Literature Review

Federal scientists conclude there is credible evidence for certain medical uses of marijuanaPolitico, by Natalie Fertig; 1/12/24The Department of Health and Human Services concluded that marijuana is less harmful than other dangerous drugs and that there is some evidence of its medical benefits in recommending loosening federal restrictions on the drug. For the last 60-plus years, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I drug — the same as heroin — under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it’s a substance of high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Bloomberg first reported in August that HHS had recommended marijuana be moved to Schedule III, and the release of these documents on Friday confirms that.Publisher note: The full FDA report can be found here.

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‘Men who are grieving, or facing up to a terminal illness, can come here to share their experience’MSN, by Roland White; 1/14/24When volunteers from the Marie Curie charity were looking for a place where men could support each other through serious illness and bereavement, there was really only one option. They built a large shed. That’s no surprise. Sheds are very handy for storing garden tools and spare cans of oil, but they also serve an even more important function as places of male refuge. We escape to the shed in times of distress, or when we just need a bit of peace.

Walla Walla Valley uncorks history, hosts first Hospice du Rhône eventUnion-Bulletin, by Hannah McIntyre; 1/13/24Walla Walla Valley, home to 135 wineries, will host the Hospice du Rhône for the first time in the Pacific Northwest. Starting Wednesday, April 24, and running through Saturday, April 27, is a celebration of the Valley's Rhône-style grape varietals that thrive both in the soil of the Rocks District and the Walla Walla Valley AVA.

Despite Increased Awareness, Gender Bias Persists Across HealthcareForbes, by Amy Shoenthal; 1/12/24When a 50-year-old woman attorney noticed some chest pressure and had trouble maintaining endurance during regular exercise, she initially sought counsel from two doctors: her internist and her gynecologist. Both reassured her that she was experiencing perimenopausal symptoms along with the stress of a high-powered job. Her intuition suggested otherwise. Going up stairs was leaving her winded. So she searched for a third opinion ... It’s no secret that women’s symptoms are frequently dismissed or their ailments misdiagnosed by reputable medical professionals.

Hospice providers: CON laws need overhaul in some statesHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/12/24Some hospice providers have hit roadblocks when it comes to navigating needs determination methodologies certificate of need (CON) laws in certain states, citing outdated processes for assessing underserved populations.

Optum a rising star at UnitedHealth Group, has more room to growHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/12/24The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum Health has emerged as one of the largest players in home-based care, primary care and other health care services. Nevertheless, the company sees vast market opportunities on the road ahead.

Radio Interview: A conversation with a black Catholic artist (and hospice leader)Catholic Review Radio; 11/12/23Wayman Scott IV ... is an up-and-coming Black Catholic artist based at Baltimore Clayworks whose works are gaining national and international attention. A former youth minister at St. John in Columbia who also served as a chaplain and grief counselor at Gilchrest Hospice, Scott infuses both his Catholic faith and his African-American heritage into his work. He currently serves as associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Gilchrist and GBMC Health Partners.

In 2024, data will drive IFDHE's discussions on health equityAmerican Hospital Association (AHA) Institute for Diversity and Health Equity (IFDHE), by Joy Lewis; 1/12/24For the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, 2024 can be summed up in a single phrase: “letting the data speak and guide us.” Data is critical to eliminating health disparities and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion and serves as the starting point. Data shines a light on the experiences of different patient populations who are accessing care. With data, we are able to see different outcomes for these groups, broken down by race, ethnicity, gender, insurance status or socioeconomic status. Data provides context about our patients’ experiences and health outcomes so we might see where the gaps are that need to be closed. Our mission, then, is to make data actionable. This year, we will embark on several initiatives to provide us with the data — both qualitative and quantitative — that will help us take our necessary next steps.

Bayard Rustin: Why MLK's right-hand man was nearly written out of historyHistory.com, by Thaddeus Morgan; 1/2/24Bayard Rustin was an indispensable force behind the civil rights movement, and openly gay. ... To the hundreds of thousands who were bused to Washington for the [August 28, 1963] March [on Washington for Jobs and Freedom], Rustin was synonymous with the movement. After all, he was the march’s chief organizer.Editor's Note: Learn more by viewing Rustin, the biographical drama film released via Netflix on November 3, 2023.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility ProgramU.S. Department of Health and Human Services website; ongoing key referenceThe Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion (EEODI) is within the Assistant Secretary for Administration’s (ASA) office and its mission is to promote, encourage, develop, and maintain a culture of equality, fairness, and objectivity throughout HHS.

We were here: Black infant loss in D.C. - A three part series on black infant mortality in the Dsitistrict. Who's at risk and why?Washington CityPaper, by Candace Y. Montague; 12/23Between 2014 and 2020, more than 330 Black infants died in D.C. before their first birthdays. Recent perinatal reports show this problem isn’t going away anytime soon. Washington City Paper is taking a closer look at why this crisis hits the Black community in D.C. so hard, how it affects families and clinicians, and who is working to prevent infant loss. This series is being produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 National Fellowship.

Washington, D.C., needs to address hospice care utilization disparitiesThe Washington Informer, by Donna Gayles and Audrey Easaw; 1/13/23Our nation’s capital ranks high in many things, from access to outdoor activities and number of museums to its ethnic and cultural diversity and vibrant LGBTQ+ population. But the city lags far behind in one key area: hospice care utilization. While on average, just under half of Medicare decedents are in hospice care at their time of death, in the District of Columbia, only 25% are – ranking lower than 49 of the 50 states.