Cases of whooping cough up 600%; AHRQ announces interest in menopause research; 1,000 more steps per day could counter depression symptoms – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Pertussis cases have increased by over 600%, with infants at high risk; vaccination is crucial for prevention.
AHRQ is soliciting research to improve diagnosis and management of menopause symptoms and related chronic conditions.
A JAMA study links increased daily step counts to reduced depressive symptoms, with benefits seen at lower step counts.
Adding 1,000 extra steps daily can reduce depression risk by up to 9%, underscoring the mental health benefits of physical activity.

The top news stories in medicine today.

Cases of whooping cough are up 600% in 2024

Cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough or “100-day-cough,” are more than six times higher than they were at the same time last year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reported 553 cases for the week ending December 7, compared to 105 in the same week in 2023. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease which can lead to prolonged and violent coughing fits, making it hard to breath. Infants younger than 12 months are at the greatest risk from whooping cough, which may present as just a cold. The best effective way to limit the spread of the disease and reduce symptoms is by getting vaccinated. Forbes has more.

AHRQ announces interest in research to improve treatment and management of menopause symptoms

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a notice stating their continued interest in receiving health services research grant applications which focus on improving the diagnosis, treatment and management of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms and menopause-related chronic conditions, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. View the full special emphasis notice (SEN) here.

Increased step count could counter depression symptoms

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, a higher daily step count is associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The study was a meta-analysis of 33 studies of nearly 100,000 adults, and data suggested that the number of steps linked to reduced depression symptoms are fewer than usually advertised.

“We typically hear it’s good to get 10,000 steps a day, but here, even 7,000 steps seem to translate to better mental health,” Karmei Choi, PhD, explained, elaborating that as little as 1,000 extra steps in a day could reduce the risk of depression by as much as 9%. CNN Health has the full story, and the study can be found here.