Health News Corner
We provide connections to medical information sources so you can learn about and discuss any relevant topic with your doctor prior to acting on the information. Medicine (research) is a complicated area requiring a scientific approach that considers as many variables as can be identified/controlled; be applicable to large groups of people not any one individual; and consider if conflicting interests could influence the presentation.
We suggest you read a few references regarding appropriate and inappropriate (i.e. not conferring with your doctor) use of medical information via these 3 links: NIH, News-Medical, Medical Justice.
Click the links below to read about a recent topic. To access our full library of topics click here.
- Learn the Signs. Act Early. Help your child grow and thrive - From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern. CDC CDC’s Milestone Tracker App
- Your Child's Communication Development: Birth to Five Years - What to expect and what to do if child is not meeting milestones. ASHA
- Safe Kids - Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to reduce unintentional injuries to children ages 0-19 and build sustainable systems that support injury prevention. Preventable Injuries
are the #1 Killer of Kids in the U.S. Safe Kids Worldwide - Amid Decreasing Infant Mortality, Sleep-Related Infant Deaths Are on the Rise - Surprisingly, the recent analysis found that the increase in SUIDs (sudden unexpected infant deaths) took place amid a 24% decrease in the overall infant mortality rate between 1999 and 2022, a decline that Wolf attributed to multifactorial reasons. (Practices to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths) JAMA Network Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment The American Academy of Pediatrics
- Safe to Sleep® Helping to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. - The actions listed here and in Safe to Sleep® materials and publications are based on the AAP Task Force recommendations. You can read the latest Policy Statement on Safe Infant Sleep from the AAP Task Force on SIDS. It’s important for all caregivers—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers, and anyone who might care for baby—to learn about safe infant sleep to help reduce baby’s risk. National Institutes of Health Safe to Sleep
- Researchers Identify Growing List of Genetic Disorders Treatable Before or Immediately After Birth - “We saw a critical gap in prenatal care and an opportunity to define the genetic disorders that are treatable during this time,” said senior author Nina Gold, MD...“These conditions are actionable—meaning that, empowered with diagnostic information, we can intervene early and improve outcomes.” Mass General Brigham
- What to Do If Your Child Is Diagnosed With a Rare Disease - 1. Know you are not alone. 2.Realize it is not your fault. 3. Look beyond your regular doctor. 4. Consult a geneticist. ... 10. U.S. News
- Researchers develop new way to match young cancer patients with the right drugs - A pan-Canadian team has developed a new way to quickly find personalized treatments for young cancer patients, by growing their tumours in chicken eggs and analyzing their proteins. The University of British Columbia
- Talking to Your Child About Vaping: A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers - The American Lung Association's course Talking to Your Child About Vaping - This course is ideal for parents, guardians or caregivers of children ages 8 to 20, and parents, guardians or caregivers of children who have a history of using tobacco and nicotine products. American Lung Association
- Addressing Childhood Obesity -Obesity affects about 1 out of every 5 kids. Carrying too much body fat can affect almost every system in your body. It can contribute to many long-term health problems. These include heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues. - NIH News in Health
- Predicting preeclampsia - The condition can lead to preterm birth, pregnancy loss, and maternal or newborn death. Careful monitoring and low-dose aspirin may help to lower preeclampsia risk. But there hasn’t been a good way to predict preeclampsia before it happens for earlier intervention. National Institutes of Health
- Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis - The addition of combined oral and topical antimicrobial therapy for male partners to treatment of women for bacterial vaginosis resulted in a lower rate of recurrence of bacterial vaginosis within 12 weeks than standard care.
New England Journal of Medicine - A Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Prevention: FDA Clears First AI Tool to Predict Risk from a Mammogram - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted De Novo authorization to Clairity Breast, the first-ever AI-powered platform that predicts a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer over the next five years—using only a standard mammogram. Breast Cancer Research Foundation
- Top 10 Breast Cancer Breakthroughs in 2024 - In 2024, several significant advancements in breast oncology were covered by Targeted OncologyTM. Here are the top 10 developments from the year Targeted Oncology
- Houston Methodist researchers identify inhibitor drugs to treat aggressive breast cancer - A rare and aggressive form of disease, metaplastic breast cancer typically grows faster and is more likely to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body than other breast cancers. Patients with metaplastic breast cancer will often receive the same treatment as a patient with triple negative breast cancer, another aggressive and deadly form of the disease. However, metaplastic breast cancer often does not respond well. Houston Methodist Clinical Trial.
- Blood test predicts 30-year cardiovascular disease risks for women - Researchers found that a blood test to measure levels of three compounds could predict a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease decades later. The findings may lead to ways to detect and treat cardiovascular disease earlier. - National Institutes of Health
- ACS Annual Report: Cancer Mortality Continues to Drop Despite Rising Incidence in Women; Rates of New Diagnoses Under 65 Higher in Women Than Men - “Continued reductions in cancer mortality because of drops in smoking, better treatment, and earlier detection is certainly great news,” said Rebecca Siegel,... and lead author of the report. “However, this progress is tempered by rising incidence in young and middle-aged women, who are often the family caregivers, and a shifting cancer burden from men to women, harkening back to the early 1900s when cancer was more common in women.” American Cancer Society
- The State of Maternity Care in US Hospitals - 'Leapfrog is the only organization to publicly report this maternity care quality data by hospital at the national level and continues to bridge the gap of available information about maternity care quality and services.' The Leapfrog Group
- “Before you go”—considering genitourinary symptoms as a sentinel indicator of the presence of, or risk for, chronic disorders in men - Men have a significantly shorter life expectancy compared to women,.. LUTS and ED share risk factors with major chronic disorders like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, and are associated with depression and obstructive sleep apnea. Both ED and LUTS are meaningful to men and can motivate seeking care, providing healthcare providers an opportunity for preventative measures and early treatment. Journal of Men's Health
- Common gene variant doubles dementia risk for men - New research has found that men who carry a common genetic variant are twice as likely to develop dementia in their lifetime compared to women. “Having just one copy of this gene variant does not impact someone’s health or increase their risk of dementia. However, having two copies of the variant more than doubled the risk of dementia in men, but not women,” Professor Olynyk said. ScienceDirect
- MRI scanning and biopsy could reduce delays in the correct treatment for bladder cancer by more than six weeks - "This research shows that by adding an MRI pre-biopsy we can cut the time taken to correct treatment for the worst bladder tumours -- those that invade the bladder muscle wall -- by almost half, from 98 days down to 53 days. We've also shown that around 1 in 7 of these patients with problematic tumours can avoid the surgical procedure used to diagnose bladder cancer. .." - ScienceDaily Bladder Cancer Statistics - American Cancer Society
- The Galleri Blood Test for Multiple Cancers: What to Know - A multicancer early detection (MCED) test is a type of test that uses a blood sample to identify several different types of cancer. It works by looking for proteins or genetic factors that are related to cancer.The Galleri test is a type of MCED test that your doctor can order. It analyzes a blood sample for patterns in DNA that can signal the presence of cancer in your body. healthline
- Scientists discover how aspirin could prevent some cancers from spreading - Scientists have uncovered the mechanism behind how aspirin could reduce the metastasis of some cancers by stimulating the immune system. University of Cambridge
- MyHealthfinder - See which screening tests and vaccines you or your loved ones need to stay healthy. Learn how to find and access screenings, vaccines, and other preventive care you need to stay healthy. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (OASH)
- Nutrition for Optimal Health An interactive and award-winning nutrition learning program for the public—the resource recommended by physicians for patient nutrition education. A Public Service from the Nonprofit Gaples Institute A physician-led educational nonprofit Gaples Institute Nutrition Course
- Be good to your teeth: Regular flossing reduces risk of stroke, AFib Overall, flossing at least once per week was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke and a 12% lower risk of AFib. Flossing more often appeared to lead to more significant risk reductions. Cardiovascular Business
- Cancer Vaccines: The Types, How They Work, and Which Cancers They Treat
All vaccines work by training your immune system to defend your body against foreign invaders or abnormal cells that pose a threat. There are two main types of cancer vaccines: Preventive Cancer Vaccines & Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines. These vaccine types can protect against cancer in different ways Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center High Blood Pressure Facts This map of the United States shows that concentrations of counties with the highest high blood pressure (hypertension) prevalence in 2021 for adults ages 18 and older are located primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia. Pockets of high-rate counties also were found in Alaska, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Insufficient data were provided from Florida and U.S. Territories to publish. CDC
Surprising fact: In Ikaria, nearly 1 in 3 people live past age 90—nearly 10 times the rate of the United States. Longevity Rising: Inside the Anti-Aging Boom How science, culture, and innovation are extending healthy years worldwide. Whether you're planning for a thriving retirement, caring for aging parents, or simply aiming to optimize your own health span, these insights offer practical, inspiring guidance from across the globe. Let’s explore what the data—and the world—are revealing about living longer, and better. World Population Review Newsletter
- FDA Clears First Blood Test Used in Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease
New Test Provides Less Invasive Option, Reduces Reliance on PET Scans and Increases Diagnosis Accessibility. The test is intended for patients presenting at a specialized care setting with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline. The results must be interpreted in conjunction with other patient clinical information. Food and Drug Administration - Researchers describe cancer trends in people under 50: A nationwide analysis found a higher incidence of 14 types of cancer compared to rates in 2010 among people under 50 years old. NIH National Cancer Institute
- US Health Briefings The State of Health in: North Carolina (PDF)
IHME measures the US’s health problems, including in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories from 1990 through 2021. It is the most comprehensive and comparable research on US health to date, tracking 400+ diseases, injuries, and risk factors. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
- Effect of fasting on cancer: A narrative review of scientific evidence - Emerging evidence suggests that fasting could play a key role in cancer treatment by fostering conditions that limit cancer cells' adaptability, survival, and growth. Fasting could increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments and limit adverse events. National Library of Medicine
- Bacteria to Fight High-Mortality Cancers Prepares for Clinical Trials - A University of Massachusetts Amherst-Ernest Pharmaceuticals team of scientists has made “exciting,” patient-friendly advances in developing a non-toxic bacterial therapy, BacID, to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors. This emerging technology holds promise for very safe and more effective treatment of cancers with high mortality rates, including liver, ovarian and metastatic breast cancer. University of Massachusetts Amherst
- DASH Eating Plan - DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. The DASH eating plan requires no special foods and instead provides daily and weekly nutritional goals. It was named “Best Heart-Healthy Diet” and “Best Diet for High Blood Pressure” by U.S. News & World Report in 2025. National Heart,Lung & Blood Institute
- Exercise intensity matters: A review on evaluating the effects of aerobic exercise intensity on muscle‐derived neuroprotective myokines - Exercise as a medical intervention is effective to help prevent and manage many chronic and complex diseases, including dementia. There is evidence to suggest that regular aerobic exercise protects against age‐related brain atrophy and reduces the risk of cognitive decline. - National Library of Medicine
- New Options for Controlling Type 2 Diabetes - Nearly 40% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes imperil their health by stopping their medication within the first year, UVA Health diabetes experts note in a new paper highlighting a growing array of treatment options. University of Virginia
- What Doctors Wish Patients Knew™ - When it comes to effective doctor-patient communication, it's important that both parties are speaking from a base of shared knowledge. The American Medical Association provides a space where physicians share what they want patients to understand about today's health care headlines. AMA
- Hypertension - Controlling hypertension is the single most impactful intervention for preventing death from heart attacks and strokes. The AMA has made hypertension control one of its main priorities. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. (122.4 million) have hypertension but only about 1 in 4 adults (25.7%) with hypertension have their condition under control.4 big ways BP measurement goes wrong, and how to tackle them. AMA What doctors wish patients knew about home BP measurement SMBP Training Video (Self Measuring Blood Pressure). Target:BPTM AHA/AMA
- Stanford’s New AI Predicts Cancer Outcomes With Unmatched Accuracy - 'MUSK represents a marked deviation from the way artificial intelligence is currently used in clinical care settings, and the researchers believe it stands to transform how artificial intelligence can guide patient care.' SciTech News
- CLAIRITY BREAST is the first FDA-authorized AI platform that predicts a woman’s five-year future risk of developing breast cancer, using only her existing screening mammogram.- “For more than 60 years, mammograms have saved lives by detecting early-stage cancers. Now, advancements in AI and computer vision can uncover hidden clues in the mammograms – invisible to the human eye – to help predict future risk..." Clairity
- New AI model improves MS diagnostics - By recognizing patterns from previous patients, the model can determine whether a patient has the relapsing-remitting form or whether the disease has transitioned to secondary progressive MS (with 90% accuracy). What is unique about the model is that it also indicates how confident it is in each individual assessment. This means that the doctor will know how reliable the conclusion is and how confident the AI is in its assessment. Uppsala University, Sweden
- This New Treatment Can Adjust to Parkinson’s Symptoms in Real Time - FDA approves algorithm developed by UCSF researcher that provides calibrated electrical pulses to fend off stiffness and involuntary movements before they arise. Researchers at UCSF are exploring how to use personalized DBS for depression, chronic pain and obsessive-compulsive disorder. UCSF News
- UF professor develops AI tool to better assess Parkinson’s disease, other movement disorders - A University of Florida researcher has developed a groundbreaking open-source computer program that uses artificial intelligence to analyze videos of patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. The tool, called VisionMD, helps doctors more accurately monitor subtle motor changes, improving patient care and advancing clinical research. UF News
- Research shows AI technology improves Parkinson’s diagnoses - Existing research indicates that the accuracy of a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis hovers between 55% and 78% in the first five years of assessment. Roughly one in four patients, or even one in two patients, is misdiagnosed.Now, researchers at the University of Florida and the UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases have developed a new kind of software that will help clinicians differentially diagnose Parkinson’s disease and related conditions, reducing diagnostic time and increasing precision beyond 96%. UF Health
- Brain-to-voice neuroprosthesis restores naturalistic speech - Marking a breakthrough in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), a team of researchers from UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco has unlocked a way to restore naturalistic speech for people with severe paralysis.. UC Berkeley Engineering
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Diabetes Day by Day Podcast
is a podcast intended for people with diabetes and their caregivers. In each episode, Neil Skolnik, MD, and Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, will discuss the everyday challenges of living with diabetes and will offer practical advice for overcoming those challenges. Join Drs. Skolnik and Wettergreen an
