Time to catch up: 2023’s most popular stories among primary care providers

Earlier this year, a national report card noted the primary care field is headed for a crisis due to underinvestment, poor accessibility and other factors.

The report card, co-funded by The Physicians Foundation and the Milbank Memorial Fund, measured key indicators and found that the United States invested less than 6.5% of total health spending on primary care between 2010 to 2020. It was the most popular story among primary care providers visiting Healio this year.

Other top-read stories were about COVID-19 vaccines, the ACA’s preventive services requirement being ruled unconstitutional, and physicians’ lack of knowledge on asthma guidelines. Read these and more below:

First national primary care scorecard shows the field is 'headed for a crisis'

Due to a combination of chronic underinvestment, diminishing access and more, primary care is in peril, according to results of the first national primary care scorecard. Read more.

'Stripping away care': Judge rules ACA preventive services requirement unconstitutional

Medical organizations are sounding the alarm after a federal judge ruled that it is unconstitutional to require insurers and health plans to cover preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force at no cost. Read more.

Longer interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses could improve protection

A longer interval between doses of COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years was associated with higher effectiveness against symptomatic infection, according to a real-world study published in Pediatrics. Read more.

Physicians show lack of knowledge on latest updates to asthma management guidelines

Most physicians appeared unaware of updates to asthma management guidelines more than 6 months after their publication, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting. Read more.

Autism prevalence rises in US amid shift in demographics

The prevalence of autism among 8-year-olds in the United States rose to approximately one in 36 children in 2020 amid a shift in the demographic makeup of children diagnosed with the condition. Read more.

Exercise has superior dose-dependent effect on visceral fat vs. caloric restriction

Both exercise and caloric restriction reduced visceral adipose tissue among adults with overweight and obesity, but only exercise had a dose-dependent effect, according to researchers. Read more.

WHO: Do not use non-sugar sweeteners for weight management

WHO has issued a new guideline recommending against the use of non-sugar sweeteners to lose weight, as available evidence suggests it “does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.” Read more.

DEA proposes to reverse prescribing flexibility for controlled substances

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has proposed permanent changes to rules on the prescribing of controlled substances through telehealth. Read more.

NPs could improve access to care, but practice expansions remain controversial

Allowing nurse practitioners full practice authority may help diversify the workforce and increase access to primary care, according to experts, but there are many factors in the benefit-risk balance to consider. Read more.

11 minutes of daily exercise reduces risk for premature death

Engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity for 11 minutes a day could prevent nearly 16% of all premature deaths, according to researchers. Read more.