• District of Columbia: Last month, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released new recommendations for cervical and uterine procedures, urging clinicians to discuss and offer options to manage pain with their patients. According to research cited in the recommendations, not warning patients about potential pain associated with IUD insertion or other procedures can lead to patient distrust or make the pain worse. In the new recommendations, ACOG said clinicians should offer patients a local anesthetic, as well as other options, to manage the pain. "I can't think of any other procedures where there's a significant chance of severe pain where we don't recommend at least local anesthetic when we know that it can help," said Karen Meckstroth, who practices at the Obstetrics, Midwifery, and Gynecology Clinic at San Francisco General. However, Meckstroth said that this norm has started to change in recent years, with more ob/gyns incorporating a paracervical block to reduce pain during their in-office procedures. (Boden, "Shots," NPR, 5/20)
• Florida: According to a new study, alcohol-associated cancer deaths in the United States doubled between 1990 and 2021, highlighting a growing risk of alcohol in cancer incidence and mortality. For the study, researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease database, which includes incidence and mortality estimates for 35 types of cancer, as well as dozens of attributable risk factors. Overall, the researchers found that alcohol-associated cancer deaths increased from 11,896 in 1990 to 23,207 in 2021. The researchers also found that mortality rates were significantly higher in men and people above the age of 55. Across the country, Washington, D.C., had the highest alcohol-related mortality rate for both men and women, and Utah had the lowest. "Despite growing awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer development, alcohol continues to contribute significantly to cancer mortality," the researchers wrote. "Our findings highlight the critical need for targeted prevention efforts and increased awareness to address the rising impact of alcohol consumption on cancer-related mortality." (Moniuszko, CBS News, 5/22; Jani, et al., American Society of Clinical Oncology, accessed 5/28)
• Minnesota: Medtronic will separate its diabetes business into a standalone company, which will allow it to focus on more profitable operations as it tries to navigate ongoing uncertainty with tariffs. According to Medtronic, its diabetes business, which accounted for 8% of its revenue in the latest fiscal year, will become a new publicly traded entity, with an initial public offering being the preferred route. The new company will have 8,000 employees and be run by Que Dallara, who currently leads the diabetes unit. The separation is expected to be completed within 18 months. The decision to separate the diabetes business comes as Medtronic reported that it expects tariffs to affect at least $200 million of its exports. The company also confirmed that it increased prices to offset the effect of tariffs, though CEO Geoffery Martha said that the price increases are "a smaller piece" than other mitigation efforts. (Pfanner/Phua, Bloomberg/Modern Healthcare, 5/21)

Even as many providers rightfully focus on the opioid epidemic, other substance use disorders —including alcohol use disorder — are more prevalent, more costly, and just as deadly. Here's how Massachusetts General Hospital developed a cross-continuum strategy to combat addiction in their community.