Pets Really Can Help Reduce Pain

IN THE NEWS:
NIH Staff Walk-Out in Protest of Director’s Remarks

NIH staff recently staged a walkout during a town hall with Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, protesting his remarks on the agency’s possible involvement in COVID-19 research origins. The silent dissent, organized by postdoctoral researchers and the NIH union, was also fueled by frustrations over worsening work conditions and recent layoffs.

Staff cited ongoing challenges, including difficulty acquiring research materials and anxiety about a proposed 40% budget cut to the NIH. They also criticized a new policy restricting grant recipients from sharing funds with international collaborators, warning it could undermine global research efforts.

Bhattacharya continued the meeting after the walkout and addressed other contentious issues, such as diversity and inclusion in research. He noted that he assumed leadership on the same day as mass layoffs affecting 1,200 employees, which he stated was outside his control. The incident highlights growing tensions between NIH leadership and its workforce.

Read CNN’s detailed report here.

NUTRITION:
Study: Ultra Processed Foods Linked to Early Death

A new global study links higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), such as ready-to-eat meals and packaged snacks, to increased risk of premature death.

Researchers analyzed dietary data from eight countries and found that for every 10% rise in UPF intake, the risk of death from any cause increased by 2.7%. The proportion of premature deaths attributed to UPFs varied by country, ranging from about 4% in Colombia to 14% in the UK and US. In the US alone, this could mean over 120,000 early deaths annually.

The findings suggest a direct, dose-response relationship between UPF consumption and mortality risk. While the study is observational and may be influenced by other factors, the results are significant. Experts recommend reducing UPF intake and choosing more fresh, minimally processed foods. Public health policies focused on these changes could help prevent many premature deaths.

Read more here.

BRAIN HEALTH:
Billy Joel’s Diagnosis Raises Awareness for NPH

Billy Joel recently revealed he has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare neurological condition that mainly affects older adults. NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, causing symptoms like difficulty walking, memory problems, and loss of bladder control. The disorder is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease but can be identified with brain scans and spinal fluid tests.

Treatment for NPH usually involves surgery to implant a shunt that drains fluid from the brain. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for improving quality of life, though results can vary. Joel has canceled upcoming concerts to focus on his health.

By sharing his diagnosis, Joel is raising awareness about this frequently overlooked condition. His openness may help others recognize symptoms and seek timely medical care.

WELL-BEING:
Study: Loneliness Hurts More When You’re Poor

A new University of Oxford study across 20 European countries finds that people in the lowest income brackets are much more likely to feel lonely than those with higher incomes, 49% compared to 15%, even though both groups socialize just as often.

Loneliness in poverty is strongly linked to a cluster of symptoms—pain, fatigue, and low mood—which are especially severe among the poor. These “defensive symptoms” are thought to be the body’s evolutionary response to social exclusion and scarcity.

Lonely individuals in the lowest income group have much higher symptom scores than non-lonely peers, highlighting the compounded impact of poverty and loneliness on health. Social connections act as a powerful buffer, reducing these symptoms most effectively for those experiencing poverty.

Read the full study here.

WELL-BEING:
Study: Pets Really Can Help Reduce Pain

Research shows that having a dog nearby can help people feel less pain, even more so than having a friend present.

In experiments, participants endured a cold-pressor test, keeping their hand in freezing water either alone, with a friend, or with a dog in the room. Those with a dog reported less pain, showed fewer signs of distress, and tolerated discomfort longer than those with a human companion or alone. These benefits held true even when the dog was unfamiliar, suggesting potential for therapy dogs in clinical settings.

The calming effect seems linked to oxytocin, a hormone released during positive social interactions, including those with dogs. Since dogs don’t judge, their presence may provide a unique form of social support. People who generally like dogs experienced the greatest pain relief when a dog was present. Overall, these findings highlight how dogs can offer both emotional comfort and measurable pain reduction.

Read more details here.

MENTAL HEALTH:
Reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Month

As this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a conclusion, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is highlighting the important role hospitals and health systems play in the conversations we have around mental health care. This includes creating partnerships that address behavioral health conditions in non-traditional ways.

The AHA says many of its members are innovating care through the integration of physical and behavioral health services, and the creation of EmPath units, behavioral health urgent care clinics and crisis intervention services to reduce the use of emergency departments. These strategies improve the overall value of health care and can lead to improvements in patient outcomes, quality of care and total costs.

The Patient Advocate has also created a number of resources to support health and well-being. For a closer look at how hobbies can provide mindful health benefits, visit The Patient Advocate on Stan.