Top news stories from AMA Morning Rounds®: Week of Sept. 30, 2024

Read AMA Morning Rounds®’ most popular stories in medicine and public health from the week of Sept. 30, 2024–Oct. 4, 2024.

Modern Healthcare (9/27, Turner, Subscription Publication) reported, “The number of health care providers affected by ransomware attacks is steadily growing.” A new survey from cybersecurity company Sophos found that “more than two-thirds of health care providers reported a ransomware attack in the past year compared with 60% in 2023,” while “in 2021, only 34% of providers said they were affected by an attack.”

Editor’s note: Get updates on ongoing cybersecurity concerns and resources to protect patient health records and other data from cyberattacks.

Bloomberg (9/30, Suvarna, Subscription Publication) reports, “The U.S. is in the midst of the biggest pertussis outbreak in a decade, with 15,661 cases and two deaths reported this year through the middle of September.” The surge in cases “may be more than just a return to pre-COVID levels, according to researchers and public health officials.” Low vaccination “rates, vaccines that are less effective than previous versions and genetic changes in the bacteria may be threatening the herd immunity that protected the vulnerable for decades.” A drop in herd immunity “is putting everyone at risk.” According to Bloomberg, “the shorter protection period means even those who have been vaccinated may have a false sense of security.”

You may also be interested in: The latest news on FluMist, a 4x rise in pertussis, and more.

Reuters (10/1, Tandon, Satija) reports, “The World Health Organization on Tuesday recommended vaccinating pregnant women and administering infants with an antibody to prevent severe respiratory [syncytial] virus (RSV) infection in newborns.” The “WHO recommended a single shot for pregnant women, in the third trimester that typically starts at 28 weeks, to protect their babies.” Pfizer’s RSV shot, called “Abrysvo, is the only available vaccine in the United States and Europe for use in pregnant women.” For toddlers and infants, “Sanofi and AstraZeneca’s antibody, Beyfortus [nirsevimab-alip], is again the only approved shot in the U.S., United Kingdom and some other countries—but its supply has been limited.”

You may also be interested in: How physicians can prep for COVID-19, flu, RSV this season.

Healthcare IT News (10/2, Fox) reports, “The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has published its final 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategy, which seeks to enhance care delivery and experiences for patients, caregivers, health care providers, public health professionals and others in the health care continuum.” According to Healthcare IT News, “by focusing on person-centered, inclusive design as the first of its federal health information technology principles, ASTP says the plan seeks to ‘strengthen [individuals’] ability to securely access and use their own health information to take greater control over their own health.’”

You may also be interested in: Physicians beware! Information-blocking rules now apply to you.

HealthDay (10/2, Miller) reports, “Most Americans are eating their way to inflammation that puts them at risk of cancer, heart disease and other serious health problems, a new study shows.” The lead study author said, “Overall, 57% of U.S. adults have a pro-inflammatory diet and that number was higher for Black Americans, men, younger adults and people with lower education and income.” The findings were published in Public Health Nutrition.

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