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vaccination blogs and forums,” he said. Dr. Terk says when making important health care decisions for their children, many parents rely on the advice of a trusted friend or relative or an admired celebrity rather than data from epide- miologic studies. “I always talk about the fact that I have provided these same vaccines to my children and that I would be happy to put parents in contact with other parents who have experienced loss as a result of vaccine-preventable diseases. Once you make it a real and personal issue, many parents will come around,” he said. Dr. Terk acknowledges that a few


parents will never be persuaded to vacci- nate their children, despite his attempts to provide respectful stewardship on the subject. He deems those noncompliant parents to be a poor fit with his practice and invites them to seek care from an- other physician. (Read “Firing Patients,” May 2012 Texas Medicine, pages 37–40, or online at http://bit.ly/182rDdE.) Dr. Tan says physicians need to un-


derstand risk perception and learn to manage it among patients. And he advis- es physicians not to discount the impact of patients’ emotions on risk evaluation. “If feelings toward an activity are fa- vorable, that activity’s risk tends to be underestimated. If feelings toward an activity are not favorable, that activity’s risk is usually perceived to be high,” he said.


Be Wise — Immunize is a service mark of the Texas Medical Association.


grants in compliance with state law and CPRIT administrative rules. A morato- rium on grant operations had been in place since December 2012. “With the new oversight committee and critical reforms in place, CPRIT can continue its lifesaving work with greater transparency, accountability, and in- tegrity,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “The re- search and prevention efforts supported by CPRIT have the potential to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer. As important as this work is, it must be done in a way that ensures the trust and confidence of the people of Texas.”


CPRIT grant moratorium lifted


Top state officials authorized the Can- cer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to resume grant opera- tions and finalize remaining contracts. They made the decision after a review of the agency’s processes and the passage of major reforms by the legislature dur- ing the 2013 session. CPRIT will award


36 TEXAS MEDICINE January 2014


Governor Perry, Lt. Gov. David De- whurst, and House Speaker Joe Straus put a hold on all CPRIT grant activities following concerns about the processes and operations of the agency. In early 2013, the governor signed Senate Bill 149, which established checks and bal- ances and introduced reforms to the agency. The governor, lieutenant gov- ernor, and speaker appointed the new CPRIT Oversight Committee, which will guide the work of the institute and ap- prove all grant applications. “CPRIT is crucial to our state’s efforts to save lives and is now even better equipped to do so thanks to the reforms we have put into place. With the impec- cable peer review process and concen- tration on getting lifesaving drugs to deserving patients, we can help save the lives of countless fellow Texans,” Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst said. “I remain fully committed to CPRIT’s mis- sion and strongly support funding cures to this dreaded disease.” The Texas Legislature created CPRIT to fund cancer research and prevention efforts in Texas, and voters approved its establishment in 2007. The agency awards grants to expedite innovation in lifesaving cancer research and attracts and expands prevention and treatment research capabilities. “The reforms passed by the legisla-


ture will make CPRIT more transpar- ent and accountable to the public,” Speaker Straus said. “The agency is now equipped to implement those reforms and move forward with the critical mis- sion of fighting cancer. The legislature


will closely monitor CPRIT to ensure that the agency’s mission is realized and tax- payer dollars are used properly.” To read the letter sent to CPRIT by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker, visit http://bit.ly/1gc5jn1.


Walk the walk


Are you ready to practice what you preach? The Texas Medical Association’s Walk With a Doc program is part of a national grassroots movement devoted to encouraging healthy physical activ- ity. TMA needs your help to reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and improve the health and well-being of our country. The program has a proven track re-


cord of helping people commit to a healthy lifestyle through monthly physi- cian-led walks throughout the commu- nity. Strengthen your trusted leader role in your community, and participate in a healthy activity with your patients. TMA’s Council on Health Promotion


promotes Walk With a Doc, and a grant from the TMA Foundation and major financial support from the Aetna Foun- dation fund the program. The council is seeking TMA member-physician walk leaders who practice in underserved ar- eas of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Join the movement, and get moving with your patients. Contact Debra Heat- er in TMA’s Division of Communication by phone, (800) 880-1300, ext. 1390, or by email, debra.heater@texmed.org, for more information. n


Crystal Zuzek is an associate editor of Texas Medicine. You can reach her by telephone at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1385, or (512) 370-1385; by fax at (512) 370-1629; or by email at crystal.zuzek@texmed.org.


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