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 four-year study funded by the AHRQ investigates Total Health, a unique benefits program offering preventive care, reduced copayments for chronic conditions, and health promotion programs to manage chronic diseases. The study aims to improve employee wellness and productivity while controlling healthcare costs.
The winners of the 2010 Science in Society Journalism Awards were announced, honoring outstanding investigative reporting on science and its impact on society. Susan Cohen and Christine Cosgrove won for their book
A new study by the American Lung Association finds that helping smokers quit saves lives and offers significant economic benefits to states. States can expect a 26% return on investment for every dollar spent on smoking cessation treatments, with some states receiving even higher returns.
16.6 million small business employees are eligible for tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, with benefits including increased competition among insurers and reduced health insurance premiums. By 2013, 3.4 million workers may take advantage of the tax credit, which increases in value to up to 50% of premium contribution by 2014.
A survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Association of Finnish Pharmacies found that pharmacists' free professional services saved €565 million per year in Finland. This includes reducing 6.2 million general practitioner visits, 750,000 emergency visits, and 123,000 hospital nights.
The incidence of acute myocardial infarction sharply increased among young Italian women between 2001 and 2005, with a total of over 118,000 reported cases in 2005. The study also found that the increase was higher in younger women aged 45-64 years.
A new analysis found that prostate cancer treatment choices significantly impact long-term care costs. Watchful waiting had the lowest initial and five-year total costs, while hormonal therapy plus radiation and surgery were associated with higher costs.
A new report from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that trauma center care is cost-effective for patients with severe injuries and those younger than 55. The study estimates that trauma center care saves lives at a lower cost per life-year gained compared to non-trauma center care.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with dysphagia averaged a 40% longer hospital stay than those without the condition. Dysphagia is severely underreported and can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia and increased end-of-life costs.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that the University of Michigan's full disclosure program for medical errors resulted in a significant decrease in new claims, time to resolution, and liability costs. This improvement in transparency and compensation led to reduced malpractice costs and enhanced patient safety.
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery showed significant reduction in diabetes medication use, with over 80% eliminating medications one year post-surgery. The study suggests that bariatric surgery may lead to improved glucose control and lower healthcare costs for obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
The Affordable Care Act will stabilize and reverse growing health costs for women through subsidized insurance coverage and expanded Medicaid eligibility. Women are expected to benefit from the law's provisions on maternity care, newborn coverage, and protection against higher premiums and coverage denials based on gender.
A new analysis reveals that avoiding lowest-volume hospitals and maximizing adherence to quality care processes can significantly reduce costs associated with coronary bypass surgery. Patients receiving all quality of care measures had shorter hospital stays and lower costs.
Researchers found that depressive symptoms are commonly overlooked in routine clinical interviews for HCV patients, leading to compromised treatment outcomes. Studies also revealed higher healthcare benefit costs and lower productivity among HCV-infected workers.
A new vaccine-delivery patch using dissolving microneedles offers improved immunization against diseases like influenza. The patches simplify immunization programs by eliminating hypodermic needles and their disposal concerns.
The adoption of digital patient records, increased regulation, and provider consolidation highlight the need for better information security in healthcare. Patient concerns about sharing medical information online are common, with a recent survey showing three-quarters of patients worried about health websites breaching their privacy.
A recent study estimates that waterborne diseases like Legionnaires', cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis cost the healthcare system up to $539 million annually. The three diseases cause severe illness often requiring hospital stays of over a week, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
Agricultural Research Service-funded scientists found that a combination of protective nutrients and low-glycemic-index diet provides an AMD protective effect. The most protective nutrients were vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
A new study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center finds that cardiac MRI can reduce hospital admissions and costs for chest pain patients in the emergency department. The study uses cardiac MRI to provide accurate diagnostics in an observation unit, reducing unnecessary hospital stays.
Researchers at UCLA found that Latinos from Central and South America and those from Mexico are more likely to experience low levels of preventive care, with lower rates of basic screenings such as colorectal cancer screening and influenza vaccinations. Addressing this gap could help reduce healthcare costs by promoting targeted interv...
The US ranked last in five areas of health system performance: quality, efficiency, access, equity, and healthy lives. Affordable Care Act provisions may improve access and equity, but the country still lags behind others on measures of quality and value.
An estimated 1.8 million individuals visit free clinics annually, providing a range of preventive and general medical care to 10% of the working-age adult uninsured population. Free clinics rely on charitable donations, civic groups, and corporations as primary funding sources.
A study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that IVF children generate significant fiscal implications for governments, with a discounted net tax revenue of approximately €127,000. This represents an 8-fold return on investment for governments.
The Medicare program is expected to spend over $510 billion on 47 million individuals by 2010, with costs projected to skyrocket. Solutions proposed include preventing hospital readmissions, enhancing communication among healthcare providers and patients, and realigning the physician payment system.
Researchers found significant cost increases in Medicare claims between 2003 and 2006, with DES contributing $3.32 billion to growth and ICDs contributing $774 million. Average costs for coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure patients increased substantially, driven by the use of these devices.
A nationwide smoking ban would lead to a significant reduction in heart attack hospitalizations, with 18,596 fewer admissions expected. The ban could also save over $92 million in direct healthcare costs.
A new study found that improved treatment of severe epilepsy could significantly reduce the overall cost of the condition. The study analyzed data from 9,163 epilepsy patients and found that non-AED related costs increased disproportionately with disease severity, while AED-related costs remained stable.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that physician cost profiles can vary widely depending on the attribution rules used by insurance companies. This variability has important implications for both patients and physicians, highlighting the need for transparency and consistency in cost profiling methods.
A recent study by Brandeis researchers found that medicalizing human problems has led to substantial economic costs, with $77.1 billion spent on conditions like menopause and ADHD in 2005.
A new study by researchers found that measuring bone density before starting ADT can help prevent fractures and reduce costs. Another study suggests that CTCA can identify patients who need more invasive testing for heart disease.
A new study reveals that population health plays a significant role in explaining geographic differences in Medicare spending, accounting for nearly one-third of the variation. The study's findings suggest that policies based on misperceptions of unexplained geographic differences may be flawed.
A new study from the Regenstrief Institute provides a framework for evaluating the costs, effort, and value of health information exchange services. The framework will help track the development and utilization of these services, crucial for understanding their impact on quality of care and patient safety.
The cost of cancer treatment in the US has nearly doubled over the past two decades, with private insurance and Medicaid bearing a growing burden. Inpatient hospital admissions account for a smaller share of costs, while outpatient expenditures increase.
Researchers found over 2,000 genes reprogrammed in peripheral nervous system of rodent models, leading to potential 'transcription therapy' for chronic pain. The study's high-throughput sequencing revealed novel exons and gene candidates, offering a new approach for neuroscientific research.
A new study by RAND Corporation suggests that pay-for-performance programs could worsen medical disparities, particularly in communities with lower-income and minority populations. The study found that practices serving these communities would receive lower payments under typical pay-for-performance programs.
Research found that 5% of low-income caregivers reported making trade-offs to pay for medical care, often at the expense of basic necessities like food and utilities. Children in these families were at increased risk of poor health, hospitalization, and developmental delays.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers warns that pay-for-performance policies may create financial incentives for discriminating against obese patients. Obese patients are at significantly greater risk of complications and cost more to treat than non-obese patients after surgery.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that imaging costs rose faster than overall cancer care for Medicare patients. The use of PET scans increased significantly, with a mean annual growth rate of 36-53% across six cancer types.
The use and costs of diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients with cancer increased substantially between 1999 and 2006. PET scans saw the largest increase, accompanied by a reduction in conventional nuclear medicine tests and stabilized CT scans.
A new study found that domestic violence victims have significantly higher health costs than non-abused women, with average costs of over $1,200 for the first two years after abuse ends. The study suggests that prolonged impact of abuse on healthcare costs is consistent with chronic health conditions.
A new CU-Boulder study finds that material possessions don't provide enduring happiness and often make individuals less popular among their peers. Investing in life experiences instead can lead to better social relationships and increased happiness.
A new Europe-wide strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes has been developed, recommending lifestyle changes such as weight loss and increased physical activity to prevent the disease. The guidelines aim to halve the incidence of type 2 diabetes by implementing evidence-based prevention programs across European countries.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that employees who were more informed about their copayments for office visits and emergency room visits were more likely to have more office visits and fewer emergency room visits. This suggests that transparency about healthcare costs could help contain expenditures on health services.
A study found that Ontario's universal flu vaccine campaign reduces influenza illness attack rates, morbidity, and mortality at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. The campaign prevented an estimated 34,541 cases, 111 deaths, and $7.8 million in healthcare costs per season.
A new study has found that oral naltrexone can reduce both alcohol- and non-alcohol-related healthcare costs for patients with alcohol-use disorders. The medication was found to be effective in reducing healthcare expenditures, particularly among those with an alcohol-related diagnosis.
The US health care reform bill aims to extend access to healthcare and narrow the gap between expenditure and health outcomes. The bill will provide coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans by 2014 and 95% of the population by 2019, while also promoting preventive care through measures such as calorie labelling.
A wireless healthcare system for diabetes management enables patients to monitor their blood glucose levels and receive timely feedback from healthcare workers. The system has been successfully tested in a pilot study with twenty patients, demonstrating its potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
Advanced imaging techniques like CT scans and MRI can shorten hospital stays and decrease costs. Studies found that early imaging on the day before or day of admission resulted in a one-day shorter length of stay for certain patients.
Research shows that initiating type 2 diabetes screening in the US population at ages 30-45 and repeating it every 3-5 years is cost-effective. This approach can prevent heart attacks, diabetes-related microvascular complications, and improve quality of life while keeping costs below $10,500 per quality-adjusted life-year.
A new study found that women and patients with dementia and diabetes are most likely to enter the Medicare Part D coverage gap, facing significant out-of-pocket drug expenses. The researchers suggest medication cost-counseling interventions for these clinically vulnerable subpopulations may be warranted.
A new study identifies women and patients with diabetes and dementia as most likely to fall into Medicare's 'donut hole', a gap in coverage where beneficiaries face unsubsidized medication costs. Researchers recommend doctor-patient counseling to manage drug regimens and prevent adverse effects on patients' health.
Experiments in China have shown that changing the incentive system for healthcare providers can lead to improved basic primary health care and reduced costs. Primary-care providers are incentivized to cover more citizens with vaccinations and health education, improving access to cost-effective care.
Research from the University of Sheffield shows that increasing alcohol prices can reduce consumption, deaths, and healthcare costs across all population subgroups. For a minimum unit price of £0.50 per unit, there could be around 2,900 fewer premature deaths per year and 92,000 fewer hospital admissions.
A multinational study found that cystic fibrosis patients from EU countries live longer than those in neighboring non-EU countries. The data suggest a higher proportion of patients surviving to age 40 and a larger CF population if demographic profiles were comparable to EU countries.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that about one-fourth of physicians would be misclassified under cost ranking systems, raising questions about their utility for high-stakes activities like tiered health plans. Only about 40% of physicians had cost profile scores at least 70% reliable, and fewer than 10% were at least 90% reliable.
A recent study found that new chemotherapy drugs for metastatic colorectal cancer can increase life expectancy by 6.8 months, but at a cost of $37,100 per patient. The cost-effectiveness of these treatments is disputed, with the study estimating a cost of $99,100 per quality-adjusted life year gained.
A study found that new chemotherapy agents for metastatic colorectal cancer improve life expectancy by 6.8 months and increase lifetime medical costs by $37,100, equating to a cost of $66,200 per year of life gained.
A recent study found that prenatal screening for spinal muscular atrophy is not cost-effective due to high costs and limited benefits. The authors estimated that only 12,500 women need to be screened to prevent one case of the disease, which would require a significant investment.
A study found that most non-ICU patients receiving intravenous proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) had inappropriate indications or routes of administration. The researchers highlighted the need for restrictions on IV PPI use to improve both clinical and cost impacts.
Only 25 US states have enacted legislation covering cancer clinical trial costs, with varying requirements for scientific and ethical review. The study highlights the need for closer communication between lawmakers and oncology experts to improve research and patient care.