Shoot for the Moon!

As mentioned in this post last month, the Cancer Moonshot has commenced.  That single day in June was neither the beginning nor the end of the Moonshot.  The Summit was one day in a project that started with the President's State of the Union on January 12, 2016, and will continue for the rest of the decade.

For more information, check out this infographic from the Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center!  To learn even more about the moonshot and how it impacts rare cancers click here.   

Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go is a new augmented reality video game for smartphones that gets players out and about.  In the game, based on the Japanese cartoon franchise that was popular in the 1990s, players track down and capture Pokémon characters using the cameras and location tracking on their smartphones.  Different Pokémon live in different places, so players have to walk around to find them.  Once caught, Pokémon can then be trained and used to battle other Pokémon.  Because it sends players trekking through their neighborhoods and cities, it can be a fun way to increase physical activity.

Plain language and health literacy

Plain language is so important in health situations, it's the law!*
*for federal agencies; usage by health care providers may vary

What is Plain Language?

Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication someone can understand the first time they read or hear it.  Language that is plain to some people may not be plain to others. Written material is in plain language if those who read it can:

• Find what they need;
• Understand what they find; and
• Use what they find to meet their needs.

No one technique defines plain language. Rather, plain language is defined by results—it is easy to read, understand, and use.

In the area of health care, providers should encourage patients to ask questions and understand the answers.  Questions like:

• What is my main problem?
• What do I need to do?
• Why is it important for me to do this?

The Health Literacy section of plainlanguage.gov has helpful tools to translate doctor-speak into plain language, the Saint Louis Public Library has helpful books and databases to look up information, and your friendly librarians are here to help you find drug and disease information that makes sense to you.

On medical billing

Ever had a moment of frustration with medical insurance?  Here's an article from a health care provider's perspective.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, readers!

For a healthy, fun time outside today, remember to:

• apply sunscreen
• drink plenty of water
• wear bug repellent

Put your additional suggestions in the comments!

Fun video on animal -> human disease

Diseases Jumping from Animals to Humans: Recording

At the 2016 Joseph Leiter Memorial Lecture, guest speaker Jonna Mazet, DVM, MPVM, PhD, talked about her specialty -- diseases that jump from animals to humans. "Most of the infectious diseases that we see today like Ebola, MERS, even Zika originated from an animal host," she told the audience. "How can we stop them or stop them from expanding their range?" The recording of Dr. Mazet's lecture is available from the NIH Videocast site. 

One takeaway: each pandemic costs as much as it would take to research prevention

Coro Fellow Report: Behavioral health system in St. Louis

In January 2016, the RHC and Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis (BHN) collaborated to sponsor four fellows from Coro Leadership - St. Louis (a program of FOCUS St. Louis). During the month-long assignment, the Fellows interviewed nearly 50 key stakeholders of the Behavioral Health system in St. Louis, MO. Interviews were completed to receive impressions and feedback regarding key findings from the RHC's Access to Care 2015 Report to the Community.
According to the Coro Fellows report, the "stakeholders interviewed had a unanimous message: the St. Louis region's behavioral health system is not keeping up with demand. Stakeholders cited at-capacity behavioral health entry points and cuts in funding as key factors in explaining the stress experienced by the St. Louis region's behavioral health system and its patients."

Report Key Findings:
1. Patients' Needs Are Outpacing the Region's Behavioral Health System
2. Congestion Rises as Emergency Department Encounters Increase
3. Community Mental Health Centers At Capacity
4. Community Health Centers Expand Services to Meet System Demands
5. Funding: An Underlying Cause That Limits Capacity

Click here to review the Coro Fellow report and feedback from the RHC advisory boards.