School nurses play an overworked and understaffed role; Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda (pembroilzumab) has been granted approval for pre- and postsurgical treatment in lung cancer; the FDA is helping to curb tobacco-related health disparities.
School Nurses Struggle to Keep Students Healthy
School nurses are often the frontline for public health concerns in schools, including tracking vaccinations and addressing sensitive topics with parents, according to Kaiser Health News. However, more than one-third of schools in the United States lack a full-time nurse, and the profession faces additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Insufficient staffing puts student health and education at risk, and despite recommendations for nurse-to-student ratios, many states struggle to attract and retain school nurses, further exacerbating the nation's overall nursing shortage.
FDA Expands Keytruda's Use in Early-Stage NSCLC
The FDA has granted approval for the extended use of Merck & Co's immunotherapy drug, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in patients who have early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to Reuters. This expanded approval allows Keytruda to be used in combination with chemotherapy both before and after surgical tumor removal. Merck aims to widen the application of Keytruda into earlier stages of cancer treatment. Tthe drug, already approved for multiple indications worldwide, has reported sales of $12.1 billion in the last 2 quarters.
FDA Proposes Ban on Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Cigars
The FDA has taken a significant step toward banning menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars, a move that public health experts believe could save hundreds of thousands of lives, according to CNN. The proposed ban aims to eliminate menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars, with the goal of reducing tobacco addiction and curbing the marketing of these products to children, particularly in minority communities. A ban on menthol could help close health disparities, especially in the Black community, and ultimately save up to 654,000 lives in the United States within 40 years.
Integrating RECIST and Clinician Approaches Boosts NSCLC Research
May 8th 2024Outcomes among patients with stage IV non–small cell lung cancer as evaluated within clinical trials via Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and clinician response criteria in observational studies were compared for their concordance and reliability.
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CMS Medicare Final Rule: Advancing Benefits, Competition, and Consumer Protection
May 7th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Karen Iapoce, senior director of government products and programs at ZeOmega, about the recent CMS final rule on Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage.
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The Joint Commission is launching the Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program to standardize staff training and patient care practices at rural health clinics nationwide; the American Cancer Society recently launched the largest-ever study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women; the HHS COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved $732 billion by preventing illness and related costs.
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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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