Latest news with #Truveta
Boston Globe
9 hours ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
RFK Jr. rescinds endorsements for some flu vaccines
The decision will not affect most Americans seeking flu vaccines: Thimerosal is added to multidose vials of flu vaccines to prevent bacteria from growing, but it is not an ingredient of the single-dose vials administered to most people. During the 2024-25 respiratory virus season, only 3% of children and 2% of older adults received flu vaccines containing thimerosal, according to an analysis of electronic health records by Truveta, a company that analyzes such records. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Still, multidose vials are needed in places where it is difficult to store many vaccines, such as nursing homes or mobile clinics serving remote rural areas. Advertisement Kennedy's sign-off does not withdraw vaccines containing thimerosal from the market. But his rescinding the federal recommendation means that such shots may not be available to Americans, because insurance companies are no longer required to cover them. 'We urge global health authorities to follow this prudent example for the protection of children worldwide,' Kennedy said in a statement. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they have the capacity to replace multidose vials containing mercury, ensuring that vaccine supplies for children and adults will 'remain uninterrupted,' the Department for Health and Human Services said in a statement. Advertisement Federal health officials began removing thimerosal from childhood vaccines about 25 years ago, citing an abundance of caution despite a lack of data supporting safety concerns. Dozens of studies have shown thimerosal to be harmless. But the anti-vaccine community has long falsely maintained that the ingredient can cause neurological problems. At a meeting of the vaccine advisers last month, Lyn Redwood, a former leader of Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy, claimed thimerosal was dangerous and toxic to children. Her presentation incorrectly said the only flu vaccine still containing thimerosal had 50 micrograms per dose, double the actual amount. The seven new advisers voted 5-1, with one abstention, to withdraw recommendations for flu vaccines containing thimerosal for children, pregnant women and other adults. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically accepts the recommendations of the committee. But the agency does not currently have a leader, so the decision fell to Kennedy. This article originally appeared in .
New York Times
a day ago
- Health
- New York Times
Kennedy Rescinds Endorsements for Some Flu Vaccines
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday formally rescinded federal recommendations for all flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that the anti-vaccine movement has falsely linked to autism. The decision cements a move last month by vaccine advisers whom Mr. Kennedy named to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices after abruptly firing all 17 previous members. After hearing a presentation by the former leader of an anti-vaccine group, the panel had voted to walk back federal recommendations for all flu vaccines containing thimerosal. The decision will not affect most Americans seeking flu vaccines: Thimerosal is added to multidose vials of flu vaccines to prevent bacteria from growing, but it is not an ingredient of the single-dose vials administered to most people. During the 2024-25 respiratory virus season, only 3 percent of children and 2 percent of older adults received flu vaccines containing thimerosal, according to an analysis of electronic health records by Truveta, a company that analyzes such records. Still, multidose vials are needed in places where it is difficult to store many vaccines, such as nursing homes or mobile clinics serving remote rural areas. Mr. Kennedy's sign-off does not withdraw vaccines containing thimerosal from the market. But his rescinding the federal recommendation means that such shots may not be available to Americans, because insurance companies are no longer required to cover them. 'We urge global health authorities to follow this prudent example for the protection of children worldwide,' Mr. Kennedy said in a statement. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they have the capacity to replace multidose vials containing mercury, ensuring that vaccine supplies for children and adults will 'remain uninterrupted,' the Department for Health and Human Services said in a statement. Federal health officials began removing thimerosal from childhood vaccines about 25 years ago, citing an abundance of caution despite a lack of data supporting safety concerns. Dozens of studies have shown thimerosal to be harmless. But the anti-vaccine community has long falsely maintained that the ingredient can cause neurological problems. At a meeting of the vaccine advisers last month, Lyn Redwood, a former leader of Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group founded by Mr. Kennedy, claimed thimerosal was dangerous and toxic to children. Her presentation incorrectly said the only flu vaccine still containing thimerosal had 50 micrograms per dose, double the actual amount. The seven new advisers voted 5-1, with one abstention, to withdraw recommendations for flu vaccines containing thimerosal for children, pregnant women and other adults. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically accepts the recommendations of the committee. But the agency does not currently have a leader, and so the decision fell to Mr. Kennedy.
Axios
15-07-2025
- Health
- Axios
Weight-loss drug use in kids surged after doctors' recommendation
Use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss rose sharply in kids and adolescents after the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2023 recommended offering medications along with lifestyle adjustments such as healthier eating and exercise. Why it matters: The findings from a review of more than 310,000 patients' health records add fuel to the debate over what age is too young for Wegovy and other GLP-1s. While the heavily touted drugs offer opportunities to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity, more studies are needed about the safety of newer versions in order to make informed decisions, the researchers from health data company Truveta and Harvard Medical School wrote. What they found: Prescribing GLP-1s for weight management in youths ages 8 to 17 increased 65% immediately and another 5% per month following the Academy of Pediatrics guideline release. Nutritional counseling showed a smaller, more gradual rise. The diabetes drug metformin was the most prescribed medication overall, but its use declined over time while use of semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy— increased substantially, from 2.5% of patients before the guidelines to 26.8%. Despite concerns about overuse, rates of drug therapy in kids and adolescents remained low, with fewer than 10% of patients using anti-obesity medications, according to a separate study. The big picture: Prescribing decisions generally appear to be cautious, with treatments most often targeted at adolescents with more severe obesity, said Tricia Rodriguez, lead author and director of applied research at Truveta.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New study reveals shift in pediatric obesity treatment following AAP guidelines
New study published by Truveta and Harvard Medical School New study published by Truveta and Harvard Medical School BELLEVUE, Wash., July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A groundbreaking study published today in Pediatrics Open Science shows a notable increase in the use of medication to treat pediatric obesity in the United States following the 2023 release of comprehensive guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The study, conducted by researchers from Truveta and Davene R. Wright, PhD of Harvard Medical School, analyzed real-world electronic health records from Truveta from more than 300,000 children and adolescents and provides the first large-scale evidence of how clinical practice has shifted since the guidelines were introduced. The study, titled Shifts in U.S. Pediatric Obesity Treatment After the AAP Guidelines, evaluated obesity treatment initiation patterns across a diverse US pediatric patient population between 2021 and 2024. The findings demonstrate that while lifestyle intervention (nutritional counseling or referral) remained the most common treatment pathway, the use of anti-obesity medications—particularly among adolescents—has increased significantly since the AAP recommended offering anti-obesity medications as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention in some groups. 'This research highlights both the promise and complexity of implementing clinical guidelines at scale,' said Dr. Wright, senior author and Associate Professor of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School. 'Families and clinicians are navigating treatment decisions amid rapidly evolving evidence, medication access challenges, and strong public discourse. Continued monitoring and support for informed decision making will be essential to ensure patient-centered, equitable access to effective treatment.' The study analyzed Truveta Data, which includes de-identified electronic health records from more than 120 million patients across 30 US health systems. Researchers found that in the months following the AAP guideline release, the likelihood of initiating medications for weight management among pediatric patients increased significantly (by 65% immediately and an additional 5% monthly thereafter), while nutritional interventions showed a smaller, more gradual rise. Notably, among those starting anti-obesity medications, the share using semaglutide increased more than tenfold post-guideline, while metformin—historically the most commonly prescribed medication—declined in use substantially. 'The AAP's new clinical guidelines for pediatric obesity sparked important conversations — and understandable concerns — about the potential for overuse of anti-obesity medications in children,' said Tricia Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, lead author and director of applied research at Truveta. 'Our study offers early, real-world insight that may help put those concerns into context." Rodriguez noted that while the research did observe a meaningful increase in prescribing since the guidelines were released, overall rates of pharmacotherapy remain very low. These treatments were most often used for adolescents with more severe obesity, not broadly among younger children or those with milder health concerns. Rodriguez further suggests that, so far, prescribing decisions appear to be targeted and cautious. "At the same time, the increase we observed may also reflect rising public awareness and interest in anti-obesity medications, beyond the guidelines alone. Continued research is needed to better understand long-term safety, effectiveness, and access to care—especially as clinical practice and public discourse evolve," said Rodriguez. Despite the increased adoption, the study points to persistent barriers: fewer than 10% of eligible children had evidence of receipt of a lifestyle intervention, and fewer than 1% received medications for weight management following a visit in which they were eligible. The authors emphasize the importance of addressing structural and systemic barriers—including access to trained providers, insurance coverage limitations, and social stigma—to ensure that all families can benefit from guideline-based care. This research was funded by Truveta, Inc. and reflects the company's mission of Saving Lives with Data through real-world evidence. The full article is available open access through Pediatrics Open Science. About Truveta Truveta is a collective of 30 US health systems with a shared mission of Saving Lives with Data. Truveta accelerates therapy adoption with regulatory grade safety and effectiveness data replacing slow and expensive clinical trials and registries. Truveta and its health system members lead the Truveta Genome Project, creating the world's largest and most diverse database of genotypic and phenotypic information to discover the science of humanity, accelerating discovery and improving patient care. Truveta membership includes Providence, Advocate Health, Trinity Health, Tenet Healthcare, Northwell Health, AdventHealth, Baptist Health of Northeast Florida, Baylor Scott & White Health, Bon Secours Mercy Health, CommonSpirit Health, Hawaii Pacific Health, HealthPartners, Henry Ford Health System, HonorHealth, Inova, Lehigh Valley Health Network, MedStar Health, Memorial Hermann Health System, MetroHealth, Novant Health, Ochsner Health, Premier Health, Saint Luke's Health System, Sanford Health, Sentara Healthcare, Texas Health Resources, TriHealth, UnityPoint Health, Virtua Health, and WellSpan Health. Attachments New study published by Truveta and Harvard Medical School New study published by Truveta and Harvard Medical School CONTACT: Ellie Lampton Truveta 2064092192 ellief@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Ozempic use among teens is skyrocketing — and parents are getting a stern warning from experts
It's the hot-shot fix that took Hollywood — and now high school — by storm. Ozempic and other so-called 'miracle' weight-loss meds are being prescribed to teens in record numbers, with prescriptions among 12- to 17-year-olds jumping 50% in 2024, according to Truveta. Another study from the Evernorth Research Institute, as reported by Reuters, clocked a whopping 68% rise in use among adolescents overall. Advertisement But while slim-down shots like Wegovy may shrink waistlines, some experts say parents should pump the brakes — before turning their kids into pin cushions. Dr. Robert Siegel, a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, didn't mince words, telling the news agency, 'These medications are likely to be needed for a very long time to maintain weight.' He added that 'we only have a relatively short-term experience with them.' Advertisement In other words, we've barely scratched the surface on what these meds might do to growing bodies — and kids could be stuck on them for life. The spike in teen prescriptions comes after Wegovy was approved for adolescents in late 2022. Since then, families desperate to beat back the obesity epidemic — which affects 1 in 4 American teens — have turned to GLP-1 meds in growing numbers. 'It's promising that more young people are using these medications, but it's still a very small percentage of patients with severe obesity that are getting access to them,' Dr. Cate Varney, director of obesity medicine at the University of Virginia Health system, told Reuters. Advertisement Experts warn we're rolling the dice — these shots could mess with growing bodies, and kids might be stuck jabbing themselves for life. nuzza11 – 'When lifestyle changes alone are insufficient, we need these additional tools.' Still, the new tools come with plenty of fine print. 'The medications may need to be used indefinitely,' Siegel said, noting most pediatricians don't have the training — or equipment — to track long-term effects like muscle loss or developmental delays. Advertisement Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, insists there's no reason to panic. Slim-down shots might melt fat fast — but docs say teens should ditch the syringes and stick to sweat, not semaglutide, for lasting results. Corbis via Getty Images The company said in a statement that semaglutide 'did not appear to affect growth or pubertal development' in teen clinical trials. 'We are confident in the proven safety and efficacy of our GLP-1 medicines,' Novo added. Eli Lilly, whose drug Zepbound is in trials for teen use, echoed that stance, as per Reuters. 'There has been no evidence to date suggesting impairment in growth or metabolism,' the company said. But that's not enough to calm critics. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. slammed the trend as a sign of the 'overmedicalization of our kids,' citing a lack of long-term safety data and possible threats to metabolism and development. Advertisement With weight-loss shots looking more like a long-haul commitment than a quick fix, some doctors say teens should focus on old-school strategies before turning to syringes. As The Post previously reported, a survey from digital healthcare platform Tebra found that 37% of young Americans in this age group are planning to ditch the gym and head to the pharmacy instead — turning to Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs to hit their weight-loss goals. While Gen Z is the most eager to jump on the injection bandwagon, older folks are actually more confident in the drugs' effectiveness — with 72% of baby boomers saying they work better than traditional methods. Still, the craze has a dark side: Some users have turned to shady, even dangerous methods, including counterfeit meds and unprescribed use, triggering new fears about addiction and a lack of proper oversight.
