Articles tagged with Health Care Policy
A new Northwestern Medicine study found patient navigators can ease the transition to motherhood, leading to better health in the postpartum period and more consistent primary care. Navigators helped patients access care, manage social needs, and improve health literacy, resulting in improved health outcomes.
The Momentum conference brings together European cancer research leaders to discuss ways to accelerate the adoption of new cancer research advances and strengthen cross-border collaboration. The event aims to shorten the path from scientific discovery to clinical practice, ultimately benefiting patients sooner.
Researchers highlight the importance of human moderation and algorithmic misinformation tagging in online patient support communities and online research. Mobile apps and patient simulator robots also play a crucial role in digitizing health records and training rural clinicians for rare emergencies.
A study of 3,860 nurses and midwives from 18 Latin American and Caribbean countries found recurring patterns of emotional overload, professional challenges, and exposure to multiple forms of violence during the pandemic. The researchers identified three interconnected themes: direct violence, stigma, fear, and disruption of social belo...
State policies aimed at reducing discrimination and increasing social acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals are more effective among white adults in using HIV prevention measures, but their impact is weaker among Black and Latino populations. Practical steps to expand resources and community-based prevention services may be necessary to add...
Research found that emergency department overcrowding increases patient mortality by one percent for every ten percent increase in occupancy. The study also linked corridor care to increased risk of deaths, highlighting the need for policy makers and hospital managers to prioritize emergency care.
A systematic review of 69 academic articles found 91.3% of authors had at least one food industry tie, highlighting the need for transparency in nutrition research. The study underscores the importance of considering industry relationships when evaluating debates over ultra-processed foods.
The Lancet series brings arts and cultural engagement into mainstream global health, synthesizing evidence on the benefits of music, dance, and other cultural activities for mental and physical health. The series calls for equitable access to arts engagement, its inclusion in population-level prevention, and stronger community pathways.
The new guidelines, developed by leading experts, focus on improving sepsis care by strengthening systems for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and quality improvement. Emerging technologies, such as next-generation diagnostics and artificial intelligence, are also being explored to enhance sepsis care.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that heart surgery infection rates vary significantly across U.S. hospitals, with some experiencing nearly double the risk of others. By reducing infections, hospitals could prevent 2,600 infections and reduce Medicare spending by $441 million annually.
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommends maximizing patient access to abortion care and counseling to improve maternal safety. The new guidance highlights the importance of evidence-based reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, in high-risk pregnancy situations.
A new study reveals that workers with variable hours and incomes are more likely to rely on Medicaid or ACA Marketplace plans, which may be affected by 2027 changes. Millions of low- and middle-income workers with irregular schedules will be particularly susceptible to Medicaid disenrollment due to fluctuating work hours.
The European Society of Endocrinology is urging policy action to address a widening gap between care demand and workforce capacity. The endocrine workforce faces significant stress, burnout, and limited time for research, threatening timely and high-quality care.
A new US Medicare pricing policy could reshape global pharmaceutical markets, potentially driving up prices and delaying medicine launches worldwide. The study estimates that Medicare could save $5.2 billion under its initial phase, with savings rising to $21 billion if expanded to all Medicare beneficiaries.
Research shows broad consensus among ICU recommendations for elderly patients, with female clinicians agreeing more on multidisciplinary input, such as pharmacist involvement and dietitian advice. Male clinicians showed stronger agreement on life-sustaining therapy decisions.
Researchers explore the potential of shadow AI in healthcare, voice analysis for early disease detection, and digital resurrection technologies for bereavement. A recent FDA approval also highlights the therapeutic benefits of video games for ADHD treatment, with potential for personalization and immersion in the future.
The American College of Cardiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions released a joint statement on TAVR national coverage determination. The statement aims to preserve the quality framework that contributed to TAVR's success, emphasizing the importance of collaborations, registrie...
State funding for suicide prevention has increased over the past five years, with spending growing from an average of $1.05 per resident in 2021 to $6.55 in 2025. States with telecom fees allocated significantly more funds to crisis services, suggesting a promising strategy to enhance infrastructure.
A new Ontario-wide study identifies potentially harmful drug combinations prescribed to older adults, revealing common medication interactions that can lead to unnecessary prescriptions and harm. The research highlights the need for clinicians to consider medication history and potential prescribing cascades to ensure safer care.
A new study finds that Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts improved maternal healthcare quality and equity by incorporating maternal metrics and initiatives, but faced challenges in meeting metrics and implementing new initiatives. The researchers offer recommendations to overcome barriers in maternal healthcare delivery.
Researchers mapped 61 dementia risk factors to show individual motivation and behavior change may not be enough to prevent dementia. Social and environmental influences like education, housing, and healthcare access play a crucial role in brain health.
The ACC Latin America 2026 conference will bring together experts and cardiovascular clinicians to examine emerging cardiovascular science and evidence-based strategies for improving global heart health. The conference will also recognize individuals who have earned the distinguished Fellow of the ACC (FACC) designation.
The integration of psychology into primary care in Canada has the potential to improve access to care, support physicians, and save billions of dollars. Studies have shown that integrated primary care reduces wait times, patient engagement, and improves outcomes for mental health conditions.
A new study found that US children's emergency visits for mental health crises increased by 74% between 2016 and 2022. Half of these visits occurred in hospitals with low pediatric volume, highlighting the need for specialized resources and training.
A new paper outlines strategies to strengthen primary care pipeline in medical education, including mitigating administrative burdens, leveraging AI, and enriching student experiences. The authors emphasize the need for well-thought-out approaches to nudge the trend in a positive direction, rather than a single fix.
A Linköping University study of 58,000 people found that level of education is the strongest socio-economic factor linked to survival rates after acute hip surgery. Higher education was associated with lower mortality rates, while lower education was linked to higher mortality rates.
A new study found that laws requiring notification of dense breast tissue led to modest increases in follow-up imaging tests, while insurance mandates had a significant impact, increasing ultrasound use four times. This study examined the influence of notification laws and insurance coverage independently.
Elementary school teachers reported a significant increase in student hunger and anxiety after the federal universal free school meals policy ended. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, found that the policy helped reduce student hunger and family stress, but its expiration was associated with decrea...
Researchers analyzed 8.1 million emergency department visits to identify the most at-risk patients during heat waves, offering a near-real-time opportunity to implement protective measures. The study suggests that delays in identifying those most at-risk are no longer necessary, and timely evidence is increasingly essential for effecti...
A Northwestern University study identified 33 diagnoses associated with extreme heat exposure, including skin conditions, multiple sclerosis, and traffic accidents. The findings could help emergency departments and health care systems better prepare for heat waves, which are becoming more prevalent with climate change.
The University of Eastern Finland has contributed to the development of a new international measure for assessing productivity-adjusted life years, considering health-related functional capacity and productivity. The new study provides Finnish norm values for estimating life expectancy adjusted for these factors, enabling comparisons a...
After the Dobbs v Jackson decision, out-of-state travel to North Carolina for abortion care increased, particularly from more restrictive Southeastern states. Patients also presented at later gestational durations and traveled farther for care, indicating increased logistical barriers after policy changes.
The Brexit referendum led to a sustained decline in EU-origin health care worker immigration to the UK, despite recruitment from non-EU countries. Policymakers should consider the impact of policy uncertainty, substitution dynamics, and global health equity when making decisions.
A new study finds that Brexit led to a decline in EU-trained doctors and nurses in the UK, but physician vacancies continued to rise, highlighting the need for careful consideration of immigration policies and their impact on healthcare staffing and access to care.
The NHS 10 Year Health Plan risks patient harm due to a lack of digital safety architecture, warn experts. The plan relies on statutory digital clinical safety standards, but compliance is not routinely monitored or enforced, according to researchers.
A new study by NYU School of Global Public Health found that most patients view their test results before hearing from their doctor, with those having higher digital literacy and better patient-centered communication having a better understanding of the results. The study suggests that health systems and online patient portals can impr...
A new study found that 23% of emergency department boarding patients wait at least 4 hours before receiving inpatient-quality care, with some patients waiting 12 or 24 hours. The study highlights the importance of efficient handoffs from emergency to inpatient care, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A recent study found that nearly half of the US internal medicine workforce consists of doctors born outside the United States, with significant implications for patient care in underserved communities. These foreign-born physicians provide essential care to patients from diverse backgrounds, including Black and Latino populations, and...
A multiprogram enrollment application can conserve valuable time and resources by enabling people to apply to several public benefit programs at once. States can simplify applications by shortening them, incorporating autopopulated responses, and updating systems to identify complex cases.
The UH Health initiative expands training, accelerates research and innovation, and improves access to care in Texas. It brings together medicine, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, psychology, social work, population health, and others under one interprofessional vision.
Participation in mandatory value-based payment programs is associated with higher hospital administrative costs, highlighting the need for policymakers to consider administrative burden when designing and evaluating payment reforms. The study suggests that these reforms may increase complexity without improving cost, quality, and access.
As more Americans with HIV age into Medicare eligibility, costs are expected to increase substantially. The study projects nearly 200,000 beneficiaries by 2035 and $27.3 billion in annual spending. Policy changes like the Inflation Reduction Act could save billions, while generic HIV medications may further reduce costs.
A nationwide study in Australia found that financial status impacts access to modern anti-nausea medications, driving off-label prescribing and structural health inequities. The study suggests updating medication funding structures to expand pregnancy-relevant medication approvals and subsidies.
A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found a strong association between air pollution, particularly PM2.5, and increased disease activity and flare risk in RA patients. The study suggests that avoiding prolonged exposure to poor air quality may help reduce disease activity.
Artificial intelligence can exacerbate or mitigate inequities in correctional health systems. Designing AI for access, inclusion, and trust is crucial for ensuring health equity among incarcerated populations. The study outlines policy and implementation considerations necessary to address these concerns.
Drug spending has become increasingly focused on highly novel drugs in the last decade, driven by increased prescribing of innovative medicines. The shift is attributed to changes in market forces and government policies that better reward pharmaceutical innovation.
A study by Texas A&M University finds that generational shifts are reshaping the healthcare workforce, with different needs and perspectives among five distinct generations of clinicians. This is complicated by staffing shortages, burnout and changing expectations about work-life balance and mental health.
The study highlights how school-entry vaccine requirements strengthen the connection between healthcare and education systems, ultimately improving children's health outcomes. By requiring vaccinations at school entry points, these policies create a valuable interface for public health interventions.
A Germany-wide research project aims to improve care for patients with invasive fungal infections, analyzing current treatment and developing a new care model. The project will use routine data from over 74 million insured persons.
A cross-sectional study examines trends in US FDA-approved cancer medicines for adult solid tumors between 2006 and 2025. The analysis reveals significant increases in approvals, particularly for original indication approvals.
This cohort study examines trends in US Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation receipt and benefit amounts between 2010 and 2024. Sociodemographic characteristics and disability type are associated with changes in these benefits.
Researchers in India have identified β-esterase as the primary enzyme involved in α-cypermethrin detoxification, showing increased reactivity in response to the insecticide. This finding suggests that mosquitoes can dramatically increase production of a particularly effective enzyme when exposed to a threat.
The US government's withdrawal of funding for global HIV programs led to a sharp reduction in the number of people entering HIV care across East Africa. New patient enrollment dropped by 59% and viral load testing declined by 33% within weeks, according to findings from researchers at UC San Francisco.
A new study reveals that burnout is pushing emergency physicians to leave the specialty or reduce clinical hours, exacerbating a crisis in Canadian healthcare. The study found that 10% of emergency medicine physicians had left the specialty, and women and younger physicians reported higher rates of burnout.
The American College of Cardiology introduces a new cardiogenic shock designation to address deadly gaps in heart attack care. The new designation aims to standardize protocols and improve outcomes for patients with life-threatening complications of a heart attack, particularly in underserved areas.
A new Global Burden of Disease study found that people are spending more years living with chronic disease and disability as global life expectancy increases. The analysis revealed that high-income countries face the widest morbidity gaps, while women consistently live longer but spend more years in poor health.
A new review of current research highlights the importance of culturally grounded approaches to food systems literacy in addressing global hunger and malnutrition. The study suggests that Indigenous knowledge and participatory methods can improve food systems resilience and support communities to maintain traditional food practices.
A retrospective cohort study found that language-concordant physician care significantly reduces all-cause mortality in both Francophone and Allophone patients. The study suggests prioritizing patient-physician linguistic matching and evidence-based interpretation services to improve long-term survival in Canada's increasingly linguist...
A study by Mass General Brigham found that nearly 1 in 3 US adults without heart disease have LDL levels above the recommended goal, and 3 in 4 are not receiving any cholesterol-lowering medication. The gap is wider among those with established heart disease, where most are already receiving therapy but still not reaching goals.
A long-term study of 1,200 women in eastern Massachusetts found that those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods faced faster declines in heart health and worse cardiovascular risk before menopause. The research highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors in preventing heart disease.