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November / December 2011
Volume 23, Number 6
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Quotations of interest that may affect counties |
WHAT’S UP, DOC?
The medicating of Americans for
mental illnesses continued to grow over
the past decade, with one in five adults
now taking at least one psychiatric drug
such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and
anti-anxiety medications, according to an
analysis of pharmacy claims data.
Among the most striking findings
was a big increase in the use of powerful
antipsychotic drugs across all ages, as well as
growth in adult use of drugs for attentiondeficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a
condition typically diagnosed in childhood.
Use of ADHD drugs such as Concerta and
Vyvanse tripled among those aged 20 to 44
between 2001 and 2010, and it doubled
over that time among women in the 45-to-
65 group, according to the report.
Overall use of psychiatric medications
among adults grew 22 percent from 2001
to 2010. The new figures are based on
prescription drug pharmacy claims of two
million U.S. insured adults and children
reported by Medco Health Solutions Inc.
—Fox News
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Texas American Federation of
Teachers, the state branch of the nationwide
teachers’ association, has released the results
of a web survey that reports extensive
teacher layoffs, increasing class sizes and
deteriorating work environments.
- 92 percent said their district had
eliminated positions — most
reported between 10 to 50; 85
percent said the positions eliminated
included teachers.
- 79 percent reported cuts to
student programs including pre-K,
special education, electives, and
athletics; tutoring was the program
respondents most frequently
reported as cut.
- The survey also asked respondents
about their schools’ climate for
students, teachers, and staff —
and how that compared to the
year before. 81 percent said it was
“worse” or “much worse,” and 72
percent described it as “stressful and
taxing.”
— The Texas Tribune
NO INDIFFERE NCE
Public Policy Polling, a North Carolina
outfit, asked 700 voters around the nation
for their feelings about 17 selected states.
Fortunately, Texas was selected. FYI, several
major states — including New Y ork,
Florida and California — were not selected
in this go-round.
The good news: Texas tied for the highest
favorability rating.
The bad news: Texas had the highest
unfavorability rating.
The inevitable news: Texas, by far,
was the state that most stirred emotions,
positive or negative. Love us or hate us, we
will not be ignored.
— The Austin American-Statesman
BAR TAB
Excessive drinking cost U.S. society
more than $220 billion in 2006, a study
released by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention found.
According to the CDC, federal, state and
local governments shouldered about $94.2
billion of that total. Governments are often
forced to pay health care costs associated
with excessive drinking. Costs related to
law enforcement and the justice system,
typically relegated to state and local entities,
add up to more than $20 billion.
— Governing
HELP WANTED
By 2020 an additional 21 million jobs
will be needed for the U.S. to return to
full employment — and we know these
jobs will be radically different from those
of years past. Health care, business services,
leisure and hospitality, construction,
manufacturing and retail account for 66
percent of today’s employment. By the
end of the decade, those industries will account
for 85 percent, according to a June
2011 report from the McKinsey Global
Institute (MGI). Those fields may sound
familiar, but the nature of work is changing.
According to Susan Lund, director of
research at MGI, jobs are becoming much
more specialized, more task oriented,
more virtual and more part-time.
- Time
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