Ozempic, Prozac, Alzheimer’s, food systems: Morning Rounds
The safety of food in the United States is a critical issue that affects millions of people each year. With around 48 million illnesses and 3,000 deaths caused by contaminated food annually, it is essential to ensure that our food supply is safe for consumption. However, recent spending cuts by the Trump administration have raised concerns among food experts about the future of food safety in the country.
Former CDC leader Daniel Jernigan has expressed worries about the impact of these cuts on the food safety system. He believes that the reductions in funding are causing the system to malfunction, leaving more people vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Some specific concerns include the decrease in the number of pathogens monitored by key surveillance programs, the loss of experienced staff in foodborne illness departments at the CDC and FDA, as well as cuts to administrative staff supporting FDA inspectors.
In addition to the challenges facing food safety, the appointment of Bethany Kozma as the head of the HHS Office of Global Affairs has raised questions about the administration’s stance on issues affecting women. Kozma has a history of making controversial statements about abortion and transgender individuals, aligning with the administration’s efforts to restrict gender-affirming care for trans youth. This comes at a time when legislation and rules are being introduced to limit youth access to puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery.
On the medical front, neurologist Jason Karlawish explores the potential of the drug Ozempic for Alzheimer’s disease. Despite recent disappointing data on the use of GLP-1s for Alzheimer’s, Karlawish believes that Ozempic has significant potential to make an impact on the treatment of the disease. Drawing parallels to the transformative effects of Prozac on depression treatment, Karlawish discusses how iconic drugs can change our understanding of health and individuality.
In a personal story, Kelly Barta shares her experience with topical steroid withdrawal, a condition that has been historically disputed and poorly understood. Despite facing challenges in getting research support for the condition, progress has been made with the help of allergist-immunologist Ian Myles. However, ongoing cuts to funding under the Trump administration have threatened the continuation of research into this condition.
The impact of federal funding cuts on Housing First programs, which provide stable housing for homeless individuals without requiring sobriety or treatment, is also a cause for concern. Studies have shown that these programs are more successful in reducing homelessness and improving outcomes for unhoused populations. However, with the elimination of discretionary funding for these programs, there is a risk of a 5% increase in homelessness within a year.
Overall, these developments highlight the importance of maintaining funding for essential public health and social programs to ensure the well-being of all Americans. It is crucial to address these challenges and work towards creating a safer and more equitable society for everyone.
