News

  • 09/17/2019 12:08 PM | Deleted user

    September 17, Wisconsin Health News

    Wisconsin's ranking for the health of women and children dropped compared to other states last year, according to a new report from the United Health Foundation.

    Wisconsin is ranked 19th in the nation in the report, down five spots from last year. That was one of the largest drops in the country.

    Among the biggest drivers for the decrease is the amount of excessive drinking among Wisconsin women and a lower percentage of children with adequate health insurance, both of which were among the bottom 10 in the nation. 

    Wisconsin also saw an increase in the number of teen suicides. The number of deaths per 100,000 adolescents between ages 15 to 19 has increased from 10.6 deaths to 13.8 deaths over the past three years.

    “A 30 percent increase is certainly concerning,” said Dr. Linda Genen, chief medical director of women’s health for Optum, and a member of the United Health Foundation.

    In Wisconsin’s favor is the low rate of diabetes among women, which is fifth-best in the nation.

    The state is also top 10 in terms of having a higher number of cervical cancer screenings, a higher number of women having dedicated healthcare providers, a lower percentage of households with food insecurity, a higher percentage of prenatal care before the third trimester and a lower percentage of low-risk cesarean deliveries.

    “There are certain strengths that are coming through as well,” Genen said. She added that potential steps for improvement could include policymakers taking steps to increase insurance availability for children.

     The report ranked Rhode Island as the top state for women and children’s health. Mississippi was ranked at the bottom.

  • 09/09/2019 11:22 AM | Deleted user

    September 9, Wisconsin Health News

    Wisconsin and Illinois health officials published a report with other researchers Friday detailing a series of vaping-related hospitalizations as the number of cases continues to grow.

    There have now been five reported vaping-related deaths in California, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon and Minnesota. As of Friday morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had identified more than 450 possible cases of the disease in 33 states and one territory.

    In Wisconsin, there were 34 cases, with 12 cases needing further investigation as of last Thursday. Fifteen counties had cases. 

    The CDC believes that a chemical exposure is likely associated with the illnesses. Some laboratories have identified vitamin E acetate, a common vitamin often used in skin creams, in product samples, according to Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, incident manager of the CDC 2019 Lung Injury Response.

    “However, and I really want to stress this, more information is needed to determine which specific products or substances are involved,” Delman told reporters on a Friday conference call. “At this time, no one device, product or substance has been linked to all cases, and continued investigation is needed.”

    The report from Wisconsin, Illinois and other researchers, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, discusses 53 case patients that were studied by the states’ health departments since July.

    About 83 percent were male, with the median age being 19 years.

    Almost all the patients presented at the hospital with respiratory symptoms, the most common being shortness of breath. Patients also often had a fever, fatigue and weight loss as well as gastrointestinal symptoms.

    A total of 94 percent were hospitalized, with 32 percent needing ventilators to breathe. Around 84 percent of patients reported vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.

    Dr. Jonathan Meiman, chief medical officer at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said both states have developed a working case definition to identify patients with the disease, which they’ve also refined over time with other states’ epidemiologists and the CDC.

    The Illinois Department of Public Health conducted a review of emergency department cases over the last year and a half, finding that the monthly rate of visits related to severe respiratory disease in June through August was twice the rate observed in the same months in 2018.

    Dr. Jennifer Layden, chief medical officer and state epidemiologist at the department, said the findings are preliminary and they can’t say for sure if it’s a new or newly recognized phenomenon. But the analysis suggests it’s new, she added.

    “These are not just cases and data points, but these individuals are individuals who are suffering from severe, serious illness,” Layden said. “We want to do what we can – everything we can – to assist a larger investigation and prevent additional illnesses.”


  • 09/05/2019 12:03 PM | Deleted user

    September 5, Wisconsin Health News

    Around $11.9 million is heading to Wisconsin to help fight the opioid epidemic, Sen. Tammy Baldwin said Wednesday.

    The money comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and will support prevention, treatment and recovery efforts.

    On Tuesday, Baldwin announced a $5.2 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will support opioid surveillance efforts. Baldwin pushed for both pots of money.

    "We must act immediately and put these federal investments to work in Wisconsin to support our continued fight against this deadly crisis," she said in a statement.


  • 08/29/2019 4:02 PM | Deleted user

    August 29, Wisconsin Medical Society

    The author of this New Yorker article is a strong proponent of a physician’s organization that would focus on restoring the patient-doctor relationship and advocating for patients and physicians.

    As the author notes, “We have a chance to affect the future of medicine; to advocate for patient interests; to restore the time doctors need to think, to listen, to establish trust, and build bonds, one encounter at a time.”

  • 08/29/2019 8:29 AM | Deleted user

    With Doctor Day 2020 five months away, it’s time to add it to the calendar! This is the eighth year Wisconsin Medical Society has provided this day of advocacy in partnership with many specialty organizations. The goal of Doctor Day is a worthwhile day of education, camaraderie and advocacy.

    Read more.

  • 08/19/2019 10:36 AM | Deleted user

    August 19, Wisconsin Health News

    State lawmakers are pushing a bipartisan bill that would raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21.

    Fourteen lawmakers asked their colleagues to sign on to the bill earlier this month. In an email asking for support, they described the use of e-cigarettes among teenagers as a public health crisis.

    Bill author Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, cited an investigation by the Department of Health Services of people with seriously damaged lungs who reported vaping. According to DHS, there were 15 confirmed cases and 15 cases under investigation as of last Thursday.

    “I am also very concerned about the potential for illegal drugs and narcotics to be added to vaping products with – or without – the consent and knowledge of a user,” Marklein said in a statement. “We are already seeing this issue manifest in emergency rooms and hospitals throughout the state. Teenagers, who acquire their vaping products from others, may be more subject to this type of threat to their health and well-being."

    Public health organizations, youth groups, educators, healthcare providers, law enforcement and e-cigarette companies back the bill.

    Other states, including Illinois, have approved Tobacco 21 laws, which now cover half the nation's population, according to the lawmakers. Federal legislation is also pending.

    Matthew Hauser, CEO of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said they are reviewing the legislation and haven’t taken a position. He said that one of the most common sources of e-cigarettes sold to minors is through the internet and that they believe an in-person ID check should occur before people receive the products, whether at the store or at their homes.

  • 08/01/2019 12:15 PM | Deleted user

    August 1, Wisconsin Medical Society

    The Wisconsin Medical Society is excited to launch WisMed Voice, a new digital advocacy tool to connect physicians with their lawmakers. 

    Read more

  • 07/18/2019 12:14 PM | Deleted user

    July 18, Wisconsin Medical Society

    In the July 3 Medigram alert, Governor Tony Evers used his veto pen to remove $24 million allocated for additional physician Medicaid reimbursement in the biennial budget. 

    Read more

  • 06/06/2019 12:11 PM | Deleted user

    June 6, Wisconsin Medical Society

    The Wisconsin State Senate overwhelmingly approved two Society-supported bills during floor session Wednesday at the State Capitol in Madison.

    Read more

  • 05/24/2019 10:31 AM | Deleted user

    May 24, 2019, Wisconsin Medical Society Medigram 

    The time is now to weigh in on the state budget. Physician voices are needed to make the case to legislators that access to care increases through improved reimbursement and additional funding for Graduate Medical Education.

    Read more.

Brown County Medical Society
563 Carter Court Suite B | Kimberly, WI 54136
920-560-5629 | BrownCMS@badgerbay.co

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