Complex Web of Influences on Teen Drinking

Chicago Tribune article entitled "Teen Alcohol Consumption: A Tangled Network Leads to a Surprising Conclusion" reveals that the strongest influence on your child's alcohol consumption is not their friends, or their girlfriend/boyfriend, but rather their romantic partner's close friends. By far, this appeared to be the strongest influence on teen drinking behavior. Why might that be? How can parents and teachers use this new information to stop teen drinking?

Oldest Workers Honored

Link to a news article about a recent ceremony honoring two of the oldest still actively working older adults in the United States (one of whom is a psychologist!). Dr. Bolgar (102 years old), a psychologist, sees patients from 16-20 hours a week and gives lectures, appears in videos and writes. She says she has no plans to retire. Mr. Mazerine (101 years old) Wingate is the great-grandson of slaves and the son of a sharecropper. He began his career 40 years ago at the post office. He still drives to work, where he spends four hours a day, six days a week. How old would you like to be before you retire? Would you prefer to work as long as you can?

Health Gains for Women who Drink?

A NY Times Health article entitled "Aging: Health Gains from One Small Drink a Day" discusses recent research that revealed a small drink (1/2 to 1 oz) of alcohol each day contributed to longer lives for women. However, the researchers warn that exercise and healthy body weight are more critical than drinking. What do you think? Are there other contributing factors that might impact longevity in those who drink a small daily drink? (e.g., socialization, etc). Would you be willing to change your drinking habits to extend your life?

Employing Adults with Autism

This is an interesting  article entitled "Startup Company Succeeds at Hiring Autistic Adults." The article discusses an interesting and innovative work place that caters to individuals all along the autism spectrum of disorders, and has had great success in utilizing their skills and unique talents. What other ways could individuals with autism spectrum disorders contribute to the workforce? Could this model of specialized workplaces be used for other individuals with mental health disorders?