NCDs

GHealth News - A U.S. federal judge ruled that expert testimony claiming Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson's cow’s milk-based formula for premature babies can cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a deadly intestinal disease, will be allowed in upcoming trials. This decision affects over 700 lawsuits consolidated in Chicago federal court. However, in a separate ruling, the judge dismissed the first scheduled case, stating the plaintiffs failed to prove that Abbott’s lack of warnings caused the infant’s death or that a safer alternative formula existed. Despite this setback, plaintiffs' attorneys see the expert testimony ruling as a win for continuing litigation. The lawsuits allege the companies failed to warn about NEC risks, which predominantly affects premature infants and has a ...

GHealth News - This documentary examines the controversial marketing strategies surrounding a weight-loss injection hailed as a groundbreaking scientific innovation. The injection’s active ingredient, Semaglutide, was originally developed for the treatment of diabetes. For individuals who are slightly or moderately overweight, it appears to offer a convenient method for weight reduction. However, experts caution against its use without proper medical supervision. “For those looking to lose just a few kilograms, these new drugs pose significant risks. We still lack long-term data,” warns Dr. Lucie Favre from an obesity consultation center in Lausanne, Switzerland. She emphasizes that for many individuals, the core issue lies in unhealthy eating habits and inadequate physical activity. “R...

Paris (AFP) – Do people with obesity have an illness? A panel of global health experts looking at this controversial question announced Wednesday that the definition of obesity should be split into two categories -- and diagnosed using more accurate measurements. The recommendations hoped to move past the blame and discrimination that often revolve around obesity, which is estimated to affect more than a billion people worldwide. "The idea of obesity as a disease is at the centre of one of the most controversial and polarising debates in modern medicine," said a paper by the 56-expert commission in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal. On one hand, obesity is known to lead to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and other health problems. Th...

GHealth News - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Merck's (MRK.N), opens new tab treatment for adults with high blood pressure due to constriction of lung arteries, adding another potential blockbuster drug to the pharmaceutical giant's portfolio. Shares of Merck were up more than 4% in extended trading. The therapy, branded Winrevair, is approved for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which affects about 40,000 people in the United States. "We look forward to making a significant difference for these patients that are left with a disease where the five year mortality is 43%," Jannie Oosthuizen, president of Merck's U.S. Human Health business, told Reuters. Winrevair will carry a list price of $14,000 per vial, Oosthuizen said. Acco...

Blood pressure and heart rate go hand-in-hand in most people’s minds. After all, these two vital signs usually are measured at the same time at the doctor’s office. But each measures distinctly different factors related to your heart health.  Cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD, explains some key differences — and busts some common myths along the way. Heart rate vs. blood pressure: What’s the difference? When you think about heart rate and blood pressure, your mind probably goes straight to your ticker in your chest. And while both measurements are related to your cardiovascular system, they play different roles. Heart rate — sometimes called pulse — is the number of times your heart beats every minute. Changes in your heart rate can be influence...

 With lifestyle and diet risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) exacerbated by climate change and air pollution, a group of national and global health leaders called for more intensive action on  NCD prevention and control on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly.  “NCDs continue to be a public health threat that requires concerted efforts, great investments and prioritization to put countries back on course towards achieving global targets as we inch towards 2030,” said Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Minister of Health of Ghana, who co-chaired the second annual gathering of the Global Group of Heads of State and Government for the prevention and control of NCDs.  The gathering on September 21, coinciding with the UN High-Level Meeting on Un...

By Victoria Stokes If you have type 2 diabetes you’re probably aware that the condition puts you at an increased risk of developing heart disease. Now, a new study has shown that a class of diabetes medications is associated with fewer major adverse cardiovascular events. The study, conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, found that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) resulted in lower instances of Major cardiovascular events (MACE) than DPP4 inhibitors (another type of diabetes drug) in older veterans with no prior heart disease. The use of a GLP-1 receptor agonist was associated with a 20% reduced risk of MACE and heart failure hospitalization when compared to treatment with DPP4 inhibitors, which were regarded as...

By Melanie Radzicki McManus These days, many people find it hard to unplug. Inflation, global warming and gun violence are on the rise. Bullies proliferate on social media. The 24/7 news cycle constantly blares distressing news, and people often face difficult personal or professional situations. About half of Americans said they experienced stress within the past day, according to a Gallup Poll survey from last October, a finding that was consistent for most of 2022. Personal finances and current and political events were major sources of stress for one-third or more of adults, a survey from CNN in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation found in October. Stress isn’t inherently bad, said Richard Scrivener, a personal trainer and product development manager at London’s ...

By Beth Ann Mayer Research and experts indicate that cold weather puts stress on the heart. It can increase the risk of high blood pressure and even heart attacks. Individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular disease in warm weather are more likely to have high blood pressure or heart failure when the temperatures dip. It’s possible to reduce the risk of cold-related heart issues. You may have heard that your mood can take a dip in the winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a major depressive disorder (MDD) that occurs around the same time each year, affects 0.5 to 2.4 of people in the U.S. During these times, someone may feel like they have a broken heart. But what about physical heart health? “Cold weather can increase the risk of heart attack...