Between 1999 and 2020, obesity-related deaths from heart disease deaths in the U.S. increased by 180%, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions, set for Nov. 16-18. 

After experiencing significant turnover in the wake of COVID-19, NYC Health + Hospitals adopted a series of effective solutions to attract and retain nursing talent, while building a sustainable and supportive work environment.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recently published updated guidelines for the prevention of stroke. Some of the key updates include the utilization of GLP-1 medications and an emphasis on prevention of stroke in women. 

Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network's planned acquisition of Grand View Health in Sellersville, Pa., is underway.

Richard Fogel, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at St. Louis-based Ascension, will transition to the new role of chief health outcomes officer.

A diagnostic test developed by researchers at the University of California San Francisco aims to help physicians identify causes of severe infections by analyzing DNA and RNA to detect a range of pathogens. 

Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health has teamed up with a new women's sports channel founded by actor and TV host Whoopi Goldberg.

The hospital workforce is critical to the care process and is most often the largest expense on a hospital or health system's balance sheet. Even before the pandemic, labor expenses — which include costs associated with recruitment and retention, employee benefits and incentives — accounted for more than 50 percent of hospitals' total expenses, according to the American Hospital Association. 

Bradenton, Fla.-based MCR Health, a nonprofit medical group, sought Chapter 11 protection Nov. 11, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reported Nov. 13. 

The Joint Commission issued a sentinel event alert Nov. 13, urging hospitals to ensure they have sufficient plans in place to protect patients and staff during weather- and climate-related emergencies.

The Illinois Nurses Association, representing about 1,700 registered nurses at Chicago-based UI Health, launched a strike on Nov. 13 — the second nurse strike at the health system since August.

A jury found that Boston Children's Hospital retaliated against a former employee by firing her after she sued for gender discrimination, The Boston Globe reported Nov. 11.

A new $11 million federal contract to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill aims to strengthen healthcare workforce training programs.

Shane Smith has been appointed president of SSM Health's Fond du Lac (Wis.) market.

Medicare Advantage now provides health coverage to around 55% of the nation’s seniors, but some hospitals and health systems are choosing to end contracts with some MA plans due to administrative hurdles. The most frequently cited challenges include high prior authorization denial rates and delayed payments from insurers.

Birmingham, Ala.-based UAB St. Vincent's never considered dropping either of the two historic names for its rebrand, a marketing leader told Becker's.

Emergency department physicians at Daly City, Calif.-based Seton Medical Center, part of Alhambra, Calif.-based AMHC Healthcare, have gone unpaid due to the hospital's contractor, NES Health, not providing payment, a spokesperson for Seton told Becker's.

From the Justice Department suing UnitedHealth Group over a proposed acquisition to an Indiana health system accusing Humana of withholding reimbursements, here are 12 healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements and legal developments that Becker's has reported since Nov. 6: 

As retail pharmacy giants such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid close stores across the U.S., the consequences for patient care and the impact on the pharmacy industry are becoming more apparent. 

Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham is launching the Healthcare AI Challenge, a virtual and interactive series of events aimed at uniting healthcare professionals from across institutions to explore and assess AI technologies within realistic healthcare scenarios.