A study from The Lancet Public Health journal found that transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people in England are at a higher risk for developing long-term mental health conditions than cisgender individuals. The research combined data from the English GP Patient Survey and analyzed responses from over 1.5 million participants. The study found that approximately half…
Rates of kidney stones are increasing globally, especially in the United States. A study led by the Mass General Brigham investigators found an association between the use of sodium-glucose contratransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and a lower risk of kidney stones. The data from three nationwide databases of patients with type 2 diabetes showed that those…
April Williams experienced significant weight loss through surgery, diet, exercise, and medication. She struggled with disheartening plateaus and societal standards of weight and body image. The focus on weight and BMI can lead to distorted body image and unrealistic goals. Maintaining a healthy weight involves lifestyle habits and overall health, rather than hitting a specific…
The Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) system by Boston Scientific has received FDA approval for treating drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). This system is an alternative to standard thermal ablation, using tissue-selective, nonthermal electric fields to ablate heart tissue. Clinical trial data shows the Farapulse system is as safe and effective as traditional…
Retinol serum is a powerful skincare product known for its anti-aging properties and ability to promote skin renewal by reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Here are the best retinol serums based on user reviews and ratings: 1. The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane 2. Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 3. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol…
A study found that higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are linked to an increased risk of developing kidney stones. CRP is a marker of inflammation in the body, and the study suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role in the formation of kidney stones. The findings may help doctors identify individuals who are…
Biogen has announced that it is cutting ties with the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, discontinuing its development and commercialization. The drug, which had controversial regulatory approval, was a commercial failure due to low market uptake, safety concerns, and limited insurance coverage. The company is also terminating a post-marketing confirmatory study and has returned the drug’s rights…
A report from the Medical Protection Society (MPS) has found that clinical negligence claims in Ireland take an average of more than four years to resolve, which is longer than in other countries. This slow process is taking a toll on the mental wellbeing of both patients and doctors, as well as leading to high…
The Biden-Harris administration has released new guidance for health plans and insurers to expand access to all FDA-approved contraceptives at no cost. This falls in line with President Biden’s Executive Order to strengthen access to affordable contraception and family planning services, following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. Xavier Becerra, US…
Accompany Health, a Bethesda-based care provider, has secured $56 million in Series A funding to offer in-home and virtual care services for low-income patients with complex needs. Services include primary and urgent care, mental health, social care, transportation to medical appointments, assistance with benefit applications, and health coaching. The company aims to address the serious…
Sarah Gutilla, who suffered from severe treatment-resistant depression, found relief in intravenous ketamine treatments at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. After six rounds of treatment, Gutilla felt instantly better, though most insurance plans don’t cover ketamine for mental health, costing patients $600-$1000 per treatment. This treatment’s popularity has grown in recent years with over 500-750 clinics…
Biogen is relinquishing its ownership of Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm, which came under scrutiny after its 2021 approval. The Swiss company, Neurimmune, who developed the drug, will regain full rights to it, and Biogen plans to end a clinical trial meant to prove its benefits. Despite this, Biogen’s CEO praised Aduhelm as a groundbreaking discovery that…
André Spicer, a professor of organizational behavior, discusses how workplace wellness programs do not improve employee happiness, citing a decline in staff satisfaction in the NHS. The 2022 staff survey, with over 600,000 responses, showed low scores and a high percentage of employees considering leaving. Many reported inadequate staffing, low morale, and burnout. Factors contributing…
Guilhem Gallart, a French musician diagnosed with ALS in 2015, is receiving hope from a new treatment for the disease. ALS is a deadly neurodegenerative disease that affects about 30,000 Americans at any given time, causing progressive loss of motor and cognitive function. Researchers have discovered a “molecular stabilizer” called S-XL6, which restores the function…
A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed the impact of visual impairment (VI) on mental disorders in the elderly. The researchers found that there is a significant association between VI and depression and anxiety. The study involved 3,200 subjects and used the general health questionnaire (GHQ) to measure psychological aspects of quality of life….
Traditional Western medicine has not emphasized spiritual well-being, but new evidence suggests that spiritual and religious practices have a significant impact on mental health. Higher levels of spirituality and religiousness are linked to lower levels of depression, suicide, and substance misuse, and can guard against PTSD. Studies show spiritual practice can affect brain structure. Having…
Clinicians at Valley-Wide Health Systems in San Luis, Colorado struggle with full-time provider shortages in rural areas. Costilla County’s clinic faces vacancies despite federal incentives such as loan repayment programs and Medicare bonus payments. This represents a larger trend across the U.S. There is persistent struggle in attracting primary care providers, as many practices in…
Childhood obesity is a critical global health issue that can be prevented by ensuring that expectant mothers receive proper nutrition before and during pregnancy. A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that when mothers take supplements with probiotics, myoinositol, and vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D before giving birth, their children have less rapid…
Buprenorphine is a safer option for treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy compared to methadone. This conclusion is based on a study that found decreased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal abstinence syndrome for infants born to mothers who used buprenorphine compared to those who used methadone. The study suggests that buprenorphine…
The MedCity Moves Podcast returns with its first episode of the year, covering executive appointments and exits in the healthcare industry. Senior Reporter Katie Adams discusses new leaders at Centene, Best Buy Health, and Endeavor Health, as well as recent healthcare layoffs at RWJBarnabas, SonderMind, and Incredible Health. The episode also features an interview with…
Research conducted by the Irish Hospice Foundation found that only 30% of the public feel there are enough supports available for those who have experienced loss. The research also revealed that half of Irish people struggle to know how to support someone who is grieving, and discussions around death and dying are insufficient. National Grief…
A study published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that early life adversity (ELA) is linked to sleep disturbance and depression in adolescent girls, but not boys. The longitudinal study included 224 participants aged 9 to 13 in the San Francisco area. Both boys and girls reported similar levels of sleep disturbance…
Generative AI has been well-received in the healthcare industry, offering potential for efficiency and improvement in patient care. Japanese partners are interested in using genAI platforms, while in the US, adoption is slower due to insurance and reimbursement considerations. Regulatory and cultural barriers will also impact adoption, with privacy and patient rights being major concerns….
Valley-Wide Health Systems in San Luis, Colorado, provides medical care to a community of about 600 people. The clinic has trouble finding a full-time medical provider, despite offering incentives such as student loan payments and Medicare bonuses. The federal designation of areas with a shortage of primary care physicians has been ineffective for decades, and…
The pain medication VX-548, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, showed modest pain relief and was generally safe in late-stage trials. However, a debate started regarding the drug’s potential wide use if approved. The drug outperformed placebo in pain relief trials for abdominoplasty and bunion surgeries, with fewer adverse events than the placebo. However, it did not…
The author criticizes the normalizing of cosmetic medicine and the pressure to achieve a certain appearance. This trend is now mainstream and even promoted by healthcare professionals, leading to the proliferation of private clinics focusing on aesthetics rather than medical care. The author is concerned about the impact on younger generations and the message it…
Researchers have developed an integrated drug infusion pump with flow and bubble sensor modules to prevent medical accidents related to analgesic drug infusion in hospitals. These sensor modules can detect extremely low flow rates and bubbles, therefore helping to prevent overdoses. This technology is currently being developed for mass production and it is expected to…
New research has identified changes in blood proteins caused by the body’s immune defenses as the likely cause of long Covid. This could lead to new treatments as well as simple blood tests to identify people with this condition. Long Covid causes chronic fatigue, breathlessness, ‘brain fog’, anxiety, and stress, with 1.9 million people affected…
The United States is at risk for measles outbreaks, despite having officially wiped out measles in 2000. The COVID-19 pandemic led to delays in measles vaccinations, leaving millions of children vulnerable. The U.S. has seen a resurgence in measles cases and deaths, with experts warning of the contagious nature of the virus. Vaccine hesitancy and…
A recent observational study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that oral antibiotics may be a safe alternative to prolonged intravenous (IV) antibiotics. The study analyzed data from 914 adults with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia in Denmark and found that patients switched to oral antibiotics within 4 days had a lower risk of death compared to…
Hair loss can have a negative impact on confidence, and it’s important to understand the underlying cause and explore options for healthy regrowth. To help manage hair loss, there are various handpicked growth solutions available. These include products such as HIMS & HERS Triple Threat System, The Ordinary Haircare Set, Nutrafol Women’s Hair Serum, VEGAMOUR…
An AI-based algorithm has been developed to help diagnose facial nerve palsy by analyzing the facial picture of the patient. This technology uses facial recognition to assist healthcare professionals in accurately diagnosing this condition. The use of cookies for analytics, advertising, and site improvement is also mentioned, with users agreeing to their use by continuing…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing cancer treatment by aiding in early detection, precise diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, efficient drug development, genomic analysis, medical imaging, clinical trials, and research collaboration. AI has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and accelerate the pace of discovery in cancer research. However, challenges such as obtaining diverse and large…
Tallaght University Hospital has created a series of videos to help patients prepare for surgery. The videos offer advice on how patients can improve their physical and mental health before their surgery, leading to better outcomes. The series focuses on the importance of nutrition, exercise, and mental preparation. Patients have expressed their support for the…
In 2023, advancements in cardiology included the development of apps to monitor heart problems, artificial intelligence for earlier disease detection, and smaller devices to reduce surgical complications. New apps like HearO and MyHealthTrack were introduced to help patients self-monitor and track symptoms. Artificial intelligence was used to detect subtle abnormalities and genetic risk testing was…
Amazon Pharmacy and One Medical have partnered to expand Amazon’s hybrid primary care services by allowing One Medical providers to request medication consultations for patients with complex medication regimens. The pilot program, launched in the fourth quarter of 2023, focuses on elderly patients managing multiple chronic conditions. If successful, Amazon may expand and develop the…
The U.S. health care system is described as a “battle royale,” requiring patients to advocate for themselves when dealing with unfair medical bills and insurance companies. In this podcast, self-defense coach Lauren Taylor provides strategies for remaining calm and confident while fighting for health care coverage. She offers a five-part framework for self-defense, emphasizing the…
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that practitioner empathy was associated with greater patient satisfaction in 14 randomized clinical trials. The researchers, led by Leila Keshtkar, PhD, from the University of Leicester, identified a positive change in patient satisfaction related to practitioner empathy. However, the studies had limitations, such as heterogeneity…
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in March about the government’s role in issuing and censoring public health information during the pandemic. The lawsuit is focused on whether the government’s request for social media and search companies to moderate COVID-19 information violated users’ First Amendment rights. The case, called Murthy v. Missouri, involves plaintiffs, including…
Life expectancy fell in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2020 to 2022 due to increased mortality during the pandemic, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Male life expectancy varied across local areas, with a peak of 83.7 years in Hart, North East Hampshire, and a low of 73.4 years in Blackpool. The…
A report from RAND finds a substantial geographical variation in the US health care system’s ability to diagnose and treat early Alzheimer’s disease with disease-modifying therapies. It states that engaging primary care providers could reduce wait times for specialists and increase the number of people treated with these therapies. The report recommends new training for…
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the glucose-modulating effects of cinnamon spice when added daily to regular meals for 4 weeks. The study resulted in significantly reduced blood glucose concentrations in obese and overweight prediabetic individuals. Additionally, the study also highlighted the benefits of cinnamon and other polyphenol-rich spices…
Ian Trabuco has been living with chronic migraines for three years. His symptoms go beyond just headaches, and he feels nauseous, dizzy, and achy. After trying over 10 different medications, he has found a treatment plan that has helped him manage. He has learned to adapt his lifestyle to fit his new life, including changing…
Five individuals in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) due to a medical procedure they received during their childhood, which was an injection of human growth hormone extracted from pituitary glands of cadavers. This treatment was eventually halted in 1985 due to a discovery that it was contaminated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease…
Dr. Alan Shih at Head to Toe Healthcare, PLC in Southern Arizona provides alternative approaches to treating plantar fasciitis and neuromas, two debilitating foot conditions causing persistent heel pain. He advocates for surgical decompression and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) as alternative treatments to traditional surgery. Plantar fasciitis is often treated with surgery to cut the plantar…
New research suggests that shorter antibiotic courses may be just as effective as longer ones in treating pneumonia. A study found that patients who received antibiotics for five days instead of the standard 10 days showed no significant difference in outcomes. This could potentially lead to fewer side effects and lower healthcare costs. The findings…
The World Health Organization released new guidelines for the ethical use of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare, receiving positive reactions from healthcare AI company leaders. The guidelines outline five key applications for LLMs in healthcare and emphasize the need for responsible use and regulation. WHO recommends involving healthcare stakeholders in the design and development…
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published a scoping review of advances in clinical practice guidance development to support the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC). The NCEC was asked by the Minister for Health in 2014 to develop standards for clinical practice guidance, and HIQA’s review aims to assist in updating these standards…
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that high levels of Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) are associated with an increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and major adverse limb events (MALE). The study analyzed data from the Copenhagen General Population Study and the Copenhagen City Heart…
The Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) is collaborating with Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI), ZS Associates and other industry groups to improve the development and implementation of integrated evidence plans (IEPs) for digital health products. The goal is to streamline the path to commercialization by providing information on regulatory requirements, commercial considerations and the needs of…