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Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Preserving Abortion Pill Access
CEO arrested in $100 million adderall scheme, and medical students are steering clear of abortion ban states
The Sign Out
June 14, 2024
Health News
Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Preserving Abortion Pill Access
The Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to the anti-abortion movement by rejecting a lawsuit challenging the FDA’s regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone. This ruling will allow for the continued distribution of the drug via mail without requiring an in-person doctor visit. The decision marks a pivotal moment in reproductive rights law, emerging as the first major case on the subject since the court’s conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for a unanimous court, ruled that the doctors and anti-abortion groups lacked standing to sue, emphasizing that legal challenges must demonstrate specific harm caused by regulatory decisions. 🏛️
Kavanaugh underscored that objections to the FDA’s regulatory approach do not automatically confer standing to challenge it. The decision maintains the FDA’s policy, which was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow mifepristone to be dispensed through the mail, a move supported by medical groups citing the drug’s safety.
The court’s decision in the mifepristone case sets a precedent for future challenges, emphasizing the stringent criteria plaintiffs must meet to contest federal regulations on medical treatments and reproductive health.
Health News
Dengue Fever Cases Surge Across Europe Ahead of Paris Olympics
Locally acquired dengue fever cases in Europe exploded last year, with 130 cases in 2023 compared to just 71 in the ten-year period between 2010 and 2021.
The Asian tiger mosquito has spread across 13 European countries, including France, Spain, and Greece, which is linked to the increase in dengue fever cases in Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) attributes this expansion to changes in climate, which creates favorable conditions for the mosquito's proliferation.
With Paris set to host the Olympic Games, authorities are actively monitoring and trapping these insects, emphasizing the growing threat posed by their presence. 🦟
The ECDC warns that international travel enhances the risk of further outbreaks in Europe and advises measures such as removing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, using repellents, and installing screens on windows and doors.
Health News
States With Near-Total Abortion Bans Saw Nearly 5% Decrease In Residency Applications
The AAMC reports that for the second consecutive year, graduating U.S. medical students have shown decreased interest in applying for residency positions in states with stringent abortion bans. This trend coincides with increased uncertainty and limitations on abortion access following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning abortion rights.
Specifically, applications to residency programs in states with near-total abortion bans declined by 4.2% from 2023 to 2024, contrasting with a 0.6% drop in states where abortion remains legal.
This shift highlights broader concerns within the medical community about the impact of restrictive abortion laws on medical education and the future availability of healthcare providers, particularly in specialties like OB-GYN and emergency medicine.🤰
Journal Gists
Noninvasive Ventilation Tops Oxygen Masks In Intubation Study
Clinical Question: Does preoxygenation with noninvasive ventilation reduce the incidence of hypoxemia during tracheal intubation compared to preoxygenation with an oxygen mask in critically ill adults?
Bottom Line: In a multicenter, randomized trial involving 1301 critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation, noninvasive ventilation for preoxygenation significantly decreased the occurrence of hypoxemia (oxygen saturation <85%) compared to an oxygen mask. Additionally, noninvasive ventilation was associated with lower rates of cardiac arrest and aspiration than the oxygen mask. These findings support the use of noninvasive ventilation as a superior method for preoxygenation during tracheal intubation in critically ill patients. Read more at NEJM.
Amino Acid Infusions May Be Kidney Protective in Cardiac Surgery Patients
Clinical Question: Does intravenous infusion of amino acids reduce the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass?
Bottom Line: In a multinational, double-blind trial, patients receiving amino acid infusion at 2 g per kg of ideal body weight per day had a significantly lower incidence of AKI compared to those receiving placebo. The relative risk reduction was 15%, with fewer patients in the amino acid group experiencing severe AKI (stage 3). This suggests that amino acid infusion may be beneficial in reducing AKI occurrence in cardiac surgery patients, warranting consideration for clinical practice pending further confirmation in larger trials. Read more at NEJM.
More In Health News
What in the world is going on?
⛈️ Miami receives a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours triggering a state of emergency. Heavy rain has caused widespread chaos in southern Florida, disrupting air travel and prompting emergency declarations in several counties. Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport faced over 600 flight cancellations combined due to flooding. Motorists in Broward County were stranded, prompting road closures, while emergency responders rescued people trapped in flooded vehicles. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in multiple counties, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and seek higher ground. NBC News has more.
🤑 Tesla shareholders vote in favor of Musk’s $56 billion payday. Tesla shareholders approved Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay plan at the company’s annual meeting in Texas, despite a recent court order to rescind the package. The judge criticized the board's lack of independence from Musk and insufficient shareholder disclosure. Musk celebrated the vote enthusiastically, predicting future success with Tesla’s advancements in vehicle autonomy and plans for a self-driving ridehailing network. He also discussed Cybertruck deliveries and the company’s foray into humanoid robots, reflecting his ambitious vision for Tesla’s future. CNBC has more.
💊 CEO of telehealth company, Done, arrested in $100 million Adderall scheme. Ruthia He, CEO of Done Global Inc., and clinical president David Brody were arrested for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to distribute Adderall and commit health care fraud. The Justice Department accused them of exploiting telemedicine to unlawfully enrich themselves, generating over $100 million in revenue by prescribing over 40 million pills through deceptive social media ads. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, marking the DOJ’s first criminal prosecution of drug distribution via telemedicine. Read more at WSJ.
🏫 FBI reports historically low crime rates in first three months of 2024. According to FBI data released recently, violent crime decreased by 15% compared to the same period in the previous year, while murders dropped by over 26%. Attorney General Merrick Garland described this trend as "historic," emphasizing that these statistics represent tangible lives saved and communities made safer. The data also highlighted substantial reductions in other crime categories, including rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and property crime. Read more at ABC News.
In Case You Missed It…
What’s The Diagnosis? Let’s see if that loan money is paying off.
A 65-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe right-sided chest pain that began approximately 2 hours ago. He describes the pain as sharp and pleuritic in nature, exacerbated by deep breathing and lying down. He has a past medical history significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. His temperature is 37.8°C (100°F), blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg, pulse is 95/min, and respirations are 22/min. Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds over the right lower lung field. Chest X-ray shows a right-sided pleural effusion with a meniscus sign.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Pleural mesothelioma
D) Spontaneous pneumothorax
E) Acute myocardial infarction
Answer: ɯsᴉʅoqɯǝ ʎɹɐuoɯʅnԀ (ꓭ
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