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Discrimination Rampant in Healthcare; Spring COVID Booster? Lyme Disease Jumps 69%

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Approximately half of U.S. healthcare workers have witnessed discrimination or racism against patients, a survey from the Commonwealth Fund and African American Research Collaborative found.

The number of U.S. teens on weight-loss drugs has rapidly grown following semaglutide’s (Wegovy) approval. (Reuters)

The CDC is weighing whether to offer a spring COVID booster to high-risk Americans. (NBC News)

And HHS is filling multiple vacancies on CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the panel that advises on such decisions. (STAT)

Prevalence of immunosuppression in U.S. adults more than doubled from 2013 to 2021, survey data suggested, rising from 2.7% to 6.6%. (JAMA)

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, has privately expressed concern that President Biden may abandon the proposed menthol cigarette ban to avoid Black voter backlash, according to a report in Politico.

A CDC study found that feelings of depression were more common in adults living alone.

In a shift, some health insurers are seeking out sicker patients, including people with dual-eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid. (Axios)

A stomach cancer study by Columbia’s Sam Yoon, MD, was quietly pulled from publication, yet the surgeon was able to continue publishing flawed data, the New York Times reported.

West Virginia has the highest prevalence of long COVID, at 10.6%, and six other states exceeded 8.8%, CDC survey data indicated.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced an additional $515 million in long COVID funding. (STAT)

The New Hampshire Senate rejected a proposal that would have guaranteed the right to abortion in the state’s constitution. (AP)

In New York City, a medical student was attacked while performing his electric cello in a subway station. (NBC New York)

Documented cases of Lyme disease increased 69% in 2022, likely driven by CDC’s new case definition.

Over an 8-year period, 187 inmates in federal prison died by suicide, according to the Justice Department inspector general’s report.

FDA designated Philips’ recall of its BrightView CT scanners as Class I — it’s most serious designation — as a detector may unexpectedly fall on patients and potentially cause serious injury.

A fertility company that makes a nutrient-rich liquid to help eggs develop into embryos for in vitro fertilization is facing multiple lawsuits alleging the product destroyed embryos instead. (New York Times)

The Justice Department is suing Tennessee for enforcing a state prostitution law that discriminates against people with HIV.

A lactation consultant in Idaho is being investigated for allegedly pushing the unscientific “tongue tie” procedure in babies struggling to breastfeed. (New York Times)

Inside Gaza’s hospital invaded by Israeli troops, five intensive-care patients died after their oxygen was cut off. (AP)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison, according to Russian authorities. His cause of death is still being determined. (AP)

  • Genevieve Friedman is the Opinions Editor at MedPage Today. She is also a member of the content strategy team, co-producer of Anamnesis, and runs the interview series, “Medical Mavericks.” Follow

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Source: MedicalNewsToday.com