Articles tagged with Medical Economics
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.
AMIA members receive workforce and SHARP grants to develop curriculum and train informatics specialists. The grants support the adoption of health IT and electronic health records, aiming to create a high-performing healthcare system.
A longitudinal study of over 1,300 children found that early child care quality predicts higher test scores in cognitive and academic achievement, fewer behavior problems, and less impulsivity. The study supports the idea that early childhood experiences can have long-lasting effects on teenagers' development.
The ESCEO-IOF-ABBH Young Investigator Award recognizes the work of young researchers who have made significant contributions to osteoporosis research. The award is presented to researchers under the age of 40 who have submitted high-quality abstracts to the IOF WCO-ECCEO10 congress.
Researchers found a relationship between time spent in vigorous physical activity and strength of the femoral neck, independent of diet and lifestyle. The study suggests increasing physical activity in childhood can improve skeletal bone development and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
A new study found that long-term use of DMPA injections increases the risk of bone fractures in women under 50, with a 50% higher risk for users of progestin-only contraceptives. The results suggest that combined estrogen-containing oral contraceptives do not increase fracture risk
Young people with inflammatory bowel diseases are at increased risk of fracture due to low bone mass and poor bone architecture. This is attributed to factors such as poor nutrient absorption, glucocorticoid medication use, and altered trabecular bone tissue microarchitecture.
Four ESCEO-AMGEN Osteoporosis Fellowships valued at $50,000 each were awarded to outstanding researchers in osteoporosis, with projects focusing on vitamin D status, osteoporosis treatment preferences, and ephrin B2 system. The Fellowship Programme aims to advance clinical care and prevention through training physicians and PhDs.
The study analyzed over 11,000 elderly men in Sweden, US, and Hong Kong, finding that age significantly impacts the risk of falling, while ethnicity and environment play a role. The proportion of frequent fallers varied across countries, with highest rates in the US, followed by Sweden, and lowest in Hong Kong.
Professor Pierre Jean Meunier received the prestigious Pierre Delmas Prize at the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2010 for his major scientific contributions to the study of bone and mineral diseases. The award honors his influential work in osteoporosis research, mentorship, and education.
Research published in BioMed Central's Population Health Metrics journal found Canadians live longer and healthier lives compared to Americans. Canada's universal healthcare system and lower levels of poverty contribute to the disparity in life expectancy between the two countries.
A new study found that child care directors in metropolitan Milwaukee would unnecessarily exclude 57% of children with mild illnesses from care. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have established guidelines to address this issue, but their implementation remains inconsistent.
The eradication of smallpox achieved significant public good with lives saved and prevented. Similarly, completing polio eradication is justified by moral obligations to prevent harm and protect future generations. The authors argue that finishing the job is an ethical imperative due to the capacity and opportunity to do so.
A study published in Value in Health suggests that extending breast cancer screening to younger women could lead to better health programs and a more balanced approach to fighting the disease. The research found that screening only older women increases unfair disparities in life expectancy, quality of life, and disease incidence.
A new study led by the University of Edinburgh reveals that pneumonia is the leading cause of child death in China, accounting for 17% of deaths in under-5s. The number of children dying before age five has dropped by 70% since 1990 due to increased access to hospital treatment.
A new study in the journal Political Insight suggests that older adults can play a pivotal role in their communities through dedicated volunteering and participation. The researchers argue that promoting lifelong learning and community action among older people can help them feel less overwhelmed and isolated, and may even lead to bett...
A major report by an international team of scientists and policy experts explores the social, economic, health and environmental impacts of the livestock industry. Key findings include the high greenhouse gas emissions from animal feed production and transport, which account for 18% of global emissions.
Researchers found that late-stage melanoma treatment for people over 65 years old results in substantial economic burdens, with average monthly charges ranging from $902 to $3,933. Early detection and treatment can significantly reduce these costs by up to 40-65%.
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that the health gap between rich and poor people in China is getting narrower across generations, unlike the US where it widens. Researchers analyzed data from over 7,000 adults to track changes in health over 13 years.
A Cornell economist's study finds that programs like Coordinated Approach to Child Health offer the biggest bang for the buck, while others like walking school buses are ineffective. The researcher argues that government spending should focus on cost-effective initiatives to combat childhood obesity.
A study published in PLoS Medicine examines the impact of HIV and noncommunicable diseases on poor countries' progress towards the UN Millennium Development Goals. The research found that these factors are strongly associated with the difficulty countries have meeting health targets, accounting for over half of the inequality in progress.
Researchers found that 18% of people with an initial stroke had a recurrent stroke within four years, and the risk of recurrence rose steadily after one year. The study highlights the need for better secondary stroke prevention strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity rates.
A new study analyzing performance reports from medical groups found that pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives had limited impact on overall care quality. Despite incentivizing providers to focus on preventative medicine, researchers discovered a lack of positive spillovers to other areas of care.
A special issue of Health Affairs features articles by AMIA members on e-health in developing countries, focusing on mobile health, global partnerships, and local solutions. The articles highlight the critical role of informatics in achieving overall health improvements globally.
A study published in Chest found that caregivers of ICU patients experience profound emotional and economic burdens, with predictors including male patient gender and tracheostomy. The research highlights the need for interventions to support families coping with critical illness beyond hospitalization.
Global health agencies urge stronger collection, analysis, and use of health data to evaluate the impact of health programs and policies. The eight agencies propose four actions to strengthen health data collection, including increasing investments in health information and developing a common data architecture.
A new newsletter highlights health care utilization patterns among older Asian minorities and perceived job discrimination among older workers. The Gerontological Society of America emphasizes the need for research to resolve barriers in seeking health care for minority elders.
A novel scleral lens has been shown to improve vision and quality of life for patients with severe cornea or ocular surface disease. The Boston Ocular Surface Prosthesis (BOS-P) was found to be clinically beneficial in a study conducted by Brandeis University researchers, who assessed 69 patients before and after fitting them with the ...
A new study by Queen's and Yale researchers finds that poor mental health in children and teenagers is linked to shorter schooling duration. The findings suggest targeting inattentive symptoms like ADHD and depression for policy design and potentially large benefits from childhood and adolescent health interventions.
Researchers at UIC will study the relationship between tax rates on food and beverages with high sugar or fat content and individual survey data to determine if differential tax rates equate to differences in consumption and body mass index among various groups, including low-income recipients.
According to poverty expert Mark R. Rank, nearly half of all US children will use food stamps during their childhood due to poverty and food insecurity, affecting their health and well-being.
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Miami and Florida International University found that universal helmet laws are the most significant policy in reducing both fatal and non-fatal motorcycle injuries. The study also revealed that mandatory rider education programs can reduce non-fatal motorcycle injuries, whil...
A new study published in Economic Inquiry explores how potential losers can use small concessions to successfully appease expected winners, but only under specific conditions. The researchers found that appeasement can be a good plan when choice is possible, and trade should be chosen over conflict.
Sue Goldie and Ichiro Kawachi, two Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty members, have been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Their work focuses on developing models that link disease biology to population outcomes, with a focus on women's health and social determinants of health.
The decline in Zimbabwe's health indicators over the past three decades is attributed to high HIV/AIDS prevalence, poor governance, and economic policies. To address this, the authors propose a new healthcare recovery plan prioritizing essential services like emergency obstetric care and training specialist mid-level workers.
Eric Boerwinkle has received a $26 million federal stimulus grant to identify genetic factors affecting heart, lung and blood diseases. The project will analyze the DNA of approximately 40,000 individuals to pinpoint genetic variants affecting disease risk, aiding in disease detection and treatment selection.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced the 2009 recipients of its Community Health Leaders Award, honoring individuals who improved healthcare access for disadvantaged communities. The awardees worked on projects such as expanding dental care services and providing primary care to low-income individuals.
A nationwide survey found that less than half of graduating medical students in the US feel adequately prepared for healthcare systems and economics. Medical educators argue that stronger curricula can improve this situation and lead to better patient outcomes.
A University of Michigan study found that life expectancy rose by 6.2 years during the Great Depression, surprising experts. Researchers discovered this increase occurred for both men and women across racial groups, likely due to reduced stress, sleep, and substance abuse in recessions.
A new study found that high-quality early child care improves reading and math scores, particularly for low-income children. The research used data from over 1,300 children and suggests a link between early childhood care quality and later achievement in middle childhood.
The TCT 2009 symposium will feature a discussion on Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Personal Health Records (PHR), considering selection, implementation, and economics of these solutions. National experts will also address the implications of ARRA and healthcare reform on EHR.