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“Disease X” in the Congo
How COVID-19, Multiple Pathogens and Poverty May Have Created a Health Crisis
In partnership with
A Message from Dr. McMillan
Understanding the trajectory of Disease X requires examining how new illnesses interact with existing viral circulation, including COVID-19. In my latest analysis, I explore a very unique perspective on what has unfolded in the Congo, a case study that offers clues for anticipating what might come next.
Drawing from my four years of research and clinical observations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I've identified key patterns that have implications for global health preparedness. This analysis is particularly relevant as we work to strengthen early warning systems.
This holiday season, I urge you to stay vigilant and prioritize your health. Challenging times may lie ahead, but staying informed and prepared helps us respond effectively to health challenges..
Thank you for your continued engagement with this vital work.
Dr. Philip McMillan
In this week's December 20, 2024 update:
COVID-19: “Disease X” in the Congo
Vejon: This week’s Vejon video highlight
Diet: How to cope with food anxiety
Infographic: Health crisis in Congo
Cancer: Five ways to cut your risk of cancer
Alzheimer’s Disease: Could taxi driving protect against Alzheimer’s?
News: Medical news in brief
Donate: Support Vejon MED with a contribution
Courses: ROOT program and McMillan monitor
Read time: 8 minutes
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
COVID-19
Disease X outbreak in DRC's Panzi district infected 376 people, with 52% being children under five and approximately 100 deaths reported.
A Belgian traveler introduced a new form of monkeypox through sexual transmission, spreading from urban social venues to families.
COVID-19's interference with interferon production might have weakened immune systems, allowing dormant diseases like malaria to resurge in vulnerable populations.
WHO investigators discovered Disease X was actually malaria, intensified by a combination of COVID-19, monkeypox, and widespread malnutrition.
Why is this important: Global health crises rarely occur in isolation. The Panzi outbreak demonstrates how multiple pathogens can interact with poverty and malnutrition to create the possibility of devastating consequences, particularly in vulnerable populations. This interconnected nature demands comprehensive healthcare solutions beyond treating individual diseases.
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DIET
Christmas can trigger complex challenges for those with eating disorders, as celebrations often center around large communal meals and encouragement to indulge.
Holiday advertising presents conflicting messages about food, simultaneously promoting both strict dieting and overindulgence, causing confusion and guilt.
The combination of cold weather, indoor festivities, and heightened stress can lead some people to use food for comfort.
Mental health can be supported through balanced eating, mindful social media use, and personalized self-care activities like yoga or walking.
Why is this important: Mental health struggles around food intensify during Christmas, affecting millions of people silently. Understanding these challenges helps create more inclusive celebrations and encourages those affected to seek support, while reminding everyone that health encompasses both physical and emotional well-being.
INFOGRAPHIC
CANCER
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer, contributing to multiple cancer types and causing approximately 30% of cancer deaths in the US and Europe.
Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active is crucial, as excess body fat can promote cancer growth through hormone release.
A healthy diet focused on plant-based foods and limited processed foods can lower cancer risk, with Mediterranean-style diets showing promising benefits.
Consistent alcohol consumption increases cancer risk through dose-response, meaning higher regular consumption leads to greater risk of various cancers.
Why is this important: Medical professionals have identified clear, actionable steps to reduce cancer risk through lifestyle changes. Rather than leaving prevention to chance, individuals can take control of their health through choices like quitting smoking, maintaining healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
A Mass General Brigham study found that jobs involving complex navigation, like taxi driving, showed lower rates of Alzheimer's mortality.
Among studied professions, taxi drivers had 1.03% Alzheimer's mortality rate, while ambulance drivers had even lower at 0.74%.
The study examined U.S. mortality data across 443 professions, with adjustments made for factors like age, sex, and education.
Findings suggest that regular engagement in navigational tasks may protect the brain by promoting hippocampal health.
Why is this important: Discovering that complex navigation skills might shield against Alzheimer's opens new possibilities for prevention. By understanding how spatial challenges protect brain health, we could develop targeted cognitive exercises and career recommendations to reduce dementia risk in aging populations.
EDUCATION
You don’t have to settle for feeling less than your best. This program is built to guide you to lasting results with a roadmap to better health. Complete our survey and get the link to the McMillan Health Monitor.
MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
🚥 Wine's Heart Benefits Finally Measured: New Biomarker Study Shows Stronger Protection Than Previously Known: Groundbreaking methodology using urinary tartaric acid revealed that one half-glass of wine daily cuts cardiovascular risk by 50% in high-risk Mediterranean populations - double the protection previously attributed to wine in healthy diets. This finding could reshape dietary guidelines while emphasizing moderation's crucial role. [SOURCE]
🚥 Falling for Scams May Signal Brain Changes Years Before Alzheimer’s: Groundbreaking research links vulnerability to financial scams with early-stage Alzheimer's brain changes, potentially offering a new early warning sign decades before obvious symptoms appear. This could revolutionize early detection and treatment timing, though more diverse, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the connection.
🚥 Been drinking and your heart's fluttering? You may have 'holiday heart': Awareness of holiday heart syndrome highlights the hidden cardiovascular risks of binge drinking during festive seasons. Understanding this connection between alcohol and heart arrhythmias could prevent emergency room visits and potentially save lives through mindful drinking practices and early symptom recognition.
🚥 Kindness in Healthcare: The Missing Link in Patient Safety: Defining kindness as distinct from empathy and compassion, this research reveals its crucial role in healthcare team dynamics. By showing how inter-team kindness impacts patient safety more than direct patient interactions, the findings provide a practical framework for reducing medical errors and improving healthcare outcomes. [SOURCE]
🚥 Japanese Breakthrough Offers Hope for Natural Tooth Regeneration: Groundbreaking research in Japan reveals potential for natural tooth regeneration, challenging our understanding of human dental development. If successful, this USAG-1 protein-blocking treatment could revolutionize dentistry by offering a biological alternative to artificial replacements, particularly benefiting those with congenital tooth loss and aging populations worldwide.
🚥 How Daily Walks Could Revolutionize Mental Health Treatment: Walking's profound impact on mental health emerges in this groundbreaking review: every thousand steps above 5,000 reduces depression risk, with optimal benefits at 7,500-10,000 steps daily. This accessible, measurable approach to depression prevention could revolutionize public health strategies worldwide. [SOURCE]
BOOK NOOK
"Disease X: Are You Prepared?" is your comprehensive guide to navigating the uncertain future of global health. Drawing from experience and the latest scientific insights, this book offers:
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