Weekly Dose Podcast: Global Diabetes Gaps, Declining Salt Substitute Use, Flu Vaccine Safety, Vaginal Estradiol, and Preconception CT Risks

The newest episode of the Weekly Dose Podcast from Patient Care^® offers a concise roundup of 5 major clinical updates for primary care physicians, spanning endocrinology, cardiovascular health, and women’s health.

The episode begins with findings from a global analysis of diabetes care, which reveal that only about one in five individuals with diabetes worldwide achieve optimal blood glucose control. While diagnosis and treatment rates have improved, gaps remain—especially in low-income regions—underscoring the need for greater capacity in detection and management.

Next, long-term US data show that fewer than 6% of adults report using salt substitutes, and usage has declined in recent years despite potential benefits for hypertension control. Among adults with treated hypertension, prevalence rarely exceeded 10%, highlighting an underused dietary strategy for blood pressure management.

Vaccine safety research brought encouraging results from a large randomized analysis comparing high-dose and standard-dose influenza vaccines in older adults. Rates of myocarditis and pericarditis were lower among those who received the high-dose formulation, supporting its favorable safety profile.

In women’s health, two new studies provided important reassurance and caution. A population-based study found no link between vaginal estradiol use and recurrent ischemic stroke in women with a prior stroke, suggesting the therapy can be safely considered in symptom management. Another large analysis showed that women exposed to CT imaging before conception had a slightly higher risk of pregnancy loss and congenital anomalies, with risk increasing alongside the number of scans—findings that warrant thoughtful imaging choices for patients planning pregnancy.

The stories featured in this episode are further detailed here:

• Approximately Half of People with Diabetes Worldwide Do Not Know They Have the Disease: GBD Analysis
• Prior CT Scans Found Linked With Higher Risk of Pregnancy Loss and Birth Defects
• Salt Substitute Use Remains Rare Among US Adults With Hypertension, Two-Decade Survey Finds
• High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Reduces Risk of Myocarditis and Pericarditis in Older Adults
• Vaginal Estradiol Not Linked to Recurrent Ischemic Stroke in Women With Prior Stroke

Click here to subscribe to the Weekly Dose podcast for more updates and news. Be sure to leave a rating and review for the show. Thanks for listening!

Hoping to listen on your favorite podcast app? See below:

• Click here for Apple Podcasts
• Click here for Spotify
• Click here for Amazon Music