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Health threats raise concerns for readers

SmartBrief newsletter subscribers in December focused on stories that covered the jump in influenza cases, the looming specter of avian flu, disease burden in the US, and AI safety and equity.

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Modern patient safety encompasses a wide range of topics, including protection from infection, prevention of other types of disease, and the responsible, effective use of health care technology. In December, SmartBrief readers expressed interest in stories touching on all of these subjects, including a concerning rise in seasonal influenza in the US, questions about the spread of avian flu, how nations compare in terms of disease burden, and what role artificial intelligence can play in keeping people healthier.

US flu season starts with a surge

What happened: In late December, it was reported that the US flu season had kicked off with a significant uptick in cases, with 13 states reporting “high” or “very high” flu-like illness levels. Some states like Tennessee and Louisiana were reporting particularly high numbers, and the CDC said it had seen sharp increases in indicators like emergency department visits and lab testing. Still, only about 41% of residents had been vaccinated against the flu at that point. 

Health experts encouraged people to get their vaccines ahead of holiday get-togethers. No particular strain of the flu had been labeled as dominant at that time, The Associated Press reported.

What’s next: Flu-related hospitalizations and deaths continued to rise, with experts predicting in early January that the worst may be ahead. “I feel confident that flu activity is going to be elevated for several more weeks,” CDC spokesperson Alicia Budd said in an NBC News analysis. Influenza A strains have been dominant in January, particularly H1N1 and H3N2.

Check out the CDC’s weekly Influenza Surveillance Report

Avian flu concerns monitored

What happened: Despite avian flu’s highly publicized spread among animals, infectious disease experts still considered it a negligible risk for humans by the end of 2024. However, some noted that if proper precautions were not taken, the virus could evolve to pose more of a threat to people. The Washington Post offered a primer on the subject for members of the public.

What’s next: The first known US avian flu death occurred at the beginning of this year in an older male patient with preexisting medical conditions. He had been hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms for several weeks. The US government has been stepping up efforts to provide testing, surveillance and protective equipment at farms where transmission risk is high.

US’ disease burden is highest among WHO nations

What happened: New data indicate that among World Health Organization member nations, the US has the greatest disparity between life expectancy and years lived without disability or disease. The US’ health span-life span gap is 12.4 years, mainly due to chronic disease, mental health challenges and substance use. 

Whether you’re in North America or in the rest of the world, you look into the last century and it’s amazing how mankind … continues to live longer,” said Mayo Clinic researcher Dr. Andre Terzic in a US News and World Report analysis. “Unfortunately, the gains in life expectancy are not matched with equivalent gains in health life expectancy.”

What’s next: Latest CDC data show that US life expectancy reached 78.4 years in 2023, an increase of 0.9 years over 2022. The year 2023’s 10 most common causes of death remained unchanged from 2022, with heart disease, cancer and unintentional injury as the top three. 

Incorporating AI into health care 

What happened: Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham researchers introduced a set of comprehensive guidelines on the responsible integration of artificial intelligence technology into health care practices. The guidance emphasizes safety, transparency and fairness.

Researchers pointed out the importance of considerations such as diverse training data, addressing demographic bias and ensuring patient privacy. The guidance was published in the journal NPJ Digital Medicine.

What’s next: New partnerships are forming to enhance the role of AI in health care. One such effort is the recent agreement between Amazon Web Services and venture capital firm General Catalyst to develop AI tools for health care organizations. The aim is to improve care by alleviating critical issues like staff burnout, labor shortages and low margins.

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