View in browser

06.25.24

The US surgeon general has declared gun violence an urgent public health crisis  — one that kills more children than car accidents in this country. It's also what inspired one trauma nurse to teach children how to save lives and "stop the bleed." But first, a look at some of the week's other health headlines ...

- Sanjay 

Science of social media's effect on mental health isn't as clear cut as a warning label might suggest

Last week, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for warnings on social media apps, but experts say the science on the impact of social media on teen mental health isn't so clear cut.

Authors of a sweeping review of social media and mental health research say there's still key information missing to know whether prevention programs and interventions will work.

The researchers did find an overall link between anxiety and depression in adolescents and the time spent on social media platforms, as well as the types of activities and content they were interacting with. However, the level of impact varied enough to suggest that the findings shouldn't be generalized to the whole population.

In addition, they found very few studies that assessed the relationship between social media use and adolescents who were experiencing mental health symptoms at clinical levels — where they're seeking health services or have an active diagnosis.

Many experts agree that the surgeon general is starting an important conversation and that the need for more information shouldn't lead to passiveness. However, a social media warning label would require nuance in language and implementation.

FDA signoff on menthol e-cigarettes "flies in the face of public health," anti-tobacco groups say

Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized four menthol vaping products — the first non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products to get the agency's sign-off.

The agency said that the authorizations do "not mean these tobacco products are safe nor are they 'FDA approved,' " but evidence submitted by the company showed that the products could be beneficial to adult smokers to help them make a switch from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

The decision drew harsh criticism from pediatricians and anti-tobacco groups, which called it "a blow to public health" and warned of potential for "disastrous consequences" to children.

Over the past five years, there has been a 60% decline in the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes, according to the FDA. But when they do vape, teens and young adults are much more likely than adults to use flavored e-cigarettes.

Last week, I asked you to send me your questions about Alzheimer's and dementia risk — and you really came through. Watch this video to learn more, including whether mental exercises reduce the risk of dementia.

Many older adults are still taking daily aspirin, even though some shouldn't be, experts say

Some seniors across the US continue to take a daily aspirin in the hopes of reducing their cardiovascular disease risk, even though the practice is only recommended for certain high-risk patients — and taking it without a doctor's recommendation can come with significant risks.

New research suggests that in 2021, nearly a third of adults age 60 or older without cardiovascular disease were still using aspirin.

Aspirin helps thin the blood, which can prevent blood clots from forming. That is why it had long been recommended to take a daily low-dose aspirin to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, guidance has changed for many people since research showed that daily aspirin comes with risk of excessive bleeding.

"I was somewhat surprised by the magnitude of ongoing aspirin use in older adults," Dr. Mohak Gupta, resident physician at Cleveland Clinic and lead author of the study, said in an email. The study suggests that millions of US adults who've never had cardiovascular disease could still be taking a daily aspirin, despite recommendations against it.

How abortion access has changed since Roe v. Wade was overturned

Post-Dobbs, abortion clinics find new ways to serve patients in states with bans

Since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision ended the federal right to abortion two years ago, 14 states have banned abortion. Clinics can no longer provide abortions in more than a quarter of US states.

Although the total number of facilities that provide abortions in the US hasn't changed that much — only a couple dozen clinics have closed completely — the number of closures doesn't always capture the upheaval.

States that enacted abortion bans generally had few clinics to start with. Since Dobbs, some packed up and moved to places where they can still provide care but may require patients to travel farther.

Still other clinics remain open, but in a different capacity; including pivoting to broader reproductive health and pre- and post-abortion care for those who travel out of state or self-manage their abortions. And other clinics are opening at the borders of states where they are most likely to receive patients from states with abortion restrictions.

Sometimes it's too hot to hike outside, but other times you can get outside in nature if you take appropriate precautions. Here's how.

But wait, there's more!

• How social media distorts the truth about sun exposure

• When having a full pantry becomes something more debilitating 

• Prevent low back pain with this simple lifestyle change

• Microplastics discovered in human penises for the first time

• Emergency medical service encounters for firearm injuries spiked during pandemic and remained elevated last year, study finds

A trauma nurse teaches third graders how to stop a bleed. Here's why.

Chasing Life

This week, the Surgeon General issued another advisory — this time calling gun violence in a public health crisis. It's the first time a publication from the country's leading voice for public health has focused on firearm violence and its devastating effects.

It truly is a saddening and frustrating situation. Since 2020, gun violence has been the leading cause of deaths for children and teens.

According to the surgeon general's advisory, more than half of people 14 to 17 years old worry about school shootings and nearly 60% of them "have recently thought about what would happen if a person with a gun entered" their school or a neighboring school. These are not concerns children should have.

The advisory also points out that schools and communities need trauma preparedness and training to be ready for these types of tragedies.

It's devastating to think of children preparing for these kinds of situations. As parents, I think it is often something we want to shield them from. And yet, when I met the students at Rocklin Elementary School, just outside of Sacramento, I was struck by how engaged and empowered they were in learning how to "stop the bleed."

Kate Carleton has spent the past several years teaching the kids of Rocklin Elementary how to pack a wound. She began considering teaching lessons after the tragedy at Sandy Hook made her wonder how she could help her own children, then in kindergarten and second grade, should they ever be in such a situation.

As I watched her teach a classroom of 8- and 9-year-olds the basics of triage, of packing a wound and how best to use all of their body weight to apply pressure, I felt a twinge of sadness. It feels like kids shouldn't have to learn this. We, as a country, shouldn't be in this position. But Kate explained to me that she had to take that emotion out of it because it helped her guide children more effectively: "It was being taught out of fear from me and I don't want that."  

Rather, her approach has been simple but honest: When kids ask about gun shots, she doesn't try gloss over it, but she also doesn't dwell on the situation. Rather, she's meeting the kids where they are at and teaching them skills that can potentially empower them in any traumatic situation.

"If we can teach it, like teaching hands-only CPR or how to use an AED, like it just becomes part of what we do. It can be used in all situations, whether it's a violent situation or it's not," she said. "But either way, it's saving somebody's life."

We all know that exercise is good for our physical health, and it has been proven to help reduce anxiety, stress and symptoms of depression as well. Still, many Americans say exercise is not something they enjoy. So where's the disconnect? And how can people consistently reap the "feel good" benefits of exercise?

CNN Health's The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta shows up in your

inbox every Tuesday.

Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign yourself up!

Want to easily manage your newsletter subscriptions? Create your account.