Treating Depression to Remission Is Crucial
Medscape Medical News story - "More than 50% of patients who experience an episode of depression are likely to have a recurrence. Patients with three or more episodes of depression have an 80% to 90% likelihood of recurrent episodes. These statistics point to the importance of treating depression to the point of remission rather than just to the point of symptom relief, researchers at the University of Cincinnati told attendees here today at the American Academy of Family Physicians annual scientific assembly..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
comment []    

Medicaid: Issues and Challenges
Testimony to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health by Diane Rowland, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation and executive director of the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, "on the issues and challenges facing Medicaid in providing health and long-term care coverage for the low-income population." (Adobe Acrobat format)  
comment []    

Companies honored for psychologically healthy workplace practices
Press release from the American Psychological Association Practice Directorate - "New employee hiring teams, programs that involve employees in making business decisions and even unorthodox policies such as allowing dogs in the workplace are just a few of the innovative best practices companies nationwide are implementing in an effort to create better places for their employees to work, according to a new publication released today by the American Psychological Association (APA). These business best practices came to light as part of APA's new national recognition program – "The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award: Best Practices Honors," which recognizes companies for innovative programs and policies that support psychologically healthy work environments. Companies ranging from BellSouth to Washington State University and Small Dog Electronics are among the 15 companies nationwide honored for their ongoing commitment to workplace health and well-being." At the APA Practice web site, there is an introduction to the awards, a page on the 2003 Best Practices Honorees and an Adobe Acrobat version of the full Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards Report.  
comment []    

HHS Announces Over $31 Million to Aid Children Who Experience Trauma
SAMHSA press release - "Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced cooperative agreements totaling $31 million over 4 years, to improve the quality of treatment and services received by children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events. These awards are also designed to increase access to treatment and services throughout the country. The total for the first year is $7.7 million. The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative also includes an additional $1 million, one-year supplement for a coordinating center."  
comment []    

Drug Treatment for Pregnant Women, New Mothers to Receive $8.9 Million
HHS press release reprinted at Yahoo - "Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced grants of $8.9 million over three years to provide quality residential substance abuse treatment services for pregnant women and mothers with young children up to twelve months. The programs are designed to also provide services to the infants and their siblings suffering from the effects of maternal alcohol and drug use."  
comment []