What We’re Reading: Autism Rates Rising; Cancer Drugs in Shortage; CMS Promoting Patient Safety, Health Equity

Autism Rates are Rising Among Girls, Studies Find

As autism is being diagnosed at higher rates among more women, researchers wonder how many girls continue to be missed or to receive a misdiagnosis, according to The New York Times. In a review of dozens of studies, researchers found the true male-to-female ratio for autism was about 3:1. Furthermore, the shift in population demographics has also been observed in the growing prevalence of autism rates among Black and Latino children, which passed rates among White children for the first time.

Cancer Drug Shortages May Be Fatal for Some Patients

A shortage of cancer medications has left many patients with the difficult decision of whether to try a different treatment option or foregotreatment, according to NBC News. In some cases, alternative drugs are available, but there is no guarantee they will work or be as effective as the original medication. Pharmacy experts say this shortage may be due to a lack of investment from manufacturers due to low profits and may get worse in the coming years, with a push for overseas drug manufacturers.

CMS Proposes New Patient Safety and Health Equity Policies

On Monday CMS announced a new proposed rule for inpatient and long-term care hospitals to improve health equity and support underserved communities. These policies were presented under requirements for updates to Medicare payments and policies for hospitals in the fiscal year 2024 inpatient prospective payment system. In addition, CMS proposed using rural emergency hospitals as graduate medical training sites, with the aim of boosting health care worker shortages in these areas.