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Latest News Around the Web

Rates Of Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant People Enrolled In Medicaid Are Twice As High As Prior Estimates, Analysis Suggests

Healio (1/17, Rhoades) reported, “The rates of opioid use disorder among pregnant people enrolled in Medicaid may be twice as high as prior estimates, according to a recent cross-sectional analysis.” Researchers found that “pregnant persons with opioid use disorder also faced a higher risk for severe adverse health outcomes, with that risk increasing among those who enrolled in Medicaid in their final trimester or after delivery.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Risks faced by some pregnant Medicaid enrollees highlight need for adequate postnatal care,”Andrew (Drew) Rhoades, Healio, January 17, 2025

Black Adults Who Have Low Level Of Mistrust Toward Medical Professionals Are More Willing To Seek Mental Health Services Than Those With No Medical Mistrust, Study Finds

Psychiatric News (1/17) said, “Black adults who have a low level of mistrust toward medical professionals may be more willing to seek mental health services than those with no medical mistrust, reports a study.” Researchers found that “above a certain threshold, however, more medical mistrust was linked with less mental health care seeking.” The findings were published in Psychiatric Services.

Related Links:

— “Low Level of Medical Mistrust May Not Discourage Mental Health Care Seeking in Black Adults, Psychiatric News, January 17, 2025

Research Suggests Higher Consumption Of Red Meat Linked To Greater Risk For Cognitive Decline, Dementia

Healio (1/16, Herpen) reports, “Higher consumption of red meat, including processed red meat, was associated with a higher risk for cognitive decline and dementia, according to research.” The investigators said, “Replacing red meat with alternative, healthier protein sources, such as plant-based options, could help reduce cognitive decline and the risk of dementia. … Replacing processed red meat with healthier protein sources may have substantial benefits for maintaining cognitive health.” The findings were published in Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Higher red meat intake increases risk for cognitive decline, dementia,”Robert Herpen, Healio, January 16, 2025

Biden Administration Releases Proposal To Reduce Nicotine Levels In Cigarettes

The Washington Post (1/15, Roubein , Ovalle ) reports, “The Biden administration released a proposal Wednesday to dramatically reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes, a move that anti-smoking advocates believe would save millions of lives even as it threatens the powerful tobacco industry.” Under the proposal, “tobacco companies would be required to cut nicotine in cigarettes to no more than 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, which the FDA says is significantly lower than the average concentration in products on the market.” The FDA’s “proposal would also apply to most cigars and pipe tobacco, but not to e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches.”

The New York Times (1/15, Jewett ) reports, “The FDA’s proposal includes projections that by 2100, the nicotine reduction measure would prevent an estimated 48 million young people from starting to smoke.” By 2060, the FDA “also estimates that 1.8 million tobacco-related deaths would be prevented, and that $30 trillion in benefits would accrue over 40 years, mostly from the generation that would not begin smoking.”

NBC News (1/15, Edwards ) reports, “If finalized, the change would mean that cigarettes would lose their ability to hook most people into addiction.”

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

Genetic Variants In OUD Risk Algorithm Do Not Meet Reasonable Standards In Identifying OUD Risk, Study Suggests

HCPlive (1/14, Derman) reports, “A recent study suggested that the genetic variants in the opioid use disorder (OUD) risk algorithm do not meet reasonable standards in identifying OUD risk.” The researchers said, “We found no evidence to support the clinical utility of the 15 [single nucleotide variants] purported to predict OUD risk.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Genetic Variants in OUD Risk Algorithm Do Not Meet Standards in Identifying Risk,”Chelsie Derman, HCPlive, January 14, 2025

Foundation News

New Radio Ad Explores Racial Inequities and Mental Health in Current Crises

Institutional and structural racism are major factors in these times of pandemic and civil unrest. The African American community is particularly hit hard by the coronavirus, police brutality, and the economic burdens that come with them. The ad explains how there is hope and help available.

Racial Inequities and Current Crises in AmericaRacial Inequities and Current Crises in America, MP3, 712KB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.

The Foundation Strongly Condemns All Forms of Racism

A Message from the Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry Board of Directors:

The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry strongly condemns all forms of racism.  The Foundation calls on all Americans and all levels of government to actively oppose racism, and all related violence and brutality. The Foundation recognizes that there are wide disparities in treatment of mental illness and access to care related to race. Consistent with our mission to fight stigma associated with mental illness and to promote awareness and access to care for all individuals regardless of race, the Foundation pledges to support programs which combat racism.

The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry stands in solidarity with the agendas of the American Psychiatric Association, Maryland Psychiatric Society, and the Black Psychiatrists of America.  We endorse the following action items outlined by the Black Psychiatrists of America:

• Declare racism a public health problem and establish national goals for addressing this as a health equity issue. Give priority to addressing the issues of health care disparities including the mental health needs of historically marginalized communities across the US.
 
• Provide adequate funding for the clinical care, training, and research needed to eliminate health disparities and require racism impact statements for all government funded services and research. 
 
• Establish a governmental multidisciplinary and ethnically diverse commission with representatives from the major health care professional associations in medicine, nursing, psychiatry, public health, psychology, social work, etc., and the faith-based community to provide recommendations to Congress regarding policies on how best to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s Black citizens.
 
• Declare “Civic Mental Health” a national priority and incorporate it into the educational curriculum from K-college, as well as in the training of local, state and national officials, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. 
 
• Establish police community review boards with power to take action in areas of police misconduct pending formal review by the appropriate authorities. This will offer a level of empowerment when communities feel they have a voice that can be heard. 
 
• Assure adequate insurance coverage for mental disorders and emotional distress that are the outgrowth of racism, police brutality, discrimination of all kinds and violence. 

The Maryland Psychiatric Society has also put out a statement on their website.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) also condemns racism and has published their statement, too.

New Radio Ad Explores Mental Health in the Wake of the Coronavirus

A recent poll shows that more than half the people in the United States are feeling extremely worried by the coronavirus. They find they aren’t sleeping properly, are distracted, or being driven into depression. The ad explains how there is hope and help available.

The Coronavirus and Your State of MindThe Coronavirus and Your State of Mind, MP3, 721KB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.

New Radio PSA Examines Rise in Child Suicides

Suicide rates among those under age 25 increased 56% in the last decade and tripled for 10 to 14 year olds. Getting professional help is important for the health of the child.

The Suicide Epidemic Among ChildrenThe Suicide Epidemic Among Children, MP3, 3.2MB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.