Ruby de Luna

Seattle Study Shows Cancer Can Lead To Bankruptcy

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:15:11 +0000

Medical debt is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy, according to a study published online today in the journal Health Affairs. There are plenty of anecdotes of people who have used up their savings, borrowed from friends or filed for bankruptcy following a serious illness like cancer. Now researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have documented exactly how great the risk of bankruptcy is for cancer patients.

Washington Exemption For Faith-Based Employers Challenged

Ruby de Luna — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:49:59 +0000

The State Supreme Court today heard arguments in a case that could decide whether faith-based employers in Washington have some exemption from the state’s anti-discrimination law.

Seattle Scientists Identify Cells That Could Lead To Herpes Vaccine

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:14:48 +0000

Scientists at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have found a class of cells they think suppresses herpes. This could explain why some people have no symptoms or lesions when the virus is reactivated. It also changes the way scientists understand how the virus works.

Seattle To Launch Gun Violence Study

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:46:38 +0000

The City of Seattle is about to embark on a new study that hasn’t been done in other American cities—to look at gun violence from a public health standpoint.

Seattle Children’s Hospital Opens Nation’s First Cancer Clinic For Young Adults

Ruby de Luna — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:25:18 +0000

Every four weeks, Anna Stephens comes to Seattle Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy. But she’s not a child. Stephens is 23 years old, and she’s one of thousands of young people with cancer who wind up being treated in facilities that typically deal with much younger or much older patients.

Seattle Children's New Cancer Treatment Program For Teens, Young Adults

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:38:26 +0000

Seattle Children’s Hospital is opening a new cancer unit Sunday specifically designed for teens and young adults.

When young cancer patient age 15 to 29 goes in for treatment, they end up either in a pediatric or adult facility. A designated place for this age group could play a crucial role in their survival, according to Dr. Becky Johnson.

Woodland Park Elephants Focus Of Seattle Task Force

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:07:36 +0000

A task force will meet Thursday to review the health and living conditions of three elephants at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. The panel was created after a citizen petition last year called for an investigation into the living conditions and treatment of elephants.

Seattle Immigrant Women Overcome Cultural Constraints To Exercise

Ruby de Luna — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:10:34 +0000

Physical activity is good for the body and mind, though finding time to exercise can be a challenge. But for some people, time is not the only issue. Many Muslim women find that cultural constraints limit their options. A group of immigrant women in Seattle found a way to overcome that challenge.

The Long Road To Safety Changes In Food Systems

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:24:44 +0000

Salmonella. E.coli. Listeria. Every year about 48 million Americans get sick from eating contaminated food. Some people become seriously ill and need to be hospitalized. More than 3 million of those illnesses are from tainted produce.

Contaminated Burgers In Seattle Trigger FDA Changes, 20 Years Later

Ruby de Luna — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:22:05 +0000

The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed the most sweeping changes to food safety rules in 70 years. Now it wants to hear from the public.