Recently, studies have demonstrated critical results surrounding health-related issues. These discoveries include a potential new asthma treatment, the understanding of the link between hidden belly fat and Alzheimer’s risk and concerning predictions for U.S. life expectancy.
At King’s College London, researchers have recently discovered the first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. The treatment uses a laboratory-produced molecule, the monoclonal antibody Benralizumab, to alter the immune system. Benralizumab has previously been used for very severe cases of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
A three-month trial of 158 participants, published in “The Lancet Respiratory Medicine,” found that treatment failure rates were 74% when steroids were used but only 45% with Benralizumab. Given Benralizumab’s success rate, the study suggests that it could be used routinely to treat an estimated two million attacks yearly.
Asthma remains a major health concern in the U.S., with around 94,000 hospital inpatient stays and over 900,000 ER visits annually. In addition, over 3,500 Americans die of asthma each year, nearly a third of which are 65 or older. Benralizumab’s ability to reduce treatment failures could ease patient pain and improve patient outcomes.
Another recent study, presented at the December 2024 annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, could significantly advance Alzheimer’s early detection and prevention efforts. The study links hidden belly fat with Alzheimer’s 20 years ahead of any symptoms. Its findings demonstrate how visceral fat – the hidden fat surrounding organs – is associated with an increased accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. These proteins are indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, and their presence suggests a strong link between midlife obesity and dementia.
The lead author of the article, Dr. Mahsa Dolatshahi, emphasizes the importance of early prevention of hidden fat through personalized health strategies including lifestyle changes like weight loss and managing metabolic health (e.g., blood sugar and fat level). The research findings will help scientists develop targeted strategies to reduce Alzheimer’s risk. They could also help find future pharmacological treatments, with scientists looking into certain drugs that lessen brain damage linked to visceral fat.
Lastly, a study published by researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) predicts that life expectancy in the U.S. will stall by 2050. The nation’s life expectancy is projected to rise slowly, from 78.3 years in 2022 to 80.4 years in 2025. But, this increase is very much behind compared to other high and middle-income countries. As a result, the U.S. is also expected to drop from 49th place globally in 2022 to 66th place by 2050. The study attributes these projections to obesity, drug overdose deaths and other chronic health conditions.
The study also shows a downtrend in healthy life expectancy (HALE), which measures the number of years a person can live in good health. By this metric, the U.S. is expected to drop from 80th place in 2022 to 108th place by 2050, mostly due to chronic illnesses and disabilities. Women in particular are predicted to be most affected, with female HALE expected to drop in 20 states. This problem is mostly attributed to high body mass index, high blood sugar and drug use disorders.
These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive public health strategies addressing obesity, substance abuse and chronic diseases, including promoting healthier lifestyles, enhancing public health education and improving healthcare access, among other actions.
