🩺 St. Jude is using gamers to raise $50m

Happy Friday! This is Scrubs. The healthcare newsletter that’s like lasagna. We take awhile to make, we have layers, and when you’re finished - you’re always satisfied.

First time reading? Sign up here.

What’s on today’s agenda? Let me show you.

• 🐢 Telehealth use is slowing down

• 🕹 St. Jude is using gamers to raise $50m

• 🧠 On this Day

• 📚 Interesting Reads

• 🚿 Shower Thoughts

🐢 Telehealth Use Is Slowing Down

COVID-19 just fell out of the top 5 telehealth diagnoses in the US. Here’s the state of telehealth in 2023.

Before the pandemic, telehealth was uncommon. Since 2020, its use has increased, and many (if not most) private practices offer the option. However, according to recent data from Fair Health, telehealth use in the US has been on a rollercoaster ride lately.

In February, telehealth use declined across all regions in the US, following an increase in January for the third consecutive month. Interestingly, mental-health conditions took the top spot for telehealth diagnoses, while COVID-19 dropped out of the top five.

Despite the drop in telehealth use and the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Drug Enforcement Agency has extended telemedicine prescribing flexibilities for controlled medication. This is good news for patients who rely on these medications and for telehealth providers who may continue to see a demand for these services.

However, decreasing telehealth use has led to tough times for companies like Amwell, a large telehealth provider based in Boston. They reported a loss of nearly $400 million in Q1 2023.

🕹 St. Jude is using gamers to raise $50m

On May 1st, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital launched its 2023 PLAY LIVE Challenge Season - a gaming event that spreads awareness of child cancer via video game livestreams.

• In the past five years, the gaming community has raised over $13 million for St. Jude

• Branded skateboards and neon signs are up for grabs to the creators who get the most donations

• In May 2021, Twitch.tv creators raised over $4 million in one month

• The program launched in 2014 and is quickly gaining popularity

🧠 On this Day (May 5th)

• In 1260, Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, became the ruler of the Mongol Empire

• In 1893, the Panic of 1893 caused a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange

• In 1921, Coco Chanel released their signature perfume - Chanel No.5

• In 1965, the first large-scale US Army ground units arrive in South Vietnam

Source

📚 Interesting Reads

• Ted Lasso gets a psych evaluation

• Podcasts: the news channel of the future

🚿 Shower Thoughts

• Handwritten assignments and in person tests may become the norm again because of AI. Source

• All Voldemort needed to do to track Harry down was address a letter to him, give it to an owl, and follow the owl on broomstick. Source

• Eventually all 1 dollar things will disappear due to inflation. Source

• Rice is perfectly acceptable in a tortilla but never in a sandwich. Source

😆 Funnybone

That’s a wrap for today! If you enjoyed this edition of Scrubs, make sure you tell a friend. Try out the new referral feature below!

All you have to do is click the button or copy the link provided and text or email it to friends, family, or even a colleague.

See you Monday,

Scrubs Squad

Do you have feedback? Send me a response to this email - I want to hear from you!