Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Statement From A4A's President and CEO Chris Sununu
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Airlines for America issued the following statement on March 11, 2026:
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Statement from A4A's President and CEO Chris Sununu
The following statement is attributable to A4A President and CEO Chris Sununu:
"Today's announcement to reopen Global Entry is a positive step for millions of Americans who return home from overseas. We appreciate the efforts of the White House, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to restore efficiency into Customs arrival processes and airport operations. Trusted Traveler Programs--which are valued by millions
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Airlines for America issued the following statement on March 11, 2026:
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Statement from A4A's President and CEO Chris Sununu
The following statement is attributable to A4A President and CEO Chris Sununu:
"Today's announcement to reopen Global Entry is a positive step for millions of Americans who return home from overseas. We appreciate the efforts of the White House, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to restore efficiency into Customs arrival processes and airport operations. Trusted Traveler Programs--which are valued by millionsof Americans--play an essential role in providing travelers with the highest level of security and reducing screening delays at airports.
"It's past time for Congress to do their part and implement solutions that will ensure TSA officers and Customs officers at airports get paid on time for the critical job they do every day on the frontlines of our nation's security.
"TSA officers are facing their first $0 paycheck this week. More than 300 TSA employees have left the workforce since the shutdown began. Thousands of passengers have had to wait for hours in screening and Customs lines, amid record spring break travel.
"Congress can't wait any longer - they must act now!"
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Original text here: https://www.airlines.org/news-update/statement-from-a4as-president-and-ceo-chris-sununu-2/
[Category: Transportation]
Association of American Physicians & Surgeons: To Restore Trust, Doctors Need to Re-commit to the Oath of Hippocrates
TUCSON, Arizona, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued the following news release on March 10, 2026:
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To Restore Trust, Doctors Need to Re-commit to the Oath of Hippocrates
The medical profession has traded its birthright for a mess of pottage called evidence-based medicine, writes Stephen Hughes, M.D., in the spring issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Hughes is a resident physician in internal medicine and pediatrics in South Carolina.
At the time the Hippocratic Oath was first penned and sworn, it represented "a definitive
... Show Full Article
TUCSON, Arizona, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued the following news release on March 10, 2026:
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To Restore Trust, Doctors Need to Re-commit to the Oath of Hippocrates
The medical profession has traded its birthright for a mess of pottage called evidence-based medicine, writes Stephen Hughes, M.D., in the spring issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Hughes is a resident physician in internal medicine and pediatrics in South Carolina.
At the time the Hippocratic Oath was first penned and sworn, it represented "a definitivebreak with the surrounding culture and values of the medical establishment," Dr. Hughes states. "It is a call to reform, with the fundamental recognition that the purpose of medicine is 'to help the sick.'"
"If followed generally, these precepts would have prevented much of the chaos of the COVID crisis, in which physicians refused to see the sick in their clinics and instead abandoned them to the emergency departments, blindly followed sham guidelines, ignored safe and effective early treatments borne out by clinical experience, and supported draconian and unethical requirements for mass COVID 'vaccination.' The loss of society's trust is a self-inflicted wound," he writes.
Dr. Hughes reminds us that medical experimentation, abortion, euthanasia, and sexual coercion are all specifically named and prohibited by the Oath. Those vices that characterized medicine in the time of Hippocrates have emerged again as "the defiling blemishes of our age," he observes.
The Oath of Hippocrates lays out, in timeless form, a vision of medicine bounded by a set of moral commitments pledged to each of the physician's patients. Hippocratic physicians took their Oath at the beginning of their training, "Successfully restoring morals and professionalism to medicine necessitates the successful transfer of Hippocratic medicine to the next generation of future physicians," he concludes.
The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
Full Article: https://jpands.org/vol31no1/hughes.pdf
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Original text here: https://aapsonline.org/to-restore-trust-doctors-need-to-re-commit-to-the-oath-of-hippocrates/
[Category: Medical]
American Academy of Neurology: In Former College Athletes, More Concussions Associated With Worse Brain Health
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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In former college athletes, more concussions associated with worse brain health
Athletes assessed within five years of college graduation
Highlights:
* Former college athletes with three or more concussions had slightly worse physical, mental, behavioral and cognitive health five years after graduation compared to those with no concussions.
* The study included 3,910 former college athletes from 20 sports, nearly half of whom were women. A majority competed
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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In former college athletes, more concussions associated with worse brain health
Athletes assessed within five years of college graduation
Highlights:
* Former college athletes with three or more concussions had slightly worse physical, mental, behavioral and cognitive health five years after graduation compared to those with no concussions.
* The study included 3,910 former college athletes from 20 sports, nearly half of whom were women. A majority competedat NCAA Division 1 schools.
* Athletes were evaluated at the start of their college sports careers and again within five years of graduation. They completed a series of assessments where they reported symptom severity and other brain health factors.
* Those with three or more concussions had worse scores on tests measuring anxiety, depression, psychological distress, sleep quality and concussion symptoms than those with no concussions.
* Those with one or two concussions also fared slightly worse than those with no concussions.
* Reassuringly, the majority of athletes remained within normal ranges for brain health, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring to understand long-term impacts.
*
In former college athletes, having had three or more concussions was associated with slightly worse physical, mental, behavioral and cognitive health five years after graduation, according to an article published March 11, 2026, in Neurology(R), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
"Concussions are prevalent among young athletes participating in contact and collision sports," said study author Steven Broglio, PhD, of the University of Michigan Concussion Center in Ann Arbor. "While many studies have examined the effects of concussion immediately after injury or decades later, our study examined the effects in athletes five years after college graduation, a time when early interventions may be more helpful to lessen any long-term effects."
The study involved 3,910 former college athletes, with nearly half being female. Athletes participated in 20 sports including football, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, rowing, swimming, tennis and golf, with 73% participating at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 school.
All athletes had a baseline concussion evaluation at the time of study enrollment, typically before starting their college sport, with 77% never having been diagnosed with a concussion. Athletes were evaluated again within five years of college graduation.
During both evaluations, athletes reported their concussion history and completed medical health questionnaires. They also completed two tests that measured the presence and severity of concussion symptoms. At the second evaluation, they completed nine more tests.
Researchers grouped participants based on the number of concussions, with 213 athletes reporting three or more concussions, 1,203 reporting one or two concussions, and 2,494 reporting zero. They then compared athletes in those groups based on their scores on the 11 tests.
For example, one test measured how many of 22 concussion-related symptoms participants had, athletes with three or more concussions had an average of five symptoms compared to an average of three symptoms for athletes with zero concussions.
After adjusting for factors like scores on a test of how much pain affects their daily life, researchers found athletes with three or more concussions had worse scores than those with no concussions on seven tests that measured anxiety, depression, psychological distress, sleep quality, concussion-related symptoms as well as health and well-being.
Athletes with one to two concussions also had worse scores than those with no concussions on tests of psychological distress, quality of life, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, concussion-related symptoms as well as health and well-being.
"While the effect sizes of our findings are quite small, the study participants are still young adults in their 20s, so we don't know if or how these effects might change throughout their lives," said Broglio. "It is also important to note that despite the associations, the vast majority of athletes remained within normal clinical levels for brain health. Continuing to follow these athletes may help determine if these associations become more or less apparent and meaningful over time."
A limitation of the study was that 76% of athletes were white people, so the results may not be the same for people of other races and ethnicities.
The study was supported by the NCAA and the Department of Defense.
Discover more about concussion at Brain & Life(R), from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5325
[Category: Medical]
American Academy of Neurology Awards Over $4.6 Million in Research Grants
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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American Academy of Neurology Awards Over $4.6 Million in Research Grants
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 AAN Research Program. This year, the AAN has awarded more than $4.6 million toward neuroscience research and training through the research program.
The AAN is dedicated to advancing the work of researchers who are improving
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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American Academy of Neurology Awards Over $4.6 Million in Research Grants
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 AAN Research Program. This year, the AAN has awarded more than $4.6 million toward neuroscience research and training through the research program.
The AAN is dedicated to advancing the work of researchers who are improvingthe lives of people affected by brain disease, supported through collaborations with partners such as the American Brain Foundation, a Legacy Supporter of the AAN Research Program.
Recipients are being recognized at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, April 18-22, 2026. Funding will support the following 2026 AAN Research Program recipients:
* Career Development Award
Funded by the American Academy of Neurology.
Bipasha Mukherjee Clavin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Sheela Toprani, MD, PhD, University of California, Davis
Elizabeth C. Wright-Jin, MD, PhD, Nemours Children's Health
* Clinical Research Training Scholarship
Funded by the American Academy of Neurology.
Friederike Held, MD, Stanford University
Jaeho Hwang, MD, Northwestern University
Laura W. Pappalardo, MD, PhD, PharmD, University of Pennsylvania
Sumanth Reddy, MD, University of California, San Francisco
* Jeanne C. Mayer Next Generation Research Grant in Multiple Sclerosis
Funded by the Herbert R. Mayer and Jeanne C. Mayer Foundation and American Brain Foundation.
Mark Milner, PhD, University of Michigan
* Lawrence M. Brass, MD, Next Generation Research Grant in Stroke
Funded by the American Heart Association and American Brain Foundation.
Praneeta R. Konduri, PhD, Stanford University
* McKnight Next Generation Research Grant in Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss
Funded by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation through American Brain Foundation.
Maria Pia Campagna, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
Quentin Devignes, PhD, University of Michigan
* Neuroscience Research Training Scholarship
Funded by the American Academy of Neurology.
Sarah Chang, PhD, University of California, San Diego
Yedda Li, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Hsueh-Fu Wu, PhD, Columbia University
* Next Generation Research Grant in ALS
Funded by The ALS Association and American Brain Foundation.
Rebecca Casterton, PhD, University of Cape Town
* Next Generation Research Grant in Frontotemporal Dementia
Funded by the Holloway Family Fund of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and American Brain Foundation.
Jesus Garcia-Castro, MD, MSc, Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
* Next Generation Research Grant in Lewy Body Diseases
Funded by the Alzheimer's Association and American Brain Foundation.
Esteban Luna, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
* Next Generation Research Grant in Parkinson's Disease
Funded by the Parkinson's Foundation and American Brain Foundation.
Arjun Balachandar, MD, University of Toronto
* Next Generation Research Grant in Peripheral Neuropathy
Funded by the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy through American Brain Foundation.
Ariel Zhang, PhD, Temple University
* Next Generation Research Grant in Myasthenia Gravis
Funded by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and American Brain Foundation.
Alexandra C. Bayer Wildberger, PhD, Yale University
* Practice Research Training Scholarship
Funded by the American Academy of Neurology.
Carson M. Quinn, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
* Richard Olney Next Generation Research Grant in ALS
Funded by The ALS Association and American Brain Foundation.
Chen Eitan, PhD, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
* Robert Katzman, MD, Next Generation Research Grant in Alzheimer's and Dementia Research
Funded by the Alzheimer's Association and American Brain Foundation.
Pavel Yanev, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky
* Susan S. Spencer, MD, Next Generation Research Grant in Epilepsy
Funded by the American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation and American Brain Foundation.
Mark Bowren, Jr., PhD, University of Iowa
Discover more about brain health at Brain & Life(R), from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, X and Instagram.
* * *
The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5327
[Category: Medical]
ASA Advocacy Update: Farm Bill Progress, Workforce Legislation, Tariffs, and 2026 Election Developments
ITASCA, Illinois, March 12 -- The American Supply Association issued the following news release:
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ASA Advocacy Update: Farm Bill Progress, Workforce Legislation, Tariffs, and 2026 Election Developments
If it's March, it's appropriations season in DC. Last week, at a critical point in the legislative calendar, ASA Advocacy engaged Capitol Hill lawmakers on key industry issues while closely following emerging developments. On Tuesday night, the House Agriculture Committee reported the long-awaited Farm Bill, which incorporates provisions of the Healthy H2O Act--legislation ASA has championed
... Show Full Article
ITASCA, Illinois, March 12 -- The American Supply Association issued the following news release:
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ASA Advocacy Update: Farm Bill Progress, Workforce Legislation, Tariffs, and 2026 Election Developments
If it's March, it's appropriations season in DC. Last week, at a critical point in the legislative calendar, ASA Advocacy engaged Capitol Hill lawmakers on key industry issues while closely following emerging developments. On Tuesday night, the House Agriculture Committee reported the long-awaited Farm Bill, which incorporates provisions of the Healthy H2O Act--legislation ASA has championedthat enables rural residents, particularly those relying on wells, to test their water and apply for grants to fund corrective measures, including third-party-certified end-point filtration devices. This will now make its way to the House floor for a vote.
ECA: H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Act, sponsored by Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY) and supported by ASA, is still moving through the House. After being reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee in December, it was placed on the calendar and may receive floor consideration. The measure would stop state and local governments from prohibiting particular fuel types, emphasizing consumer access to energy and product options.
Housing Bill: The new housing bill, the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644), passed the House and is making rapid progress in the Senate. This legislation aims to increase housing supply by modernizing zoning to allow higher density, accessory dwelling units, and reduced parking; create grants for pre-approved designs to accelerate homebuilding (especially in rural areas); streamline environmental reviews and cut regulatory barriers to promote transit-oriented development; expand affordable housing finance, including manufactured housing and a small-dollar mortgage pilot; strengthen borrower protections by excluding certain disability benefits from income calculations, establishing an eviction helpline, and boosting housing counseling and financial literacy; and require HUD, USDA, and VA to coordinate data sharing, oversight, and program evaluation. The bill could be passed by the Senate as soon as Thursday.
Workforce: ASA remains active on workforce initiatives. Although WIOA reauthorization has moved slowly this Congress, ASA has held discussions on S. 3846, the Employer-Directed Skills Act, recently introduced by Senator Ted Budd (NC) and Representative Elise Stefanik (NY). This bill that ASA is supporting, individually and along with its industry partners, would provide partial reimbursements to employers for the costs of employer-directed skills development programs, establish performance indicators to ensure trainees receive high-quality instruction and are well prepared for employment, and encourage local workforce development boards to connect with employers that offer employer-directed skills development programs.
Tariff Update: It was previously reported that, after the Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs, President Trump would institute a new global tariff structure under the Trade Act of 1974. Initially, it was reported that the level would be 10%, later rising to 15% under a subsequent announcement. Since then, the rate has remained at 10%. This is partially due to existing trade agreements with several countries, including the United Kingdom, that have their tariff rate capped at 10%. This authority expires after 150 days, and it remains to be seen what additional tariffs may be imposed. There is a possibility that expanded 232 and 301 actions could be taken. It will take at least 45 days for the IEEPA refund process to be instituted.
Federal Regulatory
Card Check: On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued its decision in Brown-Forman, vacating the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) Cemex ruling. The Biden NLRB had rewritten union-representation procedures to make card check the default method. The Sixth Circuit found the NLRB exceeded its authority, concluding the Cemex standard was not created to resolve the parties' dispute or to remedy the effects of unlawful conduct and therefore was an improper use of the Board's adjudicatory power. ASA has long opposed the measure and welcomed the court's decision.
Politics
As the 2026 midterm elections ramp up, primaries and special elections across the country are beginning to shape some of the cycle's most hotly contested races. Notable contests to watch include:
Texas: Last week, the hotly contested Senate primaries for the seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn (R) took place. On the Republican side, Sen. Cornyn saw a strong challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, with Cornyn edging out Paxton 42%-41%. Under Texas law, since neither candidate received 50%, the race heads to a runoff on May 26. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett 53%-46%.
Also of note, incumbent Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R) lost his primary in TX-2 to State Representative Steve Toth. In TX-23, incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) was edged out by his primary opponent, Brendan "The AK Guy" Herrera, 43%-42%, sending that race to a runoff. However, the next day, Gonzales announced he would not seek re-election after the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation after he admitted having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
California: Last week, GOP Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48) said he will not seek re-election in his San Diego-area seat. First elected in 2000 to the 48th and 49th Districts, Issa served until 2018, when he announced his retirement and was later appointed by President Trump to lead the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. He returned to Congress in 2020 after winning California's 50th District and has represented that area since. After mid-census redistricting made his new district significantly more Democratic, Issa briefly explored a run in Texas last year but ultimately declined.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-3) formally changed his party registration from Republican to Independent, becoming the only independent member of the House while continuing to caucus with the GOP. Under the new California map, his current district, centered on the Sierra Nevada, shifted toward Democrats. Kiley is now running for the open Sacramento-area 6th District, which former Vice President Kamala Harris carried by eight points in 2024.
President Trump Job Approval (RCP Average): 43% Approve - 54% Disapprove.
Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Democrats +4.7%.
The House currently has a composition of 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats, with 3 vacant seats.
Special Elections: NJ-11 (Sherrill), Special: 04/26/2026; GA-14 (Taylor-Greene), Runoff: 04/07/2026; CA-1 (LaMalfa), Special: 06/02/2026.
The Senate is comprised of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.
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Original text here: https://www.asa.net/News/ASA-News/asa-advocacy-update-farm-bill-progress-workforce-legislation-tariffs-and-2026-election-developments
[Category: Industrial Materials]
ACS Awarded Grant to Expand Age-Friendly Care Processes in Ambulatory Surgery
CHICAGO, Illinois, March 12 -- The American College of Surgeons issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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ACS Awarded Grant to Expand Age-Friendly Care Processes in Ambulatory Surgery
4Ms framework will help centers better align care with what matters most to older adults
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The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has been awarded a grant from the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, to help ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) implement the "4Ms" framework of Age-Friendly Health Systems. The initiative aims to better track what
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, March 12 -- The American College of Surgeons issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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ACS Awarded Grant to Expand Age-Friendly Care Processes in Ambulatory Surgery
4Ms framework will help centers better align care with what matters most to older adults
*
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has been awarded a grant from the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, to help ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) implement the "4Ms" framework of Age-Friendly Health Systems. The initiative aims to better track whatmatters most to older adult patients and improve their surgical outcomes and experience.
More than half of all operations in the U.S. are now performed in the outpatient setting, and patients aged 65 and older represent a significant and growing portion of those surgical cases. While ASCs offer efficiency and convenience, more efforts are needed to aid them in addressing the unique needs of older adults to ensure safe, high-quality care, and recovery.
The 4Ms framework--What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility--provides an evidence-based care model for older patients. With this funding, the ACS will develop a practical tool for surgical teams to identify patient goals, optimize medications, and assess cognitive function, and physical mobility before and after surgery. Additionally, a comprehensive implementation guide will be developed to help ASCs integrate the 4Ms into their routine workflows.
Why It Matters for Hospitals and Surgical Teams
For hospitals and ASCs, adopting the 4Ms is a proactive step toward improving quality and reducing costly complications. Research shows that implementing geriatric-focused protocols can significantly reduce postoperative length of stay and inpatient costs for frail patients. This new perioperative tool and implementation guide will provide actionable steps to extend this to the ambulatory setting, including:
* Workflow maps for incorporating 4M assessments into pre- and post-operative care.
* "Action plans" for responding to positive screens for cognitive decline or mobility issues.
* Tools to systematically collect patient-reported outcomes, giving surgeons and ASCs critical data to understand surgical efficacy and quality from the patient's perspective.
By participating, ASCs can benchmark their performance and demonstrate a commitment to delivering age-friendly care.
Why It Matters for Patients and Families
For older adults and their caregivers, this initiative means receiving care that is aligned with their personal health goals. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, surgical teams will be equipped to understand what matters most to the patient. That could mean maintaining independence, managing a specific condition, or returning to a favorite activity. The focus on the 4Ms ensures that medication plans are safe, cognitive function is supported, and mobility is prioritized to help patients recover faster and get back to the kind of life they value.
"As the population ages, it is imperative we adapt our surgical care models to meet the specific needs of older adults," said Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, Senior Vice President of the ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care. "This grant from CMSS allows the ACS to take a leading role in making Age-Friendly care the standard in ambulatory surgery centers. By providing a practical, evidence-based guide, we can empower surgical teams to focus on what matters most to the patient, ultimately improving both their clinical outcomes and their overall experience."
The perioperative tool and implementation guide will be developed in collaboration with subject matter experts and piloted at a limited number of partner sites before being made more broadly available. The project will leverage technology and existing electronic health record (EHR) systems to streamline data collection and ensure patient privacy is protected.
Learn more about quality improvement programs for older adult surgical patients such as the ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification program.
The Expanding Age-Friendly Approaches to Specialty Ambulatory Care project is supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation through a grant of $1,500,000 to the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the foundation has three areas of emphasis: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care.
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About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has approximately 95,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. "FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
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Original text here: https://www.facs.org/media-center/press-releases/2026/acs-awarded-grant-to-expand-age-friendly-care-processes-in-ambulatory-surgery/
[Category: Medical]
AAN Issues Guidance on the Use of Wearable Devices
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
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AAN issues guidance on the use of wearable devices
Article examines smart watches, fitness trackers and more for neurological care
Highlights:
* The AAN has issued new guidance on wearable devices and digital apps as potential tools in neurological care, focusing on non-FDA cleared technology.
* Wearables can monitor physical activity, sleep, heart rate and other health factors. Some can detect conditions like atrial fibrillation. Others can monitor disease-specific
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:
* * *
AAN issues guidance on the use of wearable devices
Article examines smart watches, fitness trackers and more for neurological care
Highlights:
* The AAN has issued new guidance on wearable devices and digital apps as potential tools in neurological care, focusing on non-FDA cleared technology.
* Wearables can monitor physical activity, sleep, heart rate and other health factors. Some can detect conditions like atrial fibrillation. Others can monitor disease-specificsymptoms like seizures and headaches.
* This guidance for neurologists says the technology has great potential to help with disease management and provide more complete data for people with neurological diseases and disorders.
* Limitations include potential for inaccurate readings and unintended effects like increased anxiety.
* Further research is needed to improve the accuracy and reliability of wearable technology, and to explore its role in developing personalized therapies for neurological conditions.
*
Wearable devices and digital apps that are available to consumers are emerging as potential tools in neurological care. These include smart watches and fitness trackers to monitor heart rate, physical activity, sleep and other health factors. To provide neurologists with guidance on the use, limitations and evidence on non-U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared wearable technology, the American Academy of Neurology has developed an Emerging Issues in Neurology article published March 11, 2026, in Neurology(R), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Emerging Issues in Neurology articles are designed to provide timely and informal guidance derived from expert consensus to neurologists about new or emerging issues that have immediate implications for patient care, but for which the formal evidence base is still evolving.
"Wearable technology has grown in popularity with some people using devices to share health data with their physicians," said author Sarah M. Benish, MD, of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "While these consumer devices may provide useful data for neurological conditions, some important issues remain like making sure people are using them for the appropriate amount of time and have an understanding of their limitations such as producing falsely alarming or falsely reassuring results. Such devices may also have unintended effects like increased anxiety."
The article provides examples of wearable devices being used or considered for neurological care. It examines only non-FDA cleared wearable technology, and not devices authorized by the FDA.
For heart rate and cardiac arrhythmia, the article says smart watches and smart electrocardiogram devices can serve as screening tools to help detect conditions like atrial fibrillation which is linked to an increased risk of stroke, but additional medical testing may be needed to confirm diagnosis. When waiting for confirmation, physicians should consider providing treatment to prevent harm. It also says for some people, alerts from wearable devices may cause anxiety.
For epilepsy, it says wearable devices and digital apps can be helpful in disease management including detecting seizures, understanding seizure impact and identifying triggers. Preliminary studies have shown that using a fitness tracker with an electronic seizure diary improves the accuracy of forecasting seizures. The authors say with further research, wearable technology may lead to personalized therapies.
For headache management, some studies have suggested that wearable devices that provide biofeedback may help. These devices use sensors to monitor muscle tension, heart rate and skin temperature to help a person control stress to reduce headache. Wearables that use actigraphy to monitor rest and activity cycles have been used to better understand everyday movements of people with headache, showing trends such as increased sleep and reduced activity during headache episodes. However, ongoing challenges continue with the completeness of data and consistent use of the devices.
For monitoring sleep, the article says wearable devices have advanced rapidly with wristbands, rings and headbands that use a wide range of technologies to assess sleep duration and sleep stages. Limitations include that physicians may not have access to all the sleep data. Despite challenges, the authors see broader use of wearables since they are more affordable and can monitor a person's sleep at home.
"The landscape for wearable devices that provide health screenings, monitoring, and even treatments is rapidly changing and therefore hard for physicians to know each individual device," said Benish. "This technology has great potential to provide more complete data for each person, allowing for greater insights into their health and possible identification of triggers to allow for a more individualized and successful treatment plan."
Benish said other limitations of the devices include data privacy concerns, cost-related disparities in care and potential for inappropriate diagnosis. Physicians should review wearable data when presented by patients and be able to discuss limitations or risks of use. Further understanding and validation of these devices is needed before they can be used fully in neurological care.
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The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5326
[Category: Medical]
