E-cigarette use is linked to a higher association with respiratory diseases, one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Brad Smith is the rumored new leader of CMS’ innovation center, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), Politico reported.

Louisville-based Humana, the nation’s third-largest health insurance provider, is acquiring a large privately held hospice pharmacy and benefit management providers, Enclara Healthcare.

Medical students in the U.S. are predominantly made up of women for the first time in history, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Vermont is ranked as the nation’s healthiest state, according to UnitedHealth Group, which released its annual population health rankings. Mississippi trails the country as the least healthy state in the nation.

Stephen Hahn, MD, has been confirmed as commissioner of the FDA by the Senate in a 72-18 vote.

The National Association of Accountable Care Organizations is launching a Direct Contracting Taskforce to offer tools and resources to assess and participate in CMS’ new direct contracting payment model, as well as provide a line of communication with CMS to advocate changes.

Seeking to accelerate technological capabilities, healthcare investors have been snapping up AI and machine learning companies and driving up digital health M&A in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space as a result.