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The Howard government's decision to support the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the most significant decision made that year. Cabinet papers released by the National Archives of Australia confirm that there was no submission to full cabinet weighing the pros and cons of the Australian intervention. Prime Minister John Howard relied on a memorandum of advice to justify Australia's participation in the war, despite criticism from legal experts. The release of the cabinet papers also includes other submissions and decisions, such as the negotiation of a free trade agreement with the United States and health policy changes. Missed opportunities in 2003 include the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, an emissions trading scheme, and progress on constitutional recognition of Indigenous people. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents an addendum to the position paper on the use of meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MMCV) in the African meningitis belt issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization at its meeting in September 2023. Topics include the WHO off-label recommendations for meningococcal vaccines and vaccination that apply to countries in the African meningitis belt and research priorities on the impact of Men5CV vaccine.

A recent report published by researchers from the Department of Health Professions in Manchester, United Kingdom, explores the adoption of a societal perspective in economic evaluations of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. Economic evaluations are used to compare the costs and consequences of healthcare interventions, and reimbursement decisions for MSK disorders rely on the findings of these evaluations. The researchers argue that the societal perspective, which includes all costs and benefits associated with interventions, is the preferable option for economic evaluations of MSK disorders. This perspective aims to reduce the economic burden of MSK disorders and improve the health outcomes of individuals with these conditions. [Extracted from the article]

The researchers find that if all Americans eligible for obesity treatments gained access, the prevalence of obesity in the Medicare population would fall by 53% after the first decade. Keywords: Bariatrics; Diet and Nutrition; Health Policy; Health and Medicine; Legal Issues; Legislation; Medicare; Medicare and Medicaid; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Conditions; Obesity; Obesity and Diabetes; Overnutrition; Risk and Prevention; University of Southern California EN Bariatrics Diet and Nutrition Health Policy Health and Medicine Legal Issues Legislation Medicare Medicare and Medicaid Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Conditions Obesity Obesity and Diabetes Overnutrition Risk and Prevention University of Southern California 359 359 1 05/02/23 20230501 NES 230501 2023 MAY 1 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Heart Disease Weekly -- A new USC Schaeffer Center white paper finds the value to society of Medicare coverage for new classes of weight loss drugs would equal nearly $1 trillion over ten years. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the updated position paper of the World Health Organization (WHO) about vaccines and vaccination against diseases caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV) as of December 2022. The focus is the prevention of cervical cancer using the prophylactic HPV vaccination. Also cited is the association of HPV infection with cancers of the head, neck, oropharynx, and anogenital areas.

Observing that the transition to the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers an opportunity to grow crisis response services along a continuum, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) last month released a series of 10 technical assistance collaborative papers providing important resources for stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A joint position paper from Harvard Medical School and several medical organizations highlights concerns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) plan to incorporate the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) into the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program. The paper recommends retiring SEP-1 and shifting to new sepsis metrics that focus on patient outcomes. The researchers also support the development of a community-onset sepsis 30-day mortality electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) by CMS, but recommend removing certain criteria to streamline implementation and avoid promoting antibiotic use in uninfected patients. The paper concludes by providing recommendations to improve CMS's planned electronic sepsis mortality measure. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a position paper from the World Health Organization (WHO) on behavioural and social drivers (BeSD) of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. It describes the WHO BeSD vaccination framework and outlines aspects of development, testing and validation of BeSD tools including surveys and interviews. It summarizes findings of reviews on interventions to improve vaccine uptake and outlines recommendations for using BeSD tools to guide program planning, implementation and evaluation.

Keywords: Finance and Investment; Health Policy; Health and Medicine; Institute for Patient Access; Medicare; Medicare and Medicaid EN Finance and Investment Health Policy Health and Medicine Institute for Patient Access Medicare Medicare and Medicaid 1419 1419 1 06/12/23 20230618 NES 230618 2023 JUN 16 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health Insurance Week -- A new report from the Institute for Patient Access finds that the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), the United States' predominant health technology assessment organization, frequently deviates from its own criteria by omitting societal perspective when assessing the value of new medications. Stakeholders, as well as ICER itself, have suggested that the government may use ICER's assessments as part of its new program to determine drug prices in the Medicare program. Finance and Investment, Health Policy, Health and Medicine, Institute for Patient Access, Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid. [Extracted from the article]

A recent research paper from the University of Technology Sydney highlights the need for integrated strategies to address the challenges of climate change and public health in urban settings. The paper emphasizes the lack of health considerations in urban climate policies, as seen in the analysis of urban content in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The paper calls for a redefined approach to urban climate policy that prioritizes health outcomes and leverages opportunities for climate resilience and public health. The upcoming revision cycle of NDCs is identified as a critical opportunity to embed health imperatives into urban climate strategies. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from researchers at the Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health and its potential impact on healthcare delivery. The paper provides an analysis of the historical development and current trends in AI application in healthcare, highlighting successful implementations and ongoing challenges. The research emphasizes the benefits of AI in improving precision in diagnosis, treatment effectiveness, and resource utilization. The report aims to provide policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and researchers with practical suggestions for incorporating AI into public health to improve healthcare delivery. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the policy document "Race for the Soul of the Profession" from the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) to address inequalities that prevent people from marginalised and racialised communities in accessing mental health support.

Keywords: Brisbane; Australia; Australia and New Zealand; Managed Care; Health Policy; Health and Medicine; Legislation; Quality of Life EN Brisbane Australia Australia and New Zealand Managed Care Health Policy Health and Medicine Legislation Quality of Life 2417 2417 1 09/11/23 20230915 NES 230915 2023 SEP 15 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health & Medicine Week -- Current study results on Managed Care have been published. Brisbane, Australia, Australia and New Zealand, Managed Care, Health Policy, Health and Medicine, Legislation, Quality of Life The EQ-5D is a validated instrument widely used for health economic evaluation and is useful for informing health policy.". [Extracted from the article]

A research paper from the University of Iowa explores the market for vaccines, focusing on the negative network effects caused by individuals who choose not to vaccinate. The study finds that these network effects can lead to significant welfare losses. The paper proposes a subsidy scheme that targets both consumers and producers of vaccines in order to achieve the optimal outcome without network effects. However, the study notes that in some cases, negative prices for vaccines may be necessary to incentivize vaccination. The research has been peer-reviewed and is available in the Journal of Public Economic Theory. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC has been issued a patent for a method of training a natural language understanding (NLU) engine using user corrections to engine annotations. The patent focuses on the importance of medical documentation in the healthcare industry and the shift from paper records to electronic medical record systems. It also discusses the use of standardized code systems for medical coding and billing. The method outlined in the patent involves generating engine annotations based on clinical patient encounter text, receiving user annotations from the same text, and merging them to identify errors and corrections. The patent was filed in July 2020 and is owned by Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC. [Extracted from the article]

The May 2024 issue of the American Journal of Health Economics focuses on health equity, with a particular emphasis on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. The issue includes five papers that explore various aspects of health disparities. One paper finds a positive correlation between gender-affirmation coverage and the mental health of low-income transgender individuals. Another paper identifies discrimination by mental health providers against patients with Black or Latino-sounding names. Additionally, the issue examines the impact of same-sex marriage on domestic partner benefits, the effects of administrative burdens on Medicaid and CHIP enrollments, and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on emergency department visits among older adults of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The special edition aims to address gaps in health equity scholarship and promote fair opportunities for all individuals to achieve their health potential. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the healthcare system in England for people with intellectual disabilities. Despite publicly funded healthcare, individuals with intellectual disabilities still face health disparities in the United Kingdom. The article examines key legislation that impacts the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, such as the UK Equality Act 2010 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It also explores the role of deinstitutionalization and the shift to community living for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The research reviews programs that have been implemented to address the health disparities experienced by this population. Additionally, the article discusses recent changes to healthcare organization in the UK, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implementation of the Valuing People white paper. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the history and politics of mental health policy and care in South Africa. It highlights the influence of colonial rule on the racialized and socio-economic environment, as well as the mental health impacts on the people of South Africa. The paper also reviews policy and service developments in the post-apartheid era, exploring both successes and failures. The research concludes by discussing emerging trends in policy and practice that need attention in order to improve the mental wellbeing of South Africans, including those living with mental disorders. The article suggests that the South African experience can provide insights for other contexts facing similar mental health challenges due to colonialism and other forms of oppression. [Extracted from the article]

A special supplemental issue of Medical Care, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, highlights the impact of economic factors on health outcomes, patient decision-making, and equity in healthcare. The issue focuses on the expansion of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) to include economic outcomes. One paper in the issue discusses the trade-offs that families with asthma make between healthcare costs and overall financial well-being. The authors emphasize the need to measure nonmedical economic outcomes and track economic well-being over longer periods. The issue also calls for a paradigm shift in health economics research to include the perspectives of patients and families. [Extracted from the article]

A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that young scientists who engage in interdisciplinary research face career obstacles that their peers who focus on a single discipline do not. The study analyzed data on over 150,000 researchers and more than 2.6 million research papers in the field of biomedicine. The results show that researchers who initially embraced interdisciplinary research tended to stop publishing new research earlier in their careers compared to those who focused on a single discipline. The study suggests that academic structures built around individual disciplines may hinder early-career researchers with broader interests. However, the study also found that researchers become more interdisciplinary as their careers progress, indicating that there is potential for encouraging interdisciplinary research in the future. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Alberta Innovates explores the challenges of measuring and optimizing a health system that is divided among multiple independent organizations. The study highlights the existence of silos in the delivery of health services, which hinder information exchange, collaborative evidence generation, and health system improvement. The researchers argue for a shift towards prioritizing patient outcomes and keeping the patient at the center of care. The study concludes by offering a system perspective for addressing these challenges in the Canadian healthcare system. [Extracted from the article]

A new report from researchers at Bogazici University highlights the importance of trauma-informed care in the healthcare system in Turkey. The study emphasizes the need to integrate trauma-specific interventions and prevention methods into healthcare practices. The research examines the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact on mental health and overall healthcare outcomes. The paper aims to contribute to discussions on transforming the healthcare system in Turkey while considering sociopolitical factors that shape the population characteristics. [Extracted from the article]

As Scott E. Hadland, M.D., senior author of a dramatic paper published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine puts it, drug use among adolescents is not getting more common — it's at its lowest in almost 50 years. But it's getting more deadly, due to fentanyl. In "The Overdose Crisis among U.S. Adolescents," by Hadland and lead author Joseph Friedman, Ph.D., the problem is laid out clearly: After guns and car crashes, overdose (OD) deaths are now the third leading cause of death among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly published research has uncovered a strong association between patients' out‐of‐pocket costs for buprenorphine and the likelihood that they will keep using the medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). The study, involving privately insured individuals who initiated buprenorphine treatment between 2013 and 2020, also showed a disappointingly low rate of one‐year continuation of the treatment overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Addiction Research; Drug Abuse; Drugs and Therapies; Epidemiology; Health Policy; Health and Medicine; Medicare; Medicare and Medicaid; Mental Health; Mental Health Diseases and Conditions; Opioids; Psychiatry; University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences EN Addiction Research Drug Abuse Drugs and Therapies Epidemiology Health Policy Health and Medicine Medicare Medicare and Medicaid Mental Health Mental Health Diseases and Conditions Opioids Psychiatry University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences 449 449 1 04/10/23 20230416 NES 230416 2023 APR 14 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health Insurance Week -- Overdose mortality among people age 65 and older quadrupled over 20 years, suggesting the need for greater mental health and substance use disorder policies addressed at curbing the trend, a new research paper finds. Addiction Research, Drugs and Therapies, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health and Medicine, Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid, Mental Health, Mental Health Diseases and Conditions, Opioids, Psychiatry, University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences, Drug Abuse. [Extracted from the article]

Worldwide, children in the care of the state constitute one of the most vulnerable groups in society. They are often not heard, or their views not respected in matters concerning them. This is incongruent with the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1989). Guided by a conceptual framework of child participation theory, this article analyses South African legislation and policies to determine how and when child participation is being promoted. Findings indicate that providing information to children on how to participate meaningfully is the key for effective child participation and that practical guidelines should be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HEARTS in the Americas is the Pan American Health Organization flagship program to accelerate the reduction of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden by improving hypertension control and CVD secondary prevention in primary health care. A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) platform is needed for program implementation, benchmarking, and informing policy-makers. This paper describes the conceptual bases of the HEARTS M&E platform including software design principles, contextualization of data collection modules, data structure, reporting, and visualization. The District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) web-based platform was chosen to implement aggregate data entry of CVD outcome, process, and structural risk factor indicators. In addition, PowerBI was chosen for data visualization and dashboarding for the analysis of performance and trends above the health care facility level. The development of this new information platform was focused on primary health care facility data entry, timely data reporting, visualizations, and ultimately active use of data to drive decision-making for equitable program implementation and improved quality of care. Additionally, lessons learnt and programmatic considerations were assessed through the experience of the M&E software development. Building political will and support is essential to developing and deploying a flexible platform in multiple countries which is contextually specific to the needs of various stakeholders and levels of the health care system. The HEARTS M&E platform supports program implementation and reveals structural and managerial limitations and care gaps. The HEARTS M&E platform will be central to monitoring and driving further population-level improvements in CVD and other noncommunicable disease-related health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A report from Riga Stradins University highlights the global population surpassing eight billion in November 2022. The research emphasizes the challenges that come with uncontrolled population growth, such as socioeconomic and health-related problems. The paper suggests addressing these issues by promoting government and international organization involvement in providing infrastructure, funding, and healthcare distribution, shifting towards a preventive approach in health programs, and reducing inequalities for marginalized populations. The study concludes that implementing these principles is crucial for reducing healthcare costs, improving productivity, and preserving environmental quality. [Extracted from the article]

A recent collaboration between the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences has found that semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, may also reduce symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, outlines the outcomes of six patients who received semaglutide during weight loss treatment and experienced a significant decrease in their AUD symptoms. While further research is needed, this study suggests a potential role for semaglutide in the management of AUD and highlights the importance of collaboration between clinicians and scientists in addressing complex health challenges. [Extracted from the article]

A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Southern California, MIT, and Sabanci University conducted a study to determine if smartphone mobility data could be used to measure individuals' dynamic food environments and predict their risk of diet-related diseases. The researchers found that visits to fast-food outlets, as captured by mobility data, were a better predictor of obesity and diabetes than self-reported fast-food intake. This study highlights the potential of using large-scale mobility data to track dietary patterns and inform public health programs and policies aimed at reducing the risk of diet-related diseases. The research paper has been published in Nature Partner Journals (npj) Digital Medicine. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application has been submitted for a method of training a natural language understanding (NLU) engine to generate medical billing codes for clinical patient encounters. The method involves applying the NLU engine to free-form text documenting the encounter, generating medical billing codes and links between the codes and the text. Corrections to the codes and links can be made by human users, and the finalized sequence of codes is used to provide training data to the NLU engine. The system aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of medical coding in electronic medical record systems. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at University Hospital Cologne in Germany has highlighted discrepancies between clinical guidelines and policy guidelines in cancer treatment and diagnosis across European health services. The study found that the underutilization of advanced diagnostic techniques recommended by medical societies contributes to missed opportunities for improving patient outcomes. The analysis revealed significant differences between the recommendations of medical societies and their adoption in health policy decisions, indicating a need for better alignment and integration of clinical guidelines with policy decisions. The study advocates for policy reforms that prioritize the adoption of clinical guidelines to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and overall patient outcomes in cancer care. [Extracted from the article]

The article updates current data on market access and health policy with new research from the School of Economics and Management. Topics include handling uncertainty in the economic valuation of medical innovation for orphan diseases, the impact of uncertainty on cash flows and cost of capital, and the use of probabilistic sensitivity analysis and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to manage investment risk.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus examined the experiences of over a million people receiving Medicare-funded services in the last six months of their lives. The study found that the type of Medicare a patient is enrolled in can impact the treatments they receive and whether they die in a hospital or in hospice care. Traditional Medicare offers more flexibility in choosing doctors, while Medicare Advantage Plans provide additional benefits but have limited provider networks. The study suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for end-of-life care and emphasizes the importance of discussing preferences with family members. [Extracted from the article]

In recent years, with the frequent movement of livestock and related products on the Chinese mainland that have resulted in a rise in brucellosis cases in certain regions, the Chinese government has implemented "vaccination + culling" strategy to control the spread of brucellosis, but the epidemiological situation and the intensity of prevention and control measures vary from province to province, and much of the situation has not yet been reversed. Thus, it is crucial to understand and assess the combined effects of vaccination and culling on brucellosis transmission behind the data from multiple provinces and cities. In this paper, we combine an ordinary differential equation model and a deep neural network model to develop a hybrid model that not only characterizes the propagation mechanism of brucellosis, but also describes control strategies as time-varying parameters to track the dynamic evolution of brucellosis transmission under control measures with varying intensity. In addition, the real-time reproduction number is calculated and taken as an evaluation index. We then train and test the hybrid model using actual data from four provincial administrative regions in Northern China from 2010 to 2020. It is found that in Inner Mongolia, the sheep vaccination rate (θ (t)) and the culling rate of infected sheep (c (t)) have a weak effect on reducing the brucellosis transmission. In Gansu, the incomplete culling of infected sheep was the main reason for the increase in human brucellosis cases after the introduction of whole-flock vaccination in 2016. Culling and vaccination contributed to the decrease in human cases in both Xinjiang and Jilin. Prevention and control measures for human brucellosis are inadequate in Xinjiang. However, prevention and control measures for human brucellosis are inadequate, while indirect transmission of Brucella from the environment to humans and sheep poses a greater risk than direct contact with infected sheep in Jilin. The above analysis can provide theoretical foundation for decision-making on public health policies to control the pandemic. • This study conducted a hybrid model combining a mechanistic model with a data-driven model to quantify the impact of prevention and control measures on brucellosis. • The intensity of implementation of prevention and control measures were represented as time-varying parameters in the dynamical model to show the evolution of the impact of prevention and control measures on brucellosis transmission. • The real-time reproduction number was calculated and used as an outbreak evaluation index to measure the real-time transmissibility of an outbreak. • The different transmission characteristics of the brucellosis outbreak are due to the different intensity of the control measures implemented in the different regions. • Sufficient attention should be paid to controlling human brucellosis while continuing to strengthen the prevention and control of brucellosis in the sheep population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new study from the University of Michigan has found that the cost of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, does not deter patients from filling their prescriptions. The researchers analyzed over 2.3 million pharmacy records and found that even when the cost-sharing for buprenorphine increased, there was only a minimal increase in prescription abandonment. This suggests that removing barriers to prescribing buprenorphine should be the main focus of efforts to increase access to treatment for opioid addiction. The study also found that patients new to buprenorphine were more likely to abandon their prescriptions, but the overall abandonment rate was still low. [Extracted from the article]

The author comments on the Albanese government's support payments for student nurses and midwives, along with the Health Legislation Amendment (Removal of Requirement for Collaborative Arrangement) Bill 2024. She discusses the significance of the changes, benefit to be received by eligible nursing and midwifery students under the support payments for student nurses and midwives, known as Commonwealth Prac Payments, and challenges identified by the "Scope of Practice Review Issues Paper Two."

Penn State College of Medicine has partnered with the SOS Berks Opioid Coalition in Berks County, Pennsylvania to launch a smart 'Health To Go' vending machine, according to a Penn State Health News report. Located in the lobby of the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year ended on a high note for the mental health field with the release of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (also known as the "Omnibus"). The omnibus appropriations funding package, which passed Dec. 23, 2022 by the House of Representatives and earlier in the week by the U.S. Senate, contains key mental health provisions, including significant increases for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Epidemiology; Health Policy; Health and Medicine; Legislation; Machine Learning; Pandemic; Public Health EN Artificial Intelligence Epidemiology Health Policy Health and Medicine Legislation Machine Learning Pandemic Public Health 947 947 1 09/04/23 20230908 NES 230908 2023 SEP 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA -- Investigators publish new report on artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health and Medicine, Legislation, Machine Learning, Pandemic, Public Health. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Coronavirus; DNA Viruses; Health and Medicine; Immunization and Public Health; Orthopoxvirus; RNA Viruses; Rabies Vaccines; Risk and Prevention; Technology; Vaccination; Viral; Viral Vaccines; Virology; Zoonoses; Zoonosis; Zoonotic EN Coronavirus DNA Viruses Health and Medicine Immunization and Public Health Orthopoxvirus RNA Viruses Rabies Vaccines Risk and Prevention Technology Vaccination Viral Viral Vaccines Virology Zoonoses Zoonosis Zoonotic 1257 1257 1 07/03/23 20230704 NES 230704 2023 JUL 9 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at TB & Outbreaks Week -- Investigators publish new report on orthopoxvirus. Hence, the burden of zoonotic diseases in Nigeria is high and unabated despite available preventive vaccination for a disease like rabies. Some of these important zoonoses are discussed in detail in this paper with emphasis on effective control through the application of modern technology for surveillance, early and accurate diagnosis, biosecurity and preventive vaccination.". [Extracted from the article]

According to FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, mental health conditions were the top telehealth diagnostic category in February 2024, both nationally and in every region. The percentage of telehealth claim lines for mental health conditions increased from 66.3% in January to 67.2% in February nationally. The South saw the largest increase, from 56.0% to 57.1%, while the Midwest had the smallest increase, from 72.3% to 72.5%. COVID-19 was not among the top five diagnostic categories nationally or in any region in February 2024. These findings are based on data from the privately insured population, excluding Medicare Fee-for-Service, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the importance of digital technology in the field of occupational health. It highlights the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in improving employee health and well-being, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) errors. The study analyzes global trends in digital occupational health research over the past decade, focusing on prolific authors, countries, academic institutions, and publications. The findings emphasize the need for further investigation, particularly in emerging economies, and the use of robust methodologies to ensure reliable results. The research serves as a foundation for future endeavors aimed at optimizing workplace health and well-being on a global scale. [Extracted from the article]

The tobacco endgame is rapidly moving from aspirational and theoretical toward a concrete and achievable goal and, in some cases, enacted policy. Endgame policies differ from traditional tobacco control measures by explicitly aiming to permanently end, rather than simply minimize, tobacco use. The purpose of this paper is to outline recent progress made in the tobacco endgame, its relationship to existing tobacco control policies, the challenges and how endgame planning can be adapted to different tobacco control contexts. Examples of implemented policies in three cities in the United States and national policies in the Netherlands and New Zealand are outlined, as well as recent endgame planning developments in Europe. Justifications for integrating endgame targets into tobacco control policy and the need to set concrete time frames are discussed, including planning for ending the sale of tobacco products. Tobacco endgame planning must consider the jurisdiction-specific tobacco control context, including the current prevalence of tobacco use, existing policies, implementation of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and public support. However, the current tobacco control context should not determine whether endgame planning should happen, but rather how and when different endgame approaches can occur. Potential challenges include legal challenges, the contested role of e-cigarettes and the tobacco industry's attempt to co-opt the rhetoric of smoke-free policies. While acknowledging the different views regarding e-cigarettes and other products, we argue for a contractionary approach to the tobacco product market. The tobacco control community should capitalize on the growing theoretical and empirical evidence, political will and public support for the tobacco endgame, and set concrete goals for finally ending the tobacco epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and raised blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. In the Americas over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension and the diagnosis, treatment and control are suboptimal. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. This policy paper highlights the facilitating role of the WHO Global HEARTS initiative and the HEARTS in the Americas initiative to catalyze the implementation of this guideline, provides specific policy advice for implementation, and emphasizes that an overarching strategic approach for hypertension control is needed. The authors urge health advocates and policymakers to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations and to reduce CVD health disparities within and between populations of the Americas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and raised blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. In the Americas over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension and the diagnosis, treatment and control are suboptimal. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. This policy paper highlights the facilitating role of the WHO Global HEARTS initiative and the HEARTS in the Americas initiative to catalyze the implementation of this guideline, provides specific policy advice for implementation, and emphasizes that an over-arching strategic approach for hypertension control is needed. The authors urge health advocates and policymakers to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations and to reduce CVD health disparities within and between populations of the Americas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the position of the Latin American working group of the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC). The working group brings together various Latin American actors and organizations in support of actions that facilitate the transformation of health systems in the region towards integrated systems that focus on people not as isolated individuals but as subjects of law in the complex social and environmental contexts where they live and interact. The working group proposes nine pillars of integrated care to be used as a conceptual framework for policy development and changes in practices: 1) shared vision and values; 2) population health; 3) people and communities as partners; 4) resilient communities; 5) capacities of human resources for health; 6) governance and leadership; 7) digital solutions; 8) aligned payment systems; and 9) public transparency. Based on these pillars, lines of work are proposed to strengthen alliances and networks, advocacy, research, and capacity-building, in order to help develop health and social systems that are effectively integrated and focused not only on people but also on communities in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]