Center on Health Equity & Access

The FDA approved Viatris' Gwyn Lo, a once-weekly low-dose estrogen (20 mcg) contraceptive patch, based on phase 3 LUMINOUS data showing a Pearl Index of 4.14 pregnancies per 100 woman-years and strong adhesion (98.7% intact). It's approved for women with BMI under 30; common side effects included application-site irritation and intercycle bleeding. Available later in 2026.

Global third-dose hepatitis B (HepB3) vaccine coverage reached 81.8% in 2023, but persistent gaps in Africa and South Asia threaten WHO elimination goals.

Experts at the Washington, DC, Pop Health Roundtable discussed delays in ILD diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, antifibrotic therapy, and insurance barriers.

Katherine Wilemon, Family Heart Foundation, described the biggest unmet need when it comes to public awareness of Lp(a) and its associated risk factors.

A new AHA scientific statement defines pediatric cardiogenic shock and proposes a 5-stage classification to guide diagnosis, monitoring, and escalation of care.

CANN says the revised pilot reflects stakeholder input and aims to address accountability challenges in the more than $100 billion 340B program.

Lilly opens early access to retatrutide for some patients before FDA approval, following scrutiny over a single earlier compassionate-use case.

The goal of transplant is to give rise to new immune cells capable of hunting down and destroying resistant leukemic cells, says Karilyn Larkin, MD.

Doris Hansen, MD, co-led "Bridging the Gaps in Health Equity and Access in Multiple Myeloma" on May 2, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

Peter Forsberg, MD, discusses referral pathways, payer barriers, and expanding access to CAR T-cell and bispecific therapies.

Katherine Wilemon of the Family Heart Foundation discusses the need for Lp(a) screening in the US, where rates are historically low despite risk.

Summer heat may accelerate microplastic exposure, raising concerns about health effects and climate impacts.

UPMC and Birth Root Community Doula describe a 4-year partnership addressing food insecurity, housing, and maternal health disparities.

At an AJMC roundtable, Boston clinicians detailed fragmented obesity care access, prior authorization burdens, and looming GLP-1 coverage shifts.

The researchers of this study warn a mismatch could deepen care gaps for LGBTQ+ patients in restrictive states.

John Kitchens, MD, explores how GLP-1s, novel drug pipelines, and Medicaid access gaps are shaping the future of DME management.

Experts discussed innovations in oncology care, treatment access, pharmacy workflows, and patient outcomes.

Panelists emphasized coordinated care, biomarker testing, innovative therapies, and clinical trial access to advance precision oncology.

Black, Latino boys' stigma persists; AHRQ halts 100+ grants; Delgocitinib succeeds in teens; Medicaid frail rule stands; BIPOC eating care improves.

Alvin Thomas, PhD, discusses social media, discrimination, and mental health challenges affecting Black and Latino youth.

Researchers say the Trump administration has quietly shut down most Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grantmaking, halting 100+ safety studies.

A federal judge heard arguments over whether CMS unlawfully narrowed the Medicaid work requirement exemption for medically frail beneficiaries.

Experts discuss barriers to eating disorder diagnosis and treatment for BIPOC patients and strategies to improve equitable care.

The FDA's push for faster, more diverse trials misses the real fix: experts say AI simulation and readability, not red tape, close the gap.

Hans Lee, MD, lays out the tradeoffs in travel, time off therapy, and who each option realistically fits when looking at CAR T-cell and bispecific therapies.