How Many Physicians Have Opted Out of the Medicare Program?

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peter doshi :: Article Creator New Research Reports On Financial Entanglements Between FDA Chiefs And The Drug Industry An investigation published by The BMJ today raises concerns about financial entanglements between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chiefs and the drug and medical device companies they are responsible for regulating. Regulations prohibit FDA employees from holding financial interests in any FDA "significantly regulated organization" and the FDA says it takes conflicts of interest seriously, but Peter Doshi, senior editor at The BMJ, finds that financial interests with the drug industry are common among its leaders. Doshi reports that nine of the FDA's past 10 commissioners went on to work for the drug industry or serve on the board of directors of a drug company. That includes Margaret Hamburg, who led FDA between 2009 and 2015, but whose story is less well known. Like her colleagues, Margaret Hamburg h

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vaccine delta variant :: Article Creator

Full COVID Vaccination Tied To Lower Risk Of Heart Conditions, Death

A new analysis of data in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses finds that the incidence of COVID-19 hospitalization is more than double among patients with any psychiatric disorder compared to adults with no psychiatric disorder.

The longitudinal study is based on electronic health records collected from four health systems and research centers in Indiana, Oregon, Texas, and Utah that partner with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study follow-up period lasted from December 2021 to August 2022, after both widespread vaccination campaigns and the Omicron variant became features of the pandemic in the United States.

Among the 2,436,999 adults included in the study, the median age was 47. Women composed 58.3% of the sample, 66.1% were White, 12.9% were Black, 12.0% were Hispanic, and 3.6% were Asian. Among participants, 41.6% were unvaccinated, 35.7% had received two doses, and 22.7% had received three doses.

Anxiety, mood disorders tied to hospitalization

A total of 538,034 adults had any psychiatric disorder, including 13.6% with anxiety disorders, 12.9% with mood disorders, 3.1% with trauma or stressor-related disorders, 1.9% with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders, and 1.0% with psychotic disorders.

Adults with psychiatric disorders were hospitalized at a rate of 394 per 100,000 person-years, compared with a rate of 156 per 100,000 person-years for those without psychiatric disorder.

Psychiatric disorder was a significant predictor of COVID-19-associated hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 1.37). Mood disorders, anxiety, and psychotic disorders were most associated with hospitalization.

Adjusted hazard ratios for hospitalization among vaccinated and unvaccinated adults with or without psychiatric disorders was the same.

The relative protection associated with mRNA vaccination was similar irrespective of psychiatric disorder status.

"The relative protection associated with mRNA vaccination was similar irrespective of psychiatric disorder status, underscoring the benefit of COVID-19 vaccination in this population," the authors concluded.


Still Haven't Gotten The Vaccine?

Still havent gotten the vaccine? These questions and answers could help

by USA Today Staff

These questions and answers could help

Today, 7 in 10 American adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but the new rise in cases fueled by the delta variant threatens to undo the country's progress toward normality.

We know it can be hard to sort through all the information out there, so we reviewed issues and objections related to COVID-19 vaccines and provided science-based responses, ways you can get help and research further. 

Are you fully vaccinated? no Yes

You are well-protected from severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 as cases surge across the nation. 

Congratulations!

If you encounter friends and family who are hesitant, talk to them. 

To help someone else,

The Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 17% of the vaccine hesitant were convinced to get a shot by a family member and 5% were convinced by a friend.

No, I am unsure or unable

OK, let's see if we can help answer any questions you may have.

"I've heard it's not effective against the delta variant."

Research shows it's effective.

Vaccines are slightly less effective against delta, but are still extremely effective compared with being unvaccinated and prevent severe illness.

"It's not FDA approved."

Pfizer's vaccine has full FDA approval for those 16 and older. 

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, which have emergency FDA authorization, are further behind in the licensure process, but are expected to go through the same steps in the coming months.

"I heard that there are bad side effects."

Most side effects are mild, and some people have none at all.

You may feel sick or experience soreness, swelling, fatigue, a headache or chills, but these symptoms should resolve after a few days and show your immune system is working.

"I already had COVID, so I don't need the vaccine."

You could get reinfected.

Those who recover from COVID have virus-fighting antibodies, but unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected than vaccinated ones, according to a study published by the CDC. 

"If my kids can't get the vaccine, why should I?"

To protect them.

According to the CDC, a growing body of evidence indicates that fully vaccinated people are less likely than unvaccinated persons to acquire SARS-CoV-2 or to transmit it to others.

"I have no access to transportation."

Free rides are available.

Uber and Lyft are providing free rides to and from vaccine sites—check the apps for more information. Also check your state health department's website for free shuttle services to and from vaccine locations.

"How do I get a vaccine?I don't know where to go."

Here's what you need to do:

To find vaccines available near you, go to vaccines.Gov or text your ZIP code to 438 829.

See more answers to your vaccine questions at USATODAY.Com

Psychiatric Conditions Linked To More COVID-19 Hospital Stays

A new analysis of data in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses finds that the incidence of COVID-19 hospitalization is more than double among patients with any psychiatric disorder compared to adults with no psychiatric disorder.

The longitudinal study is based on electronic health records collected from four health systems and research centers in Indiana, Oregon, Texas, and Utah that partner with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study follow-up period lasted from December 2021 to August 2022, after both widespread vaccination campaigns and the Omicron variant became features of the pandemic in the United States.

Among the 2,436,999 adults included in the study, the median age was 47. Women composed 58.3% of the sample, 66.1% were White, 12.9% were Black, 12.0% were Hispanic, and 3.6% were Asian. Among participants, 41.6% were unvaccinated, 35.7% had received two doses, and 22.7% had received three doses.

Anxiety, mood disorders tied to hospitalization

A total of 538,034 adults had any psychiatric disorder, including 13.6% with anxiety disorders, 12.9% with mood disorders, 3.1% with trauma or stressor-related disorders, 1.9% with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders, and 1.0% with psychotic disorders.

Adults with psychiatric disorders were hospitalized at a rate of 394 per 100,000 person-years, compared with a rate of 156 per 100,000 person-years for those without psychiatric disorder.

Psychiatric disorder was a significant predictor of COVID-19-associated hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 1.37). Mood disorders, anxiety, and psychotic disorders were most associated with hospitalization.

Adjusted hazard ratios for hospitalization among vaccinated and unvaccinated adults with or without psychiatric disorders was the same.

The relative protection associated with mRNA vaccination was similar irrespective of psychiatric disorder status.

"The relative protection associated with mRNA vaccination was similar irrespective of psychiatric disorder status, underscoring the benefit of COVID-19 vaccination in this population," the authors concluded.






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