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What We're Reading: Drug Overdose Deaths; New Anthem CEO; Diabetes Technology
CDC released a report showing a more than 17% increase in drug overdose deaths last year; Gail K. Boudreaux will step in as new Anthem CEO; and the first glucose-monitoring system that doesn’t require a blood sample will hopefully be introduced by the end of 2018.
Sharp Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths Last Year
Joseph Swedish Out, Gail Boudreaux in as Anthem CEO
High-Tech Relief for People with Diabetes
Drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50. On Friday, CDC released a report that showed deaths by drug overdose increased by more than 17% last year. Preliminary data from the fourth quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2016 show that the rate of fatal overdoses rose to approximately 20 people per 100,000, up from 16.6 per 100,000, according to The New York Times. The highest rates reported were from New Hampshire, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Rhode Island.Anthem has chosen a former top executive from one of its biggest competitors to replace Joseph Swedish as its next CEO, according to The Associated Press. Gail K. Boudreaux will start November 20. Swedish will continue to serve as executive chairman until May, and will then will serve as senior advisor for a couple more years. Anthem did not cite a reason for the departure of Swedish, who has been CEO for more than 4 years. Boudreaux served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare until November 2014.The days of routine finger pricking and imprecise glucose meters may soon be over, according to Bloomberg. Manufacturers have begun to incorporate the consumer-friendly designs of Silicon Valley, linking to smart phones and other devices. In September, regulators approved the first glucose-monitoring system that doesn’t require a blood sample. The FreeStyle Libre utilizes a sensor that is worn on the back of the arm. Last Wednesday, executives said the company hopes to introduce the device by the end of 2018.
Research Points to Potential MCIDs in Diabetes Distress Scale–17
November 29th 2023Researchers identified a value of at least 0.25 to be a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in diabetes distress, and MCID values of 0.38 and 0.39 for emotional and interpersonal distress subscales and physician and regimen distress subscales, respectively.
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How Can Employers Leverage the DPP to Improve Diabetes Rates?
February 15th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Jill Hutt, vice president of member services at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, explains the Coalition’s efforts to reduce diabetes rates through the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).
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Balancing Care Access and Fragmentation for Better Outcomes in Veterans With Diabetes
April 22nd 2021The authors of a study in the April 2021 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® discuss the possible reasons behind the link between care fragmentation and hospitalizations in veterans with diabetes, as well as potential opportunities to address disjointed care in the context of the widespread telehealth uptake seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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