Weekly Health Digest: Lost Embryos, Sweating, and A ‘Witch Hunt’

Venezuelans travel to border for vaccinations as Colombia works to prevent outbreak

Andrew Wight

Venezuela has currently been in the news because of a dramatic political shift, but its health system has also been suffering and going through changes. Venezuela is one of twelve countries in the Americas with measles outbreaks. These outbreaks generally happen when populations are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. Venezuelan citizens from these communities have migrated into Colombia to receive vaccinations. Lines of Venezuelans are lining up in hopes of receiving care through Colombia’s emergency care system.

New York Puts in Measures to Protect Access to Abortion even if Roe v. Wade is Overturned

Tony Marco

On January 22nd, the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed New York’s Reproductive Health Act which will maintain women’s access to an abortion in New York even if Roe v. Wade is overturned. In addition, it removes abortion from New York’s criminal code, meaning doctors who perform abortions will not face criminal prosecution. The law also addresses late-term abortions as well as the question of who can perform them.

 â€‹New lawsuits filed against Cleveland fertility clinic where 4,000 embryos were lost

Jessica Ravitz

Last March Cleveland’s University Hospitals Fertility Clinic accidentally destroyed more than 4,000 eggs of at least 950 families. 8 new lawsuits have been filed and a new defendant has surfaced since the storage tank’s failure. Since the incident, University Hospitals have tried to make up for their devastating mistake by offering impacted families free fertility care and by enhancing the center itself. Ongoing developments are being reported by patients disappointed with the hospital system as University Hospitals is following a gag order. â€‹

Doctors Call California’s Probe Of Opioid Deaths A ‘Witch Hunt’

Cheryl Clark

The Medical Board of California is engaging in a project called “the Death Certificate Project” that investigates doctors associated with overdose related deaths. 450 doctors and 72 other health practitioners have been investigated and 23 doctors have been formally accused of negligent prescribing. Doctors, however, are arguing that the effort is a ‘witch hunt’ and may discourage the treatment of patients’ pain. 

Does more sweating mean a more intense workout?

Robert J. Davis

January marks the beginning of a new year and with it, setting health-related goals to improve one’s fitness. Pushing yourself when exercising relates to the common misconception that the more your sweat the harder you are working. In fact, how much one sweats is influenced by numerous factors: gender, age, genetics, temperature, environment, weight, fitness level, and clothing. And so while finishing a workout drenched in sweat can make us feel satisfied and accomplished, not ending a workout in such a way should not discourage us or make us feel like we didn’t try our best. After all, sweating is simply our body’s cooling mechanism.