A recent study found that more beneficiaries were affected by insurer exits in the Part D marketplace under the IRA, which increased plan sponsor financial liability. The redesigned Part D marketplaces may lead to limited coverage options and less competitiveness.
A cross-sectional study found that more than one-third of veterans aged 65-84 who used cannabis in the past 30 days had a cannabis use disorder. Routine health screening for cannabis use is necessary to identify older adults with cannabis use. Frequent and inhaled cannabis use was associated with higher odds of any cannabis use disorder.
GLP1-RA treatment is associated with improvements in quality of life, restrained eating, and emotional eating behavior. The treatment also provides reassurance regarding its psychiatric safety profile.
A cross-sectional study analyzing over 18,000 clinical notes found notable disparities in stigmatizing and positive language documentation across racial and ethnic groups. The study highlights the need for improved documentation practices to reduce stigmatizing language use.
This study examines associations between structural and social determinants of health with mortality in Black adults, finding that African genetic ancestry persists as a factor despite adjustment. The findings support the hypothesis that addressing these factors is crucial for eliminating health disparities.
The USPSTF recommends early, universal screening for syphilis infection during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. Untreated syphilis can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth in the fetus.
A decrease in first-generation students was found among U.S. medical student matriculants, with high risks of attrition due to intersectional factors. This study emphasizes the need for targeted recruitment and retention efforts to better reflect physician workforce diversity.
A recent study found that Texas's 2021 abortion restrictions were associated with rises in psychological distress amongst females of childbearing years. The study suggests that younger females are disproportionately affected by these barriers to accessing abortion care.
After SNAP emergency allotment termination, participants experienced significant increases in food insecurity and reported more days of poor physical health. Mental health status remained unchanged.
Nearly 19 million children in the US are living in households with a parent struggling with substance use disorder. Children exposed to parental substance abuse are more likely to experience adverse health problems compared to those without such exposure.
A national survey found that 11.0% of adults reported using illicit opioids within the past year, with even higher rates of fentanyl use, indicating a pressing need for improved data collection efforts to inform policy and intervention strategies.
The RSV protein subunit vaccine showed similar efficacy to clinical trials, with diminished immune response in immunocompromised patients. The vaccine was associated with a small increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, but not immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
A cohort study of 12,480 mother-offspring pairs found that pre-pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with increased offspring blood pressure. These risk factors may also promote a faster rate of blood pressure change from age 2 to 18 years.
A cohort study of US veterans found that depression is associated with a higher hazard of incident heart failure after controlling for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Depression remains consistent as a risk factor even in low-risk cohorts.
A cross-sectional study found common experiences of gaslighting and substantial distress among patients with vulvovaginal disorders. The study emphasizes the need for education supporting a biopsychosocial approach to vulvovaginal pain, as well as the development of validated instruments to quantify patient experiences.
Between February and April 2025, 694 NIH grants were terminated across 24 institutes, affecting over $1.8 billion in funding. The terminations disproportionately impacted the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, accounting for 30% of all funding.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found no evidence supporting a diagnosis of the New Brunswick neurological syndrome of unknown cause, highlighting the need for independent clinical evaluations. The data revealed presence of several neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative conditions instead
This study finds that teen drivers in older vehicles are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes, highlighting the need for safer vehicles. The study's authors stress the importance of ensuring teens drive newer vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance technologies.
A meta-analysis reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in the reporting of race and ethnicity in clinical trials for pharmacotherapy of mental disorders. The study underscores the importance of equitable recruitment and reporting in clinical trials to ensure inclusive representation of diverse populations.
The study found that mRNA-1083 induced higher immune responses than standard care influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, with an acceptable tolerability and safety profile. The vaccine met noninferiority criteria for all 4 influenza strains and SARS-CoV-2 across various age groups.
A study of three national cohorts reveals increased abortion use among LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the need for tailored support. The findings suggest that these groups are disproportionately impacted by narrowing abortion access in the US after the Dobbs decision.
A cohort study found that exposure to conversion therapy increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, inflammation, and high blood pressure in SGM individuals. The findings highlight the need for stronger public health interventions to ban conversion therapy practices.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in depressive symptoms among US adults, with younger individuals being disproportionately affected. Worsening mental health trends were observed across the population.
A study found that parental technology use in a child's presence was negatively associated with cognitive and psychosocial outcomes, as well as screen time among young children. The effect sizes were small, highlighting the need for further research on potential impacts on physical activity, sleep, and motor skills.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that prenatal cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The research also suggests a potential link between cannabis use during pregnancy and smaller-than-average newborns.
A recent study found that LGBTQ+ individuals receive lower-quality care in the postpartum period, with increased use of emergency departments and specialist care. Despite comparable access to pregnancy-related care, LGBTQ+ people experience significant inequities in unmet healthcare needs and cost-related medication nonadherence.
A cross-sectional study found that state-level tax policies were associated with increased cancer screening rates and reduced mortality rates, with these benefits mainly extending to white populations. The researchers suggest that state-level policies may contribute to closing gaps in cancer care.
This study found a decline in racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of ERBB2-targeted therapies among older Medicare beneficiaries with ERBB2-positive breast cancer. The narrowing of disparities may be attributed to changes in healthcare practices or policies over time.
A cohort study of 1,787 adults found significant differences in hearing loss prevalence among white male individuals (highest) and Black female individuals (lowest). The study highlights the importance of tailored interventions to reduce hearing loss risk across populations.
A cross-sectional study finds a doubling in nicotine pouch past-30-day use and an increase in pouch plus e-cigarette dual use, leading to decreased exclusive e-cigarette use among US 10th and 12th graders. Prioritizing surveillance, regulation, and prevention strategies is crucial for addressing pediatric nicotine pouch use.
Exposure to high levels of smoke pollution increases hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in older adults. The study highlights the need for interventions to mitigate the health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure.
Despite slight increase in prescriptions between 2021 and 2024, only 3% of eligible patients received a prescription. Disparities were found based on race, ethnicity, social vulnerability, and urbanicity, with small but significant differences compared to overall underutilization.
A cohort study found maternal hypertension and preeclampsia independently associated with cognitive and language development delays in preterm infants. Recognizing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is crucial for targeted risk management strategies.
A cohort study found that vaccination against influenza alone or with COVID-19 was associated with a small but temporary change in menstrual cycle length. This finding may help clinicians confirm the utility of vaccination for patients concerned about menstrual side effects.
A cohort study found associations between pre-pregnancy overweight, smoking during pregnancy, and formula-feeding with adverse cardiovascular health trajectories in early childhood. The study suggests that addressing these factors through interventions may optimize cardiovascular health in children.
The proposed taxonomy identifies patterns of digital media use that could be problematic but warrant further evaluation. The study suggests that these patterns may require remediation to promote healthy adolescent development.
The study tracks maternal, fetal, and infant mortality trends in the US from 2000 to 2023. Despite improvements in some years, overall rates of maternal and infant mortality increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study reveals wide disparities in mortality across US states, with some experiencing no improvements in life expectancy from 1900 to 2000 birth cohorts. This disparity can inform decision-making around resource allocation and public health interventions.
A cohort study of pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder found that buprenorphine treatment was associated with improved maternal and infant outcomes. The study highlights the need to improve access to treatment nationwide for these patients.
The study estimates that expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1RAs would increase access to these treatments and reduce obesity-related comorbidities. However, this would come with substantial costs over a decade, projected at $8 billion, highlighting the need for further price reductions and cost-saving strategies.
Cigarette smoking prevalence is expected to decrease in the US by 2035, primarily among young adults in historically high-prevalence states. This trend is likely to slow health consequences, particularly for older adults.
A randomized clinical trial suggests that metformin can be an effective treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in people with overweight or obesity. The study's results support the use of metformin for this condition, but further confirmation is needed in larger clinical trials.
A modeling study predicts declining childhood vaccination rates will increase outbreaks of vaccine-preventable infections, leading to their reemergence. Measles is likely to be the first disease to return to endemic levels, even under current vaccination levels.
The percentage of publicly insured children receiving mental health or neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis increased significantly between 2010 and 2019. Most diagnostic categories showed increases, emphasizing the importance of accessing appropriate services in safety net systems.
Families of children with disabilities experience higher adjusted odds for financial hardships due to inadequate health insurance policies. The study highlights the need for structured policies ensuring covered medical care without financial burden on families.
Researchers investigated the potential link between herpes zoster vaccination and dementia. They found that vaccination may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia in older adults. The study's findings suggest a possible causal relationship between vaccination and reduced dementia occurrence.
Severe permanent impairment in function and cognition are prevalent among long-term care residents nearing the end of life. A minority of residents live in these states for extended periods, suggesting the need for resident-centered medical decision-making.
A 12-week randomized clinical trial shows varenicline combined with behavioral counseling effectively increased vaping abstinence in youth who vape nicotine but do not regularly smoke tobacco. This study provides hope for a novel treatment approach to help combat the growing youth vaping epidemic.
A study found that less than one-third of US emergency departments screen for adverse social determinants of health, highlighting the need for expanded practices. The lack of policies requiring responses to positive screens is also a concern, emphasizing the need for infrastructure and resources to address identified social needs.
A study found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution in childhood is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance later in life. Higher BMI growth from early adolescence into young adulthood may partially explain this link.