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Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine, mFlusiva, Now Available for Individuals 50 and Older in the U.S.

Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine, mFlusiva, Now Available for Individuals 50 and Older in the U.S.

Moderna has launched mFlusiva, the first messenger RNA (mRNA) flu vaccine in the United States, utilizing the same technology as the company's COVID-19 shots. This new vaccine is currently available only to individuals aged 50 and older. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted traditional approval for adults 50 to 64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older, with a requirement for Moderna to conduct an additional trial for the older age group. A late-stage clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicated that mFlusiva was approximately 27% more effective than a standard flu shot in preventing laboratory-confirmed illness. The vaccine works by using a small genetic code snippet to train the body's immune system to recognize and combat the flu virus, with the mRNA then breaking down and not remaining in the body. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination by the end of October, they have not yet issued a formal recommendation for...

Senator Gillibrand and Senator Scott Host First Congressional Hearing on Menopause, Request Federal Investigation

Senator Gillibrand and Senator Scott Host First Congressional Hearing on Menopause, Request Federal Investigation

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, alongside Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), has convened the first-ever congressional hearing dedicated to menopause. Expert witnesses at the hearing emphasized the critical need for improved research, training, and care related to menopause. Following the hearing, Senators Gillibrand and Scott submitted a bipartisan request to the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO). This request seeks an investigation into the current coordination and funding mechanisms within the federal government for menopause research and care. Senator Gillibrand highlighted that menopause affects over half of the U.S. population, yet it remains one of the most under-researched, undertreated, and underdiagnosed medical fields. Less than one percent of federal women's health research funding is allocated to menopause, and a significant majority (80%) of OB-GYN residents report feeling unprepared to discuss the topic w...

Senator Gillibrand and Senator Scott Hold First Congressional Hearing on Menopause, Request Federal Investigation

Senator Gillibrand and Senator Scott Hold First Congressional Hearing on Menopause, Request Federal Investigation

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), serving as ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, collaborated with Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to conduct the first-ever congressional hearing focused on menopause. During the hearing, expert witnesses underscored the critical need to enhance research, training, and care related to menopause. Senators Gillibrand and Scott also submitted a bipartisan request to the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the current coordination and funding mechanisms for menopause research and care within the federal government. Senator Gillibrand highlighted that menopause affects over half of the U.S. population, yet it remains one of the most under-researched, undertreated, and underdiagnosed medical fields. Less than one percent of federal women's health research funding is allocated to menopause, and a significant 80% of OB-GYN residents report feeling unprepared to discuss the topic, leading to many women with menopausal symp...

COVID-19 Infections Linked to Increased Odds of New Back Problems and Other Medical Diagnoses

COVID-19 Infections Linked to Increased Odds of New Back Problems and Other Medical Diagnoses

A new study conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada has revealed a significant link between COVID-19 infections and an increased likelihood of developing new medical conditions, particularly back problems. Analyzing data from 8,809 adults between April 2022 and June 2023, researchers found that individuals who experienced two COVID-19 infections had 76% higher odds of receiving a new medical diagnosis. More specifically, repeat infections were associated with nearly four times the odds of new back problems and a five-fold increase in the chances of receiving a new respiratory diagnosis. Even those with a single infection saw a 63% higher chance of a new medical diagnosis. The study also indicated that individuals with symptoms lasting three months or longer had more than three times the odds of a new diagnosis. These findings emerge as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an increase in COVID-19 cases and emergency medical care seeking across the U.S., ...

U.S. Senate Committee Addresses Menopause Care Gap, Calls for Increased Federal Research and Training

U.S. Senate Committee Addresses Menopause Care Gap, Calls for Increased Federal Research and Training

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging recently held its first-ever hearing dedicated to menopause, titled 'Half the Country, Zero Hearings: Meeting the Moment to End the Menopause Care Gap in America.' Chaired by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ranking Member Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the hearing brought together medical experts, researchers, and women's health advocates to discuss significant deficiencies in menopause research, physician training, and access to treatment. Approximately 2 million women enter menopause annually, experiencing symptoms that can severely impact daily life, including hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes, and brain fog. Senator Gillibrand highlighted that less than 1% of federal women's health research funding is allocated to menopause, and about 80% of OB-GYN residents feel unprepared to discuss menopause. Dr. Jean Wactawski-Wende, a SUNY Distinguished Professor, testified that federal funding for menopause research is inadequate, noting a lack of clinical trials in ...

Kennedy-Linked MAHA Group Allegedly Sought $300,000 for Access to U.S. Health Officials

Kennedy-Linked MAHA Group Allegedly Sought $300,000 for Access to U.S. Health Officials

A nonprofit organization associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known as MAHA, reportedly solicited corporate sponsorships of up to $300,000 in exchange for access to U.S. health officials. These sponsorship packages allegedly included opportunities for speaking slots at events and private dinners with prominent leaders. The upcoming summit organized by MAHA is expected to feature executives from both the technology and healthcare sectors. Furthermore, senior officials from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are slated to participate in this event. This arrangement has raised concerns regarding the potential for paid access to government policymakers and the influence of private entities on public health policy.

Asheville Citizen-Times

New federal rules will reshape Medicaid in NC. Here’s what to know.

New federal rules will reshape Medicaid in NC. Here’s what to know.

Major changes tied to immigration status and work requirements could affect hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians on Medicaid.

Representative David Valadao Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation for Essential Health System Designation

Representative David Valadao Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation for Essential Health System Designation

Representative David Valadao (R-Calif.) is co-leading bipartisan legislation, H.R. 7145, aimed at establishing a federal definition for 'essential health systems.' This bill, reintroduced in January, seeks to provide Congress with a mechanism to direct support towards foundational members of the nation's healthcare safety net. The legislation is gaining traction in the House, attracting several new cosponsors from both Democratic and Republican parties. The initiative comes as Congress returns to Capitol Hill with a busy agenda, including addressing legislative and policy priorities before the end of the year, and amid a political environment increasingly shaped by upcoming elections. The bill's progress is part of broader efforts to advance essential hospitals' priority advocacy issues.

Rep. John Carter Supports Bipartisan ASAP Act for Medicare Coverage of Alzheimer's Blood Tests

Rep. John Carter Supports Bipartisan ASAP Act for Medicare Coverage of Alzheimer's Blood Tests

Rep. John Carter is advocating for the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which aims to enable Medicare coverage for FDA-approved blood tests designed to detect Alzheimer’s biomarkers. Currently, Medicare regulations prohibit coverage for any dementia screening test for individuals without symptoms, creating a significant barrier to early detection. The ASAP Act seeks to rectify this legal impediment, offering a more scalable and accessible diagnostic approach compared to previous methods. This legislative effort is highlighted by Stephenie Evans, a former caregiver from Belton, Texas, who emphasizes the critical difference early detection can make for families affected by Alzheimer's. Her personal experience with her grandmother, who lived with Alzheimer's for a decade, underscores the potential for earlier diagnoses to improve quality of life and allow families more time to prepare for the future. The initiative aligns with global efforts to raise awareness and challenge the stig...

Chronic Body Odour Linked to Gut Health and Lifestyle Factors, Impacting Quality of Life

Chronic Body Odour Linked to Gut Health and Lifestyle Factors, Impacting Quality of Life

Chronic Body Odour Linked to Gut Health and Lifestyle Factors, Impacting Quality of Life

Alabama Faces Significant Cancer Care Disparities Due to Geographic, Financial, and Systemic Barriers

Alabama Faces Significant Cancer Care Disparities Due to Geographic, Financial, and Systemic Barriers

A new scoping review published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship highlights the profound cancer care disparities in Alabama, revealing that despite a lower cancer incidence rate than the national average, the state experiences substantially higher cancer mortality rates. The review, led by Nicole Caviness-Ashe and Timiya S. Nolan of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine, synthesized nearly three decades of research to identify the root causes. Key barriers include long travel distances to healthcare facilities, rural residency, and living in under-resourced areas, which consistently correlate with delayed treatment and poorer prognoses. Financial hardship emerged as the most pervasive obstacle, affecting patients across all age groups and leading to medication non-adherence and delayed care. Insurance status, particularly the lack of Medicaid expansion in Alabama, further exacerbates these financial burdens. Additionally, provider and system-level factors such as poor co...

Rep. Jim McGovern Sponsors Bill for Medically Tailored Meals Amid Policy Uncertainty and Medicaid Cuts

Rep. Jim McGovern Sponsors Bill for Medically Tailored Meals Amid Policy Uncertainty and Medicaid Cuts

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, has sponsored a bill aimed at piloting medically tailored meal deliveries for chronically ill seniors on Medicare. This legislative effort comes amidst policy uncertainty regarding 'food is medicine' interventions and potential Medicaid budget cuts. The Trump administration's stance on social services, including medically tailored meals, has been inconsistent, with a second Trump administration rescinding Biden-era guidance for Medicaid initiatives addressing social needs. While health leaders within the Trump administration have emphasized nutrition, there's a stated focus on the budget impacts of such initiatives, leading to a more skeptical, state-by-state approach rather than a broad national one. The bill McGovern sponsored has not yet been brought to a vote, and lawmakers have reportedly faced difficulties engaging administration officials on the matter.