AT THIS HOUR

Mood Monitor: 61% of 28,413 seniors said they are happier now that they have learned pickle ball even if nearly half said they struggle to hit the ball. “I just had cataract procedure, that’s helping, but I’m just happy to be outside not in front of TV,” Fred, 74, said. A few Medicare insurers have in fact set plans in motion to provide supplemental benefits including pickleball rackets, balls and memberships.

24601: No not the famous prison code for Les Miserable’s Jean Valjean but the exact number of calls, texts and chats apparently into the 988 special crisis line for LGBTQ individuals in the first couple weeks of June – a dedicated line that the federal government has decided to end in July.  Special crisis lines for veterans and people hard of hearing will remain. Full story, click here.

Science: Researchers from Stanford University have discovered a “brake” that can halt cell death in Parkinson’s patients. The genetic mutation that causes Parkinson’s results in an excess of a protein that interferes with the brain’s ability to protect itself. Researchers found that inhibiting the protein can halt damage and allow dying neurons to recover. 

Sport: Check out Ashley’s run to recovery in this 6 minute clip from the award winning Boston Bulldogs documentary. See clip here.

Policy: Sword Health will begin matching its musculoskeletal patients up with mental health services in a model that has roots from the 1990s. Many times people get into physical therapy or pain management but really need a psych consult instead for conditions like eating disorders, or for teens with serious injury who suffer depression or start “using substances.” In some calls I did with utilization analysts at 2 health insurers, both estimated that 18-20% of the PT is probably really a mental health issue instead, and a work comp insurer said 45% of their cases have a “co-occurring” psych diagnosis. Insurers have for years looked for PT companies that train their staff to more quickly identify mental health needs in the first few visits, and then redirect. Sword’s solution called Mind combines AI and licensed clinicians to deliver continuous, personalized care. 

Perspective: The top 47 things men lose once they hit their 50s in this column from the archives.

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