COVID Vax in Pregnancy Protects Young Infants Against Omicron
Maternal COVID vaccination in pregnancy protected young infants against Omicron-associated hospitalization, but few women actually receive the vaccine during pregnancy, according to new data from the CDC. At least one maternal vaccine dose had an effectiveness of 54% (95% CI 32-68) against COVID-related hospitalization among infants younger than 3 months of age, and an effectiveness […]
Red blood cells exposed to oxygen deficiency protect against myocardial infarction
Red blood cells exposed to oxygen deficiency protect against myocardial infarction, according to a new KI study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The study also shows that the protective effect is enhanced by a nitrate-rich vegetable diet. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all of the body’s cells and carbon […]
Older Surgical Procedure for Pelvic Prolapse Repair Prevails in Randomized Trial
A long-time surgical standard for pelvic organ prolapse repair prevailed in a comparison against a newer technique that currently predominates in some parts of the world. Sacrospinous hysteropexy failed to meet noninferiority criteria versus the Manchester procedure for the primary composite outcome of treatment success, with the latter achieving success in 87.3% of patients compared […]
When Is It Considered Too Late To Get The HPV Vaccine?
Fly View Productions via Getty Images The HPV vaccine can protect against high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of more than 200 related viruses that are spread by skin-to-skin and sexual contact. Not only is it the most common sexually transmitted infection in the […]
Light or moderate alcohol consumption does not guard against diabetes, obesity: Study finds these associations are stronger in women
People who have just one or two drinks per day are not protected against endocrine conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern because it is related to many medical conditions […]
Healthcare Violence Breaks Record; U.K. Limits Puberty Blockers; HPV Discoverer Dies
Note that some links may require subscriptions. Attacks against medical workers and healthcare in conflict zones was the worst on record in 2022, with at least 232 workers killed and 298 kidnapped, a new report from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition found. At least 728,000 Medicaid recipients have been unenrolled following the end of […]
FDA Panel Endorses mAb to Prevent RSV in Infants
An FDA advisory committee on Thursday gave strong backing to a monoclonal antibody against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in infants as well as in at-risk children up to 24 months of age. In a unanimous vote, all 21 members of the Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee agreed that the […]
Catching the Optimal Amount of Z’s May Be Protective Against Long COVID
Healthy sleep behaviors before and during the pandemic may be protective against long COVID, a prospective cohort study suggested. Of nearly 2,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, those with the most healthy prepandemic sleep score had a 30% lower risk of developing long COVID compared with those […]
Be Wary of Amniotic Fluid Eye Drops, FDA Says
In its ongoing battle against companies selling unapproved stem cell products, the FDA issued a safety communication earlier this month about amniotic fluid eye drops being improperly marketed for dry eye disease. The communication links to earlier letters to two manufacturers — makers of Regener-Eyes and StimulEyes — warning that the products would need an […]
Doctors, Nurses Charged in Wide-Ranging COVID Fraud Schemes, DOJ Says
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a slew of criminal charges against 18 individuals working in healthcare — including doctors and nurses — for allegedly stealing a total of $490 million in funds from federal health and COVID-related programs. “Today’s announcement marks the largest-ever coordinated law enforcement action in the United States targeting healthcare fraud […]