Researchers Say They Have Developed A Flu-Prediction App

The Triangle (NC) Business Journal (8/24, Ohnesorge, Subscription Publication) reported in “Techflash” that researchers from Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill “say they’ve developed a flu-prediction app.” Investigators partnered “to develop a model that would allow them to predict the spread of influenza from one person to the next over time.” In theory, “health care providers could use the data to alert at-risk patients before they get sick – even encouraging them to stay at home to avoid passing the germs forward.”

Majority Of Americans Find Cost Of Drugs Unreasonable, Support Government Intervention, Survey Reveals

The AP (8/21) reports that a new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 72% of Americans found the cost of prescriptions drugs to be “unreasonable,” with large majorities supporting government intervention to control drug costs, “regardless of party affiliation.” Overall, 73% said pharmaceutical companies make too much profit.

        Politico (8/21, Norman) calls the results “striking,” noting that the agreement across party affiliation was a “rare point of accord in politics.” Also covering the story are the Kaiser Health News (8/21), National Journal (8/21, Owens, Subscription Publication), and theWashington Times (8/21, Howell).

        Meanwhile, The Hill (8/21, Sullivan) reports that Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), “the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, is calling out his Republican counterparts for declining his requests to act on high prescription drug prices, in the wake of a new poll on the issue.” Cummings claimed that Republicans have ignored his calls for a congressional investigation into rising drug prices, citing the Kaiser Family Foundation poll.