The leading causes of death remained unchanged since 1990, except for the addition of Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021. The Global Burden of Disease study found that Covid-19 became the second-leading cause of death globally, impacting life expectancy negatively. Regional variations showed disparities in the impact of the pandemic, with some areas experiencing more significant…

General practitioners (GPs) in England are struggling to afford running their practices due to insufficient funding. In a recent referendum organized by the British Medical Association (BMA), 99% of GPs voted against changes in their national contract for 2024-25. The proposed funding uplift of 2% with a new payment per patient per practice of £107.57…

A study published in The Lancet reveals that global life expectancy has increased by 6.2 years since 1990, driven by reductions in death from leading causes like diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and heart disease. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has hindered progress in many regions. Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania saw the…

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered a promising new way to remove amyloid beta plaques in the brain -; a key feature in Alzheimer’s disease -; by directly activating immune cells called microglia to consume them. This approach, outlined in a study published in Science Translational Medicine, has shown to reduce plaques…

Belly fat is a normal part of the body, but excessive visceral fat around organs can lead to health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. To determine visceral fat levels, measure waist size – less than 35 inches for women and 40 for men is ideal. Controlling belly fat involves exercise, diet, sleep,…

Teleflex and Arrow International have issued a recall for the Arrow QuickFlash radial artery and radial artery/arterial line catheterization kits due to a potential defect causing increased resistance in the guidewire handle. This defect could lead to arterial vasospasm and vessel injury from repeated attempts at arterial punctures. The FDA has classified this as a…

Fungi for Fitness offers a selection of top mushroom supplements from trusted brands like Real Mushrooms, FreshCap, The Genius Brand, Nature’s Craft, and Micro Ingredients. Real Mushrooms stands out for its commitment to purity and authenticity, while FreshCap’s Ultimate Mushroom Complex provides immune support and cognitive enhancement. The Genius Brand’s Genius Mushrooms blend supports overall…

Researchers at the University of New Mexico have found that even moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy can be linked to birth abnormalities. The study highlights the importance of avoiding alcohol during pregnancy to prevent potential harm to the developing fetus. The findings emphasize the need for pregnant women to be aware of the risks associated…

Genmab has acquired ProfoundBio for $1.8 billion, adding three clinical-stage antibody drug conjugates to their pipeline. ProfoundBio’s lead program, Rina-S, targets folate receptor alpha and has shown promising results in ovarian and endometrial cancer patients. Analysts believe Rina-S could be a strong competitor in the ADC space, potentially offering better safety than existing drugs. Genmab…

In 2023, Ireland’s three health insurers received over €3 billion in income from insurance premiums. The average cost of health insurance was €1,594, up 10% from 2022, with over-65s paying 43% more on average. The growth of new insurance customers has slowed due to rising prices and the cost-of-living crisis. The Health Insurance Authority attributes…

A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that using race-specific equations for pulmonary function tests (PFT) in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) may lead to disparities in eligibility for antifibrotic therapy, clinical trials, and lung transplant referrals. Researchers compared different PFT reference equations and found that the use of…

Providence has launched Praia Health, a consumer platform for healthcare systems, following a successful $20 million Series A investment round. Frist Cressey Ventures led the round, with support from other investors. Praia Health offers a low-code ecosystem to integrate third-party consumer offerings into a health system’s digital experience. The company manages data exchange between electronic…

Many statehouses are considering work requirements in Medicaid expansion programs despite their lackluster track record. Mississippi and Kansas are pushing for work requirements, with Kansas trying to soften Republican opposition to expansion. Idaho and Louisiana are also revisiting the idea. Only two states have implemented work requirements, and Arkansas’s initiative was ended in 2019, causing…

Dr. Feldman is involved in various research, speaking, and consulting activities with numerous pharmaceutical companies in the dermatology field, including AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer, among others. He is also the founder and part owner of Causa Research and holds stock in Sensal Health. This information was disclosed in an interview with Healio. Source…

Moderna, known for its Covid-19 vaccine, is focused on developing therapies using mRNA technology. The company’s vision involves turning cells into their own drug factories, showing progress in treating rare diseases. An early study on a therapy for propionic acidemia, a metabolic condition, demonstrated positive results in reducing life-threatening emergencies. Most participants were children. While…

George Christopher Sutton, a man who passed away at the age of 90, had a fascinating life story. Born in Warsaw, his family fled from Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, ultimately settling in Rugby, England. George excelled at Rugby School and went on to study medicine at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. After Cambridge, he…

A study published in Nature Communications by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics identified a genetic variant related to left-handedness by analyzing data from over 300,000 individuals in the UK Biobank. The study found that left-handed individuals were more likely to have a rare genetic variant affecting tubulin protein, which plays a role…

Sebastian Arevalo has been appointed as the Vice President of Sales at RedShiftBio, bringing over 20 years of experience in biotechnology and life sciences. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and has held key positions at top biotech companies. Sebastian’s leadership style and commitment to success have earned him a reputation…

A study has found that a large portion of low-income African Americans and White Americans are consuming too much salt, which is linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease mortality. The lack of access to healthier food options, education about better food choices, and affordability are key factors contributing to excessive salt intake in these…

Lenz Therapeutics reported successful results from a late-stage study testing experimental drugs for near vision loss, leading to a nearly 23% increase in its shares. The lead product candidate, LNZ100, showed significant improvement in patients’ ability to see details at a distance of 20 feet three hours after treatment. The other drug, LNZ101, also demonstrated…

A recent study by researchers at MIT, Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital has identified a specific gut bacteria species called Oscillibacter that can consume cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. The study involved over 1,400 participants in the Framingham Heart Study and found a strong correlation between Oscillibacter and lower cholesterol levels. Additionally,…

Lupin, a leading pharmaceutical company, has appointed Dr. Ranjana Pathak as their Chief Quality Officer. Dr. Pathak will be responsible for overseeing the quality control processes within the company. This move reflects Lupin’s commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in their products and operations. Dr. Pathak’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry makes her a valuable…

Health insurer advocacy organizations are disappointed with the final 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D rate announcement from CMS. The government expects total MA revenues to increase by 3.7%, but benchmark payments to MA plans will decrease by 0.16%. AHIP and Better Medicare Alliance express concerns that these changes will impact beneficiaries by potentially affecting…

The England and Wales High Court decision involved a two-year-old girl who suffered a devastating brain injury and was on life-sustaining treatment. The hospital trust applied for a declaration to withdraw the treatment and provide palliative care, as the child’s condition was irreversible and deteriorating. Despite the parents’ hope for recovery, the medical evidence showed…

A study found that patients with chronic airway obstruction (CAO) and restrictive spirometry pattern (RSP) have a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with normal lung function (NLF), with men with CAO having the highest risk. The study involved 1986 individuals and showed that CAO was associated with respiratory death in women and…

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration has abandoned proposed protections for indoor workers facing extreme heat due to concerns about the costs involved. This decision has angered workplace safety advocates and regulators, leading to uncertainty about when and how emergency rules will be implemented to protect workers from the intensifying heat. Despite the administration’s concerns about…

A study published in The BMJ found that prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone drugs, such as medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and promegestone, is associated with an increased risk of developing intracranial meningioma. The study included over 100,000 women and showed a 5.6-fold increased risk with the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injection. This risk was not…

The latest weight loss drugs, such as GLP-1s like Wegovy and Zepbound, can have a significant impact on treating obesity and related health conditions in the U.S. However, the focus on price controls in political conversations may hinder their accessibility. While concerns about the initial high prices exist, past examples show that competition in the…

Fatima Hassan and colleagues from the Health Justice Initiative in South Africa argue that the global health community must speak out against the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The deliberate destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians, including children, being killed. The ongoing attacks and blockade have…

A recent study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes are now more likely to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. The research, titled “Divergence in cigarette discontinuation rates by use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS),” analyzed data from the U.S. PATH Study Waves 1-6 and found that between 2018…

Researchers developed a model to predict severe acute kidney injury in patients receiving cisplatin, a chemotherapy agent, to improve treatment outcomes and patient selection. The study examined data from six major US cancer centers and identified risk factors for cisplatin-associated acute kidney injury (CP-AKI). The model showed consistent discrimination and effectiveness in identifying patients at…

Lynne DeMarsh was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 2017 and was told she had only a few years to live. She sought a second opinion, which led to different treatment options including genetic testing and immunotherapy. Consulting another doctor can provide a fresh perspective and offer additional treatment options. It’s important to communicate with…

Data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that clinical diagnosis of varicella (chickenpox) in children without laboratory confirmation is often unreliable. Only about half of clinically diagnosed cases were positive for the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The state expanded PCR testing for varicella to improve diagnosis accuracy and saw an increase in lab-confirmed cases. Clinical…

A human case of bird flu has been confirmed in Texas, with the patient having direct exposure to cattle. This is the second human case of avian influenza in the U.S. and the first related to an outbreak among dairy cows in Texas. Avian influenza A (H5N1) is typically found in wild birds but can…

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has given approval to the Hind Institute of Medical Sciences to withdraw their applications to start DM Cardiology and Medical Gastroenterology courses. The decision was made after considering various factors. The institution will no longer pursue the establishment of these courses. This information was disclosed in the context of…

Ipsen, a company focusing on oncology, has made a deal with Sutro Biopharma for their first antibody drug conjugate (ADC), STRO-003. This ADC targets ROR1, a tumor antigen overexpressed in various cancers. Sutro’s technology allows for precise drug conjugation, potentially making STRO-003 a leading ADC. Ipsen paid $92 million upfront for the rights to STRO-003…

A recent report from the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System shows significant improvements in heart attack and stroke outcomes over the past decade. In-hospital deaths within 30 days of admission for heart attacks have decreased by 23%, while in-hospital deaths for ischaemic stroke have decreased by 38%. The report also highlights increased uptake of cervical…

The FDA has issued a safety alert regarding the use of unapproved potassium phosphates drug products by Hospira in pediatric patients. These products may result in daily aluminum exposures exceeding recommended limits, potentially leading to various health issues. To prevent this, the FDA recommends using alternative products such as Fresenius Kabi’s or CMP Development’s Potassium…

Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab partnered to research sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and found that genetic testing at birth could help determine a child’s risk of SIDS. The study, involving whole-genome sequencing of infants who died from SIDS, identified genes associated with the syndrome, particularly those related to oxygen…

Deanna Gomez, a college senior at California State University-San Bernardino, had to travel over 300 miles and pay hundreds of dollars for a medication abortion that she could have received for free on campus. A year after California mandated public universities to provide abortion pills, many campuses lack information on how to obtain them. Despite…

A randomized controlled trial found that an intervention aimed at reducing daily sitting time among older adults led to a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 3.48 mm Hg in the intervention group compared to the control group. Participants received health coaching, a fitness tracker, a standing desk, and a workbook to help them…

The White House has finally released a plan to address drug shortages, linking Medicare payments to hospitals with practices that prevent shortages. A task force was formed in early 2023 to tackle the issue, particularly with cancer drugs shortages. Lawmakers have not been in contact with the task force and are unsure of its leadership….

Texas Medical Board guidance on abortion regulations criticized for being confusing and burdensome. Since 2021, abortion has been banned in Texas after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions only for medical emergencies. Abortions have significantly decreased in the state, from over 50,000 in 2021 to 23 in 2023. Doctors are struggling to define a medical…

A study conducted by the University of Birmingham found that healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, feel ill-equipped to address the issue of childhood obesity due to a lack of training, time, and resources. Professionals expressed frustration over limited availability of specialist services, lack of training on childhood obesity, and concerns about damaging trust with…

A study published in Radiology found that microwave ablation was as effective as surgery in treating multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with fewer complications. PTC is the most common type of thyroid cancer and often presents with multiple nodules within the thyroid gland. Microwave ablation showed similar progression-free survival rates to surgery but resulted in…

In 1996, Doug Olson was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and underwent various treatments including chemotherapy. When the cancer stopped responding to treatment, he was recommended CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy that reengineers immune cells to target cancer cells more effectively. CAR T-cell therapy has shown promising results for blood cancers, with…

The FDA has approved Abbott’s TriClip Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair system for repairing severe tricuspid regurgitation. The approval was based on positive results from the TRILUMINATE trial, showing significant improvement in quality of life for patients who underwent repair with the TriClip system. The procedure was found to be safe, with a high rate of patients…

L.D. George Angus’s latest book, Unveiling the Legends, celebrates medical visionaries and their revolutionary contributions. This book takes readers on a journey through the lives and work of medical pioneers who changed the world. From ancient knowledge of Imhotep to modern surgical skills of Sushruta, readers will explore the incredible achievements of these proactive individuals….

A study found that using iGlarLixi therapy is safe and effective for treating diabetes, regardless of whether or not patients are also taking SGLT2 inhibitors. This combination therapy does not pose any additional risks and can help improve outcomes for patients with diabetes. The study emphasizes the importance of using a personalized approach to diabetes…

Providence’s Digital Innovation Group has spun out a new tech startup called Praia Health, focused on personalizing healthcare journeys for patients. The platform, backed by a $20 million funding round, aims to improve consumer engagement and provide true personalization at scale. Praia’s platform uses identity and profile technology to unify fragmented data sources and offers…