Articles tagged with Medical Economics
A new study by University of Miami researchers found that binge drinking increases with rising state-level unemployment rates, affecting all population subgroups. Additionally, employed individuals are more likely to experience problematic drinking due to psychological factors like job insecurity.
A new project by The Hastings Center explores the medical safety net for undocumented immigrants in the US, highlighting the challenges of providing care to those without insurance. The project aims to clarify policy choices and identify consequences for patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations.
Four Washington-based teams will receive grants to develop and test prototype health products, including a device for atrial fibrillation detection and a technology to monitor older adults. The Life Sciences Discovery Fund aims to promote the translation of promising technologies into marketable products.
Japan has seen a recent decline in mortality rates for adult men and women, falling behind countries like Sweden, Italy, and Australia. The main explanations for this trend include high tobacco consumption, rising body mass index, and increasing suicide rates.
A new study suggests that increases in public health spending result in healthier people, particularly in communities with limited resources. Communities investing more in local public health activities saw significant reductions in mortality from preventable causes of death.
The world's population is expected to surpass 7 billion in 2011, with a projected increase of 2.3 billion people by 2050. Most of this growth will occur in less developed regions, including Africa, posing significant challenges for food, water, housing, and energy supply.
A new study by McGill University researchers suggests that people tend to eat healthier at home due to emotional associations with the meal. The study, based on data from 160 women, found that positive emotions triggered at home lead to better food choices.
Research reveals high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in psoriatic arthritis patients, but lacks correlation between vitamin D levels and disease activity. Vitamin D insufficiency was more common in northern regions during winter months.
A new study by Brown University finds that minorities are gaining access to nursing home care, but often due to lack of alternative options. The research suggests a racial disparity in elder care, with whites more likely to use desirable alternatives.
Researchers from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh examined GHIs' operations in Uganda using agency theory. They found strong conflict of interest between GHIs' priorities and the Ugandan government's needs, with the latter preferring flexible resource allocation for long-term benefits.
The University of Maryland and Maryland Municipal League team up to help communities plan and implement green practices, earning a 'certificate of sustainability' and potential state grants. Communities can navigate the process at their own pace, with no upfront costs.
A recent study published in the Journal of Labor Economics found that informal daycare can significantly reduce a child's test scores by up to 2.6 percent per year compared to staying with their mother. In contrast, formal preschool programs or licensed daycare centers have little to no negative effect on cognitive development.
A Penn study reveals that specialty physicians turn away two-thirds of children with public insurance, exacerbating existing healthcare disparities. Children with identical conditions and private insurance face significantly shorter wait times for appointments.
A study published in JAMA Network found that the number of paid malpractice claims for events resulting in paid malpractice claims in outpatient and inpatient settings were similar in 2009. The study also found that the rate of decline in malpractice claims was greater for inpatient settings compared to outpatient settings.
A recent study found that women veterans of US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced similar levels of combat-related stress and post-deployment mental health impacts as their male counterparts. The research, based on survey responses from 595 service members, suggests that women's exposure to combat stress may be only slightly lowe...
A nationwide study found that unwed mothers face poorer health at midlife than women who have children after marriage. The study suggests that single motherhood has long-term negative health consequences, and government efforts to promote marriage may not address these issues.
Rebeca Wong has been awarded a $3.03 million NIH grant to continue her longitudinal aging study in Mexico, collecting data on thousands of participants across various topics. The Mexican Health and Aging Study aims to compare health outcomes with other national surveys globally.
A new study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln economist Seth Giertz found that male disability applicants rejected for federal benefits tend to have lower earnings and labor force participation rates. Rejected applicants also work less despite being in better health than accepted applicants.
The University of Colorado has received a $1.88 million grant to establish an 8-year curriculum track for primary care physicians, aiming to address healthcare gaps in rural and under-resourced communities. The program will recruit 10 high school students annually from diverse Colorado communities to pursue the BA/BS-MD program.
A Durham University-led study reveals that some less deprived coalfield areas are faring relatively well in terms of health, suggesting that regeneration efforts and resilience of local communities may be helpful. The research emphasizes the need for increased government assistance, particularly in poorer, predominantly rural coalfield...
The NIST sensor detects many different trace gases at fast rates with high sensitivity, built from off-the-shelf technology for portability and commercial potential. The key is using radiation at terahertz frequencies to rotate gas molecules uniquely for identification and measurement.
A study published in PLoS ONE found a significant inverse association between public spending on health and pandemic influenza mortality. The greater the state financial generosity to the health sector, the lower the mortality rate. Increased public expenditures on health led to a 2.8% reduction in mortality rates.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has received a $500,000 grant from the California Community Foundation to fund primary healthcare and case management services for vulnerable children. The grant will support COACH for Kids and Their Families program, providing no-cost health services to over 10,500 individuals in underserved communities.
A $4.8 million federal grant will help UC Davis discover ways to maintain healthy weights among Mexican-heritage children in California. The 'Ninos Sanos, Familia Sana' study aims to provide practical tools and education for families to adopt healthy eating habits.
Stanford researchers found a link between the collapse of the Soviet Union's anti-alcohol campaign and Russia's four-year mortality crisis. The study suggests that the campaign's closure led to a resurgence in deaths from alcohol poisoning, drunken violence, and slower killers like heart attacks and strokes.
A recent study found that Delhi's radical changes in air quality regulations had a substantial positive effect on the health of city residents. The research used remote sensing imagery to measure the effects of air quality on health, and found that poorer men exhibited significant negative relationships between ambient air and respirat...
Research found that frequent shopping among the elderly increases survival rates, with daily shoppers 27% less likely to die compared to those who shopped less frequently. The study suggests that shopping may improve health by ensuring a good supply of food and promoting social connections.
A new study found that teenage fatherhood significantly impacts young adult outcomes, including a 15-point reduction in high school graduation rates and an 11-point increase in receiving a GED. The experience of teenage fatherhood also increases the likelihood of full-time employment and military service.
Obese postmenopausal women are almost as likely to fracture as non-obese women, with specific sites like the upper arm, ankle, and lower leg being more prone to fractures in obese individuals. Poor mobility and a history of early menopause also play significant roles.
Researchers found that including falls history with clinical risk factors and bone mineral density values significantly enhances the accuracy of fracture prediction models. The study showed a 6% improvement in accuracy for men, with positive predictive values of 21.5% and 29.8% for women.
New research reveals no link between economic growth and child undernutrition rates in India, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions. Experts emphasize that poor health is linked to inequality, requiring inclusive growth strategies to address social determinants of health.
A UK study found that people with higher levels of education and married individuals report better sleep quality. Additionally, job satisfaction plays a significant role in determining the quality of sleep, with those who are least satisfied reporting shorter sleep periods. The study also highlights the impact of work-related pressures...
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that there is little historical evidence to justify cutting global health aid during economic downturns. In fact, some countries have increased their aid commitments during crises, contrary to fears of fiscal austerity.
A new life cycle assessment report from the Energy Biosciences Institute identifies seven grand challenges for biofuels, including understanding farmers, feedstock options, and land use, as well as characterizing tailpipe emissions and their health consequences. The report aims to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the en...
Researchers predict a significant increase in stroke cases among Mexican-Americans, rising from 26,000 in 2010 to over 120,000 by 2050. This represents a 350% rise, compared to a 75% increase expected for non-Hispanic whites.
The unemployment rate for SEH doctorate recipients was 1.7 percent in October 2008, compared to 6.6 percent for the total US labor force. The report found no significant difference in employment rates between recent and pre-2006 recipients.
Research finds that menthol cigarettes are more challenging to quit for certain groups, including teenagers and African-American smokers. Economic pressures may contribute to this difficulty as less affluent smokers are forced to consume fewer cigarettes, leading to increased nicotine intake from each cigarette.
Studies detail the successes of African entrepreneurs creating affordable technologies to address local diseases. Despite challenges, some organizations have cleared major hurdles to finance and commercialize their products, offering hope for improved health in sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers found that anti-retroviral therapy improves household investments, education, and nutrition, while a prevention strategy focusing on girls reduces HIV prevalence and genital herpes. The 'Lazarus effect' suggests long-term treatment yields significant economic dividends and positive behavioral changes.
Despite economic uncertainty, global health donors have continued to increase funding, with the US and private donors driving major increases. However, growth rates slowed between 2008 and 2010, and some countries with high disease burdens receive less funding than those with stronger economies.
Experts find that adopting a healthy diet in the UK could lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, but doing so in poorer countries like Brazil may have devastating economic consequences. Reducing saturated fat consumption in these countries could result in job losses and disruption to agriculture and trade.
A majority of Americans supports increased spending on public health in general, but there is a partisan divide and divisions within specific areas. Meanwhile, most people believe the US is not spending enough on improving and protecting public health, and many see long-term savings from measures to improve health and prevention.
A comprehensive review of national opinion polls shows that prospective voters have divergent views on the future of health reform legislation, mirroring Congressional leaders' positions. Nearly three-fourths of registered Democrats support the law, while 80% of Republicans oppose it.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded a $5 million grant to Omeros Corporation to discover and develop new drugs. The company's proprietary screening technology aims to identify compounds that interact with orphan GPCRs, potentially leading to treatments for cancer, obesity, and neurological disorders.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison doctor has won a $2 million grant to develop video games that uncover and neutralize implicit biases against women, minorities, and people with disabilities. The project aims to change attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in academic institutions, ultimately increasing diversity in STEM fields.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics links increased unemployment rates to a higher number of confirmed child maltreatment reports. The research suggests that prolonged rises in unemployment are detrimental not only to the economy but also to the physical and mental health of children.
Researchers emphasize Couples Voluntary Counseling and Testing (CVCT) as a proven method to decrease HIV/AIDS rates in Africa. The approach identifies undiagnosed individuals, allowing for targeted interventions before new infections occur.
A recent analysis by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that more people are consuming alcohol now than in the early 1990s. The study, which gathered data from over 85,000 respondents, suggests that a range of factors, including social, economic and ethnic influences, contribute to the increase.
Research published in Heart found that the combination of depression and coronary heart disease triples the risk of death from all causes and quadruples the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. Depression alone increases mortality by twice as much as having neither condition.
The commentary calls for a core medical school course that incorporates health policy, ethics, and evidence-based medicine to reflect economic influences on clinical decisions. This approach aims to improve physicians' critical capacity to assess factors affecting their decisions, as well as their social and ethical implications.
A new study published in Neurology shows that white men and boys are living longer with muscular dystrophy than their African-American counterparts. The research analyzed death records from 1986-2005 and found a significant racial disparity in life expectancy for those with the disease.
A study by CAMH found that mental health leave costs employers nearly twice as much as physical illness leaves, with an average cost of $18,000 per employee. Implementing workplace interventions and support programs can help reduce disability costs and promote a healthy workforce.
Experts warn that biotech companies in emerging economies are making innovative contributions to address health problems. They have brought affordable products to prevent, diagnose and remedy illnesses of local concern, but risk diverting focus from diseases of poverty as they grow in financial strength.
Researchers found that black rice bran contains more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries, but with lower sugar content and higher fiber levels. The discovery suggests using black rice and its bran to boost the health value of various foods, such as breakfast cereals and baked goods.
Black rice bran contains more health-promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants
Benjamin tenOever, a leading expert in microbiology and infectious diseases, has been awarded the 2010 ICAAC Young Investigator Award. His research focuses on understanding the cell's response to infection and developing novel strategies for vaccine and antiviral drug design.
A new study reveals that regional variation in health-care spending and utilization is two to three times more pronounced in Medicare than the private sector. Adopting private-sector utilization management models could help improve efficiency in the Medicare program.
A new study finds that many US states are cutting mental health funding due to budget crises, while others have reduced Medicaid payments. However, a few countries are investing in stimulus-funded services to address recession-related mental health disorders, such as the UK's training of psychotherapists and nurses.
A new study found that smoking bans in Minneapolis and St. Paul led to a 3-6% increase in bar employment and a 4% rise in restaurant employment, contradicting predictions of job losses. The research suggests that clean indoor air policies promote healthier workplaces for workers and patrons.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine warn that hospital cutbacks during the current recession may compromise quality and safety. Hospitals are reducing staff, scrapping renovation plans, and cutting back on technology to cope with declining profits and lost health insurance, threatening patient interactions and robust nurse-to-patient ratios.