Phreesia

Much of the conversation around GLP-1s focuses on their cosmetic benefits. These medications have become part of the discourse around thinness and body image. To be sure, these are important societal issues, but this focus has detracted from the real clinical benefits of GLP-1s. Rachel Bedard does an excellent job of laying this out on an episode of Search Engine. She tells PJ Vogt: “The idea that this breakthrough class of medications that had the potential to revolutionize chronic disease population health in the U.S., potentially change the expected mortality for Americans, is being funneled into this same discourse [about body image]… was really annoying to me.” Annoying, because for several years, she worked as a physician on Rikers Island, New York City’s largest prison. GLP-1s have transformed the lives of some of her most vulnerable patients. These medications have incredible benefits: they help substantially lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and help patients manage severe chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease. We should not let the oversized health benefits of GLP-1s get lost by focusing only on weight loss. This is why we at Phreesia Network Solutions focus on supporting patients with evidence-based resources so they can understand the full implications of starting and staying on a medication. Brands have a unique opportunity to inform patients about the life-saving clinical benefits of GLP-1s at the point of care. Leave a comment with your thoughts on what current conversations about GLP-1s are missing.

The federal government’s efforts to erode public trust in vaccines gathered new steam last week. On one front, the acting CDC director delayed publication of research about the effectiveness of the COVID vaccine. On the other, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a new charter for the federal vaccine advisory committee, revising the purpose of the panel and broadening its membership after a federal court ruled last month that those appointed were “distinctly unqualified” to sit on the panel. Vaccines are arguably the biggest medical breakthrough in history, and decades of evidence, based on millions of people living longer, healthier lives, demonstrates this. Repeatedly poking holes in well-established science has created confusion for many Americans about which shots are safe and whom they should trust for advice on immunizations. This makes what we do at Phreesia Network Solutions , meeting patients at the point of care, more important than ever. Why? Because when people are checking in for a medical appointment, they are both actively thinking about their health and in a position to act upon evidence-based recommendations. If they see an educational message about a vaccine, they can go into their doctor’s office prepared to ask questions and potentially even get the shot then, or shortly after. Timing is key: most Americans trust their healthcare providers for health information more than any other source, so supporting people with accurate information before, during and after appointments drives better outcomes. In an era of unprecedented medical discovery, from AI-powered diagnostics to advanced gene therapies, it’s important not to forget that one of the simplest and most effective cures is right in front of us: controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. It works. It shouldn’t be thwarted.