A new year is just around the corner and in a matter of days, we bid goodbye to 2014 by recalling the ten most remarkable health advances this year as well as what to look forward to in 2015.
Indeed, 2014 is full of historic moments that are bound to play important roles in 2015 and the many years to come. From disease outbreaks and the discovery of many medicines for humankind, to ground-breaking diagnostic procedures and treatment alternatives, this year entails a lot of developments both in medicine and technology.
First stop, scientists have discovered that 3D mammography is effective. In fact, multiple studies in 2014 have showed that 3D mammography is highly accurate in screening and detecting breast cancer. They revealed that it shows fewer false positive results. However, this procedure is not yet commercially available but reports say it might be available for use by 2015. One of the manufacturers of the machine, Hologic, is positive that there will be one in all 50 states.
Furthermore, this year, CVS stopped selling cigarettes and tobacco products in all 7,600 stores in the United States since October 1. The announcement came by February and was implemented by October. Of course, anti-smoking advocates including federal health officials were happy by the company's move. Cigarettes and tobacco products make up at least 3% of their total profit and revenue.
Almost all Americans are now insured. The number of uninsured Americans nears record low following the implementation of the Obamacare wherein they were given until December 21, 2014 to register in time for 2015. Federal data that was released in December 18 show that only 11.3% of Americans are uninsured. This advancement in health insurance and health care is remarkable and shows that more and more Americans are becoming aware of their health needs.
In early November, the United States Food and Drug Administration reprimanded all restaurant chains to include the calorie count of the food they are serving in the menu. This includes all movie theaters, restaurants, vending machines, amusement parks and even take-out chains. This move aims to reduce obesity rates in the count.
In line with this, FDA also revealed new nutrition labels in February this year. They are proposing changes to nutrition labels wherein they will emphasize more on the calories, sugars and to improve the serving sizes into realistic ones. Calories are required to be printed bigger and bolder at the front of the packaging.
Heart failure is one of the deadliest diseases in the country. However, this year, new drugs were discovered to show promise for heart failure treatment. In fact, Novartis is expecting approval for its new heart failure drug, LCZ696, in the second half of 2015.
This new drug can be an alternative to the current medicines being used such as ACE inhibitors. In fact, clinical trial of the new drug promises on saving more lives.
This year, the largest and worst Ebola outbreak in history emerged in West Africa where it has infected more than 17,000 people and killed at least 7,000 lives. Health officials and organizations are clamouring a means to solve this outbreak. However, experimental treatments are being used especially to health care providers who were infected with the potentially deadly virus. A device literally filters Ebola virus from blood of a sick patient. This machine was developed by Aethlon Medical. It is called hemopurifier wherein a specialized cartridge are attached to a standard dialysis machine. Eventually, it will use proteins to bind with the virus and suck them out of the patient's blood. It has been tested in one patient in Germany and appears to have worked.
In related news, Ebola vaccines were being developed and show promise in the avenue to eradicate the virus and prevent further spread to many countries. In August, two vaccines to prevent the infection from Ebola went into human trial. If the trials are deemed effective, the vaccines can be produced to be used in West Africa especially the three worst-stricken countries, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.