January 2023
Subject Matter Expert of the Month: Dr. Michael K. Racke, Medical Director, Neurology
Dr. Michael K. Racke is a leader in the field of neurology and neuroimmunology with over three decades of leadership experience in academia and clinical practice. Dr Racke’s expertise includes supporting the development of laboratory tests to identify and monitor therapeutic response for neurologic disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. This includes providing expertise for the development of a blood test Quest launched last year to aid in assessing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Racke has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and reviews on the pathogenesis of neuroimmunology diseases, and has served on the editorial review boards of numerous peer-reviewed journals, including JAMA Neurology. To schedule an interview, email mediacontact@questdiagnostics.com
Quest Diagnostics recently released its latest Health Trends® report, "Drug Misuse in America 2022: A Decade Lost to the Drug Crisis." Based on insights from more than 20 million deidentified clinical drug tests* over 10 years, the report reveals that while progress has been made in the last decade, large percentages of patients of all ages and both sexes still misuse their prescription drugs. In 2021, nearly half (49%) of patients prescribed opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and other controlled medications by a physician showed signs of dangerous drug combing and other forms of misuse, based on clinical drug results, compared to 60% to 2012. Amphetamines use surged 5-fold and dangerous drug combing increased over the past decade. The report is a reminder that while illicit fentanyl is responsible for most overdose deaths, misuse of controlled medications continues to be a public health challenge.
Under a definitive agreement, Quest will acquire select assets of Northern Light Health's outreach laboratory services business and manage nine of Northern Light Health's hospital laboratories, along with its cancer center laboratory in Brewer, Maine. The collaboration will enable physicians and patients throughout Maine to benefit from access to Quest's industry-leading and highly innovative test menu, network of patient access sites throughout the state, broad health plan coverage, and lower out-of-pocket costs for many services.
Quest Supports Underserved Communities in the Mississippi Delta
Through its Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) initiative, Quest recently provided no-cost preventive health testing for approximately 80 individuals attending the 8th annual I-HEAL Community Wellness Day, held in in Cleveland, Miss. by the Glenn Family Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve life outcomes for children, youth, and families in the Mississippi Delta by erasing health inequities. Quest also provided funding to support the purchase of nutritious food boxes shared with event participants. Over 700 participants from across the region attended the event, which featured access to fresh fruits and vegetables, flu shots, COVID-19 at-home tests and vaccinations and blood pressure screenings.