Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study: Alzheimer's Signs Detected In Midlife
MedPage Today: Alzheimer's Signs Hidden In Midlife Brains, Study Shows
Alzheimer's disease pathology was detected in midlife and was tied to minor changes in cognitive performance in people without dementia, data from a prospective cohort study showed. This pathology, measured by amyloid and tau blood biomarkers, was uncommon in middle age, and was associated with a higher likelihood of cognitive decline over 5 years, reported Kristine Yaffe, MD, of the University of California San Francisco, and co-authors in The Lancet. (George, 5/28)
MedPage Today: Brain Changes Linked With Speech-In-Noise Impairment
Difficulty understanding speech in background noise was tied to brain changes in speech-processing networks and may be an early behavioral marker of neural vulnerability before cognitive decline, a study of older adults suggested. (George, 5/28)
In other health and wellness news —
Stat: New FDA Rules Unleash Flood Of Unvetted Blood Pressure Devices
In early January, the Food and Drug Administration delivered on the Trump administration’s deregulatory promises by allowing more wellness products to be marketed without the agency’s authorization. Leaders at smart ring maker Oura swiftly planted the pivot foot. (Aguilar, 5/28)
Modern Healthcare: Oura Partners With Counsel Health To Offer Access To Physicians
Oura is taking another step in its move from wellness to healthcare by giving users direct access to a physician. The company on Thursday announced a partnership with artificial intelligence-enabled virtual care company Counsel Health. Oura users will be able to connect with Counsel Health physicians and ask health-related questions after receiving alerts from the device’s symptom radar feature. The partnership was announced as part of the company’s introduction of Oura Ring 5. (Famakinwa, 5/28)
The New York Times: What Happens When Your Employer Knows The Diseases You Might Get?
Imagine this scenario: At a routine visit, your doctor administers a new genetic test that shows you have a hugely elevated risk of a heart attack in the future. You’re in shape; you feel fine. But the prediction is in your DNA. The next day, you tell your employer that your doctor wants you to make some adjustments — switch to a less physically taxing role, or maybe lower your stress levels in an effort to save your life. Can your boss legally deny you these accommodations? Under current law, yes. (Baumgaertner Nunn, 5/28)
AP: Why Your Co-Worker Might Be Listening To Music Tuned To 432 Hertz
Yoselin Sanchez has been in chronic pain since she was born with cervical scoliosis. While little eases the discomfort, she’s found ways to distract herself from hurting. She practices yoga. She performs free flow dance. And while she works, she frequently listens to house music tuned to 432 hertz, a frequency lower than typical concert pitch. (Bussewitz, 5/28)
