Iowa news
Iowa reports 55 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, two confirmed deaths
Iowa on Tuesday reported 55 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total of people in the state who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to 374,253, according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowa’s seven-day average for new cases is 78. Of the state’s additions, nine were reported among people age 17 or younger, bringing the total of minors who have tested positive to 44,925. (The Gazette)
Family medicine residency clinic welcoming new patients in Cedar Falls
A new, family medicine residency clinic opened in Cedar Falls Tuesday. Opening up on the second floor of UnityPoint Health’s Prairie Parkway campus, the clinic trains aspiring family physicians. The program anticipates having about nine residents each year. A typical residency for family medicine lasts about three years. Dr. Adam Roise, associate program director, says they’re working to address a need. (KWWL)
Two new public grants to support COVID-19-related care equity, vaccine access
The Iowa Department of Public Health announced two new funds to support initiatives providing greater equity and access to COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19-related services for those disproportionately affected by the illness. The Equity and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Populations Disproportionately Affected by COVID-19 fund will be used to support vaccine education and administration. The Iowa Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities fund will be used to work with social service providers and related organizations to reduce COVID-19-related health disparities in populations disproportionately affected. (Business Record)
National news
Study finds COVID-19 vaccine lotteries don’t increase vaccination rates
A new study suggests lottery-based incentives do not increase COVID-19 vaccination rates. The study by Boston University researchers, published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at the statewide Ohio COVID-19 vaccination lottery and concluded it did not increase vaccination rates. Allan Walkey, a professor of medicine at Boston University who worked on the study, said lotteries don’t address many people’s deep concerns about the vaccine. (Iowa Public Radio)
5 emerging trends in health IT
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital innovation for hospitals. As hospital leaders imagine a post-pandemic industry, five health IT trends are emerging, according to an Accenture report. Accenture surveyed 399 health care executives across six countries. (Becker’s Health IT)
Rural ambulance services are in jeopardy as volunteers age and expenses mount
In rural America, it’s increasingly difficult for ambulance services to respond to emergencies. One factor is that emergency medical services are struggling to find young volunteers to replace retiring EMTs. Another is a growing financial crisis among rural volunteer EMS agencies: A third of them are at risk because they can’t cover their operating costs. (Kaiser Health News)