Health restrictions on transgender adults and children; weight-loss companies to include obesity drugs; hormone patches or creams for menopause may have lower blood pressure risk than pills
Transgender Adults in Florida Shocked by New Gender-affirming Law
Florida's new law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has not only restricted gender-affirming care for transgender children but has also made it difficult for many transgender adults to access treatment, according to The Associated Press. Transgender adults in Florida felt blindsided when they discovered that the law would limit their access to health care. The law imposes strict regulations, including the requirement of an informed consent form and in-person visits with a physician, while allowing doctors and pharmacists to refuse treatment for transgender individuals.
Weight-loss Companies Shift Business Strategies to Include Obesity Drugs
Due to increased demand, WeightWatchers and Noom are adapting their business models to include prescription medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, according to NBC News. The companies report they are responding to an evolving understanding of obesity as a chronic disease and customer requests for medication options. By offering access to these drugs, they aim to provide more comprehensive solutions for weight loss, acknowledging the limitations of traditional diet and exercise approaches.
Hormone Patches or Creams for Menopause Symptoms Linked to Lower Blood Pressure Risk Compared to Pills
New research indicates that women who use hormone therapy to alleviate menopause symptoms may have a lower risk of high blood pressure if they opt for patches or creams instead of pills, according to ABC News. The study found that those who took estrogen pills had a 14% higher risk of developing hypertension compared to those who used skin patches or creams. While further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between hormone therapy and blood pressure, the findings highlight the importance of monitoring blood pressure in women using oral hormone therapy.
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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Covering antiobesity medications like semaglutide could save Medicare around $500 million annually; preliminary CDC data showed a 3% decline in the number of US overdose deaths last year; the Biden administration recently announced the first national maternal mental health strategy.
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