President Biden’s COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration is ending soon and is not being renewed. The exact deadline is unclear—it may be as early as January or as late as April, but regardless the end of special pandemic accommodations is soon to be evaluated. The implications of the end of this declaration are enormous.  There will be instances where new policies and procedures will remain in effect; however, there will be many instances where policies and procedures revert to the way they were before the pandemic.  PHE declarations began in January 2020 and were eligible to...

On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden pardoned all people convicted previously of federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. He encouraged state governors to do the same.  Skeptical about whether marijuana should continue to be categorized as a Schedule I drug, the President asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to review the classification of marijuana. The Biden administration has not yet decided whether it plans on removing marijuana from the drug schedule entirely (de-scheduling) or placing it on a less-restrictive tier (rescheduling).  Schedule...

Cancer is not just a disease plaguing older adults today. Some types of cancer, such as colorectal, bile duct, breast, endometrium, gall bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach, and thyroid cancer, are appearing in younger adults at increasing rates each year.  Among people under 50, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is rising. The elevated cancer epidemic among young adults worldwide has elevated concerns among researchers, providers, and public health experts.  Increasing Cancer Rates Among People Under 50  A review of cancer data from 44 nations, recently published in Nature Reviews Clinical...

A cancer diagnosis can be scary, no matter where it appears. While many people worry about breast, lung, pancreatic, or other types of cancer, they might overlook cancer in the mouth.  November is Mouth Cancer Action Month, a campaign started in the UK to promote awareness, prevention, and early detection. Mouth cancer is a significant health threat. The more you know about its causes and signs, the easier it will be to combat it.  The Significance of Mouth Cancer Action Month  Originating in the United Kingdom in 2000, Mouth Cancer Action Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness...

It is well known that America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic from both prescribed and illicit use. To appreciate the scope of this crisis, consider the following stats:  70,630 people died from an overdose in 2019 compared to 36,096 who died in car accidents.  1.6 million people had an opioid use disorder in the past year.  745,000 people used heroin in the past year.  10.1 million people misused prescription opioids in the past year.  Federal Efforts to Beat Opioid Epidemic  To address this epidemic, the White House launched New Actions and Funding to Address the Overdose...