Women GPs outnumber male counterparts for first time in France
The Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (DREES) found that between the beginning of 2012 and the beginning of 2025, the number of doctors overall increased by 9.9 percent.
This has been especially noticeable in the last two years which saw a rise of 1.4 percent between 1 January 2023 and 2024 and 1.6 percent between 1 January 2024 and 2025.
Drees says that as of January this year, 50 percent of doctors are women, a significant rise from 41 percent in 2012.
Of the 237,214 doctors in practice in France (including 100,000 general practitioners), the number of women (118,957) exceeded their male counterparts (118,257) for the first time in 2025.
In specialist sectors, women make up 97 percent of midwives and podiatrists, with a rise seen in the number of dental surgeons in the past 13 years, Drees says.
Rise in foreign doctors
The overall rise in the number of doctors is due to several factors, including more doctors with foreign qualifications.
On 1 January 2025, 11 percent of doctors had a foreign qualification compared to 7 percent on 1 January 2012.
The number of training places has also increased, with a strong uptake between 2000 and 2020.
France moves towards professional equality for doctors trained outside the EU
The study also showed that doctors are getting younger, with the average age down from 51.1 years in 2012 to 49.9 years in 2025.
The proportion of doctors under 40 has increased sharply, from 17 percent at the beginning of 2012 to 31 percent at the beginning of 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Experts reveal the hidden health side effects of lash serums
Longer, darker lashes are having a moment. For those avoiding the risk or expense of lash extensions, serums can seem like a safer, more affordable option. But not all lash serums are created equal – and some come with hidden side-effects. The key difference lies in the ingredients. Some lash serums use conditioning agents like peptides or plant oils, while others contain powerful pharmaceutical ingredients originally developed for treating eye disease. In 2001, a new medication called bimatoprost was approved to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension – two conditions involving pressure buildup inside the eye that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Unlike earlier treatments, bimatoprost worked well for patients who hadn't responded to other drugs, had fewer systemic side effects (effects on the whole body rather than just the eye) and required less frequent dosing than some other glaucoma drops. But doctors soon noticed something unexpected: their patients' eyelashes were growing longer, thicker and darker. Researchers still don't fully understand how bimatoprost stimulates lash growth, but it appears to extend the anagen phase – the active growth phase – of the lash life cycle. In 2008, the same drug (now marketed as Latisse) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency responsible for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices, to treat eyelash hypotrichosis, a condition where eyelashes are sparse or missing. It was initially prescribed for people who had lost their lashes due to chemotherapy, alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder causing hair loss), or trichotillomania (a compulsive hair-pulling condition). Extensive research shows that bimatoprost is effective at making lashes longer, thicker and darker, with noticeable results after 16 weeks of daily use. But the results are temporary: once you stop using it, your lashes return to their natural growth cycle. Side-effects Bimatoprost belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin analogues (PGAs), which have been widely used in eye care since the 1990s. Because of this, its side effects are well documented. When used for lash growth, bimatoprost can cause burning, redness, dryness and eye irritation. These usually go away when the product is stopped. But there are also more serious cosmetic changes to be aware of, including darkening of the skin on the eyelid, fat loss around the eyes, creating a hollow, sunken look, permanent iris darkening (the coloured part of the eye), unwanted hair growth where the serum spreads and, in rare cases, drooping of the upper eyelid, which may require surgery to correct. In the UK, bimatoprost remains a prescription-only medication. However, the boom in over-the-counter lash serums sold online and in shops has made similar products more accessible – and potentially more confusing. A recent investigation by the UK government found that almost one in four lash serums sold in the UK contain PGAs such as isopropyl cloprostenate. This chemical is not as well studied as bimatoprost, but case reports suggest it can cause skin darkening, dryness and hollowing of the eye area, sometimes after just a few weeks of use. In the US, the FDA issued warnings over a decade ago stating that any cosmetic product containing these ingredients and making growth claims should be treated as a drug, not a cosmetic. Consumers may be unaware they're using a pharmaceutical-mimicking ingredient. Sweden banned PGAs in lash serums in 2013. Canada prohibits them in all cosmetic products. Even if a product claims to be 'PGA-free,' check the ingredients list: anything ending in '-prost' is a red flag. 'Natural' or peptide-based alternatives Some lash serums use peptides, which may help strengthen lashes by boosting keratin or supporting follicle health. These are often combined with conditioning agents to reduce breakage. While seen as a gentler alternative to PGAs, most studies on peptides focus on scalp hair, not eyelashes, so evidence for lash growth is limited. Other serums rely on castor oil or plant-based extracts, but their effectiveness is largely anecdotal and not supported by robust science. There is no guaranteed, side-effect-free way to make lashes grow dramatically longer. Prescription lash serums like bimatoprost are proven to work – but they come with potential risks, especially with long-term use. Over-the-counter products may seem safer, but many contain hidden prostaglandin analogues buried deep in the ingredients list with similar side effects. Peptide and oil-based serums are less risky, but there's little strong evidence that they work. Our eyes are delicate and, unlike beauty trends, they're not replaceable. If you're thinking about enhancing your lashes, read the label, do your research and speak to an eye care professional. The price of longer lashes shouldn't be your eye health. Alison Ng is a Lecturer in Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University Byki Huntjens is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Optometry in the School of Health & Medical Sciences, City St George's at the University of London. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Arboviruses: What Clinicians Need to Know
Europe is experiencing increasing prevalence of arbovirus diseases — those transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, or sand flies. These diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, have traditionally been endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Their frequency and scale have increased globally in the past two decades, and the geographic range of transmission has expanded into areas previously unaffected, including non-endemic regions in Europe. While most cases are imported, mosquito species and ticks are establishing themselves further northwards and westwards in Europe. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), between 2021 and 2024, the number of autochthonous (locally acquired) dengue outbreaks and cases increased considerably, and chikungunya and Zika infections have also now been reported in Mediterranean regions. Arbovirus Diseases Becoming More Common Tamás Bakonyi, ECDC principal expert on vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, told Medscape Medical News that arbovirus diseases have become more common in Europe due to a combination of environmental, biological, and societal factors. Climate conditions can change the environment in which infectious diseases thrive, contributing to their increase and impact, he said. Rising temperatures, milder winters, more frequent extreme weather events, and changing rainfall patterns may create more favorable conditions for the transmission of several vector-, food-, and waterborne diseases. 'Vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya virus disease, West Nile virus infections, Lyme borreliosis, and tick-borne encephalitis are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall,' he explained. Warmer temperatures increase mosquito and tick survival and shorten pathogen incubation times, which in turn accelerates disease transmission cycles. Most Cases Imported International travel has led to the importation of arboviruses from endemic regions to Europe, Bakonyi said. This underlies most reported arbovirus infections in Europe but may spark local outbreaks. The ECDC collects data on imported cases on an annual basis. Its latest interactive surveillance atlas, for the year 2023, showed across the EU: Dengue: 5027 travel-associated cases vs 129 locally acquired cases. Chikungunya: 320 imported cases including in Spain (191), Germany (44), and France (39), with no reported locally acquired cases. Zika virus infection: 79 travel-associated cases with none locally acquired. In addition, the ECDC collects seasonal data over the summer on locally acquired cases of various arboviral diseases. Its latest communicable disease threats surveillance for the week ending August 01, 2025, showed: Locally acquired dengue in three European countries in 2025 so far: France (6, including 2 new cases since the previous week), Italy (3), and Portugal (2 in Madeira). Locally acquired chikungunya in France (49) and Italy (2) so far during 2025. Up to 30 July, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases were reported in Greece (2) and Spain (2). Up to 30 July, human cases of West Nile virus infection were reported in Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, and Romania. Be Alert for Symptoms Clinicians across Europe this summer should be on the alert for symptoms of arbovirus infections, both mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases, Bakonyi advised. Dengue — Most cases are imported by travelers returning to the EU from endemic areas, but these may generate local, mosquito-borne transmission in areas with competent vectors and supportive climatic/weather conditions. Transmission is primarily by Aedes aegypti globally and Aedes albopictus in Europe, where the species is increasingly frequent. Symptoms include an acute, high fever, occasionally progressing to hemorrhagic fever, with headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and a maculopapular rash. Up to 5% of cases can be severe, with increased vascular permeability that can lead to life-threatening hypovolemic shock. Chikungunya — A notifiable disease at the EU level. Around a third of cases are asymptomatic; the remainder are characterized by sudden onset fever, chills, headache, myalgia, nausea, photophobia, incapacitating joint pain, and petechial or maculopapular rash. Recovery may take months but typically occurs within 10 days and gives lifelong immunity. Zika — Generally asymptomatic, but may cause mild fever, arthralgia, and fatigue, with a maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, myalgia, and headache. It is usually short (2-7 days) and self-limiting, but infection during pregnancy may lead to congenital central nervous system malformations such as microcephaly, with a raised risk for fetal loss. West Nile fever — About 80% of infections are asymptomatic but may cause fever, headache, malaise, myalgia, fatigue, and eye pain, sometimes with a rash. Some 1%-10% of cases may be severe, especially among older people. Most cases in humans occur between July and September, when mosquitoes are active. Diagnosis More Difficult Diagnosis should be on the basis of clinical presentation and epidemiologic context, as well as laboratory tests, which vary by disease, Bakonyi said. Testing has become more difficult recently due to the global expansion of arboviruses, leading to antibodies that cross-react on serological assays. As for treatment, Bakonyi recommended referring to the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued its first global arbovirus guidelines in July. These also point to the difficulty in distinguishing between arboviral infections because early symptoms often overlap. Treatment Largely Symptomatic Treatment is largely symptomatic in mild infections. With suspected or confirmed nonsevere dengue, chikungunya, Zika, or yellow fever, the WHO recommends oral rehydration, with paracetamol or dipyrone for managing pain and fever. Corticosteroids are not recommended in nonsevere infections, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided in all cases. For hospitalized patients with suspected or confirmed severe arboviral disease, the WHO recommends: Prefer crystalloid fluids over colloids for intravenous (IV) rehydration. Use capillary refill time and serum lactate levels to guide decisions on IV fluid management, with a passive leg raise test for patients in shock. Avoid systemic corticosteroids and immunoglobulins. Avoid prophylactic platelet transfusions in patients with platelet counts < 50,000/μL unless there is active bleeding.
Medscape
3 hours ago
- Medscape
High Fat Around Heart Signals Risk for New AFib
TOPLINE: The volume of epicardial adipose tissue was independently associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AFib) in individuals without a history of the condition. Patients with the highest volumes of fatty tissue were more than twice as likely to develop AFib as those with the lowest volumes. METHODOLOGY: Researchers examined the association between the volume of epicardial adipose tissue and the incidence of AFib in a general population cohort from the greater Copenhagen area. The researchers included 2292 participants aged 40 years or older (mean age, 59.4; 54% women) with no prior history of AFib and normal kidney function. The participants underwent cardiac CT angiography of the volume of The primary endpoint was new-onset AFib, and the secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality, assessed over a median follow-up duration of 7.7 years. TAKEAWAY: Overall, 123 participants (5.4%) developed AFib, corresponding to an incidence rate of 7.2 per 1000 person-years. Each standard deviation increase in the volume of epicardial adipose tissue was associated with a 29% higher risk for AFib (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.29; P = .01). The absolute risk for AFib increased from 4.6% in the lowest quartile of epicardial adipose tissue volume to 11.4% in the highest quartile (Gray's test P < .001), with no significant differences in cumulative risk for mortality. The volume of epicardial adipose tissue was associated with age, male sex, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < .05). IN PRACTICE: 'These findings indicate that traditional measures like BMI may not fully reflect the AF risk associated with EAT [epicardial adipose tissue],' the researchers reported. Because that tissue 'is potentially modifiable through weight loss and pharmacologic interventions, identifying it as a risk factor offers an opportunity for early prevention strategies,' they added. SOURCE: This study was led by Jonas Jalili Pedersen, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. It was published online on July 31, 2025, in the European Heart Journal. LIMITATIONS: Participants who opted for research CT angiography scans may have differed from the general population, introducing healthy volunteer bias. The incidence of AFib may have been underestimated as episodes of asymptomatic or paroxysmal AFib may have remained undetected. This observational study did not imply that AFib was caused by high epicardial adipose tissue. DISCLOSURES: The primary researcher received support through a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
