ProfNet Experts Available on Physician Advocacy, Kids and Sports, Narcotic Addiction, More

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network – it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://bit.ly/findexperts?tc=alerts227

EXPERT ALERTS

• 'Thumbs Up' to Facebook's Estate Planning
• Physician Advocacy Must Withstand Scrutiny
• Harnessing the Power of Sports to Engage Kids
• Devastating Consequences of Global Water and Sanitation Crisis
• New Rules on Narcotic Painkillers Cause Grief for Veterans and VA

MEDIA JOBS

• Technology, Innovation and Tourism Reporter – Post and Courier (SC)
• Copywriter/Story Architect – Wall Street Daily (MD)
• Writer/Editor – Tech.pro (TX)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Upcoming Twitter Chat: Brand Journalism
• Beyond Print Media: Six Ways to Find Writing Assignments
• The Blog Blog: Fighting Blogger's Block

EXPERT ALERTS:

'Thumbs Up' to Facebook's Estate Planning
Jessica Dunne
Probate and Estate Lawyer
Chamblee, Ryan, Kershaw & Anderson, P.C. in Dallas
Facebook's announcement that it will allow users to designate a "legacy contact" to serve as their profile's administrator after they die is the next logical phase in estate planning. Says Dunne: "In estate planning, people often give consideration to the obvious tangibles -- their bank and investment accounts, their real estate holdings and other physical assets. Now that social media is nearly ubiquitous in the United States, both users and app developers are becoming aware of the need for establishing protocols to follow when users of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media pass away or are unable to manage their accounts. There are ways for people to access Facebook accounts of users who die, but it's usually a difficult and often lengthy legal process. Facebook has definitely done consumers a favor. Appointing an 'heir' to social media accounts can help survivors avoid such complexities and expense."
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]

Physician Advocacy Must Withstand Scrutiny
David M. Walsh IV
Appellate Health Care Attorney
Chamblee, Ryan, Kershaw & Anderson, P.C. in Dallas
A recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine authored by two physicians highlights the potential advocacy power of doctors, but such exercises of free speech sometimes can lead to unintended legal issues. Says Walsh: "In the article, they argue that physicians should do more to advocate on behalf of their patients in support of broader paid medical leave policies. However, any type of physician advocacy must also be able to withstand legal scrutiny. For example, the Florida Legislature recently enacted legislation that prohibited physicians from inquiring about gun ownership unless directly related to the medical care provided."
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]

Harnessing the Power of Sports to Engage Kids
Paul Caccamo
CEO & Founder
Up2Us Sports
"Sports are a natural means to inspire kids through positive peer associations, adult role models, parent-engagement opportunities, programming that's intended to teach about conflict resolution and violence prevention. Once we wake up as a country and say, 'We have to engage kids -- we can't raise a generation of have-nots,' we'll realize that there are kids who don't have many opportunities to play sports, and that sports are one of the most effective solutions to engage them."
Caccamo is a 25-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, specifically focusing on sport-based youth development. He founded Up2Us, the leading no-profit organization dedicated to harnessing the power of sports and coaching to reduce youth violence, promote health, and inspire academic success for kids in every community. He lectures and writes on the impact of sports on youth and community development. Caccamo received his master's degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and his bachelor's degree at Georgetown University's Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service. He has received numerous academic awards and citations for leadership, including one of Harvard's most prestigious graduate awards for innovation in the design of social service programs.
Website: http://www.up2us.org
Media Contact: Mari Escamilla, [email protected]

Devastating Consequences of Global Water and Sanitation Crisis
Sarina Prabasi
CEO
WaterAid America
"While working with WaterAid in Ethiopia, I saw firsthand both the devastating local consequences of the global water and sanitation crisis and, perhaps more importantly, solutions in action and the difference that investing in the basic foundations of human development can make. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to see for myself how whole families and communities were transformed with the simple, life-changing gifts of safe water, sanitation and good hygiene practices. There is neither health nor prosperity without safe water and decent toilets. Everyone is affected, but females and children pay a particularly heavy price."
Prabasi is the chief executive of WaterAid America, the world's largest international nonprofit dedicated exclusively to helping the world's poorest people gain long-term access to safe drinking water, toilets and effective hygiene education. Relevant statistics: Around 1,400 children die every day from diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation; 748 million people in the world live without safe water; 2.5 billion people (39% of the world's population) live without sanitation; for every $1 invested in water and sanitation, an average of $4 is returned in increased productivity; just $25 can enable one person to access a lasting supply of safe water. Prabasi is available to discuss water and sustainability, hygiene education and sanitation development.
Website: http://www.wateraid.org/us
Media Contact: Mari Escamilla, [email protected]

New Rules on Narcotic Painkillers Cause Grief for Veterans and VA
Kyle Simon
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence
"New federal rules that make it harder to get narcotic painkillers are taking an unexpected toll on thousands of veterans who depend on these prescription drugs to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as missing limbs and post-traumatic stress. More than half a million veterans are now on prescription opioids, according to VA. Pain experts at VA say that, in hindsight, they have been overmedicating veterans, and doctors at the Pentagon and VA now say the use of the painkillers contributes to family strife, homelessness and even suicide among veterans. A study by the American Public Health Association in 2011 also showed that the overdose rate among VA patients is nearly double the national average."
In his role with the Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence (CLAAD), Simon manages policy and advocacy initiatives, provides policy analysis and drafting, directs rapid response efforts, and oversees a coalition of allied organizations focused on advancing common goals. His background includes several years of health care policy, advocacy, and political experience. He has worked with policy makers on Medicare, Medicaid, and regulatory issues; served members of Congress; managed a statewide political organization representing the president of the United States; and held leadership roles in multiple political campaigns.
Media Contact: Mark Goldman, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/

• Technology, Innovation and Tourism Reporter – Post and Courier (SC)
• Copywriter/Story Architect – Wall Street Daily (MD)
• Writer/Editor – Tech.pro (TX)

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful:

• UPCOMING TWITTER CHAT: BRAND JOURNALISM. Is "brand journalism" really journalism? How does it differ from content marketing? And what impact does its rise in popularity have on journalists? We are hosting a Twitter chat on Tuesday, March 3, to answer these questions and more. Details here: http://prn.to/1GxyEVO
• BEYOND PRINT MEDIA: SIX WAYS TO FIND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS. As a freelance writer, you've probably seen some of the outlets you write for close down. Fear not, there are still plenty of assignments out there for you. You may just need to look in new places. Here are six ways, beyond newspapers and magazines, to find writing assignments: http://prn.to/1ATbAR8
• THE BLOG BLOG: FIGHTING BLOGGER'S BLOCK. Blogger's block is quite common. Months of consistent blogging can really burn you out. Some days you'll be swimming in a sea full of ideas, and other days you'll be asking yourself, "Now what do I write about?" Caught in a similar predicament? Here are seven ways to help alleviate blogger's block: http://prn.to/1DvcBAN

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