Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Exercise, Healthy Lifestyle Might Slow Alzheimer's Development, But Forget About Vitamins, Supplements
The Associated Press: What Helps Prevent Dementia? Try Exercise, Not Vitamin Pills
If you want to save your brain, focus on keeping the rest of your body well with exercise and healthy habits rather than popping vitamin pills, new guidelines for preventing dementia advise. About 50 million people currently have dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common type. Each year brings 10 million new cases, says the report released Tuesday by the World Health Organization. (5/14)
The Associated Press: 'Zombie Cells' Buildup In Your Body May Play Role In Aging
Call them zombie cells — they refuse to die. As they build up in your body, studies suggest, they promote aging and the conditions that come with it like osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are studying drugs that can kill zombie cells and possibly treat the problems they bring. (5/14)
Kaiser Health News: ‘Living Their Values’: Palliative Care Power Couple Faces Cancer At Home
In the 18 years that Kathy Brandt and Kim Acquaviva have been together, death has been a constant companion. It’s the reason they went to work each morning. Acquaviva, a professor of nursing, wrote an acclaimed 2017 book on inclusive end-of-life care for LGBTQ people. Brandt, a nationally known hospice industry leader and consultant, was tapped to write and edit the latest clinical guidelines for quality palliative care. But in January, the professional became acutely personal: Brandt, 53, was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer and learned she had mere months to live. (Aleccia, 5/15)
