Top 10 family medicine stories from 2015

With 2016 just hours away, Healio.com/Family Medicine counts down the 10 most popular stories from 2015.

FDA advisory committee makes recommendations for future of Essure

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Panel of the FDA’s Medical Devices Advisory Committee made several recommendations regarding Bayer HealthCare's permanent female sterilization device, Essure, including that it be described as a surgical procedure in the product labeling. Read more.

State-run nutrition programs linked to better eating habits in all ages

Children and adults highly exposed to The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education intervention in California were more likely to consume fruits and vegetables compared with those who had little to no exposure to the programs. Read more.

Complementary feeding education promotes protective feeding practices

Guidance on complementary feeding to prevent childhood obesity correlated with an increased use of protective feeding practices among first-time mothers, according to results of the NOURISH trial.

The benefits of these intervention effects extended up to age 5 years, the study also found. Read more.

Nurse practitioners may lower health care costs, improve patient outcomes

Patient outcomes were equivalent or better when seeing nurse practitioners in place of general practitioners within specialized ambulatory primary care settings, according to recently published data. Read more.

Longer breastfeeding duration associated with higher intelligence

In women of all socioeconomic statuses, breastfeeding was linked with increased intelligence and higher earning potential and educational attainment among adults, according to a recently published study in Lancet Global Health.

Overall, the duration of total breastfeeding or predominant breastfeeding was positively linked to IQ, education level and income. Read more.

Longer exercise duration improves sleep quality

Young adults who exercise frequently may have decreased sleep duration, while those who exercise for longer periods may have improved sleep quality, according to data presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions. Read more.

Task force recommends diet, exercise programs in primary care to reduce diabetes

The Community Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that intervention programs that combine the promotion of both diet and physical activity be utilized in health care settings for patients at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Read more.

CMS releases new Medicare Part B reimbursement data

The annual update on physicians’ Medicare Part B reimbursement was released this week by CMS, and the data showed that nearly $90 billion in Medicare payments was paid out to more than 950,000 health care providers across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Read more.

Prolonged sedentary time associated with chronic disease risks

Extended sedentary time was linked to harmful health outcomes, regardless of physical activity. Hazard ratios associated with sedentary time and outcomes were more distinct at lower levels of physical activity than at higher levels. Read more.

CDC awards ACP grant to increase rates of adult immunization

The CDC has awarded a $1,002,884 Cooperative Agreement to the ACP that will focus on increasing vaccination rates in adults.

The initiative will aim to reach the federal government’s 2020 immunization goals, which include reaching an 80% to 90% rate of seasonal influenza vaccination among adults. According to the release, the current rate is only 42%. Read more.