The Alexa Diabetes Challenge, a competition searching for innovators to develop a type 2 diabetes care platform utilizing the Amazon voice-enabled device, has awarded a grand prize of $125,000 to Wellpepper and its Sugarpod concept. The Challenge was sponsored by Merck & Co., supported by Amazon Web Services and run by Luminary Labs.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has abandoned a lawsuit against UnitedHealth over allegations the insurer submitted false claims in its Medicare Advantage plans, though a similar case remains active.

Financially-strapped Tenet Healthcare has sold one of its hospitals in the Chicago area and is looking for buyers for three more, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Dimensional Insight, developers of business intelligence solutions, has released a survey on current data governance within hospitals in America. The survey includes responses from CIOs and CMIOs in an overview of current data governance initiatives with an eye toward the future of implementation.

Phone calls are significantly more effective than text messages and letters at reminding patients about cancer screenings, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

American consumers are becoming increasingly dependent on technology for self-care, care information and communication with providers, according to a UnitedHealthcare's 2017 Consumer Sentiment Survey.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has a long way to go before taking on first graders, according to a report published in Annals of Data Science. The report aims to unite AI and human characteristics to improve overall knowledge of AI.

A machine learning tool could help physicians in predicting the onset of colorectal cancer as much as a year before the cancer progresses, according to a study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences.