Morning Read: New diabetes cases have declined significantly
Also, Alphabet has filed for a patent for a laser ablation device to remove surgical tissue through electromagnetic radiation.
CDC study: Lack of coordination among health facilities undermines antibiotic resistance efforts
Nationally, infection reporting is done voluntarily, and many facilities do not do it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has begun fining hospitals with high rates of infections and other incidents of patient harm.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Precision Medicine: 8 must-follow Twitter users (updated)
While it's challenging to keep up to date with all the news in precision medicine, Twitter's a good place to get a constant stream of good information - if you know where to look. These Twitter users know a thing or two about precision medicine.
Severe vision loss and poverty levels correlate down to the county-level in the U.S.
New data highlights the correlation between severe vision loss and poverty.
Sleep schedules and income seem to correlate – but is it the rich or the poor who suffer more from unhealthy patterns?
There is a debate about whether or not income and time spent sleeping are correlated. But despite work conflicts, it's ideal for everyone to get at least 6 hours of shut-eye.
Obama addresses his plan to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Yesterday we discussed the pros and cons of President Obama’s plan to tackle the pressing issue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from critics, which causes 2 million illnesses each year in the United States and 23,000 deaths. Today, the announcement was made officially, and the president has commented on the issue at hand. “There are parts of […]
Using Informed Awareness to Transform Care Coordination and Improve the Clinical and Patient Experience
This eBook, in collaboration with Care Logistics, details how hospitals and health systems can facilitate more effective decision-making by operationalizing elevated awareness.
CDC recognizes digital health platforms that help prevent chronic diseases
The Centers for Disease Control recently acknowledged for the first time three digital health programs for their ability to help counter the onset of Type 2 diabetes, leading to better outcomes and reduced spending. The three digitally-centered programs that were recognized include startups Omada Health and Noom Health, as well as DPS Health, which was […]
Disneyland asked health officials to say park was safe for vaccinated people
Disneyland executives apparently sent emails to California health officials following the measles outbreak urging them to emphasize that the theme park was not responsible for the spread and that vaccinated people are safe to visit, The Associated Press reports. The messages from executives were found in documents obtained by The AP. Disneyland was not trying […]
What are the sources behind Google’s health information effort?
Google shared a few more details on its efforts to bring more accurate, reliable medical information online, detailing some of its main sources and partners. In addition to the Mayo Clinic, other key partners on the effort include Lumiata and VoxHealth. To what extent those two companies are involved is not entirely known, other than […]
It might be wise to graciously decline your kid’s invite to the “measles party”
A parent in California recently had the bright idea that a good way to build measles immunity in kids who haven’t been vaccinated is to have a “measles party.” Although there’s nothing like high fevers and conjunctivitis to spice up a festive gathering, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spoke […]
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A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
The cost of diabetes care has more than doubled in the past two decades
A new study put together by Xiaohui Zhou, a health economist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows that the average cost of managing diabetes is increasing at a startling rate. The increase is due to both an increase in amount of care and increase in the price of drugs. Zhou and […]
Here are the 9 worst states to live in if you have kids
Vaccinations are obviously a hot topic for debate – it’s exhausting. But with the recent measles outbreak at Disneyland, it’s even more clear that this is getting just a bit ridiculous. Parents really want to know who’s vaccinated and who’s not. And families in some states should be a little more concerned than others, according […]
CDC labs will now be monitored with cameras to regain public trust
People make mistakes, sure, but for those handling things like live Ebola and anthrax samples, errors should ideally be kept to a minimum. The public was rightfully concerned recently when an Ebola sample mishap happened in a lab at the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since last June, the agency has also released […]
Increasing numbers of painkiller prescriptions for reproductive-age women could mean more birth defects
These numbers are pretty shocking: New findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that almost a third of women, ages 15 to 55, have filled a prescription for an opioid each year from 2008 to 2012 – most commonly oxycodone, hydrocodone and codeine. The C.D.C. analyzed health insurance claims from both […]
Exposed CDC tech currently showing no signs of Ebola infection
White House Ebola czar Ron Klain spoke out on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday to inform the public that the CDC tech that was exposed to the virus when a sample was mistakenly sent to her part of the lab is doing well for now. “Only one technician was exposed. So far she’s […]