Tag

Underuse

All articles tagged with #underuse

health1 year ago•7 min saved

"Underused Treatment for Childhood Diarrhea: The Concerning Lack of ORS Prescriptions"

Despite being a cheap and effective treatment for childhood diarrhea, oral rehydration salts (ORS) are underused, leading to nearly 500,000 deaths annually. A study in India found that doctors' failure to prescribe ORS was primarily due to the assumption that parents would not be satisfied with it. Financial incentives for doctors and over-prescription of antibiotics also contribute to underuse. Shifting responsibility from patients to healthcare providers, the study highlights the need to increase ORS use to save millions of young lives.

via NPR|

#childhood-diarrhea #health #india

health1 year ago•6 min saved

"Underutilization of Antiviral Drugs in High-Risk COVID Patients"

Despite the availability of antiviral medications like Paxlovid to reduce the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, studies have found that these drugs are underused, particularly among high-risk patients. Research from the VA Boston Cooperative Studies Program revealed that 80% of high-risk patients were never offered these medications, with reasons ranging from concerns about interactions with other drugs to patients having mild symptoms. Experts emphasize the importance of educating physicians and patients about the appropriate use of these drugs, especially for high-risk individuals, and urge early treatment within five days of symptom onset to prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

via Los Angeles Times|

#antiviral-drugs #covid-19 #health