Autism Affecting Up to 1 in 36 Children in America
In April 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report estimating the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States at 1 in 59 children. The figure was based on a 2014 survey of eight-year-old children across 11 residential communities in the country, so clearly it was out of […]
Polio-like Guillain-Barré Syndrome on the Rise in Peru
The government of Peru declared a 90-day health emergency earlier this month following an outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that has killed at least four people in the country. According to the Institute of Neurological Sciences (INCN) in Lima, Peru, the emergency was declared because the cases “have unusual and atypical characteristics that require rapid […]
Patients Minus Appendix at Greater Risk for Parkinson’s Disease
Story Highlights Findings from a new study suggest that removing the appendix is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The appendix, which is an organ that is part of the body’s immune system, was once believed by medical professionals to have no functional purpose. Interfering with the body’s natural immune system carries the […]
How Quickly AFM Has Been Overshadowed by Measles
With all the attention to being given by the media and state legislatures to measles these days, it easy to overlook the mysterious polio-like disorder known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) that continues to affect children in the United States and other countries. Last year, there were a total of 230 confirmed cases of AFM […]
Experimental Nexvax2 Vaccine for Celiac Disease on FDA Fast-Track for Approval
Story Highlights A new, experimental vaccine against celiac disease has been granted fast-track status by the FDA, indicating a perceived urgency in getting the vaccine to market. Celiac disease has been increasing dramatically over the last 50 or so years, approximately mirroring the introduction of new breeds of wheat, bred for greater yield, that now […]
Minnesota Establishes Autism Council
In October 2018, the Minnesota State Senate established a working group called the Minnesota Autism Council to provide guidance on how best to address issues relating to autism, including “treatment, educational options, employment opportunities, independent living, and more.” It was decided that the council would consist of individuals from different backgrounds, including autism advocates and […]
