aportes a la gestión necesaria para la sustentabilidad de la SALUD PÚBLICA como figura esencial de los servicios sociales básicos para la sociedad humana, para la familia y para la persona como individuo que participa de la vida ciudadana.
domingo, 31 de agosto de 2025
sábado, 30 de agosto de 2025
viernes, 29 de agosto de 2025
Hypertension and Diabetes Grows Among India’s Poor Communities By Rina Mukherji Copyright © 2025 IPS-Inter Press Service.
https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/08/hypertension-and-diabetes-grows-among-indias-poor-communities/?utm_source=email_marketing&utm_admin=146128&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Rare_Earths_a_New_Technological_and_Industrial_Dream_in_Brazil_UN_Reforms_Include_Painful_Staff_Redu
MANN, India, Aug 26 2025 (IPS) - Generally thought to be diseases of the wealthier classes, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and diabetes are on the rise among India’s underprivileged working classes in semi-urban and rural sprawls.
Copyright © 2025 IPS-Inter Press Service.
FDA to Recommend Additional, Earlier Monitoring for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Taking Leqembi (lecanemab)
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-recommend-additional-earlier-mri-monitoring-patients-alzheimers-disease-taking-leqembi-lecanemab?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA to Recommend Additional, Earlier Monitoring for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Taking Leqembi (lecanemab)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending an additional, earlier magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring prior to the 3rd infusion for patients with Alzheimer’s disease taking Leqembi (lecanemab). The earlier monitoring can identify individuals with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with edema (ARIA-E), which is characterized by brain swelling or fluid buildup. ARIA-E is usually asymptomatic, although serious and life-threatening events, including seizure and status epilepticus, can occur and there have been deaths.
The Alzheimer’s disease community has been aware of ARIA-E associated with Leqembi, and current prescribing information recommends MRI imaging before the 5th, 7th, and 14th infusions. However, after an in-depth analysis of this safety issue, the Agency has determined that an additional monitoring MRI prior to the 3rd infusion can potentially help identify ARIA-E events earlier.
ARIA-E can progress after initial detection on MRI. Identifying patients with ARIA-E can lead health care professionals, patients, and their families to delay or discontinue Leqembi treatment to potentially mitigate these serious and, in some cases, fatal events.
Tolerating cardiovascular health disparities is a failure of science and society The Lancet Regional Health – Europe + +...
Inequalities and Disparities in Cardiovascular Health
https://www.thelancet.com/series-do/inequalities-disparities-cvd?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_feature_lanepecardiohealth25
Executive summary
Despite well-established health-care systems in many high-income and middle-income regions, persistent gaps in representation, access, and care continue to undermine equity in cardiovascular health, resulting in disproportionate disease burden and disparities in outcomes. This Series examines the structural and systemic drivers of disparities affecting four populations at high risk: women, racial and ethnic minorities, older adults, and individuals with mental health conditions. Each paper in this Series synthesises current evidence and proposes actionable, evidence-based strategies to promote equity in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular diseases. Tackling these disparities requires an intersectional, inclusive, and patient-centred approach that addresses sex, race, age, mental health, and socioeconomic determinants across clinical and public health systems.
Evidence-based Practice Centers
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/about/epc
AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center Program Grand Rounds Series
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/about/webinars
Scientific Resource Center
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/about/src
AHRQ EPC Grand Rounds
You are invited to attend the upcoming session of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program Grand Rounds series. Hosted virtually by AcademyHealth and AHRQ’s Scientific Resource Center, the Grand Rounds series highlights the work of the EPC Program, which promotes and facilitates the use of evidence in health care decisions.
The session on September 8, from 1 p.m.—3 p.m. ET will focus on the following three EPC reports about nutrition, with the goal of expanding awareness and implementation of their findings.
Digestible Carbohydrate Intake and Maternal-Infant Outcomes: A Systematic Review
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/carbohydrate-intake/research
Evaluation of Dietary Protein and Amino Acid Requirements: A Systematic Review
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/dietary-protein-intake/research
Association of Digestible Carbohydrate Intake With Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Body Composition
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/effect-dietary-digestible/research
AHRQ EPC Program Grand Rounds - Nutrition
September 8, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT at WebEx Meeting Link: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=m0887b8479765a53203987977e9d01b69 Meeting Number: 2820 130 1462 Password: aiXyuK983s@
https://cma.ahrq.gov/cma/welcome.jsp?code=nutrition
Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Pain Management in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/peripheral-nerve-blocks/research
Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Pain Management in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review
(Systematic Review, released on August 15, 2025)
The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness and harms of peripheral nerve blocks for pain management, including minimizing opioid consumption in cardiothoracic surgeries to inform clinical decision-making and guideline development for postoperative pain management in adults.
Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain
Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain: IntroductionIn an effort to address the opioid epidemic, a prominent goal of current research is to identify alternative treatments with equal or better benefits for pain while avoiding potential unintended consequences that could result in harms.
Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain
(Systematic Review Update, released on August 4, 2025)
The objective of this review is to update the evidence on benefits and harms of cannabinoids and other plant-based compounds to treat subacute and chronic pain in adults and adolescents using a living systematic review approach.
Dietary Total Fat Intake and Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Child Growth and Development Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Dietary Total Fat Intake and Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Child Growth and Development Outcomes: A Systematic Review: The goal of this systematic review is to identify peer-reviewed, published research available since the last joint DRI for macronutrients guidelines were established regarding effects of total fat and PUFAs on birth outcomes, growth and development, and neurocognitive outcomes in generally healthy populations at different life stages. This review will enable the alignment of dietary recommendations with the most current and comprehensive evidence, ensuring that current recommendations lead to health and lifestyle behaviors that enhance pregnancy outcomes and optimize offspring physical growth and cognitive development from conception through adolescence, promoting long-term health and wellbeing.
Dietary Total Fat Intake and Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Child Growth and Development Outcomes: A Systematic Review
(Available for comment until September 29, 2025)
To support possible updates and expansion the 2005 U.S.-Canadian Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), this systematic review was designed to identify and summarize the evidence on the relationships between:
Consumption of omega-6 and/or omega-3 (n-6 and n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth
Intake during pregnancy and/or lactation and infant and child growth and development, and
Intake of total fat or n-6 and/or n-3 PUFA by children between birth through 18 years of age and growth and developmental outcomes.
Charting the Course for Metastatic Breast Cancer Care Optimizing First-Line Treatment and Beyond CPD Friday, 17 October 2025 | 10:15 - 11:45 CEST HEIDELBERG AUDITORIUM, HALL 6.2, MESSE BERLIN, BERLIN, GERMANY
https://events.medscapelive.org/website/88295/
Navigate recent shifts in the landscape of metastatic breast cancer (mBC) alongside top international experts with this symposium designed to transform your clinical practice. This session will uncover the latest clinical data supporting novel and emerging treatment strategies, with a special focus on hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-negative and HER2-positive disease subtypes.
Through a combination of expert-to-expert debate, interactive sessions and panel discussions, you will gain in-depth insights on key topics such as expanding first-line treatment options for HR-positive mBC and groundbreaking advances in HER2-targeting. Leave this session with the know-how to chart a sturdier course around increasingly complex treatment algorithms, along with greater overall confidence in best practices for mBC management. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to enhance your clinical competence and optimize outcomes for patients living with mBC.
https://events.medscapelive.org/website/88295/
Making Patient Apps Interoperable With the Health IT Ecosystem
Making Patient Apps Interoperable With the Health IT Ecosystem
June 25, 2025
This resource for app developers explains considerations for developing patient-facing applications (apps) that are interoperable with clinical health information technology (IT) systems, including electronic health records (EHRs). It also provides examples of apps and the standards they use.
https://cdsic.ahrq.gov/cdsic/patient-app-topic-highlight?utm_source=August2025Newsletter&utm_medium=EmailNewsletter&utm_campaign=AugNewsletter2
The Clinical Decision Support Innovation Collaborative (CDSiC) aims to produce resources to advance the development of patient-centered clinical decision support (PC CDS) tools that can help patients make informed decisions with their care teams that align with their specific needs, preferences, and values.
https://cdsic.ahrq.gov/cdsic/resources?f%5B0%5D=cdsic_tag%3A147900
Framework and Inventory of Patient Engagement Measures for PC CDS
Framework and Inventory of Patient Engagement Measures for PC CDS
August 15, 2025
This report introduces a first of its kind framework and inventory of measures that assess patient engagement throughout the patient-centered clinical decision support (PC CDS) lifecycle.
https://cdsic.ahrq.gov/cdsic/patient-engagement-measurements-inventory?utm_source=August2025Newsletter&utm_medium=EmailNewsletter&utm_campaign=AugNewsletter1
jueves, 28 de agosto de 2025
Better Prompting May Help Reduce AI Hallucinations, False Vaccine Claims Spread, and Industrial Solvent Promoted as Hidden Cancer Cure Irving Washington , Hagere Yilma , and Joel Luther
https://www.kff.org/health-information-trust/better-prompting-may-help-reduce-ai-hallucinations-false-vaccine-claims-spread-and-industrial-solvent-promoted-as-hidden-cancer-cure/?utm_campaign=KFF-Misinformation-Trust&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--bg2Uqx2Sm-3jxZxPtZKxbm7lH-Ofne7nFNYFoKMF3WucPojSzqGr3BfPyT3vQOOCu1oP_IFCcdWnxd3N755G8qPcOvg&_hsmi=377684371&utm_content=377684371&utm_source=hs_email
This volume highlights new research showing that certain prompting techniques can help reduce the risk of AI chatbots amplifying false medical information when users include fabricated terms in their queries. It also examines false claims linking vaccines to sudden infant death syndrome and the promotion of the industrial solvent dimethyl sulfoxide as an allegedly suppressed cancer cure despite a lack of clinical evidence. Lastly, it explores misunderstandings among first responders about the risks of overdose from fentanyl exposure and ongoing myths about sunscreen safety.
AHRQ in the Professional Literature ++++++++
AHRQ in the Professional Literature
Feasibility and acceptability of an adapted evidence-based team training approach from health care to the early intervention context: a brief report. Albright J, Rushworth S, Kuriyan A, et al. J Early Interv. 2025 Sep;47(3):361-73. Epub 2025 May 29. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40809724/
Association between delayed broad-spectrum gram-negative antibiotics and clinical outcomes: how much does getting it right with empiric antibiotics matter? Baghdadi JD, Goodman KE, Magder LS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jun 4;80(5):949-58. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39874272/
Revisions to the Safety Assurance Factors for Electronic Health Record Resilience (SAFER) guides to update national recommendations for safe use of electronic health records. Sittig DF, Flanagan T, Sengstack P, et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2025 Apr;32(4):755-60. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40220287/
Association of Medicare eligibility with access to and affordability of care among older cancer survivors. Kwon Y, Roberts ET, Degenholtz HB, et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2025 Aug;19(4):1431-41. Epub 2024 Mar 23. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38520599/
Annual medication use and costs among children. Begum A, Hosokawa P, Orth LE, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Mar 3;8(3):e251529. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40126482/
Banding together to lower the cost of health care? An empirical study of the Peak Health Alliance in Colorado. Meiselbach MK, Eisenberg MD. Journal of Risk and Insurance. 2025 Jun;92(2):472-504. Epub 2025 Feb 28. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40401121/
Drivers of bronchodilator use in bronchiolitis: analyzing treatment trends from pediatric emergency department practices. Rivera-Sepulveda A, Maul T, Jurlina A, et al. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2025 Jun;41(6):448-55. Epub 2025 Feb 28. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40016874/
Emergency medical services-led outreach following opioid-associated overdose: frequency, modality, and treatment linkage. Ulintz A, Gage CB, Powell JR, et al. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2025;29(4):550-5. Epub 2025 Feb 21. Access the abstract on PubMed®.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39919200/
New Research and Evidence ++++
New Research and Evidence
Systematic Review: Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Pain Management in Cardiothoracic Surgery
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/peripheral-nerve-blocks/research
Systematic Review (draft open for comment through August 29): Primary Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/hypofractionated-radiation-therapy/draft-report
Systematic Review (draft open for comment through September 2): Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/hyperactivity-disorder/draft-report
Systematic Review (draft open for comment through September 18): Prehospital EMS Blood Transfusion and Fluid Interventions for Hemorrhagic Shock
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/ems-blood-transfusion/draft-report
AHRQ Stats: Changes in High Blood Pressure Treatment
https://meps.ahrq.gov/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?pt=Statistical+Brief&opt=1&id=1317
AHRQ Stats: Changes in High Blood Pressure Treatment
From 2018–19 to 2021–22, the percentage of adults with diagnosed or treated high blood pressure who both received medications and had medical visits declined from 60.2 percent to 56.5 percent. At the same time, those who received medications without visits increased from 15.9 percent to 18.0 percent. (Source: AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Statistical Brief #563, Recent Changes in Treatment Patterns for Diagnosed or Treated Hypertension, 2018–19 to 2021–22, 2025.)
AHRQ Safety Program for HAI Prevention: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
https://safetyprogram4hai-prevention.ahrq.gov/page/home
AHRQ Safety Program for HAI Prevention: CAUTI Informational Webinar
August 28, 1:30–2 p.m. ET
September 5, 11:30–12 p.m. ET
September 12, 11:30–12 p.m. ET
Register Now: AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center Program Grand Rounds September 8 - September 8, 1–3 p.m. ET
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/news/sept-2025-grand-rounds
Join a virtual session of the AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program Grand Rounds series on September 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. ET. Hosted virtually by AcademyHealth and AHRQ's Scientific Resource Center, the Grand Rounds series highlights the work of the EPC Program, which promotes and facilitates the use of evidence in healthcare decisions.
The session will focus on the following EPC reports about nutrition, with the goal of expanding awareness and implementation of their findings:
Digestible Carbohydrate Intake and Maternal-Infant Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Evaluation of Dietary Protein and Amino Acid Requirements: A Systematic Review
Association of Digestible Carbohydrate Intake With Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Body Composition
AHRQ Quality Indicators v2025 Software Release and Webinar September 16, 3:30–4:30 p.m. ET
AHRQ Quality Indicators v2025 Software Release and Webinar
AHRQ is pleased to announce the AHRQ Quality Indicators v2025 software release (August 29) and Webinar (September 16).
https://www.ahrq.gov/news/qi-webinar.html
The spillover effects of Medicare’s comprehensive care for joint replacement (CJR) model in California
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0319582
In recognition of National Senior Citizens Day (August 21), AHRQ highlights recent research showing that Medicare’s Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model improved outcomes not only for Medicare patients, but also for those with Medicare Advantage or no Medicare coverage. In an AHRQ-funded study published in PLOS ONE, researchers analyzed more than 312,000 hip and knee replacements at California hospitals between 2014 and 2017 to assess the spillover effects of CJR. After the model was implemented, the average hospital stay decreased for all patient groups, and more patients were discharged directly to their homes rather than to a rehab facility. For example, home discharges increased by 4.7 percent among Medicare Advantage patients and by 2.3 percent among non-Medicare patients. These results suggest that bundled payment models may drive broader improvements in care delivery—even among those not directly targeted by the program—and may inform future payment and policy reforms.In recognition of National Senior Citizens Day (August 21), AHRQ highlights recent research showing that Medicare’s Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model improved outcomes not only for Medicare patients, but also for those with Medicare Advantage or no Medicare coverage. In an AHRQ-funded study published in PLOS ONE, researchers analyzed more than 312,000 hip and knee replacements at California hospitals between 2014 and 2017 to assess the spillover effects of CJR. After the model was implemented, the average hospital stay decreased for all patient groups, and more patients were discharged directly to their homes rather than to a rehab facility. For example, home discharges increased by 4.7 percent among Medicare Advantage patients and by 2.3 percent among non-Medicare patients. These results suggest that bundled payment models may drive broader improvements in care delivery—even among those not directly targeted by the program—and may inform future payment and policy reforms.
Tips for Obtaining Funding for Primary Care Research
https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/funding/tips-obtaining.html
Finding sustainable funding is a critical step toward funding primary care research to improve care delivery. "Tips for Obtaining Funding for Primary Care Research," developed by AHRQ’s National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research, provides expert guidance and resources for locating funding for primary care projects. The result of virtual conversations with stakeholders that occurred in March 2025, the publication includes lists of funding sources and other tips for obtaining financial support. If you're seeking funding for a primary care research project, explore these tips from AHRQ to help you get started.
Breastfeeding and Health Outcomes for Infants and Children
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/breastfeeding-health-outcomes/research
Breastfeeding is linked to better health outcomes for infants and children and may lower the risk of ear infections, asthma, obesity, and childhood leukemia, according to an AHRQ systematic review. The report synthesizes findings from more than 750 studies on the relationship between breastfeeding and infant and child health outcomes. Longer durations of breastfeeding offer more protection compared with shorter durations or no breastfeeding, although the evidence review did not find a specific duration of breastfeeding to be clearly more beneficial across all health outcomes. There is limited research on how the mode of feeding—breast versus bottle—and the source of human milk—mother versus donor—may affect health outcomes. The report notes the importance of providing educational opportunities for parents so they can make informed decisions for feeding their children. Access the report to learn more for Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
SOPS Medical Office Survey: SOPS® Medical Office Survey Data Submission Is Open September 2–19 ++++
SOPS Medical Office Survey
Medical offices that have administered AHRQ's Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) Medical Office Survey since October 2023 or plan to do so by September 2025 are invited to submit their data to the SOPS Medical Office Survey Database during the upcoming submission window: September 2–19, 2025.
If your medical office also administered the Diagnostic Safety or Value and Efficiency supplemental items along with the core survey, you may include that data as well. Medical offices submitting data will receive customized feedback reports, comparing their results with aggregated, deidentified data from all participating organizations. Learn more about database submission.
https://www.ahrq.gov/sops/databases/medical-office/submission.html
Diagnostic Safety Supplemental Items for Medical Office SOPS
https://www.ahrq.gov/sops/surveys/medical-office/supplemental-items/diagnostic-safety.html
Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items for the SOPS Medical Office Survey
https://www.ahrq.gov/sops/surveys/medical-office/supplemental-items/value-efficiency.html
FDA accepts proposal for reasonably likely surrogate endpoint for ‘MASH’ all-cause mortality or liver-related events
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-accepts-proposal-reasonably-likely-surrogate-endpoint-mash-all-cause-mortality-or-liver-related?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA Accepts Proposal for Reasonably Likely Surrogate Endpoint for ‘MASH’ All-Cause Mortality or Liver-Related Events
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of New Drugs has accepted a Letter of Intent for the qualification of Liver Stiffness Measurement by Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography as a reasonably likely surrogate endpoint for clinical trials in adults with non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis (scarring).
According to the Letter of Intent, the biomarker can predict risk of all-cause mortality or liver-related events in patients with MASH. MASH is a severe form of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease that develops when fat buildup in the liver causes inflammation and scarring. MASH is a progressive disease that can lead to cirrhosis (severe liver scarring), hepatic decompensation (worsening of liver function), liver cancer, liver transplantation, or death.
The proposed biomarker offers a non-invasive method for assessing liver stiffness; correlates with liver fibrosis severity; may predict clinical outcomes; and may provide a safer, more accessible approach for monitoring disease progression and treatment response.
miércoles, 27 de agosto de 2025
Driven by discovery
https://sbs.statnews.com/driven-by-discovery/p/1
Driven by discovery
By challenging traditional thinking, Regeneron has turned setbacks into breakthroughs and bold ideas into real-world scientific impact. With people at the center and discovery as the engine, what new paths open when everything is reexamined from the ground up?
FDA removes risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program for the antipsychotic drug Clozapine
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-removes-risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategy-rems-program-antipsychotic-drug-clozapine?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA Removes Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) Program for the Antipsychotic Drug Clozapine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for clozapine (currently marketed as Clozaril, Versacloz, and generics), effective June 13, 2025. Clozapine, an antipsychotic medicine, can cause severe neutropenia (a low level of certain white blood cells), which can lead to serious and fatal infections. The removed REMS required enrollment of prescribers, pharmacies, and patients in a restricted distribution program and reporting of the level of certain white blood cells (i.e., the absolute neutrophil count (ANC)) to mitigate the risk of severe neutropenia.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/019758s107lbl.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Based on FDA’s re-evaluation of the Clozapine REMS and on the November 19, 2024 Joint Meeting of the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee and the Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee, the Agency determined that the REMS was no longer necessary to ensure the benefits of clozapine outweigh the risk of severe neutropenia. Although there remains a risk of severe neutropenia with clozapine use, clozapine labeling (including a new Medication Guide) is sufficient to mitigate this risk and maintain a positive benefit/risk profile. ANC monitoring can help identify neutropenia early to allow for timely intervention. Therefore, prescribers should continue to monitor patients’ ANC according to the monitoring frequencies described in the prescribing information. Eliminating the REMS is expected to improve access to clozapine and decrease the burden on the health care delivery system.
https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/updated-meeting-time-and-public-participation-information-november-19-2024-joint-meeting-drug-safety?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
martes, 26 de agosto de 2025
Viewpoints: GOP Should Save Expiring Tax Credits For Health Insurance; Medical Researchers Fear For Future
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-gop-should-save-expiring-tax-credits-for-health-insurance-medical-researchers-fear-for-future/
Viewpoints: GOP Should Save Expiring Tax Credits For Health Insurance; Medical Researchers Fear For Future
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Bloomberg: The GOP Is Inflating Health Care Costs - For Its Own Voters
Unless the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress act quickly, millions of working Americans could lose access to their health insurance at the end of this year. Among the most affected will be small businesses and middle-income earners — many of whom, ironically, live in congressional districts that vote Republican. (Mary Ellen Klas, 8/25)
Stat: A Sense Of Doom Is Overwhelming U.S. Biomedical Researchers
“Our research … [has] been demolished with a sharpie,” said a researcher we asked about how federal funding changes have affected their work. As soon as a list of prohibited words from the National Science Foundation was leaked in February, it became clear U.S. scientific research had entered a new era. Whereas in the past federal agencies had supported expanding research to include marginalized populations, both as researchers and as participants in research studies, suddenly it seemed that work was likely to be at risk. (Arghavan Salles, Tiffany Do and Emily Mastej, 8/26)
The New York Times: Make America Healthy Again, Even If It Gets You Sick
Who cares if we are sicker, so long as we look good? That’s the gist of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-science approach to making America healthy. Kennedy poo-poos GLP-1s, not because they do not work for weight loss and diabetes, but because exercise and clean eating are more natural. He has suggested that eating glysophate-free grain could reduce eczema symptoms and that “organic,” cellphone-free “wellness farms” are suitable for people suffering from addiction or who take A.D.H.D. medication. (Tressie McMillan Cottom, 8/26)
The Boston Globe: How Public Health Can Compete With Misinformation
At the Boston University School of Public Health, we took an unconventional approach to combat weight-loss supplement misinformation — not by designing public service announcements or campaigns, but by partnering with the very creators who shape the online infoscape. The idea was simple: If public health wants to compete with misinformation, it must engage social media strategically and partner with those shaping the conversation. (Monica L. Wang and Matt Motta, 8/26)
The Boston Globe: Abandoning The mRNA Vaccine Platform Is A Failure Of Leadership
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it will wind down funding for mRNA vaccine development, including new vaccines against COVID-19, seasonal flu, bird flu, and HIV. The move amounts to 22 projects being eliminated that total nearly $500 million, according to HHS. This retreat from one of the most powerful, proven scientific weapons the nation has to fight pandemics, biological weapons, and common infectious diseases is a stunningly bad idea. (Ashish K. Jha, 8/25)
Stat: Hospice Programs Should Go To The Streets, To Shelters, And Behind Bars
I’ve spent more than a decade in hospice care, sitting at the bedsides of people facing the final days of their lives. I’ve held hands in hospital rooms, in tents, in prison cells, and in homes that barely qualify as such. And over time, I’ve come to see that dying in America is not just a medical event — it’s a mirror. It reflects everything we’ve failed to do for the living. (Christopher M. Smith, 8/26)
HHS Puts Kibosh On Minority Biomedical Research Support Program
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/hhs-puts-kibosh-on-minority-biomedical-research-support-program/
HHS Puts Kibosh On Minority Biomedical Research Support Program
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the program, which provided mentorship and lab salaries to up-and-coming scientists, doesn't align with President Trump's ban on DEI efforts.
Stat: HHS Terminates NIH Program Aimed At Diversifying Biomedical Workforce
The Department of Health and Human Services is terminating a National Institutes of Health grant program that supports students from marginalized backgrounds in the biomedical sciences. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the elimination of the program — the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program — in a document posted to the Federal Register Monday. Kennedy cited the program’s failure to comply with the Trump administration’s executive orders that prevent federal agencies from supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion-related activities. (Paulus, 8/25)
More on funding cuts and DEI —
Los Angeles Times: GOP Widens UC Antisemitism Investigations, Hitting UCLA, UC San Francisco Medical Schools
The UCLA and UC San Francisco medical schools have been given two weeks to submit years of internal documents to a Republican-led congressional committee about alleged antisemitism and how the schools responded, widening the federal government’s far-reaching investigations into the University of California. The demands from House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) cited reports of Jewish people “experiencing hostility and fear” at each campus and that universities had not proved that they “meaningfully responded.” (Kaleem, 8/25)
The New York Times: Columbia Got Most Of Its Research Funding Back. The Damage Goes Deeper.
When Columbia University struck a deal with the Trump administration last month, the agreement came with the promise that the financial lifeblood of scientific research would start to flow again. But that was only part of the story. While hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen federal research funding has been restored, a smaller subset of grants in areas that are out of favor with the White House, including transgender health, have not. Columbia’s School of Public Health and medical center remain in austerity mode, with fewer slots for Ph.D. students and hiring delays caused by the original suspension of funding. (Otterman, 8/25)
NBC News: The 'Mozart Of Math' Rarely Speaks On Politics. The Wide-Ranging Cuts To Science Funding Made Him Change That.
Terence Tao, one of the world’s foremost mathematicians, who is often called the “Mozart of Math,” would rather not talk politics. “I do scientific research,” Tao said. “I vote, I sign a petition, but I don’t consider myself an activist.” But after the July suspension of $584 million in federal grants at UCLA, which he joined as a faculty member at age 20, Tao said he feels forced to speak out against what he views as “indiscriminate” cuts to science that could drive scientists away from the U.S., including himself, if trends continue. (Bush, 8/26)
KFF Health News: Blue States That Sued Kept Most CDC Grants, While Red States Feel Brunt Of Trump Clawbacks
The Trump administration’s cuts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of a state, according to a KFF Health News analysis. Democratic-led states and select blue-leaning cities fought back in court and saw money for public health efforts restored — while GOP-led states sustained big losses. The Department of Health and Human Services in late March canceled nearly 700 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants nationwide — together worth about $11 billion. (Larweh and Pradhan and Bichell, 8/26)
On cuts to FEMA and public radio —
AP: FEMA Staff Calls Out Trump Cuts In Public Letter Of Dissent
More than 180 current and former employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency published a letter Monday warning that debilitating cuts to the agency charged with handling federal disaster response risks a catastrophe like the one seen after Hurricane Katrina. “Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration,” the letter states. (Aoun Angueira, 8/25)
The New York Times: Public Broadcast Cuts Hit Rural Areas, Revealing A Political Shift
Unalaska, Alaska, is home to about 4,200 year-round residents, but the town also boasts the largest fishing port in the United States by volume, and its population swells with seasonal workers in the high season. Even in the age of cellphones and Wi-Fi, residents said radios here were constantly tuned to KUCB, which brings them local news and emergency alerts as well as City Council meetings, high school basketball games and public health programs on topics ranging from the seasonal flu to suicide prevention. “None of that is political or trying to hurt Republicans,” said Greg Walter, a nurse practitioner at the only medical facility on the island. “It’s a necessary resource for a small, isolated community.” Mr. Walter said he relied on KUCB having him on the air to share medical advice to prevent conditions that are hard to treat on the island. (Mineiro, 8/26)
Panning MAHA Plan, Farm Action Says It’s ‘A Far Cry From The Bold Promises’
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/panning-maha-plan-farm-action-says-its-a-far-cry-from-the-bold-promises/
Panning MAHA Plan, Farm Action Says It’s ‘A Far Cry From The Bold Promises’
The watchdog organization supported HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his plan to make the nation's food supply healthier but now says his strategy is severely lacking. Plus, the movement's influence on food makers, MAHA boxes, supplements, birth control, and IVF.
Newsweek: RFK Jr.'s MAHA Strategy Blasted By Farm Group That Endorsed Him
Farm Action, a nonpartisan, farmer-led watchdog organization that advocates for accountability from the government and large corporations within the agricultural sector, rated the contents of a recent leaked draft of the MAHA strategy a "D+," saying, "It recognizes some of the right priorities and even overlaps with our recommendations in places, but the execution is timid and avoids the structural reforms needed to truly deliver on the MAHA Commission's own diagnosis of the problem." (Mordowanec, 8/25)
The Wall Street Journal: The Costly Ingredient That Big Food Companies Are Processing: MAHA
Executives at big processed-food makers are trying to determine how much of what Kennedy and MAHA want will actually happen, and how it could affect their bottom lines. Their challenge is to balance his push for what he sees as healthier food with their need to make products that consumers will buy. Some companies have assembled special teams to navigate MAHA, drawing up lists and “heat maps” to track ingredients coming under scrutiny, and assessing which ones they might have to remove or label. Executives have compared dealing with MAHA to battling the mythical Hydra—cut off one head and two more spring up. (Newman and Tucker-Smith, 8/25)
The Atlantic: A ‘MAHA Box’ Might Be Coming To Your Doorstep
Millions of Americans might soon have mail from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The health secretary—who fiercely opposes industrial, ultraprocessed foods—now wants to send people care packages full of farm-fresh alternatives. They will be called “MAHA boxes.” For the most part, MAHA boxes remain a mystery. They are mentioned in a leaked draft of a much-touted report that the Trump administration is set to release about improving children’s health. Reportedly, the 18-page document—which promises studies on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation and changes in how the government regulates sunscreen, among many other things—includes this: “MAHA Boxes: USDA will develop options to get whole, healthy food to SNAP participants.” In plain English, kids on food stamps might be sent veggies. (Florko, 8/20)
NBC News: MAHA Loves Dietary Supplements. But That Hasn’t Led To Gains In Washington.
An avid consumer of dietary supplements, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has surrounded himself in part with senior staff members, advisers and health influencers who have promoted everything from weight loss pills to capsules of desiccated organ meat. But that hasn’t led to gains in Washington for the multibillion-dollar industry — yet. (Khimm, 8/26)
HuffPost: This MAHA-Inspired Birth Control Method Is Trending At The Worst Possible Time
TikTok’s favorite birth control method is more like no birth control at all. On the Gen-Z-beloved app ― approximately 60% of its users are in their teens and 20s ― “natural” birth control is having a moment: Terms like “birth control natural alternatives” are trending, with wellness influencers encouraging other women to quit birth control and track their fertility cycles naturally (or with apps) and use herbal supplements to avoid getting pregnant. (Wong, 8/22)
Kentucky Lantern: As Republicans Spar Over IVF, Some Turn To Obscure MAHA-Backed Alternative
People who believe embryos are children oppose IVF because it can involve the discarding of some embryos, which they say is akin to abortion. “The popularity of IVF creates a dilemma for Republican politicians who have had anti-choice organizations as a key part of their constituency for their whole careers,” said Sean Tipton, chief advocacy and policy officer at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (Vollers, 8/26)
In case you missed it —
HHS.gov: HHS Launches “MAHA In Action” Tracker
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today launched MAHA in Action—a dynamic new platform showcasing the powerful federal initiatives and state-led reforms advancing President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. (8/18)
Survey: Shortage Of Qualified Doctors Expected To Worsen Over Next Decade
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/survey-shortage-of-qualified-doctors-expected-to-worsen-over-next-decade/
Survey: Shortage Of Qualified Doctors Expected To Worsen Over Next Decade
Two-thirds of participants surveyed say there are not enough qualified doctors to fill available positions, in part due to medical school enrollment not keeping up with demand. Qualified applicants for nurse and physician assistant positions are up from the prior three years.
Axios: Fewer Qualified Doctors For Hire: Survey
Almost 2 in 3 physicians say there aren't enough qualified doctors to fill openings in their area, in another sign of how the health care workforce is straining to meet patient demand. (Bettelheim, 8/26)
In other health care industry news —
Becker's Hospital Review: California Hospital To Close After CMS Revokes Critical Access Status
Willows, Calif.-based Glenn Medical Center plans to close its emergency department, with the hospital closing shortly after, following CMS’ plan to revoke its critical access hospital designation, effective Oct. 21. ... “Our emergency department has been a lifeline for Willows and surrounding communities, and we did everything in our power to appeal CMS’s decision. While we cannot change this outcome, our priority now is to support our community and staff through this transition. We are actively working to connect affected hospital staff with other good employment opportunities and are committed to keeping our patients informed of next steps.” (Ashley, 8/25)
Modern Healthcare: Summa Health To Stop Accepting Some Out-Of-Network Patients
Summa Health will no longer schedule appointments for patients with out-of-network or non-contracted health plans, effective Sept. 1. The new policy applies to walk-in urgent care, laboratory and radiology services, and appointments with Summa Health Medical Group, a physician network for more than 30 specialties. It does not apply to emergency services. Akron, Ohio-based Summa contracts with more than 40 health plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Humana and United Healthcare. (Hudson, 8/25)
Newsweek: Bankruptcies Are Hitting America's Health Care Giants
According to a recent report from Gibbins Advisors, the 79 health care bankruptcy filings in 2023 and 57 in 2024 surpassed the annual average of 42 for the previous four years. While senior care and hospital bankruptcies surged past typical levels in the first quarter, overall health care bankruptcies dropped markedly in the three months through July. While the tally of filings in 2025 has remained on the worrying trend of the last few years, this year has stood out because of the scale of the companies failing to meet their financial obligations. (Cameron, 8/26)
Becker's Hospital Review: Trump's Rollback Of Biden Competition Order Stirs CEO Debate
The healthcare industry is once again recalibrating after President Donald Trump revoked a Biden-era executive order aimed at limiting hospital consolidation. While some health system leaders see the move as a green light for growth and regional alignment, others remain skeptical, warning that systemic challenges — from payer leverage to uneven regulation — still pose roadblocks to meaningful change. (Condon and Gooch, 8/25)
CIDRAP: Despite Decolonization Efforts, Nursing Home Rooms Remain Contaminated With Resistant Organisms
A study conducted in three US nursing homes highlights the challenge of reducing environmental contamination with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). The study by researchers with the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center and the University of California Irvine School of Medicine, published last week in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, involved implementation of routine bathing/showering with chlorhexidine and nasal iodophor to reduce MDRO colonization in residents. (Dall, 8/25)
KFF Health News: An Insurer Agreed To Cover Her Surgery. A Politician’s Nudge Got The Bills Paid
For the most part, Keyanna Jones and her husband thought they knew what to expect when their daughter Chloë had eye surgery last fall. Even Chloë, who was in kindergarten, had a good understanding of how things would go that day. Before the procedure, a hospital worker gave her a coloring book that explained the steps of the surgery — a procedure to correct a condition that could have eventually interfered with her vision. (Anthony, 8/26)
In pharma and tech news —
Modern Healthcare: Terumo Corp. To Buy OrganOx For $1.5 Billion
Medtech company Terumo Corp. announced plans Monday to acquire OrganOx, which sells a device that preserves donor livers, for about $1.5 billion. The deal marks Terumo’s debut into the organ transplantation field. The companies have not disclosed when the transaction is expected to close. OrganOx’s metra device pumps donor livers with oxygenated blood, medications and nutrients at body temperature to simulate natural conditions. (Dubinsky, 8/25)
Bloomberg: AbbVie To Buy Gilgamesh Depression Drug For Up To $1.2 Billion
AbbVie Inc. agreed to buy an experimental depression treatment from Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals Inc. for up to $1.2 billion in a deal that highlights the drug industry’s growing interest in next-generation psychedelic compounds. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will acquire Gilgamesh’s lead drug bretisilocin, which is in development for major depressive disorder, according to a statement. Gilgamesh will spin its other programs off into a new entity called Gilgamesh Pharma Inc. (Muller, 8/25)
Bipartisan Legislation Aims To Help US Sunscreen Market Catch Up
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/bipartisan-legislation-aims-to-help-us-sunscreen-market-catch-up/
Bipartisan Legislation Aims To Help US Sunscreen Market Catch Up
Lawmakers from both parties are trying to lower market barriers and catch up with other nations, who have more recently introduced new sunscreen ingredients. In related news, the Independent reports on how sunscreen became the subject of troubling conspiracy theories. Also: the first pig-to-human lung transplant, benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and more.
Roll Call: Congress Sees Bipartisan Bright Spot In Sunscreen Legislation
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are collaborating on legislation to lower market barriers for new sunscreens, in an effort to bring the United States in line with other countries that have seen advancements in sun protection. (DeGroot, 8/25)
The Independent: How Sunscreen Became The Subject Of Troubling Conspiracy Theories
Anti-sunscreen sentiment is cropping up on social media with alarming frequency. Recent research has suggested that Gen-Zers are particularly susceptible to sunscreen myths. Last year, a study from the American Academy of Dermatology found that 28% of 18- to 26-year-olds believe that getting a tan is more important than the risk of skin cancer, with 37% admitting to only using sunscreen when they’re nagged by others to do so. And new data from health insurance provider Vitality found that 18% of Gen Z respondents believed that you don’t need sun protection if you tan easily. (Rosseinsky, 8/24)
New Beauty: How To Get Free Skin Checks And Sunscreen At The 2025 US Open
On-site at the 2025 US Open, fans can visit the La Roche-Posay Sun Safety Booth at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for complimentary sunscreen samples, free skin checks from board-certified healthcare providers, sun-safety education from dermatology experts and interactive tennis games. (Ritter, 8/25)
In other health and wellness news —
The New York Times: Scientists Perform First Pig-To-Human Lung Transplant
Scientists have dreamed for centuries about using animal organs to treat ailing humans. In recent years, those efforts have begun to bear fruit: Researchers have begun transplanting the hearts and kidneys of genetically modified pigs into patients, with varying degrees of success. But lungs are notoriously difficult to transplant, even from human to human, and mortality rates are high. Now, in the first procedure of its kind, Chinese scientists on Monday reported transplanting a lung from a pig into a brain-dead man. (Caryn Rabin, 8/25)
MedPage Today: Risk Of Malignant Tumor Rises After Traumatic Brain Injury
Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) was tied to an increased risk of subsequent brain cancer, a retrospective study of more than 150,000 adults showed. Malignant brain tumor incidence was 0.6% among civilians who had experienced moderate-to-severe TBI and 0.4% in those with mild TBI or healthy controls, reported Saef Izzy, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, and co-authors. (George, 8/25)
NBC News: Most Women Under 50 Have Risk Factors For Birth Defects That Can Be Lowered, CDC Finds
One in 33 babies in the United States are born with birth defects. But a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is raising awareness of ways to lower that risk. The study points to five risk factors that public health officials — and, in some cases, women themselves — can do something about: obesity, diabetes, smoking exposure, food insecurity and low levels of folate (an essential vitamin that helps the body produce cells). (Bendix, 8/26)
ABC News: Mediterranean Diet And Exercise Cut Diabetes Risk By Nearly One-Third, Even Without Much Weight Loss, Study Finds
A large six-year trial found that older adults who combined a Mediterranean diet with regular exercise were far less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who only changed their diet. Researchers from Harvard and 23 Spanish hospitals studied more than 4,700 adults aged 55 to 75 with metabolic syndrome and excess weight over six years. (El-Naas, 8/25)
CNN: Mediterranean Diet Lowers Risk Of Dementia By 35% In People At Most Risk, Study Finds
Closely following the Mediterranean diet lowered the risk of dementia by at least 35% in people with two copies of the APOE4 gene, a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s, according to a new study. (LaMotte, 8/25)
CIDRAP: CDC: Rare Salmonella Strain From Bearded Dragons Caused 2024 US Outbreak, Still Circulates
People who live with or handle pet bearded dragons are at continued risk for Salmonella infection, conclude the authors of a study on a 2024 outbreak published last week in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal and local health authorities investigated a 27-case, 14-state outbreak in 2024 caused by reptile-transmitted Salmonella Cotham. They also referenced a 2012-14 outbreak of 160 cases in 35 states caused by a genetically related strain. (Van Beusekom, 8/25)
Higher THC Concentrations Linked To Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Addiction
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/higher-thc-concentrations-linked-to-psychosis-schizophrenia-addiction/
Higher THC Concentrations Linked To Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Addiction
Studies looking at therapeutic use linked to cancer showed mixed results in treating anxiety and depression, but over half the nontherapeutic studies showed links to unfavorable outcomes among healthy people. Plus: college students' mental health; mental health and cellphone use; and more.
MedPage Today: Potent Cannabis Products Linked To Psychosis, Mental Health Risks
Cannabis products containing high concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- the main psychoactive compound in marijuana -- were linked to psychosis, schizophrenia, and addiction, a systematic review found. Across 99 studies examining the effects of high-concentration THC products on mental health outcomes, 70% of the nontherapeutic studies (i.e., those not attempting to treat a medical condition or symptom) showed an unfavorable association with psychosis or schizophrenia and 75% found a relationship to cannabis use disorder (CUD). (Firth, 8/25)
In other mental health news —
Higher Ed Dive: Half Of College Students Say Their Mental Health Is ‘Fair’ To ‘Terrible,’ Survey Finds
Half of college students rate their mental health as fair, poor, or terrible, according to a recent survey from The Steve Fund, a nonprofit that focused on the mental health of young people of color. The survey also found about 40% of students were “very or extremely stressed about maintaining their mental health” while in college. About 1 in 5 students said the same about connecting with other students and finding their niche in college. (McLean, 8/26)
SciTechDaily: Owning A Smartphone Before 13 Linked To Alarming Mental Health Declines, Global Study Finds
A worldwide study involving more than 100,000 participants has found that receiving a smartphone before the age of 13 is linked with weaker mental health and lower overall wellbeing in early adulthood. The research, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, reported that individuals aged 18 to 24 who first owned a smartphone at 12 or younger were more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, heightened aggression, feelings of detachment from reality, difficulties with emotional control, and diminished self-worth. (8/25)
KUTV: Audit Finds Utah Families Struggling With ‘Ghost Providers’ In Mental Health Care
A legislative audit has uncovered a troubling gap in Utah’s mental health care system, leaving families desperate for treatment for their children. The audit found that nearly 70% of providers listed in insurance directories are not actually accepting new patients. Lawmakers call them “ghost providers.” “They called up 180 providers in insurance directories and found out 69% of them were ghost providers, meaning they’re not accepting patients,” Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said. “That’s a false promise.” (Harrison, 8/26)
AP: AI Inconsistent In Handling Suicide-Related Queries, Study Says
A study of how three popular artificial intelligence chatbots respond to queries about suicide found that they generally avoid answering questions that pose the highest risk to the user, such as for specific how-to guidance. But they are inconsistent in their replies to less extreme prompts that could still harm people. The study in the medical journal Psychiatric Services, published Tuesday by the American Psychiatric Association, found a need for “further refinement” in OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude. (Ortutay and O’Brien, 8/26)
The New York Times: Michael Phelps, Jay Glazer Bonded Over Mental Health. It Became A Star-Studded Support System
Though no one in the group is a mental health professional or has had training in the field, their personal experiences have allowed them to build a community. More than that, it’s tapped into a transformative idea: People often underestimate just how much they will enjoy deep conversations with other people. “Not because they fail to appreciate that having a meaningful conversation is something that they will enjoy personally,” said Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago. “But because they underestimate how positively other people will respond to it. We underestimate how much power we actually have to make ourselves and other people feel better — notably better — by connecting with them.” (Devlin, 8/26)
On mental health care for first responders —
WABE: Marietta Police Trying Horse Therapy To Combat Officer Stress, Improve Mental Health And Policing
The Marietta Police Department recently started having officers take part in a horse therapy program to help their mental health and improve policing. (Mador, 8/24)
CBS News: Colorado Family Speaks Out About Mental Health Among First Responders After Northglenn Police Officer Dies By Suicide
Paul Gesi, a Northglenn police officer, died by suicide earlier this month after a long battle with PTSD. "Within probably the past year we started to see it weighing on him heavier as he would come home. and then it really got 'bad' really within the past two months," said Emily Gesi. "We saw signs of anxiety and depression. (We) never saw our father bring work home, but a little bit towards the end he started to talk about it a little bit more, about how he was starting to feel the darkness that he has been dealing with in his 41 years of being an officer." (Vidal, 8/25)
If you need help —
Dial 988 for 24/7 support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's free and confidential.
Judge Rebuffs Maine Family Planning’s Plea To Restore Medicaid Funding
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/judge-rebuffs-maine-family-plannings-plea-to-restore-medicaid-funding/
Judge Rebuffs Maine Family Planning’s Plea To Restore Medicaid Funding
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Lance Walker says he does not hold sway over "Congress’s power of the purse.” The provider sued after the One Big Beautiful Bill law stripped funding from health care entities that provide abortions.
Roll Call: Judge Denies Maine Clinics' Request On Blocked Medicaid Funds
A federal judge on Monday denied a request by a Maine family planning provider to block the law that prevents such providers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for a year if they also offer abortions. (Hellmann, 8/26)
The Hechinger Report: New Illinois Law Ensures Premature Babies Get Connected To Vital Therapies
Illinois hospital staff will soon be required by law to refer parents of severely premature infants to services that can help prevent years of intensive and expensive therapy later, when the children are older. The new law follows reporting from The Hechinger Report that exposed how hospitals often fail to connect many eligible parents to these opportunities for their children after they leave neonatal intensive care units. (8/25)
WUSF: Ladapo Warns Against Amalgam Dental Fillings
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo is recommending against the use of dental amalgam for routine fillings, citing potential risks from mercury exposure. Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, roughly 50% elemental (liquid) mercury by weight, combined with a powdered alloy of silver, tin and copper. Mercury binds the alloy particles into a strong, durable, and solid filling, according to the FDA. (Mayer, 8/25)
ProPublica: Idaho’s Coroner System Is “Broken and a Joke.” Here Are 5 Ideas From Coroners on How to Fix It.
Since last year, ProPublica has been reporting on the troubled system for death investigations in Idaho, where a person’s cause of death is determined by elected coroners with no oversight or state support and, often, little training or education. The Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations in January sent the state’s coroners a formal survey about their work, drawing responses from just over half. The office told coroners that it wouldn’t attach names to their responses when it made the survey results public, and some gave unvarnished critiques. “The coroner system in Idaho is broken and a joke,” one wrote. They also took the opportunity to plead for help, for changes they believe could transform Idaho into a place where death investigations consistently meet national standards. (Dutton, 8/26)
The Colorado Sun: Concerns Grow In Colorado Over The VA’s Push To Send Veterans To Private Care
Bernie Rogoff is a Korean War-era Army veteran who’s spent his life advocating for fellow service members. This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. The 95-year-old led the push for Denver’s modern Veterans Affairs medical center, which opened in 2018 to serve Colorado’s nearly 400,000 veterans. Rogoff still calls it one of his proudest achievements. He remembers it finally felt like “someone is listening.” (McKinnon, 8/26)
The New York Times: Cities Move Away From Strategies That Make Drug Use Safer
As fentanyl propelled overdose deaths to ever more alarming numbers several years ago, public health officials throughout the United States stepped up a blunt, pragmatic response. Desperate to save lives, they tried making drug use safer. ... Now, across the country, states and communities are turning away from harm reduction strategies. (Hoffman, 8/25)
Restoring dignity to the marginalised as sovereign knowers The Lancet Global Health + +... +
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(25)00324-9/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email
Sep 2025
Volume 13Number 9e1489-e1653
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/issue/vol13no9/PIIS2214-109X(25)X0009-7
The potential impact of reductions in international donor funding on tuberculosis in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(25)00232-3/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_feature_langlo
CAHPS Research Meetings: Sept. 18 Virtual Research Meeting: “Strengthening Partnerships with Patients and Families to Assess and Improve the Experience of Care” Date: Thurs., Sept. 18, 2025 Time: 11 am- 3 pm ET
CAHPS Research Meetings: .block-topics-expandable-text.boxlinks .topics-btn-text { font-size: 1.3em; font-weight: 600; padding: 20px 50px 20px 20px; font-family: "Public Sans Semibold", sans-serif; margin-top: 20px; } button.topics-btn[aria-expanded="false"]:after { content: ""; display: inline-block; background-image: url(/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/plus-solid_5B616B.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; width: 20px; height: 20px; position: absolute; float: right; ri
On September 18, AHRQ’s Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) program will host a virtual research meeting focused on the integral role of patients and families in the development and implementation of care experience assessments and quality improvement strategies.
The CAHPS Research Meeting will share current research and best practices related to the following questions:
How can creative participatory design methods strengthen patient and family involvement?
What collaborative roles can patients and families play to better capture their healthcare experiences?
How could various patient engagement strategies be used to collaboratively improve the design and effectiveness of CAHPS measurement tools?
How can healthcare teams most effectively focus on the healthcare experiences that matter most to patients and families in quality improvement efforts?
How can storytelling by patients be used to enhance understanding and empathy among healthcare providers, and also reduce harm?
Maura Cass, a former partner and head of Health at the award-winning global design firm IDEO, will present the keynote address entitled “Engaging Meaningfully with Patients & Families: Building Capacity for Human-Centered Design.”
lunes, 25 de agosto de 2025
Viewpoints: Defunding US Medical Research Has Deadly Consequences; AI Therapists Need Better Regulation
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-defunding-us-medical-research-has-deadly-consequences-ai-therapists-need-better-regulation/
Viewpoints: Defunding US Medical Research Has Deadly Consequences; AI Therapists Need Better Regulation
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
The New York Times: America First? Not When It Comes To Your Health.
These researchers and so many others worked to ensure that Americans had access to the best medical treatments available and that they had first access to those treatments. That is, they worked until Trump administration gutted funding to the National Institutes of Health and froze grants to universities across the country. You can put a dollar amount on how much has been saved, but the cost of what has been lost is incalculable. (Francesca Trianni and Adam Westbrook, 8/24)
The New York Times: Teens Are Using Chatbots As Therapists. That’s Alarming.
Marketed as conversational agents, chatbots are becoming de facto digital therapists for many teens, for whom this technology now feels native. This raises the stakes for ensuring these tools are safe and governed by enforceable standards. Nearly half of young Americans ages 18 to 25 with mental health needs received no treatment last year — a gap that makes the appeal of 24/7, judgment-free companionship even stronger. (Ryan K. McBain, 8/25)
Stat: What Will Define The Next Generation Of Drug Development?
Modern medicine has been historically characterized by a well-defined paradigm for drug discovery, centered around the goal of validating a target and developing molecules that interact with the target to alter the course of disease. This approach has fueled the development of therapies across many classes of molecules, from natural products and small molecules to peptides, antibodies, and oligonucleotides. (Sasha Ebrahimi and Milan Mrksich, 8/25)
The New York Times: We Cannot Let America Abandon Female Veterans
The V.A. is one of the largest health care providers in America, and women are the fastest-growing population of veterans. Still, abortion was excluded from the V.A.’s health services until just three years ago. Now the Trump administration is attempting to reverse course on that long-overdue expansion of women’s care — at a time when abortion is less available than it had been in decades nationally because of the fall of Roe v. Wade. (Chelsea Donaldson, 8/25)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Lead Is The Silent Epidemic Poisoning St. Louis' Children
In the Black shadow of St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch, a silent epidemic is poisoning the children. Recent data shows that 6.3% of tested children in the city displayed elevated blood lead levels in 2022, approximately double Missouri’s statewide rate. Hotspots like 63106 zip code reports increased rates as high as 12.4%, with predominantly Black children bearing the brunt of this preventable crisis. Many St. Louis children remain at risk of irreversible harm from lead exposure in their homes, soil and water. (Summer Lander, 8/24)
Stat: Online Testosterone Improved My Life — And Could Have Killed Me
Last year, I joined the millions of American men now on testosterone therapy — a treatment whose use has quietly tripled over the past two decades, often at doses far above Endocrine Society guidelines. Within weeks, I felt younger, stronger, and sharper. But within months, I was at serious risk of right-heart failure. (Jeffrey T. Junig, 8/25)
Alaskan Doctors Could Be Punished For Giving Kids Gender-Affirming Care
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/alaskan-doctors-could-be-punished-for-giving-kids-gender-affirming-care/
Alaskan Doctors Could Be Punished For Giving Kids Gender-Affirming Care
On Friday, Alaska's medical board approved draft language for changes to state regulations that would consider any medical or surgical intervention to “treat gender dysphoria or facilitate gender transition” as unprofessional conduct. Other news from across the nation is about mifepristone restrictions, infant mortality rates, and more.
AP: Alaska Medical Professionals Could Face Disciplinary Action Over Gender-Affirming Care
Alaska medical professionals who provide gender-affirming care for children could risk disciplinary action under proposed changes to state regulations approved by the state medical board on Friday. The board unanimously approved draft language that would add those providing medical or surgical intervention to “treat gender dysphoria or facilitate gender transition” to a state regulation outlining unprofessional conduct. (Thiessen, 8/22)
More health news from across the U.S. —
AP: FDA Faces Lawsuit In US Court In Hawaii Over Mifepristone Restrictions For Abortions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to overly restrict access to mifepristone, a medication for abortions and miscarriage management, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union argued Friday in a lawsuit by a Hawaii doctor and healthcare associations challenging the legality of the restrictions. They are asking a judge to find that the FDA violated the law by restricting a safe medication without scientific justification, but stop short of flat-out seeking an immediate elimination of the restrictions, which currently include special certification for prescribers and pharmacies and requiring patients to review a counseling form. (Sinco Kelleher, 8/23)
AP: Judge Rejects Plea Deal For Colorado Funeral Home Owner Who Abused 191 Corpses
A judge on Friday rejected a plea agreement for a Colorado funeral home owner who acknowledged abusing 191 corpses, after family members described the pain and shame they’ve carried since learning their loved ones’ bodies were left to rot. The rare decision to reject the plea agreement that called for a 20-year prison sentence followed anguished testimony from family members seeking a more severe punishment. (Slevin, Brown and Bedayn, 8/23)
CNN: Mississippi Declares Public Health Emergency Over Rising Infant Mortality Rate
The Mississippi health department declared a public health emergency Thursday over rising infant mortality rates in the state. There were 9.7 deaths for every 1,000 births in Mississippi in 2024, the highest rate in more than a decade, according to a news release from the state health department. More than 3,500 babies in Mississippi have died before the age of 1 since 2014. (McPhillips, 8/22)
AP: California May Be First State To Make Restaurants Put Food Allergens On Menus
Braxton Kimura dreads eating at restaurants. The California teenager is severely allergic to peanuts, shellfish and most tree nuts. Consuming even a tiny amount could send him to the emergency room. ... Restaurant dining in California could soon become a little less stressful for Braxton and the growing number of Americans with severe food allergies. State lawmakers are set to vote on legislation that would make California the first U.S. state to require restaurants to disclose whether a menu item contains any of the nine most common food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame and soybeans. (Chea, 8/23)
Minnesota Public Radio: University Of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth Campus Shifts To 4-Year Program
For the first time since the school’s founding more than a half-century ago, incoming students at the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth Campus this fall will be able to complete all four years of their training in Duluth. (Kraker, 8/24)
The Colorado Sun: New Mental Health Project Builds Resiliency Via Colorado National Monument
On a warm June morning, National Park Service Ranger Amber Martin led nearly two dozen children hiking in Colorado National Monument. After examining a pinyon pine tree, Martin referred the kids to a bird identification pamphlet, noting the symbiotic relationship between the tree and the pinyon jay. She explained how the bird harvests the tree’s pine nuts, then buries them throughout the park, where they sprout and grow into trees. But this hike wasn’t just for teaching kids local flora and fauna. Martin, a 40-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran who served tours in Afghanistan and Kuwait, is leading a unique park service program designed to help people improve their mental health by increasing access to the outdoors. (Sullivan, 8/25)