North Carolina's Medicaid Transformation: the Early Enrollee Experience.

Introduction: On July 1, 2021, North Carolina's Medicaid Transformation mandatorily switched 1.6 million Medicaid beneficiaries from fee-for-service to managed care plans. We examined the early enrollee experience in terms of engagement in plan selection, provider continuity, use of primary care visits, and assistance with social needs.

Perceptions of North Carolina's Medicaid Transformation: A Qualitative Study.

Background: In 2021, North Carolina switched 1.6 million beneficiaries from a fee-for-service Medicaid model to a managed care system. The state prepared beneficiaries with logistical planning and a communications plan.

Incorporating Nutrition, Vests, Education, and Strength Training (INVEST) in Bone Health: Trial Design and Methods.

Background: Achievement of 5-10% weight loss (WL) among older adults living with obesity considerably improves prognosis of health-related outcomes; however, concomitant declines in bone mineral density (BMD) limit overall benefit by increasing fracture risk. Declines in mechanical loading contribute to WL-associated BMD loss, with pilot data signaling the addition of external weight replacement (via weighted vest use) during intentional WL mitigates bone loss at weight bearing sites to a similar degree as resistance exercise training (RT). Definitive data in support of weighted vest use as a potential strategy to mitigate WL-associated bone loss in this population are needed.

Weighted Vest Use during Dietary Weight Loss on Bone Health in Older Adults with Obesity.

Background: To examine the effects of daily weighted vest use during a dietary weight loss intervention, on (a) hip and spine bone mineral density (aBMD), and (b) biomarkers of bone turnover, in older adults with obesity.

Methods: 37 older (70.1 ± 3.

Effects of Resistance Training With and Without Caloric Restriction on Arterial Stiffness in Overweight and Obese Older Adults.

Background: Arterial stiffness is an important marker of vascular aging that is increased in sedentary, obese older adults. Weight loss induced by caloric restriction (CR) can improve arterial stiffness in this population; however, the effects of resistance training (RT) are not clear. This pilot study determined the effects of RT with and without CR on arterial stiffness in overweight and obese older adults.

Heterogeneity of physical function responses to exercise training in older adults.

Objectives: To describe the interindividual variability in physical function responses to supervised resistance and aerobic exercise training interventions in older adults.

Design: Data analysis of two randomized, controlled exercise trials.

Setting: Community-based research centers.