Articles tagged with Medical Economics
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 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.
Adults with low fruit and vegetable consumption have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Body fat levels are also significantly linked, with total body fat increasing by 70% or more elevating the risk.
A multi-site study found that intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) combined with liraglutide 3.0 mg produced clinically-meaningful weight loss in patients with obesity, resulting in improvements in quality of life and cardiometabolic risk factors. The treatment approach appears to have complementary mechanisms of action.
The US healthcare system is facing significant mistrust issues, with experts calling for action to improve patient trust and care. Experts recommend five actions: exploring patients' mistrust, developing individual and institutional efforts to mend and prevent mistrust, being culturally humble, making empathy part of relationships, and...
Analysis estimates health consequences of indoor tanning bans, including reduced skin cancer risk and economic benefits. The study found that implementing such regulations could save billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually.
Research by Carnegie Institution scientists suggests that aerosol pollution can delay climate change effects, benefiting tropical countries but harming high-latitude developed nations. The cooling effect outweighs its limited economic benefits, with public health concerns taking precedence.
A new study from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University found that pregnant urban African American and immigrant Afro-Caribbean women can improve access to prenatal health information through the use of mhealth apps like Text4baby. The study showed a 14% increase in intent to use the app and a 28% increase in intent to speak with pr...
A recent study found that diabetes prevalence is higher among First Nations people and women, particularly those of reproductive age. The gap has narrowed over time, but the risk factors persist. Understanding these determinants is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
New research shows that US states with medical marijuana laws have seen a decline in workers' compensation claims due to improved symptom management. The modest reductions suggest expanded access to medical marijuana may also boost work capacity and reduce reliance on social insurance programs.
Researchers have re-engineered a plant-derived compound to reduce morphine-seeking behaviors in mice, preventing relapse to opioid addiction. The new molecule inhibits a protein receptor involved in heroin dependence and prevents stress-induced relapse.
The Helsinki Declaration emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach to protect human health and the environment. Key findings include the importance of social justice, long-term goals, and scientific knowledge in addressing planetary health threats.
A cross-national study found that higher income inequality is associated with more social problems, but economic prosperity has a mitigating effect. The research analyzed data from 40 high-income countries and suggests that social bonds are weaker in countries with greater income gaps.
A RAND Corporation study estimates that 3,300 people in the Los Angeles County jail mental health population are suitable candidates for diversion into community-based clinical services. The study found that 61% of inmates were appropriate candidates for diversion, with men making up 85% of the jail's mental health population.
Women who worked consistently during their prime midlife years had better physical health than non-working women later in life, according to a new study published in Demography. The research also found that working women were less depressed and lived longer, with a lower risk of death by 2012.
A new study published in the Cambridge Journal of Economics finds that countries taking the 'low road' to growth, like the US, experience adverse effects on wellbeing and future prosperity. In contrast, Scandinavian countries that take the 'high road' by investing in social reproduction see positive effects on human welfare.
Patient portals provide access to health information and communication with clinicians, but many hospitals fail to offer clear guidance on using them. The study found that over half of secure messaging portals lacked detailed instructions on appropriate message content, leading to confusion among patients.
Researchers found that women in Ethiopia often delay seeking care due to social taboos surrounding genital and breast diseases, while men may be deterred by economic dependence on their partners. The study suggests integrating NTD treatment into primary healthcare can address these gender-related challenges.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that federal disability benefits encourage more family caregiving, with recipients increasing in-kind assistance from adult children and enabling them to reallocate time to care for their parents. The study also shows a significant increase in the likelihood of children receiving payment for their help.
No-till with cover crop systems have produced higher net returns than conventional till in Texas cotton systems. The practice also improves soil health, water storage, and long-term yield potential.
A new study by Penn Medicine found that counties with worse economies had higher cardiovascular mortality rates, particularly among middle-aged adults. The research suggests that economic disparities contribute directly to health disparities and highlights the need for interventions such as policies like a health insurance expansion.
A new study by Yale researchers found that physicians rate EHR systems poorly, with an average score of 45, leading to increased frustration and burnout. The study suggests that the steep learning curve and lack of intuitive design contribute to this outcome, affecting specialties such as dermatology and general surgery.
Experts emphasize the need for societal shift in understanding longevity, with a focus on health-related behaviors across all ages. The Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity initiative aims to gather evidence and produce a 10-year action plan adaptable to local contexts.
A study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that recreational cannabis legalization led to a 26% increase in past-month marijuana use and a 37% rise in cannabis use disorder among adults aged 26 and older. The researchers also observed a small increase in cannabis use disorder among adolescents.
Scientists at CSH Vienna create model to determine regional health care system's resilience in real-time, focusing on physicians' networks and patient flows. The model helps identify critical points where the system can absorb or compensate for lost doctors without collapse.
A new study examined data from over 15,000 participants and found that playing video games as an adolescent is not linked to acts of violence in young adulthood. The research suggests that competing factors, such as gender differences, may contribute to the observed relationship between gaming and fighting.
Researchers found that people with ACA health insurance are more likely to find themselves in 'artificial provider deserts,' areas with limited coverage, and must travel further to access care. The study highlights the need for consumers to carefully consider their insurance options to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
A study by Binghamton University researchers found that early retirement can lead to accelerated cognitive decline among the elderly. The Chinese New Rural Pension Scheme was linked to decreased cognitive performance, particularly in females, and reduced social engagement and mental activities.
A new US study reveals that most Americans' free time is spent on screen activities, not exercise. Despite perceived lack of leisure time, physical activity rates remain low, with only 53% meeting aerobic guidelines.
A new paper published in JAMA recommends a continuum of care approach, including lifestyle modification therapy, medications, and bariatric surgery, to treat adolescents with obesity. The study suggests that filling the treatment gap between lifestyle modification and surgery is crucial.
A new tool kit provides real-world guidelines for counseling weight loss in primary care settings, offering a 21-session treatment manual modeled on the schedule of visits recommended by CMS. This approach has shown favorable weight losses of 5.4% at 6 months and 6.1% at 1 year.
The Affordable Care Act significantly reduced the number of people with diabetes without health insurance. Among those with undiagnosed diabetes, coverage increased from approximately one in four to just eight percent. This shift has substantial implications for the health and economic outcomes of these individuals.
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from over 17,000 individuals and found that people with specific chromosomal changes tended to live in more deprived areas. The study suggests that these genetic changes may have cumulative effects on socioeconomic status even in the absence of a medical diagnosis.
A survey of over 4,200 Russian-speaking self-employed individuals found that freelancers often work long hours, including evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends. While some reported feeling satisfied with their work-life balance, others struggled to maintain it due to the demands of non-standard schedules. The study also found that c...
A new web-based platform was developed to facilitate in-person survey data collection with minority research participants. The platform allows researchers to administer surveys in the participant's preferred language and dialect, promoting stronger interpersonal connections and improved participation rates.
Two Rutgers studies found that maintaining filial piety promotes aging immigrants' health and well-being, while reducing caregivers' stress. Positive associations were observed between participants' feeling of closeness with their children and self-reported health status and quality of life.
Air pollution from fine particulate matter is associated with premature mortality, with the US economy suffering $20 billion in damages annually. Policymakers should consider regulations that target the agriculture and transportation sectors to mitigate this issue.
UCLA Health has been awarded a federal grant to create a regional hub for medical technology and digital health innovation. The Biodesign Hub will focus on developing healthcare technology, leveraging Silicon Beach's startup activity, and advancing patient care.
Researchers find taxing sugar content in beverages yields greater health benefits, including reducing obesity rates and Type 2 diabetes cases. The tax could also generate significant economic gains, primarily through savings in healthcare costs.
Researchers found that nearly 50% of study participants reported tooth symptoms and 25.5% experienced dry mouth. Those who reported tooth symptoms showed declines in cognition and episodic memory, while more perceived stress was associated with higher odds of dry mouth.
A RAND Corporation study highlights the need for innovative approaches to address the fentanyl crisis, which has worsened dramatically with tens of thousands of deaths annually. The study suggests that supply disruption, creative supply-side strategies, and increased access to novel treatments are crucial in reversing the tide.
Rutgers University studies reveal higher rates of cognitive impairment among older Chinese American women, linked to depression, chronic conditions, and lower education levels. The research emphasizes the need for policy interventions to address linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers.
A study published in the European Journal of Health Economics found that young adults in Sweden reduce their primary care visits by 7% when they turn 20 and start paying SEK 100 for each visit. Women from low-income groups are most affected, with a 14% decrease in visits.
A new Rutgers study reveals that Chinese Americans are disproportionately affected by elder abuse, with a history of child abuse increasing the risk of intimate partner violence and psychological abuse. The research highlights the need for culturally customized care to interrupt the cycle of violence affecting older minorities.
A new Rutgers study found that unmet family expectations in care, respect, and greet domains increase mortality risks among older Chinese American adults. Researchers assessed the discrepancy between expected and received filial piety across six domains.