Weekly Health Digest: AI Therapists, Measles Outbreak Repercussions, Exercise Benefits

Human Therapists Prepare for Battle Against A.I. Pretenders

By Ellen Barry, The New York Times

A.I. chatbots masquerading as therapists may be causing more harm than good, reinforcing negative thoughts and behaviors, such as suicide, self-harm, and violence.

The American Psychological Association has asked the Federal Trade Commission to open an investigation into AI chatbots that can be set up to act like human psychologists, citing incidents in which teenagers consulting such chatbots were harmed by the interactions. Fourteen-year-old Sewell Setzer III died by suicide after interacting with a chatbot who claimed to be a licensed therapist. J.F., a 17-year-old Texan, lashed out at his parents when they attempted to reduce his chatbot use.

Safety measures have since been implemented, such as parental controls and disclaimers reminding the user that the characters are not real human beings. On the other hand, data from a recent study published by Dr. S. Gabe Hatch, a clinical psychologist and A.I entrepreneur in Utah, suggested that participants engaging with bots, compared to human therapists, felt that the bots were more empathetic.

Now more than ever, it is necessary to find a balance between practitioner-patient interaction and the role of generative A.I., especially as A.I. has become more and more convenient. 

— by Merom Arthur

In Texas Measles Outbreak, Signs of a Riskier Future for Children

By Teddy Rosenbluth, The New York Times 

Health professionals across the nation are concerned about the ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas. Vaccine hesitancy has increased tremendously — particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic — fueled by distrust in the healthcare system. Many providers and researchers worry that this measles outbreak could be suggestive of low uptake of other vaccines too, a canary in the coal mine for future epidemics. 

Despite popular belief, measles does not only affect those who are unvaccinated. For example, measles can increase the likelihood of stillbirths and other health complications in pregnant women, who cannot receive any doses of the vaccine until the end of their pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the West Texas outbreak is far from being the largest in recent U.S. history. In 2019, outbreaks in about 24 states sickened 1,250 people, with the majority of these occurring among under-immunized and close-knit communities, according to the CDC. Different strategies were employed to combat the low vaccine uptake that made that outbreak possible. Federal, state, and local officials carried out vaccination campaigns that distributed 60,000 MMR vaccines across affected communities. New York City officials issued vaccination mandates for areas with especially low rates, such as the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn. 

The vaccination campaign in West Texas has not attempted to compel residents. State health officials manage these kinds of outbreaks, only asking for assistance from the C.D.C and other federal resources as they deem necessary. The C.D.C. is providing some assistance, but Texas health officials said they do not need more help from the agency. Moreover, Texas has not declared a public health emergency, as it was done in parts of New York State, or moved to mandate vaccination.

— by Alexa Morales

Early research suggests why exercise is so protective against brain disease

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN

Preliminary research suggests that increased physical activity can lower rthe isk of developing neuropsychiatric diseases. No matter the exercise type, says study author Dr. Jia-Yi Wu of Huashan Hospital at Fudan University, this study highlights “the importance of regular movement in promoting mental health.” 

Accelerometer data from over 73,000 adults was collected to investigate the relationship between amount of physical activity and prevalence of neuropsychiatric disease. The study provides excellent evidence that increasing activity and reducing sedentary time was helpful in protecting against dementia and depression, especially when considering its large sample size and the reliability of accelerometer data.

Researchers hypothesize why this might be. One way physical activity may help, they believe, is by regulating metabolic function and lowering inflammation, two processes that are dysregulated in about 25 percent to 30 percent of those with major depressive disorder. Moreover, any type of physical activity seems to have protective effects on brain health.

 The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults partake in at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, plus an additional two days of muscle strengthening. Anything that burns calories, such as walking or gardening, however, can benefit well-being. 

— by Justine Borgia

Items contributed by: Merom Arthur, Alexa Morales, Justine Borgia