Drugs, Liver

HEPATITIS C: A ONCE INCURABLE INFECTION CAN NOW BE CURED WITH 8 WEEKS OF MEDICATION

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C (“hep C”) virus. Left untreated, hep C can severely damage the liver, causing illnesses like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The good news is that hep C can be completely cured. Public Health Insider sat down with Amber Casey, HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) Program Manager with Public Health, to learn more.

Coronavirus, COVID, Infectious Disease, Public Health, Vaccines

COVID infections spreading in Oregon, Washington and California

Washington saw 2,905 positive COVID tests in the week ending July 27. The weekly trend rate, which is determined by taking the number of positive tests divided by the population and multiplying by 100,000, is 36.9. The weekly rate of positive tests has gone up steadily over recent weeks. The average number of hospitalizations over the week ending in July 27 was 260. Just over 3% of hospital beds in the state were occupied by COVID patients.

Drugs, Measles, Prevention, Vaccines

Vaccines tell a success story that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Trump forget – here are some key reminders

After World War II, the U.S. was a wealthy nation with substantial health-related infrastructure. Yet, Americans reported an average of 1 million cases per year of now-preventable infectious diseases.

Vaccines introduced or expanded in the 1950s and 1960s against diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, polio, mumps, rubella and Haemophilus influenza type B have resulted in the near or complete eradication of those diseases.

Drugs, Health Insurance, Health Policy

States struggle to help patients navigate insurance hurdle known as ‘step therapy’

Millions of Americans have experienced similar frustrations under protocols known as step therapy, or fail-first policies. Insurance companies, and the pharmacy benefit management companies that handle prescriptions for them, often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives. Insurers argue that step therapy — taking drug treatment one step a time — prevents wasteful spending by directing patients to less expensive, but still effective, treatments.

Drugs, Mental Health

Psychedelics could make mental health worse in people with a personality disorder

Various personality disorders might respond differently to psychedelics. For instance, people with histrionic personality disorder (excessive attention-seeking and emotional overreaction) or borderline personality disorder (emotional instability, intense relationships and fear of abandonment) might feel worse or more unstable. And those with schizotypal personality disorder (social anxiety, odd beliefs and eccentric behaviour) could become more paranoid. People with narcissistic personality disorder (excessive self-importance, lack of empathy, and need for admiration) may struggle with the self-reflective nature of psychedelics because they often have a hard time handling criticism.