Latest news with #JAMAOpenNetwork
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
A cancer diagnosis can cause out-of-pocket costs to surge, study finds
A cancer diagnosis increases privately insured patients' monthly out-of-pocket costs, which also rise as the disease progresses, new research shows. Out-of-pocket costs jumped by $592.53 per month for the six months after a diagnosis, according to a recent report published in JAMA Open Network. The study underscores the financial toll a cancer diagnosis can take on individuals, even for those who are insured but don't yet qualify for Medicare. While cancer tends to strike later in life, when most patients in treatment are receiving Medicare benefits, a cancer diagnosis can pose an undue financial burden on younger people with private insurance, the report found. Those out-of-pocket costs highlight the need for policy reform, the report said. The research "underscores the need for policies such as paid sick leave that address both insurance continuity and financial assistance, especially for patients with more advanced cancer," the report states. Out-of-pocket costs increased based on a patient's cancer progression, the analysis found. Patients with stage 0 cancer saw their costs rise by $462 per month compared to non-cancer patients, while stage 4 cancer cost people with private insurance an additional $719.97 per month in out of pocket costs. Costs rise as the disease progresses because patients typically require more treatment during cancer's later stages, leading to greater medical expenditures. "This result seems straightforward; later-stage disease is associated with more intensive workup and treatment that can drive higher medical expenditures," the report states. Researchers analyzed medical claims records from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry to compare the out-of-pocket costs of privately insured individuals under the age of 65 who were diagnosed with breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, to those without cancer. New research from the American Cancer Society shows that as more people aged 45-49 undergo screening for colon cancer, more early stage diagnoses are being made. DOGE savings are a fraction of what the department claims, CBS News analysis finds Details on House subpoenas for Clintons and others over Epstein files Trump doubles down on decision to fire labor statistics chief Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
A cancer diagnosis can cause out-of-pocket costs to surge, even for those with insurance
A cancer diagnosis increases privately insured patients' monthly out-of-pocket costs, which also rise as the disease progresses, new research shows. Out-of-pocket costs jumped by $592.53 per month for the six months after a diagnosis, according to a recent report published in JAMA Open Network. The study underscores the financial toll a cancer diagnosis can take on individuals, even for those who are insured but don't yet qualify for Medicare. While cancer tends to strike later in life, when most patients in treatment are receiving Medicare benefits, a cancer diagnosis can pose an undue financial burden on younger people with private insurance, the report found. Those out-of-pocket costs highlight the need for policy reform, the report said. The research "underscores the need for policies such as paid sick leave that address both insurance continuity and financial assistance, especially for patients with more advanced cancer," the report states. Out-of-pocket costs increased based on a patient's cancer progression, the analysis found. Patients with stage 0 cancer saw their costs rise by $462 per month compared to non-cancer patients, while stage 4 cancer cost people with private insurance an additional $719.97 per month in out of pocket costs. Costs rise as the disease progresses because patients typically require more treatment during cancer's later stages, leading to greater medical expenditures. "This result seems straightforward; later-stage disease is associated with more intensive workup and treatment that can drive higher medical expenditures," the report states. Researchers analyzed medical claims records from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry to compare the out-of-pocket costs of privately insured individuals under the age of 65 who were diagnosed with breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, to those without cancer. New research from the American Cancer Society shows that as more people aged 45-49 undergo screening for colon cancer, more early stage diagnoses are being made.
Metro
21-07-2025
- Health
- Metro
Common drug may speed up ageing, study finds
Hiyah Zaidi Published July 17, 2025 10:27am Link is copied Comments Taking a common drug which acts on the nervous system could be leading to faster ageing in older adults, a new study says. Published in the journal JAMA Open Network, the researchers concluded that a high exposure to anticholinergic drugs - used in flu medicine, and to relieve motion sickness and histamine reactions - could lead to a faster decline in physical performance in older age (Picture: Getty) Anticholinergic drugs are also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder illnesses and Parkinson's. They work by blocking the action of the nerve-to-nerve signalling molecule acetylcholine, which plays a key role in the functioning of the nervous system. They affect several major bodily functions. However, by discontinuing use, the sedative and cognitive adverse effects can be reversed (Picture: Getty) Anticholinergics are common. They are used to reduce cold and flu symptoms, (diphenhydramine/Benadryl), relieve motion sickness and histamine reactions (promethazine/Phenergan) and relax the bladder to limit needing the toilet all the time (oxybutynin/Ditropan). They're also used to relieve muscle stiffness in Parkinson's disease sufferers and even used as a common sleep aid (Picture: Getty) Anticholinergics can be used to dull an important neurotransmitter for thinking, muscle control and memory, known as acetylcholine. But past studies have revealed that by dulling it, a person can experience confusion, drowsiness, dizziness and weakness, and over time, these symptoms can turn into chronic issues with memory and movement. The latest study wanted to look at the effects of constant exposure to the drugs over a decade – while looking at intensity, duration and timing of past intake (Picture: Getty) The researchers looked at the changes in walking speed and grip strength in over 4,000 older adults over time and compared this with their exposure to anticholinergic medications based on data collected from February 1994 to March 2020. Their study focused on older people, so the average baseline for the men and women was 74.3 years, with follow-up assessments around eight years later (Picture: Getty) They found that while grip strength appeared unaffected, a higher exposure to anticholinergics was linked to a greater decline in walking speed, especially in people who had taken these drugs in what would be deemed clinically conventional, so more than 1,096 daily doses over 10 years. Frailty and changes in balance and gait are linked to multiple measures of poor health outcomes, including disability and mortality. However, they also found that those who met that 1,096 daily-dose threshold in the previous six years were found to have a much higher likelihood of weakened grip as well as slower walking pace (Picture: Getty) The researchers do not advise steering clear of anticholinergics completely, but ask people to be mindful of long-term use. They said: 'Anticholinergics are associated with numerous adverse outcomes in older adults; therefore, it is essential for clinicians to avoid their use when possible, prescribe the lowest effective dose, and periodically reevaluate patients to identify de-prescribing opportunities to minimize potential harms' (Picture: Getty) Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alcohol-related liver problems escalate in Wisconsin, especially for women, young people
Deaths from liver diseases that result from consuming too much alcohol are escalating dramatically in Wisconsin, and even more alarming, such diseases are showing up more in younger people. The numbers mirror national trends described in a June 11 study in JAMA Open Network, which found a "significant acceleration" in alcohol-associated liver disease deaths during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationwide, such deaths increased nearly 9% annually between 2018 and 2022. In Wisconsin, deaths from cirrhosis of the liver — one of several liver diseases tied to alcohol consumption — rose 35% between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's well-documented that Americans began drinking more during the pandemic, and coupled with Wisconsin's deeply entrenched drinking culture, experts worry about the toll they're seeing on people's physical health. Alcohol-related deaths generally, which include myriad other causes besides liver problems, increased three-fold in Wisconsin between 1999 and 2020, a January analysis from the Journal Sentinel found. But experts say multidisciplinary treatment, reduced stigma around alcohol use disorder, and a renewed emphasis on education and prevention could improve the situation. "I think the narrative often in Wisconsin is just, 'Oh, we're just big drinkers,' and that's all there is," said Maureen Busalacchi, director of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "The message is not that you can't drink at all. It's more, really think about it, and just drink less." More: Wisconsin's alcohol-related deaths more than tripled since 1999: See the data U.S. dietary guidelines for alcohol urge people of drinking age to limit consumption to one drink or fewer per day for women and two drinks or fewer per day for men. When people consume significant amounts of alcohol over a prolonged period of time, fat begins to turn up in the liver, and then scar tissue, which can lead to cirrhosis, said Dr. Rita German, a transplant hepatologist at UW Health in Madison. Many times, German said, liver disease symptoms such as jaundice, fever and confusion don't show themselves until the disease has progressed, making it harder to treat. Nearly 3,000 Wisconsinites died from alcohol-related liver diseases from 2019 to 2023, CDC data show. The large majority — 2,072 — were from cirrhosis. Deaths from most types of liver diseases due to alcohol consumption increased in those years, including alcoholic fatty liver and alcoholic hepatic failure in addition to cirrhosis. Deaths from alcoholic hepatitis fell slightly. Busalacchi called the numbers a huge concern. Most of these deaths are preventable, she contended. Doctors used to think of alcohol-related liver diseases as affecting people past middle age, German said. But increasingly, that age is dropping. At UW Health's multidisciplinary clinic for patients with such diseases, she said, the average age is now 45, and she's treated some as young as 25. More: Alcohol-related deaths in Wisconsin tripled since 1999. Will a new warning from the surgeon general slow the trend? That may seem to conflict with recent research showing young people, particularly Gen Z, drinking less. But while some are cutting back, those who do drink are drinking more heavily, Busalacchi said. And while alcohol use among Wisconsin high schoolers has generally decreased in recent years, more than one in 10 reported binge drinking in the last 30 days on the state's most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, done in 2023. The JAMA study noted, in particular, increases in alcohol-related liver disease deaths among adults ages 25-44. Deaths among women also increased disproportionately. Women absorb more alcohol into their bloodstream because they're generally smaller than men and because women's bodies have less gastric alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the stomach, German said. Thus, they're at greater risk for liver damage. The Medical College of Wisconsin's liver transplant team reports younger and younger women needing transplants due to alcohol consumption, Busalacchi said. More: US to drop guidance to limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, sources say To catch alcohol-related liver diseases earlier, German said, it's critical that patients be forthcoming about their alcohol use at the doctor's office. And for that to happen, she said, doctors must view alcohol use disorder for what it is — a disease, not a personal failing. People who are concerned about their alcohol consumption may also request an ultrasound of their liver, German said. From there, they can begin treatment if need be. She also sees the benefits in treatment that is comprehensive. At UW Health's clinic, patients not only see doctors like German who attend to the liver, but addiction specialists and counselors to treat underlying mental health conditions that can drive alcohol use. The clinic has treated between 250 and 300 people since it began in 2021. If it's caught in time, fat and scarring in the liver can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol, German said. Busalacchi's work continues to focus on changing societal perceptions on drinking culture. She sees encouraging signs around the state from communities that are offering more education about the consequences of excessive drinking, especially for youth. Some are taking a harder stance on age compliance checks for alcohol sales. Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin deaths from alcohol-related liver diseases sharply rise
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study inspects generational and geographical differences in dementia prevalence
Due to varied and evolving case definitions, the task of measuring dementia's prevalence across time and borders has been hindered by heterogeneity. As a result, epidemiological indicators of its disease burden have required standardisation in order to allow for meaningful intergenerational and global comparison. In a novel study published in June 2025 in JAMA Open Network, Xiaoxue Dou and colleagues leveraged and standardised three large databases in Europe and the US to explore the prevalence of dementia across multiple geographies with distinct generational cohorts. The authors' analysis shows that dementia prevalence, as well as the risk of developing dementia, is significantly lower in more recent birth cohorts across all studied geographic regions. GlobalData epidemiologists forecast that the diagnosed prevalent cases of dementia are expected to increase from over five million to nearly 5.9 million between 2025 and 2032 in the US and five major European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). Studies that allow for meaningful comparison of dementia indicators across countries and generational cohorts, such as that of Dou and colleagues, allow for a more nuanced study of dementia to guide clinical authorities and policymakers in their attempts to address the disease's individual and social effects as its burden mounts over time. Dou and colleagues studied the prevalence of dementia across difference age cohorts in the US and Europe using three databases that measure health and aging in older adults: the US Health and Retirement Study, the UK's English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, and Europe's Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (countries included are Austria, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Denmark, Switzerland, and Belgium). Each dataset is nationally representative, and they were conducted between 1994 to 2021, 2002 to 2019, and 2004 to 2020, respectively, and in the aggregate capture 99,420 individuals aged 71 years or older. The authors segmented participants into four-year age groups from age 71 years to 96 years and over. To diagnose dementia in each cohort, the authors utilised a panel of experts whose diagnostic consensus was based on criteria in the third and fourth editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. As displayed in Figure 1, when comparing the frequency of dementia across the three regions, Dou and colleagues found that participants born more recently showed a lower diagnosed prevalence than that of older participants, suggesting a decline in the age-specific prevalence of dementia in all three geographies. The authors attribute this intergenerational heterogeneity to cohort-specific features and life experiences (eg, experiences with catastrophic events such as war, urbanisation, or varying levels of exposure to neurotoxic pollution). In this large-scale study, Dou and colleagues present a compelling study design for cross-country comparisons of dementia prevalence in varying age cohorts. Moreover, they draw attention to important factors influencing the disease burden of dementia in different age groups, many of which are rooted in generation-specific environmental factors and life events. The novel methodology and findings from the authors present opportunities for further comparative research into dementia, as well as a case for policymaking and healthcare investment and practice in dementia care that acknowledges the nuance of intergenerational variation. As societies such as many of those in Europe and North America undergo demographic change to older populations on average, these considerations will be crucial in delivering on the needs of geriatric care. "Study inspects generational and geographical differences in dementia prevalence" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
