Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: December 7, 2024

Despite Medicare, US Seniors Struggle to Afford Care Compared With International Peers

Older adults in the United States face significant affordability challenges in accessing health care despite near-universal Medicare coverage, according to the 2024 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults. Compared with peers in other wealthy nations, older Americans spend more out of pocket, are more likely to delay or skip necessary care due to costs, and experience poorer health outcomes as a result. High out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for dental care and prescriptions, disproportionately affect US seniors, while gaps in Medicare's coverage exacerbate these issues. The survey highlights lessons from other countries, where robust public health systems and policies like capping expenses ensure greater access to care.

Uncovering the Gaps: Study Sheds Light on Racial Disparities in IPF Outcomes

Findings on racial disparities in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) outcomes revealed concerns about underdiagnosis or misclassification among Black patients, who were less likely to be hospitalized with IPF but were admitted at younger ages when compared with White patients. Lead investigator Cesar Davila-Chapa, MD, pulmonary and critical care co–chief fellow at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, noted potential issues with coding accuracy and raised the importance of further research, such as multicenter prospective studies, to explore regional and demographic differences in IPF diagnosis, prevalence, and outcomes.

Advancing Women's Health: CVS Health Leader on Access, Technology, and Breaking Stigmas

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Joanne Armstrong, MD, MPH, the vice president and chief medical officer for women's health and genomics at CVS Health. We explored the progress and persistent challenges in women's health, highlighting topics like care access, the role of technology, maternal health outcomes, and efforts to break the stigma around menopause.

New Data Reinforce Iptacopan's Role in Transforming PNH Care With Hemoglobin, QOL Gains

Novartis announced positive results from the phase 3B APPULSE-PNH study, showcasing the efficacy of iptacopan (Fabhalta) as a twice-daily oral monotherapy for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Patients transitioning from anti-C5 therapies experienced significant hemoglobin improvement over 24 weeks, addressing a key challenge in PNH management. Novartis also expanded access to iptacopan in low-resource countries through a partnership with the Max Foundation, underscoring a commitment to health equity.

Who Lives to 100? New Research Reveals Differences Across Racial, Ethnic Groups

New research reveals significant racial and ethnic differences in exceptional longevity, showing that Hispanic, Asian, and non-Hispanic Black populations in the US are more likely to live to age 100 compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. Using life table data from 2006 to 2019, researchers confirmed the "Hispanic Paradox," where Hispanic individuals experience high survival probabilities despite socioeconomic challenges, and found Asian populations to have the highest overall longevity. The study also explored the Black-White mortality crossover, where non-Hispanic Black individuals exhibit lower mortality rates than White individuals after age 85.