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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.

The Biden administration has announced a directive allowing roughly 100,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, known as "Dreamers," to enroll in the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplace next year. While falling short of Biden's initial proposal to grant access to Medicaid, this move will provide tax breaks for Dreamers when they sign up for coverage, addressing a long-standing barrier to healthcare access. The decision has drawn criticism from conservatives regarding border and migrant policies. By expanding eligibility for marketplace enrollment, the administration seeks to address the healthcare needs of DACA participants who have faced challenges in accessing care due to lack of coverage.

Aetna has reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging discrimination against LGBTQ+ customers seeking fertility treatment, agreeing to make coverage of artificial insemination standard for all customers nationwide and ensuring equal access to in-vitro fertilization procedures. The insurer will establish a $2 million fund to reimburse individuals denied coverage for artificial insemination under certain commercial insurance plans in New York. A federal judge's approval is pending. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, stemmed from a couple's experience of facing high costs for fertility treatments due to insurance coverage requirements. Aetna's policy change is seen as a significant step toward equitable access to fertility care, reflecting a broader trend of increased coverage for such treatments among employers and insurers.

The US Preventive Services Task Force now advises women to get mammograms every other year starting at age 40 until age 74, a shift from previous recommendations. These guidelines apply to all individuals assigned female at birth and aim to reduce deaths from breast cancer by detecting cases early. However, some experts argue that annual screenings may be more effective in certain cases, emphasizing the importance of personalized discussions with healthcare providers.

A recent investigation alleges that Nestlé adds sugars to its baby food products in low-income countries while marketing similar products with "no added sugar" labels elsewhere. Public health experts warn of long-term health consequences for babies consuming excessive sugar. Nestlé stated it's working to reduce added sugars globally and complies with all applicable regulations, but critics advocate for stricter standards and greater transparency in labeling practices.

Millions of people in the US, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, are exposed to unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves, according to a recent study published in Science. Breathing air with high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can lead to respiratory issues, exacerbate existing conditions like asthma, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. To minimize exposure, experts recommend reducing gas usage, using induction cooktops where possible, and ensuring adequate ventilation in households.

The United States faces challenges in allowing better sunscreen products compared to other countries due to regulatory barriers imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike in Europe, Japan, and South Korea, where sunscreens are classified as cosmetics and tested without animal trials, the U.S. mandates drug classification and animal testing, hindering the approval of newer, more effective sunscreen ingredients. Despite safety data submitted by manufacturers like BASF Corp. and L’Oréal to European authorities decades ago, FDA regulations remain a bottleneck.

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In recent years, there has been growing concern about the nutritional habits of younger populations, particularly regarding the long-term effects of consuming a Western diet high in fats and sugars. Various studies, including recent findings published in prominent health journals, have indicated that such dietary patterns can significantly affect both cognitive functions and overall brain health. This article delves into the consequences of this diet, underlining the risks associated with its prolonged consumption and the neurological implications it holds for young individuals.

During the developing stages of bird flu outbreak, we will analyze some of the recent findings surrounding the spread of this disease. These highlights include symptoms found in an infected human as well as testing a large variety of food items for the virus.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 71-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her daughter for evaluation of her mental status. The daughter says, "I visited mom today for the first time in 6 months; her memory has worsened, her bills are unpaid, and her house is unusually messy." The patient says, "I'm perfectly healthy." Medical history is significant for hypertension diagnosed more than 25 years ago, and two small strokes occurring 3 years and 7 months ago. The daughter gives you three empty medicine bottles from her mother's home: metoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide, and aspirin. The patient is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighs 59 kg (130 lb); BMI is 22 kg/m2 . Vital signs are temperature 36.4°C (97.6°F), pulse 76/min, respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 196/112 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 93%. Muscle strength in her left hand is 1/5. Strength in the right extremities is 4/5. The patient is oriented only to self; she does not know the day of the week or today's date. She recalls 0 of 3 words at 5 minutes, and she is unable to name 2 objects, correctly draw interlocking pentagons, or count backwards by serial sevens. Complete blood count, renal function studies, liver function studies, and urinalysis are all within the reference ranges. ECG shows no abnormalities.

Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of the patient's symptoms?

A study led by Dr. Suvash Saha from the University of Technology Sydney used computational modeling to analyze how plastic particles accumulate in the human respiratory system. Their findings, published in Environmental Advances, revealed specific areas in the respiratory tract where plastic particles tend to accumulate, highlighting potential health risks associated with plastic particle exposure. The study emphasized the importance of considering factors such as breathing rate, particle size, and shape in assessing the health impact of nano and microplastic particles on respiratory health.

Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China conducted a study examining the impact of long-term exposure to green spaces near one's home on mental health, particularly depression and anxiety. Analyzing data from over 400,000 participants stored in the UK Biobank database, they found that living closer to parks and green areas was associated with a decreased risk of developing depression and anxiety over a span of about 12 years. These findings suggest that expanding urban green spaces could have significant benefits for mental health and may inform future urban planning efforts.

New research by scientists from the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) reveals that exercise induces extensive cellular and molecular changes across 19 organs in rats, a complexity previously underestimated. Published in Nature, the study unveils how exercise affects various tissues, influencing immune regulation, stress responses, and pathways associated with liver and heart diseases. By providing insights into these mechanisms, the findings could aid in developing targeted treatments and tailoring exercise regimens to individual health statuses. MoTrPAC's collaborative effort, involving diverse scientific backgrounds, underscores the significance of studying exercise's holistic impact on the body.

Research presented at ESC Preventive Cardiology 2024 indicates that climbing stairs is associated with a longer life and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that even brief bouts of stair climbing can have significant health benefits. The meta-analysis, including nine studies with over 480,000 participants, revealed a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 39% reduced likelihood of cardiovascular-related death among those who climbed stairs compared to those who did not. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating stair climbing into daily routines to improve heart health and overall well-being.

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 D) "Vascular dementia"

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