Weekend ICYMI: June 24 to June 28
In case you missed it, this week we had news about mosquito-associated health risks, the link between cannabis and COVID-19, user experience in continuous glucose monitoring, and more.
CDC: Dengue Virus Poses Increased Threat in United States
Mosquito / mycteria - stock.adobe.com
Dengue cases are on the rise and the virus now poses an increased risk of infections in the United States, according to a CDC Health Alert Network Health Advisory. According to the agency, global incidence of dengue virus has been the highest on record in 2024, with many countries reporting “higher-than-usual dengue case numbers.” Countries in the Americas in particular are reporting a record-breaking number of cases recorded between January 1 and June 24 of this year: more than 9.7 million cases, or twice as many as all cases reported in 2023.
Cannabis Use Associated with Higher Risk of Severe COVID-19
Current cannabis users may have an increased likelihood of experiencing severe COVID-19 complications such as hospitalization and intensive care unit admission, according to research published in JAMA Network Open. The authors said that the findings warrant further examination into the associations of cannabis use and COVID-19 outcomes.
Crucial Questions for Pharmacists to Ask Before Integrating AI
As health care technology evolves, it is predicted that AI will have a role in all new resources and tools introduced throughout the ongoing digital age. But before health care providers integrate it into their process, it’s important for them to understand how it works. In a continuing education session at McKesson ideaShare, Andrea Sikora, PharmD, of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, introduced the basic functions of AI, then delved into the technology’s emerging role in health care and highlighted the key areas of utilization that must be addressed before integrating AI into the pharmacy.
GLP-1s May Benefit T1D, Uptake Increased Significantly in Patients with Obesity
The number of patients taking semaglutide (Ozempic)—one of the most popular GLP-1s—was 40 times higher in 2022 compared to 2019. The class of drugs, which also includes liraglutide and dulaglutide, are approved to treat type 2 diabetes, as well as obesity or overweight. However, research has also shown that off-label prescriptions of GLP-1s for type 1 diabetes can provide benefits to patients. Recent data published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found patients with type 1 diabetes who took GLP-1s had significant reductions in weight, glycated hemoglobin A1C, and total daily dose of insulin.
How User Experience Enhances Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes Management
With the ever-growing number of diabetes management technologies on the market, selecting the right 1 can be overwhelming, especially for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Factors like individual preferences, lifestyle, disease severity, and device features all play a role. Despite this variability, CGMs have the potential to increase adherence, improve self-management, and reduce the burden of care associated with diabetes. Two abstracts presented at the American Diabetes Association 84th Scientific Sessions, held June 21 to 24 in Orlando, Florida, explored how positive user experiences with a CGM can lead to better patient outcomes.
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