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Small rewards lead to big wins for saving veterans’ lives

A new study suggests that contingency management, which uses cash or gift certificate prizes as incentives, can reduce the risk of death among veterans with stimulant use disorder. The study found a 41% lower risk of death in veterans who received contingency management care compared to those who didn't.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 10, 2025

Rural patients in the United States still face barriers to telehealth access

A new study reveals persistent disparities in telehealth access among rural US populations, with older adults, Spanish speakers, and those on Medicaid or Medicare facing significant barriers. The research highlights the need for policy reform and digital health equity efforts to address these disparities and improve virtual care access.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

COPD care pathway leads to shorter hospital stays, more referrals to pulmonary rehab

A new study shows that implementing a COPD care pathway can lead to shorter hospital stays, more referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation, and improved standardization of care. The study found that patients treated with the pathway had better outcomes, including being discharged home rather than to a facility.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·DateAug 28, 2025

People without health insurance are less likely to obtain life-saving hospital transfers

A new University of Michigan study found that critically ill patients without health insurance are less likely to receive inter-hospital transfers for treatment, leading to higher mortality rates. Patients with commercial insurance have a significantly lower risk of death compared to those without insurance or with Medicare/Medicaid.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 26, 2025

Evaluating FAST walk system for neuromodulation-assisted gait recovery in chronic stroke

A new rehabilitation approach, FAST walk, combines spinal and hip stimulation to enhance neuroplasticity and support motor recovery in patients with post-stroke impairments. The study found that the FAST walk group showed a statistically significant improvement in gait speed compared to other treatment groups.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 19, 2025

Key to healthier aging revealed: Invest in preventive care—especially for the disabled (new study)

A new cross-national study finds that older adults with disabilities are less likely to receive preventive care, but higher government health spending closes the gap. Investing in public healthcare promotes equitable access to preventive services, particularly among vulnerable populations.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2025

Is your health care provider really listening to you?

A new article by Dr. Leonard Berry of Texas A&M University argues that values-driven listening can improve care and heal the healthcare system. The authors identify six types of listening, including proximate, curious, earning trust, aided by design, empowering, and fostering resilience, which contribute to better care.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateAug 18, 2025

Reducing the global burden of liver cancer: Recommendations from The Lancet commission

The Lancet commission emphasizes the need for concrete goals to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma's growing disease burden. The authors propose a 2% annual reduction in age-standardized incidence rates and recommend evidence-based strategies to tackle viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, environmental risk factors, and disparities in he...

SourceKindai University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 8, 2025

Effective therapy for MDS is vastly underused, especially in female and non-white patients

The study found that only 16% of newly diagnosed patients with MDS on Medicare received HMAs during the period analyzed, with women and non-white patients being less likely to start treatment. The analysis suggests that making changes with existing therapies and administration can have a huge impact on improving outcomes in high-risk MDS.

SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood Neoplasia·DateAug 6, 2025

“And” vs. “Then”: What words in online reviews tell us about hospital visits

A new analysis of over a million online reviews reveals that negative reviews often focus on communication and administrative issues, such as payment problems and poor treatment. Positive reviews, on the other hand, frequently mention reassuring interactions with clinicians and staff, emphasizing kindness, helpfulness, and patient anxi...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 1, 2025

Can African countries meet 2030 childhood immunization goals?

Despite improvements in childhood immunization coverage, many African countries are unlikely to meet global targets by 2030. The study found that socioeconomic inequalities persist in coverage, with significant gaps between wealth quintiles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 29, 2025

New study in JAMA Network Open shows current approaches to assessing preeclampsia risk are failing the majority of pregnant moms

A new study found that US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines identify nearly 89% of pregnancies at increased risk, but leave 70.3% in the moderate risk category with nonspecific recommendations for aspirin use. The study suggests that these guidelines may influence clinicians' decisions regarding daily aspirin recommendations.

SourceMirvie·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2025

Music may reduce distress for dementia patients

A new music therapy approach called MELODIC showed promising results in reducing distress symptoms and improving quality-of-life scores among dementia patients. The intervention, which costs £2,025 per month, could provide a low-cost and scalable alternative to current methods of managing severe distress.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Telehealth works but rules need changing

A systematic review and meta-analysis found telehealth reduces hospital visits, improves mental health, and increases social engagement. However, Medicare's in-person requirement excludes many truly homebound individuals.

SourceFlinders University·JournalHealth & Social Care in the Community·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

Power in numbers: Small group professional coaching reduces rates of physician burnout by nearly 30%

Researchers found that small group professional coaching reduced physician burnout rates by nearly 30%, with participants experiencing significant improvements in work-life balance, self-efficacy, and social support. In contrast, one-on-one coaching resulted in a 13.5% reduction in burnout rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2025

New research in JNCCN offers reassurance about localized prostate cancer prognosis

A study of 62,839 people diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer in Sweden found that those treated according to NCCN Guidelines were likely to survive their cancer for their remaining life-expectancy. Those with low- and intermediate-risk cancer were six times more likely to die of other causes than prostate cancer.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateJul 10, 2025

New study identifies key ingredients to expanding dental care in the safety net

A new study from the University at Albany's Oral Health Workforce Research Center analyzed data on Federally Qualified Health Centers and found that capacity-building steps such as investing in skilled providers and improving infrastructure enable more people to access essential health services. The study identified three leading facto...

SourceUniversity at Albany, SUNY·JournalJournal of Public Health Dentistry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 8, 2025

Too many medicines, too many hospital visits: New study highlights hidden risk for older adults

A new study from the University of Bath found that inappropriate polypharmacy is a major driver of emergency hospital admissions among adults aged 65 and over. The researchers developed a digital tool to proactively identify older adults at risk of medication-related harm, which could reduce preventable emergency hospitalisations.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalAge and Ageing·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 1, 2025

Racial inequities and access to COVID-19 treatment

A cross-sectional study revealed racial disparities in COVID-19 treatment, with targeted interventions like expanding rapid test access and virtual care potentially improving equity. The findings suggest that encounter-level factors, such as differences in diagnostic test type and site of care, contribute to these inequities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 1, 2025

Global first in surgical training: SURGhub reaches record 19,000 healthcare workers across 190 countries — meeting soaring demand in underserved regions

SURGhub has transformed surgical education in low-resource and conflict-affected regions by reaching over 19,000 healthcare workers with high-quality training. The platform's accessibility and culturally relevant content are bridging a gap that has left millions without access to safe surgical care when needed.

SourceRCSI·JournalWorld Journal of Surgery·DateJun 30, 2025

New gene therapy delivery device could let hospitals create personalized nanomedicines on-demand

A new gene therapy delivery device called NANOSPRESSO could revolutionize how hospitals treat rare diseases by allowing them to create personalized nanomedicines in-house. This democratized approach to precision medicine could boost access to low-cost bespoke gene and RNA therapies, especially in low-resource settings.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 26, 2025