Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Losing 13% Of Body Mass Greatly Lowers Risks Of Becoming Ill
The Washington Post: Weight Loss Can Lead To Big Health Improvement
If you’re obese, losing just 5 percent of your weight starts you on the path to better health, but new research finds that losing 13 percent of your weight may make a good-size dent in your chances of developing several unhealthy conditions. For instance, the odds of developing Type 2 diabetes were at least 42 percent lower among obese people who lost that much weight than for those who did not lose weight, according to a report from the European and International Congress on Obesity. (Searing, 9/13)
Fox News: Uncontrolled Blood Pressure On Rise In US: Study
A recent study representative of the U.S. population found that uncontrolled blood pressure rose by 10% in 2017-18 compared to several years prior. Researchers from the University of Alabama published their findings on Wednesday in the JAMA Network. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common, but dangerous condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and the CDC says those with hypertension “might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19," though the study authors said it's uncertain. (Rivas, 9/12)
In other research news —
The New York Times: Are Fever Checks A Good Gatekeeper For Covid?
In recent weeks, a new cadre of gatekeepers armed with thermometer guns has appeared at the entrances of hospitals, office buildings and manufacturing plants to screen out feverish individuals who may carry the coronavirus. Employees at some companies must report their temperature on apps to get clearance to come in. And when indoor dining resumes at restaurants in New York City later this month, temperature checks will be done at the door. (Caryn Rabin, 9/13)
CIDRAP: Swiss Study Finds Lower Aerobic Capacity In Soldiers With COVID-19
A study of Swiss Army personnel found reduced aerobic capacity in recruits with symptomatic COVID-19 1 to 2 months after diagnosis, Swiss and British researchers reported yesterday in Eurosurveillance. The study looked at 199 recruits (median age 21 years) belonging to two companies heavily affected by a COVID-19 outbreak at a Swiss Army base in March and April. The participants were sorted by infection status into three groups: convalescent recruits with symptomatic COVID-19 (n = 68), asymptomatic recruits with evidence of viral infection (n = 77), and a naïve group without clinical symptoms or evidence of infection (n = 54). The researchers then compared the results of a fitness test—which included an endurance run—conducted a median of 45 days after COVID-19 diagnosis with the results of the same test conducted 3 months before the outbreak. (9/11)
The New York Times: The Doctor Tackling A Coronavirus Mystery In Children
When the coronavirus arrived in the United States, it took many doctors and medical professionals by surprise. Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi was not one of them. He also wasn’t shocked when, a few months later, small numbers of infected children began exhibiting strange, widespread inflammatory symptoms. As someone who spent years fighting epidemics in South America, he learned how pathogens spread and what they can do. “When you deal with these guys, you kind of develop an instinct,” he said. “It’s like you can smell them.” (Wenner Moyer, 9/9)
