COVID-19 cases are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories, and more than half of the states have virus levels that are "very high" or "high" as a summertime wave expands, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Why it matters: The prevalence of COVID is especially high in the West, where test positivity in the region comprising Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada stood at 15.6% and viral activity in wastewater has been rising over the past month, according to the agency.
The Change Healthcare cyberattack shook U.S. health care to its core for months and exposed major cyber vulnerabilities. But the likely ripple effects on individuals are only now becoming apparent.
Why it matters: As many as 1 in 3 Americans may have had personal information compromised, some of which is purportedly being trafficked on the dark web — and is expected to enable identity theft, as well as tax, insurance and mortgage fraud.
Medicare for the first time is proposing to reimburse doctors for digital mental health therapies like apps and software to treat behavioral health conditions.
Why it matters: The movecould be a boost for digital therapeutics like wellness apps or video games that have been slow to gain adoption because there aren't consistent payment and coverage pathways.
43% of women in the U.S. have skipped or delayed recommended health screenings despite widespread recognition that they are important, a new survey shows.
Why it's important: Extensive research has proven that regular health screenings save lives and help patients avoid less intensive treatment thanks to earlier detection and treatment of disease.
