Mardi Gras safety tips; senators and medicine makers; friends against ill health – Morning Medical Update

Stay safe on Fat Tuesday

If you have any patients making a last-minute run to New Orleans, use your electronic health record to drop these Mardi Gras safety tips provided by LSU and Access Health Louisiana. These tips might be helpful for other parades and public celebrations as well.

Senate vs. Big Pharma

Did you ever want to ask a pharmaceutical CEO, “Why Does the United States Pay, by Far, the Highest Prices in the World for Prescription Drugs?” So did the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. In case you missed it, the committee members had their chance late last week.

Friends reduce chances of death

Treating loneliness may be a new part of the physician’s armamentarium to help patients dealing with obesity. Loneliness is rampant through the world, CNN reports, but treating patients’ social and mental needs can help. A study found from 2006 to 2021, all causes of death were 36% lower for obese patients who felt less lonely and socially isolated.