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Cadence OTC Expands Emergency Contraception Access Through Non-Traditional Channels

Cadence OTC Expands Emergency Contraception Access Through Non-Traditional Channels

Cadence OTC, a company specializing in emergency contraception, is working to broaden access to its products by utilizing unconventional distribution methods. Recognizing that many areas in the United States are pharmacy deserts, Cadence OTC is making its morning-after pill, a more affordable alternative to Plan B, available in convenience stores and gas stations. This initiative aims to increase the availability of emergency contraceptives to a wider audience. Additionally, the company is advocating for the availability of a daily birth control pill over the counter. Samantha Miller, co-founder and CEO of Cadence OTC, discussed these efforts and the potential impact on reproductive healthcare with Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya. The company is addressing both policy and awareness challenges as it seeks to reshape the landscape of reproductive healthcare.

New Orleans Program Provides Postpartum Support Through Home Visits for New Mothers

New Orleans Program Provides Postpartum Support Through Home Visits for New Mothers

Family Connects New Orleans (FCNO) is a program offering postpartum support to new mothers through home visits. The initiative, available to residents of Orleans Parish who give birth at Ochsner Baptist or Touro hospital, provides up to three in-home visits for parents of newborns up to 12 weeks old. These visits are free and aim to bridge the gap between birth and the first postnatal appointment. The program includes clinical evaluations, mental health screenings, breastfeeding support, and connections to community resources. It also offers maternal support groups to help mothers build relationships and combat isolation. FCNO is part of a national program initially launched in Durham, North Carolina, and has been adapted in various states.

YARAL Pharma Introduces Space-Saving Diclofenac Epolamine Topical System for Pharmacies

YARAL Pharma Introduces Space-Saving Diclofenac Epolamine Topical System for Pharmacies

YARAL Pharma Introduces Space-Saving Diclofenac Epolamine Topical System for Pharmacies

Prysm Initiative Connects Philanthropists to Reproductive Health Funding Opportunities

Prysm Initiative Connects Philanthropists to Reproductive Health Funding Opportunities

The Prysm Initiative, launched by leading foundations such as the Gates Foundation and the Packard Foundation, aims to connect high-net-worth philanthropists with impactful funding opportunities in reproductive health. Debuting at the Women Deliver conference in Australia, Prysm seeks to address the chronic underfunding of reproductive health, particularly in the Global South. The initiative focuses on a broad range of issues, including contraception, maternal health, and gender-based violence prevention. By leveraging a global network of experts, Prysm identifies projects that can benefit from philanthropic investment, aiming to drive progress in education, economic growth, and climate adaptation.

New Orleans Program Offers Free Postpartum House Calls to Support New Mothers

New Orleans Program Offers Free Postpartum House Calls to Support New Mothers

Family Connects New Orleans (FCNO) is a program providing free in-home visits to new mothers in Orleans Parish, regardless of their insurance status or income. The initiative, which began in August 2023, aims to support families during the critical postpartum period by offering up to three visits from a nurse to parents of newborns up to 12 weeks old. The program is part of a national effort to bridge the gap between birth and the first postnatal appointment, addressing both medical and social needs. Nurses conduct clinical evaluations, offer mental health screenings, and connect families with community resources. The program has shown positive outcomes, including reduced Medicaid spending and increased trust in the healthcare system.

Koda Health Secures Investment to Scale AI-Enhanced Advance Care Planning

Koda Health Secures Investment to Scale AI-Enhanced Advance Care Planning

Koda Health Secures Investment to Scale AI-Enhanced Advance Care Planning

Study Links Common Pregnancy Medications to Increased Autism Risk in U.S. Children

Study Links Common Pregnancy Medications to Increased Autism Risk in U.S. Children

A study conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center has found a significant link between the use of certain medications during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The research, published in Molecular Psychiatry, analyzed 6.14 million maternal-child health records from the Epic Cosmos database, covering nearly one-third of U.S. births from 2014 to 2023. The study identified that drugs disrupting cholesterol production pathways, including some antidepressants and statins, were associated with higher ASD rates. Pregnant individuals prescribed at least one of these medications had a 1.47 times higher likelihood of having a child with ASD, with the risk increasing with the number of medications used.

Availity Abrasion Index Highlights Denials and Prior Authorization as Major Healthcare Friction Points

Availity Abrasion Index Highlights Denials and Prior Authorization as Major Healthcare Friction Points

The 2026 Availity Abrasion Index has identified denials and prior authorization as significant sources of friction between U.S. health plans and healthcare providers. The report reveals that approximately 70% of denials are eventually overturned, indicating a substantial administrative burden. Prior authorization processes are also highlighted as a major contributor to physician burnout, with doctors spending an average of 13 hours per week on these tasks. The report suggests that systemic issues, such as timing and data accuracy, are at the core of these challenges.

Janux Therapeutics Halts Development of JANX008 Due to Insufficient Clinical Activity

Janux Therapeutics Halts Development of JANX008 Due to Insufficient Clinical Activity

Janux Therapeutics Halts Development of JANX008 Due to Insufficient Clinical Activity

Vista Medical Center Faces Financial Struggles Amid Illinois Hospital Crisis

Vista Medical Center Faces Financial Struggles Amid Illinois Hospital Crisis

Vista Medical Center in Waukegan, Illinois, is experiencing severe financial difficulties, prompting its owner to consider selling a parking lot to address a $2.1 million property tax debt. This situation is emblematic of broader financial challenges faced by 'safety net' hospitals across Illinois, which serve underserved communities. Other hospitals, such as West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, have closed due to financial distress, while Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Hospital was sold after incurring significant losses. The financial instability of these hospitals raises concerns about the availability of healthcare services in affected areas. The state lacks legislation to prevent abrupt hospital closures, exacerbating the issue.

Intellia's CRISPR Treatment Shows Promise in Reducing Swelling Attacks for Rare Disease

Intellia's CRISPR Treatment Shows Promise in Reducing Swelling Attacks for Rare Disease

Intellia Therapeutics announced that its CRISPR-based gene editing treatment, lonvo-z, has shown significant efficacy in reducing swelling attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) during a Phase 3 trial. The trial involved 80 patients, and those who received the treatment experienced an 87% reduction in attack rates compared to the placebo group. Notably, over 60% of the treated patients were entirely attack-free, in contrast to just 11% in the placebo group. This development positions lonvo-z as a potential second approved CRISPR-based medicine, following Vertex Pharmaceutical's sickle cell treatment, Casgevy. Intellia has already begun a rolling submission with regulatory agencies, aiming for approval of this in vivo treatment, which directly edits patients' DNA within their bodies.

GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Increased Osteoporosis Risk in New Research

GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Increased Osteoporosis Risk in New Research

Recent research has identified a potential link between GLP-1 weight loss medications and an increased risk of osteoporosis. These drugs, which are commonly used to manage obesity and Type 2 diabetes, may lead to a 30% higher risk of developing osteoporosis. The increased risk is believed to be associated with rapid weight loss and its effects on bone density. Angela Roy, a Physician's Assistant at Baton Rouge General's Bone Health Center, explains that while the drugs offer significant benefits, they may also contribute to bone health issues due to mechanical unloading from loss of body and muscle mass, coupled with nutritional deficiencies. Patients on these medications may not consume adequate protein, calcium, or vitamin D, which are essential for maintaining bone health.