There is a need to address online misinformation and stigma surrounding sexual health, especially with the rise in STD rates reported globally. The emergence of AI-driven technologies offers hope in improving STD detection, diagnosis, and prevention. AI can streamline and enhance STD diagnosis, provide accurate sexual health information through chatbots and virtual assistants, assist healthcare…
The National Ambulance Service is facing significant challenges with demand for services exceeding capacity, impacting staff well-being and retention. The HSE recruitment freeze has affected middle management and specialist expertise. The NAS needs 1,080 additional staff to address immediate challenges. A strategic plan has been approved by the HSE Board but is awaiting Government sign-off….
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 63.5% increase in antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults, mainly driven by girls and women. The study tracked antidepressant prescriptions from 2016 to 2022, finding a rise in new initiations and monthly dispensing rates after the pandemic began. Female patients saw a significant increase in dispensing rates,…
Pawan Kohli, a strategic advisor at Redesign Health, spoke at HIMSS24 Venture Connect about learning from failure in the digital health market. Global digital health funding decreased significantly in 2023, with a drop in deals and mega-rounds. Companies like Olive and Pear Therapeutics shut down in 2023. Kohli suggested buying small rural health systems could…
In early 2019, Jennifer Hepworth and her husband were surprised by a bill of $3,500 for their daughter’s cystic fibrosis medication, which had previously cost $30. This increase was due to a change in their health insurance plan that no longer counted copay assistance towards their deductible. This practice, known as copay accumulator programs, allows…
The Contact Lens Institute’s “See Tomorrow” initiative revealed that nearly half of glasses wearers are interested in contact lenses, but only one in 10 were suggested them by their eye care provider. Survey results showed that patients were not trying contact lenses due to lack of information or recommendation from their eye care practice. Factors…
Scientists faced public backlash following the publication of genomic sequencing results from the All of Us Research Program. The study aimed to diversify genetic datasets with 1 million volunteers from underrepresented backgrounds, but critics found issues with how race and ethnicity were portrayed in the data using UMAP graphs. The controversy highlights the importance of…
The BMA has demanded an immediate investigation into reports of doctors and healthcare staff in Gaza being mistreated and assaulted by the Israel Defense Forces. The BMA representative Latifa Patel expressed concern and emphasized that healthcare workers are protected by the Geneva Conventions. She condemned any attacks on medical professionals, stating that such mistreatment is…
Research shows that car safety equipment is designed based on male bodies, leading to women in the front seat being more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash. A study found sex differences in injury patterns and a higher likelihood of women experiencing shock in car crashes, despite having fewer injuries than…
A recent study published in Nutrients examined the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) and eating behaviors among pregnant individuals and their non-pregnant partners in the US. The results showed that poor cognitive restraint was linked to higher GWG, indicating that restrained eating by couples could reduce the risk of complications such as infant macrosomia,…
