What We’re Reading: Infertility Treatment Access for Veterans; Wegovy Prescribed for Medication-Induced Weight Gain; AI Detects Breast Cancer

Discrimination Lawsuits Filed as Veterans Struggle to Access Infertility Treatments

Lawsuits filed in federal courts in New York and Boston are challenging the US Defense Department and Department of Veteran Affairs for allegedly making it difficult for veterans to access infertility treatments, according to The Associated Press. Advocates argue that the current restrictions on in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage, limited to married, heterosexual couples, discriminate against single individuals, unmarried couples, same-sex couples, and those with the same reproductive organs, leaving thousands of active military members and veterans without appropriate treatment options. The legal actions seek to hold the United States accountable for its alleged discriminatory practices and advocate for equal treatment and health care access for all veterans facing fertility challenges.

Wegovy Prescribed to Combat Medication-Induced Weight Gain in Patients with Mental Health Disorder

Psychiatrists across the United States are increasingly prescribing Wegovy, an effective weight loss drug, to patients experiencing weight gain from antipsychotic medications, according to Reuters. However, these drugs can contribute to serious health issues such as diabetes and heart disease in patients with mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While Wegovy has shown promising results, its use among psychiatric patients has raised concerns, with regulators investigating reports of suicidal thoughts. Nevertheless, doctors are exploring the best approach to utilize such medications to help patients maintain healthier lifestyles and tackle weight gain early on.

AI Outperforms Human Radiologists in Detecting Breast Cancer, Study Finds

A recent early phase study found that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to outperform human radiologists in detecting breast cancer, according to CNN. The study compared AI-assisted mammogram readings with those done solely by well-trained radiologists and found that the AI-assisted group detected 20% more cancers. Additionally, the AI implementation reduced radiologists' workload by 44%, suggesting that AI could be a valuable tool to aid medical professionals in diagnosing breast cancer more effectively and efficiently.