What We're Reading: Preventing Drug Interactions; ACA's Health Navigators; Exercise and Diet

Pharmacies Warn of Drug Interactions

Across the country, pharmacies are upgrading their computer systems to identify potential drug interactions. According to the Chicago Tribune, a previous investigation found pharmacies were failing to warn patients about potentially deadly drug combinations. Now, more than 23,000 drugstores are taking extra safety precautions, such as upgrading computer alert systems and providing additional training for its pharmacists.

The Future of ACA Health Navigators

The Trump administration has another decision to make about the Affordable Care Act (ACA): whether or not it will continue to fund organizations that help people enroll in ACA insurance plans. Last year, CMS awarded nearly $63 million in “navigator” grants to organizations that helped people sign up. However, the funding is contingent on performance and reevaluated every year, reported The Wall Street Journal. The Trump administration could end these payments, just as it has considered ending the cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers.

Complex Interplay of Exercise and Diet

Research into exercise and diet has found surprising results, such as that people tend to eat more calories than they burned after exercising, making it difficult to lose weight. A report from The New York Times explained that new research is further exploring exercise as a weight-loss strategy. A study of young men found that the length and intensity of exercise can actually affect appetite. Surprisingly, those whose exercise was longer and more intense were less hungry after.