As state battles intensify, what's next for abortion pill access in U.S.?
Since the fall of Roe v. Wade three years ago, the number of abortions counted annually in the United States has risen, thanks largely to the growing availability of mifepristone and misoprostol. Medication abortions account for almost two-thirds of terminations involving a clinician, recent studies show — a 10-percentage-point leap from 2020.
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Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump's anti-DEI order sparks new federal funding guidance in Washington County
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Washington County has approved guidelines aimed at helping officials maintain critical funding amid President Donald Trump's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion policies. One of several established that entities with DEI practices would no longer be eligible for funding from the U.S. government. After several months of talks centered on how to preserve federal grants and other financial support, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to approve guiding principles during a meeting on Tuesday. CDC delves into bubonic plague case detected in Oregon in early 2024 The new guidance states that leaders will continue to operate 'in a transparent and open manner' while complying with federal, state and local regulations, among . Earlier in June, the its February 2020 commitment to DEI practices in response to the executive order. following pushback from several residents who argued leaders of the diverse county shouldn't adhere to the Trump administration's demands. However, County Administrator Tanya Ange noted that officials rely on $135 million in federal funding annually — and July through August is typically the period in which grants and contracts are renewed. Senior Medicare services administered through the Oregon Department of Human Services and overdose prevention programs managed by the Oregon Health Authority are among the resources that are currently 'at risk' as local officials wait to learn whether funding has been secured, according to Ange's . Despite uncertainty surrounding which resources will remain accessible in the county, some community members are arguing the new guidelines are too vague to ensure the protection of all residents. 'Simply changing the wording may not be enough to get the federal funds that we need, or maybe the wording is enough, but the resolution you pass is ambiguous enough to open the door for these funds to be made available for purposes they were not intended for — for not serving the under-resourced members of our community,' one testifier said. Ritz-Carlton in Portland sold back to lender to 'strengthen' struggling property District 1 Commissioner Nafisa Fai proposed an amendment that would have changed the guidelines to include language about Oregon's sanctuary state status, and to affirm that all Washington County residents would still have the right to access resources despite discrimination. When no other leaders voted to second the proposal, a decision that was met with 'boos' from attendees of the public hearing, District 4 Commissioner Jason Willey said legal counsel had already advised the county against changing the resolution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
PCPs Guide to Prescribing Blood Thinners for AF
As a primary care physician (PCP), you're often the first healthcare professional that will identify cardiac issues, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Individuals with AF face a fivefold risk for stroke. Therefore, these patients are often prescribed blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to slow blood clotting, according to the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Up to six million Americans have AF, the risk for which increases with age. The ASH says there are 450,000 hospitalizations each year because of AF. It's very important to check on your patient's response within the first few months of taking blood thinners. In fact, patients with AF who took low doses of oral anticoagulants experienced a higher incidence of bleeding episodes during the first 3 months of treatment, according to a study published in Blood Advances . When Should PCPs Prescribe Anticoagulants? PCPs should consider prescribing oral anticoagulants when they are the principal caregivers for patients with AF, acute deep venous thrombosis, or acute pulmonary embolism, according to R. Michael Benitez, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. The decision to prescribe an oral anticoagulant must be based upon the patient's risk without anticoagulation weighed in context with the patient's risk for significant bleeding, he said. How Can Physicians Best Communicate the Rationale for Anticoagulant Therapy? When describing AF, PCPs can explain to patients that the upper chamber of heart is 'wiggling' and not effectively contracting and when blood is not being effectively moved forward, it tends to clot, said Benitez. Physicians can also share that a clot as small as 2 mm is large enough to cause a major stroke if it were to break loose from the inside of the top chamber and be pumped with the blood to the brain, suggested the cardiologist. 'The oral anticoagulant greatly reduces the risk of the formation of these blood clots and subsequent stroke,' Benitez said. 'Stroke is a terrible event that, if survived, often changes a patient's life permanently and significantly. In the setting of atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation greatly reduces the patient's risk of stroke.' Regarding deep venous thrombosis, physicians can explain that a blood clot in the leg veins could break loose and be pumped through the right side of the heart to the lungs. 'This event, pulmonary embolism, can cause critical illness or even death; the risk can be greatly reduced through the use of oral anticoagulants,' said Benitez. What Are Important Directives Regarding Usage? PCPs should stress that daily use is critical to the success of the drug in preventing stroke. 'In the case of the new direct oral anticoagulants, such as apixaban or rivaroxaban, the drugs both work very quickly but also wear off very quickly,' said Benitez. 'This means that even missing just 2-3 days is enough for the blood to again clot normally. It is essential that the drugs be taken daily to prevent stroke.' In the case of warfarin, the effect of the drug is more prolonged. While missing a single dose is unlikely to markedly change the degree of anticoagulation, it's still best to remind patients not to miss doses and take this daily as prescribed, according to Benitez. What Side Effects Should Be Discussed? It is extremely important with warfarin — and to a lesser degree with direct oral anticoagulants — to always make certain that there is no drug-drug interaction that might affect the degree of anticoagulation when new medications are introduced, such as antibiotics, said Benitez. Other side effects to bring to a patients' attention are minor bleeding (such as gum bleeding with dental flossing) or nose bleeds that stop easily, which don't require immediate medical attention. However, your patients should self-monitor bleeding episodes and know a course of action if injured. 'If bleeding will not readily stop then medical attention is needed, and patients who incur major injury or trauma are likely to be taken to an emergency facility where it is important for the staff caring for them to know what anticoagulant they are taking, the dose, and when they last took it,' Benitez said. 'Reversal agents are now available to normalize blood clotting.' Your patients may be concerned with food that could interact with these medications. Benitez said there are no significant food interactions or dietary restrictions. But when prescribing warfarin, some nutritional guidance is warranted. 'With warfarin, which is a vitamin K antagonist, it is essential that the patient limit their intake of food containing vitamin K, as it is essentially an antidote or reversal agent for the anticoagulant,' he said. Some sources of vitamin K are well-known, such as leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and other greens. However, there are many other dietary sources rich in vitamin K that may not be as obvious, such as cauliflower and soy products, Benitez said. 'It is important for the patient to familiarize themselves with vitamin K-containing foods and to keep the intake of them low and steady from day to day if they are taking warfarin,' he said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Want to protect your brain as you age? Science says to start with this routine
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you're trying to stay healthy into your 60s and beyond, there's good news. A new study suggests you don't need extreme workouts or complicated diets to support your brain. Just a consistent routine and a bit of support, like coaching or regular social connection, can go a long way The research, published in JAMA, followed more than 2,000 adults aged 60 to 79 who were at risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Over the course of two years, participants were encouraged to move more, stay socially connected, and manage their heart health. They were also advised to eat well using the brain-friendly MIND diet. This diet emphasizes leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, and fish while limiting red meat and processed foods.. One group followed a structured program with coaching and regular check-ins. The other group was given the same advice but had to make the changes on their own. A little structure made a big difference At the end of the study, both groups showed improvements. However, those who received structured support experienced greater gains in memory, focus, and processing speed. This support included regular coaching, group activities, goal-setting, and check-ins that helped keep participants motivated and accountable. The benefits were especially noticeable in people who had lower cognitive scores at the start. This suggests that healthy habits do matter, but it is the routine and accountability, having someone or something to help you stay on track, that makes those habits stick and leads to better results. For readers, this does not mean you need a personal coach or expensive program. Simple ways to create support include joining a local walking or exercise group, setting reminders or using apps to track your goals, partnering with a friend or family member for regular check-ins, or signing up for community classes or social clubs that focus on wellness. What this means for you The takeaway? You don't need to overhaul your lifestyle overnight. Building a simple structure, like joining a walking group or using an app to track your goals, can make it easier to follow through and see the benefits. And if you're looking to get started, moving a little more each day is a great first step. Whether that means walking with a friend or heading out for a short jog, our expert-tested list of the best running shoes can help you find the right pair. More from Tom's Guide Forget hour-long workouts — new study says this 5-minute routine improves your strength and mental health Hate sit-ups? Study shows this is the only activity you need to strengthen your core This mobility test takes just seconds — and it could predict how well you'll age
