Access Family Medicine Dr. Tamara Powell MD

03/14/2026

Go for a walk! Replacing TV with activity may lead to lower depression risk.

A study involving over 65,000 adults found that replacing 60 minutes of TV watching with physical activity was associated with an 11% reduction in risk of depression. Researchers reported in the journal European Psychiatry that the benefits were greater for middle-aged adults, with a nearly 19% reduction in risk.
Full Story: HealthDay News

03/13/2026

Low-fat, low-carb diets can both be heart healthy
A long-term, observational study of nearly 200,000 adults published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggested that both low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease if they emphasize plant-based foods, whole grains and unsaturated fats. "It's the quality of your diet that matters," said researcher Dr. Qi Sun of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Full Story: NBC News

03/12/2026

Study: Intermittent fasting may not help with weight loss
Intermittent fasting may not significantly aid weight loss or improve quality of life for overweight or obese individuals, according to a review of 22 studies involving close to 2,000 adults. The research, led by investigators at the Universidad Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, found that intermittent fasting provided little benefit compared with traditional dietary advice or no advice. However, the review suggests that intermittent fasting might improve health in other ways by influencing certain bodily functions.
Full Story: BBC

03/11/2026

GLP-1s linked to improved outcomes for patients with IBD
A study presented at the Crohn's & Colitis Congress found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with improved outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including reduced corticosteroid use, hospitalizations and mortality. "While they are not IBD-directed therapies, if future prospective and mechanistic studies confirm a true anti-inflammatory effect, they have the potential to serve as valuable adjunctive therapies, particularly in those with comorbid obesity and cardiometabolic conditions," Mayo Clinic researcher Dr. Amanda Johnson said.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (

03/10/2026

Yay for Primary Care!

Primary care use linked to less spending for chronic disease
Consistent access to primary care leads to meaningful reductions in hospitalizations and health care costs for adults with chronic disease, according to the 2026 Primary Care Scorecard. Adults with a regular source of care experienced 20% lower hospitalization rates and incurred 54% lower total costs.
Full Story: Patient Care

03/09/2026

Experimental drug may help prevent second strokes

Factor XIa inhibitor asundexian, manufactured by Bayer, was found in a trial to reduce patients' secondary stroke risk by 26% without increasing bleeding risk. Results were outlined at the International Stroke Conference. Researcher Dr. Ashkan Shoamanesh said the findings "provide confidence that, if approved, asundexian could become an important option for secondary stroke prevention across a broad range of stroke patients.”
Full Story: MedCity News

03/08/2026

ACP: Physicians should not be referred to as "providers"
An American College of Physicians position paper addresses the use of the term "provider" to refer to physicians, noting that it fails to reflect their professional position, clinical integrity and ethics. The authors recommend the use of "clinicians" or "health care professionals" instead to describe people with varied credentials. “We are learned, educated professionals who give our intellectual property, our thought and our cognitive abilities to counsel, advise and treat patients. We have an ethical standard and a code of conduct. There is a big difference between a provider and a professional," noted ACP President Dr. Jason Goldman.
Full Story: Healio (free registration)/HemOnc Today

03/07/2026

Most of the side effects listed for statins are not acctually secondary to the medication.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-statins-really-cause-memory-loss-and-weight-gain-new-evidence-says-no

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

Limiting the number of vaccines doesn't just affect the vaccine schedule.

Relaxed vaccine mandates may lead to fewer children receiving routine checkups with a physician, as these requirements traditionally prompt parents to engage in their children's health care. Physicians warn that more children may miss essential visits, delaying diagnosis and treatment of issues beyond vaccine-preventable diseases and increasing public health risks.
Full Story: The Hechinger Report

03/05/2026

Survey: Most people want to ensure vaccine access in US
A survey from the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease found that 90% of Americans want policymakers to ensure access to vaccines, while 91% want the US to maintain its leadership in medical progress. The survey of 1,013 voters nationwide found 92% want policymakers to protect access to and continued health insurance coverage of vaccines. A Research!America survey found 91% of people believe the US must be a global leader in science and technology.
Full Story: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy

03/04/2026

Study finds many US baby foods are ultraprocessed
A study in the journal Nutrients found that a large percentage of baby foods in the US are highly processed and contain additives associated with potential health harms including inflammation and gut microbiome disruption. The study, conducted by Elizabeth Dunford of UNC Chapel Hill, examined 651 baby foods and found that the top ingredients in most were additives rather than fruits or vegetables. The Consumer Brands Association says there is no current scientific definition of ultraprocessed foods and that manufacturers are adhering to FDA safety standards.
Full Story: CNN