February 2022 is nearly in the books! Today the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued updated guidance on masks that is based on metrics such as new Covid-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and new Covid-19 cases rather than the prior measures that emphasized test positivity rates. Under the new metrics, 70% of the U.S. population live in counties where the coronavirus is posing a low or medium threat to hospitals. People in these counties no longer need to wear masks according to the agency. The CDC advises that masks should be worn indoors in counties where spread of the virus was deemed substantial or high. Individuals at risk for COVID-19 are advised to consult with their doctor about the need to wear a mask regardless of the local risk level. A sign of progress on the war against Covid-19!
This Weekend Reading Series begins with the Tribute to African American History, highlighting the work of renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Patricia Bath, MD. Born in Harlem, New York, on November 4, 1942, Patricia Bath became the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology in 1973. Dr. Patricia Bath invented the laserphaco, a new device and technique to remove cataracts. When she received a patent for her laserphaco probe 1988, Bath became the first Black female physician to receive a U.S. patent for a medical invention. Next explore The War on Costs, highlighting efforts to control prescription drugs by Governor Whitmer and CVS Caremark as well as other opportunities to reduce spend. In Women & Children First, you will find articles on Fem Tech, maternal mortality and more! Check out Continuing the Battle, with articles exploring the issues on health disparities which impact plan sponsor’s healthcare costs. Finally, do not miss A Little R & R – and my personal favorite A Tiny English Island Is Looking for a New Monarch to Run its Pub!
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. Tribute to African American History
- National Library of Medicine: Patricia Bath, MD
2. The War on Costs
- Detroit Free Press: Whitmer signs bills into Michigan law to cut prescription costs, increase accountability
- HIT Consultant: CVS Health Releases Drug Trend Report
- CVS Health: Drug Trend Report
- Medical X Press: A drug for pregnant women doesn’t work, according to the FDA. A company is selling it anyway
- Medical X Press: Do you really need that test? New statement highlights need to reduce ‘low-value’ heart care
3. Women & Children First
- McKinsey & Company: The dawn of the FemTech revolution
- The New York Times: Maternal Deaths Rose During the First Year of the Pandemic
- Medscape: Epidural May Lower Odds of Severe Maternal Birth Complications
- University of Michigan: 25 years of research shows insidious effect of racism on Black women’s menopausal transition, health
4. Continuing the Battle
- STAT: 20 years ago, a landmark report spotlighted systemic racism in medicine. Why has so little changed?
- Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE): Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Black Americans: Recent Trends and Key Challenges
- Kaiser Family Foundation: Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes, Screening, and Treatment
5. A Little R & R (Rest and Relaxation)
- Smithsonian Magazine: A Tiny English Island Is Looking for a New Monarch to Run its Pub
- McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS): The Unbearable Poopness of Bookstores
- Discover Magazine: It’s Not Rude — Slurping Makes Food Taste Better
- Reuters: German man breaks a hula hooping world record
Enjoy your weekend !
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]
