Connect with us

Health

Biden Is Said to Pick Former North Carolina Health Secretary to Lead C.D.C.

Published

on

Biden Is Said to Pick Former North Carolina Health Secretary to Lead C.D.C.

President Biden plans to name Dr. Mandy Cohen, a former North Carolina health secretary who steered her state through the tumultuous first two years of the coronavirus pandemic, as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to two people familiar with the selection process.

The selection of Dr. Cohen, which was first reported by The Washington Post, is not final. The White House is still putting together the necessary paperwork to make the appointment official, according to another person familiar with the selection process. But Dr. Cohen is the leading candidate, this person said.

The White House declined to comment. Dr. Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If chosen by Mr. Biden, Dr. Cohen, an internist, would replace Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, an infectious disease expert who announced last month that she would step down at the end of June. Dr. Walensky led the C.D.C. through difficult times; the agency had grown demoralized under President Donald J. Trump and drew fierce criticism under both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden.

As secretary of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services under Gov. Roy Cooper from 2017 to 2021, Dr. Cohen established herself as a familiar and steady voice who maintained the public’s trust despite deep political divisions, people who worked with her said.

Advertisement

Addressing graduating students at Guilford College in North Carolina last month, Dr. Cohen made trust the theme of her commencement speech. “Change happens at the pace of trust,” she said, adding that while it was possible to motivate people to change their behavior by scaring them, “fear will only get you so far.”

One point in Dr. Cohen’s favor is that, unlike Dr. Walensky, she has previous experience in the federal government. Before becoming North Carolina’s health secretary, she held several posts in the Obama administration, including serving as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dr. Cohen is currently an executive at Aledade, a company that offers support to physicians and community health clinics.

Although Congress passed legislation last year requiring that the C.D.C. director be subject to Senate confirmation, the provision does not take effect until 2025, so Dr. Cohen could begin serving right away.

“Mandy Cohen used a steady hand to help my administration lead North Carolina through the pandemic to be among the states with the lowest deaths and job losses per capita,” Mr. Cooper, a Democrat, said in a statement. “She is a brilliant, talented and battle-tested leader who would be a fantastic C.D.C. director.”

Public health experts who know Dr. Cohen or have worked with her said her experience leading North Carolina’s pandemic response and her years at federal agencies would be a tremendous asset for a C.D.C. director. The C.D.C. has repeatedly come under fire during the pandemic for its muddled messaging, but Dr. Cohen drew praise as a clear communicator.

Advertisement

“North Carolina is a purple state, which is relevant when, you know, we were in a public health emergency that was extremely politicized,” said Dr. Neel Shah, the chief medical officer of Maven Clinic, a digital health care provider, who has known Dr. Cohen since they were both medical residents at Massachusetts General Hospital. He said Dr. Cohen “did an outstanding job of having an impact in that kind of climate.”

In the public health community, Dr. Cohen has a reputation for creating innovative programs, including a workaround to allow state governments to use Medicaid dollars to help low-income people with housing, food security and other needs that can affect their health.

“People talk about North Carolina with a measure of excitement in their voice,” said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, the vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who worked closely with Dr. Cohen when he was Maryland’s health secretary and she was a federal official.

The pandemic revealed a deep rift between public health and medicine, and Dr. Cohen is trying to bridge that divide, in part by having primary care physicians deliver preventive care, Dr. Sharfstein said.

“There’s a lot of opportunity at the intersection of health care and public health, and C.D.C. has not really been able to take advantage of those opportunities,” he said.

Advertisement

Health

The 12 Best Foundations for Mature Skin That Will Cover + Repair Flaws

Published

on

The 12 Best Foundations for Mature Skin That Will Cover + Repair Flaws



Advertisement


Top 12: Best Foundation for Women Over 50 of 2023 – Woman’s World

































Advertisement




Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.

Advertisement


Use escape to exit the menu.

Continue Reading

Health

Ask a doc: ‘What should I know before getting a breast lift?’

Published

on

Ask a doc: ‘What should I know before getting a breast lift?’

A growing number of women are opting to reverse gravity by getting a surgical breast-lift procedure.

The prevalence of breast lifts has risen 70% since 2000 — twice the growth of breast implant surgery, according to new statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

“A breast lift — or ‘mastopexy’ — is a procedure in which excess skin is removed to tighten the breast envelope,” said New York-based plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen in comments to Fox News Digital. 

BBL NOT ALWAYS A-OK: WHY THE BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT IS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST PLASTIC SURGERIES EVER

“This also repositions the breast tissue and the nipple-areolar complex higher on the chest wall.”

Advertisement

Why do women opt for breast lifts?

All women’s breasts change with time and gravity, Chen noted. 

New York-based plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen (shown at left) shares what women should know if they are considering getting a breast lift surgery. (Constance M. Chen/iStock)

“As women get older, it is typical and natural for the skin to lose elasticity and for the breasts to drop,” she said. 

Breastfeeding is the biggest cause of this, she said; but occasionally some women who did not breastfeed may find that their breasts droop over time. 

“Menopause is also a factor, because dense, glandular breast tissue is replaced by fat — and fatty tissue is softer and less firm,” Chen said. 

Advertisement

ARE YOU AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF LIP INJECTIONS?

”If a woman is unhappy about sagging breasts, the only way to fix it is surgery,” the doctor said. “A well-fitted bra can provide support for a better look in clothes, but exercises to firm the underlying chest muscles won’t impact the breast tissue itself.” 

In most cases, a mastopexy will not change the size of the breasts, even though the result may make the breasts appear fuller and rounder, according to Chen. 

Woman with doctor

The prevalence of breast lifts has risen 70% since 2000 — twice the growth of breast implant surgery, according to new statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (iStock)

“In cases where a woman wants larger or smaller breasts, additional procedures such as augmentation or reduction can be done in conjunction with a breast lift,” she said. 

Dr. Brian Reagan of CosmetiCare, who practices in San Diego, California, said many patients come to his practice for lifts after they have children — usually a few months post-breastfeeding.

Advertisement

“The breasts will change for months after breastfeeding, so we want to wait a minimum of three months,” he told Fox News Digital.

Types of breast lifts

There are several different mastopexy procedures depending on the degree of lift needed, Chen advised.

A “crescent lift” is the least invasive procedure. In this case, a crescent of skin at the top of the nipple-areolar complex is removed to improve the position of the nipple, Chen said. 

MALE HEALTH CARE LEADERS COMPLETE ‘SIMULATED BREASTFEEDING CHALLENGE’ AT TEXAS HOSPITAL: ‘HUGE EYE-OPENER’

“The crescent lift is called for when the breasts are basically perky, but the woman wants her nipple-areolar complex adjusted upward slightly,” the doctor noted. 

Advertisement

“In cases where a woman also wants bigger breasts, the crescent lift can be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.”

Woman in mirror

“As women get older, it is typical and natural for the skin to lose elasticity and for the breasts to drop,” said a New York-based plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist (not pictured).  (iStock)

A “Benelli lift” is also used to provide a small lift for barely drooping breasts. 

“Here, a doughnut-shaped incision is made around the nipple-areolar complex, and the skin is tightened,” Chen said. “While this kind of breast lift is less invasive than a full lift, it can have the side effect of flattening the breast. An implant can be used to improve the projection of the breast.”

A “lollipop lift,” or a short-scar vertical mastopexy, is used when the breast tissue itself needs to be positioned higher on the chest wall, the doctor noted. 

ABORTION CHATBOT CHARLEY HELPS WOMEN END THEIR PREGNANCIES: ‘LET’S GET STARTED’

Advertisement

“The short-scar vertical mastopexy refers to the limited scars around the nipple-areolar complex and then vertically to the fold below the breast, which looks like a lollipop,” Chen said. “In this procedure, more breast skin is removed, and the underlying breast tissue is repositioned to significantly change the breast shape and lift it up.” 

Finally, an “anchor lift” — or the traditional Wise-pattern mastopexy — adds a horizontal scar along the crease below the breast to the same scars of the vertical mastopexy, which allows for reshaping and repositioning of the tissue. 

Woman at doctor's office

Every plastic surgery procedure comes with some degree of risk — and breast lifts are no exception, experts say. (iStock)

“This is an older procedure used by older surgeons not trained in the vertical mastopexy, who are particularly prone to using it when there is significant sagging in large breasts,” Chen noted.

The vertical and the Wise-pattern mastopexies are both full breast lifts that are equally effective in creating a perkier, more youthful result, according to Chen. 

PREGNANT WOMAN WITH BRAIN CANCER REFUSES ABORTION: ‘KILLING MY BABY WOULDN’T HAVE SAVED ME’

Advertisement

“The vertical mastopexy is also called the ‘short-scar mastopexy’ because it eliminates the horizontal scar in the inframammary fold,” she said. “It is an improvement on the anchor lift.”

She added, “The full mastopexy is the most commonly performed breast lift, because it is usually the appropriate technique for someone who wants a noticeable change to their breast appearance.”

Risks of breast lifts

Every plastic surgery procedure comes with some degree of risk — and breast lifts are no exception.

Woman with doctor

“The ideal candidate [for a breast lift] is someone who is healthy, has no medical issues and has deflated, droopy breasts,” one expert said.  (iStock)

Reagan said the main risks associated with breast lifts are a decrease in nipple sensation, potential loss of tissue (including the nipple) and poor scarring.

Due to elevated risk, there are certain groups of people who are not good candidates for the procedure, he said.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

He advises against smokers getting a breast lift, for example.

“Actively smoking can cause delayed healing and possible open wounds,” Reagan said. 

He recommends kicking the habit at least six to eight weeks prior to surgery.

Advertisement

People who have existing medical issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are also not good candidates, the doctor warned.

“The ideal candidate is someone who is healthy, has no medical issues and has deflated, droopy breasts,” he said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Continue Reading

Health

Broasted Chicken: All You Need For Crispy-Outside, Juicy-Inside Fried Chicken Is *This* Genius Lid Technique

Published

on

Broasted Chicken: All You Need For Crispy-Outside, Juicy-Inside Fried Chicken Is *This* Genius Lid Technique

When it comes to fried chicken, we’ve heard so many different tricks and family secrets for getting the crunchiest and juiciest bites, from soaking in buttermilk to using a special blend of seasonings. And here’s another twist that recently caught our attention: “broasting.” This method uses pressure cooking and deep-frying to cook every part of the chicken evenly. The result: fried chicken that’s less greasy, yet is still moist and coated in a deliciously crispy crust. It’s the secret behind so many restaurant’s amazing fried chicken, and while traditional broasting uses a one-of-a-kind machine that simultaneously steams and fries, you don’t need an appliance to create broasted-style chicken — simply using a sturdy skillet and lid will do the trick. Here’s the scoop on broasted chicken and an easy recipe to make the next time you’re craving this comfort food classic!

What it means when chicken is “broasted”

Broasting is different from traditional, open pan-frying methods as it involves a special pressure fryer (don’t worry, though, you don’t need this as you’ll learn below). Brian Jupiter, executive chef and owner of the restaurants Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern in Chicago, notes that this machine fries the chicken in a closed environment. This creates steam and pressure that seals in the meat’s juices. It also prevents sudden drops in oil temperature that could cause the chicken to become greasy. “Broasting pressurizes the chamber of frying oil, allowing temperatures to stay consistently high for a certain amount of time,” he explains. “This creates a lighter and even crisper texture on the chicken.”

Jupiter adds that broasting was invented by engineer L.A.M Phelan in the 1950s. He designed equipment that pressure-fried chicken quickly and thoroughly, and his machine was eventually mass-produced specifically for restaurants and fast food chains, where broasting remains a staple method for frying large batches of chicken. But, you don’t need a clunky and pricey broasting machine to achieve the same golden brown and succulent results at home.

How to mimic the broasting method

A key aspect of broasting is steam, which is generated when the fryer is covered and the pressurized settings are applied. Although it’s tricky to create that same level of pressure in a normal skillet, cookbook author Pam Anderson says you can mimic the method with just a lid. The trick: “As soon as I get all my chicken pieces in the skillet, I cover the skillet for the first half of cooking time, then uncover it for the second half.”.The lid traps in moisture and heat to steam the meat while helping maintain a consistent oil temperature. Removing it halfway through lets the skin get nice and crispy.

Food writer and biochemist Shirley Corriher also swears by covering the pan during the first half of the frying process. “Covering the skillet does make a racket, though — it’s the drops of condensed moisture dropping into the oil that create all that carrying-on,” she says. This is why it’s a good idea to have an oil shield like BergKoch’s Splatter Screen (Buy from Amazon, $10.99) handy to prevent grease from splattering and making cleanup more of a hassle.

Advertisement

Hungry for broasted-style chicken? If so, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you!

A delicious broasted-inspired chicken recipe

Our Southern Fried Chicken recipe takes inspiration from the broasting method to create moist dark and white meat. Additionally, this recipe coats the chicken in self-rising flour instead of all-purpose for an even crunchier crust. Clearly, this recipe has all the makings for a finger-licking batch of fried chicken that your crowd will love!

Southern Fried Chicken

Rudisill/Getty

Ingredients:

  • 2 qts. vegetables or canola oil
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • 1 (3 to 4 lb.) chicken, cut into 8 pieces

Directions:

  • Active: 30 mins
  • Total time: 1 hr
  • Yield: 6 servings
  1. In large pot or deep fryer, heat oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking, about 350°F. Place rack over large rimmed baking sheet.
  2. In small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt and pepper. In shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and hot sauce. Spread flour in shallow dish or pie pan.
  3. Heat oven to 200°F. Sprinkle all sides of chicken pieces with garlic mixture; dip each piece into egg mixture, letting excess drip off back into bowl, then coat with flour, shaking off excess.
  4. Place first batch of chicken in skillet, cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes. Remove lid, flip and cook another 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature registers 165ºF. (Check chicken after 5 minutes; if browning too quickly, flip pieces and reduce heat to medium).
  5. Transfer cooked chicken to rack on baking sheet. Place baking sheet in oven to keep warm while frying remaining chicken. Serve with favorite sides and enjoy!

To whip up more hearty classics at home, check out the recipes below:

Loretta Lynn’s Famous Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Is Southern Comfort in a Bowl

Move Over Fudge Sauce — Chocolate Gravy Offers a Taste of True Nostalgia and Comfort

Celebrity Chef Gina Neely’s Secret to Making Okra Less Slimy — Plus 5 Easy Okra Recipes

Advertisement

Woman’s World aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Questions? Reach us at shop@womansworld.com

BOGO Never Felt So Good
Whether you’re looking to sleep better, have less anxiety, get pain relief or simply unwind the mind, these award-winning CBD Gummies from Sky Wellness do just the trick! Available in a variety of flavors, don’t miss this special BOGO offer. Learn more at SkyWellness.com.

Continue Reading

Trending