School nurses play an overworked and understaffed role; Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda (pembroilzumab) has been granted approval for pre- and postsurgical treatment in lung cancer; the FDA is helping to curb tobacco-related health disparities.
School Nurses Struggle to Keep Students Healthy
School nurses are often the frontline for public health concerns in schools, including tracking vaccinations and addressing sensitive topics with parents, according to Kaiser Health News. However, more than one-third of schools in the United States lack a full-time nurse, and the profession faces additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Insufficient staffing puts student health and education at risk, and despite recommendations for nurse-to-student ratios, many states struggle to attract and retain school nurses, further exacerbating the nation's overall nursing shortage.
FDA Expands Keytruda's Use in Early-Stage NSCLC
The FDA has granted approval for the extended use of Merck & Co's immunotherapy drug, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in patients who have early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to Reuters. This expanded approval allows Keytruda to be used in combination with chemotherapy both before and after surgical tumor removal. Merck aims to widen the application of Keytruda into earlier stages of cancer treatment. Tthe drug, already approved for multiple indications worldwide, has reported sales of $12.1 billion in the last 2 quarters.
FDA Proposes Ban on Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Cigars
The FDA has taken a significant step toward banning menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars, a move that public health experts believe could save hundreds of thousands of lives, according to CNN. The proposed ban aims to eliminate menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars, with the goal of reducing tobacco addiction and curbing the marketing of these products to children, particularly in minority communities. A ban on menthol could help close health disparities, especially in the Black community, and ultimately save up to 654,000 lives in the United States within 40 years.
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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Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: April 27, 2024
April 27th 2024Racial disparities in end-of-life care, the role of wellness and faith in minority health, award-winning research on health disparities, societal factors impacting cardiometabolic health, and rising mental health challenges among US youth are all covered this week in the Center on Health Equity and Access.
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Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
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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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