Health

A recently launched awareness campaign in Burlington, Vermont, challenges traditional views of addiction with a powerful message displayed on an airport walkway: “Addiction is not a choice. It is a disease that can affect anyone.” The initiative seeks to change public perceptions and promote a more compassionate approach to those struggling with addiction. For many years, the medical community has recognized addiction as a chronic brain disease, but this perspective has struggled to gain widespread acceptance. The general public often views addiction through the lens of personal responsibility, influencing how drug use policies and sanctions are structured. Recent trends show a resurgence in blaming individuals for their drug use, which has implications for legal action and the availabilit...

Acadia Healthcare, one of the largest chains of psychiatric hospitals in the United States, has seen its revenues and stock price skyrocket in recent years. But a New York Times investigation reveals a disturbing truth: Part of that success comes from the exploitation of vulnerable patients. Retaining patients for profit, not to cure them The investigation found evidence that Acadia pressured patients to stay in their facilities, even when they were not medically necessary, to maximize insurance payouts. This practice violates involuntary detention laws, which are designed to protect those who pose a threat to themselves or others. Examples of unethical practices In 12 states, dozens of patients, staff, and law enforcement personnel have reported witnessing Acadia detain individuals agains...

Health researchers often scrutinize various medical treatments to determine their effectiveness, especially for older adults. One noteworthy study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, examined the impact of dialysis on older patients with kidney failure, revealing mixed results. The study focused on more than 20,000 veterans, with an average age of 78, and used a simulated trial to explore survival outcomes. The results indicated that starting dialysis immediately after diagnosis only marginally extended life expectancy by about 77 days over three years compared to those who never received dialysis. Georgia Outlaw, a 77-year-old retiree from Williamston, North Carolina, chose to forgo dialysis despite her advanced kidney disease. Her experience with relatives who had undergone th...

In the latest developments from Gaza, health authorities have detected poliovirus in environmental samples, signaling a resurgence of the once nearly eradicated disease. This worrying situation was made worse when a child was diagnosed with polio, marking the first such case in the region in over two decades. Mass Vaccination Initiative In response to this urgent health crisis, international organizations have quickly mobilized, sending more than 1.6 million doses of the oral polio vaccine. The goal is to vaccinate approximately 640,000 children under the age of ten, with the aim of curbing the spread of the virus in the midst of ongoing conflicts. Cooperation in the midst of conflict The gravity of the situation has led to coordinated efforts between the various parties. Israel has agreed...

A serious listeria outbreak has prompted an emergency recall of approximately seven million pounds of deli meats produced by Boar's Head. Initiated in late July, the recall follows numerous reports of serious illnesses and deaths associated with consumption of these products. Source of the epidemic Investigations traced the source of the contamination to a Boar's Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia. Detailed inspections of this site revealed several sanitation issues, including black mold, water leaks in food preparation areas, and insect infestations. These conditions raised significant concerns about overall food safety practices at the plant, which was temporarily closed to address these issues. Public health response From initial reports, the situation has worsened with more cases of il...

More news - Latest news Recent research has highlighted a potentially game-changing secondary benefit of Wegovy, an established obesity management drug. In a large clinical trial, individuals taking Wegovy were observed to have a significantly reduced death rate from Covid-19 compared to those not taking the drug. Clinical Trial Insights The study participants, who were already using Wegovy for obesity, contracted Covid-19 at the usual rate expected in the general population. However, their risk of succumbing to the virus was reduced by a third. This remarkable reduction in mortality was surprising and suggests an indirect benefit of the drug that had not previously been recognized. Wider health implications In addition to COVID-19 mortality, the study also documented an...