A Pilot Study of Fragile X Syndrome Screening in Pregnant Women and Women Planning Pregnancy: Implementation,Acceptance, Awareness,and Geographic Factors

We report herein results of a study performed in the Balearic Islands which had the following goals: 1) Determine the proportion of pregnant or non-pregnant women planning pregnancy, who would choose to undergo a screening test for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), if it is accompanied by the appropriate information; 2) Assess satisfaction and any increase in stress among women who participate in screening; 3) Collect epidemiological information about the incidence of the disease in our population; and 4) Collect demographic and health history data and assess participants’ awareness of the disease. Screening was performed on 3,731 pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age and the results indicate: a very high voluntary rate of participation; a high level of self-reported satisfaction and low levels of stress because of the test; a very high incidence of premutation (1/106) in our population; and a low level of awareness about the existence of FXS (25 %). Additional findings indicate no significant correlation between self-reported health history and premutation detection, and the high premutation incidence does not seem to be specific to the indigenous Balearic population. Based on these results, we discuss the pros and cons of an implementation of preconception and pregnant women screening for FXS within a public health screening program.     

Dropped on the way to the top: Gender and managerial derailment

We attempt to make sense of ongoing gender disparities in the upper ranks of organizations by examining gender bias in leaders’ assessments of managers’ derailment potential. In a large managerial sample (Study 1: N ～ 12,500), we found that ineffective interpersonal behaviors were slightly less frequent among female managers but slightly more damaging to women than men when present. Evidence of bias was not found in performance evaluations but emerged when leaders were asked about derailment potential in the future. We replicated this pattern of effects in a second large managerial sample (Study 2: N ～ 35,500) and in two experimental studies (Studies 3 and 4) in which gender and interpersonal behaviors were manipulated. In Study 4, we also showed that when supervisors believe that a manager might derail in the future, they tend to withdraw mentoring support and sponsorship, which are especially critical for women's career advancement. Our research highlights the importance of leaders’ perceptions of derailment potential—which differ from evaluations of performance or promotability—both because they appear to be subject to stereotype‐based gender bias and because they have important implications for the mentoring and sponsorship that male and female managers receive.     

What mothers don't know and doctors don't say: Detecting early developmental delays

The present study examined the detection of early developmental delays of high‐risk infants by first‐time mothers in a community sample of families (N = 451). About half of the mothers were adolescents at time of childbirth, and two thirds reported household incomes below $20,000 annually. Children were assessed at 12 and 24 months of age on standardized measures of cognitive, language, adaptive, and socioemotional development. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL101‐476) guidelines, about 1 in 4 children was eligible for intervention services at 12 months, and about 1 in 3 children was eligible at 24 months. Despite receiving regular medical services, mothers reported that very few eligible children (2% at 12 months and 9% at 24 months) were identified by medical professionals as having any problems that could interfere with development. Much like medical professionals, few mothers were appropriately worried about development, and the likelihood of expressing concerns was related to mothers' knowledge about infant development. These findings highlight the need for medical providers to frequently screen high‐risk children and for parents to become more knowledgeable about infant development.     

探析美国国家生命伦理学委员会--历史沿革及启示

在一个没有单一国教或价值权威能全盘解决科技政策与价值问题的多元社会中,由政府设置公共论坛性质的政策咨询委员会,是一项值得采纳的作法.美国先后设立过6个国家生命伦理学委员会,探析它们的建立与变迁,可以为我国类似组织提供参考.     

美国社区卫生服务运行机制和管理模式研究

美国的卫生服务系统由社区卫生服务和医院服务两大部分组成。通过从组织形式、筹资机制、人力资源、动力与约束机制以及管理几个方面,对美国社区卫生服务的运行机制与管理模式进行分析,以期对我国社区卫生的发展有所借鉴与帮助。     

循证卫生管理的探讨

培养博学而人道的医学工作者是医学教育所追求的目标。作为一门交叉学科,医学哲学在医学生的人文素质培养中占有重要地位。对医学哲学的教学内容、理念与方法分别进行探讨,期望医学哲学教育能够提高医学生对与现代医学有关的知识、活动和态度进行批判性反思的意识和能力。     

“健康国家”战略发展的过程与国际经验

基于健康价值概念,居民健康所面临的挑战,以及医疗卫生服务发展趋势,系统描述了“健康国家”战略的发展过程与国际社会实施“健康国家”战略的基本情况,并提出了可借鉴与学习的经验。     

遗传学认识的特征、争论及其社会控制

20世纪遗传学取得的重大成就并不能掩盖它与人类社会的伦理、宗教、法律之间的不和谐.如何更加正确和高效地进行遗传学的研究和技术应用已经成为各国自然科学家和社会科学家共同关心的问题.概括了遗传学认识的特征,分析了现代遗传学理论同各种传统认识之间存在的争论,并结合当今在遗传学理论研究和技术运用中出现的社会问题提出社会控制的措施.