COVID-19

Outside of the loss of human life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past two years have greatly affected hospitals, health systems and the way providers deliver care. Healthcare executives are grappling with federal monetary assistance, growing burnout rates, workforce shortages and federal oversight of vaccines and testing. This channel is also designed to update clinicians on new research and guidelines regarding COVID patient treatment strategies and risk assessments.

Worries rise over bird flu in cows
Infectious disease experts are ratcheting up their watchfulness of the H5N1 influenza virus. That’s because the strain of “bird flu” has continued turning up in domestic livestock.
Bird flu in cows: Interesting anomaly or troubling harbinger of things to come?
The avian influenza virus H5N1 has only turned up in two humans in the U.S., but its recent spread to dairy cattle has some experts on at least slightly elevated alert.
Measles is on the march from airports to places near us
The U.S. eradicated measles in 2000. Today it’s making a comeback. What explains the unhappy revival?
Behind the scenes in COVID research labs, then and now
The past four years have witnessed major advancements in medical science’s drive to unravel the complexities of the human immune system. We have the COVID-19 pandemic to thank for much of the progress.
Geriatrician gives 3 reasons older Americans should get the latest COVID jab now-ish
Early May will mark the first anniversary of the officially declared end of the COVID-19 public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nevertheless ...

CDC: Updated COVID jab significantly reduces odds of infection

The latest COVID-19 vaccine began entering recipients’ bodies last September. Now comes early CDC data supporting the formulation’s general effectiveness.

February 4, 2024

Former Pfizer employee convicted of trading on COVID trial info

The statistician pocketed $270,000 in profits after Paxlovid's ability to combat COVID-19 was revealed publicly in a landmark announcement.

January 22, 2024

Hospitals: Maybe don’t trim your PPE stockpiles just yet

Seeking to thwart transmission of communicable respiratory diseases among patients, visitors and staff, hospitals in a handful of states have reinstated masking mandates.

January 3, 2024

US life expectancy rising from COVID downturn

The COVID-19 pandemic shaved 2.4 years off U.S. life expectancy, and the population has yet to fully recover from the setback.

November 30, 2023

American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

CVD deaths have increased dramatically, undoing years of progress

The COVID-19 pandemic undid years and years of progress in terms of preventing CVD-related deaths. What can be done to help reverse this trend once and for all?

November 15, 2023

Hypertension patients measured their blood pressure less frequently during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research published in Hypertension. In addition, when those patients did measure their blood pressure, the readings were less healthy than they had been before the pandemic.

Cardiologist reprimanded for performing surgery after testing positive for COVID-19

He has agreed to pay an administrative fee of $1,100 within the next three months.

November 14, 2023

Watchdog’s hospital safety scores show the South standing tall

Last week a business publication reported data showing the Northeast is the best region in the U.S. for healthcare while the South is the worst. Well, what a difference a week makes.

November 7, 2023

US infant mortality takes a turn for the worse

In calendar year 2022, annual infant mortality alarmingly rose in four states while receding to a reassuring degree in just one.

November 2, 2023

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date

Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.

Cardiovascular Business

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.

COVID-19

Worries rise over bird flu in cows

Bird flu in cows: Interesting anomaly or troubling harbinger of things to come?

Measles is on the march from airports to places near us

Behind the scenes in COVID research labs, then and now

Geriatrician gives 3 reasons older Americans should get the latest COVID jab now-ish

Around the web