Iowa news
First finalist for top UI Health Care job was with CDC, U.S. government
A former U.S. Public Health Service captain and medical officer who spent nearly 20 years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while serving on the Emory University School of Medicine faculty is the first of two finalists for the vice president for medical affairs of University of Iowa Health Care and dean of its Carver College of Medicine positions. Denise Jamieson, professor and chair for the Emory Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and chief of gynecology and obstetrics for Emory Healthcare visited the UI campus Monday and Tuesday, and participated in an open forum on May 1. Another finalist, who’ll be identified 24 hours before their visit, is scheduled to be on campus May 8. (The Gazette)
When rural hospitals stop delivering babies, fewer mothers receive adequate prenatal care
A new University of Iowa study of the state’s hospitals finds that when a rural county loses its last labor and delivery unit, fewer expectant mothers who live there get adequate prenatal care, although that care is still available. One of the study co-authors said the findings are another demonstration of the challenges facing rural hospitals and the communities that rely on them for care, especially patients enrolled in Medicaid. (News Wise)
Iowans to see more health effects of drought, heat waves
As drought becomes a consistent reality nationwide, the health implications of extreme dryness and excessive heat will increasingly plague Iowa. In late April, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported more than half of the state was abnormally dry or in a moderate or severe drought. Increasing drought typically comes with excessive heat, leading to heat stroke and stress, and can lead to algae blooms, toxins in crops and poorer air quality, environmental and public health experts say. The health of Iowans could be at risk as droughts continue to plague Iowa for potentially longer terms with worse conditions in the next couple of years. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
National news
AHA-supported bill would waive Medicare patient cost-sharing for chronic care management services
AHA joined 30 other organizations in voicing support for the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act, legislation that would remove the 20% cost-sharing requirement for chronic care management services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. This cost-sharing requirement creates a barrier to care, as beneficiaries are unaccustomed to cost-sharing for care management services. The latest data reveals that only 4% of Medicare beneficiaries potentially eligible for chronic care management received these services, which is 882,000 out of a potential pool of 22.5 million eligible beneficiaries. (American Hospital Association)
Cigarette smoking rate hits new all-time low for U.S. adults while electronic cigarette rate rises
U.S. cigarette smoking dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 9 adults saying they were smokers. Meanwhile, electronic cigarette use rose, to about 1 in 17 adults. The rise in e-cigarette use is concerning, as nicotine addiction has health implications, including risk of high blood pressure and a narrowing of the arteries. The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are based on survey responses from more than 27,000 adults. (USA Today)
Biopharma investors zero in on oncology and immunology
Biopharma investors are staying focused on the oncology and immunology sectors as major mergers fuel growth in those areas, according to a report from The Compass. The report found an increase in new patients associated with oncology providers in recent years. In March, Pfizer announced its intention to acquire cancer therapeutics company Seagen for $43 billion. The acquisition amount exceeds the prices of all of Pfizer’s acquisitions since 2019. (Becker’s Health IT)