Articles tagged with Medical Economics
Canadian researchers and clinicians emphasize the need for increased investment in science and technology to remain competitive globally. The federal budget's reduction of $147.9 million to research councils and programs is seen as a threat to Canada's long-term economic survival.
Migraine affects millions worldwide, causing substantial decreases in functioning and productivity. Recent clinical studies suggest it may be a progressive disease with cardiovascular and neurologic effects, requiring major reconsideration of treatments.
A study from the University of Bath found that smokers who used a support group were more than twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those using a pharmacy-based service. The researchers also discovered that both types of services are cost-effective, with the pharmacy-based service being less costly to deliver.
The study suggests that trade liberalization can exacerbate poverty, income inequality, and economic insecurity, leading to poorer health outcomes. The authors highlight the importance of social protection policies to mitigate these negative effects on public health.
The authors argue that global health governance weaknesses hinder effective representation of public health interests in WTO decisions. To address this, they suggest strengthening WHO's influence through training and policy coherence on trade agreements.
A study analyzing death rates among men of working age in post-communist countries found that mass privatization was associated with a 12.8% increase in deaths. However, countries that implemented slower reforms experienced lower mortality rates and fewer social costs. The authors conclude that caution is needed when macroeconomic poli...
A new study published in Value in Health estimates that Americans with diabetes had nearly 22% of hospital charges in 2005, totaling $171 billion. The study also found that individuals with type 1 diabetes were more likely to be hospitalized than those with type 2 diabetes.
A policy promoting cross-border health programs could contribute to reducing maternal and child mortality by leveraging existing resources and addressing interplay of elements within different health systems. Reducing maternal and child mortality requires focus on political, economic, social, and cultural factors.
Research shows males are more physically active than females across all ages. Studies focusing on primary schools and the over-70s reveal girls play differently, engaging less in vigorous activities. This may contribute to higher rates of obesity among girls, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
The Lancet report identifies key right-to-health features and indicators, highlighting gaps in data and progress towards universal access to healthcare. The study emphasizes the importance of non-discrimination, mental health allocation, and health information availability.
A new study by the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) found that 38% of families with children under three were experiencing frequent moves or overcrowded living conditions, leading to increased hunger and poor health. The 'hidden homeless' families are at a higher risk of poor health compared to those in stable ...
A 15-year follow-up of a childhood social development intervention found improved mental health, sexual health, and educational and economic achievement among participants. The Seattle Social Development Project showed positive effects on behavior management, refusal, social skills training, and academic development in elementary schoo...
Spanish-speaking Hispanics take longer to respond to medication for depression and are less likely to go into remission than English-speaking counterparts. Socioeconomic factors such as education level and income play a significant role in treatment outcomes.
Men who never smoke live longer and have better quality of life than heavy smokers, with an average of 10 years longer lifespan. Physical health deteriorates as the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases.
A new study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics explores the effects of livestock facility pollution on infant health. The research found a strong positive relationship between livestock production and infant mortality, with an estimated 7.4% increase in infant deaths for every 100% increase in livestock production.
A new study in the RAND Journal of Economics examined how hospital admission and discharge behavior is affected by fluctuations in demand. The results show that patients are discharged earlier when hospitals face high demand, a finding that suggests hospitals may be influenced by capacity constraints to make admission decisions.
A study by Indiana University found that rural HIV care providers face significant stigma and discrimination, hindering their ability to provide quality care. This has important health and economic implications, highlighting inefficiencies in the public health system.
A comprehensive strategy on technological innovations is crucial to prevent the impending economic crisis in health care. Advanced technologies such as biomeasurement, bioinformatics, and health information technologies will be required to improve disease prevention and efficient care.
The study suggests that universal vaccine coverage in young adolescent girls, initial catch-up efforts for women under 21, and revised screening policies can significantly reduce cervical cancer rates. Vaccination is predicted to be economically attractive if achieved in 12-year-old girls with long-lasting protection.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded $5 million in grants to six Washington State-based organizations for innovative health research projects. These projects focus on prostate cancer imaging, safer in-home environments, recovery from brain damage, and more.
A large group of American children showed a significant decline in physical activity between ages 9 and 15, with most failing to reach the daily recommended level of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The researchers estimated that physical activity declined by about 40 minutes per day each year until age 15.
Research published in BMC Health Services Research found that only a small minority of eligible elderly patients receive recommended treatments for obstructive respiratory diseases. The study revealed significant disparities in care, including low rates of bronchodilator inhaler use and lung function exams.
The four award winners – David Blumenthal, Ashish Jha, Ming Tai-Seale, and J. Michael McWilliams – have made groundbreaking research in areas such as health information technology, quality management, and access to healthcare services. AcademyHealth's awards promote the sharing of perspectives and strengthening of working relationships...
A new study highlights the critical need for veterinarians in New England, where the region's economy relies on veterinary medicine worth $3.3 billion. The study reveals a shortage of up to 658 veterinarians by 2014 and notes that food animal veterinians will retire at nearly twice the rate of their companion animal colleagues.
A survey of Medicare patients found that higher medical care spending was not associated with better quality of care. In fact, those in lower-expenditure areas reported similar perceptions of quality and rated their overall care highly, regardless of spending levels.
A new study found that doctors are dissatisfied with treating non-native patients due to cultural differences and language barriers. Over 2400 doctor questionnaires revealed that Turkish patients received lower-quality care, highlighting the need for improved communication and intercultural training.
A study by the University of Washington found that community health center-trained family physicians were more likely to work in underserved settings than their non-community health center-trained counterparts. This is significant given the projected increase in the need for family physicians, expected to reach nearly 140,000 by 2020.
A study of Australian men's attitudes towards health reveals that they are not the disinterested pub-goers often stereotyped. Instead, they proactively monitor their health and seek medical attention only when necessary. The researchers identified four key factors influencing men's help-seeking decisions.
A new report by the University of Alberta links urban surroundings to obesity rates, highlighting economic and built environments as key factors. Lower-income neighborhoods tend to have greater access to high-calorie foods and lower access to healthy options.
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa need to optimize their health worker mix by addressing financial constraints, irregular payments, and varying length of service benefits. Non-financial incentives, such as improved job satisfaction and career progression, are also crucial for retention and motivation.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the need for richer countries to stop exploiting health resources from poorer nations. The crisis in sub-Saharan Africa requires a top-down and bottom-up approach, with local solutions such as task shifting and public-private partnerships being tested.
The Journal of Human Capital is a new publication that explores the role of education, training, and knowledge in economic life. Key findings include the impact of household vs. marketplace rewards on education, as well as the effect of student loans on lower-income families' college options.
A US study found that despite historic advances in public health, the gap in health rates between socioeconomic classes has persisted. The relative advantage in child mortality rates and health associated with social and economic status remained stable over the past century.
The AMPATH program, a comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS care, has made an ongoing difference in large numbers of individuals and communities. By addressing medical care, nutritional sufficiency, and economic security, AMPATH has improved the lives of over 52,000 HIV-positive people in western Kenya.
Researchers have created a global consensus on the 20 foremost measures needed to curb humanity's most fatal diseases. The list of Grand Challenges includes prioritizing resource allocation within health systems and mitigating the impact of poverty and urbanization.
A new European study reveals that older people living alone are more likely to experience depression, loneliness, and lower life satisfaction compared to those living with a spouse or others. However, the findings suggest that women in Nordic countries tend to be happier when living alone.
A $50,000 USDA grant will help Kansas State University's Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Initiative connect independent grocers and provide strategies for keeping small-town stores viable. The goal is to improve customer health by promoting healthier food options in rural areas.
Synagis, a monoclonal antibody, is the standard of care for preventing severe RSV infections in high-risk infants. The new analysis found that preventing RSV early in life makes economic sense by reducing potential costs of future complications and improving quality of life.
A study by David E. Bloom and David Canning found that most countries are clustered in high or low mortality groupings with little continuum of change between them. The authors suggest a 'big push' theory to help countries near the threshold break into the low-mortality cluster.
A recent study found that workers with diabetic neuropathic symptoms lose an average of 1.4 hours per week due to health-related lost productive time, resulting in $3.65 billion annual costs. Those with diabetes without symptoms still experience a higher likelihood of unemployment compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.
The UK is considering vaccinating schoolgirls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer. A pilot study led by the University of Manchester aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a three-dose vaccine, Cervarix.
A systematic review of 200+ interventions aims to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, focusing on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and breast cancer. The study identifies promising strategies for promoting equitable health outcomes among communities of color.
Dr. Hung Ton-That has been recognized for his research excellence in microbiology and infectious disease, with a focus on cell wall sorting structure and gram-positive bacteria surface structures. He is being honored for his contributions to the study of bacterial pathogenesis.
Indigenous Australians face a greater burden of ill health, lower access to health services, more disability, and lower life expectancy. The Howard Government's pledge to improve indigenous health remains unmet, and the Editorial argues that the latest approach will not fulfil its promise.
The study concludes that improved access to electricity and a shift towards renewable energy will substantially benefit population health. Renewable sources like solar, wind, and wave power appear to create the smallest health burden, while nuclear power remains controversial due to waste storage concerns.
Leading UK funders launch initiative to support research using patient record databases, citing potential for improved public health measures. The effort aims to build confidence among the general public in the use of personal data for health research purposes.
Despite financial constraints, countries like Brazil have made progress by integrating mental health care into community settings and increasing access to medication. Lessons can be learned from these examples to improve mental health prioritization in low-resource settings
The American Society for Microbiology's MicrobeWorld Radio podcast and Small Things Considered blog have received a Communication Gold Circle Award for their innovative communication campaigns. The award recognizes the programs' ability to increase public understanding of microbiology and scientific careers.
Researchers Shepherd and Knutson discuss the ongoing debate over global warming's influence on hurricanes, citing a need for a balanced perspective. The authors argue that significantly more research is needed to determine if a global warming influence is detectable in observed hurricane records.
A multinational review of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) found significant national differences in disease severity, directly related to national health expenditure. The study, QUEST-RA, analyzed data from 100 patients across 21 countries and revealed a negative correlation between disease severity and GDP/health expenditure.
A new study by Brandeis University and Harvard University finds that the US pays over $90 billion annually for the economic costs of hunger. The average American household pays around $800 per year for hunger-related expenses.
A Stanford University School of Medicine and VA Palo Alto Health Care System study found that tiny newborns who died in California between 1991-2000 might have lived if born at highly experienced regional medical centers. Consolidating risky deliveries at these centers could improve survival rates for very-low-birth-weight infants.
The New Orleans Metropolitan Area Family Resiliency Project aims to enhance mental health services for children and first responders, reduce individual and family symptoms, and improve school performance. The program will also develop prevention and intervention strategies for future disasters.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) relies too heavily on expert opinion when developing policies, instead of systematic reviews and stakeholder input. WHO's guidelines recommend using systematic reviews, but in practice, expert committees dominate the process.
A University of Michigan study suggests that economic methods undervalue childhood interventions, despite evidence showing higher value placed on health gains for children and adolescents. The research recommends adjusting economic formulae to better reflect societal values, prioritizing early childhood intervention.
A new study found that consumers reject high-quality medical information in favor of websites with a human touch. Trustworthy sites with personal stories and like-minded contributors have more influence on consumer behavior, while untrustworthy features like advertising can have negative effects.
The lack of attention to women's health is a significant issue, with women putting their lives at risk during pregnancy. Improved access to contraception could prevent up to 90% of deaths from unsafe abortions and 20% of obstetric mortality.
A recent study by Yale University researchers highlights substantial global health inequalities influenced by economic, social, and health-sector variables. Countries with low income and high mortality rates have lower investment in human and physical resources, more health risks, and worse educational outcomes.
The study reveals substantial global health inequalities influenced by geography, with countries like sub-Saharan Africa and Afghanistan facing higher child mortality rates. The authors found a four-fold difference in poverty levels and less investment in human resources between these countries and their low-mortality counterparts.
The University of Queensland has been awarded $40.2 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding for various medical research projects. The university's researchers are working on spinal pain, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and health economics evaluation.