July 29, 2025 | Issue #968

Statistical Brief Highlights Cost of Heart Disease

Advancing Breast Cancer Screening: New Insights and Innovations

Improving Breast Cancer Screening Practices for Survivors

Patients with a personal history of breast cancer are living longer due to early detection and improved treatments; however, they remain at higher risk for cancer recurrence or development of a new cancer.  An AHRQ-funded study, published in RadioGraphics, examines current guidelines, including when to start or stop screening, how to choose between screening and diagnostic mammograms based on breast density and prior treatments, and how to use supplemental imaging tools like breast magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.  While national guidelines recommend annual mammograms starting at age 40 and additional imaging for some patients, screening practices still vary widely.  Additionally, adherence to screening varies and generally tends to drop over time.  Understanding these recommendations and educating patients about their options is key to providing the best care for breast cancer survivors.  Access the abstract.

Artificial Intelligence Shows Promise in Catching Interval Breast Cancers

According to an AHRQ-funded study in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, AI can significantly aid in detecting interval breast cancers, potentially reducing missed diagnoses by up to 30 percent.  Researchers retrospectively reviewed 148 cases of breast cancer diagnosed within 12 months of a negative screening mammogram, and they found that 64 percent of the mammograms had visible signs of cancer in hindsight.  When an AI tool analyzed the same images, it flagged 76 percent of the cases overall and accurately localized the cancer site in 47 percent of those with visible findings.  These results suggest AI could improve the sensitivity of mammography by helping radiologists detect subtle or previously overlooked cancers, particularly in annual screening programs using digital breast tomosynthesis.  Access the article.

Premium Changes Reduce Marketplace Plan Retention

New Issue Brief Guides Healthcare Leaders on Safe, Effective AI Use

Register for Upcoming Webinar

• August 6, 3:30–5 p.m. ET: AHRQ Academy: Charting the Future of Integrated Behavioral Health: Perspectives from the Field

AHRQ Stats: Availability of Medical Care in Rural and Urban Areas

New Research and Evidence

• Systematic Review (draft open for comment through July 30): Predictors, Consequences, and Interventions for Burnout Among Healthcare Workers
• Systematic Review (draft open for comment through August 7): The Performance of Fusion Procedures for Degenerative Disease of the Lumbar Spine
• Systematic Review (draft open for comment through August 15): Medical Care for Adults With Down Syndrome
• Systematic Review (draft open for comment through August 29): Primary Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer
• Systematic Review (draft open for comment through September 2): Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults

AHRQ in the Professional Literature

A theoretical framework to quantify the tradeoff between individual and population benefits of expanded antibiotic use.  LaPrete CR, Ahmed SM, Toth DJA, et al. Bull Math Biol. 2025 Apr 30;87(6):68.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

A behind-the-scenes look at practice facilitation to improve delivery of unhealthy alcohol use screening and management services in primary care: a qualitative study.  Rockwell MS, Villalobos G, Bannon J, et al. J Prim Care Community Health. 2025 Jan-Dec;16:21501319251351144. Epub 2025 Jul 9.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Epidemiology of diagnostic errors in pediatric emergency departments using electronic triggers.  Mahajan P, White E, Shaw K, et al. Acad Emerg Med. 2025 Mar;32(3):226-45. Epub 2025 Jan 15.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Building an allergy reconciliation module to eliminate allergy discrepancies in electronic health records.  Blackley SV, Lo YC, Varghese S, et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2025 Apr;32(4):648-55.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Development of a tool to measure Potentially Inappropriate Inter-Hospital Transfer (IHT): The POINT Study.  Mueller SK, Kelly C, Singleton S, et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2025 Jun;40(8):1917-23. Epub 2025 Mar 27.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

A toolkit to implement opioid quality improvement efforts in primary care: findings from a mixed-methods study.  Childs E, Swan H, Evans L, et al. J Opioid Manag. 2025 Jan-Feb;21(1):29-40.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Loss of subsidized drug coverage and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries.  Roberts ET, Phelan J, Schwartz AL, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 May 29;392(20):2025-34. Epub 2025 May 14.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Multidisciplinary clinician perspectives on avoidable emergency department use by patients during cancer treatment.  Hong AS, Halm EA, Courtney DM, et al. Support Care Cancer. 2025 Apr 23;33(5):410.  Access the abstract on PubMed®.