A year of breathtaking developments in health and medicine

+ from reproductive health care to deep brain stimulation US Edition - Today's top story: A growing number of women give birth at Catholic hospitals, where they do not receive the same reproductive health options – including birth control – provided at other hospitals [View in browser]( US Edition | 2 January 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Last year – yes, somehow 2022 is officially behind us – was a humbling and breathtaking year to lead our editorial coverage on the health desk here at The Conversation. Roe v. Wade fell, overturning nearly 50 years of reproductive rights. Polio reemerged in the U.S. for the first time in nearly a decade. Americans’ mental health continued its downward trajectory, particularly in children and teens. The omicron variant gave rise to a host of subvariants that proved wily at evading our immune defenses but less deadly than prior strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This pivotally shaped the pandemic, allowing us to glimpse a post-COVID world. But then we faced a “tripledemic,” with record cases of flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in children, amid the ever-looming threat of COVID-19. With reproductive health care on the minds of so many Americans, it’s not surprising that our most read story on the health desk – with more than 1.3 million reads – was about the growing number of people giving birth at Catholic hospitals, where they are [less likely to be offered the same birth control options]( as at nonreligious hospitals. Our second-most read piece was an explainer on vitamin B12 deficiency, which is easily overlooked in wellness checks and [sometimes missed by physicians](. While one theory for the popularity of this story is the leading role played by the author’s dog, Scout, we suspect it struck a chord because it shined a light on a little known but common medical condition. Another of our most read pieces walked readers through real-world data on the [accuracy of COVID-19 rapid tests](, by two experts who have been on the front lines of studying them. This story’s readership patterns seemed to follow the trend lines of the spikes and dips in COVID-19 infection rates. A handful of other stories left a meaningful impact on us and our readers, in large part because they gave voice to people whose stories are often overlooked, dismissed or stigmatized. Xiaofan Lei, a researcher of speech pathology who has stuttered since childhood, explained the [neurological underpinnings of stuttering]( and gave raw insights into what it’s like to live with the speech condition. Sociologist Reya Farber wrote an eye-opening piece about how health rights for trans people vary globally and what [global health equity might look like](. And sociologist Carla A. Pfeffer explained how health care providers too often take a [one-size-fits-all approach to testosterone therapy]( for trans and nonbinary people during pregnancy. Our associate health and biomedicine editor, Vivian Lam, noted that these stories “highlight the complexities of navigating health care as a trans person, and the challenges of living in a world that insists on negating your existence.” And in a vivid story about a life-changing treatment, Rachel Davis, a psychiatrist and neurosurgeon who specializes in a procedure called deep brain stimulation for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, [drew readers into the world of OCD sufferers]( through the eyes of one of her patients. Amanda Mascarelli Senior Health and Medicine Editor Reader favorites Research shows that short spacing between childbirth and another pregnancy comes with heightened health risks. Aleksandr Kirillov/EyeEm via Getty Images [A growing number of women give birth at Catholic hospitals, where they do not receive the same reproductive health options – including birth control – provided at other hospitals]( Maria Gallo, The Ohio State University Many people do not realize they are delivering at a Catholic hospital, and others may not have a choice. But where one receives care has a profound impact on the birth control options they’re offered. Fatigue can be a sign of a potential B12 deficiency. Maca and Naca/E+ via Getty Images [Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common health problem that can have serious consequences – but doctors often overlook it]( Diane Cress, Wayne State University The symptoms of B12 deficiency resemble a lot of other health problems, putting millions of Americans at risk of a misdiagnosis. Once in short supply, rapid antigen tests are now available throughout the U.S. Boy_Anupong/Moment via Getty Images [Just how accurate are rapid antigen tests? Two testing experts explain the latest data]( Nathaniel Hafer, UMass Chan Medical School; Apurv Soni, UMass Chan Medical School With the relaxation of mask-wearing mandates, there’s even more need to know how much over-the-counter tests help. Editor's picks The majority of children who stutter will spontaneously recover from it without intervention, but some 20% of people do not. fizkes/iStock via Getty Images Plus [What causes stuttering? A speech pathology researcher explains the science and the misconceptions around this speech disorder]( Xiaofan Lei, University of Minnesota Stuttering is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 1 in 100 people across the world. Yet the precise biological pathways that underlie stuttering are not well understood. Achieving equity in global health requires addressing the root sources of inequity. Sabrina Bracher/iStock via Getty Images Plus [Health rights for trans people vary widely around the globe – achieving trans bliss and joy will require equity, social respect and legal protections]( Reya Farber, William & Mary While gender-affirming health care is essential to the well-being of trans people, access to quality services varies significantly by geographic region and social context. Diane Rodríguez and her husband, Zack Elias, are a trans couple in Ecuador. Chichicko/Wikimedia Commons [Transgender men and nonbinary people are asked to stop testosterone therapy during pregnancy – but the evidence for this guidance is still murky]( Carla A. Pfeffer, Michigan State University Testosterone therapy is often essential for the health and well-being of transmasculine people. The choice to stop it to pursue pregnancy can be a difficult one. Deep brain stimulation relies on thin electrodes implanted deep in the brain that deliver electrical currents. Olemedia/E+ via Getty Images [Deep brain stimulation can be life-altering for OCD sufferers when other treatment options fall short]( Rachel A. Davis, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus This rare procedure is offered by only a handful of centers in the US and around the world and should be used only when less invasive treatment options for OCD have been tried. - - More of The Conversation: Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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