(2023-01-25). South Dakota AG, Gov. Threaten Felony Charges for Pharmacists Prescribing Abortion Pills. commondreams.org 
(2023-01-25). China CDC releases monthly COVID-19 figures. ecns.cn China reported 12,658 COVID-19 related deaths at hospitals from Jan 13 to 19, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Saturday.As of Jan 19, there were nearly 472,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in China including about 51,700 in severe condition.
(2023-01-25). Can blood donors suffer iron deficiency? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org With the constant need for blood and platelet donations, frequent, regular blood donors are crucial to having a continuous national blood supply. Across Mayo Clinic in Rochester, for example, anywhere between 50 and 70 units of red cells and between 20 and 30 units of platelets are used daily to help save lives. Watch: Dr. Justin Juskewitch discusses red blood cell donation youtu.be/yDXneutyCdc Journalists: Broadcast-quality video is available in the downloads at the end of…
(2023-01-25). Consumer Health: Why your child's weight matters. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Healthy Weight Week will be observed Jan. 15—21, so this is a good time for a reminder of the connection between weight and health during childhood. The prevalence of obesity in adults in the U.S. increased from 30.5% to 41.9% from 1999—2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2% in the same time frame. And the rate of childhood obesity is a serious…
(2023-01-25). Science Saturday: Removal of both ovaries in younger women associated with increased risk of Parkinson's. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Surgical removal of both ovaries is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism in women younger than 43, Mayo Clinic researchers report in JAMA Network Open. Using health record data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, the study included 2,750 women who had undergone surgery to remove both ovaries, a procedure called bilateral oophorectomy, and 2,749 who had not. The reasons for the surgery were either a benign (noncancerous) condition — such as endometriosis, cyst, or other reason —…
(2023-01-25). Mayo Clinic Minute: Screening for cervical cancer. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that more than 12,500 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed, and more than 4,000 women died from the disease in 2019, the latest year of available data. Dr. Olivia Cardenas-Trowers, a Mayo Clinic urogynecologist, explains the importance of screening for cervical cancer. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/qBJBz_D88sg Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 00) is in the downloads at the end of…
(2023-01-25). Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert explains why reflux disease isn't 'just' heartburn. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org LONDON — Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common digestive disorders in the world. It happens when acid comes up from the stomach into the esophagus: The stomach can resist acid but the esophagus is less acid-resistant. James East, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, says reflux disease may be common, but there can be severe complications if it is ongoing and left untreated. Heartburn is a key symptom of reflux disease, but…
(2023-01-25). 6 tips to keep your brain healthy. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Changes to your body and brain are normal as you age. However, there are some things you can do to help slow any decline in memory and lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Here are six things I recommend to my patients in order of importance: 1. Exercise regularly. Exercise has many known benefits, and regular physical activity also benefits the brain. Multiple research studies show that physical active people are…
(2023-01-25). Mayo Clinic Minute: Role for opioids. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Drug overdoses from opioids have been linked to a decreased life span, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ongoing opioid crisis has been a complicated one for more than a decade. Death rates continue to rise, despite national medical guidelines for prescribing the pain medication. Dr. Holly Geyer leads the opioid stewardship program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She says there is an important role for opioids in patient…
(2023-01-25). Consumer Health: What happens if your thyroid is too active or not active enough? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org January is Thyroid Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn more how important it is that your thyroid functions properly. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. When your thyroid isn't functioning properly, whether it's too active or not active enough, all these functions are affected. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, occurs when your…
(2023-01-25). Menopause symptoms: Mayo Clinic expert outlines hormone and nonhormonal therapies. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Menopause, the end of menstrual cycles, can produce symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and mood changes. Women do not need to suffer in silence: Many treatment options are available. Jewel Kling, M.D., chair of the Division of Women's Health at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, describes hormonal and nonhormonal therapies. "We sometimes hear the question, 'Do I need to treat hot flashes or night sweats?' and the answer for…
(2023-01-25). 80 environmental groups & elected officials support price gouging penalty on oil companies. indybay.org 80 environmental and public health advocacy groups and elected officials have sent a letter of support to Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), author of legislation setting a price gouging penalty on refiners to be taken up in a special legislative session called for by Governor Gavin Newsom.
(2023-01-25). Having brought in Disruptive Israeli Extremists, Can Netanyahu's Government Survive? juancole.com 
By Motasem A Dalloul | ( Middle East Monitor ) Before it was formed, the new far-right Israeli government coalition has been plagued with disputes and disagreements, despite the fact that all of its members are from the right-wing parties and all of them, at least, share the same principles, although each Party …
(2023-01-25). Chinese people celebrate Spring Festival holiday amid optimized COVID response. ecns.cn Following the downgrading of China's management of COVID-19, people across the country are merrily celebrating the Spring Festival, one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals, with their families.
(2023-01-25). Antiwar Voices on MLK week; South Africa Power Grid Crisis; US out of Peru; Free Assange! indybay.org On Pacifica: Antiwar Voices on MLK week; South Africa Power Grid Crisis; US out of Peru; Free Assange!
(2023-01-24). A pesar del bloqueo/ El sistema sanitario cubano es extraordinario. workers.org 
El día que la 51 ™ Brigada Venceremos partió hacia Cuba, el 27 de diciembre de 2022, unas 262 personas murieron en Estados Unidos a causa del COVID-19. De los 11 millones de habitantes de Cuba, sólo 30 dieron positivo por COVID-19 ese mismo día. Destacados científicos del laboratorio farmacéutico cubano . . . |
(2023-01-24). Prescription Meds Delivered To Your Door? Amazon Launches Pharmacy Platform In Threat To CVS, Walgreens. moguldom.com Amazon, already a dominant force in e-commerce, threatens the dominance of prescription drug giants with the introduction of a $5 monthly pharmacy subscription benefit that will let for U.S. Prime members get as many drugs as they need from a list without needing insurance. The subscription, called RxPass, will cover some generic drugs and doorstep …
(2023-01-24). The US blockade of Cuba hurts medical patients in both countries. peoplesdispatch.org By lifting sanctions against Cuba, people in the US could have access to life-saving treatments being developed in Cuba for diseases which ravage working-class communities each year…
(2023-01-24). Accuracy of Stroke Risk Prediction Models by Race, Sex, and Age. jamanetwork.com This retrospective cohort study compares stroke-specific algorithms with pooled cohort equations developed for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for the prediction of new-onset stroke across different subgroups (race, sex, and age) and the added value of novel machine learning techniques.
(2023-01-24). Ebola Vaccines Safe and Immunogenic in 2 Trials. jamanetwork.com Three vaccine regimens against Zaire Ebola virus disease safely produced immune responses for up to 12 months, according to 2 trials of adults and children reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
(2023-01-24). Poetry and Medicine and New Poetry Commentaries in JAMA. jamanetwork.com "I find that I cannot exist without poetry" proclaimed John Keats, the beloved English Romantic poet who many forget was trained as a physician. Keats practiced medicine for only 7 years before abandoning the profession. The medicine of his day, in early 19th-century London, faced dire challenges we might recognize as not unlike those of our times: long work hours, inadequate resources, harmful superstition and widespread misinformation, rampant and frequently fatal infectious disease. Keats himself would eventually succumb to tuberculosis as a young man aged only 25. Surely such onerous work conditions contribut…
(2023-01-24). The GAFSP has opened the call for proposals for PO-led projects. actionaidusa.org As our world faces an unprecedented crisis, the number of food-insecure people is expected to double from what it was in 2019, placing 49 countries at risk of famine. The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), which was created to help low-income countries build sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems, continues to provide…
(2023-01-24). Selected outbound tours given go-ahead. ecns.cn The National Health Commission announced on Dec 26 that China would scrap the quarantine requirement for international arrivals starting on Jan 8, as it downgraded management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B.
(2023-01-24). th anniversary of Roe v Wade marked in Madison, WI. fightbacknews.org Madison, WI – On the th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, January 22, Reproductive Justice Action-Milwaukee (RJA-M) joined the Madison Area Reproductive Rights Coalition for Healthcare (MARCH) for a march and rally of thousands in Madison, the Wisconsin capital city. The event called on people to vote in the spring primary Wisconsin Supreme Court election, but it also heavily emphasized that this fight is "Bigger Than Roe." | The fight for reproductive rights has always been at the forefront of healthcare efforts, and access to free abortion for all is just a fraction of the healthcare coverage that people deserve.
(2023-01-24). More than 70% of Democrats back government-run universal healthcare: poll. nationofchange.org Across the political spectrum, 57% of respondents said they believe the government should ensure everyone in the U.S. has health coverage.
(2023-01-24). What to Look for In the Fourth Quarter 2022 GDP Report. cepr.net After two consecutive quarters of negative growth in the first half of 2022, the economy grew at a strong 3.2 percent annual rate in the third quarter of the year. We should expect to see a comparably strong fourth quarter, with both consumption and non-residential investment showing healthy growth. A smaller trade deficit should also …
(2023-01-24). Debt, crowdfunding, or death: America's very broken healthcare system. therealnews.com 
The United States is the
(2023-01-24). Healthcare without the Health or Care. dissidentvoice.org 
"It makes me sick that they were heralded as 'heroes' while they allowed people to suffer and die alone." (I didn't realize it was "part 1" but I posted this last week. It's short so please give it a look before continuing.) Part 2 was inspired by comments that appeared after the first post. …
(2023-01-24). The US Finally Removes a Major Barrier to Opioid Addiction Treatment. truthout.org In a major victory for public health and the harm reduction movement, the Biden administration is touting changes to federal drug law that removed a major barrier to accessing buprenorphine, a standard medication for treating opioid dependence and addiction that is crucial for preventing overdose deaths. Advocates gathered at the White House Tuesday to celebrate the passage of the Mainstreaming… |
(2023-01-24). All US Regulatory Agencies Are Protection Services and Marketing Agents for the "Regulated" Industries. thealtworld.com It has been known for a long time that US streams and lakes are contaminated with highly toxic fluorinated compounds known as PFAS. This means that fresh water fish are also contaminated.. But nothing is done about it, because the polluting entities control the EPA and use it as a protection agency. | From a recent report: "The Environmental Protection Agency has known about the health hazards of PFAS for decades but has failed to limit PFAS discharges into the air and water or set cleanup standards. The agency released a woefully inadequate PFAS action plan in 2019 that failed to include deadlines for action, an…
(2023-01-24). Mental Health Outcomes Tied to "Other Outcomes" dissidentvoice.org 
You didn't need to hear it from me that the USA is subjected to some of the most insane and inhumane policies tied to the criminal injustice system; tied to mass public K12 education; and corporate overlording; or anti-union activities; also to taxation; or finance; and health care; tied to infrastructure care; or tied to …
(2023-01-24). New York City retirees fight Democrat-union conspiracy to privatize health care. wsws.org Retired New York City workers are resisting the plan of the city's Democratic administration and the municipal unions to transfer them into a privately run, profit-making Medicare Advantage plan.
(2023-01-24). Australian Labor government spends $4 billion on weapons in three weeks. wsws.org While there is no money for public healthcare and education, both in an unprecedented crisis, the war machine is being provided with a blank cheque.
(2023-01-24). Ambulance workers stage third round of strikes in England and Wales. wsws.org The demand for unified action has been consistently raised from the picket lines, but opposed by all the health unions…
(2023-01-24). Stepping out of the pandemic, Chinese style. mronline.org 
On January 6, 2023, China's National Health Commission (NHC) and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine issued China's 10th edition of its diagnosis and treatment protocol for novel coronavirus infection.
(2023-01-24). Estimated Prevalence and Clinical Manifestations of UBA1 Variants Associated With VEXAS Syndrome. jamanetwork.com This retrospective observational study evaluates UBA1 variants in exome data from individuals in the Geisinger MyCode Community Health Initiative.
(2023-01-24). Improvements in Adverse Event Rates Among Hospitalized Patients—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply "The goal is zero harms" has resonated throughout patient safety. Two decades after To Err Is Human, health care continues to face recurrences of a multitude of preventable adverse events. No guideline, policy, or public health intervention has been able to eliminate adverse events.
(2023-01-24). CMS Recommends Standardizing "Health Care Attachments" jamanetwork.com The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule to standardize electronic signatures and health care attachment transactions, such as medical charts and x-rays. If finalized, the rule would also standardize notes documenting physician referrals and office and telehealth visits.
(2023-01-24). Updated Demographics and Health Stats for Older Adults Released. jamanetwork.com The Administration for Community Living (ACL), through its Administration on Aging, released updated demographics for the US population aged 65 years or older. Data were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the US Census Bureau.
(2023-01-24). Government Accountability Office Examines Political Interference Among US Health Agencies. jamanetwork.com Several agencies under the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aren't adequately shielded against political interference, according to a report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
(2023-01-24). Health Systems—The Present and the Future. jamanetwork.com For better or worse, independent medical practices and solo community hospitals are disappearing as they are acquired by hospital-based health systems. In this issue of JAMA, Beaulieu et al provide a detailed review of the current (2018) prevalence and performance of the 580 health systems they identified in the US. They found that 84% of general acute care hospital beds and 40% of physicians were part of health systems. These findings are compatible with those of Furukawa et al, who used a somewhat different method to identify 637 systems in 2018 that included 91% of US hospital beds and 51% of physicians, marki…
(2023-01-24). FDA Can Curtail Antibiotic Crisis by Ending Misuse in Livestock Animals, Say Health Advocate Groups in New Lawsuit. commondreams.org
(2023-01-24). Republicans Want to Raise Retirement Age to 70 as Life Expectancy Is Falling. truthout.org In a time when life expectancy in the U.S. is declining for the first time in decades and Americans can expect on average to enjoy even fewer years of retirement, Republicans are considering a radical plan to shrink the retirement window. House Republicans have been working out the details of their deeply unpopular plan to cut Social Security and Medicare in order to deepen poverty and shackle… |
(2023-01-24). Critics Rip 'MAGA Extremists' Over Plan to Hike Social Security Retirement Age to 70. commondreams.org 
Not even a month after assuming the majority in the House, Republicans have begun seriously considering a range of proposals to cut Social Security, Medicare, and other federal programs that millions of people across the U.S. rely on to meet basic needs. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that "in recent days, a group of GOP …
(2023-01-24). COVID Vaxes — It's Not 'The More the Merrier'. americanthinker.com Are an endless series of mRNA "vaccines" really in the best interests of virtually all Americans for whom they are recommended?>
(2023-01-24). Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Safely Induces Antibodies Among Vaccine-Naive Infants. jamanetwork.com A novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) was well-tolerated among newborns and resulted in nearly all infants developing neutralizing antibodies after 2 doses, a recent trial reported.
(2023-01-24). War on empathy: Legacy media's attacks on advocates for strong COVID-19 prevention. therealnews.com 
This story originally appeared in A recent series of media stories depicting individuals advocating for stronger COVID policies as unsympathetic characters on the fringes of society ignited a
(2023-01-24). China Focus: Chinese rejoice in first holiday after COVID response change. ecns.cn Starting from Saturday, the Lunar New Year's Eve or "Chuxi" in Chinese, hundreds of millions of people are celebrating the Spring Festival in China, the grandest holiday for the Chinese.
(2023-01-24). Gobierno de Bolivia confirma desescalada de sexta ola de Covid-19. telesurtv.net En la semana epidemiológica 3 de 2023 fueron notificados 2.836 contagios menos que la anterior.
(2023-01-24). Panamá registra 789 nuevos contagios de Covid-19 en una semana. telesurtv.net Panamá acumula un total de 1.029.061 casos confirmados de la enfermedad, mientras que la cifra de decesos aumentó a 8.594.
(2023-01-24). Portuguese teachers mount nationwide strike. wsws.org A rising tide of class struggles is underway in Portugal and internationally, three years into the COVID-19 pandemic and as NATO wages war on Russia in Ukraine.
(2023-01-24). South Korean government lifts indoor mask mandate while COVID-19 continues to run rampant. wsws.org The removal of masks indoors will only facilitate a new wave of COVID-19 across the country as dangerous new variants spread.
(2023-01-24). China's massive COVID-19 death toll: Social murder at the behest of imperialism. wsws.org Acting in direct response to demands from giant corporations and imperialist governments, the Beijing bureaucracy has unleashed a wave of infection and death.
(2023-01-24). Biotechnology professor Greg Foley dies after bravely documenting impact of his COVID infection. wsws.org The January 12 series of 10 tweets went viral, viewed over 1.4 million times.
(2023-01-24). White House shake-up as attacks mount on Biden over handling of classified documents. wsws.org Biden's chief of staff, Ron Klain, is reportedly stepping down, to be replaced by multi-millionaire Jeff Zients, formerly the White House coronavirus coordinator.