About the public’s health
CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019: This latest report from the CDC reveals that the problem of antibiotic resistance is greater than previously thought. “According to the report, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.”
Banning E-Cigarettes Could Do More Harm Than Good: This NY Times editorial (may require subscription) makes the point that banning e-cigarettes alone is not a viable strategy to reduce tobacco use. It does advocate for stronger regulation for e-cigarettes, such as limiting the nicotine content (as they do in the UK), prohibiting marketing to children and, in general, dealing with this product as is done with traditional cigarettes.
The Health 202: U.S. to lose thousands of health-care workers if 'dreamers' must leave: The headline speaks for itself. As Sir Michael Marmot said: Every sector is a health sector.
Immunization: vital progress, unfinished agenda: This article in Nature is an excellent review of the history of vaccines and the beneficial role they play in public health. It also points out a problem: poor countries get aid for vaccines; rich countries can pay for them on their own; but developing middle income countries may not be able to afford sufficient vaccinations for its population.
Longitudinal Associations Between Income Changes and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: This research is one in a long series of studies showing the deleterious effect of stress and inequities on health. The study concluded: “Income drop over 6 years was associated with higher risk of subsequent incident CVD over 17 years, while income rise over 6 years was associated with lower risk of subsequent incident CVD over 17 years. Health professionals should have greater awareness of the influence of income change on the health of their patients.”
About healthcare IT
Technology that improves patients’ lives, caregivers’ experience: This press release from Ascension by Eduardo Conrado, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Innovations, is a response to the previously reported Project Nightingale initiative the hospital company has with Google. He makes 8 points in defense of the deal. But…
Google's 'Project Nightingale' center of federal inquiry: Despite the above assurances HHS is investigating this deal to make sure there were no HIPAA violations.
About health insurance
Drug costs to push Medicare Part B premiums 7% higher next year: CMS attributes the increase in Part B premiums to the higher cost of medications administered in physicians’ offices.
CMS seeks to crack down on schemes used by states to get higher federal match in Medicaid: States are using extra, non-allowed, funds to pay for Medicaid services in order to garner more federal matching money than they are entitled to receive. CMS will more closely look at these practices and crack down on the process.
About pharma
Indian Drug Facility Cited for Packaging Violations: Some of these drugs were destined for the US. One more reminder about the global supply chain for drugs.
Pharma ad spenders for October: AbbVie's Humira tops again, joined by next-gen sibling Skyrizi: Just out is this list of top spending pharma company ads and a bit about each. Worth a quick read.
About healthcare quality and safety
Did Hospital Readmissions Fall Because Per Capita Admission Rates Fell?: The answer to the question is : Yes. 30 day readmissions fell because admissions fell. The authors of this study recommend CMS use better criteria for quality.