WVON

As the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant social restrictions have declined in much of the world, other viruses have been making headlines. Flu, RSV, monkeypox and norovirus are among a number of illnesses to have spiked in… recent months. Health experts say COVID-19 restrictions could have reduced exposure and lowered immunity to infectious diseases, making society more vulnerable to new outbreaks. Now, as pandemic-induced restrictions have eased and usual habits resumed, viruses that were in retreat have found a fertile breeding ground in newly social and travel-hungry hosts.

Generally speaking, people in good health rarely need medications or have the need to see a specialist. So, it’s probably natural that most give little thought to selecting a primary care provider. At some point,… though, everyone is going to feel under the weather, which might call for a medical opinion. Primary care providers manage day-to-day health needs. A long-term relationship with one keeps you healthier and lowers medical costs. They can teach you ways to stay healthy, treat you when you’re sick and help you get more advanced care when you need it. The relationship you build with your primary care provider is one of the most important ones you’ll ever have.

Racism is recognized as an important social determinant of health and key driver of health inequities. A comprehensive examination of systemic, intersecting disparities in professional medical culture begins with the examination of exclusion and discrimination in… medical education and training. It becomes apparent that a discussion of race and class needs to be included in medical education in order to fully understand health as a site of structural oppression. Furthermore, the absence of medical education on racial oppression only strengthens racial conceptions based on biological understandings rather than disproving social constructs that have long been rooted in racism. Taking action against health disparities requires understanding of the history of racism in medicine and the causes of race-bias patient care and racialized health disparities.

More than 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) get diagnosed in the United States every year. In addition, more than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Partaking in risky… behaviors increases chances for getting STI or HIV infection and transmission. Adolescents, young adults, and men who have sex with men are at higher risk of getting STIs. Screening for STDs can help assess a person’s risk for getting HIV. Treatment of STDs is important to prevent the complications of those infections, and to prevent transmission to partners, but it should not be expected to prevent spread of HIV. There are lots of ways to reduce chances of getting infected with STIs and HIV.

COVID-19 may be primarily a respiratory illness, but its reach extends far beyond the lungs. Since the pandemic’s onset, it has become clear to neurologists that the pervasive disease can impact even our most precious… organ—the brain. The neurologic and psychiatric complications of COVID-19 are incredibly diverse and sometimes persist long after patients recover from their initial infections. Studying the mechanisms behind how these complications arise is urgently needed for helping those struggling with lingering symptoms. Many patients are desperate to get back to their normal lives, and it’s very frustrating for them that targeted therapies for their conditions are currently lacking.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women, as well as the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Although mortality rates have decreased nationwide, there is an existing breast cancer mortality disparity… in Chicago for Black women compared to their White counterparts. Institutions and organizations have implemented interventions to address this disparity, bring awareness to the issue, and increase access to early breast cancer screening. Early detection is critical and medical guidelines recommend that women should receive regular screening with breast imaging. Breast health is a vital part of every women’s healthcare plan. Discussing breast health as well as the recommended timing and frequency of screening tests with your doctor is essential.

Health literacy is essential to making appropriate health decisions by understanding and interpreting their health information. Promoting health literacy, especially among Black communities should be a key part of health equity strategies. As part of developing… interventions and tailoring health communication approaches, it should be addressed both by the health system and the community that can be culturally engaged. It is ultimately necessary to address broader systemic barriers, develop supportive institutions, and formulate policies to eliminate systemic racism to achieve sustainable improvements in health literacy. Health care systems play an important role in eliminating disparities in health literacy by considering the needs and preferences of the community.

Alcohol and other drug abuse is increasingly recognized as a significant problem for women. According to a 2015 national survey, 5.7% of women have a substance use disorder in the United States. Like other demographic population subgroups, women… in recovery may face unique barriers and distinctive issues from their male counterparts. Women suffering from substance use disorder will have unique experiences and challenges, displaying different issues and needs that may be essential to address in order for them to achieve and maintain long-term recovery. Given women’s unique barriers and pathways to substance use, it is important to identify specific factors of empowerment among women in recovery that promote their recovery process. Participation in aftercare following substance abuse treatment may lead to positive recovery outcomes for women.

Concerns regarding access to care and the disparate treatment of patients because of their race or ethnicity have existed within the medical community since the start of the twentieth century. A number of well-known studies have… demonstrated disparities in the quality and efficacy of healthcare offered to racial and ethnic minorities. In fact, over the past several decades, abundant evidence has emerged that Black patients in the United States tend to fare worse than their White counterparts do after undergoing major surgical procedures. Studies have found 20–50 percent higher rates of mortality among Black patients, compared to White patients. Disparities in surgical care can result in poorer functional outcomes, prolonged rehabilitation, recovery and lower quality of life, particularly for disadvantaged population groups.

More than 1.3 million people in the United States were living with melanoma of the skin in 2019, making it one of the top five most common cancers in the country. However, although there is significant data exist… highlighting the extent of health disparities, there is limited data specifically on dermatologic health disparities. Patients and providers often don’t recognize skin cancer on darker skin. In fact, dermatology is not emphasized in medical schools, with some medical schools devoting 10 curriculum hours or less to dermatology. Because of a lack of awareness of the risks of skin cancer among Black people and clinicians’ lack of experience diagnosing skin conditions in people with darker skin, melanoma for Black patients can go untreated far longer than when it’s identified for White patients. Providers need to know what to look for so they can diagnose as soon as possible.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common complications that occur in pregnancy or in the first 12 months after delivery. Maternal mental health issues are common among Black mothers, in comparison to the United… States national estimates. Despite the negative effects on maternal, obstetric, birth, offspring, partner, and family outcomes, perinatal mental health disorders often remain underdiagnosed, and untreated or under-treated. Available evidence suggests that perinatal mental health issues are more common in low- and middle-income countries. A number of social determinants influence a woman’s risk of experiencing perinatal mental health issues and the likelihood that she will seek and receive adequate treatment. Providing high quality perinatal mental health services is particularly difficult in low-resource settings with limited health workforces.

Babies are born with protection against some diseases because their mothers pass proteins made by the body to fight disease to them before birth. Breastfed babies continue to get more antibodies in breast milk. But in… both cases, the protection is temporary. Vaccination is a way to create protection from some diseases. Some parents may hesitate to have their kids vaccinated. They have questions or worry that a child might have a serious reaction or get the illness the vaccine prevents. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect children from contagious diseases. They are one of the greatest public health achievements, preventing tens of thousands of deaths, millions of cases of disease, and saving billions of dollars per decade.