Older People Who Smoke Heavily Advised to Consider CT Lung Screening
The American Cancer Society is recommending that older people with a significant smoking history should consider getting a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer.
Category results for "Healthcare"
New Tools Identify Substance Use Treatment Needs in Criminal Justice System
People in prisons and jails are four times more likely to have a substance use disorder than the general public, yet services for this population are sorely lacking, according to experts at George Mason University.
Public Hospital ERs in New York City to Restrict Some Painkillers
New York City public hospitals will restrict prescriptions of some powerful painkillers in their emergency rooms, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday. The new policy is designed to cut down on prescription drug abuse.
Study Shows Racial Disparities in Completion of Substance Abuse Treatment
Black and Hispanic patients who enter publicly funded alcohol and drug treatment programs are less likely to complete treatment, compared with white patients, a new study finds.
To Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse, Focus Less on Patient Satisfaction
Pain management education must help prescribers focus less on patient satisfaction, and more on their functional improvement, according to Sherry Green, the CEO of the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws.
State Drug Monitoring Programs Should Make Data More Accessible, Study Says
State prescription drug monitoring programs should use advances in health information technology to make the systems easier to use, according to a new government report. The programs should incorporate prescription drug monitoring data into the workflow of doctors and pharmacists, recommends the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
Study of Genetics, Environment and Alcoholism Leads to Pilot Prevention Program
Genes explain about 60 percent of the risk for alcoholism, while the environment accounts for the rest, according to an expert who has developed a pilot program to prevent high-risk drinking in college freshman.
Coverage for Smoking Cessation Treatments Called Inconsistent, Confusing
Although the Affordable Care Act requires new private health plans to cover several methods of tobacco cessation, many insurance plans are not providing mandated coverage to help smokers quit, a new report concludes.
Commentary: Facebook: “Liking” the Benefits of Health Behavior Interventions
Health behavior change interventions in the future will be inherently social, suggests Dr. Nathan Cobb of Legacy.
Insurers Not Likely to Change Policies on Medical Marijuana
Health insurers are unlikely to start covering the cost of medical marijuana, even as more states approve its use, The Washington Post reports. Earlier this month, Massachusetts joined 17 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
