Information for your Consideration…

Kudos To North Dakota, My Home State – As the first in the nation, North Dakota has set a goal of making high-speed internet access available across the entire state by 2028. Funding for the project will come partially through federal funding from the Broadband Equity, Access. The initiative will result in nearly 280 installations and cover a wide swath of the state that currently lacks high-speed internet services. In effect, the rural areas will become part of the connected world – which represents much of the geographical presence of the state. While North Dakotans will still have to subscribe to the service, it will be provided at a nominal level AND available – a far distance from the current environment. Also, it’s notable that the carriers of internet service have collaborated on the entire effort! This is an important change for rural health because the use of “digital health” capabilities is part of the coming age. Again, Kudos to the NoDak team!!

Tis The Season for Communal Singing – No wonder I like to sing! In a recent study reported in Sage Journals, researchers noted that singing as part of a choir provides important health benefits such as support for interpersonal bonding, improved immune and heart function, stress reduction, and the like. The reason for the study was to determine if the effect was related to simply singing or to choral singing. The researchers, therefore, compared choral singing to two other solo activities: singing and playing a team sport. They used self-reported measures of well-being, entitativity, need fulfilment, and motivation to determine the effect. While singing solo probably helps, participating in a choir or other group singing is particularly calming. These events stimulate the production of endorphins, resulting in the calming of our neural pathways. In essence, it brings us together with those who are participating in such events, boosts endorphins, strengthens social connections, and aligns with humans’ deeply social evolutionary nature.

The Turmeric Solution For Effective Depression Tx?? – A recent notice that floated across my inbox from WebMD suggested that the use of the spice turmeric for spice turmeric might be effective in the treatment of depression. Turmeric is a common ingredient for many Indian and Asian foods and is found in the root stalk of curcumin. Wowser!!! Evidently, it works by settling the immune system a bit and the reason depression is impacted is that there is growing evidence that inflammation of the immune system is part of the problem. In animal research, turmeric has been shown to reduce the inflammation due to its effects on serotonin and dopamine – the mood and behavior brain chemicals – which can cause the inflammation. BTW, turmeric is the major ingredient in “curry powder” so eating all manner of Asian and Indian foods should settle those of us with evolving symptoms of depression. I for one am running out to my favorite local Indian restaurant and ordering a big helping of all things curry. I hope to go beyond depression to giddy 😊. Stay well. My guess is that in the current environment, if this works you cannot eat enough Indian or Asian food. Besides it will be good politics of “engagement” with supposed challengers to the American way (i.e. China). Thanks to WebMD for the information.

The State Attorney Generals Arched Their Backs – Of the many changes emanating from Washington these days, there’s often grumbling but little action. In fact, I missed one that, in retrospect, is quite important. The issue relates to “who” is going to regulate artificial intelligence. When the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act was under consideration by Congress, several Attorney General leaders got together and formed a bipartisan collection of 36 State Attorneys General to push back on a Congressional effort that would have barred states from regulating AI. And, the coalition worked from and to both sides of the aisle where they expressed their “opposition to a moratorium on state laws addressing artificial intelligence.” And they were successful. At the last minute the effort to block state action was removed from the “BBB.” Their argument was that regulatory innovation needs to be continued as a “state’s rights” issue rather than subjugated to a federal position, especially given the rapidity of AI evolution. Now, it will be important for the healthcare community to monitor the legislative machinations evolving at the state level. While it appears to be a “good” thing, it also will no doubt require “rapid” responses to “diverse initiatives” across the nation. The healthcare community needs to come together as part of that monitoring effort. But, who will take the lead? It’s an important question…

Health Care As A Percent Of GDP – One of the issues I’ve been thinking about of late is the growing percentage of healthcare costs represented as part of the overall national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In fact, I was sufficiently concerned that I did some research on the issues to find the correct numbers. And, my findings were a bit startling. Why? Because of the massive gap that exists between USA expenditure for healthcare services compared to other nations with whom we compete. And, the problem is not just the gap. It’s also the pace at which the gap is increasing between the USA and the other countries. Here are some interesting stats:

United Kingdom	~10.9% (2023)
France	~11.9% (OECD Database)
India	~3.3% (World Bank / WHO Database)
China	~5.6% (World Bank / WHO Database / G20
USA	~19.1% (2025 / Commonwealth Fund)

The kicker is that while the other nations will remain relatively flat over the next decade (i.e. 2025 – 2035), the USA's percentage spend will continue to grow, thereby increasing the gap. It’s estimated that the USA's spending will be roughly ~20+% by 2030 and ~22% by 2035. A comment that I’ve shared before: “Houston…we have a problem!” or, one could say, “Oy vey” very loudly!! I raise the issue because the USA needs to proactively set a direction for a review of existing policies and analysis of those that should change. And, the sooner the better. Furthermore, any kind of change will require bipartisan support with active involvement and debate from the healthcare community!!! We can solve this problem, but we need to work on it together. It will not be solved by short-term proposals designed to attract one’s partisan base. Rather, it will be solved by coming together. What will no doubt accelerate the recognition of the problem and a potential “coming together” is the cost of healthcare statements arriving at homes throughout the USA shortly after the first of the year. I anticipate a groundswell of angst from the American public. The time has come, although we may have to wait a couple of years to start the process, given the current rhetoric emanating from Washington, DC.

Oh No!! – The Coffee vs. Tea Debate – As my long-time readers know, I’m a coffee-holic! I admit and I can’t control it or, so it seems. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – under prior administrations – stipulated that adults should not have more than 400 mg of caffeine per day (or, about 3 cups of Joe), I’m at least double if not triple that amount when consumed throughout the day. Is that good kidneys getting rid of caffeine or some other factor? Who knows. The major disruptions are sleep disruption and anxiety – neither of which seem to be a problem for me, with little or no reaction.

However, a recent report came out about the “health benefits” of switching to Green Tea as an alternative to coffee. First, green tea is widely consumed throughout the world as a $300 billion business and dates back to 3000 BC in China. It is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant and holds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which are two elements that help to prolong life. And, green tea only contains about 15 – 50 mg of caffeine per cup. As a result, there are strong reasons for those of us who want to de-caffeinate ourselves to consider a cup-o-tea rather than a cup-o-joe if the health issues are becoming a dominant force in your daily life. So, I’m going to think about it. However, it may require a considerable amount of deliberation since I seem to be hooked on my favorite French Roast coffee. I’ll let you know it a couple of months so…stay tuned!!

Information for your Consideration… 

Hmmmm – Let’s Not Make The Same Mistakes. I am obviously a bit behind in sharing some of my thoughts, in part, because happenings in the world are seemingly moving at a very, very fast pace. However, in case you missed it, I wanted to highlight a piece adapted from Heather Cox Richardson’s Substack from October 28, 2025 (how auspicious!!). If you’re not familiar with her, you should be!! She’s a historian (and, a Mainer 😊) with a firm grasp on the historical machinations of politics. Her observations are keen and accurate from my perspective.

In the piece, she talks about the landslide victory of Republican Warren G. Harding that led to the White House and Congress under one political roof. America was just coming out of WWI and a progressive push by the Democrats over the prior decade. The Republicans offered a different alternative that rejected the ideas that government should be heavily involved in regulating commerce, worker rights, and consumer issues. Rather, a free economy was the way to go… The parallels are interesting! Taxes were cut and about $3.5B returned to wealthy individuals, what seems like a pittance today but was real money back then. The echoes of that period are haunting. You need to read Richardson’s full article to gain the full effect of similarities to our current-day situation. The subsequent Crash of 1929 then occurred…For those who may have forgotten their history, October 29, 1929 was the worst economic catastrophe to have jolted our nation – and the world. The ripple effects were ginormous (i.e. beyond gigantic and enormous). My hope is that the politicians will take note and that we can get beyond the Epstein problem (actually, problem is too soft a word for it) and get back to solving problems that will ultimately affect the entire nation – as well as the world. A bit of normalcy would be most appreciated at this point on the world stage…

The Vagaries of Medicare Access – A new Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Study identified some unanticipated findings by noting that: “Medicare Advantage enrollees on average had access to just under half (48%) of the physicians in their area who were available to people enrolled in traditional Medicare in 2022.” The study noted that the narrowest Medicare Advantage plan networks allowed on average between 1/5 and 1/3 the number of physicians available to those who providers who accepted traditional Medicare. How this usually plays out is that those individuals electing the narrow network plans are confined to using the physicians within the narrow network, regardless of what problems they may be exhibiting. For “run of the mill” problems, that’s not necessarily an impediment but where subspecialty and/or unique problems come into play and the perspective of providers with experience applicable to those unique problems is important – the lack of coverage represents an inequity. The problem is that those seeking the lower upfront costs of narrow plans are frequently those with fewer resources – so the inequity is real.

More Bad News – In other news, the amount charged that’s planned for 2026 by health insurers is going up across the board. For those states using the Healthcare.gov site, premiums will increase by an average of 30%. Those in the ACA Marketplaces by 26%, on average, and for those states that manage their own marketplaces – outside of the national operations – the average is somewhat lower at 17%. Now, those increases are not necessarily what the individuals end up paying since there are subsidized enrollees who are part of the system that generally pay premiums on a sliding scale share of their household income, based on a formula set by Congress. Given the lack of progress in Congress for moving any legislation forward, it remains a bit unclear on what the implications are for most of these people – who tend to be in the lower income brackets. However, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, if no action is forthcoming from Congress before the end of the year, the subsidized enrollees will see their monthly premium payments more than double by over 110% on average. It’s a whammy on top of other whammys for the lower-income folks who are taking financial hit after financial hit! 

Information To Tuck Away – It seems that last year's results in the worldwide number of billionaires reached an all-time high of 3,506 individuals! Nearly 1/3 were based in the USA (i.e. 1,135), although their wealth accounted for 43% of the total amount held by the group. China came in second place with 321 billionaires holding just over 10% of the billionaire wealth in the world. The total wealth held by all of the billionaires as a group was $13.4 trillion. As many of us may remember, the first USA billionaire was John D. Rockefeller, the Founder of Standard Oil. In that same period – while there were no national standards – it’s estimated that roughly 30- 40% of the population lived in poverty. The 2024 poverty rate in the USA was 10.6% - a remarkable reduction from the last century. The problem is that the poverty rate designated today is far different than yesteryear AND the rate of growth among ultra-wealthy is far more rapid than in previous decades. It’s an issue that deserves further attention, analysis, and resolution if we want to sustain the society we’ve grown accustomed to living in for the last half-century. My apologies…I slipped into “opinion” mode…

Poor Sleep And Accelerated Brain Aging – For those of us who are aging (ahem!), one of the questions that is frequently asked during discussions with our providers is “how is your sleep pattern?” It’s a great question – one that should be a requisite question of any 65+ individual. In fact, poor sleep quality has been linked to multiple problems associated with aging such as metabolic or biological problems, such as the production of more Ghrelin (a hormone that increases hunger) and less Leptin (a hormone that signals fullness) which creates a hormonal imbalance resulting in weight gain and a higher risk of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes.

Sleep deprivation also reduces prefrontal and parietal brain metabolism, which can result in diminished attention, judgment, and cognitive capabilities. The end result disrupts sleep, and the cycle accelerates over time resulting in dementia-type problems. So, long story short, getting a good night’s sleep is critical regardless of age.

Information for your Consideration… 

Medication Accessibility Enhanced For Those In Need – The Gary and Mary West Foundation recently announced a major initiative that deserves some attention. Most of us in the healthcare community are aware of the high cost of many medications – even common generic drugs. The foundation took the lead as a Co-Founding Partner in starting a new pharmaceutical company, CivicaRx. The intent of the effort is to expand access to low-cost generic insulin and make it available for all American patients. As healthcare providers know, one of the major issues related to diabetes for low-income patients who are on the margin is the cost of insulin. Through CivicaRx, insulin glargine – a long-acting form of the medication – will launch nationwide on January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the first state due the efforts of Governor Gavin Newsom is that the Medicaid population of California will be the first state to go live with the new “white-label” insulin drug. Kudos to the Gary and Mary West Foundation. We should anticipate similar efforts for other drugs in the future as a result of initiatives by CivicaRx.

An Alzheimer Update – I recently reviewed a Scientific American overview on the state of anti-amyloid therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, the scourge on the horizon for many of us elder types. At the present time, it affects about 7.2 million people over the age of 65 in the USA, and three-quarters of that group (74%) are over the age of 75. Since 2018, there have been four major drug studies reviewing the effectiveness of the anti-amyloid therapies, and the results have been marginal for reducing the rate of cognitive decline. The drugs are used primarily for those in the early stages of the disease article noted that “…Some experts say that [anti-amyloid medications] could offer perhaps an additional year of independence.” Furthermore, there are some important side effects from the medications, like brain swelling (40%) and brain bleeds (28%) in those taking the medications. However, neurologists are generally quite careful in prescribing the medication. They manage the decision by conducting a series of tests, including cognitive assessments, PET (positron-emission tomography) scans, and other tests to ensure the need for treatment. But, when you get older – a year is a year!! Finally, there are ongoing evaluations of the anti-amyloid theory. For example, the AHEAD 3-45 study is ongoing and is testing the effectiveness of drug treatment for the pre-symptomatic cohort that is at risk of Alzheimer’s (i.e. before the amyloid plaques get laid down in the brain).

Cybersecurity Shield In Limbo – One of the more notable problems with the current shutdown of government operations is the fact that the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) expired on September 30^th. The law provided legal protections for the last decade that enabled private-sector organizations - including healthcare facilities – to “share” cyber threat data with the federal government without any fear of potential liability. The shareable information included such areas as malware signatures, malicious IPs, vulnerabilities, and other similar technical issues. Liability protections expired on September 30, 2025. The healthcare community has been fairly assertive in testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) in urging Congress to provide additional federal support (funding, workforce training, regulatory relief) given the heightened risk and the looming expiration. Through those efforts, planning was initiated for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to develop a plan to support the sharing. They have been “in process” for developing the Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS) system at a cost of about $1 million per month. Now, not to be cynical, but $1M/month is “chump change” in the healthcare community. The last available data from 2023 estimated that the total USA health care spend had reached approximately US $4.9 trillion, or about 17.6% of GDP = $US 14,570 per person. So, in fact, $1M/month is indeed “chump change”. In essence, it’s a complicated – but very important – issue in the healthcare community, as well as for other sectors of the economy. There are multiple considerations that need to be addressed. Funding, scope – especially for rural health systems – regulatory implications (HIPAA, vendor liability) remain areas of debate. For example, rural hospitals – my ongoing area of healthcare advocacy – often do not have the technical expertise for participating in CISA. Therefore, special funding needs to be provided. But, it requires that Congress but up and running – which it is not!! I pass along the information because when Congress reconvenes, there is going to be a plethora of issues that percolate to the top. Those of us in healthcare need to recognize that we will not be the only ones standing in line. Besides, this is a coalition issue that cuts across sectors.

The Evolving Phenomenon of Digital Addiction – First, there was alcohol for many millennia. Then, came drugs in the couple of centuries (that we know of 😊). Now, it seems we are experiencing a dramatic increase in “digital addiction” in the forms of excessive social media interaction, internet gaming, online gambling, online shopping, online pornography, and, no doubt, other “online” activities. Why? It increases accessibility in the first place, such as the case for pornography and gambling, which can occur anytime, anyplace, for those in need of a fix! In addition, according to Psychiatry.org, “those with high levels of internet use for socialization, education, and entertainment” are especially vulnerable. They experience a compulsion to check their notifications and spend inordinate amounts of time on the internet (Oh no!! Perhaps my wife is correct about my behavior…Naw!) I don’t think so, especially since I don’t seem to become “restless, moody, depressed or irritable” when I’m not able to access the internet.

So, how do the websites work on capturing our attention? They evidently use what is described as the “Hook Model” where the individual is triggered to interact via some sort of notification, which causes them to enter the app, where they are “rewarded” in some fashion. Then, the user will either like, send, or enter the app. It’s at this point that some type of “reward” is offered to the user to encourage them to continue using the app, where more scrolling results in more rewards. Another approach for capturing interest in the app is through gamification – which, as you may have noticed – is increasingly used on many sites. It’s becoming especially prominent on “shopping” sites as a way of promoting products to shoppers. The more you buy, the more bonuses and coupons you get! This approach makes the problem more subtle.

The other addiction that I’ve seen increasingly in lots of different public forums is the addiction to cell phone reviews. It really became apparent to me several years ago when I was at the airport awaiting a departure. In the lounge where I was sitting, there were about 10 youngish individuals sitting in a circle – all looking at their mobile phones. As I watched them, there were long periods of silence interrupted by periodic, simultaneous laughter from the group. The “addiction” to our devices was one of my thoughts at the time. And, it’s become even more prominent over the last couple of years. Psychiatry.org notes that more than 50% of Americans believe they are “addicted” to their phones, more than 60% of teens have the same problem, and at least 10% of American social media users have the same problem. However, the younger generation is not the sole problem user. Another report found that about 50% of Baby Boomers who were polled in the same reported that they were “addicted” and spent more than 3 hours a day on their devices. So, as is often offered when such information becomes available, it seems that “Houston, we have a problem.”

Information for your Consideration… 

Lest We Forget – I will never forget Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1968. It is a speech that none of us should ever forget. The power of his commitment, the strength of the people standing before him, and the need for all Americans to witness and experience the true potential of the United States of America were compelling. In these current, equally compelling times, we should not forget that “a man (and woman) should be measured by the strength of his character rather than the color of the skin” or any other measure we might conjure up… 

Wow!! – A $37 Trillion Deficit – When one digs into the recent announcement on the staggering amount of debt owed by the United States, it’s a bit difficult to determine all of reasons why we’ve accumulated such a large amount. However, “health care” writ large is one of the reasons and, it appears to be among the largest and fastest-growing drivers of federal spending. Check out these facts:

Metric	Approximate Value	Notes & Source
Annual federal health spending (FY 2024)	~$1.9 trillion	~27% of overall federal spending Kaiser Family Foundation
Total annual federal health support (incl. tax subsidies)	Over ~$2 trillion	Includes indirect effects Bipartisan Policy Center
Medicare & Medicaid growth since 2000	From ~3.1% to ~5.6% of GDP	Reflects rising federal burden The Wall Street Journal
Projected federal health share of outlays by 2055	~30%	Indicates long-term trend Peterson Foundation
Estimated portion of debt tied to health costs	Likely a major share – estimated @ 20–30% of the $37 trillion	Based on annual deficits and spending patterns

Given the proportion of the annual cost of health care in the annual budget, it’s clear that unless something is done, health care will continue contributing significantly to the accumulation of our national debt over time – likely representing a substantial portion of the anticipated increase in that $37 trillion that already lies there in front of us! But, the issue does not hang around the neck of seniors. Rather, Congress has gotten into a habitual process of dipping into the SSA reserves to “borrow” funds to cover the national debt (i.e. “robbing Peter to pay Paul” so to speak). It’s been a shell game because the powers that be – on both sides of the aisle – have been reluctant to bring the real issue forward to the American people. But, my argument is – now is the time.

However, before I take us to a potential solution, let’s consider the impact of the programs on the health of the nation:

SSA Offers Stability for Elders and the Disabled – Social Security is a government program that each and every one of us who are employed contributes to throughout their lifetime. It’s the “forced” retirement package so that when our earning years begin to decline, we have a nest egg we can dip into for ongoing financial resources. For example, I was a contributor and, now I’m a dipper. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is reaching an important milestone this year as it celebrates its 90^th birthday. I don’t think I’m overstating when I note that the SSA is one of the most remarkable programs in the world. Since the founding of the program in 1935, Social Security has served as the primary cornerstone of economic security for millions of Americans. It has assisted our older cohort of American citizens to retire with dignity as well as providing support to those with disabilities and families in their transitions after the loss of a loved one. In today’s world, roughly 67 million or 19.7% of American citizens receive benefits from the program. Not only is it the bedrock support for the retirement years but it also offers “stability and care in uncertain times”. I started contributing to the program when I was 13 years of age with my first job (aside from delivering papers on a daily basis for the 4 years prior) at our local grocery store [NOTE: we started young back in those days]. At the time, I wondered why I was doing this. Now, a bunch of years later, I totally understand.

Health Coverage Expansion – The same goes for Medicare (1960) and Medicaid (also, 1960) – two of the most important health care programs in the USA. They were created under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” programs and, have had deep and lasting impacts on the USA population across the spectrum of health, economics, and social equity. Before 1965, roughly half of Americans over 65 had no health insurance, and seniors often faced poverty due to medical bills. Today, nearly all older Americans are covered through Medicare, dramatically reducing uninsured rates in this group. Kudos to the policymakers for creating such a successful program.

Medicaid then followed as a program to support low-income individuals, families, and people with disabilities. Originally, it was a rather small program but over the years has grown to now cover 1 in 4 Americans, including many children, pregnant women and individuals with chronic illnesses. The Affordable Care Act (2010) expanded eligibility in many states and significantly increased coverage for low-income adults. Now, I realize there are lots of perspectives about this program in particular but I was always taught to “love one another as ourselves” – and, it seems to me that if we want to have a “society”, providing some assurance that all of us have “some” access to resources and “some” measure of support from the society is an obligation as part of our membership in that society. But, let me get back to details rather than devolving into “preaching” mode…

Societal Health Outcomes and Longevity Have Increased – Since the 1960s, a person reaching 65 could expect to live another 14 years but today it’s closer to 20 years. Why? Because access to hospital care, preventive services, and prescription drugs through Medicare has made a major contribution by providing access to care. And, it’s not just the elderly. It’s also infants and children through the Medicaid program where access to good prenatal and pediatric care has reduced infant mortality and improved early childhood health outcomes.

Enhanced Economic Security – Prior to the provision of Medicare, medical costs were a leading cause of elderly poverty. Furthermore, Medicaid plays a major role in keeping low-income families above the poverty line by covering medical costs that would otherwise be catastrophic. And, the coverage has extended across all segments of our society from the central city to the remote hinterlands of the rural areas across the nation. 

Social Equity and Inclusion – I’ve already laid my cards on the table so harangue me if you will…but, I do believe in “social compacts”. As I’ve traveled around the world, I have been proud of our accomplishments as a society on “diversity”, “equity” and “inclusion”. So, despise me if you want but, the whole of society has improved through desegregation which created an avenue for those less fortunate by accelerating racial integration in healthcare in the late 1960s. And, as I’ve noted, it was not only “racial” integration but also the integration of people with disabilities and others in need of adequate care. 

So, let’s cut to the chase! The elephant in the room is that Medicare and Medicaid together now account for about one-quarter of our total federal spending. That’s an enormous anchor around the neck of the American people and the Congress who is responsible for setting policy. It’s also easy to lay off the problem onto the disabled, the newborn infants, children living in poverty, those who are unemployed because they are in many, many respects far less powerful and their voices are often not heard nearly so well in the halls of the U.S. Congress…so, it’s easier to pass the buck onto the weak among us.

Which takes us to a potential solution that will mitigate some of the problems and, simultaneously, push in a different direction by enhancing value and decreasing costs simultaneously. And, that solution is to begin a very serious discussion about moving health care towards a “value-based” payment for services that supports quality, addresses social determinants of health (SDOH) – which are a known commodity for increasing the cost of care, provides for equity and encourages efficiency. It’s a discussion that is percolating up but needs a higher temperature on the burner!! And, the growing federal deficit is that kind of burner.

In fact, we don’t have clear answers on how to effectively implement “value-based care”. So, let’s facilitate experimentation. Let’s create SDOH mitigation programs. Let’s look at more efficient ways of offering care. Let’s put it all on the table. And, who is the “us”? It’s the healthcare community. It’s our responsibility as professionals providing the care for all and as members of society to show that we can help solve the problem. And, finally, within that dialogue I’m confident that we will identify other solutions that help move the needle and make all of us stronger and better by making our society better and stronger. Enough said!! 

In sum, I am arguing that Medicare and Medicaid fundamentally changed the U.S. social contract by making healthcare a guaranteed right for older adults, people with disabilities, children, and many low-income Americans. Those programs have extended life expectancy, reduced poverty, improved health equity, and reshaped the healthcare system – while also introducing significant fiscal and policy challenges that continue today. It’s time for the healthcare community to step up and find the solutions…

Unvaccinated Patients Willing To Be Immunized During ED Visits – A new study was recently published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. A survey was conducted during emergency department-based visits by more than 3,000 adult patients. The survey revealed that nearly 90% had missed at least one CDC-recommended vaccine and nearly half (46.4%) indicated that they were willing to obtain the vaccinations based on the CDC recommendations for their particular age group. It’s a lesson for the office. If you simply “ask”, they may follow through. Consider it…

Extending Our Care – Like many of my readers, I am the proud parent of two Glen of Imaal Terriers! Because of the rarity of their breed in the USA, I am frequently asked about them. I’ve actually prepared business cards with their pictures and, an explanation. In addition, we frequently introduce them as our “retirement children”. Toto (= Toran Torme) and Lole (Locklan Leigh) are truly the most wonderful companions. So, why are they mentioned in my blog which is focused on health care? It’s because of an interesting finding that I learned about through the South China Morning Post via Getty Images. Unbeknownst to me, about 3 million Americans live with cardiac pacemakers. They are the small, implanted discs that keep many – including me – alive with a regular heartbeat by offering a stimulus if the heart rate slows down too much. I can personally attest to their effectiveness!! And, they have literally improved the quality of life for many, many of those Americans. BUT, did you know that these same devices can be reused in dogs​ by simply donating them to veterinary clinics with dog cardiologists? Yes, indeed!! Even though Toto and Lole will not live as long as me, they may outlive me. I’m checking this one out further… 😊

Reducing Cognitive Impairment Risk Among Older Adults – The August 9 issues of  The New York Times reported a recent study reported in Nature Human Behavior on 57 studies suggesting that the use of everyday digital technology is associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults. Specifically, it was noted that people over age 50 that use “… computers, smartphones, the internet or a mix did better on cognitive tests, with lower rates of cognitive impairment or dementia diagnoses, than those who avoided technology or used it less often.” Nearly 90% of the studies analyzed noted the “protective cognitive effect” derived from the ongoing use of digital technologies in everyday life. It was also noted that the use of digital technology “…may also protect brain health by fostering social connections, known to help stave off cognitive decline.” So, I guess I’ll stick with it for a bit longer…