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U.S. Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Shows Persistent Racial, Ethnic, and Place-Based Disparities Despite Overall Decline

U.S. Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Shows Persistent Racial, Ethnic, and Place-Based Disparities Despite Overall Decline

A new analysis published in JACC reveals that while overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the U.S. has declined, significant racial, ethnic, and place-based disparities persist. The study, led by George A. Mensah, MD, FACC, director of the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, examined age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) for five racial and/or ethnic groups across 3,110 counties and 21 causes of CVD death from 2000 to 2019. Data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System indicated that in 2019, the ASMR for total CVD was 237.8 deaths per 100,000 individuals. Although mortality decreased for total CVD and 12 of 17 detailed causes, the pace of improvement slowed after 2011. Notably, mortality rates increased for hypertensive heart disease, atrial fibrillation and flutter, stroke, non-rheumatic valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. The Black population experienced the highest mortality rates for t...
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Mercy Health Seeks Registered Nurses for Progressive Care Unit in Oregon, Ohio

Mercy Health Seeks Registered Nurses for Progressive Care Unit in Oregon, Ohio

Mercy Health is actively recruiting Registered Nurses (RNs) for its Progressive Care Unit at St. Charles Hospital in Oregon, Ohio. The role involves providing exceptional nursing care, utilizing strong organizational and leadership skills to assess patient status, and acting as a service line between Med-Surg and ICU units. Responsibilities include determining patient problem priorities, developing and implementing care plans, and ensuring a safe therapeutic environment. Nurses will collaborate with interdisciplinary care teams, conduct initial and ongoing patient assessments, and serve as a point of contact for patient care coordination across hospital departments. Additionally, they will act as patient safety advocates by participating in quality improvement initiatives and administering medications safely. Candidates are required to have current state licensure as an RN, BLS or ACLS certification (ACLS within 6 months of hire), and at least one year of RN experience, with six months in an acute care hos...
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High-Intensity Interval Training Shown to Reverse Coronary Plaque Growth

High-Intensity Interval Training Shown to Reverse Coronary Plaque Growth

A recent randomized controlled trial published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has provided definitive evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can actively shrink atheromatous plaques in patients with coronary artery disease. The study tracked 60 patients who had recently undergone stent placement and found that those assigned to two weekly sessions of supervised HIIT experienced a measurable shrinkage in their coronary plaques, specifically a 9.0 cubic millimeter decrease in total atheroma volume. In contrast, patients following standard preventive guidelines saw a marginal increase of 3.0 cubic millimeters in plaque volume. This research marks a significant advancement in cardiovascular science, as it is the first study to use intravascular ultrasound to demonstrate that vigorous exercise can induce positive remodeling of coronary anatomy. The protocol involved a 10-minute warm-up, followed by four sets of 4-minute intervals at 85 to 95 percent of peak heart rate, separated...
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University of Missouri Advances Molecular Imaging for Personalized Medicine

University of Missouri Advances Molecular Imaging for Personalized Medicine

The University of Missouri's Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Center is at the forefront of advancing molecular imaging, a critical field intersecting molecular biology and medical imaging. This discipline is fundamental to personalized medicine and precision health, enabling non-invasive visualization of the molecular basis of diseases and their responses to treatment. Over the past few decades, molecular imaging has transitioned into clinical practice with FDA approvals for agents like fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for PET imaging in various cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Additional PET agents have also been approved for neurological diseases and other cancers. Beyond PET scans, molecular imaging is utilized in SPECT scans and MRIs. While significant progress has been made in clinical applications, researchers emphasize that current achievements are just the beginning. The future of molecular imaging holds immense potential to enhance drug development, facilitate earlier disease diagno...
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St. Vincent de Paul doubling free health care capacity as demand grows

St. Vincent de Paul doubling free health care capacity as demand grows

Leaders at St. Vincent de Paul are hoping that by opening a second free clinic, they'll meet a rising need and help keep Valley residents out of ERs.
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Providence Health Collaborates with IBM to Integrate AI for Streamlined Hiring Processes

Providence Health Collaborates with IBM to Integrate AI for Streamlined Hiring Processes

Providence Health Collaborates with IBM to Integrate AI for Streamlined Hiring Processes
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Florida Launches Sunshine Genetics Program to Expand Newborn Genetic Screening

Florida Launches Sunshine Genetics Program to Expand Newborn Genetic Screening

Florida has initiated the Sunshine Genetics pilot program, a state-funded project designed to screen newborns for nearly 900 rare genetic conditions using whole-genome sequencing. The program has enrolled its first two families, offering free, voluntary screening that expands significantly upon the state's standard newborn screening of approximately 60 conditions. Administered by the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at Florida State University, the program aims to identify treatable rare diseases earlier in life, thereby reducing diagnostic delays that can often span five to seven years. State Representative Adam Anderson championed the legislation for this program, driven by his personal experience with his son's death from Tay-Sachs disease. The initiative utilizes the same blood sample collected for standard newborn screening, requiring no additional blood draw. Baylor Genetics will provide the whole-genome sequencing, with results and clinical interpretations expected within four to six we...
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Bipolar Disorder: A Lifelong Condition Requiring Ongoing Treatment, Not Self-Resolution

Bipolar Disorder: A Lifelong Condition Requiring Ongoing Treatment, Not Self-Resolution

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition that does not resolve on its own, according to Revive Research Institute, LLC. It is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, encompassing manic highs and depressive lows. While individuals may experience periods of stability, known as 'euthymia,' these are part of the disorder's natural pattern and do not signify a cure. Untreated bipolar disorder tends to worsen over time, with episodes potentially becoming more frequent or severe. Studies indicate relapse rates as high as 21.9% to 26.3% per year even with routine care, and this risk significantly increases without any treatment. The condition is tied to brain chemistry and requires continuous management, similar to other chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension. An estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some point, with most cases leading to serious functional impairment.
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Northwell Health Establishes Institute for Healthy Aging to Transform Elder Care

Northwell Health Establishes Institute for Healthy Aging to Transform Elder Care

Northwell Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, has launched the Northwell Institute for Healthy Aging. This new systemwide initiative aims to fundamentally change how healthcare is delivered to older adults. The Institute will integrate Northwell's 28 hospitals, physician practices, outpatient programs, research facilities, and community programs under a unified mission. The focus is to move beyond merely managing illness to actively preventing it, thereby preserving health, independence, and quality of life for aging individuals and their caregivers. The initiative is guided by the principle that healthcare should enable people to live longer and better, addressing the complex medical and social needs of older adults and those facing serious illness. This launch comes as the U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to outnumber children under 18 by 2034, highlighting a critical need for such specialized care.
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Dr. Bettina Drake Honored by Washington University for Reducing Cancer Disparities

Dr. Bettina Drake Honored by Washington University for Reducing Cancer Disparities

Dr. Bettina Drake, a cancer epidemiologist at Washington University (WashU) Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, has been installed as the Michael F. Neidorff Professor. This recognition honors her extensive work in addressing cancer disparities and improving outcomes for underserved communities. Dr. Drake has led initiatives that have significantly reduced breast cancer disparities and improved outcomes for African American women in the region, lowered colon cancer fatality rates, and expanded smoking cessation programs. Her approach emphasizes community engagement, moving beyond merely identifying health problems to actively implementing interventions. She also co-leads the Prostate Cancer Community Partnership, which is part of the Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, focusing on reducing prostate cancer disparities in the area. Dr. Drake developed 'Health on the Move,' a program that deploys community health workers with mobile mammography and lung cancer screening services across an 82-co...
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University of Mississippi Medical Center Establishes State's First Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency

University of Mississippi Medical Center Establishes State's First Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) has launched Mississippi’s inaugural physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residency program. This new program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education on July 1, completes UMMC's core residency offerings. Previously, medical students in Mississippi interested in PM&R had to seek residency training outside the state. Dr. Jennifer Hankenson, program director and associate professor of neurosurgery, noted that the program will provide comprehensive training in rehabilitation medicine, including a strong foundation in internal medicine. The initiative, which began in 2018 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to address the state's persistent physician shortage and improve patient care.
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Volunteer Musicians Bring Live Music to Hospital Patients in Nashville

Volunteer Musicians Bring Live Music to Hospital Patients in Nashville

Volunteer Musicians Bring Live Music to Hospital Patients in Nashville