CDC www.cdc.gov is helping states build capacity for the reporting of public health data so the states will be able to monitor the scope of the drug epidemic and find better ways to focus prevention activities on several programs and activities. (more…)
Strengthening Early Screening
According to the CDC, currently around 98 percent of newborns are screened for hearing loss. Since 2005, more than 50,000 infants who are deaf and hard of hearing have been identified within the first year of life. (more…)
Ohio Upgrades Drug Monitoring System
Ohio is deploying a new tool to fight prescription drug abuse. The State of Ohio’s Board of Pharmacy www.pharmacy.ohio.gov recently announced that an upgrade will be made available to the state’s prescription drug monitoring program known as the “Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System” (OARRS) www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/oarrs on the website November 20, 2017. (more…)
OIG’s Ideas on Information Blocking
With the knowledge that information blocking harms the healthcare system, James A. Cannatti III, Senior Counselor for the Health IT Office of the Inspector General (OIG) https://oig.hhs.gov within HHS, presented testimony at the Senate HELP Committee https://www.help.senate.gov hearing “Implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act: Achieving the Promise of Health IT”. (more…)
FDA Working to Secure Medical Devices
FDA’s www.fda.gov Center for Devices and Radiological Health works closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) www.dhs.gov, private sector, medical device manufacturers, healthcare delivery organizations, security researchers, and end users to increase the cyber infrastructure. (more…)
Bill to Fund Rural Broadband
Representatives including Mark Pocan, https://pocan.house.gov, Cheri Bustos https://bustos.house.gov, Jared Huffman https://huggman.house.gov, Hal Rogers https://rodgers.house.gov, and Elise Stefanik https://stefanik.house.gov have reintroduced the “Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act” known as the B-CROP Act. (more…)
Africa’s Digital Health Program
Since Africa is currently undergoing a digital revolution, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa www.afro.who.int and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) www.itu.int have signed a Cooperative Agreement to use digital technology to strengthen public health services in Africa over the 2018-2030 period. (more…)