In a Policy Forum, Dawson White and colleagues argue that international drug policy must distinguish between the coca leaf – a sacred plant long cultivated in South America – and its purified chemical derivative, cocaine. The World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) is now reassessing the plant’s status, which, according to the authors, presents a rare opportunity to realign global drug policy with scientific evidence and Indigenous rights. Currently, the coca bush is classified under international law as a Schedule I drug, a group that also includes cocaine and heroin. While these drugs have a well-documented history of addiction and harm, the coca leaf has served for millennia as a mild, nonaddictive stimulant and an important element of Andean and Amazonian cultural life. Moreover, research in both biological and social sciences confirms the coca leaf’s safety and cultural significance, underscoring its profound difference from cocaine. Under the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, all species of the coca genus were indiscriminately banned, effectively criminalizing the traditions and livelihoods of more than 11 million Indigenous and mestizo people. This legal framework not only stigmatized cultural practices but also stifled scientific study of the coca plant. Given the ECDD’s forthcoming recommendation, White et al. call for a reevaluation of the plant that recognizes traditional use, alongside scientific evidence, which could lead to more just and robust policies that respect both cultural heritage and scientific understanding. “Descheduling coca would correct a long-standing scientific and legal misclassification, uphold the rights of Indigenous and other coca-growing communities, and enable evidence-based regulation informed by traditional knowledge,” write the authors.

During the study time period, over 2,500 patients across 4 states and 9 Providence markets were enrolled in Cadence’s Remote Patient Care program, with over a third of those patients living in rural or underserved areas. The program is integrated with Providence’s electronic health record, operated by a physician and nurse practitioner-led clinical team that is available 24/7, and is aligned to existing fee-for-service reimbursement. 

Results from the Cadence/Providence case study highlight a model that delivers meaningful outcomes and scalable impact:

43% relative increase in blood pressure control (42% → 60%)

107% increase in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction on all four guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) pillars (15% → 31%)

300% increase in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction on all four GDMT pillars (2% → 8%)

$203 per patient per month lower total cost of care, driven by reductions in inpatient and outpatient spend, and inclusive of the cost of the RPM program

4.9/5 patient satisfaction and NPS +40 across 700+ survey responses

How comfortable a child is in their school may influence their physical activity levels, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.