Category: Public Health

Older Women Are Different Than Older Men. Their Health Is Woefully Understudied.

The White House has launched an initiative on women’s health. Studying the health of older women, a largely neglected group in medical research, should be a priority.

Surgeon general: Social media health risks warrant warning labels

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, is calling for health warnings on social media for adolescents. 

Understanding obesity beyond lifestyle choices

Recently, media outlets and social media influencers have been on fire with stories about new “miracle” obesity drugs that promise a quick fix for people wanting to lose weight. Lost in this chatter are the life stories of millions of Ameri…

Americans With HIV Are Living Longer. Federal Spending Isn’t Keeping Up.

Advances in medicine mean more people are living longer with HIV. But aging with HIV comes with an increased risk of health complications, and many worry the U.S. health care system isn’t prepared to treat this growing population.

Montana Creates Emergency ‘Drive-Thru’ Blood Pickup Service for Rural Ambulances

The network is aimed at helping rural patients, who face higher rates of traumatic injuries and death but may not live near a hospital with a stockpile of blood.

Montana Creates Emergency ‘Drive-Thru’ Blood Pickup Service for Rural Ambulances

The network is aimed at helping rural patients, who face higher rates of traumatic injuries and death but may not live near a hospital with a stockpile of blood.

Addressing obesity: Is there a role for us as specialists?

I was in rheumatology private practice for just under four years as my first few years out of fellowship. During that time, too many of my patients were coming with obesity complicating a facet of their rheumatic disease. The most common example might …

FDA to vaccinemakers: Updated COVID shots should target KP.2 variant

The FDA is now advising manufacturers to develop the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines using the KP.2 strain for the formula, the agency announced June 13.

California Lawmakers Preserve Aid to Older, Disabled Immigrants

Lawmakers passed a budget that rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to save nearly $95 million by eliminating in-home support services for qualifying older, blind, and disabled immigrants lacking legal residency. Advocates say Newsom’s plan would have cost more in the long run. Newsom has not indicated whether he’ll veto.

Indiana Weighs Hospital Monopoly as Officials Elsewhere Scrutinize Similar Deals

If Indiana officials approve a proposed hospital merger in western Indiana in the coming months, the state will have its first hospital monopoly created by a “Certificate of Public Advantage.” Other such deals have resulted in government reports documenting diminished care in Tennessee and North Carolina.