Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
988 Suicide Hotline Not Reaching Adults Over 50, A Critical Age Group
HealthDay: Survey Finds Adults Over 50 Largely Unaware Of 988 Suicide Line
New research suggests that this resource is failing to reach those 50 and older. The National Poll on Healthy Aging reported that 31% of adults over 50 are completely unaware that any mental health crisis lines exist. Even more concerning, 69% of survey respondents had never heard of the 988 service. These gaps in awareness are alarming given that suicide rates for people over 50 are higher than those among teens and young adults. (Neff, 7/17)
In other health and wellness news —
The Wall Street Journal: Federal Officials Investigate Online Ketamine Sellers To Curb At-Home Use
The federal government is cracking down on companies that provide ketamine for consumers to take at home, as concerns grow about misuse, adverse effects and deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration has ongoing multiple investigations into “bad actors” prescribing the powerful mind-altering drug online, according to a person familiar with the probes. (McKay and Ramachandran, 7/16)
Stat: Brain-Computer Interface Helps Paralyzed Man Regain Sensation
Keith Thomas just wanted to pet his dog. A diving accident in 2020 damaged Thomas’ spinal cord and left him with virtually no ability to move or feel his limbs below his neck, so when Bow, his Malshipoo, grazed his legs or nuzzled in his lap, Thomas couldn’t feel it or return the affection. (Broderick, 7/16)
HealthDay: One Type Of ADHD Med May Affect Kids' Weight
Two top treatments both eased kids' ADHD symptoms in a new study, though one caused more significant weight loss within the first year. Children who were given dexamphetamine lost more weight than those prescribed methylphenidate, according to an Australian study recently published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. (Miller, 7/17)
Stat: Can Ultrasound Treat Duchenne? Sonothera Raises Millions To Find Out
For the last year, a small California startup has been making extraordinary claims about the ability of its technology to potentially treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy — and maybe a slew of other genetic diseases, too. (Mast, 7/17)
The Washington Post: A Viral Trend Is Back. Has ALS Research Progressed Since The First Ice Bucket Challenge?
Some of the country’s biggest football stars have brought back a decade-old internet trend where people douse themselves in ice water to raise money for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease known as ALS. Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson put ALS and the Ice Bucket Challenge back in the spotlight in late June when he announced his diagnosis on “Good Morning America.” (Wu, 7/16)
