GAO report finds maternal outcomes worsened during the pandemic
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report that found that Covid-19 was a contributing factor in one quarter of all maternal deaths in 2020 and 2021. These effects were worse for women of color as the Black maternal mortality rate increased from 44 per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 68.9 in 2021. GAO found that the pandemic exacerbated the effects of social determinants of health (SDOH) —factors such as access to care, transportation, or technology; living environment; and employment—on maternal health disparities. For example, service reductions in public transportation and child care worsened existing barriers to accessing care. In addition, stakeholders and officials said the pandemic highlighted the effect racism has on maternal health.
NIH launches new program to expand the use of artificial intelligence in biomedical and behavioral research
Last month, the NIH announced a new Common Fund initiative, the Bridge to Artificial Intelligence (Bridge2AI) program, has awarded several research teams to generate tools, resources, and data for use with AI methods. The announcement notes the emphasis on not perpetuating “inequities or ethical problems that may occur during data collection and analysis.”
CDC adds Covid-19 vaccines to Vaccines for Children program
The CDC acted to ensure that children who are uninsured can receive Covid-19 vaccines for free after the federal government shifts its immunization program to the commercial market. The CDC’s independent advisors voted unanimously to include Covid shots authorized for kids by the Food and Drug Administration in the federal government’s Vaccines for Children program.
CMS announced a decrease in Part B premiums for 2023
Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from $170.10 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible of $233 in 2022. CMS identified low usage of controversial Alzheimers medication Aduhelm as a driving force in the reduced premiums.
NIH will continue to fund high-risk, high-reward research alongside ARPA-H
High-risk, high-reward research grants will continue at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) continues to ramp up. NIH has a portfolio of high-risk, high-reward research awards that come from the Common Fund, and has recently announced $285 million in grants. NIH has called these two approaches complementary as the Common Fund takes an investigator-driven approach to fund bold research proposals, whereas ARPA-H will hire project managers to put together teams to tackle major challenges.
Congress questions OSTP on federally funded research accessibility
Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee sent a joint letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) raising concerns about the August 25, 2022 announcement that all federally funded research be publicly and immediately accessible. The Members are concerned that OSTP has not released sufficient details on how agencies will update their policies and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation, as well as concerns about data accessibility.
Biden convened the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in 50 years
The Biden Administration convened the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in over 50 years with a focus on developing and implementing a national strategy to end domestic hunger and improve nutrition by 2030. This proposal includes expanding nutrition programs such as free school meals and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Congressional Committee found that the Trump Administration improperly interfered with CDC
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis released a report detailing the findings from their investigation into possible political interference by the Trump Administration in the CDC during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report finds multiple instances where career scientists at CDC bowed down to political pressure to downplay the severity of the pandemic and public health interventions. Political officials worked to edit or block reports from the CDC, including the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports.
Biden Administration calls on HHS to test cheaper drug payment models
President Biden released an executive order that aims to lower prescription drug costs by asking HHS to select for testing new health care payment and delivery models that would lower drug costs and promote access to innovative drug therapies for beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
HHS extended the Covid-19 public health emergency declaration
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra signed a new 90 day extension of the public health emergency (PHE) declaration for the Covid-19 pandemic, extending the emergency administration authorities until January 2023. The Administration has previously said that they intend to provide at least a 60 day notice before expiring the authority.
What I’m reading
Nature published an editorial that discusses their responsibility in historically providing a platform to authors advocating for eugenics and colonialism. They acknowledged their role in publishing materials that contributed to bias, exclusion, and discrimination in research and society. Identifying and acknowledging these historical errors is a component of the journal’s goal of fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion, and it is a process that more organizations should undertake.
Nature published a special issue on AI and robotic this month with several fascinating papers. One found that the flow of researchers from academia to tech has grown in recent years and tech may be recruiting some of the most productive: “The study found that researchers who make the switch had more than three times as many citations per paper before leaving (4.2) than those who stay behind (1.3).” The paper goes on to raise concerns about this trend but acknowledges the limitations of academic settings, including compensation. Another article raises an interesting question about whether AI is leaving remote areas behind. Interestingly, while more data is harvested from rural areas, it is more often contributing to applications used in urban areas. Did you know that “Android phones give Google 20 times more data than iPhones send to Apple. Android phones dominate in more rural countries such as those in Africa where 87.22 percent of the population use Android phones.”
The National Academy of Medicine has launched a national plan to combat burnout among healthcare workers and improve their well-being. NAM notes that 54 percent of nurses and physicians, 60 percent of medical students and residents, and 61 percent of pharmacists have symptoms of burnout. Burnout is a long-standing issue and a fundamental barrier to professional well-being. It was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health workers who find joy, fulfillment, and meaning in their work can engage on a deeper level with their patients, who are at the heart of health care. Thus, a thriving workforce is essential for delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. The plan seeks to create a roadmap for the nation and health systems to set forth priority areas, action steps, and actors to create a system that fosters well-being.