Ohio Gov. DeWine answers questions about Medicaid during visit to UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
27 minutes ago
- CBS News
Hepatitis C is a silent epidemic in the U.S., but this small clinic is proving it doesn't have to be
Although it's been over a decade since game-changing curative drugs for hepatitis C were approved, progress has been slow and treatment remains out of reach for many. But one small clinic in Buffalo, New York, is proving that doesn't have to be the case. Hepatitis C is a silent epidemic in the U.S., affecting up to 4 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people don't know they have it. Left untreated, the disease can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. With a model that's faster, more accessible and remarkably effective, La Bodega, a clinic at Erie County Medical Center, is curing patients at a staggering rate. One of those patients is Lindsey Groffenberg, who quit drugs and was cured of Hep C at La Bodega. "When you're coming out of addiction, and you're trying to recover, the last thing you want is to feel small," she told CBS News. "When I entered La Bodega, I asked them, 'So, when's the doctor gonna come in?' And he said, 'I am the doctor.'" That doctor was Dr. Tony Martinez. "One of our mottos is 'come one, come all,'" Martinez told CBS News. "It's a very safe, stigma-free space, you know, I think people feel that when they come here." Groffenberg now helps others navigate recovery. Success stories like hers have made the clinic a model program. La Bodega gets Hep C patients on treatment in a single visit, and has a track record of curing about 98% of its 7,000-plus patients. New FDA-approved testing machines help speed up treatment. The testing machines, Martinez explained, allow them to see a patient and in that same visit confirm their diagnosis and initiate their meds. As drug costs have dropped, access should have improved, yet so far, less than a third of Americans with Hep C have been treated. Success stories like La Bodega's have policymakers seeking a national plan to eliminate Hep C. In Washington, a bipartisan bill backed by Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Van Hollen would invest federal funds into wiping out the disease. The average patient with Hep C can rack up as much as $46,000 a year in medical costs. Treating patients early could save the government an estimated $7 billion over a decade. "This is a monumental step forward for anybody who has Hep C — they'd get access to medications," Martinez.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A consistent sleep schedule could reduce your risk of mortality by up to 48% — plus 4 more sleep tips to live longer
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Living a long, healthy life is a goal for most of us, but it might not be our primary focus every single day. Longevity experts, however, devote a significant portion of their time to just that. Dr. Gary Small, Chair of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Centerand author of numerous books on 'aging successfully,' including The Longevity Bible, describes a longevity expert as "a professional who specializes in fostering healthy aging." "As a geriatric psychiatrist, my research and clinical efforts have focused on helping people keep their brains young and cognitive abilities strong, while delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia," he says. I asked Dr. Small exactly how sleep contributes to a long life, the sleep habits he recommends for living longer and why sleep deprivation is the enemy in efforts to age healthily and extend our lives. How can sleep help you live longer? Obviously we can't survive for long without sleep, but there is also evidence that the quality of our sleep can directly impact our lifespan. Recent research found that those who slept well (which was measured by five factors: sleeping for 7–8 hours a night, having difficulty falling asleep less than twice a week, having trouble staying asleep less than twice a week; waking feeling rested 5 or more days a week, and not using sleep medication) had a greater life expectancy than those who didn't. In the case of men, it was 4.7 years higher, and in women it was 2.4 years higher. During sleep our brains are also washing out toxins Sleep also has a significant impact on our brains and bodies. Deep sleep, for example, is considered the most restorative stage of sleep, and contributes to cell regeneration, strengthening of the immune system, growth and repair of tissues and bones, energy restoration and learning and memory storage. "Many of us assume that sleep is only a passive, resting state, but during sleep our brains are also washing out toxins," says Dr. Small. He notes that sleep has also been found to influence the build-up of brain amyloid, which is an abnormal protein deposit present in Alzheimer's disease. "Lack of sleep or more fragmented sleep may increase the accumulation of amyloid plaques," says Dr. Small. He notes a study in which scientists at Johns Hopkins University analyzed Baltimore Longitudinal Study data from 70 older adults without dementia and found that, "subjects who reported less sleep or poorer sleep had higher amyloid levels on their brain scans." "Other research points to the possibility that these scans also measure levels of brain inflammation, which is known to contribute to cognitive decline associated with aging," Dr. Small adds. "A good night's sleep has been shown to reduce brain inflammation." Research also shows that poor sleep is associated with poor mental health, which can negatively impact our lifespan. "The Epidemiologic Catchment Area study showed that 40 percent of people with insomnia have a psychiatric disorder such as depression or anxiety, compared with only 16 percent of people with normal sleep patterns," says Dr. Small. Poor mental health can impact longevity as "untreated or inadequately treated depression shortens life expectancy from suicide and medical illnesses." The doctor explains that sleep improves mood and benefits mental performance, and points to research that shows good sleep appears to be linked to better well-being. "A study from investigators at Pennsylvania State University surveyed more than 4,000 college students and found that restful sleep was associated with the absence of depressive symptoms." Sleep habits to help you live longer If you want to increase your likelihood of living longer, you don't have to completely overhaul your life in the style of Bryan Johnson. I asked Dr. Small for sleep habits he recommends to help us live longer, and most of them can be adopted tonight. "It is possible to sleep well at night without sleep medications by adopting good sleep habits and changing certain behaviors. The following are some strategies that can promote restful sleep," he says. 1. Keep a consistent sleep schedule and only use your bed for sleep "Control stimuli and restrict sleep. Set a consistent bedtime and time to wake up [and] avoid naps," says Dr. Small. Maintaining consistent sleep and wake times helps to regulate your circadian rhythm, which means producing hormones needed for sleep (like melatonin) and waking up (cortisol) are released when they should be. But this simple habit is also associated with living longer. Sticking to a sleep schedule could reduce your risk of death by up to around 50% Among the findings of researchers who, in 2014, looked at "the sleep patterns and biochemical profile of oldest old individuals" was that these older people stuck to strict sleep and wake schedules, indicating a relationship between longevity and a consistent sleep schedule. A more recent 2024 study found that higher sleep regularity (which they defined as day-to-day consistency of sleep–wake timing) was "associated with a 20%-48% lower risk of all-cause mortality." Effectively, sticking to a sleep schedule could reduce your risk of death by up to around 50%. Dr. Small also advises that alongside a consistent sleep schedule, it's important to "use the bed only for sleep." And, if you're struggling to drop off, you need to be disciplined with this rule. "Many insomniacs develop the bad habit of lying in bed while awake, which promotes insomnia symptoms," he explains. "Instead, get up and leave the bedroom if you are unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes, and only return to bed when you feel sleepy again." 2. Stay passively awake if you're struggling to sleep One tool for getting better sleep seems counterintuitive at first, but Dr. Small explains that if you struggle to get to sleep or experience insomnia, not trying so hard to drop off might actually help you sleep better. "Many people with insomnia become anxious about their inability to fall asleep and stay asleep, which serves to keep them awake even longer," he says. Instead, he had advises "staying passively awake." This involves "a paradoxical intention wherein the insomniac avoids any effort to fall asleep," Dr. Small explains. The outcome of this is that, "letting go of worries about falling asleep promotes relaxation and makes it easier to sleep." 3. Improve your sleep environment "Adjust the details of your immediate sleep environment to make it more comfortable. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and cool, and make your bedding as cozy and relaxing as possible," says Dr. Small. If you're wondering how cool you need your sleep space to be, research has shown that the optimum temperature for sleep is between 65 to 70 F (18 to 21 °C). When it comes to the rest of Dr. Small's advice, our top 8 sleep products for 2025, includes ear plugs and eye masks designed to limit noise and light in the bedroom, and our guide to the best bedding sales will help if you want to upgrade your sleep setup without breaking the bank. But what you don't do can be just as important for creating a healthy sleep environment, as Dr. Small advises restricting the activities you carry out in that space. "Avoid watching television, playing videogames, or using smartphones excessively in the bedroom," he says. 4. Learn to relax This tip is likely to benefit you whether you experience a sleep issue like insomnia or nighttime anxiety, or just want to be able to wind down better before bed. Dr. Small suggests learning to relax before sleep, offering several easy methods to try. "Mindful meditation, guided imagery, systematic muscle relaxation and other methods can help people to fall asleep," he says. "I often recommend that my patients with insomnia download a guided meditation app on their smartphones or tablets and use it to induce relaxation at night so they can readily drift off to sleep," Dr. Small adds. If you're curious about sleep meditation, take a look at our in-depth guide, which includes everything from breathing techniques, to visualisation, guided meditation and body scanning. 5. Alter other lifestyle habits Dr. Small's final tip focuses more on what we can do outside our bedrooms to influence our sleep. "Get enough exercise during the day, avoid excessive smoking or drinking of caffeinated beverages late in the afternoon, and limit alcohol consumption," he advises. Our guide on how to exercise for better sleep has tips on when and where to do your workouts, as well as details on the importance of a cool down. Plus, we compiled some of the best bedtime drinks to try if you're looking to avoid caffeine and alcohol at night. Meanwhile, Dr. Small also suggests integrating certain relaxing activities into your nighttime routine. "Find ways to wind down before bedtime (e.g., listen to soothing music, read a relaxing book)," he says, adding that "a warm shower or bath just prior to bedtime can be relaxing and make it easier to fall asleep." Does sleep deprivation impact health and longevity? I asked Dr. Small for more insight into the effect of sleep deprivation on our health and longevity. "While we sleep, our immune system produces cytokines, which are protective, infection-fighting substances that combat bacteria and viruses," he says. "Sleep deprivation reduces cytokine production, thus weakening the body's ability to fend off infections and to recover from them," says Dr. Small. "Chronic insomnia increases a person's risk for diabetes and heart disease," he adds. He notes that sleep deprivation increases the risk of people becoming overweight or obese, and explains that this occurs because of the impact on certain hormones. Chronic insomnia increases a person's risk for diabetes and heart disease "Sleep modulates levels of two hormones that control feelings of hunger and fullness (leptin and ghrelin). Leptin sends signals to your brain that you have eaten enough, while ghrelin is an appetite stimulant." "Inadequate sleep alters the levels of these hormones, which often leads to unnecessary snacking and overeating later in the night," he continues, adding that being too tired to exercise from lack of sleep can also contribute to weight gain. Additionally, not getting enough sleep as a result of insomnia "raises levels of insulin after meals," says Dr. Small. He explains that, "insulin is needed to control blood sugar levels, and higher insulin levels increase fat storage and a person's risk for type 2 diabetes." A lack of sleep can also cause a raft of other health issues, Dr. Small says, including problems with blood pressure control, raising inflammation levels in the body, and increasing one's risk for heart disease and strokes. He adds that "people with chronic insomnia are 2.5 to 4.5 times more likely to have an accident (e.g., falls, fender benders) than those with normal sleep patterns," and notes that "chronic insomnia impairs cognitive abilities." Ultimately, if you find that an issue with your sleep is impacting you, it's important to get medical advice. "Anyone suffering from sleep problems that affect their ability to function or quality of life should consider seeing their doctor to search for an underlying cause, which can be mental or physical," Dr. Small advises.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Clearbridge Health First Half 2025 Earnings: S$0.08 loss per share (vs S$0.004 loss in 1H 2024)
Clearbridge Health (Catalist:1H3) First Half 2025 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: S$4.92m (up 7.1% from 1H 2024). Net loss: S$1.35m (loss narrowed by 42% from 1H 2024). S$0.08 loss per share. AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Clearbridge Health shares are down 33% from a week ago. Risk Analysis Before you take the next step you should know about the 5 warning signs for Clearbridge Health (4 are potentially serious!) that we have uncovered. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
