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Foodborne illness reduced from health inspection report and Yelp reviews

Foodborne illness is prevented by inspection and surveillance conducted by health departments across America. Appropriate restaurant behavior is enforced and monitored via public health inspections. However, surveillance coverage provided by state and local health departments is insufficient in preventing the rising number of foodborne illness outbreaks.

To address this need for improved surveillance coverage we conducted a supplementary form of public health surveillance using social media data: Yelp.com restaurant reviews in the city of San Francisco.

Yelp is a social media site where users post reviews and rate restaurants they have personally visited. Presence of keywords related to health code regulations and foodborne illness symptoms, number of restaurant reviews, number of Yelp stars, and restaurant price range were included in a model predicting a restaurant’s likelihood of health code violation measured by the assigned San Francisco public health code rating. For a list of major health code violations see (S1 Table). We built the predictive model using 71,360 Yelp reviews of restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The predictive model was able to predict health code violations in 78% of the restaurants receiving serious citations in our pilot study of 440 restaurants. Training and validation data sets each pulled data from 220 restaurants in San Francisco. Keyword analysis of free text within Yelp not only improved detection of high-risk restaurants, but it also served to identify specific risk factors related to health code violation. To further validate our model we applied the model generated in our pilot study to Yelp data from 1,542 restaurants in San Francisco. The model achieved 91% sensitivity 74% specificity, area under the receiver operator curve of 98%, and positive predictive value of 29% (given a substandard health code rating prevalence of 10%). When our model was applied to restaurant reviews in New York City we achieved 74% sensitivity, 54% specificity, area under the receiver operator curve of 77%, and positive predictive value of 25% (given a prevalence of 12%).

Model accuracy improved when reviews ranked highest by Yelp were utilized. Our results indicate that public health surveillance can be improved by using social media data to identify restaurants at high risk for health code violation. Additionally, using highly ranked Yelp reviews improves predictive power and limits the number of reviews needed to generate prediction.

Use of this approach as an adjunct to current risk ranking of restaurants prior to inspection may enhance detection of those restaurants participating in high risk practices that may have gone previously undetected. This model represents a step forward in the integration of social media into meaningful public health interventions.

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20% reduction in Medicaid use with data sharing

A data-sharing program in Missouri, which includes the departments of Health and Senior Services, Mental Health, and Social Services, stands as one example of how effective data sharing allows for improved delivery of care and saving of taxpayer dollars.

Hospital use by clients of the state’s Medicaid program fell by 20 percent as of last year, and emergency room visits fell by 12 percent.

The decline in emergency room visits alone saves the state $8 million annually.

Data sharing accounts for much of the credit for these efficiencies.

The sharing of health data, in particular, often needs a legal framework that both allows access that meets individual departments’ needs and ensures compliance with privacy laws and regulations. Minneapolis utilizes a streamlined process that makes legal resources available specifically for these kinds of discussions. The city clerk’s office and representatives from individual departments work with the city’s legal counsel to vet data as necessary and set any legally mandated boundaries. This city’s open-data policy encourages all other types of data to be open automatically, limiting complex legal discussions to an as-needed basis.

http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/gov-departmental-data-sharing-government-default.html

 

Lack of Social-service oriented approach within health departments and communities

Root causes of lack of initiatives and success in population health efforts and programs The health of a state’s population is not always prioritized relative to other societal goals. Incentives to…

Source: Lack of Social-service oriented approach within health departments and communities

Lack of Social-service oriented approach within health departments and communities

Root causes of lack of initiatives and success in population health efforts and programs The health of a state’s population is not always prioritized relative to other societal goals. Incentives to…

Source: Lack of Social-service oriented approach within health departments and communities

Lack of Social-service oriented approach within health departments and communities

Root causes of lack of initiatives and success in population health efforts and programs

  • The health of a state’s population is not always prioritized relative to other societal goals.

  • Incentives to improve health, including financial and political ones, are misaligned.

  • And there is a lack of consensus regarding who is responsible for health.

Solution

  • Consumers must voice their opinion to concerned officials and leaders promoting population health.
  • Focus solution on where the needs are.
  • Solutions must tailor fit what the current top health issues are.

For example in Woonsocket Rhode Island, the biggest issues identified were substance abuse, teen pregnancy and trauma. Appropriate programs are then rolled out over a three- to four-year period.

http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-health-social.html

Email motherhealth@gmail.com on your suggestions to be the focus health issues and solutions for government and consumers to take action in improving population health.

Mobile health applications must address the needs of the vulnerable populations.  Health insurance companies, government and employers must fund  mobile health application that will benefit the whole population especially the poor and the disadvantaged.

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Risk factors for addiction

By Maya Tyler

For both medical professionals and patients alike, it can be difficult to understand why particular people are more vulnerable to addiction than others. Often referred to as “the disease that knows no boundaries,” addiction doesn’t seem to discriminate based on color, ethnicity, height, weight, or social status. Moreover, attempting to identify the cause of addiction usually yields a complex answer. There can be numerous risk factors that may predispose a person for addictive behavior, regardless of an individual’s upbringing or moral code. While the risk factors for a drug addiction may differ than those for a sex or gambling problem, there tend to be many individual, social, and biological variables that combine to increase the chances there will be onset and progression of addiction of an individual if exposed to a substance or behavior.

Genetics

Over the course of the last few decades, science has proven that addiction is not a matter of weak willpower or moral degeneration. It appears that the chemical reactions of an addicted brain are significantly different than those of a “normal,” un-addicted brain. This explains why one person may be able to smoke cigarettes occasionally for pleasure, while another needs them on a daily basis in order to feel normal and to function properly.

 

Heredity, is a significant risk factor for addiction. In fact, scientists estimate that 40 to 60 percent of a person’s predisposition for addiction is based on genetics. In families where addiction is present, children are far more likely to have addiction problems as adults, especially if they witness a parent’s addictive behavior on a day-to- day basis.

Unfortunately, a person with the “addictive personality” may be at risk for a wide range of addictions. For example, a person with an alcoholic parent may choose not to drink, but will then become addicted to smoking or compulsive eating. Brain activity and pleasure responses in the addicted person appear to be the same, regardless of the addictive substance or behavior.

Environment

Environmental factors can also pose risks to a potential addict. For children and adolescents, lack of parental involvement or supervision can enable risky behaviors or experimentation with alcohol or drugs. Additionally, young people who experience abuse or neglect from parents may begin to use substances or engage in addictive behavior as an emotional coping mechanism.

In older adolescents and even adults, peer pressure is also a risk factor for addiction. Though it might not be overt or aggressive in nature, the pressure from friends to fit in or be accepted in a particular social circle can often create a breeding ground for addiction to take root and develop. The availability of a substance, as in the case of a college student having easy access to drugs or alcohol, may also make it much easier for an individual to become addicted.

Environmental factors can be so strong that an addict in recovery usually finds it necessary to avoid certain situations or people that may trigger a craving or a relapse into the addictive behavior.

Dual Diagnoses

In the medical community, a person with a “dual diagnosis” is someone who has an identified addiction as well as a mental health disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. It’s commonly believed that an underlying mental-emotional condition can predispose a person to addiction, and that the addiction can then exacerbate the symptoms or severity of the original condition. This causes a destructive cycle in which the addiction tends to progress rapidly and with severe negative consequences.

In other cases, a medical condition might predispose a person for addiction. For example, a person who is taking prescription pain pills after a surgery might become addicted to that substance. Or, an injury or illness could drastically change a person’s lifestyle, which can encourage the use of drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Drug of Choice

While some addictions progress slowly over the course of several months or years, certain substances may pose higher risks for addiction than others. Physiologically, drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines tend to be more physically addicting than substances like alcohol or marijuana. Since the withdrawal or “come-down” from cocaine or heroin use tends to be severely painful, the person is more likely to use the drug frequently and in higher doses, thereby significantly “speeding up” the process of addiction.

Method

Just as particular drugs may be more addictive than others, the method of use can also predispose a person for addiction. Substances that are smoked or injected into the body tend to be more addictive than those that are ingested. This is because the substance goes straight into the bloodstream and brain without being filtered by the liver and other detoxifying organs.

Early Use

Another risk factor for addiction is the age at which the use or behavior started. Research has shown that the younger the user is, the more likely he or she is to become addicted. Addictive behavior in the developing years can also have a negative impact on brain development, making young people more prone to mental-emotional disorders as the addiction progresses into their later years.

Shingles Natural Treatments

By Dr Axe

Pain On The Right Side Of The Abdomen

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.  Symptoms of shingles can be worsened by a weakened immune system and symptoms typically worsen as age increases.

It can cause nerve pain, fever, and clear blisters and can be triggered by a weakened immune system.

Shingles can be very painful and will run along the flank of the body but can also spread to others areas most commonly affecting the T3 to L3 dermatomes and most common on the T10 dermatome.

Top Foods For Shingles

Foods high in B-vitamins – The nervous system is under attack by the shingles virus, therefore it is important to include foods high in B-vitamins such as grass-fed beef, cultured dairy, eggs, organic chicken and wild caught fish.
Water – Adequate hydration is the key to flushing out the virus from your system. Try to drink at least 8 ounces every 2 hours.
Garlic and onions – Both of these herbs/vegetable contain allicin which can help boost immune function.
Foods rich in vitamin C – Add orange and yellow fruits and vegetables to increase yourvitamin C intake.
Green leafy vegetables – These vegetables are high in vitamin A and calcium which can boost immune function.

Foods to Avoid For Faster Healing

Sugar – Decreases white blood cells that help fight off infection.
Fruit juices – Although orange juice contains some vitamin C, it is not as high in vitamin C as whole fruits or vegetables.
Caffeine – Depletes the body of hydration, so avoid it.
Carbonated beverages – These beverages promote a more acidic system, so try to limit them during the acute illness.
Fried foods – Promotes an acidic environment, so best to avoid these foods.

Top 5 Shingles Natural Treatments

#1 Vitamin C (1,000mg 3-4x daily)
Helps with immune system function and boosts white blood cells.

#2 Echinacea (500 mg 3x daily)
This herb can help your body fight off infections and viruses.

#3 Oregano oil (500mg 2x daily)
Oil of Oregano has a powerful antiviral effect.

#4 Vitamin B12 (1000-5000 mcg daily)
Vitamin B12 helps promote faster recovery and reduced pain.

#5 Zinc (50 mg daily)
Zinc supports immune function and has an antiviral effect.  It works best when taken at the first sign of illness.

Bonus Remedies
Essential oils of melaleuca (tea tree oil), peppermint and helichrysum improve immunity, fight infection and can relieve pain associated with shingles.

Take 2 drops of each essential oil and mix it with 1/4 tsp of coconut oil and rub it on area of shingles pain.

By Dr Julian Whitaker

Many folks are also plagued with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—unrelenting nerve pain that can linger for years after an initial shingles attack. PHN symptoms vary in severity from tenderness in the affected area to shooting, stabbing, throbbing pain or numbness and tingling along the nerve lines. Other serious shingles complications include skin infections, vision and hearing problems, facial paralysis and muscle weakness.

If you look to your conventional doctor for treating shingles, don’t be surprised if he gives you a prescription for an antiviral, anti-seizure, antidepressant or opiate medication. These are the go-to drugs for treating shingles and PHN. But these prescription meds are rife with dangerous side effects and contraindications, which makes it difficult for many patients to take them. And because they only mask pain and other symptoms, they aren’t a viable long-term solution for treating shingles.

That’s why I recommend the following safe, natural and effective methods for treating shingles instead.

IV Vitamin C and Microcurrent for Treating Shingles

Several lab studies have shown that vitamin C inhibits viral replication, so it makes sense that this therapy could ease an episode of shingles. It’s also been noted that patients suffering with PHN have reduced blood levels of vitamin C. (Any time the immune system is stressed, levels of this protective vitamin plummet.) Furthermore, case studies demonstrate that treating shingles with IV vitamin C significantly reduces postherpetic pain and improves patients’ quality of life.

We’ve also had success at The Whitaker Wellness Institute with microcurrent therapy. This safe and simple treatment utilizes extremely low-level electrical currents (microcurrents) to treat nerve and muscle pain, inflammation and other health challenges. Patients with shingles and PHN report significant improvements with microcurrent therapy.

Over-the-Counter Therapies for Treating Shingles

Though I firmly believe that IV vitamin C and microcurrent therapy should be the first-line therapies for treating shingles and PHN, a number of over-the-counter remedies are also helpful.

  • High-dose vitamin B12 is a time-honored treatment for shingles.
  • The amino acid L-lysine, like vitamin C, inhibits the replication of the herpes zoster virus.
  • Another option is a product called Shing-RELEEV (formerly Shingle-EEZE), a blend of antimicrobial and botanical agents that is applied topically to relieve shingles pain.

The suggested daily doses are: 1,000–2,000 mcg of vitamin B12  and 1,500–3,000 mg of L-lysine. Take these supplements in divided doses as soon as symptoms occur; continue until symptoms subside. Shing-RELEEV is sold in drugstores or may be purchased at releev.com. Use as directed.

A good combination for getting rid of shingles is colloidal silver, proteolytic enzymes and olive leaf extract.

Colloidal silver is an extremely effective pathogen destroyer which can be taken internally as well as applied topically. Recent studies have found that: 1) Colloidal silver attaches itself to viruses and prevents them from replicating and 2) There are specific silver receptors on human nerve tissue – the location where the shingles virus “hides out”.

Proteolytic enzymes are produced naturally by the pancreas to help digest the protein, and they are reported to be able to strip away the protective outer layers and heads of viruses. These enzymes are found in certain foods, such as papaya and pineapple, and are also available in supplement form.

In a German study, 96 people with shingles took proteolytic enzymes for 14 days and another 96 people with shingles took acyclovir, a standard antiviral medication. Both groups experienced similar pain relief and skin improvement. The group taking proteolytic enzymes had significantly fewer side effects.

Olive leaf extract is a very effective anti-viral that has been reported to conquer viruses that mainstream medicine considers impossible to eliminate, such as Hepatitis-C. One patient who had suffered from shingles for nine years reported experiencing complete relief within two days after beginning to use olive leaf extract.

Tips for relieving shingles symptoms:

*Keep blisters dry and the affected area clean.

*Do not burst the blisters no matter how tempting.

*Apply wet, cool compresses to reduce pain

*Apply wet dressings to soothe the burning sensation.

*Avoid being in humid areas.

*Keep yourself cool.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031598_shingles_outbreaks.html#ixzz4LfGakFtE

Does eating eggs impede healing? If so, why?

My answer to Does eating eggs impede healing? If so, why?

Answer by Connie b. Dellobuono:

Eggs are important for healing because they contain 9 essential amino acids, most athletes need it for muscle building and my dad used to drink raw eggs to heal his TB (lungs). Histidine () and Leucine are two of the 9 essential amino acids in eggs. Eggs plus Vitamin B rich foods are happy foods, helping happy hormones in the brain.
Eggs contain Histidine which is an amino acid that is used to develop and maintain healthy tissues in all parts of the body, particularly the myelin sheaths that coat nerve cells and ensure the transmission of messages from the brain to various parts of the body. It may be useful for treatment of mental disorders as well as certain types of sexual dysfunction. Histidine levels in the body must be balanced to ensure good mental and physical health. High levels of this amino acid have been linked to the presence of psychological disorders such as anxiety and schizophrenia, while low levels of histidine are thought contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis and the type of deafness that results from nerve damage. Taking histidine supplements may help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Histidine in eggs is important to normal sexual functioning, because it gets converted into histamine, a chemical needed to stimulate sexual arousal. When taken together with vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), histidine can increase sexual pleasure by boosting histamine levels in the body. Histamine is also needed to help the immune system know when the body is experiencing an allergic reaction, and for the production of gastric juices needed for normal digestion. Research suggests that histidine also acts as a natural detoxifier, protecting against radiation damage, and removing heavy metals from the system. It may even help prevent the onset of AIDS—histidine is crucial to the production of both red and white blood cells. Like other amino acids, histidine is found in many high-protein foods such as raw eggs.
Leucine in eggs helps regulate blood sugar
Leucine works with the amino acids isoleucine and Valine to repair muscles, regulate blood sugar, and provide the body with energy. It also increases production of growth hormones, and helps burn visceral fat, which is located in the deepest layers of the body and the least responsive to dieting and exercise.
Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine are branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and all three of them help promote muscle recovery after exercise. Leucine is the most effective BCAA for preventing muscle loss because it breaks down and is converted to glucose more quickly than isoleucine and valine. Increased glucose supplies prevent the body’s cannibalization of muscle for energy during intense workouts, so it is no surprise that this amino acid supplement is popular among professional body builders. Leucine also promotes the healing of bones, skin, and muscle tissue after traumatic injury, and is often recommended for those recovering from surgery. Because it is so easily converted to glucose, leucine helps to regulate blood sugar; a deficiency of leucine produces symptoms similar to those of hypoglycemia, which may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion, and irritability.
Histamine is also essential in defending the body against invasion by potentially disease-causing agents such as bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders. Histamine is made and stored within white blood cells (leukocytes) such as mast cells in tissues and basophils that circulate in blood. When the immune system is activated in response to foreign material entering the body, histamine is the first "defence chemical", or more correctly, inflammatory mediator, released in the process called inflammation.
Foods with High Histamine levels: Long cooked or leftover meat, Most Alcohol (Wine, Beer, Cider, Fermented Drinks), Yeast, Fish that is not immediately gutted after catching, Aged Fish (Canned, Smoked), Tomatos (Fresh or Processed), Pickled, Fermented & Cultured Foods Sauerkraut Pickles, Kimchee, Soy Sauce, Tamari, Miso), Smoked & Cured Meats (Ham, Sausage, Salami), Shell Fish, Red Beans, Nuts, Chocolate, Citrus Fruit, Wheat Based Foods, Vinegar (Salad Dressings, Mustard, Ketchup, Mayonnaise), Spices & Seasonings (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Hot Peppers, Cloves, Anise, Curry, Chili Powder, Overripe Fruits, Yogurt & Kefir (depends upon the cultures used), Canned Food ( additives & preservatives), Soy Products, Mushrooms, Dried Fruits, Cola, Raw & Undercooked Egg (Whites in particular)

Does eating eggs impede healing? If so, why?

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