WindRose Health raises $705M in fifth fund
WindRose Health Investors, a private equity fund focused on healthcare, has raised $705 million in its fifth fund.
New York City-based WindRose manages more than $1.4 billion in capital. Its fifth fund will continue to focus on investments in companies that work in the healthcare services sectors.
“It is gratifying to see our team’s strategy and track record so well received in the market,” WindRose Managing Partner Oliver Moses said. “We are grateful for the trust placed in us by a distinguished group of investors and will work diligently to execute our plan.” (Announcement)
340B Health names Maureen Testoni as full-time CEO
340B Health, a group that represents hospitals enrolled in the 340B drug discount program, has promoted its interim head to full-time CEO.
Maureen Testoni has served as interim president and CEO since April 2018, according to an announcement emailed to FierceHealthcare. Testoni has seven years of experience with the organization and previously ran its Legal, Policy and Governmental Affairs Division.
“Maureen Testoni is a dedicated, passionate and proven leader who will skillfully serve the members of 340B Health as well as our partners in the 340B field,” said Sam Ross, M.D., chief community health officer for Bon Secours Mercy Health and 340B Health’s board chair.
U.S. cancer death rate has dropped for 25 years
Cancer death rates decreased by 27% between 1991 and 2016, according to a new study, equating to about 2.6 million fewer deaths.
The study also found that the gap in mortality rates for black and white patients is narrowing. Mortality rates for black cancer patients were 33% higher in the 1990s and decreased to 14% higher in 2016.
That said, income disparities are widening, the study found. In the 1970s, colon cancer mortality rates were 20% lower for people living the country's poorest counties than for those in the wealthiest counties, but that gap widened over the past several decades and colon cancer death rates are now 35% higher in poor counties. (NBC News)
Study suggests flu shot may be more effective than nasal spray
A new study compares the nasal vaccine to the traditional flu shot and found in past flu seasons the latter was more effective in children.
The researchers compared several studies from the 2013-2014 flu season to the 2015-2016 flu season found the shot to be 51% effective against any strain of the flu, while the nasal spray was 26% effective.
The CDC in June once again recommended nasal sprays for the 2018-2019 flu season as a vaccine option after not doing so the previous two years. The American Academy of Pediatrics has pushed for use of the shot over nasal spray. (CNN)
Opioid crisis growing in Puerto Rico
The impact of opioids in Puerto Rico is on the rise, and public health experts say the aftermath of Hurricane Maria is fueling the trend.
There were more than 600 fentanyl-related overdoses and 60 deaths in Puerto Rico in 2017, a leap from 200 overdoses and eight deaths in 2016. Experts say the crisis is worsening as fentanyl spreads rapidly.
Public health experts in the territory and the Drug Enforcement Agency warn that those figures are likely a significant underestimate of the growing crisis in Puerto Rico. (The Associated Press)