Richard Franki is the associate editor who writes and creates graphs. He started with the company in 1987, when it was known as the International Medical News Group. In his years as a journalist, Richard has worked for Cap Cities/ABC, Disney, Harcourt, Elsevier, Quadrant, Frontline, and Internet Brands. In the 1990s, he was a contributor to the ill-fated Indications column, predecessor of Livin' on the MDedge.
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CDC reports two new Zika-related pregnancy losses
- Author:
- Richard Franki
Since the beginning of 2016, there have been 7 pregnancy losses and 54 infants with birth defects born to Zika-infected women.
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U.S. influenza activity remains steady
- Author:
- Richard Franki
The proportion of U.S. outpatient visits for influenza-like illness stayed at 3.7% for a second consecutive week after declining the previous 3...
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Increased IUD use suggests ‘Trump effect’
- Author:
- Richard Franki
Debate over repeal and replacement of the ACA has women concerned about loss of coverage.
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U.S. flu activity continues to decline
- Author:
- Richard Franki
The 2016-2017 U.S. influenza season appears to have peaked, as activity measures dropped for the third consecutive week.
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Social media may be isolating young adults
- Author:
- Richard Franki
“We are inherently social creatures, but modern life tends to compartmentalize us instead of bringing us together.”
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Health care costs higher after prolonged ventilation
- Author:
- Richard Franki
Depending on the duration of patients’ in-hospital mechanical ventilation, health care costs varied more than threefold over the next year.
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Skin disease costs $75 billion a year
- Author:
- Richard Franki
The most expensive condition in 2013 was cutaneous infections at $8.1 billion.
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Zika-infected pregnancies continue to rise in U.S.
- Author:
- Richard Franki
Zika-infected pregnancy rates are rising in the United States and falling in the territories.
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Breast cancer mortality mapped for 2017
- Author:
- Richard Franki
The highest death rate expected in West Virginia, lowest in Utah.
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Colorectal cancer mortality highest in W.Va., lowest in Utah
- Author:
- Richard Franki
More than 50,000 colorectal cancer deaths are expected in the United States for 2017, according to the American Cancer Society.
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Humira Pen topped per-person drug spending in 2016
- Author:
- Richard Franki
The spending top 10 includes three drugs for diabetes, two for arthritis/psoriasis, and two for multiple sclerosis.
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Outpatient flu visits down slightly
- Author:
- Richard Franki
The national proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness decreased from 5.2% the previous week to 4.8% for the week ending Feb. 18...
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Personal finances affect cancer survivors’ medication use
- Author:
- Richard Franki
“Nonelderly cancer survivors were more likely to skip medication [or] delay filling a prescription ... for financial reasons, compared with...
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Twenty-five states at highest flu activity level
- Author:
- Richard Franki
2016-2017 influenza season shows no signs of slowing down.
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Zika slowing, but not going away
- Author:
- Richard Franki
New cases of pregnant women with Zika infection are down, but five more infants born with Zika-related birth defects have been reported.