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.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a significant impact on the US healthcare system, with estimated annual costs of $32 billion. The prevalence of NAFLD mirrors the rising trend of obesity in the United States, affecting roughly 100 million Americans.
Low-income families with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) experience high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including insurance premiums and prescription medications. Researchers found nearly one in four low-income families face catastrophic financial burdens.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that self-monitoring of type 2 diabetes can reduce healthcare costs by nearly 60% by replacing follow-up visits with electronic feedback. This results in significant savings on travel and healthcare costs, particularly in sparsely populated areas.
Researchers found a significant increase in specialist referrals among family physicians switching to blended capitation models, highlighting unintended consequences of policy changes. The study's findings suggest that increased referrals may not be entirely necessary and could result in higher costs for the healthcare system.
A study by the RAND Corporation found that opening onsite health clinics in schools can lower healthcare costs by 15% and decrease teacher absenteeism. The clinics provided comprehensive primary care to teachers and their families, resulting in lower hospital admission rates and prescription costs.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has the potential to provide early diagnoses for neonates with genetic disorders, leading to changes in medical care and reduced healthcare costs. In a study of over 340 patients, rWGS yielded a diagnosis in 34% of cases, with significant changes in management observed in 67% of those diagnosed.
The study found that on-site pathology testing reduced the need for medical evacuations by up to 35%, resulting in estimated total cost savings of $21.75 million per year. This technology enabled early diagnosis, treatment, and evacuation for critically ill patients in remote communities.
A 20% increase in US adults' adherence to healthy dietary patterns could save $30-47 billion annually, primarily due to reductions in heart disease and cancer costs. Increasing adherence to the Mediterranean-style diet could lead to annual savings of $21-26 billion.
A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that hospitals receiving bundled payments for joint replacements either voluntarily or through Medicare's mandatory programs vary in size and volume but not in spending or quality. The authors suggest both programs are needed to engage more hospitals.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers found that a tax on medical devices significantly reduced R&D investment, sales revenue, and earnings. The tax, part of the Affordable Care Act, affected operating and marketing costs as well, but firms diversified their customer base and increased global market sales to offset the impact.
A new cardiac pump device has been found to minimize cost of care over time for heart failure patients, with a 51% reduction in re-hospitalization rates and significant cost savings compared to the standard device.
A new study suggests inadequate sleep has grave economic consequences, affecting over 33% of Australian adults and costing billions. The financial cost of $17.88 billion represents 1.55% of the country's GDP.
A recent systematic review found that health information exchanges can significantly reduce healthcare costs and usage. Community-based exchanges showed more promising results than proprietary ones. The study's lead investigator attributed the difference to more mature systems being examined in the current review.
A new study finds that child sexual abuse has a profound economic impact on the US, with estimated annual costs of $9.3 billion and lifetime costs per victim ranging from nearly $200,000 for nonfatal abuse to over $1 million for fatal cases. The study's authors hope to inspire policymakers to invest in prevention efforts.
A recent study found that 12.1% of end-of-life admissions received non-beneficial treatment, costing the public $153.1 million annually. The new collaboration aims to reduce such treatments and improve end-of-life care.
A clinical trial at the University of Chicago Medical Center found that a comprehensive care physician model reduced hospitalization rates by 15-22% and improved patient satisfaction. The model, which involves a single doctor providing care in both clinic and hospital settings, was preferred by patients and economically beneficial.
A national analysis found treatment costs for drug-resistant MRSA infections are similar to those of susceptible MSSA infections. Researchers attribute the lower costs to factors such as price differences in drugs and possible misdiagnosis or coding errors.
A new study found per-capita end-of-life care costs have been declining since 2008, with significant contributions from reduced inpatient and physician expenditures. The decline contributed to moderation in growth of overall per-capita Medicare spending.
Researchers analyzed national hospitalization data from 2010-2014 and found that MRSA-related hospitalization costs were approximately the same as or less expensive than hospitalizations with MSSA infections. However, patients with MRSA infections had a greater likelihood of mortality than those with MSSA.
Researchers at Allina Health examined pain treatment outcomes of integrative medicine in hospitalized patients and found significant cost savings associated with pain reductions. The study, published in JACM, suggests that integrative interventions can lead to a decrease in hospital costs by up to $1,000 per admission.
A dolutegravir-based regimen is likely to increase life expectancy by nearly three years and reduce new HIV infections by 23 percent in India. This could be achieved without increasing the country's HIV/AIDS budget.
The UK loses 86 million workdays to migraine annually, costing the economy £8.8 billion. The condition affects over 23% of adults with nearly 200,000 attacks daily.
A new study finds that older adults with severe hearing loss who use hearing aids are less likely to visit the hospital or emergency room, despite high costs of the devices themselves. The association is significant, even considering factors such as income and education level.
Researchers found that adults on the autism spectrum have increased use of primary care, mental health services, and laboratory services, but lower use of gynecology visits and cervical cancer screening. The study highlights the importance of considering autism throughout the lifespan and emphasizes the need for better access to afford...
A new automated text messaging service aims to curb opioid abuse by providing patients with regular check-ins and a panic button for immediate help. The study found that the service reduced substance use among patients, dropping from 43% to 10%, and saved caregivers $19 per patient annually.
Research reveals huge variation in gluten-free food prescribing practice in England, with the most deprived areas having the lowest rates. The study found that factors such as clinical commissioning group policies and deprivation levels play a significant role in determining prescribing patterns.
The transfer of stroke patients out of smaller community hospitals has increased significantly since 2006, with national rates doubling between 2006 and 2014. This trend highlights the need for better coordination between hospitals to determine which patients require transfer to specialized centers.
A large Danish study found that individuals with clinically-diagnosed diabetes were identified 2.2 years later than those in the screening group, resulting in lower healthcare costs. The study suggests that early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes could lead to significant cost savings.
A study analyzed outcomes and costs for German patients with NAFLD/NASH who developed compensated cirrhosis, finding significant increases in comorbidities, mortality, and healthcare costs. The study highlights the need for new treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
A study found that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) improve blood glucose control, reduce hypoglycemia episodes, and increase quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes. The use of CGMs is cost-effective over manual testing with strips, with savings of $3,796 per year.
A study published in The BMJ found that increasing cigarette prices by 50% would lead to significant gains in life years gained, treatment costs averted, and financial protection for low-income individuals. Men in the bottom income group would gain an average of five times more life years than those in the top income group.
Recruiting small primary care practices for large-scale quality improvement initiatives is difficult and costly. Investigators should budget adequate funds to support high-touch recruitment strategies, including building trusted relationships for a year or more.
A new study by the University of Southern California finds that high-deductible health plans increase the risk of financial trouble and out-of-pocket spending for low-income and chronically ill consumers, who are more likely to face excessive financial burden or financial disaster. The study shows that enrollment in high-deductible pla...
A recent study analyzing 44 million claims from 68,000 physicians found that Medicaid billing complexity is surprisingly similar to private insurance, contradicting conventional wisdom. The research suggests that Medicaid managed care programs have slightly lower billing complexity than state-run fee-for-service Medicaid.
Researchers estimate that non-optimized medication therapy costs over half a trillion dollars annually, resulting from illness and death due to suboptimal treatment regimens. The study proposes expanding comprehensive medication management services to improve patient health and lower costs.
A new study by Georgia State University estimates that child sexual abuse in the US has a total lifetime economic burden of $9.3 billion, with female victims facing an average lifetime cost of $1.1M and male victims facing a lower estimated lifetime cost due to insufficient data on productivity losses.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that taking a standard prostate cancer drug with food can boost its impact and lower costs. By decreasing the daily dose, preventing digestive issues, and cutting costs by 75 percent, patients could save up to $300,000 per month.
Research finds that people are 5% more likely to miss NHS hospital outpatient appointments following the clock change in spring. The study, published in Chronobiology International, analyzed over 2 million appointments in Scotland from 2005 to 2010, revealing a significant increase in missed appointments after the clocks go forward.
The MedSeq Project analyzed costs six months after genetic information was returned to physicians and their patients. Sequencing did identify health-relevant genetic information, but downstream costs were similar between sequenced and unsequenced patients.
Researchers found that medical expenses account for approximately 4 percent of bankruptcy filings, contrary to commonly cited estimates. Poor health leads to negative economic consequences, including a 20 percent drop in earnings and an 11 percent drop in employment among adults aged 50-59 who were hospitalized.
Patients taking chronic opioids before spinal fusion are at increased risk of complications, including wound complications, emergency visits, and repeat spinal fusion surgery. Long-term opioid use also associated with higher odds of constipation and increased healthcare costs.
The US spent nearly twice as much on medical care as other high-income countries, but performed less well on population health outcomes. The main drivers of spending differences were pharmaceuticals, devices, and administrative costs.
The US spends substantially more on healthcare than other high-income countries despite poor population health outcomes, primarily due to higher prices for services and administrative complexity. Quality of care in the US excels in some areas but is not markedly different from that of other countries.
Precision oncology uses advanced molecular diagnostic technologies to select targeted therapies, resulting in improved overall survival and lower average total healthcare costs. Average weekly costs were significantly lower for the targeted treatment group compared to the control group.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that larger hospitals with more procedures performed under bundled payments showed significant cost savings. Non-profit and major teaching hospitals were also more likely to succeed under this model, with improved care quality and lower costs per case.
Falls among older adults are a significant contributor to healthcare costs, with nonfatal falls resulting in $28.9 billion Medicare payments and fatal falls costing $754 million. Preventive strategies can help reduce these costs and improve health outcomes.
A new study reveals that elderly Medicare patients underwent fewer minimally invasive surgeries compared to the general population, missing out on potential benefits of lower complication rates and readmissions. The study highlights the underuse of minimally invasive surgery in eligible candidates as an example of low-value care.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that implementing the Paris Climate Agreement could lead to significant health savings due to reduced air pollution-related disease and death. Estimated costs range from 0.5-1% global GDP, while potential health benefits could be as high as 2.5 times greater than these costs.
Research by NICM Health Research Institute and Western Sydney University finds effective childbirth education programmes can reduce caesarean births, saving the healthcare system millions annually. The study suggests antenatal education could reduce birth-related healthcare costs by up to nine percent.
Researchers recommend routine screening for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in offenders to improve medical support and reduce crime. Young people with TBI are at greater risk of early, violent offending due to compromised neurological functions and increased risk of behavioral disorders.
A systematic review found that stroke survivors and caregivers feel abandoned by primary care services, lacking necessary support and information. The study suggests that active follow-up and tailored information provision could improve patient self-management and reduce disability burden.
A new study finds that early consultation by a dermatologist can improve health-related outcomes and reduce costs associated with misdiagnosed pseudocellulitis. The researchers estimate that this intervention could prevent up to 256,000 hospitalization days and $210 million in net cost savings annually.
Research finds that abusive supervision affects more than 13% of U.S. workers, leading to retaliatory behavior and decreased productivity. The study also reveals cultural power distance influences employees' perceptions of justice and deviant behavior, with lower power distance countries experiencing stronger deviations.
The prevalence of obesity in the US has risen dramatically, but its economic impact on individual states is less understood. A recent study found that health care costs devoted to treating obesity-related illness vary significantly across states, with some spending over 12 percent of their total medical expenditures on obesity treatment.
A pilot study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a home hospital model reduced direct costs up to half compared to traditional hospital care. The model also decreased hospital utilization and improved patient physical activity, with no significant impact on quality or safety.
The American College of Rheumatology now supports the use of biosimilars in treating patients with rheumatic diseases, citing rigorously acquired data. Communication between providers and patients is crucial to alleviate anxiety around newly available agents.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that diabetes-related complications in Germany result in high healthcare costs. The research analyzed data from over 300,000 people with type 2 diabetes and estimated the costs associated with each complication, including eye disease, kidney damage, and cardiovascular diseases.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that an enhanced recovery program reduced hospital length of stay, narcotic use, and total direct pharmacy costs. The protocol improved clinical outcomes and provided financial benefits to hospitals.
Research estimates that asthma costs the US economy $81.9 billion per year, with 15.4 million people affected annually. The study also found significant disparities in healthcare costs between insured and uninsured individuals.
Medical professionals in the US should use trained medical interpreters to ensure patients with limited English proficiency receive accurate communication. Language access plans involving professional interpreters improve health outcomes, ethical patient care, and patient satisfaction, reducing costly repeat visits.