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MorningMed is the best way to keep up with the world of health and medicine through curated round-ups, useful insights and other practical resources.

State Medicaid offices are targeting the homes of deceased individuals to recoup healthcare costs, leading to legal battles and emotional distress for families. While this practice varies widely among states, some lawmakers and advocates argue that it perpetuates wealth disparities and intergenerational poverty, calling for reforms to make the recovery process optional rather than mandatory.

New data reveals that marriage rates surged in 2022 after a dip during the Covid-19 lockdowns, reaching 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people. Lockdowns forced couples to confront relationship issues, leading to more intentional partnerships and potentially contributing to the decline in divorce rates, which fell to 2.4 per 1,000 people in 2022. This trend reflects a shift towards "companionate marriages," where partners prioritize qualities conducive to long-term stability and satisfaction.

Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill to shorten the standard workweek in the US from 40 hours to 32 hours, arguing that advancements in technology allow for more leisure time without compromising pay and benefits. While proponents cite studies showing increased job satisfaction and stable or improved revenues in some companies with a 32-hour workweek, critics warn of potential productivity losses, especially in industries requiring hands-on labor. Despite historical roots in labor movements advocating for shorter workdays, bipartisan support for such legislation remains uncertain in the current political climate.

The introduction of zuranolone, a promising treatment for postpartum depression, has raised questions about how insurers will handle coverage for this novel and costly medication. While zuranolone offers potential benefits for patients, including fast-acting relief, most private health insurers have yet to establish coverage criteria, leaving patients and providers uncertain about accessibility. Concerns persist based on past restrictions, highlighting the need for transparent and equitable access to novel mental health treatments .

The over-the-counter availability of Narcan, designed to address opioid overdoses, faces challenges in accessibility and visibility in stores across the U.S., potentially limiting its impact amidst the ongoing opioid crisis. While sales of the drug have increased, concerns persist regarding pricing, stigma, and inconsistent availability, suggesting a need for broader education and accessibility initiatives.

Many teenage boys experiencing depression may go undetected due to symptoms being expressed through irritability rather than sadness, leading to a significant gap in mental health care, according to experts.

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The decision by England’s National Health Service (NHS) to halt the prescription of puberty blockers to minors with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence has sparked debate and raised questions about these medications.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 45-year-old man with AIDS comes to the community health center because of a 1-week history of fever, chills, sweating, mild shortness of breath, and nonproductive cough. Medical history is also remarkable for pneumonia 3 years ago that required hospitalization. Today, he says that he lost his job 6 months ago, is now homeless, and cannot afford to buy his antiretroviral medications. Vital signs are temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F), pulse 82/min, respirations 20/min, and blood pressure 116/72 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 97%. The health center is very busy with several patients waiting to be evaluated.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

According to research presented at ECCMID 2024, long COVID appears to resemble other post-viral syndromes like seasonal influenza, with no significant increase in functional limitations a year after infection, particularly in Queensland's highly vaccinated population exposed to the omicron variant. Rates of ongoing symptoms and functional impairment were comparable between COVID-19 positive individuals and those with other respiratory illnesses, challenging the notion of long COVID as a distinct and severe condition. The findings suggest a need for further research into post-viral syndromes and a reconsideration of terminology surrounding long COVID to avoid unnecessary fear and hypervigilance.

The Butantan Institute's development of a single-dose dengue vaccine presents a promising solution to combat the global rise in dengue fever cases. With high efficacy against all four dengue viruses and the potential to provide rapid and complete protection, this vaccine could significantly reduce outbreaks and mortality rates associated with the disease. The vaccine's ability to offer protection across a wide age range and for individuals regardless of previous dengue virus exposure further enhances its potential impact in curbing the spread of the virus and preventing severe infections.

The research conducted at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has identified a critical mechanism driving resistance to standard treatments in certain types of lymphomas, shedding light on why patients may relapse after initially responding well to therapy. The discovery of the EGR1 gene's role in promoting resistance to BTK inhibitors like ibrutinib offers valuable insights into the underlying biology of drug resistance in lymphoma cells. Moreover, the experimental treatment regimen involving metformin and IM156, which targets the overactivity of EGR1, shows promise in slowing the growth of drug-resistant lymphoma cells in preclinical models.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that more than 11% of high school seniors in the United States report using delta-8 THC, a compound like the psychoactive component of marijuana. This data, gathered from nearly 2,000 high school seniors, sheds light on the growing popularity of delta-8, often referred to as "diet weed" or "weed-lite," due to its weaker psychoactive effects compared to traditional marijuana.

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) "Place masks on the patient and yourself and then continue to evaluate him"

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