Articles tagged with Medical Economics
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that up to 40% of hospital transfers from nursing homes can be avoided. The study identified common medical conditions linked to unnecessary hospitalizations, including feeding tube complications and urinary tract infections.
A study analyzed the campaign by Partnership for America's Health Care Future, a private health industry lobby group, and found it used similar marketing strategies as unhealthy commodity industries to manufacture doubt about universal healthcare policies. The campaign received millions of views on Meta platforms and targeted specific ...
A survey of over 2,200 US adults found that majority incorrectly believe plant-based diets are more expensive, with baby boomers being the most likely to think so. A diet centered on whole, minimally processed plant foods can be affordable and nourishing.
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.
Most Medicare beneficiaries will likely see their drug costs go up due to Part D plans' shifting cost-sharing burden. The new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket limit won't reach most beneficiaries, leading to higher deductibles and coinsurance for many.
A survey of 261 new fathers found that 64% took less than two weeks of leave, while 36% took more than two weeks. The main barrier was fear of losing their job. Paid leave would reduce barriers and increase take-up. Involving dads in childcare from the start is crucial for healthy outcomes.
A new study published in JRSM Open found that healthcare workers born overseas, particularly those from Asian and Black backgrounds, are less likely to reach higher pay bands under the NHS Agenda for Change framework. This is despite education and job role being adjusted for.
A new study found that problems with accessing high-quality care were a major driver for switching Medicare Advantage plans, not cost concerns. Dissatisfaction with medical care access was more common among those in poor health, and those who enrolled in MA plans with low star ratings were also more likely to switch.
Researchers analyzed trends in healthcare utilization among Japan's oldest-old population aged 75 years and above during the extended COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis revealed a modest drop in medical services and outpatient visits, while healthcare costs remained stable despite decreased patient volumes.
Clinician entrepreneurs face numerous barriers, including lack of market fit, risk aversion, and financing challenges. To overcome these obstacles, the authors recommend clinician entrepreneurship programs that provide business expertise and create academic recognition for successful companies.
A research team from the University of Copenhagen has developed a biotechnological method to produce Taxol, a widely used cancer drug. The new method involves cloning taxol-producing genes and inserting them into yeast cells, making it more cost-effective and sustainable than traditional chemical synthesis.
Research found that workforce participation among people with diabetes remains low, despite significant health improvements, due to factors like health complications and workplace barriers. The study suggests expanded access to anti-obesity medications could have positive effects on the labor market.
New research by ESMT Berlin reveals that hospitals acquired by private equity firms significantly reduce costs and administrative staff without harming patient care. The study finds improved operational profitability while sustaining essential medical staff levels over the long term.
Retail pharmacies excluded from Medicare Part D networks faced a higher risk of closure over the past decade, with independent and minority-owned pharmacies more likely to be affected. The study found that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) were contributing to this problem by steering beneficiaries away from non-preferred pharmacies.
A new analysis predicts that reducing Medicaid access could lead to thousands of additional deaths among working-age Americans and disastrous financial burdens. The study found that eliminating the ACA provision expanding Medicaid access could drive millions to delay needed care.
The American College of Chest Physicians has released a new clinical guideline on the transfusion of fresh frozen plasma and platelets in critically ill adults. The guideline contains seven evidence-based recommendations to reduce unnecessary transfusions, which are rarely needed prior to bedside procedures.
A new report from Flinders University reveals that Australia is facing a silent public health crisis due to poor sleep habits. The report outlines four priority actions to address the issue and calls for urgent action from policymakers to bring sleep to the forefront of the country's health agenda.
A new analysis of population surveys estimates that exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contributed to 356,238 global heart disease deaths in 2018, accounting for 13% of all global mortality. The study also found higher death risks in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Pacific regions.
The study estimates that expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1RAs would increase access to these treatments and reduce obesity-related comorbidities. However, this would come with substantial costs over a decade, projected at $8 billion, highlighting the need for further price reductions and cost-saving strategies.
Experts argue that large health care platforms are exhibiting concerning traits similar to big tech, including monopoly power, reduced innovation, and increased costs. They recommend antitrust attention and action to prevent further consolidation and promote vigorous competition.
Researchers developed a new method to determine optimal threshold time for restricted mean survival time analysis, improving statistical power in clinical and epidemiological studies. The method outperformed traditional statistical analysis methods in real-world scenarios, revealing clear differences between treatment groups.
A new study reveals promising progress toward predicting how patients with major depressive disorder will respond to antidepressant medications. Brain connectivity patterns were found to significantly improve predictions of treatment response across two large, independent clinical trials.
Researchers created an Experimental Beverage Marketplace to analyze the impact of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. The study found that participants purchased significantly less of these drinks when a tax was applied, replicating standard economic principles.
A new study by the University of Bath found that London's Low Emission Zones significantly reduced harmful pollutants, resulting in lower sick leave rates and improved mental well-being. The introduction of Ultra Low Emission Zones also delivered substantial cost savings.
The US Cost of Dementia Project estimates total economic burden at $781 billion, accounting for lost earnings, diminished quality of life, and unpaid care. The project aims to inform evidence-based policies reducing dementia's financial impact.
A new oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, Orforglipron, has demonstrated significant weight loss of 7.9% in individuals with diabetes and impaired glycemic control. The safety and tolerability of the medication are consistent with injectable therapies, making it a potentially accessible treatment option.
A recent study in Ghana highlights key factors influencing maternal nutrition and infant feeding practices, revealing food insecurity and economic constraints as significant challenges. The study emphasizes the importance of creating tailored nutrition education programs that address the specific needs of young mothers.
The study finds that the current transplant system is a net positive for patients, producing an additional 9.29 life-years from transplantation. However, the optimal structure of the matching system could potentially raise this figure to as high as 14.08 life-years.
Dr. Elizabeth M. Curtis has been awarded the ESCEO-IOF Pierre Meunier Young Scientist Award for her groundbreaking research on musculoskeletal health and bone disease. Her work focuses on the epidemiology of bone, muscle health, and joint health across the lifespan.
Researchers highlight the potential of AI in diagnosing and treating myopia, detecting risk factors and predicting outcomes. However, challenges such as data quality and patient privacy must be addressed to improve widespread clinical application.
The University of Virginia has appointed Dr. Mark T. Esser as the inaugural head of its Manning Institute, a $350 million facility aimed at transforming healthcare and accelerating new treatments. Esser brings decades of experience in developing new medical breakthroughs and will foster an ecosystem of innovation to attract biotechnolo...
Xiamen University has joined the Bentham Science Institutional Membership Program to enable researchers to publish Open Access at concessionary rates in Bentham Science journals. The program promotes open research and fosters scientific advancements globally.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that AI diagnostic and treatment recommendations were more accurate than those made by physicians in a virtual urgent care setting. In 77% of cases, AI recommendations were rated as optimal, compared to 67% for physicians' decisions.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that smoke from US wildfires and prescribed burns caused $200 billion in health damages in 2017, resulting in 20,000 premature deaths. Senior citizens were disproportionately affected, with Native American and Black communities experiencing the greatest harms per capita.
A recent study published in Nature reveals a causal connection between the shingles vaccine and reduced risk of dementia. The analysis of data from a regression discontinuity design found a 20% reduction in dementia diagnosis risk among vaccinated individuals born on or after September 2, 1933.
Climate and health litigation is on the rise in Australia, driven by increasing exposure to heatwaves. The country has seen a 37% increase in excess heat factor over the past 20 years, with key deficiencies identified in response to climate and health threats.
The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Mobile Simulation Lab to tackle workforce and training challenges in rural areas. The lab, equipped with advanced patient manikins and simulation bays, will provide specialized training for local healthcare providers to expand their expertise.
A new study led by Dr. Geva Shenkman-Lachberg found that only sociodemographic factors like parental age, number of current children, and economic status predict the desire to have more children among LGB parents, contrary to previous findings on stigma and social support
Many teenagers enter adulthood with significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and emerging adulthood is a key time to address these risks. Interventions such as health practices, lifestyle changes, and improved access to healthcare can help reduce the risk of developing future cardiovascular disease.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that avoidable mortality increased across all US states from 2009 to 2021, while declining in many peer nations. The team's findings suggest deep-seated issues in the American healthcare system and public policy may be contributing to worsening health outcomes.
A recent Stanford University study found that foreign aid sanctions can negate up to 64% of progress against maternal mortality, with similar impacts on infant and child mortality. The researchers estimate that sanctions lasting five years or more can lead to significant increases in death rates among mothers, children, and infants.
A study published in The Lancet highlights disparities and obstacles faced by low- and middle-income countries in gaining recognition for their scientific contributions. Researchers propose increasing visibility of journals from low- and middle-income countries, reducing publication fees, and ensuring a fairer peer-review process to fo...
Experts propose evidence-based work design to mitigate administrative harms and improve patient safety, quality of care, and workforce well-being. The new framework aims to integrate short-term financial metrics with long-term outcomes, sparking a transformation in organizational decision-making.
A new analysis reveals that no country is on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030. Machine-learning tools were applied to over 20 years' worth of data from 231 indicators and GDP data, highlighting complex linkages between goals.
Researchers found that older adults with traumatic brain injury face disparities in rehabilitation care due to contextual social determinants of health. Contextual SDoH factors have complex effects on use of community-based rehabilitation services after TBI, beyond those linked to individual-level SDoH.
Researchers are enrolling volunteers for a four-year study that will use advanced imaging, genetics, exercise science, neuroscience, and remote monitoring to investigate age-related health decline. The goal is to help individuals and healthcare practitioners better prevent the impact of disease on older adults.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has published a governance model for the wellbeing economy, which aims to balance social, economic, and ecological sustainability in national-level decision-making. The model proposes using citizens' consultation processes and long-term wellbeing targets to guide government programs.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found a statistically significant relation between air lead concentration and infant mortality. Higher concentrations of lead in the air caused higher levels of infant mortality in infants' first month and first year, suggesting both in utero and environmental exposures matter.
The University of Texas at Arlington is joining forces with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to operate a new biomanufacturing center. This partnership will expand UTA's capabilities and provide access to financial support and industry partners, enabling researchers to develop and commercialize production of new bioprod...
A recent study from the University of Missouri and Yale University found that restricting flavored e-cigarettes leads to a decrease in vaping among young adults. However, this restriction also increases traditional cigarette smoking among young adults compared to states without such restrictions.
A new study suggests that banning menthol cigarettes in the US could lead to more people trying to quit smoking, but also fuel an illicit market. The research found that 33-29% of menthol smokers would purchase illegal menthol cigarettes and non-menthol alternatives in different scenarios.
The Grubhub Community Fund has awarded the American Heart Association a $2 million grant to support food security, technology innovation, and economic resiliency in New York City and Chicago. The funds will be allocated to up to 12 organizations and entrepreneurs focused on improving health equity and expanding access to capital.
A new study from the University of Texas at Arlington found that Americans aged 65 and older who experienced parental divorce as children were more likely to suffer a stroke compared to their peers. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 older Americans and found that about 14% had experienced parental divorce during childhood.
A cross-sectional study found that variation in health care spending among US counties is primarily attributed to disparities in service utilization. The study's results may inform policymakers in assessing the allocation of health care resources.
A new study suggests adjusting VAT rates on food groups based on health and environmental impacts could lead to healthier diets, reducing cases of diet-related diseases. The proposal aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and generate significant revenue for governments.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care practices in the US experienced declining access to care, while average practice capabilities improved. Integrated practice ownership and accountable care organization participation were associated with better access and capability scores.
A study from Weill Cornell Medicine found that over two-thirds of US counties have no gastroenterologist, leaving millions without access to care. The analysis highlights the need for policy interventions and strategies to expand the workforce in underserved areas.
A study found clear differences in brain health between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older adults, with Hispanic participants scoring lower on tests of memory, attention, and problem-solving despite similar mental health. Researchers emphasize the importance of considering social, economic, and cultural factors when developing progr...
A scoping review found women health sector leaders have a positive impact on financial performance, innovation and health outcomes, despite being underutilized. Increased investment is needed to maximize their potential and reap benefits.
Researchers studied consumer agency in immersive services like residential care, finding that technology and empathy can support individual autonomy. The study highlights the importance of a more consumer-centered perspective in geriatric care and analyzing issues related to consumer autonomy.