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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new alert regarding locally acquired cases of malaria in Texas and Florida, signaling an expansion of the disease's transmission within the United States. The cases involve individuals who have not traveled internationally but have been exposed to malaria through local mosquito bites. This development raises concerns about the potential for malaria to establish itself in certain regions of the country. The CDC advises healthcare providers to consider malaria in their differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with fever and other malaria-like symptoms, even if they have not traveled internationally. The agency also emphasizes the importance of mosquito control measures in affected areas to minimize the risk of further local transmission. Public health officials are closely monitoring the situation and working to prevent the spread of malaria within the United States.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who left the government as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022, is joining the faculty at Georgetown University as a professor at the school of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the field of infectious diseases , having played a pivotal role in shaping the response to numerous public health crises, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Ebola outbreak, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers are racing to develop an oral version of the weight loss drug Ozempic, which has shown promising results in clinical trials. Ozempic, currently available as an injectable medication, is approved for treating type 2 diabetes and has also been found to aid in weight loss. The oral version aims to provide a more convenient and accessible option for individuals looking to manage their weight. The medication works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate appetite and food intake. While further research and regulatory approvals are needed, the development of an oral formulation of Ozempic could offer a new tool in the treatment of obesity and weight management.

A federal judge has struck down Florida's ban on Medicaid funding for gender-affirming treatments for transgender individuals. The ban prevented transgender people under the state's Medicaid program from accessing treatments such as hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery. The judge ruled that the ban violated federal laws on Medicaid, equal protection and the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition of sex discrimination. The judge claimed that this ban was politically motivated and that such a biased and unscientific process of blocking payment for treatment could result in pushing people away from their gender identity, which is not a legitimate state interest.

The mishandling of human remains at Harvard University has sparked discussions on the need for stronger regulations in the body donation industry. The incident involved the unauthorized retention and use of a woman's remains, highlighting the lack of transparency and oversight in body donation programs. Experts and advocates are calling for stricter regulations, including clearer consent processes, improved record-keeping, and better support for donor families, to ensure ethical practices and protect the rights of donors and their loved ones.

The LGBTQ population is growing, but medical schools haven't caught up.

Despite an increasing proportion of Americans identifying as LGBTQ, medical schools have not made significant progress in implementing comprehensive LGBTQ-focused curricula. This lack of training contributes to difficulties in accessing sensitive and non-discriminatory healthcare for LGBTQ individuals, leading to health disparities and elevated rates of certain health conditions. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) called for medical schools to provide comprehensive training in caring for LGBTQ individuals in 2014. However, progress has been slow, primarily due to various factors such as the lack of LGBTQ-related content in medical licensing exams, inadequate knowledge and clinical experience among educators, resistance to change from administrators and the medical old guard, and external political pressures.

• Recent state-level efforts to restrict diversity programs and transition-related healthcare for transgender minors have also instilled fear among some medical schools, leading to a reluctance to provide LGBTQ-related medical training due to potential scrutiny and punitive attacks from legislators.
  
  
• Research shows that the healthcare workforce is unprepared to serve the specific needs of LGBTQ Americans, particularly transgender individuals. LGBTQ individuals face difficulties accessing appropriate physical and mental healthcare, leading to higher rates of health problems and discrimination during healthcare encounters.

DR. DUSTIN NOWASKIE, OUTCARE HEALTH: “The current political and social climates are unfortunately leading to many, many health care-professional students and residents feeling uncertain and frightened to engage in LGBTQ+ education and training.”

DR. SARAH PICKLE: “Medicine is playing catch-up in a lot of ways. ... I get some really seasoned, experienced physicians who come up to me and say, ‘I never had a chance to learn about this, yet I know this is something I need to learn.’”

Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common digestive disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. Understanding the latest clinical findings on these conditions can help individuals better manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. In this blog, we will delve into the differences between heartburn and GERD, explore non-medication approaches for relief, and discuss the potential relationship between GERD and COVID-19.

Researchers keep discovering new uses for Ozempic. Proving it works isn’t easy.

The article discusses the potential uses of semaglutide, a drug approved under the name Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. While these drugs are primarily known for their effects on weight loss, there are reports of other potential uses , including treating conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, addiction, alcohol use disorder, liver disease, and possibly cancer. However, proving the efficacy of these drugs for each specific condition requires extensive research, including laboratory studies and large clinical trials. Unfortunately, there are challenges in conducting this research due to limited drug supply and manufacturing focused on clinical care rather than research studies.

Key takeaways

• Although semaglutide is not FDA-approved for treating PCOS, some individuals have been prescribed Ozempic off-label to manage the condition. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects many women, causing symptoms such as irregular periods, infertility, excess hair growth, and metabolic complications. Clinical trials are underway to investigate whether semaglutide can help with PCOS by examining its effects on weight loss, hormone levels, menstrual cycle regularity, and ovulation.
  
  
• Other potential uses of semaglutide being explored include addiction, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, sleep apnea, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Researchers are conducting studies to determine the effectiveness of these drugs for these conditions. However, larger clinical trials and further research are needed to secure FDA approval and widespread insurance coverage.
  
  
• Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide, is running clinical trials to investigate its potential for treating Alzheimer's disease. These trials aim to determine whether semaglutide can slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer's. According to Dr. Leila Parand, a neurologist who treats patients with Alzheimer’s at UCLA Health, past research studies suggested these drugs can help prevent damage in brain blood vessels that can lead to Alzheimer’s.

By the digits

• 5 million: PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 6% to 12% (as many as 5 million) of US women of reproductive age.
  
  
• 4,000 people: Novo Nordisk is running two clinical trials with nearly 4,000 people to find out whether semaglutide is better than a placebo at slowing cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

The nurse at a local elementary school contacts you about 12 children she has seen in the past 2 weeks. All of the children had similar symptoms of nasal congestion, sneezing, nonproductive coughing, and eye irritation. None of the children had fevers. Several teachers and support staff have reported having the same symptoms. No similar outbreaks have been reported in the community. There was a fire in the school several weeks ago with significant smoke and water damage to classrooms, the cafeteria, and the school ventilation system. Repairs were quickly made, and classes resumed.

The most likely cause for the students' and teachers' symptoms is exposure to which of the following?

A new study suggests that a non-statin medication called bempedoic acid could be an effective alternative for reducing heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths in individuals with high cholesterol. The research found that bempedoic acid, when used in combination with other cholesterol-lowering medications, led to a significant reduction in cardiovascular events compared to a placebo. The study highlights the potential of this medication as an alternative option for patients who cannot tolerate statins or have difficulty achieving cholesterol control with statin therapy alone.

A new study compared the effectiveness of intermittent fasting and calorie counting for weight loss and found that both approaches can lead to similar outcomes. The research indicated that participants in both groups lost weight and experienced improvements in metabolic health. However, intermittent fasting appeared to have some advantages, such as reducing hunger and promoting adherence to the diet. The results suggest that individuals can choose between these two approaches based on their preferences and lifestyle factors when aiming for weight loss.

Eli Lilly's experimental pill, Orforglipron, has shown promising results in a midstage trial for weight loss. Participants who took the highest dose of the pill lost an average of 15% of their body weight after 36 weeks, comparable to the weight loss achieved with currently approved injectable therapies like Wegovy. The drug belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists and exhibited similar side effects, such as gastrointestinal events like nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

A recent study published in the journal Nature suggests that skin moles could hold the key to treating hair loss. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine discovered that moles contain molecules, particularly osteopontin, that can activate dormant hair follicle stem cells. In experiments with mice, injections of osteopontin resulted in new hair growth, and the findings are believed to be applicable to humans as well. This research may pave the way for future treatments to promote hair growth and potentially offer a non-invasive solution for individuals experiencing hair loss.

Thank you for reading! More next week,

My best wishes for a productive and idea-filled week ahead. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the patients we all serve. Please send any news, comments, suggestions and ideas to hello@morningmed.email.

Quiz answer: The correct answer is C) "Mold spores"

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