National Institute on Aging awarded a $21.8 million grant to Kirk Ericsson, PhD. He will study the associations between exercise and brain health in older adults. Ericsson and his colleagues will study the effects of moderate exercise on several health outcomes including cognitive health. To read more click here.
How This Broccoli Enzyme Can Slow Aging
Researches have found an enzyme in foods like broccoli and cucumbers that can slow some of the chronic conditions that come with age. The findings are limited to mice, but testing will begin with people. To read more about this click here.
Male Contraceptive Injection Shown to Be Safe and Efficacious
Over the past 20 years, researchers have been investigating the potential for male hormonal contraceptives. In a trial including 270 men, U.S. researchers found the male contraceptive injection to be 96% effective. Some mild side effects were reported, but 75% of men participating in the study said they would be willing to use the form of contraception again. For the link to the full article, please click here.
Using Digital Health in Clinical Trials
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Koneksa Health, Inc. have announced an ongoing strategic collaboration to incorporate digital health tools into clinical trials. Biosenser and wearable technologies are being used in some early stage clinical trials. For more information, click here
By 2030: Women's Cancer Deaths Will Increase by 60%
A new report from the American Cancer Society has been released in regards to cancer death rates across the world. In 2012, 3.5 million women died across the world from cancer. By 2020, 5.5 million women are expected to die annually from cancer. The biggest changes were found in low and middle income countries because individuals are adopting riskier habits such as poor diet and smoking. Interventions around the world using prevention methods are necessary in order to decrease the amount of women around the world dying from cancers. Click here for the link to the article.
FDA approves new device for prevention of recurrent strokes in certain patients
The FDA approved the Armplatzer PFO Occluder Device, this device helps reduce the risk of stroke in patients who previously had a stroke. The FDA concluded that the device demonstrated a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. The device is manufactured by St. Jude Medical Inc. in Plymouth, Minnesota. To learn more about the device click here.
Drug Prices Are Voters’ Top Health Policy Concern
Up until now, the federal health law was a major issue in the presidential election. A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed voters' concern over prescription drug prices and out of pocket spending outrank any concerns over the Affordable Care Act. To read more about this click here.
Medicare Rule Finalized for Payments to Doctors
Federal officials have finalized a new Medicare rule which will tie bonuses and penalties to a doctor's performance. Although not fully in place until 2019, doctors must begin reporting their data on performance next year. Click here for the full article.
Satellite Imagery Used to Find Vaccination Need in Remote Communities
Observing population shifts using satellite imagery could be a new path to locating communities in need of vaccines. The technology could improve distribution of vaccines to remote communities and help control new disease outbreaks. For the full article, click here.
Should the EpiPen Be Considered Preventive Medicine?
The sky-rocketing prices of the EpiPen have recently come under fire. So, should the EpiPen be considered preventive medicine? Click here for the link to the full article and video.
What Bipartisan Opportunities Will The Next Congress And President Have To Improve Health Policy?
Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming election, the next Congress and Administration will have to address some key issues that require bipartisan collaboration. A bipartisan collaboration can hopefully advance the health of the American population. The new Congress will have to address funding extension for Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), extensions of community health center funding, expiring Medicare provisions, and reauthorization of prescription drugs and medical device user fee bills. Not only will the new Congress address these issues, but it will also determine the fate of the Affordable Care Act. To read more click here.
Brain Chip Helps Paralyzed Man Feel His Fingers
Nathan Copeland lost all feeling and movement from his chest down after a car accident in 2004. However, he was able to feel the "fingers" of a robotic arm after a brain implant designed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The goal of this technology is to ultimately create a system that moves and feesl like a natural arm would. To read more about this fascinating discovery click here.
Healthy Lifestyle in Old Age Shortens End-of-Life Disability
An analysis led be Boston University's School of Public Health and University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health discovered that older adult's who live healthier lifestyles reduce their disabled years by 1.7 years. This community based cohort study observed the lifestyles of men and women 65 years or older, to determine what lifestyle factors directly correlate to shortened disabled years. To read more about the study click here.
Federal Funds Allocated for Zika Research
Congress has allocated $1.1 billion for Zika research. $935 million will be used to curb Zika in the U.S. and $175 will be used to slow its spread abroad. The CDC will be given $394 million and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will be allocated $152 million for researching potential vaccines.
Please click here for the link to the full article.
Birth Control and Links to Depression
A Danish prospective cohort study on one million women has shown a link between hormonal contraceptives and depression. Women who took "the pill" were found to be a quarter more likely to be prescribed an anti-depressant than a non-user of the pill. The risk rose to 80% for girls aged 15 to 19.
Please click here for the full article published by the University of Copenhagen.
Digital Health: A Physician's Perspective
Despite AMA's recent comment that digital health tools are "snake oil," over half of physicians are keen on digital health and 85% see the advantages of using digital health technologies in caring for patients. The AMA polled 1300 physicians in the US, between the ages of 28 and 65, each documenting a minimum of 20 hours of direct patient care each week. Survey results also found that both younger physicians and female physicians are more frequent users of digital technologies than the baby boomer generation. Please click here for the full article.
Preventive Medicine Reduces Severity of Heart Attacks
A study encompassing 15,000 patients shows a link between medications which reduce heart attacks and reduced severity of heart attacks when they do occur. The study will be presented later in October at the Great Wall International Congress of Cardiology. For more information click here
Self-Driving Cars Promise to be a Boon to Public Health
Federal automobile safety regulators released industry guidelines for automated vehicles, providing support towards "driverless" cars. When comparing safety benefits, it is predicted that driverless cars will save the same amount of lives as modern vaccines, 42,000 to be exact. Not only will these cars help reduce the loss of lives, but provide economics benefits as well. Read more about these economic benefits on the following website.
Public Health Approach Needed In Suicide Prevention
A recent report from the CDC stated that mental health treatments for suicide prevention only affect a small group of individuals. The current prevention strategies help those who have identifiable risk factors, or those who can overcome social barriers. With a 27% increase in suicides, it is crucial to have prevention methods that affect a larger group of individuals. To read more about the public health approaches needed in suicide prevention click here.
The Silver Lining Behind Global Aging
The aging population and increasing life span are predicted to change the world's economy. It is predicted that by 2018, those over the age of 65 will overpopulate those under the age of 5. With this increase in the elderly population it is important to acknowledge that real economic power in this age group. This changing demographic will reshape the economy for decades to come. To read more about the influence the aging population has on the economy, investments, and policy click here.
