Latest news with #JayGoldstein
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overdose deaths plummet by nearly 27% last year
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Overdose deaths plummeted in 2024, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported nearly 30,000 fewer lives lost compared to the previous year. The nation is seeing the largest one-year decline recorded, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The CDC reported Georgia saw a 22% drop in 2024. Dr. Jay Goldstein, assistant medical director with Memorial Health said there are two key drivers for the overdose decline: awareness and education. 'There's just more a better awareness of the overdose potential and that you know that you have this reversal agent,' he said. 'So not only is it awareness for the consumer, the one that's actually using the drugs, but it's also an awareness for the firefighters, the paramedics, the police officers and then health care worker. so, we're able to get to those people more rapidly and save their lives with the with the reversal agent of Narcan.' Goldstein said age range varies from teenagers to people in their 60's. He added most commonly it is 25 to 40-year-olds. 'There are fentanyl test strips out there, there's an awareness of where they're getting the drugs from, and it's a safer environment for those who are going to use that,' he said. 'They use it more safely also. But obviously the big thing for us is that we're trying to educate, especially the younger folks, to just never use. We feel like at this point we're seeing a drop off in the consumer and the addiction starting in the younger ages.' He said locally, we are no stranger to trends and waves of drug infestation in the community. He told WSAV individuals still need to watch for the alteration of certain substances like drugs laced with fentanyl. 'We're actually trying to get a program up and running here at Memorial [Health] where a drug overdose might come in and we can actually start them on drugs that will prevent them from wanting to have drug overdoses such as like Suboxone…,' Goldstein said. He added, 'I think mental health is a big aspect of things. I think social isolation, since we're coming out of the covid pandemic, has made a major difference and then also the ability to have treatment programs. so not only do we have treatment programs that people can go to, which had dried up and now they're getting more plentiful, but also the ability when they come into a clinic and they have an overdose, to try and attack them then and treat them there.' Dr. Goldstein told WSAV while this is a sign of progress, there is still work to do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Stay safe when the temperatures rise
SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) — A hot weekend is ahead of us, a scorcher some may say. Dr Jay Goldstein with Memorial Health said one of the top medical concerns is heat stroke, with heat exhaustion being the most common. 'When we start seeing the heat waves, the first and second heat waves into our communities is when we see the most effect on these consumers because they're not acclimated and they believe they can still perform at the same level and the same amount of exercise and not realize the signs and the effects that the heat is getting to them,' Dr. Goldstein said. 'You're starting to get heat exhaustion in the sun and the weather, and the elements are starting to get to you. and so, when you get to that element of heat stroke, your body temperature rises significantly.' Goldstein broke it down even more, highlighting why one is far more dangerous. 'So, heat exhaustion is where you're out on a tennis court, you're maybe not acclimated to the weather and you start feeling a little bit overheated, a little bit thirsty and lightheaded,' Goldstein said. 'Heat stroke is where your body temperature rises to extreme levels, and you can't bring it down. And if you don't seek immediate and urgent decrease in temperature, you could die from that.' How can we take care of our body as we head into the hotter months? Dr. Goldstein laid out a plan. 'So, the first thing I would tell you is alcohol and caffeine can affect you. And they actually can be kind of more diuretic,' he said. 'They'll cause you to urinate out more than you actually take in. We believe in a balanced electrolyte approach. So, drink a Gatorade and then follow it up with water or drink a half of Gatorade and then fill it back up with water.' Dr. Goldstein also said you can't forget about your skin when having fun. You want to start with sunscreen with SPF 15. 'Realize that the sun has very damaging effects, either sunburn, heat, illness, cancer later in life. So, we want to make sure that you are wearing your sunscreen.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
