Weekly Health Digest: Weight-Loss Drugs, Health Insurance, Overdose Declines, Food Shortages, Aging Alone

Could Weight-Loss Drugs Help Get People Back to Work? The U.K. Wants to Find Out.

By Megan Specia, New York Times

Approximately 25 percent of the British population is obese, a problem for both citizen health and the workforce. Employers have observed that obesity deters work attendance and performance. The government has proposed a new solution: weight-loss drugs. 

The British government has invested 365 million dollars into Mounjaro, a weight loss medication from Eli Lilly and Company, to combat the obesity epidemic. Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of the drug in curbing obesity and preventing associated health issues. Britain’s health secretary, Wes Streeting, gave his seal of approval to the emerging medication, but he continued to emphasize the importance of preventative care and lifestyle changes.

It is unknown whether Mounjaro’s effects on obesity extends into improving work performance, as the drug recently entered the market. The British government, nevertheless, remains confident in their decision. 

— by Harika Adusumilli

Why the U.S. is the only country that ties your health insurance to your job

By Dylan Scott, Vox

The US is approaching its annual window for open enrollment. This process, in which residents reapply for health insurance, is unique to the US and proves to be difficult for most citizens. Current employment and its associated benefits, for instance, is a vital consideration for those facing these proceedings once again.

More than half of Americans below age 65 are insured through their employer. Companies with this benefit extract a substantial portion of their employees’ wages to enroll them in a company-sanctioned insurance plan. Such reliance on employers for benefits strips employees of autonomy over their ability to access healthcare. Changing positions or quitting jobs, or a company’s decision to switch providers, can disrupt an employee’s coverage or deprive them of accessing affordable healthcare altogether.

Efforts to change the health insurance industry have been made since World War II with limited impact. Employers began offering health insurance as a form of compensation in the 1940s, in response to federal controls on wages and the removal of taxes on health coverage. This policy not only increased the number of insured individuals exponentially over the next decade, but it also increased employees’ reliance on their jobs for their healthcare. President Barack Obama attempted to fix the system nearly 70 years later with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, but this policy was only able to work alongside the existing system. 

Most Americans are doubtful the health insurance industry will change despite the growing desire for reform. At present, many trade fulfillment and satisfaction for healthcare. The current system forces workers take jobs they may not want or stay in careers they hate simply for the benefits. Much work is needed to improve the health insurance industry as it stands.

— by Lauryn Palacio

Drug overdose deaths fall for 6 months straight as officials wonder what’s working

By Erika Edwards, New York Times

Drug overdose deaths fell 12.7 percent between May 2023 and May 2024, according to preliminary data released by the CDC on October 16. White House officials state that this is the largest reduction in overdose deaths recorded, with six consecutive months of decline. It is also the first time since early 2021 that the number of overdose deaths has dropped below 100,000 in a 12-month period. This trend is widespread across the United States, with decreases observed in 41 states and in major metropolitan areas, including New York City and Seattle.

Public health officials are both encouraged and baffled by this decline. It is unclear what caused this sudden and unexpected reduction. Well-known overdose prevention efforts have been in place for over a decade, such as expanded availability of Narcan to reverse opioid overdoses. Experts speculate that a combination of factors is the cause, including a decrease in solitary drug use post-pandemic and continued efforts in harm reduction, such as Narcan distribution. The decline in overdose deaths suggests that the current combination of public health strategies is making a difference.

— by Stephanie Oehler

Therapeutic Food Shortages Puts African Children at Risk of Starvation, U.N. Agency Says

By Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times

A shortage of a ready-to-use therapeutic food in Africa leaves almost 2 million children at risk of malnutrition and death. 

The macronutrient-rich product, generally used for children with severe wasting, faces shortages across many African countries. Mali, Nigeria, Niger, and Chad have nearly exhausted their supply, while eight more nations may soon follow. Global supply chains disruptions, like conflict, climate change, and economic crises, have exacerbated this shortage.  Stocks are expected to be depleted by mid-2025. 

Deaths due to severe acute malnutrition account for about 400,000 pediatric deaths per year. The children often have stunted growth, prominent ribs, dry skin, and brittle hair. Their immune systems are weakened, leaving them susceptible to serious, and often fatal, infections like diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, malaria, and measles. More than 19 million children under age 5 are affected by severe acute malnutrition across the globe. 

The United States recently made a $100 million donation to support malnutrition programs. UNICEF is calling for $165 million more to replenish the supply of this ready-to-use therapeutic food. Urgent action is needed. 

— by Aanya Ravichander

Millions of Aging Americans Are Facing Dementia by Themselves

By Judith Graham, KFF Health News

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, estimate that around 4.3 million people aged 55 or older with a cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the United States. It is also estimated that around half have trouble with daily activities, such as cooking, shopping, bathing, eating, taking medications, and managing money. Only 1 in 3 of these individuals receive help with at least one of these activities. 

People who live alone with a cognitive impairment represent the most vulnerable sectors of the U.S. population, in comparison to other older adults living by themselves. These individuals are often older, female, Black or Latino, and have lower levels of education, income, and homeownership. Additionally, only 21 percent of these adults qualify for government-funded programs, such as Medicaid. Issues of social isolation are thus aggravated by inadequate nutrition, self-neglect, and susceptibility to scams. 

Healthcare providers could begin to surveil this issue by asking patients with cognitive impairments if they live with someone. This could facilitate the process of identifying these vulnerable individuals and build a support system for those who need it the most. 

— by Alexa Morales

Items contributed by: Harika Adusumilli, Lauryn Palacio, Stephanie Oehler, Aanya Ravichander, Alexa Morales