Health Care Delivery

With the 2024 Community Oncology Conference, from the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), set to kick off this week in Orlando, Florida, The American Journal of Managed Care® spoke with Emily Touloukian, DO, COA board member and 1 of 6 cochairs for this year’s meeting, on highlights from the packed agenda and the power of advocacy.

Part 1 of a 3-part feature series on the history, evolution, and current state of LGBTQ+ health care is focused on the unique needs and journey of transgender patients in the US health system, as well as the policies and social influences that have shaped their access to care.

A cross-sectional study utilizing self-reports from Chinese college students correlated mobile phone use with insomnia, bolstering previous research that made similar conclusions.

An artificial intelligence (AI) mode was more accurate in assessing patient risks for skin cancer through the analysis of 2D facial images compared with more traditional risk-factor screening.

The Center on Health Equity and Access shares up-to-date news, research progress, and ongoing initiatives dedicated to tackling health care disparities and enhancing overall access to quality care.

The often-overlooked perspective of the caregiver was brought to the forefront of a presentation by Julia Cohen Sebastien at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health 2024 Women’s Health Summit.

Results are consistent with the authors' prior findings on the possible effects of circadian rhythm on outcomes after immunotherapy.

A population-based cohort study out of Norway has found that older men have a higher risk of developing second primary invasive melanoma following an initial primary melanoma, suggesting the benefits of increased surveillance in these patients.

Patrick Vermersch, MD, PhD, University of Lille, France details the adverse events observed in the frexalimab trials and the next steps necessary to establish frexalimab as a standard of care in multiple sclerosis (MS) in the third and final part of an interview.

Clinician and patient interviews indicated satisfaction with the items presented to help describe patient symptoms with different lymphomas.

In this interview, Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, the Louisiana Food Bank Association, discusses the outreach dynamics of the organization and food banks.

Investigators used the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General General Physical Wellbeing Scale to collect data on patient-reported treatment-related adverse effects, to provide clinicians guidance on predicting risk of early treatment discontinuation among ECOG-ACRIN E1A11 trial participants.

Despite potential benefits, the therapy remains in limited use for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

Results from a retrospective cohort study analyzing patients with breast cancer bolster reports of an association between radiation therapy and subsequent risks of skin cancers.

A presentation at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health's 2024 Women’s Health Summit discussed how payers, including employers and public entities, can strategically influence health care purchasing to prioritize maternal health and equity.

Flat funding for HHS leaves critical health initiatives stagnant; Supreme Court weighs tightening regulations on abortion pill; manufacturing delay sparks access concerns for insulin medication.

A better understanding of biomarkers in ocular graft-vs-host disease (oGVHD) can help drive a more comprehensive understanding of the disease and improve patient outcomes, say researchers.

For Lp(a) Awareness Day, Mary McGowan, MD, FNLA, chief medical officer of the Family Heart Foundation, highlights how most people with elevated Lp(a) are completely unaware that they have this increased risk and calls for increased testing.

The Center on Health Equity and Access covered disparities in hypertension, diabetic eye health, and hidradenitis suppurativa, along with the proposed legislation banning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Alabama schools and the consequences in sickle cell care from the CDC guideline for opioid prescriptions.

In this analysis, 3 bisphosphonates (alendronate, pamidronate, and zoledronic acid) and 1 RANK ligand inhibitor (denosumab) were evaluated for their effectiveness at preventing osteoclasts from facilitating jaw degradation and reducing vertebral fracture risk among patients being treated for multiple myeloma.

A retrospective, qualitative cohort study concludes that patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may have been negatively impacted by the 2016 CDC guidance.

A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study suggested that the consumption of yeast mannan may benefit sleep quality and gut health.

Physician-scientists play a vital role in bridging research and clinical practice, and ensuring diversity among them has emerged as a critical factor for fostering biomedical innovation and achieving equitable health care.

There is no cure for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but new therapeutic options could extend survival, even in cases where the latest treatments have faltered.

Results from this cohort study found that levels of glial fibrillary acid protein, cerebral spinal fluid, and neurofilament heavy chain are distinguishable biomarkers that are associated with disease outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Based on the findings, investigators acknowledged the critical need to consider racial differences when assessing patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Health care providers should be vigilant in addressing cardiovascular risk factors in this population, recognizing and addressing racial disparities that may impact disease management.

UnitedHealth Group aims to restore services amid investigations; providers advised to administer measles vaccine to infants before international travel; study finds significant increase in medication abortions after Supreme Court decision.

Posters presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting demonstrated both short- and long-term efficacy and safety profiles of brodalumab in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Two strategies were tried, but neither outperformed usual care.

AstraZeneca joins efforts to address high drug prices by capping out-of-pocket costs for its inhalers; Opill, the first OTC birth control pill, is now accessible through online sales; expansion prompts questions on the effectiveness and regulation of remote monitoring technology.