Podcasts about jama pediatrics

Dr. Feroze Sidhwa discusses Gaza with Clint Borgen. Dr. Sidhaw is a Trauma Surgeon, based in California, with experience in Gaza, Ukraine, the West Bank, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Burkina Faso. He received his Masters in Public Health from Harvard and his Medical Degree from the University of Texas Medical School.Take Action: Urge Congress to meet with American doctors who served in Gaza.Mentioned: Read the letter U.S. doctors sent to Congress.Official podcast of The Borgen Project, an international organization that works at the political level to improve living conditions for people impacted by war, famine and poverty.borgenproject.orgGuest BioDr. Feroze Sidhwa is a general, trauma, and critical care surgeon in California. He is triple-board certified in general surgery, trauma/surgical critical care, and neurocritical care, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of the International College of Surgeons.Feroze is also a humanitarian surgeon. He has worked most extensively in Palestine, but has also worked in Ukraine three times with the International Medical Corps and Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and in Zimbabwe, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Burkina Faso. He has helped edit books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict published by University of California Press (Berkeley, CA), O/R Books (London, UK), and the Institute for Palestine Studies (Washington, DC). He is widely published in the medical literature, including in The Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Annals of Surgery, World Journal of Surgery, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Surgical Infections, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, JAMA Pediatrics, Journal of Pediatric Surgery, and Journal of Laproendoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques, among others. Feroze has spoken on humanitarian relief work and its political implications at the Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, as the keynote speaker of the Stanford 31st Annual Trauma Critical Care Symposium, at UChicago Medicine Trauma Grand Rounds, at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Law School, Johns Hopkins University and School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, MIT, Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, NYU, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the University of Hawaii A. John Burns School of Medicine. He has also spoken widely in the community, mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area but also with Jewish Voice for Peace Phoenix and Tucson, Massachusetts Peace Action, the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and elsewhere.Lay publications about Feroze's humanitarian surgical work and its political implications include:New York Times, October 9, 2024. “65 Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics: What We Saw in Gaza”Haaretz (Israel), October 17, 2024. “65 אנשי רפואה לניו יורק טיימס: אלה המחזות שראינו בעזה”Politico, July 19, 2024. “We Volunteered at a Gaza Hospital. What We Saw Was Unspeakable.”CommonDreams.org, May 23, 2024. “The Atlantic's Sloppy Reporting on UN Gaza Statistics Jeopardizes Its Credibility”CommonDreams.org, April 11, 2024. “As Surgeons, We Have Never Seen Cruelty Like Israel's Genocide in Gaza”Columbia Daily Spectator, January 29, 2025. “In Gaza, a ‘political' ethical problem is still an ethical problem.”Feroze is the primary author of two open letters to the Biden-Harris administration regarding the United States' role in the Israeli assault on Gaza that followed the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, as well as the appendices accompanying those letters. These letters were updated and sent to the Trump transition team on November 15, 2024.Feroze has appeared on CNN's Amanpour, PBS, MSNBC's Ayman Mohyeldin Reports, Democracy Now!, CNN international, the Australia Broadcasting Corporation, DropSite News, NPR, and the BBC World News, as well as a variety of radio programs and podcasts. He has been quoted widely in mainstream and alternative media, including on CBS Sunday Morning News, ABC News, Reuters, the Washington Post, Mother Jones, the New Republic, Mainchi Newspaper (Japan), Local Call (Israel), the Huffington Post, the New Statesman, NRK (Norway), the Guardian, the Independent, Pass Blue, and Democracy Now! Dr. Sidhwa serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of the American College of Surgeons on global surgical topics and as an external expert reviewer for Human Rights Watch.Feroze was born in Houston, TX to Parsi parents who left Pakistan to find a better life. They moved to the UK and then in the United States. Feroze grew up in Flint, MI. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in public health he lived in Haifa, Israel for one year, working with a Palestinian-Jewish cooperative in the city. He then taught middle school in east Baltimore for one year before starting medical school at the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio. During his time in medical school he also obtained a Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.After finishing medical school, Feroze joined the general surgery residency program at Boston Medical Center. During his residency he completed a surgical research fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. During that time Feroze treated victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing. After finishing residency in 2018 he began his one-year trauma/surgical critical care fellowship at Cooper University Healthcare in Camden, NJ. After completing his fellowship, he moved to California where he now practices as a trauma surgeon at a county hospital and as a general surgeon in the Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System.Dr. Sidhwa critiques the United States' role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a unique lens. He is a secular American with no ethnic or religious ties to the Middle East. He has a broad knowledge of Israeli and American academic work on the conflict, and closely follows the technical humanitarian, human rights, medical, political, economic, and environmental research done on the topic by Israeli, Palestinian, and international agencies. His public health degrees afford him a broad understanding of how these different areas affect the people of the region. He has no interest in any particular political solution to the conflict. And, most importantly to him, he has seen the conflict in person, seen what it is doing to Palestinians and to Israelis, and has treated its victims with his own hands.

I'm joined by board-certified general surgeon Dr. Lee Howard, who walked away from traditional medicine. Why he feels traditional medicine doesn't really help its patients plus we cover what supplements are good for everyone to take, how to navigate allergy season with kids, what the heck the MTHFR gene is, how we should be approaching our kids' health, why were gonna start to hear more and more about creatine, ways we can help the aging process, plus perimenopause and menopause- how to minimize symptoms and recognize when we start to enter that stage. And we cover once and for all what those silly eye twitches are from. Clip 3: Low Testosterone and Alzheimer's RiskMost people think of testosterone as a hormone that just affects sex drive or muscle mass. But the brain is actually one of its biggest targets. A massive 2023 study from the University of Sydney looked at older men and found something shocking: men with low testosterone had a 26% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. And we're not talking about late-stage life—these patterns start decades earlier. Testosterone helps regulate inflammation in the brain, supports memory circuits, and even promotes the growth of new neural connections. When levels drop too low, especially without being noticed, the brain becomes more vulnerable to decline. Here's the kicker: most men never get their levels checked. And if they do, the 'normal range' is often outdated or way too broad. What's normal for a 75-year-old is not what you want at 45. I've had women come in concerned about their partner's mood, irritability, even motivation—and it turns out his testosterone was tanked. If you're in a long-term relationship and your partner is acting like a different person, you're not imagining it. And getting his hormones evaluated might be the missing link to helping him feel like himself again—and preventing cognitive decline down the line.Study source: University of Sydney & Neuroscience Research Australia (2023)https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.1252Clip 5: Gut Health and MoodThere's a direct, two-way communication line between your gut and your brain—and researchers now believe that the gut may play just as much of a role in mental health as the brain itself. A major review from 2024 showed that people with poor gut diversity were significantly more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, even when diet and lifestyle were controlled. Why? Because 90% of your serotonin is actually made in your gut. If your microbiome is inflamed or out of balance, your body literally has fewer raw materials to make feel-good brain chemicals. On top of that, gut inflammation sends stress signals to your brain—keeping you in a low-level “fight or flight” state, even when nothing's wrong. And if you've ever felt brain fog, irritability, or sadness after a weekend of sugar and alcohol… this is why. What's exciting is how quickly you can make a shift. Just increasing your fiber, adding fermented foods, or taking the right probiotic can make a measurable difference in just a few weeks. This isn't woo. This is the future of psychiatry. And if you've done therapy, made lifestyle changes, but still don't feel right—check your gut. It might be where your healing needs to start.Study source: Review from the Polish Society of Gastroenterology (2024)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11811453Clip 8: Hormone Imbalances and MarriageYou'd be shocked how many couples come into my office thinking they have a communication problem—when what they really have is a hormone problem. He's irritable, unmotivated, maybe withdrawing. She's exhausted, anxious, snapping at small things. They think they've grown apart. They think the spark is gone. But when we test their hormones—testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, thyroid—what we find is that their biochemistry is off. And once we start restoring balance, everything shifts. The mood improves. The intimacy returns. The little things don't feel so overwhelming. We now have solid evidence that hormonal health directly impacts emotional regulation, sexual desire, and even empathy. And if both partners are dysregulated, it can feel like the marriage is falling apart—when really, it's just that their physiology is out of sync. This isn't a relationship failure. It's a hormone crisis. And once you name it, you can fix it. I've seen couples on the brink of divorce completely turn things around—because we stopped blaming each other and started healing their bodies.Study source: APA + American Journal of Men's Health (2023–24)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15579883231166518Clip 11: Whole Milk in Schools Might Actually Be SmarterFor decades, schools have pushed low-fat or skim milk, based on outdated beliefs about fat and weight. But new evidence is flipping that script. A growing body of research now shows that children who drink whole milk are actually less likely to be overweight than those drinking low-fat milk. Why? Because fat makes food more satisfying. It helps with blood sugar regulation and keeps kids fuller longer—so they're less likely to snack on junk later. In 2025, there's increasing pushback from pediatricians and nutrition researchers against the one-size-fits-all low-fat approach. Some school districts are already considering bringing whole milk back, and they're seeing better nutrition outcomes. Whole milk also contains essential nutrients like vitamin D and calcium in more bioavailable forms, especially when paired with fat. It's time we stop fearing fat—especially when the data shows that cutting it hasn't actually reduced childhood obesity. In fact, we may have made things worse. So if your kid likes whole milk, don't feel guilty. It might just be the more nourishing option after all.Study source: Associated Press report (2025)https://apnews.com/article/e4868fdc2dc4e85aeb9375edcd27da49Clip 13: Hormone Fluctuations and Depression in WomenOne of the biggest blind spots in women's health is how powerful hormone fluctuations are—especially on mood. A 2025 study published in Biomedical Reports found that estrogen and progesterone shifts during puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause play a massive role in rates of depression. This isn't just anecdotal. These hormonal changes alter brain chemistry, sensitivity to stress, and even how the body processes trauma. In puberty, many girls who were previously confident begin to struggle with mood and self-esteem—but instead of checking hormones, we tell them to tough it out. In postpartum, we're finally starting to talk about depression more—but the hormonal crash that happens after birth still catches most women off guard. And in perimenopause, where mood swings and anxiety often resurface, women are still too often told it's “just part of aging.” It's not. It's biology. And the good news is, once you understand that hormones are a major player, you can treat the root cause instead of just masking symptoms. Whether it's bioidentical therapy, lifestyle shifts, or targeted nutrients, women deserve to know that their brains and their hormones are on the same team—and that relief is possible.Study source: Biomedical Reports (2025)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40083602Clip 14: Social Media Changes Teen Brain WiringWe now have MRI data showing that the more often a teen checks social media, the more their brain becomes wired for external validation. In a study from UNC Chapel Hill, researchers found that teens who compulsively checked platforms like Instagram or Snapchat showed measurable changes in the brain's reward centers. These areas lit up more intensely over time, meaning their brains were becoming increasingly sensitive to likes, comments, and digital attention. This isn't just about being distracted. It's about a neurological shift in what they find rewarding—and that shift can impact everything from self-worth to emotional regulation. The researchers even found that this pattern predicts increased anxiety and depression, especially in girls. And it makes sense—when your self-esteem is tied to a number on a screen, even a small drop in engagement feels like social rejection. So what can parents do? First, understand that this isn't just 'teen stuff.' This is brain development. Second, set tech boundaries that prioritize boredom, creativity, and real-life interaction. Even a two-week break can reset the system. Social media isn't going away—but we have to teach kids how to use it without letting it rewire them.Study source: UNC-Chapel Hill (2023)https://www.unc.edu/posts/2023/01/03/study-shows-habitual-checking-of-social-media-may-impact-young-adolescents-brain-developmenClip 16: Screen Time and Toddlers' SleepSleep is how toddlers consolidate memory, regulate mood, and grow both physically and neurologically. But more and more research is showing that screen exposure—even if it's 'educational'—can seriously disrupt toddler sleep. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children ages 2 to 5 who used screens within an hour of bedtime had shorter total sleep and more fragmented rest. Blue light delays melatonin production. Fast-paced content overstimulates the nervous system. And passive consumption before bed blunts their natural wind-down process. We think of it as relaxing—but their brains don't. What's worse is that these disruptions don't just affect nighttime. They carry over into the next day—affecting focus, mood, and even immune function. That's why experts now recommend at least 60 minutes of screen-free time before lights out—especially for young kids. Replace it with a bath, a book, a calm routine. These rituals help their circadian rhythm sync naturally. Sleep isn't just a health pillar—it's a developmental requirement. And screens may be the single biggest obstacle we're overlooking.Study source: JAMA Pediatrics (2024)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/282519Clip 18: Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals = Global Health RiskA sweeping review by the Endocrine Society in 2024 called endocrine-disrupting chemicals a 'global health threat.' These are substances—often found in plastics, pesticides, cosmetics, and even receipts—that can mimic, block, or interfere with your body's hormones. They've been linked to everything from infertility to obesity to neurological conditions and cancer. And they're everywhere. Prenatal exposure can affect fetal brain development. Chronic exposure is associated with thyroid dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. And it's not about one product—it's about cumulative load. What's scary is how underregulated many of these substances are in the U.S. compared to Europe. But what's hopeful is that you *can* reduce your exposure. Swap plastic for glass. Say no to fragrance. Wash produce well. Choose organic when you can. Each swap reduces total burden. This isn't alarmist. This is modern environmental medicine. And it affects every system in your body.Study source: Endocrine Society Global Consensus Statement (2024)https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2024/latest-science-shows-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-in-pose-health-threats-globallyClip 19: Gut-Brain Axis and Mental HealthWe used to think the brain controlled everything. Now we know the gut plays just as big a role—especially in mental health. The gut-brain axis is a communication superhighway that links your microbiome to your nervous system. And studies show that disruptions in gut health are strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and even neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD. Certain gut bacteria help produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA. Others regulate inflammation, which directly impacts mood. A 2025 review of over 50 studies found that targeted probiotics improved symptoms of depression in many patients—sometimes as effectively as medication. What you eat, how you digest, and what lives in your gut may affect your mind more than your therapist knows. That doesn't mean meds aren't useful—but it means we have to zoom out. If your gut is inflamed, your brain is inflamed. And no amount of mindset work can override a body that's chemically out of balance. Heal the gut. Watch what changes.Study source: PubMed Meta-Review on Gut-Brain Axis (2025)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3963000Perimenopause: Recognizing and Addressing Early SymptomsDid you know that up to 90% of women experience symptoms of perimenopause years before menopause actually begins? Despite that, most women are either dismissed by doctors or told they're too young to be entering that phase. Perimenopause can start as early as your mid-30s, and it's not just hot flashes—it's insomnia, anxiety, irritability, brain fog, and cycle irregularities. A study from Stanford's Center for Lifestyle Medicine in 2025 emphasized that when women are supported with hormone therapy earlier—during perimenopause, not just postmenopause—they report significantly better mental clarity, energy, and quality of life. But here's the problem: most conventional providers aren't trained to spot this transition, and women are left thinking it's just stress, parenting, or age catching up with them. When really, it's hormones shifting. Estradiol begins to fluctuate, progesterone declines, and the nervous system takes the hit. Women deserve to know what's happening inside their bodies—and what they can do about it. Simple steps like tracking symptoms, checking hormone levels through saliva or urine testing, and considering targeted bioidentical support can change everything. This isn't about vanity—it's about function, clarity, and reclaiming your life before things spiral. If you've ever thought, 'I just don't feel like myself anymore,' and your labs came back 'normal,' this is your sign to dig deeper. You're not crazy. You're not weak. You're likely perimenopausal. And you deserve care that actually sees you.Study source: Stanford Lifestyle Medicine (2025)https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2025/03/06/menopause-hormone-therapy-is-making-a-comeback-is-it-safe-and-right-for-you/Menopause and Muscle Mass: The Critical Role of Resistance TrainingMuscle loss during and after menopause is one of the most overlooked drivers of weight gain, fatigue, and metabolic decline in women. In fact, women can lose up to 10% of their muscle mass in the first five years post-menopause. That's not just a cosmetic issue—it's a health crisis. Loss of muscle means decreased insulin sensitivity, weaker bones, and lower resting metabolic rate. But the good news? It's reversible. A landmark 2025 study from the University of Exeter showed that menopausal women who engaged in just 12 weeks of resistance training experienced a 21% improvement in lower body flexibility and significant increases in strength and mobility. What's even more promising is that these improvements came from just two to three sessions a week using basic strength exercises. Muscle is your metabolic engine. And during menopause, when estrogen drops, protecting that muscle becomes your superpower. This isn't about getting shredded or spending hours at the gym—it's about lifting enough weight to send your body the message that it's still needed. Because when your body doesn't get that message, it starts letting muscle go. This leads to increased fat gain, inflammation, and risk of chronic disease. If you're entering menopause or already postmenopausal and you're not lifting weights, you're missing one of the most effective, protective tools for your long-term health.Study source: University of Exeter (2025)https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/first-of-its-kind-study-shows-resistance-training-can-improve-physical-function-during-menopause/The Importance of Sexual Activity as We AgeHere's something most people don't expect: research shows that sexual satisfaction actually improves with age. A 2025 study published in Social Psychology revealed that older adults reported higher levels of emotional intimacy, comfort, and fulfillment during sex—especially when partnered with someone long-term. It turns out that fewer distractions, better communication, and reduced self-consciousness all contribute to more satisfying experiences in later years. But biology still plays a role. Hormonal shifts—like lower estrogen or testosterone—can affect desire, arousal, and comfort. The good news? These challenges are highly treatable. We now have non-invasive, low-risk treatments like vaginal DHEA, testosterone therapy, or pelvic floor physical therapy that can radically improve function and satisfaction. And here's the key: sexual health isn't just about sex. It's about cardiovascular health, immune health, sleep, and mood. An active sex life improves oxytocin levels, reduces stress, and strengthens the emotional bond between partners. Unfortunately, a lot of providers still don't ask about it. And many people are too embarrassed to bring it up. But this is a health issue—and you deserve support. So if intimacy has changed, bring it into the conversation. Because aging doesn't have to mean disconnect—it can actually mean rediscovery.Study source: PsyPost (2025)https://www.psypost.org/sexual-satisfactions-link-to-marital-happiness-grows-stronger-with-age/Preventing Alzheimer's and Type 2 Diabetes: Blood Sugar and Brain HealthThere's a reason Alzheimer's is now being called 'Type 3 Diabetes.' A 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open found that people with Type 2 Diabetes who kept their A1C in the target range significantly lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. In fact, risk was reduced by up to 60%. Why? Because insulin resistance doesn't just affect your pancreas—it affects your brain. High insulin impairs memory centers like the hippocampus, increases inflammation, and accelerates plaque formation. That means your morning bagel and soda aren't just spiking your blood sugar—they may be spiking your dementia risk. The solution isn't extreme dieting. It's metabolic awareness. Simple tools like continuous glucose monitors, strength training, walking after meals, and eliminating ultra-processed carbs can dramatically stabilize blood sugar. Add in sleep and stress management, and you've got a recipe for brain protection. Most people wait until symptoms start. But prevention is where the power is. If you have a family history of Alzheimer's or Type 2 Diabetes, take this seriously. Your future brain is being built right now by the food on your plate.Study source: JAMA Network Open (2024)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821878Testosterone and Aging: It's Not Just About Sex DriveMost people hear 'testosterone' and immediately think of sex drive. But this hormone does way more than that. Testosterone plays a critical role in muscle maintenance, bone density, energy, focus, and mood. A 2025 review from the HE Clinics found that testosterone levels in men start declining around age 30—and continue to drop about 1% per year. That might sound gradual, but by your late 40s or 50s, it's enough to cause noticeable issues: brain fog, irritability, fatigue, and loss of motivation. What's even more concerning is that low testosterone has now been linked to a 26% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. The brain literally needs testosterone to function well. The challenge is, many men go undiagnosed because they don't get tested—or they get told their levels are 'normal for their age.' But 'normal' doesn't mean optimal. And restoring optimal levels, especially with bioidentical therapies under medical supervision, has been shown to improve mood, clarity, libido, and physical performance. This isn't about bodybuilder doses or quick fixes—it's about reversing a gradual decline that's robbing men of their edge. If you or your partner feels like something is off, it's worth investigating. Because aging doesn't have to mean decline. It can mean recalibration.Study source: HE Clinics (2025)https://heclinics.com/testosterone-therapy-in-older-men-recent-findings/Why Functional Medicine Is Gaining Ground Over Conventional CareIf you've ever felt dismissed in a 7-minute doctor's appointment, you're not alone. Traditional primary care is built for volume—not personalization. That's where functional medicine comes in. A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients receiving care through a functional medicine model saw a 30% greater improvement in health-related quality of life than those in conventional care. Why? Because functional medicine is built around asking better questions, running more comprehensive labs, and looking for root causes—not just masking symptoms. Instead of saying 'your labs are normal,' we ask, 'are you thriving?' We look at hormones, nutrition, sleep, gut health, toxin exposure, and genetics as pieces of a bigger picture. This approach is proactive—not reactive. It focuses on reversing disease, not just managing it. More and more people are turning to this kind of care because they're tired of feeling unseen. If you've been told everything is fine but you still feel off, functional medicine might be the approach you need. You deserve care that listens longer, digs deeper, and treats the whole you.Study source: JAMA Network Open (2019)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2753520A word from my sponsors:Quince - Get cozy in Quince's high-quality wardrobe essentials. Go to Quince.com/honest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. LMNT - Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at drinklmnt.com/HONEST. Ritual - Support a balanced gut microbiome with Ritual's Synbiotic+. Get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com/BEHONEST. Happy Squatting. Primal Kitchen - primalkitchen.com/honest to save 20% off your next order with code HONEST at checkout.Fatty15 - You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/HONEST and using code HONEST at checkout.Bilt Rewards - Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/HONEST. For more Let's Be Honest, follow along at:@kristincavallari on Instagram@kristincavallari and @dearmedia on TikTokLet's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari on YouTubeProduced by Dear Media.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Il 90% delle persone che soffrono di disturbi alimentari sono donne, questo legame tra i DCA e il genere femminile non è solo una questione legata all'aspetto fisico ma riguarda anche le strutture di potere e le norme di genere. L'idealizzazione della magrezza nei media e l'associazione della bellezza con la perfezione fisica, giocano un ruolo fondamentale nell'influenzare lo sviluppo di questi disturbi. Ne abbiamo parlato con Sofia Pallante, biologa nutrizionista. https://www.instagram.com/unanutrizionistaxamica/# Rumore è un podcast di Roma Tre Radio. Voci: Melissa Ventura e Sabrina Picardi Scrittura: Sabrina Picardi Musiche: Daniele Muriana Montaggio: Daniele Muriana e Mattia Cona Supervisione editoriale: Cristiana Mugnaini FONTI E CONSIGLI DI LETTURA [1] Minadeo, M., & Pope, L. (2022). Weight-normative messaging predominates on TikTok — A qualitative content analysis. PLOS ONE, 17(11), Article e0267997. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267997 [2] Tylka, T.L., Annunziato, R.A., Burgard, D., Daníelsdóttir, S., Shuman, E., Davis, C., & Calogero, R.M. (2014). The weight-inclusive versus weight-normative approach to health: Evaluating the evidence for prioritizing well-being over weight loss. Journal of Obesity, 2014, Article 983495. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/983495 [3] MacPherson, R. (2022, February 23). What is diet culture? Verywell Fit. https://www.verywellfit.com/what-is-diet-culture-5194402 [4] National Eating Disorders Association. Weight Stigma.https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/weight-stigma [5] Solmi, F., Sharpe, H., Gage, S.H., Maddock, J., Lewis, G., & Patalay, P. (2021). Changes in the prevalence and correlates of weight-control behaviors and weight perception in adolescents in the UK, 1986-2015. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(3), 267–275. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.4746 [6] l'indagine IPSOS per ActionAid, “Giovani e violenza tra pari ", 2023, https://www.actionaid.it/informati/notizie/violenza-tra-adolescenti-indagine-actionaid-ipsos [7] Furnham, A., & Voli, V. (1989). Gender stereotypes in Italian television advertisements

The amount of time children and adolescents spend with a screen is absolutely stunning. Lots of people, including parents, health leaders, educators, elected leaders from both parties I might mention, and even children themselves, are highly concerned and are discussing what might be done about all this. I'm delighted to begin this series of podcasts on children and screen time. Today we're welcoming two very special guests who can talk about this topic in general, and especially about what's being done to protect children and adolescents. Several podcasts will follow this one that deal with food and nutrition in particular. Our first guest, Kris Perry, is Executive Director of Children and Screens, an organization devoted to protecting children. In the digital world by addressing media's impact on child development, communicating state-of-the-art information, and working with policymakers. Prior to joining children in Screens, Kris was senior advisor of the Governor of California and Deputy Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. Our other guest, Dr. Dimitri Christakis is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and director of the Center for Child Health Behavior and Development at Seattle Children's. He's also editor-in-chief of JAMA Pediatrics and both Chief Scientific Officer and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Children and Screens. He's also the co-editor of a new book that I'm very excited to discuss. Interview Summary Download The Handbook of Children and Screens: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5 Kris, let's start with you. Could you set the stage and give us some sense of how much time children spend in front of screens, children and adolescents, and what devices are being used and what kind of trends are you seeing? Yes, I'd be happy to. I had better news for your listeners, but as you might imagine, since the advent of the smartphone and social media, the youth digital media use has been increasing each year. Especially as children get older and have increasing demands on their time to use screens. But let's just start at the beginning of the lifespan and talk about kids under the age of two who shockingly are spending as much as two hours a day on screens. Most spend about 50 minutes, but there's a significant chunk spending up to two hours. And that rises to three or three to five hours in childhood. And eventually in adolescence, approximately eight and a half hours a day our adolescents are spending online. Also wanted to talk a little bit about middle childhood children, six to 12 years of age. 70% of them already have a social media account, and we all know social media wasn't designed for children. And there are restrictions on children under 13 using them, and yet children six to 12 most have an account already. Over half of four-year-olds have a tablet and two thirds of children have their own device by the age of eight; and 90% of teens. This probably won't be surprising, and yet we should really think about what this means; that 90% of teens are using YouTube, 60% are on TikTok and Instagram, and 55% use Snapchat. I'll stop by ending on a really alarming statistic. Oh my, there's more? There's more. I know it! I told you. I'll be the bearer of bad news so that we can talk about solutions later. But, children are checking their devices as often as 300 times per day. 300 times. 300 times per day, and we're talking about screen time right now. And we know that when you're using time to be on screens, you are not doing something else. And we know that childhood is full of challenges and skill building and mastery that requires repetition and tenacity and grit and effort. And the more children are on their screens, whether it's social media or other entertainment, they're not doing one of these other critical child development tasks. That's pretty amazing. And the fact that the older kids are spending more time on before a screen than they are in school is pretty alarming. And the younger, the really youngest kids, that's especially alarming. So, Dimitri, why should we fret about this? And I realize that fret is kind of a mild word here. Maybe all I'll panic would be better. But what are some of the major concerns? Well, I don't think panic is ever the right reaction, but the numbers Kris conveyed, you know, I think do paint a, let's say, concerning story. You know, the simple reality is that there's only so much time in a day. And if you think about it, teenagers in particular should sleep for eight to 10 hours a day at a minimum. They really should be in school six and a half, seven hours a day. And then when you add the numbers, Kris conveyed, you realize that something's giving because there isn't enough time left to spend eight and a half hours a day. The two things at a minimum that are giving are sleep. Kids are losing sleep to be on screens. And I'm sorry to say that they're losing school while they're on screens. We just published a paper that used passive sensing to see where and when children are on their screens. And found that the typical child in the United States spends an hour and a half during the school day on their device. And it's not, before any of your guests ask, on Wikipedia or Encyclopedia Britannica. It's on the usual suspects of social media, TikTok, etc. So, you know, we talk about displacement, and I think it's pretty obvious what's being displaced during school hours. Its time focused on learning if it's in the classroom, and time focused on being authentically present in real time and space if it's during recess. School hours are precious in that way, and I think it is concerning that they're spending that much time in school. And I told you the median. Of course, some kids are above that, a significant half of them are above it. And at the high end, they're spending 30 to 40% of school time on screens. Now, some schools have enacted policies. They don't typically enforce them very well. One of the things that drives me nuts, Kelly, is that as an academic, you know we love to argue amongst ourselves and hem and haw. And this issue about whether or not there's such a phenomenon as digital addiction is still being hotly debated. Honestly, the only behavioral addiction that's being seriously considered at this point is gaming disorder. The DSM-5 didn't consider gaming, considered it, but didn't include, it said it needed further study in 2013. In 2022, the WHO did include gaming disorder as an ICD-11 diagnosis. But just as further evidence how slow science is compared to technology., I mean gaming, while it's still an entity, represents a small fraction of most people's screen time. And the numbers that Kris conveyed, a small fraction of that for some on average was gaming. For some people, it's their screen use of choice, but for many, it's social media. YouTube, although I consider YouTube to be a social media, etc. And at the high end when you hear the numbers Kris conveyed in my mind that's a behavioral addiction any way you define it. Well, and if you think about things that we all agree are addictive, like nicotine and alcohol and heroin, people aren't doing it 300 times a day. So it's really pretty remarkable. And that's exactly right. One of the salient criteria for those addictions is that it's interfering with activities of daily living. Well, you can't be on a screen for nine hours a day when you're supposed to be asleep for 10 and at school for six without interfering with activities of day. The math isn't there. And things like being physically active and going out and playing. That's right. It doesn't add up. So, you don't need the DSM-5. You don't need a psychiatrist. You need a mathematician to tell you that there's too much time on this thing. Alright, so Kris, talk to us if you will, about the Children and Screens organization. I have a lot of respect for the organization and its work. Tell us how it got started and what its objectives are. Well, it's so great to be on this show with you and get to see you in your day job, Kelly. Because you've been an advisor, like Dimitri, to the institute almost since its inception, which is in 2013. As you know, our founder, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra, really became concerned as a parent about the way digital media was impacting her children and sought out some answers. Well, what does this mean? Why is this happening? What should I do? And found out that this, of course, is 2013, this is a long time ago. There wasn't that much research yet. And it was multidisciplinary. In other words, there might be a study among neuroscientists or developmental psychologists, even ophthalmologists. But there really hadn't been, yet, a concerted effort to bring these different disciplines and the research together to try to answer some of these hard questions about the impact on kids. And lo and behold, here we are, almost 13 years since the advent of the smartphone and social media. And there is an astounding amount of research across disciplines. So, what we do at the institute is we try to translate it as fast as we can and make it actionable for parents, providers, and policy makers. And we do that through our Ask the Experts webinar series where we bring the experts themselves directly to our audience to talk about these impacts and answer questions. We also create printables, you might say, like tip sheets and Research at a Glance Digest, and newsletters and FAQs and we've upgraded our website to make it very navigable for parents of kids of all ages. I even started my own podcast this year, which has been really fun. Dimitri was my first guest, so it's great to see him here. And we have convenings. We're having our third Digital Media Developing Mind Scientific Congress this summer where the experts come together in person to discuss issues. And we really try to focus them on advancing research and supporting it, translating it, and positioning the issue as a policy priority. We'll be in Washington, DC where we know lawmakers are grappling with the impact of digital media on child development, how to make online, products safer for kids and protect their data. The Institute is in the middle of all of this, trying to facilitate more discussion, more results and more support for parents primarily. Kris, a couple of things occur to me. One is that the breadth of work you do is really very impressive because you're not only having very hands-on kind of in the real world ex advice for parents on how to navigate this world, but you have advice for and helpful resources for policy makers and for researchers and people. It's really quite an impressive breadth of work. The other thing that occurred to me is that I don't think you and I would have any podcast career at all if it hadn't been for Dimitri helping us out. So thanks Dimitri. Yeah. So, let me ask you, Dimitri, so I know that both you and Kris are committed to an evidence-based approach to making policy. Yeah. But technology advances way more quickly than scientists can evaluate it. Much less come up with policies to deal with it. And by the time research gets funded, completed, published, you're on to eight new levels of technology. So how does one handle this fundamental problem of pace? It's a really good question. I mean, I can tell you that we should at a minimum learn from the mistakes we've made in the past. And, you know, one of the most critical, frankly, that most people don't really understand is that we talk about the age at which children get social media accounts in this country. Kris pointed out that actually pre-teens routinely have social media accounts. Social media companies do very little to age gate. They're trying to do more now, but even the age at which we've accepted it is being normative is 13. Few people know where that comes from. That doesn't come from talking to pediatricians, psychologists, parents about what age is the appropriate age. It comes entirely from COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), which basically was the original privacy act that said that before the age of 13, companies could not collect data from children. So, because these companies were interested in collecting data, they set the age at 13 so as to not have any constraints on the data they collected. Well, that's not even common sense-based policy, let alone evidence-based policy. And it's never been revisited since. It's very troubling to me. And as things move forward, I think we have to learn from those mistakes. Medicine has a maxim which is do no harm. We use that phrase a lot and I think it's a good one in this case. I think it's a particularly good one as we see the new technologies emerging around artificial intelligence. And you know, again, like any new technology, it has incredible upside. We made the mistake and we're still paying for it, about not appreciating the downsides of social network sites, and frankly, the internet in general. And I would hope we put guardrails in place now. And if you will apply the same standard we apply to other non-technology based products. You can't introduce a new pharmaceutical to anybody, let alone to children, until you show it's safe and effective. You can't bring toys to the world that are dangerous. Why do we have more safety precautions around toys than we do around websites for children? You know, a lot of it involves changing defaults, doesn't it? Because if the default is that government or somebody out there has to prove that something is harmful before it gets taken away. That changes everything then if you began at a different point where these companies have to prove that these things are safe. Correct. Or they're permitted. Then the companies would find workarounds and they would play games with that too, but at least that would help some. Well, it would help some. And at least we'd be philosophically in the right place. By the way, Kris didn't say it, so I'll say it. You know, the mission of Children and Screens, lest we sound like Luddites here, is not get kids away from technology. Take away their smartphones. We all recognize that technology is here to stay. I think all of us appreciate the incredible upside that it brings to children's lives. The mission of Children and Screens is to help children lead healthy lives in a digital world. And part of the reason she and I often talk about the concerns we have is because the pros make the case for themselves. I mean, you know, no one needs to come here and tell you how amazing it is that you could Google something or that you could get somewhere with GPS. I mean, we know it's amazing and we all rely on it. And none of us are ever talking about getting rid of that stuff. That makes good sense. It's like, you know, children benefit from the fact that they can get around with their parents in the automobile. But you want to have car seats in there to protect them. Exactly. And that's exactly right. There needs to be assurances of safety and they're none. I mean, they're really virtually none. The age getting is a joke. And even if we accept it as effective, the age set of 13 is too young, in my opinion. We started this conversation talking about these medias being addictive, I believe they're addictive. There are legitimate academics that will debate me on that, and I'm happy to join that debate. But as I said before, it's a tough argument to win when people spending upwards of 10 to 16 hours a day doing it. I don't know what you call that besides addictive. We can argue about what percentage are doing that, but nevertheless, once you accept something as addictive, for other addictive things we immediately age gate it above 18 or 21, right? Mm-hmm. We don't believe that the teenagers have the ability to regulate their alcohol or tobacco or gambling, all of which we accept are addictive. In fact, in the case of alcohol, we raised the age from 18 to 21 because we thought even 18-year-olds weren't able to do it. And yet somehow for this behavior, we think of it as just so different that it doesn't require greater cognitive capacity. And I don't believe that. Yeah, very good point. Kris, let me ask you a question about how you and your colleagues at Children and Screens set priorities because there are a lot of things that one could potentially worry about as outcomes. There's violence that kids see on social media. There's cognitive and brain development, social developments, social interactions, and bullying. Mental health, body image, diet, all these things are out there. How do you decide what to work on? Well, we try to work on all of it. And in fact, we've built up a fair amount of expertise and resources around almost 25 different topics. And we also understand that, you know, childhood is a long period of time. Birth to 18, birth to 21, birth to 25, depending on who you talk to. So, we're able to take those 25 topics and also provide deeper, you might say, resources that address the different stages of development. We're really trying to do as much as we can. What's been interesting over these last few years is trying to figure out when to be reactive, when to be proactive. And by being proactive, we go out looking for the research, translating it, digesting it, and creating materials with it that we think are really accessible and actionable. At the same time, as Dimitri points out, there are policy windows and there are opportunities that present themselves that you have to react to. If you just only talk about what you want to talk about to each other you're missing some of these external opportunities to inform policy and policy makers. Help influence the way that parents and providers are talking about the issue. Framing it in such a way that engages youth and makes them want what we want for them. We're really excited by increasing opportunities to partner in coalitions with others that care about kids and teachers and nurses and doctors. But we also are speaking directly to leaders in states and school districts at the federal level, at the local level. You would be, I'm sure, not surprised to hear that we are contacted every day by groups that support parents and families. Asking for resources, asking for support, because they're seeing the impact now over many years on their children, their development. Their academic ability. Their cognitive and analytical ability. Their social emotional ability. Their ability to pay attention to tasks that we all know are critical in building that foundation for essentially, you know, future success. The Institute is being pulled in many directions. Ee try really hard to be strategic about what are people asking us for? What does the research say and how can we get that to them as quickly as possible? Dimitri - Can I add to that? You know, I want to emphasize that the concern around the effects of screen use on children's lives is shared by parents on both sides of the aisle. 75% of parents are concerned about the impact of screens on their children's lives. 35% of teenagers are concerned about their dependents on screens and that it has a negative effect on their lives. Actually by some studies, some surveys, even more than 35 to 50% of teenagers are concerned. And both sides of the political aisle agree in large part of this. And Kris and Kelly, you guys are the policy wonks, you can speak more to that. So it's a serious indictment on us as grownups and as a society that we have not done more to deliver on this issue. Why? When there's bipartisan agreement amongst many policymakers. This is not a political [00:22:00] issue to speak of and there is widespread concern on the part of parents and even teenagers. Why is nothing happening? Well, one has to look no further than where the money is. And that's a problem. I mean, that's a serious indictment on our political system when we can't deliver something that is needed and basically wanted by everybody but the industry itself. We'll come back and talk in a few moments about the policy issues and where industry gets involved here. But let me take just a bit of a detour from that and talk about the book that I mentioned earlier, because I think it's such a valuable resource. Now, when I mention the name of this book I'm urging our listeners to write this down or to remember it because you can get the book at no cost. And I'll come back, Kris, and explain what made that possible and why the decision was to make this an open access book. But Dimitri, let's begin with you. So you, along with Lauren Hale, edited this book that's entitled, The Handbook of Children and Screens: Digital Media Development and Wellbeing From Birth Through Adolescence. I think it's an extraordinary piece of work, but tell, tell us about the book.  It was an extraordinary undertaking. There's I think 178 or 180 authors. Literally, it's a who's who of experts in children and media research in all disciplines. It represents pediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, communications experts, demography, lawyers, neuroscientists. I don't know who I'm forgetting. Every single discipline is represented. Leading scientists in all of those areas. Virtually every topic that someone might be of interest to people. And we deliberately made the chapters short and easily accessible. So, it is, I think, a great resource for the constituents we serve. For teachers, for parents, for researchers, for policymakers. And it is free. The hardest part of it, to be honest, as an editor, was getting peer reviewers because unfortunately, every expert was conflicted since they all had an article in it. But it was a long time coming. And again, this was really the brainchild of Pam (Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra) and we're grateful to have brought it along. So, you go all the way from the neuroscience, how children's brains are reacting to this, all the way out there into the public policy and legal arena about what can be done about it. And then kind of everything in between. It's remarkable how much the book covers. It's almost a thousand pages. I mean, it is a tome to be sure. And don't forget to mention, Dimitri, we aren't even two months post publication, and we have 1.6 million views of the document, despite its gargantuan size. I think that is really a tribute to experts like you and others that have really studied this issue and can speak directly to its impacts. It's been great to see the success so far. You know, not a small number of those views is from me logging on. And then a million from me and then we got there. So, it is free because it's online and you can download it. You can also order a hard copy for I think, $60, but I'm not sure why you would do that if you can download it for free. But it's up to you. So, Kris, it's unusual for a book like this to be made open access and free to the general public. What made that possible and why was that so important? We want the maximum number of people to use it and treat it like the premier resource that it is. And the only way you can really do that is to fund it to be open access and find a publisher that does open access publishing, which we did with Springer. I mean, most journal articles are behind a paywall and publishers do require you to purchase either a subscription or the document itself to download it or order it. And we just really wanted maximum access. So, we funded it to be published in that way. And I think honestly, it helped us even sort of create it in the first place. People want to be a part of something that has that level of access and is available so widely. So, I think it was a kind of mutually beneficial. It gets more people to read it, but it got more people to write for it too, I think. Right, Dimitri? Dimitri - I agree. I mean, you know, the numbers 1.6 million are extraordinary. I mean, Kelly, you've been internal editor. I mean, as a editor of JAMA Pediatrics, if an article gets 70,000 views, it's in our top 1%, you know, 200,000 views is 0.01%. 1.6 million in growing is really extraordinary. And that's about the number of people that read my articles. 1.6. And of course, they're not all scientists. I mean, many of them are parents and maybe are policy makers, but that's Kris's point, you know. The moment anyone hits a paywall, even if it's a dollar or two, they're going to walk away. It's great to see it get so much traction. Alright, so again, for our listeners, the title of the book is The Handbook of Children and Screens. And it's really a terrific resource. Alright, so let's turn our attention to a really important matter. And we've sort of touched on this, but who's in charge of protecting our children? You know, Dimitri at the end of the day help survey this landscape for us. I mean, is it congress, is it the administrative branch of government? What role do the courts play? Are there legal actors taking meaningful action? What's being done does it come anywhere near, meeting the need. Tell us about what that landscape is like? Well, there isn't adequate protections for children. And we talked a little bit about that earlier. There's been an enormous loophole, unfortunately, created by Congress when they added the Section 230 to the Communications Decency Act in 1996. And that was put in place essentially to provide protections for internet companies. And it basically said that they should be treated like bookstores and not publishers. That they weren't responsible for content they were just conveying it. And what that means, in effect, was that the companies had sort of carte blanche to do whatever they want. And they've used that very effectively, legally, to argue that any restriction, any culpability on their part, is protected by that Act. That they're exonified for any ill that occurs as a result of their product. The only exception that's been made of it, to date, was around sex trafficking on back page, if anyone remembers that. But other than that, social media sites and internet sites in general have been able to say that they're not liable for anything that's done. And I think that was a huge mistake that was made. It needs to be rectified. It's being challenged in the courts presently. My own belief is that, and I'm not speaking as a lawyer, is that when that law was passed, it was under the assumption as I said, that they were just conveying information. No one at the time foresaw the development of algorithms that would feed the information. It's really not a bookstore when you are making recommendations. Once you start recommending things, I think you're no longer merely a purveyor of product. You're actually pushing it. So, Kris, tell us about the Children and Screens and the role the organization plays in this space. And how do you deal with policy and is it possible to be bipartisan? Yeah, I mean, it's essential. There's no way to get anything done, anywhere on these policy matters at a population level without working in a bipartisan or non-partisan manner, which is what we've always done. And it's easy to do that when you're following the science, not ideology. And you're putting the science first and you're creating resources and tools and support for those mostly staffers, honestly, that are trying to help their bosses get smarter and better at talking about these issues as they evolve and become more complicated over time. It takes more effort to staff a lawmaker on this front. And they're very anxious to learn and understand because they're meeting with parents of children who have been harmed. Or frankly didn't even survive their childhood because of the social media platform. There's great urgency on the part of policymakers. We've heard everything from school phone bans to outright social media bans proposed as policies. And one thing I like to come back to is it's one thing to want to take action and make your best guess at what would have the best impact. But it's another thing to study whether or not that policy actually achieved its result. And it's a part of this that by staying bipartisan, nonpartisan allows us to say, 'Hey lawmaker, if you're able to get that to happen, we'd really like to come in and help study whether or not your idea actually achieves the results that you wanted, or if it needs to be adjusted or amended over time.' Fantastic. That's so important to be doing that work, and I'm delighted the organization is doing it. Let me ask a question here. If you think about some of the areas of public health that I've been following, like tobacco, for example. Opioids more recently. Vaping products. And in the case of my own particular work food policy. The administrative legislative branches of government have been almost completely ineffective. If I think about food policy over the years, relatively little has been accomplished. Even though lots of people have worked really hard on it. Same thing happened with tobacco for many years. Opioids, same thing.  And it's until you get the third branch of government involved, the judiciary, and you start suing the actors who were causing the harm do you get much action. Not only do the lawsuits seem to have an effect, but they soften the ground for legislative things that then can occur because public opinion has changed. And then those things help make a difference as well. What do you think about that kind of issue in this space?  I think you're exactly right. I mean, I think the failure of our legislative branch to enact policy leaves us with very few options at this point anyway, except to try to pursue it through the judiciary. There are challenges there. First and foremost, it's a big and well-funded industry, not unlike tobacco or big food, as you mentioned and there's this Section 230 that's given them kind of blanket immunity to date. But there are many, many very large pending cases in several jurisdictions brought by individuals, brought by school districts, brought by states. And those, at least provisionally have gotten further than prior cases have with which have been thrown out based on Section 230. So, we'll see what happens with that litigation. But right now, my guess is it's the best chance we have to set some guardrails. And I think there are plenty of guardrails that could be set. Everything that these companies have done to make their products addictive can be undone. Can be made protective. The tobacco company deliberately designed their products to be addictive. While they tried to make the claims that they were less addictive, you know. They made light cigarettes that had holes in the filter so that it would diffuse the carbon and nicotine, but people quickly learned they could cover those up with their fingers and think they were smoking light cigarettes, and smoke more of them. There's a lot of things that can be done in this space to undesign the problematic nature of the products. And quite apart from the financial settlements, which will get companies attention, I hope that that's part of any settlement if it gets that far. It'll be interesting to see where those go. And, also historically, one important part of these lawsuits is what gets turned up in discovery. And what sort of intent the companies have and how much do they know about harms. And how much do they know about addiction and things like that. And how they might have proceeded in the face of that information that then doesn't get disclosed to the public. In any event, we'll see where that goes. Dimitri, what about the argument that responsibility resides with parents. It's up to parents to protect their kids from this, and government doesn't need to be involved. I've never understood that argument. I mean parents obviously are children's most important safeguard, but as a society, we enact policies and laws to assist parents in that. I mean to me, if I made the argument, well, why, why do we have minimum ages of drinking. It's parents' job to make sure their kids don't drink. How would that possibly play out? Look, it's hard enough as a parent anyway, because kids do get around these laws. But we still have them and it's a lot easier as a parent. I think most parents would agree their life's made easier by minimum age restrictions on certain things. We have seatbelt laws. I mean, why do we have seatbelt laws? Why don't we just tell its parents' job to make sure their kids buckle up? The truth is its society and parents working hand in hand to try and keep children safe. And I think it also helps parents to be able to say that there are laws around this, and I expect you to follow the laws. So, I don't think it's an either or. Okay, well, I think that's a very good way to frame it. There are many, many precedents where we protect children. And why not do it here too? So let me end with a question I'd like to ask both of you. So, in this sea of concerns that we've discussed, is there a reason for optimism? And Kris, let me start, start with you. What do you think? Absolutely. I think the young people I've met that are leading among their peers are incredibly impressive and are armed with the research and their energy and their own lived experience in ways that are very compelling. At the same time, I think the vast amount of research that has now been compiled and translated and acted upon, whether in courtrooms or in state houses, it's becoming more, and we're all getting more steeped and aware of more nuanced information. And finally, I would just say, there is a tipping point. We are reaching as a society, adults and kids alike, we are reaching a tipping point where we can't withstand the pressure of technology in every aspect, every corner of our day, our life. And we want relief. We deserve relief. And I think that's what's going to take us over the finish line. Good. Well, I'm glad to hear those optimistic notes. Dimitri, what about you? I can find reasons to be optimistic. I mean, look, the reality is that technologies have enriched our lives in many ways. And I think if we put guardrails in place, we can make sure that future ones do even better. I have a piece coming out in JAMA Pediatrics around the use of AI, which people are very concerned about, I think rightly. But specifically, about the use of AI and people with intellectual developmental disabilities, making the use case, that there are ways in which it could be extremely beneficial to that population. A population I care deeply about in my role as the Chief Health Officer at Special Olympics International. And in particular, let's say in terms of the doctor patient interaction where it could facilitate their communication with their provider, and it could also help the provider better communicate with them. Look, that use case isn't going to be a priority for the purveyors of artificial intelligence. It's a small, non-lucrative use of a technology. But it's a good one. And if we created the right incentives and put in the right guardrails, we could find many other ways that technology can serve the needs of all of us going forward. I think the problem is that we've tended to be reactive rather than proactive. And to not start with the do no harm first premise, particularly when it comes to children. AI is another example of that where I hope we don't make the same mistake we made with social media. Bios Kris Perry is the executive director of the Children and Screens Institute. Kris most recently served as Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Deputy Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency where she led the development of the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the expansion of access to high-quality early childhood programs. She led systems change efforts at the local, state and national levels in her roles as executive director of First 5 San Mateo, First 5 California and of the First Five Years Fund. Through it all, Perry has fought to protect children, improve and expand early learning programs, and increase investments in low-income children. Perry was instrumental in returning marriage equality to California after the landmark 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Hollingsworth v. Perry, which she wrote about in her book Love on Trial (Roaring Forties Press, 2017). Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH is the Children and Screens Institute's inaugural Chief Science Officer. He is also the George Adkins Professor at the University of Washington, Editor in Chief of JAMA Pediatrics, and the Chief Health Officer at Special Olympics International. Christakis is a leading expert on how media affects child health and development. He has published over 270 peer reviewed articles (h-index 101) including dozens of media-related studies and co-authored a groundbreaking book, The Elephant in the Living Room: Make Television Work for Your Kids. His work has been featured on Anderson Cooper 360, the Today Show, ABC, NBC, and CBS news as well as all major national newspapers. Christakis received his undergraduate degree at Yale University and his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his residency and Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar Fellowship at the University of Washington School of Medicine. 

Reference: Sax DR, et al. Emergency Severity Index Version 4 and Triage of Pediatric Emergency Department Patients. JAMA Pediatrics, October 2024 Date: February 12, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Brandon Ho is a graduating pediatric emergency medicine fellow at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC and soon to be attending physician at Seattle Children’s. His research […] The post SGEM#471: Are ESI Levels Accurate for Triage of Pediatric Patients? first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.

Vivimos pegados al móvil. Redes, notificaciones, mensajes… ¿Te imaginas cortar con todo eso durante una semana? En este video te cuento lo que ocurre en un detox digital de 7 días: lo que se siente, lo que cambiay por qué deberías probarlo.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, host Dr. Kathy delves into the challenges parents face when engaging with young children, particularly as they navigate the fast-paced world of toddlers. With insights drawn from a recent study by Drexel University, Dr. Kathy discusses the potential long-term effects of allowing very young children access to screens. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, highlights a concerning link between increased screen time during the first two years of life and the development of atypical sensory processing behaviors. Tune in for valuable tips on fostering healthier development rhythms for your children and understanding the impact of media consumption on their growth.

Send us a textIn this packed episode of Neo News, Eli, Ben, and Daphna dive into the headlines impacting neonatology and public health. The trio starts with the controversial confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of HHS, analyzing his actions around the CDC, NIH, vaccine policy, and the implications of promoting “informed consent” messaging in place of public health advocacy. Drawing from reporting by The New York Times, STAT News, and Science Magazine, the team unpacks how these shifts could affect vaccine uptake in the NICU.Next, they examine the threat to birthright citizenship in the U.S., based on analysis from The New York Times, and how immigration policy may directly impact NICU families' access to care and trust in healthcare systems.They also discuss a Wall Street Journal article detailing the erosion of trust in physicians post-pandemic and the fallout from a recent JAMA Pediatrics study on therapeutic hypothermia in late preterms, which raised questions about research transparency.Other highlights include studies from Scientific Reports, JAMA Network Open, and The New York Times on air pollution, paternity leave, language-concordant care, and breastfeeding. The show ends with a call to action from Dr. Shadel Shah's op-ed advocating for the continuation of the PREEMIE Act. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Infants born by vaginal birth are exposed to maternal vaginal bacteria, which are one of the contributing influences on the subsequent development of the infant's microbiome. This process is altered by cesarean delivery, which changes the initial microbiome of the neonate. It is theorized that infants born by cesarean delivery have an increased risk of chronic inflammatory conditions due to altered early-life microbiome colonization, with associated aberrant immune and metabolic development. Vaginal seeding is the practice of inoculating an infant born by cesarean section with a sampling of fluid, with the use of a guaze, from the vagina of the mother over the child's face, mouth, and nares. This is performed to introduce the neonate to the mother's vaginal flora for presumed better health outcomes. Although cautionary statements have been published about this practice, it remains very popular. In Feb 2025, a “viewpoint” was published in JAMA Pediatrics which has brough vaginal seeding back into the limelight. Does this work? What are the official statements about this from the ACOG and AAP? Is there a way to do this “safely”? We will cover this new publication, review the official professional society's statements….and more, in this episode.

You've probably heard the headline: guns and cars are the leading causes of death among children. But to understand what policymakers can actually do to bring down rates of firearm and motor vehicle fatalities, researchers are going deeper into the intersection of age, sex, race, and ethnicity in mortality rates. On this episode ofPolicy Outsider, hear from two co-authors of a recently published article on firearm and motor vehicle pediatric deaths in the journal JAMA Pediatrics how prevention efforts need to be targeted across different high-risk subgroups to be most effective in bringing down the number of children killed by cars and guns.GuestsJaclyn Schildkraut,Executive Director, Regional Gun Violence Research ConsortiumEric Fleegler,Pediatric Emergency Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolLois K. Lee,Senior Associate in Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolLearn MoreFirearm and Motor Vehicle Pediatric Deaths—Intersections of Age, Sex, Race, and Ethnicity (JAMA Pediatrics)

Send us a textIn this episode of Journal Club, Ben and Daphna are back in the studio for a lively discussion on the latest neonatal research. They start by highlighting upcoming conferences, including the BPD Collaborative meeting, before diving into a mix of clinical and policy-driven studies shaping neonatal care.They explore a JAMA Pediatrics study on the risk of apnea following two-month vaccinations in preterm infants, discussing how these findings impact vaccine counseling in the NICU. Next, they examine research on the link between pregnancy-induced hypertension and neonatal thrombocytopenia, offering insights into how maternal conditions affect early lab values and bleeding risks.The episode also features an EBNEO segment with Dr. Srishti Jayakumar and Dr. Sarah DeMauro, covering a Brazilian randomized trial on parent-guided developmental interventions for very low birth weight infants. The findings reveal significant improvements in motor and language outcomes, reinforcing the power of early parental involvement.Finally, they tackle the debate on NICU volume and outcomes, analyzing data that suggests higher-volume centers may improve mortality and morbidity rates—but with important caveats.Packed with critical analysis, debate, and practical insights, this Journal Club episode is one you won't want to miss! As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

The NACE Journal Club with Dr. Neil Skolnik, provides review and analysis of recently published journal articles important to the practice of primary care medicine. In this episode Dr. Skolnik and guests review the following publications:1. Large Language Model GPT-4 Compared to Endocrinologist Responses on Initial Choice of Antidiabetic Medication – Diabetes Care. Discussion by: Guest:James Flory, M.D.Associate Professorin the Weill Cornell Medical College Associate Attending at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.2. Risk of dementia associated with anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder in adults aged ≥55 years – BMJ Medicine. Discussion by:Guest:Kimberly Alfonso, MD, Resident– Family Medicine Residency ProgramJefferson Health – Abington3. Fluoride Exposure and Children's IQ Scores A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . JAMA Pediatrics 2024. Discussion by: Guest:Elyssa Heisey, DOResident– Family Medicine Residency ProgramJefferson Health – AbingtonMedical Director and Host, Neil Skolnik, MD, is an academic family physician who sees patients and teaches residents and medical students as professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University and Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program at Abington Jefferson Health in Pennsylvania. Dr. Skolnik graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and did his residency training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. This Podcast Episode does not offer CME/CE Credit. Send us a text about this episode.Send us a text about this episode. Please visit http://naceonline.com to engage in more live and on demand CME/CE content.

Amigos, ¡nuevo episodio de @lrdfdm! (20.1.2025) Geo politik:Israel se prepara para atacar los sitios nucleares de Irán, según un alto diplomático europeo. Popurrí:Joe Biden indulta a Fauci, Milley y más figuras antes de la entrada de Trump. Salud:Un estudio en JAMA Pediatrics analiza la relación entre el flúor y los coeficientes intelectuales en niños. Para el final: noticias purumpumpum y más. ¡No te lo pierdas!

Fluoridating the public water supply has been common practice for nearly 80 years in the U.S. It's an acclaimed public health intervention that helps prevent cavities. For just as long, some have raised concerns about the practice that can veer from evidence-based to unsubstantiated conspiracy. An analysis by government researchers, published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, is adding to the debate. The research found that exposing babies and kids to high levels of fluoride might be associated with neurodevelopmental harm. Frankly, it's a lot to digest — so we invited health correspondent Pien Huang onto the show to wade through the debate.Questions, story ideas or want us to dig into another public health debate? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We are sharing Episodes of Keeping Up with the Khuffashians from Behind the Headstuff Plus Paywall until Baby Tribe Returns on Tuesday January 21st! As the laundry folded itself into comedic heaps, my partner and I navigated the quirky misadventures of domestic life, offering our listeners a peek behind the curtain where professional expertise meets the chaos of family dynamics. Warmed by laughter and the nostalgic glow of my mother's household preservation tactics, we share insights into the tender balance that shapes our relationships and daily living. From the light-hearted anecdotes of shared chores to the profound influence of our childhoods, we reveal how these experiences craft the narrative of our approach to family and work. The digital age has parents wading through a sea of screens, often leaving us wondering about the impact on our kids' burgeoning language skills. We dissect a pivotal JAMA Pediatrics study with our analytical scalpels, scrutinizing its findings on the interplay between screen exposure and the verbal milestones of little ones. Lena technology comes into the mix as a novel way to eavesdrop on the acoustic environment of children—innovative, yes, but not without its own set of limitations and potential biases. We navigate these complex waters with a critical eye and a supportive stance, understanding the guilt that weighs on modern parents while advocating for a balanced approach to tech usage. In our final act, stories of our own kids paint vivid portraits of language development in diverse screen time environments. We chuckle over the universal slip-ups of parenthood and the endearing eccentricities of our family's Irish lingo, all while underscoring the irreplaceable value of reading to children. This episode isn't just about the data; it's about the heartwarming, relatable journey through parenting, the stumbles, the triumphs, and everything in between. Join us for a hearty discussion that's sure to resonate with anyone who's ever faced the juggling act of raising kids in our ever-connected world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode looks at solutions for when screens and devices like tablets are causing conflict in the home, especially when it is time for them to be turned off!   Siblings will often find themselves in conflict over devices and screen time, whether arguments over whose turn it is, jealousy over differing time allowances and scenarios wherein the younger sibling is a thorn in the side of the older sibling.  Therapist, author and leading expert on youth and family dynamics, Laura Kastner, PhD, shares her expertise on behavioral management, and how it relates to sibling fights.  Also, author Emily Cherkin, MEd and researcher Caroline Fitzpatrick, PhD, share more ideas on preventing and responding to screen related meltdowns, setting boundaries, and fostering emotional regulation in our kids.  Practical tips include redirecting attention, “planned ignoring”, and creating family screen time/media plans (or rules) with little kids—not just teens.   Featured Experts Laura Kastner, PhD Emily Cherkin, MEd Caroline Fitzpatrick of, PhD   Books Getting to calm & Wise-Minded Parenting, by Laura Kastner The Screentime Solution, by Emily Cherkin   Research References Fitzpatrick, C., et al. Early-Childhood Tablet Use and Outbursts of Anger. JAMA Pediatrics, 2024.   Additional Links Family media plan for Tablets Family media plan for Video Gaming   Time Code 00:00 Introduction to Planned Ignoring 00:19 Screen Time Struggles and Sibling Conflicts 01:20 Expert Insights: Laura Kastner 02:54 Behavioral Management Techniques 08:42 Handling Screen Time Tantrums 11:15 Practical Tips for Screen Time Transitions 14:06 Research on Screen Time and Emotional Regulation 18:55 Creating Family Screen Plans 19:51 Conclusion and Resources  

Vi har vært på konferanse og intervjuet professor Jan Kristian Damås om gentamicin – et effektivt og i skandinavisk sammenheng hyppig brukt antibiotikum - men internasjonalt også mye debattert legemiddel.Referanser: Ritchie ND, Irvine SC, Helps A, Robb F, Jones BL, Seaton RA. Restrictive antibiotic stewardship associated with reduced hospital mortality in gram-negative infection. Qjm. 2017;110(3):155-61.McDermott JH, Mahaveer A, James RA, Booth N, Turner M, Harvey KE, et al. Rapid Point-of-Care Genotyping to Avoid Aminoglycoside-Induced Ototoxicity in Neonatal Intensive Care. JAMA Pediatrics. 2022;176(5):486-92.Grønmo M, Møller-Stray J, Akselsen PE, Lindemann PC, Fostervold A, Vestby Knudsen C, Knudsen PK, Lindbæk M, Tonby K, Sundsfjord A. Gentamicin bør fortsatt inngå i empirisk sepsisregime hos voksne. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 2024.Vidal L, Gafter-Gvili A, Borok S, Fraser A, Leibovici L, Paul M. Efficacy and safety of aminoglycoside monotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2007 Aug;60(2):247-57. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join LaTangela as she chats with Maurice Sholas, MD, PhD. on the #tanline As a Harvard-trained Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician and researcher, Doc Mo Sho is a global expert in treating kids with disabilities and atypical development. Doc Mo Sho writes at the highest levels in both academics and the press, having been featured in such places as JAMA Pediatrics and American Healthcare Leader. Chime in www.DocMoSho.com Watch full episode HERE www.LaTangela.com RADIO - WEMX- Baton Rouge, La. Mon-Fri 10a.m.-3p.m.CST KTCS - Beaumont, Tx. Mon-Fri 3-8 CST WWO - YouTube - #LaTangelaFay Podcast - ALL digital platforms - #iTunes #Spotify #WEMX #WAFB+ www.LaTangela.com www.TanTune.com Special Thank You - Gordon McKernan Injury Attorney - Official Partner #GordonGives #TanCares #225BulletinBoard #TanTune #POOF Power Over Obstacles ForeverSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) is a common over-the-counter medication that has gained substantial media attention regarding its use by pregnant women. Although estimates vary considerably, most studies and surveys report that around 40–65% of women take acetaminophen sometime during their pregnancy. Historically considered safe, concern was initially raised back in 2014 with a JAMA Pediatrics publication stated that use in pregnancy lead to ADHD in the offspring. Seven years later, in 2021, a consensus statement published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology suggested that acetaminophen use in pregnancy might increase the risk of neurodevelopmental and urogenital tract abnormalities in offspring and called for “precautionary action”. This lead tgo an ACOG response back in Sep 29, 2021 (we will review). This is very controversial. Today, Dec 5, 2024, a new clinical perspective was published in Obstetrics & Gynecology adding another flavor to the mix. Is acetaminophen a direct cause of fetal harm? Listen in for details!

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy addresses the complexities surrounding the topic of gender, particularly for children and teenagers. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with young people to help them navigate confusing messages about gender identity. Dr. Kathy discusses a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, which reveals that transgender teenagers who have undergone medical interventions, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies, report high satisfaction with their care and experience low levels of regret. This conversation aims to equip parents with insights and conversation points to engage with their children thoughtfully, fostering understanding and reducing confusion about gender issues. Tune in as Dr. Kathy unpacks the findings of the Trans Youth Project and offers guidance on how to support kids in their journey of understanding gender.

I'm thrilled to welcome Amity Cooper to the Addiction Medicine Made Easy Podcast! Amity is a mental health professional specializing in equine therapy, to share her unique perspective on the pivotal role of mental health in achieving and maintaining sobriety. Together, we explore the intersection of mental health and addiction recovery, delving into therapies that support individuals on their journey to a fulfilling sober life. Amity's insights provide insight at how equine therapy and holistic approaches can transform the recovery process, offering hope and healing to those in need.Our discussion then turns to the concept of personal transformation during recovery, focusing on the importance of establishing a guiding "North Star." We highlight strategies like polyvagal therapy and self-awareness practices as essential tools for managing co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. Finally, we delve into the therapeutic benefits of equine therapy, where horses act as co-partners in therapy, promoting mindfulness and emotional expression. Discover how this innovative approach can empower individuals to redefine their futures, fostering emotional healing and self-awareness in the process.At the beginning of the episode we look at how early cannabis use can impact academic performance. We discuss the findings of a compelling study published in JAMA Pediatrics. We'll explore how adolescent cannabis use is linked to lower grades and increased dropout rates, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the long-term effects of substance use. This episode promises to equip listeners with crucial insights into how these early choices can alter life's trajectory, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making for young people.Amity's website: https://amitycooper.com/To reach Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com 

There's a reason why October is LGBTQ History Month. The community historically laid claim to it with a 1979 event in the U.S. capitol. Just ten years after Stonewall and long before the age of acronyms, the massive October 1979 march and rally for LGBTQ rights surpassed all expectations — for good and for ill. Excerpts from an hour-long radio documentary that you can stream at thiswayout.org. And in NewsWrap: Poland's coalition government introduces civil unions legislation, Saskatchewan's Parliament votes to require parental consent “when a student requests that their preferred name, gender identity, and/or gender expression to be used” at school, 97 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people receiving gender-affirming health care in a JAMA Pediatrics study are “highly satisfied,” U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump's campaign ads deride Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' support for transgender rights, and more international LGBTQ news reported by Melanie Keller and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor).  All this on the October 28, 2024 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/ NOTE TO RADIO STATIONS: The weekly program uploaded to SoundCloud will soon include a pitch for This Way Out/Overnight Productions (Inc.). Stations can download a pitch-free version from radio4all.net or Pacifica's AudioPort.Org. For more information, contact Brian@ThisWayOut.org.

A new study by JAMA Pediatrics found that kids who use tablets frequently demonstrate a “higher number of expressions of anger and frustration.” But how much are parents to blame?   Read the Plugged In Blog   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

A new study by JAMA Pediatrics found that kids who use tablets frequently demonstrate a “higher number of expressions of anger and frustration.” But how much are parents to blame?   Read the Plugged In Blog   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29

In this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr. Delaney explores the alarming rise of sleep deprivation among teens starting in 2012, coinciding with the rise of screen time. Featuring clips from Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition and insights from experts Lauren Hale, PhD, and Judith Owens, MD, the episode delves into new brain science around kids and sleep deprivation and health risks linked to melatonin.  Listeners are provided practical advice on how to promote healthy sleep habits, including preventing dependency to digital devices and melatonin.  Time Codes: 00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast 00:29 The Sleep Deprivation Epidemic 02:08 Scientific Insights on Sleep and Brain Health 03:47 Impact of Devices on Sleep 06:23 The Melatonin Debate 08:33 Melatonin Usage and Risks 12:49 Melatonin and Puberty 14:00 Concerns About Long-Term Melatonin Use in Children 14:43 Marketing Melatonin as a Natural Sleep Aid 15:36 The Dangers of Conditioning Kids to Need Sleep Aids 18:03 Parental Strategies for Managing Device Use 19:28 Real-Life Examples of Device Management 21:19 Encouraging Better Sleep Habits in Teens 23:14 Final Thoughts on Melatonin and Sleep Dependency 25:11 Conclusion and Podcast Information Resources: Lauren Hale, Ph.D.  Bio: https://publichealth.stonybrookmedicine.edu/faculty/LaurenHale Study #1 “Researchers followed nine and ten year olds, and at baseline, they collected data from the kids, from the parents, and analyzed brain skins. Then they followed up with them two years later. The kids, who were insufficient sleepers Compared to the kids who were sufficient sleepers, had changes in their brain development, especially in areas like the basal ganglia and the temporal lobe. And this corresponded with worse mental health outcomes, worse behavioral outcomes, and measurements of intelligence were lower. This is concerning that insufficient sleep among kids may have lasting consequences. Um, brain development, and possibly into adulthood.” Yang, F. N., Xie, W., & Wang, Z. Effects of sleep duration on neurocognitive development in early adolescents in the USA: a propensity score matched, longitudinal, observational study. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 6(10), 2022.   Study #2 “My team and I analyzed numerous studies in which we included youth age 6 to 17. And we showed that just having a mobile device, which includes a phone, a tablet, In the bedroom, even if they didn't use it, was associated with almost a two fold risk of insufficient sleep duration.” Carter, B., et al. Association Between Portable Screen-Based Media Device Access or Use and Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 170(12), 1202–1208, 2016. Judy Owen, M.D.  Bio: https://www.childrenshospital.org/directory/judith-owens Study #1 "Recent study... over 500 percent increase in accidental ingestions of melatonin... poison control center reports of a child accidentally taking melatonin." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Pediatric Melatonin Ingestions — United States, 2012–2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71(22), 725–729.   Study #2 "...study that was published out of Canada a few years ago that looked at a wide range of preparations of melatonin that were labeled as being five milligrams. And they... analyzed, with a specific chemical test, how much melatonin these preparations actually contained. It ranged from zero milligrams to 20 milligrams. And in addition to that, about a quarter of the samples they tested had serotonin... Serotonin is what we call a precursor of melatonin. So serotonin is metabolized into melatonin." Erland, L. A. E., & Saxena, P. K. (2017). Melatonin Natural Health Products and Supplements: Presence of Serotonin and Significant Variability of Melatonin Content. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 13(02), 275–281.   Study #3 "We know that melatonin... has an effect on reproductive hormones... There may be some impact on pubertal development of melatonin. Melatonin in humans could potentially have two different effects. It could delay the onset or the beginning of puberty development because it has these suppressing effects on reproductive hormones, or alternatively, if you stop melatonin use in a prepubertal child... you could actually trigger them into early puberty... We have data in animal models that suggests that melatonin has these effects. We don't have that evidence yet in humans... One study looked very short term on the effects of melatonin in children with autism and measured their reproductive hormones as well as some other chemicals in the body and brain and did not find any effect in the short term, but again, the long term meaning of melatonin... years worth of use of melatonin." Boafo, A., Greenham, S., Alenezi, S., Robillard, R., Pajer, K., Tavakoli, P., & De Koninck, J. (2019). Could long-term administration of melatonin to prepubertal children affect timing of puberty? A clinician's perspective. Nature and Science of Sleep, Volume 11, 1–10.

JAMA Pediatrics has published research on the impact of policy on child health to inform decision-making with scientific evidence. JAMA Pediatrics Editor in Chief Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, and Associate Editor Alison Galbraith, MD, MPH, discuss policy issues raised by these studies with Aaron Carroll, MD, MS, President and CEO of Academy Health and an Associate Editor at JAMA Pediatrics. Related Content: Transgender Adolescent School Climate, Mental Health, and Adult Social Support Mandatory Child Protective Services Reporting for Substance-Exposed Newborns and Peripartum Outcomes Guiding Child Health Policy With Science Real-Time Exposure to Negative News Media and Suicidal Ideation Intensity Among LGBTQ+ Young Adults

We all are aware that multiple adverse obstetrical outcomes have been linked to maternal obesity, such as stillbirth, preterm birth, NICUs admission, and congenital anomalies. But once delivery and hospital discharge occurs uneventfully, a new cohort study is raising the alarm for another possible adverse event up until the child's first year of life: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). SUID is devastating. In this episode we will review this new publication, which is making medical headlines. This was published on July 29th, 2024 in JAMA Pediatrics. We'll put this association between maternal obesity and SUID in perspective and summarize the key findings of this alarming data.

Chalkbeat New York - Cell phone ban for NYC schools could come ‘within 2 weeks,' Chancellor David Banks saysEducation Week  - School Cellphone Ban Is Critical for ‘Addicted' Students, NYC Chancellor SaysJoelle Renstrom's website--------------What internet addiction does to the brain:https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000022 UNESCO's report covering 14 countries & recommending a cell phone ban in schools: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000385723 97% of teens use their phones during the school day:https://www.k12dive.com/news/teen-cell-phone-use-schools/694901/ JAMA Pediatrics study about the harms of screen time exposure on infants:https://www.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.3869 --------Joelle Renstrom's essays on phones:https://aeon.co/essays/can-students-who-are-constantly-on-their-devices-actually-learn  (the essay that established relationship with YONDR)https://aeon.co/ideas/what-happened-when-i-made-my-students-turn-off-their-phones (essay about the YONDR experiment)http://theconversation.com/is-secondhand-screen-time-the-new-secondhand-smoking-129500 (an opinion piece in which I call "secondhand screen time" the new secondhand smoking).

Bryan Sisk is a pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and studies the intersection of communication, ethics, and the new technologies that are making their way into medicine.  He is the author of “An Overarching Framework for the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatrics,”  which was published in JAMA Pediatrics in January 2024.  This episode is the first in an ongoing series about Artificial intelligence in medicine, and we begin by laying the foundation of the ethics behind AI in medicine.In this episode, we delve into the ethical implications of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine, with a special focus on the intrinsic biases of AI algorithms. We explore how AI, if not purposefully inclusive, could leave vulnerable populations - like our children - at a disadvantage.Join us as we navigate these challenging questions, shedding light on the need for ethical guidelines and robust policies in the implementation of AI in medicine. ******The co-host for this episode is Alexis Luedke.  She is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow.******If you have feedback, criticism, show or interview recommendations, or want to collaborate on the show, please reach out!Email - Tama.TheMDM@gmail.com.  Instagram - Tama.TheMDM******The MDM is a show about the ways medical decision making is adapting to the modern world. Tama Thé is an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

The U.S. State Department under Joe Biden was offering “official condolences” after just a few hours after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was confirmed dead. A team of FDA-supported scientists published a new study in JAMA Pediatrics investigating serious adverse events associated with mRNA vaccines in children. The defense team in Donald Trump‘s hush-money trial in New York City rested their case without calling the former president to the stand. The Biden administration's Department of Justice is threatening to sue Oklahoma over a new law that would criminalize illegal migration at the state level.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tapp-into-the-truth--556114/support.Is there more to Democrat support of Iranian theocracy than bad policy?Diversify and protect your hard-earned wealth with physical gold. Use America's Premiere Conservative Gold Company, Harvard Gold Group. Use promo code TAPP.Support American jobs! Stand with Mike! Go to My Pillow and use promo code TAPP to save!Visit 4Patriots and prepare for whatever life sends your way.Tapp into the Truth on Locals Tapp into the Truth on SubstackHero SoapPatriot DepotBlue CoolersKoa CoffeeBrainMDDiamond CBDSauce Bae2nd SkullEinstokBeanstoxBelle IsleMomento AIHoneyFund"Homegrown" Boone's BourbonIsland BrandsBlackout Coffee Co.Full Circle Brewing Co.Pasmosa Sangria

In 2014, a publication out of JAMA Pediatrics raised questions regarding the safety of acetaminophen in pregnancy describing a possible “association” with later neurodevelopmental and cognitive delays in children. What followed was a string of controversial publications (observational) with mounds of conflicting data. This led to a controversial international consensus opinion in 2021 calling for “caution for use” regarding acetaminophen in pregnancy. The ACOG had a strong rebuttal to that statement at that time. But now, as of April 9, 2024, we have new data on acetaminophen/paracetamol use in pregnancy and possible neurodevelopmental affects in children. This new study was published out of JAMA network and followed 2.4 million children with sibling pairs out of Sweden. This is making a lot of news within the last 24 hours and it is hot off the press

What are the Pros and Cons of Movies/Film - narrated by Louy and Mink —-> Works Cited Coco. Directed by Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2017. Dillon, Kelly P., and Brad J. Bushman. “Effects of Exposure to Gun Violence in Movies on Children's Interest in Real Guns.” JAMA Pediatrics, vol. 171, no. 11, 2017, pp. 1057-62, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.2229. Erasmus, Frederick. “What Lessons Can Be Learned from Cinema?” Medium, Medium, 24 Jan. 2020, medium.com/@fredrik_erasmus/what-lessons-can-be-learned-from-cinema- 9cc604b2ff40. Gahagan, Jacqueline, and Lois Jackson. “Perspectives on ‘Pornography': Exploring Sexually Explicit Internet Movies' Influences on Canadian Young Adults' Hollistic Sexual Health.” The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, vol. 23, no. 3, 2014, pp.148-58, https://doi.org/10.3138/cjhs.2732. Kidnap. Directed by Luis Prieto, Aviron Pictures, 2017.

Dr. Benjamin Huynh, assistant professor at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, joins Lisa Dent to talk about results found in a study he conducted and published at JAMA Pediatrics that revealed thousands of children in the city under age 6 are exposed to lead-contaminated tap water. Follow The Lisa Dent Show on […]

Shana has opened our eyes on how we might want to think, act, and talk about food in our homes. 22% of children and adolescents worldwide show disordered eating, according to JAMA Pediatrics. What if there's a better way for us to have a relationship with food? A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Shana gives an approachable look at wellness topics that are inclusive, non diet, and weight neutral, all with an intersectionality of social justice. What does healthy really mean? What if we no longer shame foods? What if we reframe how we talk or look at our diets? A lot of this is a practice of unlearning what we've grown up with, what society and social media and influencers shove in our faces — on how to eat, how to look, how to be “healthy.” We invite you to keep an open mind, for you and your families. FOLLOW SHANA https://www.thenutritiontea.com https://thenutritiontea.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/thenutritiontea FOLLOW US https://www.instagram.com/realmotherfuckerspodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@RealMoFosPodcast https://patreon.com/RealMotherFuckersPodcast DISCLAIMER This podcast has mature language and content. Moms ears only — don't have this one on with your kids in the room. These are our opinions and experiences as moms, take what you like, or leave it. Don't be thinking we're telling you what to do. Seek professionals, do your research, and call the experts for help. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realmotherfuckers/support

Download my free guided meditation audio bundle here: https://thewellnessengineer.com/audiobundle   Protect yourself from harmful EMFs with the Harmoni Pendant. Save up to 50% on Harmoni Pendant here: https://thewellnessengineer.com/harmoni   Did you know the nocebo effect is the phenomenon where a person experiences adverse effects or worsening symptoms after receiving an inactive substance or treatment simply because they expect it to be harmful? It is essentially the opposite of the placebo effect, where a person experiences improvements in their condition due to believing in the effectiveness of a treatment, even if it is inert. In the case of the nocebo effect, negative expectations can lead to real physiological or psychological effects, often complicating medical treatments and clinical trials. Join me and my guest, Dr. Cosima Locher, Ph.D., to learn more about the book "The Nocebo Effect, When Words Make You Sick," which is the first book to investigate this fascinating phenomenon and offers a wide variety of topics and angles by the foremost researchers in this emerging field.   In this episode you'll learn: ⏰ 00:00 - Intro ⏰ 04:34 - Nocebo Effect Mechanisms ⏰ 12:12 - Empowerment in the Nocebo Effect ⏰ 20:50 - Sources of Chronic Pain ⏰ 28:33 - The Book Dr. Cosima Co-Authored ⏰ 35:59 - The ONE Thing You Can Do Today   Listen to Wellness By Design on the go with these apps: Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart Radio Subscribe, rate and review!   Check out Dr. Cosima Locher, Ph.D.'s Bio: Cosima Locher, Ph.D., is a psychologist who is dedicated to studying honest (e.g., "open-label") placebos. She is published in leading peer-reviewed journals, such as PAIN, the American Journal of Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry, and JAMA Pediatrics. Dr. Locher is a co-founder of The Pain Net, an international network of researchers interested in Chronic Primary Pain, including with a special focus on the placebo effect and ethics of placebo and nocebo effects. Her research has been profiled by international news outlets including The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Sydney Morning Herald. She is one of the co-authors of the upcoming book, The Nocebo Effect: When Words Make You Sick (Mayo Clinic Press / March 19, 2024 / $26.99).https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/the-nocebo-effect/    Dr. Cosima Locher, Ph.D.'s book link: One copy of The Nocebo Effect: When Words Make You Sick (Mayo Clinic Press / March 19, 2024 / $26.99) -- https://www.amazon.com/Nocebo-Effect-When-Words-Make/dp/B0BQR6PLMY    Connect with Dr. Cosima Locher, Ph.D.: Website: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayoclinicpress  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayoclinicpress/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mayo-clinic-press/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mayoclinicpress  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZepsWgSHtkO14RAW-_XEg  ***** Hi there! I am Jane Hogan, the Wellness Engineer, and the host of Wellness By Design. I spent 30 years designing foundations for buildings until the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis led me to hang up my hard hat and follow my heart. Now I blend my backgrounds in science and spirituality to teach people how to tap into the power of their mind, body and soul. I help them release pain naturally so they can become the most wonderful fine version of themselves.    Wellness By Design is a show dedicated to helping people achieve wellness not by reacting to the world around them but by intentionally designing a life based on what their own body needs. In this show we explore practices, methods and science that contribute to releasing pain and inflammation naturally.   Learn more at https://thewellnessengineer.com    Would you like to learn how to release pain by creating more peace and calm?  Download my free guided meditation audio bundle here: https://thewellnessengineer.com/audiobundle    Connect with Jane:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaneHoganHealth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janehoganhealth   Janehoganhealthcoach thewellnessengineer  Bewonderfulfine   DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition before undertaking any diet, exercise, supplement, health program, or other procedure discussed in this podcast.

A conclusive meta-analysis on fluoride from the National Toxicology Program was released this month as part of a lawsuit involving Fluoride Action Network and the EPA. The former is arguing to have fluoride removed from water supplies and listed as a toxic substance under the TSCA of 1976. Fluoride was first introduced into drinking water in 1945, based on limited associations that when present in water some people had less cavities. Mass fluoridation began in the 1960s. Since then it as been well documented that fluoride, and its many different varieties, usually mixed with metals, can only have associated and limited positive affects on teeth with kept under 0.7mg/liter of water. Despite this, the lowest EPA limit has been 2mg/L and even up to 4mg/L, though many areas in the us contain “fluoride levels at 4mg/L or higher,” according to the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine in 2006. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Register wrote In 2003 that “small amounts of fluoride help prevent tooth cavities, but high levels can harm your health.” The NASEM report concluded that “children exposed to the current maximum allowable connotation risk developing severe tooth enamel fluorosis…enamel loss, and pitting of the teeth.” Whether high or low, these doses are uncontrolled, usually over the EPA limit already, which is also just a recommendation, and have no consideration to fluoride exposure from other drinks, foods, drugs, etc., certainly blasting a person's daily intake to extremely high levels. Let us not forget that a lot of tooth decay is caused by diets saturated in processed foods and sugars too. A meta-analysis from 2012 further found that “children in high-fluoridated areas had significantly lower IQ scores than those who livd in low-fluoridated areas.” A JAMA Pediatrics article from 2019 found that “1-milligram higher daily intake of fluoride among pregnant women was associated with a 3.66 lower IQ score… in boys and girls.” However, the US Department of health can still claim in 2015 that fluoride can have “preventative benefits.” Yes, it can, “at 0.7mg/L,” and benefits that are only possible, not guaranteed. The accumulation of the substance naturally and artificially is more than cause for concern; it is cause for removing it from the water immediately where it is added by recommendation without knowledge or consent of the public. The US Federal government even acknowledged this in 2015 when the Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendations that fluoride levels should never exceed 0.7mg/L. Even at so-called safe levels, it is not meant to be ingested!https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ntp/about_ntp/bsc/2023/fluoride/documents_provided_bsc_wg_031523.pdfhttps://www.factcheck.org/2024/02/cdc-experts-say-fluoridated-water-is-safe-contrary-to-rfk-jr-s-warnings/https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/epdf/10.1289/ehp.1104912https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2006/03/epa-standard-for-fluoride-in-drinking-water-is-not-protective-tooth-enamel-loss-bone-fractures-of-concern-at-high-levelshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4547570/pdf/phr130000318.pdfhttps://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/7030.00.pdfhttps://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=211&toxid=38https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/harvard-study-strong-link-between-fluoridated-water-and-bone-cancer-boyshttps://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/11571/fluoride_brief_final.pdfhttps://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/federal-government-calls-for-lowering-fluoride-levels-in-drinking-water/https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/national-academy-calls-lowering-fluoride-limits-tap-waterhttps://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride/the-story-of-fluoridation#:~:text=In%201945%2C%20Grand%20Rapids%20became,the%20Institute%27s%20inception%20in%201948.

Dr. Kathy considers some new data from JAMA Pediatrics on the way screen time stunts toddler development. However, screen time before four induces debilitating behaviors more than stunting the development. But what are we supposed to do as tired parents who can't enter into a two-year-old's world? Dr. Kathy has some important insights and encouragements as we engage a world that envelops our family with technology that promises education but falls short in delivery.

JAMA Pediatrics Study: October 2023 released a study, Persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Early Childhood Through School Age. Findings  Of the 213 children in this cohort study, 79 (37%) had non-persistent ASD. Higher baseline adaptive functioning and female sex were associated with non-persistent ASD. Oct. 11, 2023 – According to a new study from Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that more than a third of toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder outgrew the disorder by the time they were about 6 years old. The findings were published this month in JAMA Pediatrics. ASHA Wire noted that some children with autism may LOSE their diagnosis as children. “Diagnoses can evolve as a child develops,” says Elizabeth Harstad, a developmental medicine physician, who led the study. “Our research shows how important it is that we monitor kids over time, because some children may really have changes in their social communication and behavioral function. This underscores the need for continuous assessments and adaptable intervention strategies.” The study found no meaningful association between the intensity of a child's interventions and their chance of keeping their autism diagnosis, indicating the need for more research to understand the role that intervention may have in children who outgrow their diagnosis... Click Here or Click the link below for more details! https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/185

In Episode 19 of Awkward Conversations  "The Drug Dealer in Your House: Protecting Your Kids from Online Dangers ," hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy tackle the urgent and sobering topic of safeguarding children from online drug dangers. Ed Ternan, a devoted father who tragically lost his 22-year-old son, Charlie, to a fake prescription pill, joins the conversation to share his heart-wrenching story. Ed's account highlights the alarming ease with which pills and drugs can be accessed online and sheds light on the accessibility of counterfeit drugs in the digital age. Ed discusses "Song for Charlie," a nonprofit charity he and his wife, Mary, established to raise awareness about synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Through their organization, they provide valuable drug education materials online, on campuses, and via social media. Amy mentions the importance of engaging young individuals when they engage in online activities. Dr. Dimitri Christakis, an expert in child health and development, addresses the role of social media platforms and the need for smart social media use. They also explore deciphering the language used by kids online and the importance of open communication between parents and children. It's never too late or early to establish rules and boundaries in an ever-evolving digital landscape.   Key Takeaways: There is an alarming ease with which pills and drugs can be obtained online, posing significant dangers to children. There is a need for greater awareness about the risks of fake prescription pills. "Song for Charlie" is a nonprofit to educate young people, families, and educators about synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis emphasizes the importance of educating children about smart social media use and understanding its impact on behavior. Recognizing the language kids use online and understanding the signs of potential drug involvement are crucial for parents. Maintaining open lines of communication with children without judgment is essential for addressing online drug dangers. Striking a balance between privacy and safety in the digital age is key, with real relationships valued over virtual ones.   Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate, best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the iconic sitcom "Full House" and its sequel "Fuller House". In 2009 she penned her memoir, "unSweetined", which chronicles her journey through addiction and into recovery. With her frank and open approach, Jodie has emerged as a compelling speaker and advocate who now seeks to use her platform and experiences to educate others and reduce the stigma associated with addiction and recovery. @jodiesweetin Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is a Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital's Division of Addiction Medicine. She has been working in the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program since 2019. @amymccarthylicsw Ed Ternan is a husband, father and businessman. In May 2020, he lost his son 22-year-old son Charlie, who was poisoned by a counterfeit prescription pill. Since that time, Ed and his wife Mary have dedicated themselves to informing young people about the new risks of self-medication and recreational drug use in the age of synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The Ternans have formed a nonprofit charity called Song for Charlie, where they create and distribute fentanyl awareness and drug education materials online, on campus and via social media. Their programs are designed to provide useful, fact-based resources to young people, families and educators, with the goal of reducing drug use and encouraging healthier strategies for managing stress. @song4charlie   Dimitri A. Christakis MD MPH is the George Adkins Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, Director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children's Research Institute, Vice President, Global Health Promotion, Prevention and Policy Advocacy at Special Olympics International, Editor and Chief of JAMA Pediatrics and an attending pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital.  Professor Christakis graduated from Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and completed a pediatric residency followed by a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholarship at the University of Washington from which he received his MPH.  He is the author of over 230 original research articles, a textbook of pediatrics and The Elephant in the Living Room: Make Television work for your kids. (September 2006; Rodale). In 2010 he was awarded the Academic Pediatric Association Research Award for outstanding contributions to pediatric research over his career.  His passion is developing actionable strategies to optimize the cognitive, emotional, and social development of preschool children. The pursuit of that passion has taken him from the exam room, to the community and most recently to cages of newborn mice. Christakis' laboratory focuses on the effects of early environmental influences on child health and development and his work has been featured on all major international news outlets as well as all major national and international newspapers.   He speaks frequently to international audiences of pediatricians, parents, educators and policy makers about the impact of early learning on brain development.    Resources/Links Get Smart About Drugs Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide to Substance Use Prevention One Pill Could Kill SAMHSA | Help and Treatment   DEA Website DEA on Instagram DEA on Twitter DEA on Facebook DEA YouTube   Elks Kid Zone Website Elks Drug Awareness Program Website Elks DAP on Twitter Elks DAP on Facebook Elks DAP on YouTube   Jodie Sweetin's Links Jodie's Instagram Jodie's TikTok   Amy McCarthy's Links Amy's Instagram Boston Children's Hospital Instagram Boston Children's Hospital Addiction Medicine   Ed Ternan's Links Song for Charlie Instagram Song for Charlie YouTube Song for Charlie TikTok Song for Charlie Website The New Drug Talk Website

In this week's episode, part of our recurring Journal Club series, we're delving into groundbreaking research that reveals an increased risk of infection linked to a common medication used for stomach problems in both adults and kids. The article is from JAMA Pediatrics and titled "Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Risk of Serious Infections in Young Children." Find the full text of the article here.These medications are commonly available over-the-counter and this often gives the impression to consumers and parents that they are "safer" than other options. I want to make sure you have the information you need when deciding what to use to help your child stay healthy. 

Brain Health Coach and Consultant Leigh Richardson joins Dawn to respond to the latest reports from Axios on Mental Health. Her initial focus was on organizational behavior. She shifted to human behavior in 2003 after her son suffered a traumatic brain injury. Leigh has also been in ICU twice with brain injury. All of this fueled her need to understand how the brain works or why it doesn't work. REPORT: (Axios)A trio of new studies paints a grim picture of how overdose deaths, depression and barriers to care are... aligning to widen health disparities as the U.S. emerges from the pandemic...Overdose deaths What they found: Educational attainment was a huge factor in who might die from an overdose from 2000 to 2021, with differences becoming especially stark during the pandemic, a study published last week in JAMA Health Forum found. From 2019 to 2021, the overdose death rate for people who didn't attend college at all increased by 30.6 per 100,000 people, the study found. In contrast, the death rate for people with at least some college increased by only 4.5 per 100,000..."The opioid crisis has increasingly become a crisis disproportionately impacting those without any college education," the study concludes.Teens with depression What they found: In 2021, 1 in 5 adolescents had major depressive disorder, but less than half who needed treatment received any, per a study published this week in JAMA Pediatrics. Teenagers of color — particularly Latinos — had the lowest treatment rates... Adult depression and mortalityWhat they found: Adults with depression — particularly moderate or severe cases — are at higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and other causes, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open... In 2020, some 21 million U.S. adults (8.4%) had at least one major depressive episode. Researchers noted the onset of cardiovascular disease occurs an average of 7.5 years earlier in adults with mood disorders. Read more.What is driving these spikes in depression and overdose deaths? And what can each of us do to help a loved one who may be struggling with these issues? Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

On this week's Education Gadfly Show podcast, Aaron Churchill, Fordham's Ohio research director, joins David to discuss how the Buckeye State's latest omnibus bill benefits education. Then, on Research minutes, Amber examines a study on whether attending high-performing charter schools reduces risky behaviors like drug use.Recommended content: “Ohio lawmakers pass historic policies on charter schools, private school choice, governance, and literacy” —Aaron Churchill “More dollars follow Ohio students” —Wall Street JournalRebecca N. Dudovitz et al., “Assessment of Exposure to High-Performing Schools and Risk of Adolescent Substance Use: A Natural Experiment,” JAMA Pediatrics (2018).Feedback Welcome:Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Daniel Buck at dbuck@fordhaminstitute.org.

There are countless factors that engage in the bigger picture of a patient's health, notably Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Dr. Joshua Gettinger talks with Dr. Amy Santin, to reveal a myriad of statistics that demonstrate the emphasis on early childhood experiences and how their background can affect a patients' health long term. We hope you enjoy this illuminating episode! TED Talk:  “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime,” Dr. Nadine Burke Harris https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime?language=en Book:   The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity, by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris Methods to Assess Adverse Childhood Experiences of Children and Families: Toward Approaches to Promote Child Well-being in Policy and Practice, Academic Pediatrics, Dr. Christina Bethell, et al   https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(17)30324-8/fulltext Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental and Relational Health in a Statewide Sample: Associations Across Adverse Childhood Experiences Levels, JAMA Pediatrics, Dr. Christina Bethell, et al   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2749336 The Data behind Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resilience, Dr. Christina Bethell, https://bhdp.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb716/files/t2-data-behind-aces-and-resilience-10-20-16.pdf PACEs Connection:  https://www.pacesconnection.com/Please provide feedback here:https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

The latest on human metapneumovirus (hMPV), RSV vaccine approvals, changes in Medicaid coverage by state, reports about the next CDC director, and data from a new study on weight-loss surgery for kids published in JAMA Pediatrics with AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

FDA vaccine advisor Dr. Paul Offit's recent article in JAMA Pediatrics looks at the millions of 5- to 11-year-old children who received the COVID vaccine. His in-depth research review found that the mRNA vaccine was effective at preventing COVID, symptomatic infection, hospitalization, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. The vaccine was also safe; myocarditis occurred in very rare cases. Dr. Offit joins hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to discuss his findings and why he supports the end of the public health emergency. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen/

I've wanted to make this type of episode for a while now. I hope you like it. Part of my job as an academic pediatrician is to stay up to date with the latest research being done and published in the biggest research journals. Some of those articles are related to parenting - and are worthy of discussion and analysis in an episode. Today, we do our first dive into Hot Off the Presses Parenting Research with an article from JAMA Pediatrics called “Outdoor Play as a Mitigating Factor in the Association Between Screen Time for Young Children and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes” which explores the relationship between screens time, outdoor play, and development!!We discuss what the research team concluded from their study the Dad Guilt (or Mom Guilt) at the heart of the article and what I think you should know as you parent your kids today. The full article can be found here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2800738Let me know if you like this style of episode and I'll do more like this in the future!! Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drscottpeds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docs2dadspod Email: docs2dadspod@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/docs2dadspod

A 2020 publication from JAMA Pediatrics reported that labor epidural analgesia may be associated with an up to 37% increased risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder. The ASA has rejected those results based on methodologic limitations of the study, the lack of biological plausibility. But some remain fearful of labor epidurals because of that publication. In February 2023, a new publication in AJOG will help put this matter to rest with the largest population-based analysis done to date. In this episode, we will highlight and summarize the key findings of this landmark study, and better understand whether or not Labor epidurals are tied to offspring ASD/ADHD.

A recent study from JAMA Pediatrics shows that social media checking behaviors in kids lead to heightened sensitivity to social rewards and punishments. The danger in this is students may be conditioned to respond greater to social pressures than ethical convictions. Dr. Kathy Koch responds to this dark finding by giving parents insight on how to mitigate these risks and to guide us to a greater sense of Scripture as the guiding light in cultural dark times. 

A recent publication in JAMA Pediatrics shows that mental health burdens are associated with prenatal cannabis exposure that persists from childhood to early adolescence. These are results from the Longitudinal ABCD (Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development) study. David Baranger, PhD I am a Neuroscientist and Postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis. My primary interest is in understanding how neurodevelopment mediates the effects of genetics and stress on the emergence of psychopathology, particularly substance use and depressive disorders. My research also includes work identifying replicable and reliable neural correlates of psychopathology, as well as work studying factors that influence the measurement of common neuroimaging metrics. As a postdoc I have worked with Dr. Arpana Agrawal, Dr. Anna Manelis, and Dr. Erika Forbes. This work has focused on studying the reliability of neuroimaging measures of reward, identifying novel structural (cortical myelin) correlates of depression, and studying the association of depression with the neurodevelopment of reward function. My current work seeks to understand how genomic risk for substance use and depression influences neurodevelopment and the emergence of psychopathology in developing samples.  I completed my PhD in Neuroscience at Washington University in St Louis, where I worked with Dr. Ryan Bogdan and Dr. Deanna Barch. My dissertation was on the use of neural biomarkers to disentangle the causes and downstream consequences of alcohol use. Outside of work you can find me playing with my cats, rock climbing, backpacking, and at indie/electronic shows.

Videos: Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons state unvaccinated are meantally ill (0:48) Pandemic Amnesty': Do you Forgive and Forget? (8:19) Experts try to calm the angry AI, w Elon Musk Part 2 –  (8:00) MEP Clare Daly – Speech from Nov 23 (1:12) How Long Would Society Last During a Total Grid Collapse? (14:56)   The ultimate stress buster: L-theanine Columbia University Medical Center,  November 16, 2022 Honestly, who would have thought that stress can cause heart damage equivalent to smoking five cigarettes? This is according to a study conducted by Columbia University Medical Center and published in the American Journal of Cardiology.  The study reveals how an amino acid known as L-theanine reduces both stress levels and heart rate.  As a way to increase stress levels, scientists asked 12 participants to solve a mentally stressful task in four double blind trials. L-theanine was given to participants in one of the four trials before dealing with the stressful task.  In the second group, study subjects took L-theanine midway through the work.  In the third and fourth variations, subjects were respectively given a placebo and nothing at all before attempting the task. In comparison to the placebo group, there was a reduced amount of immunoglobulin (a stress marker in saliva released by the immune system after exposure to viruses, bacteria, and other foreign entities) and a lower heart rate in participants who took L-theanine. The researchers explained that L-theanine works by suppressing the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the ‘fight or flight' response during emergency situations. This is achieved by blocking a chemical known as glutamate (L-glutamic acid) that carries electric signals transmitted from nerve cells to the rest of the body cells. The conclusion was that L-theanine plays a major role in terms of influencing psychology (mind) and physiology (body) function during stressful situation. Greater flavonoid intake associated with less arterial calcification Edith Cowen University (Australia), November 23 2022.  The December 2022 issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology reported a study that uncovered a relationship between greater consumption of plant compounds known as flavonoids and decreased calcification in the abdominal aorta, which supplies blood to the abdominal organs and lower limbs.  Greater abdominal aortic calcification has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack and dementia.  The study included 881 participants in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women. Dietary questionnaire responses were analyzed to determine total and individual flavonoid intake.  Women whose total flavonoid intake was among the top 25% of participants had a 36% lower risk of extensive abdominal aortic calcification than women whose intake was among the lowest 25%. Among women whose intake of individual flavonoids known as flavan-3-ols and flavonols was among the top 25%, respective risks were 39% and 38% lower.  Those who consumed 2–6 cups per day of black tea (the main source of total flavonoid intake in this study), had a 16%–42% lower risk of extensive abdominal aortic calcification than women who were not tea drinkers.  “In most populations, a small group of foods and beverages—uniquely high in flavonoids—contribute the bulk of total dietary flavonoid intake,” first author Ben Parmenter noted. “The main contributors are usually black or green tea, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, red wine, apples, raisins/grapes and dark chocolate.”  “Out of the women who don't drink black tea, higher total non-tea flavonoid intake also appears to protect against extensive calcification of the arteries,” he continued. “This implies flavonoids from sources other than black tea may be protective against abdominal aortic calcification when tea is not consumed.” “Abdominal aortic calcification is a major predictor of vascular disease events, and this study shows intake of flavonoids, that could protect against abdominal aortic calcification, are easily achievable in most people's diets,” he concluded. Researchers discover that vitamin C improves health for children of pregnant smokers Oregon Health & Science University, November 22, 2022 Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found that vitamin C supplementation to pregnant women unable to quit smoking significantly improves airway function and respiratory health in their offspring at 5 years of age. While previous studies have shown that vitamin C improves airway function in infants, this is the first study to demonstrate that the improvement in airway function can be maintained through preschool age. The study published this week in JAMA Pediatrics. Despite anti-smoking efforts and a steady decrease of smoking among the adult population over the past decade, the addictive properties of tobacco products can make quitting smoking incredibly challenging for many individuals. Roughly 10% of American women continue to smoke in pregnancy, each year resulting in about 400,000 infants being exposed to smoke in-utero, or in the uterus. In-utero smoke exposure from maternal smoking during pregnancy can be dangerous for a developing baby and is linked to poor health outcomes, including impaired fetal lung development, decreased airway function and an increased risk for wheezing and asthma. Additionally, decreased airway growth early in life causes increased risk for serious lifelong conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is now the third leading cause of death worldwide. For this study, participating women were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial to receive either vitamin C (500 mg/day) or a placebo. Statistical analyses showed that the effect of vitamin C supplementation to pregnant smokers prior to 23 weeks of gestation consistently resulted in significantly better airway function in their offspring at 5 years old. While the findings may improve the health of the many children who face in-utero smoke exposure, these findings may have even broader implications: The results may potentially lead to better understanding of—and treatments for—the health impacts of other smoke exposures, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, vaping and wildfires. Decades of air pollution undermine the immune system, lymph nodes study finds Columbia University Irving Medical Center, November 23, 2022 The diminished power of the immune system in older adults is usually blamed on the aging process. But a new study by Columbia immunologists shows that decades of particulate air pollution also take a toll. The study found that inhaled particles from environmental pollutants accumulate over decades inside immune cells in lymph nodes associated with the lung, eventually weakening the cells' ability to fight respiratory infections. The findings—published Nov. 21 in Nature Medicine—offer a new reason why individuals become more susceptible to respiratory diseases with age. The Columbia researchers weren't initially looking at air pollution's influence on the immune system. More than ten years ago, they began to collect tissues from deceased organ donors to study immune cells in multiple mucosal and lymphoid tissues. Such cells have been largely inaccessible to researchers studying the immune system where sampling is limited to peripheral blood. “When we looked at people's lymph nodes, we were struck by how many of the nodes in the lung appeared black in color, while those in the GI tract and other areas of the body were the typical beige color,” says Donna Farber, Ph.D., the George H. Humphreys II Professor of Surgical Sciences at Columbia University , who led the study. And as the researchers collected more tissue from younger donors, they also noticed an age difference in the appearance of the lung's lymph nodes: Those from children and teenagers were largely beige while those from donors over age 30 looked were tinged with black and got darker with increasing age. “When we imaged the lung's blackened lymph nodes and found they were clogged with particles from airborne pollutants, we started to think about their impact on the lung's ability to fight infection as people age,” Farber says. In the new study, she and her colleagues examined tissues from 84 deceased human organ donors ranging in age from 11 to 93, all nonsmokers. They found that the pollutant particles in the lung's lymph nodes were located inside macrophages, immune cells that engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses, cellular debris, and other potentially dangerous substances. The macrophages containing particulates were significantly impaired: they were much less capable of ingesting other particles and producing cytokines—chemical “help” signals—that activate other parts of the immune system. Macrophages in those same lymph nodes that did not contain particulates were unimpaired. “We do not know yet the full impact pollution has on the immune system in the lung,” Farber adds, “but pollution undoubtedly plays a role in creating more dangerous respiratory infections in elderly individuals and is another reason to continue the work in improving air quality.” Biologist explains how cannabinoids cause tumor cells to commit suicide Compultense University (Spain): November 17, 2018 A molecular biologist from Compultense University in Madrid, Christina Sanchez, has been studying the molecular activity of cannabinoids for over a decade. Through her studies, she and colleagues found that tetrahydrocannabinol , (THC) which is the main psychoactive part of cannabis, kills tumerous cells while allowing healthy cells to be. It was an unexpected discovery when Sanchez and crew were studying brain cancer cells to grasp a better understanding of how they function. They observed that when cells were exposed to THC, the tumeral cells stopped growing then destroyed themselves. This occurred both in lab tests and animal trials. Sanchez first reported her miraculous findings back in 1998. According to Sanchez ,”After the discovery of this compound that is called THC, it was pretty obvious that this compound had to be acting on the cells, on our organism, through a molecular mechanism.” Research finds that the human body is designed to use cannabis compounds. In the eighties, research first showed the human body contains two targets for THC. One is the endocannabinoid system which processes THC through an endogenous framework. Then the various cannabinoid receptors throughout the body that use them. In conjunction, the body benefits from cannabinoids via these two natural systems. Cannabis is the only place in nature where some certain cannabinoids are found. Sanchez continues, “The endocannabinoids, together with the receptors and the enzymes that synthesize, that produce, the endocannabinoids and that degrade the endocannabinoids, are what we call the endocannabinoid system. We now know that the endocannabinoid system regulates a lot of biological functions: appetite, food intake, motor behavior, reproduction, and many, many other functions. And that's why the plant has such a wide therapeutic potential.” Cannabis cannabinoids, when consumed, work with the body's natural endocannabinoid system and bind to the receptors in the same manner as endogenous cannabinoids. The effects cancer-wise as demonstrated in animal models of breast and brain cancers is that the cancerous cells self destruct. A big advantage of cannabinoids is their unique ability to specifically target tumor cells with no effect on normal cells. This gives cannabinoids the advantage over chemotherapy which targets way more then the actual target Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being University of Freiburg (Germany), November 16, 2022 Research suggests that stays in a forest promote relaxation and reduce stress compared to spending time in a city. The aim of this study was to compare stays in a forest with another natural environment, a cultivated field. Healthy, highly sensitive persons  aged between 18 and 70 years spent one hour in the forest and in the field at intervals of one week. The primary outcome was measured using the Change in Subjective Self-Perception (CSP-14) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were measured using the Profile Of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and by analyzing salivary cortisol.  The medicinal use of forests is of increasing interest worldwide. Forest air is refreshing because trees clean the air of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, produce oxygen, and release volatile bioactive terpenes into the air . Research from Japan, South Korea], China, Taiwan, Australia, the United States, Italy, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Austria suggests that spending time in the forest promotes relaxation, lowers stress hormones and blood pressure and strengthens the immune system. Most studies compared stays in the forest to stays in the city. Accordingly, forests potentially contribute to the prevention of stress-related diseases. Controlled studies have shown positive effects in high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, COPD and chronic neck pain. In addition, spending time in the forest seems to improve psychological well-being. Spending time in forests reduced adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine, cortisol in saliva and self-rated stress perception; it also induced relaxation in controlled trials. This indicates that forest stays can reduce stress. The available data also indicate that “forest bathing”, i.e., walking, standing or sitting in a forest with the purpose of relaxation, perceiving the environment and inhaling phytoncides stabilizes the autonomic nervous system by reducing the sympathetic and activating the parasympathetic tones. With regard to the immune system, which is linked to stress response and vegetative nerve system, an increase in the activity of natural killer cells and the expression of anti-cancer proteins such as perforin, granzyme A/B, granulysin could be demonstrated. In view of these findings, forests could make an important contribution to the prevention of stress-related diseases. As shown in previous studies, the stressful environment of a city was most often compared to a forest; it remains unclear whether forests have specific effects or are just acting as natural environments. Therefore, we wanted to compare two natural but polar-opposite environments. In cultivated fields, sensory impressions are different from the forest. In order to maximize profitability, fields are mostly structured into rectangular shapes and usually mainly one type of plant is found, while in a natural forest, different types of plants grow side by side. Accordingly, visual, auditory and olfactory impressions are less diverse in fields than in forestsThe play of light and shadow that characterizes the forest atmosphere is not found in fields. The plants are usually not tall enough to provide shade, whereas the height of the trees in the forest can provide a sense of shelter. Field paths are more often sealed than forest paths, which changes haptic perception when walking on them. Thus, there are significant differences in the types of sensory impressions between forests and fields.  Highly sensitive persons (HSP), due to their subtle perception, intensely perceive stimuli that others might not even consciously notice. These stimuli may consist of the behavior or moods of other people, the media, medications, pain, and hunger [32]. They perceive stimuli, positively or negatively, to a higher degree, which may, on the one hand, lead to a prolonged reaction time, and on the other hand to more intense feelings and emotional excitability. Our main outcome results show that, as soon as one hour after entering the forest, participants felt a sense of security, relaxation and inner connectedness. In summer, forest interventions had a better effect on vitality. Our study was the first to use the CSP-14 questionnaire, and the comparisons between field and forest interventions were also novel. Forest interventions significantly lowered perceptions of depression, anxiety, hostility, fatigue, confusion and total mood disturbance, and greatly increased vigor. This study shows that forests are not the only kind of natural environment that can promote psychological well-being. The characteristics and qualities of natural environments might influence people's mood and well-being differently. There might also be differences dependent on the preferences of the respective individuals. We regard it as meaningful to study these different effects of nature on the human soul and body in more detail. In addition, future studies examining the effects of different natural environments on human health should respect seasonal aspects and weather conditions.