Weekly Health Digest: Insurance Antitrust Lawsuit, Robo-Pets, 3D-Printed Nasal Swabs, Green New Deal, Hidden Impacts of Covid-19

A summary of important health news from the past week

Blue Cross Insurers Reach Tentative Settlement in Antitrust Lawsuit

Blue Cross health insurance group has signed on a payout of $2.7 billion dollars in order to address claims in a federal lawsuit. Customers accused the insurance group that they were violating anti-trust laws by limiting the amount of outside revenue plans in an anti-competitive behavior. Blue Cross was essentially monopolizing the health insurance market themselves, as 1 in 3 Americans is covered by a Blue Cross plan. Expanding competition outside of the Blue Cross Association allows for lower prices and more insurance plan options for Americans. Although major progress in this lawsuit has been made, there is still many other complexities, such as how this may affect hospitals and doctors, that still needs to be addressed.

In Isolating Times, Can Robo-Pets Provide Comfort?

By: Paula Span

Loneliness and social disconnection are linked to poor mental and physical health. Due to COVID-19, many seniors have been living in isolation, missing the personal visits from family, volunteering, and social events from before the pandemic. Many seniors have turned to automated animals for company. These devices first appeared in American nursing homes and residences several years ago. COVID-19 has only intensified interest in these products. A study found that seniors suffering from loneliness saw improvement in their mental health and sense of purpose after 30 days with their robotic pet. Scientists and researchers are interested in conducting more studies on robotic pets as interventions for loneliness.

3D-printed Nasal Swabs Work for COVID Testing

By: By: Anne DeLotto Baier

The results of a recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases provides evidence that 3D printed swabs work as well and as safely as standard synthetic flocked nasal swabs. As demand for nasal COVID testing increases, so does the demand of nasal swabs to safely perform these tests. The study authors concluded that 3D printing technology offers a viable, cost-efficient option to address swab supply shortages, particularly when local hospitals or other clinical sites already have 3D printing labs equipped to print and process the devices. So far, the only adverse effect recorded is slight nasal bleeding in one patient, but the future for nasal swab availability and COVID testing seems promising.

Noam Chomsky’s Green New Deal

By: David Roberts

Climate Crisis and the Green New Deal, written by Robert Pollin and Noam Chomsky, details inquiries into the relationship between climate change and capitalism and the effects it may have on politics. Pollin has been writing about climate economics for years and served as an advisor to Obama’s Energy Department previously. His new book argues that consumer capitalism feeds into climate change, that one is the inevitable consequence of the other. In his interview with David Roberts, he discusses the politics behind climate change hostility and the movement of environmental justice. As an expert in climate change politics and economics, Polins offers insight into the human nature’s inability to overcome capitalism. Soon enough, nothing short of a miracle could reverse the consequences of capitalism on our planet.

Covid-19 May Have a Hidden Impact on the Heart

By: Kim Tingley

A July paper in JAMA Cardiology discovered signs of mild myocarditis in Ohio State athletes who had been affected by Covid-19. Myocarditis, one of the leading causes of death in young athletes, involves the inflammation of the heart muscle, which in turn can lead to damaging effects to the heart and lungs. Further extensive research is required to confirm the study; however, physicians suggest that maintaining an exercise routine is essential for maintaining cardiovascular strength and a healthy immune system.