Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Summer COVID Surge, AI in Healthcare, and the Benefits of Laughter

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Summer COVID Surge, AI in Healthcare, and the Benefits of Laughter · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Good morning, and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Doctor Chow, your daily
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  update on the latest medical and health news from around the world.
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  I am your host, Doctor Chiu Ming Chow.
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  Today, we have a packed episode with important topics ranging from a summer COVID surge to the
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  role of artificial intelligence in health care and even some tips for your summer BBQ.
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  So let us dive right in.
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  Today, we are starting with a topic that has been on many people's minds recently, the
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  summer COVID surge.
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  The Centers for Disease Control And Prevention, or CDC, has issued a warning about a rise in
• 0:39
  COVID 19 infections across the United States.
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  As of June 25th, 2024, the CDC estimates that COVID 19 infections are growing or likely
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  growing.
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  In 44 States and territories.
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  Despite this increase, the data shows that hospitalizations and deaths remain low.
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  Doctor Jay Varma, the chief medical officer at Ciga Technologies, a pharmaceutical company in
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  New York City, explained that even though the pandemic was officially declared over on May
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  5th, 2023, public health officials do not collect the same amount of COVID data as they
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  once did.
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  However, the data available from the CDC, including from wastewater monitoring, indicates
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  that COVID 19 infections are rising
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  at NYU Langony Medical Center also acknowledged the recent uptick in cases.
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  He stated that the rise in case is fueled by new variants known as VRT variants,
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  specifically KP3, KP2, and KP 1.
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  These variants have subvariance of the highly contagious jn1 variant and currently account
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  for over half of all new cases.
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  1 question that often comes up is whether COVID 19 spreads more during the summer.
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  Since COVID 19 first emerged in 2020, Scientists have observed that the virus has
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  seasonal patterns with predictable peaks in spring, early summer, and winter.
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  Doctor Obama noted that winter peaks are easier to explain due to more people spending time
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  indoors, and changes in climate, including relative humidity that facilitate the spread of
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  infections through the air.
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  However, it is not quite as easy to explain the peak during warmer weather.
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  It may be due to the virus evolving at a frequency that aligns with spring, and summer,
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  or other environmental factors that we do not fully understand yet.
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  Interestingly, doctor Siegel does not believe that COVID 19 is seasonal.
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  He emphasized that COVID 19 is a respiratory virus and spreads when people huddle close
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  together.
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  Like all respiratory viruses, it spreads further in low humidity.
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  He pointed out that COVID 19 has not shown itself to be seasonal.
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  Meaning it can spread easily in warm weather as well.
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  Doctor Siegel also mentioned that the flirts of variants are immuno evasive.
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  Meaning people can get infected even if they had prior immunity.
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  To reduce the chances of catching COVID 19 this summer, He advised that the same precautions
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  apply year round.
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  If you are sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a high
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  quality mask can reduce your risk of getting infected.
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  Additionally, if you have any cough or cold symptoms, including what you might think are
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  allergies, It is a good idea to take a rapid test for COVID 19.
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  Doctor I, Varma, agreed with the advice noting that being aware and using rapid testing when
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  exposed or sick helps curb the spread.
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  For high risk individuals who become infected, He recommended the use of Paxlivid, an
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  antiviral medication that can help prevent severe illness.
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  As of June 27th, 2024, The CDC recommends that all individuals aged 6 months and older get the
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  updated 2024, 2025 COVID vaccines when they become available this fall.
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  Doctor Siegel supported this advice stating that while flu and COVID vaccines only provide
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  partial protection, They are extremely safe and can lead to fewer days of work or school mist,
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  fewer days of misery, a lower risk of long COVID, and a reduced risk of spreading the
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  infection to others who may be at risk of hospitalization or death.
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  Doctor Di Varma also emphasized the importance of the updated vaccine, noting that it will
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  target the new prevalent subvariance and will be particularly effective for high risk groups
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  including the elderly.
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  He recommended the vaccine as 1 of the effective tools for adults to decrease the
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  severity of illness and the risk of long COVID symptoms.
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  For younger individuals, he mentioned that it is a matter of choice, but he continues to
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  advocate for the vaccine's effectiveness at decreasing the risk of long COVID.
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  Our next topic today focuses on the transformative power of artificial intelligence
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  in health care.
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  Technology has been an enabler of health care for years from large organizations to small
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  clinics.
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  Providers worldwide have used applications data management platforms, and various systems to
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  streamline operations and drive better clinical outcomes.
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  While modernization efforts are ongoing, The strategic focus is shifting toward 1 major
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  trend, artificial intelligence.
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  At a time when health care providers are facing staff shortages, and patients continue to
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  demand better quality of care.
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  Artificial intelligence is being seen as the go to answer.
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  The technology with its ability to tap into large data repositories including patient
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  specific data can personalize care delivery.
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  This can ultimately reshape how health care providers diagnose, treat, and interact with
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  patients, enabling them to move away from generic 1 size fits all approaches.
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  So how exactly is artificial intelligence personalizing care delivery?
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  Although artificial intelligence has been around for quite some time, the meteoric rise
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  of chat GPT has pushed its applications front and center within different levels of the
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  health care ecosystem.
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  1 of these is diagnostics.
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  Artificial intelligence driven systems can analyze vast amounts of patient data to provide
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  personalized diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
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  Watson Health, a division of International Business Machines Corporation, focusing on
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  applying official intelligence and data analytics to health care is a front runner in
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  this space.
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  Their technology analyzes various patient parameters including medical history, genetics,
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  and disease symptoms to diagnose the underlying condition and offer personalized treatment
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  recommendations.
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  According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Watson Health's Oncology
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  specific artificial intelligence decision support system, achieved a 93% concordance rate
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  with treatment recommendations of an expert tumor board.
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  This high level of accuracy demonstrates how artificial intelligence powered personalization
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  can improve diagnostic precision and treatment effectiveness.
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  Ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
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  Beyond detecting and recommending treatments for ongoing problems, artificial intelligence
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  driven personalization can also help with preventive care.
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  Essentially, algorithms can analyze day to day patient metrics like blood oxygen saturation
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  and blood pressure, and combine them with data related to lifestyle and genetics to predict
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  the chances of a person suffering from a their health problem, as well as the steps they can
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  take, such as specific lifestyle changes to prevent it.
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  A study published in PLOS 1 demonstrated that an artificial intelligence driven approach
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  could lead to a reduction in hospital readmissions and emergency department visits.
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  This not only shifts patients' focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, but
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  also saves health care providers' resources that would otherwise be going into extensive
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  follow ups or treatment.
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  However, personalizing prevention diagnosis, and treatments is just 1 bit of the health care
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  puzzle.
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  Artificial intelligence is also playing a crucial role in personalizing medical
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  prescriptions, an area where 100% precision is vital.
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  Incorrect drug prescriptions can lead to adverse reactions and even fatalities in some
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  extreme cases.
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  A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that medical errors,
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  including incorrect prescriptions, are responsible for over 250,000 deaths annually in
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  the United States alone.
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  Thankfully, artificial intelligence powered tools can address this issue by analyzing
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  factors such as patients genetic makeup and medical histories to predict how they will
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  respond to specific medications.
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  This allows health care providers to tailor prescriptions to each patient individually,
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  significantly reducing the risk of adverse and improving treatment efficacy.
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  While clinical care is at the forefront of artificial intelligence personalization, the
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  technology is also improving administrative processes in health care.
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  It simplifies tasks such as appointment scheduling, billing, and assistance, making
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  them more personalized and efficient.
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  Zocdoc, an online platform for booking medical appointments, is an excellent example of
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  artificial intelligence helping with administrative tasks.
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  The company's platform uses machine learning to ensure appointments are seamlessly integrated
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  into health care providers' schedules, potentially decreasing patient wait times, and
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  increasing the likelihood of timely care.
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  It even helps patients check their health care coverage and estimate the total cost of
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  treatment by simply taking a photo of their health card.
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  Another player in this category is Nobla, which uses large language models to generate clinical
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  notes from doctor patient interactions.
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  Saving the trouble of documenting the information manually.
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  Notably, generative artificial intelligence powered chatbots and agents are also
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  transforming patient engagement and improving their access to care.
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  They analyze patient data, and provide them with round the clock access to personalized
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  support, whether they need help with registration, routing, scheduling, or
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  prescription refills, This technology has significantly improved the patient experience,
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  making individuals feel more valued and understood.
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  Overall, the impact of artificial intelligence powered personalization on health care is
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  substantial and growing.
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  The technology has already enhanced patient caregiver interact enables tailored
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  prescriptions and improve preventive care strategies, making health care more efficient,
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  effective, and patient centric.
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  As artificial intelligence continues to advance, its potential to revolutionize health
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  care will likely expand.
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  Future developments may include further personalization of treatment plans and deeper
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  integration of artificial intelligence across all aspects of health care delivery.
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  However, as these advancements take shape, it will be equally vital to address potential
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  challenges associated with artificial intelligence, especially the privacy and
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  security of health care data used by artificial intelligence models.
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  Organizations using these tools should strive to maintain the human touch in patient care and
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  help address potential biases in artificial intelligence algorithms.
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  It will all boil down to how they collaborate with companies developing these tools and the
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  governments defining the regulations for using them.
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  In the long run, the potential benefits of artificial intelligence powered personalization
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  in health care will be immense.
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  By embracing this technology responsibly and ethically, the health care industry can move
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  towards a future where truly personalized care is the norm, leading to better health outcomes
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  for all.
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  Our next topic today is about the 6 priorities for a national healthcare artificial
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  intelligence strategy from our friends in the United Kingdom.
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  The United States is far from alone in its efforts across public and private sectors to
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  adopt promising health care artificial intelligence innovations quickly yet safely.
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  Our close economic and military allies in the United Kingdom are among those striving to
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  manage their own health care, artificial intelligence challenges.
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  So what can we learn from their approach?
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  Quite a lot, according to a paper published on June 26th by the Health Foundation, an
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  independent nonprofit focused on driving continuous improvements into United Kingdom
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  Healthcare.
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  The document is primarily aimed at lobbying Britain's National Health service, the 2nd
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  largest single payer health care system in the world after Brazil.
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  However, it is an open document that offers easily digestible insight for any health care
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  artificial intelligence stakeholders striving to maximize health care artificial
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  intelligences benefits while minimizing its risks.
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  The health foundation begins by highlighting the immense pressures faced by the National
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  Health Service due to escalating demand for health care services and significant workforce
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  shortages.
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  A strategy is particularly needed to ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence can be
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  realized at scale across the National Health Service rather than just in a few pockets of
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  excellence.
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  The health foundation rights in its introduction.
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  The paper outlines 6 priorities to guide policy makers and health care leaders as they
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  formulate and promote this strategy.
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  The first priority is that the use of artificial intelligence should be shaped by the
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  public patients and health care staff to ensure the technology works for them.
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  An artificial intelligence and health care strategy should be based on a deep
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  understanding of what people in the United Kingdom think about artificial intelligence
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  driven health technologies.
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  It should ensure there are effective mechanisms in place for engaging patients, the public, and
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  national health service staff on relevant topics as they arise to inform high level
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  decision making.
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  The authors also emphasized the importance of involving patients and staff the co design of
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  artificial intelligence solutions to harness their potential in a way that works for all.
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  The second priority is that the National Health Service must focus artificial intelligence
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  development and deployment in the right areas.
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  An artificial intelligence in health care strategy should support local innovation and
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  experimentation while also setting out a small number of high level priorities where
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  artificial intelligence can help address key challenges the National Health Service faces,
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  both administrative and operational, as well as clinical.
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  The strategy should support the demonstration testing, and spread of these tools.
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  As part of this, the strategy will need to maintain effective horizon scanning functions
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  and provide opportunities and mechanisms for National Health Service staff and provider
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  organizations to signal where artificial intelligence could help most.
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  The 3rd priority is that the National Health Service needs data and digital infrastructure
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  that will enable it to capitalize on the potential of artificial intelligence.
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  An artificial intelligence and health care strategy should ensure the National Health
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  Services Digital Infrastructure is fit for purpose and set out how processes can be
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  standardized and improved to allow efficient access to high quality data for the development
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  of artificial intelligence systems.
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  Such access should be based on a proportionate approach to data security and privacy that
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  effectively balances risk and opportunity.
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  The 4th priority is that the use of artificial intelligence in the National Health Service
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  must be underpinned by high quality testing and evaluation.
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  The success of artificial intelligence in practice depends on how well the technology
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  performs in live health care settings.
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  Therefore, any national strategy must consider how to broker and support more opportunities
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  for testing artificial intelligence technologies in real world settings.
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  An artificial intelligence and health care strategy must support the further development
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  of evaluation frameworks appropriate for artificial intelligence and boost the capacity
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  to evaluate artificial intelligence as it is developed and implemented in the National
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  Health Service.
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  The 5th priority is that the National Health Service needs a clear and consistent regulatory
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  regime for artificial intelligence.
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  There is particular concern among clinicians about where clinical liability sits when
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  algorithms are used in clinical decision making so providing regulatory clarity here will be
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  essential.
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  An artificial intelligence and health care strategy must prioritize the coordination of
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  sexual regulators, bringing all relevant bodies together under an agreed upon approach that
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  addresses gaps and overlaps.
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  The 6th and final priority is that the health care workforce must have the right skills and
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  capabilities to capitalize on artificial intelligence.
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  Ultimately, there needs to be a shared vision for how professions and occupations as well as
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  new roles should develop with greater use of artificial intelligence.
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  National Health Service staff themselves should play a central role in the development of this
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  vision.
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  In partnership with their colleagues, employers, trade unions, professional and
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  representative bodies patients, and the public.
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  An artificial intelligence in health care strategy must set out concrete plans to equip
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  the current and future workforce with the skills needed for using artificial
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  intelligence, develop career paths that allow health care workers to specialize in artificial
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  intelligence.
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  And empower staff to shape the evolution of their roles.
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  In conclusion, the 6 priorities outlined by the Health Foundation provide a comprehensive
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  framework for developing a national health care artificial intelligence strategy by focusing on
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  public and staff engagement, targeted development, and deployment.
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  Robust data infrastructure, high quality testing and evaluation, clear regulatory
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  regimes, and workforce development.
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  The United Kingdom aims to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence in health
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  care while addressing its inherent challenges.
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  These priorities offer valuable lessons for other countries, including the United States,
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  as they navigate the complex landscape of health care artificial intelligence.
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  As barbecue season kicks off, experts advise Canadians to take precautions when grilling red
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  meats and hot dogs.
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  While those tempting char marks add flavor, they also carry potential health risks.
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  Fortunately, you can enjoy your favorite grilled foods while minimizing the danger.
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  Coking meat at high temperatures can create potentially harmful chemicals.
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  These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, abbreviated as PAH and heterocyclic amines
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  abbreviated as HCA's.
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  While a direct link to human cancer has not been established, laboratory experiments show
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  they can alter DNA in ways that might increase cancer risk according to the United States
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  National Cancer Institute.
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  Elizabeth Holmes, director of health policy with the Canadian Cancer Society warns, there
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  are 2 things to be aware of when it comes to barbecuing.
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  The first is that red and processed meat, like beef, hot dogs, or sausages, are types of red
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  processed meat that might increase your colorectal cancer risk any way that you cook
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  them.
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  And then research shows that cooking those meats plus poultry, and fish.
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  At high temperatures, including barbecuing, may increase your risk of cancer.
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  And that is because those cancer causing substances are formed when the meat is cooked
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  at that high heat.
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  However, there are barbecue habits that can reduce your risk of exposure to cancer causing
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  chemicals, including marinating, choosing leaner cuts of meat and grilling on low heat.
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  The key home's cautions is to avoid charring the meat The resulting smoke and charred bits
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  contain carcinogens that can increase cancer risk.
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  HCA is a formed when amino acids sugars, and creatine or creatinine, which are substances
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  found in muscle, react at high temperatures, the National Institutes of Health stated on its
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  website.
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  PAHs occur when fat and juices from meat grilled directly over a heated surface or open
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  fire drip onto the surface or fire causing flames and smoke.
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  The smoke contains PAH that then stick to the surface of the meat.
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  PAs can also be formed during other food preparation processes such as the smoking of
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  meat.
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  The formation of HCA's and PAH's varies by meat type cooking method and doneness level, whether
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  rare, medium, or well done.
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  The National Institutes of Health Reports.
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  Regardless of the meat, high temperature cooking methods like grilling or pan frying
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  above 148 degrees Celsius, and longer cooking times generally lead to higher levels of these
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  compounds.
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  For example, the National Institutes of Health said well done grilled or barbecue chicken and
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  steak are high in HCA's.
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  Also, cooking methods that expose meat to smoke like grilling over an open flame contribute to
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  PAH formation.
• 22:40
  The American Institute for Cancer Research said there is not enough evidence to show that
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  grilled meat specifically increases the risk for cancers, but we do know that cooking meat
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  at a high temperature like grilling creates cancer causing substances.
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  These carcinogens can cause changes in the DNA that may lead to cancer.
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  The American Institute for Cancer Research said on its website.
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  The Canadian Cancer Society advises limiting red meat to 3 servings each week.
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  A serving is 85 grams when cooked, which is smaller than a deck of cards.
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  The organization was a step further and recommends avoiding processed meats entirely or
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  limiting them as much as possible.
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  This includes ham, bacon, salami, nay, and hot dogs.
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  Processed meats are any meat preserved by smoking, curing, bowing, salting, or adding
• 23:32
  preservative.
• 23:33
  These preservation methods can lead to the formation of cancer causing substances, but you
• 23:40
  do not have to put away that barbecue yet.
• 23:42
  Keith Warner, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph, said that unless you are
• 23:47
  eating barbecue every single day, you should not be overly concerned.
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  There is a link between these carcinogens in meat and barbecuing.
• 23:54
  The reality is that with barbecues, we do not get to barbecue every day of the year.
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  In a lot of cases, it is just a week or 2.
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  So we should not be overly concerned.
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  He said, The best way to safeguard against cancerous compounds when grilling meat on the
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  barbecue is by marinating it.
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  Warner said, He recommends using a beer marinade, if possible, as it has been proven to
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  contain antioxidants that help prevent the formation of harmful compounds.
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  Like HCA's and PAH's.
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  For example, a 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research
• 24:32
  And Public Health found that marinating with beer can significantly lower the PAH contents
• 24:38
  in grilled meat.
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  The study found that black beer had the most significant effect.
• 24:44
  It comes down to marinating with things that have high antioxidants.
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  Warner said, what happens is that you are coating the meat and these hydrocarbons come
• 24:53
  along, it kind of neutralizes them.
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  Adding honey, vinegar, oils, lemon juice, and herbs to your meat about 30 minutes before
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  grilling has also been shown to help reduce the formation of cancerous compounds.
• 25:08
  To further reduce your exposure to HCA's and PAH's, consider precooking your meat partially
• 25:14
  in the oven or microwave.
• 25:16
  The American Institute for Cancer Research said that doing this shortens the high heat cooking
• 25:21
  time on the grill, minimizing the formation of these harmful chemicals.
• 25:27
  Trimming the fat off your meat can also reduce flare ups and jarring the American Institute
• 25:32
  for Cancer Research said, choose leaner cuts of meat for barbecuing, and you can barbecue it
• 25:38
  slowly, not directly on that high heat.
• 25:41
  Homes suggested.
• 25:42
  Adding that instead of barbecuing meat, you can try vegetables.
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  So think about all the vegetables and fruits you can put on the barbecue and still have the
• 25:51
  fun of barbecuing and being outside.
• 25:55
  Now let us switch gears a bit and talk about something a little more lighthearted.
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  Did you know that July 1st is international joke day?
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  Yes.
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  It is a day dedicated to laughter, humor, and all things funny.
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  While it is a great excuse to share your favorite jokes and have a good laugh with
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  friends and family, there are also some surprising health benefits to laughing out
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  loud.
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  Laughter is often called the best medicine and for good reason.
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  It has numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
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  First, let us talk about stress relief.
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  When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, which are natural feel good chemicals.
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  These endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can temporarily relieve pain.
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  Laughter also reduces the level of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in
• 26:46
  your body, which can help you feel more relaxed.
• 26:50
  Another benefit of laughing is that it can improve your cardiovascular health, laughing
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  increases your heart rate and blood flow, similar to the effects of a mild to moderate
• 27:00
  workout.
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  This cardiovascular exercise helps improve the function of your blood vessels and can reduce
• 27:06
  your risk of heart disease.
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  So the next time you have a good laugh, think of it as a mini workout for your heart.
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  Laughter also boosts your immune system.
• 27:17
  It increases the production of antibodies and activates immune cells, such as T cells, which
• 27:23
  help protect your body against infections.
• 27:25
  This means that by laughing more often, you can potentially improve your resistance to
• 27:31
  illnesses.
• 27:33
  Mental health is another area where laughter can make a significant impact.
• 27:38
  Laughing can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression by promoting a sense of
• 27:43
  connection and social bonding.
• 27:45
  When you laugh with others, it strengthens your relationship and creates a positive social
• 27:50
  environment.
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  This can be particularly beneficial for people who may feel isolated or lonely.
• 27:56
  Lastly, laughter can improve your cognitive function.
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  It stimulates both sides of your brain, enhancing your creativity, and problem solving
• 28:04
  abilities.
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  This mental stimulation can help keep your brain sharp and improve your overall cognitive
• 28:10
  performance.
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  So on this international joke day, make it a point to share some laughs with your loved
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  ones.
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  Whether it is through watching a funny movie, telling jokes, or simply reminiscing about
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  funny memories, take some time to enjoy the lighter side of life.
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  Not only will you have a great time, but you will also be doing wonders for your health.
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  That brings us to the end of today's episode of morning medical with Doctor Chow.
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  We covered a lot of ground today from the summer COVID surge to the transformative power
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  of artificial intelligence and health care, tips to minimize cancer risk from grilling and
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  the health benefits of laughter.
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  Thank you for joining me.
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  And I hope you found this information valuable.
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  Stay healthy.
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  Stay safe and keep laughing.
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  Have a great day.