Articles tagged with Financial Services
A University of Illinois economist suggests reducing mail delivery to five days a week could help the USPS recover from financial losses. However, this move might also lead to a loss of lucrative business customers who rely on frequent deliveries for advertisements and promotions.
A RAND Corporation study identifies key issues in designing episode-based payment approaches, including defining episodes of care and identifying accountable providers. The research highlights the need for more rapid testing of these strategies to address challenges such as multiple chronic conditions and varying provider settings.
Between 1995 and 2006, the death rate for Medicare patients hospitalized for a heart attack decreased from 18.9% to 16.1%, with a significant reduction in between-hospital variation in mortality rates. The study found that hospitals made progress in reducing short-term mortality rates for acute myocardial infarction.
Global health initiatives have improved service delivery, financing, and governance in poorer countries, but with room for improvement. The report highlights the need to strengthen health systems, generate more reliable data, and increase national and global health financing.
Researchers found that people are more likely to buy Extended Service Contracts for hedonic products like game controllers, which hold value due to the pain of potential loss. Price promotions also play a role, with low-income consumers more likely to purchase ESCs as they cannot afford replacements.
According to a new study, nearly 952,000 California adults seek medical, dental, or prescription services in Mexico each year. The primary reasons for this trend include cost and lack of insurance.
In a first-of-its-kind study, Americans ranked access to care as their top priority when considering spending their own money on health products and services. Respondents also showed a preference for preventive healthcare services but were dissatisfied with their quality.
The 2008 financial crisis has radically transformed the business information landscape, with senior information managers seeking to add value and manage costs. The survey found that companies are pushing for more strategic management of their information services, with a focus on appraising how to add value and managing vendors.
Research reveals complementary paths to successful microfinance industry expansion, embracing both nonprofit and commercial options. Commercial banks and social businesses have benefits and limitations, with average loan sizes varying significantly.
The Lancet Series on Trade and Health emphasizes the need for stronger evidence to link trade and health outcomes. Building capacity to analyze these links and ensuring public health representation in negotiations are crucial. The series advocates for policy responses to mitigate negative effects and optimize health benefits.
Researchers point to historical events like the collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1878 as a guide for addressing current banking crises. The UK's Financial Services Authority is recruiting more staff and considering stricter regulation, with experts emphasizing the need for effective policing of new regulations.
A study published in Ecosystems reveals that elevated fire levels outweighed harvest reductions in the loss of older forests in the Pacific Northwest. The NWFP helped stabilize large-diameter forest numbers, but fire was the main reason for their decline.
Only about half of Medicaid recipients aged 50 and older receive recommended cancer screenings for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer. Despite access to primary care and full coverage, these rates are significantly lower than those in the general population.
The report outlines the nature of Northern Ireland's productivity gap and presents potential policymaking solutions. Key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and business services are identified as areas for improvement to help halve the private sector productivity gap with the UK by 2015.
A RAND Corporation report finds that the financial services industry has become increasingly complex, with broker-dealers and investment advisers becoming more inter-related and difficult to distinguish for individual investors. The study suggests that this complexity is due in part to the blurring of boundaries between these two types...
The Russian economy is experiencing rapid growth driven by a thriving middle class, but this has led to widening income disparities and growing poverty. Forecasting growth or recession beyond 2011 is hazardous, as the country faces challenges in increasing energy production and exports.
A study in India suggests that simply informing the poor about government-provided health, educational, and social services they are entitled to can lead to increased access. The research team found a 30% increase in prenatal exams, vaccinations, and village council meetings among villages with informational town meetings.
Approximately 44.4 million US adults receive preventive health examinations annually, with 20.9% of the population participating in both genders. Preventive services such as mammograms and cholesterol screening are provided at 52.9% of these visits.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that nearly 21% of US adults receive a preventive physical exam annually, with estimated total costs reaching $5.2 billion per year. The study also revealed significant variations in clinical practice patterns and patient beliefs across the country.
A new study finds significant ethnic differences in treatment use for alcohol problems among whites, blacks, and Hispanics. The majority of services are provided in settings like hospitals and medical clinics, but financial and logistical barriers hinder access for minorities.
A study by Losey and Vaughan estimates the economic value of ecological services provided by insects at $57 billion annually in the United States. The services include natural control of crop pests, pollination, and wildlife nutrition, valued at $4.5 billion, $3 billion, and $50 billion respectively.
A growing concern over lack of funding for UK sexual health services has raised alarm among experts. Despite government commitments, many clinics struggle with long waiting times and restricted access, hindering effective STI diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study compares the Primary Care Clinician Plan carve-out organization with MassHealth-contracted managed care organizations, finding identical cost per person after adjusting for population differences. The report concludes that the behavioral health carve-out provides good value to Commonwealth and MassHealth members.
A report found that large employers are more likely to cover preventive services, while smaller businesses lag behind. However, even among larger employers, coverage is not universal, with many failing to offer services to help employees quit smoking and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Researchers found significantly lower quality of care in for-profit health plans compared to not-for-profit plans, even after adjusting for demographic factors. The study's findings reinforce concerns about the impact of financial incentives on quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Despite new treatments and research, doctors may be slow to change their practices. Professor Huw Davies emphasizes the need for collaboration between researchers and healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.
A recent study found that 37% of health service costs in the UK are attributable to food-related diseases, with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes accounting for most of this burden. The estimated annual cost is £6 billion, double that of road traffic accidents and significantly higher than the cost of smoking.
A study led by Dr. William Cunningham found that HIV-infected patients with low socioeconomic status have a higher risk of death, particularly those with limited financial resources and education. The researchers also noted that these patients are more likely to use emergency room services and hospital care instead of preventive measures.
Computer analysis of Inka knotted objects, known as khipu, reveals patterns supporting record-keeping and state affairs management. The findings shed light on the ancient empire's organizational system, which relied on these textile devices instead of 2-dimensional writing.
A study suggests that major lenders can play a crucial role in helping hard-up borrowers avoid debt by working with 'near-prime' providers. By collaborating, these lenders can assist borrowers in upgrading to mainstream credit, which offers lower interest rates.
Oaxacan migrants prioritize family and community over individual gain, using remittances to fulfill obligations and maintain social status. Most migrants return home for no more than a year to support households, construct homes, and pay for education.
eDocAmerica has launched a Spanish version of its website to cater to the growing needs of its Hispanic clients. The new platform provides secure access to board-certified physicians and a range of online health information tools.
Researchers found that public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be weakened under certain circumstances, such as when introducing new safety features that increase operational costs. The study also highlights the importance of market value at the end of a contract in determining the desirability of PPPs.
The study found that despite increased male involvement in domestic tasks, women still bear the brunt of childcare responsibilities. Women are often responsible for organizing and scheduling care, even among more affluent households, due to cost and quality concerns.
The Joint Learning Initiative proposes that strengthening human resources for health is crucial in combating health crises and building sustainable health systems. To achieve the required health improvements and millennium goals, an estimated 4 million extra health workers worldwide are needed, with a focus on tripling human resources ...
Researchers found that patients cared for by hospitalists had a one-day shorter length of stay and a 10 percent reduction in hospital costs compared to non-hospitalist physicians. Hospitalization costs for hospitalist patients were also lower, with an average savings of $917.
A two-year research project on Minneapolis-based Definity Health found that it attracted higher-income families and was popular among those aged 35-44. Consumer-driven plans also showed an increase in demand for prescription drugs over time.
The Medicare waiting period affects 1.26 million seriously disabled Americans, with 400,000 having no health insurance. Eliminating the two-year wait could save states $1.8 billion per year and reduce federal Medicaid expenditures by $2.5 billion.
Healthcare networks have struggled to deliver high-quality care at lower costs due to structural problems with information systems and functional failures in creating a new culture. Despite the potential for improved efficiencies, many networks have failed to address these issues, leading to under-performance on a national level.
New internet-based banks are posing a significant threat to traditional banks and building societies by offering cheaper prices, better choices, and targeted products. The established financial institutions must overhaul their strategies to maintain competitiveness in the lucrative market.
The grant will double Cornell's high-performance computing capacity, making it available for business applications and research. CTC will offer consulting services and training on parallel computing and Windows-based technologies to help businesses and institutions expand their computing environment.
A Syracuse University study found that the LSTA generated an average of 17% increase in new funding for libraries from state and non-governmental sources. This increase held even when adjusted for a strong economy, demonstrating the positive impact of federal spending on revenue.
Spending on prescription drugs grew by 16.9% in 2001, with 56.8% of the increase attributed to higher prices and use of more expensive medications. The average wholesale price rose by $85.42 to $592.05. In contrast, the company forecasts a 15.9% annual spending growth rate for 2002, driven by new generics and moderation in utilization.
The study analyzes office networks of 100 global business service firms to measure connectivity between 316 cities worldwide. Globalization reveals well-connected cities concentrated in North America, Western Europe, and Pacific Asia.
New research examines how managed care affects access to alcohol and drug treatment, highlighting the need for clear guidelines and accountability. Studies show that prior authorization requirements can set up barriers to timely treatment and that longer retention rates are associated with more positive outcomes.
A controlled study of 1,918 participants found that learning about cost containment incentives increased trust in their primary care doctor by 3% among those with increased knowledge. The results suggest HMOs can use financial incentives without harming the doctor-patient relationship.
A new five-dimension scale assesses consumers' perceptions of Internet retail service quality, highlighting factors such as performance, information, security, sensation, and access. The scale helps online retailers identify areas for improvement to increase customer satisfaction and drive sales.
A study published in Medical Care found that managed care plans continuing to serve older Americans under the Medicare program tend to provide higher quality service. The research suggests that higher quality performance is associated with lower rates of withdrawal from the program.
The report highlights the need for a universal paid leave policy and flexible scheduling to support working families. Employers and governments are urged to adopt holistic approaches to work-life integration, including joint planning and community initiatives.
Research found that racial earnings disparities are smallest in low-paid occupations and largest in high-paid ones. Black professionals face significant disadvantages due to limited access to lucrative customer bases, occupational segregation, and lower social networks.
A leading economist argues that the UK's National Health Service (NHS) is in 'political denial' about the need for rationing due to inefficient practices and a lack of evidence-based policies. The expert suggests targeting cost-effective activities to maximize health improvements using limited resources.
A study finds that retail financial services companies are driving electronic channel adoption primarily for cost savings and competitive advantage. While customers may want 'convenience' and 'anytime banking', research suggests this is largely a marketing strategy to enroll customers through advertising and differential pricing.