Research published in Nature Medicine linked 70% of the world's new type 2 diabetes diagnoses in 2018 to poor diet, particularly inadequate intake of whole grains and excessive intake of refined rice, wheat and processed meat. The study examined data from 184 countries and found that type 2 diabetes diagnoses increased in all of them between 1990 and 2018, while the total number of adults with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 537 million in 2021, a shift that correlates with marked increases in obesity.

A study published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics found the use of Tandem Diabetes Care's Control-IQ technology demonstrated a decrease in hemoglobin A1c levels and an increase in time in range in patients with diabetes. "It is clear from these results, which are consistent with real-life data from thousands of current Control-IQ technology users, that this technology should be considered as an option for anyone living with type 1 diabetes," said University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology Director Boris Kovatchev.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that analyzed national income and death data found that poverty is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, trailing heart disease, cancer and smoking. Researchers found that poverty was linked to 183,000 deaths of people ages 15 and older in 2019 and added that "[b]ecause certain ethnic and racial minority groups are far more likely to be in poverty, our estimates can improve understanding of ethnic and racial inequalities in life expectancy."

Weight loss of at least 5% in older, healthy adults was associated with a greater all-cause mortality risk, with the risk higher in men than women, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. "Regular monitoring of weight changes can help early identification of associated risks," said study author Sultana Moniroa Hussain.

As more people return to exercising outdoors, they can help their bodies get used to warm weather faster by taking hot baths or making sauna visits, research suggests. Investigators found that the body can more easily acclimate to hot weather after a half-hour, post-workout bath or sauna session per day.

Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that the rate of US young adult e-cigarette use rose from 8.8% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2021, correlating with an outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury. The uptick in vaping was due mainly to increased use by individuals who had not been cigarette smokers.

A recent analysis of US physicians' pay showed that compensation continued on an upward trend last year after dipping in 2020. Across specialties, average compensation increased almost 17% from $299,000 in 2018 to $352,000 in 2022, and the gender-based wage gap among primary care physicians narrowed during the study period.

An AHIP study found that the average charges for 10 commonly used drugs were 118% higher in hospitals and 23% higher in physician offices than through specialty pharmacies. An analysis of drug pricing data from the Merative MarketScan Commercial Database from 2019 through 2021 found that hospitals and physician offices marked up drug prices by $8,278 and $1,559, respectively, compared with average prices through specialty pharmacies.

HHS announced a $1.1 billion program intended to provide Americans without health insurance with free COVID-19 vaccines and treatments after the national public health emergency ends next month. Under the plan, the CDC will purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to local and state health departments, while HHS will provide per-dose payments to pharmacies that contract with the government to continue offering COVID-19 treatments and vaccines to uninsured patients.

There are still gaps to be addressed, but the consumer protection effects of the federal No Surprises Act appear to have been mostly successful in the legislation's first year, according to a new analysis from the Urban Institute and the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms. Patients have been largely protected from surprise medical bills, and there has been a significant decline in patient complaints, but some are still seeing major charges in areas such as ground ambulance services.

The Innovation Challenge is an exciting component to this year's Scientific Sessions, welcoming startups to pitch pioneering ideas to improve the lives of people living with diabetes. The challenge will take place at the 83rd Scientific Sessions from June 23-26 in San Diego, California. Learn more and apply by May 5! Apply now.