[Comment] Accelerating Indigenous health and wellbeing: the Lancet Commission on Arctic and Northern Health
Arctic Indigenous communities and adjacent Indigenous peoples considered Northern or Circumpolar in distribution recognised the threat posed by COVID-19 to their communities. Despite inhabiting many of the world’s most resourced countries, the health of Arctic Indigenous peoples lags behind their non-Indigenous counterparts across many indicators,1,2 and many communities remember the devastating consequences of the 1918–19 influenza pandemic on their communities.3 Swift action by Arctic Indigenous leaders limited COVID-19 cases in many communities, protecting their vulnerable groups from the worst outcomes seen in some other Indigenous communities globally.
[Comment] New NICE guideline on chronic fatigue syndrome: more ideology than science?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK published a new chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) guideline in October, 2021.1 The previous NICE 2007 guideline recommended cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) for people with mild or moderate CFS/ME based on evidence from randomised trials.2 Since then, more randomised trials and systematic reviews have provided additional evidence supporting these recommendations.3–8 No new or more effective interventions have been identified.
[Comment] Another piece in the COVID-19 treatment puzzle
A new study1 from the RECOVERY Collaborative Group adds another piece to the puzzle of severe COVID-19 therapy. The RECOVERY trials have been pivotal in providing evidence on the efficacy of compounds within current treatment guidelines for COVID-19, such as dexamethasone, tocilizumab, and the casirivimab and imdevimab combination.1–3 In previous randomised trials, these monoclonal antibodies4 were effective in preventing infection and clinical progression when given in the early phase of infection.
[Editorial] Health and health care in Ukraine: in transition and at risk
The crisis in Ukraine continues to intensify. Russian troops are massing near the Ukrainian border and the US military is reinforcing its NATO allies in Europe. Meanwhile, diplomatic talks are loaded with accusations but little resolution, and Ukrainian forces are already fighting Russia-backed separatists in the east. With the world’s attention on the geopolitical situation in the region, there is a danger that the ordinary lives and health of Ukrainians are forgotten.
[Comment] The overlooked pandemic of antimicrobial resistance
As COVID-19 rages on, the pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues in the shadows. The toll taken by AMR on patients and their families is largely invisible but is reflected in prolonged bacterial infections that extend hospital stays and cause needless deaths.1 Moreover, AMR disproportionately affects poor individuals who have little access to second-line, more expensive antibiotics that could work when first-line drugs fail.
[Comment] The overlooked pandemic of antimicrobial resistance
As COVID-19 rages on, the pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues in the shadows. The toll taken by AMR on patients and their families is largely invisible but is reflected in prolonged bacterial infections that extend hospital stays and cause needless deaths.1 Moreover, AMR disproportionately affects poor individuals who have little access to second-line, more expensive antibiotics that could work when first-line drugs fail.
[Comment] Supporting bereaved family members: three steps in the right direction
The focus of intensive care unit (ICU) care is usually on cure and prolongation of life. Nevertheless, a substantial number of ICU patients die, and ICU clinicians have an important role in supporting their family members across all phases of an ICU stay, including at the end of life and in bereavement. This last phase of support, extending after the death of the patient, is particularly important in the ICU setting, where family members are at increased risk of developing severe grief reactions marked by persistent, distressing symptoms that cause functional impairment and long-term health consequences.
[Comment] Supporting bereaved family members: three steps in the right direction
The focus of intensive care unit (ICU) care is usually on cure and prolongation of life. Nevertheless, a substantial number of ICU patients die, and ICU clinicians have an important role in supporting their family members across all phases of an ICU stay, including at the end of life and in bereavement. This last phase of support, extending after the death of the patient, is particularly important in the ICU setting, where family members are at increased risk of developing severe grief reactions marked by persistent, distressing symptoms that cause functional impairment and long-term health consequences.
[Correspondence] Breakthrough infections with SARS-CoV-2 omicron despite mRNA vaccine booster dose
The most recent SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern to emerge has been named omicron.1 Its immune evasion potential was predicted by genomic data and has been preliminarily confirmed by observations of an increased incidence of reinfections and breakthrough infections.2 This has triggered calls to intensify vaccination programmes including provision of vaccine booster doses.3
[Correspondence] Breakthrough infections with SARS-CoV-2 omicron despite mRNA vaccine booster dose
The most recent SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern to emerge has been named omicron.1 Its immune evasion potential was predicted by genomic data and has been preliminarily confirmed by observations of an increased incidence of reinfections and breakthrough infections.2 This has triggered calls to intensify vaccination programmes including provision of vaccine booster doses.3