Christina is the associate editorial director of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The American Journal of Accountable Care® (AJAC), and joined AJMC in 2016. She oversees the publication of the print journals, from manuscript submission to publication, and works with the editors in chief and editorial boards to promote the journals.
She has a BS in public health from Rutgers University. You can connect with Christina on LinkedIn.
Despite Expanding Array of Psoriasis Treatments, Opportunities for Improvement Remain
There are a number of new biologic options for treating psoriasis, but undertreatment is still a concern, and more long-term data are needed, according to Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD, MSCE, at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum.
New Understanding of Migraine Biology Paves Way for Innovative Therapy Options
Now that investigators have a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of migraine, new treatment and prevention options are making their way to patients and fueling an exciting time for the field, according to a presenter at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum.
Overcoming the Unique Hurdles to Biosimilar Uptake in Oncology
With the costs of biologic drugs increasing, biosimilars have emerged as an attractive option for containing costs and expanding access to treatment. However, some barriers to wider uptake still need to be addressed, according to a presentation at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum.
Top 5 Most-Read Multiple Sclerosis Articles of 2020
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic dominated headlines for much of 2020, and most of the top 5 multiple sclerosis articles of this year discussed the effects of COVID-19 on patients with this disease. Others touched on physician and patient assessments of relapse and potential new treatments for neural damage.
Top 5 Most-Read Inflammation Articles of 2020
This year, the most popular articles and interviews related to the role of inflammation in asthma and other conditions touched on the mechanisms of inflammation, patterns of inhaler use, and the real-world impacts of the monoclonal antibody dupilumab.
Moving Beyond Precision Oncology to “Precision Prevention” in Oncology Practices
In a pair of sessions at the Quality Cancer Care Alliance Virtual Fall Leadership Summit, speakers discussed the promise of precision medicine for not only informing individuals’ cancer treatment decisions but also identifying individuals at high risk before disease develops.
Areas to Watch in Specialty Drug Pipeline Include Cancer, Orphan Drugs
In her presentation, Aimee Tharaldson, PhD, senior clinical pharmacist of emerging therapeutics at Express Scripts, discussed the upcoming pipeline of specialty drug approvals and their potential impact on the market.
Understanding the Complicated Patchwork of State Drug Pricing Reform Legislation
The pressure on state budgets exerted by new approvals of costly therapeutics has led many states to implement legislation aimed at regulating drug prices, but the success of these efforts is not uniform across the nation.
Succeeding in Value-Based Payment Requires Engaging Pharmacists From Health Plans and Systems
Pharmacists have an important role to play in the success of value-based payment models, according to panelists who discussed their health plan’s value initiatives at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2020 meeting.
Keeping Up With Pharmacists’ Changing Scope of Practice Amid COVID-19
A panel discussion examined the changes in the health care landscape occurring due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly around pharmacists’ scope of practice, and which changes are likely to persist after the pandemic.
Makary Calls for Price Reform, Transparency to Fulfill Patient-Centered Medical Heritage
Marty Makary, MD, MPH, kicked off the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2020 meeting with a call to action around reducing overprescribing, increasing price transparency, and recapturing the public’s trust in the health care system.
Heart Disease in Pregnant Women Raises Risk of Maternal, Neonatal Complications
Women with heart disease during their first pregnancy had a higher rate of maternal cardiac events and neonatal complications, especially if they also had pulmonary hypertension, according to study findings published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. The study also identified factors that can predict which pregnant women with heart disease will develop heart failure.
Dr Mark Fendrick: Incorporating V-BID Into Our COVID-19 Response and the "New Normal" to Follow
We spoke with Dr Mark Fendrick, co-editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Managed Care®, and director of the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design, or V-BID, on how the principles of V-BID can be used to make a real difference for the millions of American families financially struggling with the impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and can help shape the new healthcare delivery landscape after the pandemic.
States, Health Plans Prepare for Influx of New Medicaid Beneficiaries Due to COVID-19
With the economic upheaval and unemployment brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, observers anticipate a large influx of new members into Medicaid programs. We spoke with Russ Fendley, former Medicaid commissioner for Kentucky, and Patrick Sturdivant, president of the Amerigroup Texas Medicaid plan, to find out how states and plans are preparing for this challenge and its lasting effects.
Dr Kimberly Rockwell and Alexis Gilroy Discuss the Promise of Telemedicine for COVID-19 and Beyond
Kimberly Lovett Rockwell, MD, JD, and Alexis S. Gilroy, JD, the authors of a commentary in the April issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®, explain how telemedicine can help alleviate the burden on health systems brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and how regulations are shifting to enable use of the technology during the pandemic and beyond.
Patients With MS Report That Depression, Fatigue Have Strongest Effect on Quality of Life
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known to be associated with lower health-related quality of life, and a new study adds evidence that depression and fatigue are the major drivers of this relationship.
5 Findings From the November 2019 Issue of AJMC®
The November issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) included studies on a kidney disease intervention, perceptions of alternative financing models, population health screening, and more. Here are 5 findings from research published in the issue.
Researchers Explore Costs of Switching to Environmentally Friendly Inhalers for Asthma
Reducing the use of metered-dose inhalers for asthma could shrink the carbon footprint while achieving cost savings if less expensive brands of dry powder inhalers are used, according to new research findings.