Christina is the associate editorial director of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The American Journal of Accountable Care® (AJAC), and joined AJMC in 2016. She oversees the publication of the print journals, from manuscript submission to publication, and works with the editors in chief and editorial boards to promote the journals.
She has a BS in public health from Rutgers University. You can connect with Christina on LinkedIn.
Navigating New FDA Guidance on Preapproval Payer–Manufacturer Communications
In light of recent guidance from the FDA on appropriate communications between payers and drug manufacturers prior to a drug's approval, a panel of stakeholders at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2017 Nexus meeting, discussed how these new guidelines can raise as many questions as they answer.
Looking Ahead at the Specialty Drug Pipeline After an Active Year of Approvals
Aimee Tharaldson, PharmD, of Express Scripts kicked off the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2017 Nexus, held October 16-19 in Dallas, Texas, with a presentation on the pipeline of specialty pharmaceuticals in development.
Latest FDA Efforts to Expand Access Involve Complex Generic Drugs, Investigational Treatments
On consecutive days, the FDA announced 2 more strategies to help novel drugs reach more patients. One plan will encourage competition by providing more guidance to developers of complex generics, while the other will make it easier for physicians to treat patients with investigational products through the expanded access program.
As Nursing Home Complaints Rise, Some States Fall Short in Timely Investigations
In recent years, the number of nursing home residents has decreased, but the number of complaints about nursing homes has increased by 33%, a new report finds. While most are promptly investigated, some states are falling behind on completing follow-up investigations within required timeframes.
Report Finds Hospitals Costlier for Cancer Care Than Community Practices
Not only do patients with cancer incur higher costs when treated in the hospital outpatient setting compared with community oncology practices, they also have higher rates of emergency department visits, according to a recent study.
Researchers Categorize Incurable Childhood Brain Tumors as Separate Cancer Types
After examining over 1000 cases of high-grade gliomas in children and young adults, researchers have split these rare brain tumors into at least 10 different subtypes, which could help clinicians choose and deliver more effective treatments.
Research Finds Cancer Survivorship Care Lacking in Advanced Primary Care Practices
A new case study of 12 advanced primary care practices found that none provided comprehensive cancer survivorship care, which the authors attributed to insufficient information systems and difficulties identifying survivors.
States, Families Brace for Impact If CHIP Not Reauthorized
Time is running out for Congress to reauthorize funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before it expires on September 30, leaving states and families to prepare for possible coverage reductions and higher premiums.
Infographic: Update—A Brief History of ACA Repeal and Replace Efforts
When Donald Trump was elected president in November 2016, repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) suddenly became an attainable goal for Republicans in Congress, though it ultimately did not come to fruition as they had hoped. Here, we look back at the legislative twists and turns of ACA repeal efforts in 2017.
Title X Health Centers Reducing Cervical Cancer Screening in Accordance With Guidelines
Among women treated at health centers receiving federal funding under Title X, the proportion receiving cervical cancer screening tests declined significantly from 2005 to 2015, according to new research.
Chronic Respiratory Disease Death Toll Rising in Recent Decades
A new analysis finds that the mortality rate from chronic respiratory diseases has risen by almost 30% between 1980 and 2014 in the United States, and that data reflect significant differences in death rates across counties and regions.
JAMA Commentary Urges Realistic View of New CAR T-Cell Cancer Therapy
While the FDA’s approval of the immunotherapy tisagenlecleucel represents a landmark in the oncology field, the treatment is far from being a cure and should be viewed in context of its $475,000 price tag, a group of oncologists wrote in a commentary published in JAMA.
Low-Income Adults Using SNAP Have Reduced Health Expenditures
A new study finds that participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is associated with significantly lower healthcare expenditures, pointing to the role of social determinants like food insecurity as contributors to health spending.
Immune Adverse Events From Nivolumab Predict Better Survival With NSCLC
When immune-related adverse events arise from nivolumab, it may indicate that the therapy is having greater efficacy against non—small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as a new study demonstrates a link between these events and improved survival outcomes.
Federally Qualified Health Centers Prepare for Challenging Path Ahead
Federally qualified health centers face significant financial and competitive pressures, but executives reported in a recent survey that they have identified areas for improvement and are planning a path to success.