News

Though most hospitals and health systems are collecting patient demographic data, by using layers of additional data sets, investigating patterns in health disparities, tailoring interventions and aligning priorities with identified community needs, organizations can advance health equity, writes Mital Patel, senior director of market intelligence, AHA Center for Health Innovation. 

Throughout the pandemic, innovative partnerships have helped hospitals and health systems ensure ongoing care for patients, health care workers and their communities. 

AstraZeneca revised its data on its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stating that its AZD1222 vaccine showed a 76% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. 

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on improving COVID-19 health equity and outcomes by addressing health disparities.

The Senate passed by 90-2 vote a bill that, among other health care provisions, would eliminate the 2% across-the-board cut to all Medicare payments, known as sequestration, until the end of 2021.

The White House announced a $10 billion investment in promoting public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, particularly among the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities. 

A new Market Insights report from the AHA Center for Health Innovation describes how to use data to build new capabilities that improve health outcomes for patients and communities.

The Senate voted 57-43 to confirm Vivek Murthy, M.D., to serve as United States surgeon general for a second time.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services extended until Aug. 15 the special enrollment period launched Feb. 15 at the federally facilitated marketplace in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

On this AHA Advancing Health podcast, Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., talks about combating the COVID-19 pandemic through testing, vaccinations and education within the community, which include people hardest hit by the pandemic.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General reported findings from a random survey of hospital leaders last month on their most difficult current challenges responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, greatest concerns going forward and how the government could best help. 

Given the sustained increase in variants resistant to bamlanivimab alone, and availability of alternative authorized monoclonal antibodies, the U.S. government, in coordination with Eli Lilly, will stop the distribution of bamlanivimab alone starting today, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response announced.

A new toolkit from AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity focuses on leveraging patient data to advance health equity. The first in a new series of health equity resources, the toolkit was released last week in concert with the Accelerating Health Equity Conference.

The AHA voiced support for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 (S. 834), legislation that would add 14,000 Medicare-funded residency positions to alleviate physician shortages that threaten patients’ access to care. 

Join the AHA March 30 at 12 p.m. ET to hear how Atrium Health and American Airlines came together to “get shots in arms” through mass vaccination events in Charlotte, N.C. Webinar speakers will discuss the planning, partnerships and support required to hold these events. 

A new analysis prepared by Kaufman, Hall & Associates LLC and released by the AHA shows that even under the most optimistic scenario, including a smooth vaccine roll-out and reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations, 39% of hospitals would operate in the red in 2021, a marked increase over pre-pandemic baselines.

The National Resident Matching Program matched a record 36,179 medical school seniors and graduates to U.S. residency positions, 2.6% more than last year. Applicants include students and graduates of U.S. and international medical schools.

The AHA Center for Health Innovation invites hospitals and health systems to participate in its second Hospital Community Collaborative, which will focus on COVID-19-related community needs. 

The Food and Drug Administration authorized for emergency use an armband device that screens people without COVID-19 symptoms for certain potential SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers, such as excessive blood clotting. 

AstraZeneca said its AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine candidate is safe and effective, based on data culled from a phase 3 clinical trial of 32,449 U.S. patients.