Iowa news
Iowa ranked among 10 best states for health care in 2023
Iowa is second in the nation for providing the best health care in the U.S. according to a new analysis by WalletHub. The rankings are based on health care costs, access and outcomes. (Becker’s Hospital Review).
Alzheimer’s disease rising in Iowa
An estimated 11% of Iowa adults age 65 or older have Alzheimer’s disease according to a new study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In 2020, an estimated 62,000 Iowans were diagnosed with dementia. That number is expected to rise to 73,000 by 2024 according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Axios)
MercyOne, UnityPoint partner with Polk County to address gun violence
The Polk County Health Department held a press conference with partners from the Polk County Board of Supervisors, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health – Blank Children’s Hospital to address gun violence as a public safety issue. The health care partners are taking a new prevention approach that includes normalizing conversations about gun safety and safe storage among family and friends. (Polk County Board of Supervisors)
National news
MoveIT breach exposes data of 612K Medicare beneficiaries
The sensitive personal and health information of approximately 612,000 Medicare beneficiaries was exposed as part of the MoveIT transfer service breaches according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. MoveIT, a file-transfer service that’s used by many governmental agencies and highly regulated companies, was hit by a cyberattack in May. CMS said it is notifying people who might have been impacted. (Cybersecurity Dive)
Kaufman Hall releases national physician flash report
Physicians and providers are getting busier as productivity continues to increase for medical practices according to a report by Kaufman Hall. The report also noted the increased revenues did not outpace expenses. (Kaufman Hall)
NIH launches long COVID-19 clinical trials
The National Institutes of Health announced is beginning enrollment for its phase 2 clinical trials that will evaluate at least four potential treatments for long COVID-19. Additional clinical trials to test at least seven more treatments are expected in the coming months. The treatments include drugs, biologics, medical devices and other therapies. (National Institutes of Health)