Despite the drop in the list of leading causes of death, health experts, including Farida Ahmad, MPH, from the CDC, emphasize that it’s not game-over for COVID. The ongoing pandemic still poses a significant risk to public health, and continued vigilance and preventive measures are crucial in combating the spread of the virus.
William Schaffner, MD, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, warns about the risks of swimming in polluted water. Recent reports of Olympic athletes falling ill after swimming in the Seine highlight the importance of ensuring water quality and safety standards are met to prevent waterborne illnesses and infections.
John Pippin, MD, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, raises ethical concerns about the use of live animals in surgical residency programs. He stresses the importance of finding alternative training methods that do not involve the use of animals to uphold ethical standards in medical education.
Maya Balakrishnan, MD, MPH, from Baylor College of Medicine, highlights the potential risks of hepatotoxic botanical supplements. She points out that many users are uninformed and make decisions to take these supplements without consulting their physicians, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical advice before using such products.
Madelaine Feldman, MD, of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, criticizes the lack of transparency in traditional pharmacy benefit management systems. She suggests that alternative models are needed to provide better oversight and accountability in managing pharmaceuticals and healthcare costs.
Amanda Kaufman, PT, from Northwell Health STARS Rehabilitation, highlights the therapeutic benefits of swimming for individuals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). She explains that swimming can help alleviate stress on the body, pointing to Olympic athlete Katie Ledecky as an example of how swimming can be used as a therapy for certain medical conditions.
Gita Pensa, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Brown University, stresses the importance of having clear protocols in place for handling medical malpractice cases. She emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to be prepared and informed on the necessary steps to take in the event of a malpractice lawsuit.
Elizabeth Phillips, MD, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, cautions against the indiscriminate prescription of oral antibiotics. She emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to carefully consider the risks and benefits of antibiotic use and to avoid overprescribing these medications to prevent antibiotic resistance and other complications.
The insights provided by these health experts shed light on various important health concerns and underscore the need for continued education, research, and advocacy to address these challenges in healthcare effectively.
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