Editors’ Top Five Week of March 12, 2018

Prescription Opioids Fail Rigorous New Test for Chronic Pain
In patients with stubborn back aches or hip or knee arthritis, opioids worked no better than over-the-counter drugs or other nonopioids at reducing problems with walking or sleeping. And they provided slightly less pain relief. (Lindsey Tanner/Associated Press)

From the ER to Inpatient Care—At Home
Brigham Health in Boston is one of a slowly growing number of health systems that encourage selected acutely ill emergency department patients who are stable and don’t need intensive, round-the-clock care to opt for hospital-level care at home. (Michelle Andrews/Kaiser Health News)

Trump’s Health Chief Warns Hospital Execs About Health Care Costs: “Change is coming”
Speaking at the Federation of American Hospitals convention in D.C., Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar laid out a series of actions the administration will take that are aimed at lowering health care costs, and warned that it wouldn’t be deterred by powerful special interests. (Jessie Hellman/The Hill)

For Heart Disease Patients, Think Exercise, Not Weight Loss
For people with coronary heart disease, losing weight will not prolong life, a new study reports, but increasing physical activity will. (Nicholas Bakalar/New York Times)

Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Services Expand Connected Health
Asynchronous or store-and-forward telemedicine, popular with dermatologists and ophthalmologists, is now showing up in primary care programs. Proponents say it gives them a better chance to use evidence-based best practices. (Eric Wicklund/mHealth Intelligence)