Articles tagged with Health Care Policy
The study found that patient engagement with open notes increased to 55% within two months of implementation, but significant sociodemographic disparities remained. Language barriers may also contribute to the digital divide in open note adoption.
A new study found that over 50 million Americans live in counties without a radiation oncology clinic, highlighting vulnerabilities in the nation's cancer care infrastructure. Radiation oncology practices have closed disproportionately in rural areas and freestanding settings, raising concerns about patients' access to cancer care.
After Medicare expanded coverage for Wegovy to prevent heart complications in obese patients with heart disease, prescription fills jumped sharply. However, a significant fraction of eligible beneficiaries still did not receive the treatment.
A McGill study found that caregivers spending over 20 hours a week on unpaid care experience poorer mental health outcomes. However, provision of social support can mitigate these negative effects. The researchers highlight the need for policymakers to take note and invest in strengths-based supports.
Hospital admissions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have increased in England over the past two decades, with persistent socioeconomic inequalities observed. Deliveries declined significantly during this period.
A landmark international study found that halving patient out-of-pocket costs for fertility treatment significantly increased births achieved through ART, with a 2.67-fold increase reported. Countries with lower cost-to-baby metrics consistently achieved higher levels of ART utilisation, highlighting the importance of affordability in ...
A new study shows that a telehealth navigator program can significantly improve blood pressure control among Black patients with hypertension cared for at federally qualified health centers. The program was associated with a 31.4 percentage point increase in the likelihood of having controlled blood pressure.
Researchers analyzed data from 3 million US cancer survivors to understand patterns of subsequent primary cancers (SPCs), finding risks varied by cancer type, sex, and generation. The study emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring and informs prevention strategies for cancer survivors.
A new study finds that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will cost the US $818 billion this year, driven by costs associated with care and loss of productivity. The study's comprehensive model accounts for often-overlooked factors like diminished quality of life and unpaid care provided by family members.
A recent study found that US women's healthcare providers became more politically engaged following the Dobbs decision, with a significant increase in voter turnout compared to other physicians. The research suggests that the shift was driven by the direct impact of the policy change on their work and patients' lives.
Researchers found that women who used hormonal birth control in young adulthood had larger brain volumes in regions vital to memory and cognition. Estrogen exposure throughout life may be beneficial for brain health, particularly in reducing dementia risk. The study suggests hormone therapy during menopause may also support brain health.
Researchers will examine the impact of 'partygoing' behaviors on young people's health, as well as the use of nicotine pouches. The projects aim to provide practical evidence for prevention, policy, and health promotion in Western Australia.
A new study reveals that improving one element of a healthcare system can lead to worse patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries due to systemic interconnectedness. Enhancing trust in the healthcare system had the greatest impact on clinical outcomes, but increased demand from more patients can quickly overwhelm services.
A clinical trial tested four remote monitoring approaches against usual care and found that none outperformed usual care in reducing readmissions. The study highlights the importance of studying real-world care models to optimize outcomes.
A study from Tokyo University of Science found that public preferences for immigrants shift towards high-income individuals when their participation in the welfare system is highlighted. The researchers also discovered a joint interaction between concerns about welfare systems and job security on attitudes toward immigration.
A major study finds people with diabetes are at higher risk of infection, which can lead to hospitalization and death. The researchers argue that infection prevention and management should be embedded in diabetes guidelines to improve patient outcomes.
A new study found that demand for abortion and miscarriage hotlines increased by double digits before the Dobbs decision, with states later enacting abortion bans seeing a significant surge. The hotline saw a 210% spike in use from June 2022 to June 2023.
A new study found that states with restrictive abortion policies experienced slower growth in female medical school applicants compared to those with protective policies. The proportion of women enrolling in medical school increased nationally, but at a slower rate in Hostile/Not Protected states.
Massachusetts Medicaid members who received medically tailored meals experienced significantly fewer health emergencies, including 31% fewer hospitalizations and 20% fewer emergency department visits. The program also resulted in lower per-person healthcare costs of $3,433, offsetting 98% of the program's cost.
A new digital platform has lowered the cost of GLP-1 medications, making them more accessible to patients without insurance. However, sustaining treatment remains a challenge due to the cash-pay model's lack of financial protection for indefinite treatment.
The emergence of consumer wearable platforms in the clinical healthcare space is transforming patient care. With AI-driven interpretation of physiological data, these platforms can detect health changes before users do, influencing treatment decisions and specialist referrals. However, this shift raises significant regulatory risks due...
A new study found limited evidence that front-of-pack food labels help lower sugar intake among disadvantaged groups. Simplified nutrition labels can influence consumer behavior overall, but their effectiveness for lower-income or disadvantaged populations is unclear.
A proposed 'polluter pays' tobacco levy scheme could raise billions in tax revenue and prevent thousands of hospital admissions. The UK could generate £1-£4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and implementation speed.
The Journal of Medical Internet Research publishes a theme issue on digital inclusion in the Global South, examining access, agency, and impact. The focus areas include measuring digital access, gendered digital realities, and digital innovations across health and livelihoods.
A review of nearly 50,000 patients found significantly higher mortality rates for community-acquired pneumonia in intensive care units of middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. The study highlights major inequalities in outcomes and underscores the need for improved healthcare access and quality.
Chronic liver disease is a significant burden in Europe, with millions affected by premature illness and death. The Series calls for coordinated prevention, earlier detection, care pathways, and non-judgemental approaches to connect liver health with other chronic conditions.
The Lancet MedZero provides comprehensive carbon analytics across healthcare products, enabling evidence-based decision-making for hospitals and health systems. The platform aims to reduce waste, improve patient care, and tackle climate change, with over 14,000 entries at launch.
Older patients with accessible advance directives in electronic health records had 25% less potentially burdensome end-of-life care and 31% fewer hospital deaths compared to those without these directives. The associations were attenuated among patients with dementia and Black patients, highlighting the need for targeted research.
A new study found that nearly 8 in 10 college students with psychosis needed mental health support, but only 4 in 10 received the recommended combination of therapy and antipsychotic medication. This indicates potential barriers to accessing care, including stigma.
The Capture the Fracture program has achieved a major milestone, identifying over one million patients with fragility fractures every year. This growth reflects increasing recognition of coordinated post-fracture care services as an essential component of modern hospital care.
A new study published at the ATS International Conference reveals that patients with COPD or pneumonia experience poorer outcomes at private equity-owned hospitals. Hospital-acquired deaths among pneumonia patients increased by 1 percentage point compared to non-private equity hospitals.
A study found that adolescents aware of their state's minor consent laws were more likely to seek and receive HIV and other sexually transmitted infections testing. Teens who accurately knew their legal capacity to consent to healthcare services had higher testing rates.
Researchers at Brown University found that payments to Medicare Advantage brokers more than doubled between 2014 and 2022, rising from $3.9 billion to roughly $10 billion a year. The study also revealed that broker involvement is common and growing, with 70% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries generating renewal commissions.
The summit brought together endocrine leaders to identify opportunities to work closely together on increasing the visibility of endocrine health in policy decisions. Early findings from a workforce survey revealed challenges including long patient waiting times and retention concerns among early-career clinicians.
The report highlights a driven workforce despite rising pressures, with 83% of nurses citing purpose as a key motivator. Practical considerations like flexibility and job security are increasingly important for nurses evaluating their future.
Researchers analyzed 13 years of federal data on Medicare Advantage enforcement actions, finding that CMS rarely used severe tools like contract terminations or suspensions. Instead, they relied on small fines, which may do little to change behavior and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
A recent study found that risk perceptions of e-cigarettes rose sharply during and after the EVALI outbreak, lingering even after scientists identified the cause. This shift in perception was more pronounced among non-white participants, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities.
A new study reveals significant variation in sickle cell disease hospitalizations and costs across New York State, with regional differences in access to specialized care and treatment impacting outcomes. Long Island and New York City show high costs and complex cases, while Central New York has the longest average length of stay.
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health have developed a national Medicaid claims data platform to illuminate spending variation across states, plans, and populations. The project aims to provide actionable data for policymakers to improve care and efficiency.
A new study found that Michigan Medicaid expansion helped enrollees significantly reduce their medical debt in collections by up to 75% within seven years of enrollment. Additionally, the study shows substantial drops in sub-prime credit scores, improving financial stability and long-term health outcomes.
A new study found that kratom exposures reported to US poison centers increased 6,500% between 2010 and 2023, with severe outcomes rising from zero cases to 158. States with kratom bans had lower rates of exposure and healthcare use compared to those with regulations.
A cohort study found that bullying and restrictive legislation were associated with higher rates of psychotic-like experiences in gender-diverse youths. The study suggests that supportive environments and policies can help alleviate mental health concerns among this population.
A new analysis found that prescriptions for curable hepatitis C drugs have declined sharply in recent years, leaving millions without treatment. The researchers urge swift actions to deliver the drugs to those who need them, including increased screening and system-level changes.
The UNITE project has selected three joint interregional projects to tackle health data sharing and personalized remote care. The selected projects will focus on heart failure, neonatal intensive care, and radiation exposure in medical imaging.
A study analyzing Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data reveals higher awareness and treatment of major risk factors among Korean women with CVD, but lower control rates. Sex differences were observed in most management indicators, with men having more risk factors on average.
A new USC study found that in-store pharmacies filled less than 2% of mifepristone prescriptions since the FDA eased dispensing requirements, with mail-order pharmacies accounting for most fills. The study suggests significant access gaps in states with stronger legal protections for abortion.
A study found that children who need dental care the most are less likely to participate in school-based cavity prevention programs, which can lead to significant savings for state Medicaid programs. Improving participation among high-risk children could save up to $2.4 million annually.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
People aged 50 and over who serve as unpaid family caregivers are more likely to support government-funded care, while non-caregivers prefer family or older adult payment. Concerns about long-term care costs and access persist among caregivers versus non-caregivers.
The NCCN Advocacy Academy connects oncology professionals with policymakers to drive evidence-based cancer policy. The program aims to cultivate policy leadership skills among emerging scientists and care providers.
Advanced or metastatic cancers often go without tumor genomic testing, with those from low-income backgrounds facing longer wait times. JAMA Network Open highlights the need for targeted healthcare policies to bridge these gaps.
Inuit communities in Nunavik, Quebec, are facing a devastating tuberculosis epidemic, with rates 1000 times higher than non-Inuit populations. The study's findings highlight the need for increased healthcare resourcing and community-led initiatives to address this crisis.
A $35 monthly insulin out-of-pocket cap is associated with significantly lower insulin costs, increased access to insulin, and decreased blood glucose levels among Medicare beneficiaries. This finding suggests that federal cost-sharing policies could improve access to essential medications in diabetes.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Regulatory Governance explores emerging regulatory frontiers in Latin America. The program features speakers from leading international institutions and offers a range of activities, including flash talks, poster presentations, and paper development workshops.
University Hospitals has been recognized by RLDatix for its streamlined policy management and integrated compliance systems, transforming how regulatory information is managed. This recognition highlights the organization's commitment to safety, care quality, and better outcomes for every patient.
The report proposes new strategies for digital safety, including AI-powered tools to detect and intervene in harmful situations. Experts also recommend involving children and youths in the design process, particularly schools, to promote agency and well-being.
Researchers discovered that placing fruit and vegetable sections near supermarket entrances increases purchased portions by 2,525 per week. This led to improved women's diets and potential long-term health benefits.
Canada's health system would bear the burden of medical care in major armed conflicts, and lacks a coordinated command structure and surge capacity. A national framework with three pillars – sustained clinical readiness, dual-use capacity, and formal coordination – is proposed to address this vulnerability.
A new study by Tulane University found that Oregon's hospital financial assistance policy significantly reduced medical debt in collections. The policy was associated with 872-1,180 fewer people per county having medical debt in collections, and increased charity care spending.