(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Chinese medical personnel after the COVID-19 pandemic. thelancet.com As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end in China,1 medical personnel who have worked tirelessly to fight the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant are now facing a new challenge. Despite their heroic efforts, many of them are now struggling to receive the financial compensation they deserve.2…
(2023-03-23). India-Russia Explore Market Access in Railways and Other Sectors. infobrics.org India-Russia trade and economic partnership across sectors including railways, agriculture and pharmaceuticals have received a boost with slew of meetings and arrangements held during the past week…
(2023-03-23). Thirteen Years After Passage of ACA: Real Progress Has Been Made, But US Needs Medicare for All. cepr.net Signed by President Obama 13 years ago, the Affordable Care Act was an essential step toward ensuring that health care is a right, not a privilege, in the United States. About 48 million non-elderly people were uninsured in 2010 when the ACA became law. The number of uninsured people under age 65 declined sharply — …
(2023-03-23). "No cool helicopters" to save those at risk of cholera. peoplesdispatch.org An ongoing pandemic of cholera puts at risk the lives of thousands of people around the world, as shown by a growing number of outbreaks in different regions. In order to address it, there is a need for a strong health system response, adequate supply of cholera kits, vaccines, and improved surveillance, apart from access to safe water and sanitation…
(2023-03-24). Consumer Health: Are you at risk for MS? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MS Awareness Week will be observed March 12—19, which makes this a good time to learn about who might be at risk of developing this potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects nearly 1 million people living in the U.S., according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. With MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of…
(2023-03-24). Mayo Clinic Minute: Are you using a salt substitute? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Salt substitutes can be an effective way to help lower your blood pressure and fight heart disease. But experts warn that overuse of certain salt substitutes or alternatives can be dangerous for some people. Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains why you should use caution with using a salt substitute. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/h_cy5G5EBPs Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 00) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo…
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Chinese medical personnel after the COVID-19 pandemic. thelancet.com As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end in China,1 medical personnel who have worked tirelessly to fight the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant are now facing a new challenge. Despite their heroic efforts, many of them are now struggling to receive the financial compensation they deserve.2…
(2023-03-23). India-Russia Explore Market Access in Railways and Other Sectors. infobrics.org India-Russia trade and economic partnership across sectors including railways, agriculture and pharmaceuticals have received a boost with slew of meetings and arrangements held during the past week…
(2023-03-23). Thirteen Years After Passage of ACA: Real Progress Has Been Made, But US Needs Medicare for All. cepr.net Signed by President Obama 13 years ago, the Affordable Care Act was an essential step toward ensuring that health care is a right, not a privilege, in the United States. About 48 million non-elderly people were uninsured in 2010 when the ACA became law. The number of uninsured people under age 65 declined sharply — …
(2023-03-23). "No cool helicopters" to save those at risk of cholera. peoplesdispatch.org An ongoing pandemic of cholera puts at risk the lives of thousands of people around the world, as shown by a growing number of outbreaks in different regions. In order to address it, there is a need for a strong health system response, adequate supply of cholera kits, vaccines, and improved surveillance, apart from access to safe water and sanitation…
(2023-03-24). Consumer Health: Are you at risk for MS? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MS Awareness Week will be observed March 12—19, which makes this a good time to learn about who might be at risk of developing this potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects nearly 1 million people living in the U.S., according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. With MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of…
(2023-03-24). Mayo Clinic Minute: Are you using a salt substitute? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Salt substitutes can be an effective way to help lower your blood pressure and fight heart disease. But experts warn that overuse of certain salt substitutes or alternatives can be dangerous for some people. Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains why you should use caution with using a salt substitute. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/h_cy5G5EBPs Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 00) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo…
(2023-03-24). Mayo Clinic cancer expert highlights advancements in treating multiple myeloma. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — March is Myeloma Awareness Month, and Sikander Ailawadhi, M.D., hematologist/oncologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares details about new advancements in research leading to better outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon form of blood cancer in the bone marrow that affects less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to the American Cancer Society. While there is no cure, the disease can be treated with…
(2023-03-24). Mayo Clinic Minute: Can the MIND diet improve brain health? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org You might be hearing more about the MIND diet of late. A recent study has added to the evidence that the diet, which includes a variety of brain-friendly foods, may help protect against Alzheimer's disease. In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Angie Murad, a registered dietitian and nutritionist and patient educator at Mayo Clinic, explains the benefits of incorporating foods included in the MIND diet. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/hoPg4bkKemQ Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 01) is…
(2023-03-24). Know the signs of strep throat in children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Image courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infections in children. "Group A streptococcal disease is a group of conditions caused by a bacteria called 'group A strep,'" says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "The one that people are probably most familiar with is strep throat. Strep throat is a relatively common infection,…
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Nigeria's National Mental Health Act 2021: any challenges ahead? thelancet.com Although mental health problems are widespread in many African nations, they rarely receive the attention they merit. Stigmatisation is a prevalent factor that makes patients reluctant to seek mental health care in most African countries. As knowledge about mental health increased, some African countries, such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia, began passing legislation and laws to safeguard the rights of individuals who have mental health problems. In 1916, Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, enacted its first mental health legislation, which was called the Lunacy Ordinance.
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Synthetic data: the future of open-access health-care datasets? thelancet.com In modern health care, medical datasets are increasingly being used to improve patient care, including through population health analysis and the development of diagnostic machine learning algorithms. This trend has been a key driver for the development of open-access datasets, giving researchers access to local or national data shared by different institutions. Open-access data can be used to train machine learning algorithms on diverse datasets that have been carefully curated, or to test algorithms that have already been trained by researchers elsewhere to assess their performance when applied to new data.
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Ordinal outcomes add value to clinical trials. thelancet.com We have read with interest Jason Weatherald and colleagues'1 review of novel approaches for achieving more efficient pulmonary arterial hypertension trials. Indeed, the challenge lies in defining meaningful outcomes that are relevant to patients, health-care professionals, and society and also allow for trials that can change clinical practice but require low patient numbers.
(2023-03-25). [Comment] Offline: The XX paradox. thelancet.com "Women and Black researchers are less likely to hold multiple NIH grants." "Female scientists miss out on career advances abroad." "Time stands still for white male dons of Oxford." Three recent headlines from Science, Nature, and The Times. Despite The Lancet's proclamation in 2019 that "Feminism is for everybody", the truth is that women remain excluded from many of the most senior roles in medicine and global health. An important report published by Women in Global Health last week—The State of Women and Leadership in Health—sets out the gap between words and deeds.
(2023-03-25). [World Report] Pope Francis and health. thelancet.com On his election 10 years ago, Pope Francis was hailed as a voice of modernisation. Has his papacy made a difference to health? Sima Barmania and Michael Reiss report.
(2023-03-25). [World Report] The health consequences of crowd-control weapons. thelancet.com Two new reports outline how the increasingly indiscriminate use of weapons such as rubber bullets, tear gas, and batons on protestors is harming health and human rights. Talha Burki reports.
(2023-03-24). Consumer Health: Nutritional needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Nutrition Month, which makes this a good time to learn about your nutritional needs during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. During pregnancy, the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. However, a few nutrients in a pregnancy diet deserve special attention. The nutrients to pay special attention to while you're pregnant include: CalciumYou and your baby need calcium for strong…
(2023-03-24). Science Saturday: New standards and open access can help natural language processing. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Clinical notes in medical records are rich sources of data about human health. But tapping them for medical research can be challenging because these data come from various sources — and they all look different. "There's no standardization in how data is organized and classified across medical records systems," says Sunyang Fu, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic biomedical informatics researcher. Even the language people use to talk about health can insert discrepancies in how data are…
(2023-03-24). Mayo Clinic Minute: How is kidney cancer treated? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org More than 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year. Risks factors for developing this type of cancer include environmental exposures, such as smoking, high blood pressure, a history of kidney failure, obesity or not having a healthy weight. And there are also hereditary syndromes that may increase your risk for kidney cancer. Dr. Thai Ho, a Mayo Clinic oncologist who specializes in genitourinary malignancies, says there are no screening tests…
(2023-03-24). Pelvic floor issues aren't just a woman's health condition, Kegels can work for men, too. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org LA CROSSE, Wis. — Women often are told about the importance of Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles. It turns out that men should think about doing the exercises as well. Statistics show that 32% of women will have at least one pelvic floor disorder (PFD) at one time in their life. However, a recent study suggests that although much attention is directed toward women pelvic floor disorders, 16% of men have also been identified…
(2023-03-24). Mayo Clinic opens patient information office in Indonesia. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org JAKARTA, Indonesia — Mayo Clinic has opened a patient information office in Jakarta to assist patients, their families, referring physicians and insurance brokers in Indonesia. The office is Mayo Clinic's first in Southeast Asia. The office staff, fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and English, will help patients, their families and physicians who refer patients to make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. "We…
(2023-03-24). Ready to Run: Mayo Clinic Health System gives tips on planning for a long race. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MANKATO, Minn. — You've thought about it for years. You've dreamed of crossing the finish line. It's on your bucket list, or maybe it's become a tradition. You've registered for a long-distance race like a 5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon. So now's the time to plan and prepare for your big day. This critical process will be shaped by your experience and fitness level. First, get real and be honest with yourself. It can take…
(2023-03-24). Headlines for March 24, 2023. democracynow.org Netanyahu Shielded from Charges as Protests Rage Against Far-Right Judicial Reforms, Millions Join General Strike in France After Macron Uses Executive Fiat to Slash Pensions, Biden and Trudeau to Announce Deal to Block Asylum Seekers at U.S. Northern Border, U.S. Warplanes Strike Syria After Drone Attack on U.S. Base Kills Contractor, Indian Opposition MP Rahul Gandhi Jailed for Criticizing Modi, House Panel Grills TikTok CEO as Progressives Warn Against Anti-Chinese Scapegoating, Utah Passes Law Requiring Parental Consent for Minors Using Social Media, GA and IA Ban Healthcare for Trans Youth; World Athletics B…
(2023-03-24). Fight for Venezuelan diplomat's freedom intensifies due to health concerns. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – It has now been more than 1000 days since Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab was first kidnapped by the U.S. government on the island of Cabo Verde, off the west coast of Africa. Since then, he's been subjected to physical, psychological and chemical torture and moved to a federal detention center in Miami, Florida. | Two members of Minnesota's Anti-War Committee met with Saab's wife, Camilla Fabri Saab, on Tuesday, March 7, alongside a delegation from the Alliance for Global Justice and progressive lawyers with the Free Alex Saab Movement. Camilla, Fabri Saab, mother to their two young daug…
(2023-03-23). Los Angeles public school workers continue to fight for fair wages in historic 3-day solidarity strike. liberationnews.org 
In a historic show of solidarity, 65,000 public school workers from Service Employees International Union Local 99 and United Teachers Los Angeles are striking for three days, from March 21-23. Local 99 represents cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers and many other service professions. The union is currently bargaining with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for a 30% wage increase, more full time positions, equitable access to health care, and more in an effort to provide a livable income and a better work environment.
(2023-03-23). Indianapolis police killings underscore issues with mental health emergency response in United States. liberationnews.org 
To meaningfully address the cascading mental health crises created by our society, a shift away from impatient, deadly police is desperately needed.
(2023-03-23). Mayo Clinic monitoring rising avian influenza cases, preparing for potential human-to-human outbreak. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The recent death of an 11-year-old girl in Cambodia's Prey Veng province infected with avian influenza has reinvigorated concern over the virus potentially gaining the ability to spread among humans. And while experts maintain the risk of that happening "remains low" at this time, the World Health Organization has said that increasing reports of avian influenza infection in humans are "worrying." Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic's director of Clinical Virology, agrees. "The primary concern is…
(2023-03-23). Black Residents Of Cancer Alley Sue Local Government. popularresistance.org A discrimination lawsuit filed Tuesday in the Eastern District of Louisiana alleges that the St. James Parish Council steered polluting facilities into Black neighborhoods along the Mississippi River. As a result, Black residents there are forced to breathe in more pollution and face a higher risk of related health problems, according to the suit filed by Inclusive Louisiana, Mount Triumph Baptist Church, and RISE St. James. | "We're being ignored and we have to do whatever we have to do to stop it," said Myrtle Felton, a lifelong resident of St. James Parish and co-founder of Inclusive Louisiana, a community gro…
(2023-03-23). Sanders Introduces Bill to Stop Bank CEOs From Serving as Fed Bank Regulators. truthout.org Gregory Becker is the CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, the second largest bank to fail in U.S. history. He was also, up until the day the bank failed on March 10, a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, one of 12 Federal Reserve Banks in the country charged with keeping institutions like Silicon Valley Bank healthy and solvent. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) is… |
(2023-03-23). A Police Killing Inside a Hospital: Ben Crump on Death of Irvo Otieno During Mental Health Crisis. democracynow.org 
As new footage is released about the shocking killing of Irvo Otieno inside a hospital in Virginia, we speak with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Otieno's family. Surveillance video shows seven sheriff's deputies and three hospital workers violently pinned Otieno to the floor and piled on him for more than 11 minutes, suffocating him. New video released Wednesday reveals at least one officer had also repeatedly punched Otieno earlier that day. A grand jury has indicted the 10 men involved on second-degree murder charges. Otieno was having a mental health crisis, which Crump says is too…
(2023-03-23). US Imposes Economic Sanctions On Black Community Projects. popularresistance.org In March 2023, Regions Bank notified the black nonprofit African People's Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) that the bank was "exiting" their 20-year relationship, closing accounts, withdrawing lines of credit and canceling mortgage loans. | This assault on the ability of African people to build economic self-reliance was the latest in a series of actions revealing government and corporate cooperation targeting the black community programs of the Uhuru (Freedom) Movement including its popular Women's Health Center, Black Power Vanguard Basketball Court, "One Africa! One Nation!" Marketplaces, Gary Brooks Communi…
(2023-03-23). The international pseudo-left and the lifting of Zero-COVID in China: Part 1. wsws.org The pseudo-left's hostility to public health and support for imperialism found sharp expression in their universal demand—echoing that of the Western corporate media and political establishment—that China abandon its Zero-COVID strategy.
(2023-03-23). US Fed attempts a balancing act on interest rates. wsws.org In his opening remarks a press conference following the meeting, Fed chair Jerome Powell said the events of the past two weeks had demonstrated, as history had shown, that "isolated banking problems if left unaddressed, can undermine confidence in healthy banks" and threaten the entire system.
(2023-03-23). Federal Reserve didn't do its job in overseeing banks before collapse. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON (AP)—The Federal Reserve is facing stinging criticism for missing what observers say were clear signs that Silicon Valley Bank was at high risk of collapsing into the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history. Critics point to many red flags surrounding the bank, including its rapid growth since the pandemic, its unusually high level of uninsured …
(2023-03-24). White House to shut down COVID response task force. wsws.org Eliminating the task force is part of the overall Biden administration policy of claiming the pandemic is "over," even though COVID-19 continues to kill thousands of Americans every week.
(2023-03-23). "The Covid States Project" Gives New Hope to Unvaccinated. globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-23). Behind the failure of Silicon Valley Bank. fightbacknews.org In 2023, there have been many announcements of layoffs by technology firms. This is a result of what the media calls post-COVID normalization. But this "normalization" has also shown that many technology companies that boomed during the pandemic were in fact overproducing and building new capacity too quickly, forcing them now to scale back. | In the past ten days this slowdown in the technology industry spilled over into the banking system, triggered by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, based in Santa Clara, California. Soon after the failure of SVB on Friday, March 10, regulators shut Signature Bank in New Yo…
(2023-03-23). 'Deaths of Despair' contribute to 17% rise in Minnesota's death rate during COVID-19 pandemic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — According to a new study published by Mayo Clinic researchers, the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to a 17% increase in the death rate in Minnesota during the first year of the pandemic compared to the two previous years. Deaths were driven by both COVID-19 and other causes linked with preventable "deaths of despair," such as overdose, alcohol use and malnutrition. The study analyzed Minnesota death certificate data available through the Rochester Epidemiology…
(2023-03-23). Registran 3.965 nuevos casos de Covid-19 en Chile. telesurtv.net Chile acumula un total de 5.239.884 casos confirmados de la pandemia y 64.416 personas han muerto a causa del coronavirus.
(2023-03-23). Vote for the Socialist Equality Party in NSW state election! Take up the fight against war, austerity and "let it rip" COVID policies! wsws.org Only the SEP has advanced a socialist program to reorganise society to meet the pressing social needs of the vast majority, not the private profits of the super-rich.