Biden Raises Concerns about AI Overtaking Human Thinking
During a commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, President Biden expressed his worries about artificial intelligence surpassing human thinking. The discussion took place with eight leading scientists during a meeting at the Oval Office, where they expressed concerns about the potential dangers of AI. President Biden acknowledged the incredible opportunities that AI presents but emphasized the need to address the risks associated with it.
Lung Problems in Black Men Underdiagnosed due to Racial Bias
A recent study revealed that lung problems in Black men are often misdiagnosed due to racial bias in current testing algorithms. The study highlighted that if these algorithms were modified to eliminate racial bias, 40% more Black male patients would receive an accurate diagnosis. By analyzing data from over 2,700 Black men and 5,700 white men, researchers found that eliminating race as a factor in interpreting test results would result in nearly 400 more cases of lung obstruction or impairment being diagnosed in Black men. The American Thoracic Society has recommended removing race and ethnicity as factors in test interpretation while advocating for more research to prevent overdiagnosis.
Medicare to Cover FDA-Approved Alzheimer’s Drugs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that they will now cover the cost of new Alzheimer’s drugs that have received full FDA approval. This decision will allow more patients to afford these medications, potentially slowing down the progression of the disease. The CMS requires doctors to track patients’ progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the drugs in real-world scenarios through a government registry. Previously, Medicare only covered medications for patients enrolled in clinical trials.
Rise in Rare Pediatric Brain Infections During Winter
Hospitals reported an increase in pediatric brain infections during the past winter, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although still rare, there was a higher than usual number of cases of pediatric intracranial infections, particularly related to the bacteria Streptococcus. While most Streptococcus infections are benign, there were rare instances of severe symptoms such as seizures and changes in mental status. In December alone, there were 102 cases, surpassing the previous peak of 61 cases during the 2016-2017 winter season.
