Health

The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently investigating Acadia Healthcare, a major network of psychiatric facilities, for potentially defrauding government health insurance programs by unnecessarily extending patients' stays, sources familiar with the matter reveal. This investigation by the department's inspector general was triggered following Acadia's disclosure to its investors of existing investigations into its patient admissions strategies by other federal agencies, including Manhattan prosecutors and a Missouri grand jury. Acadia is heavily dependent on government-funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid for its revenue. Further scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other bodies is expected. Acadia responded to…

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued an urgent warning about the critical shortage of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), a life-saving, nutrient-rich food essential for treating malnourished children in Africa. This shortage poses a serious risk of hunger for nearly two million children across the continent. Recently, UNICEF announced that four African countries, including Mali, Nigeria, Niger and Chad, have either completely exhausted their supplies of RUTF or are on the verge of doing so. Furthermore, there is a looming risk that eight other countries, such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, will face similar…

Ananda Lewis, a prominent television personality best known for her work as an MTV VJ in the 1990s, recently shared an update on her ongoing battle with breast cancer, revealing that it has progressed to stage 4. Lewis, who Initially diagnosed in 2019, he revealed during a CNN roundtable that the cancer had metastasized as early as last year. In subsequent communications, including a telephone interview with The New York Times, the 51-year-old expressed a renewed sense of optimism about her health. After resuming more aggressive treatment options, Lewis reported significant improvements, stating, "I've resolved the problem really beautifully." Lewis…

Fisher-Price has issued a voluntary recall of more than two million Snuga swings following reports of at least five infant deaths linked to the product. The recall, announced jointly with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), highlights the critical importance of safe sleep practices for infants and the ongoing challenges of ensuring product safety. The Snuga Swing, a popular swing designed to calm and entertain babies, has been implicated in the deaths of five infants aged between one and three months. According to the recall notice, the children reportedly died while sleeping on the swing, raising concerns about potential…

The British government recently unveiled a major pharmaceutical collaboration with Eli Lilly to conduct a five-year study into the effects of the weight-loss drug tirzepatide, known commercially as Mounjaro. This initiative aims to determine whether such drugs could not only help people lose weight but also improve productivity levels within the workforce. In Britain, obesity is a growing concern, with around one in four adults classed as obese. This epidemic places a heavy financial burden on the National Health Service, costing billions every year. The government's new strategy suggests that tirzepatide injections could potentially be a viable solution to this…

The 2024 presidential race has brought renewed attention to the health and suitability of candidates to handle the demands of the presidency. This weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign proactively addressed the issue by releasing a letter from her doctor, Dr. Joshua R. Simmons, attesting to her "excellent health." The move comes as the campaign seeks to draw a contrast with his opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, who has yet to release comparable medical information. Dr. Simmons' letter, while not a comprehensive medical report, summarizes key aspects of the Vice President's health. Ms. Harris, at 59, is noted to…

In an exciting development for technology and healthcare, Apple is set to revolutionize the way we think about hearing care. With a simple software update, your everyday AirPods Pro 2 could soon double as a hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. This innovation uses devices that are already a common accessory in everyday life, potentially making hearing care more accessible and less stigmatized. Millions of people currently use AirPods Pro 2 for their excellent sound quality when listening to music, making calls or enjoying podcasts. However, these devices are set to become even more versatile. After…

Rwanda has reported an outbreak of Marburg virus, a severe hemorrhagic fever known for its high mortality rate, with 11 fatalities this year. This marks the first appearance of the virus in Rwanda, located in east-central Africa, despite its presence in several other African nations in recent decades. Rwanda's Health Ministry has identified 36 cases since the virus was first detected in late September. In a related development, German health authorities have confirmed that two people suspected of having the Marburg virus have tested negative. The scare led to temporary restrictions at a major Hamburg train station, following symptoms the…

Federal health authorities confirmed new cases of avian influenza in California, reporting that two dairy farm employees tested positive for the H5N1 virus. These recent cases were identified in workers on separate farms, both of whom had been exposed to infected livestock. This latest development brings the total number of confirmed cases among agricultural workers to 16 this year, with additional cases still under review. Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted that these cases are part of a larger trend seen in California, where infection among cattle herds has increased significantly…

Two American scientists, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work on microRNAs. This tiny molecule plays a vital role in regulating gene expression, influencing how organisms develop and function. Their research, using the nematode C. elegansrevealed a new level of complexity in the central dogma of molecular biology, demonstrating how microRNAs act as a control mechanism for protein production. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and treating disease. The regulatory function of microRNA can be disrupted in conditions such as cancer, diabetes and autoimmune diseases. The…