 Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | | |
| | | | | BY MEG WINGERTER An interesting study, mostly looking at patients in Colorado, found it's possible to determine which people deemed at-risk for rheumatoid arthritis are actually on their way to developing the disease. The next question is whether they can do anything about it. Right now, the only method to try to prevent the immune system from attacking the joints is to make overall lifestyle improvements, such as quitting smoking or exercising more. But trials are testing whether medications could delay or prevent the disease, since lifestyle changes don't work for everyone. A preventive medication exists for Type 1 diabetes, though it only allows kids to delay the disease, not avoid it entirely. In theory, if researchers can find clues to what goes wrong early in disease processes, they could delay or prevent any number of autoimmune conditions, or at least make them less severe. | | | | Unlike typical osteoarthritis, where cartilage in joints breaks down, rheumatoid arthritis results from the immune system attacking healthy tissues. The main treatments suppress parts of the immune system, leaving patients more vulnerable to infections. | | | | | A long shutdown could also jeopardize other programs supporting health centers, such as loan repayment for doctors working in underserved areas. | | | | | Colorado argues the measure simply regulates licensed therapists by barring a practice that’s been scientifically discredited and linked to serious harm. | | | | | A pilot is testing the use of AI to expand prior authorization decisions in Medicare. | | | | | Federal health officials have issued a public health alert for certain Hello Fresh subscription meal kits. | | | | | Before this year, U.S. health officials recommended annual boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. | | | |
