Exercise may reduce dementia risk; biased language in EHRs of birthing patients; seven charged in $600 million COVID-19 tax fraud scheme – Morning Medical Update

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Physical activity may reduce risk of dementia

A Rutgers University study has demonstrated that specialized cells involved in how the body responds to insulin activate in the brain after exercising, indicating that physical activity may improve brain function. The study, published in Aging Cell, suggests that therapies targeting this insulin could be used to offset or prevent the progression of dementia.

“We believe this work is important because it suggests exercise may work to improve cognition and memory by improving the abilities of insulin to act on the brain,” said Steven Malin, lead author of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Rutgers University.

Biased language is commonly found in EHRs of birthing patients

Biased language which conveys stigma is common in clinicians’ notes on laboring and birthing people—especially in the medical records of Black patients. The Columbia University School of Nursing report, published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN), found that the most common type of stigmatizing language were unjustified descriptions of social and behavioral risks, including references to suspected or actual substance abuse, domestic violence or teen pregnancy, in 22.4% of the notes.

Seven charged in $600 million COVID-19 tax fraud scheme

Seven individuals were charged with operating a multi-state conspiracy in which they attempted to defraud the United States of more than $600 million through more than 8,000 false tax returns claiming COVID-19-related employment tax credits. From November 2021 to June 2023, the defendants exploited the programs intended to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants sought more than $600 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $45 million to the defendants and their clients.

They were charged with 45 counts relating to the scheme, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud and aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.