Good morning! In today's issue, read more about the widening impact of artificial intelligence on the field of medicine and patient care.

Also, learn about an Alabama mobile primary care unit that aims to improve residents' access to care, regardless of their resources. Have a great weekend!

Premature deaths among adults younger than 65 increased 27% from 2012 to 2022, with Black adults experiencing a higher rate than white adults, according to a study in JAMA Health Forum. The research highlights the health outcome impact of societal factors such as lack of health insurance, rising living costs and a weak social safety net, and notes that chronic diseases are a major cause of these premature deaths.

At ObesityWeek, researchers presented findings showing that generative AI often spreads stigmatizing and inaccurate information about obesity. The study analyzed content from various AI platforms, revealing that conversational AI attributes obesity to individual behavior, while image-based AI depicts people with obesity alongside unhealthful foods. Despite some platforms acknowledging weight stigma, they continue to generate stereotypical content.

Children whose fathers used the anti-seizure and mood stablizing medication valproate within three months before conception were more likely to develop neurodevelopmental disorders by age 12 than children whose fathers used lamotrigine or levetiracetam, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found no increases in risks for congenital malformations.

A study from the University of Utah and Intermountain Health indicates that a watchful waiting strategy for children with acute otitis media can significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic use without compromising outcomes. In the study, treatment failure and recurrence rates were low for both immediate antibiotic therapy and watchful waiting. "When watchful waiting was utilized, clinical outcomes were favorable as evidenced by the infrequent need for a new antibiotic prescription in the 30 days after the index visit," study authors wrote.

Type 1 diabetes may be more severe in children because the pancreas is still developing, making it more vulnerable to immune system attacks, according to a study in the journal Science Advances. Researchers found beta cells in the pancreases of young children were more susceptible to damage before they matured into islets of Langerhans.

A recent survey by HealthLink Dimensions reveals that while 40% of physicians are optimistic about the potential of AI in health care, 41% do not currently use any AI tools. The survey highlights that physicians view AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, with ChatGPT being the most popular tool among users. The findings suggest that AI tools that save time, reduce administrative burdens and maintain clinical autonomy are gaining traction among health care professionals.

Telehealth and hospital-at-home programs have resumed normal operations after a government shutdown, thanks to a short-term extension of Medicare waivers that lasts until Jan. 30. The American Telemedicine Association and other stakeholders are calling for a permanent or multi-year extension to provide stability, as the uncertainty has caused some health systems to hesitate in launching new programs. "Our next ask obviously would be the longest extension possible,” said Kyle Zebley, the ATA's new CEO. “Get us out of these short-term extensions. Get us on firmer ground.

Primary care programs to address patients' social needs were more effective at screening and assisting with food and housing needs than they were at achieving clinical outcomes, according to a 23-study review in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Five studies in the review tracked clinical outcomes, and three of those found no change, while one found worse blood pressure metrics and one found better blood pressure