Contraception, Health News, Health Policy, Newborn and Infant Health, Pregnancy, Women's Health

Maternal death reviews get political as state officials intrude

Every state has a committee of medical and public health experts tasked with investigating deaths that occur during and after pregnancy. But as data paints a clearer picture of the impact that state policies such as abortion bans and Medicaid expansion can have on maternal health, leaders in some states are rushing to limit their review committee’s work — or halt it altogether.

Cancer, Colon Cancer, Diet, Fitness

Bowel cancer is on the rise in under-50s – here’s what might explain the trend

Our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the rising consumption of highly calorific, nutritionally poor foods probably plays a critical role in the generational changes in bowel cancer incidence we’re seeing. Such diets became increasingly commonplace through the US and parts of Europe in the 1970s – before spreading to other countries as a side-effect of economic development.

Doctors, Healthcare Providers, Prevention

Why seeing the same doctor could save your life

A review examining 1.4 million patients worldwide found that those who do not see the same doctor regularly are more likely to die within a certain period. This consistent relationship with a doctor is known as “continuity of care”.

Many of the benefits of this approach probably stem from the fact that doctors accumulate knowledge about an individual patient, which they then use in subsequent consultations to tailor advice.

Dialysis, Diet, Heart and Circulatory System, Nutrition

New Study Links Millions of Diabetes and Heart Disease Cases Globally to Sugary Drinks

A new study estimates that sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to 2.2 million new diabetes cases and 1.2 million new cardiovascular disease cases annually. The impact is particularly severe in developing countries, where sugary drinks are heavily marketed and contribute to a significant portion of new diabetes and heart disease cases. The study’s authors call for urgent interventions, including public health campaigns, advertising regulation, and taxes on sugary beverages.

Food-borne Illness, Prevention

New year, new norovirus outbreaks: Let’s add ‘hand washing’ to the resolution list!

Norovirus, a highly contagious virus causing vomiting and diarrhea, is prevalent during the winter months. Symptoms typically last 1-3 days and include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Prevention involves frequent handwashing, especially after contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces, and proper cleaning and disinfection of affected areas.