What We’re Reading: AI Heart Attack Detection; FDA Menthol Ban; Shooting Survivor Care Obstacles

New AI Can Detect Future Heart Attacks

A recent study discovered that artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect heart attack risk signs and prevent sudden cardiac death, according to Fox News. Researchers used AI to analyze 25,000 people who died from sudden cardiac arrest and 70,000 from the general population; they matched the individuals from each group by age, sex, and residential area, and created personalized risk equations for each individual by plugging in data for high blood pressure treatment, heart disease history, and behavior disorders. The AI then analyzed the gathered data to identify people at very high risk of sudden cardiac death. Experts explain that AI is useful in medical diagnostics or research due to its ability to recognize patterns and to make connections human analysts cannot.

Politicians, Health Organizations Demand Finalized FDA Menthol Cigarette Ban

Health organizations and local politicians are demanding that the Biden administration finalize the proposed FDA ban on menthol cigarettes, which is running months behind schedule, according to CBS News. Per the CDC, menthols are easy to smoke but hard to quit; they are the cigarette of choice for 81% of Black smokers vs 34% of White smokers. Advocates estimate that banning menthol could save up to 654,000 lives over 4 decades, a third of those being among the Black community. Some individuals do not support a ban due to concerns about police crackdowns on cigarette regulations leading to deadly encounters, while advocates argue that the proposed FDA rules would only target sellers and manufacturers, not those who purchase or use.

Child Shooting Survivors Face Major Health Costs, Obstacles

The ongoing medical needs of gun violence survivors and their families are vast, according to KFF Health News. A recent Health Affairs study showed that shooting survivors 19 years and younger are 68% more likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis and 144% more likely to develop a substance use disorder compared with other young people. The study also found that, on average, being shot added $35,000 to the health care costs of each young survivor; the more serious the injury, the greater the extent and cost of medical complications. Additionally, survivors often need ongoing care from specialists, including occupational and physical therapists, which may be hard to keep up with for those who have to travel great distances to receive this treatment.