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Indiana University Expert Says Nation's Physicians Support National Health Insurance
President Barack Obama speaks to the American Medical Association (AMA) addressing concerns about health insurance reform and the whole nation, including physicians from coast to coast, is listening.

Does Peripheral T-Lymphocyte Subpopulations Correlate With Hepatitis B Virus Load?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic process with variable biochemical, virological and histological profiles at different stages of the infection, depending on host and viral factors. Furthermore, this profile may change at a variable pace over time. The correlation between detection of T-cell response and HBV load in chronic HBV infection remains unknown. In each of the clinical stages of chronic HBV infection, whether the composition of T-cell subpopulations is different and relates to viral load. Thus characterization of T-cell profile is relevant to improved understanding of chronic HBV infection and the design of antiviral therapy.
News of the day
Washington Times Examines Proposed Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative In Obama Budget Plan
The Washington Times recently included a two-part series examining President Obama"s proposed reallocation of abstinence-only sex education funding in his 2010 budget plan. The proposal would redirect funding toward a new Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative that uses comprehensive sex education curriculums. Summaries of the series appear below.~ Part 1: Obama"s budget proposal states that funds for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative should go to programs that are proven to help delay first sex, increase contraceptive use or reduce teen pregnancy, though a few advocates of comprehensive sex education say such goals are laudable but too narrow, the Times reports. William Smith -- vice president for public policy for the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States -- and James Wagoner -- president of Advocates for Youth -- wrote in a June 17 blog entry that preventing unintended pregnancy among teens is "incredibly important" but that it is "not the only sexual and reproductive health issue facing our nation"s youth." They continued that it would be more beneficial to "expand the scope" of the initiative so it can serve "all young people in all communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, whose needs fall wholly outside of the narrow teen-pregnancy-prevention framework." According to the Times, Smith said in an interview that money allotted for the initiative would be best used if it went to programs focused on "good outcomes" for youth, "not these disaster-aversion silos that don"t serve us well." Wagoner said that advocates have been "very clear in giving the president credit for shifting tracks here in a big way" by ending funding for abstinence-only sex education. However, he added that it is "our job to press for the right destination" and to see the changes implemented into law (Wetzstein, Washington Times, 6/28).~ Part 2: Some supporters of Obama"s proposal argue that it is "exactly the right idea, at the right time," as the U.S. teen birth rate has increased in the last two years after 14 years of decline, the Times reports. Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, said that Obama"s proposal is the "first really focused expenditure on effective teen pregnancy prevention programs." Brown noted that the U.S. has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and birth in the industrialized world. She said that the best programs will address one or more of the three goals of the initiative -- delaying first sex, increasing contraceptive use or reducing teen pregnancy. Last month, about 175 organizations sent a letter to Obama and members of Congress calling for an expanded initiative that would include subjects such as sexually transmitted infections and abusive relationships. However, Brown said that many teen pregnancy prevention programs include discussion of STIs and other areas, "[s]o we really don"t see much tension here" (Wetzstein, Washington Times, 7/5).
Public Health

Ground-Breaking Study To Cap The Growing Trend Of Type 2 Diabetes In Overweight Adolescents

Researchers at The Children"s Hospital at Westmead are embarking on a ground-breaking new study to investigate whether a different dietary approach to insulin resistance in overweight adolescents can put the brakes on its progression to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects 85 to 90 per cent of all people with diabetes. While it usually affects mature adults, younger people and children are increasingly being diagnosed. Often people with type 2 diabetes also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and are overweight or obese. The MBF Foundation funded the three-year $400,000 project recognising increased medical and community concern about the growing number of overweight children being diagnosed with insulin resistance. Currently adolescents with insulin resistance are managed through a combination of exercise, diet in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and medication, with the aim of preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. Clinicians at The Children"s Hospital at Westmead are evaluating two diets, combined with an exercise program, for their effectiveness in turning the risk of this condition around. As a result of a growing body of evidence that amongst adults higher protein diets can more effectively reduce body fat and help control insulin levels, dietitians will investigate whether young people can similarly benefit from a high protein diet. Dr Christine Bennett, MBF Foundation Steering Committee Chair and Chief Medical Officer of Bupa Australia*, says that one in four young Australians are now overweight or obese** and some of these will go on to develop type 2 diabetes if urgent action is not taken to manage this increasing problem. "Type 2 diabetes can be difficult to control and needs to be managed effectively. Complications are often present at diagnosis and can lead to heart and kidney disease appear later in life. We can potentially save thousands of adolescents from this serious long term chronic condition," she said. "We want to give our young people the best possible start to life and find the best way to help them deal with a difficult problem. With early intervention insulin resistance is potentially reversible, or at least the progression to type 2 diabetes can be delayed." The program will see 108 adolescents aged between 10 and 18 take part in a diet and exercise regime. Participants will follow one of two diets. The first will be based on the currently recommended Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, which is high in carbohydrates and low in fat. The second will follow a lower carbohydrate and increased protein diet. "Teen-friendly diet models will be used to enhance compliance with the aim of reducing insulin levels and helping young participants lose weight," said Dr Sarah Garnett Principal Researcher from the Westmead Children"s Hospital. "We believe the project is the first of its kind. There is little evidence currently available to establish the best diet to control insulin resistance in adolescents and the role of protein in the diet," said Dr Garnett. "This will tell us the advice we can give these kids that will actually work." The program involves an intensive three month dietary intervention and a three month intensive gym and home based exercise program. The participants will be followed up for six months to measure the program"s effectiveness. Recruitment for the three year-study is already underway, with the first participants having started their exercise session at Fitness First in Parramatta. There is no cost to families in participating in the fitness program at Fitness First. Jackie Crossman Research Australia


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