Research on the cost of health care and how to control it. Covers cardiovascular care in Latin America, emergency-visit costs, insulin pricing, and screening gaps.
A new survey from West Health and Gallup finds Americans skeptical that healthcare costs will fall, with only 8% thinking they're headed in the right direction. The top issues Americans want the government to focus on are lowering insurance premiums and cutting drug prices.
A new machine learning algorithm named Mirai estimates breast cancer risk in women more accurately than current models, identifying 41.5% of patients at risk within 5 years. The model was effective across various races and ethnicities, supporting its potential to inform screening guidelines for diverse populations.
This study validates the significance of two critical thresholds in pancreatitis, one for damage to acinar cells and another for clinical symptoms. It highlights the importance of cost transparency, preoperative informed financial consent, and price regulation to reduce financial hardship faced by patients and their families.
Researchers designed an open-faced helmet with air filtration to contain cough droplets, minimizing disease transmission. The design reduced the risk of infection by 99.6% within 0.1 seconds.
A retrospective cohort study of 251 primary care physicians found significant variation in medical practice patterns across different doctors, but relatively stable patterns within an individual's practice over time. Researchers propose that personal behavioral characteristics may explain these variations.
A new study from the University of East Anglia estimates that breast cancer chemotherapy in the UK results in over £248 million in annual costs. These costs include lost productivity and personal expenses such as wigs and medication. Better targeting of treatment could help reduce these unnecessary costs.
A national survey of 4,000 adults found that fewer than 10% have ever discussed firearm safety with a clinician, highlighting the need for improvement in clinical settings. The study also found that when conversations occurred, the most common advice given was to lock all household firearms.
Kaiser Permanente has found that patients are more receptive to using mental health and wellness apps when referred by a clinician. Digital therapeutics such as mental health apps can offer significant help for patients with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep.
Researchers estimate sub-optimal behaviors cost the US healthcare system over $1.3 trillion annually, with a focus on eliminating 'defects' in value. The study proposes a framework to reduce costs and improve care value proposition through targeted interventions.
A FAIR Health initiative found that cost information enhances the value of shared decision making in palliative care scenarios, empowering patients to make critical healthcare decisions. The program's success highlights the utility of cost data in guiding informed discussions with clinicians.
A new study analyzed medical claims data from Taiwan, finding that patients with rheumatoid arthritis live longer after disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs called biologics became available in 2003. The estimated lifetime cost was $72,953, highlighting the need for cost-effectiveness evaluation.
A recent analysis found that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) may reduce the cost of medical care for patients undergoing dialysis. The study discovered modest cost savings for Medicare beneficiaries in ACOs, especially those who received regular primary care physician visits.
A new study from 23 Utah-based researchers estimates that air pollution shortens the average Utahn's life by 2 years and costs the economy around $1.9 billion annually. The study also found that many state-level actions could reduce air pollution by double-digit percentages while benefiting the economy.
A new study suggests that eliminating out-of-pocket costs for contraception is linked to more consistent contraceptive use and lower birth rates across all income groups. The most significant decline was observed among people from the lowest income group, experiencing a 22% drop in births.
A Boston University School of Medicine study reveals a widening gap between high deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment and the availability of health savings accounts (HSAs), exacerbating health inequities among Black, Hispanic, and lower-income populations.
A new study published in BMC Medicine reveals that informal carers provide more than half of total care costs in the UK, Ireland, and US during the last three months of life. The research emphasizes the need for improved integration and support for community palliative care services to enhance care quality and reduce burden on caregivers.
A new study by Penn State researcher David Vanness found a cost-effectiveness threshold of $104,000 per QALY for health treatments. Beyond this point, the treatment may not be beneficial for population health due to increased costs and decreased quality-adjusted life-years.
A new research effort led by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture seeks to enhance communication between healthcare providers and rural patients, enabling them to discuss costs and treatment options. The project aims to improve health outcomes for those living in poverty or with limited financial resources.
A study by researchers at the University of Virginia Health System found that nearly 1 in 8 commercially insured patients received surprise bills for out-of-network expenses after undergoing elective colonoscopies. The team recommends partnering with in-network anesthesia and pathology providers to prevent these unexpected costs.
The Affordable Care Act is facing an uncertain future due to the national election and a pending Supreme Court case. A panel of national experts will discuss the law's origins, impacts, and potential future at a free online event on Oct. 15.
A study of US hospitals found that children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience longer hospital stays and incur higher healthcare expenses due to the complexity of their medical needs. Further investigation is needed to understand the healthcare needs of this population.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that several widely available interventions are associated with reduced medical costs and a lower likelihood of emergency room visits or hospitalizations for children with asthma. The interventions include asthma self-management education, flu vaccine, spacer use, and nebulizer use.
A new study predicts that investing $9.6 billion in personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in low- and middle-income countries could save the lives of approximately 2.2 million healthcare workers and yield a substantial economic return of $755.3 billion, representing an 8,000% return on investment.
A new survey by West Health-Gallup finds that 52% of Americans trust Joe Biden to lead the US healthcare system, while 39% trust Donald Trump. Managing the pandemic and reducing healthcare costs are equally important to Americans in determining their vote for president.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have received a grant to help pharmacies implement community health worker programs. These programs aim to improve patient access to critical services while lowering healthcare costs. By providing outreach, education, and support, community health workers can address complex patients with multip...
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that modifiable health risks, such as obesity and high blood pressure, account for 27% of US personal health care expenses. These costs are largely driven by five risk factors: overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, poor diet, and smoking.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act reduced burdensome out-of-pocket healthcare costs for low- and middle-income families with children, from 35.6% to 23.7% and 24.6% to 17.3%, respectively. Despite this improvement, these families still face significant financial burdens.
A nationwide study led by OHSU finds that the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model improves health outcomes for Black patients, with reduced spending and hospital readmissions. Hispanic patients showed mixed results, but overall disparities persisted despite improvements in post-acute care use.
A study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma found that Medicare reimbursement for common orthopedic trauma procedures has decreased by 30% over the past two decades. This decline is largely due to inflation adjustments, with costs increasing by 52.8% but average reimbursement rising only 4.9%.
A recent study by RAND Corporation found that private health insurers paid hospitals an average of 247% of what Medicare would pay, highlighting a significant disparity in hospital pricing across the US. The analysis covered over half of the nation's community hospitals and revealed wide variations in prices among states.
A review of personal protective respirator mask use reveals that initial fit-pass rates are lower among females and Asians compared to males and Caucasians. Correct respirator fit appears more important than filtration capacity for airborne protection. Fit-testing is recommended, with annual testing suggested due to its cost-effectiven...
Researchers estimate that diagnosing and treating high-risk cardiovascular conditions in England could prevent 3.4 million cases of heart disease and stroke, saving £68 billion over 25 years. Identifying undiagnosed diabetes would yield the greatest benefits, while following NICE guidelines would further increase health outcomes.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that switching from brand-name to generic cholesterol medications between 2014 and 2018 saved Medicare billions of dollars. The total costs on these drugs went down despite an increase in prescriptions for LDL-lowering drugs, with the number of generic prescriptions rising by 35%.
A modelling study estimates that the COVID-19 response in low- and middle-income countries costs around $52 billion over four weeks, with increased transmission scenarios leading to higher costs. The study highlights the importance of investing in pandemic preparedness to reduce virus transmission and contain costs.
A new scoring system is proposed to diagnose COVID-19, taking into account epidemiological evidence, clinical symptoms, and investigations. This simple system can be calculated in minutes and helps classify suspected patients for further evaluation or isolation.
A food-based approach using clinically-proven diet interventions can significantly lower cholesterol levels and reduce healthcare costs. The study found that successfully managing hyperlipidemia with Step One Foods could lead to billions of medical savings annually for the entire Medicare privately insured population.
A new study reveals that half of those who have opened a health savings account haven't put money into it in the past year. Those with lower levels of education and health insurance literacy are less likely to open or contribute to an HSA.
A RAND Corporation study found that telemedicine services can extend care for underserved populations, particularly in rural areas. The study examined the experiences of nine community health centers in California and found a significant increase in telemedicine volume over time.
A new study found that access to the food stamp program lowers repeat physician visits by over 14% due to improved immune response. This reduction in healthcare utilization results in significant savings for individuals and the federal government, with estimates suggesting $9 per person in cost savings.
A new patient-focused intervention, DISCO App, has been developed to improve patient-provider treatment cost discussions and related patient outcomes. The five-year grant-funded study will evaluate the effectiveness of the app in reducing financial toxicity among cancer patients.
Researchers analyzed de-identified medical claims covering 6.3 million North Carolinians, revealing significant overall spending of $50 billion per year. Key takeaways include geographic variation, cost variation by payer type, and spending variation by service category.
A simulation model suggests that all tax designs would generate substantial health gains and lower health costs in the US. The tiered sugar content tax could generate the largest health gains and cost savings, particularly among younger adults, blacks, and Hispanics.
A new study by American Cancer Society finds that cancer survivors experiencing higher medical and nonmedical financial hardships are more likely to visit the emergency department, receive less preventive care, and have worse self-rated health. The study highlights the growing healthcare costs and their impact on worsening health dispa...
Researchers analyzed insurance claims from 2016 to 2019 and found that out-of-pocket costs for respiratory illnesses were particularly high for consumer-directed plans. Tens of millions of Americans with self-insured health plans may face significant financial burden due to COVID-19 hospitalizations.
A free web resource improved men's health behaviours, including eating habits and exercise, with 75% reporting changes in their diets and 70% engaging in sports. The study found significant positive changes among regular users of the site, even without access to fitness facilities.
A Rutgers-led study in Colombia used primary population data to assess surgical needs and identify gaps in care. The study found high out-of-pocket expenses leading to poverty and limited access to surgical services, highlighting the need for improved healthcare policies worldwide.
A new study by Harvard researchers finds that 18.2 million individuals at increased risk of severe COVID-19 are uninsured or underinsured, with racial minorities and lower-income individuals being disproportionately affected. The study highlights the need for adequate coverage to prevent financial ruin and ensure access to necessary care.
A Finnish study used machine learning to analyze the economic burden of alcohol use disorders, finding that patients with multiple chronic conditions faced significantly higher care costs. The study highlights the importance of rehabilitation services and non-alcohol related treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorders.
A report from Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends adding home visit codes to MIPS quality measures and fostering research on home-based primary care. Currently, only 12% of homebound patients receive their medical care at home, highlighting the need for improved quality measures.
The study found that CPC practices significantly increased their staffing with care managers and behavioral health staff, while non-CPC practices remained relatively unchanged. The authors suggest further research on the impact of team-based care and staff composition on healthcare costs and patient experience.
A simulated patient study in Northern California found that counties with limited new patient primary care appointments had higher rates of Medi-Cal patients' emergency room usage. Adequate access to primary care is crucial for improving health outcomes and controlling costs among Medicaid expansion beneficiaries.
A retrospective cohort study published in Pediatrics found that unplanned extubations in preterm infants were associated with worse in-patient outcomes, extended length of stay, and increased hospital costs. The study estimated direct hospital costs of about $60 million as a result of UEs in babies less than 28 weeks at birth.
A new study by researchers from the University of Zurich and Harvard Medical School found that the high cost of cancer drugs in the US is not always justified. The study analyzed the costs of 65 cancer drugs in five countries and found no correlation between monthly treatment costs and clinical benefit.
A new study reveals the economic burden of cancer care for Syrian refugees, estimating costs ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 per case. The findings highlight the urgent need for governments and international agencies to provide adequate funding and resources for cancer care in refugee populations.
The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health will focus on health and climate equity with $247,858 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Funding began in May 2020 and concluded in April 2021.
A new study finds that COVID-19 pandemic could lead to $654 billion in direct medical costs and strain on healthcare resources. Reducing infections through herd immunity strategies or social distancing measures can significantly cut these costs.
A study suggests a species of beetle could help control an invasive weed at the root of many people's suffering from seasonal allergies. Biological control may reduce the number of people affected by ragweed pollen and associated health costs in Europe.
A study of 101 wild mammal species found that females lived 18% longer than males for over 60% of the species, with a similar gap in humans. The researchers suggest complex interactions between environmental conditions and sex-specific costs of reproduction may contribute to this phenomenon.
A national poll reveals that nearly all older Americans support adding a dental benefit to the Medicare program, with 93% favoring inclusion in traditional Medicare. The poll also finds that cost plays a significant role in dental decisions, with one in five respondents delaying or forgoing dental care due to financial constraints.
Researchers found that phasing out coal can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% worldwide, while saving 1.5% of global economic output by 2050. The benefits of a coal exit outweigh the costs, with local and short-term impacts on public health and biodiversity being most significant.