News outlets cover the latest CDC statistics revealing that illicit drug overdoses remain elevated in Oregon over the past year compared of the rest of the country, noting that dangerously potent illicit fentanyl arrived on the West Coast later than other areas of the country. Todd Korthuis, M.D., tells The Lund Report.

Healio records a video perspective by Benjamin Hoffman, M.D., president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, regarding policies on opioids in pain management for kids; promoting early childhood reading; and overzealous discipline for students who are neurodivergent, have behavioral issues or have experienced significant trauma. Regarding the last issue, he says, “We are hoping to move past a culture where suspension and expulsion were the answer and more toward a trauma-informed, inclusive approach to ensuring that every child has access to education and the resources they need to be able to learn and thrive."

Medical Ethics Advisor covers a study by Sammie Lyons, M.D., that examines how ethical issues are handled for 18- to 26-year-olds who are sometimes cared for in pediatric settings and sometimes adult settings. She notes that at OHSU, there is a single ethics committee for both adult and pediatric patients, which is better for young adults. “When dividing an ethics committee into pediatric and adult subgroups, you are missing this particular patient panel that traverses both spaces,” she says.

Amanda Redfern, M.D., shares insight on eye contact lens safety with Yahoo!News. She says, “The problem with contact lenses is that it will sandwich bacteria between the lens and your cornea, and you can get infected … . In general, we frown upon anything where your eye is going to expose to something nonsterile.”

The Baker City Herald reports that the 16th annual Great Salt Lick auction raised $19,000 on Sept. 21 with proceeds going to Parkinson’s disease research at OHSU. Founded by local resident Whit Deschner, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000, the event showcases salt blocks licked into sculptures by livestock and wildlife.

An OHSU study finds that back-and-front placement of defibrillator pads used following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than doubles the chance of success compared to front-only placement.

A team of OHSU surgeons this year performed the region’s first fetoscopic repair for spina bifida, which can significantly improve long-term health outcomes for babies born with the condition.

Aficamten shows promise for improving exercise capacity and quality of life for patients with obstructive HCM. Ahmad Masri, M.D., says, “Aficamten, as a next-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor, is currently in development for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and reduces hypercontractility in the cardiac sarcomere.”

An OHSU study finds that back-and-front placement of defibrillator pads used following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than doubles the chance of success compared to front-only placement.

Researchers at OHSU’s Center for Reproductive Health Equity find that despite the enactment of 12-month contraceptive supply policies in 19 states, most patients do not receive long-term prescriptions.