Trending News Today: Artificial Intelligence App Aims to Provide Physician-Level Health Care

The hepatitis A outbreak in Louisville and other parts of Kentucky is now the worst in the United States, the Associated Press reported. According to the article, the virus was first detected in Louisville last fall and officials have confirmed 482 cases, with 3 of the outbreak’s 6 reported deaths occurring in Louisville. Officials are working to obtain funding for vaccines and coordinate with local agencies, the article reported.

A London-based artificial intelligence (AI) outperformed most physicians in assessing disease symptoms, Reuters reported. According to the article, the app, created by Babylon Health, aims to offer health advice of a family physician quality by using AI delivered through a smartphone chatbot app. In a test, the app achieved an 81% success level, the article reported.

On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced charges against 601 individuals allegedly responsible for $2 billion in health care fraud, including physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, The Hill reported. According to the article, those charged were accused of cheating federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, through false billing practices. Of those charged, 162 defendants were targeted for their roles in allegedly prescribing and distributing opioids and dangerous narcotics, the article reported.