The Public Health section is dedicated to providing information on the political and social aspects of healthcare and medicine. The best part? Everything is simple, concise, and easy to read!
Transgender Mortality Rate and Social Determinants of Health
Ayushi Banerjee, April 25 2022
The LGBTQ+ community has a long history of being discriminated against, and even though it has gained tremendous social support, this discrimination is still prevalent today. Cisgender people identify with their birth sex whereas transgender people do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth. Many transgender people face medical discrimination, which can be harmful because gender affirming care significantly reduces the risk of depression, anxiety, and gender dysphoria, especially in transgender youth. Understanding how the acceptance of transgender people affects their medical care is imperative to decreasing discrimination and increasing their quality of life because they face an increased suicide risk that is much higher than the suicide risk of the general population. Past studies have shown that the transgender population has a higher mortality rate than the cisgender population or how long-term use of hormone therapy affects the health and mortality outcomes of transgender patients. To investigate this further, researchers conducted a study to determine how many transgender women and men using hormone therapy died over the course of fifty years, how they died, whether their death could be linked to the treatment, and if the mortality rate has increased or decreased.
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Legalization of Marijuana: How Has It Affected Car Crashes?Autumn Jackson, April 25 2022
Marijuana is the name of products made from the Cannabis plant, which contains compounds called cannabinoids. For the past two decades, there has been a gradual integration of the drug into legal markets, with adult recreational use (in addition to medicinal use) currently legal in Canada, 18 states in the United States, and other countries. As the legalization of marijuana is adopted in more regions, the investigation into possible health benefits as well as its potential harm to public health and safety will continue. Automobile accidents are an area of interest. Similar to alcohol, large amounts of marijuana can decrease driving ability. A team of researchers funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) investigated if the legalization of marijuana had a negative impact on road safety.
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Insects: Friends, Foes, or Food?Sami Ryan, April 25 2022
Every year, the threat of climate change becomes more pressing. Climate activists warn about the melting of the ice caps, rising sea levels, and other side effects of global warming. Politicians debate what to do about the rising temperatures and increasing natural disasters, from wildfires burning in California or hurricanes striking Florida. This is a global issue, not just an American problem. One up-and-coming industry promises to help solve this issue: entomophagy, better known as eating insects. To some people, the concept of eating insects sounds horrifying. But in some cultures, eating bugs is commonplace. In fact, Europe and North America are the only continents in the world (not counting Antarctica) where the general population frowns upon eating insects. If the rest of the world already consumes insects, why do Americans and Europeans think the practice is so distasteful? Cultural and societal influences have played a large role. Since insects release a lot less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, consuming more insects rather than meat products would help slow climate change. Another advantage of eating insects involves the health benefits. A study was recently conducted on the nutritional composition of stick insects.
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Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Young WomenNeel Sharma, April 25 2022
The public health narrative surrounding cancer has transitioned towards analyzing risk factors and developing prevention methods that could potentially be implemented earlier on. One of the most common types of cancer is breast cancer, which leads as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Unlike most cancers, which develop later in life and rely heavily on unfavorable inherited genetic mutations, it was found that the onset of breast cancer among young women is typically non-genetic and instead based on lifestyle risk factors. Daly et al. reviewed relevant studies investigating a variety of factors that potentially increase or decrease the rate of breast cancer in young women.
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Pediatric Underinsurance in the United StatesMahima Kunani, April 25 2022
From 2016 to 2019, the rate of underinsured children in the United States rose by almost 4%— an additional 2.4 million kids. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine aimed to investigate pediatric underinsurance in the country. They analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health to compare the insurance statuses of children under the age of 17 in the United States. The researchers found that pediatric underinsurance was mainly caused by increased rates of inadequate insurance rather than children not being covered by insurance at all. This means that even though children may be covered by insurance, it is becoming increasingly common for insurance plans to not cover enough of the costs needed for sufficient treatment.
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Understanding HIV/AIDS and Preventative Treatment OptionsAbi Hodgdon, April 25 2022
With an estimated 37.7 million people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS globally, developing better treatment options remains a prominent research goal for scientists worldwide. Historically, for high-risk individuals, there have been very few effective ways to prevent HIV prior to exposure. Currently, the leading preventative treatment for HIV requires strictly following a daily regimen of pills. While the treatment is effective when used correctly, it has not historically been equally accessible to all racial and ethnic groups. In December 2021, however, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of a new preventative HIV treatment called Apretude.
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Cannabis Compounds: Treatment for COVID-19?Sabrina Ghalambor, April 25 2022
Cannabis, also known as hemp or marijuana, has been approved for use recreationally and medically in many states of the United States over the last two decades. Throughout the devastating coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) pandemic, researchers have been looking for various ways to combat the new viral disease. Some have even tested controlled substances like cannabis. Researchers at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacology aimed to discover whether cannabis-derived compounds have any potential benefit for preventing or treating COVID-19. They learned that certain cannabinoid compounds prevented COVID-19 infections in experiments with human epithelial cells.
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Sexual Minority Stress, Suicidality, and Mental Health SymptomsMenna Sun, April 25 2022
In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 34. Those who are in the category of sexual minority are at an even higher risk of suicidality, which includes both suicide ideation and attempts. Typically, sexual and gender minorities refer to individuals who are non-cisgender, non-heterosexual or both. Although there is existing data supporting how depression mediates suicide ideation in sexual minorities, more research was needed to investigate the combination of symptoms and their connection. As such, a study was done to understand the relationship both across and within the categories of minority stress, mental health symptoms, and suicidality.
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Genetics and Adverse Childhood Experiences Shape the Adult MindUmiemah Farrukh, April 25 2022
Childhood experiences and genetics are important when it comes to understanding adult behavior and mental health, as they are critical to tracing back where present-day issues within an individual originate from. According to research, about one-third of all adult mental illnesses can be traced back to childhood. During the initial stages of childhood, the brain is like a sponge, greatly influenced and shaped by how an individual experiences the world around them. In fact, childhood experiences along with genetics may shape the adult mind, particularly when these experiences are negative. However, with greater knowledge and understanding of mental illness, intervention is possible.
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Relation Between Headphone Use and Noise-Induced Hearing LossShannon Huang, April 25 2022
Hearing loss (HL), the significant or total loss of hearing as a result of damage to the nerve or inner ear, affects 6.1% of the world’s population. While HL typically increases with age, use of personal listening devices and headphones has become extremely popular among young adults and teenagers, leading to a 4% increase in HL in the span of 11 years. The most common yet preventable cause of HL, known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to loud noises. Increased usage of smartphones and personal listening devices has led to NIHL becoming an extremely common global issue. To examine the awareness level regarding NIHL within Saudi Arabia’s Hail region, a study was conducted to identify risk factors, symptoms, and signs of NIHL.
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Plasma cell-free RNA for Pre-eclampsia Prevention and TherapiesOlivia Zhou, April 25 2022
Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can potentially be fatal to both the mother and the child, affects 1 in 12 pregnancies and is a leading cause of death for maternal and perinatal mortality. Thus, there is a growing need for more methods to study human pregnancy in order to develop greater comprehension. With respect to pregnancy complications, increased knowledge can help identify at-risk mothers to prevent complications from arising. In a study published in Nature, Rasmussen et al. discovered a method to assess a woman’s risk of developing pre-eclampsia months beforehand: using plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) signatures from a single blood sample. This novel method provides a way to clinically assess and develop successful preventative or therapeutic measures before the complication develops.
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Firearm Violence: Not Just a Public Health IssueMelody Zaki, April 25 2022
Firearm violence is a growing public health issue as firearms are still sold through commercial industries. According to a study published by a team of researchers, mortality from firearms contributes to more than 250,000 deaths each year worldwide and in 2017, there were over 1 billion weapons in circulation. Approximately 857 million of those firearms are in the hands of civilians. In the United States, approximately 70% of homicides and 50% of suicides involve firearms. Firearm violence is typically separated into three categories: deaths from firearms, unintentional injuries from firearms, and self-harm from firearms. Mortality from these three categories together contributes to over 250,000 preventable deaths per year. Furthermore, firearm violence places a substantial burden on healthcare systems and economies around the world.
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The HIV Epidemic in South Africa and Underserved CommunitiesEleanor Gorham, April 25 2022
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has long ravaged the global community. While its threat to Western and more developed countries has somewhat subsided, it is still active in other populations. South Africa is one of the countries still suffering from a large HIV epidemic. To understand the spread and distribution of people living with HIV (PLHIV), researchers studied social, behavioral, and geographical factors that may influence a person’s susceptibility to HIV as well as their experience with it. In their article, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the researchers studied the spread of HIV throughout the country, primarily using data from the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS). This survey, conducted in 2016, was used to understand the population’s health and socioeconomic situations. From this data, certain variables were selected as markers of HIV prevalence.
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SARS-CoV-2 and Its Evolution: The Development of Viral StrainsAbi Hodgdon, January 18 2022
Though the first case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was recorded nearly two years ago, infections from the virus continue to be highly reported across the globe. Often referred to as coronavirus disease 19, or COVID-19, the disease caused by this virus has been highly pervasive partially because of the development of different viral strains. When viruses replicate within host organisms, slight, random changes called mutations can occur in the genetic code. Some mutations have no effect on a virus’s function, but others can decrease or improve its infectiousness or lethality. When one or more mutations occur in a virus’s genetic code, or genome, a viral variant is said to have developed.
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Exploring the Relationship Between the Flu and Heart AttacksMarissa Pennino, January 18 2022
Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory disease that infects the nose, throat, and potentially the lungs. The flu season occurs annually every fall and winter, spanning roughly from October to March. As the peak of flu season approaches, it is important to understand the risks associated with infection. Those with pre-existing conditions, like diabetes, asthma, or cancer, may be more vulnerable to influenza complications such as myocardial infarctions (MIs), also known as heart attacks. Recent research has shown that the onset of influenza may increase an individual’s risk for MI and how the increased risk may be prevented by vaccination.
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The Impacts of Paid Family Leave on Mental HealthJenna Hartstein, January 18 2022
The United States is one of six countries, and the only wealthy country in the world, to not have a paid family leave policy. By contrast, the global average length of paid maternity leave is 29 weeks, with many wealthy countries such as Sweden, Canada, and Japan even offering more than a year of paid paternity leave. The closest thing that the United States has to a federally mandated maternity leave is the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides certain qualified employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year; however, these qualified workers only make up 60% of the workforce.
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Novel Strategy for Predicting Future Emergent OutbreaksOlivia Zhou, January 18 2022
Some diseases, like the common cold, have been known and well-established for much of human history. However, some harmless microbes can suddenly turn pathogenic, or cause disease. Even known diseases can rapidly increase in incidence or spread outside their normal geographic ranges. The genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the transformation of microbes from harmless to harmful need to be better understood. To explore this transformation, researchers from the University of Central Florida (UCF) developed a model system, using Vibrio vulnificus as an example, to analyze the genetic and environmental drivers of emerging pathogens.
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The Relationship Between Vaping and Eating Disorders in College StudentsShannon Huang, January 18 2022
Drug and alcohol use have become very prevalent among young adults. In particular, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), an umbrella term encompassing vape pens, electronic cigarettes, and pods have grown in popularity among university students. Preliminary research has explored potential links between substance use, specifically cigarette use, and eating disorder symptoms or diagnoses, concluding that between 30–50% of adults with eating disorders reported smoking often. However, little is known regarding a relationship between ENDS use and increased eating disorder diagnoses and risk. A 2021 study hypothesized that there is a positive relationship between ENDS use and both eating disorder diagnoses and risk among university students.
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Are GMOs Taking Over in America?Sami Ryan, January 18 2022
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are abundant in nearly all of the foods we eat today. Humans have been genetically modifying organisms for hundreds of years. Corn evolved from a grassy plant called teosinte due to a process called selective breeding. Farmers chose the best version of a crop to replant, planting the seeds of the corn with the biggest fruit, the sweetest taste, and other desirable traits, until it evolved into the delicious delicacy on the cob found today.The United States currently leads the world in GMO production. A recent study by researchers at the University of Paris-Saclay and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln compared French and American attitudes toward GMOs using GE apples.
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Social Determinants of Pneumonia Amongst ChildrenEleanor Gorham, January 18 2022
In the United States, respiratory issues are the most common reason for hospitalization of children. The prevalence of various respiratory issues is affected by many factors, such as geographical location and socioeconomic status, both considered social determinants of health. Social determinants of health are factors that influence the environments people live, work, and play in. A recent research article, published by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, examined how some of these social determinants of health affect rates of pneumonia.
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Investigating the Link Between COVID-19 and Stroke CasesLandon Park, January 18 2022
As of January 18th, 2022, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019, has infected over 330 million people worldwide and has caused over 5 million deaths, according to Worldometer. COVID-19 is well known for causing various respiratory symptoms such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, a January 2021 review by researchers at the University of Udine Medical School explains how COVID-19 patients also face a risk of stroke—a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, often resulting in permanent tissue damage.
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The Intersection of Insomnia and DepressionMenna Sun, January 18 2022
Most people have experienced insomnia at some point in life, whether it is due to stress from work or school, lasting pain after a surgery, or perhaps excitement about a field trip the next day. This difficulty to fall asleep or maintain sleep is a complicated issue with both behavioral and biological risk factors. Depression, on the other hand, is a mental illness that is more complex and harder to treat. Symptoms range from sadness to unexplained physical pain, and the causes can be both genetic and environmental. Insomnia and depression can not only occur together, but can also affect each other, as described by a recent literature review.
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The Effects of Endometriosis: A Chronic Multi-System DiseaseUmiemah Farrukh, January 18 2022
Endometriosis is a disease that affects millions of women of reproductive age around the globe, specifically about five to ten percent. However, endometriosis has been widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed; scientists have struggled to find consistent symptoms to classify it. Fortunately, new research has been done to better understand the fluidity of endometriosis, increasing the chances of proper diagnosis and treatment. Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial-like tissue—tissue that lines the inside of the uterus—occurring outside of the uterus.
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Can Education Improve Cognitive Health in Older Adults?Mia Kim, January 18 2022
The health of a person’s brain is commonly overlooked because the signs of brain deterioration are often not visible. However, cognitive health is a key part of one’s health and well-being, especially in later life. Cognitive health is the ability to think clearly and to understand, remember, and gain knowledge. Recently, researchers have studied the effects of education on cognitive health in later life, attempting to see if higher levels of education would be beneficial for cognitive health in the long term.
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Smokers Are More Likely To Have Severe Cases of COVID-19Annie Liang, January 18 2022
It has long been established that smoking and tobacco use are linked with a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, and other health issues. Adding on to that list, a newly published study from the United Kingdom (UK) provides evidence that smoking also affects coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. Researchers found that smokers are 60–80% more likely to show severe symptoms of COVID-19. This new research, published in the journal Thorax, provides clarity on how smoking is not only unable to protect against COVID-19, but also worsens the effects of the disease.
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Analyzing Levels of Concussion Awareness, Understanding, and ReportingShannon Huang, July 23 2021
Concussions are characterized by traumatic brain injuries caused by strong forces to the head or body, usually resulting in temporary neurologic impairments. Concussion awareness is critical as athletes are extremely prone to concussions, with an annual average of 3.8 million concussions in the United States attributed to sports. The commonality of concussions among student athletes prompted a cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the variations in concussion recognition, perception, and reporting behaviors (C-AUB).
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Sex and Gender Bias in Medical AINika Gladkov, July 23 2021
Due to its many uses, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major part of all aspects of life, including medicine. AI as a diagnostic tool is a revolutionary step in healthcare because it enables advances in precision medicine. However, since technology is commonly viewed as neutral and objective, people are not aware of its inherent biases, which can be harmful. In a 2020 review, researchers from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center discuss the various ways that sex and gender biases can manifest in healthcare technology and AI, as well as their implications for health outcomes.
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Understanding the Complexities of ADHD in GirlsMahima Kunani, July 23 2021
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood disorder, affecting 9.4% of children in the United States. Although ADHD occurs equally in both sexes, boys with ADHD are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls with ADHD. This difference suggests that girls with ADHD may be underdiagnosed, meaning their ADHD is left untreated. Researchers believe that developing a full understanding of the ways ADHD appears differently in boys and girls may help close the diagnosis gap.
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Can Physical Exercise Combat Alzheimer’s Disease?Neel Sharma, July 23 2021
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating disorder, and its incidence is only growing. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia or neurodegenerative illness. AD affects primarily elderly people as age is one of its most significant risk factors among other things such as physical activity, which is discussed in more detail later on, obesity, hypertension, and social isolation. One review article from last year focused on increased physical activity as a possible solution and compiled many of the novel and proven studies linking these together.
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N2O Laughing Matter: Risks and Treatment of Nitrous Oxide AbuseJanet Nguyen, July 23 2021
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is a recreational drug that produces a quick, short-lasting high when inhaled. According to the 2014 Global Drug Survey, 29.4% of people in the United States have reported to recreationally use nitrous oxide at least once in their lives. Furthermore, concerns of nitrous oxide abuse among adolescents continue to grow. A 2010 study found that the age group of 12–17 years old has the highest abuse rate in the US. Laughing gas abuse has also increased over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, with people seeking the quick high to dissociate from reality.
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Exploring Associations Between Gut and Heart HealthMarissa Pennino, July 23 2021
Poor health of the gut microbiome has been known to lead to metabolic diseases such as diabetes or obesity. But a new link has unraveled how a healthy gut can possibly prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease, the number one leading cause of death in the United States. Research is starting to uncover that there may actually be a “gut-heart axis,” or a physiological link between the gut and the heart, specifically in the progression of diseases such as heart failure and coronary artery disease (CAD).
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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy TherapiesMelody Zaki, July 23 2021
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy caused by a rare genetic disease that primarily affects boys. DMD is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents an individual from producing dystrophin, a protein that is essential for muscles to work properly. Although there is no cure for DMD, one therapeutic treatment currently being tested in canine models is expected to one day improve muscle cells in patients.
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Myopia: The Growing Epidemic of NearsightednessMahima Kunani, April 1 2021
Myopia is the most common visual disorder among young people and is increasingly becoming a worldwide public health concern. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the inability to sufficiently focus vision on distant objects. Researchers predict that 49.8% of the world population will have myopia by 2050, so doctors and researchers are placing a heavy emphasis on preventative measures in order to stop myopia from developing in children in the first place. The most effective preventative measure against myopia is spending around two hours a day exposed to sunlight.
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Understanding the Effect of Cigarette Smoke on COVID-19Neel Sharma, April 1 2021
Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that science takes time and is constantly adapting to the challenges it faces. Society waited for a more complete understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and waited even longer for the development of an effective vaccine. Now, with an improved understanding of COVID-19, new discoveries that fill crucial gaps in knowledge are becoming possible. One such discovery from a recent study at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) sought to fill an important gap in knowledge by clarifying the relationship between cigarette smoke and COVID-19 infection.
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The Risks of Acute GI Illness Due to Increased PrecipitationYun Su Choi, April 1 2021
Many individuals are aware of the risks of drought and global warming that result from climate change, but tend to overlook the opposite effect that also comes with climate change—increased precipitation. As global warming leads to higher levels of evaporation, regions with usually high precipitation rates will experience even heavier rainfall and increased risk of flooding. In a recent study conducted in Philadelphia, researchers found that heavy precipitation may lead to health problems, specifically spikes in reported acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI).
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Allergies in Dogs and their OwnersKyra Benowitz, April 1 2021
From rural to urban settings, the interactions people have with domesticated animals, plants, and wildlife can have measurable impacts on the health of people in these communities. While a disease can be recreated relatively well in an animal model, it is more difficult to replicate the diverse environmental factors that shape the health of humans and their communities. Non-communicable diseases and long-term stressors can occur simultaneously in people and their pets. Because of this, researchers are interested in the potential of pet dogs as models of diseases related to environmental exposures.
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Racial Privilege Behind Voluntary Active Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted SuicideMelody Zaki, April 1 2021
The debate around legalizing voluntary active euthanasia (VAE) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) has been ongoing for quite some time. Controversy continues to surround this topic, partly due to the nuances between the two practices. In both cases, however, the decision lies fully with the patient, who retains the right to change their mind until the point at which the lethal process becomes irreversible. While there are advocates for and against legalization of PAS and VAE, a major consequence of legalizing these practices becomes clear when examining the effects this legalization could have on minorities and people of color.
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Treating OCD in the Time of CoronavirusAyushi Banerjee, April 1 2021
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is one of the most misunderstood and widely misrepresented mental illnesses. Individuals with OCD have recurrent intrusive thoughts, called obsessions, and often also have behaviors to counteract these obsessions or lessen anxiety. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, most countries have implemented strict regulations to control the spread of disease, bringing an abrupt halt to the in-person treatment of many individuals with OCD. A 2020 German study investigated whether the pandemic has increased OCD prevalence and how it has affected people with this disorder.
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