ADVANCE Outlook: OT : General News

Swine Flu: What You Should Know

Susan Coyle — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:10:00 GMT

On April 25, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared swine flu a "public health emergency of international concern." On April 26, the U.S. followed suit, declaring a national public health emergency, according to the New York Times. Thus far, the...(read more)

Two Birds with One Tax?

Susan Coyle — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:17:00 GMT

The country's largest tobacco tax increase went into effect this morning, raising the tax on cigarettes from 39 cents a pack to $1.01, according to USA Today . The money from the tax reportedly will be used to fund the State Children's Health Insurance...(read more)

Pistorius and Du Toit Take Golds!

Susan Coyle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:48:00 GMT

The 2008 Parlympics began September 6 in Beijing, and as expected, Oscar Pistorius and Natalie Du Toit are making their presence known.

In his first bid for gold, Pistorius beat out Americans Marlon Shirley, Brian Frasure and Jerome Singleton in the 100m. This was Pistorius' most difficult race and as if to prove it, he struggled from the start, not pulling ahead until the final second. But pull ahead he did, winning gold with a time of 11.17 seconds. Singleton finished with 11.20 for silver and Frasure 11.50 for bronze.

Shilrley, the defending champion, fell several seconds in and was unable to finish the race.

In swimming, Du Toit won her first gold on Sunday, completing the 100m butterfly in 1 minute, 6.74 seconds. This sets a new world record for Du Toit's disability class.

Both Pistorius and Du Toit are primed for more golds as the games continue. Check out www.universalsports.com for updates.

Going Digital!

Jessica LaGrossa — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT

ADVANCE now offers its full print issues in a digital format online!

This interactive version of our current issue contains all the articles and links to products, jobs and events. All of your favorites, from paper to the Web! You can find our digital version by clicking here, or on the top left hand side of our homepage. (You must be signed in as a subscriber to access the link.)

Going forward, you will also have access to all of our digital version via the digital archive beginning with June 23, 2008.

This is just one more way for you, the ADVANCE for Occuaptional Therapy Pracitioners readers, to have full and timely access to information regarding your profession.

Court Rules in Autism-Vaccine Case

Jessica LaGrossa — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:41:00 GMT

The news spread like wildfire today among the health care industry and autism circuits:

The US Department of Health and Human Services has ruled in favor of the family of 9-year-old Hannah Poling of Athens, GA, entitling compensation from a federal vaccine injury fund. Government health officials conceded that vaccines "significantly aggravated" Hannah's underlying mitochondrial disorder and led autism-like symptoms.

For more information, read:

Government Concedes Vaccine Injury Case

First Autism-Vaccine Link: How Hannah Made History

The family held a press conference in Atlanta today and will be appearing tonight on Larry King Live.

ADVANCE first reported on the first test case for a larger group of autism-vaccine claims-the Omnibus Autism Proceeding in the US Court of Federal Claims-in June of last year. That article can be read here.

The most recent update in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims was filed on Jan. 17 and divulged the following:

* Currently, there are 4,900 petitions in autism cases pending, all dependent upon the Omnibus Autism Proceeding (OAP).

* Additional petitions are always being filed.

* The first set of three test cases was presented in the OAP for the first of three varying theories of general causation-the theory that MMR vaccines and vaccines containing thimerosal combined can cause autism.

* Test cases for the first theory include first test case Cedillo VS HHS, no. 98-916V (began in of June of 2007); second test case Hazelhurst VS HHS, no. 03-654V (began in October 2007); and third test case Snyder VS HHS, no.01-162V (began in November 2007).

* Evidentiary hearings for all three cases in the first theory as well as opening briefs have been conducted. Additional briefs are forthcoming. A written ruling will be made once all additional briefs have been filed.

* Test cases for the second general causation theory-the theory that vaccines containing thimerosal alone can cause autism-were identified early this year and include first test case Mead VS HHS, no. 03-125V; second test case Krakow VS HHS, no. 03-632V; and third test case King VS HHS, no. 03-584V.

* An evidentiary hearing for the three cases for the second theory of general causation is scheduled for May 12-30 of this year in Washington, DC.

* Test cases for the third theory-the theory that MMR vaccines alone can cause autism-will be identified by May 5 of this year with an evidentiary hearing scheduled for Sept 15 in Washington, DC.

Parties have been instructed to complete evidentiary hearings for all test cases for the second and third theories by Sept. 30, 2008.

(The full report can be obtained here.)