Staying #Up2Date 🚨

1: Dial In for Relief - Remote Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain 

This RCT examined the effectiveness of two remote CBT treatments— one via telehealth coaching and one via an online self-completed program — for 2,000+ participants with chronic pain. After 3 months, both groups were significantly more likely than usual care to report a > 30% reduction in pain severity. The improvements in pain and functioning were held steady 12 months later. Of the two inverventions, the coach-led program was ultimately most effective (RR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.03-1.40]).

2: Moisturize and Minimize: Emollients and AD in Infants 

This RCT tested whether  applying emollients daily from 9 weeks to 24 months of age could help prevent atopic dermatitis (AD). By 24 months, AD developed in 36.1% of the daily moisturizer group compared to 43.0% of the control group (RR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.97; P=.02). The protective effect was even stronger in homes with a dog (RR 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90; P=.01). Daily moisturizing may offer a simple way to reduce pediatric AD. 

3: Estimating Organ Age via Bloodmarkers 

This cohort study analyzed plasma protein levels in 40K individuals to estimate organ-specific age and assess how organ health relates to mortality. As the number of aged organs increased, so did mortality risk. In contrast, youthful brains and immune systems were linked to longevity. Organ-specific findings showed that an especially aged brain carried a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease comparable to carrying one copy of APOE4, the strongest genetic risk factor for AD), while a youthful brain offered robust protection. These results suggest that monitoring organ health may help predict future disease and death, and could inform lifestyle interventions. 

Hidden Risks In Surrogacy

Surrogacy is often framed as a selfless act, so why isn’t it being treated as one?

What happened: Research finds that surrogates have a higher chance of being diagnosed with a mental illness than women who carry their own pregnancies.

Why it matters: The global surrogacy market is a booming business, projected to reach $129 billion by 2032. 

It’s growing in Canada, too — despite it being illegal to pay surrogates. they can reimburse them for pregnancy-related expenses like food, clothing, and prenatal supplements. Instead, intended parents can reimburse pregnancy-related expenses like food, maternity clothes, and prenatal supplements.

Because of this complex landscape and growing numbers, a team from McGill University looked at over 700K births in Ontario between April 2012 to late March 2021. Of those, 758 were surrogate pregnancies where the surrogate’s own eggs weren’t used. Researchers reviewed diagnoses of anxiety, mood disorders, self-harm, and psychosis, and found that 236 surrogates experienced mental illness during or after pregnancy.

Even after factoring in age, income, and smoking, surrogates still had a 43% higher chance of developing a new mental illness compared to women who conceived through IVF or naturally. A big part of that might be the grief many surrogates feel after handing the baby over to the intended parents. And while Canadian surrogates have to pass psychological screenings before pregnancy, nearly 1 in 5 had a history of mental illness before they even got pregnant.

But: One doctor (not involved in the study) pointed out that the research didn’t dig into the why. Is the emotional toll coming from hormonal changes, the physical demands of pregnancy, or the pain of separation? She also flagged that the wide range of mental health diagnoses made it tough to pinpoint any single cause.

Bottom line: Pregnancy is demanding, no matter how it happens. Whether through surrogacy, IVF, or unassisted conception, comprehensive mental health care is essential for everyone involved.

Hot Off The Press

1: ✈️ Air Canada flight attendants have launched a strike vote, with results expected Aug. 5. If approved, a walkout could happen as early as Aug. 16 — grounding over 1,100 flights a day. The union is pushing for better pay and compensation for unpaid duties like boarding and safety checks. Travellers are being warned to prep with insurance and backup bookings, just in case.

2: 🦠 A Swiss teen who died in 1918 of the Spanish flu just helped scientists sequence the century-old virus. Turns out, it had already evolved to be highly infectious and immune-resistant at the very start of the pandemic — long before the second wave hit. The breakthrough, published in BMC Biology, could help prep us for the next one.

2: 💊 Canada is facing a nationwide shortage of prescription pain meds and it could last into early August. Health Canada issued a notice last week that drugs containing acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone that are used to relieve pain are experiencing shortages. Pharmacies are limiting dispensed quantities and sourcing from other suppliers where possible, but (fingers crossed) a significant restock is anticipated soon. 

3: 🚗 Uber is rolling out a long-requested safety feature in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit: the option for women to request a female driver. The “Women Preferences” pilot also lets women drivers opt to pick up only women passengers. It’s a much-needed update — but long overdue — the feature’s already live in 40+ countries. No word yet on a Canadian launch.

4: 🏊‍♀️ Canada’s 18-year-old swim star, Summer McIntosh, has snagged two golds at the World Championships in Singapore — first in the 400m freestyle (3:56.26), then in the 200m individual medley (2:06.69). She’s chasing 5 individual titles, a feat only Michael Phelps has pulled off. Next up for the 3 time Olympic champion? The 200m butterfly, with the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday and final on Thursday, and then the 800m freestyle Saturday before finishing up with the 400 IM on Sunday.

Notable Numbers 🔢

38,000: Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since October 2023. Aid remains severely restricted — only 60–73 trucks allowed daily, far below the 500+ needed. At least 147 people, including 89 children, have died from starvation.

300,000+: people displaced after 5 days of border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia — the deadliest flare-up in over a decade. A ceasefire was brokered on July 28 after urgent talks in Malaysia.

66%: how much GoPro surged in the latest meme-stock rally — with Krispy Kreme (+41%) and Wendy’s (+10%) along for the wild ride. These stocks don’t pack much in actual business muscle; their value’s all hype and social clout, fuelled by pop culture buzz rather than fundamentals.

$20: the new toll to cross the Confederation Bridge (down from $50.25). PM Carney also announced a 50% cut to ferry fares in Eastern Canada — a move aimed at making regional travel more affordable.

Postcall Picks ✅

🔊 Listen: to how Donald Trump’s presidency is reshaping global health, from funding to pandemic prep, in this episode of The Lancet Voice with Dr. Gavin Yamey.

📖Read: how these Italian doctors aim to hit 120 — and the 4 daily habits they’re banking on to get them there.

😄 Laugh: because we’ve all had this moment:

🍽️ Eat: Shakshuka with feta and spinach — a North African classic of eggs gently poached in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce. This version adds spinach and crumbled feta for a hearty, one-pan dish that works for breakfast, brunch, or an easy weeknight dinner.

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