About Covid-19
Data: Heart-failure patients have 82% better odds of living longer if vaccinated against COVID “The first study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in a large population of adult heart-failure patients suggests that vaccinated participants are 82% more likely to live longer than their unvaccinated peers, according to
an analysis presented over the weekend at the Heart Failure 2024 scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in Lisbon, Portugal.”
Do Not Use Cue Health’s COVID-19 Tests Due to Risk of False Results: FDA Safety Communication “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning home test users, caregivers, and health care providers not to use Cue Health’s COVID-19 Tests for Home and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Use and its COVID-19 Test intended for patient care settings due to increased risk of false results.”
About health insurance/insurers
20 things to know about site-neutral payment policies FYI
About hospitals and healthcare systems
Kaiser Permanente posts 3.4% operating margin, billions in net income for Q1 2024 '‘Kaiser Permanente kicked off 2024 with $935 million of operating income (3.4% operating margin) and more than $2.7 billion of net income when excluding a one-time, $4.6 billion net asset gain from its Geisinger Health acquisition, according to top-line first-quarter numbers shared late Friday.
The performance handily outpaces the $233 million operating income (0.9% operating margin) and $1.2 billion bottom line of last year’s opening quarter.”
10 healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements FYI
About pharma
Users of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy sustain weight loss for 4 years, new analysis shows “Patients taking Novo Nordisk’s anti-obesity jab sustained weight loss for up to four years and had a reduced risk of heart disease regardless of their weight, according to new research that adds evidence to the drug’s broader health benefits. Two new studies published on Tuesday in Nature Medicine built on Novo Nordisk trial data first published in November, which found that patients using Wegovy had a 20 per cent reduction of risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. One of the new studies based on the Select trial found that users of the drug over a period of three years and four months sustained their weight loss over four years, in a 17,604-person trial.”
AbbVie inks $2B-plus next-gen neuro deal with Gilgamesh “AbbVie has inked a new deal with Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals aimed at developing next-gen therapies for psychiatric disorders.
The two companies have agreed to research and develop a portfolio of therapeutics using Gilgamesh’s research platform designed to discover novel neuroplastogens—compounds that improve neuroplasticity. Under the deal, AbbVie will have the option to lead development and commercialization activities.”
About the public’s health
Four in 10 cancer cases linked to obesity, study finds “Around 40 per cent of cancer cases are linked to obesity, with excess weight being a factor in 32 types of the disease, research has found.
A study released ahead of the European Congress on Obesity in Venice tracked four million adults for decades and showed the impact of excess body fat.”
And in a related article: Breast cancer incidence and mortality by metabolic syndrome and obesity: The Women’s Health Initiative
USDA, FDA turf battles hamper responses to outbreaks like H5N1 bird flu The headline is the story.
Broad Public Support for Legal Abortion Persists 2 Years After Dobbs “About six-in-ten (63%) say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.This share has grown 4 percentage points since 2021 – the year prior to the 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe.”
About health devices/technology
FACT SHEET: President Biden Takes Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China’s Unfair Trade Practices The last item is medical products. For example: “The tariff rates on syringes and needles will increase from 0% to 50% in 2024. For certain personal protective equipment (PPE), including certain respirators and face masks, the tariff rates will increase from 0–7.5% to 25% in 2024. Tariffs on rubber medical and surgical gloves will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2026.”
Salt Meter Could Improve Compliance With Low-Sodium Diet “Using a salt meter or sensor in food itself, in conjunction with other measures, can help reduce sodium intake by improving control of arterial hypertension at the community level, according to a Thai study. The results were described at the World Congress of Nephrology…
The salt meter tested in the study is immersed in liquid solutions and displays the degree of salt concentration in seconds through a smiling, surprised, or frowning face. It could be particularly appropriate for diets in Asian countries, where more than 60% of excess sodium comes from soups, sauces, and broths prepared at home.”