Social connectedness can be beneficial for patients with end-stage kidney disease, according to research published by Tyrone Hamler, an assistant social work professor at the University of Denver, in the American Journal of Kidney Disease. Hamler's recommendations include ramping up efforts to detect loneliness, engaging family caregivers and using technology to minimize isolation.

Digital abuse is a growing form of gender-based violence that often goes unnoticed, writes licensed clinical social worker Chamin Ajjan. Ajjan notes that digital abuse includes actions such as monitoring phones, sharing private information and using GPS to stalk. She emphasizes the need for mental health professionals to recognize and address digital abuse as a serious issue, highlighting its psychological effects and the importance of safety planning in digital spaces.

Mental health challenges are increasingly common in the US, with about 23% of adults living with a mental illness, writes Julie Wolfe, a medical director and psychiatrist. Employers have a legal obligation to accommodate mental health needs under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Wolfe encourages employees to seek accommodations such as flexible scheduling and private workspaces. Wolfe emphasizes the importance of early intervention and suggests that employees identify trusted colleagues or supervisors to discuss their mental health needs.

Adolescents who had poor sleep or disrupted sleep were more likely to attempt suicide years later, according to a study in the journal Sleep Advances that tracked data on more than 8,500 young people. Researchers said sleep problems at age 14 were associated with a greater risk of a suicide attempt at age 17, even after accounting for other suicide risk factors.

US District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. struck down a rule from the Biden administration that expanded antidiscrimination protections to include transgender people with regard to health care. The ruling said the Department of Health and Human Services went beyond its authority by redefining sex discrimination to include gender identity.

The CMS is recalling close to 3,000 furloughed employees to assist with open enrollment for Medicare and Affordable Care Act coverage. The CMS is using research data-sharing user fees to pay employees temporarily, although Congress has not approved back pay for furloughed federal workers. Open enrollment for Medicare began Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7, while open enrollment on the federal health insurance marketplace starts Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 15.

Established companies can ramp up innovation by adopting a nothing-to-lose startup mindset, Bruce Eckfeldt, a strategic coach, writes. He details ways to tease out fresh business approaches from your team using exercises related to six areas, including underserved customer segments, talent poaching and lost operational flexibility.

As AI continues to usurp the intelligence and optimization roles, the business leader must become a gardener who nurtures adaptable, sustainable ecosystems, writes Mark Beliczky, a CEO, board member and leadership advisor. Beliczky explains that a gardener-leader uses the wisdom and context that AI lacks to balance structure with flexibility, prune when necessary and build resilience for long-term value.