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Your dog is probably on Prozac. What that says about the U.S. mental health crisis

April 6, 2024

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Your dog is probably on Prozac. Experts say that says more about the American mental health crisis than pets

Prozac prescriptions for dogs are on the rise, veterinarians across the country acknowledge, along with a myriad of cheaper generic mood stabilizers sold for humans but applied to pets' separation anxiety, socialization fears, biting habits, or other problematic behavior. Read more.

By Sarah Owermohle



DNA strand illustrated with yellow and red pills against a green background.Molly Ferguson for STAT

DNA test that predicts opioid addiction should be pulled off the market, critics urge the FDA

Last December, the FDA approved a DNA test to help guide physicians' opioid-prescribing decisions. But as the test maker prepares to roll it out this week, prominent geneticists, public health researchers, and experts in addiction and device regulation are calling on the FDA to reverse itself and take AvertD off the market, saying that the test lacks a firm scientific foundation. Read more.

By Megan Molteni


Website of an app claiming to detect STIs from penis pictures.STAT

This AI company scans penis pictures for STIs. Its unproven tech is in an FDA gray zone

Artificial intelligence is already assessing decay in your teeth, abnormalities in your heart rhythm, and suspicious spots on your skin. Now, at least one company is betting that you will let it take a look at your penis. HeHealth claims that its AI model can detect a range of sexually transmitted infections from a single snapshot of one's genitals. Read more.

By Lizzy Lawrence


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