Articles tagged with Academic Policy
A study by Tufts University researchers found that Congress has no historical justification for preempting state and local sugar-sweetened beverage taxes. The authors argue that such preemption undermines local control and challenges the financial stability of local governments.
A more diverse school board can lead to more equitable school punishment among students of different races, according to a new study. The researchers found that schools with larger minority populations tend to suspend more black and Hispanic students, while white students in these schools are less likely to be suspended.
A new study by the University of Warwick found that only two-thirds of trainee doctors plan to work in NHS general practice due to concerns about workload pressure and low morale. Many prefer locum or salaried positions over partnerships. The study highlights the need for improved GP training programs and workforce planning.
Two studies led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that few people actually use price shopping tools to choose lower-cost healthcare options, despite growing interest in the idea. The research suggests that consumerism may not be as effective as believed in driving down healthcare costs.
A new study found that behavioral 'nudges' are highly cost-effective in boosting retirement savings, college enrollment and vaccination rates, often yielding more returns than traditional interventions. Nudges encourage certain behaviors without restricting options or exacting financial penalties.
A recent study by Erica Frankenberg found that student assignment policies in Jefferson County, Kentucky, are increasing diversity despite rising segregation. The new policies have resulted in steady enrollment growth with no evidence of flight by white or affluent students to private schools or neighboring districts.
A study published in JAMA found that policies restricting pharmaceutical detailing associated with modest but significant reductions in prescribing of detailed drugs across six major drug classes. The implementation of these policies led to a shift away from detailed drugs and towards generic drugs, potentially representing a large red...
A study by NIH-funded researchers found that policies restricting pharmaceutical promotion to physicians resulted in fewer prescribed promoted drugs and more non-promoted drugs in the same drug classes. The analysis encompassed over 16 million prescriptions, showing a modest but significant decline in the use of promoted drugs.
A new study validates a novel classification system for identifying academic radiologists' subspecialties using Medicare claims data. The system correctly classified 90% of radiologists and has potential to improve value-based payment models.
Two CDC studies examine indoor tanning and sun safety trends among US high school students. Indoor tanning rates dropped from 15.6% to 7.3% between 2009 and 2015, but sunburns remained common. Sun safety practices are also scarce in schools, with only 47.6% of schools implementing sunscreen application during class time.
A pilot study found that community-based 'Change Clubs' improved measures of heart health in Black/African American women, including a decrease in systolic blood pressure. The clubs empowered individuals to make behavioral changes through nutrition and exercise education.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that substituting whole grains for refined grains increases calorie loss by reducing calories retained during digestion. Participants who ate a whole-grain diet lost close to an extra 100 calories per day due to increased resting metabolic rate and greater fecal ...
Eating whole grains improved gut microbiota diversity and short-chain fatty acid production, leading to reduced inflammation and increased memory T cells. The study also found modest effects on TNF-alpha production and immune cell function.
Four experts propose a strategy for terrorism research that combines theoretically informed fieldwork with policy-making, aiming to protect academic integrity from politics and inform effective countermeasures. They outline the need for national institutional review boards to ensure legal and ethical standards in research, grounded in ...
A new study provides an integrated marketing-operations framework to help companies design more effective service policies for their call centers. The framework considers the flow of customers through the call center and their subsequent behavior, allowing companies to design different service levels for various customer types.
A comprehensive model estimates the cost of providing a set of essential medicines to all people in low- and middle-income countries. The model suggests that it would cost $13 to $25 per capita annually to ensure access to these medicines, with total costs ranging from $77 billion to $152 billion.
Researchers will investigate the use and effectiveness of alternative methods of electronically sharing health information in primary care settings. The study aims to determine which approach, 'push' or 'pull', is more effective for providers and quantify its impact on potentially avoidable healthcare utilization.
A new study found that Mexican-American youth with empathetic and caring behaviors towards others tend to perform better academically later on. Parents can play a significant role by encouraging these traits and maintaining boundaries while remaining engaged in their children's lives.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found significant variability in glycemic index values within individuals and among populations. This variability can affect how a food impacts blood sugar levels.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 22 out of 25 physicians reported having favorite patients, often due to long-standing relationships and personal connections. Despite concerns about playing favorites, physicians strive to provide the best care for all their patients.
Researchers found that MPs are willing to use a rapid match-making advisory service to access the latest research findings and seek advice from cutting-edge researchers. The EIS could provide a useful complement to existing information services and help ensure decisions are based on reliable evidence.
A cross-national study found that many European schools struggle to provide adequate mental health support, citing barriers such as staff capacity, funding, and access to specialists. The study highlights the need for greater resources and training in schools to address children's mental health needs.
New research by American Academy of Pediatrics finds stronger state policies reduce alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths among teens. States with tougher regulations on drinking and driving have fewer fatalities, particularly when targeting the general population rather than youth specifically.
A new study by Ann Owens found that neighborhood income segregation is driven by increased income inequality and school district options among families with children. This trend has significant implications for low-income families and their educational outcomes.
Only 15% of children met the daily recommendation for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and girls were even less likely to meet the guideline. Overweight and obese children were also less active overall and achieved fewer minutes of MVPA during school, out-of-school, and on weekends.
A new UT Dallas study found that teen driving curfews may prevent crimes. Arrests among teens ages 16-17 fell by as much as 6 percent in states with laws restricting nighttime driving hours, according to the study.
The updated MyPlate for Older Adults icon emphasizes the nutritional needs of older adults, focusing on 50% fruits and vegetables, 25% whole grains, and 25% protein-rich foods. The icon also encourages physical activity and reduces sodium intake through spices.
A new analysis suggests that reducing fruit and vegetable prices by 10% could lower the death rate from heart disease and stroke by about 1%, saving around 64,000 to 69,000 lives over a 15-year period. This is more effective than mass media campaigns, which would save between 7,500 and 8,300 lives.
A modeling study finds that gradual and countywide closures are most effective strategies in reducing influenza transmission, with lower social costs than nationwide closures. These approaches can contribute to limiting the impact of future pandemics.
A study of 364 restaurant meals found that 92% exceeded daily calorie requirements. Researchers propose restaurants be required to offer portion control options at a proportional price.
A recent survey of life science researchers found that data sharing has increased, with more exchanges of information and materials through third-party platforms. However, person-to-person collaborations have decreased, and secrecy remains a concern due to competing incentives for publication and career advancement.
New research from Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy found that income-based school assignment policies in Wake County increased segregation, but those in other large North Carolina districts experienced less diversity and declining test scores for black students.
Research found that more than half of children in the US misperceive or reject their parents' political party affiliations. Social support from parents increases the likelihood of children adopting their party identifications but not necessarily knowing them accurately.
A large prospective community-based study of older Americans found that modest physical activity is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Walking at a pace faster than three miles per hour and engaging in leisure activities such as lawn-mowing, raking, or hiking also showed significant CVD benefits.
A new study from the University of East Anglia reveals that four out of five patients are happy with traditional GP opening times and that weekend appointments are wanted most by younger, working people. Meanwhile, only 2% would attend an appointment on a Sunday, suggesting that Saturday opening would meet most people's needs.
A recent study found that decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage intake in children over 12 months was associated with an increase in favorable HDL-C levels. The researchers also discovered that higher SSB consumption was linked to higher triglyceride concentrations and lower fruit/vegetable intake.
A global survey of beverage intakes found diverse consumption patterns, with younger adults consuming high levels of sugar-sweetened beverages and older adults drinking more milk. The study's results inform research on beverage health impacts and nutrition policy development.
A new study by Boston University researchers found that states with more restrictive alcohol policies and regulations have lower rates of self-reported drunk driving. The study also suggests that laws targeting binge drinking are equally effective in preventing drunk driving as those specifically targeting impaired driving.
Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention is receiving a $100,000 grant from Washington Women's Foundation to expand its outreach to six underserved rural communities. The organization plans to train over 1,260 individuals and provide technical assistance through the two-year life of the grant.
Experts criticize the UN SDG target to reduce premature mortality among younger people, arguing it unfairly discriminates against older adults. The proposed target could lead to institutionalized discrimination and a lack of resources for conditions affecting older individuals.
A study found that nearly 80% of uninsured callers could schedule primary care visits, but the average cost was $160, which is unaffordable for many. Only 18% were told they could pay later, with a median payment plan of 61%. Expanding Medicaid would enable more people to afford basic healthcare.
A California study found that school food policies improved childhood obesity prevalence, particularly in affluent neighborhoods. The prevalence of overweight-obesity stabilized among disadvantaged students after policy implementation.
A recent UCLA study found that only 9% of US academic medical practices have procedures for connecting patients to LGBT-competent physicians. This suggests a need for increased training and policies to support LGBT patient care. The study's findings highlight the importance of healthcare providers being aware of and sensitive to factor...
A new study found that the majority of interventions under the deal are ineffective, poorly reported, or already underway. The deal aims to improve public health through voluntary pledges from industry and government.
A new study found that suspending students for marijuana use can lead to more pot use among their classmates, but counseling is a more effective means of combating marijuana use. Schools with suspension policies had a 1.6 times higher rate of marijuana use among students compared to those without such policies.
Researchers found that fast food portions remained relatively consistent in terms of calories, saturated fat, and sodium, but showed variation among chains. The exception was a decline in trans fat content, likely due to legislative efforts.
A new policy paper by Professor Jim McCambridge argues that the concept of harm reduction has been co-opted by industry interests and proposes a redefinition to include full range of evidence-based measures. This shift aims to protect public health and society from alcohol damage.
Loyola Medicine argues that medical schools must accept applicants from undocumented immigrants, known as Dreamers, due to the country's commitment to equality and social justice. The school's policy change in 2012 paved the way for eligible students to enroll in medical programs.
Researchers have developed a new self-contained leadless cardiac pacemaker that reduces complications associated with traditional pacemaker systems. The device was implanted in eight patients with no complications in an average of 41 minutes and demonstrated reliable performance during follow-up sessions.
A cross-sectional study found that medical schools with stricter industry interaction policies had students report fewer gifts and interactions with marketing reps, suggesting these policies can reduce biases. The results suggest that limiting receipt of gifts should be a central feature of medical school regulations.
Researchers propose harmonizing academic structure with function by rethinking graduate education and research. They suggest adapting models from the film industry, which recognizes individual contributions and rewards them equally.
A multi-center study found significant improvements in medical students' perceptions of their health policy education between 2008 and 2012. The study revealed gains in three domains: systems and principles, value and equity, and quality and safety. However, the domain politics and law experienced a decline due to inadequate training.
The article highlights female underrepresentation in academic medicine, citing a 53% proportion of women entering medical school. The lack of women in clinical academia is linked to implicit bias, affecting research agendas and future clinical practice.
Researchers from the University of Warwick warn that socio-economic status is not a reliable indicator of bullying behavior, contrary to common assumptions. The review found that bullies come from all social backgrounds and are only marginally less likely to be from high socioeconomic levels.
A new study by Dartmouth investigators finds Medicare's current risk-adjustment methodology is flawed and ineffective in adjusting for population differences. The researchers suggest using wealth and health indices as an alternative to explain regional mortality rates, outperforming the current diagnosis-based method.
The second annual SAGE-Sponsored OAIS Awards have recognized the impact of international blogging on scholarly communication. The winners include Dart Throwing Chimp, Political Violence @ A Glance, and Nuclear Diner, among others, who have made significant contributions to International Studies blogging.
A recent study found that US adults are unwilling to accept soda taxes and portion size restrictions, but support adding front-of-package nutrition labels in schools. The survey of 1,319 adults revealed a strong positive relationship between years of education and policy support for reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
The integration of whole-genome sequencing into newborn screening programs is a topic of debate among researchers. Key considerations include what information to report, impact on healthcare systems, mandatory vs voluntary participation, educating health professionals and parents, communicating results over time, ensuring treatment and...
Canada's private health insurance industry is experiencing a widening gap between premiums and payouts, with $6.8 billion lost in 2011. Governments are urged to adopt more efficient public alternatives or impose new regulations on the sector.
A pilot scheme allowing patients to visit GPs outside their area was most popular among younger commuters and those who had moved house but didn't want to change their GP. The scheme was generally well-received, with little increase in costs for primary care trusts.