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 recent review suggests that using MRI before surgery to assess the extent of early breast cancer may not improve surgical planning or reduce follow-up surgeries. In fact, it could lead to more women being treated with mastectomy without evidence of improvement in outcomes.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that guided care patients spent 24% fewer hospital days and 37% fewer skilled nursing facility days compared to usual care. Guided Care programs could save Medicare over $15 billion every year, according to the study.
A new study estimates that sub-Saharan Africa will only have one-third of the needed healthcare workers by 2015, with a shortage of 240,000 doctors and 551,000 nurses and midwives. The cost of scaling up the health system is projected to be $19 billion per year.
Researchers found that cooling therapy, also known as therapeutic hypothermia, improves survival rates and reduces disability after cardiac arrest. The treatment's cost-effectiveness was compared to other widely accepted healthcare interventions, including kidney dialysis and public access defibrillation.
A school-based program that integrates healthy relationship information into the curriculum appears to reduce adolescent dating violence and increase condom use. The effects of the low-cost intervention are stronger in boys. Rates of physical dating violence were greater in control students than those who participated in the program.
The HealthGrades study found that bariatric surgery patients at five-star hospitals have a significantly lower risk of complications and shorter hospital stays compared to those at poorly rated hospitals. Higher-volume programs also showed better outcomes.
A majority of healthcare leaders support a public health care option and innovative provider payment reform to control costs and ensure access to quality care. They also favor a national insurance exchange with standard-setting authority to standardize benefits and set rating rules.
The individual health insurance market is failing consumers, with 73% unable to purchase a plan due to high premiums. Adults with individual coverage face significant out-of-pocket costs and premium expenses, with half spending 10% or more of their income on these costs.
A new report from the Commonwealth Fund suggests that including private and public insurance choices in a national exchange could save $265 billion in administrative costs. This approach would also help reduce health care costs by nearly $3 trillion by 2020, while improving quality and efficiency.
Researchers found that acute treatment results in an average hospital stay of 8.3 days and a cost of nearly $21,000, while ischemic stroke had an average stay of 6.6 days and cost of $15,000.
A recent study found that cardiovascular medication costs in Canada increased by 200% over the past decade, reaching $5 billion in 2020. The study highlights the need for cost-effective medications to ensure sustainable public drug insurance programs.
A commentary in JAMA explores how US healthcare's emphasis on providing services can lead to direct and indirect harm. The authors argue that this focus can cause excessive healthcare use and spending, diverting resources away from education and environmental quality.
A meta-analysis of 6,316 patients found that clinical pathways significantly reduced postoperative complications and shortened hospital stays. This led to lower hospital costs due to better-organized care, which prevents inappropriate care and its associated costs.
A LSUHSC M.D./Ph.D. student has been awarded a $148,480 NIH grant to investigate the therapeutic potential of novel omega-3 fatty acid derivatives in experimental stroke. The project aims to define interactions between omega-3 fatty acids and pro-survival protein signaling pathways in the aging brain after stroke.
A recent study highlights the immense economic burden of life-extending cancer treatments in the US, estimated to be over $400 billion annually. The authors argue that interventions with survival advantages of two months or less should be prioritized to address this issue.
New research reveals that diabetes costs the US economy over $174 billion annually, with a focus on lifestyle modifications and preventive care. Implementing pay-for-performance incentives can significantly reduce these costs by encouraging improved disease management and adherence to clinical guidelines.
Researchers at UCSF advocate for a nationwide Primary Care Cooperative Extension Service to support primary care clinicians and address the shortage of physicians. The service would provide infrastructure for practice transformation through local learning communities, information exchange, and cross-fertilization of ideas among practices.
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that total knee replacement is a cost-effective procedure for managing end-stage knee osteoarthritis, particularly in high-volume centers. The analysis suggests that procedures performed in low-volume centers are more cost-effective than not undergoing surgery at all.
Well-designed telemedicine systems offer substantial benefits in improving access to quality healthcare, providing effective clinical decision support, promoting patient-centered care, and enhancing chronic disease management. The authors emphasize that telemedicine is a crucial component of successful healthcare reform.
Researchers found that routine diabetes screenings can lead to significant cost savings for healthcare systems. The study suggests that screening and preventive management can be a cost-effective approach to managing the disease.
A Harvard study found that medical problems contributed to 62.1 percent of all bankruptcies in 2007, with most medically bankrupt individuals having health insurance at the start of their illness. The study also found high out-of-pocket medical costs for insured families and a lack of comprehensive coverage.
A recent study found that older adults struggle to identify the most affordable Medicare Part D plan due to excessive choice options. The researchers recommend reducing plan numbers or standardizing benefits to make the system more user-friendly and cost-effective.
A recent review by AcademyHealth found a substantial volume of ongoing comparative effectiveness research but little coordination, with widely variable costs within and between study designs. The lack of coordination can lead to redundant efforts and increased costs, highlighting the need for developing a national research agenda.
A study by NORC and Watson Wyatt Worldwide finds rising rates of underinsurance and unaffordability among workers with employer-sponsored health insurance, particularly those with chronic conditions. The average OOP cost for medical services increased from $545 in 2004 to $729 in 2007.
Cancer care's high costs are impacting patients' welfare and society as a whole. The economic burden is too great to ignore, with rising costs threatening personalized medicine's promise.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that patients with bipolar disorder incur significantly higher specialty care costs compared to those with diabetes, depression, asthma, or coronary artery disease. Specialty care costs were especially high for bipolar patients, suggesting non-mental health provider-related expenses contribute to the disparity.
A new study by RAND Corporation and UCLA suggests that limiting the work hours of medical residents could reduce medical errors but would create a substantial new expense for academic medical centers. The estimated annual cost to hire substitute workers could reach $1.6 billion.
A literature review published in Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography concludes that ultrasound provides accurate diagnoses at a lower cost than MRI and CT scans. The study's findings highlight the widespread adoption of ultrasound in various clinical settings, including obstetrics, cardiology, and emergency medicine.
A new study estimates that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) costs the UK more than £27 billion a year, with £2.7 billion spent on children's support and £25 billion on adults. Researchers call for increased early intervention and policy review to address these significant economic impacts.
Research by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that early childhood health interventions can significantly reduce future healthcare costs, estimated at $50,000 per child. Interventions targeting tobacco exposure, unintentional injury, obesity, and mental health can lead to cost savings of up to $65 billion.
Patients and physicians found virtual visits similar to face-to-face visits on most measures, including time spent with the physician and overall satisfaction. The study suggests that virtual visits could be a viable option for chronic conditions and acute issues.
A national survey of physician practices found that physicians spend an average of three work weeks per year on administrative tasks required by health plans. This translates to a cost of $31 billion annually and 6.9% of all U.S. expenditures for physician and clinical services.
A University of Missouri researcher found that a quality care improvement program saved nursing homes $6 million over three years. The program improved care quality for residents, reducing medical problems and costs for facilities.
A Commonwealth Fund study finds that seven of 10 working-age women in the US have no health insurance coverage or inadequate coverage, leading to medical bill and debt problems. Women are more likely to experience financial burdens from health care costs, with 52% reporting difficulties accessing needed care.
Researchers argue that providing free drug samples to patients is ineffective in improving access for the indigent, promotes irrational prescribing habits, and raises healthcare costs. The practice also leads to misused samples being distributed to those who cannot afford them, compromising health care quality.
A recent study reveals that approximately 6.3 million adults in the US with undiagnosed diabetes account for an estimated $18 billion in health care costs each year. The economic toll of undiagnosed diabetes is significantly higher than previously thought, rising to over $192 billion annually.
A new study from Brandeis University estimates the economic cost of dengue fever globally at $1.8 billion annually, with a significant impact on healthcare systems and societies. The research assesses direct and indirect costs, including school absenteeism, lost productivity, and unpaid caregiver time.
Since 2004, private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have received $43 billion in extra payments, averaging $1,138 per beneficiary. This represents a 34% increase from 2008 payments and raises concerns about the cost-effectiveness of privatization.
Studies found that employees with epilepsy cost third-party payors nearly three times more on average per year compared to those without the condition. Comorbidities accounted for 80% of insurers' total annual costs for epilepsy patients.
A study found that educating ordering physicians on the risks, benefits, and alternatives of various imaging modalities reduced unneeded studies by 26%. This targeted education led to a significant decrease in CT scans and nuclear medicine studies, minimizing patient radiation exposure.
A head-to-head clinical trial will enroll approximately 400 patients at three world-class sites to compare Telesso's novel guide-wire assisted peripheral IV catheter with the industry standard. The trial aims to reduce safety risks, lessen patient pain and discomfort, and provide cost savings.
A Mexican health care program created in 2003 has been found effective in reducing crippling health care costs among poorer households. The Seguro Popular program was developed to provide health care to 50 million Mexicans who otherwise would lack coverage, and its success could provide lessons for other countries.
A recent study found that top-performing US hospitals experience a significant reduction in medical errors, resulting in fewer patient safety events and deaths. According to HealthGrades, the top five percent of hospitals in the US reduce medical errors by 43% compared to the poorest-performing hospitals.
A retrospective analysis of 20,713 patients with early bladder cancer found that more intensive treatment was not associated with improved overall survival. In fact, those who received more intense care were more likely to require major medical interventions later on.
A Commonwealth Fund-supported study found that half of non-surgical Medicare patients are readmitted without follow-up care, highlighting gaps in patient management and the need for coordinated care. The study suggests interventions to improve discharge planning, education, and follow-up care to reduce rehospitalizations.
A Seattle-based study published in JAMA found that providing stable housing to homeless alcoholics can reduce their drinking and cost taxpayers $4 million over the first year. The Housing First program resulted in an average cost-savings of 53% compared to a wait-list control group.
A study found that providing housing for chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems leads to significant reductions in healthcare use and costs. Housing First (HF) programs, which allow for non-abstinence-based treatment, showed cost savings of over $4 million per year.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that low-income families with children who have chronic conditions are more likely to be enrolled in high-deductible health plans. The study analyzed data from 839 families who were switched from traditional plans to high-deductible plans, revealing a higher perce...
Researchers found that surgical ventricular reconstruction did not improve patients' survival or quality of life, but increased hospitalization costs. The study compared outcomes between patients who received bypass surgery alone and those with added SVR, revealing no significant difference in quality of life measures.
A study of over 3,000 women found that physical abuse from intimate partners results in significantly higher healthcare costs, with a 42% increase in annual spending compared to non-abused women. Women who experienced ongoing physical abuse had the highest health care costs.
The medical cost of caring for one premature baby can reach nearly $50,000, exceeding the cost of caring for a dozen healthy full-term infants. This highlights the importance of preventing preterm birth and improving maternal healthcare to reduce healthcare costs and save lives.
A Florida State University researcher is conducting a five-year study to change the approach companies take when purchasing mental health care benefits. The study aims to educate employers on how to choose effective mental health care products and promote long-term value over short-term cost savings.
A study by UCSF researchers identifies critical barriers hindering the adoption of electronic personal health records, including cost, privacy concerns, and design shortcomings. The authors propose solutions such as improving interoperability and using mobile phones as an entry point for consumers to access their records.
A national study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that women with suspected coronary artery disease who suffer from depression have significantly higher health care costs. Depression was associated with a 15-53% increase in cardiovascular costs over five years, translating to $1,550-$3,300 higher annual costs.
A study found that patients who discussed end-of-life care with their physicians had lower healthcare costs in the final week of life. Another report revealed higher healthcare costs among black and Hispanic patients compared to white patients, regardless of cause of death. The findings highlight racial disparities in end-of-life care.
A University of Pennsylvania team has successfully demonstrated a noninvasive optical device to monitor cerebral blood flow in acute stroke patients. The technology uses diffuse correlation spectroscopy to detect physiological changes, providing continuous bedside monitoring of brain blood flow and metabolism.
A recent study found that team-based diabetes care improves health outcomes for Medicaid patients, including significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and hemoglobin A1C. However, the study suggests that this approach does not result in lower treatment costs under Medicare and Medicaid.
A comprehensive set of insurance, payment, and system reforms could guarantee affordable health insurance coverage, improve health outcomes, and slow the growth of health spending. The report recommends creating a national insurance exchange, aligning incentives with value and cost control, and promoting patient-centered care.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center reveals that delayed treatment for heart attacks using drugs alone is as effective as treatment with stents, offering a cheaper and less invasive option. The research found modest benefits in reducing chest pain but no long-term quality of life difference between the two approaches.
A new UCSF study using the Coronary Heart Disease Policy Model found that adherence to 2001 NCEP guidelines would be cost-effective in preventing and managing coronary heart disease, saving 20,000 heart attacks and 10,000 CHD deaths annually. Statin costs become negligible when prices fall below 50 cents per pill.