A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found little to no empirical support for claims that religious involvement leads to better physical and mental health. The researchers analyzed the medical literature and found that most studies on religion and health were irrelevant or had significant methodological flaws.
The Choice Plus plan, a direct contracting health plan, contains costs and maintains quality of care. The study found that hospital care costs dropped, while ambulatory care rose slightly.
A study conducted in Harlem found that 30% of adult residents suffer from oral health problems, with those with public insurance only slightly more likely to receive care due to limited provider availability. The high rates of unemployment and lower household income may be contributing factors.
The USF report ranks 66 Florida counties based on overall health ratings, with top-scoring counties having better healthcare and lower poverty rates. The report also highlights deficiencies in high-performing counties, such as lack of health screening and primary care measures.
Older people living in inadequately heated homes are three times as likely to suffer from chronic ill health. Those who reported being cold most of the time during winter were nearly five times as likely to experience reduced daily activities and poor health.
This study shows that moderate drinkers have better mental and physical health compared to lifelong abstainers and former drinkers. The findings suggest that people who give up drinking due to ill health tend to be less healthy than lifelong abstainers.
University of Toronto researchers suggest a five-point strategy to address equity issues in health genomics. The plan includes research on ethical and social issues, training policy makers, and creating an investment fund to improve health in poorer countries.
The new centers will focus on reducing early childhood caries and addressing disparities in oral cancer screening among minority groups. Researchers will investigate the effects of tooth decay on quality of life, explore ways to involve pediatricians in prevention, and examine oral microbes that trigger tooth decay.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a federal grant to conduct research on racial and ethnic differences in health status among adults. The four-year program aims to address health disparities by involving the minority community at every stage, from data collection to intervention development.
The NIH and NIOSH are collaborating on a $33 million, five-year study to investigate how social and physical environmental factors impact the health of racial and ethnic minorities. The research aims to understand the underlying causes of disparities in health outcomes.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has named 25 new Outreach Partners for its Constituency Outreach and Education Program, bringing the total number of Partners to 43. These partners will deliver science-based mental health information to the public and healthcare professionals through various outreach programs.
A survey of over 3000 Gulf War veterans revealed that lower ranks were significantly more likely to report psychological and physical ill health, with privates being 20% more likely than non-commissioned officers. Discharge from military service was also linked to a higher risk of reported ill health.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health will operate a Central Appalachian Public Health Training Center, providing on-site and distance-based training programs for underserved areas. The goal is to assure high-quality performance of public health agencies by upgrading the skills of existing workforce members.
A UCSF study reports that despite a strong labor market, job loss, short tenures, and poverty-level incomes are common among some Californians with physical or mental health problems. Workers in poor health often face poorer working conditions and lower earnings, while those who lose jobs may develop symptoms of depression.
The 'Eliminating Health Disparities Graduate Traineeship' prepares African American graduate students for careers in public health that focus on preventing chronic disease in minority communities. The program aims to eliminate differences in health status among populations.
A new study found that elderly men who rate their health as poor are more likely to die than women with similar ratings. Men's perceptions of their health are a better predictor of death risk, while women consider emotional distress from various factors, reducing accuracy in predicting mortality.
The California Workforce Initiative aims to analyze data on changing workforce dynamics, encourage policy reform, and develop new curricula for health care professionals. The project will also focus on labor costs, ethnic diversity, and re-training government regulation.
A study by Michigan State University found that one-quarter of respondents were unsure if their health plan included mental health services, while 43% equated mental health benefits to general medical services. The authors recommend increasing attention to mental health issues in primary care education.
A study found that modifiable health risks such as physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking are significantly related to higher health care charges. Researchers report substantial excess medical care charges related to these behaviors.
The Ethel F. Donaghue Women's Health Investigator Program at Yale has awarded six faculty members grants to study novel approaches in women's health. Researchers will investigate gene therapy for ovarian cancer, dietary protein prevention of osteoporosis, and light therapy for depression during pregnancy.
A study found that adolescents emulate their parents' overall health-risk lifestyle and adopt specific behaviors. Parents' health-risk behaviors are linked to their children's adoption of similar habits.
The event will cover hormone replacement therapies, phytoestrogens, common herbs and dietary supplements, and health promotion strategies. UCSF experts will provide guidance on managing menopausal symptoms and maintaining long-term health.
A survey of older Californians ages 45-70 found that poor health is a significant contributor to early retirement, with nearly half retiring for health-related reasons. The study also revealed disparities in health coverage and poverty rates among early retirees compared to those who retired after age 50.
A UCSF report identifies three contributing factors to the problems facing allied and auxiliary workforce: market survival, flexible team members, and educators' skills preparation. The report recommends partnerships among health delivery organizations, workers, and educators to forge new approaches.
A Purdue University study found that patients' reports of their own health were more valid than doctors' predictions, especially for African-American patients. The discrepancy may be due to varying levels of information provided by patients, with doctors relying heavily on patient input to make informed decisions.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will launch a management academy to boost training for public health professionals in four states. The academy aims to improve how health departments nationwide serve citizens, addressing concerns discussed for decades.
Healthcare professionals who received the flu vaccine lost significantly fewer days of work due to illness compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. The vaccine also reduced the rate of influenza type A and B infections among vaccinated individuals.
The Women's Health Writers Forum will discuss the power of media on the health of menopausal women, including their knowledge of health, treatment options, and disease risk factors. The event aims to find answers to important questions about the impact of media coverage on women's health.
The Pan American Health Organization emphasizes the importance of addressing health inequities in its new report, citing evidence that poorest populations face the worst health outcomes. Strategies aimed at promoting health and preventing disease are necessary to improve regional health.
Dr. Brundtland highlights the importance of addressing social determinants of health, such as education and poverty reduction, to build healthy populations in healthy communities. She stresses the need for multi-sectoral action and collaboration with other agencies to tackle pressing public health needs.
A 10-year study found that employment and marriage can provide benefits such as increased income and social support, contributing to better health. Women who were employed full-time or had many children showed no harmful effects on their health.
Seven mid-career health professionals from various institutions have been selected as Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellows. They will work in congressional and executive branch offices to enrich their knowledge of public policy and foster a better understanding of government health activities.
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that imbalance between work rewards and effort, as well as negative social interactions, are linked to poorer health in both men and women. Effort-reward imbalance was a key predictor of poor health in women, while low emotional support from close persons was a predictor for men.
A slowdown in health spending growth is expected to have a significant impact on health workers and local economies. The shift in job composition within the health sector, towards lower-paying sub-sectors and jobs such as home health services, will exacerbate the issue.
A study finds that living in poorer communities is associated with worse health, even for individuals with high education and income levels. The research suggests that community characteristics play a significant role in determining health outcomes.
The Donaghue Foundation has awarded Yale a five-year, $6.5 million grant to enhance its leadership role in women's health research. The program aims to support original and interdisciplinary research projects that address understudied aspects of women's health.
The Native American health care sector is grappling with formidable challenges, including inadequate funding and limited resources. A survey of 85 leaders found that recruitment and retention of professional staff, as well as contractual issues with the US Department of Health and Human Services, are major concerns.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate individual variation in health among African American twin pairs aged 65, exploring the role of genetics and environment. The five-year study aims to gain insight into aging in this population, which has experienced different environmental influences than other groups.
Researchers at Emory University's Center for Clinical Evaluation Sciences are developing a model to help health professionals appreciate population-based research and its value in answering questions about patient care. The center is designing an intensive one-week workshop for clinicians, set to launch in Spring 1998.
Experts Allyson Pollock and Dorothy Rice argue that surveys are a poor tool for evaluating the impact of healthcare spending on population health. They propose adopting national health data standards to track individuals over time and improve healthcare effectiveness.