September 16, 2019 | 7:45 AM About half of children and teenagers with concussions requiring help from a state program were injured while playing sports. Brett Sholtis, Transforming Health Brett Sholtis is WITF’s Transforming Health reporter, covering health policy and community health issues that affect Pennsylvanians. Brett strives to share personal stories that have a tie to broad issues and emerging trends. He seeks to give voice to diverse viewpoints, including those of people living with mental illness, disability and those living in poverty. He plays a key role in WITF’s mental health series, Through the Cracks, which reports on problem areas in mental health services and efforts to reduce stigma around those living with behavioral disorders. Previously, Brett was a business reporter at the York Daily Record, where his work included award-winning examinations of the nuclear power industry and food safety. He is a University of Pittsburgh graduate … [Read more...] about Group flags concussion risks among students and young athletes
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Oklahoma health advocates warn against vaping
Vaping-related deaths have been reported across the nation. While none have yet been recorded in Oklahoma, health advocates are urging the public to stop using e-cigarettes and similar devices. “We’ve been educating about the harms of vapor use for probably five years now,” said Julie Bisbee, executive director of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Trust. “We’ve seen those efforts really eroded by the predatory marketing of these products on social media. It is really troubling to see folks coming to this product thinking that it’s harmless.” By Tuesday last week, in what some health officials have called an outbreak, six people had died from lung disease related to vaping or using e-cigarettes, and there were more than 450 possible cases of severe lung injury in 33 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kansas health officials confirmed the first death in the state was a resident over 50 years old who also had a … [Read more...] about Oklahoma health advocates warn against vaping
Office of Juvenile Affairs hires new chief psychologist
As the new chief psychologist for the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, Dr. Paul Shawler sees every day as an opportunity to influence the lives of young people throughout Oklahoma. "A lot of this position and a lot of what our agency is really going for is how can we impact young people's lives as soon as possible to make sure that we put them back on a track where they're going to be productive citizens long-term," Shawler said. "This position really has the opportunity to work with our law enforcement, our court system, our schools, our mental health providers, and really bring everybody together as a team to make sure that we are identifying kids who are in need of services." During the past decade, juvenile justice has shifted from a more punitive, corrections-based model to a model and a service that's delivered around rehabilitation and treatment-oriented services for kids, he said. "Nationally we're making major reforms on juvenile justice practices and so it's a great time … [Read more...] about Office of Juvenile Affairs hires new chief psychologist
Vapes Spiked With Illegal Drugs Show Dark Side of CBD Craze
Jay Jenkins says he hesitated when a buddy suggested they vape CBD. "It'll relax you," the friend assured. The vapor that Jenkins inhaled didn't relax him. After two puffs, he ended up in a coma. That's because the vapor he inhaled wasn't CBD, a natural compound that marketers say can treat a range of ailments without getting users high. Instead, the vape was spiked with a powerful, man-made street drug. A young Ohio woman broke down in tears when she was cleared of murder charges involving the death of her newborn child. A jury cleared Brooke Skylar Richardson, 20, of aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges of a baby she had given birth to and buried in the family's backyard. (Published Friday, Sept. 13, 2019) Some operators are cashing in on the CBD craze by substituting cheap and illegal synthetic marijuana for real CBD in vapes and edibles such as gummy bears, an Associated Press investigation has found. Spiked vapes have sent dozens of people … [Read more...] about Vapes Spiked With Illegal Drugs Show Dark Side of CBD Craze
Purdue Pharma Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Sections SEARCH Skip to content Skip to site index Health Log In Log In Today’s Paper Health | Purdue Pharma Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Advertisement Supported by The filing is a centerpiece of an agreement to settle thousands of cases against the company for its role in the opioids crises. But it is expected to be vigorously contested by a group of 26 states. ByJan Hoffman and Mary Williams Walsh Sept. 15, 2019, 11:26 p.m. ET Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, the drug widely seen as igniting the opioid crisis, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday night, a move at the center of the company’s efforts to shield itself and its owners from more than 2,600 federal and state lawsuits. The terms of the filing, which include a proposed resolution of most of those cases, are expected to be fiercely contested by a group of 26 states that have refused to settle with Purdue and are intent on pursuing … [Read more...] about Purdue Pharma Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy