Statistics confirm that being short results in actual monetary losses. Studies in the Journal of Applied Psychology demonstrated that male workers earn higher wages by about 2 percent for each extra inch of height. A 6-foot-tall man earns more money than his 5’6″ counterpart annually due to height differences without any impact on their intelligence skills or work ethic.

The Hidden Discrimination in Plain Sight

Height discrimination also known as “heightism” stands as one of the least discussed prejudices in our contemporary society. The available data indicates that ninety percent of CEOs possess above-average height measurements and only three percent have heights below 5’7“. The acceptance of height-based leadership limitations continues despite our modern push for diversity and anti-discrimination practices. Why such an emphasis on height? Maybe it’s because instinctively it is associated with a number of urban myths or even evolutionary myths.

Our ordinary language perpetuates this discriminatory pattern. People who impress us physically stand above us while people we dismiss physically stand below us. People praise someone’s “towering intellect” and describe respected individuals as having “impressive stature.” When shorter individuals demonstrate powerful opinions people usually label them as having “Napoleon complex” while tall individuals show the same confidence without receiving such judgment.

Dr. Tanya Osensky who stands at 4’11” documented these personal experiences through her research on height discrimination. Her research demonstrates that people reject discriminatory attitudes toward short individuals because heightism continues to remain an unacknowledged legitimate discriminatory practice.

A Journey Through History’s Beauty Standards

The fixation on height has existed since ancient times but its intensity has never reached current levels. Throughout time beauty standards have transformed like shifting desert dunes. In ancient Greece, the perfect woman was characterized by her plump figure combined with wide hips and small breasts. The Renaissance era brought about a beauty standard which included large forehead sizes so women would shave their hairlines to create an appearance of greater forehead dimensions.

The 1700s and early 1800s emphasized physical balance because beauty standards required women to maintain proportions between their height and other body measurements. The cultural focus during this time centered on moderation rather than extremes. During medieval times, women who carried extra weight were considered attractive because it signified wealth while skinny women were linked to poverty or religious devotion.

During the 17th century, the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, who reigned for 72 years in France, earned his nickname “Le Talon Rouge” because he wore red-heeled shoes, which became the ultimate symbol of status and privilege across Europe. Today, of course, we have the uber-rich wearing red-soled shoes, Louboutin.

He mandated red-heeled footwear for anyone wishing to enter his luxurious Versailles court. Only nobles had the right to wear red heels, with their social status determining the maximum height of their heels. Louis XIV often wore heels that reached four inches, which heightened his already commanding presence.

These fashion choices served as tools for political influence. Don’t we still see certain expensive items as portraying importance and influence? The expensive red dye and impractical shoes indicated that the wearer possessed enough wealth to avoid both walking on dirt and performing manual labor. The sight of crimson heels gliding across marble floors signaled that authentic power was approaching. We’re not talking about ballet here when we say “The Red Shoes.”

The fashion trend expanded throughout Europe yet Louis XIV maintained his position as the most influential trendsetter who demonstrated that minor details reveal the most about true authority. I don’t know about you, but red-soled shoes seem highly impractical unless you never have to walk anywhere.

I wonder how my local shoemaker would have handled re-soleing those shoes. He re-soled plenty of my shoes when I was in elementary school. In fact, he re-soled them so often, they were like rockers on the bottom of my shoes. There is only so many times you can half-sole a child’s oxford.

Western society at some point established an unprecedented connection between height and power as well as success and attractiveness that previous civilizations never established. The belief in male stature superiority emerged from 19th century eugenic and Social Darwinist movements which developed pseudoscientific theories about tall men being superior.

The Psychological Impact of Being Short

The consequences of height discrimination extend well past financial losses. Research showed that height satisfaction rates were extremely low among short men reaching only 26% but very high among tall men at 87%. The enormous height satisfaction difference between tall and short men shows how deeply our height-obsessed culture affects their mental state. The more it appears that height is a definite advantage in dating.

Research conducted with Swedish men established that social class directly linked to height while showing height increases resulted in lower suicide rates. The combination of short stature and lower social standing made men more prone to suicidal thoughts which highlights the fatal nature of height discrimination.

Chinese research revealed that men who were unhappy with their height displayed avoidance behaviors when encountering height-related words which demonstrates how deep their psychological distress has become.

When Desperation Leads to Drastic Measures

People, seemingly men in particular, who experience severe height discrimination may choose to undergo dangerous surgical procedures to achieve minimal height growth. They are now choosing to undergo leg-lengthening surgery which costs $75,000 while requiring doctors to break their bones and stretch them apart over several months.

Doctors perform this procedure by placing telescopic rods into fractured bones and using external remote controls to extend them at 1 millimeter per day for two to three months. The medical procedure requires patients to remain bedridden for weeks and carries risks of infection alongside potential nerve damage and joint complications.

According to research it has been revealed that one in ten young men between 16 and 24 years of age considered undergoing leg-lengthening surgery. It would seem a rather drastic way to handle something that may not be related to height. For example, look at some of the world leaders and their stature. Leader of the Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is 5 feet 7 inches, while Ireland’s Michael D. Higgins is 5 feet, 3 inches, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is 5 feet, 6 inches, and France’s Emmanuel Macron is 5 feet, 7 inches.

The goal of some of these leg-lengthening procedures is to grow from 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet and an ultimate goal of reaching 6 feet 2 inches. According to one patient, his depression stemmed from his height while he acknowledged that undergoing the “very painful, very hard” procedure led him to believe his new height would help him “reach everything in life.” The sad fact is, it may have nothing to do with his height at all.

The Professional Price of Being Short

Height bias at work generates specific measurable consequences that have substantial impact. Research shows that taller men and women receive more leader-like perceptions from others while being perceived as intelligent and healthy than their shorter colleagues. The recruitment process favors taller candidates because recruiters consider them more skilled and employable. Then, of course, there is “the beauty effect.” There is even a scale to determine who is more culturally acceptable as beautiful and who is not. I Out the validity of the scales since it was on a very small sample in Nepal. But beauty does get people certain advantages, and the beauty market will prosper as a result.

The Chinese government has outlawed height requirements for employment yet certain positions including bank staff and lawyers and airline personnel must have a minimum height of 5 feet 7 inches. Research in China during a ten-year period demonstrated that employees with shorter stature earned reduced wages than taller employees who held similar positions.

Breaking the Height Ceiling

Society faces a significant political and social challenge because of income loss caused by short stature particularly when short stature emerges from childhood poverty and malnutrition plus the effects of ADHD medications. However, there is a bit of blowback on the latter. According to research well-nourished and healthy childhood development leads to both physical and cognitive success.

The process repeats itself when economically disadvantaged children fail to achieve their complete height because of inadequate nutrition leading to height-based discrimination in adulthood which maintains social inequality.

Standing Up for Change

Surgery or accepting discrimination do not provide the solution because we need to transform how society views height in relation to leadership. It seems that we have already crossed that bridge in international politics. Employers now understand that remote work can help decrease height bias since height cannot be easily assessed through video conferencing.

But real change requires more than corporate policies. Each person needs to analyze their own prejudice. When you unconsciously believe taller people have more capability and shorter people have less authority, take a moment to evaluate if your judgment is based on genetic makeup.

Height discrimination survives through the lack of open discussion. The first step toward building an equitable society begins with open dialogue about height bias because we should judge people based on their character and contributions rather than their physical height.

Throughout history, influential figures such as Napoleon, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa demonstrated that true stature exists beyond physical height because their impact on the world determined their actual size. I wonder how tall Jesus was.

The post The Height Problem No One Wants to Talk About appeared first on Medika Life.

According to the report, global investment in Consumer Health Technology grew by 9% in 2024, totaling $4.5 billion. This increase reflects investor confidence in technology-driven health solutions and signals a shift toward consumer empowerment. However, despite the surge in funding, the report underscores persistent challenges, including a clinical validation gap that could hinder long-term adoption and trust.

“The Consumer HealthTech sector is at a pivotal moment,” said Julien de Salaberry, founder and CEO of Galen Growth. “We are witnessing the continued health-sector evolution where consumers seek to secure stronger ownership over their health and well-being. People who succeed in using their buying power to secure innovation with clinical validation will shape the future of health.”

Investment and Market Dynamics

Galen Growth’s report reveals a complex funding environment where record investment is contrasted by uneven access to capital. While total investment rose to $4.5 billion in 2024, the market remains heavily weighted toward early-stage ventures:

• 75% of Consumer HealthTech ventures are still in the seed stage, highlighting the challenge of securing Series A and beyond.
• Only 25% of ventures incorporated in the last seven years have progressed to Series A or beyond.
• 11 mega deals (valued at over $100 million) accounted for 37% of overall funding, reflecting investor appetite for mature ventures with proven models.

Regional Investment Trends

North America remains the dominant market, capturing 64% of total funding and securing 78% of global venture capital deals. The region’s leadership in funding reflects its mature digital health ecosystem and strong investor appetite for high-growth, technology-driven health solutions.

Europe attracted 24% of global funding, focusing on corporate health and wellness solutions. In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region secured 12% of international funding, driven by increased investment in preventive health marketplaces and telemedicine.

Notable Deals from 2024:

• Neko Health secured a $260M Series B for its AI-driven preventive health model, which is focused on early detection and personalized treatment recommendations.
• eGym, a global fitness technology leader, raised $201M in a Series H to expand its connected training platform and enhance its AI-powered coaching system.
• Spring Health, a mental health platform, raised $100M in a Series E to scale its personalized therapy and mental wellness offerings.
• Flo Health, a women’s health app focused on menstrual cycle and fertility tracking, raised $200M in a Series C to expand its product offerings and global reach.

Mental Health Takes the Lead

Mental health emerged as the dominant focus in Consumer HealthTech in 2024, attracting 29% of total funding—underscoring the growing recognition of mental well-being as a vital part of overall health.

“Consumer HealthTech has the power to democratize health by giving individuals greater control over their health,” added de Salaberry. “But for this potential to be realized, ventures need to address the division between the haves and have-nots and the clinical evidence gap to demonstrate measurable health outcomes.”

The rise in mental health investment reflects a shift toward more personalized, technology-driven care models. Consumers increasingly expect the same level of convenience and personalization in health that they experience in other industries, such as retail and finance. This demand has spurred innovation in teletherapy, mental health apps, and AI-driven cognitive behavioral therapy.

Key Therapeutic Areas:

• Women’s Health saw a surge in funding, capturing 20% of total investment. Startups like Flo Health are capitalizing on the growing demand for reproductive health and fertility tracking.
• Preventive Health attracted 17% of funding, driven by the rise of AI-powered diagnostics and real-time health monitoring.
• Sleep and Cognitive Health solutions are also gaining traction as consumers seek to improve overall well-being through better sleep quality and cognitive enhancement.

Strategic Partnerships and M&A Activity

Partnerships and consolidation play a critical role in the sector’s growth:

• More than 900 new partnerships were formed in 2024, signaling growing collaboration across the health ecosystem.
• Venture-to-venture acquisitions accounted for 79% of M&A activity, highlighting how companies are using consolidation to strengthen market presence.
• Notable partnerships included:
  • Pfizer partnered with GoodRx to improve medication management and strengthen direct-to-consumer outreach.
  • Amazon expanded its mental health footprint through a strategic partnership with Talkspace for teleconsultation services.
  • Mayo Clinic partnered with Prenetics to advance genomics-based health solutions and expand access to precision medicine.

This trend toward consolidation reflects increasing pressure to scale solutions and navigate complex regulatory and reimbursement landscapes. More prominent players are looking to leverage established consumer brands and data platforms to enhance their competitive positioning.

Issues and Prospects

Despite the rise in funding and market activity, the Consumer HealthTech sector faces critical challenges:

• Clinical Validation Gap: The report highlights that Consumer HealthTech ventures exhibit an 11% lower clinical evidence signal than the broader digital health ecosystem. This gap raises concerns about scientific rigor and long-term adoption.
• Funding Bottleneck: Early-stage ventures struggle to secure Series A funding, with most capital concentrated in late-stage deals.
• Accessibility and Equity: Unlike traditional health, which is often covered by insurance, Consumer HealthTech solutions rely heavily on out-of-pocket spending. This creates a divide between those who can afford premium health services and those who cannot.

“The health sector cannot afford to become a system of haves and have-nots,” said de Salaberry. “Consumer HealthTech ventures must work to close the accessibility gap by developing affordable solutions and proving their clinical value.”

Future Trends and Market Outlook

The Galen Growth report identifies several key trends shaping the future of Consumer HealthTech:

• AI-Driven Personalized Medicine: AI-powered diagnostics and health assistants enable hyper-personalized treatment plans based on genetic, biometric, and behavioral data.
• Hybrid Models: Successful Consumer HealthTech ventures increasingly integrate with traditional health systems to improve credibility and adoption.
• Regulatory Oversight: Governments and regulators will likely increase scrutiny over health claims and data privacy, creating startup opportunities and challenges.
• Equity and Affordability: To achieve long-term impact, Consumer HealthTech solutions must address disparities in technology access and affordability.
• Digital Therapeutics: Prescription-based digital interventions for managing chronic conditions are poised to bridge the gap between technology and evidence-based care.

A Defining Moment for Consumer HealthTech

Consumer HealthTech represents a seismic shift in health—moving from reactive to proactive care. As Galen Growth’s report reveals, the future of health lies in empowering individuals with technology-driven solutions that provide real-time insights and personalized care.

The rise of AI-driven diagnostics, wearable technology, and telemedicine enables consumers to monitor and manage their health in real time. This shift toward preventive care improves outcomes and reduces the burden on traditional health systems.

However, sustainable growth requires stronger clinical validation and deeper integration with established health frameworks. Consumer HealthTech ventures must navigate the complexities of reimbursement, regulation, and market competition to secure long-term success.

The Galen Growth report makes it clear: The future of health belongs to those who empower consumers—and prove it works.

The post Consumer HealthTech: A Data-Driven Evolution in Health Engagement appeared first on Medika Life.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths.

About one in 44 American men will die of the disease.

Although some prostate cancers are aggressive — and can lead to death — the majority of them are low-grade and never spread (metastasize) to distant sites like bones.

What if I told you that there is a male behavior that raises prostate cancer risk by nearly half?

What’s your guess?

Smoking?

Too much alcohol?

Not enough exercise?

No, the answer is simpler: Get prostate cancer screening.

Today, I’ll review the disturbing recent increase in prostate cancer incidence.

We’ll then turn to a new study highlighting the power of prostate cancer screening.

Prostate Cancer Rates Are Spiking

The U.S. state of California is a good example of what happens when men don’t get prostate cancer screening.

A University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study included nearly 388,000 men who had prostate cancer between 2004 and 2021.

This California statistic caught my eye:

The incidence rate of prostate cancer cases increased by seven percent per year on average between 2011 and 2021.

Around one in six of the 72,460 men invited to the screenings skipped every appointment.

The unscreened men had a 45 percent higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared with those who attended screening appointments.

Let’s turn to why this spike rise in incidence (and plateau in gains against prostate cancer deaths) occurred.

Prostate Screening Stops (and Deaths Rise)

The incidence of advanced prostate cancer rose.

The mortality rate plateaued in most regions across the state of California.

These changes occurred following the decision to stop routinely screening all men for the disease.

The prostate cancer increase is associated with the 2012 U.S Preventative Task Force decision to stop recommending routine PSA screenings.

Guidelines Changed Over Time

Let’s look at how prostate cancer screening guidelines have evolved:

• 2008. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against PSA screening for males over 75.
• 2012. The USPSTF extends the “no PSA screening” recommendation to men 55 to 69.
• 2018. “Males aged 55 to 69 years discuss the possible benefits and harms of PSA screening with their health care provider and make an individualized decision about whether to get screened.”

Prostate Cancer: Screening

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential…

www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org

The 2008 and 2012 changes, designed to prevent overtreatment, may have inadvertently led to a higher number of cases going undetected (and potentially advanced, lethal prostate cancer).

My Take

The rising incidence of prostate cancer alarms me.

The increase occurred across age groups, ethnicities, and races.

According to the researchers,

The freeze in screenings “unfortunately may have led to one of the largest subsequent rises in incidence of distant stage disease.”

The problem is urgent, and determining the optimal way to screen for prostate cancer remains a challenge.

Screen!

If we don’t screen, the number of men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer — an incurable condition — increases fast.

If you are a male, you should strongly consider prostate cancer screening with the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their healthcare provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer.

After learning about the possible benefits, risks, and uncertainties of prostate cancer screening, you can make a decision.

The discussion about screening should take place at:

• Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and have a life expectancy of at least 10 years.
• Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This group includes African American men and those who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
• Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age)

The post The Surprising Behavior That Raises Prostate Cancer Risk by Nearly Half appeared first on Medika Life.

What’s more, exercise is just not for your muscles and your strength. I’ve written on why muscles are involved in mood and you can go to this article to refresh your memory or read it if you haven’t already.

What recent research benefits those over 70? Undoubtedly, we have a great deal more in terms of input in our muscle maintenance than anyone thought when they considered people over 70. The newest research refutes that myth, providing new insights and amazing changes for this group.

But there are specific periods in our lives when certain changes will begin, and with each phase, there will be almost undiscernible changes. However, there are indications that those above 70, who are at greatest risk for instability, balance, problems, muscle weakness, and even bone fractures, require our attention. Previously, adequate work was not directed at the potential maintenance and retrieval of muscle strength in this group, and that is where new, exciting research is coming to the fore.

What Are the Groups?

Sarcopenia is the medical term for muscle loss, and it is a normal aging process that affects all humans, although the rate of onset and the severity of the condition is different among individuals. This slowdown in muscle mass, strength, and function has implications for the quality of life and dependence of the elderly. Muscle loss occurs at different ages and we need to pay attention to enable people to prevent or at least remediate this to some extent.

20s-30s Age Group

In the young adulthood (20s to 30s) age group, muscle mass is at its peak. This age group is likely to have the best muscle strength and function as most people. The body is well equipped to build up and preserve muscle tissue as long as the muscle is used and fed properly. However, even at this young stage, people with sedentary jobs may already experience some muscle atrophy that does not manifest itself clinically. It sets the stage for future deterioration, so appropriate physical activity and diet during these years are a sound investment into future muscle health.

40s Group

Beginning in the 40s, the person begins to show some changes as mentioned above. The literature reviews indicate that muscle mass starts to decline at about 0.5–1% every year after age 30 and the rate increases a little in the 40s. It is also the time when strength reduction is first noticed especially in muscle fibers which control power and speed.

The quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles may start to weaken, especially in people with low levels of physical activity. Most people in this age bracket feel the fatigue and reduced physical endurance when engaging in physical activities.

50s Group

More specific features of muscle atrophy can be observed in the 50s. The rate of loss is higher, currently ranging between 1–2% every year. At this time, the hormonal changes worsen the muscle regeneration. To women menopause reduces the level of estrogen that accelerates muscle loss. Men also have low levels of testosterone that also worsen the muscle tissue.

The abdominal muscles and the lower back muscles, which are the stabilizers, also weaken a lot. Upper body strength, especially in the chest, shoulders, and arms, decreases at a higher rate than before.

60 Group

In the 60s, the loss of muscle is higher and the following rates are observed: 2–3% per year. The consequences of the changes are seen in the everyday life and the person needs help in performing certain actions. The muscles of the lower limb that include the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles also weaken greatly.

Many people in this age group will report having problems with stairs, getting up from a chair, or walking for long distances. The hand grip strength is reduced which in turn affects the fine motor skills and the ability to handle objects. The sense of balance is also affected because muscle weakness and neurological changes in proprioception occur.

Over 70 Group

Muscle loss is at its highest in adults over 70, with annual losses of 3–5% if no schedule for slowing or reversing this loss is introduced. This accelerated decline has a major effect on the quality of life and independence. This age group has distinct muscle weakness with well-defined patterns of muscle involvement that have important functional implications

The quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles are the extremity muscles that are affected in a greater degree. This weakness is manifested as:

1. Difficulty in rising from sitting position
2. Slow walking
3. High chances of falling,
4. Difficulty in climbing stairs. The ankles are also liable to weaken, and this causes the client to have difficulty with walking and increased chances of falling.

Strengthen these muscle groups by including functional exercises that may involve using body weight, resistance bands, or light weights. Of course, any exercise routine in any age group should always be planned with a certified trainer or someone in a rehabilitation facility specifically to address these needs.

Some of the exercises that can be of great help include; standing from a chair, slow walks, sitting leg raises, and ankle exercises to build strength. Exercises in water are an excellent way to work on these muscles with minimum impact on the joints.

Balance is trained very effectively by standing exercises that reduce the base of support step by step. The tandem stance is particularly effective — this is when one stands with one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, to begin with, leaning on a sturdy chair or counter. In the event that stability improves, the support can be reduced to fingertip touch, then to no support at all.

The single leg stance is another basic exercise; start by holding a chair and lift one foot slightly off the floor for 10–15 seconds and then switch to the other side. This exercise directly strengthens the stabilizing muscles around the hips and ankles that are crucial for the prevention of falls.

Weight shifting exercises are used to develop the dynamic balance. The weight shift is to stand with feet hip width apart and then slowly shift weight from one foot to the other without moving the feet. Clock reaches expand on this by visualizing standing at the centre of a clock face and reaching one foot towards different ‘hours’ whilst remaining balanced. These movements enhance proprioception, which is the sense of where the different parts of the body are in space, and this sense is often reduced as one gets older.

The good news is that even though you have lost muscle strength, there is still the ability to help your muscles, pull back some of that strength and renew your ability to move and continue an active lifestyle. As has been noted by several of the articles, water exercises seems to be one of the best, especially for anyone with arthritic conditions. And, don’t forget that exercise is intimately associated with mood.

The post Strength Beyond Years: How Exercise Redefines Aging appeared first on Medika Life.

I am constantly amazed at the role of luck (and an astute observer) in scientific advancement. You will be surprised how researchers discovered nitroglycerin, an important coronary artery disease management drug.

I’ll explore the remarkable nitrate discovery story. Then, I look forward to examining the contributions of Dr. Murad. We’ll end with five top tips for reducing your chances of suffering from cardiovascular disease.

“Diseases desperate grown,
By desperate appliance are relieved,
Or not at all.”

― William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Museums and Medicine

You might wonder why I notice connections such as heart medicines and dynamite.

My dear mother had something to do with my inclinations. When I was young, she took me to a museum every month. New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Yale Gallery.

When I visited New York last week, my first destination? The Whitney Museum in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District.

Why do I bring this up? My former school, Yale School of Medicine (USA), has an observational skills training workshop for first-year medical students.

The workshop is an exercise in visual training that allows students to look at something foreign to them early in their medical careers ‒for instance, an 18th-century British painting‒and extract the relevant information.

Why Yale Medical Students Go to a Museum

Here’s course creator Irwin M. Braverman, M.D. ’55, professor emeritus of dermatology:

“[Looking at art works] is a far cry from what we had,” said Braverman, recalling his medical education. “We were taught to look for patterns that were already known to exist.”

Shadows on an X-ray are this kind of problem. But what happens when a doctor encounters a situation they were not exposed to in medical school? They have no pattern on which to fall back.

According to Braverman, it takes about ten years to develop the skills to solve medical puzzles, and he wanted to give his students a head start.

“In essence, [examining art] is a physical examination of a patient,” said Braverman. The exhibit hall is the examination room, and the painting becomes the patient.

You Should Consider Going to a Museum

Examining great works of art teaches us observational skills. At Yale, students have 15 minutes to observe an assigned painting individually and gather as much detail as possible.

Based on their observations, the medical students discuss what may occur in each painting as a group.

Braverman explains that 18th- and 19th-century British paintings are perfect for this exercise because many offer stories about a real historical event. However, similar to patients with unexplained symptoms, they often contain ambiguous or contradictory information.

Trekking to your local museum or gallery might improve your observational skills.

Looking at paintings, sculptures, and performance art slows me down. It forces me to stand (or sit, a phenomenon more necessary as I age) and observe.

This year, for the first time, Braverman replaced the standard post-workshop evaluation with a specific question: what have you learned about yourself as an observer?

Nearly every medical student explained that, though they considered themselves adequate observers before the art workshop, they realized they previously looked at things superficially.

The course helped them learn to look at the world and their patients more in-depth.

Finally, I think of my museum times as ones of mindfulness. (And, it’s easier than vinyasa flow yoga for me.)

The Remarkable Discovery of Nitroglycerin

Have you heard of nitroglycerin? Nitroglycerin prevents angina (chest pain) caused by coronary artery disease.

This medicine is also used to relieve an angina attack that is already occurring.

Nitroglycerin belongs to a class of drugs known as nitrates. Angina happens when the heart muscle is not getting enough blood.

The drug works by relaxing and widening blood vessels to allow blood to flow more easily to the heart. Nitroglycerin will not relieve chest pain once it occurs.

It is also not intended to be taken just before physical activities (such as exercise or sexual activity) to prevent chest pain. Other medications may be needed in these situations.

The Nobel Prize

What do you think of when I mention Aldred Nobel? My mind immediately goes to the Nobel Prize.

I’m speechless! — Maria Ressa’s reaction when Olav Njølstad, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, awarded her the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

For over a century, Nobel Prizes have recognized extraordinary human achievements, ranging from literature to science.

The Nobel Prize is gifted “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses,” according to the last will of founder Alfred Nobel.

The 2023 Nobel Prize announcements will occur from October 2nd through the 9th.

Alfred Nobel, Dynamite, and More

But our tale has a dark side, including death and mayhem. Let me back up a bit to talk about Alfred Nobel’s father.

Immanuel Nobel created the first truly usable sea mines on behalf of the Russian Czar. This development occurred in the mid-19th century during the Crimean War.

Alfred Nobel developed dynamite. He did not plan on its being used in war. Of course, you know the rest of the story.

Dynamite was soon used in the Franco-Prussian War. The Prussians used it first, followed by the French.

Alfred Nobel, Merchant of Death?

While many associate Nobel with pacificism, whether he approved dynamite’s military use is unclear.

In 1888, Alfred Nobel’s brother Ludvig died. A journalist erred and printed Alfred’s obituary. The piece scorned the living brother as a man who made millions through the deaths of others.

A French newspaper wrote, “Le marchand de la mort est mort,” or “The merchant of death is dead.” The obituary described Nobel as a man “who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before.”

Stunned by what he read, Nobel was determined to improve his legacy. One year before he died in 1896, Nobel signed his last will, which set aside most of his vast estate to establish the five Nobel Prizes, including one awarded for pursuing peace.

Nitroglycerin Discovery

Let’s return to the strange story of heart and erectile dysfunction medicines. First, did you know that nitrate medications can trigger airport bomb detection scanners?

Nitrate-containing drugs also get the attention of explosive-sniffing dogs, a reminder of the origins of this extremely useful medication.

Ascanio Sobrero in Turin discovered nitroglycerin in 1847, following work with Theophile-Jules Pelouze.

Alfred Nobel joined Pelouze in 1851 and recognized the potential of nitroglycerin. Nobel began manufacturing the substance in Sweden, overcoming handling problems with his patent detonator.

Interestingly, Nobel suffered acutely from angina (chest pain) and refused nitroglycerin as a treatment.

Nitroglycerin in Medicine: Innovation from Tragedy

Today, nitroglycerin is a drug that dilates blood vessels.

The potent medicine is typically administered under the tongue to relieve and prevent angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart) attacks.

Dr. Ferid (“Fred”) Murad (1936–2023), a pharmacologist who shared a Nobel Prize in 1998 for discovering nitric oxide — an air pollutant and byproduct of nitroglycerin— played a key role in relaxing blood vessels.

Dr. Murad’s discovery dates to the 1970s, when he began studying nitroglycerin, the substance that Alfred Nobel, the namesake of the annual awards given in medicine and other disciplines, used to invent dynamite in 1867.

Our story of nitroglycerin as a medicine goes back to the 1900s. Alfred Nobel’s factory workers noticed a curious side effect of the explosive substance.

The workers’ labor-induced chest pains disappeared when they inhaled nitroglycerin fumes inside the factory. Soon, doctors began trying it to remedy angina, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular disorders.

Nitroglycerin became a common treatment for heart problems, but until Dr. Murad began studying it at the University of Virginia (USA), nobody understood how it worked.

Through elegant experiments, Dr. Murad discovered that nitroglycerin releases nitric oxide, which relaxes smooth muscle cells.

Nitric Oxide and Male Erectile Dysfunction

Dr. Murad’s discovery contributed to the development of Viagra, which helps produce erections by dilating blood vessels.

Viagra facilitates erections by increasing penile blood flow. Murad’s finding of the role of nitric oxide has also helped numerous premature babies (whose underdeveloped lungs need stimulation).

Dr. Murad died September 4th at his Menlo Park, California (USA) home. He was 86.

The post The Strange Story of Heart and Erectile Dysfunction Medicines appeared first on Medika Life.

Even in the age of advanced diagnostics, proton beam and nanotechnology treatments, and more walkathons than we can count, cancer still kills roughly one-third of those in the U.S. diagnosed with it. The numbers for low-income countries are far more shocking.

The causes of many cancers aren’t some hidden mystery. In the U.S., we can prevent two of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer by 40-50 percent by wearing sunscreen, but it’s an expensive option, and only 13 percent say they protect themselves most of the time with SPF-rated lotions. People are 15-30 times more likely to get lung cancer if they smoke; nevertheless, 1 in 10 Americans still smoke cigarettes.

You Have Cancer – or Not

We continue to lose many of the battles we should win against cancer. Billions of dollars have been spent over the years to educate the public on how they can prevent cancer; billions more have gone into treating patients. And then there’s the emotional toll that comes from hearing those three words.

There is a massive bright spot in this story, however. While the chances of preventing many forms of cancer with known interventions are frequently below 50 percent, we have a way of preventing six forms of cancer with a 90 percent effectiveness rate. It doesn’t come from adhering to daily rituals or resisting tempting vices. These cancers can be prevented by going to a doctor’s office or a pharmacy* and getting vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

The catch is that the greatest chance of preventing HPV-related cancers later in life comes from vaccinating kids between 9-14. That requires parents seeing the importance of preventing HPV and many don’t, especially in southern states, where the number of pre-teens and adolescents who are fully vaccinated against HPV frequently falls below 50 percent.

Anxiety Versus Information

Many parents cite the vaccine’s safety as a leading concern, which is not based on fact. In the 17 years since the HPV vaccine has been available, more than 160 studies in multiple countries have shown no major adverse events associated with the vaccine. Instead, safety concerns have been fueled by misinformation on the Internet and skepticism among key audiences, including some healthcare professionals (HCPs).

More strikingly, however, the roots of hesitancy to vaccinate against HPV may go back to how it has been presented to patients: as a vaccine for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), not cancer. This is a major reason many parents discount the importance of getting their 10-year-old child vaccinated. In the face of such resistance, many HCPs in chronically under-vaccinated communities do not proactively recommend HPV vaccination during annual well visits.

Need to Reinform the Link Between HPV and Cancer

Reorienting this trend requires a concerted effort to flip the script on HPV vaccination discussions from STI prevention to cancer prevention. In the past year, only 22 percent of online conversations linked HPV with cancer. And in research conducted last month, FINN Partners found that only 46 percent of HCPs surveyed discuss HPV as cancer prevention.

This presents an important opportunity to close one of our generation’s most important health gaps. Healthcare professionals rank among the most trusted people in the U.S. When doctors make a vaccine recommendation with authority; most parents follow that counsel.

Flipping the script on HPV conversations tackles several significant barriers for patients: many may have omission bias, which means they believe vaccinating puts their kids in greater danger than the disease it’s supposed to prevent. And since they can’t picture their children getting an STI, they discount HPV vaccination further as a priority. But presenting that same vaccine as cancer prevention could change the nature of the conversation. Most parents understand cancer and see it as a threat. And cancer doesn’t carry the same stigma among many patient communities as sexually transmitted diseases.

The Cancer Prevention Message is Long Neglected

It’s time to make cancer prevention the dominant message in HPV vaccination decisions. More than 135 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been administered in the U.S., and we have seen a dramatic correlation in the drop in HPV cases: the prevalence of four HPV strains has declined by 88 percent among women aged 14-19. If HCPs are provided with better resources and more people are educated on HPV vaccination as cancer prevention, we have a shot at addressing misinformation about vaccine safety and continuing the upward trend of HPV vaccination.

The stakes are high for us to get this right. Because the only thing possibly worse than being told “You have cancer” is hearing that your son or daughter has HPV-related cancer later in life when it could have been prevented by a simple, safe decision to vaccinate them against HPV as an adolescent.

*HPV vaccines can be administered to adolescents at pharmacies in 22 states. Most states allow pharmacists to administer HPV to older patients.

The post Flipping the Script on Cancer Prevention appeared first on Medika Life.

Here are the lifestyle tools I use to expand my health- and lifespan:

1. I stay physically active.
2. I don’t smoke.
3. I manage my stress.
4. I do not drink alcohol excessively.
5. I maintain good sleep hygiene.
6. I avoid opioids.
7. I try to maintain positive social relationships.

Today, I want to examine a new study that illustrates the power of these eight lifestyle interventions to extend lifespan when adopted by midlife.

I Turned 60!

Earlier this year, I turned 60. While I always focus on my health and well-being, this turn into my seventh decade has me more focused on maintaining good health.

On a recent trip to Madrid and Seville, I observed the lives of our European counterparts.

Fruits had more pop to them. Desserts seemed far less sugary than those here in the States. And social interactions abounded. What can I learn from our friends across the pond?

I am fascinated by the last observation. Groups of men, families, and women all seemed to gather in the evening constantly. We joined in, dining between 10 and midnight.

First, here are some observations of William Shakespeare:

Crabbed age and youth cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance; age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare.
Youth is full of sport, age’s breath is short;
Youth is nimble, age is lame;
Youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold;
Youth is wild, and age is tame.
Age, I do abhor thee; youth, I do adore thee;
O, my love, my love is young!
Age, I do defy thee: O, sweet shepherd, hie thee,
For methinks, thou stay’st too long.

A New Study Linking Lifestyle and Lifespan

Before we explore the new study examining the relationship between lifestyle and longevity, some caveats are in order.

The study I will present is observational, making it impossible to establish causality. While the researchers attempted to control for confounding factors, we should interpret the findings carefully.

Scientists analyzed data from over 700,000 enrollees in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program MVP. This program aims to help researchers evaluate how lifestyle, genes, military experiences, and exposures impact health and well-being.

The team presented its findings at Nutrition 2023, the American Society for Nutrition annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts (USA).

The data was from 2011 to 2019 and featured U.S. military veterans ages 40 to 99. Over 30,000 individuals died during the follow-up.

8 Habits That Might Add Decades to Your Life

The researchers examined all-cause mortality. They calculated longevity for male and female veterans separately.

Those who adopted all eight habits had a one-eighth reduction in the chances of dying compared to those adopting none of the habits.

Put differently, men adopting all eight habits at age 40 would be predicted to live 24 years longer (on average) than men who adopted none. Women adopting all eight habits by 40 would live 23 years longer.

8 Habits That Might Add Decades to Your Life — Not So Fast

When I first saw headlines about the study, I became excited about increasing my lifespan by 24 years.

On closer evaluation, the results are less impressive. I am comparing myself to someone on opioids who smokes and drinks excessively. That 24 years suddenly seems less impressive.

However, this finding resonated more with me:

Adding just one healthy behavior to a man’s life provided an additional four-and-a-half years. Adding a second tacked on seven more years, and three additional habits appeared with 8.6 extra years.

As additional lifestyle changes increased, so did the benefits for men.

For women, lifespan also increased by adding healthy behaviors. For example, one healthy behavior added 3.5 years to a woman’s life. Adding two added eight years, and three appeared linked to a 12.6-year increase.

The study reveals an association — not a cause-and-effect relationship. Moreover, given the focus on U.S. military veterans, the findings may not apply to all.

Ranking the Lifestyle Choices

The study ranked the eight lifestyle behaviors by their influence on longevity.

1. Exercise. Physical activity is the most important behavior to improve your health. Adding this behavior dropped death risk by nearly one-half (46 percent) compared with non-exercisers. This finding jibes with results from other studies. I ask my patients to walk 30 minutes daily, five days weekly. Add in two days of resistance training, too. I use regular walking as the base of my fitness routine. After my vision-threatening pituitary tumor scare, I re-focused on physical activity.
2. Opioids. Drug overdose and opioid misuse remain a serious public health crisis in the United States. This epidemic includes heroin, prescription opioids, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Drug overdose deaths from prescription and illicit opioids have sharply increased since 1999. Over 300,000 people have died from them nationwide in the last 15 years. That’s about 55 people per day. Not getting addicted to opioids was the second most important contributor to a longer life, dropping early breath risk by a whopping 38 percent.
3. Never using tobacco. This lifestyle maneuver dropped premature mortality risk by nearly a third (29 percent). I would parenthetically note that quitting smoking at any point yields significant health benefits. Your primary care clinician can help you quit tobacco.
4. Managing stress. Stress management is something that I have recently focused on. The study showed managing stress reduced early death by just over one-fifth (22 percent).

More Lifestyle Choices

5. Eating a plant-based diet. I am not a vegetarian or vegan but follow a healthy plant-based approach, such as a Mediterranean diet. Have you considered upping your whole grains and leafy green vegetables?

6. Avoid binge drinking (four or more standard drinks daily). Avoiding excessive alcohol is easy for me, as I do not particularly enjoy alcohol (the occasional cup of sake notwithstanding).

7. Getting a good night’s sleep. I aim for seven to nine hours nightly, although, to be truthful, I am lucky to get seven. Numerous studies associated poor sleep with bad health outcomes, including premature mortality.

8. Being surrounded by positive social relationships. With age, I find myself pruning away negative (including toxic) folks from my life. I have a core group of supportive friends and family. I know that social isolation is associated with a significantly higher chance of dying early.

My Take on Lifestyle, Longevity, and Healthspan

One of my takeaway messages is that benefits are available even if we cannot adopt all eight healthy habits.

The available data hints that adopting healthy habits when we are older yields smaller gains in life expectancy but is likely still provides value. The earlier you start, the better. But even if I make changes in my 60s, I should get some benefits.

I have long advised my patients to eat well and to get regular physical activity. This study helps to quantify the gains associated with adopting healthy habits.

Finally, while an expert committee evaluated the abstracts chosen for Nutrition 2023, this process is less valuable than a peer review process required for publication in a scientific journal.

Healthy habits can improve overall quality of life, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and increase happiness and well-being.

The study reminds us that we can meaningfully impact our life- and healthspan by adopting simple lifestyle maneuvers. What can you do better?

Paying better attention to my sleep hygiene has paid huge dividends. With sufficient sleep, I am more productive, a safer driver, more energetic, and (here, my nurse Melissa and my wife might agree) less grumpy.

The post 8 Habits That Might Add Decades to Your Life appeared first on Medika Life.

First, a brief aside. I enjoy the work of sculptor Roland David Smith. This innovative American abstract expressionist painter and sculptor died in 1965 from a car crash at age 59.

Smith radically altered the terms of sculpture, a medium historically defined by casting, modeling, and carving. He was the first to use industrial welding as a sustained technique for large works.

I love his large abstract steel geometric sculptures. So here’s why my mind went to David Smith: I often most appreciate his sculptures when looking at them from different vantage points. They can be so radically different, depending on where you stand.

This perspective shift may be especially relevant when viewing Smith’s last works, the Cubi sculptures.

Today, most Cubi works are part of well-known museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Back to me and the perspective shift: Look from the side, and I have sufficient hair. From the front, still okay.

Now wander behind me as I sit in a chair, and voila: thinning hair on my crown. Consider me a Cubi (or perhaps Cubus?).

Hair Loss and Shedding

This morning, I read a piece in the New York Times entitled “Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?” I want to share some highlights from the article.

First, how many hairs do you think an average healthy individual sheds daily? According to the American Academy of Dermatology,

Healthy individuals shed approximately 50 to 100 strands of hair daily.

Are you losing more than that amount? You may have a condition with the unwieldy name of telogen effluvium or excessive hair shedding.

Stress

Can stress induce excessive hair shedding (telogen effluvium)? Yes, there are three hair loss types associated with high-stress levels. All have challenging names:

• Telogen effluvium (excessive hair loss). In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), stress pushes numerous hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might suddenly fall out when washing or combing your hair.
• Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh) is an irresistible urge to pull hair from your scalp, eyebrows, or other areas. Some pull to cope with uncomfortable or negative feelings (such as tension, stress, boredom, frustration, or loneliness).
• Alopecia areata. Various factors are thought to cause alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Hair Shedding Risk Factors

The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers that excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced any of these stressors:

• Experiencing lots of stress (caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
• Lost 20 pounds or more
• Given birth
• Had high fever
• Undergone an operation
• Recovering from an illness, especially if it includes a high fever
• Stopped taking birth-control pills

Excessive Hair Shedding — How Common Is It?

The incidence of excessive hair shedding is unclear; many individuals suffering from it never receive a diagnosis.

The condition is more common among women. Pregnancy is associated with excessive hair shedding. Fortunately, this hair loss tends to be temporary.

Writing in the New York Times, Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, offers this observation:

“People often develop telogen effluvium (excessive hair shedding) between six weeks and three months after a stressful event such as a major surgery, an illness (especially if it involved a fever), pregnancy or a death in the family — basically, anything that causes stress or shock to your system.

I was surprised to learn that this form of hair loss can occur after people recover from Covid-19. In a 2022 study, researchers surveyed almost 6,000 Brazilians who had recovered from Covid within the past three months. Nearly half of those who responded reported experiencing hair loss.

Hair Loss Differs from Shedding

Hair loss occurs when something stops hair from growing. For some, inherited genetics are the cause. Others have hair loss because of drugs or other treatments.

Certain hairstyles that pull on the hair can lead to hair loss. Sometimes, the immune system overreacts. In addition, some harsh hair products can be problematic.

Finally, some people have a compulsion to pull their hair.

Hair Shedding — Some Positive News

The good news? The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers this observation:

Most individuals see the excessive shedding stop after the body readjusts. Many see too much hair loss a few months after the stressful event; for example, some women see it peaking roughly four months post-delivery.

Within six to nine months, the hair regains its normal fullness.

On the other hand, if you don’t relieve yourself of the stress, the shedding can be chronic. Those under a lot of stress can see long-term excessive hair shedding.

If the stressor stays with you, hair shedding can be long-lived. People constantly under a lot of stress can have long-term excessive hair shedding.

Hair Loss — Get Input

Unfortunately, if you have hair loss, your hair won’t grow until the cause disappears. In my field of oncology, chemotherapy sometimes causes the loss of lots of hair. When the treatment stops, the hair usually regrows.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned that a particular medicine might be causing hair loss.

Other hair loss causes need treatment. Those with hereditary hair loss might find help with medicine or other interventions. Treatment can help many, but not all. A dermatologist can be an excellent resource for information.

If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss (or more than usual hair loss when washing or combing your hair), talk to a healthcare provider.

Sudden hair loss can be associated with an underlying medical condition (such as a thyroid problem) requiring management. Your doctor may also suggest treatment options for your hair loss.

Action Plan

Dr. Lamb suggests trying a daily multivitamin with vitamins D and B12 for those losing hair secondary to stress.

The former is involved in hair growth, while the latter might be deficient in some patients with telogen effluvium. Vitamins may be especially important around surgery.

On the other hand, Dr. Lamb does not recommend over-the-counter products high in biotin.

Such supplements have been shown to alter thyroid hormone test results, and the drugs sometimes cause acne flare-ups.

Many benefit from over-the-counter topical minoxidil treatment, such as Rogaine. Others get hair growth from prescribed medicine.

Minoxidil can accelerate shedding for several weeks or months before the shedding slows. Then, you may see re-growth. If shedding continues beyond three or four months, please check in with a valued healthcare professional.

Reduce Stress

Here are five ways that I reduce my stress levels:

1. I stay active. I love physical activity, whether walking or weightlifting.

2. I try to eat a healthy diet.

3. I have recently been better about regular meditation.

4. I love laughing.

5. I try to get at least seven hours of sleep (often coming up short by five to 15 minutes, alas).

Oh, my bald patch is the result of inherited genetics!

The post Hair Loss: The Hidden Toll of Stress appeared first on Medika Life.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York island,
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters;
This land was made for you and me.

That Guthrie song, with its heartfelt words, offered conflicting images of a nation’s greatness and the great strife of its people – the never-ending tension between grander and affliction. The power of his lyrics – with verses too conveniently edited out to make the song a patriotic hymnal rather than the composer’s original intent – is a call to social consciousness. The classic 1940s folk song was written to spark a social impact edge to address the needs of overlooked citizens.  The poverty Guthrie saw as he crisscrossed America’s dustbowl states continues. The reasons may be different; however, the suffering remains.

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, Tony Pipa, a senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, who leads the Reimagining Rural Policy Initiative, working to transform U.S. policy to enable equitable and sustainable development across rural America, writes:

“Too often policymakers mistake agricultural policy for rural policy. Farming now accounts for just 7 percent of rural employment. Service jobs, retailing, manufacturing and government employment all outweigh agriculture. And while $163 million of the relief the Trump administration distributed during the peak of the trade war with China went to high-income farmers making more than $900,000 annually, small-scale and family farmers are increasingly taking off-farm jobs just to get by.”

Today, more than 46 million Americans live in rural communities.  On average, rural locales lag behind non-rural communities on every measure of prosperity, from poverty rates to employment opportunities. This land may have been “made for you and me,” yet, when it comes to access to care, rural Americans live hours away from basic medical care, emergency services, and specialist providers.  Their well-being – survival – often hangs on a limited broadband connection. The system to address their needs is usually based on urban and suburban expectations.

Rural community populations trend older than urban and suburban regions, and while age is an invitation to health risks, rural areas have 20 percent fewer primary care physicians. Rural counties often do not have a psychiatrist to deal with mental health needs, and 81 percent do not have a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

LOSE THE IMAGE OF A WHITE FARMER ON A TRACTOR

Rural America’s needs are a bi-partisan issue impacting blue and red states. Congress has prioritized the rural communities’ needs for many good reasons.  People of color – often the most vulnerable in the health system – comprise 24 percent of the rural population. This includes rural Indigenous Americans and more than half of impoverished Black Americans. That compares with 18 percent of rural whites.

While politicians look for fixes to the problem, physicians, payers, private citizens and retailers are stepping forward to help address the care in access and quality gap.

Earlier this year, Walmart and Medscape released Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on Healthcare in Rural America, the most extensive survey to assess barriers and solutions to care delivery from the perspectives of professionals on the front lines of health care in rural and non-rural communities. More than 10,000 primary care health care professionals (HCPs) shared opinions that quality care is the most significant concern in their day-to-day efforts for their communities, particularly for people with chronic care and mental health concerns.

FORGET TECH – THE GAP IS ABOUT QUALITY CARE

Rural healthcare professionals are already utilizing telehealth and tapping into electronic medical records to improve quality care delivery. While there is plenty of buzz about remote patient monitoring and digital health technologies as tools that will enhance access to care, the biggest concern among physicians on the frontlines of addressing patient needs is clinical training and financial assistance to keep community hospitals operating. 

Physicians cite building on what they already utilize to care for their remote patients: state-of-the-art medical equipment, 5G internet service, and expanding use of electronic health records to guide their patients on self-care strategies. While technology helps with a care connection, it can only measure and monitor the substandard status quo.

PHYSICIANS IN RURAL AMERICA SEEK UPSKILLING

“We have known the systematic problems within the current health care system for decades. The Walmart-Medscape report emphasizes how health care professionals, like their patients, are most concerned about the quality of care, and we can no longer wait for old models to work,” said John Whyte, Chief Medical Officer at WebMD and Medscape and a Medika Life contributor. “This underscores the need for innovative solutions that look beyond the walls of the doctor’s office, similar to how Walmart is innovating in the space, driven by those who live and work in communities they serve.”

Often people in rural communities want to be cared for by people they know and trust and understand their local challenges and needs where they live and work. Experts addressing rural health needs know that staying well requires additional components beyond a physician visit.  The advocates seek to tackle social determinants of health, improved clinical care, and environmental factors.

Retailers like Walmart are partnering with health plans, advocacy groups, and third-party health associations like the American Heart Association to fill these gaps. Major retail pharmacies such as Walgreens are showing commitment by investing in efforts to address health drivers such as food insecurity, maternal and infant health, diabetes and hypertension solutions to reduce health disparities.

PRIVATE CITIZENS SEEK TO TRANSFORM RURAL COMMUNITIES

“Challenges to rural Americans cause suffering, which drives despair and feeds discord. Dialogue that elevates awareness of people’s difficulties is an important step in providing a remedy, and communication is the first step in providing viable solutions,” said Peter Finn, who founded, with his wife Sara Finn, a Foundation to address the pressing needs within his Upper New York State community of Hunter. Finn taps communication and creativity to make a difference and transform rural communities.

“I have been a long-time resident of Hunter, one of the far too many rural communities struggling in Upstate New York. The town was economically depressed and quickly deteriorating, but rather than abandon Hunter and shut our eyes to what was happening. We chose to get involved by raising awareness and mobilizing others to create the Catskill Mountain Foundation,” he adds. 

The Foundation calls upon the arts – music, creativity and dance – to draw people into the community all year round. Today, Hunter’s streets are lined with inns, restaurants, antique shops, and art galleries. Visitors come to enjoy the fall foliage, hike, and ski. The example of Hunter, New York, and other living laboratories proves how volunteering spirit, creativity and caring about rural community needs can shift the tide of events.

Others are contributing their talents to give voice to the diverse challenges rural Americans face.  “Living in the heartland has become increasingly difficult for Americans, and with this unprecedented narrative podcast documentary, we will present noted policy, community, and industry leaders working to change this reality,” reflects Matthew Zachary, co-founder and executive producer of the award-winning podcast network of OffScrip Health. 

Zachary, who is no stranger to tackling life-threatening issues, is looking to create the first audio documentary on the struggles of rural Americans, tapping into the network of companies, rural community leaders and government leaders who want to share how they are shifting from rehashing old issues to rolling-up their sleeves to solve problems.

CONFRONTING STIGMA – MENTAL HEALTH IN RURAL AMERICA

People with mental health needs face stigma.  That remains among the biggest hurdles to seeking care – the thought of “What will people think?” For people in rural communities, anticipating the negative reactions of family and community is an added emotional challenge that keeps people from seeking the care needed. Like any illness with progressive influence, failure to treat mental illness has life-threatening possibilities. Suicide rates increase as population density decreases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates among people living in rural areas are as much as 68 percent higher than in large urban areas.

Jeff Winton is the Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds, a nonprofit organization working to end the suffering, silence and stigma surrounding mental illness in rural America. He is a part of the multigenerational farm Wall Street Dairy, LLC — a working dairy farm in Chautauqua County, New York – and founder of a major communications firm that addresses health issues.

In his opinion piece appearing on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website, Winton writes:

“Increasing awareness that mental illness is a health condition — just like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes — is one way to help overcome the stigma in rural communities. In addition, talking openly with others about lived experiences with mental health challenges helps to normalize the conversation and diffuse the stigma surrounding mental illness. The simple act of sharing stories can be an important first step for people to seek help for their own mental health challenges and encourage others to admit that they are struggling.”

The physical and mental health challenges to rural Americans cause suffering, which drives despair and feeds discord. Dialogue that elevates awareness of people’s difficulties is essential in providing a remedy, and awareness is a crucial step toward viable solutions.

OVERCOMING DESPAIR, DISEASE AND DEATH

Apathy and poverty double team are the domino of rural health killers. Walmart and Walgreen, and other major retailers are engaged.  Individuals with passion are leaning into the challenge and inviting others to join in their efforts.  Health organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Telemedicine Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield, National Rural Health Association, and many others have joined the effort to raise quality and ensure access to care.

Rural America is vast, with a remarkably diverse population and needs. The biggest problem isn’t decision-makers’ willingness to dedicate money or their readiness to align blue and red forces in bipartisan action to the challenge. The government often seeks big solutions to significant challenges.  However, the image we have long held onto of rural America – the proud and industrious farmer in a ballcap sitting on a tractor – is as outdated as the stoic, proud tiller of the land.  These citizens need our help urgently.  How do we resolve these problems? We start by recognizing that a one-sized solution does not fit all.

Woody Guthrie, while some verses of your ballad were conveniently edited out, we know your question:

As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land made for you and me?

Yes, it is!  Woody, we still remember.

The post Rural America – A Generational Struggle for Health Equality appeared first on Medika Life.

The most distressing of the syndrome’s symptoms directly affect Bieber’s ability to engage in his music career because the virus can bring on facial paralysis and hearing deficits. Additional curious and highly distressing symptoms can bring unexpected nerve damage.

One symptom involves abnormal reactions to facial movements ( and is) caused by nerves growing back (and attaching) to the wrong muscles, persistent pain (postherpetic neuralgia), and facial weakness. In rare cases, the virus may spread to other nerves or to the brain and spinal cord, causing confusion, drowsiness, limb weakness, headaches, and nerve pain. It can also bring on vision problems because of its effect on the eyes.

The incidence of this syndrome, one of the herpes zoster group, is 5 in 100K persons and is not necessarily always associated with prior infection with chicken pox.

Factors that increase the risk of herpes zoster will increase the incidence of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, including stress, chemotherapy, immunocompromise, infection, malnutrition, and others. A worldwide music tour is highly physically and mentally stressful, which mitigates against fully recuperating from the syndrome.

The syndrome makes such an effort in a world tour an impossibility until the symptoms resolve, which, in most cases, it does within a short time. For this reason, it was a wise step to postpone the tour until some later date when Bieber has fully recuperated.

Numerous specialties are often required. In the long-term, plastic surgery or otolaryngology, pain management, ophthalmology, speech or physical therapy, and psychology/psychiatry are mandated as part of a care team for anyone with this syndrome. Botox may be required to alleviate muscle difficulties affected by the virus.

Mood and anxiety changes are not unusual and would be expected in a person struggling with this syndrome and its varied forms of manifestation. How would someone with an international profile in entertainment handle it, and what would the outcome be on his career are questions that Bieber and his team must face head-on. In addition to the tour considerations, Bieber’s wife, Hailey, suffered a mini-stroke in 2022.

Bieber has noted on his social media account, “I realized that I need to make my health the priority right now. So I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being. I’m going to be ok, but I need time to rest and get better.”

He thoroughly detailed his symptoms in a video posted on one social media account. “Obviously, as you can probably see from my face, I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and it is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis. As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile with this side of my face, this nostril will not move, so there is full paralysis in this side of my face.” The facial muscle changes had made it difficult for him to eat, and he asked his fans for prayers.

Valiantly, he had tried continuing the tour in Europe but found himself exhausted after taking the stage. The virus continued to express itself, and it was then that the decision was made to put a halt on further appearances in the interests of his health.

The pressures of dozens of tour stops suddenly put on hold have increased his stress as thousands of people depend on his worldwide performances. But which is the more significant push, money or health? If Bieber doesn’t give himself enough time and treatment to regain his abilities, there will be no touring for months, a year, or more.

The complete determination of how long his rehab will take, how effective treatments will be, what residual effects there will be, and whether or not he will have a recurrence of the virus that may lie dormant for a time in his body can’t be known.

Stress plays a vital role in how his immune system is either highly active in fighting the virus or weakened by too much activity and worry. He is right to take time off to learn how to properly relax his body and mind to aid him in this fight. Periods of high stress can spark Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and a world tour would be just the ingredient needed to suppress the immune system and enable the syndrome’s emergence.

Everyone wishes him well and a full recovery to continue his career.

The post Stress Is Justin Bieber’s Greatest Enemy Now. appeared first on Medika Life.