Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
NBC News: Iron Deficiency Often Goes Undiagnosed. New Guidelines Could Change That.
Iron deficiency is often overlooked in girls and younger women, but there are signs that doctors are finally “waking up” to a common blood disorder that can lead to fatigue or difficulty concentrating. For the first time, the American Society of Hematology is offering guidelines to standardize the diagnosis of iron deficiency. (Vivinetto, 9/30)
MedPage Today: FDA Approves New Option For Previously Treated Bile Duct Cancer
The FDA approved the oral fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) inhibitor lirafugratinib (Lyrfigtu) for adults with previously treated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements, the agency announced Wednesday. (Bankhead, 9/24)
HealthDay: Low-Dose Radiation Could Help Slow Knee Arthritis
Low doses of radiation targeted to arthritic knees may ease symptoms and even slow disease progression, new research suggests. The study conducted in Russia tracked almost 300 patients with knee osteoarthritis, some of whom were treated with radiation and tracked for nearly 12 years. (Mundell, 9/30)
MedPage Today: Unexpected Cognitive Improvement Emerges In Hearing Aid Trial
A hearing aid intervention did not reduce dementia incidence among people with mild cognitive impairment and hearing loss in the CHOICE trial, but a secondary outcome suggested that it may have increased the rate of cognitive improvement. (George, 9/28)
CIDRAP: Gepotidacin Demonstrates Quick Symptom Relief For Urinary Tract Infections
Women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) saw symptom relief as early as 24 hours after taking gepotidacin, according to the results of a single-arm, nonrandomized clinical trial. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating uUTIs in March 2025, gepotidacin is a novel antibiotic that uses a distinct mechanism of action to inhibit bacterial replication. (Dall, 9/30)
CIDRAP: 4 In 10 Liver Transplant Recipients Aren’t Vaccinated Against Hepatitis B, Researchers Report
Yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases, a team led by Baylor College of Medicine researchers revealed that only 60% of liver transplant (LT) recipients are vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV), putting them at risk for severe complications. (Van Beusekom, 9/30)
MedPage Today: Cirrhosis-Flagging Tool Stands Out For Steatotic Liver Disease In Primary Care
For patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD), one risk calculator showed promise for predicting cirrhosis in the primary care setting, but a good tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained elusive. (Bassett, 9/24)
