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August 4, 2004─Lyme Disease Association, Inc., (LDA) announces the publication of Lyme Disease Update: Science, Policy, & Law, the first Lyme disease resource book of its kind. Marcus Cohen, noted columnist for the Townsend Letter for Physicians & Patients is the author of the Update. NY Times Bestselling Author Amy Tan has written the Preface from her personal perspective on the difficulty of getting diagnosed and appropriately treated for Lyme disease.

The Foreword is written by Brian Fallon, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Director of the Lyme Disease Research Program at the NYS Psychiatric Institute. In it, he states, “Carefully referenced and written by Marcus Cohen in a style that is accessible to both the medical professional and the educated non-medical person, this document provides overviews and digests of important research findings from the last few decades…This Update…does do an excellent job of providing the reader with an opportunity to learn about some of the pivotal studies in Lyme disease and about areas of research that need to be more aggressively pursued.”   

In the first section, M. Cohen has compiled a digest of the peer-reviewed literature surrounding chronic Lyme disease from diagnosis and treatment to neuroborreliosis, atypical forms of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and other tick-borne diseases. Besides those in the digest form, he presents additional readings in each area.

In the second section of the book, Mr. Cohen has summarized a brief history of federal and state activities which have affected the course of Lyme disease.  It includes accounts of meetings with various officials, excerpts from letters and reports, and whenever possible in politically active states, a state-by-state description of the history of the Lyme disease movement there, including legislation introduced or passed and officials who have been supportive. Various Lyme disease groups and their activities are mentioned.

The last section touches on legal issues which affect Lyme patients and physicians.  Representative cases are included where ever possible. A glossary follows. The Update editor is Patricia Smith, LDA President.

The back cover contains quotes from NJ Congressman Christopher Smith, CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, author Denise Lang, Political Advocates Jim & Sarah Brady, Actress MaryMc Donnell, and the Jimmy Carter Family Scheduler, Pat Slaughter.

The book is a must for busy physicians who lack time to read the peer-review on Lyme disease and for patients who have been refused treatment or even a Lyme diagnosis, the doctor perhaps citing a negative test (the book documents seronegativity) or the patients’ lack of conformity to the CDC criteria, which are meant for surveillance purposes only─the reference is cited in the Update. Patients planning an insurance appeal will also find this reference book useful, as will those struggling to understand the complexities of this disease.  

Ordered directly from the Lyme Disease Association, the paperback book is $8.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling.  Send your name address and make check or money order payable to: Lyme Disease Association, and send to: Lyme Disease Association Attn. Update, P.O. Box 1438 Jackson, NJ 08527 or order by credit card below.  Please allow 4 weeks for delivery.