The Med & Mic™ 01.12.22
Medical and Health News Updates
From Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
~ A DOCTOR COACHING DOCTORS SPEAKING ~
Win the Media Interview!
Record High Hospitalizations
More than 145,900 people were in U.S. hospitals with COVID on January 11, 2022, more than doubling in two weeks. This surpasses the previous high in January 2021. Patients with COVID occupy nearly one in three ICU beds, and pediatric hospitalizations are at the highest point in the pandemic. Hospitals are struggling with staffing issues, as employees isolate and recover after testing positive. More from CNN and NPR.
New Alzheimer’s Drug Stipulations
A new, expensive drug for Alzheimer’s disease, Aduhelm, will be covered by Medicare only if the patient is enrolled in a qualifying clinical trial. This is unusual after FDA approval. The stipulation could limit who gets the drug, since major medical centers are the typical site of these trials. The drug is a monoclonal antibody that targets beta amyloid, a protein in the sticky clumps found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors and scientists have questioned whether the drug really works and whether the FDA followed proper procedure in the approval. Brain swelling occurred in 40% of participants in the clinical trials prior to approval. More in STAT News and MedPage Today.
Breastfeeding and Less Heart Disease
Women who breastfed were less likely to develop or die from heart disease and stroke compared to mothers who didn’t breastfeed. This is based on an analysis of eight studies and included more than a million women who had given birth. More in Healio.
Would you or someone in your healthcare organization be ready to speak to the media about today’s topics featured in The Med & Mic™ blog post? Be prepared! Check out my media skills courses and coaching for healthcare professionals at Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC: https://www.drmariaonspeaking.com/.
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.