Atkinson Family Practice

03/18/2026

Maintaining or improving a healthy lifestyle after hypertension diagnosis reduces risk of developing CVD, T2D
The American Journal of Managed
“Maintaining or improving a healthy lifestyle after a hypertension diagnosis significantly lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a new study.” Researchers came to this conclusion after conducting “a prospective cohort study using data from the Nurses’ Health Study...and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study...between 1986 and 2014, including 25,820 U.S. adults who developed incident hypertension during follow-up.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

This cohort study of adults with hypertension assesses associations between adherence to or improvement in healthy lifestyle behaviors and risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

03/17/2026

Yet another reason to exercise-brain health

single 15-minute session of aerobic exercise floods brain with BDNF

“Just one 15-minute session of aerobic exercise floods the brain with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein known to support the health of new and existing brain cells, researchers” found. The data also indicated that “as a person’s fitness increases, so does the amount of BDNF released following exercise.” The findings were published in Brain Research.

03/17/2026

Using Medical Or Recreational Ma*****na To Ease Symptoms Of Numerous Mental Health Conditions Doesn’t Work, Analyses Find

“Using medical or recreational ma*****na to ease symptoms of numerous mental health conditions doesn’t work, according to two new analyses of existing gold-standard research.” One study, published in Lancet Psychiatry, “analyzed results from 54 randomized controlled trials published between 1980 and 2025.” Meanwhile, “a recent JAMA paper...also explored the effectiveness of natural and synthetic forms of CBD and THC on mental health conditions.”

The current evidence base is not sufficient to support the use of cannabis for the treatment of mental health conditions and demonstrates substantial risks of adverse effects. Clinicians should engage patients with mental health conditions in discussions about cannabis use because use is common, has...

03/16/2026

Not too late to send a note to your legislator please

Dear Patients. Please contact the Chair of Mass State HealthCare Financing Committee John Lawn TODAY!!!

We are hoping that H.1370 (attached) will be reported favorably out of the Health Care Financing (HCF) Committee and moved to House Ways and Means. The deadline for this is in 6 days (March 18). The House Chair of HCF is Chair John Lawn. If you are so inclined, please email him by Monday (john.lawn@mahouse.gov), introduce yourself and ask him to report out H.1370 favorably.

Let him know that we dont have enough Primary Care in Western Mass and that practices like ours are struggling to survive. This bill would not only keep us in business but we could also bring back other services—like therapists, health coaches, PT and Case Managers etc.

Thankyou

Dr Kate

03/16/2026

Digital media use associated with risks to child and adolescent mental health and development
—a systemic review and meta-analysis of 153 studies found that “digital media use is consistently associated with risks to child and adolescent mental health and development globally.” The researchers observed that “social media use was associated with higher depression, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, self-injurious thoughts, problematic internet use, and substance use. There were also negative associations with lower academic achievement, poorer self-perception, and less positive development.” Additionally, “there was an association between video gaming and higher aggression and externalizing behaviors and higher attention/executive functioning. Digital device use and messaging/communication media were associated with depression.” The review was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

This study attempts to provide a meta-analytic synthesis of evidence on digital media use and health and developmental outcomes among individuals aged 0 to 18 years.

03/16/2026

Heart groups issue new guideline on management of dyslipidemia
NBC News (3/13, Leake) reported that a guideline from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and other groups advises physicians “to begin screening and treating people in their 30s, long before the risks of a heart attack and stroke become significantly higher.” The guideline was published in JACC.

2026 ACC/AHA multisociety guideline delivering evidence-based recommendations for dyslipidemia management, cholesterol lowering, and cardiovascular risk reduction.

03/13/2026

11 years ago the day before 3.14.15 we celebrated Pi day by raffling the opportunity to splat us.
One of Dr Kate’s teen patients had the honor of pie-ing her in front of news cameras.
It was delicious

03/12/2026

Dear Patients. Please contact the Chair of Mass State HealthCare Financing Committee John Lawn TODAY!!!

We are hoping that H.1370 (attached) will be reported favorably out of the Health Care Financing (HCF) Committee and moved to House Ways and Means. The deadline for this is in 6 days (March 18). The House Chair of HCF is Chair John Lawn. If you are so inclined, please email him by Monday (john.lawn@mahouse.gov), introduce yourself and ask him to report out H.1370 favorably.

Let him know that we dont have enough Primary Care in Western Mass and that practices like ours are struggling to survive. This bill would not only keep us in business but we could also bring back other services—like therapists, health coaches, PT and Case Managers etc.

Thankyou

Dr Kate

03/12/2026

Nothing better than getting a book at your Well Child Check

03/12/2026

AFP’s Employee of the Month, Alex, enjoying her VIP parking