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Share on Pinterest The number of people dealing multiple chronic conditions is on the rise in the U.S.Hero Images Inc/Getty ImagesA study has found that adults in the U.S. are increasingly dealing with multiple chronic conditions.These cardiac, renal, and metabolic conditions include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.These conditions are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, and are estimated to account for every 1 in 3 deaths.

A new study found that the number of Americans with multiple cardiac, renal, and metabolic conditions is rising.

Approximately one in four adults have a cardiac, renal, or metabolic conditions condition and nearly 1 in 10 have multiple cardiac, renal, or metabolic conditions, according to the report, which published in JAMA Cardiology on September 27.

The risk of also increased with ageone in three adults 65 and older had a cardiac, renal, or metabolic condition, while almost 1 in 4 had overlapping conditions.

These conditions are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and are estimated to account for every 1 in 3 deaths, according to study authors.

We have medications to treat the underlying mechanisms that contribute to co-existing cardiac, renal, and metabolic (CRM) conditions, however, they arent being prescribed or taken nearly as frequently as they should be.

The new report sheds light on how significantly the incidence of these conditions has grown over the past two decades along with the urgent need to address the situation.

The findings are doubly concerning as they demonstrate both an increase in the prevalence of cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease and concurrent high levels of undertreatment, Dr. Dmitriy Nevelev, Associate Director of Cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital, told Healthline. Nevelev wasnt involved in the study. Chronic conditions have become much more common since 1999

To determine the prevalence of CRM conditions in the U.S., the researchers evaluated health data from January 2015 through March 2020 sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

They compared those trends against NHANES health data collected between 1999 and 2002.

The analysis included 11,607 non-pregnant adults aged 20 and over.

Of the data pooled from 2015 to 2020, 26.3% had at least 1 CRM condition, 8% had at least two, and 1.5% had three CRM conditions.

The most common comorbid conditions were type 2 diabetes plus chronic kidney disease (3.2%), followed by cardiovascular disease plus type 2 diabetes (1.7%) and cardiovascular disease plus chronic kidney disease (1.6%).

The burden was greatest among non-hispanic Black individuals along with people who reported they were unemployed, of low socioeconomic status, or had no high school degree.

Disparities in access to healthcare services can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment of cardiac, renal, and metabolic conditions, leading to worse outcomes, said Dr. David Cutler, board certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Cutler was not involved in the study.

Of those with three CRM conditions, roughly one-third (30.5%) did not report statin use, only 4.8% used medication common for weight loss and diabetes called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1 agonists.) Additionally only 3% took medication commonly used to treat high blood sugar called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2).

Newer medications like GLP1 agonists for example, semaglutide and SGLT2 inhibitors which have been found to improve these conditions are very expensive and were found to be prescribed at a very low rate in this study, says Cutler.

The proportion of U.S. adults with multiple CRM conditions has grown significantly over the past few decades from 5.3% in 1999 to 8% in 2020.

The proportion of Americans with three CRM conditions also grew, from 0.7% in 1999 to 1.5% in 2020. How to combat the rising prevalence of multiple CRM conditions

Research shows that heart, kidney, and metabolic functions are intertwined and share the same risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, blood sugar that is too high or low, and cholesterol imbalance.

Diet and lack of physical activity can contribute to metabolic disorders and obesity, says Cutler.

Genetics, age, and access to healthcare play a role, too.

In addition, stress can affect health behaviors and contribute to the development of these conditions, he added.

The report says that issues with one body system may lead to dysfunction of others and the development of multiple morbidities.

Fortunately, we can use the common link between these conditions to personalize treatment and prevent their onset, says Nevelev.

There are drugs that target the underlying pathways involved in the development of comorbidities, such a SGLT2 inhibitors, and may help lower the prevalence of multiple conditions, however, they are being prescribed at a low rate.

Several factors are at play, including insurance coverage and the associated insurance authorizations burden, overall cost to the patient, prescriber comfort in using newer medications, fear of medication side effects, and in the case of GLP-1 antagonists availability, says Nevelev.

The rising prevalence of multiple conditions are expected to accelerate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We now have good data demonstrating pandemic-related decreases in physical activity and increases in sedentary activity and weight gain, he said.

The findings highlight the need to improve the situation and promote public health efforts, such as promoting healthy lifestyles, improving access to healthcare, and raising awareness about risk factors and early detection.

We have the tools to lower rates of these diseases. We have to make better use of them, says Cutler. The bottom line:

A new study found that the number of adults in the U.S. with multiple cardiac, renal, and metabolic (CRM) conditions is rising. There are medications to treat the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these co-existing conditions. However, they arent being prescribed or taken as frequently as they should be. The research sheds light on the urgent need to address the situation, ideally through awareness, screening, and improved access to healthcare.

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Trump nominates a Tesla critic to lead NHTSA

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Trump nominates a Tesla critic to lead NHTSA

President Trump has nominated Jonathan Morrison to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Morrison has previously criticized and tussled with Tesla in his previous role at NHTSA.

Morrison is now Trump’s nominee to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is in charge of regulating the auto industry in the US.

The attorney was the agency’s Chief Counsel during Trump’s first term, and he had a few disputes with Tesla during that time.

In September 2018, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its Tesla Model 3 crash test results, and the EV got five-star safety ratings in every category.

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Tesla interpreted the data from the test and claimed that Model 3 achieved “the lowest probability of injury of any vehicle ever tested by NHTSA“.

Morrison sent Tesla a cease-and-desist letter over the claim, arguing that it was misleading.

The lawyers also subpoenaed Tesla to get data about a specific crash in 2019.

Next week, Morrison is expected to have his confirmation hearing in the Senate and could take up his role shortly after.

The nomination is significant in the context of the current feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Trump.

Musk has been criticizing Trump and his allies over their recently passed budget and tax bill, which is expected to significantly increase the federal government’s debt and eliminate virtually all subsidies to electric vehicles and renewable energy, potentially harming Tesla.

Trump has warned Musk that he could go directly after his companies and NHTSA would be the top vehicle for that when it comes to Tesla.

The agency had already launched several investigations into Tesla over the years, with the largest one examining Tesla’s Full Self-Driving program and several fatal crashes related to the ADAS system.

Electrek’s Take

Most NHTSA probes into Tesla have resulted in slaps on the wrist at best, but this FSD probe involves several fatal crashes, and even though it started under the Biden administration, it could potentially ramp up under Trump, especially amid his feud with Musk.

On the one hand, it’s disheartening to see the US reach this point, where feuds between billionaires and elected officials are settled through regulatory agencies. Still, at the same time, Musk did buy the election for Trump, so he created this situation in the first place, and there are serious concerns about how safe FSD is.

At the very least, I would hope that NHTSA will start to force Tesla to release all its FSD crash and disengagement data.

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A 25 mph ambulance? The GEM microcar is now an emergency responder

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A 25 mph ambulance? The GEM microcar is now an emergency responder

You might remember the GEM as a quirky little electric microcar that’s been cruising through campuses, resorts, and planned communities for years. But now, it’s taking on a more serious job – saving lives. Waev Inc., the maker behind the long-running GEM electric vehicle line, has just unveiled the GEM Ambulance, a purpose-built, all-electric, street-legal low-speed vehicle (LSV) designed specifically for emergency medical services.

While it might not replace a full-size ambulance on high-speed highways, this new electric responder is tailor-made for the dense environments where conventional ambulances often struggle: college campuses, sporting events, entertainment venues, airports, and more. With a top speed of 25 mph, it’s built for maneuverability, safety, and zero-emission performance in pedestrian-heavy areas.

“The GEM Ambulance fills a critical gap in medical response – delivering the ideal balance of agility and safety EMS teams need in crowded settings,” said Byron Dudley, Vice President at Waev Inc.

The new GEM Ambulance is built on the same proven electric platform that has powered GEM vehicles for over 25 years. It’s a highly refined LSV that combines practical engineering with professional-grade EMS functionality. In partnership with emergency equipment supplier QTAC, Waev integrated a skid-mounted EMS system that includes secure patient transport, attendant seating, optional oxygen and IV mounts, and rugged PolyTough™ construction designed to handle demanding conditions.

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Unlike golf carts or UTV-based setups that have been DIYed into emergency vehicles, the GEM Ambulance offers a more stable, comfortable, and professional platform. The EMS skid is positioned between the wheels for better weight distribution, and the vehicle’s low deck height and rear step-up provide easy access for patients and personnel alike.

The GEM Ambulance doesn’t skimp on emergency essentials either. It’s equipped with a 360-degree red emergency lighting system, an SAE Class 1-compliant siren with multiple sound patterns, a public address system, turn signals, LED headlights and taillights, and even a pedestrian noise emitter for quiet zones. A backup camera and full 360° sightlines give drivers added confidence when navigating tight environments.

And since it’s 100% electric, there’s no tailpipe emissions to worry about when operating indoors or in crowded spaces. Maintenance is minimal thanks to GEM’s maintenance-free batteries, regenerative braking, and corrosion-resistant aluminum frame. There’s even a seven-year warranty on the lithium-ion battery option.

The biggest surprise might be the price. According to Waev, the GEM Ambulance can cost up to 80% less than a traditional ambulance and 50% less than electric trucks or UTV-based alternatives. Plus, with operating costs of just $0.03 per mile, it promises long-term savings with no fuel, no fluids, and no downtime from engine servicing.

With applications ranging from college campuses and amusement parks to military installations and warehouse sites, the GEM Ambulance could be a game-changer for localized EMS response. It’s available now through GEM’s nationwide dealer network and can also be purchased through government contracts like Sourcewell, Texas BuyBoard, and GSA procurement channels.

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Technology

Microsoft Outlook hit with hours-long outage

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Microsoft Outlook hit with hours-long outage

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Microsoft‘s Outlook email service malfunctioned for several hours Wednesday and Thursday, prompting some people to post on social media about the inability to reach their virtual mailboxes.

The issue began at 6:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, according to a dashboard the software company maintains. It affected Outlook.com as well as Outlook mobile apps and desktop programs.

At 12:21 ET the Microsoft 365 Status account posted that it was rolling out a fix.

“Our configuration changes have effectively resolved impact in targeted infrastructure. We’re now deploying the changes worldwide to resolve impact for all users,” Microsoft said in an X post on Thursday afternoon.

The company’s status page said “most impacted users will experience relief within the next two hours,” and that it was continuing to monitor the service.

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On social media, some people reported that Outlook was functioning properly after hours of users posting about problems.

Some posts included screenshots of Outlook that said “something went wrong.” 

With hundreds of millions of active users, Outlook is important, although Apple and Google‘s email clients are more popular, according to data from analytics company Litmus

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