The top articles of 2023 addressed key issues such as representation gaps in aRCC research, concerns about the 340B program's impact on asthma disparities, slow adoption of equity innovations, potential biases in type 2 diabetes risk models, and addressing disparities in psoriasis treatment based on race and culture.
This year, the most-read coverage on the Center on Health Equity and Access explored key health equity issues, including representation gaps in advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) research, concerns about the 340B program's impact on chronic asthma disparities, the slow adoption of equity innovations, potential racial biases in type 2 diabetes risk models, and considerations for addressing disparities in psoriasis treatment based on race and culture.
For more from the Center on Health Equity and Access read the rest of our coverage.
5. Age, Race, and Ethnicity Representation Disparities Found in Patients Participating in aRCC Research
Representation disparities exist among patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) in research, with age, race, and ethnicity variations revealed in real-world evidence (RWE), randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Results showed RCT participants were younger at metastatic diagnosis compared with those in RWE and SEER, and Black and Hispanic patients had lower representation in RCTs.
4. Among Medicare Patients With Chronic Asthma, 340B Not Eliminating Disparities
A report raised concerns about the 340B program's efficacy in reducing health disparities for Medicare patients with chronic asthma. The study compared patients treated at 340B health systems with those at non-340B hospitals meeting "disproportionate share" criteria. Disparities were observed, with non-White, dual-eligible, and low-SES patients less likely to receive certain treatments at 340B hospitals indicating that 340B discounts may not significantly curtail demographic disparities in asthma drug treatments and outcomes.
3. Building Better Equity-Based Benefit Designs
During a session at the value-based insurance design (VBID) summit, experts discussed the evolving landscape of health equity, acknowledging that innovations like VBID have been slow to gain traction. The panelists highlighted the pivotal role of George Floyd's murder in 2020 in bringing attention to health equity, prompting insurers to shift focus from internal efforts to addressing disparities. Efforts included forming social justice working groups and implementing equity-based benefit designs, such as reducing financial barriers for conditions that disproportionately affect communities of color.
2. Researchers Uncover Potential Racial Biases in T2D Risk Prediction Models
A study in PLOS Glob Public Health suggested the Prediabetes Risk Test (PRT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) prediction models used in the US health care system may have racial bias, potentially perpetuating inequities. The investigation, which assessed the PRT, Framingham Offspring Risk Score, and ARIC Risk Model, found consistent miscalibration with regard to race. The models predicted higher T2D risks for white individuals than for black individuals, raising concerns about disparities in preventive interventions and treatment.
1. Bridging the Gap in Health Care Inequities: Considerations in Treatment Selection, Part 1
The most-read article featured part 1 of a 2-part podcast series. Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, and Bryan Buckley, DrPH, discussed how providers can address disparities in care related to race, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Joanne Mizell: Lifestyle Modification Programs Take Holistic Aim at Metabolic Disease
May 1st 2024Joanne Mizell shares insurer strategies in addressing the escalating rates of metabolic diseases, highlighting the importance of holistic treatment methods like lifestyle modification programs, which integrate nutrition, physical activity, and community engagement.
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Tackling Health Inequality: The Power of Education and Experience
April 30th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.
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BRCA-Like Classification May Be a Useful Biomarker for Olaparib Response in Ovarian Cancer
May 1st 2024Adding olaparib to maintenance therapy with bevacizumab was associated with significantly longer survival for patients with ovarian cancer whose tumors have a BRCA-like genomic profile, but not among those with non-BRCA-like tumors, a study found.
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Diving Deep Into Specialty Pharmacy: Insights and Forecasts From IQVIA’s Doug Long
May 1st 2024Doug Long, MBA, vice president of industry relations at IQVIA, covered a bevy of stakeholder investment–related topics in his presentation at AXS24 on trends in specialty pharmacy, chief among them challenges facing the industry, obesity medications, generics and biosimilars, new product launches, and the outlook for the US market.
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