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☆ These 5 health conditions affect the Black community at higher rates—here are early signs to look out for and preventative measures
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Health conditions like colon cancer and cardiovascular diseases impact people within the Black community at much higher rates than most other racial backgrounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And even after the onset of life-threatening conditions, systemic issues lead to health disparities that prevent many Black people from accessing the resources they need. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): "In 2019, Blacks/African Americans represented 13% of the U.S. population, but 40% of people with HIV," says HIV.gov. Metabolic syndrome: Between 1988 and 2012, "Non-Hispanic black women were more likely than non-Hispanic white women to have metabolic syndrome," CDC data shows. Colon cancer: In 2016, Black men had the highest incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer, when compared to other racial groups, per CDC data.

☆ Wall St dips as Treasury yields rise after auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Carolina Mandl | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"With Treasury yields higher, it becomes a legitimate alternative to equities," said Michael Rosen, chief investment officer at Angeles Investments. Weighing on the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) indexes, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) extended losses from the previous session to fall 4.7%. All 11 S&P 500 sectors posted losses. More than half of the S&P 500 companies have reported quarterly earnings so far, and 69% of them have beaten estimates, according to Refinitiv data. The S&P 500 posted 15 new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 75 new highs and 57 new lows.

☆ Wall St dips as Treasury yields rise; Disney hits 5-month high
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Carolina Mandl | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. 30-year Treasury yield rose after an auction in the early afternoon, while the yield curve between two-year and 10-year notes widened earlier. Weighing on the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) indexes, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) extended losses from the previous session to fall 5.2179%. The S&P 500 communication services sector (.SPLRCL) sank 2.86%. More than half of the S&P 500 companies have reported quarterly earnings so far, and 69% of them have beaten estimates, according to Refinitiv data. The S&P 500 posted 15 new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 69 new highs and 41 new lows.

The data tentatively eased concerns about the Federal Reserve's rate-hike path after a strong January employment report rattled markets last week. Weighing on the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) indexes, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) extended losses from the previous session to fall 5.6%. The S&P 500 communication services sector (.SPLRCL) sank 2.6%, while Alphabet shares eyed their worst weekly performance since November. Ralph Lauren Corp (RL.N) gained 1.2% after beating quarterly sales expectations, while peer Tapestry Inc (TPR.N) soared 5.4% on a strong annual profit forecast. More than half of the S&P 500 companies have reported quarterly earnings so far, and 69% of them have beaten estimates, according to Refinitiv data.

Futures got a lift after data showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 196,000 for the week ended Feb. 4. The data comes on the heels of a strong January employment report that rattled markets last week. "There are so many companies that are laying off people and that eventually is going to weaken the job market. ET, Dow e-minis were up 213 points, or 0.63%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 33 points, or 0.8%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 160.5 points, or 1.28%. Ralph Lauren Corp (RL.N) gained 2.4% after beating quarterly revenue expectations on resilient demand for its high-end clothing and accessories.

☆ Abbott Laboratories to Acquire Cardiovascular Systems At Equity Value of $890M
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Kathryn Hardison | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/abbott-laboratories-to-acquire-cardiovascular-systems-at-equity-value-of-890m-11675903811

Investor sentiment was further boosted after data showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 196,000 last week, above a forecast of 190,000 claims. The data comes on the heels of a strong January employment report that rattled markets last week. Of more than half of the S&P 500 companies that have reported fourth-quarter earnings so far, 69% have topped estimates, as per Refinitiv data. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 3.03-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.17-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 14 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 49 new highs and 20 new lows.

☆ Florida schools will not ask student-athletes about menstruation, following outcry
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Miami Palmetto Senior High School Lady Panthers huddle before the start of their basketball game against the Miami Senior High School Lady Stings at Miami Senior High School on Feb. 3, 2023, in Miami. Florida schools will no longer ask student-athletes to share their menstrual histories in order to play high school sports, following months of opposition from parents, physicians and advocates. Until now, the form included five optional questions about a student-athlete's menstrual history. Now, however, the newly adopted form will not ask student-athletes about menstruation, instead requiring them to fill out questions about their medical, surgical and emotional histories. (The organization did not provide statistics on transgender and nonbinary people's participation in high school sports in Florida.)

☆ In a health system in crisis, Britain's heart care suffers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Britain's cardiology departments are a microcosm of the problems that have spread through the system. In November, around 8,000 people like Cogan had been waiting more than a year for heart treatment, up from a couple of dozen pre-pandemic. Reuters GraphicsTeams were still trying to restore cardiac services to pre-pandemic levels, NHS England said. Pandemic disruptions to diagnosis and treatment, in addition to delays in emergency care, had an outsized impact on cardiological care, she said. On one visit to his local Colchester hospital, staff could not find a working ECG machine to read his heart's electrical activity when he felt a twinge.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Amazon, Target, AMD, Exxon, Snap, Nike & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Morgan Stanley reiterates PayPal as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by shares of PayPal but that Apple Pay is a formidable competitor for the company. Morgan Stanley initiates Rocket Pharmaceuticals as overweight Morgan Stanley said in its initiation of Rocket Pharmaceuticals that it likes the company's pipeline. Morgan Stanley reiterates Amazon as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on Amazon's Buy with Prime service for merchants. Morgan Stanley reiterates Walmart as overweight Morgan Stanley said growth remains strong for the Walmart's subscription service, Walmart+. " Morgan Stanley reiterates McDonald's as overweight Morgan Stanley said the fast food giant is well positioned for 2023 after it reported strong earnings on Tuesday.

☆ Morgan Stanley sees this gene therapy stock doubling from here
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rocket Pharmaceuticals could soar as a trial with blockbuster sales potential enters a pivotal phase, according to Morgan Stanley. Analyst Michael Ulz initiated the stock at overweight with a $45 price target. That target share price implies the stock will rally 107.1% from Tuesday's close. Ulz called Rocket a "leading gene therapy company" that can find the best treatments for a given disease. RP-A501, a one-time gene therapy treatment, has shown "promising" phase one results among adults and children, Ulz said.

☆ Fact Check-Georgia schools’ cardiac arrest awareness form predates the COVID-19 pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A “Student/Parent Cardiac Arrest Awareness Form” from the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) was first issued in 2019 to educate parents about the risk of cardiac arrest in young athletes and in keeping with a state law enacted that year, a spokesperson for the organization told Reuters. Widely-shared social media posts feature a photo of the current year’s school form alongside comments suggesting that it was issued following a recent increase in cardiac deaths (here ) , (here), and (here). Bylaw 2.68-b indicates that the policy is in accordance with Georgia’s SB 60, the Jeremy Nelson and Rick Blakely Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. In addition to distributing an information sheet about sudden cardiac arrest to “every athlete and his/her parent/guardian,” the policy calls for twice-yearly informational sessions to be held. The Georgia High School Association first issued its Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Form for student athletes and their parents in 2019, not in relation to cardiovascular deaths during the pandemic.

☆ Black maternal deaths and disparities increase in Mississippi
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The Mississippi Maternal Mortality Report shows that the maternal mortality rate increased by 8.8% between 2013‐2016 and 2017‐2019, with the latter period being the most recent one analyzed by researchers. Of the maternal deaths directly related to pregnancy, 87.5% were determined to be preventable. Velvet Johnson holds a sign calling for support of the Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable legislative agenda at Capitol in Jackson, Miss. It found that 42.5% of the maternal deaths it identified occurred more than 60 days but less than one year after delivery. Advocates from the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, an advocacy group, gathered at the Capitol to urge lawmakers to extend postpartum coverage.

☆ A 26-year-old founded a medical startup — the same year he lost almost half his vision
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Kevin Choi, who is Medi Whale's CEO, said he is a firm believer that his diagnosis is "not a coincidence." MediwhaleAs a rifleman in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps who endured harsh training as part of his national service, Kevin Choi had "no doubt" about the state of his health. Long patient journey is a big hurdle to get past. "Long patient journey is a big hurdle to get past. Every conversation I have with doctors or experts … is a lesson to be learnt," said Kevin Choi.

☆ How AI is detecting heart attack risk and aiming to outsmart America’s No. 1 killer
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Kerima Greene | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Cleerly founder and CEO James Min, a cardiologist, started the company to find a better way to assess heart health, by applying AI to the problem. Heart disease is the nation's No. CNBC: What are indirect markers of heart disease? Min: Many emergency department visits for heart attacks are preventable if risk factors for heart disease are identified in advance. Using millions of annotated CCTA images, Cleerly algorithms quantify and characterize atherosclerosis and its features.

☆ Fact Check-No evidence COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are significant contributing factor to UK’s 30,000 excess cardiovascular deaths
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Millions of people have viewed a BBC News interview with a British cardiologist who used the broadcast to spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Malhotra cites the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for reporting 30,000 excess cardiovascular deaths “during the pandemic or since the pandemic”. A BHF spokesperson told Reuters that there were indeed 30,000 excess deaths involving ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in England between March 2020 and August 2022. Reuters has addressed similar claims linking COVID-19 vaccines with excess mortality (here, here and here), cardiac arrests (here, here and here), and other heart issues. Experts say the 30,000 excess cardiovascular deaths reported since the beginning of the pandemic are due to COVID-19 infection and issues with healthcare services.

Researchers saw similar declines in cognitive performance when people replaced vigorous exercise with six minutes of light physical activity or seven minutes of sleeping. But the opposite was also seen to be true: Exercising instead of sitting boosted cognitive performance. Replacing sitting or lying down with nine minutes of vigorous exercise was linked to a more than 1% boost in cognition scores, the study found. "Physical activity is linked to a whole host of benefits, and so you really want to promote as much regular physical activity as possible," said Biswas, who wasn't involved with the research. Mitchell, the study author, noted that light activity is still preferable to sitting.

☆ Fact Check-No evidence COVID-19 vaccines are linked to athletes collapsing or dying
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

He suffered a cardiac arrest moments after making a tackle and had to have his heartbeat restored on the field (here). In the UK, Dr Steven Cox, chief executive of charity Cardiac Risk on the Young (CRY), also told Reuters via email that sudden cardiac death in young people “is sadly not a new phenomenon”. The authors also noted that this was “likely... a significant underestimate” of the true incidence of cardiac death in the young. Another study published in 2022 by PLOS medicine found acute COVID-19 was associated with a 5.8x increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including a 6.4x increased risk of atrial arrythmias in the month after infection. Experts say there is no research that shows a link between COVID-19 vaccines and athletes collapsing or dying from sudden cardiac arrest.

LOS ANGELES — "Will & Grace" actor Leslie Jordan, who was found without a pulse after a car crash in Hollywood last year, died of sudden cardiac dysfunction, officials said Thursday. Jordan, 67, experienced sudden heart failure due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the Los Angeles County medical examiner said. Jordan's agent, David Shaul, had previously said that Jordan had likely suffered a medical emergency that caused him to lose control of his car. "The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan,” Shaul said in October. During the pandemic, Jordan's fan base grew as he delivered daily Instagram videos that offered comedic reflections on life during a lockdown.

☆ I prescribe the popular weight-loss drug semaglutide to my patients. I hesitate to call it a magic bullet.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Hannah Moseley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Dr. Paul Kolodzik has been prescribing semaglutide to his diabetic patients since 2017. The one regret he hears from patients on the drug is they can't enjoy food as much. Before that, I was an emergency physician for about 25 years, caring for patients with strokes, heart attacks, and diabetic emergencies. I started prescribing semaglutide under the label Ozempic to my diabetic patients in 2017Novo Nordisk, a global pharmaceutical company, developed Ozempic as a medication for diabetics to control their blood sugar. So, physicians started prescribing some patients who weren't diabetic Ozempic off-label since Ozempic is not approved for weight loss — even though it's the same generic medicine.

☆ Novartis' CEO is charging ahead in cutting tens of thousands of workers to transform the $220 billion pharma giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Andrew Dunn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Novartis is laying off thousands of workers, CEO Vasant Narasimhan told Insider. Through layoffs and spinoffs, the Swiss giant expects to trim its headcount by about 30% by 2024. SAN FRANCISCO — Thousands of layoffs are "happening now," Vasant Narasimhan, the CEO of Novartis, told Insider, as he hopes the $220 billion Swiss giant is entering the final steps of becoming a smaller, more-focused drug company. The Swiss giant had about 125,000 full-time employees at the time, and it has about 108,000 workers today. The restructuring will save Novartis about $1.5 billion annually, Narasimhan said during his Monday presentation at the JPMorgan conference.

☆ China reports huge rise in Covid deaths after WHO criticized Beijing for heavily undercounting
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The World Health Organization said this week that China was heavily under-reporting deaths from COVID, although it was now providing more information on its outbreak. China, which last reported daily COVID death figures on Monday, has repeatedly defended the veracity of its data on the disease. On Saturday, Jiao said China divides COVID-related deaths between those from respiratory failure due to coronavirus infection and those from underlying disease combined with coronavirus infection. Last month, a Chinese health expert at a government news conference said only deaths caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure after contracting COVID would be classified as COVID deaths. However, he said, it was unclear whether the new data accurately reflects actual fatalities because doctors are discouraged from reporting COVID-related deaths and the numbers include only deaths in hospitals.

☆ Sleep experts say you can 'catch up' on sleep but sleeping in on the weekends isn't the way to do it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Researchers proposed it takes 4 days of quality sleep to recover from just 1 hour of sleep debt. Why it's hard to catch up on sleepPsychiatrist and sleep medicine expert, Dr. Alex Dimitriu, is of the mindset that you can catch up on sleep, but only if you haven't let your sleep debt grow too great. By definition, one hour of sleep lost equals one hour of sleep debt. "If the sleep debt is greater, the time to recover becomes markedly longer, and complete recovery may not be possible, so it's important to not let sleep debt go too far," Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told Insider. How to pay back sleep debtPaying back sleep debt is like paying back credit card debt: Try to pay all, or as much, of the total balance so that the debt doesn't grow too large.

FILE PHOTO: The Johnson & Johnson logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., May 29, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo(Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson will look for opportunities to merge with or acquire firms that add value to its focus areas of eye care, surgical robots, orthopedics and cardiovascular products, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Joaquin Duato said on Monday. The healthcare giant is in the process of spinning off its consumer healthcare business under the brand Kenvue to focus on its pharmaceutical and medical devices businesses. J&J last month completed its acquisition of heart pump maker Abiomed for $16.6 billion, which will operate as an independent division in its medical devices business. The company’s CEO expects J&J to continue growing towards its goal of $60 billion in pharmaceutical sales by 2025, and is confident of exceeding current Street expectations by the targeted year.

☆ 8 rowing machines to consider in 2023 for home workouts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Justin Redman | Justin Redman Was Formerly A Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

This smart rower is highly adjustable. More affordable than other smart rowers, the Echelon Smart Rower is a good option for those who aren’t looking to splurge. Like other smart rowers, the Hydrow must be plugged into a wall to use. Yasmin Farooq is an American rowing cox and the head coach of the University of Washington women's rowing team. is an American rowing cox and the head coach of the University of Washington women's rowing team.

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