Articles tagged with Medical Economics
The University of Arizona Health Sciences has been awarded a National Institutes of Health training program grant worth $750,000. This funding will continue to support master's students pursuing degrees in environmental and occupational health in the Industrial Hygiene Program.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that many expensive cancer drugs have unclear patient benefits, with only one drug showing both increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. The researchers emphasize the need for further discussions on drug approvals to ensure effective use of limited healthcare resources.
A new study found that intensive lifestyle intervention, including weekly counseling on diet and exercise, is associated with increased employment among people with type 2 diabetes. Study participants without a college degree had even larger employment gains from lifestyle changes recommended by specialists.
A community-based health program implemented in Madagascar increased vaccination rates in the country's most remote villages. The study found that households with a Catholic or Protestant affiliation were more reluctant to vaccinate their children, highlighting the need to address these barriers in future programs.
Researchers developed an innovative optical tool, the Schistoscope, to capture microscopy images of urine samples for efficient detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. A two-stage diagnostic framework using deep learning accurately identified and counted eggs in field settings with high sensitivity, specificity, and precision.
Researchers found that African ancestry patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have fewer clinically actionable variants in DCM genes compared to European ancestry patients. The study enrolled 1,198 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, revealing a racial imbalance in genetic trials for heart failure.
The Capture the Fracture Partnership has successfully driven global Fracture Liaison Services implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability. The partnership's unique approach, including policy, coalitions, mentorship, and scalable solutions, has delivered impactful resources and activities to prioritize secondary fracture prevention.
A new method revealed a 43% increase in physician turnover rate between 2010 and 2018, from 5.3% to 7.6%, with rural practices and burnout linked as contributing factors. The study also found that female doctors and those in larger practices were more prone to turnover.
A new study found that black residents living in highly segregated neighborhoods have significantly shortened life expectancies compared to those in less segregated areas. The study analyzed 63,694 census tracts and found that life expectancy was four years shorter on average in highly segregated areas.
LSU Health New Orleans' School of Nursing has been awarded $2.6 million by the Health Resources and Services Administration to increase nurse practitioners and midwives trained for underrepresented populations, particularly in rural areas. The funding will also enhance curriculum and provide tuition support.
A new study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that US military veterans living in historically discriminatory 'redlined' areas had a higher risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. The study used data from 80,000 veterans with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, revealing a 14% increased likelihood...
Articles consider access to opioid use disorder treatment and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on emergency department visits. Prescription drug monitoring programs also show promise in reducing opioid use. Researchers find mixed results regarding policies to increase treatment rates and temporary disability benefits.
The number of GPs and hospital doctors retiring early has increased by an average of 9.3% year on year since 2008, according to official figures. This trend coincides with the introduction of pension taxation rules that penalize doctors for working extra hours.
A study published in Management Science found that the UK's Covid vaccine mandate caused a 3-4% reduction in staffing in elderly care homes, equivalent to 14,000 to 19,000 employees. The policy led to an increase in reliance on agency workers and persisted even after the mandate was lifted.
This study found widening socioeconomic inequality among Japanese adolescents in achieving recommended physical activity levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis also revealed narrowing inequality in breakfast intake, but no differences observed for screen time, sleep duration, or bowel movement frequency.
Research from Cornell University estimates that wildfire smoke can cause between 4,000 and 9,000 premature deaths and cost between $36 to $82 billion per year in the United States. Metropolitan regions near fire sources are likely to experience a large health burden and economic loss.
A study of 142 nations found a strong link between access to formal financial services and lower COVID-19 mortality rates. Access to bank accounts, credit cards, or loans from a financial institution is a key predictor of lower mortality risk, even stronger than comorbidities.
A new study examines the historical marketing of 'Indian remedies' in the 19th century, revealing a trend of cultural appropriation that continues in modern New Age spirituality. The author argues that individualistic approaches to Indigenous healing practices can be harmful and undermine community control over narratives.
A new study found that federal and state lockdowns and health mandates implemented during the pandemic exacerbated mental health issues in people living in four US geographic regions. The research showed a significant increase in feelings of anxiety and depression, particularly in Southern states with Republican governments.
A study by Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine found that Medicare fraud in home healthcare billing spread rapidly across U.S. regions between 2002 and 2009, driven by characteristics such as shared patients, high expenditures, and rapid growth in the number of home health agencies. The researchers developed a novel network analysis ...
Researchers found that boosting vaccine use can reduce lockdown intensity and duration, but the relationship varies based on factors like disease severity and vaccination speed. The study suggests a nuanced approach to balancing lockdowns and vaccinations in future pandemics.
A new study from the University of Kansas emphasizes the importance of including unpaid care work in economic statistics, highlighting women's significant contributions to the economy. The study aims to provide a more complete understanding of labor activity and inform equitable public policy.
A new study by University of Wyoming researchers found that regular diagnostic testing and self-isolation can deliver higher net benefits than physical distancing strategies in combating infectious diseases. The study took into account the concept of superspreading, which made the testing-isolation approach even more effective.
A new study reveals significant economic burden of racial and ethnic health inequities in the US, with minority populations facing $421-$451 billion in healthcare costs annually. The findings emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions to address these disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
The statement highlights enormous inequities in stroke care, leading to significant gaps in functional outcomes for historically disenfranchised groups. Upstream interventions, such as policy changes and place-based initiatives, are crucial to address these disparities.
Dr Germain Honvo, a young investigator, receives the prestigious award for his international contributions to osteoarthritis research and publications on guideline development. He is recognized as a future thought leader in the musculoskeletal field.
Eight low-cost interventions can prevent an estimated 566,000 stillbirths and 5.2 million babies born preterm or small for gestational age each year. Implementing these interventions in 81 low- and middle-income countries could save the lives of millions of babies and improve long-term health outcomes.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.4 million Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) grant to LSU Health New Orleans. The program aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical sciences research workforce by preparing individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for PhD degree programs.
Researchers found that bad medical news can make patients more likely to choose brand name drugs over generics, resulting in increased healthcare expenditures. The study suggests that simply reminding patients of the equivalency of generic drugs via text message could improve their decision-making.
A modelling study suggests that specifying menu calorie counts is likely to reduce obesity-related cancers and healthcare costs in the US. The policy could prevent 28,000 new cancer cases and 16,700 cancer deaths, as well as save $1.48 billion in medical costs.
Researchers found that underutilized asset building programs could be a solution to help low income families build wealth. The study showed that incorporating these programs into healthcare may make them more accessible to families in need.
A new international study has revealed significant potential for digital technology to improve asthma control for patients. The study found that combining information from a digital device in a digital platform led to improved medication adherence and reduced healthcare costs.
A recent $800,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development will train 300 MU students as part-time nurse assistants at MU Health Care. This three-year initiative will create a paid opportunity for nearly 100 MU students each year to earn work experience and reduce the need for student loans.
A study found racial and ethnic differences in insurance coverage after job loss during COVID-19. Newly unemployed Black and Hispanic adults saw no increase in Medicaid coverage, unlike their white peers.
A new analysis shows that the US has substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages compared to five high-income European countries. The excess death gap widened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of excess deaths nearly doubling between 2019 and 2021.
A recent study found that social determinants of health influenced care in 35% of surveyed encounters, with the most common sources being patient conversations and prior knowledge. Integrating this data into EHRs can support personalized care planning.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that taxes on sugary drinks lower the risk of gestational diabetes, unhealthy weight gain, and small-for-gestational-age babies. The study analyzed over 5 million pregnant women and found a significant reduction in these health risks.
A statewide incentive program in Pennsylvania is associated with a 50% improvement in initiating medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder among Medicaid-enrolled patients. The study found that the program increased prescription fills for buprenorphine and substance use disorder treatment within a week of emergency departme...
A recent study of 95,000 U.S. physicians found that female physicians work significantly fewer hours than their male counterparts, resulting in a substantial earnings penalty. This disparity is attributed to societal and institutional barriers that discourage women from working long hours.
A comprehensive US state-by-state analysis of COVID-19 impact reveals wide variations in health, education, and economic performance across the country. States with higher poverty, lower educational attainment, and lower healthcare access experienced disproportionately higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 deaths.
The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health issues a sweeping new report highlighting the far-reaching health hazards of plastics across their life cycle. The report examines the economic, health, environmental, and social costs associated with plastics from extraction to end states.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that state policies improving data protection led to increased adoption of health information exchanges (HIEs) and health IT usage. States with favorable legal environments for HIEs saw a rise in HIE adoption, while those with restrictive laws experienced limited growth.
A new study suggests CANDOR programs can improve staff's well-being and increase retention rates, addressing the growing concern of burnout among healthcare workers. The program aims to promote honesty in medical error situations, supporting both patients and healthcare professionals.
Researchers developed an economic-epidemiological model to assess the impact of no closures. The study found that California's unemployment rate would have been lower, but deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 would have increased significantly, exacerbating current inequities.
A University of Chicago study found that older adults living near fracking sites in Pennsylvania had higher rates of cardiovascular disease hospitalizations compared to those in nearby New York state. The study linked exposure to air and water pollution from fracking activity to increased health outcomes.
A new analysis finds that Canada's physician workforce is facing significant challenges due to an aging population and decreasing working hours. The study suggests that traditional metrics for workforce planning are misleading, and a more nuanced approach is needed to inform government and medical profession decisions.
A new study found that Black women of childbearing age are twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure as their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Food insecurity was also a significant issue among Black and Hispanic women, with one in four experiencing food insecurity.
A new study estimates the global economic cost of 29 cancers from 2020 to 2050 to be $25.2 trillion, with significant variations in burden across countries and regions. The study highlights the need for global efforts to address rising cancer burdens.
Researchers discovered that frail patients who received additional support before and after surgery were 18% less likely to die within a year. By connecting these patients with medical professionals and resources, they can make healthy lifestyle changes and receive guidance on managing their condition without surgical intervention.
A single prior paid claim increases future claim risk, regardless of specialty or state disclosure. Timely education and intervention have the potential to mitigate future claims.
A Rutgers study found that people who know someone who became ill with COVID-19 or died from the disease are twice as likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The study also found that essential workers and those with better health status were more likely to get vaccinated.
A new study found Black South Africans who migrated to find work reported better emotional well-being and were at lower risk for depression after the move. The research may help policymakers tailor mental health resources to underprivileged migrants and those seeking economic mobility.
The Collaborative for Telehealth and Aging has published the first-ever guidelines for offering telehealth services to older patients. The principles provide general rules for behavior, while the guidelines offer specificity for each principle, aiming to achieve individual goals for programs and providers.
A study by University of Pittsburgh and Cornell University scientists found that states with recreational cannabis laws saw a significant reduction in pharmacy-based codeine distribution. This reduction is promising from a public health perspective, as prescription opioid misuse contributes to thousands of overdose deaths annually.
A study finds that increasing health insurance coverage explains 63% of increased healthcare expenditure and boosts medical patent registrations by 57%. Health insurance expansion also increases life expectancy by 1.2 years due to stimulation of medical progress.
A study by UC Davis Health researchers found that telehealth visits saved patients around 53.7 million miles of travel, eliminated the need for 42.4 injuries and 0.7 fatalities, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 21,466 metric tons over two years.
A recent study found that implicit bias in healthcare leads to prolonged struggles for women to obtain emotional support, diagnosis, and treatment for chronic health conditions. The study highlights the negative impact of 'communicative disenfranchisement' on women's mental and physical well-being.
A study by MIT economists found that doctors and their families are less likely to adhere to medication guidelines than the general population. Despite having better access to medical expertise, they lag behind in following guidelines 3.8 percentage points, with significant differences in 41 cases.
Researchers tested risk-based decision making in captive gorillas and orangutans, finding evidence of pre-existing cognitive biases that contradict economic rationality. The study highlights the complexity of animal cognition and challenges traditional assumptions about rational decision making.
Research found that widespread electric vehicle adoption will significantly reduce air pollution and associated mortality in US metropolitan areas, with Los Angeles projected to see 1,163 fewer premature deaths annually. Electric vehicles could bring up to $12.61 billion in economic health benefits by 2050.