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POLLING
AI: Via KFF, VERBATIM: “With the recent explosion of consumer artificial intelligence (AI) tools and chatbots, KFF’s latest Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust finds about a third (32%) of adults are turning to AI for health information and advice. This includes about three in ten (29%) who say they’ve used AI tools in the past year for information or advice about their physical health, and one in six (16%) who’ve used them for mental health information or advice.”
“AI use is on par with the share who say they turn to social media for health information, but lags behind the shares saying they’ve sought health information from health care providers and internet search engines (where they may be encountering AI generated results, even if they are not looking for them).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tcB7Ch
MORE: Via Healthcare Dive, VERBATIM: “Respondents said their top reasons for using AI include the desire for quick health advice and researching information before seeing a provider, according to the survey. But about 1 in 5 said not having a provider or not being able to get an appointment were major drivers of their AI use.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40WQfHP
FINANCIAL CONCERNS: From a Quinnipiac poll published this week, VERBATIM: “Given a list of 11 personal financial concerns and asked which is the biggest one for them right now, healthcare costs (21 percent) top the list for voters, followed by food costs (13 percent), mortgage or rent payments (13 percent), gas prices (11 percent), and retirement savings (10 percent). No other listed concern reached double digits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bObEYN
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
HEALTH HEADLINES
MED SCHOOLS: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration has opened investigations into admissions policies at three major medical schools, expanding the federal government’s pressure campaign beyond campus culture and taking aim at the heart of scientific authority in the United States. The Justice Department on Wednesday informed Stanford University, the Ohio State University and the University of California, San Diego, about the investigations and demanded that the schools turn over extensive lists of data by April 24 or risk interruptions to essential federal funding, according to two administration officials familiar with the inquiries and documents reviewed by The New York Times.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4syVwkR
FLU: Via MDH, new data released this morning shows 196 adult and two pediatric flu-related deaths along with 5,219 hospitalizations, 265 school outbreaks, and 112 long-term care outbreaks. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Y10bib
SOCIAL MEDIA: Via CBS News, VERBATIM: “A jury on Wednesday found that Meta and YouTube are liable for creating products that led to harmful and addictive behavior by young users, a landmark decision that could set a legal precedent for similar allegations brought against social media companies. The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages to the lead plaintiff in the case, a woman named Kaley. Identified in court filings by her initials ‘KGM,’ she alleged that using YouTube and Instagram from a young age led to addictive use of the platforms and contributed to her mental health problems, including depression, body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4svkCkN
ABORTION: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Sen. Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) bill to revoke the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the drug mifepristone for use in terminating pregnancies is picking up Senate Republican support, as the push to stop its shipment across state lines is becoming a top priority of the anti-abortion movement. Hawley’s bill, which would make distributing and labeling mifepristone for abortions a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, has quickly picked up the support of three other GOP senators: Sens. John Cornyn (Texas), Ted Budd (N.C.) and Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NSm9Ce
340B HOSPITAL MARKUPS HURT PATIENTS: Minnesota’s latest 340B report shows covered entities generated $1.34 billion IN PROFIT in 2024, including an estimated $261 million from Medicaid prescriptions. Independent research finds the program raises costs for patients, taxpayers, and employers statewide. Minnesota should sunset the 340B mandate and Congress should fix the federal 340B program, so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/46Bh9IA (SPONSORED: PhRMA)
DC + HEALTH
MEDICAID: Via Fierce Healthcare, VERBATIM: “As many as 10 million people could lose Medicaid coverage in 2028 following the rollout of new work requirements established under H.R. 1, a new study shows. Analysts at the Urban Institute, a left-leaning think tank, estimate that between 4.9 million and 10.1 million individuals would lose access to Medicaid, depending on how intensive eligibility checks ultimately become. The study estimates that between 2 million and 3.1 million will lose their Medicaid coverage because their eligibility would be checked more frequently, while between 3 million and 7 million would lose coverage due to the work requirements alone.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tgOaTn
CDC: Via KFF Health News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump will soon nominate a permanent director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, its acting chief, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, told agency employees at a Wednesday staff meeting. According to a recording obtained by KFF Health News, Bhattacharya at one point suggested to CDC staff that Trump could name a new leader for the agency as soon as Thursday. ‘But if not, I don’t think much will change,’ he said. Though his official position as acting director was set to expire Wednesday, Bhattacharya will continue to lead the agency until the top spot is filled. Meanwhile, news outlets including Axios and The Washington Post reported that the administration was postponing filling the permanent director job amid the challenges of gaining Senate confirmation and other political pressures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41ugfdP
NEW DRUG: Via Stat, VERBATIM: “The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a new medicine from Denali Therapeutics for a condition called Hunter syndrome, a notable decision by the agency as it has recently taken tougher stances on rare disease drugs. Last month, the FDA rejected a Hunter syndrome gene therapy from Regenxbio, saying that the company needed to produce more clinical data, a higher standard of evidence that could take the company years to meet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t5RwrZ
LTC: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that more than half people over age 65 will need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing or eating at some point, either for an extended period or the rest of their lives. Some research suggests that share may be as high as two-thirds. Yet relatively few older Americans have private long-term care coverage. AHIP, a trade association representing the U.S. health insurance industry, estimates that only 3% to 4% of Americans over 50 have an active policy that covers extended care. Medicare, the main health insurance program for older Americans, generally does not pay for continuing support services in a nursing home or assisted-living community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dcGXik
For rural hospitals, 340B isn’t a windfall – it’s a lifeline: 30% of Minnesota hospitals are operating in the red. Savings from the 340B Drug Pricing Program help keep the doors open for safety-net hospitals that serve the most rural and underserved populations. Legislators can support access to local, high-quality care in their districts by strengthening the 340B program this session. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uPSZV1 (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
WEARABLES: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “Sleep data captured with a wearable device could help clinicians better tailor care by identifying patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who may need additional support to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation, according to new research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41ue8GV
LIFESPAN: Via Stanford, VERBATIM: “By closely monitoring fish throughout their lives, researchers found that simple behaviors in midlife—like movement and sleep—can predict lifespan. Fish that stayed active and slept mostly at night tended to live longer, while those slowing down earlier lived shorter lives. Surprisingly, aging didn’t unfold smoothly but in sudden jumps between stages. The work suggests that tracking daily habits in humans could reveal early clues about how we age.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sKONEH
ADHD: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “A large, new study found that the stimulant methylphenidate, such as the drugs Ritalin and Concerta, may lower the risk of psychosis when prescribed to younger children with ADHD. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have been identified to be at greater risk of developing psychotic conditions such as bipolar or schizophrenia, compared with neurotypical kids. Some studies have suggested a link to stimulants prescribed for ADHD.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sgnxNv
AI X-RAYS: Via Radiological Society of North America, VERBATIM: “Deepfake X-rays created by AI are now convincing enough to fool both doctors and AI models. In tests, radiologists had limited success identifying fake images, especially when they didn’t know they were being shown. This opens the door to risks like fraudulent medical claims and tampered diagnoses. Experts say stronger safeguards and detection tools are critical as the technology advances.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bF4mGw
NEW CCO: Via Mendota Heights-based St. Croix, VERBATIM: “St. Croix Hospice, a leading hospice agency serving the Midwest, today announced the addition of Tami Johnson-White as Chief Compliance Officer. Johnson-White brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership and compliance expertise, further strengthening St. Croix Hospice’s executive team.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bPZCxU
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CEREAL: Via General Mills, VERBATIM: “Lucky Charms and Trix are adding more fun and imagination to the cereal aisle with two new cereals made with colors from natural sources. This summer, fans can enjoy Lucky Charms Unicorn Cotton Candy cereal, featuring three new unicorn marshmallows, and Tropical Trix featuring Disney’s Moana cereal, a special collaboration inspired by the fan-favorite film . . . General Mills remains on track with its commitment to remove certified colors from its U.S. cereal portfolio by summer 2026 and from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lWnV1Y
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