Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cancer-Linked Weedkiller May Be Found In 1 In 3 Americans' Blood
The Hill: One In Three Americans Exposed To Toxic Weedkiller: Study
One in three Americans may have detectable levels of the cancer-linked herbicide 2,4-D — with young children incurring the most risk from exposure to these toxins, a new study from George Washington University has found. Among more than 14,000 participants surveyed, nearly 33 percent had detectable levels of the toxin in their blood, according to study, published on Wednesday in Environmental Health. (Udasin, 2/9)
In other public health news —
Axios: Fertility Treatments, Preterm Births Connected, Study Finds
Fertility treatments appear to be associated with an increased risk for preterm births, according to a study released Tuesday in JAMA Network Open. In the cohort study led by the Children's Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, researchers looked at data from the National Vital Statistics System for more than 14.3 million live, single births by mothers in the U.S. The prevalence of preterm birth was 7.6% in natural conception, compared to 10.7% among those who used assisted reproductive technology (ART) and 9.3% among those that used non-ART treatment like oral medications or injections. (Reed, 2/9)
USA Today: Eating More Legumes, Less Red Meat Can Increase Your Lifespan
Opting for legumes and vegetables instead of red meat and processed foods can add years to your life span, according to the study published Tuesday in the journal PLOS Medicine. A woman in her 60s who focuses on a healthier diet can increase her lifespan by eight years while a man at the same age can add nine years to his life, the study showed. The study constructed a model of what would happen if participants replaced a "typical Western diet" that includes red meat and processed foods with a diet consisting of fruits and whole grains. (Miranda, 2/9)
AP: Toxicologist Testifies That Drugs Did Not Kill George Floyd
A toxicologist testified Wednesday at the federal trial of three former officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights that it wasn’t drug use, heart disease nor an agitated state known as “excited delirium” that caused Floyd’s death after officers pinned him to the pavement in May 2020.Dr. Vik Bebarta, an emergency physician and toxicologist and professor at the University of Colorado in suburban Denver, bolstered the prosecution’s contention that Floyd died because of how Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee down on the Black man’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes as he pleaded “I can’t breathe.” He also backed up other experts who have faulted officers for failing to roll Floyd on his side, as they had been trained, so that he could have breathed freely. (Karnowski, 2/9)
The Washington Post: Doctors Repeatedly Told A Woman Stress Was Causing Her Symptoms. Then They Pulled Out A Volleyball-Size Tumor
Again and again, Hannah Catton told doctors something was wrong with her body. Again and again, she said, the doctors dismissed her concerns. They didn’t listen in late 2018 when she told them about her frequent urinary tract infections. They didn’t listen months later when she returned to tell them she was having irregular periods. And they didn’t listen when she complained of bloating, constipation, diarrhea and extreme pain. (Edwards, 2/9)
And Bob Saget's death puts renewed focus on head trauma —
Fox News: Bob Saget's Shocking Death Highlights Dangers Of Head Injury
The set of circumstances that reportedly killed popular comedian and TV actor Bob Saget last month are not uncommon, according to health officials. Approximately 166 Americans die from traumatic brain injury (TBI) related events each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some individuals are at greater risk for suffering a TBI or having worse health outcomes after an injury, the CDC said on its website. Falls are responsible for nearly half of the TBI-related hospitalizations, according to the federal agency. (McGorry, 2/10)
Newsweek: What Is Head Trauma? Bob Saget's Family Reveal Cause Of Comedian's Death
According to the Mount Sinai hospitals website, a head trauma can range from a minor bump on the skull to a serious brain injury. The term covers open head injuries, in which an object has broken the skull and entered the brain, and closed injuries, when a person has received a hard blow. The most common form of head injury is a concussion. ... For many years it was considered dangerous to allow a person with a concussion to fall asleep, but today most health professionals no longer consider this a risk. (Lea, 2/10)
CNN: Bob Saget Death: Dr. Gupta Explains What To Do If You Sustain A Serious Head Injury
Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how to identify symptoms of a serious head injury and what action should be taken after Bob Saget's family reveals the comedian died from the result of head trauma. (2/10)
