This smartwatch metric could be the key to tracking heart health; federal cuts halt National Diabetes Prevention Program; AHRQ research on interventions for bereaved individuals – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

A new smartwatch metric, daily heart rate per step, may better indicate cardiovascular health than step count alone, linking to conditions like diabetes and heart failure.
NIH's funding cut for the Diabetes Prevention Program impacts diabetes research and other health studies, following the revocation of grants from Columbia University.
AHRQ's review supports psychotherapy and expert-facilitated support groups for reducing grief symptoms, but evidence on quality of life and other outcomes is insufficient.

The top news stories in medicine today.

New smartwatch metric could improve tracking of heart health

A new study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting suggests that a simple metric — dividing daily heart rate by step count — may be a more reliable indicator of cardiovascular health than step count alone. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 7,000 adults and found that those with higher daily heart rate per step (DHRPS) were significantly more likely to have conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and high blood pressure. Unlike traditional heart rate or step tracking, this approach captures how the heart responds to physical activity throughout the day.

Federal cuts halt National Diabetes Prevention Program, jeopardizing decades of research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has canceled funding for the long-standing Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which has tracked diabetes prevention and treatment for 30 years. The move follows the Trump administration’s decision to revoke federal grants from Columbia University, the primary administrator of DPP funds. The program’s research demonstrated significant reductions in type 2 diabetes risk through lifestyle changes and metformin use, with long-term benefits observed across diverse populations. With $400 million in federal research funding slashed, the abrupt cancellations are expected to impact multiple health studies beyond diabetes research. Patient Care Online has more.

AHRQ research evaluates interventions for bereaved individuals

A comprehensive review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analyzed bereavement care interventions, assessing psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, support groups, and self-help approaches. The study found moderate evidence supporting psychotherapy and expert-facilitated support groups for reducing grief disorder symptoms, general grief symptoms, and depression. However, there was insufficient evidence to determine the impact of interventions on quality of life, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and unintended consequences.