US life expectancy rebounds after 2 years of decline | Report: 6.9M US seniors living with Alzheimer's dementia | Native Americans affected as syphilis rates rise
March 22, 2024
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US life expectancy rebounds after 2 years of decline
(Pixabay)
US life expectancy at birth rose from 76.4 years in 2021 to 77.5 years in 2022 after two straight years of declines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increase was not enough to bring back the life expectancy rate to the pre-pandemic level, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. The rebound in life expectancy was attributed to a roughly 9% decline in the overall age-adjusted mortality rate and decreases in death rates related to COVID-19, heart disease, cancers, homicides and unintentional injuries.
Full Story: U.S. News & World Report (3/21),  CNN (3/21) 
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Nursing, Health & Medical Science
A report from the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 6.9 million US adults ages 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, which has put a significant burden on personal caregivers and the country's health care system. Americans with Alzheimer's dementia received an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid help from family members and caregivers last year, and the association predicts the cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's dementia will reach $360 billion this year, an increase of $15 billion compared with 2023.
Full Story: HealthDay News (3/20) 
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Native American people have been among the most heavily affected as rates of syphilis have increased in the US. Tribal leaders in multiple states have asked HHS to declare a federal health emergency as community health professionals address converging issues such as lack of health care facilities, patients' fear of the health system and inconsistent access to state data.
Full Story: KFF Health News (3/21) 
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A study found that patients hospitalized with influenza were more likely to develop neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and epilepsy than patients admitted with COVID-19. The findings were published in the journal Neurology.
Full Story: HealthDay News (3/21) 
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A study presented at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference showed that using PET-MRI scans for patients with early stage breast cancer led to treatment changes in nearly 3 out of 10 cases. "Our research suggests that for patients with early breast cancer, the addition of a PET-MRI scan to standard care could help us make more informed decisions about the best treatment pathway," researcher Rosa Di Micco said.
Full Story: Medical Xpress (3/20) 
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Trends & Technologies
Some health care systems are using workforce software for communications, posting shifts and relaying scheduling needs quickly. Smart workforce management solutions allow nurses the autonomy to improve work-life balance, and managers can improve communication with nurses while offering more flexibility.
Full Story: Minority Nurse online (3/21) 
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Intermountain Health has partnered with digital health company Picterus to develop an app that would help parents determine whether their baby has jaundice and alert health care providers. The app, which uses a smartphone camera alongside a laminated card to measure bilirubin levels, is being tested on about 300 term babies and 100 preterm babies and compared with traditional blood draws.
Full Story: HealthLeaders Media (3/20) 
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Legislative Policy & Regulatory News
The US can't let telehealth flexibilities expire, said Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, during a recent hearing at the House of Representatives. Becerra noted that the process of making those flexibilities permanent requires state governments and federal authorities to work closely.
Full Story: Hospice News (3/20) 
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The CMS said the weight loss drug Wegovy would be covered for Medicare beneficiaries who are prescribed the medication for lowering heart attack and stroke risk and that state Medicaid programs would be required to cover the drug to prevent heart disease among people with obesity. The agency's announcement makes Wegovy available for Medicare price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Full Story: Reuters (3/21) 
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The NIH released the last version of its COVID-19 treatment guidelines last month, four years after the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. The archives of the guidance will remain available online until August. Cliff Lane, co-chair of the NIH's COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel, said groups such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American College of Physicians will now serve as keepers of the guidelines.
Full Story: National Public Radio (3/19) 
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Visit the COVID-19 Resource Center for relevant, accurate and up-to-date information as well as expert perspectives about the safety, efficacy and importance of COVID-19 vaccines.
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ANA News
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