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What is Preventive Medicine?

Preventive Medicine is the specialty of medical practice that focuses on the health of individuals, communities, and defined populations. Its goal is to protect, promote, and maintain health and well-being and to prevent disease, disability, and death, Preventive medicine specialists have core competencies in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental and occupational medicine, planning and evaluation of health services, management of healthcare organizations, research into causes of disease and injury in population groups, and the practice of prevention in clinical medicine. They apply knowledge and skills gained from the medical, social, economic, and behavioral sciences.

Preventive medicine has three specialty areas with common core knowledge, skills, and competencies that emphasize different populations, environments, or practice settings:

Preventive medicine also encompasses 4 subspecialty areas, including:

The purpose of the American Board of Preventive Medicine is:

View board members

The American Board of Preventive Medicine, Inc. (ABPM) is a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABPM originated from recommendations of a joint committee comprised of representatives from the Section of Preventive and Industrial Medicine and Public Health of the American Medical Association and the Committee on Professional Education of the American Public Health Association. The Board was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 29, 1948 as The American Board of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Incorporated.

In 1952 the name was changed to The American Board of Preventive Medicine, Inc. In February 1953, the Advisory Board of Medical Specialties and the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association authorized certification by the Board of preventive medicine specialists in Aviation Medicine (the name was changed to Aerospace Medicine in 1963); in June 1955, preventive medicine specialists in Occupational Medicine; in November 1960, preventive medicine specialists in General Preventive Medicine; and in 1983, Public Health and General Preventive Medicine were combined into one specialty area of certification. In 1989 the American Board of Preventive Medicine was approved to offer a subspecialty certificate in Undersea Medicine (the name was changed to Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine in 1999), in 1992 a subspecialty certificate in Medical Toxicology, in 2010 a subspecialty certificate in Clinical Informatics, and in 2017 a subspecialty in Addiction Medicine.

The Board is a non-profit corporation, and no member (officer or director) may receive any salary or compensation for services. The Board consists of members nominated by the organizations listed below:

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About Us American Board of Preventive Medicine

Dr. Royneld Bourdeau, Haitian Health Foundation medical director

It has become a trenchant criticism of many non-government organizations in the international aid sphere in recent decades: bloated administrative budgets and overhead costs mean that most aid money gets funneled into salaries and associated perks. Many NGOs working in the developing world have their U.S. headquarters close to the centers of power, in plush office spaces in New York or Washington.

Not so for the Haitian Health Foundation. A humble, wood-paneled office on the banks of the Yantic River in Norwich works just as well. As it has since the early 1980s, when the organization was founded by local orthodontist Jeremiah Lowney, the HHF does an immense amount of work across a broad spectrum of areas. The foundation serves a predominantly rural area of southwest Haiti known as the GrandAnse, centered around the headquarters in the city of Jrmie. The primary work of HHF is in immediate health care needs, which are sorely underfunded in Haiti.

The foundation operates a full-service outpatient clinic in Jrmie, as well as a maternal waiting room, and offers a treatment for a particular type of protein malnourishment called kwashiorkor, which is common in the developing world. Out in the mountains to Jrmies south, HHF employs a small army of health agents at community clinics across just over 100 villages.

While health care is the backbone of the work done by HHF, its mission spills into what one might call a holistic approach to health and health care. For the HHF, decent housing, adequate food and sanitation systems are part of health care, part of what keeps people out of medical facilities. Respiratory infections, asthma and poor mental health are just some of the ailments that can result from poor housing. In coordination with Rotary clubs around New England, the HHF has also been engaged in the distribution of animals since the 1980s: first pigs, then chickens, and now goats to families throughout the GrandAnse. Two eggs a week is enough to keep a child from falling into kwashiorkor, Lowney says.

Part of that holistic approach to medicine, perhaps, results from Dr. Lowneys background in orthodontics. Dentistry, Lowney explains, is more oriented toward preventative medicine than most other specialties. He says that most medicine, by and large, still isnt that preventative, you know? You go in when youre sick. With dentistry you are always encouraged to go twice a year for a dental exam, get your teeth cleaned, that kind of thing. The HHF used to operate out of Lowneys orthodontics practice, still located across Sherman Street from the current offices.

Few countries have as proud-while-tragic a history as Haiti. It was the first free black republic in the world, winning independence from France in 1804 after the worlds first successful slave revolt. Almost immediately, outside forces sought to cripple the young country. In 1825, with warships at the ready, King Charles X of France demanded Haiti pay a debt to the former slave owners from whom the people of Haiti had freed themselves. The debt France demanded was 10 times Haitis annual revenue. The Haitian state was indebted into the 1940s. The nearly 30-year dictatorship of father and son Francois and Jean-Claude Duvalier was characterized by the hoarding of money and political repression. A pair of military coups in 1991 and 2004 added to political instability, and the 2010 earthquake and 2016 hurricane have led to an outbreak of disease in the country. Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 devastated the GrandAnse, and the HHF was fortunate not to have lost any colleagues. Since then, the organization has distributed some 150 tons of food in the region.

Lowney made his first trip to Haiti in 1981, after being asked by Daniel Patrick Reilly, the bishop of Norwich, to heed the call of Pope John Paul II for those in rich countries to reach out to those in poor countries. After repeated trips to Haiti throughout the early 1980s, Lowney came into contact with the sisters from Mother Teresas Missionaries of Charity, who eventually asked him to relocate his work to the GrandAnse, where medical services were lacking. Lowney founded HHF in 1985 with his wife, Virginia, who is also still involved in coordinating the Save a Family program, in which donors can sponsor individual families for a variety of needs, from housing to animals to sanitation.

While Lowney is still intimately involved in the organization, his daughter Marilyn now serves as the executive director. The organization has some 200 employees in Haiti, the vast majority of them Haitian. HHFs country director, Nadesha Mijoba, explained the organizations governing philosophy in a Skype interview from Jrmie. Were not here to tell the community how they should run their affairs. Were not here to preach to them. Rather, we work with them, she says.

There are many ways to help the Haitian Health Foundation. Go to haitianhealthfoundation.org/donate to learn how.

If you have an organization with an event that youd like us to consider for the Community page, please send the details to mmurphy@connecticutmag.com.

If you have an organization with an event that youd like us to consider for the Community page, please send the details to mmurphy@connecticutmag.com.

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Norwich to Haiti - Connecticut Magazine

ARCADIA, Wis. (WEAU)-- Access to healthcare is expanding for thousands who live and work in Arcadia. This afternoon, Ashley Furniture cut the ribbon on its Ashley Wellness Center located at Arcadia's Historic St. Joseph's Hospital.

The expanded facility offers healthcare to Ashley Furniture employees and their families. Ashley Furniture chairman Ron Wanek says the wellness center is made possible thanks to a connection with Gundersen Health System. Back in 2008, Ashley partnered with Gundersen to open the first Ashley Wellness Center in Arcadia and since then they've served more than 11,000 patients.

Wanek sees the expanded facility as a beneficial investment for everyone involved. He says the facility will make health care more easily accessible to thousands of families.

We live in Arcadia where we are 45 miles away from La Crosse and 45 miles from Eau Claire. People will get healthcare here because its convenient instead of driving one way or the other they can make appointments here and stop in, Wanek explained.

Along with offering services like eye exams and physical therapy, the Ashley Wellness Center's main focus is on preventative care.

Preventative medicine is the best medicine. When you talk about health, you don't want to wait until people are sick. You want to catch those things early and have the access by being closer to home certainly helps, Dr. Scott Rathgaber, CEO of Gundersen Health System said.

The clinic will be open regularly from 6am-6 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9 am to noon.

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Ashley Furniture celebrates opening of expanded wellness center - WEAU

GESSLER CLINIC

Dr. Haldane W. Porteous has joined Gessler Clinc, PA, 635 First St. N., Winter Haven. Board certified in Internal Medicine and a Board Certified Clinical Hypertension Specialist, Porteous received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with Honors in Basic Medical Sciences from the University of West Indies Medical School in Kingston, Jamaica and his Master of Science in Patient Safety Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago, completed an Internal Medicine Internship and residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and a nephrology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. His professional affiliations include the Renal Physician Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Hypertension and the American College of Physicians.

LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

Shazam Abdul, occupational therapy assistant, was named Employee of the Month for June at Lake Wales Medical Center. Abdul has worked at the hospital since 2014.

Lake Wales Medical Center presented its second quarter 2017 employee awards. Social worker Karey Lewis was Employee of the Quarter; Lori McKinney who works in the emergency room, was Manager of the Quarter, and Joan Hartshorn, who works in the gift shop, was Volunteer of the Quarter.

LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH

Dr. Cristina Cuevas-Korensky has joined Lakeland Regional Health as a hospitalist. Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cuevas-Korensky received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Universidad de Salamanca School of Medicine in Spain, completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Western Reserve Care System in Youngstown, Ohio and her fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at Mount Carmel Hospital and Wayne State University in Detroit. She most recently served as a hospitalist at Florida Hospital Flagler and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Dr. John F. Hower Jr. has rejoined Lakeland Regional Health as Medical Director of its Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at the Grasslands Campus, 3030 Harden Blvd., Lakeland. Board certified by the American Board of Surgery, Hower received his Doctor of Medicine degree at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans after earning a Doctor of Philosphy degree in Physical Chemistry from Duke University in Durham, N.C., completed his residency in General Surger at Tulane University Affiliated Hospitals in Louisiana and completed his fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans and East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie, La. He has had an affiliation with Lakeland Regional Health for more than 17 years, serving as a part-time and full-time trauma and general surgeon and a vascular surgeon.

Dr. Erjola Balliu has joined Lakeland Regional Health as an Endocrinologist and Pediatric Endocrinologist at the Pablo Campus, 130 Pablo St., Lakeland. Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Internal Medicine, Balliu received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine in the Dominican Republic, completed her fellowship in Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology and her internship and residency in the Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York.

THE VILLA AT CARPENTERS

Matthew Thompson, Director of Health and Financial Services at The Villa at Carpenters in Lakeland was named the 2017 Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year by the Florida Health Care Association. Thompson has led his team to several awards including the American Health Care Association's Bronze and Silver National Quality Awards and recently earned his master's degree in Aging Services.

WATSON CLINIC

Rene Connors, reception team leader at the Watson Clinic Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine location in south Lakeland, was named the July recipient of Watson Clinic's Program for Employee Excellence and Recognition award. Connors has been with the clinic for eight years.

Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Patricia C. Bayshore has joined Watson Clinic, working alongside board certified family medicine specialists Drs. Benjamin Phen, M. Karina Solorzano-Klapprott and Richard F. Sweeney at the Bartow location, 2250 Osprey Blvd., Suite 100. Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Bayshore received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of South Florida and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Tampa. Her areas of expertise include comprehensive primary care services for adults and children, acute and chronic disease management, physical examinations, nutrition counseling, weight management and wellness services.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Elaine C. Turcan has joined Watson Clinic at the south location, 1033 N. Parkway Frontage Road, Lakeland. Board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Turcan received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Mo., performed an internship in family medicine at Doctors' Hospital in Groves, Texas, and a residency in family medicine at Wyoming Valley Practice in Kingston, Pa. Her areas of expertise include preventative medicine and pediatric patient care.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Kenneth J. Stroub has joined Watson Clinic in Urgent Care at the main facility, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. Board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and a member of the American Osteopathic Association and American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Stroub received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Ill., and performed a rotating internship at Muskegon General Hospital in Muskegon, Mich. and a Family Practice residency at Mercy General Hospital System in Muskegon.

Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Caitlyn S. Bierly has joined Watson Clinic in the Urology department working alongside Dr. Gaines W. Hammond at the main clinic, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. A member of the American Nurses Association, Florida Nurses Association and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Bierly received her Associate of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from Polk State College and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Central Florida College of Nursing in Orlando. Her areas of expertise include general urology services and pre-operative/post-operative surgical care.

Dr. Megan B. Luciano has joined Watson Clinic in the OB-GYN department at the Bella Vista Building, 1755 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland. A member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Luciano received her medical degree from Marshall University/Joan C. Edwards School in Medicine in Huntington, W.Va., and completed her internship and residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando.

- Send Medical People items to features@theledger.com.

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Polk County people in medicine (September 5) - The Ledger - The Ledger

MISSOULA Fires burning across the state continue to blanket Western Montana under athick layer of smoke, smoke that many of us are breathing in on a daily basis.

The air quality in Western Montana hasnt been clean for quite some time.There are between35 and 250 smoke particulates per cubic centimeter of air and when you breathe in thatcontaminated air, those particulates settle in the lungs.

So these irritants can settle in there and people that have baseline lung disease can be more at risk for problems from that, said Dr. Kristin Anderson, who practices family and preventative medicine.

Those problems range in severity, you may get a sore throat or worsening asthma, but some problemscould warrant immediate medical attention.

Chest heaviness is a pretty specific symptom, and thats one that doctors take very seriously, so obviously if you are feeling chest heaviness, its something that new to you or worsening, worse with activity, you need to be examined immediately, Dr. Anderson said.

Doctors advise people to avoid the outdoors as often as possible in order to help save your lungs.

This isnt the time to go and do some activities outside, certainly this isnt the day to work on your garden, but rather try to find some fun activities to do inside for the small ones and the young ones, Dr. Anderson said.

Missoula is a very active community, and people may not like the idea of spending the rest of the summer indoors, so they might be tempted to go to a hardware store and buy a paper mask. When air quality is bad, officials say paper masks really dont help.

Basic masks are probably not going to make much of a dent in what is going into your lungs from the smoke, Dr. Anderson said. They generally stop large particles, but not the smaller particles.

N95 industrial masks are recommended for those who are required to stay outside for

work, but Dr. Anderson said its best to stay indoors as much as possible.

As of Thursday morning, air quality had improved in Helena to Moderate.

For more information on air quality conditionsclick here.

MTNs Eric Clements

Read more here:
Western Montana wildfire smoke continues to pose health risks - KTVH

Sponsored by Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital

By Dr. Steven Wolchinsky

With the onset of cooler weather, you may be tempted to start dropping your guard against ticks, but did you know that the late summer and early autumn is the peak time for these pesky parasites!

While you mostly find ticks in tall grass and woodlands, they also lurk about in the leaves your pets love to play in. They wait for an animal or human to brush past them so that they can jump and feed. They attach using their mouthparts and will feed on blood from their host for several days before finally dropping off.

Ticks can be transferred from pets coming into the household from outdoors and can even be transferred to humans. Ticks can spread diseases, including Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that can affect humans, dogs, cats and other mammals. Ticks from other areas have migrated to the mid-Atlantic and we are now commonly seeing other tick borne diseases such as Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis, both bacterial infections that can affect pets and humans alike.

How do you know if your pet has ticks? Ticks are often visible to the naked eye, so its a good idea to check your pet regularly if you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, especially if they spend a lot of time outside. Run your hands carefully over your pet every time they come inside, and especially check inside and around the ears, head and feet.

If you believe your pet has ticks, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can remove the parasite. And remember prevention is key, so talk to your veterinarian today about the best preventative medicine to keep all your pets safe this fall.

More here:
Don't let your pets fall for ticks this season - WTOP

This week a dying cat was brought into our hospital. She was about 10 years old, owned by a couple that had never taken her to the vet before. She was dehydrated and extremely pale, lying curled up on her side, unresponsive and breathing very shallow breaths, and her temperature was very low. The gentleman said to his wife, "Dont worry the vet will save her." Unfortunately we could not. Tears were shed. She had to be humanely euthanized. It was heartbreaking.

The saddest part about this cats death is that it was most likely preventable. This kitty was crawling with fleas. After she died, fleas were jumping off her like sailors off a sinking ship. They knew her lifeblood and their next meal was not flowing anymore. We had to perform an emergency flea clean up to prevent the hospital from becoming infested.

Fleas infest and bite mammals to obtain a blood meal. They defecate flea dirt," which looks like black coffee grounds all over the skin. Since one female flea lays 2,000 eggs and the flea eggs hatch in less than two weeks, you can have millions of fleas infesting a home by the end of the summer. The fleas living outside die in the frost that usually occurs in October, but indoors fleas live on. Fleas will usually parasitize your pets first. If the animal leaves the household they will then start biting humans. If you have flea bites you will notice little red itchy bumps usually around your legs and ankles, but they could be anywhere on your body if fleas are in your bed.

Fleas may transmit a few diseases to people and animals. Fleas carry tapeworm larvae. If a pet chewing its fur ingests a flea, it will get tapeworms. Fleas also transmit disease through biting. Bubonic plague, which is the bacteria Yersinia pestis, can be transmitted to pets and humans via a flea bite.

Cat scratch fever, or Bartonella henselae, is transmitted when a flea bites a cat. Some cats will have symptoms of inflammation at the back of their mouths or inflamed eyes and severe skin lesions. Many cats exhibit no symptoms but the bug can be found in their hearts, lymph nodes, kidneys and liver. Cats can in turn infect their owners with cat scratch fever via scratches, sometimes while exhibiting absolutely no sign of infection. People can develop severe skin lesions.

The best way to prevent these diseases is to keep your cat or dog parasite free. We no longer prevent or treat fleas with baths and dips. Topical and oral medications are used to fight fleas these days.

There are some flea and tick topical products sold in pet stores that are 30-year-old technology and are very ineffective. Other flea and tick products have the active ingredient fipronil, but do not have the chemical that allows that flea preventative to be carried transdermally into the fat layer throughout the body. This makes them much less effective. There are products on the shelf that can cause cats and small dogs to have severe reactions and seizures. Consult your veterinarian about which flea and tick preventative she recommends. Your veterinarian will recommend a safe product based on your individual pets lifestyle.

Purchasing a quality flea product from your veterinarian is often less expensive per dose than the same products from the big-box stores. The complimentary doses and the large coupon savings offered only by your veterinarian make the pricing very competitive.

If you already use flea preventative medicine, it is almost unimaginable that fleas could cause a cat to die. I have rarely seen that in my practice life and I hope to never see it again. Your veterinarian is dedicated to preventing disease from entering your household. That is why the veterinary hospital team discusses flea medication during your pets wellness appointment.

Dr. Elizabeth Bradt is a veterinarian and owner of a veterinary hospital on the North Shore. Email your pet questions to docliz@creaturehealth.com, with "Vet Connection" in the subject line.

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VET CONNECTION: Flea season is upon us - The Salem News

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Almost everyone knows somebody that has been effected by heart diseasestatistics showthat coronary artery disease is the most fatal disease in the United States. To put this statistic into perspective, on an annual basis, one quarter of all deaths (or 600,000 yearly fatalities) in America are dueto heart disorders. For the most part, individuals contract heart disorders due to unhealthy life styles and bad habits including: fatty foods, smoking, drinking, and sloth.

The term heart diseaseis an umbrella phrase generally used to describe symptoms related to atherosclerosis, which arises with the gradual amassing of fats on the walls of arteries and veins.Over time, with a consistently unhealthy diet and lifestyle, these fatty deposits can eventually restrict blood flow in the arteries to the point of heart attack. However,there are a few other forms of heart diseaseincluding heart failure, arrhythmia, heart valve problems, and hypertension. While the causes of atherosclerosis (lifestyle, etc.) can also be attributed to these other heart maladies, there are a plethora of other sources for them, including stress and genetic disorders.

As with a majority of medical applications for cannabis, legitimate scientific research into the herbs potential as a medicine for victims of heart disease is in its infancybut findings thus far are quite profound. For the most part, studies into the potential use of cannabis as a medicine for heart disease are related to both CBD and abnormal cannabidiol. For starters,studies have shownthat CBD can be beneficial for heart disease victims as both a preventative and restorative medicine. Secondly,abnormal cannabidiolis potentially a wonder drug which can greatly help reduce the chances of heart attacks for atherosclerosis patients. Each of these fascinating compounds are worth exploring in more detail.

CBD has various theoretical medical applicationsfor heart disease. To begin with, CBD has been shown to cause blood vessels to vasodilate, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Point being, CBD can possibly be utilized as a preventative medicine for heart attacks, as it has the potential to help blood vessels restrict and move more efficiently.Doctors also feelthat CBD can be used as an anti-arrhythmic which can reestablish normality in ones heart beat post heart attack.

Abnormal cannabidiolis a synthetically derived chemical which is related, on a molecular level, to the cannabinoids found within the marijuana plant. Also,abnormal cannibidiol sharesthe non-psychoactive properties of CBD, meaning that it does not get users high. TheBritish Journal of Pharmacology reportsthat the application of abnormal cannabidiol in lab rats led to the widening of blood veins and arteries by relaxing muscles on their walls. Point being,findings showthat abnormal cannabidiol, like CBD, can help lessen the chances of heart attacks by opening up blood flow within veins and arteries that would be otherwise restricted by atherosclerosis. It goes without saying that these findings warrant far more research into the potential uses of medical marijuana in relations to heart disease.

See the article here:
What We Know About Medical Marijuana's Effect On Heart Disease ... - AlterNet

UW Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. David Russell and Kirsten Pickard, ARNP, will be joining the UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic effective November 1, 2017. Russell, who has been an Orcas Island resident since 2003, started the Orcas Island Family Medicine clinic in 2004 and is a primary care provider practicing family medicine. Pickard, who worked with Russell at the Family Medicine clinic, lives on Waldron Island and has been a full-time resident there for three years.

I look forward to working with UW Medicine to establish a primary care clinic that will provide compassionate and effective health care for the residents of Orcas Island, said Russell. I am also pleased that Kirsten will also be joining this practice.

As an ARNP, Pickard has a special interest in womens health and obstetrics as well as preventative health and end-of-life care. She is excited to continue her work on the island.

I could not be more excited than to have this opportunity to work with UW Medicine on my own professional and community goals, said Pickard. My goals are to ensure access to quality healthcare while providing that care to a diverse population.

Both Russell and Pickard will be working Monday through Friday and Pickard hopes to provide some Saturday coverage as well. The two providers will be joining Dr. Michael Alperin, who was just named Clinic Chief of both the UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic and the UW Medicine Lopez Island Clinic.

More here:
Dr. David Russell and Kirsten Pickard, ARNP, to join the UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic - Islands' Sounder

Maryland Heights, MO September 1, 2017 (STL.NEWS)Mercy Clinic Primary Care has opened a new practice with three doctors, Jason Hand, MD, Fred Balch, DO and Justin Starke, MD and family nurse practitioner Jill Aberdeen Kolchinsky, FNP. The office is temporarily located in Maryland Heights at 12445 Dorsett Road and will move to its permanent location on the Mercy Hospital St. Louis campus later this fall.

Drs. Balch and Starke are new to Mercy Clinic but familiar with St. Louis area as they both grew up in the area and completed internal medicine residencies at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

Dr. Balch was raised in St. Charles, Missouri, and graduated from Francis Howell High School.

Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor?Interestingly, I actually went into college with the intent of studying to be a veternarian. It was after my first or second year of undergrad that I realized human medicine was actually more of a true calling. In reality though, I was exposed to the medical field even at a very young age as my mom was an emergency room nurse.

What drew you to internal medicine?For me, there are very few medical specialties that require the depth of knowledge and experience to diagnose and manage such a vast array of acute and chronic medical conditions. It is this Jack-of- all-trades aspect of internal medicine that drew me to it. I chose primary care because of the patient-physician relationship. I get the humbling experience of meeting and forming long-lasting relationships with people from all walks of life, different backgrounds and experiences, as well as different personalities.

What made you want to join Mercy?Having the privilege of doing my internal medicine training at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, I was able to witness first hand the top-notch care that Mercy provides. The specialists, nursing staff and administration are fantastic and truly go above and beyond to assure that patient care is a number one priority.

Dr. Starke was born and raised in the St. Louis area and graduated from St. Louis Priory School. Outside of the office, Starke enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife, son and is excited to soon welcome a baby girl.

Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor?I knew I wanted to be a doctor the moment I realized I would never become a professional athlete, which was probably around age 7.

What drew you to the internal medicine?I was drawn to internal medicine and primary care, in particular, because I love managing a broad scope of medical problems, but also welcome the chance to excel in preventative medicine, working to keep patients out of the hospital and doctors office as much as possible.

What made you want to join Mercy?I was drawn to Mercy by the incredible team-work mentality that recognizes and encourages all employees to work toward the ultimate goal of delivery excellent patient care. Having worked in the residency program for three years I got to witness and be a part of this first-hand.

source; Mercy Clinic Primary Care, published on STL.NEWS by St Louis Media, LLC

Link:
Mercy Clinic Primary Care has opened a new practice - STL News - STL.News

Home Preventative Medicine

The internal medicine specialists at Addison Internal Medicine believe that the best way to promote better health and longevity is through preventive health services. By being proactive in your healthcare, you stand a better chance of catching a condition early.

It has been shown that people who regularly have preventive screenings have a higher success rate in treatment and live longer, healthier lives. Our team provides comprehensive preventive services to help our patients live well.

When you schedule an appointment for preventive medicine at Addison Internal Medicine, youll meet with one of our internists to discuss your concerns. Once youve talked with your doctor, a diagnostic exam will be completed to address anyconcerns.

Our facilities are state-of-the art, and our doctorsuse the latest in technology and medical techniques in tests and screenings. In most cases, your doctor will be able to provide you with preliminary results, but further testing may be required for some preventive medicine services.

After your appointment, its a good idea to continue yourpreventive medical care on a regular schedule as recommended by our doctor. By monitoring your health in conjunction with Addison Internal Medicine, youre more likely to enjoy improvedquality of life and peace of mind concerning your medical condition.

To schedule your appointment for preventive care services with Addison Internal Medicine,call our clinic in Addison at972-301-7060or in Carrollton at972-763-5666.

Original post:
Preventative Medicine | Addison Internal Medicine

Gloria M. Jackson, MD, Integrative Medicine Consultant with Mary Washington Hospital specializing in Medical Nutrition, has been named a 2017 Top Doctor in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Top Doctor Awards is dedicated to selecting and honoring those healthcare practitioners who have demonstrated clinical excellence while delivering the highest standards of patient care.

Dr. Gloria M. Jackson is a very experienced physician, having been active in identifying effective, low-cost healthcare delivery systems for nearly four decades. Her acclaimed career in medicine began in 1978 when she graduated with her Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. Following the completion of medical school, she continued with an internship in General Medicine at the University of California, followed by her residency in Psychiatry at the University of California, Langley Porter Institute. Thereafter, Dr. Jackson completed a clerkship in the Healing Arts in 1982 at the Holistic Healing Center in Menlo Park, California. She trained in Bio-Resonance Therapies in 2000, and completed training in Oriental Medicine from the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College of Berkeley, California in 2008.

For her wealth of experience and dedication to her specialty, Dr. Jackson is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. She has earned a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the US House of Representatives, as well as a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate, among others. Dr. Jackson has professional memberships with the Teleosis Institute Green Health Care Drug Take Back Project, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, American Association of Psychiatric Medicine, National Association of Professional Women, National Association of 100 Black Women, Minority Health Leadership Council State of Wisconsin, Cream City Medical Society, and the Milwaukee Area Ryan White Title II HIV Consortium, allowing her to remain at the forefront of her work.

Dr. Jackson has dedicated her life to delivering the highest standard of quality care and integrative medicine to her clients. She is a Medical Nutritionist whose goal is to develop effective non-invasive, natural, integral healthcare protocols for her clients individual needs. Furthermore, she performs Qi-Scan Assessments to assist in determining the most effective, personalized nutrient-centered, wellness therapies. Qi-Scan is a highly advanced computerized health information retrieval system that measures acupuncture meridians to produce energetic profiles of the body that depict corresponding organ system balance, weakness or stress.

Dr. Jackson is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Integrative Medicine movement, and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs across the United States, sharing her wealth of knowledge. Her undoubted expertise in her field makes Dr. Gloria M. Jackson a very deserving winner of a 2017 Top Doctor Award.

About Top Doctor Awards

Top Doctor Awards specializes in recognizing and commemorating the achievements of todays most influential and respected doctors in medicine. Our selection process considers education, research contributions, patient reviews, and other quality measures to identify top doctors.

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Leading Preventative Medicine Physician, Gloria M. Jackson, MD, is to be Recognized as a 2017 Top Doctor in ... - PR NewsChannel (press release)

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Doctors have a duty to treat kids with parents who won't listen to their advice.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

We in the medical community believe wholeheartedly in the prevention of all illness, especially by vaccination.

Science and history continue to show that vaccination dramatically decreases both the mortality (death rate) and morbidity (severity of illness) of infectious diseases.

More than 98 to 99 percent of the general population agrees with those conclusions.

Yes, it is absolutely frustrating when parents refuse to follow our advice and protect their children. But, the law respects the right of a parent to not vaccinate his or her child, and we as health professionals should respect the law.

Our primary objective as health professionals is to protect children of all colors, religions, and backgrounds, whether we agree with their parents decisions or not.

But, there is a growing trend among us to discharge or kick out children from our medical practices because their parents have chosen not to vaccinate them.

There are two illogical arguments used in this decision to discharge these unvaccinated (or slow vaccinated) children:

1. Because parents do not agree with our recommendations to vaccinate their children, we can do no more for them, so we should wash our hands of the problem.

Yet, we dont do this with other families in our practice whose children are unhealthy as a result of a parents decision. When an obese child remains that way for months to years, despite our recommendations to improve his or her lifestyle, we do not discharge those children and families. We keep an open dialogue to continue to try and help.

When we tell parents over and over again that they should stop smoking; that second and third-hand smoke is a health risk for their children, and yet they continue to smoke, we do not discharge them from our practices. We keep an open dialogue.

How about the parent who decides not to complete all of the antibiotics that were given, because my child didnt need them? We dont discharge those families from our practice.

Obesity, parental smoking, and drug noncompliance comprise more than 60 percent of our patient populations. If we discharged all of these children from our practice just because they didnt do everything that we told them to do, wed be out of business.

2. Nonvaccinated children pose a risk to babies and other immuno-compromised children in our office.

In reality, the overwhelming majority of childhood infections occur in our homes, schools, day cares, churches, malls, restaurants, airports, amusement parks, and, yes, even in our hospitals; not in medical offices.

How will discharging these children from our medical home prevent an overwhelming exposure to the general population? It wont.

And, who will take care of these nonvaccinated children when and if they do become sick? Where will they go? Theyll go to the already busy emergency rooms and urgent cares where they will be exposed to not only other babies, but older children, adults, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system (e.g., cancer/chemotherapy).

By keeping an open dialogue with these families, we can continue to emphasize the importance of preventative medicine (immunizations), as well as monitor their children for signs of infectious diseases. By keeping these kids in our practice, we know which children are vaccinated and which are not, and we can adjust office visit times (or keep them at home) to minimize exposure to those more susceptible infants and children.

The law protects the parents right to not vaccinate his or her child. If we dont like the law, then we should change it, not declare our own martial law. Our ethical duty is to protect all children, not turn our backs on some.

We, as health professionals, need to be objective and logical and prevent our emotions from affecting our decisions. To quote the philosopher, and physician, William James: A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

Dr. Michael D. Pappas of Berkey is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both general pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine.

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Doctors have duty to treat nonvaccinated children - Toledo Blade

Almost everyone knows somebody that has been effected by heart diseasestatistics show that coronary artery disease is the most fatal disease in the United States. To put this statistic into perspective, on an annual basis, one quarter of all deaths (or 600,000 yearly fatalities) in America are due to heart disorders. For the most part, individuals contract heart disorders due to unhealthy life styles and bad habits including: fatty foods, smoking, drinking, and sloth.

The term heart disease is an umbrella phrase generally used to describe symptoms related to atherosclerosis, which arises with the gradual amassing of fats on the walls of arteries and veins. Over time, with a consistently unhealthy diet and lifestyle, these fatty deposits can eventually restrict blood flow in the arteries to the point of heart attack. However, there are a few other forms of heart disease including heart failure, arrhythmia, heart valve problems, and hypertension. While the causes of atherosclerosis (lifestyle, etc.) can also be attributed to these other heart maladies, there are a plethora of other sources for them, including stress and genetic disorders.

As with a majority of medical applications for cannabis, legitimate scientific research into the herbs potential as a medicine for victims of heart disease is in its infancybut findings thus far are quite profound. For the most part, studies into the potential use of cannabis as a medicine for heart disease are related to both CBD and abnormal cannabidiol. For starters, studies have shown that CBD can be beneficial for heart disease victims as both a preventative and restorative medicine. Secondly, abnormal cannabidiol is potentially a wonder drug which can greatly help reduce the chances of heart attacks for atherosclerosis patients. Each of these fascinating compounds are worth exploring in more detail.

CBD has various theoretical medical applications for heart disease. To begin with, CBD has been shown to cause blood vessels to vasodilate, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Point being, CBD can possibly be utilized as a preventative medicine for heart attacks, as it has the potential to help blood vessels restrict and move more efficiently. Doctors also feel that CBD can be used as an anti-arrhythmic which can reestablish normality in ones heart beat post heart attack.

Abnormal cannabidiol is a synthetically derived chemical which is related, on a molecular level, to the cannabinoids found within the marijuana plant. Also, abnormal cannibidiol shares the non-psychoactive properties of CBD, meaning that it does not get users high. The British Journal of Pharmacology reports that the application of abnormal cannabidiol in lab rats led to the widening of blood veins and arteries by relaxing muscles on their walls. Point being, findings show that abnormal cannabidiol, like CBD, can help lessen the chances of heart attacks by opening up blood flow within veins and arteries that would be otherwise restricted by atherosclerosis. It goes without saying that these findings warrant far more research into the potential uses of medical marijuana in relations to heart disease.

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What We Know About Medical Marijuana's Effect On Heart Disease - The Fresh Toast

The Heart and Medicine Center is pleased to announce that Sadaf Chaudhry, M.D., has joined Dr. Vivek Khetpal and Dr. Sangeeta Ketpal at The Heart and Medical Center as a full-time internal medicine physician on September 1, 2017. As an experienced internal medicine physician, she will specialize in a wide range of preventative and urgent care, including diabetes, skin diseases, cancer, lung disease and womens health. Dr. Chaudhry will also see and treat patients at AllianceHealth Durant.

Patient satisfaction is my top priority and I look forward to working with the residents of Bryan County, said Sadaf Chaudhry M.D. I hope to help the community make the right choices when it comes to staying well and living a health lifestyle.

Dr. Chaudhry earned her medical degree from Foundation University Medical College and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of South Alabama Hospitals in Alabama.

We are continuously working to enhance the patient experience at our practice, said Vivek Khetpal, M.D., The Heart and Medical Center, Dr. Chaudhrys commitment to high quality, patient-centered care makes her a welcome addition to our team. We know our patients and families will continue to receive the compassionate, personalized attention they have come to expect from us over the years.

To schedule an appointment, consultation or more information, please call 580-931-0500 or visit HeartandMedical.com. The Heart and Medical Center is located at 2701 W. University Blvd in Durant.

About The Heart and Medical Center The center was founded in 1997 by Dr. Vivek Khetpal specializing in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Interventional and Nuclear Cardiology. He was joined by his wife, Dr. Sangeeta Khetpal, in 2005. They have been members of the Bryan County Community for over 16 years and strive to ensure that each and every patient that walks through the door is provided the best care possible.

Submitted by Heart and Medical Center.

Sadaf Chaudhry

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The Heart and Medical Center welcomes new physician - Durant Daily Democrat

Before I went to work with the group at Eastman, I thought that Id save money and perhaps someday pursue a career as a physician. But life happens and I put those dreams on the back burner, Watson said.

Joey got married and when his wife became pregnant, he found himself going to her prenatal appointments and his interest in medicine was rekindled. As any engineer would do, Joey decided to test the waters by volunteering at local hospitals and shadowing doctors to see if his curiosity was still there and if his youthful plan was still viable. When he confided to those around him, including his wife, and sought their opinions about changing careers he received support from everyone.

I was encouraged to go visit the admission staff at the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine and they were just as encouraging as everyone else so I decided to apply to see if I would be admitted, he said.

The first of many doors opened when he was admitted to the Medical School at ETSU to begin his journey toward the medical field. I truly feel that God had his hand on this entire process, shared Dr. Watson. He opened each door along the way and I entered and passed through them all one step at a time. Being a physician is a calling and I believe Ive been led to the point where I find myself today.

Dr. Watson discovered that engineering and medicine are more alike than you might think.

Its about problem-solving, he explained. The main difference is that medicine has the human element that makes it more challenging and satisfying personally for me. Helping patients with health goals and preventative medicine helps them to achieve a good quality of life. For me thats gratifying.

Dr. Watson believes that his demeanor and training in communication skills developed by the ETSU College of Family Practice Medicine has provided him with the tools that set him apart from many other physicians.

Im a good listener, I am committed to understanding the patients needs and desires, and I work diligently to help them deal with difficult situations, he said.

As a non-traditional medical student, Dr. Watson found colleagues who were also older with whom he developed close friendships.

Its never too late to make a career change if youre curious and truly interested in another profession. I think people need to be willing to try new experiences especially volunteering opportunities so that they can determine if a career change is a good fit for them, he added.

Dr. Watson attributes much of his successful journey to his wife, Cindy, who he said, sacrificed a great deal throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond to care for our family during my long hours of residency. She was my biggest supporter whose encouragement kept me going.

Dr. Watson is now accepting patients at Mountain Region Family Medicine where he provides quality medical care for families and patients of all ages here in his hometown.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Watson at Mountain Region Family Medicine's downtown Kingsport office, call 423-230-2801. The office is located in the Press Building at 444 Clinchfield Street.

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Kingsport Times-News: Dr. Joey Watson took a circuitous route to ... - Kingsport Times News

New compound provides an observed 90% increase in the activation of the gene's activation in the animal's heart tissue

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center has developed a compound called Astaxanthin that turns on whats called the FOX03 'Longevity Gene' in mice. Their scientists measured an almost a 90% increase in the activation of the gene in the animals' heart tissue.

In a joint venture, The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine ("JABSOM") and Cardax, Inc. ("Cardax") (OTCQB:CDXI), a Honolulu based life sciences company revealed their promising results toward a new anti-aging therapy

Dr. Bradley Willcox, MD, Professor and Director of Research at the Department of Geriatric Medicine, JABSOM, and Principal Investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded Kuakini Hawaii Lifespan and Healthspan Studies states, "All of us have the FOXO3 gene, which protects against aging in humans," said. "But about one in three persons carry a version of the FOXO3 gene that is associated with longevity. By activating the FOXO3 gene common in all humans, we can make it act like the "longevity" version. Through this research, we have shown that Astaxanthin "activates" the FOXO3 gene," said Willcox.

"This preliminary study was the first of its kind to test the potential of Astaxanthin to activate the FOXO3 gene in mammals," said Dr. Richard Allsopp, PhD, Associate Professor, and researcher with the JABSOM Institute of Biogenesis Research.

Experiments with the mice the control group was fed regular food and the other group was either a low or high amount of Astaxanthin compound CDX-085 provided by Cardax. As expected the group with higher doses gained the greatest increase in the FOXO3 gene in their heart tissue. "We found a nearly 90% increase in the activation of the FOXO3 "Longevity Gene" in the mice fed the higher dose of the Astaxanthin compound CDX-085," said Dr. Allsopp.

"This groundbreaking University of Hawaii research further supports the critical role of Astaxanthin in health and why the healthcare community is embracing its use," said David G. Watumull, Cardax CEO. "We look forward to further confirmation in human clinical trials of Astaxanthin's role in aging."

"We are extremely proud of our collaborative efforts with Cardax on this very promising research that may help mitigate the effects of aging in humans," said Vassilis L. Syrmos, Vice President of Research at the University of Hawaii. "This is a great example of what the Hawaii Innovation Initiative is all about -- when the private sector and government join forces to build a thriving innovation, research, education and job training enterprise to help diversify the state's economy."

Life sciences company Cardax, Inc. looks forward to further confirmation in human clinical trials of Astanxanthin's potential role as an anti-aging therapy.

Dr. Michael J. Koch, Editor withwww.WorldHealth.net and for Dr. Ronald Klatz, DO, MD President of the A4M has 28,000 Physician Members, has trained over 150,000 Physicians, health professionals and scientists in the new specialty of Anti-aging medicine. Estimates of their patients numbering in the 100s of millions World Wide that are living better stronger, healthier and longer lives. A4M physicians are now providing advanced preventative medical care for over 100 Million individuals worldwide who now recognize that aging is no longer inevitable.

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Discovery of a New Compound Turns on a Longevity Gene in Mice - Anti Aging News

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.

A new company is calling the Granite State home, bringing a promise for dozens of jobs on the Seacoast.

It doesn't have a permanent home yet, but Digital Skin Imaging, a high-tech medical device company, is moving to Portsmouth.

So it's going to be really, really exciting in the next few years where this is going to go, said DSI chief executive officer Karleen Seybold.

DSI is a startup company, relocating from Arizona to New Hampshire, with national and international aspirations.

Through new technology called DermSpectra, DSI allows doctors to look at skin in an innovative way through full body scans.

The technology will help identify skin changes, including early detection of cancer and diseases.

It's really at the intersection of telemedicine, personal health care, preventative medicine, Seybold said. We're looking at trying to track your skin over time.

Company leaders announced the move at Portsmouth-based Medtronic, one of their partners.

Gov. Chris Sununu met with DSI earlier this year as part of his 100 Businesses in 100 Days initiative, an effort to attract companies to New Hampshire.

It's not a program that stops after 100 days, Sununu said. We're constantly talking to businesses to bring them in here. This is one of them.

DSI plans to hire at least 100 people and over the next five years, and intends to be a company worth more than $100 million.

We're going to be hiring engineering, software, sales and marketing, operations, we're going to be doing some manufacturing, Seybold said.

New Hampshire has a shortage of skilled workers, and Sununu said his office and the business community need to talk to new graduates outside the state to show them quality of life in the state and opportunities with companies like DSI.

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Skin imaging company moves from Arizona to Portsmouth - WMUR Manchester

FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have known for years that obesity can rise cancer risk, but how? Now, new research offers clues to how fat cells encourage tumors.

The issue is an important one, the study author said.

"Obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide, and is now also recognized as one of the major risk factors for cancer, with 16 different types of cancer linked to obesity," explained Cornelia Ulrich, of the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.

To help prevent the disease, "we urgently need to identify the specific mechanisms that link obesity to cancer," she said.

Prior studies have already outlined several ways fat could play a role in cancer. For example, obesity increases inflammation in the body, which has long been associated with the disease.

Obesity can also affect cancer cell metabolism and undermine the immune system's natural defenses, which may help tumors to grow and spread.

Ulrich's team noted that the link between fat and cancer also hinges on cellular "crosstalk" -- changes in complex chemical signaling within cells. Finding ways to interrupt this "crosstalk" could lead to new ways to help prevent cancer, the researchers theorized.

In the new review, to be published Sept. 5 in Cancer Prevention Research, an international team of researchers looked at data from 20 existing studies. The studies were published over the past seven decades, and each focused on cellular crosstalk between fat cells and malignant tumors.

In several of these studies, certain fat cells -- known as "adipose stromal cells" -- were able to invade cancer lesions and then help spur the growth of tumors. The data also showed that obese people with prostate or breast cancer appeared to have more of these cells than thinner people.

Some types of fat cells are also more "metabolically active," releasing more substances that promote tumor growth, the review found.

Also, fat may be white, brown or beige, Ulrich's team noted. And these different types of fat each behave differently, depending on quantity and location in the body. For example, the review found that white fat tissue is linked with inflammation and worse outcomes for women with breast cancer.

The location of fat in the body also influences how it affects certain types of cancer, the review found. Fat tissue is usually adjacent to colon and rectal cancers, the research team noted, and it is part of the direct environment of breast tumors.

According to the team, future studies might help doctors figure out if it's possible to disrupt the processes that promote the growth of tumors by affecting nearby fat.

"We are just beginning to unravel the ways crosstalk occurs and the substances involved," Ulrich said in a journal news release. "The more we understand this process, the better we can identify targets and strategies for decreasing the burden of obesity-related cancer."

Two experts in obesity agreed that this type of research is important.

"Obesity is going to surpass cigarette smoking as the leading cause of cancer deaths," said Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of obesity surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"The take-home message here is that proper nutrition and maintaining a proper weight is essential for successful preventative health," he said. "Obesity is not inert and impacts virtually every aspect of your body, and not in a positive manner."

Dr. Raymond Lau is an endocrinologist at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. He said that "there has long been an association between obesity and cancer risk. There is growing evidence that inflammation is the common link between these two disease states, and this review article helps to strengthen this relationship."

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Science Weighs in On How Fat Raises Cancer Risk - Montana Standard

Whole genome sequencing, mapping an individuals DNA profile, is a controversial topic. On one hand, the information obtained could change medical practice through creating a new branch of medicine, preventative medicine and individualized health care. Conversely, much of the information is meaningless as the role of the vast majority of genes is unknown. For this reason, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recommend reporting test results for only 59 genes known to be associated with causing disease. Despite this debate, the first two clinical trials evaluating whole genome sequencing in healthy adults were discussed in a recent Science news story.

The first trial was a randomized study involving 100 healthy adults. Participants reported their family medical history to their usual primary-care physician. Whole genome sequencing was performed on 50 randomly selected participants, and five million single nucleotide variants (single base alterations) in 4600 genes were analyzed. The risk of developing polygenic diseases, diseases caused by the combined effects of alterations in multiple genes, was also examined; however, these results were not discussed. In the second unpublished trial, whole exome (protein coding regions) sequencing was performed on 70 healthy adults.

The results of the first trial found at least one alteration associated with disease susceptibility in 11 of the sequenced participants, two of whom manifested clear symptoms. In addition, at least one recessive (single copy) alteration associated with a disease was found in every sequenced individual. Two copies of such alterations are required to cause disease, which has implications for individuals planning a family. Of the 50 sequenced individuals, 34% were referred to a genetic counsellor or had further laboratory tests compared to 16% of non-sequenced participants. Sequenced participants also spent an extra $350 in healthcare costs. Emotional changes, such as anxiety and depression, were not observed in either group six months after the study, and it was noted that many of the participants used the information to make health behavioral changes. Similar results were also found in the second trial: at least one alteration associated with increased risk of disease was detected in 12 (17%) participants.

Although both studies were small and need to be replicated, both suggest that the AMCG reconsider their recommendations regarding the number of disease-associated genes that should be included in routine genetic screening tests. There is no doubt that the information gleaned from this technology will prove valuable to healthcare providers; indeed, some believe that whole genome sequencing should be incorporated into primary care. However, there are fears that this will contribute to escalating medical and insurance costs, which may be justified considering it cost $5000 to obtain one whole-genome sequence in the first trial. There is also a degree of uncertainty surrounding the impact this information has on an individuals psychological, economic and emotional wellbeing. Despite this, the finding that approximately 20% of the population unknowingly carry alterations in disease susceptibility genes certainly adds perspective to the controversy surrounding whole genome sequencing.

Written by Natasha Tetlow, PhD

Cross, R. One in five healthy adults may carry disease-related genetic mutations. Biology Health. 2017. Available at: doi: 10./science.aan7017.

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Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Actual Disease Risk in Healthy Adults - Medical News Bulletin