Blood tests offer a less invasive and more accessible means of detecting Alzheimer disease; Democrats address a year-long Adderall shortage; A new study shows significantly improved clinical outcomes in Type 2 diabetes management with a digital behavioral therapy app.
Blood Tests for Widespread Alzheimer Diagnosis Likely by 2023
A blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer disease may become available to the public in the very near future, as experts predict its availability in 2023, according to Reuters. This groundbreaking development offers a less invasive and more accessible means of detecting Alzheimer disease, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and better treatment options. This news brings hope to individuals and families impacted by this common form of dementia, as it could transform the landscape of Alzheimer disease diagnosis and care.
Year-Long Adderall Shortage Continues
Democrats are seeking answers regarding a year-long shortage of Adderall, a medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to The Hill. In a letter to the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration, lawmakers expressed concerns about the shortage’s impact on patients who depend on the medication. The shortage has created difficulties for patients in accessing the necessary treatment, raising questions about supply chain issues and potential actions to address the problem.
Digital Therapeutic AspyreRx Enhances T2D Management
A recent subgroup analysis of AspyreRx (formerly BT-001) in a pivotal trial for type 2 diabetes (T2D) demonstrated that when used in conjunction with standard of care and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the digital behavioral therapy app led to substantial clinical improvements compared with those not using AspyreRx, according to Better Therapeutics. The study, which involved 160 participants, resulted in an average reduction of 0.7% in hemoglobin A1C levels at 90 days, surpassing the 0.4% reduction seen among in the control arm of the BT-001 pivotal clinical trial population. Those combining GLP-1 RAs with AspyreRx also exhibited greater hemoglobin A1C reduction, weight loss, and reduced medication use at day 180.
The Joint Commission is launching the Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program to standardize staff training and patient care practices at rural health clinics nationwide; the American Cancer Society recently launched the largest-ever study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women; the HHS COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved $732 billion by preventing illness and related costs.
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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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Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
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AUA Session Highlights the General Urologist’s Role in Gender-Affirming Care
May 7th 2024During her session, Polina Reyblat, MD, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, highlighted best practices urologists should incorporate to make transgender and gender-diverse patients comfortable during physical exams and avoid retraumatization.
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