A RAND Corporation study found that participating in a 24/7 sobriety program can lower the risk of death for individuals arrested for drunk driving. The program, which combines frequent testing with certain punishment, was associated with a 50% lower mortality rate compared to non-participants.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that patients receiving care from for-profit hospices have worse care experiences than those in non-profit hospices. Family caregivers reported lower quality care across all domains, including pain management and timely care.
A new RAND Corporation report finds that child-access-prevention laws reduce firearm homicides, while shall-issue concealed-carry laws and stand-your-ground laws increase levels of firearm violence. The study also suggests that private-seller background-check requirements and minimum age limits for purchasing firearms may decrease tota...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services for common mental health problems increased 16-20 fold, surpassing the decline in in-person care for certain conditions. By December 2020, treatment levels were higher for some disorders compared to a year earlier.
A study by Michael Hurd and Susann Rohwedder found that real spending adjusted for inflation declined at annual rates of about 1.7% and 2.4% after age 65, contradicting traditional wisdom that spending will increase during older age.
The number of active buprenorphine prescriptions remained constant during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but new treatment episodes started significantly fewer than expected. This trend occurred despite emergency policies aimed at increasing access to the medication.
The study found that the willingness to use video telehealth increased overall from 51% in February 2019 to 62% in March 2021. Subgroups with the lowest levels of willingness, such as Black adults and adults with less than a high school education, saw significant increases in their willingness to use video telehealth.
The age-adjusted prevalence of dementia declined from 12.2% to 8.5% among people over 65 between 2000 and 2016. Education was a key factor in the reduction, explaining 40% of the decline among men and 20% among women.
Admissions to drug treatment programs declined by nearly one-quarter in the US during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant declines observed among people of color. The study suggests that this trend may be linked to the recent surge in drug overdose deaths.
A new RAND Corporation study found that higher-cost Medicare Advantage plans provided only slightly better care on average compared to lower-cost plans. However, quality varied substantially within each premium cost tier, and some high-quality care was observed among many plans in each tier.
A RAND Corporation study found that the out-of-pocket cost of naloxone increased by more than 500% for those without health insurance, while decreasing for those with coverage. The high cost may be a significant barrier to naloxone adoption among the uninsured, highlighting the need for policymakers to address financial barriers.
Researchers argue that using tools to estimate racial and ethnic information can identify algorithmic bias and combat disparities in healthcare. This approach can lead to more equitable pay-for-performance schemes and better clinical decision-making.
Firearm homicide rates have reversed improving trends of racial disparities since 2014. States like Missouri, Alaska, New Mexico, Kentucky and Alabama experienced the largest relative increases in firearm homicides.
A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that poor sleep among African Americans is associated with lower cognitive function, including attention and executive function. The study suggests that improving sleep health may support prevention of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
A RAND Corporation survey found that fewer than half of public health officials expressed confidence in their jurisdiction's preparedness for the 988 mental health hotline. The survey revealed gaps in strategic planning, financing, infrastructure, and service coordination.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that private insurers paid hospitals an average of 224% of what Medicare would pay for services in 2020. The study also revealed significant price variations among states, with some paying as low as 175% and others up to 310% of Medicare prices.
A RAND Corporation study found that strengthened school lunch standards were associated with less weight gain among free or reduced-price lunch participating school children. The findings suggest improving nutritional standards can help reduce the trajectory toward obesity among low-income children.
A new RAND Corporation study found that hospital prices charged to commercial health plans increased by 7 percentage points compared to Medicare rates between 2012 and 2019. The study identified large regional variations, with some areas experiencing significant price increases while others saw declines.
A study found that fewer than one-third of patients who fill buprenorphine prescriptions written by emergency physicians subsequently fill prescriptions from other clinicians. Researchers emphasize the need for improved systems to seamlessly transition patients from emergency settings to community treatment providers.
Despite rapid telehealth adoption, audio-only visits persist in California safety net clinics, raising concerns about the quality of care for low-income patients. Researchers found that some clinics replaced audio-only visits with video visits using promising practices such as technology assistance and real-time technical support.
A RAND Corporation study found that 64% of unemployed men in their 30s have been arrested and 46% convicted of a crime. Employment services should focus on aiding those with criminal history records to overcome stigma and secure employment.
A study by RAND Corporation researchers found that most physicians in group practices owned by health systems are paid primarily based on the volume of care they provide, rather than quality and value. Only a small fraction of total physician compensation is tied to performance-based financial incentives.
Researchers found that alcohol-related problems increased by 49% for women and 69% for men during the pandemic. Men's alcohol use declined by 20%, while women's remained steady, with feelings of loneliness playing a role in drinking patterns.
A new RAND Corporation study estimates that biosimilar drugs could save the US healthcare system up to $124.5 billion from 2021 to 2025, mainly due to downward pressure on brand-name biologics. The estimated savings are driven by increased competition and more aggressive adoption of biosimilars.
Per capita morphine milligram equivalents (MME) volume declined most in metropolitan counties and counties with higher fatal opioid overdoses. Clinical specialties showed significant declines, except for some states' counties with both increases and decreases.
A RAND Corporation study found that Americans generally prefer in-person care but are willing to use telehealth services with lower out-of-pocket costs. The study suggests that financial issues may limit the continued expansion of telehealth after the pandemic.
A RAND Corporation survey of 173 gun policy researchers found strikingly polarized views on the merits of various policies, with differing estimates of their effects on firearm homicides and suicides. The study highlights areas where experts agree and disagreements exist, providing a roadmap for future research to resolve uncertainties.
A new RAND Corporation report suggests that extending temporary tax credits could help insurance markets in the future. Analysis found that current federal legislative proposals could be critical to avoiding coverage loss in future recessions.
A year-long study found that few veterans were able to obtain permanent housing despite living near the region's major VA service center. The study highlights the need for outreach efforts to be expanded to engage unhoused veterans, with mobile services potentially being a key solution.
A new RAND Corporation study models likely savings from legislative proposal to adopt reference pricing, which could reduce US spending on prescription drugs by at least half. The study found that caps on prices set at 120% of what is paid in six other nations could lower US spending on insulins and 50 top brand-name drugs by 52%, savi...
A new study found that Republicans are less likely to use ACA subsidies for health insurance, resulting in an average annual loss of $800 compared to Democrats. The study suggests that political polarization may lead individuals to avoid full utilization of federal programs intended to make healthcare more affordable.
The early US COVID-19 vaccination campaign prevented nearly 140,000 deaths and 3 million cases of COVID-19. The average state saw a reduction of five fewer deaths from COVID-19 per 10,000 adult residents.
A third of Americans employ unregulated caregivers for older adults and those with dementia, highlighting gaps in access to care. Gray market caregivers often lack training and screening, increasing potential for exploitation or abuse.
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that half of all patient-months of buprenorphine treatment are prescribed by just 4.9% of physicians and other providers, highlighting the potential for targeted efforts to increase medication treatment capacity in rural areas.
A new meta-analysis of 338 studies found no evidence of increased risk of serious adverse events following routine vaccinations. The study updates previous findings on vaccine safety and supports decisions to vaccinate against various diseases.
A RAND Corporation study reveals that personal accounts from former white supremacists and Islamic extremists highlight the role of negative life events, propaganda, and social factors in radicalization. Strategies such as mental health care, diverse cultural groups, and media literacy education may aid in deradicalization.
Screenings for breast cancer and colon cancer dropped dramatically during the pandemic but returned to near-normal levels by July 2020. Researchers analyzed insurance claims from over 6 million Americans and found that mammography rates among women aged 45-64 declined by 96% in March and April 2020.
A recent study found a significant increase in telemedicine utilization among those with private insurance, particularly in affluent and metropolitan areas. The rate of office-based medical encounters declined by nearly 50%, further exacerbating existing health care disparities.
A RAND Corporation report found that COVID-19 testing in schools is complex but doable, requiring partnerships with local public health departments and strong technical assistance. Schools used strategies to encourage participation, including pilot periods and incentives like paid sick leave, to overcome barriers such as privacy concerns.
A RAND Corporation study found that bundled payments programs reduced total surgery costs by an average of $4,229 for procedures like knee replacement surgery. Patients who used preferred providers saw a 27.7% reduction in payments.
A RAND Corporation study suggests setting hospital prices can reduce spending by billions, outperforming other approaches like increasing competition or improving price transparency. The report finds that direct price regulation could save up to $236.6 billion annually, cutting national health spending by 1.7% to 6.5%.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that low-value healthcare spending among Medicare recipients decreased marginally from 2014 to 2018, but three services - opioid prescriptions for back pain, preoperative laboratory testing, and antibiotic use for upper respiratory infections - accounted for two-thirds of the wasteful care. The fin...
A RAND Corporation study found that most telehealth appointments at clinics serving lower-income Americans were audio-only, with primary care visits at 48.5% telephone-only and behavioral health visits at 63.3% telephone-only. This may pose challenges for the future if payers consider dropping reimbursement for such services.
A new RAND Corporation study found that people who struggle to pay rent or are forced to move due to financial issues sleep significantly less than their peers. The study of 1,046 participants in California's welfare program revealed a 22-minute and 32-minute reduction in sleep duration for those facing housing insecurity.
A recent RAND Corporation report reveals that US prescription drug prices are substantially higher than those in other developed countries, with brand-name drugs costing an average of 3.44 times more. In contrast, unbranded generic drugs account for 84% of US spending but have prices slightly lower than most global peers.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that food insecurity increased by nearly 80% in two predominantly African American neighborhoods during the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. This marked a reversal of decade-long trends, with disparities between these areas and the general US population reaching their highest levels.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that the density of licensed and unlicensed marijuana retailers is associated with increased marijuana use among young adults. Young adults living near areas with high concentrations of licensed outlets were more likely to use marijuana, while those living near unlicensed outlets reported greater h...
A comprehensive analysis by RAND Corporation reveals that transforming the US mental health care system is possible. The report emphasizes the need to integrate behavioral health into general health care settings, provide supportive housing for the homeless, and promote comprehensive mental health education.
The study found that almost half of people undergoing treatment when the pandemic began reported using some form of telemedicine. Researchers also noted that use of telehealth for behavioral health conditions was lower among women, older adults, and those with less than a high school education.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that significant psychological distress among Americans surged during the pandemic's early months, comparable to the entire previous year. People with pre-pandemic distress were more likely to experience it again, highlighting the need for targeted services to vulnerable populations.