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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Advocates for Co-Governance to Advance Health and Racial Equity

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Advocates for Co-Governance to Advance Health and Racial Equity

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), in collaboration with Race Forward, a national racial justice organization, is championing co-governance as a critical strategy to improve health and racial equity in the United States. Brooke Tucker, JD, and Giridhar Mallya, MD, MSHP, both from RWJF, discussed how co-governance empowers marginalized communities to actively shape government agendas, policy ideas, and accountability mechanisms. They argue that while co-governance already exists, it typically serves the interests of the wealthy, such as the real estate or pharmaceutical industries. RWJF's mission centers on health and health equity, viewing health as a right. The foundation has shifted its focus from merely the 'products' of government (laws, regulations) to the 'system itself,' recognizing that an inclusive, functioning democracy is essential for achieving health outcomes like clean air, quality healthcare, and affordable housing. They emphasize that co-governance can help communities of color buil...
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Global Health Experts Propose Blueprint for Enhanced Pandemic Preparedness Amidst UN Discussions

Global Health Experts Propose Blueprint for Enhanced Pandemic Preparedness Amidst UN Discussions

Global health experts, coordinated by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and The Lancet, have developed a comprehensive blueprint for future pandemic preparedness. This initiative, stemming from a 20-country research project, aims to address the shortcomings identified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report emphasizes a 'whole-of-society' approach, integrating communities, health systems, social protection, finance, law, education, labor, food systems, environmental governance, and international cooperation. The experts argue that many countries failed to protect their most vulnerable populations during the last pandemic due to reliance on technical plans that overlooked systemic vulnerabilities. The blueprint suggests that effective measures must reduce avoidable harm, strengthen community well-being, reach underserved populations, and remove structural barriers to protection and care. This comes as the United Nations hosts a High-Level Meeting on Pandemics, where discussions on a political decl...
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ASTRO Releases First Clinical Guideline for Bladder Cancer Radiation Therapy, Addressing Disparities

ASTRO Releases First Clinical Guideline for Bladder Cancer Radiation Therapy, Addressing Disparities

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued its inaugural clinical guideline specifically for radiation therapy in bladder cancer. This guideline supports trimodal therapy (maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumor followed by chemoradiation) as a bladder-preserving alternative to radical cystectomy for appropriately selected patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. It also provides recommendations for radiation therapy after surgery and for patients with metastatic or symptomatic disease. The guideline highlights persistent disparities in bladder cancer care, noting limited access to multidisciplinary evaluation and bladder-preserving treatments in underserved and rural communities. The task force advocates for broader access to evidence-based treatment and greater inclusion of historically underrepresented populations in bladder cancer research, including Black patients, those with lower socioeconomic status or Medicaid insurance, other racial and ethnic minorities, women, ...
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Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman Reintroduces PrEP Assistance Program Act to Address HIV Access Disparities

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman Reintroduces PrEP Assistance Program Act to Address HIV Access Disparities

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman has reintroduced the PrEP Assistance Program Act, a legislative initiative aimed at funding copays, clinic fees, and outreach efforts for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. Her framing of the issue emphasizes that access to PrEP is a social justice concern. This reintroduction comes as National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day approaches on September 18th, highlighting ongoing efforts by organizations like the National Minority AIDS Council to advance conversations around HIV, particularly as more individuals live longer with the virus. The legislation seeks to bridge the gap in access to this crucial preventative treatment, especially within Black communities, where HIV diagnoses remain disproportionately high despite the availability of effective prevention methods.
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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Proposes $2 Million Expansion of 'Welcome Family' Program for Newborn Home Visits

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Proposes $2 Million Expansion of 'Welcome Family' Program for Newborn Home Visits

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is advocating for a $2 million expansion of the state's 'Welcome Family' program. This initiative aims to provide home visits for every newborn baby in Massachusetts. The program, which has been in place since 2013, currently serves approximately 3,000 births annually. Under the proposed expansion, government-appointed healthcare providers would visit the homes of new parents within days or weeks of childbirth. These visits are intended to offer postpartum care, mental health support, and assess the needs of both caregivers and babies. Governor Healey stated that these visits would provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to make assessments and connect families with additional support and resources. While described as voluntary by Healey's office, the proposal has generated significant debate regarding government involvement in private family matters. The expansion also includes an additional $250,000 to strengthen a mental health program for mothers and aims to ...
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Detroit Organizations Distribute Produce Boxes to Seniors for Brain Health on World Alzheimer's Day

Detroit Organizations Distribute Produce Boxes to Seniors for Brain Health on World Alzheimer's Day

On World Alzheimer's Day, Eli Lilly and Company, in partnership with Planet Harvest, distributed over 1,300 brain-healthy produce boxes to food-insecure and underserved seniors in Metro Detroit. This initiative aims to promote healthy aging and cognitive awareness, recognizing the critical role of diet in brain health. Jennifer Oleksiw, head of neuroscience and chief commercial innovation officer at Lilly, emphasized the difficulty for underserved communities to access healthy diets and the company's commitment to fostering healthy habits. The 12-15 pound boxes contain a variety of fresh produce, including apples, cabbage, cucumbers, collard greens, lemons, oranges, corn, and zucchinis. Seniors can pick up these boxes at various locations, with some receiving door-to-door delivery.
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Women Explore Experimental Peptides for Menopause Symptom Relief Amidst Medical Frustration

Women Explore Experimental Peptides for Menopause Symptom Relief Amidst Medical Frustration

Women Explore Experimental Peptides for Menopause Symptom Relief Amidst Medical Frustration
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Bipartisan Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Address High Heart Disease Risk in South Asian Americans

Bipartisan Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Address High Heart Disease Risk in South Asian Americans

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has reintroduced the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act. This legislation aims to increase federal research, public awareness, and culturally appropriate programs to address the disproportionately high incidence of heart disease among South Asian Americans. Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Joe Wilson, along with Senator Cory Booker, introduced the bill. The measure would authorize the U.S. health secretary to provide grants to states for programs focusing on communities severely affected by cardiovascular disease. The bill also seeks to ensure that research funding is directed towards risk factors that have not received adequate attention. South Asians in the United States face four times the risk of heart disease compared to the general population, with nearly two-thirds of middle-aged South Asian Americans facing an intermediate or high risk of heart failure within the next decade. The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragan...
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Cornell Researchers Develop Portable Diagnostic Test for Ebola and Lassa Viruses

Cornell Researchers Develop Portable Diagnostic Test for Ebola and Lassa Viruses

Cornell researchers have developed a portable diagnostic test capable of simultaneously detecting and distinguishing between Ebola and Lassa viruses. These two serious viruses share similar early symptoms, such as fever, headache, vomiting, and general weakness, but require distinct medical responses. The new test utilizes a test strip that identifies proteins produced by the viruses from a single pinprick blood sample. This strip is then analyzed by a Portable Rapid Onsite Versatile Image-based Detection System (PROVIDS), which uses a camera to photograph the strip and, within five seconds, provides an objective, quantitative result through automated software analysis. This innovation aims to move diagnostic capabilities from centralized laboratories to portable devices usable by health workers in the field, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and minimal refrigeration.
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GLP-1 Drugs Prescribed Off-Label to Children as Young as 8 for Obesity Treatment in U.S.

GLP-1 Drugs Prescribed Off-Label to Children as Young as 8 for Obesity Treatment in U.S.

A growing number of children in the U.S., some as young as 8, are being prescribed GLP-1 weight-loss drugs off-label to treat obesity. A study led by Babak Orandi at New York University found that 9.3% of children aged 8 to 11 with obesity but without diabetes are receiving these medications, a significant increase from 0.03% in 2019. While GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are only approved for individuals aged 12 and older in the U.S., UK, and Australia, off-label prescriptions for younger children are occurring in line with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. These prescriptions are more common in children with severe obesity or related complications such as pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, and tend to be among wealthier families due to the high cost of the medication.
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Virginia Study Reveals Medicaid Pays Doctors Substantially Less Than Other Insurers for Preventive Care

Virginia Study Reveals Medicaid Pays Doctors Substantially Less Than Other Insurers for Preventive Care

A new study from Virginia, led by George Mason University professor Alison Cuellar, has found that Medicaid pays doctors substantially less than other health insurers for routine preventive visits. The research, set to be published in JAMA Health Forum, compared payment rates across different types of insurance, including traditional fee-for-service Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, Medicare plans, employer-sponsored insurance, and marketplace plans. The study revealed a consistent divide: both forms of Medicaid paid significantly less. Specifically, Medicaid private managed care plans paid 25% less than Medicare plans and over 40% less than marketplace plans, even though they generally paid more than the state’s traditional Medicaid program. This study utilized novel Transparency in Coverage and Virginia claims data to provide a more complete picture, especially considering that about 85% of Medicaid members nationwide are enrolled in Medicaid managed care.
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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...