HCPlive (1/21, Derman) reports, “A new study found that adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving buprenorphine treatment who participated in mindfulness had significantly greater reductions in residual opioid craving than those without mindfulness training.” But, “M-ROCC [Mindful Recovery Opioid Use Disorder Care Continuum] was not more effective than a non-mindfulness evidence-based recovery support for reducing illicit opioids, benzodiazepines, or cocaine.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Mindfulness Reduces Cravings in OUD, No Impact on Abstinence,”Chelsie Derman, HCPlive, January 21, 2025

Modern Healthcare (1/17, Young, Subscription Publication) reported, “At least 24.2 million people purchased health insurance on the exchange marketplaces during open enrollment for 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Friday.” That number “surpasses a record set a year ago, as sign-ups for exchange plans accelerated mostly due to the enhanced subsidies enacted in 2021 and extended in 2022.” The final tally “of exchange enrollees is likely to be higher than 24.2 million, which is more than double the number for the 2020 plan year, before the enhanced subsidies were available.”

Related Links:

— “Exchange enrollment breaks another record,”Jeffrey Young, Modern Healthcare, January 17, 2025

Healio (1/17, Rhoades) reported, “The rates of opioid use disorder among pregnant people enrolled in Medicaid may be twice as high as prior estimates, according to a recent cross-sectional analysis.” Researchers found that “pregnant persons with opioid use disorder also faced a higher risk for severe adverse health outcomes, with that risk increasing among those who enrolled in Medicaid in their final trimester or after delivery.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Risks faced by some pregnant Medicaid enrollees highlight need for adequate postnatal care,”Andrew (Drew) Rhoades, Healio, January 17, 2025

Psychiatric News (1/17) said, “Black adults who have a low level of mistrust toward medical professionals may be more willing to seek mental health services than those with no medical mistrust, reports a study.” Researchers found that “above a certain threshold, however, more medical mistrust was linked with less mental health care seeking.” The findings were published in Psychiatric Services.

Related Links:

— “Low Level of Medical Mistrust May Not Discourage Mental Health Care Seeking in Black Adults, Psychiatric News, January 17, 2025

Healio (1/16, Herpen) reports, “Higher consumption of red meat, including processed red meat, was associated with a higher risk for cognitive decline and dementia, according to research.” The investigators said, “Replacing red meat with alternative, healthier protein sources, such as plant-based options, could help reduce cognitive decline and the risk of dementia. … Replacing processed red meat with healthier protein sources may have substantial benefits for maintaining cognitive health.” The findings were published in Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Higher red meat intake increases risk for cognitive decline, dementia,”Robert Herpen, Healio, January 16, 2025