The content summarizes various health and science stories that made an impact in 2023. It covers topics such as the rise of weight loss drugs, approval of CRISPR-based therapy, abortion access restrictions, and more. It also highlights specific stories that gained attention, including a doctor caring for Boston’s homeless, the dangers of lead exposure from…
Almost 89,000 appointments and procedures were postponed in England due to a three-day strike by junior doctors in December, bringing the total number of rescheduled appointments to over 1.21 million since the strikes began in March. The doctors are planning a six-day strike in January, the longest in NHS history, due to a dispute over…
A study published in eClinicalMedicine found that for patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes, dapagliflozin does not reduce urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), but it does reduce some cardiovascular events. The multicenter, randomized trial enrolled patients at 18 medical facilities in Japan and found that dapagliflozin did not significantly decrease the UACR. However, patients…
The Endocrine Society applauds Governor Mike Dewine’s veto of an Ohio law that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors. The bill contradicts mainstream medical practice and scientific evidence and would have taken medical decision-making out of the hands of families and physicians. Major medical organizations support the importance of gender-affirming care. This type of…
For many women, sexual desire fluctuates due to changes in relationships, stress, and physical changes. However, approximately 10% of women experience a low sex drive that causes distress, known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The FDA has approved two prescription drugs for HSDD: Flibanserin (daily pill) and Bremelanotide (self-administered shot). These drugs work by…
A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that daily consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice significantly improved blood pressure, vascular function, and exercise capacity in adults with COPD over 12 weeks. The study involved 81 adults with COPD who were randomly assigned to receive either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or a placebo drink. The nitrate-rich…
A new study has found that smoking can have a negative impact on brain volume. The study suggests that smoking is associated with a decrease in brain volume, which can lead to cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. This finding adds to the growing evidence of the harmful effects of smoking…
LGBTQ+ Americans are experiencing illness due to a lack of inclusive health information and discrimination within the traditional healthcare system. A survey found that 27% of LGBTQ+ respondents got sick due to a lack of health information, compared to 18% of non-LGBTQ+ Americans. Distrust of healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies is prevalent, with many LGBTQ+…
In July 2023, Google switched to Google Analytics 4 for analyzing web traffic. Proper setup of Google Analytics 4 is necessary for effectively comparing changes in web traffic. Ophthalmologists must ensure correct implementation to accurately track their website’s online performance. Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, and David Evans, PhD, MBA, overview the steps for tracking a…
The U.S. drug crisis is at an all-time high with around 110,000 deaths from drug overdoses in the year 2023. Fentanyl remains the main culprit, and there is an increase in the use of other drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine alongside opioids. Addiction medicine and drug policy have not seen significant changes despite strong rhetoric…
