company to expand the ways farm animals can be used as pharmaceutical factories. The company, GTC Biotherapeutics, is the first to make a drug that can be milked from genetically engineered dairy goats. The medication is an anti-thrombin drug called ATryn, which is used to treat people with clotting disorders. It's not the first time animals have been used to made medicines, but their latest technology is pushing the limits of pharmaceutical science. WHYY's Kerry Grens reports.
PhtalatesJanuary 18, 2008 Phthalates in plastic products are causing some governments to consider or pass bans on the chemical because of possible effects affecting the growth of children. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talks with science and environment expert Mike Weilbacher who is also executive director of the Lower Merion Conservancy. Chronic fatigue syndromeJanuary 11, 2008 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can go undiagnosed for years and affects tens of thousands of Americans. The CFIDS Association and Centers for Disease control is on a campaign to bring more awareness of the disease. (www.cfids.org) An exhibit of photographs of the faces of people suffering from the illness is on display along with information on CFIDS at 30th Street Station January 14-21. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Andre Garabedian of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center of Philadelphia. Pulmonary hypertensionJanuary 4, 2008 Pulmonary hypertension can go undetected in patients for months. Experts are trying to raise awareness of the symptoms and possible treatments. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Harold Palevsky, director of University of Pennsylvania Health System's Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program. Personal health recordsOctober 11, 2007 The American Health Information Management Association is has a new web site aimed at helping consumers create their own personal health record. (www.MYphr.com) The web site comes as the problem of medical identity theft is spring up more and more. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Laurinda Harman, associate professor and chair of Temple University's College of Health Professions and a member of the association which Met in Philadelphia in October. |
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