More Than Cancer: The New Health Threat Facing 9/11 First Responders

Pulmonologist Dr. David Prezant shares how firefighters who were first-responders at the World Trade Center during 9/11 are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
Read the Healthline Article

The Antibiotic Crisis

Dr. Priya Nori discusses with CBS News Montefiore’s Antibiotic Stewardship Program and how patients can empower when prescribed antibiotics. Watch the CBS News clip (at 1:20).

Thyroid Autoimmunity

Yaron Tomer, MD, discusses thyroid autoimmunity on Sirius XM’s The Doctor’s Radio. Listen here.

It's Not Just Opioids: What Doctors Want You to Know About Benzos
Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., discusses the growing overdose epidemic associated with benzodiazepines, a class of medications commonly prescribed for anxiety that includes Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore. More coverage on Dr. Cunningham

A Lifelong Fitness Fan Meets Her Match With Tap (subscription required)
Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., comments on the cognitive benefits of group dancing for seniors. Dr. Verghese is chief of geriatrics at Einstein and Montefiore and director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for the Aging Brain. More coverage on Dr. Verghese

Bernie Sanders’ Heart Attack Raises Questions About Candidates’ Ages

In an opinion piece published days after presidential candidate Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack, Dr. Nir Barzilai writes about aging, health and the rigors of running for president. Read the NBC News Opinion Piece

A Patient's Guide to Respiratory Disease

Allergist-immunologist, Dr. Sunit Jariwala, describes the steps people can take to improve asthma control and quality of life. Dr. Jariwala also provides information on the new asthma education apps his team developed which include: medication reminders and animated features for children. Read the U.S. News & World Report Article

Simple steps to reduce your risk of chronic liver disease and cancer

Dr. Jonathan Schwartz discusses non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steps to take to head off and manage the chronic illness. Read LoHud article

Medscape: Slowing the Clock: Managing Type 2 Diabetes as Patients Age

In the second segment of a four-part series on diabetes, “All-in Regimen,” endocrinologist, Dr. Jill Crandall, discusses the importance of education and self-management of diabetes to avoid complications. Also featured are participants in Montefiore’s diabetes self-management program, (PROMISED: the Proactive Managed Information System for Education in Diabetes): Dr. Rita Louard, nurse practitioner Edwin Torres, nurse practitioner Helena Duffy, and registered dietician Sharon Movsas. Watch the Medscape Segment

Early ID Consultation Reduces Sepsis-Related Mortality

Montefiore’s Hospital Epidemiologist Dr. Theresa Madaline discusses original research, which found that early involvement of an infectious disease specialist can reduce patients deaths from sepsis by as much as 40 percent. Read the Contagion Live Article
Read the Healio: Infectious Disease News Article

Learn the Signs, Risks of Prostate Cancer

Urologists, Drs. Kara Watts and Evan Kovac, summarize the most important takeaways for understanding the signs and risks of prostate cancer. Read the Bronx Voice Article (Pages 16 & 18)

Earlier Care, More Data Needed to Increase Treatment Success in Tricuspid Regurgitation

Cardiologist Dr. Azeem Latib discusses his new research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology which found that people with tricuspid regurgitation, a disorder in which the valve does not close tight enough, are a diverse group who are often poor candidates for surgery. Read the tctMD Article

How the Body’s Nerves Become Accomplices in the Spread of Cancer

Hematologist Dr. Paul Frenette’s research investigates how beta blockers, which target the nervous system, may help treat cancer. Read the Science Article

Plan to Require ASPs in Ambulatory Settings Raises Questions

Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Priya Nori discusses the new Joint Commission requirements regarding the number of antibiotic prescriptions written in outpatient settings. Read the Healio: Infectious Disease Article

TAVR Survival Surpasses SAVR in Low-Risk Patients: Meta-analysis

Cardiologist Dr. Azeem Latib, comments on a study which compared two procedure options to restore blood flow. Read the Medscape Article

Kicking a Dependence on Prescription Drugs Can Be Very Hard

Internal medicine specialist Dr. Joanna Starrels comments on the difficulty and danger of quickly stopping the use of prescription drugs, particularly tranquilizers such as Xanax and Ativan. Read the LA Times Article

Breast Cancer Patients Who Benefit from Chemo: New TAILORx Data

Medical oncologist Dr. Joseph Sparano describes how women with a certain form of breast cancer do “better than expected” when treated with chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Read the Medscape Article

Natural Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Urologist Dr. Pedro Maria explains that the increases in cases of erectile dysfunction are associated with the aging population. Read the NewsmaxHealth article

When Autoimmune Disease Strikes Thrice: Managing Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome

Dr. Chaim Putterman discusses research on genetic factors that may cause patients to have more than one autoimmune condition. He also reviews the challenges associated with diagnoses and treatment. Read the Healio Rheumatology Article

Don't Withhold Anti-hep C Therapy From People Who Inject Drugs: Study

Dr. Matthew Akiyama, assistant professor, Medicine, Einstein, and attending physician, Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine, Montefiore, was first author on a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that found anti-hepatitis C virus therapy should not be withheld from injection drug users, particularly those undergoing treatment for opioid-use disorder. Read the Crain’s Health Pulse Article

No Reductions in IBD Hospitalizations, Surgeries After Infliximab Approval in Canada

Dr. Thomas Ullman, chief, Gastroenterology, Montefiore, and professor of Medicine, Einstein, discusses how the first biologic therapy approved for inflammatory bowel disease in Canada did not lead to lower rates of hospitalizations or intestinal surgeries for the disorder in Ontario. Read the Reuters Article

Montefiore Steps Up ER Protocol for Visitors Amid Measles Outbreak

Dr. Theresa Madaline, hospital epidemiologist and assistant professor, Infectious Diseases, Montefiore and Einstein, shares details of Montefiore’s new protocols to address the measles outbreak. Watch the NBC 4 Segment
Watch the News12 Segment

Ars Technica

Medical Marijuana vs. Opioid Abuse: New Study Questions the Connection
Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, professor and associate chief, General Internal Medicine, Einstein and Montefiore, discusses new research that conflicts with earlier studies on the effects of medical marijuana on opioid-related deaths. Read the Ars Technica story

The Exam Room Podcast: Protecting Your Heart with Plants

Dr. Robert Ostfeld, director, Preventive Cardiology; founder and director, Montefiore Einstein Cardiac Wellness Program; associate professor, Medicine, Einstein, discusses the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Listen to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Podcast

No Reductions in IBD Hospitalizations, Surgeries After Infliximab Approval in Canada

Dr. Thomas Ullman, chief, Gastroenterology, Montefiore, and professor, Medicine, Einstein, discusses how the first biologic therapy approved for inflammatory bowel disease in Canada did not lead to lower rates of hospitalizations or intestinal surgeries for the disorder in Ontario. Read the Reuters Article

Hooked on ID Resource Center with Joseph D. Cooper, MD

Dr. Joseph D. Cooper, infectious disease fellow, Montefiore and Einstein, shares the patient experience that inspired him to pursue a career in infectious diseases, specifically with HIV clinical care. Read the Healio: Infectious Disease News Article

Premenopausal Women with Breast Cancer; New TAILORx Data

Dr. Joseph A. Sparano, vice chair, Medical Oncology, Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, and associate director, Clinical Research, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, describes how we can better predict which women 50 years-old and younger can benefit from chemotherapy. The latest data from the TAILORx study was recently featured in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Read the Medscape Article
Read the Physician's Weekly Article

Blood Stem Cells Produced in Vast Quantities in the Lab

Paul Frenette, M.D., addresses the clinical implications of new research that grew large numbers of blood-forming stem cells in the lab and successfully implanted them in mice. Dr. Frenette is professor of medicine and of cell biology and director of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research at Einstein. Read the Nature article.

The Misplaced Optimism in Legal Pot

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., addresses the need for more rigorous research to understand how cannabis use affects patients who take opioids for chronic pain. Dr. Cunningham is professor and associate chief of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore. Read the Atlantic article.

Doctors Expected a Brain Tumor. It Was a Tapeworm

Christina Coyle, M.D., comments on the rare case of a woman with neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection of the brain. Dr. Coyle is professor of medicine and assistant dean for faculty development at Einstein. Read the WebMD article

Stroke Risk Increases After Electrical LAA Isolation

Cardiologist Dr. Luigi Di Biase describes his new research which reveals that people with atrial fibrillation, who have undergone specific procedures or who take a strict dose of oral anticoagulation medications, can reduce their risk of having a stroke. This research was recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read the Healio: Cardiology Article

Heart Disease Among NYC Firefighters Linked to 9/11 World Trade Center Exposure

Pulmonologist Dr. David Prezant and epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Zeig-Owens discuss their team’s new study which found that firefighters at the World Trade Center are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. The study was published in JAMA Network Open. Read the New York Post Article
Read the Philly Voice Article

Require Hospitals to Offer Plant-based Foods

Cardiologist Dr. Robert Ostfeld urges New York State to sign a bill which would make plant-based meals a required menu option within all hospitals statewide. Read the Newsday Letter (second letter)

Overdose Deaths Go Down Citywide—But Rise Sharply in East Harlem

Internists Dr. Shadi Nahvi and Dr. Chinazo Cunningham discuss barriers to addiction treatment and the social and economic factors contributing to increased overdose deaths in some lower-income areas of New York City. Listen to the WNYC Segment

Weight-Loss Surgery Drops Heart Disease, Death Risk for Diabetics

Endocrinologist Dr. Joel Zonszein comments on a study which found that weight-loss surgery leads to more than a slimmer figure for people who are obese and have type 2 diabetes. Read the U.S. News & World Report Article

Underserved Communities Receive Hep C Treatment in Jail

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Matthew J. Akiyama outlines new research conducted by him and his team regarding barriers prison inmates face to accessing Hepatitis C treatment. Read the Medscape Article

Pulmonologist Dr. Simon Spivack comments on why vape liquids may be causing lung damage. Read the Riverdale Press article.

Medpage Today August 20
Women May Be Exposed to MRI Agents Before Pregnancy Is Known

OB-GYN Dr. Susan Klugman describes the importance of education surrounding a chemical substance used in MRI scans. A recent study found that many women were exposed to this substance during their first trimester. Read the MedPage Today Article

Immune “Webs” May Aid the Formation of Gallstones

Dr. David Q. H. Wang explains weaknesses in a new study looking at the formation and growth of gallstones. Read The Scientist Article

Can Dancing Prevent Dementia?

Dr. Helena Blumen describes her NIH-funded research on social dancing’s effects on the brain and its role as a potential intervention to reduce dementia risk. Read The Wall Street Journal Article

Caregiver’s Checklist for Medical Visits

Geriatrician Dr. Amy Ehrlich describes what to do when acting as a healthcare proxy for a loved one. Read the Bottom Line Inc. Article