5 worst states for obesity

By Allison Bell - The past few years have been hard on Americans' ability to control their weight. About 34.2% of the working-age Americans in a typical state were classified as obese in 2023. Read Full Article… ^{_{(Subscription required)}}

HVBA Article Summary

1. Rising Obesity Rates: The median obesity rate for adults ages 18-64 rose from 30.8% in 2018 to 34.3% in 2023, with some states seeing increases of over 5 percentage points.

2. Geographical Differences: Obesity rates range from under 25% in states like Colorado to over 40% in six states, showing wide regional disparities.

3. Economic and Health Costs: Rising obesity drives $480 billion in extra medical costs and $1.2 trillion in productivity losses, partly due to expensive treatments like Wegovy.

Buyers of digital health plan to up their investment next year, survey finds

By Emma Beavins - Healthcare purchasers are investing more in digital health technologies and are committed to growing the space, according to a survey from the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI), an independent reviewer of digital health technologies. Read Full Article…. 

HVBA Article Summary

1. Rising Digital Health Budgets: 75% of organizations have increased their digital health budgets in the last two years, focusing on cost savings, better outcomes, and improved access.

2. Top Purchasing Criteria: A proven track record is the key factor for selecting digital health tools, with many targeting diabetes, mental health, and primary care.

3. Short Contract Terms: Most digital health contracts last 1-2 years, limiting the time to demonstrate value, with reviews happening annually for most employers and payers.

CVSHealth Eyes Breakup: A Reckoning for Corporate Health Care's Vertical Empire

By Wendell Potter - In a surprising turn of events, sources say that CVS Health is exploring the possibility of breaking up its business empire — a move that could unravel years of aggressive vertical integration, including its $70 billion acquisition of health insurer Aetna back in 2017. Read Full Article…

HVBA Article Summary

1. Overexpansion and Inefficiencies: CVSHealth's rapid acquisitions have led to rising costs and operational complexity, causing inefficiencies and investor concerns.

2. Regulatory and Financial Struggles: CVS faces FTC scrutiny over Caremark and financial setbacks, prompting leadership changes and talk of a potential breakup.

3. Broader Industry Impact: CVS’s potential split highlights wider challenges in healthcare, signaling a possible shift away from mega-mergers as other companies face similar issues.

Major IV provider B. Braun ‘intact’ after Hurricane Milton

By Caroline Catherman - The US is struggling to address a yearslong IV supply shortage following two back-to-back hurricanes. Read Full Article… 

HVBA Article Summary

1. B. Braun Operations Intact: B. Braun's Daytona Beach IV facility remained unaffected by Hurricane Milton and will resume operations as scheduled.

2. Proactive Measures: B. Braun, with federal assistance, moved IV supplies to a secure location and continues working with federal agencies to ensure supply continuity.

3. Nationwide IV Shortages: Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on Baxter's North Carolina site, hospitals are facing widespread IV fluid shortages, with 86% reporting supply issues.

CBO: Covering anti-obesity drugs could cost Medicare $35B by 2034

By Paige Minemyer - Allowing Medicare to cover anti-obesity medications would drive up federal spending by about $35 billion on net between 2026 and 2034, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Read Full Article…

HVBA Article Summary

1. Rising Costs: CBO projects federal costs for anti-obesity medications will rise from $1.6 billion in 2026 to $7.1 billion by 2034, while savings will be modest, growing from $50 million to $1 billion.

2. Limited Usage: Of the 12.5 million Medicare beneficiaries eligible for the drugs in 2026, only 2% (300,000) are expected to use them, increasing to 14% (1.6 million) by 2034.

3. Cost vs. Savings: The government will spend $5,600 per user in 2026, dropping to $4,300 in 2034, but savings will start at $50 per user and grow to $650 by 2034.

Pet benefits: A solution to rising pet care costs and employee stress

By Michael Popke - Just as three-quarters of working parents report missing work to attend to the needs of their children, a nearly equal percentage of working pet owners are doing the same for their dogs and cats. Read Full Article… ^{_{(Subscription required)}}

HVBA Article Summary

1. Pet Care and Work Disruptions: Wagmo’s survey shows 75% of U.S. employees with pets have missed work due to pet issues, and 65% feel distracted when their pets are sick or injured, affecting productivity.

2. Cost of Pet Care: 57% of pet owners spent over $1,000 on pet care last year, with high veterinary costs as a major challenge. Pet insurance and wellness plans are common, but only 24% have both.

3. Pet Benefits in Employment: 65% of working pet parents consider pet-related benefits important in job decisions. Employers are increasingly offering these benefits to attract and retain talent.

Why GLP-1s might treat a plethora of conditions

By Paige Tweeter - Hundreds of clinical trials are researching how drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro affect a plethora of conditions, Nature reported Sept. 25. Read Full Article…

HVBA Article Summary

1. Expanding Uses of GLP-1 Drugs: GLP-1 medications, originally approved for diabetes and weight management, are being studied for conditions like anxiety, Alzheimer's, and cancer, with some promising trial results.

2. How GLP-1 Works: These drugs regulate insulin, blood sugar, appetite, and digestion, making them relevant for treating multiple conditions, from diabetes to addiction, based on their biological actions.

3. Inflammation and Brain Effects: GLP-1s reduce inflammation, potentially benefiting diseases like kidney disease and Alzheimer's, though their full impact on the brain is still being explored.