Play

A type of cancer drug known as an immune checkpoint inhibitor has produced dramatic improvements for some people with cancer. Now a new study shows they may also be linked to deaths from heart complications. Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center …

Can a very successful treatment for some cancers result in heart problems? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

Play

Rates of mental health problems have reached epidemic levels during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now a new study shows that for some, use of an app rather than in person therapy provided nearly the same improvement. Eric Strain, a psychiatrist at …

Can an app help people with mental health issues? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

Play

Deaths due to substance use disorder are skyrocketing. Eric Strain, a substance use disorder expert at Johns Hopkins, says although it is tempting to think everyone with substance use disorder should be hospitalized, other forms of care may be more …

When is it appropriate for someone with substance use disorder to be hospitalized? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

Play

Managing the full breadth of health issues in someone with substance use disorder could help reduce the likelihood of a bad outcome, especially in the 40% of people who have both mental health issues and substance abuse. Eric Strain, a …

Getting more primary care providers involved may help integrate mental and physical health with substance use disorder treatment, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

Play

Substance use, mental health problems, and physical ailments are currently treated separately, but need to be integrated. That’s according to Eric Strain, a substance use disorder expert at Johns Hopkins. Strain: You’ve got these complicated patients and we’ve got patients …

How can care be coordinated for people with substance use disorder? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

Play

If you’re receiving treatment for a substance use disorder, it’s likely that your other medical issues are being addressed elsewhere, including mental health issues. With a recent study showing that 40% of the time mental health issues and substance abuse …

Fragmented health care may be a big reason why treatment for substance abuse doesn’t work, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

Play

Convalescent plasma, which is donated by someone who’s had Covid-19 and survived, is a much more reliable treatment for infection today than it was early in the pandemic. Arturo Casadevall, a convalescent plasma expert at Johns Hopkins, explains why. Casadevall: …

Why is today’s convalescent plasma better than early on in the pandemic? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »