Number of uninsured kids in Georgia grows

Mirroring the rest of the country, in 2017 the number of uninsured kids in Georgia rose for the first time since 2008. As Georgia Health News reported, “An estimated 200,000 children in Georgia under the age of 19 do not have health insurance.”

Georgia isn’t alone:

Three-quarters of the children who lost coverage between 2016 and 2017 live in states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage to parents and other low-income adults, the report said. The uninsured rates for children increased at almost triple the rate in non-expansion states than in states that have expanded Medicaid.

An innovative way to test for diabetes

Normally, shoulder ultrasounds are needed after someone is diagnosed with diabetes, but now researchers have flipped the model and tried using ultrasounds as predictors instead.

The ultrasound images were 89% predictive of definite diabetes […] In addition, of the 13 participants with prediabetes in the cohort, all had an appearance in the deltoid muscle that correlated to definite or suspected diabetes.

Forget the weed, remember the rest

Marijuana smokers who stop are likely to improve their memories. (Well, maybe. It was a pretty small study.)

Fun note: The study group that had to abstain “were incentivized with monetary rewards at the end of each week.”

An Oliver twist

The FDA’s orphan drug program is being abused, with companies reaping rewards for treating “orphans” that aren’t really orphans at all. So says a new government report.

The program waives fees, provides tax incentives, and gives seven years of marketing exclusivity for drugs that treat a condition suffered by fewer than about 200,000 people — “orphan drugs.” But it turns out the government didn’t do a great job of making sure the drugs in the program really were for rare conditions. It’s looking into that now.

Oddly, “Hide in the attic” isn’t on the list

The WaPo reports: “How to avoid migraines during the holidays“. (Hint: Drink.)

I wasn’t sure whether this belongs in the Captain Obvious Files or not

“Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression.” (That’s the paper. Here’s a shorter news article.)

The long read: Supply chain troubles

“Drug Recalls Put Spotlight on Drug Supply Chains” is the headline. The gist: Globalization of the supply chain brings down prices, but has been leading to quality issues. Why, it’s almost as if the workers who are paid less don’t do as good a job!