Cerebral palsy is a common motor disability that is often associated with childhood. However, there are actually more adults living with this condition in the United States than children. Transitioning from pediatric care to adult medical practice can be challenging for these individuals, as they often face issues like being overlooked or not receiving the appropriate care they need.
In a recent perspective for the New England Journal of Medicine, University of Michigan professor Mark Peterson highlights the struggles that adults with cerebral palsy face when it comes to accessing medical care. Some patients have reported being told they can’t have cerebral palsy because they are no longer children, leading to a loss of the support system they had built over the years. There are also gaps in data when it comes to assessing outcomes for adults living with cerebral palsy.
Peterson suggests reframing cerebral palsy as “the most common lifelong physical disability” to raise awareness and improve care for adults with this condition. By recognizing that there are more adults living with cerebral palsy than children, we can work towards providing better support and resources for this often overlooked population.
In addition to the challenges faced by adults with cerebral palsy, the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda has also raised concerns. While the country has made progress in containing the virus, new cases have emerged in recent weeks, highlighting the difficulty of extinguishing outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers. Increased surveillance and door-to-door efforts are underway to track and contain the spread of the virus.
Overall, it is crucial to recognize and address the unique needs of adults living with cerebral palsy and to remain vigilant in the face of infectious disease outbreaks like Marburg. By improving awareness and response efforts, we can better support these vulnerable populations and prevent further harm.
