Atkinson Family Practice

02/26/2026

Come check the Lost and Found before we donate it

02/26/2026

Everyone loves Stella

02/25/2026

Dr Kate is in the news again fighting for our patients

Health insurers and providers are debating the proposed prior authorization reforms, with insurers warning of increased costs and providers citing administrative burdens and negative patient outcomes.

02/24/2026

We are seeing this also

Rising demand for menopause care strains supply of prescription estradiol patches across U.S.
CNN (2/23, Howard) reports that “for many women in the United States who encounter...menopause-related symptoms, small estradiol patches have become a steady source of relief.” But, “that relief is becoming harder to find – and doctors” are bracing “themselves for potentially more shortages to come.” Manufacturers cite “a rise in demand, driven by a greater awareness of menopause care and recent action by federal regulators to clarify the risks versus benefits of hormone therapies.” According to CNN, “estrogen patches are available through a doctor’s prescription only.” But recently, “some prescriptions are taking longer to fill as supplies run low.” This month, the FDA “formally approved changing the drug labels for menopausal hormone therapy products, including estrogen therapies.” The updates include “removing the long-standing ‘boxed warning’ that highlighted risks such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and probable dementia.”

02/24/2026

Older Women With Greater Muscle Strength Have Lower Risk Of Death, Study Suggests

a study found that “older women with greater strength had a significantly lower risk of death during an eight-year follow-up.” For the study, researchers “measured women’s grip strength and ability to rise from a seated to standing position – two tests commonly used to determine seniors’ strength levels. Women had a 12% lower death rate for every 15 additional pounds of grip strength they exhibited during testing, researchers found. Likewise, they had a 4% lower death rate for every 6 seconds faster they could complete five sit-to-stand chair raises, results showed.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

This cohort study evaluates associations between muscular strength and mortality in women aged 63 to 99 years accounting for accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior, systemic inflammation, and other markers of aging.

02/24/2026

Adolescent Cannabis Use Linked To Increased Risk Of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depression And Anxiety Disorders, Study Suggests

a study suggests that “teens who use w**d are twice as likely to develop psychotic or bipolar disorders,” and are also “more likely to have depression and anxiety.” Researchers stated in background notes that “more than 10% of 12- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. have used w**d within the past year,” and that “by their senior year in high school, about 26% of U.S. teenagers have tried it.” Furthermore, “today’s w**d has THC levels that exceed 20%, far higher than in previous decades.” For the study, “researchers analyzed health records of more than 463,000 teens aged 13 to 17 who were screened for past-year w**d use at Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2016 and 2023.” Tracking the teens through age 26, researchers observed “that w**d use was associated with a doubled risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders; a 34% increased risk of depression; and a 24% increased risk of anxiety.” The study was published in JAMA Health Forum.

This cohort study assesses the association of past-year cannabis use by adolescents with the risk of incident psychiatric, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders by age 26 years.

02/24/2026

Drop by AFP NOHO sometime to see this beautiful handmade quilt. See how many dragonflies you can count on it

02/23/2026

Hope you had an enjoyable snowday.
Tomorrow AFP plans to resume normal hours in both offices

02/22/2026

Cami and Suzie are dismayed to hear that both the AFP offices will be physically closed tomorrow.

But dont worry—Providers will be offering Televisits as possible from 1-5 pm tomorrow. If you need an appt send a Portal message to Dr Kate or leave a voicemail at the office.
The Behavioral Health team will be seeing all of their patients remotely.

Stay safe and warm and the therapy dogs will be back to visit you in the office later this week

***As always PEAP clients can message Dr Kate directly***

02/21/2026

Come check out our Lost and found ASAP.
In 2 weeks we will be donating them

02/20/2026

Haiying giving Dr Kate an acupuncture treatment for her sinuses

02/20/2026

National dress comfy day!!