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Long COVID to cost Australian economy almost $10 billion in 2022 – new research

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The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10–20% of individuals are affected by long COVID after recovering from their initial COVID infection.

Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and “brain fog,” but greater than 200 different symptoms have been linked to long COVID. The condition affects every day functioning and might be debilitating.

Our research, published today, estimates the economic burden long COVID in AustraliaWe have calculated that the long-term COVID-19 pandemic will cost the Australian economy almost A$10 billion in 2022 alone.

What is long COVID?

WHO defines long COVID as continuation or development of new symptoms three months after primary COVID-19 infection, if these symptoms persist for not less than two months without some other explanation.

We are still learning what causes long COVID, but persistent symptoms may very well be explained by the various effects of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) on different parts of the bodyFor example, the virus can affect heartblood vessels and lungs.

Studies suggest long COVID is linked to the virus persisting in the body long after infectionwhich in turn causes dysfunction immune system.

SARS-CoV-2 may affect the brain and getting to knowespecially executive function, which is the power to plan, monitor, and implement goals. This may cause difficulty in performing work tasks and other every day activities for individuals with long COVID.

What did we do?

We used Australian data to estimate the variety of infections in 2022 and modelled long COVID-19 and recovery rates across all age groups to understand the burden of long COVID-19.

We then used this data in a mathematical model to estimate the labor supply losses across the economy in 2022 and determine the decline in real gross domestic product (GDP). Economic losses occur because people affected by Long COVID could also be unable to work or work at reduced capability for a while.

We found that at the height in September 2022, up to 1,374,805 people (5.4% of Australians) were living with long COVID after a single infection. Taking under consideration recovery from long COVID, up to 3.4% would still be living with long COVID after 12 months.

We estimated that Long COVID caused greater than 100 million lost work hours in 2022. These lost employment hours translate into an economic cost of about $9.6 billion, or 0.5% of GDP in 2022.

Working-age adults between the ages of 30 and 49 were hardest hit. Estimated labor force losses were best for those aged 30–39 (27.5 million hours, or 26.9% of total labor force losses), who had the best overall variety of individuals with long COVID of any age group. Those aged 40–49 followed closely behind, with an estimated lack of 24.5 million hours, or 23.9% of total labor force losses.

The higher variety of long-term COVID cases amongst younger age groups is probably going because they’re more likely to experience COVID infections, perhaps because they’re more mobile and socialize with others.

We didn’t include losses incurred by healthy employees who were unable to work because they were caring for others with COVID or long COVID. In addition, we only considered a single COVID infection and the danger of developing long COVID after it. However, we didn’t consider the danger of reinfection, which increase the likelihood long COVID. Therefore, our studies likely underestimate the impact of long COVID.

Symptoms of long COVID-19 may make work difficult.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

Long COVID affects people of all ages and may occur whatever the severity of COVID infection. The widespread and ongoing nature of COVID infections signifies that even when only a small percentage of individuals get long COVID, that remains to be a really large number of individuals.

For comparison, 2% of Australians have coronary artery disease, which is the leading explanation for disease and death in Australia (and globally). Even if only 3.4% of individuals have chronic, long COVID, that is at very high public health and economic costs.

And unlike coronary heart disease, which primarily affects older people, our study shows that the consequences of long COVID-19 are best in working-age adults, which explains why the economic impact is so large.

Global trend

Many countries, including United States and Great Britain are experiencing similar economic losses due to long COVID-19, due to the increasing number of individuals unable to work.

The latest estimates indicate roughly 400 million people around the globe have long been affected by COVID. The disease could cost 1 trillion US dollars annually – equivalent to about 1% world economy.

The weight of evidence around long COVID and its impact on the health of the population has led experts to call for this state of affairs to be taken under consideration in political decisions.

A young woman sits at a desk and looks out the window.
Chronic COVID is common in young people.
Author: DimaBerlin

What can we do?

In Australia, the direct effects of acute COVID, corresponding to hospitalization and death, are primarily used to determine eligibility for antivirals and the worth of vaccines. Healthy people under 70 should not eligible for subsidized antiviral drugswhile vaccines are limited for kids and adult low booster rates.

But there is robust evidence vaccinations reduce the likelihood of long COVID and a few evidence antiviral drugs may lower the danger. Therefore, long COVID ought to be included in Australian policy and guidelines on antivirals and vaccines.

Other measures that reduce the danger of COVID infection may even reduce the danger of long COVID. These include specializing in protected indoor airand use of masks in high-risk and crowded places throughout the COVID epidemicespecially in healthcare and elderly care facilities.

Finally, we’d like to consider how to support individuals with long COVID who cannot work. Long COVID is the sting in the tail of SARS-CoV-2, and proactive planning for it’ll reduce the impact on society.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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How to drastically reduce the risk of dementia after 55 years of age

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About 1,000,000 Americans are expected to develop dementia a yr until 2060, about twice today, they announced on Monday.

This estimation is predicated on a brand new study, which showed a better risk of life than previously thought: after 55 years of age people have up to 4 out of 10 opportunities to develop dementia – in the event that they live long enough.

This is a sobering number, but there are steps that folks can take to reduce this risk, similar to controlling hypertension and other bad health problems. And it isn’t too late to try even in middle -aged.

“All our research suggests what you do in the middle age, it really matters,” said Dr. Josef Coresh from Nyu Langone Health, who co -author of the research in Nature Medicine.

Dementia is just not only Alzheimer

Taking more to remember the name or place where you place the keys is typical in old age. But dementia It is just not a standard part of aging – it’s a progressive loss of memory, language and other cognitive functions. The aging is just the biggest risk, and the population is getting old quickly.

Alzheimer is the commonest form, and the quiet changes of the brain that ultimately lead to it might begin 20 years before the appearance of symptoms. Other types include vascular dementia, when heart disease or small impacts impair blood flow to the brain. Many people have mixed causes, which suggests that vascular problems can exacerbate Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Measuring risk from a certain age compared to the potential remaining period of life can lead to public health and medical examinations.

“This is not a guarantee that someone will develop dementia,” warned Dr. James Galvin, a specialist in Miami Alzheimer’s University. He was not involved in a brand new study, but said that the findings match other tests.

The risk of dementia differs from age

Earlier studies were estimated that about 14% of men and 23% of women would develop a form of dementia during their lives. The Coresh team analyzed newer data from the American study, which has been following heart health and cognitive functions of about 15,000 elderly for several many years.

Importantly, they found risk changes over many years.

Only 4% of people developed dementia aged 55 to 75, which Coresh calls a key 20-year-old window to protect brain health.

In the case of individuals who experience common health threats to 75, the risk of dementia then increased – to 20% at the age of 85 and 42% from the age of 85 to 95.

In general, the risk of dementia after 55 was 35% for men and 48% for ladies, summed up scientists. Cash noticed that girls normally live longer than men, the most important reason for this difference. Black Americans had a rather higher risk, 44%than white people at 41%.

Yes, there are methods to reduce the risk of dementia

There are some risk aspects that folks cannot control, including age and whether you’ve got inherited a gene variant called Apoe4, which increases the possibilities of Alzheimer’s late life.

But people can try to avoid or no less than delay health problems that contribute to later dementia. For example, Coresh wears a helmet while cycling, because repetitive or severe brain injuries from failure or falls increase the risk of dementia later in life.

Particularly essential: “What is good for your heart is good for your brain,” added Galvin with Miami. He calls people to exercise, avoid obesity and control blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.

13 influential women Delta Sigma Theta Borority, Inc., which inspired us all

For example, hypertension can disturb the blood flow to the brain, the risk not only in the case of vascular dementia, but additionally related to some of the Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly high levels of blood sugar, poorly controlled diabetes, is related to a cognitive decline and destruction of inflammation in the brain.

Galvin also said that be socially and cognitively energetic. He calls people to try hearing aids if age brings hearing loss, which might stimulate social insulation.

“There are things that we control over, and those things that in my opinion would be very important to build a better brain as aging,” he said.

___

The Associated Press Department of Health and Science receives support from the Science and Educational Group of the Medical Institute Howard Hughes and the (*55*) Wood Johnson Foundation. AP bears the sole responsibility for all content.

(Tagstranslate) @Ap

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

Jury awarded $310 million to parents of teenager who died after falling on a ride at Florida amusement park – Essence

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Sun Sentinel/Getty Images

The family of Tire Sampson, the 14-yr-old who tragically died on an amusement park ride in Orlando, Florida, in 2022, has been awarded $310 million in a civil lawsuit.

Tire, who was visiting ICON Park along with his family on March 24, 2022, fell from the FreeFall drop tower. Although he was taken to a nearby hospital, he didn’t survive his injuries.

Now, greater than two years later, a jury has held the vehicle manufacturer, Austria-based Funtime Handels, responsible for the accident and awarded the Tire family $310 million. According to reports from local news stations WFTV AND KSDKthe jury reached its verdict after about an hour of deliberation.

Tyre’s parents will each receive $155 million, according to attorney spokesman Michael Haggard.

Attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, who represented Tyre’s family, shared their thoughts on this landmark decision via X (formerly Twitter). “This ruling is a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products,” they said in a statement.

Lawyers stressed that Tyre’s death was attributable to “gross negligence and a failure to put safety before profits.” They added that the ride’s manufacturer had “neglected its duty to protect passengers” and that the substantial award ensured it could “face the consequences of its decisions.”

Crump and Jackson said they hope the result will encourage change throughout the theme park industry. “We hope this will spur the entire industry to enforce more stringent safety measures,” they said. “Tire heritage will provide a safer future for drivers around the world.”

An investigation previously found that Tyre’s harness was locked through the descent, but he dislodged from his seat through the 430-foot fall when the magnets engaged. Tire’s death was ruled the result of “multiple injuries and trauma.”

ICON Park said at the time that it could “fully cooperate” with the authorities.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Tireless HIV/AIDS advocate A. Cornelius Baker dies

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HIV/AIDS Advocate, A. Cornelius Baker


A. Cornelius Baker, a tireless advocate of HIV and AIDS testing, research and vaccination, died Nov. 8 at his home in Washington, D.C., of hypertensive, atherosclerotic heart problems, in response to his partner, Gregory Nevins.

As previously reported, Baker was an early supporter for people living with HIV and AIDS within the Nineteen Eighties, when misinformation and fear-mongering in regards to the disease were rampant.

According to Douglas M. Brooks, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy under President Obama, it was Baker’s Christian faith that guided him toward compassion for others.

“He was very kind, very warm and inclusive – his circles, both professional and personal, were the most diverse I have ever seen, and he was guided by his Christian values,” Brooks told the outlet. “His ferocity was on display when people were marginalized, rejected or forgotten.”

In 1995, when he was executive director of the National AIDS Association, Baker pushed for June 27 to be designated National HIV Testing Day.

In 2012, he later wrote on the web site of the Global Health Advisor for which he was a technical advisor that: “These efforts were intended to help reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing and normalize it as part of regular screening.”

https://twitter.com/NBJContheMove/status/1856725113967632663?s=19

Baker also feared that men like himself, black gay men, and other men from marginalized communities were disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS.

Baker pressured the Clinton administration to incorporate black and Latino people in clinical drug trials, and in 1994 he pointedly told the Clinton administration that he was bored with hearing guarantees but seeing no motion.

According to Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings, yes that daring attitude that defines Baker’s legacy in the world of ​​HIV/AIDS promotion.

“Cornelius was a legendary leader in the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ people and all people living with HIV,” Jennings said in a press release. “In the more than twenty years that I knew him, I was continually impressed not only by how effective he was as a leader, but also by how he managed to strike the balance between being fierce and kind at the same time. His loss is devastating.”

Jennings continued: “Cornelius’ leadership can’t be overstated. For many years, he was one in all the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS warriors, working locally, nationally and internationally. No matter where he went, he proudly supported the HIV/AIDS community from the Nineteen Eighties until his death, serving in various positions including the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Association of Persons with Disabilities AIDS, and the Whitman-Walker Clinic . Jennings explained.

Jennings concluded: “His career also included several honors, including being the first recipient of the American Foundation for AIDS Research Foundation’s organization-building Courage Award. Our communities have lost a pillar in Cornelius, and as we mourn his death, we will be forever grateful for his decades of service to the community.”

Kaye Hayes, deputy assistant secretary for communicable diseases and director of the Office of Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS Policy, in her comment about his legacy, she called Baker “the North Star.”.

“It is difficult to overstate the impact his loss had on public health, the HIV/AIDS community or the place he held in my heart personally,” Hayes told Hiv.gov. “He was pushing us, charging us, pulling us, pushing us. With his unwavering commitment to the HIV movement, he represented the north star, constructing coalitions across sectors and dealing with leaders across the political spectrum to deal with health disparities and advocate for access to HIV treatment and look after all. He said, “The work isn’t done, the charge is still there, move on – you know what you have to do.” It’s in my ear and in my heart in the case of this job.

Hayes added: “His death is a significant loss to the public health community and to the many others who benefited from Cornelius’ vigilance. His legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us all.”

Baker is survived by his mother, Shirley Baker; his partner Nevins, who can be senior counsel at Lambda Legal; his sisters Chandrika Baker, Nadine Wallace and Yavodka Bishop; in addition to his two brothers, Kareem and Roosevelt Dowdell; along with the larger HIV/AIDS advocacy community.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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