From the tallest to the shortest, this week’s medical roundup has everyone covered. Read on for the latest in healthcare.
To Sell Medical Students On Joys Of Geriatrics, Send In 90-Year-Olds – NPR
The American Geriatrics society estimates that nearly 30,000 geriatricians will be needed to treat the aging American population by year 2030. There are currently only 7,000 practicing geriatric physicians in the country. The society claims that if more physicians do not take interest in the specialty, there will be a notable shortage in treatment options for seniors. However, there are numerous barriers for physicians interested in geriatrics, including a truncated salary despite the standard, astronomically high rate of student loans, complex cases, and a prevalence of disease management versus cure oriented treatment. However, the article outlines the joys of working with this population, and the steps geriatric based advocacy groups are taking to highlight the need. Read more here. Read more here.
5 Moments When Congress’s Planned Parenthood Hearing Got Heated – Washington Post
Early this summer, a series of videos were released that alluded to Planned Parenthood staffers selling fetus tissue following a surgical abortion. The videos, distributed by an anti-abortion group, have created a storm of media attention, although the nonprofit women’s health care organization attests that the videos are highly doctored, edited, and demonstrate no illegal activity. However, the videos re-ignited a fury among the rightwing base, along with the Republican led Congress, and the flock of current Republican presidential candidates. This week, Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, testified before an oversight committee in the House on the grounds of how the organization utilizes the annual federal funding totaling over $500 million. Read more here.
Researchers Profile 4 Types of Non-Vaccinators – EurekAlert
Despite the scientific evidence that vaccines continue to promote positive health outcomes, a growing percentage of the United State’s population continues to opt out. In a recently published literature review in Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Science, researchers outline the four main categories these non vaccinating individuals fall into: complacency, convenience, confidence, and calculation. The report outlines a discussion of each character type, including the corresponding rationale and justification behind the choice to refuse vaccinations. Additionally, the report provides insight regarding the appropriate tactic for reaching this population, and type-specific suggestions for increasing their internal vaccination numbers. Read more here.
Benefits of Psychotherapy for Depression ‘Overstated’ – Medical News Today
One of the most frequently utilized treatments for depression is psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy. However, PLOS ONE recently published a study suggesting the effectiveness of this treatment may be overstated in published works. While the study admits that psychotherapy is undoubtedly an effective treatment method for this common mental disorder, the study highlights the amount of publication bias surrounding treatment statistics. Through a meta-analysis of recently conducted work, the study concludes that the therapy may be up to 25% less effective than published studies demonstrate. Read more here.
Height May Be Linked to Increased Cancer Risk, Study Contends – U.S. News Health
A recently published study of 5 million Swedish men and women has suggested there is a relationship between height and cancer risk. In men, four additional adult inches of height responded to an 11 percent increase in the risk of cancer. For women, the four additional inches led to an 18 percent increase. The American Cancer Society responded to the study with acknowledgment, stating that the study confirms a previously held belief that cancer and height shared a relationship. However, all the researchers involved cautioned that while these preliminary findings remain correlated, there is no indication of the association between height and cancer related fatalities, and that a significant amount of follow up research is required. Read more here.
For the latest in medical news, we’ve got you covered. Check back next week for another roundup of healthcare headlines on the BoardVitals blog.