E-Borne Newsletter : Sept. Edition
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S., Editor Roger@iAwareables.com
Dear friends and colleagues,
Dear friends and colleagues, Fall is in the air, when it can find room,. . . time to gear up for another traditional season of festivityness and frazzle. Pumpkins, turkeys, reindeer - elections, standard time, tax planning - ahhh, the yearly home stretch. Glass half-empty or full, you can count on IA to supply needed viral-ity to the season(s). Be sure to check with us first for those looming and purposeful gifts - with a grin.
Happy Goblins!
IN THIS ISSUE
- CHANGE YOU CAN WEAR
- ANATOMY OF A DESIGN
- WEST NILE RESURGENCE
- LATEST STUDY ON SPREAD OF HIV
- PUNISH HOSPITALS FOR INFECTIONS?
- JUST IN! "Be Safe" Boxers and Caps
- JOHN M. LEEDOM M.D., 1933 - 2008
- MEETINGS, 2008
1. CHANGE YOU CAN WEAR
CTYLIN' WITH CLIMATE CHANGE As you may have noticed, both the donkeys and the elephants are promising to bring us "change" in November. Well, here's change you can wrap yourself in, along with some upwardly mobile graphs, greenhouse gases and adriftin' polar bears. Working with the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, we created a m=E9nage of climate change cutouts. Of course, no colors but Purdue Boilermaker gold and black would do, although we did manage to sneak in a touch of electric blue for sizzle. Need a gift for some environmentally short-circuited pals? IA Climate Change neckties are guaranteed to help them chill. . .and maybe even control their urge to hug.
Climate Change Warm Reds | Climate Change Black/Gold
2. ANATOMY OF A DESIGN
Ever wonder how we create our designs? Assuming you have a life, probably not. But just in case, take a thermostatically-controlled look at the elements of the aforementioned CC design:
The
Keeling Curve, a graphic representation of
increasing atmospheric CO2 since 1958.
Molecules
of greenhouse gases:Nitrous Oxide, Methane,
CO2 - or. . .
just another summer in Los
Angeles.
Polar
Bear, a recent Endangered Species graduate,
on thin ice. Tho it does seem like 25,000
are plenty.
Put 'em all together, splash some wearable colors, and voila - a design to make your polar cap melt!
3. WEST NILE RESURGENCE
RISK IN SO. CALIFORNIA HIGHEST SINCE 2004. HOW'S YOUR 'HOOD?
The number of confirmed cases of West Nile virus in So. California as of August 1, has risen nearly five times when compared to the past three years. 39 cases have been confirmed, 70% of which have contracted the more serious form of the virus, West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Humans and animals contract WNV from bites of infected mosquitos, which contract it by feeding on infected birds.
Care to venture a guess as to a major cause of the increased rates of infection? Holy Foreclosure! Talk about ripples. . .so many abandoned swimming pools, so many new breeding grounds for the bizzy buzzers. Who (not WHO) would have guessed! You may want to survey the abandoned homes situation in your environs, especially those with a swimming pool. "We know West Nile is endemic," said an Orange County epidemiologist. "It's here to stay."
And speaking of WNV, check out our dramatically updated West Nile scarf design. This one will bite you for sure.
4. LATEST STUDY ON SPREAD OF HIV
SPREADING FASTER IN U.S. THAN THOUGHT
A recent, highly detailed study by the Centers for Disease Control reveals that the number of new HIV infections in 2006 reached 56,300, 40% more than previous estimate of 40,000. The study was unique in that it was performed using new technology enabling researchers to distinguish between new and older infections. The study also revealed a "disproportionate impact on gay and bisexual men and on blacks and Latinos." HIV is not going away; it's simply continuing to seek fertile, susceptible demographics.
In a more local snapshot, studies show that New Yorkers are contracting HIV at three times the national rate, according to the N.Y. City health department. In 2006, 72 of every 100,000 New Yorkers contracted HIV, compared with the national average of 23. 4800 people were confirmed with the infection in New York, 2006. New York is considered the epicenter of the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic, with about 100,000 citizens believed to be infected.
In keeping with our tradition, IA will donate 50% of all HIV sales through the end of 2008 to AIDS research and education.
HIV Silver/Blue & Black/Copper Neckties & HIV Scarf
5. PUNISH HOSPITALS FOR INFECTIONS?
WATCH FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF CLASS ACTION SUITS
Starting in October, Medicare will stop reimbursing hospitals for treatment of certain "nosocomial" infections considered "never events," including certain bloodstream, urinary tract and post surgical infections. Based on an assumption that these cases can be prevented absolutely by meticulous hospital regimens, these new regulations will put increased pressure on facilities and their staffs to tighten their infection control and prevention procedures. This can only be a good thing.
However, in the pursuit of that zero tolerance goal, what about newly evolved germs, as was the case with MRSA, resistant TB, Hep C, and Legionnaire's? What new and opportunistic strains are yet unknown today, but sure to surface tomorrow? What of the fact that a large percentage of incoming patients bring their infections along with them upon entry to the facility? And will Drs. be increasingly hesitant to do surgeries where risks are perceived greater than the rewards (survival, reimbursement)?
It will be interesting to see how these two competing realities play out. In the meantime, keep a watchful eye on this percolating crisis in healthcare.
6. JUST IN! "Be Safe" Boxers and Caps
The California Family Health Council (CFHC) wants to know! These new products (watch for more info, next month's newsletter), were created from a graffiti-style design by a talented inner-city youth. Great awareness tools - comfy, cutting edge (in a good way) accessories. Slip into a pair of these boxers, you might never take them off! Boxers / Caps
7. JOHN M. LEEDOM M.D., 1933 - 2008
"ON THE FOREFRONT IN BATTLING AIDS AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE"
Dr. John Leedom was a friend of ours. We met nearly 10 years ago, very early in our business evolution at a health care conference, and as recently as last year, maintained a mutual interest and respect. He was an enthusiastic supporter of our mission, always interested in our new designs and our progress. Dr. Leedom served as chief of the division of infectious diseases at Los Angeles County -USC Medical center from 1975 - 2002, concentrating much of his efforts on stopping spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and beginning in the early '80s, in battling HIV and AIDS. He became director of the Multidisciplinary AIDS Clinic and AIDS Service in 1985, and led efforts to test many of the drugs used to treat the disease. He retired to the seaside community of Oceanside, California in 2002, but still attended professional meetings, and always made a point to stop at our booth to bring us up to date, spread a little of his wry humor - and to continue his encouragement.
Low key, soft-spoken, always a gentleman - we will miss John Leedom, and pay tribute here to a distinguished professional who truly made a difference.
8. MEETINGS, 2008
ASM American Society for Microbiology; Boston, MA; June 2 -4. This was BIG! A record-breaking meeting for IA.
APHA American Public Health Association; San Diego, CA; Oct 25-29. Finally, a meeting where there is no WEATHER!
We'll expect to see you there - or else!
ENJOY THOSE FALLING LEAVES AND CHANGING COLORS. ACTUALLY, NOT MUCH FALLS OUT HERE IN CALIFORNIA (IS BROWN REALLY A COLOR?).
HOPING YOUR PUMPKINS ARE WELL-LIT, ASSUMING
THEY DON'T DRIVE. . .
Awareabley yours,
RPF
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S., and THE IA TEAM
