Articles tagged with Medical Economics
The study suggests that COVID-19 eradication is technically possible due to the availability of safe vaccines, lifelong immunity, and effective government management. However, securing high vaccine coverage and responding quickly to variants are major challenges.
A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University quantifies the financial impact of sickle cell disease, revealing $15k in lost wages per year per person, totaling $650,000 over a lifetime. The research found that 97% of respondents experienced severe and debilitating pain attacks from sickle cell.
A review by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that QI studies in Ireland enhanced multiple elements of healthcare quality, including effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and safety. The studies primarily focused on improving patient care and hospital operations.
A recent study by the American Cancer Society found a strong association between economic mobility and racial disparities in mortality in the US. The study suggests that structural racism has persisted with similar magnitude across generations, leading to increased death rates among Black individuals compared to their White counterparts.
The study found that democratic countries increased government health spending by $275 per person between 1990 and 2019, while autocratic countries saw only a $115 increase. Democracies are also more likely to maintain universal health coverage even during economic recessions.
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
A new £1.1 million research project will develop personalized rehabilitation programs for people with long Covid, which is estimated to affect at least 10% of those who test positive for Covid-19 in the UK. The project aims to improve outcomes and experiences for this growing patient group while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
A recent study conducted by MIT economists found that increasing nighttime sleep had no positive effects on work productivity, earnings, or overall sense of well-being among low-income workers in Chennai, India. However, short daytime naps did show significant improvements in these areas.
A significant minority of people in Kentucky's indoor public areas fail to wear masks correctly during the pandemic. The study found higher compliance rates in larger stores and affluent city districts. Men aged 40-60 are most likely to be unmasked or incorrectly masked.
Christopher Murray, a renowned physician and health economist, has been recognized for his significant contributions to global oral health. His work on the Global Burden of Disease project has led to improved understanding of the impact of dental diseases on disability-adjusted life-years worldwide.
Researchers found that the Mission Indradhanush program increased full immunization rates by 27% and the rate of receiving all vaccines at recommended ages by 8%. The program also improved vaccination rates for children who received treatment in multiple phases.
The article synthesizes lessons from primary care and behavioral health integration to inform organizing principles for advancing social care integration practices. This approach aims to improve the health of patients and communities by identifying and addressing their social and economic needs.
A Cornell University-led team projects that vehicle electrification, driverless cars, and ride sharing could prevent 5,500 premature deaths and save $58 billion annually in the US by 2050. The study also finds that vehicle electrification is the most important piece for carbon mitigations and health benefits.
A digital oral health approach aims to improve healthy behavior, lower risk factors, and reduce oral health inequalities. The use of digital tools has demonstrated potential in expanding oral healthcare access worldwide.
A family planning program in Bangladesh from 1977 to 2012 showed significant differences in lifetime contraceptive behavior and fertility among women. Women who participated in the program experienced increased body mass index compared to non-participants, particularly those born between 1950 and 1961.
A new study estimates surprise bills for deliveries and newborn hospitalizations are frequent, affecting thousands of families annually. Researchers found that out-of-network claims from clinicians and ancillary service providers are a leading cause of surprise bills.
Researchers found that counties hosting prisons experienced higher rates of COVID-19 cases due to spillover from prisons into surrounding communities. The study emphasizes the need for prioritizing prison health and public health policies to address this vulnerability.
Burnout is a significant issue in today's NHS, with 44% of staff reporting work-related stress. Improving staff health and wellbeing is crucial for the moral, social, and economic priority it represents.
A study by researchers from King's College London and IMIM found that 6.4% of Europeans suffer from depression, with higher rates in economically developed nations and varying rates across countries. The study suggests that demographic and socio-political factors contribute to the differences in prevalence.
A new study by Colorado State University Professor Silvia Sara Canetto found that men who engage in more family care work have lower suicide rates. The research suggests that men's underinvestment in family care work may contribute to their vulnerability to suicide, particularly during economic difficult circumstances.
A survey study found COVID-19 associated with significant economic security reductions among women at high risk of HIV infection in rural Kenya. Altered sexual behavior may have temporarily decreased their HIV risk.
A new study from Lund University in Sweden finds that universal school lunch programs have positive effects on students' height, health, education, and lifetime income. The program introduced free nutritious meals to all primary school students, resulting in a three percent higher lifetime income for participants.
Researchers found associations between Medicare Advantage star ratings and disparities in care for racial/ethnic minorities and lower-income enrollees. The study suggests that star ratings may not accurately reflect the quality of care provided to these populations.
A new study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine finds critical links between job loss and physical inactivity among young adults during the U.S. Great Recession. The study, led by Dickinson College economist Shamma Alam, found that job losses reduced the likelihood of physical exercise by 6.3 percentage points.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to significant changes in human health behavior worldwide. Experts in various fields discussed influencing factors and trends in the virtual panel discussion.
Researchers found a connection between high inequality in subsistence societies and increased blood pressure, as well as respiratory diseases like pneumonia. However, chronic conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular disease were less prevalent in these communities.
A new article analyzes seven books that discuss health inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting regional disparities in healthcare access. The author calls for a universal approach to health care based on equity and inclusion to address these inequalities.
A recent study found that successful weight losers sit significantly less during the week and weekends compared to those who are weight stable. Weight loss maintainers expended more calories per week in physical activity, suggesting that moving more may be key to long-term weight maintenance.
Researchers identified multiple ways to achieve the same health benefits from exercise, as long as it includes plenty of light physical activity. The study found that replacing sedentary time with just two minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise is more efficient than replacing it with light physical activity.
The American Society of Human Genetics reports that human genetics and genomics contributed $265 billion to the U.S. economy in 2019, with a five-fold increase since 2010. The field is expected to drive significant further growth given new areas of application.
Ozlem Uzuner and her team will analyze the economic impact of potentially malignant incidental findings in radiology reports. They aim to optimize health outcomes by identifying correct follow-up recommendations, studying tumor information, and creating an incidentaloma database.
UCLA Health has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to scale healthcare innovations for COVID-19 response and recovery. The grant will support the Los Angeles Response to COVID (LA-R2C) Accelerator, aiming to address health equity through novel health technologies.
The new report presents a roadmap to achieving equity, inclusion, and belonging among cardiovascular professionals, calling for continual assessment of professional culture and climate. It also proposes continuous trainings to address individual, structural, and systemic racism and sexism.
A study found that social factors like household income, language, and insurance did not impact families' acceptance of telehealth for their children's cardiac care during the pandemic. The study suggests telehealth is a feasible option for families, with higher acceptance rates among patients with certain diagnoses or Hispanic ethnicity.
A simulation study found a 10% carbon tax on glyphosate use would incur $98 million annual net economic loss but provide $6 million in human health benefits per year. The findings suggest caution in regulating glyphosate due to its environmental and economic concerns.
Data from two large studies published by The BMJ found that socioeconomic status is the dominant factor in health disparities between US and UK adults. While healthy lifestyles reduce disease burden, they only explain a small proportion of excess risks. Other measures tackling social determinants of health are warranted.
Researchers found clusters of COVID-19 cases and deaths in low-income, predominantly minority neighborhoods across Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. The study highlights the impact of social determinants of health on COVID-19 outcomes.
A new study found that Michigan Medicaid expansion's dental coverage improved oral health in 57% of enrollees, with Black respondents and those uninsured for a year or more experiencing the greatest improvements. The program also helped participants find work or improve their job search by 76%.
As consumers become richer, they spend more on services like health and education, while spending less on agriculture and manufactured goods. The study reveals that income and preferences play a larger role than productivity in shaping the sectoral composition of the economy.
A study by Jordi Gumà and Jeroen Spijker finds that partner characteristics, especially education level, significantly affect the health of Spanish women aged 65+, whereas men's health is less sensitive to their partner's status. Traditional gender roles in Spain also play a role in this phenomenon.
The BrainHealth Project trial unveiled a novel online platform delivering science-backed approach to measuring, improving, and tracking brain fitness. Participants showed significant improvements in their BrainHealth Index scores, with positive changes observed across various domains of brain health.
Research finds variable compensation plans can induce performance pressure leading to stress, burnout, and sickness among salespeople. Companies can mitigate this by screening for stress-vulnerability and providing resources such as job-related support and social connections.
The study found that eating disorders in the US resulted in a total economic cost of $64.7 billion and a substantial reduction in wellbeing worth $326.5 billion. The authors aim to scale up effective prevention, early detection, and treatment interventions for eating disorders.
A new health equity curriculum at Wake Forest School of Medicine improved students' knowledge and confidence in addressing social determinants of health. The program, implemented in 2018, included simulations, online modules, and community-based partnerships.
Rapidly rising levels of sight loss are largely due to untreated ocular conditions, affecting hundreds of millions globally. A new study highlights the need for standard terminology and robust definitions to measure non-visually impairing eye diseases.
Researchers found that installing window screening and insecticide-laced screens under eaves can significantly reduce clinical malaria incidence among children. The intervention, called In2Care EaveTube, was effective in areas with highly resistant mosquitoes, with a 38% overall reduction in malaria incidence.
A recent survey from Michigan State University found racial and political differences in COVID-19 responses, with Black individuals more likely to adhere to public health standards. The study suggests that conservative White individuals are more likely to have noncompliance attitudes towards local and state COVID orders.
A systematic review of randomized controlled studies found that digital self-monitoring using digital health tools was associated with significant weight loss. Digital tools, including apps, wearables, and websites, were used to track behaviors such as diet and physical activity.
The Lancet Commission reveals devastating impacts on US health under Trump presidency, citing 461,000 unnecessary deaths annually and 40% COVID-19 deaths averted if US had G7 death rates. Sweeping reforms are needed to redress policy failures and address long-standing racism.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to staggering income losses and food insecurity across nine countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The research found that households reported financial losses, reduced meals, and closed schools may lead to delayed development and health consequences for children.
A new model by UT Austin researchers suggests that regular, rotating COVID-19 testing can minimize costs and loss of life. The optimal testing schedule varies depending on the region's transmission rate, but generally recommends weekly testing for high-transmission areas.
A new RAND Corporation study found that people who struggle to pay rent or are forced to move due to financial issues sleep significantly less than their peers. The study of 1,046 participants in California's welfare program revealed a 22-minute and 32-minute reduction in sleep duration for those facing housing insecurity.
A new study found that mobile apps with artificial intelligence improve the health status of migrants by 5.3%, while also increasing social integration by 2.7%. The study, conducted at Anglia Ruskin University, surveyed new migrants and refugees in Greece over a 10-month period.
A study from Lehigh University finds that light pollution may increase the likelihood of preterm birth, with a possible increase of up to 12.9%. The researchers suggest that circadian rhythm disruption could be a biological mechanism underlying this link.
A study from University of Illinois agricultural economists found that Illinois residents value efforts to reduce watershed pollution and are willing to pay for environmental improvements. Respondents were surveyed on their willingness to pay for various water quality improvements, with a 50% reduction in algal blooms estimated to be w...
A new study by RAND Corporation found that the density of licensed and unlicensed marijuana retailers is associated with increased marijuana use among young adults. Young adults living near areas with high concentrations of licensed outlets were more likely to use marijuana, while those living near unlicensed outlets reported greater h...
A study adapted a tool to measure racial inequities in COVID-19 testing, revealing disparities in access and health outcomes across racial groups. The analysis found significant disparities in vaccination rates, test uptake, and healthcare utilization among different racial and ethnic groups.
The study uses a dynamic model to predict COVID-19 spread, incorporating infected but asymptomatic individuals and different sub-compartments. The optimal quarantine policy minimizes disease transmission and economic damage, with the sweet spot found between total lockdown and normal movement.
A recent study found that almost 25% of US respondents experienced economic hardships early in the COVID-19 pandemic, with Hispanic respondents being disproportionately affected. The survey also revealed significant financial struggles among young adults and those without a college education.
A nationwide study found that people in Scotland's poorest areas were more likely to be affected by severe Covid-19 and die from the disease. The study highlights the need for extra support to critical care units in poorer areas and tackling health inequalities.