March 29th Newsletter

Happy Friday, and a warm welcome to the Whealth Care Newsletter! I’m over the moon to share that last Saturday, Jason popped the question, and, of course, I said yes—it was the easiest yes of my life! We’re thrilled about the journey to marriage but hold your horses on the "when" questions. Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s Whealth Care updates.

Rising Dengue Cases - Dengue cases in the Americas were up three times higher in January through March compared to the same period last year. The news comes as Puerto Rico issued a public health emergency this week over the mosquito-borne illness, infecting 100 million to 400 million people annually. Link

New federal health IT strategy increases focus on public health, AI - The HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology released a draft plan Wednesday that lays out the agency’s health IT strategy over the next several years. The plan, developed with more than 25 federal agencies, includes an increased focus in areas like artificial intelligence, public health and health equity. Link

Steward Health Care selling major part of operations to Optum Care - The hospital group filed notice with the state of Massachusetts Tuesday that Optum Care, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, will buy Steward's physician network. The proposed sale does not apply to the physical hospitals, but Tuesday's filings suggest that more transactions could be coming. The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care spending, still needs to review the proposed sale. Link

US CDC alerts healthcare providers of increase in meningococcal disease - Meningococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, is a serious bacterial infection that commonly affects the brain, spinal cord, and bloodstream. The agency warned that patients may present with bloodstream or joint infection and without symptoms typical of meningitis, which include fever, headache, and stiff neck. Link

CMS final rules standardizes Medicaid enrollment and renewal - Currently, each state is responsible for operating its own Medicaid program within federal requirements. The rule includes a series of provisions to simplify enrollment and renewal processes by standardizing them nationwide. Link

Household chemicals may increase risk of neurological conditions like autism, MS - The study, from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, assessed the effect of a wide range of chemicals on isolated oligodendrocytes, organoid systems, and developing brains of mice. They found that two groups — organophosphate flame retardants and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) — damaged or caused the death of oligodendrocytes. The researchers suggest that exposure to these chemicals could lead to neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions, such as autism-spectrum conditions, attention deficit disorders and multiple sclerosis. Link

US tuberculosis cases rise for third year in a row: CDC - Tuberculosis rates in the U.S. rose by 16 percent in 2023, marking the third year that cases went up following nearly 30 years of decline. TB is a bacterial infection that can attack any organ in the body, though it usually strikes the lungs. Some people don’t develop symptoms after infection, having what is referred to as latent TB. Link

5 dead and over 100 hospitalized from recalled Japanese health supplements - Company officials updated the number of dead to five Friday and said 114 people were being treated in hospitals after taking products — including Benikoji Choleste Help meant to lower cholesterol — that contain an ingredient called benikoji, a red species of mold. Link

Bird Flu Spreads to Dairy Cows In Multiple States - Sick dairy cows from Kansas and Texas have tested positive for bird flu. Janet Buffer, with the Food and Policy Institute within the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said consumers do not need to be concerned about the avian flu virus or other viruses or bacteria when consuming pasteurized milk and milk products made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization kills any viruses, bacteria, or other microbes in the milk, without altering the milk’s taste, appearance or nutritional value. Link

RECALLS:

1.    Nestlé USA recalls mugs sold with Starbucks-branded gift sets.

2.    Twenty Four Six Foods recalls Happiness USA Roller Ball candy.

3.    Kia recalls 36,000 K900s and Stingers.

4.    Pyramid Wholesale recalls sexual enhancement supplements.

5.    Honeywell recalls fire alarm sounders and strobes.