The problem with the new Alzheimer’s drug

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Not everyone who needs the new Alzheimer's drug will be able to get it By Alice Park Senior Health Correspondent On Jan. 6, Alzheimer’s patients and their families got some good news from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency approved a new treatment , lecanemab—marketed as Leqembi—for the neurodegenerative disease, which affects 6.5 million Americans. Tests showed that the medication can slow the progression of cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s by 27%. While the approval means doctors can start prescribing lecanemab immediately, it doesn’t mean that people will have access to it. Here's what to know: The drug was approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval program, which means it was based on early data. The drug’s maker, Eisai, said it would cost patients $26,500 a year. Medicare does not cover the drug yet because of its accelerated approval, but will consider reimbursing for it if and when the FDA issues a full, traditional approval. That could take several more months. Doctors are worried that the lack of insurance coverage could mean many people currently in the early stages of the disease might not benefit until their disease has progressed. READ THE STORY.

What else to read Happiness In America Isn't What It Used to Be By Darrin M. McMahon "We have lost sight of some essential aspects of happiness that the founders clearly had in mind," writes Darrin M. McMahon. Read More » I Tried Netflix’s New Fitness Content. Here’s Why It Didn’t Cut It for Me By Eliana Dockterman Here's why it didn't cut it for one reporter. Read More » Here's One Simple Way You Can Start Eating Healthier By Markham Heid Despite recent diet crazes, the typical American diet hasn't improved. So why do we keep eating this junk? In a word: convenience. (Originally published in 2018.) Read More » People Who Live to 100 Have These Traits in Common By Amanda MacMillan A study of people who lived past 90 found that they tended to have certain psychological traits in common. Here's what they are. (Originally published in 2017.) Read More » These Are the Best Ways to Improve Your Memory By Markham Heid Feel like you forget more than you should? Want to pump up your recall? There are science-backed ways to improve your memory. (Originally published in 2019.) Read More »

One Last Read Another health implication of climate change Climate change is leading to a slew of new, emerging environmental health concerns. One example: yesterday, Axios summarized a new scientific study  that looked at data from more than 600,000 children living in 51 low- and middle-income countries, collected between 2000 and 2019, and found that increases in floods and droughts correlated with increased reported cases of diarrhea in young children. Diarrhea may sound prosaic, but it’s one of the leading global causes of childhood mortality. And as the climate crisis grows, this public health concern will likely increase with it—unless we ensure access to clean water for every child at risk, worldwide. Read More »

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