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.
Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: May 18, 2024
May 18th 2024The US Senate hosted a panel addressing physician and health care shortages and efforts to increase minority representation in the medical field. An expert discussed initiatives to prevent senior homelessness. Advocates called for the repeal of the Comstock Act. Regulatory reforms are called for to improve rural cancer patients' access to pharmacies. Research reveals the impact of denials on patient access to immunology treatments.
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Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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Perioperative Nivolumab Boosts NSCLC Survival: CheckMate 77T Trial
May 16th 2024This interim analysis of the CheckMate 77T trial, outcomes were compared between adult patients receiving neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus placebo for resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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