This year in healthcare brought about many headlines, some you may be aware of and others, maybe not so much. Here are 4 health-related news stories from 2024:
1. Updated Guidelines for Mammogram Screenings
In April, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated the recommendations for breast cancer screenings. It is now recommended that women begin getting screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40 until age 74. Prior to this change, the recommended age for screening was 50 years old.
2. Over the Counter Birth Control Hit Store Shelves
For the first-time ever, birth control was made available for purchase over the counter at stores like Walgreens and CVS, without a prescription. The Opill was approved by the FDA last year and hit store shelves this past March. A one month supply costs $19.99 and $49.99 for a three-month supply, making contraceptive accessible and affordable.
3. Slaying of United Healthcare CEO
On the early morning of December 4th, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, en route to a shareholder’s meeting in Manhattan, was slain by a masked gunman. After a five-day manhunt that spanned multiple states, the suspect Luigi Mangione, was captured after being spotted at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione was later extradited back to New York where he was charged with multiple counts of murder.
4. Numerous Healthcare Cyber Attacks
2024 saw its share of cyber attacks which impacted major healthcare systems. Change Healthcare for one, experienced possibly the largest attack in February, impacting an estimated 100 million people, leaving providers unable to verify patients’ insurance or to get paid. Ascension, a healthcare system with 140 hospitals in 19 states, faced a cyber attack that caused major disruptions at many of its hospitals from Electronic Health Records being down to impacts of emergency care.
Which healthcare new story captured your attention this year? Leave a comment!
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