Category: Covid-19

Feds recover $1.5 million of alleged $43 million COVID-19 Medicare fraud case

12 News Investigates has learned the Department of Justice and FBI are closing in on companies accused of billing Medicare for COVID-19 test kits that people never wanted and usually never received

Updated: 6:32 PM CST Dec 29, 2023

It started with one phone call, from one person, to 12 News Investigates in August."I've never met anyone from these labs, I've never requested anything from these labs, I've never used these labs," Sylvia told WISN 12 News. Sylvia did not want to use her last name, still worried about her Medicare number getting used without her permission. She was concerned Medicare paid for COVID-19 tests on her behalf that she never asked for and never received.WISN 12 News Investigates has been reporting on the issue for months. The issue has now drawn scrutiny from lawmakers calling on Congress to investigate. 12 News Investigates has learned more than 160 Wisconsinites have been caught in the middle. Now, 12 News Investigates has learned the Department of Justice and FBI are closing in on companies accused of ordering and sometimes shipping those test kits.A federal warrant shows the DOJ and FBI have recovered a little more than $1.5 million from a bank account for the Chicago-based company SK Diagnostics Inc. The feds say, in a 9-week period between March and June, the company was paid $43,305,656 by Medicare and billed the government on behalf of roughly 465,000 people and 471 others who had died.Marilyn Manger was one of them. She spoke with our sister station, WBAL TV, in Baltimore."It's easy money," she said. "It's all about let's make money without having to do the work and do it on the backs of those of us who worked our whole lives."Documents show the owner of SK Diagnostics bought a plane ticket to India and left Chicago the same day he was interviewed by the feds in June. Earlier this month, Baqar Hussain Razv Syed was charged in federal court in Chicago. He is accused of defrauding the government of more than $31 million in a similar scheme using his company, Luna Labs LLC."You can talk to my attorney for now," Syed told 12 News after he pleaded not guilty. A trial date for Syed is Set for October 2024. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

It started with one phone call, from one person, to 12 News Investigates in August.

"I've never met anyone from these labs, I've never requested anything from these labs, I've never used these labs," Sylvia told WISN 12 News. Sylvia did not want to use her last name, still worried about her Medicare number getting used without her permission. She was concerned Medicare paid for COVID-19 tests on her behalf that she never asked for and never received.

WISN 12 News Investigates has been reporting on the issue for months. The issue has now drawn scrutiny from lawmakers calling on Congress to investigate. 12 News Investigates has learned more than 160 Wisconsinites have been caught in the middle.

Now, 12 News Investigates has learned the Department of Justice and FBI are closing in on companies accused of ordering and sometimes shipping those test kits.

A federal warrant shows the DOJ and FBI have recovered a little more than $1.5 million from a bank account for the Chicago-based company SK Diagnostics Inc. The feds say, in a 9-week period between March and June, the company was paid $43,305,656 by Medicare and billed the government on behalf of roughly 465,000 people and 471 others who had died.

Marilyn Manger was one of them. She spoke with our sister station, WBAL TV, in Baltimore.

"It's easy money," she said. "It's all about let's make money without having to do the work and do it on the backs of those of us who worked our whole lives."

Documents show the owner of SK Diagnostics bought a plane ticket to India and left Chicago the same day he was interviewed by the feds in June.

Earlier this month, Baqar Hussain Razv Syed was charged in federal court in Chicago. He is accused of defrauding the government of more than $31 million in a similar scheme using his company, Luna Labs LLC.

"You can talk to my attorney for now," Syed told 12 News after he pleaded not guilty.

A trial date for Syed is Set for October 2024. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

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Feds recover $1.5 million of alleged $43 million COVID-19 Medicare fraud case - WISN Milwaukee

The main findings of the current study were as follows: (1) at rest, patients with Long COVID presented altered time and non-linear index of HRV suggesting high HR, lower parasympathetic tone (rMSSD; SD1), lower variability of RR intervals (RR tri index) and total variability (SD2) as well as impaired fluctuation analysis with increased risk of sudden death (alpha 1) compared to controls; (2) patients with Long COVID responded to the M-RSA with an increase in time index of HRV, however this response were significantly lower compared to controls, reinforcing lower parasympathetic tone (rMSSD), lower variability of RR intervals (RR tri index) and lower HR dynamics.

Different methods of autonomic assessment have been used in contemporary literature (pupillometry, microneurography, negative lower body pressure, cold pressor test, Ewing protocol, Holter, etc.) however, their use in clinical settings is limited16. To our knowledge, no studies with Long COVID patients have investigated heart rate variability in different postures and M-RSA with the device Pro-Trainer 5 with POLAR software, an accessible tool both in terms of cost and practicality, in addition to presenting good accuracy both at rest and during exercise17. Our study is the first to use the Pro-Trainer and this is of great clinical relevance in the context of diagnosing autonomic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk.

Research has demonstrated COVID-19 not only affects the cardiovascular system in its acute phase but can have prolonged negative effects4. Most patients with COVID-19 recover completely without sequela, while some patients continue to have diverse symptoms, including autonomic dysfunction, for longer than 12weeks without an alternative diagnosis12,18. Long COVID symptoms of inappropriate palpitations, fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, dizziness, brain fog, nausea, anxiety, hyperhidrosis and syncope have been reported; there is currently a lack of evidence to indicate how long these autonomic symptoms will last9.

The mechanism of dissemination and development of COVID-19 in the human body, the immune system response, and the action of the virus on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), are obscure topics. Infection by the COVID-19 virus can generate inflammatory responses, once the immune system is active, which can lead to systemic damage19 including autonomic dysfunction mediated by the virus. Some studies have reported the association between autonomic dysfunction, neurotropism, hematogenous route or neuronal dissemination20,21. In this sense, the conflicting results in the current scenario refers to the increase in sympathetic activity at rest, which can lead to premature death22; contrasting with in young males and adult patients after COVID-19 showing increase of the parasympathetic nervous system activity demonstrating increased HRV indices than controls18. The findings of the current study differ from this concern [i.e., high HR, lower parasympathetic tone (rMSSD; SD1) and lower RR tri index and total variability (SD2) and increased risk of sudden death (alpha 1)]. We hypothesize that the differences found in our study are related to the clinical characteristics of the sample in relation to the literature [i.e., restricted to young men and/or young adults with a predominance of females, non-hospitalized and/or non-symptomatic patients12,18. These alterations in HR modulation trigger the emergence of cardiovascular diseases and inadequate adaptations of the ANS23, altering the homeostatic state of the body.

In this sense, patients with Long COVID may present with dysautonomia characterized by an imbalance of HRV, which is reflected in the band potencies of 0.150.4Hz13, and highlights that this dysautonomia could explain the persistent symptoms observed in patients with Long COVID13. In our study, we observed similar results with a lower complexity of HRV in patients with Long COVID [lower variability of RR intervals (RR tri index) and total variability (SD2) and impaired fluctuation analysis with increased risk of sudden death (alpha 1)] compared to controls.

In a Mayo Clinic study including patients with symptoms related to postinfectious autonomic dysfunction after COVID-19, 63% were found to have abnormal findings on standardized tests of autonomic function, such as cardiovagal function analyzing heart rate responses to deep breathing and the Valsalva maneuver12. The most common post-COVID-19 autonomic manifestation was orthostatic intolerance, and the remaining changes ranged from symptomatic postural orthostatic tachycardia to severe autonomic dysfunction24. Our observation and clinical data suggest that Long COVID patients have the highest Mean HR in the first few days and weeks of the convalescent phase. Regarding M-RSA, our findings suggest that patients after hospitalization had a worse cardiac autonomic modulation, with lower parasympathetic tone (rMSSD), lower variability of RR intervals (RR tri index) and lower HR dynamics. Autonomous innervation is the primary extrinsic control mechanism that regulates HRV and cardiac performance. Thus, this autonomic dysregulation likely represents the cause and effect of the different stages of COVID-19, the severe inflammatory system response syndrome (SIRS)11 and its compensatory anti-inflammatory response until Long COVID which can be influenced by frequency and depth of breathing. Many patients have restrictive pulmonary conditions after infection, but only 15% have restrictive and obstructive patterns25, and these changes can directly influence the ability to perform M-RSA. We highlight that M-RSA was performed in a controlled environment with a metronome, where there is control of the RR and the stimulus for deep breathing, providing good capacity to evaluate the parasympathetic modulation response.

We found that HRV is markedly impaired in the presence of Long COVID. Therefore, strategies aimed at improving autonomic control index can improve the cardiovascular risk in these patients, as well as symptomatological and pulmonary function changes, since the cardiorespiratory interaction is closely associated with peripheral oxygen supply and symptoms of persistent fatigue. These results, therefore, emphasize the multifactorial nature of the cardiopulmonary impairment present in these patients, associated with the symptomatological manifestations (i.e., dyspnea and feeling of fatigue) present in these patients. Our findings provide a rationale for improving fatigability with interventions aimed at improving cardiac and respiratory system autonomic control, through pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures aimed at reducing the cardiovascular risk in these patients. For example, cardiorespiratory rehabilitation can reduce muscle fatigue and improve cardiac autonomic function in other chronic conditions and has been the focus of numerous studies in patients with Long COVID. Future clinical trials on the impact of these interventions on cardiocirculatory and autonomic responses should look more carefully at the relevance of peripheral and respiratory muscle performance enhancing cardiac autonomic control in this patient population.

This was a single-center study with a small sample size. Asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 were not included. Patients' breathing characteristics and drug treatment were not measured and standardized in this study and the patients were referred to LARECARE in different times after COVID-19 infection. The differences in age and BMI between the Long COVID and control group can be considered a confounding factor, so we performed a linear regression analysis to verify the influence of both variables on the HRV indexes and no significant difference was found, demonstrating that age did not influence the main outcome of the study. Moreover, there was no follow-up of the patients over time to verify whether or not HRV dysfunction persists.

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Impact of long COVID on the heart rate variability at rest and during deep breathing maneuver | Scientific Reports - Nature.com

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Educational and Academic Activities of Healthcare Professionals in Bahrain - Cureus

Data source

This study used data from the TriNetX Research Network, a collaborative health research platform that aggregates de-identified patient-level data from electronic health records, including demographic data, diagnoses, procedures, medications, laboratory data, genomic data, and types of healthcare organization (HCO) visits. TriNetX contains data from over 120 HCOs globally, typically academic health centers that collect data from their affiliated facilities, including main and satellite hospitals and outpatient clinics. For the present analysis, we used the Research Network, which contains the data of over 107 million patients from 76 HCOs. The TriNetX platform includes built-in tools for analyzing patient-level data, and the results are provided to researchers in an aggregate form. Detailed information on the database can be found online [11]. Written informed consent was not required because TriNetX contains anonymized data. The Institutional Review Board of the Chi Mei Medical Center approved the study protocol (no. 11202-002).

We compared the risk of post-COVID-19 conditions between patients with and without an IDD. The IDD group comprised patients aged18 years with a diagnosis of IDD before testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 or receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis (Table S1). We created exclusive categories for patients with commonly reported IDDs using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes: intellectual disability, ICD-10 F70-79; Down syndrome, ICD-10 Q90.9; and cerebral palsy, ICD-10 G80, as previous described [1, 12,13,14,15].

The non-IDD group was identified using identical criteria but without any IDD diagnosis (Table S2). To ensure a 180-day follow-up for each patient, at least two medical encounters with HCOs were required between March 1, 2020, and October 1, 2022. Patients diagnosed with post-COVID-19 conditions within 1 year before the index date or those requiring initial hospitalization were excluded Index date was defined as the date of diagnosing COVID-19 and only first episode of SARS-CoV-2 infection was included (Table S3).

The primary outcome of this study was a composite outcome consisting of 12 clinical features of post-COVID-19 conditions observed 90180 days after the index event. The follow up period was used based on the definition of post-COVID-19 conditions by World Health Organization the symptoms persist for 3 months after the initial infection. These features include chest/throat pain, abnormal breathing, abdominal symptoms, fatigue/malaise, anxiety/depression, headache, cognitive dysfunction, myalgia, loss of taste or smell, sleep disturbance, cough, and palpitations [16,17,18] and were identified using ICD-10 code (Table S4). In addition to these clinical features, survival and time-to-event outcomes following the index event were also evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and log rank testing to provide further insights into the potential progression and duration of these post-COVID-19 conditions in individuals with IDD versus the general population.

The secondary outcomes encompassed the components of the primary outcome, specifically post-acute COVID-19 conditions, such as chest/throat pain, abnormal breathing, abdominal symptoms, fatigue/malaise, anxiety/depression, headache, cognitive dysfunction, myalgia, loss of taste or smell, sleep disturbance, cough, and palpitations between 90 and 180days after the index date.

We considered 39 variables to adjust for imbalances in baseline characteristics between the IDD and non-IDD groups. We utilized a list of both confirmed and suspected risk factors for COVID-19 and more severe cases of the illness, which included demographics (such as age, sex, and ethnicity), adverse socioeconomic determinants of health (including problems related to education and literacy, problems related to employment and unemployment, and problems related to housing and economic circumstances, as defined by ICD-10), and comorbidities (such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease [CKD], asthma, chronic lower respiratory diseases, ischemic heart disease, neoplasm, chronic liver diseases, stroke, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, mood disorders, and psychotic disorders) [19,20,21]. We compiled all baseline characteristics and underlying conditions using the most recent data within the three years before the index date. If multiple data points were available within this period, we chose the one closest to the index date.

We used the built-in propensity score-matching function of the TriNetX platform to ensure a 1:1 match between the participants in the IDD and non-IDD groups. This was enabled by employing a nearest-neighbor greedy matching algorithm with a caliper width of 0.1 pooled standard deviation. The propensity score was assigned as the probability of exposure to IDD or non-IDD patients with the covariates included in the regression model and then used to balance the differences between groups. Standardized differences were computed to assess the inequality and the confounding effect between groups. Any differences in absolute values<0.1 indicated a good match between groups [22]. To evaluate the survival and the time-to-event data, we employed the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The differences between survival curves were analyzed using the log-rank test. We used Cox proportional hazard models to calculate the hazard ratios, which involved adjusting for potential confounding variables. The hazard ratios, with corresponding confidence intervals, were derived to examine the relative risk of post-COVID-19 conditions in the IDD population compared to the control group. All tests were two-sided, and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

For the subgroup analysis, we compared the risks of post-COVID-19 conditions between IDD and non-IDD groups. This comparison was stratified by age (1864 and65 years), sex, vaccine status (unvaccinated or vaccinated with at least one dose 14 days before the SARS-CoV-2 infection), and race (white and non-white).

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Post-COVID-19 condition risk in patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a retrospective cohort study ... - BMC Medicine

Baseline characteristics

From February 2020 to July 2021, 107 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled. Of these, 1 patient were excluded analysis because of missing data. Ultimately, a total of 106 patients were evaluated in this study (Fig.1). Table 1 shows individual baseline clinical and outcome data in the present study population. The median age was 66years (interquartile range [IQR]: 55 to 72). Of these patients, 77 (73%) were male and 29 (27%) were female. Hemodynamics indicated by blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) was preserved at hospital arrival. More than 80% of the study population was diagnosed as pneumonia. Comorbidity was shown, including interstitial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and liver cirrhosis. More than 50% (n=59/106) required MV for severe respiratory failure 0.5h (IQR: 0.3 to 1.4) after hospital admission (vented group), while the remaining patients did not during hospitalization (unvented group).

Patients flow. A total of 107 patients participated in the study. Finally, 106 patients were analyzed; 85 were used for training-data and 21 for test-data.

There were not any significant differences of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking between vented group and unvented group. With regarding to hemodynamics at hospital arrival, BP and HR did not show any significant differences between the 2 groups. However, respiratory status, as indicated by S/F ratio, was significantly worse before intubation in the vented group compared with in the unvented group. Alternatively, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of comorbidities between the two groups. Comparisons of laboratory data between the 2 groups showed significant increases in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), C-reactive protein (CRP), and BG and decreases in the lymphocyte counts in the vented group (Table 2).

We evaluated the associations of significant nine variables in the univariate analysis, including S/F ratio, lymphocyte count, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, BUN, BG, and CRP with the use of MV using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) obtained from a 10-split crossover test. The combination of these nine variables showed an AUC of 0.89 [0.751.00] with a sensitivity of 0.91, specificity of 0.81, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.90, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.83 (Table 3).

The beta regression coefficient selected from a multivariable logistic regression model using these variables is shown in the supplemental Fig. 1. Based on significant beta regression coefficient with>0.5 of their values, we identified the top four variables to predict MV use, including S/F ratio, BG, lymphocyte counts, and ALT. The combination of the four variables showed higher accuracy (AUC of 0.89 [0.830.95]) compared to S/F ratio or BG alone (AUC of 0.84 [0.760.91] or AUC of 0.75 [0.660.91], respectively) (Fig.2, Table 4), with a sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 0.82, PPV of 0.85, and NPV of 1.00 (Table 4).

The need for MV prediction using simplified logistic regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the logistic regression models (blue; S/F+Lym+ALT+BG, orange; S/F green; S/F+BG, red; BG.). S/F, SpO2 /FiO2 ratio; BG, blood glucose; Lym, lymphocyte counts; ALT, alanine aminotransferase.

We further evaluated a predictive value of combing S/F ratio and BG, which can be easily and immediately measured, on the use of MV. The accuracy of this combination in the prediction (AUC: 0.88 [0.820.94) was nearly equal to that of the combing 4 variables, with a sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 0.73, PPV of 0.79, and NPV of 1.00 and tended to be higher than the S/F ratio alone, despite no significant difference (Table 4). The concurrent evaluation of S/F ratio and BG is likely to allow accurately and easily predict the impending MV use in not only ER but also ambulance and home.

Clinical utility of combining BG level and S/F ratio at hospital admission was tested with KaplanMeier event-incidence curves of MV use that were constructed according to above or below optimal cutoffs defined by AUROC analysis (BG: 138mg/dL, S/F ratio: 300). In high-risk patients with low S/F ratio ( 300), MV use rate at the 3-day follow-up period did not show a significant difference between low BG (<138mg/dL) and high BG ( 138mg/dL) (n=11/14 (79%) vs. n=34/37 (92%), respectively, P=0.48). However, in patients with high S/F ratio (>300), those with high BG had a significantly higher MV use rate compared to those with low BG (n=10/20 (50%) vs. n=4/35 (11%), respectively, P<0.01) (Fig.3). Importantly, this suggests that measuring BG level at hospital admission allows identifying patients at high risk for impending MV use from population with preserved respiratory status, which supports a better accuracy of combining BG and S/F ratio than S/F ratio alone.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) use at the 3-day follow-up period. KaplanMeier event-incidence curves of MV use that were constructed according to above or below optimal cutoffs (blood glucose [BG]: 138mg/dL, SpO2 /FiO2 ratio [S/F ratio]: 300).

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Combining blood glucose and SpO2/FiO2 ratio facilitates prediction of imminent ventilatory needs in emergency room ... - Nature.com

With more cases of JN.1, the newest sub-variant of COVID-19, being reported from various states, and an uptick of respiratory illnesses because of winter temperatures, doctors are insisting on a preventive healthcare routine for the elderly and co-morbid.

Dr Kiran G Kulirankal, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital, says while JN.1 doesnt seem to be a dangerous variant as of now, dipping temperatures and flu season could be a risk factor for the elderly and co-morbid patients.

With the new sub-variant circulating, what would you advise elderly and co-morbid patients?

In the context of JN.1, elderly individuals above 60, and those with co-morbid conditions, such as patients on immunosuppressants, suffering malignancy, chronic kidney and liver diseases, as well as pregnant women, should exercise heightened caution. The risks associated with this sub-variant include the potential for increased mortality and morbidity. Thats why this group should prioritise preventive measures such as consistent mask-wearing and strict adherence to hand hygiene as well as social distancing guidelines. They should avoid crowded places and protect themselves with N95 masks should their presence be mandatory at a gathering. The vulnerable group should not embrace others, not mix their clothes or share personal effects like towels and bed linen with others.

So far, the new sub-variant has not exhibited any signs of severe pneumonia. During this flu season, testing will be required to distinguish Covid from the ongoing influenza epidemic. Its important that the anti-viral treatment be given at the earliest.

With colder temperatures and flu alongside, how risky is the situation for the elderly and co-morbid patients?

The combination of colder temperatures and the concurrent flu season elevates the risk for the elderly and individuals with co-morbid conditions. Given their heightened susceptibility to severe outcomes from Covid-19, the added complications from the flu make the situation more precarious. It is crucial for these individuals to take extra precautions, including regular testing to distinguish between COVID-19 and influenza, and to seek prompt medical attention if symptoms arise.

Will past vaccinations, which were aimed against the ancestral strain, continue to be protective?

Past vaccination, along with past infection, may prevent the disease from progressing to its severe form. However, the elderly and the immunocompromised need to be cautious as an infection may complicate their already compromised health parameters and may lead to increased mortality and morbidity.

Will they be needing a fourth vaccine?

There are no guidelines yet for a fourth vaccine. Staying up to date with mandated vaccinations, including influenza, are crucial components of their routine. Seeking guidance from doctors for personalized advice is highly recommended.

Are there any unknown co-morbid conditions that can be aggravated by the latest bout of infection?

Ongoing research is essential to identify any emerging risk factors. Staying informed through updates from healthcare authorities and continuous research will help uncover any potential unknown co-morbid conditions that may raise the risk of Covid infection.

IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

First published on: 20-12-2023 at 11:09 IST

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Covid-19 surge: What should those above 60 and with co-morbidities do? - The Indian Express

At a recent Wilson Center event, hosted in partnership with USAIDs MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project, Dr. Folake Olayinka, Immunization Technical Lead of the Global Health Bureau at USAID, described a recent two year period as the largest sustained backsliding of childhood vaccination, citing the fact that between 2019 and 2021, approximately 67 million children missed out on essential lifesaving vaccines.

The recent eventAdvancing Local Solutions and Innovations for Lasting Impact: Applying Strategies from COVID-19 Vaccination to Routine Immunizationprovided an opportunity for participants to share successful strategies for achieving high equitable COVID-19 vaccination coverage, particularly for hard-to-reach priority populations, with a focus on their application to routine immunization. As we brought our attention back to routine immunization this year, we realized that so much of what is needed for immunization is exactly what we did for COVID-19 vaccination, said Grace Chee, Project Director of MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project.

The introduction of new vaccines in early 2021 also brought about several new uncertainties. The use of novel technologies and specific cold chain requirements, coupled with limited global vaccine supply, posed significant challenges. The complex landscape of multiple vaccines, new variants, evolving evidence, and changing health recommendations also made public communication difficult. The result was a decrease in both vaccine demand and confidence in various regions, which was accompanied by a surge in rumors and misconceptions.

Successful vaccination not only entails managing logistics of vaccine delivery, but also building widespread trust in vaccination, including among the health personnel prioritized for vaccination and tasked with providing the service, said Dr. Olayinka.

The MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project brings a unique perspective to these questions. It works in 18 countries to enhance vaccination programs, address emerging challenges, and prepare them for COVID-19 vaccine introduction. The project focuses on identifying priority populations, designing effective service delivery strategies, and leveraging expertise in areas like microplanning, healthcare staff training, demand generation, communication, community partnerships, and supply chain strengthening.

In early 2022, the Imo state in Nigeria had less than 6% COVID-19 vaccination coverage, ranking third to last nationally. Despite strong political will, insufficient partner support was one of the key reasons. So, initiation of the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project in Imo strengthened the strategic coordination forum in the state, which enabled regular stakeholder meetings and facilitated awareness campaigns across media platforms. The expansion of mobile teams also proved instrumental in ensuring comprehensive coverage.

For hard-to-reach areas and security compromised areas, we employed vaccinating teams and monitors from those areas because they know the terrain, said Dr. Maria Joannes Uzoma, Executive Secretary of Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency in Nigeria.

These vaccination outreach efforts in Imo were also supplemented by providing routine drugs, including over-the-counter and antimalarial medications. Within a mere five months of the projects initiation, Imo state witnessed a remarkable surge in vaccination coverage, soaring to an impressive 70% coverage, observed Dr. Uzoma.

Reliable data forms the basis for informed decision making by healthcare professionals and policymakers. But in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), creating a new data system for COVID-19 vaccines posed challenges in terms of technology access and training.

As more people were getting vaccinated, it was becoming clearer that it was really difficult for health workers to keep up with the number of peoples data they needed to enter, said Constant Kingongo, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead of the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project in the DRC. So instead of proposing a band-aid solution, the Project used the pandemic as an opportunity to strengthen the DRCs overall digital health system by reverting to the system used for routine immunization.

Health workers in Kinshasa found it easier to enter data into the familiar routine immunization system, reducing their workload and improving data completeness, said Kingongo. He added that New technologies should be adapted to each countrys reality. Make sure the solution fits the context, is designed around end user needs, and builds on existing systems and skills.

In Nigeria, new initiatives included mapping through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create a microplan and identify hard to reach communities. COVID-19 resources were available for us to go beyond the cardboard paper mapping to identify settlements, taking their geocoordinates, assessing the distance between the serving health facility and the settlements, and identifying natural barriers and obstacles, said Dr. Joel Yakubu Cherima, Nigeria Country Lead, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project at JSI.

When COVID-19 vaccination was rolled out in Karnataka, India, the state achieved high vaccine coverage rates of nearly 92% for the first dose and 87% for the second dose. Yet Dr. Rajani B.N, Deputy Director and State Immunization Officer of the Karnataka government noted that the persistent challenge in this region is covering the last mile to bring vaccinations to particularly vulnerable and traditionally unreached populations, such as tribal people, migrant laborers, and the elderly. She added that in collaboration with local NGOs already well-rooted in these communities, the state devised culturally tailored strategies and mapping of vulnerable populations to improve the reach to and uptake of vaccinations in these areas.

In Kenya, the Project partnered with the Aging Concern Foundation (ACF), a community organization that advocates for the welfare of elderly people, said Dr. Isaac Mugoya, Kenya Country Lead of MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project at JSI. Since elderly people in Kenya are supported by the government through a monthly welfare stipend, Dr. Mugoya described an initiative to facilitate the vaccination of this demographic in which ACF successfully collaborated with local banks to provide a tent where elderly individuals could collect their stipends and also get vaccinated.

The vaccine has been characterized by a narrative that shows distrust in relation to the safety and efficacy of [COVID-19] vaccines, said Dr. Betuel Sigauque, Mozambique Country Lead of the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project at JSI. To address the issue comprehensively, the Project utilized social mobilization initiatives and engaged leaders at community and national levels. By combining strategic messaging with support from influential figures, the project aimed to build trust and convey the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in a manner that resonated with diverse communities.

In India, similar efforts identified faith-based leaders who could disseminate correct messaging about COVID-19 vaccination and combat the spread of misinformation among religious communities, said Dr. Gopal Krishna Soni, India Country Lead of the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project at JSI.

In Ethiopia, the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project worked with the Ministry of Health in Addis Ababa City Health Bureau to integrate COVID-19 vaccination with a mass measles vaccination campaign. In one of the vaccination sites, we helped the vaccination team to rearrange the service station so that the COVID-19 information and vaccination was stationed in the middle of the vaccination post, said Tewodros Alemayehu, Ethiopia Immunization Project Director of the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project at JSI. This rearrangement helped each vaccination team to provide clear information to every client on COVID-19 vaccination.

New programs and initiatives from the COVID-19 era especially those that build on existing best practices will play a pivotal role in helping navigate a growing vaccination crisis. Nida Parks, COVID-19 Response Coordinator of Global Health Bureau at USAID, noted that not only can these innovations support our primary health care systems now, but that they might also prepare global health systems for the next major crisis.

Sources: American Hospital Association (AHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF).

Photo credit: Woman receives vaccination in Mozambique., used with permission courtesy of Neide Guesela, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity/Mozambique.

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Crisis to Innovation: Lessons from COVID-19 Can Transform Routine Immunization Strategies - New Security Beat

The University of Arizona Health Sciences announced major funding for a Phoenix-based health sciences hub, reported on major research in the areas of long COVID-19 and firefighter sleep patterns, and celebrated the establishment of the College of Health Sciences. From investigating critical health care issues to training the next generation of health care workers, UArizona Health Sciences researchers, staff, physician-scientists and students worked together to create healthier communities for all.

Here are the top 10 UArizona Health Sciences news releases of 2023:

New study will examine irritable bowel syndrome as long COVID symptom (Sept. 28)

Researchers with the ongoingArizona CoVHORT research studyat the UArizonaMel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Healthwere awarded $3.2 million by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for a five-year study of gastrointestinal symptoms, specifically irritable bowel syndrome, as a condition of long COVID.

We have an outstanding team of researchers, staff and students working on the CoVHORT study and investigating a range of long COVID symptoms, said lead researcher Kristen Pogreba-Brown, PhD, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology at the Zuckerman College of PublicHealthand member of the BIO5 Institute. And, we have a large, diverse group of participants, so we gather crucial data that deliver answers about specific symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and help find effective treatments.

Study uncovers reasons Americans did not get booster vaccines (Oct. 2)

In September 2022, new bivalent COVID-19 boosters became available in the United States, but less than 20% of the eligible population ultimately received one. A study led by researchers in the Zuckerman College of Public Health identified why so many Americans did not receive a booster.

Our results indicate that we have a lot more work to do in terms of educating the public and health care providers about the importance of staying up to date on COVID-19 boosters, said first authorElizabeth Jacobs, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the Zuckerman College of Public Health, who led the research with associate professor of epidemiologyKristen Pogreba-Brown, PhD, MPH.

Study shows how morphine may contribute to bone loss and cancer-induced bone pain (July 5)

Opioids such as morphine are the gold standard for treating cancer-induced bone pain, but new UArizona Health Sciences research uncovered a mechanism by which chronic morphine use may increase bone loss and pain. Nearly 70% of patients with prostate and breast cancers and 30%-40% of patients with lung cancer develop bone metastases. The most frequent and important symptom of bone metastasis is pain.

These findings suggest that chronic morphine for the treatment of things like metastatic cancer may not be the best, since it may be actually decreasing bone density, said senior authorTodd Vanderah, PhD, director of theUArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, professor and head of theDepartment of Pharmacologyin theUArizona College of Medicine Tucsonand member of theBIO5 Instituteand theUArizona Cancer Center. This does not mean doctors should remove opioids from their treatment plans, but it does highlight a need to develop alternative therapies that can lower the risk of side effects from opioids.

Study shows millions of people live with co-occuring chronic pain and mental health symptoms (Sept. 21)

UArizona Health Sciences researchers found that nearly 1 in 20 adults in the United States experience the co-occurrence of chronic pain and anxiety or depression, resulting in functional limitations in daily life. The paper, published in the journal PAIN, is one of the few to examine the national prevalence of chronic pain with anxiety or depression symptoms in adults. The results shed light on the fact that millions of people may be experiencing symptoms that can limit their ability to work, complete daily tasks and socialize.

The studys findings highlight an underappreciated population and health care need the interdependency between mental health and chronic pain, said the papers lead author,Jennifer S. De La Rosa, PhD, assistant research professor in theCollege of Medicine TucsonsDepartment of Family and Community Medicine anddirector of strategy for the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, which funded the study. This work is so exciting because it offers the opportunity to use team-based interdisciplinary approaches to medicine, leveraging what is known across disciplines to meet the needs of these individuals.

Urgent Care data show Valley fever season has begun in Arizona (July 27)

A team in theValley Fever Center for Excellenceat the College of Medicine Tucsonhas created a forecasting tool to determine when the illness is spiking in the community. Data for July indicated that Arizona was in Valley fever season that month.

Right now, if youre diagnosed with pneumonia, there is about a 1 in 5 chance that your pneumonia is caused by Valley fever, saidJohn Galgiani, MD, director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, professor of medicine and member of the BIO5 Institute. If you live in Arizona and you get pneumonia, you should be tested for Valley fever.

$4M NIH grant will test worksite sleep health coaching for Arizona firefighters (Aug. 7)

A $4 million award from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, will allow researchers in theZuckerman College of Public Healthto identify key factors for the successful implementation of workplace sleep coaching to improve sleep health in Arizona firefighters. Almost half of career firefighters report short sleep and poor sleep quality, and about 37% of firefighters screen positive for sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia or shift-work disorder.

Other studies have showed us that firefighters personal circumstances and shift schedules often dictate their sleep, said principal investigatorPatricia Haynes, PhD, CBSM, DBSM, whoseprevious researchfound that more recovery sleep in firefighters during off days is associated with less stress and irritability.

US Army Medical Research grant funds study of green light therapy for postsurgical pain (Sept. 14)

UArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Centerresearchers will use a $2.4 million grant from the United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity to determine the effectiveness of green light therapy on postsurgical pain and inflammation. The number of surgeries in the U.S. exceeded 40 million in 2010 and has steadily increased since then. At the same time, the opioid crisis continues to have devastating effects throughout the country. Despite the risks associated with opioids, they remain the most prescribed medications for managing surgical pain.

Patients with anxiety, depression or sleep disturbances can experience exaggerated pain, necessitating higher doses of opioids to control their postsurgical pain. Military members and veterans have anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance at rates three to four times greater than civilians. Sadly, they are also at higher risk of opioid use disorder and dependence, said pain management physicianMohab Ibrahim, MD, PhD, medical director for the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, professor of anesthesiology in theCollege of Medicine Tucson and director of the Pain Management Clinic. Finding a therapy that can decrease reliance on opioids for postsurgical pain would be transformative.

CAMI receives $4M financial investment from Maricopa County (July 18)

The University of Arizona Health SciencesCenter for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapiesreceived a strong vote of support from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors with the June 28 approval of $4 million in funding for the life sciences innovation hub being developed on the Phoenix Bioscience Core in downtown Phoenix. The Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies, or CAMI, builds on the idea that the most effective defense against health issues is the bodys natural immune system.

The Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies is designed to respond to health crises that have arisen and will arise in the future, to advance health care activities within the region and to provide additional fuel to the local economys engine, said Michael D. Dake, MD, senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences. This financial investment from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will catalyze advancements in both health sciences and economics as CAMI becomes the anchor for an innovation district that will establish Phoenix as a national hub for cell- and gene-based therapy research, startup activity, and corporate engagement.

Future primary care doctors receive scholarships for medical school (Sept. 28)

Twenty-five aspiring physicians are the latest to benefit from theUArizona Health SciencesPrimary Care Physician Scholarship Program, which continues to address two critical issues in health care: Arizonas shortage of primary care physicians and a rising amount of debt for medical students. The program awarded scholarships to 14 students in theCollege of Medicine Tucsonand 11 in theUArizona College of Medicine Phoenix. The scholarships, which are awarded annually, are available to incoming and current students. They allow medical students to pursue careers in primary care without worrying about how they will repay medical school debt.

Ive seen and felt the physician shortage in primary care said Marin Carter, a second-year medical student in the College of Medicine Tucson who worked in Flagstaff at a Federally Qualified Health Center prior to medical school and participated in a Rural Health Professions Program this past summer. I believe that everyone should have access to the quality primary care my family has received, and I want to provide that to the community. Theres so much value in preventive medicine and longitudinal care.

ABOR approves establishment of College of Health Sciences at UArizona Health Sciences (June 16)

UArizona Health Sciences is addressing critical health care needs within Arizona with the launch of a newCollege of Health Sciences, which was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents at its meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona, June 14-15.

The College of Health Sciences will help fill much-needed positions in many crucial health care professions, while at the same time keeping education costs down for students, saidKevin C. Lohenry, PhD, PA-C, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and assistant vice president of interprofessional education for UArizona Health Sciences. By creating a culture of health and wellness coupled with student success, the College of Health Sciences will play a strong role in training students to serve the needs of Arizonas diverse and rural communities with compassionate and culturally sensitive care as health professionals and through inclusive and innovative translational research as scientists.

For more information on UArizona Health Sciences impact in 2023, view the annual report at annualreports.healthsciences.arizona.edu.

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COVID-19, CAMI and a new college: UArizona Health Sciences' top 10 news releases of 2023 - University of Arizona

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