Diabetes

Too much screen time is also blamed for rising rates of childhood obesity and diabetes. NIH Director Francis Collins said social media is a "chicken or the egg" issue, because it's unclear if social media causes isolation or reflects it.

Groups say the approach of the Republicans' plan moves away from prevention, which had been a chief aim of the Affordable Care Act. A large cut to the CDC would leave the future of the Diabetes Prevention Program unclear.

When caring for patients with diabetes, it’s important for providers to take into account the patient’s culture and how it can affect communication styles and treatment preferences, according to Heather Zacker, MS, senior director of Care Alliances of Joslin Innovation at Joslin Diabetes Center.

The study's lead author said the findings may show something similar to the "obesity paradox," where high-risk patients fare better than expected due to frequent follow-up by physicians.

The technology outlined in the study not only offers superior glucose control, but it also is being developed in forms that its creators say will be functional and discreet.

Patients with obesity often face severe stigmatization from healthcare providers, which can discourage them from seeking help, according to Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, FAAP, FTOS, of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She explained that the “dismal” obesity education in medical schools can lead physicians to judge obese patients unfairly.

Advocates note that the cuts would put the nation's health system in reverse, away from stopping health problems before they get out of hand.

When people with diabetes experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, their risk of mortality increases-particularly for men with only depressive symptoms.

This week, the top managed care news included a bill from House Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, a new program at Walgreens to train pharmacists on an advanced cancer-care curriculum, and findings that health coaching helps the neediest patients most.

The researchers found that the shares of Americans who weighed too much rose over time, but the share who were trying to lose weight did not.

FDA has until December 2017 to act on the applications, which include a combination of the SGLT2 inhibitor and the top-selling Januvia.

An estimated 86 million people in the United States have prediabetes, but they typically have no symptoms. The long-term medical and economic complications of diabetes are significant, costing the country $245 billion a year.

How tailoring a diabetes self-management program to patients' cultural and individual needs brought success.

Recommendations to interrupt long periods of sitting challenge both insurers and employers to find methods, based on evidence, to encourage physical activity throughout the day to improve health. Aetna has pursued programs with Apple with its own employees.

A landmark reimbursement decision from Medicare, and news in diabetes prevention.

Using digital health to manage chronic disease means creating new payment models that recognize care is an ongoing process.

Authors from the digital health provider Noom offer an update of a successful employer-based initiative.

Recent studies have linked yoga and mindfulness with reduced stress, improved glycemic control, and even lower medical costs. Should these low-cost practices find ways to standardize to meet payers' needs? Or is it managed care that needs to adapt?

Three cardiologists, including the 2015-2016 president of the American College of Cardiology, review the evidence in support of lifestyle modification for diabetes management or remission.

Health coaching for diabetes patients increased diabetes knowledge in all participants, but the most significant clinical improvements were seen in those who had been faring poorly at baseline, according to the newly published results of a chronic disease management program in Australia

An analysis of nationally representative survey-based data finds that 5.2% of adults with type 2 diabetes were in remission, without bariatric surgery, at the end of the second year.

Five-year results of the Why WAIT study at Joslin Diabetes Center.

US and European guidelines recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity.

The study points to an additional tool that could help prevent at-risk patients from progressing to diabetes.

For some time, studies have shown a link between elevated stress and obesity. Measuring cortisol levels in the hair may be a better way to evaluate chronic stress, since the hormone level will not fluctuate from day to day.

Recent advances in insulin formulations and innovative drug classes have made it easier than ever to manage diabetic patients’ glucose levels, according to Yehuda Handelsman, MD, FACP, FACE, FNLA, medical director and principal investigator at the Metabolic Institute of America.

This week, the top managed care stories included Republicans releasing an outline for replacing the Affordable Care Act, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical companies pointing fingers over drug costs, and findings on engagement for patients with chronic conditions.

Patients treated by primary care providers with a high volume of patients experienced worse management of their disease. However, if a physician specifically treated a higher number of diabetics, the quality of the diabetes care received by patients was significantly higher.

The results are important given the concentration of Medicare beneficiaries who are in Medicaid and being treated for multiple chronic conditions.

The study adds to the growing body of evidence linking heart disease and diabetes to dementia.