Morning Medical Update: Skin benefits of blueberries; International rights group calls out US hospitals; Suicide and homicide rates continue to rise for young Americans

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Skin benefits of blueberries

Blueberries have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Their benefits are most recently linked to skin health. Topical application of blueberries reduces O₃ and UV radiation-induced skin inflammation. When applied to the skin of female diabetic patients, researchers found that the patients skin became smoother.

International rights group calls out US hospitals

Human Rights Watch, a decades-old nonprofit, has called out U.S. hospitals for pushing millions of Americans into medical debt. In America, 100 million people have health debt. Approximately 1 in 5 hospitals will deny emergency care if the person has outstanding debt. The Human Rights Watch report reads, ““The US model of subsidizing privately operated hospitals with tax exemptions in the hope that they will increase the accessibility of hospital care for un- and underinsured patients allows for abusive medical billing and debt collection practices and undermines human rights, including the right to health.”

Suicide and homicide rates continue to rise for young Americans

U.S. federal health officials say suicide rates are up 62% in 10–24-year-olds. Meanwhile, homicide rates for the age range have surged to 60%. Suicide and homicide are currently leading causes of death for young Americans. Experts say contributing factors are social media, gun violence, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.