Literature Review

5 risk factors at 50 can steal a decade of life Medscape; by Nadine Eckert; 4/17/25 Five classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and smoking — at age 50 can reduce life expectancy by more than 10 years. This is the conclusion of an international study led by German researchers and presented at the 2025 American College of Cardiology Scientific Session. These five factors account for approximately 50% of the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. ... The findings, also published in The New England Journal of Medicine, show that lifestyle changes and risk management in middle age can make a significant difference. Lowering blood pressure and quitting smoking had the most significant impacts.

What’s driving health system investment in Gen Z leadership Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 4/15/25 With an aging workforce and looming executive retirements, building leadership pipelines early is more important than ever, Jason Gilbert, PhD, RN, chief nurse executive at Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health, told Becker’s. It is especially important given Generation Z’s strong interest in early career development. “Gen Z is actively seeking development, and if you do not provide them that opportunity, they are going to look for someone who is,” he said. While their ambitions may not be entirely different from those of earlier generations, their expectations of employers are, he added. ... “Feedback is very important to Gen Z employees,” she said. “They’re interested in personalized coaching and mentoring, and they want to be a part of the solution and have an expectation around communication and frequent, actionable feedback.”

Demystifying the End: Hospice care impact on the Black community Defender; by Laura Onyeneho; 4/22/25 Monica James has seen firsthand the confusion and emotional strain families face when end-of-life care isn’t discussed early enough. She works for the non-profit organization Houston Hospice as the Community Engagement Coordinator, serving 13 counties across Southeast Texas. ... According to data collected by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Black Americans on Medicare seek hospice and palliative treatment 13% less than their white counterparts. For African American, Afro-Caribbean and African immigrant families, generational trauma and a lack of trust in the healthcare system often lead to delayed decisions about hospice care. “There’s been a historical gap in access and trust,” said James. “Our goal is to show up consistently, to listen and to let these communities know they have options and that they’re not alone.”

Why leadership training is the next big thing in RN to BSN programs Nevada State University; by RN to BSN; 4/22/25 The role of registered nurses (RNs) has expanded far beyond traditional bedside care. Today’s nurses are expected to navigate complex systems, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to decision-making at all levels of care. In response, degree programs like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are placing a stronger emphasis on leadership training — equipping nurses with the tools they need to guide teams, manage change, and improve patient outcomes. This shift reflects a growing recognition that leadership is not reserved exclusively for executives or administrators. Nurses at every level are uniquely positioned to influence clinical practice, shape policy, and advocate for their patients.

Do automated reminders decrease no-show visits in an outpatient palliative medicine clinic? Sage Journals - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Ruth L. Lagman, MD, MPH, MBA, Renato V. Samala, MD, MHPE, Ahed Makhoul, MD, Kyle Neale, DO, Chirag Patel, MD, Elizabeth Weinstein, MD, Wei Wei, MS, and Xiaoying Chen, MS; 3/23/25 Individuals who do not show up for medical appointments can lead to unfavorable outcomes for both patients and health systems. Automated methods are available to confirm appointments in addition to patient service coordinator (PSC) telephone calls. This study aims to determine the no-show rates for automated methods of confirmation, in-person and virtual visits, and patients living in underserved areas.Conclusion: PSC telephone calls, individuals living within COZ and virtual visits had higher no-show rates.

Children’s bereavement needs on rise, Hospice of Santa Barbara finds Noozhawk, Santa Barbara County, CA; by Wavecomm; 4/20/25 It’s not just adults who are impacted by grief and loss in the Santa Barbara community. Children are as well. One in five children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18, and one in 20 children will experience the death of one or both parents before reaching adulthood, according to Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB). Although death and grief are inevitable parts of life, these statistics highlight just how many children are impacted. ... HSB is active on local campuses, providing professional weekly support groups from elementary to college age students. On-campus counseling services provide a space for open communication, support and the development of coping skills, helping to mitigate the risk of drug and alcohol abuse among grieving youth. HSB also works with teachers and staff to offer guidance and support when students face a traumatic death. HSB is prepared to respond to calls from 65 schools from Carpinteria to Goleta, in case a traumatic death occurs within the campus.

HHS proposal slashes Medicare SHIP funds MSN; by Mary Helen Gillespie; 4/22/25 The Trump administration is proposing federal budget cuts to Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) and seven additional elder health care safety net programs that assist older Americans. ... SHIP programs have been under the umbrella of the Health and Human Services agency Administration for Community Living. The pre-decisional budget lists funds for seven other ACL programs that would be eliminated are:

Special team at Norton Children's Hospital focused on giving the gift of life CBS WLKY-32, Louisville, KY; by Jennifer Baileys; 4/21/25 Caring for sick and dying children is a tough and heartbreaking job. One special group at Norton Children's Hospital is focused on helping these children and their families. ... "She's missing the left side of her heart," Kindra Edwards, patient mother, said. ... Edwards said there was one consistent source of strength and encouragement the Norton Pediatric Support Team. "They're always there. You know, coming in, checking on us when in our multiple stays at the hospital," Edwards said. The team is made up of pediatric and palliative care specialists, nurses, social services, therapist and pastoral care. ... [Through two decades,] pediatric palliative care has evolved. At Norton Children's Hospital it has grown into a team of almost a dozen people, specializing in not just treating, but caring for the sickest patients and their families.

When they don't recognize you anymore The New York Times - The New Old Age; by Paula Span; 4/20/25 People with dementia often forget even close family members as the disease advances. "It can throw people into an existential crisis," one expert said. [Additional access may require subscription.]

Stark disparities in treatment and survival time for people with pancreatic cancer Cancer Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA; by National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 4/22/25 New research in the April 2025 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found significant disparities based on race, socioeconomic status, and other factors when it came to quality of care and outcomes for people with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC)—which is associated with very high cancer mortality. The researchers used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database to study 14,147 patients who were diagnosed with mPDAC between 2005–2019.

Why ScionHealth isn’t creating a new role for AIBecker's Health IT; by Naomi Diaz; 4/21/25 At Louisville, Ky.-based ScionHealth, CIO and Senior Vice President Robecca Quammen told Becker’s that AI governance is being treated as an extension of the CIO role, rather than a justification for creating a new executive position. Robecca Quammen: 

Lakeside stroll: Therapeutic steps as walkers honor cherished loved ones St. Lucie Voice, Port St. Lucie, FL - Community; Press Release; 2/27/25On a sunny January morning, hundreds of community members and supporters of Treasure Coast Hospice gathered for a stroll around the beautiful lake at Tradition. Together, they walked the 1.2-mile trail, one step at a time, supporting healing and remembrance. Reflecting on the loss of a loved one, ... they took another step forward in their journey of hope and healing. ... Toni Szparaga of True Crew Dance Company and her dancers loosened up the crowd with a pre-walk warm-up. Szparaga, who has been participating in the Lakeside Stroll for eight years, dedicated the dancers' performance following the walk to Treasure Coast Hospice. Szparaga, who lost both of her parents within a year, said, "With the guidance of what to expect and counseling that Treasure Coast Hospice offered, I was able to work through the anger, hurt, and sadness and realize they were not gone, they were just going back home."

Federal court strikes down minimum staffing rule: The details you might not know behind the decisionMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by Neville M. Bilimoria; 4/21/25On April 7, 2025, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas struck down the federal minimum staffing Final Rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This was incredibly good news for nursing homes across the country for a variety of reasons ... The opinion from District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk outlined the many laws and regulations America’s nursing homes are subject to in the healthcare arena, but it also recounted some deep history behind minimum staffing efforts that were previously unsuccessful, both by HHS and Congress.  ...