Brooke is an assistant editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®). She joined AJMC in 2023, where she produces written content covering multiple disease states.
She has a BA in journalism from Seton Hall University. You can connect with Brooke on LinkedIn.
Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
On 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.
Ever-Smokers With COPD Have a Greater Risk of Developing ADHD, Study Says
No causal association with psychiatric disorders was observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) without a smoking history, while ever-smokers with COPD had a greater risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Medicare Value-Based Purchasing Program Yields Comparable 30-Day Mortality Rates Across Hospitals
Although 30-day mortality rates did not worsen for Medicare beneficiaries at hospitals with high proportions of Black patients compared with other hospitals, gaps in outcomes widened for Black adults with pneumonia under the Medicare Value-Based Purchasing Program.
VR-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation More Effective in Patients With COPD, Study Says
Virtual reality (VR) combined with pulmonary rehabilitation was more effective than pulmonary rehabilitation alone in improving the pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and mental health of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Gabapentinoid Use in COPD Associated With Increased Severe Exacerbation Risk, Study Says
Gabapentinoid use, namely gabapentin and pregabalin, was associated with increased risk for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation in patients with epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and other chronic pain.
High White Blood Cell Counts Are Associated With Long-Term Acute COPD Exacerbations, Study Says
The study's findings suggest that high baseline white blood cell count, particularly high neutrophil count, was associated with a higher incidence of long-term acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dr Sandra Stein Shares Takeaways From Banner|Aetna IVBM
According to Sandra Stein, MD, of Banner Health Plans, the event highlighted the significant influence of social determinants of health on health care costs and outcomes, emphasizing the shift in focus from traditional medical care to addressing crucial factors like housing, food, transportation, and utilities for positive health outcomes.
Dr Jonathan Silverberg Lists Which Patients With AD Benefit Most From JAK Inhibitors
Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, of George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, explains the benefits of using Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to treat patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).