Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Simple Urine Test Correctly Identified 9 In 10 Kids With Autism, Researchers Find
HealthDay: Urine Test Can Detect Autism, Study Says
A simple urine test might help identify children who are likely to have autism earlier than the best assessment tools now available, a new study says. Autistic children appear to have specific gut microbe profiles that can be used to distinguish them from neurotypical (or typically developing) children, researchers reported May 26 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. A urine test based on these profiles correctly identified 90% of autistic children and did not misidentify any children without autism, researchers found. (Thompson, 6/3)
Men's health —
MedPage Today: FDA OKs Inflatable Penile Prosthesis For Erectile Dysfunction
The FDA approved the Titan Prime inflatable penile prosthesis for men with erectile dysfunction, Coloplast announced on Wednesday. This prosthesis is indicated for men who are considered to be candidates for implantation of a penile prosthesis, and is "designed to emulate the appearance and performance of a natural erection, supporting device performance for patients, surgeons, and partners," the company said. (Bassett, 6/3)
Stat: Male Puberty Is Understudied — But When It Starts May Predict Long-Term Health Risks
Researchers say puberty timing may predict men's risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and may even explain shorter male lifespans. (DeLuca, 6/4)
Lifestyle and wellness —
HealthDay: High-Puff Vapes May Grow More Toxic With Extended Use, Study Finds
E-cigarettes that offer a lot of extra puffs might become more toxic the longer they are used, a new study says. High-puff vapes can typically deliver into the thousands of inhalations before they run out, because they hold more e-liquid and are designed for extended use, researchers said. But toxic chemicals called aldehydes start building up in the e-liquid as it is repeatedly exposed to vapor-producing heat, researchers reported May 28 in the journal ACS Omega. (Thompson, 6/3)
CIDRAP: Traveling For Cosmetic Procedures Can Lead To Complications
Traveling in United States or to another county to undergo surgery has become increasingly popular. A study published yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases found that medical tourism for a cosmetic procedure increased the risk of postsurgical complications such as infections. While it’s unclear how many people travel for cosmetic surgery currently, medial tourism is expected to increase, the study noted. Many people choose to undergo procedures in different states or countries because they’re hoping for shorter waits and less-expensive procedures. (Holohan, 6/3)
The Wall Street Journal: Adding To The List Of Dementia Risks: A Diet High In Ultraprocessed Foods
Eating a diet high in ultraprocessed foods is associated with an increased risk of dementia, according to new research, adding to the growing list of health problems linked to foods such as packaged cookies, hot dogs and chips. In a study published Wednesday in the American Journal of Public Health, the group of people who reported eating the highest amount of ultraprocessed foods had a 58% higher risk of later developing dementia and a 46% increased risk of developing cognitive impairment than those who said they ate the least. (Petersen, 6/3)
HealthDay: Just 90 Minutes Of Strength Training A Week Linked To Longer Life
In a study recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers followed more than 147,000 adults for up to 30 years, tracking how much time they spent doing strength training and aerobic exercise. Strength training ranged from lifting weights to exercises like push-ups, squats and lunges. People who did 90 to 119 minutes of strength training each week had a 13% lower risk of premature death from any cause, according to the results. That amount of weekly strength training was also linked to a 19% lower risk of dying from heart disease and a 27% lower risk of dying from neurological or brain diseases. (6/3)
Also —
NPR: Technology Helps Some Students With Disabilities Excel. Now It’s Leaving Schools
Ninth grader Soraya Martin is a bubbly, social teenager who recently found a new passion. "I'm a very creative writer, I love to write stories for fun," she says. Stories come naturally to Soraya, but reading and writing don't. That's because she has dyslexia. "Academically, school has always been a really big challenge for me." Then last school year, she started using technology that allows her to do a number of things: dictate her writing rather than type, listen to books rather than read them on a page and take photos of notes on the board. (Mehta, 6/4)
