Federal Health Agencies Invest Big in Public Health Initiatives

September 25, 2023 - In this week's roundup, federal health agencies unveil plans to invest in critical public health initiatives o bolster public health infrastructure, improve disease response mechanisms, and advance medical research. 

CDC INVESTS MORE THAN $260M IN DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

The CDC has awarded approximately $262.5 million over five years to 13 institutions to establish the Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling Network.

Spearheaded by the CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, the funding aims to develop analytics tools for future outbreak preparedness and establish a national outbreak response network. Grantees include notable universities and research groups, each tasked with specific projects ranging from predictive analytics to machine learning algorithms for disease tracking.

The initiative aims to enhance public health emergency detection, response, and mitigation. READ MORE

HIV VACCINE TRIALS SET TO BEGIN IN US, AFRICA

Phase 1 clinical trials for an HIV vaccine, VIR-1388, are set to begin in the United States and South Africa. Funded partly by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and other organizations, the trials will enroll 95 HIV-negative participants with asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV).

The vaccine uses a CMV vector to trigger the immune system to produce T-cells that recognize and eliminate HIV. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study will occur at multiple US and South African sites and include participants aged 18 to 55. READ MORE

COVID-19 DETECTION, TREATMENT ON HHS RADAR

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is allocating $600 million to restart its COVID-19 mail-order test program and $45 million for treating long COVID as case counts rise. The funding will support manufacturing of approximately 200 million tests and be awarded to 12 manufacturers.

The program aims to bolster domestic production and reduce dependency on foreign supply chains. Additionally, $45 million in grants will go to clinics that treat long COVID, particularly in underserved communities. The move aims to expand patient access to care and establish best practices for long COVID treatment. READ MORE

HEALTHCARE COVERAGE GETS PRICIER FOR EMPLOYERS

In 2024, health benefits costs are expected to rise by an average of 5.4% per employee, the highest in a decade, according to Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans. The cost could have been 6.6% without employer interventions. Factors driving the increase include expensive gene and cellular therapies and inflation.

Employers are focusing on improving patient outcomes and affordability to mitigate costs, with 85% prioritizing the management of costs for employees with complex care. Employees are expected to cover 22% of total health plan premiums, a figure unchanged since 2022. READ MORE

HHS WARNS OF CYBER THREATS FROM CHINA, NORTH KOREA

The HHS Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) has issued a threat brief focusing on cyber threats to the healthcare sector from North Korea and China. These state-sponsored threats concentrate on data exfiltration, espionage, and intellectual property theft. Specific threat groups, such as APT41 from China and APT43 from North Korea, have targeted the healthcare sector for various motives, including financial gain and political purposes.

HC3 emphasized that these groups are unique because they combine the sophistication of cybercriminal gangs with state resources. The report advises healthcare organizations to take preventive measures like network segmentation and multifactor authentication to mitigate risks. READ MORE

VIRTUAL SOLUTIONS HELP ALLEVIATE PROVIDER SHORTAGES

A recent KLAS report reveals that most healthcare professionals find virtual nursing and sitting solutions beneficial in addressing staff shortages. The study examined how virtual platforms, which employ in-room video and audio hardware, impact staffing and patient care.

Of the 43 healthcare professionals surveyed, 98% intend to use these solutions long-term. About 59% said that these solutions positively impacted staffing, while 28% reported a moderately positive effect. The technology allows more efficient use of skilled clinical staff by increasing observation capacity.

While most customers are satisfied with specific solutions like AvaSure and Collette Health, concerns about cost and the desire for enhanced reporting and analytics capabilities remain. READ MORE

KLAS HIGHLIGHTS RCM OUTSOURCING BEST PRACTICES

Another KLAS report indicates that healthcare providers must select the right firm for end-to-end revenue cycle outsourcing.

Based on feedback from 19 organizations and eight in-depth interviews, the report highlights that a good cultural fit and openness to improvement are key in firm selection. Cost should not be the sole factor, as it heavily impacts financial success. Ensemble Health Partners ranked highest in overall performance, with clients citing expertise and experience as strengths. Due diligence in understanding contract terms, impact on key performance indicators, and effect on existing vendors and technologies is essential.

The report suggests that outsourcing is increasingly considered due to staffing shortages and financial challenges but requires substantial HR and administrative changes. READ MORE