Aesthetic surgery, once taboo, has seen a surge in acceptance post-pandemic, with patients seeking procedures for rejuvenation and body confidence, writes plastic surgeon Amit Gupta. Empowerment and self-expression are driving factors, with procedures aligning with personal aspirations and reshaping societal beauty standards, indicating a transformative shift in perception and acceptance, Gupta writes.

The metaverse, already transforming industries like gaming and advertising, is projected to revolutionize medical tourism, valued at $200 billion by 2027. Through virtual tours, interactions with medical personnel, and post-operative care, the metaverse aims to address challenges such as poor patient experiences and high costs in the medical tourism industry, offering a promising future for remote health care access.

Community-centric algorithms could be one way to tackle inequities and bias in AI tools meant to support care for older adults, writes Anika Heavener of The SCAN Foundation. The Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms from New York City's Public Health Department works to eliminate explicit and implicit racial bias in clinical algorithms via community-level collaboration, and such programs have the power to create frameworks to mitigate ageism and other issues and should be seen as the norm instead of the exception, Heavener writes.

An expanded focus on electronic case reporting is among revisions to the CDC's Public Health Data Strategy, along with reducing barriers to accessing tools, improving interoperability, and making progress toward health equity, Director Dr. Mandy Cohen told the Kaiser Permanente Health Action Summit. "Investing in strong relationships and taking action together to protect health could better prepare an integrated health system to respond to the next major health emergency and improve the day-to-day health and well-being of the population," Cohen and other CDC researchers wrote in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Large-language AI models are increasingly being used in dermatology, prompting calls for enhanced education and best practices. A survey revealed that while dermatologists find these models useful, concerns about accuracy, privacy and the need for editing outputs remain prevalent, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and development in this area.

Researchers have identified Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 in oral mucosa as pivotal for accelerating scarless wound healing, noting its faster healing rate compared to skin wounds. The study, published in the International Wound Journal, underscores the unique gene expression profile and higher levels of certain components like extracellular matrix in oral mucosal wounds, suggesting potential implications for wound healing therapies.

A study published in the journal JID Innovations explored the molecular properties of IL-23 inhibitors for treating plaque psoriasis, revealing correlations between epitope size and clinical efficacy. The findings underscore how structural differences among these inhibitors influence therapeutic response, offering insights for clinicians in therapeutic selection and highlighting the need for further research.

Maria Gifford is the editor of several SmartBrief newsletters focused on health care. Gifford is a veteran medical journalist who has produced evidence-based health and wellness content for the Mayo Clinic, the American Diabetes Association, the Arthritis Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Harvard Health Publications and more. Email Gifford at maria.gifford@futurenet.com. Like what you see? Please share this brief with a friend or colleague.