Articles tagged with Academic Policy
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.
Research finds children with respiratory tract infections attending nursery may contribute to illness spread; parents consider work and care responsibilities when deciding.
The Bloomberg Administration's public health policies were developed using a data-driven approach, which included rigorous appraisal of published studies and collection of local health survey data. The resulting policies have improved the health and life expectancy of New Yorkers, providing a blueprint for other cities to follow.
A new Cornell University study reveals that consumers are willing to pay more for products labeled as 'free of' certain ingredients. When provided with more information about the risks associated with those ingredients, consumers become even more confident in their purchasing decisions and value the product more.
A new study found that minority students in the US are attending schools with fewer white classmates than in 1993. Despite increased diversity, the exposure of blacks and Hispanics to whites was higher than expected, according to researcher Jeremy Fiel.
A systematic review of outside interventions found two-thirds of studies showed reductions in ED visits, with patient education being the most effective. However, some interventions increased overall healthcare consumption without reducing ED use, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of new programs.
Despite progress, most US medical schools still lag behind national standards in managing clinical conflicts of interest (CCOI). A new study reveals that institutions are improving, but nearly a third lack policies on industry ties.
Schools with district or state policies discouraging sugary foods and beverages were more likely to restrict those items at parties, with a 2.5 times higher rate than schools without such policies. Approximately half the schools had no restrictions or left decisions to teachers.
A University of Washington study found that school policies against illicit use are effective only when students perceive enforcement, with lax policies leading to more drinking. Remediation policies, such as counseling and abstinence messages, also reduced binge drinking among ninth-graders.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that laws and district policies limiting sugar content in foods reduced sweets sales to 32.3% of schools. The availability of sugar-sweetened beverages decreased significantly, with only 3.6% of schools with a ban compared to 13.1% without one.
Policies allowing medical school faculty to care for family while advancing their careers are more available than ever, yet underutilized. A comprehensive communications intervention at UC Davis increased awareness and reduced barriers to use, promoting a culture shift in support of family-friendly policies.
Paula Myrick Short, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, has been selected as a Fulbright Specialist to engage in short-term collaborative projects at international universities. She will share expertise in reform strategies, leadership development, and policy support to enhance student success.
A new study reveals that individual and small-chain restaurant meals significantly exceed recommended daily calorie needs, with an average single meal containing two to three times the estimated calorie needs of an individual adult. The findings suggest that limiting menu labeling to large chain restaurants may not be enough to lower t...
The Naval Postgraduate School has won the 2013 UPS George D. Smith Prize for its effective and innovative preparation of students to be good practitioners of operations research. The prize recognizes the school's strong link to the US Department of Defense and its focus on applying methods to solve problems facing the military.
The European Commission needs to reform its science funding programme by reducing red tape, improving data mapping and linking, promoting open data, and ending inegalitarian salary policies. The current programme aims to bring €70 billion of research funding, but reforms are necessary to unlock its full potential.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health confirms that news stories about mass shootings involving a shooter with mental illness contribute to negative perceptions of mental illness. Reading such articles raised readers' support for both gun restrictions for persons with serious mental illness and policies to ban ...
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that hospitals with more baccalaureate-prepared nurses had lower patient mortality rates following common surgeries. Increasing the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses in hospitals could potentially save around 500 lives, according to researchers.
A study by Sam Houston State University found that most Texas public school districts have adopted dating violence policies, but few offer safety provisions for victims. The report suggests that districts develop clearer consequences and programs to raise awareness about teen dating violence.
A study found that attending a medical school with active gift restriction policies was associated with reduced prescribing of newly marketed pharmaceuticals. Students exposed to these policies for longer periods showed further reductions in prescribing rates.
Dr. Kurokawa led an independent commission investigating the Fukushima nuclear disaster, exposing regulatory capture and cultural factors that contributed to the accident. The Commission's report was presented to Parliament and has since led to a safety-first standard for the global nuclear sector.
A new framework is proposed to guide career direction in health systems improvement, a term encompassing management, research, and public policy. The authors suggest that trainees consider reflecting on their preferences, identifying core areas of focus, and exploring additional formal training options.
A UT-Austin study reveals that punitive school policies pose significant barriers to educational attainment for students with criminal records. Compared to non-arrested peers, arrested teens dropped out of high school at a rate 22 percentage points higher and were less likely to enroll in four-year colleges.
The Canadian premiers' commitment to reduce generic drug prices is a significant change. The government should learn from past attempts and aim for universal public coverage for medications.
A new study published in Economic Development Quarterly reveals that the arrival of a new WalMart store leads to the decline of larger retailers like Ames Department Stores and Sears. In contrast, smaller retailers with fewer employees are not significantly impacted. The study uses Indiana as a case study to demonstrate this effect.
Joan Claybrook received the 2012 Community Hero award from Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy for her role in lobbying for passage of nation's first auto safety laws. Her work as NHTSA administrator led to establishment of air bag and fuel-economy standards, significantly improving public health.
Researchers analyze the effectiveness of Medicare's bundled payment program, finding that it faces challenges in rewarding providers for efficient care delivery. Experts discuss lessons learned from previous payment reforms, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms that address multiple aspects of the health system.
The slowest-growing metro areas in the US had lower unemployment rates and higher income levels compared to the fastest-growing areas. They averaged $8,455 more per capita in personal income in 2009.
Despite criticism that local school boards are outdated, Americans favor local control, with over 40 years of public surveys showing strong support for local governance. Local leaders should be involved in shaping federal policies and receiving resources to implement them.
Sixty percent of gun offenders were not legally prohibited from possessing firearms when they committed the crime. The study suggests that stricter restrictions on firearm possession in low-standard states could have prevented many gun crimes.
Researchers at UGA found that judges' race and gender influence the assignment of majority opinions in state supreme courts. Black male judges were less likely to be assigned high-profile cases, while white female judges received more assignments than expected.
A new research agenda has been developed to strengthen the relationship between science and policy, addressing key questions on scientific advice to governments. The final set of 40 questions includes topics such as designing scientific advisory systems and ensuring early identification of policy issues requiring scientific input.
A new study reveals that many strategies to increase physical activity in kids lack injury prevention measures, highlighting the need for integrated approaches. Behavioral, environmental, and policy approaches can make exercise activities safer for kids, as demonstrated by successful interventions such as traffic-calming measures and e...
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that variations in health care spending by Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas are similar throughout the state. The study compared spending and inpatient admissions across 32 Texas regions, concluding no significant differences between the two.
State and school district policies mandating minimum requirements for physical education and recess time are associated with schools meeting physical activity recommendations. Schools with laws requiring 150 minutes/week of physical education had higher odds of meeting recess recommendations.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that banning all sugar-sweetened beverages in schools reduces in-school access and purchase, but not overall consumption among adolescents. Approximately 85% of students reported consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at least once a week, regardless of policy.
A campus smoking ban significantly reduced student smoking rates and altered attitudes toward smoking regulations over two years. The study found that the policy change also influenced students' norms and behaviors even with weak enforcement.
Despite a private sector dominated fee-for-service system, Japan successfully contains healthcare costs at 8% of GDP, largely due to uniform fee schedules. Key challenges include mismatched patient expectations with service supply, need for quality primary care improvement and restructuring the current fee payment schedule.
Law experts Simon Stern and Trudo Lemmens argue that ghostwriting in medical journal articles undermines scientific integrity and patient care. The authors call for stronger sanctions and legal liability on guest authors who lend their names to ghostwritten articles.
Despite their role in toppling Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian liberals struggle to organize and gain support from the general public. The lack of a unified platform and leadership is hindering their efforts, particularly in rural areas where access to the Internet is limited.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that Massachusetts health reform led to a 7.6% increase in health insurance among residents and a 4.8% decrease in those forgoing healthcare due to cost
The federal and state laws governing the tip credit, tip pooling, and service charges are complex, with varying requirements for employers. Employers must carefully review their policies to ensure compliance and avoid costly class action lawsuits.
The Lancet has launched a new website to collect and summarize evidence on the impact of UK health service reforms on health outcomes. The website aims to provide accurate information from various sources, including health professionals and members of the general public.
A new study links negative social environments surrounding gay youth to high attempted suicide rates, with supportive environments associated with a 25% lower risk. The study found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are more than five times as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers.
A study by Indiana University found that primary and state-secular schools in Israel adopted environmental education changes more likely than secondary and religious schools. Community-based grassroots efforts played a key role in this adoption.
New UK research found that boys and girls who engage in physical activity with their best friend tend to be more active. The study suggests that encouraging children to exercise with friends outside of school can increase their physical activity levels.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that black obese patients receive less weight-related counseling than white obese patients, regardless of the doctor's race. This disparity is particularly concerning given the increased risk of chronic diseases associated with obesity among blacks in the US.
A survey of Midwest School Social Work Council members found that nearly all agree cyberbullying deserves more attention from schools, but just over half feel empowered to deal with it. The study highlights the need for evidence-based training and policies on cyberbullying.
A recent study reveals that LGBTQ youth in secondary schools are at a high risk of bullying and harassment, compromising their emotional and behavioral health. The authors recommend policy changes and strategies to foster safer school environments for all students.
A study published in Academic Medicine found that NIH's stricter ethics rules have reduced industrial relationships without affecting research productivity. However, respondents reported both positive and negative effects of the conflict-of-interest policies, with many feeling the rules are too restrictive and impeding the NIH's scient...
Research by Professor Aaron Kupchik finds that schools are safer than ever, yet disciplinary practices continue to be overly aggressive and ineffective. He recommends alternatives such as removing police from schools and involving students in the rule-making process to promote safety and well-being.
A study of Mississippi elementary teachers reveals that teachers feel little involvement in implementing their school wellness policies, leading to inadequate nutrition education. Researchers recommend involving teachers in policy making and providing resources to help them incorporate nutrition competencies into their lessons.
A new U of Minnesota study finds that New Orleans public school system fails to provide equal educational opportunity due to a 'separate but unequal' tiered system. The study reveals racial and economic segregation, steering low-income students of color to high-poverty schools.
A study by the Mongan Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital found that women conducting research in life sciences receive lower levels of compensation than their male counterparts, even after controlling for professional activities and academic accomplishments. Women also take on more administrative tasks, leading to a pay gap of...
The US government's financial support for the news industry has declined sharply since the 1960s, with subsidies for mailing and public notices decreasing by 64% and 73%, respectively. The report recommends policy options to address this decline, including allowing newspapers to become non-profits, tax credits for subscribers, and expa...
A new study found that rural males are 47% more likely to die from injuries than their urban counterparts, while rural females face a 33% higher risk of injury-related mortality. The disparity is attributed to various factors such as unintentional suffocation in infants and suicide among older adults.
A study found that 60% of US medical schools reported incidents of students posting unprofessional content online, with 13% reporting incidents involving violation of patient confidentiality. Many schools lack policies to address these issues, and only 38% have formal professionalism curricula.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found diverse research efforts in academic medical centers, with some unfunded researchers facing challenges. The report highlights the need for policy changes to shape the research enterprise and improve funding efficiency.
Patients' perceptions of what was said by the physician were more important than what was actually said. A full apology and acceptance of responsibility by the physician in error led to better ratings and greater trust among viewers. However, this did not significantly affect the likelihood of patients suing physicians.
Ten exceptional health professionals have been selected as Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows for the 2009-2010 program. They will utilize their wide range of experience to provide health policy leadership on Capitol Hill, impacting health reform directly.