The New York Times (2/9, Belluck) reports researchers examined millions of medical records in the US and found that “people with dementia had significantly greater risk of contracting the coronavirus, and they were much more likely to be hospitalized and die from it, than people without dementia.” The increased “risk could not be entirely explained by characteristics common to people with dementia that are known risk factors for [SARS-CoV-2 infection]: old age, living in a nursing home and having conditions like obesity, asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” because “after researchers adjusted for those factors, Americans with dementia were still twice as likely to have” been infected with SARS-CoV-2 “as of late last summer.” The findings were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
        
USA Today (2/9, Rodriguez) reports the researchers also found that Black people with dementia “had nearly three times the risk of being infected with [SARS-CoV-2] as white patients did.” During the study, 73% “of Black patients with dementia were hospitalized during the study compared with about 53% of white patients,” and “23% of Black patients died compared with 19% of white patients.”
        
Healio (2/9, Ernst) and MedPage Today (2/9, George) also cover the study.

Related Links:

— “People With Dementia Are Twice as Likely to Get Covid, Huge Study Finds “Pam Belluck, The New York Times, February 9, 2021

The Houston Chronicle (2/8, Garcia) reports data from the Association of American Medical Colleges show “more than 7,500 more students applied for medical school in the U.S. last year, an increase of 17 percent,” and “nearly two dozen medical schools have seen applications jump by at least 25 percent.” In Texas, schools received 700 more applications, up 33% from the year prior according to the Texas Health Education Service. Though the “AAMC doesn’t know exactly what is behind the increase,” it points to “several likely factors, including students having more time to focus on applications while being stuck at home, as well as the nation’s current spotlight on frontline health care workers ‘extraordinary heroism’ amid the pandemic.”

Related Links:

— “Medical school applications are up in Houston. But why? “Julie Garcia, The Houston Chronicle, February 8, 2021

Healio (2/8, Miller) reports many adults in the US plan to continue certain practices aimed at curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, according to a national survey. In the survey, 80% of respondents said they plan to continue avoiding crowds and 72% said they plan to continue wearing masks in public.

HealthDay (2/8) also covers the story.

Related Links:

— “Most Americans say they will continue preventive measures after COVID-19 pandemic ends “Janel Miller, Healio, February 8, 2021

Los Angeles Times (2/8, Cahan) reports, “As the pandemic sends thousands of recovering alcoholics into relapse, hospitals across the country have reported dramatic increases in alcohol-related admissions for critical diseases such as alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure.” The Times adds, “Specialists at hospitals affiliated with the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Harvard University and Mount Sinai Health System in New York City said rates of admissions for alcoholic liver disease have leapt by up to 50% since March.”

Related Links:

— “As alcohol abuse rises amid pandemic, hospitals see a wave of deadly liver disease “Eli Cahan, Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2021

The Wall Street Journal (2/6, Drexler, Subscription Publication) reported that while some people have consumed more alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic, others have decided to give it up entirely in order to avoid the risk of becoming a problem drinker.

Related Links:

— “Giving Up Alcohol in the Era of Covid-19 “Peggy Drexle, The Wall Street Journal, February 6, 2021