COVID-19 decreases to 10th leading cause of death
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of leading causes of death since 2020. COVID was the underlying cause of more than 76,000 deaths in 2023, and almost 1.6% of the nation’s total deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 2023 death rate from COVID decreased from 245,000 in 2022 (5.7% of total deaths).
At its peak in 2020 and 2021, COVID was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. COVID has now fallen to 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., down from the fourth leading cause of death in 2022. COVID deaths in the U.S. fell 69% from 2022 to 2023, according to the CDC. The findings are estimates based on U.S. death certificates.
The CDC states that despite the decreased death rate resulting from the disease, the COVID-19 virus is still a continued threat, especially to older adults and individuals with medical conditions. COVID deaths have decreased for most of the population, but for those ages 85 and up, deaths are still high.
The decrease in Covid deaths is likely due to widespread immunity from vaccines and previous infections, according to the CDC. The antiviral medication Paxlovid has also reduced the likelihood of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Sugar substitute erythritol may increase cardiovascular issues
Erythritol is a sugar substitute commonly found in reduced-sugar products. Erythritol is commonly used in sugar-free foods and sugar substitute products. A research study published recently from Cleveland Clinic has found that consumption of erythritol may increase an individual’s risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Researchers found that consuming a 30-gram serving of erythritol sweetener resulted in more active blood platelets for the health study participants. More active blood platelets can increase the risk of blood clots, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Sugar-free products are often recommended as a sweetener substitute for people with obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome to manage sugar and calorie intake, according to CBS News and Cleveland Clinic. Individuals with these types of conditions are already at a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
Erythritol is currently classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), allowing the sweetener to be used by food manufacturers without restriction in edible products. The Cleveland Clinic report is still in the research phase, and consumers should be vigilant about what they are purchasing to ensure that they are not consuming copious amounts of any certain type of food.
Sun and skin cancer safety
Sunscreen can guard against the sun’s harmful rays, but many people don’t realize that some medications and creams can undo that protection and can impact the effectiveness of sunscreen.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, there are numerous external factors that contribute to the skin being more sensitive to UV rays. Certain medications can render skin more vulnerable to sunlight, as they contain ingredients that can trigger a physical reaction when exposed to UV light, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medications such as hydrochlorothiazide for blood pressure, and antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and doxycycline to treat a wide variety of conditions, are just a few examples.
Additionally, some beauty products, such as over-the-counter retinol serums and skin exfoliants, (especially those that contain alpha and beta hydroxy acids) can increase skin’s photosensitivity to sunlight. These types of exfoliants help remove the dead skin layer that brightens completion, but at the same time, they make the skin more vulnerable to the sun.
Increased exposure over time to harmful UV radiation can result in an increase in skin cancer rates. For these reasons, using sunscreen and frequently reapplying it when outside is very important, according to the U.S. News and World Report. Individuals should use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day, especially when spending long periods of time outside, and sunscreen should be worn underneath makeup or other skin care products.
Mayo Clinic study finds dysfunctional white blood cells linked to heightened melanoma risk
About 8 to 10 million Americans over age 40 have an overabundance of cloned white blood cells, or lymphocytes, that hamper their immune systems. Although many who have this condition – called monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) – do not experience any symptoms, a new study shows they may have an elevated risk for several health complications, including melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The findings, by Mayo Clinic researchers, are published in a new paper in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
People with MBL fall along a spectrum that spans from a low amount to a high amount of these dysfunctional lymphocytes. Previous research has shown that MBL is a precursor to a type of blood and bone marrow cancer known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). People with CLL also have a heightened risk of melanoma.
Telehealth utilization increased nationally in June, decreased in Midwest
In June 2024, telehealth utilization increased nationally and in the West, Northeast and South, but decreased in the Midwest, according to FAIR Health’s Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker. Nationally, telehealth claim lines rose from 4.82% of medical claim lines in May to 4.89 percent in June, an increase of 1.5 percent. In the West, the telehealth share of medical claim lines increased 1.4%; in the Northeast, it rose 0.8%; and in the South, it rose 0.3%. In the Midwest, the telehealth share of medical claim lines fell 1.7%. The data represent the commercially insured population, excluding Medicare Fee-for-Service, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.