Jan Dyer

Despite efforts to change the results, the American Indian infant mortality rate is still nearly twice that of the nation. The Great Plains area—South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska—is particularly hard-hit. There, babies are 2 to 3 times more likely than white babies to die within their first year. A recent article in Native Health News Alliance (NHNA)provides some background.

In South Dakota, American Indian babies accounted for 23 of 73 infant deaths reported in 2014, according to the South Dakota Department of Health, quoted in NHNA. In fact, between 2013 and 2014, although the number dropped of white babies dying, the number rose slightly for American Indians. Usually the postneonatal period (starting on day 28) marks the end of the “danger zone,” when the risk of infant death tends to go down. But for American Indian babies in South Dakota, the rate jumps from 4.2 per 1,000 births to 7.9.

In the NHNA article, Carol Iron Rope Herrera, who teaches parents about Lakota birthing and child-rearing traditions, says the Lakota tradition considers all babies sacred. She believes infant death in American Indian communities reflects lifestyle changes: “a shift in the cultural and spiritual ways of Native people.”

Linda Littlefield, manager of the Northern Plains Healthy Start program, agrees about lifestyle issues, specifically citing smoking. The NHNA article cites a report by the Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center that found that between 2008 and 2012, > 30% of American Indian women in the Great Plains reported using tobacco during pregnancy.

Many American Indian traditions and beliefs support infant health and well-being, according to Christy Hacker, director of Maternal and Child Health programs for the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, quoted in the NHNA article. Healthy Start communities often incorporate Lakota traditions about life and the sacredness of babies at powwows and other ceremonies.

But Hacker believes it is also important to encourage and support good care for women. According to research by the CDC and Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, only half of American Indian mothers in the Great Plains began prenatal care within the first trimester. “If mothers can take care of themselves,” Hacker says, “they can take care of the baby when it’s born.”

Despite efforts to change the results, the American Indian infant mortality rate is still nearly twice that of the nation. The Great Plains area—South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska—is particularly hard-hit. There, babies are 2 to 3 times more likely than white babies to die within their first year. A recent article in Native Health News Alliance (NHNA)provides some background.

In South Dakota, American Indian babies accounted for 23 of 73 infant deaths reported in 2014, according to the South Dakota Department of Health, quoted in NHNA. In fact, between 2013 and 2014, although the number dropped of white babies dying, the number rose slightly for American Indians. Usually the postneonatal period (starting on day 28) marks the end of the “danger zone,” when the risk of infant death tends to go down. But for American Indian babies in South Dakota, the rate jumps from 4.2 per 1,000 births to 7.9.

In the NHNA article, Carol Iron Rope Herrera, who teaches parents about Lakota birthing and child-rearing traditions, says the Lakota tradition considers all babies sacred. She believes infant death in American Indian communities reflects lifestyle changes: “a shift in the cultural and spiritual ways of Native people.”

Linda Littlefield, manager of the Northern Plains Healthy Start program, agrees about lifestyle issues, specifically citing smoking. The NHNA article cites a report by the Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center that found that between 2008 and 2012, > 30% of American Indian women in the Great Plains reported using tobacco during pregnancy.

Many American Indian traditions and beliefs support infant health and well-being, according to Christy Hacker, director of Maternal and Child Health programs for the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, quoted in the NHNA article. Healthy Start communities often incorporate Lakota traditions about life and the sacredness of babies at powwows and other ceremonies.

But Hacker believes it is also important to encourage and support good care for women. According to research by the CDC and Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, only half of American Indian mothers in the Great Plains began prenatal care within the first trimester. “If mothers can take care of themselves,” Hacker says, “they can take care of the baby when it’s born.”

Despite efforts to change the results, the American Indian infant mortality rate is still nearly twice that of the nation. The Great Plains area—South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska—is particularly hard-hit. There, babies are 2 to 3 times more likely than white babies to die within their first year. A recent article in Native Health News Alliance (NHNA)provides some background.

In South Dakota, American Indian babies accounted for 23 of 73 infant deaths reported in 2014, according to the South Dakota Department of Health, quoted in NHNA. In fact, between 2013 and 2014, although the number dropped of white babies dying, the number rose slightly for American Indians. Usually the postneonatal period (starting on day 28) marks the end of the “danger zone,” when the risk of infant death tends to go down. But for American Indian babies in South Dakota, the rate jumps from 4.2 per 1,000 births to 7.9.

In the NHNA article, Carol Iron Rope Herrera, who teaches parents about Lakota birthing and child-rearing traditions, says the Lakota tradition considers all babies sacred. She believes infant death in American Indian communities reflects lifestyle changes: “a shift in the cultural and spiritual ways of Native people.”

Linda Littlefield, manager of the Northern Plains Healthy Start program, agrees about lifestyle issues, specifically citing smoking. The NHNA article cites a report by the Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center that found that between 2008 and 2012, > 30% of American Indian women in the Great Plains reported using tobacco during pregnancy.

Many American Indian traditions and beliefs support infant health and well-being, according to Christy Hacker, director of Maternal and Child Health programs for the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, quoted in the NHNA article. Healthy Start communities often incorporate Lakota traditions about life and the sacredness of babies at powwows and other ceremonies.

But Hacker believes it is also important to encourage and support good care for women. According to research by the CDC and Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, only half of American Indian mothers in the Great Plains began prenatal care within the first trimester. “If mothers can take care of themselves,” Hacker says, “they can take care of the baby when it’s born.”

It’s a common complaint: “I can’t understand my medical bill!” Now, HHS is giving health care organizations, designers, developers, and others a chance to change that.

The “A Bill You Can Understand” challenge, sponsored by AARP, is intended to “help patients understand their medical bills and the financial aspect of health.” The concept was born of research that included responses from a survey of more than 300 patients and their families and one-on-one interviews with patients, families, and representatives from health systems, insurance companies, and integrated systems. In the patient survey 61% of patients rated their medical bills as “confusing” or “very confusing.”

The challenge is offering 2 awards of $5,000 each: one to the innovator who designs the easiest-to-understand bill and the other to the innovator who designs the best approach to improve the medical billing system—focusing on what the patient sees and does throughout the process.

The competition is open for submissions until August 10, 2016. Winners will be announced in September. Submissions to the challenge will be judged based on understandability, creativity, and how well they address the challenge criteria. For more information, visit www.abillyoucanunderstand.com.

It’s a common complaint: “I can’t understand my medical bill!” Now, HHS is giving health care organizations, designers, developers, and others a chance to change that.

The “A Bill You Can Understand” challenge, sponsored by AARP, is intended to “help patients understand their medical bills and the financial aspect of health.” The concept was born of research that included responses from a survey of more than 300 patients and their families and one-on-one interviews with patients, families, and representatives from health systems, insurance companies, and integrated systems. In the patient survey 61% of patients rated their medical bills as “confusing” or “very confusing.”

The challenge is offering 2 awards of $5,000 each: one to the innovator who designs the easiest-to-understand bill and the other to the innovator who designs the best approach to improve the medical billing system—focusing on what the patient sees and does throughout the process.

The competition is open for submissions until August 10, 2016. Winners will be announced in September. Submissions to the challenge will be judged based on understandability, creativity, and how well they address the challenge criteria. For more information, visit www.abillyoucanunderstand.com.

It’s a common complaint: “I can’t understand my medical bill!” Now, HHS is giving health care organizations, designers, developers, and others a chance to change that.

The “A Bill You Can Understand” challenge, sponsored by AARP, is intended to “help patients understand their medical bills and the financial aspect of health.” The concept was born of research that included responses from a survey of more than 300 patients and their families and one-on-one interviews with patients, families, and representatives from health systems, insurance companies, and integrated systems. In the patient survey 61% of patients rated their medical bills as “confusing” or “very confusing.”

The challenge is offering 2 awards of $5,000 each: one to the innovator who designs the easiest-to-understand bill and the other to the innovator who designs the best approach to improve the medical billing system—focusing on what the patient sees and does throughout the process.

The competition is open for submissions until August 10, 2016. Winners will be announced in September. Submissions to the challenge will be judged based on understandability, creativity, and how well they address the challenge criteria. For more information, visit www.abillyoucanunderstand.com.

Reports of sexual assault among military personnel are still at high levels, according to the DoD’s 12th Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, covering October 2014 through September 2015.

The department received 6,083 reports for 2015 involving service members—only a 1% drop from 6,131 in 2014. Climate survey results also showed that about 16,000 service members intervened in situations they believed to have a risk of sexual assault, the DoD says.

Some of the data on sexual assaults come from 459 participants in 58 focus group sessions, part of an alternating cycle of surveys and focus groups conducted in support of the annual report.

Research has “consistently shown that sexual assault is most likely to occur in environments where there are unhealthy social factors,” the report says. Those factors include gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and other problems that “degrade or devalue individuals and their contributions in the workplace.” In cases of 657 formal complaints concerning sexual harassment, 74% of substantiated incidents occurred on duty. Nearly all complainants were enlisted. The largest single group of complainants by both gender and pay grade was females in pay grades E1-E4. Forty percent of substantiated offenders were in pay grades E5-E6; 96% were men.

About one-third of victims said the perpetrator sexually harassed them prior to the assault. Most survey respondents said they knew their alleged offenders; 57% said the alleged offender was someone they considered a friend or acquaintance.

“Our efforts are having an impact, but there are still many hurdles to overcome,” said Army Major General Camille Nichols, director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office. Reporting is essential, she said. In fact, encouraging greater reporting is 1 of 5 key SAPR program elements. The DoD also took “significant action” to advance sexual assault prevention, improve response to male sexual assault victims, combat retaliation associated with sexual assault, and track accountability of sexual assault cases.

The DoD also is tracking the overall experience of investigation and justice. In a survey of assault victims, 77% said they would recommend others to report, and 80% who interacted with the Special Victims’ Counsel Program were satisfied with the experience.

The full report is available at www.sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports.

Reports of sexual assault among military personnel are still at high levels, according to the DoD’s 12th Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, covering October 2014 through September 2015.

The department received 6,083 reports for 2015 involving service members—only a 1% drop from 6,131 in 2014. Climate survey results also showed that about 16,000 service members intervened in situations they believed to have a risk of sexual assault, the DoD says.

Some of the data on sexual assaults come from 459 participants in 58 focus group sessions, part of an alternating cycle of surveys and focus groups conducted in support of the annual report.

Research has “consistently shown that sexual assault is most likely to occur in environments where there are unhealthy social factors,” the report says. Those factors include gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and other problems that “degrade or devalue individuals and their contributions in the workplace.” In cases of 657 formal complaints concerning sexual harassment, 74% of substantiated incidents occurred on duty. Nearly all complainants were enlisted. The largest single group of complainants by both gender and pay grade was females in pay grades E1-E4. Forty percent of substantiated offenders were in pay grades E5-E6; 96% were men.

About one-third of victims said the perpetrator sexually harassed them prior to the assault. Most survey respondents said they knew their alleged offenders; 57% said the alleged offender was someone they considered a friend or acquaintance.

“Our efforts are having an impact, but there are still many hurdles to overcome,” said Army Major General Camille Nichols, director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office. Reporting is essential, she said. In fact, encouraging greater reporting is 1 of 5 key SAPR program elements. The DoD also took “significant action” to advance sexual assault prevention, improve response to male sexual assault victims, combat retaliation associated with sexual assault, and track accountability of sexual assault cases.

The DoD also is tracking the overall experience of investigation and justice. In a survey of assault victims, 77% said they would recommend others to report, and 80% who interacted with the Special Victims’ Counsel Program were satisfied with the experience.

The full report is available at www.sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports.

Reports of sexual assault among military personnel are still at high levels, according to the DoD’s 12th Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, covering October 2014 through September 2015.

The department received 6,083 reports for 2015 involving service members—only a 1% drop from 6,131 in 2014. Climate survey results also showed that about 16,000 service members intervened in situations they believed to have a risk of sexual assault, the DoD says.

Some of the data on sexual assaults come from 459 participants in 58 focus group sessions, part of an alternating cycle of surveys and focus groups conducted in support of the annual report.

Research has “consistently shown that sexual assault is most likely to occur in environments where there are unhealthy social factors,” the report says. Those factors include gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and other problems that “degrade or devalue individuals and their contributions in the workplace.” In cases of 657 formal complaints concerning sexual harassment, 74% of substantiated incidents occurred on duty. Nearly all complainants were enlisted. The largest single group of complainants by both gender and pay grade was females in pay grades E1-E4. Forty percent of substantiated offenders were in pay grades E5-E6; 96% were men.

About one-third of victims said the perpetrator sexually harassed them prior to the assault. Most survey respondents said they knew their alleged offenders; 57% said the alleged offender was someone they considered a friend or acquaintance.

“Our efforts are having an impact, but there are still many hurdles to overcome,” said Army Major General Camille Nichols, director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office. Reporting is essential, she said. In fact, encouraging greater reporting is 1 of 5 key SAPR program elements. The DoD also took “significant action” to advance sexual assault prevention, improve response to male sexual assault victims, combat retaliation associated with sexual assault, and track accountability of sexual assault cases.

The DoD also is tracking the overall experience of investigation and justice. In a survey of assault victims, 77% said they would recommend others to report, and 80% who interacted with the Special Victims’ Counsel Program were satisfied with the experience.

The full report is available at www.sapr.mil/index.php/annual-reports.

Disrobing and wiping skin with a paper towel or dry wipe seems simple—but doing both removes nearly 100% of chemical contamination, say researchers in an HHS-sponsored study.

The study, at University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, looked at various approaches to mass patient decontamination after chemical exposure: using various water temperatures, adding soap, and having patients disrobe before showering. They found disrobing took care of up to 90% of chemical contamination; wiping exposed skin removed another 9%. Finally, showering and drying off with a towel or cloth brought contamination levels down to 99.9%.

National recommendations emphasize the importance of having people disrobe and then use low-pressure water. But the researchers say in actual practice, people were not always required to disrobe, and high-pressure water from fire engines was used to shower the clothed patients. Their study revealed that showering in contaminated clothing actually washes chemicals through to the skin, increasing contamination.

“Every minute counts in protecting health after chemical exposure,” said Acting Director Richard J. Hatchett, MD, of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. “This study provides critical scientific evidence of effective actions emergency responders and community partners should consider in their emergency plan.”

Disrobing and wiping skin with a paper towel or dry wipe seems simple—but doing both removes nearly 100% of chemical contamination, say researchers in an HHS-sponsored study.

The study, at University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, looked at various approaches to mass patient decontamination after chemical exposure: using various water temperatures, adding soap, and having patients disrobe before showering. They found disrobing took care of up to 90% of chemical contamination; wiping exposed skin removed another 9%. Finally, showering and drying off with a towel or cloth brought contamination levels down to 99.9%.

National recommendations emphasize the importance of having people disrobe and then use low-pressure water. But the researchers say in actual practice, people were not always required to disrobe, and high-pressure water from fire engines was used to shower the clothed patients. Their study revealed that showering in contaminated clothing actually washes chemicals through to the skin, increasing contamination.

“Every minute counts in protecting health after chemical exposure,” said Acting Director Richard J. Hatchett, MD, of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. “This study provides critical scientific evidence of effective actions emergency responders and community partners should consider in their emergency plan.”

Disrobing and wiping skin with a paper towel or dry wipe seems simple—but doing both removes nearly 100% of chemical contamination, say researchers in an HHS-sponsored study.

The study, at University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, looked at various approaches to mass patient decontamination after chemical exposure: using various water temperatures, adding soap, and having patients disrobe before showering. They found disrobing took care of up to 90% of chemical contamination; wiping exposed skin removed another 9%. Finally, showering and drying off with a towel or cloth brought contamination levels down to 99.9%.

National recommendations emphasize the importance of having people disrobe and then use low-pressure water. But the researchers say in actual practice, people were not always required to disrobe, and high-pressure water from fire engines was used to shower the clothed patients. Their study revealed that showering in contaminated clothing actually washes chemicals through to the skin, increasing contamination.

“Every minute counts in protecting health after chemical exposure,” said Acting Director Richard J. Hatchett, MD, of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. “This study provides critical scientific evidence of effective actions emergency responders and community partners should consider in their emergency plan.”

A simple point-of-care finger prick test to diagnose anthrax infection is moving into the final stages of development. Unlike current tests, which can take days for lab analysis, this one shows results within minutes. Immediate response is crucial in cases of anthrax exposure. Untreated, inhaled anthrax can be deadly within days.

The test is being developed by SRI International (Menlo Park, CA) under an 18-month, $2.5 million agreement with HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority . Based partly on a similar version developed at the CDC, the SRI test uses blood samples on small cartridges. After 15 minutes, the cartridge is placed in a palm-sized reader, which displays results. The convenient size, says HHS, makes it ideally suited for bedside use or by first responders. 

A simple point-of-care finger prick test to diagnose anthrax infection is moving into the final stages of development. Unlike current tests, which can take days for lab analysis, this one shows results within minutes. Immediate response is crucial in cases of anthrax exposure. Untreated, inhaled anthrax can be deadly within days.

The test is being developed by SRI International (Menlo Park, CA) under an 18-month, $2.5 million agreement with HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority . Based partly on a similar version developed at the CDC, the SRI test uses blood samples on small cartridges. After 15 minutes, the cartridge is placed in a palm-sized reader, which displays results. The convenient size, says HHS, makes it ideally suited for bedside use or by first responders. 

A simple point-of-care finger prick test to diagnose anthrax infection is moving into the final stages of development. Unlike current tests, which can take days for lab analysis, this one shows results within minutes. Immediate response is crucial in cases of anthrax exposure. Untreated, inhaled anthrax can be deadly within days.

The test is being developed by SRI International (Menlo Park, CA) under an 18-month, $2.5 million agreement with HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority . Based partly on a similar version developed at the CDC, the SRI test uses blood samples on small cartridges. After 15 minutes, the cartridge is placed in a palm-sized reader, which displays results. The convenient size, says HHS, makes it ideally suited for bedside use or by first responders. 

Three years ago, the CDC launched “Tips From Former Smokers,” the first federally funded anti-smoking paid media campaign. The ads included striking real-life stories of smokers’ struggles with smoking-related health issues, such as cancer, gum disease, premature birth, and stroke. Since its launch, the campaign has helped at least 400,000 smokers quit according to CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH. An estimated 104,000 Americans quit smoking for good as a result of the 2014 campaign alone.

The 2014 campaign aired in 2 phases from February to April and July to September. In a survey, about 80% of U.S. adult cigarette smokers said they had seen at least 1 television ad from phase 2 of the campaign.

Tips is “extremely cost-effective and a best buy, saving both lives and money,” said Frieden. “With a year-round campaign we could save even more lives and money.”

As effective as the campaign is, it’s up against a tough antagonist that refuses to surrender. Corinne Graffunder, DrPH, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health added, “The money spent in 1 year on ‘Tips’ is less than the amount the tobacco industry spends on advertising and promotion in just 3 days.”

Moreover, young people are, in a sense, cannon fodder. “We know that 90% of all adult smokers first try cigarettes as teens,” Graffunder said. According to the CDC’s 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey, overall tobacco use among middle- and high school students has not changed since 2011; 4.7 million were current users of a tobacco product in 2015. E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product by adolescents, the CDC found, and its use continues to climb.

Three years ago, the CDC launched “Tips From Former Smokers,” the first federally funded anti-smoking paid media campaign. The ads included striking real-life stories of smokers’ struggles with smoking-related health issues, such as cancer, gum disease, premature birth, and stroke. Since its launch, the campaign has helped at least 400,000 smokers quit according to CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH. An estimated 104,000 Americans quit smoking for good as a result of the 2014 campaign alone.

The 2014 campaign aired in 2 phases from February to April and July to September. In a survey, about 80% of U.S. adult cigarette smokers said they had seen at least 1 television ad from phase 2 of the campaign.

Tips is “extremely cost-effective and a best buy, saving both lives and money,” said Frieden. “With a year-round campaign we could save even more lives and money.”

As effective as the campaign is, it’s up against a tough antagonist that refuses to surrender. Corinne Graffunder, DrPH, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health added, “The money spent in 1 year on ‘Tips’ is less than the amount the tobacco industry spends on advertising and promotion in just 3 days.”

Moreover, young people are, in a sense, cannon fodder. “We know that 90% of all adult smokers first try cigarettes as teens,” Graffunder said. According to the CDC’s 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey, overall tobacco use among middle- and high school students has not changed since 2011; 4.7 million were current users of a tobacco product in 2015. E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product by adolescents, the CDC found, and its use continues to climb.

Three years ago, the CDC launched “Tips From Former Smokers,” the first federally funded anti-smoking paid media campaign. The ads included striking real-life stories of smokers’ struggles with smoking-related health issues, such as cancer, gum disease, premature birth, and stroke. Since its launch, the campaign has helped at least 400,000 smokers quit according to CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH. An estimated 104,000 Americans quit smoking for good as a result of the 2014 campaign alone.

The 2014 campaign aired in 2 phases from February to April and July to September. In a survey, about 80% of U.S. adult cigarette smokers said they had seen at least 1 television ad from phase 2 of the campaign.

Tips is “extremely cost-effective and a best buy, saving both lives and money,” said Frieden. “With a year-round campaign we could save even more lives and money.”

As effective as the campaign is, it’s up against a tough antagonist that refuses to surrender. Corinne Graffunder, DrPH, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health added, “The money spent in 1 year on ‘Tips’ is less than the amount the tobacco industry spends on advertising and promotion in just 3 days.”

Moreover, young people are, in a sense, cannon fodder. “We know that 90% of all adult smokers first try cigarettes as teens,” Graffunder said. According to the CDC’s 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey, overall tobacco use among middle- and high school students has not changed since 2011; 4.7 million were current users of a tobacco product in 2015. E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product by adolescents, the CDC found, and its use continues to climb.

American Indian and Alaska Native people have among the highest rates of diabetes in the country. The IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) has supported and encouraged innovative interventions across the country to prevent and reduce diabetes, which the IHS says have “changed the diabetes landscape across the Indian health system.”

This year, SDPI is awarding approximately $137 million to 301 Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, and IHS facilities for programs to prevent and treat diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).

Based on local needs and priorities, the grant programs have increased access to diabetes services and helped improve key outcomes, the IHS says. For example, between 1997 and 2010 access to diabetes clinics rose from 31% to 71%, access to registered dietitians rose from 37% to 77%, and access to culturally tailored diabetes education programs from 36% to 99%.

Similarly, in the 13 years the program has been in existence, its results have seen “sustained achievements” in diabetes outcomes, such as declines in blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Between 1995 and 2006, the incident rate of end-stage renal disease in AI/AN people with diabetes fell by 27.7%—more than in any other racial or ethnic group.

American Indian and Alaska Native people have among the highest rates of diabetes in the country. The IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) has supported and encouraged innovative interventions across the country to prevent and reduce diabetes, which the IHS says have “changed the diabetes landscape across the Indian health system.”

This year, SDPI is awarding approximately $137 million to 301 Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, and IHS facilities for programs to prevent and treat diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).

Based on local needs and priorities, the grant programs have increased access to diabetes services and helped improve key outcomes, the IHS says. For example, between 1997 and 2010 access to diabetes clinics rose from 31% to 71%, access to registered dietitians rose from 37% to 77%, and access to culturally tailored diabetes education programs from 36% to 99%.

Similarly, in the 13 years the program has been in existence, its results have seen “sustained achievements” in diabetes outcomes, such as declines in blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Between 1995 and 2006, the incident rate of end-stage renal disease in AI/AN people with diabetes fell by 27.7%—more than in any other racial or ethnic group.

American Indian and Alaska Native people have among the highest rates of diabetes in the country. The IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) has supported and encouraged innovative interventions across the country to prevent and reduce diabetes, which the IHS says have “changed the diabetes landscape across the Indian health system.”

This year, SDPI is awarding approximately $137 million to 301 Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, and IHS facilities for programs to prevent and treat diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).

Based on local needs and priorities, the grant programs have increased access to diabetes services and helped improve key outcomes, the IHS says. For example, between 1997 and 2010 access to diabetes clinics rose from 31% to 71%, access to registered dietitians rose from 37% to 77%, and access to culturally tailored diabetes education programs from 36% to 99%.

Similarly, in the 13 years the program has been in existence, its results have seen “sustained achievements” in diabetes outcomes, such as declines in blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Between 1995 and 2006, the incident rate of end-stage renal disease in AI/AN people with diabetes fell by 27.7%—more than in any other racial or ethnic group.

NIH researchers have sequenced nearly the entire genome of Pneumocystis—the cause a deadly infection that helped identify the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Pneumocystis is still a significant risk for those patients as well as for transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed patients.

Pneumocystis has puzzled researchers for years—especially how it developed its “unique” mechanisms of adaptation to life in mammals. “Having the genome information helped us recognize the unusual biology of Pneumocystis and how it co-exists with its mammalian hosts,” said Liang Ma, MD, first author of the paper on the study. Through analysis, the researchers now better understand where the organism lives—it’s “highly adapted to existence in the host lung with strict dependence on the mammalian host for nutrients and a stable environment.” They can also get a better idea of how it avoids elimination by the host’s immune system.

The researchers say their study helps map out a clearer picture of the genomes, compared with prior studies, with high-quality, near chromosomal draft genomes—the “highest level of genomic mapping.” That high quality helped them identify metabolic pathways critical to the growth and survival of the organism, as well as pathways in other closely related fungi that Pneumocystis does not have. The pathways likely disappeared as Pneumocystis evolved to become highly dependent on its host to stay alive, the researchers say.

Their detailed description of genes that are present or missing should facilitate attempts to culture the organism, they note. Culturing could help speed drug development and allow for genetic manipulation to modify the genes involved.

NIH researchers have sequenced nearly the entire genome of Pneumocystis—the cause a deadly infection that helped identify the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Pneumocystis is still a significant risk for those patients as well as for transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed patients.

Pneumocystis has puzzled researchers for years—especially how it developed its “unique” mechanisms of adaptation to life in mammals. “Having the genome information helped us recognize the unusual biology of Pneumocystis and how it co-exists with its mammalian hosts,” said Liang Ma, MD, first author of the paper on the study. Through analysis, the researchers now better understand where the organism lives—it’s “highly adapted to existence in the host lung with strict dependence on the mammalian host for nutrients and a stable environment.” They can also get a better idea of how it avoids elimination by the host’s immune system.

The researchers say their study helps map out a clearer picture of the genomes, compared with prior studies, with high-quality, near chromosomal draft genomes—the “highest level of genomic mapping.” That high quality helped them identify metabolic pathways critical to the growth and survival of the organism, as well as pathways in other closely related fungi that Pneumocystis does not have. The pathways likely disappeared as Pneumocystis evolved to become highly dependent on its host to stay alive, the researchers say.

Their detailed description of genes that are present or missing should facilitate attempts to culture the organism, they note. Culturing could help speed drug development and allow for genetic manipulation to modify the genes involved.

NIH researchers have sequenced nearly the entire genome of Pneumocystis—the cause a deadly infection that helped identify the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Pneumocystis is still a significant risk for those patients as well as for transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed patients.

Pneumocystis has puzzled researchers for years—especially how it developed its “unique” mechanisms of adaptation to life in mammals. “Having the genome information helped us recognize the unusual biology of Pneumocystis and how it co-exists with its mammalian hosts,” said Liang Ma, MD, first author of the paper on the study. Through analysis, the researchers now better understand where the organism lives—it’s “highly adapted to existence in the host lung with strict dependence on the mammalian host for nutrients and a stable environment.” They can also get a better idea of how it avoids elimination by the host’s immune system.

The researchers say their study helps map out a clearer picture of the genomes, compared with prior studies, with high-quality, near chromosomal draft genomes—the “highest level of genomic mapping.” That high quality helped them identify metabolic pathways critical to the growth and survival of the organism, as well as pathways in other closely related fungi that Pneumocystis does not have. The pathways likely disappeared as Pneumocystis evolved to become highly dependent on its host to stay alive, the researchers say.

Their detailed description of genes that are present or missing should facilitate attempts to culture the organism, they note. Culturing could help speed drug development and allow for genetic manipulation to modify the genes involved.