| | | | |  | | By Daniel Payne, Erin Schumaker, Evan Peng and Carmen Paun | | | | | | | 
Ajayi | Association of Community Cancer Centers | | The biggest gains in cancer outcomes won’t come from cutting-edge tech like artificial intelligence, according to Olalekan Ajayi, a pharmacist elected to lead the Association of Community Cancer Centers in March. His group, which represents a broad swath of clinicians and centers working to treat cancer, is advocating for more mental health support in the field — and that’s just the beginning of the gains he told Daniel he believes are possible by focusing on what patients are facing outside of the clinic. This interview was edited for length and clarity. What are the biggest changes you’re seeing that are making a difference in outcomes? When you look at issues that have come to light in how we care for our patients — like the social determinants of health — that has a huge impact on outcomes. That’s a big deal. It accounts for 35 to 50 percent of negative outcomes in patients. Those aren’t the headline-grabbing developments like AI or mRNA vaccines — why are these the changes you’re focused on? It goes beyond just treating a disease. You're treating that entire patient and with that comes all these other things that you have to keep in mind: there's psycho-social well-being, and there’s financial well-being. Because what we’re learning is that the science is getting better and the treatments are getting better. What’s coming to light is that the patient-specific factors have a huge impact on outcomes. Having practitioners and cancer centers learn how to deal with those issues and put in place the resources that they need to tackle them is very challenging. What do some of those issues look like? If a patient doesn’t really have a reliable means of transportation to get their medication, it doesn't really matter how good the medication is. If a patient is depressed and cannot make it to the center to get their treatment, it doesn’t matter how excellent the health care you’re providing is. We have patients who skimp on medications because they’re worried that they might go bankrupt. This really impacts the care that they get and the outcomes.
| | | | A message from March of Dimes: According to March of Dimes’ new set of reports, “Where You Live Matters: Maternity Care Deserts and the Crisis of Access and Equity,” more than 5.6 million women in counties with no or limited access to maternity care services. Access to care continues to decline with a 4 percent decrease in birthing hospitals in one year and, overall, the loss of 301 birthing units in the U.S. since March of Dimes began reporting in 2018. | | | | | | | 
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia | Shawn Zeller | | This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. For a "confrontation with nakedness, gender, sexuality and desire,” go see the Royal Academy of Arts’ newest exhibition in London, where visitors are encouraged to squeeze into the gallery by passing between two nude people, Sky News reports. (Yes, there’s another entrance that doesn’t involve brushing up against unclothed greeters.) Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Carmen Paun at cpaun@politico.com, Daniel Payne at dpayne@politico.com, Evan Peng at epeng@politico.com or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@politico.com. Send tips securely through SecureDrop, Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp. Today on our Pulse Check podcast, host Kelly Hooper talks with POLITICO reporter Erin Schumaker, who explains how a growing shortage of primary care doctors paired with an influx of nurse practitioners and physician assistants is rapidly changing who provides Americans health care. | | | | | | | 
Smoke from Canadian wildfires enveloped Washington for days this summer. | AP | Inhaling smoke is tied to a wide array of health ills, including a heightened risk of premature death in people with preexisting heart conditions. POLITICO’s Sean Reilly reports that wildfires in recent years have polluted air in 35 states, according to the findings of researchers at Stanford University and other institutions published in the journal Nature. Where specifically? Air pollution from smoke was most pronounced in Washington state, California and Oregon, but it also turned up in North Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico. What the authors call “smoke-influenced stagnation” was evident in areas as far-flung as Maine, Tennessee and Utah. States where no significant smoke was found included Vermont, Florida and Nebraska. Policy puzzle: The increases in air pollution undermine traditional, regional air pollution regulation, the authors wrote. | | | | A message from March of Dimes:   | | | | | | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | | | | | | | | | 
Fat Joe wants to know how much it costs. | Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images | Fat Joe, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D, French Montana and Rick Ross are calling for more transparency in hospital pricing. The hip hop stars are featured in a new ad from Power to the Patients, a health advocacy group funded by Cynthia Fisher, a stem-cell entrepreneur. It’s the group’s latest push for legislation that would require health care providers to post their prices. In the ad campaign, running in Washington and select congressional districts, Busta Rhymes says the lack of transparency “is creating fear.” Method Man decries “debt” and Fat Joe “devastation.” Even so: Hospitals oppose new legislation, arguing it would pose burdens that would threaten their ability to provide care.
| | | | A message from March of Dimes: As the leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies, March of Dimes released this set of reports to raise awareness and illustrate the actions needed to improve outcomes for moms and babies.
Policy solutions around telehealth can address the limited access to maternity care in the U.S., expanding accessibility and providing more options for healthcare delivery. Telehealth can replace or enhance in-person care and can save lives by providing high-quality care to women across the country.
March of Dimes has also long supported policies that improve access to quality health care, advance health equity initiatives, and improve research and surveillance, by demanding lawmakers prioritize #BlanketChange policies.
We all have a role to play in addressing maternal health challenges. Call on leaders at the federal level, to implement new policies that put the health of moms and babies at the forefront. Act today at https://p2a.co/ga3vxkl | | | | | | | HAPPENING 9/28 — INSIDE THE CANCER MOONSHOT: Join POLITICO on Thursday, Sept. 28 for an in-depth discussion on the future of cancer treatment and innovation. Hear from experts including scientists, government officials and industry leaders as we explore the critical roles played by private industry, nonprofits, the National Cancer Institute and the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health in achieving the Biden administration's goal of cutting the cancer death rate in half over the next 25 years. Don't miss this opportunity to dive into the progress of cancer treatments and learn about the challenges patients encounter in accessing care. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
