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What We’re Reading: Low Rates of COVID-19 Boosters in Nursing Homes; Racial Discrimination in Health Care; New Obesity Treatment
Low vaccination rates raise fears of COVID-19 resurgence; a survey highlights racial discrimination in health care; Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide (Zepbound) has entered US pharmacies.
Concerns Rise as Nursing Home Residents and Staff Lag in COVID-19 Boosters
The United States faces heightened risks as it enters peak respiratory virus season with low vaccination rates among nursing home residents and staff, according to The Hill. Only 27% of nursing home residents and 6% of staff have received COVID-19 boosters since September, leaving a vulnerable population at risk. With the absence of federal vaccine mandates for nursing home workers, health experts emphasize the need for persuasion efforts to boost vaccination rates.
Survey Highlights Prevalence of Racial Discrimination in Health Care
A recent survey of nearly 6300 patients in the United States underscores the widespread issue of racial discrimination in the health care system, according to Kaiser Health News. The survey revealed that a significant percentage of Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic adults feel the need to be cautious about their appearance before medical appointments to be treated fairly. This highlights the stress caused by the anticipation of discrimination, adding to existing health concerns.
New Obesity Treatment Hits US Pharmacies at $550/Month
Eli Lilly's obesity treatment, tirzepatide (Zepbound), has entered US pharmacies, offering a new option in the expanding weight-loss drug market, projected to reach $100 billion by the end of the decade, according to Reuters. Tirzepatide, with a list price of $1059.87 a month, could cost customers without insurance coverage $550 a month. The drug aims to rival Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Wegovy), a popular weight-loss medication. Lilly's commercial savings card program may reduce costs to as low as $25 for insured patients, making it more accessible.
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
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CMS' 340B Repayment Proposal May Harm Vulnerable Hospitals, Reward Those With Higher Revenues
April 26th 2024The 340B hospitals not receiving an offsetting lump-sum payment from CMS following 2018-2022 cuts later ruled unlawful are disproportionately rural, publicly owned, and nonacademic, according to a new study.
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Dr Kathy Zackowski Discusses the Importance of Rehabilitation Research and Trials in MS
April 26th 2024Kathy Zackowski, PhD, National MS Society, expresses the inherent value of quality rehabilitation trials for broadening clinical understandings of multiple sclerosis (MS) and bettering patient outcomes.
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