If the government redefines gender to exclude trans people, it could worsen an urgent public health crisis TIME The New York Times reported this week that the current administration intends to create a federal definition of gender that would specifically exclude transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex identities. Significant health disparities already exist in the transgender community and doctors suggest such a definition will exacerbate the current crisis, leading many individuals to avoid seeking necessary medical services. [read more]

Hackers accessed records of 75,000 people in government health insurance system breach The Verge Though healthcare.gov itself was unaffected, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services detected abnormal activity on a government health care system used by agents and brokers to help people applying for health insurance. The agency says approximately 75,000 individuals’ files were impacted last week who they’d notified to assist them with additional safety measures. [read more]

Family doctors are ‘not doing enough’ to curb STDs US News Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set guidelines for annual STD screening, testing does not always happen. With cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis at an all-time high, public health officials and experts say family doctors need to step up routine screening for STDs as infection rates continue to steadily increase across the country. [read more]

ETSU Quillen College of Medicine faculty receives Lifetime Achievement Award for transgender research Johnson City Press Dr. George Brown who has been with ETSU’s medical school for over 25 years will receive Lifetime Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Brown developed the largest study ever on transgender health issues, and he says he hopes his research will help ‘reduce disparities in health care and lead to more acceptance for transgender individuals.’ [read more]

Medical school hosts region-wide tornado disaster simulation in Fort Smith Times Record The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine held its first tornado disaster simulation drill featuring students from schools across Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Students participated in multiple learning sessions in addition to participating in or watching the simulation, preparing them for the basics of disaster response applicable to other situations they may face in the field. [read more]

Seventh child dies from adenovirus outbreak at New Jersey nursing facility US News Several children at a rehabilitation center in Haskell, New Jersey, have been infected by a strain of adenovirus associated with communal living arrangements. The virus can cause severe illness particularly in people with compromised immune systems, like the ‘medically fragile children’ staying at the facility. Seven deaths and 11 cases have been confirmed so far. [read more]

Crowdfunding raises millions for risky medical treatments, study says CNN A study released in JAMA this week found that over 1,000 online medical crowdfunding campaigns have raised almost $7 million towards funding treatments like homeopathy or naturopathy for cancer or long-term antibiotic therapy for chronic Lyme disease—treatments that are potentially dangerous or lacking scientific evidence of effectiveness. [read more]

The FDA just approved the first new flu treatment in nearly 20 years CNBC The Food and Drug Administration approved Xofluza this year, the first new antiviral flu treatment in almost 20 years. Though the single-dose drug provides a new treatment option, the FDA reminds people it is ‘not a replacement for the flu vaccine.’ [read more]

Figure 1 Quiz of the Week​Three days after a coronary artery bypass grafting, a 55-year-old woman presents with dyspnea, fatigue, and heaviness in the chest. 200 mL of milky white fluid is drained by thoracentesis. The fluid has a triglyceride count of 120 mg/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?   (a) Chylothorax (b) Empyema (c) Cholesterol Effusion (d) Congestive Heart Failure Click here to find the answer, discuss this case and more.