Zika Virus Health Information Resources

We have all been hearing more about Zika virus disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The National Library of Medicine has gathered together these resources to assist public health departments, health care providers, librarians, and others seeking authoritative information on the virus and disease.

Free Photo from Pixabay

CDC Zika Virus Information

WORLD Health Organization Fact Sheet

NIH - Zika Virus: An Emerging Health Threat

CDC Zika Virus and Pregnant Women

SEA/NNLM More links about the Zika Virus

Choosing Wisely -- Do I need that test?

Choosing Wisely^® is an initiative of the ABIM Foundation to help providers and patients engage in conversations to reduce overuse of tests and procedures, and support patients in their efforts to make smart and effective care choices.

A 2014 survey funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that three-quarters of physicians say the frequency of unnecessary medical tests and procedures is a very or somewhat serious problem. Originally conceived and piloted by the National Physicians Alliance through a Putting the Charter into Practice grant, the Choosing Wisely campaign calls upon leading medical specialty societies and other non-physician organizations to identify tests or procedures commonly used in their field whose necessity should be questioned and discussed. The resulting lists of "Things Providers and Patients Should Question" are intended to spark discussion about the need—or lack thereof—for many frequently ordered tests or treatments.
The lists of more than 300 recommendations can be found on the Choosing Wisely website, along with various resources for both patients and physicians, including:

• Communication education modules to aid physicians in conversations with their patients about overuse and unnecessary medical tests
• Patient-friendly materials created by Consumer Reports that translate the recommendations into plain language for consumers
• Videos featuring prominent health care leaders on the impact of the campaign
• Stories from the Choosing Wisely newsletter that highlight the work of organizations implementing the campaign at sites across the country

The problem with peer review.

Interesting Article - Let's Stop Pretending Peer Review Works.

How open-science and data-sharing work

Rival Scientists Cast Doubt Upon Recent Discovery About Invincible Animals

A recent claim that tardigrades got a sixth of their DNA from microbes is starting to unravel.

On your feet - Public Health England Report

Report from Public Health England:

(WebMD news article)

Recommendation for office workers is to stand for at least two hours a day while at work.  The ideal is four.  Also take breaks for walking. 

(British Journal of Sports Medicine article):

Calloway County Snapshot

From County Rankings and Roadmaps - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Calloway County

IDC 199 Course - The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell's Influence on Modern Culture

Need an interesting one hour class the last eight weeks of Spring Semester?  Go on a journey with Joseph Campbell and learn to recognize the stages and archetypes of the hero's journey in your favorite books or films.

Tuesdays - 6:00 - 7:50 pm
First Class - March 10th

DESCRIPTION:  Designed to acquaint students with the “The Hero’s Journey” from Joseph Campbell’s book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and its influence on modern literature, comic books, and film.  

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Upon completing the course, students should be able:

·         to demonstrate familiarity with select concepts of 
       Joseph Campbell; 
·         to understand how the authors’ work continues to 
       influence modern culture; 
·         to examine and connect portions of literature, comic books and film to stages of the Hero’s Journey; 
·         to develop abilities to critically analyze works, and to express their analysis through discussion in class and 
       through writing assignments.

email: cvance4@murraystate.edu for a Permissions Override in MyGate