In this edition, we’ll share the latest developments on how to protect yourself with new COVID-19 vaccines, exciting breakthroughs in medicine affordability, and simple lifestyle changes that can improve your overall health.
Out of cutting edge Treatments to Simple steps to increase your well-being, There are There is something for everyone here. let us immerse yourself.
New COVID-19 vaccines target the KP.2 variant
New mRNA coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna targeting the latest variant, KP.2, will be available in the coming weeks to improve your protection against COVID-19. In June The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended all persons aged six months and over will receive a new COVID-19 vaccination.
While these vaccines cannot stop all infections, they can make the disease less severe and lower the risk of long COVID, which is especially important if you have a weakened immune system. If you have not been vaccinated recently or have had a COVID-19 infection, it is a good idea to get the new vaccine soon, especially with the upcoming fall and winter seasons when case numbers may rise. Talk to your doctor about when to get vaccinated and where to go.
Unlike some other countries that only vaccinate people at high risk for severe disease, such as people over 65 and/or with severe medical conditions, the United States recommends the new COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, except young children. This way, more people can be protected, even if they don’t know they’re at risk.
Autoimmune patients are at risk for Long COVID
Did you know that nearly 30 percent of people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease can develop Long COVID after COVID-19 infection?
A recent study found that many patients continue to struggle with symptoms such as fatigue, “brain fog,” and joint pain 12 weeks or more after their initial infection. These persistent symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life.
This raises an important question: Could keeping your COVID-19 vaccinations up to date and taking steps to avoid reinfection lower your risk for Long COVID? Research suggests it might, which is why it’s even more important to protect yourself if you have an autoimmune disease.
If you experience symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, it is imperative to talk to your doctor and find ways to manage these potential long-term effects.
Medicare lowers prices for popular drugs
From 2026, Medicare will reduce prices for 10 commonly used medicationswhich means you could pay less for your prescriptions. President Biden has announced this change, which goes beyond the $35 cap on insulin costs for diabetics. This change is part of a new plan in which Medicare will work directly with pharmaceutical companies to lower prices, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. These price reductions could save Medicare users like you up to $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs.
This is great news if you take medications for conditions like diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. It’s a big step toward making drugs more affordable and easing the financial burden on millions of Americans. Watch for these changes if you’re on Medicare—they’ll help you save big on your health care costs.
Exciting news about the treatment of psoriasis in children
Amgen has announced that Otezla® (apremilast) is now available in the United States for children and adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, a disease that causes scaly skin lesions. This is the first and only pill approved for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 who need more than just light therapy or topical treatments. It is available for people who weigh at least 20 kg (about 40 pounds).
The FDA approved Otezla® based on results from the Phase 3 SPROUT clinical trial, which showed that the drug is both effective and safe for young patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who have not responded well to or are intolerant to other topical treatments. This approval is a significant advancement and offers young patients and their families a new, noninvasive way to treat this uncomfortable and highly visible skin condition.
Regular walks can relieve the symptoms of psoriasis
New research brings encouraging news for people with psoriasis. A recent study found that adding more physical activity, such as regular walks, to your routine can help improve symptoms of psoriasis. In a 20-week study, half of participants saw a 50 percent reduction in the severity of their psoriasis after committing to walking twice a week. But the benefits not Stop at the Skin – Participants also experienced lower blood pressure, better heart health, and improvements in mental well-being, including reductions in anxiety and depression.
For those with psoriasiswho are often at higher risk for heart disease and mental health problems, this research offers a promising path forward. Increasing your physical activity doesn’t just improve your skin – it can also improve your overall quality of life. This study suggests that adding regular physical activity into your routine could be an effective and cost-effective way to complement your current psoriasis treatment and better manage your health.
How your 40s and 60s trigger changes in Health
Did you know that your body ages faster at certain times in your life? New Research shows that we go through two major phases of rapid aging – one in our 40s and another in our 60s. During this time, our bodies undergo major changes that can affect our health, especially if we do not make healthy lifestyle choices.
The good news is that you can slow the aging process and protect your health by eating healthy, staying active and managing stress.
In your 40s, for example, your body’s ability to process fats and alcohol can change, which can lead to health problems if not managed properly. In your 60s, changes in your immune system and metabolism can increase your risk of conditions such as Heart diseaseBut don’t worry—taking steps like eating more anti-inflammatory foods, getting regular exercise, and keeping an eye on your health can make a big difference.
So what can you do today to help your body age better tomorrow?
Could additional vegetables improve kidney and heart health?
Adding just a few extra servings of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet can significantly improve kidney health and reduce the risk of heart disease, according to a new study. study that offers promising news for people with chronic kidney disease. Over five years, participants who ate about two cups of fruits and vegetables daily saw improvements in blood pressure, kidney function and heart health while requiring fewer medications. This suggests that a plant-rich diet may help “take the load off” the kidneys by reducing the body’s acidity, which can otherwise strain the kidneys as they remove excess acid from the blood.
But the benefits didn’t stop there – participants also experienced lower cholesterol, weight loss, and better overall heart health. These results underscore the power of simple Dietary change in treating chronic kidney disease and reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Would you like to become more involved in patient advocacy?
The 50-State Network is the grassroots activism arm of CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation. It is comprised of chronic disease patients trained as health activists to proactively engage with local, state and federal health policymakers to share their perspective and affect change. If you want to affect change and make health care more affordable and accessible for chronic disease patients, learn more here.
