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Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has comparable diagnostic accuracy as dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. Although it cannot replace DXA for diagnosing osteoporosis, it can be used as an effective prescreening tool prior to a DXA scan, researchers said it a recent study comparing the performance of the 2 screening methods.

Using antibodies from llamas, scientists reported that they have made a huge step forward in creating a universal flu vaccine; under a draft proposal in Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s office, US diplomats could be prohibited from using the phrases “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education"; the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) 5-star rating scale for its hospitals is a mystery to former officials at the agency and experts in healthcare metrics.

A review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlights existing knowledge gaps in understanding the safety and impact of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors in pregnant women suffering from inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and rhaumatoid arthritis.

This week, the top managed care news included a proposal to allow Medicare to pay the same prices for certain drugs as what other countries pay; President Donald Trump signed a law to fight the opioid crisis; an FDA advisory panel voted narrowly to retain a 10-year-old guidance for safety trials for diabetes drugs.

An angiotensin II receptor blocker that is used to treat high blood pressure has been recalled due to a contamination that carries a potential cancer risk; with insurance companies considering precision medicine experimental, the high cost of a promising area of medicine may be out of reach for patients; instead of using a local pharmacy, employees of the state of Utah could be paid to go to Mexico to fill their prescriptions.

Over the past several decades, the number of patients who survive head and neck cancer (HNC) has increased; among the more than 15 million cancer survivors in the United States, approximately 430,000 (3%) are survivors of HNC. These survivors may face persistent and late effects of their diagnosis and treatment that increase psychological morbidity, including suicidal ideation.