Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Kyle Busch Had Pneumonia And Sepsis, Family Says; Symptoms Of Sepsis Can Be Hard To Spot
The New York Times: Kyle Busch Died After Complications From Sepsis, Severe Pneumonia, Family Says
Kyle Busch suffered from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, “resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the NASCAR driver’s family said in a statement Saturday. The statement was based on a medical evaluation provided to the family, it said. (Gluck, 5/23)
People.com: An Expert Explains Why Sepsis Is So Deadly
Especially among younger people, the onset can be sudden and the symptoms hard to recognize, says Dr. Todd Rice, professor of medicine and director of the intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Rice, who has not treated Busch and is not connected to his case, explains how an illness like pneumonia can cause sepsis, and why the condition can be so deadly, even for young, healthy people like Busch. (Finan, 5/25)
In other health and wellness news —
HealthDay: Dust Yields Clues to Viral Outbreaks, Study Finds
Scientists say dust contains clues to viruses circulating in offices, schools and other buildings, according to a new study. ... In their new study, an Ohio team vacuumed up dust samples from nearly 30 locations, including schools, university residence halls and office buildings. They then used high-tech genetic tracing technologies to spot molecules that viruses might leave in their wake as they decayed. A total of 200 different viruses were included in the test kit. The result: The team spotted 54 distinct viruses in the dust samples, including the COVID virus, influenza, norovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and many others. (Mundell, 5/26)
The Washington Post: A New Study Pinpoints How Much Sleep Is Best For Healthy Aging
The new research, published in the journal Nature on May 13, does suggest that there’s a sleep “sweet spot” between 6.4 and 7.8 hours of sleep a night. People who hit that amount had better functioning of the immune system, brain and heart, as well as other organs, when measured on the molecular level. (Penman, 5/26)
Fox News: Type Of Sitting May Predict Dementia Risk, 19-Year Study Reveals
The research, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in March, found that replacing mentally passive sedentary behavior with mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with a significant reduction in dementia risk. Mentally active sedentary behaviors could include reading, office work and other activities that keep the brain engaged while sitting, while mentally passive behaviors may include watching television or other low-engagement screen activities. (Margolis, 5/25)
