HealthDay (3/6, Thompson ) reports a study found that “chronic stress can increase young women’s risk of stroke.” Researchers asked participants aged 18 to 49 to complete “a 10-question survey about their stress levels, and stroke patients were asked to recall the stress they’d faced in the month prior to their stroke.” They found that “stroke patients were more likely to have at least moderate stress levels.” And “about 46% had moderate or high stress levels, compared to 33% of those who hadn’t suffered a stroke.” After researchers adjusted “for other factors that affect stroke risk,” they determined “that moderate stress was associated with a 78% increased risk of stroke in women. They did not find a link between stress and stroke in men, however.” The study was published in Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Chronic Stress Boosts Stroke Risk In Young Women,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, March 6, 2025

Healio (3/6, Mahoney ) reports a study found that “patients with glaucoma appeared to have poorer general health, mental health and quality of life, with more severe visual field impairment linked to worsening physical health outcomes.” Prior research had shown “that the progression of glaucoma, fear of blindness and limitations in performing daily activities lead to reduced quality of life (QoL) and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.” Researchers concluded, “Our findings underscore the importance of considering the psychological aspects of glaucoma management, particularly for patients with more advanced visual field loss.” The study was published in Cureus.

Related Links:

— “Glaucoma associated with poorer mental health, quality of life,” Moira Mahoney, Healio, March 6, 2025

The Hill (3/5, Irwin ) reports that more than 31 million Americans borrowed money for health care in 2024, according to a West Health-Gallup survey. These individuals accumulated approximately $74 billion in debt despite having some form of health insurance. The majority of borrowers were “were ages 18-29, 30-39 and 40-49,” with only 2% over 65. Black and Hispanic Americans were more likely to borrow, with 23% of Black respondents and 16% of Hispanic adults doing so, compared to 9% of white adults. Additionally, 58% of Americans “say they are at least somewhat concerned that a major health event will put them in debt.” The survey included 3,583 respondents and had a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.

Related Links:

— “31 million Americans borrowed money for health care last year: Poll,” Lauren Irwin, The Hill, March 5, 2025

The New York Times (3/5, Belluck ) reports a new study sheds light on postpartum depression, which “affects about one in every seven women who give birth, but little is known about what happens in the brains of pregnant women who experience it.” Researchers found that “women with symptoms of depression in the first month after giving birth also had increases in the volume of their amygdala.” In addition, “women who rated their childbirth experience as difficult or stressful – a perception that is often associated with postpartum depression – also showed increases in the volume of the hippocampus, a brain area that helps regulate emotions.” The study is part of a “growing body of research that has found that certain brain networks, especially those involved in social and emotional processing, shrink during pregnancy, possibly undergoing a fine-tuning process in preparation for parenting.” The study was published in Science Advances.

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

Medical Economics (3/4, Littrell) reports a study suggests “that patients who perceive discrimination in health care settings are more likely to delay seeking medical care due to nervousness. This trend is particularly prevalent among younger adults and racial and ethnic minorities.” According to researchers, “mediation analysis revealed that patient-clinician communication significantly influenced the relationship between discrimination and care delays, with the strongest impact observed among younger adults – ages 18 to 44 – and racial and ethnic minority groups.” Researchers believe the “study underscores the importance of fostering effective and inclusive communication with patients – particularly those from historically marginalized groups.” They concluded, “By prioritizing better [communication], health care delays associated with patient apprehension related to perceived discrimination may be reduced.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Patients’ fear of discrimination drives health care delays,” Austin Littrell, Medical Economics, March 4, 2025