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California falling short of enrollment goal as mental health courts roll out statewide

California's new initiative to compel treatment for some of the state's most severely mentally ill residents — many of whom are living on the streets — is falling short of its initial objectives.

3 Dec 2024

Who gets obesity drugs covered by insurance? In North Carolina, it helps if you’re on Medicaid

After losing and regaining the same 20-plus pounds more times than she could count, Anita Blanchard concluded that diets don't work.

2 Dec 2024

SONIA trial demonstrates cost-effective treatment approach for advanced breast cancer

On November 27, the prestigious journal Nature will publish the results of an innovative breast cancer research project from the Netherlands.

27 Nov 2024

Childhood social disadvantage linked to increased MS severity

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) as children and grow up in less advantaged neighborhoods may have a larger volume of inflammation and brain tissue loss on imaging than those who grow up in more advantaged neighborhoods, according to a study published in the November 27, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

27 Nov 2024

Research shows "Alzheimer's in a dish" model can accelerate drug discovery

A decade ago, researchers introduced a new model for studying Alzheimer's disease. Known as "Alzheimer's in a dish," the model uses cultures of mature brain cells suspended in a gel to recapitulate what takes place in the human brain over 10 to 13 years in just six weeks.

27 Nov 2024

IQWiG evaluates smoking cessation drugs for severe tobacco dependence treatment

By law, smokers with severe tobacco dependence are entitled to receive one-off drug therapy for smoking cessation as part of evidence-based programmes reimbursed by the German statutory health insurance (SHI).

27 Nov 2024

Study reveals how liver bile composition changes during enteric infections

Intestinal infections can change the composition of liver bile, leading to changes in immune function and gut bacteria, potentially helping fight off harmful bacteria .

26 Nov 2024

Florida’s Deloitte-run computer system cut off new moms entitled to Medicaid

In mid-May, Mandi Rokx had a 3-month-old baby and a letter from a Florida agency warning that they both would be cut from Medicaid, the health insurance program for people with low incomes or disabilities.

26 Nov 2024

New study offers insights into reliable Alzheimer's diagnosis

A research group at LMU University Hospital has investigated how Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed more reliably in the future.

25 Nov 2024

Anti-fraud efforts meet real-world test during aCA enrollment period

Unauthorized switching of Affordable Care Act plans appears to have tapered off in recent weeks based on an almost one-third drop in casework associated with consumer complaints, say federal regulators.

25 Nov 2024

Study explores factors influencing the acquisition of exercise habits in middle-aged workers

Researchers at University of Tsukuba analyzed data from middle-aged workers who had received Specific Health Guidance—a revolutionary system implemented by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to improve lifestyle habits for individuals with metabolic syndrome and those at presumptive risk of metabolic syndrome.

23 Nov 2024

Experts recommend cascade screening over universal lipid screening for familial hypercholesterolemia

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) to assess the benefit of universal blood lipid screening for the early detection of familial hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents.

21 Nov 2024

Study links prenatal immune activity to Alzheimer's risk in later life

Findings from a Mass General Brigham-led study that has followed participants since before birth may offer clues about the origins of Alzheimer's disease.

21 Nov 2024

Washington power has shifted. Here’s how the ACA may shift, too.

President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House could embolden Republicans who want to weaken or repeal the Affordable Care Act, but implementing such sweeping changes would still require overcoming procedural and political hurdles.

21 Nov 2024

Muvalaplin shows promise in lowering Lp(a) levels in clinical trial

A clinical trial testing muvalaplin, a novel oral medication, was able to safely and effectively lower high levels of lipoprotein (a), according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

19 Nov 2024

New nasal spray form of bumetanide shows promise for heart failure treatment

A new nasal spray form of the medication bumetanide may reduce the tissue swelling caused by heart failure as effectively as the standard oral and intravenous formulations of the medication, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

19 Nov 2024

Study defines three subtypes of Chiari type-1 malformation to guide treatment

Roughly 4% of the population is affected by a congenital brain malformation that has eluded researchers' efforts to find causes and treatments.

19 Nov 2024

Reconditioned pacemakers prove safe and effective in global trial

A randomized trial that compared previously used and new pacemakers in patients found the reconditioned devices were as safe and effective as new pacemakers, potentially offering affordable options for patients in low-and middle-income countries.

18 Nov 2024

Common heart failure drug reduces risk of chemotherapy-induced heart damage in cancer patients

A commonly prescribed medication for heart failure was linked to a lower risk of heart damage, or cardiotoxicity, among high-risk cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment using anthracyclines, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Blood pressure control improved with dual medication pills in India

Medication variations that combined two of three different blood pressure-lowering medications into a single pill worked equally well in reducing blood pressure and were safe among adults in India, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024