What We're Reading: EHRs on Smartphones; Final FDA Report on Talc, Asbestos Link; Mental Health Interventions in Minnesota Schools

New Federal Rules to Allow EHRs on Mobile Phones

FDA Releases Final Report on Talc, Asbestos Link in Cosmetic Products

Two Bills Aim to Support Mental Health in Minnesota Schools

Yesterday, federal officials released new regulations that will allow patients to download their electronic health records (EHRs) and other healthcare data onto their smartphones, according to Kaiser Health News. “Patients should have control of their records, period. Now that’s becoming a reality,” said Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services. The rules will heighten knowledge and integrate patients into conversations on their healthcare, but these rules have also raised concerns about privacy as technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon, create new markets for providing medical records through mobile apps.The FDA announced today its final report from the agency’s year-long sampling assignment of talc-containing cosmetic products for the presence of asbestos, finding that of the 52 samples tested, 43 tested negative and 9 tested positive for asbestos. The findings follow that of a prior JAMA study, which found no significant link between talc powder and ovarian cancer. The FDA stated that it will conduct another talc sampling assignment throughout 2020, with 50 additional samples selected for blinded testing by AMA Analytical Services. Final results are expected to be released in early 2021.Republican Kelly Moller, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, proposed 2 bills on mental health legislation that seek to require all classroom teachers to complete mental health awareness and suicide prevention training. They also call for the creation of the director of comprehensive mental health services position within the Minnesota Department of Education to develop and guide mental health resources and practices for districts across the state. "We don't talk about mental health," said Moller. "We don't talk about how to ask for help or who to go to." Reported on kstp.com, both bills will be considered at a public hearing of the House Education Policy Committee tonight.