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March – April 2020
In brief
Article cites dangers of marijuana use to adolescents, pregnant women
A recent article in Psychiatric News* addressed the risks of marijuana use to adolescents and pregnant women. It referenced an advisory from Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams indicating that the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the component that induces feelings of euphoria and is responsible for the experience of “getting high.” Mounting evidence shows that for the developing fetus, marijuana use can have such adverse effects as low birthweight. For adolescents, it can result in deficits in attention, memory, decision-making and motivation.
Study predicts rise in U.S. adult obesity
New research finds that by 2030, nearly half of American adults — 49.2% to be exact — will be obese, the Los Angeles Times* reported recently. In every single state, no fewer than 35% of adults will have a body mass index of at least 30, the threshold that defines obesity. In populations where rates of obesity are higher, people tend to be sicker, live shorter lives and incur steeper health care expenses.
Researchers find overdose deaths up while prescriptions for opioids down
 Researchers from Grand Valley State University have found that while the number of opioid prescriptions being written in the state has declined, the number of opioid overdose deaths have increased. Among the findings:
- After a peak of more than 1 prescription per capita (per year) in Detroit in 2012, the region has seen a decline in the prescription rate to 0.76 per capita.
- While opioid prescriptions have decreased, researchers found overdose death rates (from all drugs) increased to 34 per 100,000 people in Detroit.
The entire report is available online at gvsu.edu/vphealth.*
Free waiver training opportunities offered
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is hosting series of free waiver training courses at various locations across Michigan this year. Each course provides the required eight hours to obtain a medication-assisted treatment waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in an office setting for patients with opioid use disorder. For information on upcoming waiver training opportunities, see the February Record.
Blue Distinction® Total Care now called simply ‘Total Care’
As you may have read in the February Record, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has changed the name of Blue Distinction Total Care to Total Care and added a new Total Care+ designation to this national program. Total Care is the nation’s largest integrated network of value-based providers. It gives customers and members access to high-quality providers throughout the country.
*Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website. |
