Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
WHO: 2.6 Million Deaths In 2019 Linked To Alcohol Is Unacceptable
Alcohol consumption played a role in 2.6 million deaths worldwide in 2019, according to a report from the World Health Organization. The report analyzed alcohol and psychoactive drug usage in 2019 across 145 countries. While rates of alcohol-related deaths had decreased since 2010, the overall number is still 鈥渦nacceptably high,鈥 WHO officials said in the report released in June. Deaths linked to alcohol consumption made up about 4.7 percent of all deaths worldwide. (Docter-Loeb, 8/19)
In a new frontier for deep brain stimulation, researchers used A.I. to develop individualized algorithms, which helped a skateboarder and other patients with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. (Belluck, 8/19)
Researchers at the University of Michigan and Dartmouth College found that diagnosis rates vastly differ across the country and those different rates could not simply be explained by dementia risk factors, like if an area has more cases of hypertension, obesity and diabetes. The reasons behind the disparity aren't clear, but researchers speculate that stigma as well as access to primary care or behavioral neurological specialists may impact the odds of getting a formal diagnosis. (Kim, 8/19)
Attorneys promised a 鈥渟tate of the art鈥 process to diagnose former players suffering from brain disease. But basic tools still aren鈥檛 being used, The Washington Post found, saving the NFL millions. (Hobson, 8/20)
Jennifer Walton heads up the Disability Leadership Program, ACT.聽... She says the situation is dire and federal data shared by the Department of Transportation backs it up. It says people with disabilities are less likely to travel, less likely to be employed and less likely to leave the house聽Whether it's unreliable rides, a lack of sensitivity training or a lack of drivers, Walton says transportation is unreliable for people with disabilities. (Littlefield, 8/19)
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a Salmonella outbreak linked to contact with small pet turtles, similar to several other outbreaks linked to the animals in previous years. In the latest outbreak, the CDC has received reports of 51 illnesses from 21 states, with 23 patients hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. (Schnirring, 8/19)
