THE DAILY WARM UP:

ONE JOKE: 

What is it called when a hospital runs out of maternity nurses?

👶

A mid-wife crisis!

ONE FACT: 

More than 2 million people are expected to develop cancer in 2024—a record number of new cases. (US News & World Report) 🏥

ONE QUOTE:

“The true test of a person’s character is what they do when no one is watching.”

–John Wooden

ONE GUESS…NAME THAT DISEASE: 

• Description:  Cancer of the plasma cells (white blood cells that make antibodies) found in bone marrow.  Abnormal plasma cells may produce abnormal proteins and form bone lesions.

• Signs and Symptoms: Pathological fractures, bone pain, anemia and related fatigue, bleeding, hypercalcemia and related confusion, infection, weight loss, excessive thrist.

• Diagnosis:  Based on evidence of protein proliferation in blood or urine, hypercalemia, renal impairment, anemia, imaging showing pathological fractures, bone marrow biopsy.

• Treatment:  May include chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiation, or targeted therapy.

• Prognosis:  5-year survival rate is around 54% in the United States.

DISEASE ANSWER: Click here to find out!

HEALTHCARE HEADLINES…flex your knowledge at work:

• YouTube Health makes first aid and emergency care videos more accessible (Mobihealthnews).  Videos will be in English and Spanish and include information about choking/Heimlich, bleeding, CPR, seizure, stroke, opioid overdose and heart attack. 🏥

• Your job’s mental health perks might do squat (Morning Brew).  An Oxford study showed workers who used company mental health benefits like mindfulness apps and time management courses didn’t feel any better than those who didn’t.  Others disagree with the results. 🙃 

• What would a 2nd Trump presidency look like for health care? (ABC News).  Read how things might change under Trump with regard to public health, drug prices, abortion, health insurance, medical freedom, and more. 🇺🇲

• AI may make shopping for health insurance less painful (Axios).  AI tools could gather information about an insurance shopper and their health needs to offer suggestions for the best plan option, especially for purchasing private Medicare Advantage plans or for plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. 💸

• Colon cancer is killing more younger men and women than ever, new report finds (NBC News).  Colorectal cancer is now the deadliest cancer for men under age 50 and second deadliest cancer for women in that age group, behind breast cancer.  Doctors don’t know why the cancer is striking so many younger people - obesity, diet, and sedentary lifestyle could play a role. 🥹

RECOMMENDATION STATION…other newsletters we think you’ll enjoy:

Ramit Sethi is the author of the New York Times bestseller “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”.  His daily newsletter, The Rich Life, focuses on personal finance, business, careers, and personal habits and psychology.  Since 2004, he has helped tens of millions of people live their Rich Lives and has been featured on his own Netflix special.  Sign up now! 

POTPOURRI…fun facts and conversation starters:

• This is what school lunches look like around the world (upworthy).  Italy, France, and Brazil know how to feed their kids!  😋

• Snowmen, snow forts, and snow animals through the years (Knox News).  America’s favorite winter pastime remains snow sculptures.  The Harley snow bike is our favorite. ☃️

• Best & Worst States to Drive in 2024 (Wallet Hub).  Where does your state rank? Based on cost of ownership, infrastructure, and safety.  🚗

• Bear and salmon pictured together in Canada’s best nature photos 2023 (PetaPixel).  These shots are just amazing! 🐻 🐟️ 

FOCUS ON WELLNESS…simple tips with outsized impact for you and your patients:

• The best body-weight exercises for working out every part of your body (Everyday Health).  Want to get the benefits of weights without all the equipment?  Check out these foundational equipment-free exercises for chest, arms, back, core, legs, and full body.  

• The man who thinks he can live forever (TIME).  Bryan Johnson has turned his body into a real-life science experiment.  Read about his age-defying regimen that costs a cool $2 million per year.

• The science behind new weight loss drugs like Ozeempic (WSJ).  Understand the way that blockbuster GLP-1 agonists works. 🎥

• 7 popular supplements that may have hidden dangers (Everyday Health).  Do you take supplementary Vitamin D, calcium, fish oil, or kava?  Know the risks. 

THANKS FOR READING!

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