Health - Resources and discussion for everything health-related

Summary

The future of Medicare's drug price negotiations, initiated under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is uncertain under the incoming Trump administration.

Medicare plans to announce 15 drugs for its next round of negotiations, potentially including Ozempic.

While Trump allies have signaled opposition to the program, ending it could be politically risky, as high medication costs affect many Americans.

Experts suggest Trump could leverage negotiations, particularly for Ozempic, to score political wins with his base, especially in rural areas, where weight-loss drugs and diabetes treatments are in demand.

Summary

Over 15,000 doctors have signed a letter opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as health secretary, calling him "unqualified" and "actively dangerous."

The letter highlights Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine misinformation, citing a 2019 Samoa measles outbreak that killed 83 people.

Critics warn his appointment would undermine public health, gut federal health agencies, and reverse decades of progress.

Advocacy groups and 77 Nobel laureates have also opposed his confirmation.

RFK Jr. faces bipartisan skepticism in the Senate, with his approval hinging on near-unanimous Republican support.

Summary

A Tulane University study found that drinking coffee only in the morning is linked to a 16% lower risk of death from all causes and a 31% lower risk of heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.

Researchers analyzed data from over 40,000 U.S. adults and suggested morning coffee between 4:00 a.m. and noon aligns with natural sleep-wake cycles, potentially reducing inflammation.

Afternoon and evening coffee showed no benefits, and the study found no link between coffee and reduced cancer mortality.

Experts stress further research is needed before making lifestyle changes.

Summary

The Biden administration finalized a rule removing medical debt from U.S. credit reports, effective March, impacting $49 billion in debt for 15 million Americans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) also barred lenders from using medical information in lending decisions.

The rule, aimed at reducing financial harm from medical expenses, could boost credit scores by 20 points on average and enable 22,000 additional annual mortgage approvals.

This follows 2023 credit bureau changes but faces potential rollback under the incoming Trump administration.

Summary

A study of over 540,000 women found that an additional 300mg of calcium daily—equivalent to half a pint of milk—reduces bowel cancer risk by 17%.

Both dairy and non-dairy calcium sources, like fortified soy milk, offer protective effects.

Bowel cancer, the third most common cancer globally, affects nearly 2 million annually and is rising among younger adults.

Risk factors include red/processed meat and alcohol, while prevention focuses on diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking.

Published in Nature Communications, the study highlights calcium's role in reducing cancer-causing bile acids in the colon.

Summary

Indiana State Senator Ed Charbonneau, who co-authored a 2021 law allowing hospital monopolies, is now proposing its repeal.

The law, known as a “Certificate of Public Advantage” (COPA), has faced criticism from the public and the FTC, who argue it harms patients by reducing competition.

COPA laws, present in 19 states, enable hospital mergers often deemed anticompetitive by the FTC.

Critics, including the FTC, argue such laws harm patients and fail to replace market competition.

If repealed, Indiana would join five other states in rolling back COPAs, potentially blocking future hospital consolidations in the state.

Summary

New Alzheimer’s drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, approved in 2024, mark a significant step in dementia treatment by slowing cognitive decline by 30%.

While high costs, advanced diagnostic tools, and intravenous administration limit accessibility, experts anticipate simpler, affordable solutions like blood-based tests and injectable or oral medications in the future.

With 127 Alzheimer’s drugs in trials, treatments may eventually reach underserved regions.

Experts emphasize prevention, noting 40% of dementia cases could be avoided by addressing risk factors like smoking and air pollution.

Summary

The FDA has proposed stricter testing requirements for pulse oximeters after studies revealed inaccuracies in readings for people with darker skin tones.

The draft guidelines call for clinical trials with at least 150 participants, including at least 25% with darker skin, and mandate multiple methods to measure skin pigmentation.

These standards apply to professional-grade oximeters in medical settings, excluding over-the-counter devices. Existing devices won’t be impacted unless modified.

Public feedback will be collected for 60 days before finalizing the rules to address racial biases in medical technology.

Summary

A study by researchers from George Washington University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the University of Michigan found a sharp rise in permanent contraception among young adults after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Tubal sterilizations rose 70%, and vasectomies increased 95% in states likely to ban abortion, particularly among those aged 19-26.

Concerns about losing reproductive autonomy and access to abortion or birth control drove this surge.

The findings highlight heightened fears post-Roe and reproductive decision-making among young adults.

Summary

The U.S. reported its first human death from bird flu, involving a Louisiana patient over 65 with underlying conditions who was exposed to a backyard flock and wild birds.

This marks the first severe H5N1 case in the U.S., though most of the 67 infections recorded have been mild.

The CDC maintains the risk of human transmission is low but noted mutations in the Louisiana case that could make the virus more transmissible.

Summary

Insurers are increasingly denying coverage for advanced prosthetic limbs, questioning their medical necessity despite laws in some states requiring parity with Medicare.

People like Michael Adams, who relies on a $50,000 microprocessor-controlled knee for mobility, face coverage roadblocks despite doctor recommendations.

Advocacy groups call this discriminatory, as basic prosthetic coverage varies widely and caps often exclude advanced devices.

Cost remains a significant barrier, with many paying out-of-pocket or relying on loans. Federal proposals aim to prevent repossession of prosthetics due to unpaid loans, but challenges persist for many amputees, whose appeals for coverage have been repeatedly denied.

Summary

Sugary drinks contribute to over 2.2 million new diabetes cases and 1.1 million new heart disease cases globally each year, with severe impacts in low- and middle-income countries.

A study in Nature Medicine highlights regions like Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, where sugary drinks account for up to 48% of new diabetes cases, straining health systems.

Experts link the rise to aggressive marketing and a lack of nutrition education.

Researchers urge measures like taxes, advertising regulations, and public health campaigns to combat the health and economic burden of sugary drink consumption.

Summary

The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has reignited debates over the U.S. healthcare system, with Americans sharing stories of denial, delays, and exorbitant costs despite having insurance.

Many report fighting insurers for coverage of essential treatments, facing hidden costs, and taking drastic steps like career changes to secure health insurance.

Critics blame corporate greed for worsening access and affordability, while others note the system’s complexity discourages seeking care.

Though some find employer-provided plans satisfactory, the overall system is described as profit-driven and increasingly inaccessible, leaving many financially strained or avoiding medical help altogether.

Summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could claim 40 million lives by 2050, with death rates expected to double, warns Dame Sally Davies, former chief medical officer for England.

The overuse of antibiotics in livestock and misuse in healthcare are accelerating the evolution of superbugs, making routine medical procedures riskier.

Elderly populations are especially vulnerable, with AMR-related deaths among over-70s rising 80% since 1990.

Efforts to limit antibiotic use and develop new treatments are hampered by poor incentives for pharmaceutical companies.

Summary

While over 75% of Americans take dietary supplements, research shows mixed results regarding their efficacy and safety.

Only a small fraction of supplements are rigorously tested, and the FDA has limited oversight, treating them as food rather than pharmaceuticals.

Some supplements, like multivitamins, may offer modest benefits, while others, particularly those with "mega doses," can be harmful or ineffective.

Experts emphasize that most people can meet their nutritional needs through a healthy diet, though supplements may benefit those lacking access to diverse foods.

Misleading claims and a desire for health control drive their popularity.

Summary

A study published in Sleep Medicine found that cheese consumption may lower the risk of sleep apnea by 28%, based on data from 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank and FinnGen Biobank.

Researchers linked cheese’s nutrients, such as calcium and protein, to improved metabolic and cardiovascular health, factors associated with sleep apnea.

Using Mendelian randomization, they identified six biomarkers influenced by cheese that may explain this relationship.

Experts caution the findings show correlation, not causation, and advise moderation in cheese consumption.

Summary

Covid cases are surging across the U.S. post-holidays, with rising test positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths, while booster uptake remains low.

Only 21.4% of adults and 10.3% of children have received the latest booster, leaving vulnerable groups, including the elderly, at higher risk.

Experts warn of continued dangers from Covid, including long Covid and economic impacts, as the virus has not yet reached an endemic state.

With uncertain federal priorities, researchers stress the importance of monitoring infections, updating vaccines, and using preventive measures to mitigate future waves.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/24390549

I missed this before, but apparently we're now nearly a year into Merck and Moderna's Phase-3 trials of a novel mRNA vaccine (mRNA-4157) in combination with Keytruda to slow or halt aggressive melanoma growth. (press release), and about 4 months into a similar Phase 3 trial of the same drug combo for small cell lung cancer (press release). Here's hoping that 2025 is the year we cure (some kinds of) cancer!

Summary

New research links loneliness to ill health through elevated levels of proteins associated with inflammation, immune responses, and metabolic processes.

Using data from over 42,000 UK Biobank participants, researchers found higher levels of 175 proteins in those reporting social isolation or loneliness, with many tied to cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and mortality.

The study identified five proteins influenced by loneliness that partly explain these health risks.

Experts highlight systemic inflammation and stress-related behaviors, such as alcohol use, as key factors and suggest societal focus on reducing loneliness for better health outcomes.

Summary

A new nasal swab test developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh can identify different asthma subtypes by sequencing RNA, offering a more precise diagnostic tool than current methods.

Tested on over 450 predominantly Black and Puerto Rican children, the study found "T2-low" asthma, linked to air pollution, was most common.

The test could eventually guide personalized treatments, particularly for underrepresented groups.

However, FDA approval and further research are needed before clinical use, as challenges include cost, specialized analysis, and understanding how asthma types evolve over time.

It is commonly believed that human beings need eight hours sleep per night to function and perform well.

However, scientific findings have revealed that some people are genetically predisposed to thrive on much less sleep. They are known as 'elite sleepers' or 'natural short sleepers', and studies have shown they are more likely to be healthier and more resilient than the average person.

They may be the key to unlocking sleep efficiency for all of us, and help prevent brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's.