The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **Sleep and Mental Health: Breaking the Vicious Cycle** Sleep and mental health share a powerful two-way relationship, where poor sleep can trigger or worsen issues like depression and anxiety, and mental health struggles often disrupt restful nights.[1][2][4] This dynamic is backed by strong science from a meta-analysis of 65 randomized controlled trials involving over 8,600 participants, showing that improving sleep quality leads to significant reductions in mental health symptoms.[1] **The Bidirectional Link Between Sleep and Mental Health** Traditionally, experts viewed sleep problems as mere symptoms of mental illness, but recent research flips that script.[1][3][4] People with insomnia face 10 times higher risk of depression and 17 times higher for anxiety, with longitudinal studies confirming a two-fold increased chance of developing depression.[1] Mental health conditions, in turn, trap individuals in lighter sleep stages, reducing restorative REM sleep essential for emotional processing.[3][4] **Proven Benefits of Better Sleep on the Mind** Interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) yield medium-sized improvements: depression drops by g+ = -0.63, anxiety by -0.51, and overall mental health by -0.53.[1] Even smaller effects appear on stress (-0.42), rumination (-0.49), and psychosis symptoms (-0.26), with a dose-response pattern—bigger sleep gains mean bigger mental health wins.[1] Chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognition, heightens irritability, and feeds a cycle that worsens existing disorders, per CDC data on frequent mental distress.[2][5] **Why "Just Get More Sleep" Falls Short for Insomnia and Depression** Telling someone with insomnia and depression to simply sleep more ignores this causal loop, as poor sleep actively maintains mental health issues.[1][3] Sufficient REM sleep helps the brain consolidate positive emotions and memories; without it, mood reactivity spikes and suicide risk climbs.[4] Patients in psychiatric care suffer sleep problems at rates of 50-80%, far above the general population's 10-18%.[3] **Practical Paths Forward: From CBTi to Better Habits** Incorporating sleep-focused treatments into mental health care shows promise, with RCTs proving CBTi eases depression, anxiety, and more.[1] Start with sleep hygiene, then behavioral therapies; for some, addressing sleep first breaks the cycle more effectively than mood treatments alone.[5] This podcast-style exploration underscores sleep cycles, supplements, and therapies like CBTi as keys to reclaiming mental well-being.[intro] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: # Low-Dose Aspirin Does Not Prevent Cancer in Older Adults, Study Finds A **new long-term study suggests that low-dose aspirin therapy does not reduce overall cancer risk in older adults** and may even increase the risk of cancer-related death.[1] The findings challenge previous research conducted primarily in middle-aged populations and have prompted experts to advise against using aspirin as a cancer prevention strategy in this age group. ## Study Overview and Methodology The research was an extended follow-up of the **Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial**, a large binational randomized clinical trial conducted in Australia and the United States.[1] Researchers followed more than 19,000 community-dwelling older adults over a median follow-up of 8.6 years, examining whether daily low-dose aspirin affected cancer incidence or cancer-related death. The study recorded 3,448 new cancer diagnoses and 1,173 cancer-related deaths.[1] ## Cancer Risk and Incidence Findings Importantly, **low-dose aspirin did not increase the overall chance of getting cancer in older adults**.[1] However, the study revealed a concerning finding: those assigned to aspirin had a **15% higher risk of cancer-related mortality** during the randomized trial period.[1] This elevated mortality risk was partially explained by higher rates of metastatic and stage 4 cancers among aspirin users.[2] ## Age-Related Differences in Aspirin Effectiveness The differences between this study and prior research highlighting aspirin's potential benefits come down to age. **Previous studies showing cancer-preventive benefits of aspirin largely involved younger or middle-aged adults and often required more than 10 years of follow-up to observe an effect.**[1] In contrast, ASPREE participants began aspirin at a median age of 74.[1] Researchers note that age-related changes, such as declining immune function, chronic low-grade inflammation, and differences in tumor biology, could reduce aspirin's potential anti-cancer effects or even contribute to harm in older adults.[1] ## Long-Term Effects After Stopping Aspirin A critical finding emerged when researchers examined what happened after participants stopped taking aspirin. **The results suggest that participants did not have any long-term lasting effects of cancer risk after stopping aspirin.**[1] During the post-trial observation period, the elevated cancer mortality risk seen while participants were actively taking aspirin did not persist.[1] This suggests that aspirin had no "legacy effect" on cancer risk once treatment stopped.[4] ## Clinical Implications **Overall, the study suggests that aspirin therapy should not be used as a strategy to prevent cancer in older adults.**[1] While aspirin remains an important medication for certain cardiovascular conditions, its routine use for preventing cancer in otherwise healthy older adults is not supported by the evidence from this study.[1] The research was published in JAMA Oncology and has significant implications for clinical practice guidelines. Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

Retirement Concerns on Aging ​

Are you getting to that point in life where age has become a concern? Read on!!! ### Recognition by American Society on Aging On March 27, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Health & Aging team and SAGE received recognition from the American Society on Aging (ASA) for their collaborative efforts.[1] ### Historic Partnership Announcement This acknowledgment ties back to a key partnership announced by HRC Foundation and SAGE at the ASA Conference in New Orleans. The initiative launched the **Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI)**, the first nationwide assessment of long-term care facilities' treatment of LGBTQ residents, building on HRC's **Healthcare Equality Index (HEI)**.[1] ### Addressing Critical Needs LGBTQ older adults face significant challenges, including discrimination and mistreatment in care settings. A national survey revealed only 22% felt open about their identities with staff, 89% anticipated discrimination, and 43% experienced mistreatment. By 2030, up to 4.7 million LGBTQ elders may seek care, highlighting the urgency.[1] ### Ongoing Impact and Tools The partnership includes the “Commitment to Caring” pledge, with ASA as the first signatory, plus awareness campaigns and training like SAGECare. Recent efforts emphasize culturally responsive care, SOGI data collection, and inclusive housing via Medicaid initiatives.[1][2]

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: # Heavy Drinking Over a Lifetime: A 91% Spike in Colorectal Cancer Risk **New research reveals a stark warning for heavy drinkers.** A study published in the journal *Cancer* shows that people with the highest lifetime alcohol intake face up to a **91% higher risk** of colorectal cancer compared to light drinkers.[1][2] **The study tracked over 88,000 cancer-free adults for nearly a decade.** Participants reported their drinking habits from early adulthood onward, with 1,679 colorectal cancer cases emerging during follow-up.[1][2] **Heavy drinkers—those averaging 14 or more drinks per week—saw a 25% increased overall risk.** For rectal cancer specifically, the risk nearly doubled, at 95% higher than light drinkers (under one drink per week).[1][2] **Consistent heavy drinking across life stages amplified the danger most.** Those who exceeded limits at every adult phase had a **91% higher colorectal cancer risk** versus lifelong light drinkers or those with drinking gaps.[1][2] **Quitting alcohol offers real hope for risk reduction.** Former drinkers showed no elevated cancer risk and even lower odds of nonadvanced adenomas—precancerous polyps—compared to current light drinkers.[1][2] **Why does alcohol harm the colon and rectum?** Experts point to prolonged exposure causing tissue damage and impaired repair, plus alcohol's role as a carcinogen that affects gut microbes and produces harmful metabolites like acetaldehyde.[1][2] **Rectal cancer stands out as particularly troubling.** It's harder to treat and rising in younger people, making early screening crucial—especially since alcohol hits the lower colon harder.[1] **Screening saves lives, starting at age 45.** Options include stool tests yearly, CT scans every five years, or colonoscopies every decade; high-risk folks from heavy drinking may need earlier or more frequent checks.[1] **These aren't just numbers—they're a call to action.** As colorectal cancers climb, especially young-onset cases, cutting back or quitting can lower modifiable risks, and getting screened catches issues early.[1][3] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **WHO Declares Six European Countries Have Lost Measles Elimination Status** The World Health Organization (WHO) has stripped the United Kingdom and five other countries—Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, and Uzbekistan—of their measles elimination status, based on 2024 data showing a sharp resurgence in cases across Europe.[1][2][3] **Resurgence Driven by Over 125,000 Cases in 2024** Europe saw more than 125,000 measles infections in 2024, double the number from 2023, signaling a region-wide comeback of this highly contagious disease despite past progress.[1][3] **Declining Vaccination Rates Are the Culprit** Measles elimination requires at least 95% coverage with two doses of the MMR vaccine, but rates have dropped continent-wide, creating dangerous immunity gaps that allowed outbreaks to spread.[1][2][3] **UK's Specific Struggles with Low Uptake and High Cases** In the UK, MMR vaccination stands at just 84.5% overall, with England at 83.9%, far below the target; the country reported 3,681 cases in 2024 and 957 confirmed in England by early 2025.[1][2][3] **History of Gains and Losses in the UK** The UK first achieved measles elimination in 2016, lost it amid 2018 European outbreaks, regained it in 2021 thanks to COVID-19 disruptions, but saw endemic transmission return with the 2024 surge.[2] **What Losing Elimination Status Really Means** This status is revoked when endemic transmission—ongoing local spread—persists for over 12 months, not just isolated imports, putting health security at risk alongside other threats like antimicrobial resistance.[1][3] **Urgent Call for Action from Health Experts** WHO and UK officials stress stronger surveillance, outbreak responses, and catch-up vaccinations for under-immunized groups, emphasizing that two MMR doses protect 99% against measles.[1][2] **Path Back to Elimination Is Possible** With political will, funding, and targeted efforts to boost MMR uptake—first dose at 12 months, second at 18 months—countries can regain and sustain measles-free status, as 60% of WHO European nations still have.[1][2][3] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest from Medicare

Welcome to our article summary! In this concise overview, we will distill the key points and insights from the original piece, providing you with a clear understanding of the main themes and arguments. Whether you're looking for a quick recap or a deeper insight into the topic, this summary will highlight the essential information you need to know. Let's dive in! You can talk or live chat with a real person about Medicare, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on some federal holidays.[7][2][3] The main phone number is 1-800-MEDICARE, which is 1-800-633-4227. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. This helpline is run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and helps with questions about Medicare coverage, enrolling in plans, changing plans, filing claims, complaints, or appeals.[1][2][3][7] When you call, you'll go through an automated system first. It guides you step by step, and then you can speak to a live agent for help. Have your Medicare number ready, and be prepared to wait if lines are busy. Agents can check claim status, explain premiums and deductibles, and more.[2][3][5] Besides calling, you can use live chat on Medicare.gov for text-based help, also available 24/7. Or log into your personal Medicare account online for info on your coverage. The website Medicare.gov has tons of details, referrals to local providers, and tools for most questions.[1][4][5][7] For other needs, contact places like your state Medicaid office at 877-267-2323 (TTY: 800-877-8339) for help with out-of-pocket costs, Social Security at 800-772-1213 for name changes or disability info, or the VA at 877-222-8387 for military benefits.[2][3] Private plans like Medicare Advantage or supplements have their own numbers, but start with 1-800-MEDICARE for general advice on all options.[4][6] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **Knight Foundation Invests $25 Million in AP Fund for Journalism to Boost Local Newsrooms** The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced a major $25 million commitment to the AP Fund for Journalism (APFJ), aimed at delivering trusted Associated Press content to under-resourced local newsrooms across the U.S.[1] **Expanding Access to Reliable Journalism** This investment will enable APFJ to provide nonpartisan, factual content—including photos, videos, and personalized services—to 100 additional local newsrooms in 2026, scaling up to 300 by 2028.[1] It builds on a successful 2024 Knight Foundation grant of $5 million that ensured AP's public-service journalism reached all 50 states.[1] **Addressing the Local News Crisis** APFJ CEO Rachel White highlighted the growing "news deserts" where Americans lack reliable reporting on everyday issues, noting that local outlets face relentless pressure.[1] The program helps these newsrooms respond faster, reach wider audiences, and engage communities more deeply while fostering long-term sustainability.[1] **Proven Success from Pilot Program** Launched in 2024 by The Associated Press, APFJ's pilot has already supported nearly 50 news organizations with invaluable AP resources, proving the model's effectiveness.[1] Additional backing comes from the Google News Initiative, Lilly Endowment, and MacArthur Foundation, pushing total commitments over $30 million.[1][3] **Knight's Strategic Vision** Knight Foundation President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth emphasized multiplying impact by linking AP's national infrastructure to local newsrooms, granting communities broader access to independent reporting.[1] This aligns with AP's 1846 founding as a cooperative news agency, now one of the most trusted sources with 59 Pulitzer Prizes.[2] **A Scalable National Initiative** Recent milestones include installing a board of directors and launching a new website at apfj.org, transforming the pilot into a national civic infrastructure program.[1] As local news challenges persist—with some major publishers like Gannett dropping AP content in 2024—APFJ positions itself as a vital lifeline for nonprofit and state-level journalism.[1][2] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9