BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER

Despite national efforts, head and neck cancer clinical trials are becoming less racially and ethnically diverse, highlighting the need for more inclusive approaches to improve treatment outcomes for all patients.

FluMist nasal spray, approved for home use by the FDA, offers an alternative to traditional flu vaccines, available for ages 2-49. Home delivery expected by 2025 flu season. Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett encourages timely flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, emphasizing the latter's importance against FLiRT variants.

A meta-analysis by Mass General Brigham researchers reveals Black women have a higher risk of dying from all breast cancer subtypes, with disparities ranging from 17-50%. These disparities are attributed to socioeconomic inequality, delays in diagnosis, and inadequate access to treatment, independent of tumor biology. Interventions at multiple levels are necessary to achieve equity in breast cancer outcomes.