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A survey released this month of US patients with blood cancers shows a somewhat surprising level of hesitancy about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, but because patients with cancer were not included in clinical trials, the situation for this population is somewhat nuanced.

Generally, life sciences companies are aligned around the benefit of using value-based insurance design (VBID) to address health care costs and ensure that medications get to the patients who need them.

Spinal muscular atrophy treatment Zolgensma was found to be safe and effective for long-term use and use in presymptomatic patients, according to posters presented at the 2021 MDA Virtual Clinical & Scientific Conference.

The researchers of the study say their findings may aid the hematological community in determining the value of integrating gene expression profiles in contemporary prognostic models to better identify high-risk patients with a poor prognosis.

Among these factors, having a higher degree of disability from multiple sclerosis (MS) was independently associated with higher morbidity and mortality risks from having a comorbid case of COVID-19.

European Medicines Agency announces AstraZeneca vaccine is safe; a low-dose aspirin regimen may help reduce severe COVID-19 outcomes; President Joe Biden sends excess AstraZeneca vaccines to Canada and Mexico.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the health care and mainstream press.

This week, the top managed care news included AstraZeneca refuting blood clot links to COVID-19 vaccine; 2021 V-BID Summit celebrates 20 years of policy achievements for value-based insurance design; Managed Care Cast discusses 4 strategies payers can use to ensure opioid use disorder care.

To mark World Sleep Day, a survey issued this week spotlights trends that have impacted sleep quality in the past year, including rising stress amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of unattended snoring that may signal an underlying health condition.

Despite HHS’ recommendation that everyone with HIV start antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after their diagnosis, uptick disparities remain and are especially apparent among persons with drug abuse or dependence.

Xavier Becerra, California's attorney general, will become the next secretary of HHS after the Senate voted 50-49, split by party lines.

The study examined the cost to Medicare when patients with end-stage renal disease switched from their employer-based health insurance to Medicare between 2007 and 2017 before the end of the 30-month coordination period.

A new study suggests that 3-feet social distancing is sufficient for in-person instruction in public schools; Amazon announces it will offer its Amazon Care telemedicine program to private employers nationwide; ACIST Kodama Intravascular Ultrasound Catheter recalled.

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension had similar incidence of COVID-19, but the impact on clinical operations at the centers that treat these patients was substantial.

Patients with multiple sclerosis have high rates of urinary and kidney infections, inpatient hospitalizations, and outpatient hospital claims, according to recent results presented at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and history of cardiovascular disease treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy were shown to report 20% higher levels of moderate physical activity compared with non-CPAP users, with these patients also more likely to exercise at levels meeting clinical recommendations.

A panel of experts provided consumer insights into value-based insurance design (VBID) and how the COVID-19 pandemic may have changed consumer behaviors in a way that VBID may be able to address as the country emerges from the pandemic.

Responses from a study of in-person focus groups show that not only do patients report adverse effects on quality of life, physical well-being, and mental health but that their caregivers do as well.

While an association was found between dementia and the most common form of lupus, links to other autoimmune diseases—rheumatic arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and Behcet’s disease—were not found.

Results of a scoping review of 19 studies indicate estrogen likely plays a key role in migraine pathogenesis but affects patients in different ways depending on past medical history, age, and use of hormonal therapy.

Patients discharged from hospitals after recovering from severe COVID-19 were found to have lasting functional impairment and post-traumatic stress symptoms months after, according to a study.

The FDA issues updated guidance on the emergency use authorization (EUA) process for COVID-19 screening tools; Eli Lilly releases patient-reported outcome results for Verzenio (abemaciclib) in breast cancer; COVID-19 vaccines possibly improve long-haul symptoms among patients.

A value-based care team approach can be utilized to adequately treat patients’ medical problems, particularly by addressing the social, economic, and environmental challenges they’re facing in their everyday lives.

A desire to remove barriers to high-value care and provide services that would improve health and quality of life drove early adopters of value-based insurance design (VBID).

A novel skin test was shown to detect metabolites that could predict the development of Parkinson disease, as well as delineate changes in lipid processing and mitochondria that can be leveraged to better understand how the disease develops.

The safety and effectiveness of the long-acting agent is backed by data from trials of the drug among treatment-experienced individuals living with HIV-1 whose viral load is on the rise due to other regimens failing. Investigation continues among these patients, as well as treatment-naive patients.

Fear of exposure to COVID-19 is associated with patients missing ophthalmic care appointments, suggesting the potential importance of conveying practices’ infection-control measures, according to results of a non-validated survey.

Evidence points to the origins of COVID-19 variants; officials urge former President Trump to encourage supporters to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; Purdue Pharma releases a bankruptcy plan.