El complicado panorama del sistema médico estadounidense encierra una serie de programas independientes que, aunque son menores, son capaces de salvar vidas. Estos programas cobran más importancia ahora, en el contexto actual en Massachusetts, en el cual 30,000 inmigrantes legales enfrentan la pérdida de su seguro médico subsidiado por el estado a finales de este mes.

Entre las llamadas más difíciles y sensibles que puede recibir una estación de policía se encuentran las relacionadas a la violencia doméstica. Aunque estas llamadas provienen en su mayoría de hogares, el abuso puede ocurrir en cualquier lugar.

Rafael Campo, MD, a physician and poet, has been appointed Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The office is based in the Center for Education, where Campo’s initial efforts will include coordination of undergraduate and graduate programs to enhance minority recruitment and retention at Harvard Medical School and BIDMC, and collaboration with colleagues in faculty development and academic careers to increase supports for minority faculty at BIDMC.

Two more deaths in Boston have been linked to H1N1 influenza (swine flu), bringing the total number of H1N1-related deaths to four in Massachusetts, the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today.

Enjoy the relaxation of summer vacation, but avoid letting good health habits take a holiday. During the summer, it’s easy for families to eat poorly at festivals, ballgames, and tourist sites. follow these suggestions from TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly).

More U.S. women in their 20s and 30s are having children without getting married, and Latinas share the highest rate, a study released yesterday by the National Center for Health Statistics reports. The report revealed there were 106 births to every 1,000 unmarried Hispanic women, 72 per 1,000 blacks, 32 per 1,000 whites and 26 per 1,000 Asians.

CVS Caremark Corp., the nation’s largest pharmacy chain, is by far the most penalized food retailer in the state for overcharging, according to Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations inspection reports from 2008 recently obtained by Cure CVS. The analysis was released today as consumer advocates held a press conference at the Massachusetts state house.

The American Cancer Society and Greater Lawrence Family Health Center will present I Can Cope, a series of workshops for people with breast cancer, their families, and friends, on the second and fourth Friday of every month, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, at GLFHC, 34 Haverhill Street in Lawrence. I Can Cope workshops will be conducted in Spanish and are free and open to anyone affected by cancer, but registration is required. Those interested in attending should register by calling Sylvia Cata at 978-689-6597.

The influenza virus is often spread when a person comes in contact with something that has been contaminated with germs, such as people’s hands, doorknobs or countertops, and then touches their eyes, nose and mouth before washing their hands. In fact, an NSF International classroom study in 2005 found that commonly shared items, such as drinking fountains, desks and cafeteria trays typically have more germs than any other surface in a school.

It is always a good idea for people who are ill to refrain from going to large public gatherings not only because of swine flu but also other infections. In addition, people with underlying medical conditions who are at high risk for complications of influenza may wish to consider avoiding large gatherings.