Report: U.S. healthcare lags behind other countries
Despite spending more on healthcare than any of the other countries examined, the U.S. healthcare system scores well below other developed nations according to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund. The study looked at 37 areas of quality and found the U.S. received a score of 66 out of 100. HealthDay News
More women receiving fertility treatments in their 20s
Government statistics indicate that nearly one in four college-educated women in their 20s has received fertility treatments, a figure that has doubled in seven years. Infertility rates in that age group remain low, and some speculate that the increase has to do mainly with new attitudes, such as women unwilling to wait for what they want. MSNBC
Institute of Medicine (IOM) slams FDA, calls for major reforms
In a long-awaited review, the IOM has sharply criticized the FDA, saying its drug safety monitoring systems are inadequate, in need of reform, hampered by bad management and subject to incessant internal disputes. The IOM report outlines a series of suggested changes that would dramatically alter the regulatory landscape for drug developers. Associated Press
Little change seen in coronary heart disease risk
The risk of U.S. adults developing coronary heart disease has not changed significantly in roughly the past decade, according to a new study. In comparing data from 1988 to 1994 to data from 1999 to 2002, researchers found that the overall ten-year risk of developing heart disease remained a relatively-low ten percent in both periods. Reuters
Payers, providers collaborate amid challenges
Payers and providers are stepping up efforts to work together amid the challenges of higher healthcare costs and suboptimal healthcare quality. In addition to cost and quality, the drivers behind the new interest in collaboration include data sharing and transparency. Managed Care magazine
Indianapolis hospital hastens HIT safety system implementation
Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis plans to accelerate the implementation of an electronic safety system that might have prevented the accidental drug overdoses responsible for the deaths of two premature infants over the weekend. The system, which uses scanners that match bar codes on drugs to codes on patient wristbands, was due to be set up next year. The Indianapolis Star
Breast cancer in family increases ovarian cancer risk
According to a new study, women who have a family and personal history of breast cancer may have a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer. In a study encompassing nearly 50,000 women, researchers found that risk for ovarian cancer was 40 percent higher if the woman had a first- or second-degree relative with breast cancer, and it was twice as high among women with two or more first-degree relatives with breast cancer. Reuters
CDC Recommends Routine AIDS Screening
In a major shift in U.S. health policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new recommendations to make HIV screening a routine part of a healthcare examination. The change means that when patients see a doctor or go to a hospital, they will be asked if they’ve been tested for HIV. If they haven’t, they will be asked to be screened or tested. NPR (Click “Listen” to hear complete report.)
