AI can’t yet help doctors improve their ability to diagnose complex conditions, a sobering new study has found. Doctors had about the same diagnostic accuracy whether or not they were using ChatGPT Plus, according to results published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open. However, the AI outperformed doctors when allowed to diagnose on its… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Breathing Dirty Air Might Raise Eczema Risks
Cases of the autoimmune skin condition eczema appear to rise in areas most plagued by air pollution, new research shows. Since data has long shown that rates of eczema — clinically known as atopic dermatitis — increase along with industrialization, dirty air might be a connecting link, according to the team from Yale University. “Showing… read on > read on >
Chlamydia Vaccine Shows Early Promise in Mice
An experimental vaccine has shown promise in protecting against the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, researchers report. Lab mice given the vaccine were able to rapidly clear subsequent chlamydia infections, and were less likely to develop severe infections compared with unvaccinated mice, researchers reported Nov. 11 in the journal npj Vaccines. The vaccine contains chlamydia whole-cell… read on > read on >
Trump Picks Vaccine Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Lead Health & Human Services
In a move guaranteed to alarm many, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal opponent of vaccines and other tenets of mainstream health care, to head the massive U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The department encompasses numerous key agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,… read on > read on >
1 in 3 Surgery Patients Suffer Complications
More than a third of surgical patients develop complications as a result of their procedure, a new study shows. About 38% of adult patients suffer an adverse event during or following their surgery, researchers reported Nov. 13 in the BMJ. Nearly half of these complications result in serious, life-threatening or fatal harm, results showed. What’s… read on > read on >
Telehealth Can Help Prevent Suicide in Those at High Risk
Therapy provided via telehealth can reduce a person’s risk of suicide, a new study reports. Cognitive behavior therapy reduces suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts even if delivered for a short time via telehealth, according to results published Nov. 12 in the jouirnal JAMA Network Open. That’s good news, given that therapy these days is more… read on > read on >
America’s Epidemic of STDs May Finally Be Slowing
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2024 — The epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States appears to be cooling off after more than two decades, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study says. Gonorrhea cases dropped for a second year in 2023, declining 7% and falling below pre-pandemic levels, researchers say.… read on > read on >
Women Can Incur ‘Catastrophic’ Bills for Out-of-State Abortions, Study Finds
One piece left out of the abortion debate is the high transportation and medical bills facing women forced to leave their state to obtain the procedure. A new study is the first to give hard numbers on those concerns. It finds that, even before the fall of Roe v. Wade, 65% of women who traveled… read on > read on >
Childbirth Can Bring Worrying Medical Bills, Even With Insurance
Having a child can cause significant and ongoing financial hardship for new parents, even if they are covered by health insurance, a new study shows. More than half of people with private insurance spent more than $1,000 out of pocket on childbirth, and nearly 40% reported being somewhat or very worried about paying their health… read on > read on >
Rates of Anxiety, Depression Rising Among Americans, Especially the Young
Rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults, especially younger folks, continues to rise, the latest federal data shows. Nearly 1 in every 5 (18.2%) adults reported anxiety issues in 2022, up from 15.6% in 2019, reported Emily Terlizzi and Benjamin Zablotsky, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As for depression,… read on > read on >