Latest news with #AlaskaNative
Medscape
15 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Fast Five Quiz: Drowning
Drowning is a significant cause of mortality. In the United States, it is the leading cause of death among children aged 1-4 years. Even when not fatal, drowning can result in permanent and severe disability due to prolonged hypoxia. Globally, drowning deaths decreased by 38% between 2000 and 2024. However, in the United States, the drowning mortality rate increased from 2019 to 2022. On average, 11 drowning deaths per day occur in the United States. Do you know the latest facts surrounding drowning? Check your knowledge with this brief quiz. There are major racial/ethnic disparities in drowning deaths and swimming ability in the United States. Although Alaska Native/non-Hispanic American Indian peoples and Black people have the highest drowning rates, the lowest rate of swimming lessons is among Hispanic adults, at only 28.1%. Comparatively, 36.9% of Black adults and 51.8% of White adults have taken swimming lessons. The overall rate of swimming lessons among all US adults is 45.3%. Learn more about drowning epidemiology. A global review on drowning prevention among children and young people found several effective strategies. In addition to placing barriers around bodies of water, the review also found wearing personal flotation devices and removing or covering water hazards to be effective in drowning prevention. Use of solar pool covers was deemed a harmful strategy because unsupervised children have become trapped under these covers and drowned. There have also been cases of drowning deaths among infants placed in baby bath seats in bathtubs. Community-based water safety awareness campaigns were rated as "promising" in the review. Although several campaigns have resulted in increased rates of personal flotation device ownership, the results vary according to the nature of the campaign and its audience. Some campaigns were noted to lack a statistically significant positive impact. Learn more about patient education on drowning. A retrospective cohort study of 406 pediatric drowning patients found that the absence of prehospital cardiac arrest, along with transfer to a high-volume hospital and indoor drowning location, were factors significantly associated with a good clinical outcome. In the study, only one patient died among the 218 patients without prehospital cardiac arrest. However, only five patients had good outcomes among the 188 patients with prehospital cardiac arrest. Patient sex, age, and prehospital time since drowning event were not significantly associated with clinical outcome. Learn more about drowning prognosis. According to American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, in-water rescue breathing should be provided to drowning victims by trained rescuers if safe. Guidelines from the Wilderness Medical Society concur. It is not necessary to wait until the patient is on dry land or in a vessel before commencing rescue breathing. Resuscitation of drowning patients should not focus on chest compressions alone. Ventilation and airway management are crucial because cardiac arrest often follows severe hypoxemia in drowning cases. Although it is prudent for water recreation areas to provide automatic external defibrillators, most drowning victims who enter cardiac arrest do not present with defibrillation-responsive rhythms. The Heimlich maneuver is not recommended in drowning because efforts to expel water from the lungs delays resuscitation and might increase the risk for vomiting and aspiration. Learn more about prehospital care in drowning. The Wilderness Medical Society does not recommend empirical antibiotics in the initial management of drowning patients. Although pneumonia might result from aspirated water, the causative microorganisms are often atypical and unresponsive to empirical antibiotic therapies. Additionally, inflammatory pneumonitis resulting from water aspiration and the stress of the drowning event may be mistaken for symptoms of infectious pneumonia. Ideally, before antibiotic administration, pneumonia should be confirmed by urinary antigen testing, sputum cultures, and/or blood cultures. Learn more about the disposition of drowning victims.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Indivior Presents New Data at CPDD Demonstrating that High Buprenorphine Exposure May Improve Treatment Outcomes in High Fentanyl Users
A post-hoc analysis demonstrates that buprenorphine exposure with 300 mg SUBLOCADE® (buprenorphine extended-release) may improve treatment outcomes among opioid use disorder (OUD) patients with heavy fentanyl use1 Additional Indivior-funded research identified OUD treatment barriers in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people who are often affected by higher drug overdose death rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups2-5 RICHMOND, Va., June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Indivior PLC (Nasdaq: INDV) presented new findings this week at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) Annual Scientific Meeting. A post hoc analysis showed that patients with heavier fentanyl use experienced clinically meaningful improvements in opioid abstinence when treated with a 300 mg maintenance dose of SUBLOCADE, compared to the 100 mg dose. While the 300 mg dose did not demonstrate a statistically significant advantage over 100 mg for weekly abstinence—the study's primary endpoint—in the overall population with moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD), the results suggest that higher doses of SUBLOCADE may offer better outcomes for individuals with high levels of fentanyl use. "These findings offer additional evidence that the higher maintenance dose of SUBLOCADE is safe and may better support patients with intense fentanyl use patterns," said Christian Heidbreder, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Indivior. "We aim to provide clinicians with new data that can transform treatment strategies and support patients on their journey to recovery." In the Indivior-funded study, patients with OUD who engaged in high-risk opioid use—such as injection use, high opioid dose consumption, or fentanyl use—received two initial 300 mg injections of SUBLOCADE one week apart. They were then randomized to receive eight monthly maintenance doses of either 100 mg or 300 mg. Both dosing regimens led to significant reductions in opioid use: the average weekly use dropped sharply from over 40 instances at screening to fewer than 3 by Week 3, and this improvement was sustained through Week 38. Notably, no new safety concerns were identified with either the 100 mg or 300 mg maintenance doses. Indivior also funded research exploring OUD treatment access and outcomes in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, which were presented at CPDD. AI/AN populations experience disproportionate rates of OUD, drug overdose, and gap in access to OUD care. A thematic analysis of focus group research on nine AI/AN advocates indicated that AI/AN people experience significant barriers to accessing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).4-8 Barriers include stigma, institutional challenges, and transitions of care for OUD, highlighting opportunities for culturally appropriate interactive education and institutional advancement.2 These focus group findings are illustrative and can be used to identify avenues for future work, although they may not be generalizable to the full population. In addition, a large multi-year longitudinal claims database analysis of more than 75,000 AI/AN patients with evidence of OUD showed differences in utilization of MOUD among those seeing Indian Health Services (IHS) vs. non-IHS providers. The majority of patients (73.1%) saw non-IHS providers. Patients treated with any form of MOUD had lower all-cause emergency department vs. those who were not treated with MOUD, highlighting the need for further research to understand MOUD utilization among AI/AN. "The collective evidence from these presentations highlights prominent barriers to effective care and helps map out appropriate treatment approaches for individuals with OUD in challenging treatment settings," said Heidbreder. "Indivior focuses its scientific, treatment, and policy efforts on helping patients access the medications and support they need to recover." Key Abstracts Presented at CPDD: Higher Exposures with 300-Mg Buprenorphine Extended-Release (BUP-XR) Increased the Proportion of Responders Among Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Patients with Heavy Fentanyl Use Barriers to and Facilitators of Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Identified by American Indian/Alaska Native Advocates Utilization of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and Patient Profiles Amongst American Indian/Alaska Native Managing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Polysubstance Use in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid Abstinence and Alternative Substance Use Clinical Outcomes and Recovery in Adults with Opioid Use Disorder: Long-term Treatment with Long- acting Injectable Buprenorphine under Real-World Conditions Severity and Symptomatology of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Among Individuals Reporting Pain Reliever Use, Pain Reliever Misuse, and/or Heroin Use: A Cross-sectional Analysis of the 2021 and 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Disclosure: This press release has been issued by Indivior Inc. and the content has not been approved or authorized by the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. About SUBLOCADE® SUBLOCADE® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use, CIII INDICATION AND HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION INDICATION SUBLOCADE is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with a single dose of a transmucosal buprenorphine product or who are already being treated with buprenorphine. SUBLOCADE should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support. HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH WITH INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION; SUBLOCADE RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. SUBLOCADE forms a solid mass upon contact with body fluids and may cause occlusion, local tissue damage, and thrombo-embolic events, including life-threatening pulmonary emboli, if administered intravenously. Because of the risk of serious harm or death that could result from intravenous self-administration, SUBLOCADE is only available through a restricted program call the SUBLOCADE REMS Program. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that order and dispense SUBLOCADE must be certified in this program and comply with the REMS requirements. CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to buprenorphine or any other ingredients in SUBLOCADE. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse: SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids. Monitor patients for conditions indicative of diversion or progression of opioid dependence and addictive behaviors. Respiratory Depression: Life threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in association with buprenorphine. Warn patients of the potential danger of self-administration of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants while under treatment with SUBLOCADE. Risk of Serious Injection Site Reactions: Likelihood of may increase with inadvertent intramuscular or intradermal administration. Evaluate and treat as appropriate. The most common injection site reactions are pain, erythema and pruritus with some involving abscess, ulceration and necrosis. Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy. Adrenal Insufficiency: If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off of the opioid. Risk of Opioid Withdrawal with Abrupt Discontinuation: If treatment with SUBLOCADE is discontinued, monitor patients for several months for withdrawal and treat appropriately. Risk of Hepatitis, Hepatic Events: Monitor liver function tests prior to and during treatment. Risk of Withdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids: Verify that patients have tolerated transmucosal buprenorphine before injecting SUBLOCADE. Treatment of Emergent Acute Pain: Treat pain with a non-opioid analgesic whenever possible. If opioid therapy is required, monitor patients closely because higher doses may be required for analgesic effect. ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reactions commonly associated with SUBLOCADE (in ≥5% of subjects) were constipation, headache, nausea, injection site pruritus, vomiting, increased hepatic enzymes, fatigue, and injection site pain. For more information about SUBLOCADE, the full Prescribing information including BOXED WARNING, and Medication Guide, visit About Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic disease in which people develop a pattern of using opioids that can lead to negative consequences. OUD may affect the parts of the brain that are necessary for life-sustaining functions. About Indivior Indivior is a global pharmaceutical company working to help change patients' lives by developing medicines to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Our vision is that all patients around the world will have access to evidence-based treatment for OUD and we are dedicated to transforming OUD from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of OUD treatments, Indivior has a pipeline of product candidates designed to expand on its heritage in this category. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs over 1,000 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 30 countries worldwide. Visit to learn more. Connect with Indivior on LinkedIn by visiting Higher Exposures with 300-Mg Buprenorphine Extended-Release (BUP-XR) Increased the Proportion of Responders Among Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Patients with Heavy Fentanyl Use [Late Breaking Oral Sessions]. CPDD Annual Scientific Meeting, June 15, 2025. Barriers To and Facilitators Of Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Identified by American Indian/Alaska Native Advocates [Oral Session: Expanding SUD interventions across populations]. CPDD Annual Scientific Meeting, June 17, 2025. Utilization of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and Patient Profiles amongst American Indian/Alaska Native Managing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) [Poster Session 1]. CPDD Annual Scientific Meeting, June 15, 2025. Indian Health Service. Disparities. 2019. Retrieved from Accessed: 16 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (2024). Rate of National Drug Overdose Deaths, By Demographic. Available at: statistics/overdose-death-rates. Accessed: 6 Jun 2024. Soto C, et al. (2022). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 2974. doi:10.3390/ijerph19052974 Krawczyk N, et al. . Drug Alcohol Depend. 2021 Mar 1;220:108512. doi: 10.1016/ Mpofu, E, et al.. (2021). Addictive Behaviors, 114, 106743. doi:10.1016/ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Indivior PLC Sign in to access your portfolio
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
‘We are still here, yet invisible.' Study finds that U.S. government has overestimated Native American life expectancy
Official U.S. records dramatically underestimate mortality and life expectancy disparities for Native Americans, according to a new, groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research, led by the Boston University School of Public Health, provides compelling evidence of a profound discrepancy between actual and officially reported statistics on the health outcomes of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in the U.S. The study, novel in its approach, tracks mortality outcomes over time among self-identified AI/AN individuals in a nationally representative cohort known as the Mortality Disparities in American Communities. The researchers linked data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey with official death certificates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System from 2008 through 2019, and found that the life expectancy of AI/AN populations was 6.5 years lower than the national average. They then compared this to data from the CDC's WONDER database, and found that their numbers were nearly three times greater than the gap reported by the CDC. Indeed, the study found that the life expectancy for AI/AN individuals was just 72.7 years, comparable to that of developing countries. The researchers also uncovered widespread racial misclassification. The study reports that some 41% of AI/AN deaths were incorrectly classified in the CDC WONDER database, predominantly misrecorded as 'White.' These systemic misclassifications drastically skewed official statistics, presenting AI/AN mortality rates as only 5% higher than the national average. When they adjusted the data to account for those misclassifications, the researchers found that the actual rate was 42% higher than initially reported. The issue of racial misclassification 'is not new for us at all,' said Nanette Star, director of policy and planning at the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health. The recent tendency for journalists and politicians to use umbrella terms like 'Indigenous' rather than the more precise 'American Indian and Alaska Native' can obscure the unique needs, histories and political identities of AI/AN communities, Star noted, and contribute to their erasure in both data and public discourse. 'That is the word we use — erasure — and it really does result in that invisibility in our health statistics,' she said. Issues related to racial misclassification in public records persist across the entire life course for AI/AN individuals, from birth to early childhood interventions to chronic disease and death. Star noted that in California, especially in urban regions like Los Angeles, Native individuals are frequently misidentified as Latino or multiracial, which profoundly distorts public health data and masks the extent of health disparities. 'It really does mask the true scale of premature mortality and health disparities among our communities,' Star said. Further, said Star, the lack of accurate data exacerbates health disparities. 'It really is a public health and justice issue,' she said. 'If you don't have those numbers to support the targeted response, you don't get the funding for these interventions or even preventative measures.' According to U.S. Census data, California is home to the largest AI/AN population in the United States. That means it has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in addressing these systemic issues. With numerous federally and state-recognized tribes, as well as substantial urban AI/AN populations, California can prioritize collaborative and accurate public health data collection and reporting. Star noted that current distortions are not always malicious but often stem from a lack of training. She suggested that California implement targeted training programs for those charged with recording this data, including funeral directors, coroners, medical doctors and law enforcement agents; allocate dedicated resources to improve the accuracy of racial classification on vital records; and strengthen partnerships with tribal leaders. The study authors suggest similar approaches, and there are numerous examples of successful cases of Indigenous-led health partnerships seen across Canada and the U.S. that have helped reduce health disparities among AI/AN communities that could be used as a template. These efforts would not only help to move toward rectifying historical inaccuracies, but also ensure that AI/AN communities receive equitable health resources and policy attention. 'When AI/AN people are misclassified in life and in death, it distorts public health data and drives inequities even deeper,' said Star. 'Accurate data isn't just about numbers — it's about honoring lives, holding systems accountable and making sure our communities are seen and served.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
First-time moms in the US are getting older as new average age is revealed
The average age of new mothers in the U.S. is increasing, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A report from the agency revealed an uptick of nearly a year, rising from 26.6 in 2016 to 27.5 in 2023. 'All racial and ethnic groups saw an increase in mean age at first birth of 0.4 to 1.4 years,' the National Vital Statistics System authors wrote. The system provides the most complete data on births and deaths in the U.S. The results indicate a continual trend over the past several decades, they noted, with the average age jumping or remaining stable every year since 1970. The spike reflects changes in social, political, education and economic factors. More women are working now than ever before and there have been fewer teenaged pregnancies. It's also more expensive than ever to have children. In fact, many people are choosing not to have kids because of that cost and fears over climate change. While the report did not get into regional break downs, it looked at changes by urbanicity. In 2016 to 2023, the same 0.9-year increase was found across large central, large fringe, and medium metropolitan areas. For small metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, the change was just 0.7 years. 'Mothers living in large fringe or large central metropolitan areas had the highest mean age at first birth (27.6 in 2016 and 28.5 in 2023),' they found. Whereas, those in noncore areas had the lowest average age at first birth, until 25 years old. The report also analyzed the breakdown by race, finding that Asian American mothers had the largest increase in average age, at 1.4 years. They also had the highest average age at first birth in 2016 and 2023, at 30.1 and 31.5 years, respectively. Conversely, American Indian and Alaska Native mothers had the lowest mean age at first birth in 2016 and 2023, at 23.2 and 24.2 years old. 'The increase in the mean age of mothers from 2016 to 2023 is the result of declines in first births to mothers younger than 25 and increases in first births to mothers age 30 and older,' the authors noted. 'The ongoing rise in the age of mothers at first birth reflects changes in childbearing for U.S. families,' the report said.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Medicaid Expands Access for Tribes Across 6 States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Native American tribal clinics in six states have been granted new powers to provide Medicaid clinic services, giving 89 new tribes more health care access. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded the powers of the clinics by approving Medicaid State Plan Amendments, which allow Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal clinics to provide services beyond a specific clinic site. Why It Matters According to CMS, Native American and Alaska Native individuals are more susceptible to chronic illness than other groups in the U.S. population. The expansion of Medicaid services means that tribal clinic service providers in the affected states are better equipped to deliver care in areas other than their clinics, such as remote residential areas. What To Know The expansion, which was announced on Friday, has increased Medicaid access in six states: Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Washington and Mexico saw the highest number of tribes gain better access, with 29 and 22 tribes, respectively—more than half of the entire program. Eleven tribes in Minnesota will benefit, while nine each where identified in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Oregon. Stock image of a Medicaid Accepted Here sign. Stock image of a Medicaid Accepted Here sign. Getty Images The expansion works by granting existing facilities managed by IHS and tribal clinics the authority to perform Medicaid care services outside their "four walls," a requirement usually imposed on the IHS. This means that the clinics are able to provide care beyond the physical site, in other important places in the community such as homes and schools. There are over 2.9 million Native Americans in the U.S., and medical research has indicated that they are more susceptible to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer than other groups. During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, Native American communities were some of the hardest hit by the infection. For example, the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American territory in the U.S. with over 173,600 residents, had the highest per capita infection rate in the country by May 2020. What People Are Saying Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a statement announcing the expansion: "Until last year, federal rules prevented IHS and Tribal Medicaid clinic services providers from delivering Medicaid clinic services to vulnerable Tribal patients outside the four walls of the clinic. "These approvals help vulnerable Americans get care when and where they need it most." What Happens Next Each state has 90 days to implement the expansion, according to letters sent to state authorities by CMS.
