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I assumed I'd never need Medicaid. I was wrong.

I assumed I'd never need Medicaid. I was wrong.

Madison Chapman is a cancer survivor and a federal worker in D.C.
I never expected to go on Medicaid. I grew up in a comfortable household, had worked since high school, and was a generally healthy 24-year-old public policy graduate student.
I also never expected the stubborn lump above my collarbone would be Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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IDSA Experts Weigh Potential Vaccine Access Impact
IDSA Experts Weigh Potential Vaccine Access Impact

Medscape

time29 minutes ago

  • Medscape

IDSA Experts Weigh Potential Vaccine Access Impact

Vaccine access and uptake will be affected by the recent actions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), but the extent remains unclear, according to experts in a press briefing sponsored by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). 'I watched with absolute horror as the 17 members of ACIP were summarily fired and replaced with seven members who had limited expertise [in relevant areas],' Andrew T. Pavia, MD, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, said in the briefing. Vaccines aren't perfect, but one of the fundamental benefits of a functional ACIP is that physicians can watch the deliberations take place and look at the same data that ACIP has reviewed in making recommendations, he said. Without the careful review and debate of evidence, insurers and clinicians alike face uncertainty, he said. Fortunately, ACIP voted to recommend a second monoclonal antibody for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in infants and recommended that the second product would be added to the Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines to approximately half of all children in the United States, Pavia noted. Lack of Vote Adds to Uncertainty Despite much time dedicated to discussion of COVID-19, no vote occurred with recommendations for vaccination for the coming season, said Angela Branche, MD, an associate professor of medicine and infectious diseases specialist and researcher at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, in the briefing. Despite evidence presented by CDC experts that young children and pregnant women remain at risk, the lack of a vote leaves clinicians 'operating blind for the coming season as to what to do,' she said. Although ACIP recommended universal flu vaccination, the accompanying restrictions on use of multi-dose vials for flu vaccine may pose access challenges, especially in rural and underserved communities, said Branche. Community clinics in these areas are often pop-ups, and vaccine campaigns tend to be brief, Branche said in the press conference. The use of the now-recommended single-dose flu vaccine vials may be impractical because of the expense of storage and material needed for single-dose injections, she said. Consequently, in terms of vaccine access, communities that are already disadvantaged may be even more so, she emphasized. More Questions as Fall Approaches The reconstituted ACIP also stated intentions to revisit the current recommended childhood vaccine schedule, which could reduce vaccine access for children across the United States, Pavia said. Regarding the current schedule, 'there is no evidence that we are giving too many vaccines to children or too many vaccines close together,' he said in the briefing. If ACIP decided to eliminate any recommended vaccinations from the schedule, the implications are unclear, but insurers might no longer cover them and clinicians might be less inclined to promote them, Pavia said. Currently, vaccine infrastructure of the United States includes nonpartisan, expert review of the science and the clinical recommendations for each vaccine, and many insurers look to ACIP for guidance on coverage, he added.

Luma Fertility, FitFeast Raise Seed Capital to Redefine Reproductive Care and Protein Consumption
Luma Fertility, FitFeast Raise Seed Capital to Redefine Reproductive Care and Protein Consumption

Entrepreneur

time35 minutes ago

  • Entrepreneur

Luma Fertility, FitFeast Raise Seed Capital to Redefine Reproductive Care and Protein Consumption

The below brands have announced their latest funding rounds. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Luma Fertility Raises USD 4 Mn Seed Funding Luma Fertility, a patient-centric and tech-enabled fertility startup, has secured USD 4 million in seed funding led by Peak XV's Surge, with backing from Ameera Shah of Metropolis Healthcare and Vijay Taparia of B2V Ventures. The funding will support the expansion of Luma's full-stack fertility clinics, starting in Mumbai and scaling to other cities over the next two years. Founded by Neha K Motwani in 2023—after her personal struggles with fertility—Luma aims to revolutionise reproductive care in India by prioritising empathy, transparency, and clinical excellence. "Fertility care in India is broken. It's optimised for systems, not people," said Motwani. "At Luma, we've rebuilt it from the ground up—designed entirely around the patient." Luma offers a wide range of services, including IVF, egg and embryo freezing, fertility assessments, pre-conception consults, and at-home semen analysis. Its integrated digital platform includes a proprietary app and LumaAI—an AI-enabled support system for 24/7 cycle guidance. The clinic also offers outcome-enhancing support like nutrition, acupuncture, and emotional wellness sessions. Notably, Luma claims that it is the first IVF clinic in India with a see-through embryology lab and a dedicated care specialist for every patient. Backing Luma's mission is a seasoned team including Chief Embryologist Chirag Shah and Medical Director Dr Radhika Sheth. "What drew me to Luma is their full-stack, customer-first approach," said Ameera Shah. With India's fertility rate declining and demand rising, Luma is poised to redefine fertility care for the modern Indian family. Protein-Focused Nutrition Brand FitFeast Raises INR 5.5 Cr FitFeast, a flavour-first protein brand, has raised INR 5.5 crore in seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from industry leaders including Raghav Singhal (Founder at Swasthum Wellness), Santosh Govindaraju (Sustainability Executive, Investor and Board Member), Abhishek Chopra and Aabhas Khanna from HSBC. The funds will be used to strengthen FitFeast's digital presence, scale marketing, expand leadership, and launch protein-rich innovations across India and global markets. Founded in 2021 by Aditya Poddar, FitFeast aims to make protein consumption mainstream without compromising on taste. Its offerings include Malai Kulfi protein shakes, dessert-inspired bars, protein chips, and nut butters tailored to Indian palates. "At FitFeast, we're rewriting how India consumes protein—deliciously and accessibly. IPV has believed in that vision from day one," said Poddar. The brand's D2C-first model, supported by platforms like Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart, delivers across 20,000+ pin codes. FitFeast has already sold over 10 million grams of protein and gained significant traction after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 4. The round also welcomes retired Australian cricketer Shane Watson as an investor and brand partner, joining Indian all-rounder Axar Patel. "After trying FitFeast's chips and shakes, I was genuinely hooked. I believe in this brand for the long run," said Watson. FitFeast has grown 5x in the last four months, now crossing INR 50 lakh in monthly revenue.

It's grilling, BBQ season. But wait: Are hot dogs bad for you?
It's grilling, BBQ season. But wait: Are hot dogs bad for you?

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

It's grilling, BBQ season. But wait: Are hot dogs bad for you?

You've likely been soaking up the sun by the beach, lake or pool as summer begins. And these lazy days are often accompanied by the smoky aroma of hot dogs on the grill. On days like this we don't have a worry in the world – let alone are we thinking about the health benefits and risks of hot dogs. But the truth is that in moderation and occasionally, a hot dog isn't going to break your body – though it's also important to know what exactly we are putting in our bodies. Mary Sabat, a nutritionist and owner of BodyDesigns, previously told USA TODAY what you need to know about hot dogs. It's complicated. Like many foods, there are benefits and risks when it comes to hot dogs. Sabat says that one of the benefits of hot dogs is that they have protein. In an average hot dog, there are about 5 grams of protein. She also describes some of the drawbacks. "The biggest concern with hot dogs is the presence of nitrates and nitrites, which are additives used to preserve and enhance the color of processed meats," Sabat says. "During the cooking process or digestion, nitrates and nitrites can form nitrosamines, which are compounds that have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer." If you are concerned about nitrates or nitrites, you can still enjoy hot dogs. "To address the potential risks associated with nitrates, some hot dog manufacturers now offer nitrate-free or uncured versions of their products," Sabat says. "These alternatives use natural sources of nitrate, such as celery juice, which can still form nitrosamines but in lower quantities. Nonetheless, it's always a good idea to read the labels and choose options with fewer additives whenever possible.' Mineral sunscreen isn't just marketing: It has environmental and dermatological benefits It depends. While a hot dog may have fewer calories, (about 120 to 150 calories, compared to a plain, 4 oz. hamburger patty, which has about 225 calories), a fresh hamburger patty isn't going to contain those harmful nitrates. There's also the issue of buns and toppings – ketchup, mayo and mustard can add calories and carbohydrates – but adding lettuce, tomato and onions can bring more nutritional value. Additionally, different cuts of beef or brands of hot dogs may have different amounts of fats and salt. Building muscle isn't that easy. But consuming protein the right way is critical. The bottom line: An occasional hot dog at a backyard BBQ is totally fine. "Overall, while hot dogs can be enjoyed occasionally, it's advisable to prioritize a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, as these provide a wider range of nutrients and are generally considered healthier choices," Sabat says. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are hot dogs bad for you? Understand what can make them unhealthy.

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