MUST READS

A December 3, 2015 Kaiser Health News article reported that “NIH can’t tell whether researchers are also examining outcomes by sex to see whether men and women are affected differently by what’s being tested.” According to the article, ‘This is not the first time the GAO has criticized NIH for its implementation of the requirement to include women in research trials. In 2000, it said the agency needed to do a better job ensuring “that certain clinical trials be designed and carried out to permit valid analysis by sex.” Once again, NIH officials are promising to do better. The agency has 60 days to formally respond to the new report.”

A December 2, 2015 Boston Globe article reported on the efforts of Boston area researchers to “transform treatments for conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s to depression, heart disease to cancer.” According to the article, “Today, 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and the cost of caring for them is an estimated $226 billion a year. If no effective treatments are found, that cost could increase fivefold by 2050. But several significant studies that might advance care are underway in Massachusetts labs.”

A December 2, 2015 The Atlantic article reported on the potential of gene editing and its implications for fighting diseases like Alzheimer’s. According to the article, “George Church, a CRISPR pioneer from Harvard University sees possible paths from these legitimate uses to more dubious ones. ‘I think enhancement will creep in the door in terms of treating serious diseases,’ he says. Someone who is losing their faculties to Alzheimer’s disease might turn to gene-editing to stem their cognitive decline. ‘Then, someone younger with a super high risk of the disease. Then, a business executive who wants to get ahead of the game. Then that same executive who wants to fix his sperm cells.’…There are many other common diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and several cancers, which are under the influence of hundreds or thousands of genes. In these cases, editing genes would be a way of lowering risk, rather than outrightly preventing disease.”

CAREGIVING 

A December 3, 2015 Atlanta Constitution Journal article highlighted the important role that patient navigators play as “relief pitchers” for caregivers. According to the article, “Did you know that caregivers have their own versions of relief pitchers? They go by different names, but these champions can guide you along your caregiving journey, help you through the toughest innings and lift some of the burden. ‘Advocates help empower patients and caregivers to take more control over managing the disease, set goals, stay safe in the healthcare environment and be a real part of the care team,’ says professional advocate and author Trisha Torrey.”

A November 23, 2015 SEIU.org statement by SEIU President Mary Kay Henry underscored the organization’s support for Hillary Clinton’s proposed caregiving tax credit. According to Henry, “Clinton’s plan would help families have access to quality, affordable care at every stage of life, regardless of income or long term care needs. It shows she understands the value of the dedicated work these caregivers provide and the value of a robust well-trained caregiving workforce to boost our communities.”

RESEARCH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY 

A December 2, 2015 Boston Magazine article highlighted a soon-to-launch app called Cake aimed at helping families have end-of-life conversations. According to the article, “Cake, developed by two local health professionals and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), is making end of life planning as easy as a swipe of your finger. Through the app, users will be able to answer a string of prompts regarding their end of life preferences, then share them with loved ones by smartphone or computer.”