Cardiovascular Business (12/5, Walter ) reports, “Depression is associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among women, according to new data,” but “the same trend is not seen in men.” Investigators came to this conclusion after examining “U.K. Biobank data from more than 345,000 patients,” focusing on how major depression, bipolar disorder, “and schizophrenia may impact a patient’s long-term risk of developing atrial fibrillation…coronary artery disease or heart failure.” The findings were published in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Genetic predisposition to depression increases CVD risk in women, but not men,” Michael Walter, Cardiovascular Business, December 5, 2024

HealthDay (12/4, Thompson ) reports, “People who smoke and vape are less able to break free of their nicotine addiction than folks who only have one of those habits, a new review concludes.” Researchers found that “these ‘dual users’ are more likely to eventually drop vaping and continue smoking tobacco.” The findings were published in ERJ Open Research.

Related Links:

— “Smoking/Vaping Combo Lowers Odds for Quitting Nicotine, “Dennis Thompson, HealthDay , December 4, 2024

HealthDay (12/4, Thompson ) reports, “Access to psychotherapy has increased substantially among Americans, particularly young adults, a new study has found.” Study results indicate that “about 12% of young adults received psychotherapy in 2021, followed by 8% of the middle-aged and 5% of seniors.” Researchers found that “overall, the percentage of U.S. adults receiving psychotherapy rose from about 7% in 2018 to 9% in 2021, and telemedicine may be the reason why.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “As ‘Teletherapy’ Takes Hold, Nearly 12% of Young Adults Now Undergo Psychotherapy,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, December 4, 2024

Healio (12/3, Schaffer ) says, “Survivors of an acute MI reported fear of a recurrence up to 8 months later, along with high levels of perceived stress that were distinct from depression and anxiety symptoms, researchers reported.” The investigators “noted that the fear of recurrence and the relationships with illness perceptions and perceived stress suggest psychological sequelae may interfere with adaptive coping.” The findings were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Related Links:

— “Fear of recurrence consistent source of stress for heart attack survivors,”Regina Schaffer, Healio, December 3, 2024

Healio (12/3, Southall ) reports, “Sexual and gender minority physicians and trainees had a higher likelihood for burnout and lack of professional fulfillment compared with their straight, cisgender colleagues, according to study results.” In addition, “sexual and gender minority attendings expressed a higher intent to leave the profession compared with their non-sexual and gender minority peers.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Sexual, gender minority physicians, trainees report high rates of burnout,”Jennifer R. Southall , Healio, December 3, 2024

The AP (12/3, Murphy ) reports, “Nearly three out of 10 U.S. drugstores that were open during the previous decade had closed by 2021, new research shows.” The AP adds, “Black and Latino neighborhoods were most vulnerable to the retail pharmacy closures, which can chip away at already-limited care options in those communities, researchers said in a study.” In addition, “the trend has potentially gained momentum since the study’s timeframe, because many drugstores are still struggling.” The study was published in Health Affairs.

Related Links:

— “Nearly 30% of US drugstores closed in one decade, study shows,”Tom Murphy, AP, December , 2024

Modern Healthcare (12/2, Kacik , Subscription Publication) reports, “Health systems are boosting investment in outpatient expansion as some convert acute care hospitals to meet the growing demand for mental health, long-term care and other ambulatory services.” According to Modern Healthcare, “Health systems are pumping billions of dollars into outpatient construction, which executives say their organizations will need as the population ages and as patients spend less time in the hospital.” Meanwhile, “some health systems are downsizing their acute care network to make space for an increasing number of patients managing anxiety, depression and other mental health issues and recovering from major procedures.”

Related Links:

— “Why systems are pumping billions of dollars into outpatient care,”Alex Kacik , Modern Healthcare , December 2, 2024

Diagnostic Imaging (12/2, Hall ) reports, “Visceral fat reduction may have a significant impact in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in…patients” with obesity, “according to emerging findings from positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research.” Investigators “reviewed brain PET, abdominal MRI and metabolic assessment data for 80 people with an average age of 49.4 and body mass index (BMI) of 32.31.” The investigators “found higher Centiloid scores in” patients with obesity “and higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accounted for 77 percent of the correlation between high BMI and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.” Meanwhile, “a mediation analysis revealed that VAT plays a prevailing role in mediating the impact of BMI on Centiloid scoring, according to the study authors.” The findings were presented at the Radiological Society of North America conference.

Related Links:

— “New PET and MRI Research Suggests that Visceral Fat Reduction May Prevent or Delay Alzheimer’s Disease,”Jeff Hall , Diagnostic Imaging , December 2, 2024

The New York Times (11/28, Kim ) reported, “Australia has imposed a sweeping ban on social media for children under 16, one of the world’s most comprehensive measures aimed at safeguarding young people from potential hazards online.” However, “many details were still unclear, such as how it will be enforced and what platforms will be covered.” According to the Times, “after sailing through Parliament’s lower house on Wednesday, the bill passed the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “said that it puts Australia at the vanguard of efforts to protect the mental health and well-being of children from detrimental effects of social media, such as online hate or bullying.”

The AP (11/28, McGuirk ) reported, “The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.” The social media “platforms have one year to work out how they could implement the ban before penalties are enforced.”

Related Links:

— “The New York Times (requires login and subscription)

Psychiatric News (11/27) reported, “This year, nearly a third of Americans (28%) say they anticipate more holiday-related stress than last year, according to the latest APA Healthy Minds Monthly Poll.” However, “the holidays also remain a season of joy for many: Nearly two-fifths (38%) of adults say the holidays positively impact them.” APA President Ramaswamy Viswanathan, MD, Dr. Med. Sc., said, “Although there are several different holidays we celebrate in December, many of us share the same anxiety and excitement about preparing for them. … Holiday stress is normal, and as psychiatrists, we understand that the social determinants of mental health can and do influence the experience of the winter holidays.”

Related Links:

— “Holidays Bring Anxiety for Some but Continue to Be a Source of Merriment for Many, Psychiatric News, November 27, 2024