01/09/24 - #40

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Switching to Plant-based Diets Means Cleaner Air – and It Could Save More Than 200,000 Lives Around the World

  • Why New Weight Loss Drugs Are Out of Reach for Millions of Older Americans

  • Thousands of Women in the US Stocked Up on Abortion Pills Just in Case They Needed Them, New Research Shows, With Demand Peaking in the Past Couple Years at Times When It Looked Like the Medications Might Become Harder to Get

  • Researchers Say Diabetes Treatment Breakthrough Could Lead to End of Insulin Injections

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Switching to Plant-based Diets Means Cleaner Air – and It Could Save More Than 200,000 Lives Around the World

Starting the new year with healthier eating is a common goal. But did you know that choosing to eat more plants instead of meat can also help our planet? Recent research shows that if more people ate plant-based foods, we could have cleaner air and save over 200,000 lives around the world!

Here’s how it works: Animal farming, especially when there are many animals in one place, creates harmful gases. These gases mix with other bad stuff in the air and form tiny harmful particles. These particles can cause heart disease, lung cancer, and other health problems.

Areas with a lot of animal farming, like some parts of the US, China, and Europe, would see big improvements in air quality if more people ate plant-based diets. Eating less meat can help prevent early deaths and lower the chances of getting sick from poor air and bad diets.

Better air doesn’t just mean better health; it's also good for our jobs and the economy. The study says that if everyone went vegan, we could boost the world's economy by 1%. Cleaner air makes people more productive in their jobs, from farms to factories.

So, what can we do? Changing what we eat is a great start. Eating more plants and less meat also means we won't need expensive machines to clean up pollution from animal farming.

In short, eating more plant-based foods is not only good for you but also for our planet and can help save many lives. It's an important choice for our future.

WEIGHT LOSS

Why New Weight Loss Drugs Are Out of Reach for Millions of Older Americans

There are new drugs that help people lose weight, but many older Americans can't get them because Medicare won't pay for them. These drugs, like Wegovy and Zepbound, are very expensive and only really rich people can afford them right now.

Why Can't Medicare Help?

Medicare is the health insurance that many older people use. But way back in 2003, the government decided that Medicare shouldn't pay for drugs that help with weight loss. They were worried about the cost and if the drugs were safe.

The Big Debate

Now, people are talking about whether Medicare should pay for these drugs. Some say it's too expensive and could use up a lot of Medicare's money. But others think it could save money in the long run by keeping people healthier.

How Do These Drugs Work?

These new drugs work by making people feel full so they eat less. This can help them lose a lot of weight.

Looking for a Solution

Lawmakers and health experts are trying to figure out the best way to help older people get these drugs. They want to find a balance between the cost and helping people be healthier. It's a tough problem, but they're working on it. The hope is that they'll find a way to make these drugs available to more people who need them.

HEALTH

Thousands of Women in the US Stocked Up on Abortion Pills Just in Case They Needed Them, New Research Shows, With Demand Peaking in the Past Couple Years at Times When It Looked Like the Medications Might Become Harder to Get

Recent research shows a big increase in US women getting abortion pills, just in case they need them later. This happened a lot when it seemed like these pills might become hard to get.

Abortion pills, named mifepristone and misoprostol, are used for more than half of all abortions in the US. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at how many women asked for these pills from Aid Access, an online service. Between September 2021 and April 2023, about 48,400 requests were made across the US.

Demand went up a lot around May 2022. That's when people thought the Supreme Court might change the law on abortion. Before this news, about 25 women a day asked for pills. After the news, it was 247 a day.

The research found that most women asking for these pills early were over 30, white, had no kids, and lived in cities. This means not all women who might need these pills are getting them early.

Dr. Daniel Grossman, an expert, said it's good to have these pills ahead of time. It saves the trouble of going to another state or getting them online if pregnant. This idea is still new, and more research is needed to make sure all women who need these pills can get them.

This shows how women are planning ahead for their health care, especially when laws about abortion might change.

Researchers Say Diabetes Treatment Breakthrough Could Lead to End of Insulin Injections

Good news for people with type 1 diabetes! Scientists at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute have made a big discovery. They found a way to use cancer drugs to make the body produce insulin on its own. This could mean an end to the daily insulin shots that many people with diabetes need.

This exciting research is happening in Melbourne, Australia. The scientists are building on what others have already learned. But there's still more work to do. They have to test this new treatment on animals first, to make sure it's safe for people.

Professor Sam El-Osta, the lead researcher, is hopeful. He thinks this treatment could help both kids and adults with diabetes. If it works, people won't need to take insulin shots anymore.

In Australia, about 134,000 people have type 1 diabetes. This new treatment could change their lives. The drugs used in this research are already approved in the USA, which could help get this treatment to people faster.

Experts like Dr. Sof Andrikopoulos are really excited. He says this could be a huge deal for people with type 1 diabetes. It could also help people with type 2 diabetes.

This discovery isn't just about a new treatment. It's about making life easier for people with diabetes. No more shots or constant blood sugar checks. But to make this happen, we need to keep funding diabetes research.

So, while it's not ready yet, this discovery gives a lot of hope. A future without daily insulin shots could be coming!

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.