CNBC (7/9, Saiidi) reports CDC data indicate for the last three years, the average life expectancy in the US has declined. Data also indicate “the last three years represent the longest consecutive decline in the American lifespan at birth since the period between 1915 and 1918, which included World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic, events that killed many millions worldwide.” Some factors influencing the decline in life expectancy include increased rates of drug overdose, suicide, and liver disease.

Related Links:

— “US life expectancy has been declining. Here’s why, “Uptin Saiidi, CNBC, July 9, 2019

Medscape (7/9, Tucker, Subscription Publication) reports, “Most antidepressant classes are associated with reduced mortality risk among people with both diabetes and major depression,” research indicated. The study, which included some 50,000 people, revealed “an approximate 35% reduction in deaths over the study period for all antidepressant classes except for reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A.” The findingswere published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Related Links:

— “Antidepressant Use Cuts Deaths by a Third in Those With Diabetes, “Miriam E. Tucker, Medscape, July 9, 2019

Reuters (7/9, Rapaport) reports that patients with dementia “may go to the emergency” department (ED) “more often when their caregivers are depressed,” researchers concluded after observing “663 dementia patients and their family caregivers.” The study revealed that “caregiver depression was associated with a 73% increase in” ED “use among dementia patients.” The findings were published online July 8 in JAMA Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Caregiver depression tied to more ER visits for dementia patients, “Lisa Rapaport, Reuters, July 9, 2019

HealthDay (7/8, Reinberg) reports, “Teens who use Spice, K2 or other synthetic marijuana products may risk medical harm, including coma and seizures,” researchers concluded after reviewing emergency department records data from 65 hospitals in 23 states. The study also revealed that “those who mixed the manmade ‘marijuana’ with other drugs, such as stimulants, could become dangerously agitated.” The findings were published online in Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Teens Risk Seizures, Coma When They Use ‘Synthetic Pot’, “Steven Reinberg, HealthDay, July 8, 2019

Perri Klass, MD, writes for the New York Times (7/8) “The Checkup” column that a “new study suggests that organized sports participation may be helpful for kids who are dealing with childhood trauma.” The study “looked at a national sample of 9,668 people” and “found people who had experienced traumatic events as children had better mental health outcomes as adults if they had participated in team sports during adolescence.” The study was published in JAMA.

Related Links:

— “Team Sports May Help Children Deal With Trauma, ” Perri Klass, M.D., The New York Times, July 8, 2019