AT THIS HOUR

1 in 5: The portion of people in the US with a gambling disorder who have attempted suicide. Several behavioral health companies are investing in digital therapy and support services for gambling disorder, but the behavioral health industry is far behind the necessary support to meet the growing need for treatment including mood disorders, even bipolar).  Insurance coverage is improving but has limitations and treating gambling including sports betting disorders - rising amongst 16-30 y/o males - can be complicated since the condition requires a "compulsion specialist" even though many times a substance use clinician is all that's available, warns Dr. Ashley Peak.

Science: Prevalence of eating disorders is rising – particularly amidst GLP1 usage, and so “selective screening” is very much a good idea for nurses, therapists and other front-line healthcare workers, agrees Nzinga Harrison, MD, who suggests providers (like in a PT clinic) should do it for athletes, dancers, entertainers, and younger people.  But training providers, says Susan Wolver, MD, is important because if you ask most PCPs, they think eating disorders are only for 15 y/o white teens. Hear the discussion: Click here.

Sport: I’d argue we learned more about Ilia Malinan the person than the skater after he lost out on a medal at the Olympics but showed grace in approaching competitors from other countries, including the winning skater, holding his head high even though he didn’t meet expectations - at least those from the media, perhaps his Olympic team and no doubt himself. Ilia showed here how you lose after a fall and how you act in midst of loss - how you can be disappointed, but you can be a winner in so many other ways. Probably a good lesson for many of us - as parents, kids, business folk.

Policy: A new trend in how insurance plans pay for healthcare has ramifications for patients too. Story here.

Perspective: In case you missed, here is the essay about that time at the doctor when dad tooted.

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