Your dose of health news

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.

Scientists are collecting genetic material from 500,000 people of African ancestry to create a comprehensive reference genome, addressing the underrepresentation of this group in genetic research. This project aims to reduce health disparities and advance the development of new medicines and diagnostic tests.

Powdered drink mixes marketed as "toddler milks" for older babies and children up to age 3 are unregulated, often containing added sugar and salt, warns the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization states that toddlers should consume a balanced diet of solid foods, breast milk, fortified whole cow's milk, and water after age 1 instead of relying on these unregulated products.

Pfizer has announced that it will set the U.S. price for its COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid at nearly $1,400 per five-day course once government stocks are exhausted. This is more than double what the government currently pays for the treatment. The drug will remain available for free to patients in the U.S. until the end of the year, and certain groups will continue to receive it at no cost through 2024 and 2028.

Sand flies, which can transmit a parasite responsible for a disease called leishmaniasis, are causing skin infections in the U.S. This parasite can result in skin ulcers and can infect internal organs, posing a significant health risk. The study shows that the parasite may be spreading locally, with the most common species identified in infected patients being Leishmania mexicana.

Over 100 women have filed a lawsuit against Dr. Derrick Todd, a Boston-based doctor, alleging that he sexually assaulted them during medical exams. The lawsuit claims that Todd performed inappropriate and unnecessary physical exams on patients for his own sexual gratification, with Brigham and Women's Hospital, where Todd worked, listed as a co-defendant in the case.

How PCPs Are Penalized for Positive Outcomes From Lifestyle Change

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have introduced the National Quality Strategy, aiming to enhance the quality of healthcare and promote the quintuple aim: improved health outcomes, cost savings, patient satisfaction, clinician well-being, and health equity.

Read More

Phenylephrine and the FDA: Reevaluating a Common Decongestant

In today’s fast-paced world, congestion can quickly become an unwelcome hindrance to our daily lives. Whether it’s due to allergies, a common cold, or other respiratory issues, finding relief from congestion is essential. Phenylephrine, a commonly used decongestant, has been a go-to solution for many. However, recent developments have led the FDA to seek public comments on the efficacy and recommended dosage of phenylephrine, raising questions about its effectiveness in treating congestion. In this article, we will delve into the world of phenylephrine, its role as a decongestant, and the FDA’s quest for public input.

Read more stories like these with a subscription to our weekly newsletter for healthcare professionals MorningMed.

Why do some men not produce sperm? Scientists uncover one underlying reason for male infertility

A recent study conducted by the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with the Wellcome Center for Cell Biology at the University of Edinburgh has shed light on potential reasons for sperm formation issues and provides insights into male infertility, which may lead to the development of new treatments. This research, which focuses on the formation of sperm in mice, has implications for understanding human male infertility issues and could lead to potential treatments for this condition.

Read More

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Take our weekly quiz and see how you stack up against your peers

A 35-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 30 minutes after a bicycle accident because of pain in his left arm. The patient is 183 cm (6 ft) tall and weighs 79 kg (175 lb); BMI is 24 kg/m2. Vital signs are temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse 75/min, respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 116/68 mm Hg. On arrival, the patient is awake and alert. Examination of the cervical spine shows no abnormalities. The left forearm is diffusely tender to palpation, and the patient is unable to extend his elbow. X-ray of the left forearm is shown.



Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Recent studies presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress suggest promising advances in bladder cancer treatment. A combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, when used as a new treatment for advanced bladder cancer, showed a 55% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to standard chemotherapy, doubling patient survival.

Scientists have identified the nerve pathways that activate brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat, which could lead to the development of therapies for obesity and related metabolic conditions, as selectively stimulating brown fat has long been a goal in obesity treatment. While the contributions of brown fat to whole-body energy balance may be small, this discovery opens the door to potential new treatments that stimulate brown fat activity without affecting other organs connected to the sympathetic nervous system.

A new study suggests that adults living alone may have a higher risk of dying from cancer compared to those living with others. Researchers found that working-age adults living alone had a 32% higher risk of cancer death than those living with others, highlighting the need to address social isolation and its effects on health in a growing population of adults living alone in the United States.

A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fish may help reduce or prevent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to research based on data from two studies involving tens of thousands of female participants. The study found that women who followed a Mediterranean diet experienced fewer PTSD symptoms, with plant-based foods negatively associated with these symptoms and red and processed meats positively associated with them.

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) "Fractured ulna, dislocated radius"

New Jersey, 66023, US