Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
People Who Wear Eyelash Extensions Are More Susceptible To Mite Infestation, Study Suggests
MedPage Today: Parasite Infestation Common In Eyelash Extensions, Study Suggests
A study of young women with eyelash extensions showed that almost all had some degree of infestation with Demodex folliculorum, spider-like parasites that feed on dead skin cells. Microscopic examination of samples from 25 women who regularly used the extensions identified D. folliculorum in samples from all but one patient. Additionally, 18 of the women had demodicosis, a type of skin irritation typical of exposure to the mites. (Bankhead, 9/11)
In case you missed it —
Allure: Eyelash Mites: Symptoms, Causes, And How To Treat Them
Before you panic, take a deep breath (and resist the urge to rub your eyes). Mites, even when skittering in proximity to your eyeballs, are a totally normal part of your skin’s microbiome, feeding on oil and dead skin cells inside hair follicles. They’re only a problem (causing itching and redness) when a few too many of them get together. Then you’re left with blepharitis, a.k.a. Inflammation of the eyelid. (Blay-Tettey, 5/18)
Newsweek: John Cena Reveals Eye Mite Diagnosis That ‘Hides in Plain Sight’
In an interview with Newsweek, Cena says he spent years brushing off the redness, itching and crusting around his eyes, assuming it was just part of getting older or spending long days under bright lights. “It hides in plain sight,” Cena says. “People don’t talk about it because they don’t know what it is.” The Fast X and Peacemaker star first noticed symptoms in his mid‑40s but delayed treatment, attributing them to age and lifestyle. By the time his vision worsened, an exam quickly identified the issue—and he was relieved soon after. (5/14)
On social media and mental health —
NPR: NPR Looked For ChatGPT’s New Crisis Feature. It’s Hard To Find
More than a million weekly users of the chatbot ChatGPT discuss suicide and self-harm, according to NPR estimates of data released by OpenAI last fall. But suicide prevention experts say human connection is critical to preventing suicide. So, back in May, the company started an optional feature called Trusted Contact to connect those struggling with thoughts of suicide and self harm to someone they can turn to in times of emotional crises. (Chatterjee, 9/14)
CNN: Warnings Could Discourage Kids’ Use Of Social Media
Just when parents thought nothing could convince young people to reduce their social media use, here’s an idea that could work. Teenagers and young adults who saw warnings that social media could harm their health said they were discouraged from using social media and more informed of the potential consequences, according to a study published earlier this month in the medical journal JAMA Health Forum. (Alaimo, 9/11)
Fortune: How Often You Check Your Phone Matters More Than How Long You Spend On It. So Does What You Watch
We know, we know. We spend too much time on our phones, we’re too glued to our screens, etc. And yet, screen time, the number everyone tracks—yet few people actually change their behavior due to that number—may be measuring the wrong thing. (Gioino, 9/11)
On sleep and your health —
NBC News: Why Are Americans So Tired? CDC Report Highlights Who’s Feeling The Most Fatigue
The cost of healthcare. Economic uncertainties. Fears of AI-associated end times. It’s enough to exhaust anyone. About 71.5% of adults in the United States say they experienced fatigue on multiple days over the past three months, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Women and younger adults are more likely to report frequent fatigue, meaning most days or every day, than men are. (Vivinetto, 9/13)
NBC News: Heart Damage May Occur From Getting Too Much Light At Night, Study Finds
Exposure to light during nighttime sleep may lead to potentially harmful changes in the structure and function of the heart, according to a study published Wednesday in the European Heart Journal. Previous research had shown a link between nighttime sleep while exposed to light and an elevated risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. The new study is the first to examine how it also affects the structure and function of the heart. (Mantel, 9/10)
San Francisco Chronicle: Smart Beds Cost Thousands, Promise Better Sleep. Do They Really Work?
Millions of Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, and many are increasingly turning to sleep-tracking wearables and sleep-friendly light and alarm systems that claim to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up more refreshed. An even more luxurious investment is gaining traction among consumers: smart beds, which promise to improve sleep through customizable temperature, incline and firmness. (Ho, 9/13)
In other health and wellness news —
MedPage Today: 'Emergency' Medical Kits Touted By Dr. Drew And Others Draw Criticism
Clinicians are raising concerns about "medical emergency kits" containing antibiotics that are being sold for at-home use and promoted by media celebrities like Drew Pinsky, MD, better known as "Dr. Drew." One such kit, sold by the Wellness Company, retails for $299 and claims to treat more than 30 illnesses. (Frieden, 9/11)
The Washington Post: An Early Sign Of Dementia May Be Hiding In Your Voice, New Research Suggests
People who had been diagnosed with both voice and hearing issues had about double the risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia, compared with a control group of people with neither diagnosis. Those with a voice disorder and no hearing loss had the second-highest risk versus a control, followed by those with hearing loss alone. (Sloan, 9/11)
