Breast Cancer Awareness, Suicide Prevention and Other Recent Health News Trends

A look at health news from PR Newswire in September and October that you might have missed.

 

Health News Trends, September-October 2024

 

By Mickey Mocnik | Published Nov. 8, 2024

 

In a constant stream of news concerning healthcare costs and AI, keeping up with what else is happening in the healthcare industry can be hard.  PR Newswire distributed more than 6,000 healthcare releases in September and October, and we’re here to help you sort through it all by highlighting the popular releases and stories you might have missed.

We’ll go beyond the pink ribbon campaigns and discuss the policy, prevention and clinical data shared during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll also explore equally concerning topics like suicide prevention and youth mental health.

And is it really fall without a mention of flu season? We’ll conclude with the latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV news so to help everyone stay informed and healthy this winter. 

First: Most Popular Health Releases

AI news continues to attract the most readers, but we also saw maternal health and menopause stories in our top rankings:

Health News Trends

Here’s a look at a few of the trends we noticed among health-related press releases in September and October, with a few examples of each.

Breast Cancer Awareness

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world, with around 2.3 million new cases every year. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held every October, aims to promote preventative screenings and support survivors through fundraising campaigns.

While many of us are encouraged to shop pink this time of year, survivors deal with the side effects of consumer media pinkwashing and toxic positivity surrounding the disease. Beneath the rosy ribbon campaigns is the reality that more people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

How are healthcare organizations contributing to the conversation?

Amidst all the attention, our team saw nearly 300 health releases focused on various aspects of the disease in September and October:

Policy and Early Detection

  • Breast Cancer Over Time urged Congress to pass the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act to reduce waiting periods for life-saving benefits.
  • Volpara Health lobbied for the bipartisan "Find It Early Act," which would remove financial barriers to women accessing lifesaving screenings.
  • The National Comprehensive Cancer Network published a study showing that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) improved cancer care and survival for people with aggressive types of breast cancer.
  • OUTFRONT Media teamed up with Mindie Kaplan to launch the Million Mammogram Challenge, an early detection campaign that invites women to share and post their mammogram dates.
  • Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker's Promise Fund reached out to tens of thousands of uninsured women in South Florida to provide access to screenings and treatment.

Clinical Research

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Novartis Kisqali® to reduce the risk of recurrence in people with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer.
  • Anixa Biosciences unveiled a phase 2 study plan for its breast cancer vaccine.
  • A Rosalind Franklin University scientist was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation to study the molecular mechanisms driving metastatic breast cancer.

Survivorship

  • The American Cancer Society called attention to the impact of breast cancer on black women, who continue to have the highest death rate and the shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S.
  • A Breastcancer.org survey called attention to severe side effects and treatment gaps breast cancer patients face during chemotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery.
  • Virtual care clinic Midi Health launched an industry-first program to provide menopause care for breast cancer survivors and women at high risk for breast cancer.
  • Crystal Clinic Plastic Surgeons held a Pink Runway event for breast reconstruction patients to share their breast cancer journeys in a celebration of survivorship.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness

A recent poll found that 9 out of 10 Americans believe suicide can be prevented in some scenarios, and an increasing amount are willing to reach out for help during a mental health crisis. During Suicide Prevention Month in September, our team noticed many releases on the topic, including a major story that spotlighted the importance of keeping each other safe.

On September 10, which happened to be World Suicide Prevention Day, Jon Bon Jovi made headlines for saving a Nashville woman after noticing her on the ledge of a bridge while filming a music video. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention praised his actions and used this moment to educate the media on how to ethically report on suicide.   

Here are some other notable suicide prevention releases seen on PR Newswire:

In October, our team noticed an increased emphasis on youth mental health during Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 6-12) and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10).

A recent CDC report found that 4 in 10 high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023 (65% for LGBTQ+ students). Non-profit health organizations and major healthcare players used PR Newswire to share research and ways to help our nation’s youth.

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) released findings that exposure to extreme heat can contribute to aggression in adolescents.
  • Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation announced a $1.1 million grant to The Jed Foundation, a national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.
  • An Erika's Lighthouse report revealed many young people are uncomfortable talking about their mental health with adults.
  • Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) partnered with "American Idol" winner Abi Carter to increase awareness about the mental health challenges for young people and promote wellness check-ins.
  • Brightn teamed up with NBA stars Keegan and Kris Murray to promote the power of journaling for youth mental wellness.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV

‘Tis the season for tissues, colder weather and constant reminders to get vaccinated ahead of flu season. With daily FDA releases going out over PR Newswire, it can be hard to keep track of the latest approved vaccines and therapies.

Popular announcements included the FDA’s approval of FluMist, the first flu vaccine that does not need to be administered by a health care provider, and emergency use authorization of Novavax’s 2024-2025 Formula COVID-19 Vaccine. Sanofi's new line of BEYFORTUS was also approved, ensuring that every eligible baby in the U.S. can receive a dose ahead of RSV season.

As expected, numerous health organizations advocated for Americans to get vaccinated. Here are some examples of their efforts:

Looking Ahead

As open enrollment approaches, our team expects a wave of health insurance news likely centered on Gen Z and Millennial workers. Movember mustaches will promote men’s health initiatives, and we’ll likely see mental health continue to trend during the holidays. Bookmark our blog to stay updated on winter health trends!

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About the Author

Mickey Mocnik headshotMickey Mocnik is a senior editor who has worked at PR Newswire since 2018. When she's not reading retail news, she can be found on stage playing guitar or at home cuddling her pitbull, Otto.