Most U.S. adults have a “heart age” several years older than their chronological age — sometimes by more than a decade. And that gap is wider among men and among those with lower incomes or education or who identify as Black or Hispanic, according to a new study led by Northwestern Medicine.

Researchers want doctors and parents to know about key treatment and preventive measures, including flu vaccines.

About The Study: In this case series of children with influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy from the 2 most recent influenza seasons in the U.S., the condition was associated with high morbidity and mortality in this cohort of predominantly young and previously healthy children. The findings emphasize the need for prevention, early recognition, intensive treatment, and standardized management protocols. 

A new study in Nature shows that delivering a single injection of gene therapy at birth may offer years-long protection against HIV, tapping into a critical window in early life that could reshape the fight against pediatric infections in high-risk regions.

About The Study: In this cohort study, the likelihood of receiving stroke treatments increased for white but not Black patients within the same facility after the center was stroke certified as a primary stroke center or a thrombectomy-capable or comprehensive stroke center. These within-hospital racial differences serve as sobering evidence that racial disparities in stroke care persist despite increased access to care. 

About The Study: This review synthesizes the latest policies and initiatives concerning representation in clinical research and provides a strategic framework to ensure scientific validity of clinical trials by operationalizing broad representation at all levels. A coordinated approach among stakeholders is needed to address the scientific value of trial representation of the intended use population.

About The Study: Although nonsurgeon physicians have lower mortality rates than other highly educated professionals, this mortality benefit does not extend to surgeons. Because surgeons and nonsurgeon physicians have similar levels of health care knowledge and resources, higher mortality rates among surgeons might reflect differences related to work environment, professional demands, and lifestyle. The results of this study indicate that several causes of death (e.g., motor vehicle collisions), disproportionately affect surgeons, aligning with evidence that hazardous driving events associated with extended work hours are especially pronounced among surgeons.