Articles tagged with Medical Economics
A new study reveals the 2008 Great Recession led to a significant increase in obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems, especially among women and those with lower education. The researchers found a decrease in smoking and drinking, but an increase in the use of medicines and mental health issues.
Researchers found that children from disadvantaged households are at greater risk of low muscle strength and poor health status as adults. Chronic stress in childhood may alter the body's ability to maintain good health over time.
A new study estimates that vaccines can prevent up to 36 million deaths and 24 million cases of medical impoverishment in 41 low- and middle-income countries by 2030. The poorest populations are expected to benefit the most from vaccine programs, with a significant impact on health and economic outcomes.
Increased investments in vaccines administered to low- and middle-income countries could avert up to 36 million deaths and 24 million cases of medical impoverishment. The poorest households would likely receive the most benefit from increased access to vaccines due to their higher risk and limited healthcare use.
A new study calculates pandemic-related deaths of 700,000 and annual economic losses of $500 billion, according to a theoretical model applied to rare pandemic scenarios. The estimated costs fall within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's estimates of global warming costs.
A new report suggests that improving health and economic activity among those aged over 50 is key to addressing the UK's pension crisis. The Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) recommends creating an 'active aging' environment, which would raise lifetime earnings and saving levels.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion in the US led to improved access to surgery and higher quality surgical care, with significant improvements seen within less than two years. The study analyzed data from nearly 300,000 patients and compared 27 states with expanded Medicaid coverage to 15 without expansion.
A study by University of Colorado researchers found that changes to the nursing home quality ratings system led consumers to choose better providers. The simplified five-star system used on Nursing Home Compare motivated consumers to select higher-rated nursing homes, while low-rated facilities with limited options struggled.
A recent study reveals substantial inequalities in cesarean births persisting across countries, with higher rates among the richest fifths indicating overuse. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted policies to ensure equitable access to caesarean sections and improve maternal and newborn health.
A new study found that one in three low-income renters face housing instability, linked to poor health outcomes and material hardships. Housing instability was associated with increased odds of adverse health outcomes, including poor caregiver health and food insecurity.
A European study found that increasing cycling networks in cities can lead to significant health and economic benefits. The study estimates that if all assessed cities achieved a 24.7% bicycle mode share, over 10,000 premature deaths could be avoided annually.
Booster seats reduce minor injuries specifically among children aged 8 to 12, while car seats and seat belts appear equally effective at saving lives. However, booster seats may not be the best option for younger children due to concerns over premature graduation to adult seat belts.
A recent study found that opioid prescribing for disabled adults is higher outside of large central metro counties, even after accounting for local economic factors. County-level factors such as household income, unemployment rate, and income inequality also play a significant role in determining opioid prescribing rates.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that cell salvage did not significantly reduce the need for donor blood transfusions during caesarean sections. However, it showed promise in reducing transfusions in emergency caesareans. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.
A study published in Science Advances found that infants born within a half mile of a hydraulic fracturing site were 25% more likely to be born at low birth weights, increasing their risk of infant mortality and long-term health problems. The research also found significant impacts on cognitive development.
A Pennsylvania study found that infants born to mothers near active fracking sites are 25% more likely to have low birthweight, a risk factor for infant mortality and other health issues. Exposure to fracking pollutants may contribute to this increased risk.
A report by the American College of Cardiology recommends prioritizing US resources toward detecting and treating cardiovascular disease, while maintaining efforts to eradicate infectious diseases. The report aims to save lives and contribute to worldwide economic prosperity through a strong global health strategy.
A review paper compares health determinants of people and healthcare systems in Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The study highlights the need for policies impacting population health and country development to guide policymakers and healthcare providers.
The University of Copenhagen's new Collaborative Research Programme in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL) aims to translate groundbreaking biomedical research into affordable therapies. CeBIL will study novel legal frameworks for drug development incentives and regulations, taking into account patient needs and market complexities.
A University of Stirling study found that single men are significantly less likely to take part in bowel screening tests compared to those living with a partner. The participation rate for men living alone was 57.6%, lower than the 77.8% of women living alone who took the test.
A new tool to support organisations and practitioners achieve person-centred care has been developed. The Person Centred Coordinated Care Organisational Tool (P3C-OCT) helps guide implementation and assess effectiveness of the approach.
A new study reports that a care model for older adults with dementia can benefit ICU survivors of all ages, addressing persistent cognitive impairment and depression. The Critical Care Recovery Center (CCRC) model provides interdisciplinary care to help ICU survivors recover from their hospitalization.
A recent study found that foreign-born adults are significantly less likely to report health-related impediments to working and apply for disability benefits. This is due to various factors such as greater longevity, lower rates of chronic disease, and strong social supports.
The Lancet Countdown report reveals that climate change is having a significant impact on health, with 125 million adults over 65 exposed to heatwaves, and an estimated 5.3% loss in labour productivity. The report also highlights the increase in mosquito-borne diseases, air pollution, and economic losses linked to extreme weather events.
Researchers from Lancaster University found that teenagers who do not access healthcare when needed are at greater risk of dropping out of high school. More than one in five young people globally experience this issue, leading to increased unemployment, poor health, and crime.
A new curriculum has been developed to provide standardized training for healthcare providers in teleneurology. The curriculum covers key areas such as technology, licensure, and patient relationships, aiming to improve the quality of remote neurology care.
A study in rural China found that healthcare providers fail to correctly manage tuberculosis cases, with a high proportion of antibiotics prescribed unrelated to TB treatment. The researchers highlight the need for reforms and improved training to address these gaps in care.
Researchers at Penn will launch the ALACRITY Center with three projects to enhance treatment for people served through publicly-funded mental health systems. The center aims to identify effective ways to encourage patients to take antidepressant medication and improve use of evidence-based practices among one-to-one aides assigned to w...
Despite electronic health record adoption, many US hospitals face challenges in integrating external data from other providers, leading to clinician barriers and limited accessibility. The study highlights the need for improved systems to ensure seamless data sharing.
A new study reveals that older workers born in 1960 will face more challenges as they continue to work, seek work, or try to retire due to worsening health issues. The research found that younger cohorts have higher rates of poor cognition and limitations in daily living tasks compared to earlier birth cohorts.
A recent study found that women in relationships are more likely to lack interest in sex compared to men, with open communication and emotional closeness being key factors. The research suggests that assessing and treating sexual interest problems should be done holistically and relationship-specific.
Two brief psychological therapies targeting depression and harmful drinking delivered by lay counsellors were effective and sustained over 12 months. The interventions, Healthy Activity Programme (HAP) and Counselling for Alcohol Problems (CAP), showed significant symptom reduction and remission rates.
Researchers found that racially segregated areas had higher mortality rates in both urban and rural areas, but blacks sometimes lived longer in segregated areas. This may be due to less exposure to deadly infectious diseases before antibiotics were widely available.
Researchers found that programs aimed at reducing elective early-term births led to healthier deliveries for mothers and their babies, with higher birth weights and lower rates of complications. The campaigns effectively reduced the number of early-term elective inductions and C-sections in the US.
Health insurance coverage in China rebounded from 32.3% in 1991 to nearly universal coverage of 94.7% in 2011. The study found that increasing health insurance rates led to higher treatment-seeking for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Research finds steady rise in premature mortality among 25- to 44-year-olds in the North of England since mid-1990s, compounding the country's long-established 'North-South' divide. Excess deaths among young and middle-aged people increased sharply between 1995 and 2015.
Research reveals a stark North-South divide in middle-aged adult mortality rates, with 49% more deaths among 35-44 year olds in the North in 2015. The study attributes this to economic and social factors, highlighting the need for rebalanced investment and devolved powers to tackle health inequalities.
The new Index measures five social and economic indicators reflecting the status and wellbeing of older persons, tracking national sources for 30 countries. The top-ranked countries for healthy aging are Norway, Sweden, US, Netherlands, and Japan.
Child mortality rates in Iraq were not unusually high between 1991 and 2003, contrary to claims made by Saddam Hussein's government. A major national household survey conducted in 1999 was found to be 'a remarkable fiction' cooked up to stir international condemnation and get sanctions lifted.
A retrospective economic analysis found that certified outreach athletic trainers generated $2,283,733 in revenue from referring patients to orthopedic provider and hospital systems. The ATC program provided comprehensive care during practices and games, potentially lowering chronic medical conditions in adulthood.
A new study models rural poverty using ecological, economic, and epidemiological factors. The framework highlights disease transmission and recovery rates as key determinants of long-term health and wealth dynamics.
The report reveals that type 2 diabetes prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa has reached 22% in some countries, with only half of diagnosed cases receiving treatment. The Lancet commission calls for decisive action to address the growing burden, which could nearly triple to $59 billion by 2030.
A study by Rice University experts found that state revenue declines during economic downturns disproportionately affect children, leading to cuts in Medicaid benefits and education spending. The analysis indicates a $64 cut in Medicaid spending per child beneficiary and an $82 per capita cut in long-run state education spending.
A new study found that nearly 25% of socioeconomically marginalized women stopped breastfeeding after one month compared to about 7% of those in the privileged group. The reasons for early cessation differed between the two groups, with skin-to-skin contact and other factors identified as targets for interventions.
A new study found that H-1B visa holders contribute significantly to the growth of assurance business human capital in the US audit industry, with skilled foreign employees accounting for 28% of this growth. The authors warn of potential negative implications if further restrictions limit hiring of skilled employees from outside the US.
A recent study found that even moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of adverse brain outcomes and steeper decline in cognitive skills. Higher alcohol consumption over 30 years was linked to hippocampal atrophy, poorer white matter integrity, and faster decline in language fluency.
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation has selected researchers Dr. Emerson Wickwire, Dr. Jessica Levenson, Dr. Benjamin Pliska, and Dr. Allen Firestone to receive research awards for their projects aimed at improving sleep health and advancing the field of sleep medicine.
The study found that low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas experienced significant improvements in medical care and health after gaining insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. They reported reduced out-of-pocket spending, improved access to primary care and preventive services, and better self-reported health. Additio...
A retrospective household survey found that nearly 3,100 Yazidis were killed, mostly by execution, and 6,800 kidnapped during the ISIS siege on Mount Sinjar. Children accounted for nearly all those who died and were disproportionately affected in captivity.
A new study shows that investments in adolescent health and wellbeing can generate a 10-fold economic benefit by averting 12 million adolescent deaths and preventing more than 30 million unwanted pregnancies. Investing in secondary education can create 12 million formal jobs for people aged 20-24 years.
Vaccines have dramatically reduced global mortality rates, but maintaining community confidence in vaccination and ensuring widespread coverage are crucial. Research shows vaccines result in net economic benefits of almost $69 billion in the US alone.
A new research initiative aims to reduce HIV infection and transmission by providing job readiness and employment skills to young men who have sex with men and young transgender women. The project, funded by the NIH, will explore how economic stability can prevent adolescent homelessness, drug use, and migration to high-risk environments.
A new international study highlights how climate-driven changes in species distribution are affecting human health, culture, and economies worldwide. As species move towards the poles, they impact resources like fish and coffee, industries like tourism and fishing, conflict over land use, and even indigenous cultures.
A systematic review found that UK public health interventions return an average ROI of £14.30 on every £1 spent, with national policies producing even higher returns. The study warns that recent cuts to public health budgets will cost the NHS and economy 'billions'.
A new study projects a 50% increase in conducive weather conditions similar to those in January 2013, leading to more frequent severe haze events in Beijing. The researchers developed an effective Haze Weather Index (HWI) to represent such conditions, which are influenced by large-scale circulation changes and climate change.
A systematic analysis examined the global burden of oral conditions between 1990 and 2015, finding a significant increase in disability-adjusted life years due to oral diseases. The study suggests that oral health goals should be developed to advance global public health.
A £1m grant will explore the link between cultural pursuits and health wellbeing, gathering new data from 3 years. Researchers will study how joining a choir, attending art classes or going to museums affects society's health.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that the Affordable Care Act improved primary care access for Medicaid patients, increasing appointment availability from 57.9% to 63.2% between 2012 and 2016.
A global vaccine injury compensation system would improve vaccine participation in low-resource countries, addressing hesitancy and economic concerns. The proposed system would provide economic certainty to manufacturers and build trust for vaccines, ultimately improving public health outcomes.
A new £250,000 grant will support the development of a cross-cultural scale to assess household water insecurity globally. The researchers aim to create a reliable method to measure how many people are affected by not having enough water for daily activities, with potential impacts on mental and physical health, economic productivity, ...