A new report by J.D. Power shows that commercial health plans and Medicare Advantage plans are lacking in providing a positive digital experience for members. The study, conducted with Corporate Insight, analyzed digital interactions of 5,590 members. The report found that 32% of health insurance sites and apps did not meet basic levels of functionality….
The Irish Cancer Society has expressed concern that cancer outcomes in Ireland may have stagnated or worsened due to inadequate Government funding for the National Cancer Strategy. Despite some progress in improving cancer survival rates over the past two decades, current funding falls short of what is needed to fulfill commitments in areas such as…
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that clinical trials of psychological interventions for depression often do not assess suicidality, despite the known association between depression and suicide risk. Most trials did not include assessments for suicide, with only a small number reporting on suicidal thoughts and behaviors as adverse events….
Cedars-Sinai is expanding its AI-powered virtual healthcare platform, Cedars-Sinai Connect, to include a Spanish version for parents of children aged 3 to 17 and Spanish-speaking adults. This allows for 24/7 on-demand access to healthcare providers for urgent issues like colds and flu. The platform also offers scheduled visits during weekdays and weekends, with a child’s…
In this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” host Dan Weissmann explores the dark side of the American health care system, focusing on Medicare Advantage plans using an algorithm owned by UnitedHealth Group to make decisions about patient care. This algorithm has caused people to be prematurely discharged from nursing homes, leading to adverse…
Enrollment in medical cannabis programs increased by 33% from 2020 to 2022, but decreased in states where nonmedical adult use was legalized. The prevalence of medical cannabis use among U.S. citizens has increased significantly in the past decade. A study found that patient enrollment dropped dramatically in some states following the legalization of nonmedical adult-use…
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is acquiring Alpine Immune Sciences for $4.9 billion, marking its largest acquisition to date. The deal includes a promising drug called povetacicept, which is designed to treat IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a kidney autoimmune disorder affecting 130,000 people in the U.S. The drug will enter Phase 3 clinical development later this year. This acquisition…
Scarlett McNally, a professor and consultant orthopaedic surgeon, shares how small changes can lead to improved quality of life. By doing Dry January and using an alarm clock instead of relying on her phone, she has been able to break habits and make better choices for her health. She emphasizes the importance of changing behaviors…
The study focused on STON2 variations related to synaptic dysfunction and schizophrenia-like behaviors. The C-C (307Pro-851Ala) haplotype of STON2 was found to increase susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population. This variation leads to deficits in synaptic transmission, short-term plasticity, and schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice. Pharmacogenomic data showed that patients with this haplotype responded…
Two systematic reviews found that evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children and young people with gender-related distress is inadequate, leading to uncertainty about their effectiveness and impact on health. The studies showed limited quality and inconsistent evidence on key outcomes. Clinical guidelines are often not evidence-based, and the need for…
