Access Family Medicine Dr. Tamara Powell MD

01/27/2026

COVID-19 vaccination lowers pregnancy risks, study finds.

A large Canadian study published in JAMA found that COVID-19 vaccination prior to infection led to lower rates of hospitalization, admission to critical care, and preterm births among pregnant patients. The protective benefits of vaccination were consistent during the Delta and Omicron variant periods. Vaccinated individuals had notably reduced risks for severe maternal disease and adverse perinatal outcomes, supporting the importance of vaccination before or during pregnancy.
Full Story: Patient Care

01/26/2026

RSV vaccine during pregnancy is safe.

MedPage Today (1/8, Rudd) reports, “For pregnant women who received the bivalent prefusion F subunit-based respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (RSVpreF; Abrysvo), safety outcomes were similar to those who were not vaccinated, according to interim results from an ongoing retrospective cohort study.” Researchers found that “in matched cohorts of 6,857 women each, there were no statistically significant differences in preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), or preterm PROM.” One investigator said, “Our findings so far are reassuring: The RSV vaccine given during late pregnancy did not increase the risk of preterm birth or other evaluated pregnancy complications.” The findings were published in JAMA.

01/25/2026

Concierge, direct primary care growing faster than expected
A study published in Health Affairs found that the number of physicians choosing concierge or direct primary care models has increased to more than 7,000 since 2018, surpassing predictions. Researcher Zirui Song of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital said the growth may be limited by the number of people who can afford membership fees, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a year, under the models.
Full Story: New England Public Media (Springfield, Mass.)

01/24/2026

Maybe let those teens sleep in!

Extra weekend sleep may lower risk of depression for teens
A study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that teens who slept in on weekends had a lower risk of depression, compared with those who did not. Researchers said a healthy weekday sleep duration of eight to 10 hours was ideal for reducing symptoms of depression, but letting teens catch up on sleep may be protective if they cannot get enough sleep during the week.
Full Story: HealthDay News

01/23/2026

How do vaccines work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb7TVW77ZCs

01/22/2026

Dolly’s Imagination Celebration

Join us for a countywide birthday party honoring Dolly Parton and her legacy of childhood literacy through the Imagination Library from 12–2 pm on Saturday, Jan. 24 at all four branches. Activities include a “Coat of Many Colors” storytime and craft, children’s book giveaway sponsored by Greater Grants Pass Rotary, treats, and more.

01/21/2026

Review Finds Evidence Of Medical Cannabis’ Health Benefits Often Weak, Inconclusive
The New York Times (12/12, A1, Hoffman) reported a “review of 15 years of research concludes” that evidence of cannabis’ health benefits “is often weak or inconclusive, and that nearly 30% of medical cannabis patients meet criteria for cannabis use disorder.” While “pain is a leading reason people use medical cannabis,” the review “found no evidence to indicate that cannabis could ease acute pain.” Researchers noted that “treating chronic, noncancer pain produced more nuanced results.” Furthermore, “researchers said that sleep trials had also produced weak or inconclusive results, precluding major sleep organizations from making strong recommendations.” As for anxiety treatment, “the new study again showed cannabis’s mixed results.” Overall, the researchers “found that doctors themselves do not have a firm understanding of medical cannabis.” The review was published in JAMA.

01/20/2026

Study: COVID-19 vaccine reduces pediatric ER visits
A new study published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report indicates that COVID-19 vaccines have significantly lowered emergency room visits for children. For ages nine months to four years, vaccines reduced the risk by 76%, and for ages five to 17, the reduction was 56%.
Full Story: Scientific American

01/19/2026

Lowering Blood Sugar Key To Reducing Risk Of Heart-Related Death Among Patients With Prediabetes, Study Finds
HealthDay (12/22, Thompson) reports a study found that “people on the verge of type 2 diabetes can cut their risk of death from heart disease by more than 50% if they bring their blood sugar levels back to normal.” According to researchers, “patients with prediabetes reduced their heart risk by up to 58% when they successfully lowered their blood sugar.” They noted the “effect persisted decades after they brought their blood sugar levels back to normal.” Furthermore, “the risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart-related emergencies fell by 42% in people who reversed their prediabetes.” The study was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

01/19/2026

01/18/2026

Physicians defend antidepressant use by pregnant patients
Concerns about the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy were raised at a recent FDA panel, with some members associating the medications with risks such as miscarriage, autism and birth defects, claims labeled as unsubstantiated by prominent medical organizations. Experts point out that SSRIs are among the most well-studied medications in pregnancy, and long-term research has not found evidence of harm to children exposed in utero. Organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine emphasize that SSRIs can be a safe, essential treatment option, especially given the potentially life-threatening consequences of untreated depression.
Full Story: KFF Health News

01/17/2026

People With Moderate Or Severe Chronic Pain Have Reduced Ability To Relax Muscles Compared With Those Reporting Minimal Or No Chronic Pain, Study Finds
HCPlive (12/16, Derman) reports, “A study found that participants with moderate or severe chronic pain had a significantly reduced ability to relax their muscles compared with those reporting minimal or no chronic pain.” The researchers said, “The results of this study may have value for clinical practice by increasing the attention, awareness, and evidence of the ability to relax muscles and highlight that clinical bodily findings among individuals with chronic pain should guide the choice of treatment.” The findings were published in Physiotherapy Research International.