Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

High-performing clinics share effective strategies for chronic care follow-up

Regular follow-up visits are critical for managing chronic conditions, yet some primary care clinics achieve higher visit regularity than others.

24 Mar 2025

Disparities identified in treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea in primary care

Prompt treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea following a confirmed diagnosis is essential to prevent complications and reduce transmission. Adherence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) treatment guidelines in primary care settings remains a concern.

24 Mar 2025

More chest X-rays in GP practices lead to better lung cancer survival rates

A groundbreaking study has revealed a significant link between the frequency of chest x-ray referrals from GPs and earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates for lung cancer patients.

24 Mar 2025

Patients value trust and continuity over quick access to primary care

This study focuses on how primary care patients balance the trade-off between continuity of care and access to timely appointments.

24 Mar 2025

Study reveals gaps in lung cancer screening despite updated guidelines

Since 2021, when lung cancer screening guidelines began to include younger people and those with a lower smoking history, the number of screenings climbed, but significant gaps remain, especially among people with limited access to healthcare, according to a new study led by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

20 Mar 2025

Restricting telehealth prescriptions for opioid use disorder could undermine recovery

Weill Cornell Medicine researchers found that restricting telehealth prescriptions for opioid use disorder could keep thousands from accessing buprenorphine, a medication that helps people recover from addiction.

20 Mar 2025

Colorectal cancer patients face increased risk of cardiovascular death

People diagnosed with colorectal cancer are significantly more likely to die of cardiovascular causes than the general population, especially in the first two years after their cancer diagnosis and in people younger than 50, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25).

20 Mar 2025

Amid plummeting diversity at medical schools, a warning of DEI crackdown’s ‘chilling effect’

The Trump administration's crackdown on DEI programs could exacerbate an unexpectedly steep drop in diversity among medical school students, even in states like California, where public universities have been navigating bans on affirmative action for decades.

20 Mar 2025

Research shows only half of emergency visits align with doctor’s assessment

Emergency departments in the United States have more than 140 million visits each year - a rate of four visits for every 10 people - that cost nearly $80 billion.

20 Mar 2025

Tribal health leaders say Medicaid cuts would decimate health programs

As Congress mulls potentially massive cuts to federal Medicaid funding, health centers that serve Native American communities, such as the Oneida Community Health Center near Green Bay, Wisconsin, are bracing for catastrophe.

19 Mar 2025

Heavy menstrual bleeding could be a key cause of fatigue during menopause

Fatigue and lack of energy are as much a part of menopause as hot flashes, interrupted sleep and mood swings.

18 Mar 2025

Congressman blames Trump team for ending telehealth Medicare benefit. That’s not quite right.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) posted a Tiktok video on Feb. 20 saying he had "breaking news" about the fate of Medicare coverage for telehealth visits, which allow patients to see health care providers remotely from their homes.

17 Mar 2025

Congenital heart defects may be linked to increased cancer risk in babies and mothers

Being born with a heart defect may be associated with an increased cancer risk for babies and their moms, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

17 Mar 2025

Checking the facts on Medicaid use by Latinos

Spending cuts, immigration, and Medicaid are at the top of the Washington agenda. That climate provides fertile ground for misinformation and myths to multiply on social networks.

17 Mar 2025

National survey reveals high public interest in medically tailored food programs

Researchers have conducted the first national survey on public awareness and perceptions of food, health, and Food is Medicine programs.

14 Mar 2025

Study finds more extremes in adolescent mental health

More teenagers report high mental wellbeing - yet at the same time, those who are struggling rate their depressive symptoms significantly higher than previous cohorts did at the same age, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg.

13 Mar 2025

Food insecurity linked to increased risk of developing heart disease in midlife

Struggling to afford food today could mean heart problems tomorrow. Young adults experiencing food insecurity have a 41% greater risk of developing heart disease in midlife, even after accounting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.

12 Mar 2025

Study reveals an integrated care model for improving outcomes among people who inject drugs

Researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) presented results from the HPTN 094 ("INTEGRA") study at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco.

12 Mar 2025

Examining skin cancer risk perceptions and reported sunburns among U.S. adults

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and a significant health issue, with millions of non-melanoma cases and tens of thousands of melanomas diagnosed annually. Furthermore, treating skin cancer costs the U.S. approximately $8.9 billion annually.

12 Mar 2025

Transgender and gender diverse individuals face lower follow-up rates after psychiatric hospitalization

Transgender and gender diverse individuals who were hospitalized for psychiatric care were less likely to have a follow-up visit compared to the general population, suggesting they face transphobia in the hospital system.

12 Mar 2025