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Childhood diabetes cases have risen sharply in Europe over the past 30 years, but some countries are more affected than others, new study finds

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Diabetes is a worldwide health problem. People with the disease produce little or no insulin, or have an ineffective response to insulin, causing their blood sugar levels to change into abnormally high.

Among the several types of diabetes, type 1 is commonest in children and adolescents – in 2019 about 1.5 million people under the age of 20 affected by the disease worldwide, and of the 16,300 deaths attributed to diabetes in people under 25 years of age, 73.7% of cases were attributable to type 1 diabetes.

Despite recent progress, treating this disease still poses a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide.

An enormous health problem for youngsters

Type 1 diabetes is (*30*)chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. To make up for the deficiency, patients should be given insulin via injections or delivery devices reminiscent of insulin pumps.

People with diabetes must also monitor their blood sugar levels, in addition to their nutrient intake (especially carbohydrates), physical activity, and other aspects that may change blood glucose levels.

Poor disease management raises blood sugar levels. Over time, this could affect or damage major organs in the body, including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.

It is subsequently crucial to grasp changes in the variety of young individuals with the disease, to find out its causes and supply medical examiners with data that can help discover new cases as early as possible.

The variety of cases has almost doubled

To provide much needed information, the occurrence was investigated – the percentage of new cases of the disease in a given time period relative to the population more likely to develop it – type 1 diabetes in 32 European countries between 1994 and 2021. To do that, we analysed a complete of 75 studies covering 219,331 people aged 0 to 14 years.

We found that the incidence of type 1 diabetes has increased significantly: from 11 cases per 100,000 years-person in 1994–2003 to roughly 21 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2013–2021.

Differences between countries

In addition, we identified significant differences between European regions. While there’s a transparent upward trend in most European countries – especially in Northern Europe reminiscent of Finland, Sweden and Norway – in some figures, including the UK and Spain, they seem to have stabilised.

Overall trend in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children (0–14 years) in different regions of Europe.

In 2013–2021, the latest period studied, the lowest incidence rate was recorded in Romania and Turkey (11 and 12 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively), and the highest in Finland and Ireland (56 and 33 cases).

Map of diabetes trends in Europe.

In Spain, the increase was less steep, with 16 cases per 100,000 person-years reported between 1994 and 2003, increasing only barely to 17.5 between 2013 and 2022.

Across Europe, boys showed barely higher numbers than girls. We also observed that incidence rates increased with age, particularly in the 10-14 age group.

What is behind these rising numbers?

The origins of type 1 diabetes are still unknown, although some lines of research indicate that there’s a genetic predisposition. Other triggers have also been suggested, including: autoimmune processes, virusesand lifestyle or environmental aspects reminiscent of weight loss plan.

We also observed that higher per capita income or living in a rustic further north, reminiscent of Finland, Sweden or Norway, may affect the incidence of type 1 diabetes.

There are several possible explanations for this phenomenon, including the undeniable fact that northern countries receive less ultraviolet radiation (i.e. sunlight) – several studies found that exposure to ultraviolet radiation may protect against diabetes since it slows down the body’s immune response.

The effect of the pandemic

Another noteworthy fact is the increase in the variety of new cases of type 1 diabetes in children worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This could also be attributable to the impact of infection on the immunity of susceptible people or the limited ability of health systems to detect the problem early and keep it under control.

Further work is now needed on health policies that promote healthy lifestyles and control environmental risk aspects that underlie the immune problems related to this major public health challenge.

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

Car exhaust fumes can be linked to autism, a developmental disorder increasingly diagnosed in black children

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Autism, ASD, car exhaust, autism risks, autism in Black children, theGrio.com

New research has found that exposure to automotive exhaust fumes in utero or in the early stages of a child’s development may cause autism.

According to a study published Tuesday, November 12 in the journal Brain medicineexposure to nitric oxide (NO) – produced during fuel combustion – while pregnant or in the primary months of the mother’s life may pose a “significant risk” of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the kid.

“NO is a common air pollutant, produced mainly by vehicle emissions and the combustion of fossil and industrial fuels. Exposure to NO and its NO2 derivatives while pregnant and early childhood may disrupt normal brain development,” the study authors wrote.

The authors added that “the timing of exposure is key.”

According to the researchers, exposure to these pollutants while pregnant and early development “constitutes a significant risk of ASD because these periods are essential for brain development.”

The study also found that folks with a family history or genetic history of autism spectrum disorder may be at increased risk of developing the condition, affecting the best way individuals communicate, learn, interact and behave.

It’s not nearly automotive exhaust fumes. The study examined other air pollutants, including ozone, wonderful particles and other emissions, and located that every one of those toxins combined increased the danger of developing autism.

In particular, it listed benzene as a “volatile organic compound commonly found in vehicle exhaust, industrial processes and tobacco smoke” that, when combined with NO2, can also increase the danger of ASD.

Air pollutants may promote the event of ASD because they cause inflammation. Experiencing neuroinflammation brought on by exposure to NO over an prolonged time frame may “impact” brain activity related to social and cognitive functions which might be typically impaired by ASD.

“Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may activate the mother’s immune system, leading to inflammation and abnormalities in fetal brain development,” the authors wrote, adding: “Elevated concentrations of inflammation-related cytokines in maternal serum in utero and early infants have been associated with their lives. with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes.”

One sec nearly 40% of Americans live without healthy airautism disproportionately affects black and Latino children in the US. This condition can be on the rise in this country.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 in 36 children were diagnosed with ASD – a rise from 1 in 44 just two years earlier. Predominantly, the condition still affects boys more often than girls, although this too has been established girls are frequently diagnosed with ASD later in life.

Holly Robinson Peete was

For generations, white children seemed to have the disease at higher rates than other children, but in recent years this risk has modified as more black and brown families gain access to quality health care and earlier diagnoses .

As increasingly black families select to live with an autistic member of the family, several organizations have emerged to help spread awareness, advocate and supply support. These organizations include The color of autismthat gives families with culturally competent support and care; Autism in blackwhich offers educational and counseling services to Black parents raising autistic children; and Black Autism Support Societywhich goals to fill gaps in support for the black community.


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

Perfect Imperfection of Wabi-Sabi Makeup – Essence

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Fairchild/Penske Media archive via Getty Images

Perfection is an addictive ideal of beauty that we have now all fallen victim to. This is clear in every thing from our drugs cabinets full of “anti-aging” skincare products to standardization Botox parties. What’s more, we even see it in horror movies (think: ) – revealing our insatiable desire to research and abandon perceived flaws.

This season, nonetheless, perfection is an outdated trend. Wabi-sabi— a Japanese worldview characterised by finding beauty in imperfection — is gaining popularity as a crucial antithesis to the fear of perfection. While aesthetic surgery is entering itsThe undetectable era” in response to the improvements of the watch, the makeup world is questioning whether beauty even exists in perfection.

“Don’t stress about imperfection. Embrace it. Relaxed, vibrant makeup feels more real and authentic” – MAC Senior National Artist Fatima Thomas says ESSENCE. “Things that are a little bit uneven, like a little blurry or a little bit uneven, can actually be quite visually pleasing.”

Below, Thomas explains the impact of Wabi-sabi beauty and her skilled techniques in achieving this look.

The rise of Wabi-sabi makeup

“A lot of people are taking a less stringent approach to makeup,” says Thomas. “When you worry less about having every line be perfect, every blend being perfect, you can actually enjoy applying and wearing makeup.” With beauty tricks like showering after punching to set the look with steam or sleeping in eyeliner for a soft grunge aesthetic, “Wabi-sabi allows for greater freedom and self-expression.”

Why now’s the proper time to adopt this mindset

“Do you really need to spend an extra 10 minutes to get your eyeliner perfect, or is it already good enough,” she asks. “After the pandemic and global inflation, people don’t want to stress about their makeup,” she continues, as TikTok’s viral “dopamine menu” trend turns beauty right into a form of therapy. “Wabi-sabi is about doing your best, and if it’s a little shaky, it’s okay.”

What does imperfect makeup appear like?

With airbrushes and editing apps distorting our view of achievable beauty: “I believe [imperfection] it is an opposition to digital filters and Photoshop,” he says. “It could be intentional or accidental, but it takes away the urge to rush and refine everything to look photoshopped.”

According to Thomas, the wabi-sabi approach relies more on philosophy than on any particular view. However, the important thing to imperfections is in nuances: “Do your makeup quickly and refrain from fixing minor imperfections.”

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

Companies that help insurance companies deny pre-authorization claims –

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Medicare, Melissa D. Hall


KFF survey found that roughly 6 in 10 insured adults have experienced problems while using their insurance. Issues include denied claims, network adequacy, pre-authorization delays and denials. As the investigation shows, this is just not a surprise. A hidden industry makes money by denying doctors’ payment requests, called prior authorizations.

According to a ProPublica investigation, one in every of the important thing participants on this scheme is Evernorth’s EviCore. A ProPublica investigation found that EviCore is owned by the big insurance company Cigna. The largest U.S. insurance companies employ EviCore and supply protection to 100 million consumers.

EviCore apparently uses a synthetic intelligence-supported algorithm that insurance industry insiders call “the shield.” The algorithm system will be customized, which ultimately results in more pre-authorization claim rejections.

What’s even weirder is that EviCore reportedly has some contracts that allow it to make more cash the more it cuts health care spending by insurance companies.

EviCore is just not alone. Another big player is Carelon Medical Benefits Management, a subsidiary of Elevance Health, formerly Anthem. Although the corporate has been accused in court of unlawfully denying legitimate insurance applications, it denies all allegations.

How companies respond

EviCore claims that the approval process ensures that the procedures are protected, obligatory and price-effective.

“We are improving the quality and safety of healthcare, and – by a happy coincidence – we are significantly reducing unnecessary costs,” said an EviCore doctor in the course of the company’s series of webinars.

But based on the investigation, EviCore’s approach is way more sinister than it suggests. EviCore reportedly guarantees a 3-to-1 return on investment, which implies your insurer can pay $3 less for medical care and other costs.

For some perspective, in 2021 in Arkansas, EviCore denied prior authorization requests almost 20% of the time. Medicare Advantage plans denied prior authorization requests about 7% of the time in 2022, based on a ProPublica evaluation of knowledge.

A Cigna spokesperson said on behalf of EviCore: “Simply put, EviCore uses the latest evidence-based medicine to ensure patients get the care they need and avoid services they don’t need.”

The spokesperson added that the corporate uses algorithms in some clinical programs “only to expedite the approval of appropriate care and reduce administrative burdens on healthcare providers.”


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