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.

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

Endocrinology Advisor (3/4, Nye) reports a study found that “thyroid dysfunction is related with increased risk for depression.” Prior studies “suggest an association between depression and abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function.” Researchers concluded, “[T]hyroid dysfunction was associated with depression. Increasing TSH levels were associated with a small increase in the odds of [clinically relevant depression], especially among women, and patients who were not prescribed [antidepressants] or were on [thyroid hormone replacement].” The study was published in Thyroid.

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— “Elevated Thyrotropin Levels Associated With Depression,” Jessica Nye, PhD, Endocrinology Advisor, March 4, 2025

Modern Healthcare (3/3, Berryman , Subscription Publication) reports UnitedHealthcare“plans to cut nearly 10% of prior authorizations this year, the company said in a notice Saturday.” Under the “initiative, the insurer said it will remove pre-approval requirements for home health services managed by its home and community division.” These changes, effective April 1, “will apply to Medicare Advantage and dual special needs plans in 36 states and Washington, D.C.” The decision follows a broader industry trend, with other insurers like Cigna and some Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies also reducing prior authorization requirements.

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— “UnitedHealthcare to reduce prior authorization requirements,” Berryman, Modern Healthcare, March 3, 2025 — Free Registration Required

Psychiatric News (3/3) reports a study found that “one in 10 buprenorphine initiations is provided via telehealth, and about 20% of those involved no in-person visit within two years prior or 30 days after.” Researchers said, “Our findings suggest that telehealth initiation of buprenorphine without a prior in-person visit is an important pathway for accessing this lifesaving treatment for adults with opioid use disorder.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “One in 10 Patients Starts Buprenorphine Treatment for OUD via Telehealth,” Psychiatric News, March 3, 2025