Michael Hiltzik says the medically uninsured iin America have become a political football. Opponents and supporters of healthcare reform toss assertions about them back and forth.
The report, which says 46.3 million people lacked coverage as of the end of 2008, makes the case for reform stronger than ever by punching holes in arguments that minimize the plight of the uninsured.
Includes comments by WUSTL social work and public health professor Timothy McBride.

References:

1. Sept. 17, 2009 — U.S. Census Bureau data on the medically uninsured simply can't be denied in the Los Angeles Times

How much is it going to cost to provide health care for all Americans? Until the details are complete, the only honest answer is: no one knows, reports John Schoen. "We know that the underinsured tend to be healthier," said Timothy McBride, associate dean for WUSTL's public health. "So if they were to get insured they would not be as expensive as the rest of us."

References:

1. Sept. 9, 2009 — Elusive price tag for universal health coverage in the MSNBC.com

One of the courses offered in The New York Times Knowledge Network Fall 2009 catalog is Introduction to Encore Careers. This course will introduce you to the phenomena of encore careers in the health and human services sector and help you explore some of the distinguishing features and challenges of the nonprofit sector. WUSTL social work professor Nancy Morrow-Howell is among participating faculty.

References:

1. Aug. 23, 2009 — Knowledge Network -- Fall 2009 Course Listings in the The New York Times

Americans say they're still in a tunnel, but more are beginning to see a light at its end. Fewer people say they've prospered over the past year than in decades, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds. WUSTL social work professor Mark Rank comments on the 'American Dream.'

References:

1. June 23, 2009 — Despite everything . . . Americans are seeing better times ahead in the USA Today

and 2 others.

Despite the well-advertised healthy lifestyle message, healthy habits are in decline, according to an authoritative national survey on health and nutrition. WUSTL epidemiology professor Ross Brownson, who is a leading expert in chronic disease prevention, comments.

References:

1. June 9, 2009 — Bad Habits Asserting Themselves in the The New York Times

and 3 others.

U.S. researchers suggest autism diagnoses are not occurring soon enough. WUSTL social work professor and study lead author Paul Shattuck comments.

References:

1. May 5, 2009 — Autism diagnosis may occur years late in the United Press International

and 4 others.

A new WUSTL social work study shows that comprehension and other critical skills improve dramatically with one-on-one help from Experience Corps' volunteers. WUSTL social work professor Nancy Morrow-Howell comments.

References:

1. April 8, 2009 — Students in urban schools get big boost from pioneering tutor program in the The Christian Science Monitor

People in Middle America may have larger middles from frequent buffet and cafeteria eating and perceived barriers to physical activity, U.S. researchers said. "It's not that people don't want to get physical activity or eat healthy foods, but we've made it difficult in many communities," senior author of the study Ross Brownson of the Washington University in St. Louis said in a statement.

References:

1. Dec. 19, 2008 — Buffets, exercise lack linked to obesity in the United Press International

and 33 others.

In the contemporary era of rampant foreclosures, credit card debt, and ever-evolving scams that prey on the economically vulnerable, few social work schools offer specialized financial training to their students, but change is under way. WUSTL social work professor Michael Sherraden devised the concept of Individual Development Accounts, which helps low-income families build assets to reach long-term goals.

References:

1. Nov. 17, 2008 — Social workers to teach money management in the CNN.com

and 1 others.

Against the backdrop of the economic meltdown, a movement is building within the ranks of America's social workers to make their profession more adept at helping clients overcome financial woes. WUSTL social work professor pioneered the concept of Individual Development Accounts, which help low-income families build assets to reach long-term goals such buying a home.

References:

1. Nov. 9, 2008 — Social workers boosting expertise on money woes in the Associated Press

and 123 others.

New research suggests the risk of domestic violence will rise as increasing number of veterans are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. The consequences on families and children in communities across the U.S. are an emerging concern says WUSTL social work professor Monica Matthieu, an expert on veteran mental health.

References:

1. Nov. 7, 2008 — PTSD Tied to Domestic Violence Among Vets in the PsychCentral.com (MA)

and 8 others.

Asset Builders CDC executive director Cecilia Salinas responds to critics of the benefits of financial literacy saying, "We have learned education does make a difference in changing behavior and establishing savings habits."
"Nationally a recent report by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis noted positive changes in financial behavior resulting from participation in the IDA program and financial education classes."

References:

1. Aug. 5, 2008 — Financial literacy leads to positive change in the Chicago Tribune

Article looks at the alarming suicide risk facing young Latinas.
WUSTL social work professor Luis Zayas is in the middle of a five-year study of more than 150 young Latina girls who have attempted suicide. He says cutting is also finding a following among Latinas.

References:

1. Jan. 22, 2008 — Crying Out For Help in the The Washington Post

and 1 others.

WUSTL is exploring the possibility of increasing its involvement in the health of the region by establishing its own school of public health.
As part of a strategic planning process currently under way at the university, WUSTL medical school dean Larry Shapiro and social work dean Edward Lawlor are investigating how the university can expand its focus on public health, according to Rob Wild, assistant to the chancellor.

References:

1. Dec. 28, 2007 — Washington U. studies creation of public health school in the St. Louis Business Journal

and 3 others.

Most teens and adults with autism have less severe symptoms and behaviors as they get older, a groundbreaking study shows.
Not every adult with autism gets better. Some -- especially those with mental retardation -- may get worse. Many remain stable. But even with severe autism, most teens and adults see improvement over time, find Paul Shattuck, who is now a social work professor at WUSTL, and his colleagues at U. Wisconsin.
Shattuck and colleagues report their findings in the October issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

References:

1. Sept. 27, 2007 — Autism Improves in Adulthood in the WebMD.com

A U. Wisconsin-Madison report says that how the hallmark behaviors of autism change as individuals progress through adolescence and adulthood has, until now, never been fully scientifically documented. In a new study, published in the September Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers have found that symptoms can improve with age.
WUSTL social work professor Paul Shattuck, who is the first author oof the paper, comments on the study.

References:

1. Sept. 26, 2007 — Autism symptoms can improve into adulthood in the SpiritIndia.com (India)

and 2 others.

There's a gap between the dream of retirement and the reality Americans face. A recent study from WUSTL School of Social Work estimates that 4 out of 10 people over age 60 will fall below the poverty line at some point in their later years. Countless more will watch their dream retirement fade as they discover that their savings barely cover their immediate needs. But the prospect of fiscal free fall has yet to alter most Americans' behavior, and baby boomers are saving a scant third of what they'll need.

References:

1. Sept. 6, 2007 — Retirement Cash: Will You Have Enough? in the Readers Digest (NY)

Many actors -- most, in fact -- eventually end up in other fields, especially as they age out of their roles. But the search for greater fulfillment in a second career is not restricted to show business types. An increasing number of adults exchange lucrative, glamorous jobs for the helping professions, notably social work and the nonprofit sector. Washington University in St. Louis actively recruits older adults for its program. The dean, Edward F. Lawlor, appreciates their motivation. ''They know why they're here, because they made an active choice to change careers,'' he says.

References:

1. July 29, 2007 — Second Acts: Stage to Social Work in the The New York Times

Article looks at a growing underside of the vibrant, rapidly shifting economy of northern Virginia, where the high cost of housing and the unpredictable nature of the job market can plunge workers into poverty and homelessness.
The situation in northern Virginia is similar to those surfacing nationwide.
WUSTL social work professor Mark Rank is one of the experts commenting.

References:

1. Feb. 27, 2007 — In northern Virginia, rising economy sinks working poor in the Washington Post
2. Feb. 26, 2007 — Many Americans are falling deeper into depths of poverty in the Seattle Times

and 5 others.

Volunteer agencies were urged yesterday to tap into the pool of aging and retiring baby boomers at a forum on international volunteerism at the Brookings Institution.
The goal of the Brookings initiative is to double international volunteerism in three years, from 50,000 people to 100,000 people. Margaret Sherraden, researcher at WUSTL's Center for Social Development, comments on international volunteerism.

References:

1. Dec. 6, 2006 — Baby boomers seen as source of global volunteers in the The Washington Times