Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / CDC dengue warning, healthcare workforce diversity, and youth sports mental health study

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CDC dengue warning, healthcare workforce diversity, and youth sports mental health study · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Doctor.
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E.
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Chow.
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I am your host, Doctor Chining Chow, And today, we have a packed episode full of the latest
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updates and insights from the world of health and medicine.
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Whether you are a health care professional, a medical student, or simply someone interested
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in staying informed about health related news, you are in the right place.
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Let's dive right in.
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The Centers for Disease Control And Prevention has issued a fresh warning about an increased
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risk of dengue virus infections as a record breaking number of cases are being reported in
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the Americas.
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From January 1st to June 24th this year, More than 9,700,000 dengue cases were recorded among
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countries in the Americas.
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This figure is more than double the 4,600,000 infections recorded through 2023 according to
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the CDC.
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The global incidents of Dengue in 2024 has been the highest on record for this calendar year,
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with many countries reporting higher than usual dengue case numbers.
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In 2024, countries in the Americas have reported a record breaking number of dengue
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cases exceeding the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
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The CDC describes the dengue virus as the most common mosquito borne disease in the world.
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In the United States, Florida has reported the most cases so far this year with 1197.
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Followed by New York with 134, Massachusetts with 50, and California with 40.
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The CDC says there is a record breaking number of dengue virus infections being recorded in
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the Americas so far this year.
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6 US And Territories and freely associated states are classified as areas with frequent or
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continuous dengue transmission.
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Guerto Rico, American Samoa, the US, Virgin Islands, the federated States of Micronesia,
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the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
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The health agency says 1 in every 4 dengue infections are symptomatic.
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With effects including fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle aches, joint pain, bone pain, pain
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behind the eyes, headache, or low white blood cell counts.
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Severe disease with associated severe bleeding, shock, or respiratory distress caused by plasma
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leakage or end organ impairment develops in 1 in 20 people with symptomatic dengue.
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Infants under the age of 1, pregnant women, and adults over the age of sixty five carry an
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increased risk of severe dengue.
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Transmission peaks during the warmer and wetter months in many tropical and subtropical
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regions.
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There is not currently a medication to treat dengue according to the CDC.
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Infected people are advised to rest take acetaminophen for pain and fever, stay
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hydrated, and see a doctor.
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This alarming rise in dengue cases highlights the importance of mosquito control and public
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awareness.
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Communities need to take proactive measures to reduce mosquito breeding sites and protect
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themselves from mosquito bites.
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Simple actions like using insect repellent wearing long sleeve clothing, and ensuring that
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water containers are covered can make a significant difference in preventing the spread
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of dengue.
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That is all for this segment.
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Stay tuned as we shift gears to discuss the impact of chronic loneliness on older adults
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and its potential link to stroke.
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You are listening to morning medical with doctor Chow.
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We will be right back after a short break.
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A recent study has highlighted a concerning link between chronic loneliness and an
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increased risk of stroke in older adults.
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According to the study, older adults who reported feeling chronically lonely had a 56%
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higher risk of stroke compared to those who consistently rated low on the loneliness scale.
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The study led by doctor Yani Soe a research associate in the department of social and
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behavioral sciences at Harvard T H, Sean School of Public Health.
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Emphasizes the importance of routinely assessing loneliness in older adults to
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mitigate potential health risks.
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The study which was published in the journal eclinical medicine analyzed data collected
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between 20062018 as part of the health and retirement study.
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Initially, more than 12,000 participants aged 50 years or older, were surveyed between
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20062008.
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When researchers followed up 4 years later, nearly 9000 participants remained in the study.
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The participants responded to questions on the revised UCLA Loneliness scale and were given
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loneliness scores at both points in time.
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Researchers then tracked instances of stroke among the participants and analyze the data
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against their loneliness scores.
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The findings revealed that individuals who scored high on loneliness at both points of the
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survey had a significantly higher risk of stroke.
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However, there was no clear association with stroke risk for those who only scored high at
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one point in time.
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This suggests that the impact of loneliness on stroke risk is most significant over the long
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term.
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Doctor Matt Pantel, an associate professor in the department of pediatrics, and core faculty
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member of the Center for Health And Community at the University of California, San Francisco,
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commented on the study noting that understanding whether a person is lonely and
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for how long could help identify those at higher risk of stroke.
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Prior research has already established links between loneliness and various health issues,
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including sleep problems inflammation, shorter lifespan, insomnia, depression, heart disease,
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dementia, diabetes, addiction, self harm, and suicidality.
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The new study adds to this growing body of evidence by specifically focusing on the
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correlation between chronic loneliness and stroke risk in older adults.
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Doctors so pointed out that loneliness is a highly subjective experience, and addressing it
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requires understanding and intervening based on an individual's specific needs.
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Health care providers can play a crucial role by screening for loneliness and referring
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patients to therapists and behavioral health clinicians.
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Self administered questionnaires that assess loneliness can also be helpful for individuals
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to first identify and acknowledge their feelings of loneliness.
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It is important to note that the study is observational, meaning it cannot definitively
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say that loneliness directly causes strokes only that there is a correlation.
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People who feel lonely may share other demographic factors or health characteristics
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that also increase their stroke risk.
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However, the researchers did control for other explanations, strengthening the validity of
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their findings.
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Addressing loneliness is essential for improving overall health and well-being.
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Doctor Esso suggests that individuals express their feelings of loneliness and identify what
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specific actions would help them feel more connected.
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Participating in community organizations and engaging in social activities can also help
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combat loneliness.
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While social media may offer a sense of community, in person interactions are often
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more effective in reducing feelings of isolation.
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Mental health professionals can provide valuable support for those struggling to make
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connections or who feel their concerns are not being addressed.
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Simple actions such as chatting with people during daily activities can boost mood and
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reduce feelings of loneliness.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues,
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please contact the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988 or visit their website
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for support.
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A new report has emphasized the urgent need for the health care industry to diversify its
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workforce in order to address and eliminate racial inequalities.
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The report published by the National Academy of Medicine, highlights that a more diverse
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workforce is essential for providing equitable care to all patients, regardless of their
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racial or ethnic background.
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The report points out that racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in many health
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care professions including medicine, nursing, and dentistry.
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This underrepresentation can contribute to disparities in health outcomes as patients are
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less likely to receive culturally competent care from providers who do not share their
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background or experiences.
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One of the key recommendations of the report is to increase the recruitment and retention of
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minority students in health care education programs.
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This can be achieved through targeted scholarships, mentorship programs, and
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partnerships with historically Black Colleges And Universities, as well as other minority
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serving institutions.
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The report also calls for health care organizations to implement policies and
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practices that promote diversity and inclusion.
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This includes creating a supportive work environment where all employees feel valued and
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respected, as well as providing ongoing training on cultural competence and implicit
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bias Doctor Marcela Nunez Smith, chair of the report committee, and associate professor of
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internal medicine, public health, and management at Yale University emphasized that
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diversifying the health care workforce is not just a matter of social justice, but also of
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improving patient care.
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When the workforce reflects the diversity of the population it serves, it leads to better
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communication, greater trust, and ultimately better health outcomes, she said.
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The report also highlights the importance of leadership in driving change.
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Health Care Leaders are encouraged to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their
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strategic planning and to hold themselves accountable for making progress in this area.
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This includes setting measurable goals and regularly assessing their progress.
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In addition to workforce diversification, the report recommends addressing social
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determinants of health that disproportionately affect minority communities.
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These include factors such as access to education, housing, and economic opportunities,
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which can have a significant impact on health outcomes.
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Doctor Chow, as a health care professional and educator, how do you see these recommendations
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being implemented in practice?
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What steps can institutions take to ensure that they are effectively diversifying their
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workforce and addressing racial inequalities?
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It's clear that achieving a more diverse health care workforce will require a concerted effort
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from educational institutions health care organizations, and policy makers.
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By working together, we can create a more equitable health care system that serves the
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needs of all patients regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
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A new study has found that adults who continuously played organized sports throughout
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their youth exhibit fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those who never
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played or those who dropped out.
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Interestingly, the study also discovered that those who dropped out of youth sports had
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poorer mental health than individuals who never played at all.
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The research conducted by the Ohio State University and led by Chris Noaster, professor
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of sociology, shows that while playing and sticking with sports is beneficial for mental
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health, dropping out appears to have a negative impact.
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The study was published in the sociology of sport journal, and highlights that the majority
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of kids do not continue playing sports until the age of eighteen.
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According to noster, the reasons for dropping out of sports often relate to not having fun or
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feeling inadequate.
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These findings suggest that the current environment of youth sports may not be ideal
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for everyone and that there are significant barriers to participation that need to be
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addressed.
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The study used data from the National Sports And Society survey conducted in 2018 2019.
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Which included a sample of 3931 adults from across the United States.
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Participants were asked about their sports participation as children, and their current
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symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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The results showed that 35% of the participants did not play organized sports at all.
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41% participated, but dropped out, and 24% participated continuously until age eighteen.
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Those who participated in organized sports continuously reported lower levels of
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depressive symptoms and anxiety compared to others.
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Conversely, those who dropped out had the worst mental health profiles, while those who never
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played fell somewhere in between.
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Although most participants did not have clinical levels of depression or anxiety, the
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differences between the groups were still significant.
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The most common reason cited for dropping out was not having fun identified by nearly half of
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the respondents.
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The next most common reason was feeling like they were not good players.
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Other reasons included wanting to focus on grades, having health problems or injuries, not
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being able to afford sports, issues with team members, and interest in other clubs and
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activities, Alarmingly, 8% of respondents said they dropped out because they were abused by a
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coach.
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Lead author Laura Openiks, assistant professor of sociology at Baylor University, pointed out
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that not all reasons for dropping out had the same effects on mental health.
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Interpersonal reasons such as not having fun, not getting along with team members, and being
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abused by a coach were associated with higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
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Those who could not afford sports also showed poorer mental health.
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However, those who dropped out to focus on grades actually had lower depressive symptoms,
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depressive.
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Knows to emphasize that many previous studies have focused on the impact of playing sports or
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not playing on adult outcomes.
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But this study is one of the first to examine the effects of quitting sports during youth.
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The findings suggest that persistence in playing is crucial for long term mental
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well-being.
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Open East added that the longer youth are exposed to a positive and encouraging sporting
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environment the more likely they are to develop habits conducive to mental well-being, such as
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regular exercise and teamwork.
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However, the fact that so many kids quit indicates that organized sports often fail to
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provide this positive environment.
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The study's findings underscore the need to make youth sports safer and more enjoyable.
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The fact that 8% of respondents experienced abuse by coaches is particularly concerning.
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Additionally, the emphasis on winning may overshadow the fun and supportive aspects that
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most kids seek.
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Creating a positive environment in youth sports is essential for fostering long term mental
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health benefits.
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Noster noted that taking away fun and making kids feel inadequate can hurt their self esteem
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and confidence potentially leading to long term negative effects on mental health.
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Therefore, improving the sporting environment to support positive experiences for all
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participants is crucial.
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Welcome back to morning medical with Doctor Chow.
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As we wrap up today's episode, let's dive into a lighter, but equally important topic.
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Making healthier choices with Starbucks's new summer drinks.
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With the summer heat upon us, many of us are likely to reach for refreshing beverages to
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cool down.
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Starbucks has recently introduced 3 new drinks to its summer menu.
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And while they are delicious, they are also high in sugar and calories.
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Fortunately, there are simple swaps you can make to enjoy these treats without compromising
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your health.
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The first new drink is the Summerberry Starbucks refresher's beverage.
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This drink features a blend of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors shaken with
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ice and poured over a layer of popping raspberry flavored pearls.
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A grande serving of this drink contains a 110 calories and 25 grams of sugar.
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While the calorie count is relatively low, The high sugar content can lead to spikes in blood
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sugar levels causing jitteriness, fatigue, and hunger soon after consumption.
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Nutritionist GQ Jordan suggests several ways to make this drink healthier.
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One option is to ask for extra ice which reduces the drink's overall sugar content per
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sip by diluting it with more ice.
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Another tip is to enjoy this beverage alongside a protein based meal, or snack to support blood
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sugar balance.
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Dietician Emma Sheff Cott also recommends sharing the drink with a friend or opting for a
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smaller size to reduce sugar intake.
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Additionally, you could add some actual fruit to the drink to provide fiber and vitamin c
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instead of relying on fruit flavors.
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Next up is the Summerberry lemonade Starbucks refresher's beverage.
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This drink combines the Summerberry refreshers with lemonade.
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Resulting in a higher sugar and calorie content.
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A grande size of this beverage contains a 160 calories and 37 grams of sugar, which exceeds
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the adult recommended daily intake of sugar.
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The added lemonade is the primary source of the extra sugar in this drink.
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To make the summer berry lemonade refreshes healthier, Safcat recommends opting for a
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smaller size or diluting the drink with water to reduce sugar intake.
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You could also request light lemonade instead of the regular version to significantly cut
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down on the sugar content.
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Skipping the popping raspberry flavored pearls or asking for fewer of them is another way to
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decrease the sugar in this drink.
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The last new addition is the summer skies drink, a non dairy option that features the
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summer berry refreshers with creamy coconut milk poured over ice and a layer of popping
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raspberry flavored pearls.
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This drink contains a 150 calories and 29 grams of sugar in a grande serving.
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Like the other 2, it also has added caffeine, which could be concerning if you are unaware of
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it, especially for children.
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To make the summer skies drink healthier, your first step should be to ask for a smaller size
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to cut down on calories and sugar.
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You can also dilute it with water or increase the amount of coconut milk.
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Alternatively, swapping the coconut milk for cows milk can provide essential nutrients like
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calcium, riboflavin, and iodine.
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Skipping the raspberry flavored pearls, is another effective way to reduce the sugar
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content.
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General tips for making Starbucks drinks healthier include skipping whipped cream, which
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adds extra calories and sugar and opting for full fat dairy instead of alternative milks
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that use grape seed oil, which is inflammatory.
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Choosing a smaller size can also help manage overall calorie and sugar intake.
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For those looking for a 0 calorie option, iced black tea is a good choice.
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In conclusion, while Starbucks's new summer drinks are a delightful treat, they are best
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enjoyed in moderation.
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By making simple swaps, such as choosing a smaller size, diluting with water, or opting
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for cow's milk, you can enjoy these beverages without compromising your health.
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Remember, the key to a balanced diet is moderation and making informed choices.
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That wraps up today's episode of morning medical with doctor Chow.
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Thank you for joining me today.
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Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the world of health and medicine.
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Until next time.
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Stay healthy and take care.