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Study: Dozens of counties in the U.S. are at highest risk for opioid deaths

Dozens of counties in the Midwest and South are at the highest risk for opioid deaths in the United States, say University of Michigan researchers.

29 Jun 2019

New review looks at different efforts aimed at reducing low-value care

Health care institutions and providers face mounting pressure to wring more value out of every dollar spent on caring for their patients.

29 Jun 2019

New treatment method for glioblastoma shows indication of benefit

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumour that usually occurs in late adulthood. Just two years after diagnosis, only 13.6% of patients are still alive. Standard treatment consists of surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.

29 Jun 2019

Introduction of default physician order reduces unnecessary imaging for cancer patients

Simply introducing a default physician order - a "nudge" - into electronic health records cut the use of unnecessary daily imaging in half during palliative radiation therapy sessions for patients with advanced cancer, according to a Penn Medicine study published today in JAMA Oncology.

28 Jun 2019

Universal health care for New Yorkers? Not exactly

On Wednesday, 10 Democratic presidential candidates were asked to raise their hands if they would abolish private health insurance in favor of a government-run option. Just two said they would: Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City.

28 Jun 2019

Functional decline highly prevalent in older adults initiating dialysis

A new study published in CJASN found that functional decline within the first 6 months after initiating dialysis was highly prevalent in older adults at 17 centers in Netherlands, and the risk was higher in those with advanced age and frailty.

28 Jun 2019

Five things we found in the FDA’s hidden device database

After two decades of keeping the public in the dark about millions of medical device malfunctions and injuries, the Food and Drug Administration has published the once hidden database online, revealing 5.7 million incidents publicly for the first time.

27 Jun 2019

Avoiding overtesting in the emergency department could create significant health care savings

An emergency department is sometimes the first place a person thinks to go for health care.

27 Jun 2019

Delaney’s debate claim that ‘Medicare for All’ will shutter hospitals goes overboard

At the first Democratic presidential primary debate, former Rep. John Delaney (Md.) outlined his opposition to "Medicare for All" and focused on one potential loser: hospitals.

27 Jun 2019

Research project to investigate causes of persistent anemia among Peruvian children

The causes of persistent high levels of anemia among Peruvian children will be investigated by a new study led by Queen Mary University of London and the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, in collaboration with Universidad Nacional Intercultural de la Amazonia and Universidad Nacional San Christobal de Huamanga in Peru.

27 Jun 2019

FDA approves first drug for treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Soliris (eculizumab) injection for intravenous use for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive.

27 Jun 2019

Changing the whole structure of healthcare for better patient interactions

Can the patient journey through healthcare be changed? How are patients treated and why? In a new doctoral thesis, Josina Vink has studied the patient journey and how it can be redesigned.

27 Jun 2019

As the economy surges, a dramatic drop in workers on disability

Tens of thousands of Californians have come off the Social Security disability payroll and gone back to work, part of a national trend that reflects a surging U.S. economy, a shift toward less conventional work and tighter supervision of what qualifies a worker for disability benefits.

27 Jun 2019

How black pharmacists are closing the cultural gap in health care

After a health insurance change forced Bernard Macon to cut ties with his black doctor, he struggled to find another African American physician online. Then, he realized two health advocates were hiding in plain sight.

27 Jun 2019

More seniors are dying in falls. Doctors could do more to reduce the risk.

Older adults worried about falling typically receive general advice: Take an exercise class. Get your vision checked. Stop taking medications for sleep. Install grab bars in the bathroom.

27 Jun 2019

Long delays in prescribing new antibiotics may threaten development of needed drugs

U.S. hospitals wait over a year on average to begin prescribing newly developed antibiotics, a delay that might threaten the supply or discourage future development of needed drugs.

27 Jun 2019

Smartphone's camera could help perform non-clinical diagnostic testing in rural areas

A Simon Fraser University researcher is hoping to help women in rural areas access information about their reproductive health using a common tool in their pockets: a smartphone.

27 Jun 2019

New game app spreads knowledge about person-centered care

Click, swipe, listen to patients and follow the talk among the healthcare staff. Now, another step in the work towards a more person-centered care is being taken as the PCC Game app is being launched. A virtual journey for greater knowledge and with tricky questions along the way.

27 Jun 2019

Expanding role of registered nurses in primary care

Nurse-researchers at South Dakota State University are helping rural clinics more fully utilize registered nurses in primary care and have expanded the nursing curriculum to better prepare students to deliver that care.

27 Jun 2019

‘Medicare for All’ emerges as early divide in first democratic debate

During Wednesday night's Democratic presidential primary debate — the first in a two-night event viewed as the de facto launch of the primary season — health policies, ranging from "Medicare for All" to efforts to curb skyrocketing drug prices, were among the key issues the 10 hopeful candidates onstage used to help differentiate themselves from the pack.

27 Jun 2019