University Of Colorado To Lead $64 Million Palliative Care Consortium
In addition to investigators from the CU School of Medicine, the Advancing the Science of Palliative Care Research Across the Lifespan (ASCENT) Consortium will include researchers from four other academic centers — New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, Duke University School of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania — along with 40 personnel from more than 20 institutions.
'While palliative care as a field has advanced significantly in the last few decades, there are still a lot of unmet needs. This consortium will serve as a springboard for filling gaps and offering resources to researchers who will ultimately improve the field,' said Jean Kutner, the consortium's principal investigator, in a news release.
Kutner, distinguished professor of medicine and chief academic officer of UCHealth, added that 'the goal is to have a multiplier effect, to have more investigators, stronger research, and an increase in funded palliative care science. Improving care and improving the lives of people with serious illness is what drives this work.'
The award will be administered by the National Institute on Aging with funding and collaboration from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Nursing Research, and National Cancer Institute.
'We know from demographic studies that we are living longer with serious illnesses, and all Americans deserve to benefit from the latest scientific advances that can provide relief from physical and psychological symptoms and receive well-coordinated care that is aligned with their goals,' said Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging.
ASCENT will pursue four major aims:
According to the World Health Organization, almost 57 million people per year receive palliative care for various life-threatening illness. That care is intended to addresses pain, suffering, and both physical and psychological symptoms along with providing support for caregivers and families.
But the health system often fails to deliver appropriate, effective care for persons with serious illness. The ASCENT grant is aimed at improving that care from first diagnosis throughout the trajectory of a serious illness for persons of any age, for conditions including cancer, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, advanced organ diseases (including heart, lung, liver, kidney), stroke, neuro-muscular degenerative diseases, genetic disorders and rare congenital and metabolic disorders.
'At some point we are all going to face some sort of serious illness. It's a sort of fact of life, so this is something that applies to everybody,' Kutner said. 'There's a specific focus in what we proposed being that we focus on palliative care across the lifespan because there are infants, children, adolescents and young adults that also suffer from serious illness.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Forbes
Optimum Nutrition Casein Protein Powder Review: An Expert Pick For Weight Loss
The protein powder industry is vast, comprising dozens of options that range from whey to casein formulas. The latter is a great option for individuals on weight-loss journeys due to being slower to digest than whey. After researching the market for high-quality protein powders and consulting nutrition experts, our expert gear and wellness editor chose Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard 100% Casein Powder as his top pick for weight loss. Its formulation is simple and utilizes high-quality ingredients to support muscle recovery, and its casein protein digests more slowly than whey, which in turn helps curb your appetite. Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard 100% Casein Powder is our top choice for weight loss due to its ... More clean casein protein that's slow-digesting to help curb cravings. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER Optimum Nutrition's casein protein powder stands out mainly for its sustained amino acid release, creamy texture and rich flavor. Its slow-digestion properties also make this pick ideal to use before bed to support muscle recovery overnight. Plus, it has a comparatively clean formulation: 'Optimum Nutrition has really high quality control, making it one of the cleanest options regarding additives,' says dietician Janelle Bober of Dietician Live. Amazon Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein Protein Powder (2-Pound) Protein per serving: 24 grams | Serving size: 1 scoop (34 grams) | Protein source: Micellar casein | Ingredients: Natural and artificial flavors, no added sugar (uses sucralose) | Servings per container: 25 | Flavors: 4, including Chocolate Supreme and Creamy Vanilla Best for: Keeping you fuller for longer than whey protein powders Fans of a thick, smooth shake texture and rich chocolate or vanilla flavors A nighttime snack that still supports muscle recovery Skip if: You don't prefer thick shakes You don't like artificial flavors/sweeteners The not-so-secret ingredient that helps control appetite in this formula is the micellar casein, which is a milk protein. Casein is a high-quality, complete protein because it consists of all the essential amino acids you need to maintain lean muscle, says certified fitness and nutrition expert Sarah Pelc Graca. 'This is important for weight management because keeping muscle mass helps boost your metabolism (compared to fat) while you are consuming fewer calories,' she explains. Casein isn't the only high-impact ingredient in Optimum Nutrition's formula, though. 'It also has a decent dose of magnesium (85 mg) and zinc (11 mg), which support muscle function, sleep, recovery and hydration,' says Bober. Casein is also a slow-digesting protein, taking several hours to break down. 'Think of it like an extended release medication—it helps you feel fuller for longer,' Bober says. Protein availability is sustained over extended periods of time, which, she explains, 'supports lean mass preservation and helps with long-term metabolism through satiety.' This characteristic is particularly helpful for individuals who want to cut down on snacking between meals or tend to indulge in late-night munching, according to Graca. 'Some people even turn it into a high-protein dessert at night (yum!), which also helps satisfy sweet cravings without hindering progress,' she adds. Bonus Benefits For Weight Loss Another benefit to casein being a slow-digesting protein is that it won't impact how you metabolize overnight. 'Controlled studies show it doesn't change your resting energy expenditure at night when you're digesting and resting, so there's not a big shift in metabolic adaptation,' says Bober, adding that this is particularly noteworthy for people with insulin sensitivities or obesity. This is also why many users consume it before bed: Your muscles continue to draw from sustained protein availability overnight to keep rebuilding, which can help decrease muscle soreness the day after. Optimum Nutrition's casein formula also exceeds the minimum grams-to-calorie ratio that Bober recommends if you're looking to lose weight. 'I recommend a 10% grams-to-calorie ratio for weight loss, so if you have a serving with 240 calories [and] 24 grams of protein would be ideal,' she explains. And since this protein powder has 24 grams of protein per 120 calories, it exceeds Bober's criteria: 'A high-protein, calorie-restricted diet is the gold standard for weight loss,' she says. The nutritional information for the Chocolate Supreme flavor of Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard ... More 100% Casein protein powder. optimum nutrition Creamy Texture And Rich Flavor Fans of thick, extra-creamy protein shakes will like this casein protein powder. 'It mixes more like a pudding when you use less water or milk,' says Graca. Casein protein powder is also a lot smoother compared to plant protein powders, which tend to be grainy, adds Bober. Tom Ahmad, certified sports nutritionist with Same Day Supplements, agrees—and vouches for the Chocolate Supreme flavor, which he's used several times. 'It's smooth, enjoyable and thick, making it a perfect filling nighttime shake or snack that can also support recovery,' he notes. Reasons You May Not Like This Formula While all three experts recommend Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Casein protein powder for its high-quality protein, creamy consistency and smooth flavor, it's not for everyone. If you're not a fan of very thick shakes, opt for a powder that uses a faster-digesting protein like whey (see our top pick from our best protein powders roundup, the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder). That said, most reviews say this formula is easy to mix with water or milk and blends reasonably well in shaker bottles. Further, while this formula is one of the cleanest on the market, it still uses some artificial flavoring and the sugar substitute sucralose. The majority of reviewers find the flavors pleasantly sweet but not cloying (particularly the Chocolate Supreme and Creamy Vanilla varieties) and appreciate that it only contains 1 gram of sugar; a few others, though, say they can taste a bit of the artificial flavoring. Further, anyone with sensitivities to either of these ingredients should find an alternative product. Final Thoughts Before you decide on this particular protein powder, Bober has one last bit of advice: 'Make sure you tolerate it well and consider whether you want plant-based or animal-based protein, plus look at the vitamins and minerals present.' But overall, if you're looking for a high-quality protein powder and are on a weight-loss journey, Optimum Nutrition's casein formula is a smart choice, says Graca. 'It is especially useful for those who struggle with hunger between meals or want a filling evening snack that aligns with their goals.' Why Trust Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted's gear team is responsible for our in-depth guides on all things active, which are a culmination of in-depth research, expert advice and hands-on testing. We cover topics that range from personal wellness to fitness equipment and beyond. We've showcased our authority on protein powders specifically, having published a popular best list that includes vetted, expert-approved products. This story was written by Forbes Vetted's home updates writer Fran Sales. An avid researcher and product tester, Sales is experienced at conducting rigorous deep-dives and expert interviews for complex subjects, from robot pool vacuums to window air conditioners. It was reviewed by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta , who's been evaluating and testing outdoor, training and wellness equipment for the past six years. He has a degree in kinesiology, which gives him unique insight into how protein powders can help with muscle recovery and complement your dietary goals. , who's been evaluating and testing outdoor, training and wellness equipment for the past six years. He has a degree in kinesiology, which gives him unique insight into how protein powders can help with muscle recovery and complement your dietary goals. To make sure the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein formula is the best in its category, we consulted three nutrition experts for this review: Janelle Bober, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Dietician Live, a telehealth provider that offers personalized dietician services; Sarah Pelc Graca, CPT, PN-L1, a fitness and nutrition expert at Strong With Sarah LLC; and Talib 'Tom' Ahmad, NASM, CNC, a certified sports nutritionist and SEO manager at Same Day Supplements .
Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Forbes
Electronic Health Record Giant Epic Rolling Out New AI Tools
Epic Systems is launching several new artificial intelligence tools for medical care providers and patients while working with health insurers to improve the patient experience. Epic, which has been led by its 82-year-old founder Judy Faulkner for 46 years is best known for its dominance in the electronic health record software space, is pushing deeper into AI in a healthcare industry known for its complexities, fragmentation and consumer frustration. Epic's technology is already used be more than 3,000 hospitals, more than 71,000 clinics and some 325 million patients worldwide. Meeting this week at its Verona, Wis., headquarters for its annual users group meeting, Epic executives said the AI tools will help all aspects of healthcare and include the virtual assistant 'Emmie' that can act as a 'digital concierge' that answers patient questions a week before appointments to help improve patient education. The three-day meeting, which included a three-hour presentation Tuesday open to the press at headquarters and virtually, included exchanges and role play between employees acting as patients and providers. As one example, executives talked about a broader launch of Emmie virtual assistant for scheduling and understanding visits to providers. 'Available in the future, Emmie will answer his call with voice and to provide billing assistance and will make outbound calls to help him schedule his appointment," Karsten Smith, VP of Health Plan Applications said Tuesday of a potential patient experience with the virtual assistant. Epic's well-known MyChart patient portal that is already used by millions of people, doctor's offices and health systems will be adding AI features that include the ability for patients to get questions about test results answered. Meanwhile, Epic is also working on ways to reduce 'manual chart extraction' that takes up valuable clinician time the company said will help improve patient care and help alleviate medical care provider burnout. The AI tool will extract a summary for a doctor so the physician wouldn't have to scroll through years worth of records, potentially. And a new area for growth for Epic is working with some of the nation's largest health insurance companies, including several who met with Faulkner and her team earlier this year. A tool to help with coding and writing prior authorizations and making sure that the patient meets any medical criteria for prior authorizations is being adopted by health insurers. The AI tool includes ways to let the doctor know the patient meets all of the health plan or employer criteria for coverage. Doctors complain prior authorization has delayed needed treatment and put patient health in jeopardy while wasting physician and patient time to jump through hoops. Over the past several years, prior authorization increasingly has become a concern for patient access to needed services, according to almost 30% of physicians responding to an American Medical Association survey in 2023. Epic's work with health insurance companies comes in a year that more than 50 health insurers including Cigna, CVS Health's Aetna, UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealthcare and Humana committed to 'streamline, simplify and reduce' prior authorization, the process of insurers reviewing hospital admissions and medications.
Washington Post
40 minutes ago
- Washington Post
NASA's Webb telescope finds a new tiny moon around Uranus
NEW YORK — The Webb Space Telescope has spotted a new tiny moon orbiting Uranus . The new member of the lunar gang , announced Tuesday by NASA, appears to be just six miles (10 kilometers) wide. It was spotted by the telescope's near-infrared camera during observations in February.
