Few older adults use direct-to-consumer health services; many who do don’t tell their regular provider

In all, 7.5% of people over 50 have used at least one direct-to-consumer health care service from an online-only provider, new results from the National Poll on Healthy Aging show. Nearly a third of all older adults, and more than 42% of those age 50 to 64, said they would be interested in using such services in the future.  

Addictive foods and the diabetes epidemic: Gearhardt testifies before Senate committee

Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D., M.Phil., M.S., professor of psychology, recently testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions about the role of addiction to ultra-processed foods in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Her testimony highlights several considerations for Congress to help reduce Americans’ excessive intake of ultra-processed foods and support a food supply that promotes health.

Views on medications for weight management

The vast majority of older adults–83%–think health insurers should cover medications that can help people with obesity manage their weight, according to new National Poll on Healthy Aging findings. Nearly as many–76%–believe Medicare should cover these drugs.

Minding Memory podcast: Identifying dementia from EHR data

In the latest episode of the Center to Accelerate Population Research in Alzheimer's podcast, Vinod Vydiswaran, Ph.D., M.Tech., associate professor of learning health sciences, shares his expertise on health informatics and methods for identifying dementia from electronic health records.

A new national study led by Sarah Reeves, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of pediatrics, shows almost two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease are born to mothers who live in disadvantaged areas. These data could help public health authorities focus efforts to support the complex needs of children with sickle cell disease and their families. 

Using artificial intelligence to scan surgery patients’ medical records for signs of risky drinking might help spot those whose alcohol use raises their risk of problems during and after an operation, according to a new study by Vinod Vydiswaran, Ph.D., M.Tech., associate professor of learning health sciences, and colleagues.