Language barriers as a reported cause of prehospital care delay in Minnesota.

Objective: Although anecdotal reports exist, the frequency of language barriers encountered between EMS providers and patients/families in the prehospital environment remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of EMS provider-reported perceived delays in care due to language barrier and to characterize the nature of calls involved.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the Minnesota State Ambulance Reporting system (MNSTAR) database, a mandated statewide EMS data collection tool.

Universal influenza vaccination: the time to act is now.

Annual influenza epidemics create a significant public health burden each year in the United States. That influenza continues to pose a public health threat despite being largely preventable through vaccination is indicative of continuing weaknesses in the U.S.

The burden of complex genetics in brain disorders.

Background: Few data estimate the impact of complex genetics in neuropsychiatric illness, making it likely that this impact could be underappreciated.

Objective: To provide estimates of the impact of complex genetics in neuropsychiatric disorders in the United States, based on estimates of disease costs to US society, disease heritability, and mendelian contributions to disease.

Data Sources, Study Selection, And Data Extraction: Costs were estimated from literature sources and Lewin-National Foundation for Brain Research estimates updated for population growth and consumer price index inflation.

Cases from the Osler Medical Service at Johns Hopkins University.

A 37-year-old woman presented with increasing abdominal pain and jaundice. Six weeks before admission, she developed persistent diarrhea and jaundice of the skin. She also bruised easily, and her gums bled.