Mirror, Mirror 2024 U.S.A. A Failed Healthcare System

Despite enormous attempts to create a meaningful, cost-effective medical system, the USA ranks lowest among developed nations in health care.

Congress has attempted to build an accessible health system with Medicare, Medicaid, Managed Care systems, The Affordable Care Act, and endless state-mandated systems.  The total expenditures in studies, pilot programs, and administrative shuffling of billing and payment methodology the efforts have gained little, other than reducing the rates of inflation compared to the overall. national inflation.  The exact calculations are buried in indecipherable tables, graphs, and higher-order mathematics

Robert Pearl M.D. in a recent poll,  HealthCare Policy points out

three areas which dominate public interest are 

1. Lowering cost.

2. Expanding Access.

3. Enhancing Mental Health Care.

It's clear from the results that healthcare remains a pivotal voting issue, a testament to the profound impact our healthcare system has on people's lives. At the same time, only 5% say it's their "most important" issue, which I believe reflects the growing societal and economic challenges Americans now face. 

When it comes to healthcare priorities, readers (many of them in the medical profession) favored lowering healthcare costs (57%), expanding access (52%), and reducing bureaucracy (51%). 

According to Pearl's poll, Americans do not see the President, nor which party is elected will affect healthcare.

Mirror, Mirror 2024: An International Comparison of Health Systems | Commonwealth Fund

Incubation Periods & Disease 😷

Incubation Periods & Disease 😷

The incubation period of a disease refers to the time interval between exposure to a pathogen (such as a virus or bacterium) and the onset of symptoms. This period varies widely depending on the type of pathogen, the individual's immune response, and other factors such as age and overall health.

For example, diseases like COVID-19 can have incubation periods ranging from 2 to 14 days. Longer incubation periods, such as those seen in diseases like rabies (up to several months), make tracking and controlling infections more difficult.

During the incubation period, an individual may not show any symptoms but could still be contagious, depending on the disease. Understanding incubation periods is crucial in disease control, as it helps in implementing timely quarantine measures, tracking outbreaks, and ensuring effective isolation to prevent further spread.

The Well Home

JJoin the conversation.

Our bedrooms are a hot mess. 🛌

No, I’m not talking about the fact that you probably didn’t make your bed this morning. Although, if you haven’t done that, you should! 😉

I’m referring to the fact that most of our bedrooms aren't optimized for restful sleep.

Instead, they often include elements like bright pastel colors, minimal window coverings, a big screen TV, a bedside phone charger, glaring non-dimmable LED lights, and warm, cozy temperatures—each of which can hinder our ability to get quality rest.

Oof!!

While that might sound like a cozy retreat, every one of those elements is sabotaging your sleep. 😴💤

Did you know:

😳 Approximately 58.9% of people report experiencing poor sleep quality.
😳 46% of people with below-average sleep quality rate their mental health as poor or very poor.
😳 Poor sleep quality is linked to $44 billion in lost productivity due to higher levels of unplanned absenteeism among workers.
😳 Chronic poor sleep is linked to various health issues, including weakened immune function and increased risk of chronic diseases.
😳 Insufficient sleep can lead to increased irritability and stress, impacting personal relationships and emotional stability.

So here's what you actually need:

✅ Dark paint on the walls (my favorite is Tricorn Black from Sherwin Williams) 🎨
✅ Blackout curtains on the windows 🪟
✅ No technology (to cut down on blue light exposure and sound interruptions) 📵
✅ Dimmable lights to match your circadian rhythm (or even better, daylight color-adjusting lights) 💡
✅ A cool room temperature (ideally between 67-69°F) ❄️

These simple design tweaks are scientifically proven to enhance your sleep quality. Add to that a consistent routine, a balanced diet, morning sunlight, and regular exercise, and you’re on your way to dreamland. 🌙✨

How do I know?

Because I’ve made these changes in my own bedroom and for others.

My sleep quality score, tracked by my Oura ring, jumped from the 50s and 60s to a consistent and optimal 87+ every night. 📈

My point is, you don’t have to suffer. You can design good sleep into your life with just a few simple changes in your home. 🌟

That’s what we do at The Well Home. If you’re interested, we’d love to help you transform your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary. 🏠

Follow me, Gautam Gulati, MD, MBA, MPH, CID, for more doctor-recommended wellness design tips for the home. 🏡

Our next day begins with your last night's rest.

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Seventeen Cancers on the Rise in Young Adults

Many cancers are occult, and symptom-free until they present as pain, a mass, or disrupt an organ function. Several examples are pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer.  It has been a goal to develop a simple test that would diagnose any cancer early to prevent spread and to provide treatment early.

That is still a great challenge.  However, some progress is occurring with a battery of tests toward this goal.

17 types of cancer are on the rise in Millennials and Gen Xers—more than ever before.

What’s going on? The answers are unclear. However, suspected factors like obesity and early-life exposures are thought to be driving up cancer rates in younger adults.

These 17 cancers, from thyroid to colorectal, are becoming more common in younger generations, signaling the need for earlier detection and more research.

Instead of waiting for screening ages to drop—take control of your health now.

Function Health members take control by:

Testing 100+ biomarkers each year to monitor early disease indicators.

All-in-one for everyone. Access to: HEART Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), Cholesterol / HDL Ratio, HDL Cholesterol, HDL Large, LDL Cholesterol, LDL Medium, LDL Particle Number, LDL Pattern, LDL Peak Size, LDL Small, Lipoprotein (a), Lipoprotein Fractionation, Non-HDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, THYROID Iodine, Selenium, Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb), Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO), Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4) Free, Triiodothyronine (T3) Free, CANCER Galleri Multi-Cancer Detection Test, AUTOIMMUNITY Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Pattern, Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen, Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Titer, Celiac Disease (Comprehensive Panel), Rheumatoid Factor, IMMUNE REGULATION High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), White Blood Cell Count (WBC), Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils, FEMALE HEALTH Anti-Mullerian Hormone, Estradiol (E2), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin, MALE HEALTH DHEA-Sulfate, Estradiol (E2), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Testosterone, STRESS & AGING Cortisol, DHEA Sulfate, Biological Age, METABOLIC Adiponectin, Glucose, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Insulin, Leptin, Uric Acid, NUTRIENTS Arachidonic Acid/EPA Ratio, Copper, Ferritin, Homocysteine, Iron, Iron % Saturation, Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Magnesium, Methylmalonic Acid (MMA), Omega 3 Total, Omega 3: EPA+DPA+DHA, Omega 6 Total, Omega 6: Arachidonic Acid, Omega 6: Linoleic Acid, Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio, Selenium, Vitamin D, Zinc, LIVER Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Albumin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, KIDNEYS Albumin (Microalbumin) - Urine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), BUN / Creatinine Ratio, Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Creatinine, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), Globulin, Potassium, Sodium, PANCREAS Amylase, Lipase, HEAVY METALS Aluminum, Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, ELECTROLYTES Calcium, Magnesium, RBC, Sodium, BLOOD ABO Group and Rhesus (Rh) Factor, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Count, Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count, Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), URINE Albumin - Urine (Microalbumin), Appearance, Bacteria, Bilirubin, Clarity, Color, Glucose, Hyaline Casts, Ketones, Leukocytes, Nitrite, Occult Blood, pH, Protein, Red Blood Cell, Specific Gravity, Squamous Epithelial Cells, White Blood Cell (WBC), Yeast, LYME Lyme Disease Antibodies, ALZHEIMER'S RISK Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Genotype, ALLERGIES Food Allergy Profile (IgE), Indoor & Outdoor Allergy Profile (IgE), SEXUAL HEALTH Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2, HIV, Syphilis (RPR),

The comparison of Chronological vs. Biological Age is crucial for understanding the aging process. 🕰️🧬

Accessing the optional Galleri by Grail test to screen for 50+ types of cancer when needed.

Note: This topic is controversial and none of this information should be used, without consulting with a cancer specialist.  Some cancers are genetic or a response to radiation.

Patient Srories

Artificial Intelligence Detection, Treatment of Cancer

By integrating AI into various facets of oncology, healthcare providers can enhance the accuracy of diagnoses, tailor treatments to individual patients, and ultimately improve outcomes for cancer patients.

AI can assist in various aspects of cancer detection, treatment, and research. Here are some key areas where AI is making an impact:

Early Detection and Diagnosis:

Imaging Analysis: AI algorithms can analyze medical images (like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans) to identify tumors or abnormalities more quickly and accurately than traditional methods.

Pathology: AI can assist pathologists in examining biopsy samples, identifying cancerous cells, and determining the type and grade of cancer.

Personalized Treatment:

Genomic Analysis: AI can analyze genetic data to help identify mutations and suggest personalized treatment plans based on a patient’s unique genetic profile.

Drug Discovery: Machine learning models can predict how different drugs will interact with specific cancer types, speeding up the development of targeted therapies.

Predictive Analytics:

Risk Assessment: AI can analyze patient data and family history to assess cancer risk, helping with early intervention strategies.

Survival Predictions: By analyzing large datasets, AI can help predict patient outcomes and survival rates, aiding in treatment decisions.

Clinical Trials:

Patient Recruitment: AI can match patients with appropriate clinical trials based on their medical history and cancer type, increasing the efficiency of trial recruitment.

Data Analysis: AI can streamline the analysis of trial data, helping researchers draw conclusions more quickly.

Treatment Monitoring:

Wearable Technology: AI can analyze data from wearable devices to monitor patients’ health and treatment responses in real time, allowing for timely adjustments.

Patient Support:

Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: AI-powered tools can provide patients with information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and support resources, improving patient engagement and education.

Research and Development:

Data Mining: AI can analyze vast amounts of research data to uncover new insights and trends in cancer biology, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatment.

Several AI tools are currently being used in cancer diagnosis, leveraging machine learning and deep learning techniques to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Here are some notable examples:

PathAI:

Uses machine learning algorithms to assist pathologists in diagnosing cancer from biopsy samples, improving accuracy and reducing workload.

IBM Watson for Oncology: Watson AI is no longer used for oncology. It was used by the Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute and faced complicated FDA trials. IBM decided to not pursue it

 

Google Health’s DeepMind:

Developed AI models that can analyze mammograms to detect breast cancer, showing high accuracy in identifying malignant cases.

Qure.ai:

Utilizes AI to interpret radiology images, including chest X-rays and CT scans, to detect lung cancer and other abnormalities.

Tempus:

Combines clinical and molecular data to provide insights into cancer treatment options, helping oncologists make more informed decisions.

Zebra Medical Vision: (Autonomous Mobile Robots)

Offers AI solutions for analyzing medical imaging data, capable of detecting a variety of cancers through image analysis.

Freenome:

Focuses on early cancer detection through blood tests, using AI to analyze patterns in genomic and proteomic data.

PathAI:

Provides AI-driven pathology solutions to enhance diagnostic accuracy in cancer detection and treatment planning.

CureMetrix:

                

Develops AI algorithms for mammography that assist radiologists in detecting breast cancer, improving detection rates, and reducing false positives.

These tools exemplify the growing integration of AI in oncology, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce time to diagnosis, and enhance patient outcomes.

Cancer