Fortune Well

Researchers, journalists, and activists have been chronicling the failures of America’s healthcare system for years. The need for vast improvement is something even healthcare executives will freely admit. The system wears people down, which is maybe why, even in an election year, it has been largely absent from the public discourse. That is until UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered in Midtown Manhattan by a gunman who had inscribed shell casings with the words “Delay,” “Deny,” and “Depose. ”There’s no question that health insurance companies routinely delay and deny care, through processes like “prior authorization” and the denial of claims. But insurers argue that there’s good reason for these practices. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dgF4NFEE

Many people opt not to see family for the holidays, preferring to spend their PTO with friends, take solo travel, or—believe it or not—stay home alone to avoid contentious relatives. “The biggest lesson learned from the pandemic is you don’t need to settle, and if people aren’t giving you the energy that you deserve, and even if they’re family, you don’t need to participate,” Sarah, a millennial living in Seattle, previously told Fortune about not going home for the holidays. She is being referred to by her first name for privacy. Here's how to avoid family drama during your holiday roast: https://lnkd.in/dHYscTAM

Science has already linked ultra-processed foods to heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. But new research out of the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute has confirmed the cancer link in a powerful way—by finding evidence of inflammation in the colon cancer tumors themselves. “It is well known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies,” said Dr. Timothy Yeatman, an author of the study said in the press release. “We now see this inflammation in the colon tumors themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that won’t heal.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/dU8PHwg3

Our social media feeds are littered with hacks for “detoxifying” our homes, labeling everything from bed sheets to seed oils as bad for your health. https://lnkd.in/dspeDuez Experts say it’s important to understand what the word “toxic” means and which substances in homes actually threaten your health. “Toxins are any substances that can cause short-term or long-term health effects,” says Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician and Vice President of In-Office Care at One Medical. She adds that one of the challenges around establishing safety practices regarding potential toxins is that medical experts don’t always know at what level of exposure adverse effects may happen. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dspeDuez

Mark Bertolini, former Aetna CEO and current chief executive of Oscar Health, said Americans’ frustration with insurance systems is justified. https://lnkd.in/eiG5x-Eq Now, he believes he’s found a solution to the industry’s pitfalls: the elimination of employer-sponsored health insurance. “Probably the most important thing is that healthcare has now become very individualistic: ‘I want it to be fit for me,’” Bertolini told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Thursday. “‘And when my employer buys my healthcare coverage, they buy for the average.’” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eiG5x-Eq

Even if you love your job, there may be times you feel unmotivated at work. But there’s a simple solution, suggests a new study out of Germany. Cutting back on screen time by just an hour a day may boost not only your motivation in the workplace but also your well-being, according to researchers at the German Center for Mental Health and the Mental Health Research and Treatment Center at Ruhr University Bochum. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gCixmQUy

Tavapadon, a drug being tested to treat early Parkinson’s disease, has shown great promise in a Phase III trial by AbbVie, the pharmaceutical company announced this week. https://lnkd.in/eR2DbkNB Parkinson’s disease, which is lifelong, progressive, and has no cure, occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. This causes tremors, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, among other issues, for the 1 million people affected by the disease in the U.S. and 6 million affected worldwide. Tavapadon aims to treat Parkinson’s motor symptoms by mimicking dopamine in a once-a-day oral dose. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eR2DbkNB

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is being considered to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has a very distinct voice. https://lnkd.in/eMaP-EG9 When he talks, you’ll notice a shaky raspiness that comes with his words. This due to a rare speech disorder called spasmodic dysphonia. The treatable, but not curable, condition affects the vocal cords, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can cause your voice to break, sound tight, strained, strangled, or very breathy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMaP-EG9

Apple cider vinegar has long been a pantry staple. More recently, this vinegar made from fermented apple juice has also gained a reputation for its medicinal properties. The tart-tasting liquid has been promoted for accelerating weight loss, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and boosting energy. Which of the claims are backed up by science? Fortune asked two nutritional experts to dig into the evidence surrounding apple cider vinegar’s potential health benefits. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gNMEJru2