From Fortune:

A study published in the JAMA Health Forum found that high-risk Medicare beneficiaries received COVID-19 therapy less often than low-risk patients. Michael L. Barnett, M.D., of Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health said that people at highest risk should be getting treated anywhere from five to 10 times the rate of those with lower risk factors. A free oral antibiotic, Paxlovid, would have prevented 16% of COVID-19 deaths in the study.

The study also found that some high-risk Medicare beneficiaries were less likely to receive treatment, based on race, age, and income. Black patients, those over 90, and Medicaid-eligible patients were less likely to get treatment than white patients.

Barnett and his team believe that education is the key to helping COVID-19 patients at high risk. They think a broader public awareness campaign and education for primary care providers and physicians about when and under what circumstances Paxlovid should be used is needed. Medications can be managed and stopped for a week or two to reap the benefits of Paxlovid. Patients need to act on COVID-19 symptoms within five days to benefit from Paxlovid.



Read more: Medicare beneficiaries at high risk for severe COVID-19 received less treatment. A new study examines why