Page 219 - Mployee Wellness Programs News Today

The implications of a ubiquitous diet vital sign are enormous. For example, what can happen if we can measure an upstream variable—such as diet quality—across populations at scale? We can prevent disease, curb the onset of disease, save money, and help health systems improve their bottom lines.

Added complexity to daily life is likely why patient dropout rates remain high, with 19% leaving studies before completion. Truly patient-centric trials will allow for broader participation, allowing patients to decide how and when they want to engage in a study.

Through the partnership, the organizations are launching EmsanaRx Plus. The product supplements employers' current pharmacy benefit offerings and provides access to Cost Plus Drugs' discounted medications.

The volume of healthcare deals has increased in 2022, driven in large part by private equity, according to a new PwC report. But deal values have been declining, a trend that is expected to continue into 2023.

Read about executive hires across healthcare and life sciences.

A hospital corporation with facilities across Massachusetts must pay $1.9 million in civil penalties in a lawsuit alleging that an employee stole more than 17,000 units of controlled substances and the hospitals did not have accurate records of controlled substances to prevent such illegal activity. 

Taking the opposite approach of targeted protein degradation, biotech company Entact Bio is developing medicines that stabilize proteins and even enhances their function. This approach that could apply to cancer and certain rare diseases and Entact's $81 million in Series A financing enables it to work on multiple programs in parallel.

The report was commissioned by Wysa, a company that created an AI chatbot for mental health support. It found that 40% of working adults suffer from moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression. Many of these employees would prefer talking to an app about their struggles than someone in their workplace.

Hospitals are struggling to discharge patients in a timely manner, according to the American Hospital Association. This is often because there are no available spots for patients being transferred to outpatient facilities. To remedy the increased costs hospitals face as a result of this issue, an AHA exec said Medicare should establish a temporary per diem payment for cases in which a patient is ready for discharge but is unable to be discharged appropriately.

The six-month pilot program aims to support 1,000 Highmark insurance members with certain chronic health conditions and who are at high-risk of food insecurity. These members will receive two medically-tailored meals a day, as well as coaching and social work to help them live a healthier lifestyle.