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Oral contraception, the most widely used contraceptive method in the US, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects. Despite increased awareness of this risk over the years, the use of oral contraceptives among women with conditions that place them at high risk for cardiovascular effects is still common.

Getting people to take better care of themselves has been a focus of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Heterogeneity in quality of care and cancer patient survival based on insurance coverage are the highlight of a report by researchers at the Institute for Population Health Improvement at the University of California Davis.

Using information in a patient's electronic medical record during outpatient visits for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to better outcomes, according to a study in Respiratory Medicine.

Americans with veterans or military health, Medicare, and Medicaid have a higher satisfaction with the way the healthcare system works for them. People on plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act exchanges are the least satisfied of insured groups.

Despite a recommendation by the American Diabetes Association, many patients in the California public mental healthcare system who have severe mental illness and are taking antipsychotic medications were not being screened annually.

Treatment of a recurrent brain tumor harboring a BRAF mutation with an inhibitor approved for melanoma resulted in dramatic tumor shrinkage.

What we're reading, November 9, 2015: Americans worry patient-centered care is a gimmick; insurers raise new concerns over the increasing prices for generic drugs; and President Obama challenges 20 cities to sign up the most uninsured on the exchanges.

Interoperability is becoming the most sought-after in healthcare, but needs further standardization.

The venture will select a project leader in early 2016. AHA said this is the largest single research investment in its history.

Eating out has consequences beyond your wallet, according to research from Harvard.

Democratizing the complex field of cancer care is not easy. We are providing patients with key information that their own cancer is unique and needs to be treated as such, but there is a great deal of work to be done in putting that knowledge to work.

This week in managed care Kentucky elected a new governor who could bring big changes to the state's Medicaid program, researchers reported that costs of dementia in the last 5 years of life surpass even cancer, and the latest Hospital Safety Score report was released.

Findings being presented in San Francisco show which patients may be able to stop anti-TNF therapy, and which ones will do well with conventional drugs as second-line treatment.

While care models are being designed to improve outcomes and reduce costs for complex needs patients, there is only modest evidence of their impact and there are a number of barriers to wider adoption of these care models in practice.

The FDA's meta-analyses, following results of the DAPT trial in 2014, have found no association between treatment with the blood thinner clopidogrel (Plavix) and increased incidence of, or death due to, cancer.

The Supreme Court has decided to hear a challenge from religious nonprofits who say the Affordable Care Act's requirement to provide birth control violates their religious beliefs.

Our homes should be sanctuaries-places of refuge and safety-but sadly, fraud is alive and thriving in home healthcare, endangering one of our most fragile and vulnerable patient populations: the homebound and often bed-bound. Defenseless people who may be totally alone, without family or friends.

An obscure notice on CMS' website outlines a proposed revised formula that would take effect in 2017.

From CMS to private health plans, professional healthcare organizations to patients and advocacy groups, the discussion nowadays seems to end up with value.

What we're reading, November 6, 2015: Americans want more aggressive measures to keep healthcare costs in check; the uninsured rate fell to 9% in the first half of 2015; and the federal government warns against restricting access to pricey hepatitis C drugs.

ADA's theme for American Diabetes Month encourages healthier eating to promote better disease management and prevention.

Nearly 15% of federal marketplace insurance plans completely lack in-network physicians for at least one specialty.

A blood test that can detect mutations in the androgen receptor can predict response to abiraterone in prostate cancer.

A list that seeks both the causes and effects of obesity.

Independent community pharmacists can network across diverse practice settings to improve patients' adherence to health-promoting prescription drug regimens.

New research, published in JAMA Oncology, presents evidence of how the use of disease-specific hashtags on Twitter can help those with common interests collectively share information.

What we're reading, November 5, 2015: defensive medicine actually does reduce malpractice risk; patients would like more options for using digital technology with their healthcare; and Americans are eating healthier.

The deal is part of Sanofi's effort to recover ground in the diabetes market.

Physicians broadly mistrust healthcare insurers and believe they interfere with their ability to provide high-quality patient care