RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina doctors can now screen patients for domestic violence, as one of the eight "no additional cost" preventive care tests under a section of health care reform that just went on the books. It's billed as a step towards improving women's health, and saving money for the system in the long run.

Mary Anne Greene, who works at a shelter for abused women and children, says the doctor-patient relationship is the ideal environment to help people get out of abusive relationships.

"If you're in a doctor's office, and the abuser is not present and your health care provider actually starts screening for domestic violence, this means we can get more people in the programs and services."

In a push to improve preventive medical care, the Affordable Care Act says insurance companies can no longer charge for many basic screenings, including the domestic violence screening. Another change is that women's domestic violence insurance claims can't be denied as part of a pre-existing condition.

According to national statistics, one in four women, and one in seven men, is a victim of domestic violence, but Green says that's only incidents that are reported. She points out that women, on average, report domestic violence seven times before they actually leave their abusers.

"They are a shadow person of what they used to be. To come forward and say 'Yes, this is really happening' and to have the courage to leave, because every other threat he's made has come true."

Critics of the provision say it will be too expensive, but Green and others say treating domestic violence early and aggressively can save money. In 2010, 107 people died as a result of domestic violence in North Carolina.

The national domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE.






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Michigan farmers are responding to the new Avian Flu "Extraordinary Emergency" order from MDARD, Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

New safety guidelines must be in place by this Wednesday that affect all dairy and poultry operations in the state.

The guidelines include the designation of a biosecurity manager, establishing a perimeter that limits access to livestock, and implementing cleaning and disinfection procedures at those access points.

Chief Medical Executive for the state of Michigan, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, said the most severe cases of the Bird Flu seem to be in poultry.

"Poultry don't recover well from this virus," said Bagdasarian. "This is a highly pathogenic virus in poultry and the dairy cows do tend to recover, even though their milk production is slowed down."

M-DARD first detected Avian Flu in Michigan dairy cattle on March 29 of this year. The disease has since been detected in more dairy herds and commercial poultry flocks in 7 counties.

The emergency guidelines also include farms maintaining a record of vehicles and people who cross access points.

Regarding the health risks for humans, Bagdasarian said there is some positive news amidst the crisis.

"We had a number of workers who had been exposed, but very few have been symptomatic," said Bagdasarian. "And no one who has been symptomatic and tested for the virus, had tested positive. So, that's really good news. "

The Food and Drug Administation continues to advise against drinking raw milk and recommends that the dairy industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products.



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Advocates supporting the legalization of medical aid in dying in Delaware are optimistic following the recent passage of House Bill 140. It is now under consideration in the state Senate.

If passed, the bill would allow terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to choose medical aid in dying as part of their advanced directives.

Judy Govatos, a patient and advocate for medical aid in dying, explained the proposed law would give terminally ill patients the power to decide how they want to handle their end-of-life care.

"This isn't just about me," Govatos pointed out. "It's about understanding that dying is a very vital part of life. And the legacy we leave has to do with beginnings and endings. And there's a beginning and ending to death and then a beginning again."

Govatos acknowledged the opposition from religious groups, stressing the legislation respects diverse beliefs while offering options for those who do not find solace in enduring pain. The Catholic Bishops of Maryland wrote in a statement, "Human life is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore sacred." They also wrote medical progress in pain management allows for enhanced comfort for the terminally ill and can "improve the quality of the remainder of their lives."

Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, shared the stories of Heather Block and Ron Silverio, the two Delaware residents who advocated for the medical aid-in-dying law but died suffering without being able to access it. She said their stories demonstrated the urgency of passing the legislation, as there are real people behind the legislative inaction.

"When you have legislation that benefits people and harms nobody, there's really no reason not to move forward," Callinan argued. "Our hope is that lawmakers can see the people behind this bill and recognize that the time is now to pass this legislation in Delaware."

Currently, medical aid in dying is legal in 10 U.S. states: Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California and Hawai'i as well as in Washington, D.C.

Toughing it out during spring allergy season is not in your best interest if you want to avoid asthma later in life.

New Mexico has plenty of grass and weed pollens carried by the wind which contribute to itchy, watery eyes, a stuffy nose and sneezing fits this time of year.

Dr. Osman Dokmeci, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of New Mexico, suggested for those who suffer acutely, seek an allergy test and possibly medication to prevent asthma from taking hold.

"One out of 10 has asthma in America," Dokmeci pointed out. "Having seasonal allergies increases your chance of developing asthma at least fivefold."

He recommended treating allergies early and as aggressively as possible. May is "Asthma Awareness Month," which aims to bring attention to the health issue and highlight improvements in care and quality of life. Nationwide, asthma affects more than 25 million Americans, including 4 million children, and disproportionately affects certain racial and ethnic groups.

Allergies do not "cause" asthma but people who have allergies, or have family members who have allergies, are more likely to get asthma than those who do not. Research shows allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer. A 2022 study from the University of Michigan found pollen count could increase by 200% by the end of the century due to climate change, which is why Dokmeci stressed it is important not to ignore the problem.

"There's no treatment that actually makes your asthma not happen," Dokmeci explained. "But once you develop asthma, there are good treatment options."

The estimated economic impact of asthma is more than $80 billion per year from direct and indirect costs, such as missed school and workdays.