U.S. Sees A Sudden and Unexpected Drop In Fatal Overdoses

For the first time in decades, public health data shows a sudden and hopeful drop in drug overdose deaths across the U.S. “This is exciting,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], the federal laboratory charged with studying addiction. “This looks real. This looks very, very real.” National surveys compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already show an unprecedented decline in drug deaths of roughly 10.6 percent. That’s a huge reversal from recent years when fatal overdoses regularly increased by double-digit percentages. NPR.

VP Says Woman’s Death After Delayed Abortion Treatment Shows Consequences Of Trump’s Actions 

Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday that the death of a young Georgia mother who died after waiting 20 hours for a hospital to treat her complications from an abortion pill shows the consequences of Donald Trump’s actions. Amber Thurman’s death, first reported Monday by ProPublica, occurred just two weeks after Georgia’s strict abortion ban was enacted in 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn nationwide abortion rights. Trump appointed three of the justices who made that decision and has repeatedly said he believes states should decide abortion laws. AP.

US Senate IVF Bill Fails After Republicans Block It, Despite Trump Support 

A U.S. Senate bill aimed at enshrining federal protections and expanding insurance coverage for fertility treatments failed on Tuesday, as Republicans voted against it days after Donald Trump surprised supporters by voicing support for such a policy. The bill failed 51-44, falling short of the required 60-vote threshold after most Republicans voted against it for the second time. Democrats control the chamber by a slim 51-49 margin. Reuters.

Antibiotic resistance could cause over 39 million deaths by 2050, study says

Researchers have long flagged antimicrobial resistance as a public health concern, but this study is the first to analyze such trends around the world and over time.

The authors of the study forecast a nearly 70 percent increase in deaths due to antimicrobial resistance from 2022 to 2050 with older people most at risk and driving the rise in fatalities. Such resistance, also known as AMR, occurs when microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, evolve in a way that makes them harder to kill with existing medications. WashPost.

Scientists mapped what pregnancy really does to a mom’s brain

The research shows how pregnancy remodels the brain in unprecedented detail and opens a new window into matrescence — the transition to becoming a mother.

… The emerging evidence suggests that “mommy brain” could be a real thing, but nothing like the pop culture conception of young mothers becoming cognitively fuzzy and absent-minded. Instead, neuroscientists are just beginning to document how hormones drive an intricate, choreographed set of changes that may prepare and hone the brain for parenting. WashPost.

Deep Links Between Alcohol and Cancer Are Described in New Report

Scientists continue to rethink the idea that moderate drinking offers health benefits.

… The report estimates that 40 percent of all cancer cases are associated with modifiable risk factors. It recommends reducing alcohol consumption, along with making lifestyle changes such as avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, exercising, avoiding ultraviolet radiation and minimizing exposure to pollutants. NYT.

These Four Common Infections Can Cause Cancer

A new report says that 13 percent of cancers are linked to bacteria or viruses. Vaccines and treatments offer powerful protection.

… Human papillomavirus … Hepatitis B and C … H. pylori … NYT.

Bernie Sanders Says Ozempic Can Be Produced for Less Than $100 A Month

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., renewed his criticism of drugmaker Novo Nordisk on Tuesday, claiming that the CEOs of major generic pharmaceutical companies have told him that they can produce and sell its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic for less than $100 a month. Sanders made the remark at an expert roundtable event on Capitol Hill, which served as a preview to Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen’s testifying before the Senate ​​Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee next week. NBC.

Judge strikes down North Dakota’s ban on abortion

In ruling, judge says state constitution creates fundamental right to access abortion before fetal viability

… The abortion statutes at issue in the case infringed “on a woman’s fundamental right to procreative autonomy, and are not narrowly tailored to promote women’s health or to protect unborn human life”, Romanick wrote in his 24-page order on the case. He added: “The law as currently drafted takes away a woman’s liberty and her right to pursue and obtain safety and happiness.” Guardian.

Congressional Democrats Push Resolution That Says Hospitals Must Provide Emergency Abortions

A resolution introduced by Congressional Democrats would make clear that U.S. emergency rooms need to provide emergency abortions when a woman’s health or life is at risk, despite strict state abortion bans. The resolution has little chance of passing a Republican-controlled House in an election year. Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington announced on social media that she would introduce a Senate version of the resolution next week. AP.

When States Banned Abortion, Sterilizations Rose Among Women

Experts said the new research finding underscored how abortion bans had affected women’s contraceptive choices.

A new study published Wednesday found an increase in the use of tubal sterilization, in which women have their fallopian tubes tied or removed to permanently prevent pregnancy, in the six months after the June 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. The increase was most pronounced in states that effectively banned abortion, where sterilizations rose 39 percent by December 2022. NYT.

Adderall in Higher Doses May Raise Psychosis Risk, Study Says

New research suggests that dosage plays a role in a rare side effect of A.D.H.D. stimulants.

… Psychosis and mania are each known side effects of stimulant medications, and the Food and Drug Administration has added warnings to the medications’ labels saying that they may cause symptoms like hallucinations, delusional thinking or mania. But these side effects are considered rare — experienced by an estimated 1 in 1,000 patients — and have not been extensively researched. It can take months for someone to fully recover. NYT.

Warming climate putting people at greater risk of kidney disease – study

Researchers are finding heat-related illnesses can also contribute to heart disease and cognitive impairment

… When the body is exposed to extreme heat,the cardiovascular system goes into overdrive to keep the body at a safe temperature. Over time, experts say, these functions take a toll on organs like the heart and kidneys – especially for people who exert themselves outdoors. Guardian.

What warning labels could look like on your favorite foods 

The Food and Drug Administrationplans to propose labeling this fall for the front of food and drink packages to help Americans make healthier choices to address exploding obesity rates,years after other countriestook similar action. The labels are supposed to flag products containing high levels of sodium, saturated fat or added sugars — common features of ultra-processed foods that make up more than half of the calories Americans consumeeach day. WashPost.

It’s not too late for Americans to get the mpox vaccine

… These infections do not need to happen. The clade 2 version of mpox has a mortality rate well below 1 percent, but infections are unpleasant and debilitating — and can have long-term consequences. Common symptoms include a painful, itchy rash that can take up to four weeks to resolve; fever; chills; swollen lymph nodes; and exhaustion. Some individuals develop significant complications, such as pneumonia, loss of vision, brain swelling and inflammation of the heart, genital organs and rectum. WashPost.