#Healthcarepolicy

A growing body of research is pushing doctors to move beyond a one-size-fits-all view of menopausal hormone therapy. The latest findings emphasize that while hormone therapy can significantly alleviate vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, its benefits and risks are not the same for every woman. In Thailand, where families gather to discuss health decisions and clinics increasingly tailor care to individual needs, physicians are urging patients to engage in informed, nuanced conversations about whether hormone therapy is right for them—and how to manage it safely if chosen.

The latest in-depth investigations by international psychiatrists and psychologists are prompting a global rethink over the widespread use and perceived efficacy of antidepressants, especially in the United States, where such medications have become almost ubiquitous for treating depression, anxiety, and insomnia. New findings sharply question the central assumptions about how these drugs work, their long-term benefits, and the risks they carry—a discussion that resonates far beyond America’s borders, including in Thailand, as local mental health practices continue to evolve.

A wave of international research is prompting a global rethinking of how antidepressants are prescribed, especially in the United States where these drugs are widely used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. New findings challenge long-held beliefs about how these medications work, their long-term benefits, and their risks. The implications extend beyond the U.S., influencing mental health practices in Thailand as local care evolves.

In recent years, antidepressants moved from tightly controlled clinical tools to commonly endorsed remedies. Guidelines in some parts of the United States often recommend antidepressants as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression, a stance that contrasts with guidance from global health authorities and Thai care providers who emphasize caution for milder cases. The Covid-19 era saw a surge in prescriptions, underscoring a strong reliance on these medications within American health systems.

A new study in JAMA Network Open reveals troubling trends in maternal health: nearly one-third of maternal deaths occur more than six weeks after birth. The finding signals an urgent need for extended and continuous care for new mothers.

Researchers analyzed data from the CDC’s division of reproductive health, which has long tracked maternal mortality and health disparities. The study shows a 28% rise in pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, with the peak during the COVID-19 period.

In a revealing study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers have shed light on concerning trends in maternal health, particularly the rise in maternal deaths occurring well after the delivery period. The analysis reports that nearly one-third of maternal deaths in the United States take place more than six weeks postpartum, highlighting an urgent need for extended healthcare for new mothers.

The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s division of reproductive health, which, until recently, played a pivotal role in tracking maternal mortality rates and identifying health disparities. This research found a 28% increase in pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.