Articles tagged with Medical Economics
A recent report found that people with type 1 diabetes had almost a 3-fold risk of death from COVID-19, while those with type 2 diabetes had an almost 2 times higher risk. High blood glucose levels are associated with poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
A new study found that middle-aged Americans without a college degree report higher levels of pain than older Americans. The research team analyzed data from over 2.5 million adults and found that each generation of less-educated Americans experiences more pain throughout their lives.
A study by Daphne Liu and Adrian Raftery found that contraceptive prevalence has a significantly greater impact on fertility decline than unmet need. Education also affects fertility, particularly through girls' early educational attainment, which can discourage families from having more children.
A new model prioritizes countries based on premature deaths caused by COVID-19, focusing on mitigating three types of harms: death and permanent organ damage, indirect health consequences, and economic destruction. The Fair Priority Model aims to reduce premature deaths and other irreversible health consequences from COVID-19.
A recent study by researchers from the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research found that older adults living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are two times more likely to experience delirium after surgery. Delirium is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute decline in cognition, which can present as inattention, disorien...
Researchers warn that the introduction of 'cigarillos' to the UK market is exploiting loopholes in public health measures, targeting cigarette smokers with low-cost products. The authors advocate for urgent adjustments to the tax system to raise pack prices and reduce the incentives behind these products.
Dr. Famida Jiwa, President and CEO of Osteoporosis Canada, received the IOF CNS Medal for her outstanding work in expanding osteoporosis awareness and outreach globally. She has led significant programs to improve patient care and education in Canada.
Dr. Daniel Pinto has been recognized with the prestigious award for his research on cost-effectiveness and patient preferences in arthritis management strategies. He is a specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and a member of several IOF committees.
A small Italian town's transformation into a major hub for medical device production is attributed to one man's entrepreneurial spirit and vision. The study, led by Professor Simone Ferriani, highlights the 'anchor entrepreneurship' framework as a catalyst for rapid development in small communities.
Researchers at the University of Bath found that generic public health messages are more effective than tailored advice in shifting dietary habits. Participants who received generic information selected food baskets with less total fat and spent 34% less on unhealthy items compared to those who received no information.
A new study finds the ACA nearly fully offsets reduction in employer-sponsored insurance for people who left or lost their job after its implementation. The law is critical in alleviating coverage losses related to the Covid-associated recession, but its future remains uncertain.
Researchers at Mississippi State University recommend using an integrated approach that combines seed-applied nematicides with in-furrow nematicides to manage reniform nematodes in cotton. This approach can improve cotton yields while reducing production costs, making it a economically viable option for farmers.
A new study finds that Front-of-Pack labelling on food products leads to a reduction in the quantity of labelled store-branded food purchased and an overall improvement in nutritional composition of consumers' shopping baskets. The study, published in the Journal of Health Economics, shows significant improvements in poorer households.
Researchers used eye-tracking technology to investigate how older adults process information and make decisions about their care. The study found that eye-tracking can inform the design of assessments and improve the inclusivity of older people with cognitive impairment.
The Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation Community, supported by a $7 million grant, aims to develop strategies and solutions that remove barriers and accelerate prosperity for low-income families. Boston Medical Center's StreetCred program will incorporate financial coaching as part of its care model.
A new study identifies weak concrete and heavy trucks as the top reasons for sewer line failure. The researchers used statistical analysis to show that these factors are most likely to trigger a problem among common causes of sewer pipe failure.
A team of researchers argues that investing $30 billion annually could pay for itself quickly by preventing the emergence of new viral pathogens. The proposed strategy focuses on monitoring and regulating the wildlife trade and reducing tropical deforestation, which are linked to two-thirds of emerging diseases in the past 50 years.
Researchers analyzed patient preferences for waiting time, post-graft life expectancy, infection risk, and neoplastic risk. Including patient preferences in the algorithm improves patient satisfaction and expected graft survival rates.
A new international research project aims to evaluate the impact of alcohol control policies on morbidity and mortality in Lithuania and other Baltic states. The study, led by CAMH and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, will investigate the effectiveness of policy interventions implemented between 2016 and 2018.
The world population is projected to peak at 9.7 billion in 2064 and decline to 8.8 billion by 2100 due to low fertility rates. Liberal immigration policies are necessary to maintain population size and economic growth, with the US workforce forecasted to be sustained through large net immigration.
Cuba successfully contained COVID-19 through door-to-door screening, utilizing a public health approach that emphasized community-level work. This 'shoe-leather' epidemiology method may have prevented the dramatic failures in the UK's response to the pandemic.
Researchers recommend community-based exit strategies for low and middle-income countries, considering local epidemic growth rates, social and economic costs, and existing health systems capabilities. These approaches can help revive the economy while preserving people's health.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a global consumption loss of $3.8 trillion, accompanied by job losses equivalent to 147 million full-time positions. However, decreases in production and air travel led to environmental benefits, including a 2.5 metric gigaton reduction in greenhouse gases.
A new study highlights the importance of access to nature in addressing community health needs, citing benefits to physical, mental, and social health. Researchers recommend incorporating assessments of nature access into patient encounters and refer patients to community groups increasing green areas.
A recent study from Singapore found that early access to pension wealth improves overall health status. The researchers analyzed monthly survey data from 2015 to 2019 and discovered that individuals who accessed their pension funds before age 55 had better self-reported health status afterward.
Patient and public involvement is crucial in COVID-19 policy-making, say experts. Decades of advocacy have shown that patient communities provide valuable information on the pandemic's effects, highlighting the need for a comprehensive public health response.
A large-scale database of ground reaction force data from over 2,000 patients has been made publicly available for research purposes. The GAITREC database includes information on patients with joint transplants, fractures, and ligament injuries, providing a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers.
A University of Washington study reveals that 75% of US workers cannot work exclusively from home, putting them at increased risk of exposure to disease and other job disruptions. These workers are also more likely to be in lower-paid jobs, with some earning as little as $32,000 per year.
The Building Wealth and Health Network program at Drexel University's Center for Hunger-Free Communities reduces food insecurity by promoting healing and financial control through group experiences. Participants are 55% less likely to experience household food insecurity after completing the 16-session program.
Researchers developed a new metric called Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) to measure the value of nature's contributions to economic activity. GEP accounts for benefits like clean water and climate security, informing investments in securing them and evaluating policy performance.
A new modelling study suggests that a cautious approach to easing lockdown restrictions can be better for the global economy in the long run. The study found that shorter, stricter lockdowns minimize supply chain impacts, while gradually easing measures over 12 months may also be less disruptive.
A new NUI Galway study estimates the economic value of lost productivity from workplace bullying in Ireland, totaling 1.7 million workdays lost at a cost of €239 million annually. The research also finds that bullying has a larger effect on absences in private sector organizations.
Researchers are conducting three studies to investigate important COVID-19 questions, including a trial of annexin A5 as a potential therapy for critically ill patients. A novel blood test for COVID-19 is also being developed using epitopes.
Researchers found that 62% of participants had physical multimorbidity in 2015, with the condition increasing with age, female gender, and educational level. The study concludes that concerted efforts are needed to reduce health inequalities due to multimorbidity and its adverse economic impact.
A Nebraska researcher has developed a smartphone app that uses location and Bluetooth data to track users' physical proximity and notify those potentially exposed to COVID-19. The system provides personalized risk data and insights for individuals making decisions about balancing health and economic risks.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that labour reforms aimed at reducing unemployment had no effect on total employment. Instead, temporary employment increased significantly while permanent employment decreased.
Researchers propose an alternating cycle of strict lockdown (50 days) followed by eased social distancing (30 days) to reduce COVID-19-related deaths and ICU admissions. This strategy may allow populations and economies to 'breathe' at intervals, making it more sustainable in resource-poor regions.
A $260,000 award from the US Forest Service supports a two-year project led by NAU professor Han-Sup Han to develop wood products market, invest in rural economies, and increase forest restoration treatments. The goal is to create a center of expertise that can support sustainable forest land management and cluster development.
A fidget spinner-inspired device can diagnose urinary tract infections in 50 minutes, outperforming traditional laboratory methods. The portable technology uses a novel fluid-assisted separation mechanism to rapidly enrich pathogens from urine samples.
A Chapman University-led study suggests that voluntary collective isolation is the most effective response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations. The researchers collaborated with tribal leadership and government authorities to develop and implement a multi-phase prevention plan among the Tsimane people in Bolivia.
A recent study found that companies with worker injury claims are more likely to survive than those without claims, particularly among larger and older organizations. This suggests that current regulations may not be enough to protect workers and that future regulations need to reward innovation in workplace safety.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona discovered a direct link between the rurality of an environment and improved mental well-being in older adults. The study found that individuals living in rural areas had significantly better levels of mental well-being compared to those residing in urban o...
A Queensland University of Technology study proposes a simple 'odds-and-evens' approach to safely relaxing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. By allowing people to leave their homes based on odd or even house numbers, governments can balance competing priorities and create valuable experimental data.
A global study is being conducted to examine the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing, involving a survey of 30 countries. The research aims to provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers to address population-based emergencies and foster growth after crises.
A study analyzing NYC birth data found stark differences in severe maternal morbidity risk across neighborhoods with extreme racial and economic polarization. Black and Latina women faced the largest magnitude of associations with severe maternal morbidity.
New research suggests that upward income mobility is associated with a trade-off between well-being and cardiometabolic health. Despite improved mental health, individuals who experience upward mobility may fare worse in terms of heart health compared to those with consistent disadvantage or advantage.
A recent study proposes that targeted interventions could minimize socio-economic damage while optimizing medical responses to COVID-19. Full lockdowns may have resulted in worse outcomes compared to partial lockdowns.
A new study finds deep flaws in EPA's benefit-cost analysis supporting a proposed rule to roll back Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The analysis ignores scientific evidence and economic best practice, failing to account for recent science and changes in electricity generation.
A new modelling paper from Ontario indicates that dynamic physical distancing measures can reduce COVID-19 transmission while providing periodic psychological and economic relief. The study shows that modulating response measures can prevent ICU overloads without overwhelming the healthcare system.
The number of people with clinically complex health and social needs is increasing. Effective solutions require micro- and macro-level innovations that prioritize public and private investments in addressing health inequities.
The essay offers guidance on how to ethically allocate scarce health goods and services during the Covid-19 pandemic. The authors recommend a 'World War II-style mobilization' to project urgently needed resources and ensure fair distribution of scarce resources, prioritizing marginalized populations.
A comprehensive review of US social policies found that early life and education interventions can reduce smoking by 8%, while income support and health insurance programs show the most promise in improving population health. However, some studies showed no health impact, highlighting the need for careful policymaking.
A new survey of 1,300 patients with chronic illnesses reveals a significant increase in concerns about COVID-19, with 36% discussing the virus with their healthcare providers. The ongoing series of surveys will track changes in their concerns over two weeks.
A new study by MIT economists finds that doctors who have immunity from liability lawsuits perform slightly more C-section operations compared to those who are legally liable, about 4% more over a 10-year period. This challenges the common perception that defensive medicine leads to less treatment of patients.
A new aflatoxin biocontrol product has been developed for use in Senegal, reducing contamination in groundnut and maize crops. The product, Aflasafe SN01, includes four atoxigenic isolates native to Senegal and is highly effective in hot, drought-prone areas.
Researchers stress that individual actions, such as self-isolation and social distancing, are key in controlling the pandemic. Governments can also take measures like banning large events and ensuring healthcare provision, but these must be balanced with economic considerations.
A study by MIT scholars finds economics citations in psychology journals have doubled since 2000, while public health papers cite economics work twice as often as 10 years ago. The proportion of empirical economics papers cited in top journals has risen by 20 percentage points since 1990.
A new study by New York University researchers found that the Affordable Care Act has had a significant impact on reducing financial barriers to healthcare, with 19.3 million people gaining coverage since its implementation in 2010. The law's market reforms have also led to measurable gains in the financial well-being of poor Americans.
A study found that Chinese firms in provinces with lower GDP growth are more likely to engage in earnings management to prop up provincial GDP figures. This leads to a range of negative consequences for the firms, including high bad debt expenses, inventory write-offs, and asset impairment losses.
New research reveals that opioid-related deaths may be 28% higher than reported due to incomplete death records. The study found that almost 72% of unclassified drug overdoses involved prescription opioids, heroin, or fentanyl.