A new European report reveals a massive treatment gap and disparities in osteoporosis care, with significant economic burden and projected increases in fragility fractures. The report emphasizes the need for improved service provision and uptake, particularly in countries with high disease burdens.
A new study found that rural patients rely on primary care physicians and nurses more often, leading to higher copays and out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. The usage gap narrowed over time, but quality and cost of care remained inequitable.
A novel blood test, Stockholm3, in combination with MRI reduces overdiagnosis of low-risk cancers by 60% and unnecessary biopsies by 9%. This cost-effective approach is recommended for Sweden's organized prostate cancer testing (OPT) pilot projects.
Researchers from KTU proposed a deep-learning-based method for 3D human shape reconstruction using limited-angle depth data. The method can be integrated with existing virtual reality tools and has potential applications in telemedicine and remote diagnostics.
A UCLA-led study found that aducanumab's ancillary care services, such as MRIs and neurologist visits, account for nearly 20% of total Medicare costs. The estimated annual spending on the drug could increase Medicare premiums.
Research found that patients with hepatitis B were unable to afford generic drug entecavir due to high out-of-pocket costs, despite generic manufacturer competition. The study concludes that patients appear shielded from benefits of generic competition, leading to a significant patient-cost burden.
A study found that a redesigned patient-centered medical home (PCMH) approach focusing on defined 'high-value elements' (HVEs) does not reduce healthcare costs for patients at primary care practices. The HVE approach was associated with an increased rate of emergency department visits, but no change in total costs.
A large clinical trial involving over 5,000 patients found that commonly used saline solution is as effective at keeping people alive and their organs functioning as more expensive balanced solutions. The study's results provide greater certainty about the safety and benefits of saline solution for treatment.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released two new clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of diverticulitis. The guidelines recommend that clinicians manage most patients with uncomplicated disease in outpatient settings without antibiotics, while patients with complicated disease should be referred for colonos...
A new study reveals that health insurers are covering most of the cost of ivermectin prescriptions for COVID-19, despite the drug's ineffective treatment against the virus. The study estimates that U.S. private and Medicare plans may have paid $2.4 million for ivermectin prescriptions in a single week alone.
Research finds that psychological distress among AYA cancer survivors is associated with higher annual medical expenses and greater health care use, including more office visits and prescription medications. The study suggests screening for psychological distress can help mitigate these effects.
A study published in Age and Ageing found that annual rates of hospital transfers decrease with age, but younger residents are more likely to require dialysis or tube feeding. In contrast, older residents are more likely to have cognitive decline, dementia, and diabetes.
A randomized controlled trial involving 51 GP practices and 404 patients found a significant reduction in the number of medicines prescribed for older people with multimorbidity. The intervention group experienced over 800 medicines being stopped, with only mild adverse reactions reported.
SourceRCSI·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 5, 2022
A recent study found that three out of four patients with metastatic colorectal cancer experienced major financial hardship within 12 months of diagnosis, despite having access to health insurance. The study also showed a link between financial hardship and decreased quality of life and social functioning.
A new study reveals that poor women in rural India are more likely to die during childbirth due to lack of access to safe hospital births. The research found that only 26% of women in low-performing states deliver in hospitals, compared to 87% of those exposed to mass media.
A new evidence review by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that the expensive multiple sclerosis drug Acthar provides very little clinical benefit compared to less-expensive alternatives. The study screened 41 studies and found weak or no benefit from Acthar against standard medications like corticosteroids.
A study found that nearly a quarter of pregnant and postpartum women in the US reported unmet healthcare need due to cost. Women with private insurance and lower incomes were more likely to experience unaffordable healthcare, while those with public insurance and higher incomes had better access.
A retrospective analysis of anonymized health claims data reveals that three in four sepsis survivors experience post-sepsis morbidity, with over half of those under 40 developing new diagnoses. Average treatment costs for the first three years after discharge are €29,000.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that over half of US hospitals failed to comply with new pricing disclosure rules, despite 75% compliance in some regions and states. Hospitals' decisions on compliance were linked to peer hospital performance and health IT preparedness.
A new analysis proposes four solutions states can implement to improve Medicaid eligibility for seniors, including eliminating the asset test or increasing its limit. This could lead to lower administrative burdens and improved health outcomes for eligible individuals.
A third of US kids lack good and consistent health insurance, with inadequate insurance driving the trend. Families with private insurance and children with special needs are disproportionately affected.
A Norwegian study reveals that out-of-hours emergency doctors with higher admission rates inflict significant unnecessary costs on hospitals. The study found that patients seen by these doctors have a greater chance of hospital stays, particularly those over 69 years old.
The state of Georgia could dramatically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by using onsite electric power, creating new jobs and a healthier public. CHP systems can be 85-90% efficient, reducing peak demand on the grid and providing ultra-high system efficiencies, cleaner air, and more affordable energy.
A survey of 2,100 adults found that patients are willing to use video visits for medical care after COVID-19, but prefer in-person care. Those who preferred video visits were more sensitive to out-of-pocket costs.
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 recent study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that nursing homes acquired by private equity companies have lower quality of care and higher Medicare costs. Residents at these facilities were 11% more likely to have emergency room visits and hospitalizations, resulting in $1,080 higher annual Medicare costs.
A University at Buffalo study explores how social and economic characteristics influence hospital readmissions and health inequity in the US. The research found that patients with lower household income, male gender, or treated in urban hospitals have a higher risk of being readmitted within a month of discharge.
Researchers developed EDS-HAT, an AI-powered system combining machine learning and whole genome sequencing to detect clusters of similar infections in real-time. The system identified 99 clusters of infections and prevented potential transmissions in 65.7% of cases, saving the hospital $692,500.
A massive multi-site study reveals that incontinence and IAD are associated with significantly higher healthcare costs, longer hospital stays and poorer patient outcomes. Incontinent patients have a 4.7 times greater risk of sacral pressure injuries compared to continent patients.
A UC study found that Ohioans consider various factors beyond distance and cost when selecting an abortion clinic, including personal experiences, online reviews, and clinic type. The research highlights the importance of social myths and risk perception in shaping choices about abortion care.
A study led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that lifelong immunoglobulin replacement therapy reduces premature deaths by 37% but is not cost-effective due to high costs. Reducing IRT prices could make it a more affordable option.
A new predictive tool has been developed to identify patients most at risk of experiencing a delayed discharge from hospital. The eight-variable model uses data collected when patients are admitted to hospital and is currently being piloted at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
A new mobile phone app called GrowthMonitor can accurately measure children's height and detect potential growth disorders, enabling early diagnosis and treatment. The app uses a traffic light system to inform parents of normal, amber, or red growth status, empowering them to take action.
Regular testing of asymptomatic healthcare workers identified as cost-efficient strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The study suggests that desynchronization of teams had limited effectiveness due to economic constraints.
Defects in surgical care cost the American health care system over $12 billion annually. A holistic approach through Centers of Excellence can address these defects, increasing quality, patient experience, and reducing costs.
A new study found that chronic hepatitis C patients in hospital clinics spent five times more on out-of-pocket costs than those treated in community clinics. Patients lost an average of $743 in time over three months due to CHC, while caregivers also bear a significant financial burden.
US emergency department spending grew to $136.6 billion in 2016, with road injuries and falls accounting for the highest amount of ED spending. The study found that ED spending per visit increased at an annualized rate of 3.4% over the decade.
A new report reveals that cancer patients in the US bear a significant financial burden, with total out-of-pocket costs reaching over $21 billion in 2019. The majority of these costs are associated with breast and prostate cancers, which are among the most prevalent types in the country.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland suggests that consuming one serving of whole grains daily can reduce type 2 diabetes incidence and associated costs in Finland. The potential cost savings could be up to €1 billion over ten years, leading to healthier years for individuals.
Researchers propose a new model that transfers power to patients to advocate for their own health, enabling them to design interventions with support from healthcare providers. The study finds that traditional expert models are inefficient in treating chronic diseases and socially determined health issues.
Researchers have developed new qPCR assays to quantify the transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using water and wastewater samples. These methods provide a more exact way to determine AMR by measuring DNA in wastewater samples.
The new ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides comprehensive guidance on diagnosing, staging, and treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. The guideline incorporates recent clinical trial data to inform treatment choices, taking into account tumour biology and emerging targeted therapies.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine shows that participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among older adults dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid is associated with fewer hospital visits and lower healthcare costs. Researchers used data from over 115,000 people aged 65+ in North Carolina to d...
Two new studies examine rising cancer drug spending in the US, finding that many patients receive treatments with no documented overall survival benefit. The studies suggest that the combination of regulatory, pricing, and reimbursement policies contributes to wasteful healthcare spending.
UK military veterans are nearly 11 times more likely to be problem gamblers than non-veterans, leading to higher health and social care costs. The study found that veterans incurred substantially higher healthcare costs, including hospital stays, visits to GPs, and contact with social workers.
A new study analyzed 4,000 COVID-related hospitalizations and found that patients with private insurance could face $3,800 bills, while those with Medicare Advantage plans might owe $1,500. The lack of waivers for hospitalization costs could lead to increased financial burden on patients.
The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.
A Tanzanian study found that laser treatment (SLT) successfully reduced eye pressure to normal levels in 61% of patients after one year, compared to 31% with daily eye drops. SLT may be an affordable alternative for glaucoma care in Africa.
A CHOP-led study found that healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays, with a significant increase in early discharge rates. Despite shorter hospital stays, infant rehospitalizations within a week of discharge remained unchanged.
The National Kidney Foundation has released a research roadmap to accelerate innovations in treatment and increase understanding of kidney disease. The report calls for increased funding in preclinical science, genetics, health equity, and implementation science to tackle the most vexing challenges in kidney disease.
New studies show that patients with abnormal screening results may face significant out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests, potentially delaying care. For women, colposcopy costs rose sharply over 13 years, with some facing bills of nearly $1,000. Lung cancer screening CT scans also led to high costs for invasive procedures.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new treatment that pairs essential proteins with lysophosphatidylserine to build immune tolerance and prevent antibody development, potentially treating autoimmune disorders and allergies.
A study by Intermountain Healthcare found that notifying pharmacies of discontinued prescriptions can prevent almost 200 safety events over two months. By using a CancelRX functionality in their electronic medical record system, the team was able to avoid these events and ensure patients only receive correct medications.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 35.7% increase in global development assistance for health in 2020, reaching $13.7 billion. However, this surge still falls short of the estimated $33 billion to $62 billion needed to address the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries.
Danish adults have made significant strides in preserving their natural teeth and visiting the dentist more frequently. However, social disparities in dental health persist, with those from lower-income backgrounds receiving less preventive care.
A survey of 5,589 cancer patients found widespread unawareness about immunotherapy's mechanism, efficacy, and cost. Non-oncology doctors also face challenges in keeping up with the latest developments in oncology.
The Primary Care 2.0 model demonstrates increased team development, linked to improved staff wellness, but not sufficient in preventing burnout. Labor costs decrease over time with the new model.
Analysis of survey data reveals shifts in health care spending in different US population groups, with significant increases in prescription drug spending between 2001 and 2018. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these trends and promote more equitable healthcare distribution.
A new study suggests that lowering the age when older adults can enroll in Medicare might save them a significant amount of money. The study found that average out-of-pocket healthcare costs dropped by 27% for those turning 66, while nearly 9% of 64-year-olds were considered 'catastrophic' due to high health expenses.
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...