Latest news with #Kaiser Permanente
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Kaiser's pause on youth gender-affirming surgeries sparks divided protest in San Francisco
A tense and confrontational rally unfolded in San Francisco as trans supporters clashed with those who oppose gender affirming surgeries for children. This comes as Kaiser Permanente announced a pause in performing those surgeries for patients under 19. Protesters on both sides of the controversy came out with signs in hand outside the Kaiser facility and pharmacy on Geary Boulevard. Many protested peacefully, but others clashed with each other as some tried to cover up a protester's sign. Layla Jane was there to tell her personal story. "I began to think I could be trans when I was 12 years old," said Layla Jane. "I went to a Kaiser therapist and told her about these feelings and she immediately affirmed me and gave me a diagnosis of gender dysphoria." Layla Jane says her doctors didn't do anything to treat her underlying issues. She says she suffered from childhood sexual abuse and autism. "I took Lupron and testosterone at 12 years old," Layla Jane said. "A month after my 13th birthday, I had a double mastectomy at this very clinic." Layla Jane says based on her experience, she supports Kaiser's decision to end gender affirming surgeries for those 19 and younger. But some of the hospital staff at this rally say this is a huge setback for trans kids. "More and more every day, I put in this badge and I feel like I'm going to battle," said nurse Sydney Simpson. She says she's not just fighting for her patients, but also for herself. "I access my gender affirming care here at Kaiser," Simpson said. "I have a very close relationship with my doctor and those nurses, they are so lovely. So this absolutely breaks my heart. Not just for me and my patients but all of those practitioners who I know for a fact have nothing to do with this decision. Don't agree with this decision and now have their hands tied behind their backs." Simpson says Kaiser policies on gender affirming care were based on research conducted by its own foundation. She feels there's only one way to explain this policy change and asserts that it's purely political. "There's no new research. There's no new patient outcomes. There's no need for this, other than the Trump administration, the Department of Justice subpoenas. This is a response to intimidation," she said. This is Gideon Codding's first time at a protest. He says his daughter transitioned at the age of 11 and is now regretting her choice. "Every person in authority has failed them when they should have pumped the breaks, assured them and said, 'Hey, you're OK,' " he said. "Take some time, sort it out. Don't make any rash decisions." People like Codding feel it's important to let kids grow up first, and wait on making any life-altering changes until they're adults. "You know, no child is born in the wrong body," Layla Jane said. "Every child should be allowed to grow up whole and deserves adequate treatment for their underlying conditions."
Medscape
10-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Anticholinergics Speed Physical Decline in Older Adults
TOPLINE: Higher anticholinergic exposure was associated with accelerated decline in gait speed (-0.0132 m/s per year) and grip strength in older adults, with effects most pronounced within 4-6 years of exposure. A cohort study of 4283 participants found that sustained high use of anticholinergics could lead to clinically meaningful physical performance decline. Clinicians should consider assessing and reducing anticholinergic medications in their older patients. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data from 4283 participants in the Adult Changes in Thought Study at Kaiser Permanente Washington, with follow-up from February 1994 to March 2020. Analysis included 4210 participants (2468 women [58.6%]; mean age, 74.3 years) for gait speed assessment and 4200 participants for grip strength evaluation, with a mean follow-up of 8.2 years. Investigators examined conventional anticholinergic exposures using 10-year total standardized daily dose and 2-year mean standardized daily dose, along with weighted cumulative exposures over various time windows. Outcome measures included adjusted linear models with generalized estimating equations to estimate mean differences in change rates of gait speed and grip strength between exposure categories. TAKEAWAY: Participants with a 10-year total standardized daily dose ≥ 1096 showed a significantly greater gait speed decline (mean difference per year, -0.0132 m/s; 95% CI, -0.0070 to -0.0193 m/s) than nonusers. The 4-year weighted cumulative exposure model demonstrated optimal fit, revealing a significantly greater decline rate in gait speed per 1-unit increase in weighted mean standardized daily dose (mean difference per year, -0.0034 m/s; 95% CI, -0.0048 to -0.0019 m/s). For grip strength, conventional exposures showed no significant associations, but the 6-year weighted cumulative exposure model revealed optimal fit (mean difference per year, -0.0329 kg; 95% CI, -0.0612 to -0.0046). IN PRACTICE: 'Higher anticholinergic exposure was associated with accelerated decline in physical performance, consistent with clinically meaningful decline. These findings suggest that minimizing anticholinergic medications is important for healthy aging,' wrote the authors of the study. SOURCE: The study was led by Shelly L. Gray, PharmD, MS, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington in Seattle. It was published online on July 10 in JAMA Network Open. LIMITATIONS: Despite adjusting for numerous potential confounders, the researchers noted possible confounding by indication, and unmeasured or residual confounding could bias their estimates. The study population was predominantly White and well educated, which may limit generalizability. Additionally, exposure misclassification was possible due to incomplete capture of first-generation antihistamines available over-the-counter or prescriptions filled at external pharmacies, though approximately 97% of Kaiser Permanente Washington enrollees obtain their medications from Kaiser Permanente Washington pharmacies. DISCLOSURES: The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Plein Center for Aging at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. Yu-Ru Su reported receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
