America’s Doctor Shortage Explained
[embedded content] We’ve heard for years that America has a shortage of doctors. According to projections from the AAMC [Association of American Medical Colleges], if we do not take steps to address this issue, we can expect shortages of between 38,000 and 124,000 physicians by the year 2034. But why is it so difficult to […]
A Closer Look at the Monkeypox Outbreak’s Less Than Typical Symptoms
Considering monkeypox in the differential diagnosis is important for early detection and curbing transmission, according to researchers of an observational analysis from England. Among 54 men who have sex with men (MSM) who were diagnosed with monkeypox, all presented with skin lesions, 94% of which were anogenital, while 67% reported fatigue or lethargy and 57% […]
Most people think their diet is healthier than it is: U.S. adults commonly overestimate the quality of their diet, study shows
How healthy is your diet? It seems like a simple question, but according to a new study, it’s one that most Americans struggle to get right. “We found that only a small percentage of U.S. adults can accurately assess the healthfulness of their diet, and interestingly, it’s mostly those who perceive their diet as poor […]
No Early Cardiovascular Risks With Testosterone Treatment
Testosterone treatment for hypogonadism did not increase short- or medium-term risks for cardiovascular events, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cardiovascular risks were similar between men in the testosterone group and those in the placebo group (7.5% vs 7.2%; OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.81-1.42, P=0.62), reported Channa Jayasena, PhD, of Imperial College London, at […]
Prediabetes May Be an Independent Risk Factor for MI
Even prediabetes seemed to spell bad news for heart health, according to a national inpatient sample study. Prediabetes — defined as an Hba1c between 5.7% to 6.4% — among hospitalized patients was associated with 41% higher odds for myocardial infarction (MI, OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.35-1.47) in a general model, reported Geethika Thota, MBBS, of […]
Exercise’s Stroke Reduction Holds Up With Accelerometer Data
People who fit in roughly half an hour of exercise a day tended to be at lower risk of stroke, according to a cohort study adding to the evidence that physical activity is protective for cardiovascular health. Based on accelerometer measurements, the most sedentary individuals in the REGARDS study cohort carried a 44% increased risk […]
Microbes help orchestrate how the gut uses its genes: Mice without microbes rely on an entirely different set of genes to digest fat
The microbes that help break down food actually tell the gut how to do its job better, according to a new study in mice at Duke. The researchers said it appears that the microbes are able to influence which of the gut’s genes are being called into action, and in turn, that interaction might lead […]
B12 deficiency harms young children’s development, and the food relief we provide isn’t good enough
Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants leads to poor motor development and anaemia, according to a study from Burkina Faso conducted by the University of Copenhagen and Médecins Sans Frontières. B12 deficiency is an enormous, yet overlooked problem, and the food relief we currently supply is not helping. According to the researchers, the problem calls for […]
200 Rural Hospitals At Risk of Closing in the Next Few Years, Study Finds
Hundreds of rural hospitals are at risk of closing in the coming years, according to a new study, and the reason may be surprising. “In general, the major cause for the losses at the smallest hospitals were private payers,” study author Harold Miller, MS, president and CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment […]
Wearing dentures may affect a person’s nutrition: First study to report results of matched health and dental records to assess nutrition levels
Dentures may have a potentially negative impact on a person’s overall nutrition, according to new research from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Dentistry. The research team leveraged electronic dental and health records to gain a better understanding of how oral health treatments affect individuals’ overall health over time. This is believed to be […]