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 study by RAND Corporation found that the use of anesthesia providers during GI procedures is increasing rapidly, with substantial regional variation. The study suggests that up to $1.1 billion in annual health spending may be unneeded, as most low-risk patients do not require this service.
Freezing eggs or ovarian tissue for delayed childbearing proves costly for society, with an additional $130,000 required per live birth. The study suggests doing nothing is the most cost-effective option, while freezing eggs is less expensive than ovarian tissue.
Researchers found that lowering the HbA1c cutoff from 6.4% to 5.7% increases the health benefits of preventive interventions, while also being cost-effective with a higher threshold.
Researchers project that the cost of family health insurance premiums will surpass household income by 2033, with a current estimate suggesting this could happen as early as 2021. The study highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the US healthcare environment following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Car...
Researchers find diacetylmorphine cheaper and more effective in keeping people with opioid dependency in treatment. The treatment strategy could reduce costs in treating chronic opioid addiction by retaining patients in treatment longer.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed nanotube-based sensors that can perform lab tests in minutes, speeding diagnosis and treatment while reducing costs. The technology has almost tripled the speed of prototype nano-biosensors and holds potential for applications in medicine, toxicology, and environmental monitoring.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers finds that aggressive treatment for severe traumatic brain injuries significantly improves outcomes and reduces long-term costs. The study suggests that invasive interventions like ICP monitoring and decompressive craniotomies are cost-effective across all patient populations, inclu...
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that most stroke patients undergo both MRI and CT scans, resulting in unnecessary redundancy and increased costs. This practice contributes to the growing burden of healthcare expenses nationwide.
Massive increases in insurance coverage and inpatient reimbursement have been achieved, especially in rural areas and hospitals, leading to greater equal access to basic health services. However, patients still face catastrophic health expenses, highlighting the need for improved risk protection measures.
A new study by RAND Corporation concludes that eliminating the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act would sharply decrease health coverage, but not dramatically hike insurance prices. The number of Americans predicted to get coverage in 2016 would drop from 27 million to 15 million if the individual mandate were eliminated.
Hospitalizations for US underage drinkers are common, with an estimated 700,000 young people hospitalized in 2008. The majority were drunk upon arrival, and the average age of those with alcohol-related discharges was 18 years old.
A study published by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine finds that in utero surgery is more cost-effective for children with spina bifida, resulting in improved quality of life. The study also highlights the significant healthcare costs associated with caring for a child with significant deficits.
A recent study has estimated the annual cost of defensive orthopaedic care in the US at $2 billion. The study found that 96% of orthopaedic surgeons ordered tests and referrals primarily to avoid malpractice liability, resulting in a significant increase in healthcare costs.
A national survey of 2000 orthopedic surgeons found that 96% practice defensive medicine, accounting for 24% of imaging studies, laboratory tests, consultations, and hospital admissions. The average cost per month is $8,485, totaling $2 billion annually.
A new study from VCU researchers found that a managed care plan can reduce the cost of caring for the uninsured population who gain coverage through the Affordable Care Act. The study showed that emergency department visits and inpatient admissions declined, while primary care visits increased during the seven-year period.
A new study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that online support after joint replacement surgery can save patients time and money. Patients who used web-based follow-up care reported fewer routine visits, lower travel costs, and reduced time spent on appointments.
The financial burden of prescription drugs is decreasing, with generic medications playing a key role. In 2008, over 8 million nonelderly Americans faced high drug-cost burdens, with nearly 1/4 living in families where out-of-pocket costs accounted for more than half of all healthcare expenses.
A combined public health campaign in Kenya successfully tackled HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diarrhea by distributing bed nets, water filters, condoms, and educational materials. This approach saved over $16,000 per 1,000 people reached, resulting in 16 lives saved and hundreds of years of healthy life.
A new study from Henry Ford Hospital found that less than 1% of CT scans performed in emergency departments revealed a serious underlying cause for dizziness. The study suggests that stricter guidelines could be implemented to reduce unnecessary CT scans and save costs.
Researchers found that the total cost of asthma due to pollution is significantly higher than past estimates, with an additional $18 million in annual costs in Long Beach and Riverside, Calif. The study reveals that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is a major cause of asthma and exacerbates attacks.
A new study reveals the true extent of healthcare costs associated with living close to busy roads, estimating annual costs of $18 million in two Southern California communities. The 'asthma career cost' method takes into account childhood asthma cases and broad costs, exceeding average household income levels.
A regional surgical quality collaborative significantly improved surgical outcomes, reducing rates of acute renal failure and surgical site infections. The Tennessee Surgical Quality Collaborative saved $2,197,543 per 10,000 general and vascular surgery cases compared to 2009 results.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that comorbidities such as high blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and congestive heart failure significantly raise hospitalization costs and length of stay for hip fracture patients. Recent weight loss or malnutrition also had a major impact on hospitalizat...
A study estimates that occupational injuries and illnesses cost the US nation $250 billion annually, surpassing cancer, diabetes, and stroke costs. The study suggests expanding prevention measures to reduce harm to workers.
A new RAND Corporation study emphasizes the importance of office-based medical practice in promoting adult vaccinations. Despite the high efficacy of vaccines, adult vaccination rates remain low, with only 70% of those at highest risk exceeding recommended inoculation rates for influenza. To address this issue, researchers propose stra...
Patients with cirrhosis are more likely to be Hispanic, have lower education, and higher healthcare utilization. They also experience significant functional disability, requiring twice the amount of informal caregiving as non-cirrhotic peers.
A nationwide tax on sugary drinks could prevent nearly 100,000 cases of heart disease and 26,000 deaths annually. The tax would also generate $13 billion in direct revenue and save the public an additional $17 billion per year in healthcare costs.
A new study finds that solar-powered hemodialysis can reduce power costs by up to 76.5% and generate effectively free energy. The researchers advocate for implementing water conservation and waste management systems in dialysis programs to further reduce environmental impact.
A study of over 14,000 Medicare patients with peripheral arterial disease found that treatment by interventional radiologists results in better patient outcomes and lower costs. The study suggests that consumers have a choice in selecting healthcare providers and can expect varying levels of quality and cost depending on the specialist
A Kaiser Permanente study found that the Early Start program reduces maternal and neonatal morbidity and stillbirths, resulting in an average net cost benefit of $5.9 million annually. The program's accessibility to patients and integration with prenatal care significantly contribute to its success.
A nationwide survey found that few hospitals are aggressively combating catheter-associated urinary tract infections, a common healthcare-associated infection. The study suggests that hospitals may not be using enough prevention practices for UTIs, despite increased use of methods to prevent other hospital-acquired infections.
A new study published in Age and Ageing found that timely acute care immediately after a stroke can significantly reduce the level of disability in survivors, as well as the need for long-term care. The study estimated the total cost of stroke and TIA in Ireland to be €500-€816 million in 2007.
The scale-up of voluntary medical male circumcision is a cost-effective way to prevent HIV in eastern and southern Africa. The initiative aims to achieve 80% coverage of VMMC services in 14 priority countries, resulting in net savings of $16.5 billion between 2011 and 2025.
A new study suggests that states could save substantial amounts of money by fully funding tobacco control programs, which have a sustained impact on cigarette demand. The programs would reduce Medicaid payments, medical costs, and lost productivity, resulting in long-term savings for the states.
Hospital parking fees should be abolished as they create barriers to health care and distract patients from their concerns. Abolishing parking fees would validate patients' experience and support patient-centred health care.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals a 10-fold increase in retail clinic usage between 2007 and 2009, driven by factors such as age, health status, income, and proximity. Retail clinics are found to be more effective for managing simple acute conditions like upper respiratory infections and ear infections.
A Concordia University study found that 25% of Canadians aged 31 to 50 exceed the safe limit of total calories derived from fats. Individuals who eat well are 20% less likely to be obese, according to the researchers.
Health insurance costs outpaced income growth in every state, with premium increases ranging from 33% in Idaho to 70% in Mississippi. Employees contributed 63% more to premiums while getting less protective coverage, with per-person deductibles doubling over the same period.
A Florida law barring doctors from discussing firearms safety with patients and parents endangers open communication about a critical public health issue. Gunshot wounds are a leading cause of pediatric trauma, and safe storage of firearms is crucial in preventing injuries and deaths.
A recent study published in Health Affairs reveals that climate change-related events in the US resulted in $14 billion in health costs, 21,000 emergency room visits, and nearly 1,700 deaths. The analysis highlights the need for effective partnerships to mitigate public health damage and reduce health risks.
A new international health survey found that chronically ill US adults who received care from a medical home were less likely to report medical errors and had better relationships with their doctors. In contrast, the US stood out for having the highest rates of cost-related access problems and medical bill burdens.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is more effective than guaiac fecal occult blood testing (gFOBT) in colonoscopy screenings, increasing attendance and diagnostic yield while reducing false positives. FIT is also cost-effective and clinically beneficial for d...
Patients treated by physicians who billed for both technical and professional fees were more likely to undergo cardiac stress imaging after coronary revascularization. The incidence of nuclear stress testing was higher among these physicians compared to those who did not bill for the service, with 12.6% vs 5.0%.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that financial reimbursement for cardiac imaging tests increases their use, with doctors ordering tests 50-100% more often when billed for both performing and interpreting the results.
A new study found that bundling payments to healthcare providers to reduce costs proves difficult to implement, despite its potential benefits. Researchers identified technical and cultural barriers as major obstacles to the approach.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital found that patients with advanced liver disease have significantly higher healthcare costs compared to those with early stages of the disease. The average annual cost for patients with end-stage liver disease was estimated to be $59,995.
A Group Health Research Institute study found that obesity is associated with higher health care costs, but not due to co-occurring depression. Similarly, depression is linked to increased costs, but not because of co-occurring obesity. The study's findings have significant economic implications for the general population.
A new study by Harvard School of Public Health researchers predicts that Medicaid enrollment under the Affordable Care Act could range from 8 to 22 million Americans by 2014. The study also estimates a need for 4,500 to 12,100 new physicians to care for new patients, due to low reimbursement rates.
A new report from the University of Washington shows that housing and healthcare costs are driving an 8% increase in Washington's cost of living. The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2011 reveals that families need significantly higher incomes to meet basic needs, with some areas experiencing massive increases.
The US health care system scored 64 out of 100 on key measures, with notable improvements in quality of care but significant erosion in access and affordability. The scorecard highlights the need for targeted efforts to improve areas such as adoption and use of health information technology and prevention of premature deaths.
A new study finds that Canada is failing to support young families, with stagnant household incomes and high housing costs squeezing them for time and resources. Experts propose policy changes to address the issue, including universal childcare and flexible work arrangements.
A retrospective analysis of neurosurgical patient transfers found that 60% of patients could have been stabilized at the original hospital before transfer by ground ambulance. Helicopter transport can cost up to $25,000, while ground transport is estimated to be between $800 and $2,000.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that $6.7 billion was spent on unnecessary tests or medications, with brand-name statins accounting for 86% of the cost. Excess spending included blood work, bone density scans, and antibiotic prescriptions.
A recent study found that using a lower dose of contrast media (60 milliliters) in 320 detector row CT scans resulted in sufficient enhancement in over 96% of coronary segments. Larger patients with higher body mass indexes showed improved results, supporting the use of this lower dose protocol.
A new study found that patients with consumer-directed health plans have more control over healthcare costs, with two-thirds of the reduction in total healthcare costs coming from reduced utilization of medical services. This is due to lower use of name-brand medications, less in-patient care, and lower use of specialists.
The report highlights the urgent need for simplified and integrated patient treatment pathways, new models of care with lower cost bases, and a whole new approach to expensive interventions. Radical action is required to make cancer care fair and affordable for all citizens.
The Lancet Oncology Commission emphasizes the need for affordable cancer care in high-income countries by addressing issues like overuse, rapid expansion of demand, and shortening life cycles of medical technologies. The commission suggests value-based pricing, personalized medicine, and education to tackle these challenges.
The NHS has wasted £625 million on synthetic insulin over the past decade, as recommended human alternatives would have been just as effective, reveals research published in BMJ Open. The study analyzed publicly available data and found that the annual cost of synthetic insulin rose from 12% to 85% of total costs.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that early treatment of HIV significantly reduces mortality by 75 percent. The researchers also found that the benefits of early ART outweigh its costs, making it a cost-effective intervention in resource-poor settings.
The American College of Physicians advocates for a seventh ACGME/ABMS general competency on cost-conscious care. Meanwhile, research on Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in relation to diabetes remains inconclusive. Additionally, local incidence data may improve the diagnosis of strep throat, which affects millions worldwide each year.