Trending News Today: HHS Secretary Nominee to Testify Before Senate Next Week

Type 2 diabetes is nearly twice as common among African Americans compared with whites, with obesity as a driving factor, according to The New York Times. A new JAMA report examined the health of 4251 individuals over an average of 25 years. The researchers discovered that black men were 67% more likely and black women were nearly 3 times as likely to develop diabetes as their white counterparts, according to the article. After controlling for numerous modifiable risk factors, the racial disparities resolved and they found that obesity was a major contributor to diabetes risk, the Times reported.

Alex Azar, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, will face a confirmation hearing next week, according to The Hill. The meeting before the Senate Finance Committee will give Azar the chance to discuss his plans to address the pitfalls of the Affordable Care Act, while preserving Medicare and Medicaid, according to the article. This is the final step in vetting Azar in hopes that he could address the health care challenges currently facing Americans.

Top hospital groups are planning to move forward in a fight against proposed changes to the 340B program, The Hill reported. The group’s lawsuit was dismissed last week by a US District judge who ruled that it was premature. Following the implementation of $1.6 billion in cuts to hospitals participating in the program, hospital groups and lobbyists are calling on Congress to reverse the ruling in the funding bill or enact another must-pass bill, according to the article.