Good morning! In today's issue, we examine some of the advantages and challenges presented by the use of telehealth in primary care practices. A study in Israel found that while telehealth offers many benefits, using the technology may actually consume more of a physician's time than in-person visits do.

To weigh in about telehealth's impact on your own practice workload, take part in our SmartBrief Reader Poll below. Results will be shared next Wednesday.

The Pan American Health Organization reports a significant measles surge in the Americas, with over 10,000 cases and 18 deaths across 10 countries, marking a 34-fold increase from last year. The outbreaks are largely attributed to low vaccination rates, with 89% of cases in unvaccinated individuals. Canada, Mexico and the US are the most affected. PAHO urges enhanced vaccination efforts to prevent losing measles elimination status, a concern as the virus circulates globally.

A study in South Korea found that irregular and prolonged sleep patterns are associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. The study, which used information from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study, categorized participants by sleep duration and found that those sleeping more than eight hours had a higher risk of mortality compared with those sleeping seven to eight hours.

A study to be presented next month at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting found that more than 75% of people who were at risk for type 2 diabetes lived with another person who had diabetes or carried risk factors for it. Researchers noted that almost 30,000 adults with T2D lived in the same household as an adult with prediabetes.

A study in JAMA Network Open said that exclusive breastfeeding, for the first 4 to 6 months of an infant's life, was associated with a lower risk of central precocious puberty in boys and girls. The risk of early puberty was higher in children who were formula-fed or mixed-fed, with prepubertal adiposity mediating part of the association.

Biologists are conducting tick surveys in Montana to track the movement of species as climate change shortens winters. They recently found deer ticks in northeastern Montana for the first time, raising concerns about Lyme disease. However, funding for such efforts is not always adequate. "The more we know about what's in Montana, the better we can inform our physicians, the better care you can receive," said Devon Cozart of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Teenagers with food allergies experience significant social discomfort, particularly those with multiple allergies, according to a study in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. The study found that 35% of teens with food allergies fear dining with adults other than their parents, and many are anxious about eating at school or camp, highlighting the need for mental health support and coping strategies in allergy management.

Barriers including insufficient pharmacy stock, pharmacist hesitance to fill telemedicine orders and insurance coverage issues led to missed doses of buprenorphine for nearly 32% of patients with opioid use disorder receiving care via telehealth, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found that 54.5% of fill problems were due to insufficient stock at pharmacies, and policy changes such as minimum stocking requirements could help address the issue.