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What We’re Reading: Fewer Uninsured Children; Updated Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines; Two Diabetes Drugs Performed Best in Study
About 200,000 more children have health insurance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; if FDA-approved, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for younger children are expected to become available by early to mid-October; a trial compared metformin plus sitagliptin, liraglutide, glimepiride, and insulin glargine for maintaining blood glucose levels.
More Children Have Health Insurance Since COVID-19 Pandemic Began
More children have gained health insurance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stateline reported. According to an analysis of US Census Bureau data by Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families, the child uninsurance rate was 5.4% in 2021 and 5.7% in 2019. This percentage change reflects about 200,000 more children with health insurance in 2021 compared with 2019. This “small but significant decline,” according to the center, is likely due to provision passed by Congress that prohibited states from dropping any individuals from Medicaid during the pandemic. As of 2021, about 4.2 million children were still uninsured.
Bivalent Vaccines for Younger Children Expected by Mid-October
If approved by the FDA, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for younger children are expected to become available by mid-October, the CDC said in a vaccine planning guide. Pfizer’s booster would be made available for children aged between 5 and 11 years, and Moderna’s would be available for children aged between 6 and 17 years. Currently, Pfizer and Moderna’s updated boosters—developed for better efficacy against the Omicron variant—are authorized for individuals aged 12 and older and aged 19 and older, respectively. If these bivalent boosters are authorized for younger children, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may no longer be authorized as booster doses.
Insulin Glargine, Liraglutide Performed Better Than 2 Other Diabetes Drugs
A large clinical trial found that insulin glargine and liraglutide maintained blood glucose levels in the recommended range better than 2 other FDA-approved drugs in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In the National Institutes of Health study, 3 patient groups received metformin plus sitagliptin, liraglutide, or glimepiride, all of which increase insulin levels. The fourth patient group received metformin plus insulin glargine U-100, a long-acting insulin. Those who received metformin plus liraglutide or insulin glargine achieved and maintained target blood glucose levels approximately 6 months longer than those receiving sitagliptin, which was least effective in maintaining target levels. However, the study authors noted none of the combinations performed overwhelmingly better, with nearly three-quarters of participants unable to maintain target levels over 4 years of follow-up.
Intensive Blood Pressure Regimen Lowers CVD Risk for People With Diabetes
November 19th 2024Reducing systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mmHg lowered the risk of major cardiovascular events for most people with type 2 diabetes in the Blood Pressure Control Target in Diabetes trial.
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Exploring Pharmaceutical Innovations, Trust, and Access With CVS Health's CMO
July 11th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the chief medical officer of CVS Health about recent pharmaceutical innovations, patient-provider relationships, and strategies to reduce drug costs.
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Contributor: The Diabetes Vendor Resource Guide—A Useful Directory for Employers
November 13th 2024Employees living with diabetes often face unique challenges, such as managing blood sugar levels, balancing medication, and preventing complications, all while maintaining their professional responsibilities. This condition can lead to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and rising health care costs.
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How Can Employers Leverage the DPP to Improve Diabetes Rates?
February 15th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Jill Hutt, vice president of member services at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, explains the Coalition’s efforts to reduce diabetes rates through the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).
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