Infotrak

Julie Angwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, author of Dragnet Nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance explained why Americans should be concerned about the rapidly increasing ways that the government, private companies, and even criminals use technology to indiscriminately sweep up vast amounts of our personal data. She outlined tools that people can use to reduce their digital footprint.

An American Psychiatric Association report found that Americans have experienced a 51% increase in anxiety levels in the past two years. Laurie Nadel, PhD, a psychotherapist who specializes in treating acute stress, anxiety and PTSD, author of The Five Gifts: Discovering Hope, Healing and Strength When Disaster Strikes said the report illustrates an epidemic of anxiety issues, including PTSD. She said it can be triggered just by watching disturbing images on electronic devices, causing what she terms “vicarious traumatization.” She outlined five techniques that may help those suffering from mental trauma.

Jamie Cooper, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Georgia led a study that found that stepping on the bathroom scale once per day may help to avoid weight gain. She said the average adult gains 1-2 lbs over each vacation or holiday period, and normally doesn’t lose it afterwards. She said although people may walk more and get other forms of physical activity during vacations, they tend to eat more.

Rachel Moon, MD, Pediatrician and Researcher at the University of Virginia Children's Hospital was the lead author of a study that found that babies are dying in car seats when the child is out of the car and sleeping. When looking at infant deaths in sitting devices, like car seats and strollers, her team found that more than two-thirds occurred while in car seats. In those cases, parents were using the car seats as directed less than 10% of the time. She stressed the importance of educating parents to use a crib or bassinet when they are at home.

A recent investigation by the Food and Drug Administration found toxic per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in a wide variety of produce, meats and processed foods. David Andrews, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Environmental Working Group outlined the health dangers. He said food packaging is a major source of the chemicals, along with contaminated water and soil used to grown the food. He would like to see greatly increased government regulation and monitoring of the chemicals.

Joshua Gotbaum Guest Scholar in the Economic Studies Program at The Brookings Institution, and Chair of the Maryland Small Business Retirement Security Board said the retirement industry has spent decades largely sidestepping perhaps the biggest question most Americans have about retirement planning: how much of their earnings should they be saving? He cited research from the Employee Benefits Research Institute that recommends saving at least 10% of each paycheck. He stressed that Millennials should begin saving in earnest as soon as they enter the workforce.

Corporate psychologist and management consultant Patricia Thompson, Ph.D., author of The Consummate Leader: A Holistic Guide to Inspiring Growth in Others…and in Yourself

Karen Page Winterich, PhD IS Associate Professor of Marketing, Frank and Mary Smeal Research Fellow, Penn State University. Dr. Winterich’s research team conducted six studies that found that when consumers are aware that recyclables are transformed into new items, they recycle more. She believes that improving consumer education should be a priority for any organization seeking to increase recycling.

Stefanos N. Kales, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School co-authored a recent study that suggested that the number of push-ups a middle-aged man can perform might be a strong indication of his overall heart health. He found that men who can do more than 40 pushups in one minute have a 96 percent reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease compared with men who could muster fewer than 10. He also noted that push-up capacity appears to be a better and obviously less costly measurement of heart health than the standard treadmill test routinely used by cardiologists.

Kevin Estela, author of 101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods outlined essential skills and tools that can be helpful to anyone in an emergency situation, particularly on camping trips and other outdoor activities. He also discussed the importance of being mentally prepared to act in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

Lauren Stiller Rikleen, President of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership, and author of The Shield of Silence: How Power Perpetuates a Culture of Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace discussed workplace misconduct, sexual harassment and other negative behaviors on the job. She believes the best way to address these problems is to eliminate the fear of retribution against those who report the misconduct. She said that change is also needed in the court system because judges and juries often discount the credibility of victims and are reluctant to hold employers accountable.

While a number of metropolitan regions across the US are struggling, many more midsize and rural counties are wrestling with long-term declineDavid Swenson, PhD, Associate scientist in the Department of Economics, Iowa State University explained why most of the country’s smaller urban and rural counties are not growing in terms of population and jobs, and will not grow in the future. He said government policies need to address the issue and assure access to necessary public services and modern technologies, to ensure that rural residents are connected to today’s society.

Robert M. Siegel, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Better Health and Nutrition of the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati lled a small study of middle school students, examining their cardiovascular risk factors. He found that a third of the children had abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood sugar, and several were found to have undiagnosed diabetes. He said every child should be routinely tested for cardiovascular risks, but only 25-30% are.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the frequency of several types of food poisoning infections climbed last year, but that the increases could be the result of new diagnostic tools that help identify more cases. Tony Corbo, Senior Lobbyist for the Food Campaign at Food & Water Watch, an advocacy group that supports stricter food safety regulations explained the complex system that tracks illnesses such as salmonella and campylobacter. He said illnesses connected to produce are on the rise, while meat and poultry cases are unchanged.

Many young people struggle as they make the transition from the academic environment to the professional world. Tina Seelig, PhD, author of What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 - 10th Anniversary Edition: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World discussed skills and thought processes that can lead to success and resilience in their adult lives. She also talked about the effectiveness of our nation’s higher education system in preparing students for life.

Veterans face a wide array of mental health and stress-related challenges when they return to civilian life. Christopher Loftis, PhD, National Director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/U.S. Department of Defense Mental Health Collaboration discussed the various forms of help available at Veterans Administration facilities and via community-based mental health resources where veterans live. He offered ideas to help family members and friends start the conversation about mental health.

Teens spend hours every day on internet-connected devices, often with little or no supervision. Megan Maas, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University, certified sexuality educator led a study that found that online sexual experiences can predict a teen’s likelihood of becoming a victim of sexual assault one year later. She outlined the specific patterns of behaviors that can put teenagers at risk. She said she believes teens need to receive much better education to learn how online activities can affect their real life.

Most Americans are aware that the Social Security program will soon run short of money. William G. Gale, PhD, Arjay and Frances Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy, Senior Fellow in the Economic Studies Program at the Brookings Institution discussed the even shakier financial situations of Medicare and Medicaid. He said the Medicare trust fund will run out of money in 2026. He stressed the importance for Congress to either reduce costs, raise taxes or make other major policy changes soon.

Tiffany Munzer, MD, Pediatric Developmental Behavioral Fellow at the University of Michigan led a study that examined parents reading to their children in different book formats: enhanced electronic (with sound effects and/or animation), electronic, and print. The study found that traditional books provide the greatest opportunities for discussion, conversation and parent/child bonding. She said the flashing lights and loud sounds in most e-readers detract from the potential benefits of a shared reading experience.

Deborah Schwengel, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center led a comprehensive nationwide study that found that the rate of lawnmower injuries remains at a consistently high level, with most of them requiring surgery and hospitalization. She explained how the most common incidents occur and how adults can take steps to protect children from injury.