healthcare Archives - Amazing Health Advances

New Report Exposes the Frightening Dangers of Wireless Radiation

The AHA! Team — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:41:38 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Much of the research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is performed on dead tissue. Dead tissue will not respond to non-ionizing radiation the way live tissue does because electron transport can’t occur. This leads to inaccurate conclusions. Modern healthcare It seems that whenever you start investigating a money trail within the world of “modern healthcare” or big business, the results usually reveal lies and corruption. For example, big pharma, our so-called government health agencies, big food producers, and now the telecom industry are filled with deceptive practices. All of these examples represent multi-billion dollar industries. But, more significantly, all of these entities have been caught lying to the public and compromising our health in the process. A recent peer-reviewed scientific report is upsetting the telecom industry with evidence that non-ionizing radiation can harm humans. Is electromagnetic radiation harmless? Industry paid for “science” says NO The report’s author, Paul Héroux, Ph.D., is an associate professor of medicine at McGill University in Montreal. He is also a medical scientist at the university’s Health Center Surgery Department and has an impressive professional pedigree. In the report, Héroux tackled the telecom industry’s arguments of denying any adverse impact on health caused by electromagnetic radiation. And he countered them with what he calls “solid physics.” The results are compelling. He determined that the adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health are “inevitable” and possible at levels much lower than those the industry has deemed safe. Flawed research on wireless radiation puts public health at risk Much of the research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is performed on dead tissue. Dead tissue will not respond to non-ionizing radiation the way live tissue does because electron transport can’t occur. This leads to inaccurate conclusions. Researchers have created a large body of erroneous evidence by ignoring basic science and physics principles, risking people’s health. Worse, the current regulatory limits use this inaccurate information as a basis for determining what is safe and what is harmful. Outdated testing methods fail to reflect real-world exposure Another critical issue lies in how wireless radiation exposure is measured. Many studies assess only the thermal effects – how much radiation heats tissue – while ignoring non-thermal biological impacts. However, research shows that even low radiation levels, far below the heating threshold, can disrupt cellular function and damage DNA over time. By relying on outdated testing methods that overlook these biological effects, regulatory agencies continue to approve exposure limits that fail to account for long-term health risks. This oversight may leave the public vulnerable to serious health consequences from daily wireless radiation exposure. Cell phones are not as innocuous as we have been led to believe The truth about wireless radiation exposure cannot stay suppressed much longer. As more data is being introduced and the lies we’ve been fed come to light, the deception will be exposed. For most people, their cell phone is everything – telephone, banker, search engine, bill paying mechanism, and entertainment. However, there are ways to reduce your exposure to radiation from your cell phone: Reduce your wireless device usage – less time equals less exposure Reduce the proximity of your device to your head by using a wired headset, earpiece, or speakerphone Put a greater distance between your body and wireless devices Opt for texting or instant messaging as opposed to talking (if not using the speakerphone) As often as possible, keep your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings turned “off” Simply put, the telecommunications industry will be forced to do better when consumers demand safer devices. Sources for this article include: Cell.com Childrenshealthdefense.org To read the original article click here.

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Four Advances That Could Change Tuberculosis Treatment

The AHA! Team — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:47:50 +0000

American Chemical Society via EurekAlert! – As of early 2025, tuberculosis cases are increasing in the U.S. As of early 2025, tuberculosis cases are increasing in the U.S. This disease, often shortened to TB, causes significant lung damage and, if not treated, is almost always lethal. World TB Day on March 24 raises awareness about the disease and commemorates Robert Koch’s discovery of the source bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. More than a century later, scientists continue refining TB diagnosis methods and treatment strategies, some of which are in these four ACS journal articles. Reporters can request free access to these papers by emailing newsroom@acs.org. 1. Fluorescence for a faster TB diagnosis. Currently, testing saliva samples for M. tuberculosis is time-consuming because of the bacterium’s slow growth and resistance to stains used in imaging. To develop a faster method, researchers targeted a protein that the bacterium uses to steal iron ions from its host’s cells. In a study published in ACS Central Science, the team explains how to label the iron-transporter protein with a fluorescent tag, which turns on after releasing the iron inside the M. tuberculosis cells. In separate tests on saliva from 11 people diagnosed with TB, the fluorescence technique identified infectious levels of the bacterium within 10 minutes. 2. White blood cell-focused M. tuberculosis therapy. A type of white blood cell called a macrophage gets taken over during a tuberculosis infection, becoming an incubator for the pathogen. So, researchers report in ACS Infectious Diseases that they have developed sugar-coated nanoparticles that get absorbed by infected macrophages. And once inside, the nanoparticles interrupted critical cellular pathways and prompted the damaged cells to be recycled. In infected mice, 6 weeks of nanoparticle treatment significantly reduced the amount of M. tuberculosis in the lungs. 3. A potential nasal treatment for tuberculous meningitis. If M. tuberculosis reaches cerebrospinal fluid, the result can be tuberculous meningitis — a life-threatening inflammation around a person’s brain and spinal cord. To get the TB drug clofazimine across the blood-brain barrier, researchers have encapsulated it inside tiny particles and created a nasal spray. According to their study in ACS infectious Diseases, the spray didn’t adversely affect mice with tuberculous meningitis. A 4-week treatment significantly reduced the bacterial burden within the animals’ brains and lungs compared to untreated mice. 4. Light-activated particles inactivate bacteria. Many new TB cases are multidrug resistant. So, a research team wanted to improve treatment efficacy and reduce the risk of further antimicrobial resistance by creating a photoreactive therapy. They encapsulated light-activated particles inside nanometer-wide spheres. When the nanospheres were injected into mice, red laser light triggered the particles to produce reactive oxygen species that inactivated Mycobacterium marinum, a bacterium that causes TB-like illness in fish. The initial animal study results are published in ACS Omega. Additionally in March 2025, ACS Webinars and ACS Publications co-hosted a virtual event, “Disrupt & Destroy: Starving Tuberculosis with Smarter Science,” about innovative drug strategies and cutting-edge TB research. The webinar is available to watch on demand. ### Journal ACS Central Science To read the original article click here.

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Halotherapy: Discover the Amazing Healing Power of Salt

The AHA! Team — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:04:10 +0000

Dr. Veronique Desaulniers via NaturalHealth365 – Have you heard about halotherapy? “Halo” literally means “salt” in Greek. For centuries, monks there and elsewhere in Europe used naturally occurring “salt caverns” in their local regions to heal respiratory conditions and skin ailments and energize the mind. Now, modern healthcare providers are getting into the act, offering “salt room therapies” for common health issues like, COPD and other breathing problems. Can natural salt really help you heal from chronic health issues? Centuries of practical use and modern research say “yes” – and here’s why. Halotherapy inside the modern “Salt Cave” is enhanced by technology These days, a person doesn’t need to seek out a cave to benefit from salt’s healing effects. Many modern “salt rooms” (called “halotherapy” or “speleotherapy” clinics) use “therapeutic dry saline aerosol microclimate” technology to ionize the air in specialized rooms and saturate it with low levels of NaCl (i.e., salt). The total environment in the salt room, including temperature, humidity, and salt concentration, is controlled by trained professionals through computer monitors based on the patient’s needs. Europe has a long and colorful history with salt therapy. In addition to the monks’ testimonies, in the 1840s, Dr. Felix Bochkowsky, a Polish occupational health doctor, noticed that salt miners were healthier than the average person, in stark contrast to their unfortunate coworkers in the metal and coal industries. Then, during World War II, salt mines were used as bomb shelters in Germany, and the same basic phenomenon was discovered. When asthmatics reemerged from the mines after the threat was over, they breathed easier and were in better overall health. Halotherapy is growing in popularity, and science validates its healing power In the 1950s, a slew of mostly Russian research studies verified the health benefits of salt. As a result, halotherapy chambers began to open en masse in Eastern Europe. Soon, halotherapy became part of many Eastern European countries’ prepaid socialized medical systems. Today, “speleotherapy” clinics can be found throughout Eastern Europe, including Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Poland. Salt rooms (and caves) are scattered throughout the United States, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved salt as a “recognizable medical treatment.” Halotherapy “salt rooms” are mostly found in American spas and beauty centers. Salt loads the environment with healing and life-affirming negative ions Have you ever wondered why a trip to the beach always feels so refreshing? In large part, the invigoration you feel near the sea has to do with negative ions released through massive amounts of salt water. In the same way, dry salt releases negative ions into the air, which is a large part of why salt is so healing to the body. These ions can attach themselves to harmful bacteria, mold spores, viruses, and other positively charged airborne toxins. As the air becomes saturated with negative ions, the load becomes too heavy for harmful positively charged pathogens, and they simply float away. These kinds of airborne pathogens, as well as man-made chemical pollutants, are the real harm behind indoor and outdoor air pollution. Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), based on half a million individual patient records, long-term exposure to pollutants in the air can lead directly to cardiopulmonary disease and lung cancer. On the other hand, being immersed in and breathing natural salt can greatly improve many chronic respiratory diseases and other chronic conditions. By the way, if indoor air pollution is a big problem for you … be sure to use a high quality indoor air purification system to keep your immediate air space clean. Dry salt “Dry salt goes deep into the recesses of your lungs,” says Ulle Pukk, cofounder of the US-based Salt Therapy Association, in an interview with Harpers-Bazarre. “It absorbs impurities from your body and helps break up mucus so you can cough out toxins. When you have clean lungs, you get more oxygen, which gives you more energy, impacts every organ in your body, and improves overall well-being.” Use a salt lamp in your home to get the benefits of halotherapy Salt therapy is 100% natural and safe for people of all ages, including babies. One easy way to enjoy salt’s benefits every day is to buy a Himalayan salt lamp for your home or office. These lamps are usually illuminated by a candle or soft light bulb placed in a hole in the middle and can add up to 300 times more negative ions to your indoor space. Their wonderful glow is relaxing, and you will also receive the many benefits of salt for more health and a vibrant, energized life! Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov Intechopen.com Halotherapysolutions.com Saltroom.com Harpersbazaar.com To read the original article click here.

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Chemotherapy May Fuel Cancer Regrowth: New Research Reveals Disturbing Findings

The AHA! Team — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 05:27:38 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – According to current statistics, about one million people a year (in the U.S. alone) undergo chemotherapy in an attempt to beat cancer. Yet this toxic treatment has a poor success rate in treating most kinds of cancer, and its benefits can be short-lived. Making the picture even grimmer is the fact that cancer recurrence after chemotherapy is frequently deadly. Now, from the front lines of cancer research comes the disturbing news that one particular type of chemotherapy can actually lead to cancer regrowth and recurrence. One approach to treating cancer creates a breeding ground for cancer stem cells Chemotherapy-induced senescence, often touted as a new weapon in cancer therapy, involves “putting cancer cells to sleep.” The protocol is intended to place cancer cells in a state of arrested growth, where they are alive but not dividing. While senescence is supposed to prevent further cancerous growth, new research shows that it can serve as a sort of “nursery” and safe harbor for cancer stem cells – the most dangerous and treatment-resistant type of cancer cells. A pair of recent studies reveal the consequences of therapy-induced senescence. In an explosive article published in Frontiers in Oncology, Markus Schosserer, Ph.D., wrote that there is ample evidence that senescent cancer cells can produce inflammatory molecules that promote a rich environment for cancer regrowth. In a breakthrough German study published in Nature, the team presented startling conclusions: senescence not only helps cancer cells avoid death but actually transforms them into cancer stem cells. This is very bad news, as stem cells – which can break from a tumor and metastasize throughout the body – are also the most resistant to treatment. Cancer cells can “outmaneuver” induced senescence In the German study, researchers examined human lymphoma cells treated with drugs to induce senescence and discovered they were developing “stemness.” In other words, the lymphoma cells started to express genes vital for maintaining stem cell function. When the team “released” the cancer cells from senescence, they discovered an alarming outcome. The cells began to multiply again – and more rapidly than those that had not become senescent. Although senescence is supposed to be irreversible, the team found evidence that cancer cells can escape it on their own – without the help of the genetic manipulation they used. Testament to this unfortunate possibility is that the scientists found more previously senescent stem cells in tumor patients after lymphoma recurred than had existed in the same individuals when they received their initial treatment. This demonstrated to the scientists that at least some cells had “figured out” how to outwit senescence. Noted professor of experimental oncology Dr. Jan Paul Medema commented, ‘There is compelling evidence … that … when cancer cells escape from senescence, they have an enhanced ability to drive tumor growth.’ Study leader Dr. Clemens A. Schmitt reported that switching off a specific cell signaling pathway could work to neutralize stemness in the previously senescent cells. However, there is no doubt that the study findings pose a definite setback for a formerly promising protocol. In addition, other studies have emerged showing that chemotherapy can do more harm than good. Chemotherapy for breast cancer can spread cancer cells A common protocol for breast cancer patients is to surgically remove tumors after chemo has been administered. The theory is that the chemo will help shrink the tumor while preventing the spread of cancer throughout the body. However, the treatment may accomplish the opposite effect. The toxic chemo drugs may actually switch on a repair mechanism – creating more blood vessel pathways and permitting tumors to grow back even stronger. In a study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, researchers found that chemotherapy triggered the circulation of more cancer cells throughout the lungs and the body. Chemotherapy features toxic side effects The American Cancer Society acknowledges that chemotherapy damages healthy cells – and reports that chemotherapy side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, hair loss, fertility problems, chronic fatigue, and infections. Neutropenia, the most serious side effect, involves the depletion of white blood cells needed to fight diseases and infections. Weight changes and mood changes – with depression, memory loss, and inability to concentrate – may also occur. Normal cells damaged by chemotherapy Normal cells most likely to be damaged by chemotherapy are cells in hair follicles, blood-forming cells in the bone marrow, cells in the mouth and digestive tract, and cells in the reproductive system. Experts report that in some situations – for example, the early stages of colorectal cancer – chemotherapy has been shown to provide some benefit, granting extra years of life. But on the whole, chemotherapy yields disappointing results and may even exacerbate cancer cell growth – as shown in this pair of startling studies. Editor’s note: Discover the many natural ways to stop cancer cell growth, own the Stop Cancer Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Medicalnewstoday.com Sciencedaily.com Cancer.org To read the original article click here.

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New Test Can Rapidly & Accurately Diagnose Bacterial Meningitis

The AHA! Team — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:36:55 +0000

Amsterdam University Medical Center via News-Medical – The distinction between bacterial meningitis and similar conditions is often difficult for doctors. Until now, reliable diagnostic tests that could quickly distinguish were lacking. Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have developed a new diagnostic test that can quickly and accurately diagnose bacterial meningitis. The test measures the CRP protein in cerebrospinal fluid, a protein that is already often tested in blood to detect bacterial infections. Research shows that elevated CRP in cerebrospinal fluid is a very reliable indicator of bacterial meningitis. Currently it often takes a long time before meningitis is diagnosed, which delays the start of adequate treatment. The study is published today in The Lancet Regional Health Europe. Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening condition in which one in six patients die and half of the survivors have residual symptoms. Thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The distinction between bacterial meningitis and similar conditions is often difficult for doctors. Until now, reliable diagnostic tests that could quickly distinguish were lacking.” – Matthijs Brouwer, last author and Amsterdam UMC neurologist Reliable indicator Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have discovered that the CRP protein in cerebrospinal fluid is a very reliable indicator of bacterial meningitis. CRP is already frequently tested in blood to detect bacterial infections, but the value of this test in cerebrospinal fluid had not been well researched until now. After previous successful laboratory tests, the researchers now showed that the device that measures CRP in blood is also sensitive enough to measure CRP in cerebrospinal fluid. “It is a huge gain that the existing infrastructure of the laboratory can be used for the CRP measurements in cerebrospinal fluid. As a result, the test result is already known half an hour after the epidural and the correct treatment of the patient can therefore be started quickly,” says Brouwer. Daily practice Since June 2024, the new test has been used in the daily practice of the Amsterdam UMC. In the study published today, researchers describe how the test was introduced and how effective it is in practice. “Our results show that all patients with bacterial meningitis had an elevated CRP in their cerebrospinal fluid. This was the case in only a few patients without bacterial meningitis, ” adds Brouwer. The test also proved reliable in additional studies in children and patients from at Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark. Broad application in hospitals It is expected that more hospitals will adopt the test, because it can easily be performed in laboratories with existing equipment. The test only costs between three and five euros, providing an affordable and accessible solution to diagnose and treat bacterial meningitis faster. “Any laboratory in which CRP is measured in blood can introduce this test for cerebrospinal fluid tomorrow. We could not have predicted in advance that a new diagnostic test would be used in patients within a year of its discovery,” concludes Brouwer. Source: Amsterdam University Medical Center Journal reference: Olie, S. E., et al. (2025). Validation and clinical implementation of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis: a prospective diagnostic accuracy study. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101309. To read the original article click here.

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Eye Cells “Rewire” Themselves When Vision Begins to Fail

The AHA! Team — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:19:44 +0000

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences via Newswise – Mouse study reveals how retinal neurons adapt by forming new connections during early stages of inherited blindness Retinal cells can rewire themselves Scientists at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have discovered that certain retinal cells can rewire themselves when vision begins to deteriorate in retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that leads to progressive blindness. In a study using mouse models, researchers found that rod bipolar cells, neurons that normally receive signals from rods that provide night vision, can form new functional connections with cones that provide daytime vision when their usual partners stop working. The study appears in Current Biology. Why it matters Retinitis pigmentosa affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of inherited blindness. While the disease often progresses slowly, with some patients maintaining a surprising amount of usable vision into middle age, little is known about how retinal circuits adapt to cell loss. Understanding these natural adaptation mechanisms could reveal new targets for treatments aimed at preserving vision. What the study did Researchers used rhodopsin knockout mice that model early retinitis pigmentosa, where rod cells cannot respond to light and degeneration proceeds slowly. They made electrical recordings from individual rod bipolar cells, neurons that normally connect to rods, to see how these cells behaved when their usual input was lost. The team also used additional mouse models lacking different components of rod signaling to determine what triggers the rewiring process. They supported their single-cell findings with whole-retina electrical measurements. What they found Rod bipolar cells in mice lacking functional rods showed large-amplitude responses driven by cone cells instead of their normal rod inputs. These rewired responses were strong and had the expected electrical characteristics of cone-driven signals. The rewiring occurred specifically in mice with rod degeneration, but not in other mouse models that lacked rod light responses without actual cell death. This suggests that the cellular rewiring is triggered by the degeneration process itself, rather than simply the absence of light responses or broken synapses. The findings complement the research team’s previous 2023 work showing that individual cone cells can remain functional even after severe structural changes in later disease stages. Together, these studies reveal that retinal circuits maintain function through different adaptation mechanisms at various stages of disease progression. The research shows that retinal adaptation occurs through different mechanisms at various disease stages, which could help scientists identify new targets for preserving vision in patients with inherited retinal diseases. From the experts “Our findings show that the retina adapts to the loss of rods in ways that attempt to preserve daytime light sensitivity in the retina,” said senior author A.P. Sampath, PhD of the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. “When the usual connections between rod bipolar cells and rods are lost, these cells can rewire themselves to receive signals from cones instead. The signal for this plasticity appears to be degeneration itself, perhaps through the role of glial support cells or factors released by dying cells.” What’s next One of the open questions is whether this rewiring represents a general mechanism used by the retina when rods die. The group is currently exploring this possibility with other mutant mice that carry mutations to rhodopsin and other rod proteins that are known to cause retinitis pigmentosa in humans. About the study Published in Current Biology (2025). “Photoreceptor degeneration induces homeostatic rewiring of rod bipolar cells.” DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.057 About the Research Team Paul J. Bonezzi, Rikard Frederiksen, Annabelle N. Tran, Kyle Kim, Gordon L. Fain, and Alapakkam P. Sampath from the Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Paul J. Bonezzi and Rikard Frederiksen contributed equally to this work. Funding and Disclosures This work was supported by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health USA (EY36811 and EY01844) and an unrestricted grant by Research to Prevent Blindness to the UCLA Department of Ophthalmology. The authors have no disclosures. To read the original article click here.

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Knee Arthroscopic Surgery for Meniscus Tears

The AHA! Team — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:36:09 +0000

Georgia M. Beasley, MD, MHSc, via Duke Health – The knee is one of the most commonly injured parts of the body, and meniscus tears are often the cause of knee pain and knee injury. The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock between the shin bone and thigh bone and distributes weight across the knee joint. When this cartilage tears, it can cause pain and instability in the knee joint. Meniscus tears can result from a twisting injury in sporting activities, such as football or soccer, or even something as simple as turning to put the dishes away. Symptoms of Meniscus Tears People of all ages can suffer from meniscus injuries, but each age has different types of tears and different ways to treat the tears. Almost all tears have similar symptoms, including: Pain Swelling Tenderness Giving way Mechanical symptoms, such as locking, popping, and catching Diagnosing a Meniscus Tear When you experience these symptoms, it is important to see an orthopaedic surgeon so your knee can be examined and an accurate diagnosis made. Occasionally, the diagnosis is obvious based upon a description of the injury and an examination of the patient. However, X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are frequently used to help identify any other associated injuries. Most common findings The most common findings on exam include tenderness over the joint line where the meniscus is torn, swelling, and sometimes loss of motion. The most important to report is whether you have mechanical symptoms such as episodes of feeling like your knee is caught or stuck. Once the diagnosis of a meniscus tear is made, you should discuss your treatment plan with your orthopaedic surgeon. For most people who have a symptomatic meniscus tear with mechanical symptoms, arthroscopic surgery is selected to remove or repair the torn tissue. However, if you have arthritis, you may benefit from injection and physical therapy without surgery. Arthroscopy has revolutionized how knee surgery is performed. In the past, a torn meniscus required a three- to four-inch incision and an overnight stay (or two) in the hospital. Now, the meniscus tear can be repaired with the arthroscope through two tiny (less than a half-inch) incisions. The surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis in less than an hour. Typically, the surgery can be performed under regional anesthesia with sedation, so there’s minimal anesthesia risk. Occasionally, small stitches can be placed into the torn meniscus to sew it back together; this technique can successfully treat large tears in younger people. If the tear is small, it may be removed. Quick Recovery Time Recovery from arthroscopic meniscus tear surgery is relatively quick, and most people can resume normal activities within a few weeks depending on the size of the tear and the repair involved. The pain relief is dramatic, and the postoperative incision pain is quite minimal. Physical therapy is often necessary in the recovery process. As with any surgery, there are risks, including the risk of infection or blood clots. Additionally, there are risks associated with anesthesia used during the surgical procedure. While meniscus tears are common, painful, and activity-limiting, these injuries can be quickly, easily, and successfully identified and treated. To read the original article click here.

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Americans Borrowed $74 Billion Last Year to Cover Healthcare Costs

The AHA! Team — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 05:28:31 +0000

West Health Institute via EurekAlert! – West Health-Gallup survey finds millions worried about medical debt – About 6 in 10 adults who borrowed money for healthcare borrowed $500 or more. March 5, 2025 More than 31 million Americans (12%) report needing to borrow about $74 billion last year to pay for healthcare despite most having some form of health insurance, according to a new survey from West Health and Gallup. Nearly one-third (28%) report being “very concerned” that a major health event could throw them into debt. The survey found almost 20% of Americans aged 49 and under needed to borrow money to cover medical costs compared with just 9% of those 50 to 64. Women between the ages of 50 and 64 were twice as likely as men in the same age group to say they had to borrow (12% vs. 6%). Two percent of Medicare-eligible adults (those over the age of 65) reported having to borrow. Need of policy reform “Too many Americans are racking up medical debt whether they have health insurance or not,” said Tim Lash, President, West Health Policy Center, part of West Health, a family of nonprofit organizations focused on healthcare and aging. “A high-priced healthcare system that requires Americans to take out loans or make painful tradeoffs just to stay healthy is in desperate need of policy reform or things will get even worse.” Black (23%) and Hispanic adults (16%) were significantly more likely to report having borrowed money than White (9%) adults. The biggest disparities were found among adults under the age of 50. Black adults aged 18-49 (29%) were the biggest borrowers followed by Hispanic adults (19%) and White adults (14%) in the same age range. Americans with children under the age of 18 were twice as likely to report borrowing compared to households with no children (19% vs. 8%). Breakdown of Borrowing Americans collectively borrowed about $74 billion to pay for healthcare last year, with more than half (58%) borrowing $500 or more and 41% borrowing $1,000 or more. Fourteen percent borrowed $5,000 or more. Concerns Over Medical Debt Across Age, Race and Income Most Americans (58%) report being at least somewhat concerned that a major health event could land them in debt, including 28% who say they are “very concerned.” Concerns span income levels, with more than six in 10 households with annual incomes under $120,000 worried. Fewer higher earners were concerned, but 40% of households making over $180,000 report they too have concerns. Even with Medicare eligibility, more than half (52%) of people aged 65 or older say they are at least somewhat concerned they could go into medical debt if they suffered a major health event. Concerns also run high among Black adults (62%), Hispanic adults (63%) and women (62%). Only 14% of respondents say they are not concerned at all. “It is clear that high healthcare costs continue to burden the American people, and financial insecurity around care is not limited to any one demographic,” said Dan Witters, director of wellbeing research at Gallup. “These findings underscore the need for solutions that make healthcare more affordable for all Americans.” Methodology The West Health-Gallup Survey was conducted via web Nov. 11-18, 2024, with a nationally representative sample of 3,583 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The margin of sampling error is ±2.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. About West Health Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations that include the Gary and Mary West Foundation and Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality and affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Learn more at westhealth.org. About Gallup Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world. Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system. To read the original article click here.

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What Parents Should Know About Newborn Hearing Screenings

The AHA! Team — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:09:29 +0000

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles via Newswise – Early detection of hearing loss in children is imperative. Learn what the result of your kid’s hearing test means—and what you need to do about it next. In the United States, approximately 3 out of every 1,000 infants are born with hearing loss. Surprisingly, over 90% of these children are born to parents who themselves have normal hearing. As mandated by state regulations, newborn hearing screenings are performed in all hospitals where babies are delivered. These screenings are essential for early detection, which Kristina Rousso, AuD, an audiologist with the California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CA-LEND) training program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, says is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes in a child’s development. Babies’ brains “From birth, babies’ brains are constantly taking in information to support development of listening, language, and reading,” Dr. Rousso says. Dr. Rousso says that she and her colleagues follow the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Guidelines 1:3:6 model—identification through screening by 1 month of age; diagnosis of hearing level and type with a pediatric audiologist by 3 months of age; and treatment with hearing devices by 6 months of age. What can cause hearing loss at birth? Below are some of the reasons that a baby may be born with hearing loss: Genetic factors Maternal viruses during pregnancy, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella Extended stays in neonatal intensive care, due to risk factors such as low birth weight, lack of oxygen, and phototherapy treatment Two types of newborn hearing screenings There are two primary types of newborn hearing screenings: otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR). “Both are painless, fast, and easy to measure,” Dr. Rousso says. Otoacoustic emissions involves playing different sounds into the baby’s ear to detect a response from the inner ear Auditory brainstem response measures the brain’s response to sounds and volume levels through electrodes placed on the baby’s head during sleep. Hearing screenings provide a “pass” or “refer” result. Here is what each means. Pass: A “pass” indicates your baby likely has normal to near-normal hearing. “However,” Dr. Rousso says, “it’s still important to monitor speech and language development and the baby’s responses to different sounds in the environment.” If your baby does not respond to sounds appropriately at home, or their speech and language development is not advancing, schedule a hearing test appointment with a pediatric audiologist, who can evaluate and treat your child for possible hearing loss. Refer: A ”refer” result means that more information is needed to determine if the baby has hearing loss in one or both ears. A second hearing test will be administered before you and your baby are discharged. If the baby does not pass the second time, you will be referred to a pediatric audiologist for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Dr. Rousso emphasizes the importance of promptly taking your baby to a pediatric audiologist for a complete evaluation if the baby does not pass the hearing screen, or if the baby is not developing speech or language. The sooner hearing loss is diagnosed and treated, the faster a baby’s brain can start to develop speech and language. To read the original article click here.

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