Articles tagged with Health Care Policy
A survey of 17,302 healthcare workers in 57 countries found that male participants and nurses had higher preparedness scores than women and doctors. Preparedness varied across national wealth and sociodemographic characteristics, with East Asia and the Pacific having significantly higher scores.
The study estimates the risk of severe outcomes among symptomatic children aged 0-17 years in the European Union, with hospitalization rates highest among youngest age groups. The authors also note that most children with symptomatic COVID-19 have a low risk of death or hospitalization.
A new study reveals that poor women in rural India are more likely to die during childbirth due to lack of access to safe hospital births. The research found that only 26% of women in low-performing states deliver in hospitals, compared to 87% of those exposed to mass media.
A third of US kids lack good and consistent health insurance, with inadequate insurance driving the trend. Families with private insurance and children with special needs are disproportionately affected.
A new analysis proposes four solutions states can implement to improve Medicaid eligibility for seniors, including eliminating the asset test or increasing its limit. This could lead to lower administrative burdens and improved health outcomes for eligible individuals.
A study found that many Medicaid-enrolled women in Virginia were unaware of dental pregnancy benefits, despite comprehensive coverage enacted in 2015. The survey revealed significant gaps in oral health knowledge among reproductive-age women by insurance status, with Medicaid-enrolled women facing barriers to care at higher rates.
A Norwegian study reveals that out-of-hours emergency doctors with higher admission rates inflict significant unnecessary costs on hospitals. The study found that patients seen by these doctors have a greater chance of hospital stays, particularly those over 69 years old.
Two new studies published by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago show that sugar-sweetened beverages taxes are effective and sustainable in reducing consumption. The Seattle data analysis found a 59% tax pass-through rate, a 22% reduction in volume sold of taxed beverages, and a net 19% reduction in grams of sugar sold fr...
A large-scale study of over 1.2 million people found breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but more frequent and severe in those with weakened immune systems. The study supports the introduction of a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals to increase protection.
Pharmacy standing orders led to a significant increase in naloxone dispensing in Massachusetts, but gaps in access persist in rural communities and Hispanic neighborhoods. Communities with higher rates of opioid overdose deaths and buprenorphine treatment also dispensed more naloxone.
Researchers found no significant difference in mortality rates between rural and urban emergency departments for life-threatening conditions like stroke and heart attack. Despite facing funding challenges, rural ERs have proven lifesaving for patients treated at these facilities.
Analysis of COVID-19 pandemic policy changes found that federal and state governments have ensured opioid treatment availability, with few states adopting comprehensive approaches. The study highlights the importance of standardized policies to improve treatment access and outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder.
A University at Buffalo study explores how social and economic characteristics influence hospital readmissions and health inequity in the US. The research found that patients with lower household income, male gender, or treated in urban hospitals have a higher risk of being readmitted within a month of discharge.
A KU study reveals that individuals' political ideologies play a crucial role in shaping their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted using two surveys and a review of existing data, found that ideology was a significant predictor of health behavior, especially when compared to other factors such as age,...
A new study at the University of Missouri found that telehealth reduced stress for nursing home residents while increasing access to convenient care. However, it also removed socialization opportunities and created confusion for residents with cognitive difficulties.
A recent study in Indonesia found that full subsidies increased enrollment by 18.6 percentage points, while registration assistance alone boosted signups by 3.5 percent. The experiment also highlighted the importance of infrastructure and administrative capacity in addressing the challenges of universal health insurance.
A new study found that chronic hepatitis C patients in hospital clinics spent five times more on out-of-pocket costs than those treated in community clinics. Patients lost an average of $743 in time over three months due to CHC, while caregivers also bear a significant financial burden.
The University of Ottawa has launched the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health (ICBH), a leading research center examining biological, social, economic, and cultural determinants of Black health. The ICBH aims to identify priorities in research on physical and mental health disparities among Canada's Black communities.
Severe vomiting during pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, drives women to terminate wanted pregnancies. The condition also affects mental health, with 25.5% experiencing suicidal thoughts. Improving support systems is crucial for these women.
A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.
A new study found a 1.1-percentage-point increase in stillbirths and a 0.72-percentage-point increase in newborn deaths in Nigeria during the pandemic. This increase of 22% and 23%, respectively, threatens the hard-won gains in child survival made over the past two decades.
The new ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides comprehensive guidance on diagnosing, staging, and treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. The guideline incorporates recent clinical trial data to inform treatment choices, taking into account tumour biology and emerging targeted therapies.
A study published in JNCCN found that 45% of people with cancer prefer telemedicine over in-person visits, while general patient satisfaction scores are equally high. The research also revealed that patients preferred video conferencing over audio-only appointments and that telemedicine can reduce treatment-related costs.
A recent study has called for reduced forceps use in Canada and better education for both clinicians and mothers on how to avoid injury during childbirth. The researchers analyzed nearly two million birth records from Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Austria, finding that five percent of women had third or fourth degree tears to the perineum.
A new study analyzed 4,000 COVID-related hospitalizations and found that patients with private insurance could face $3,800 bills, while those with Medicare Advantage plans might owe $1,500. The lack of waivers for hospitalization costs could lead to increased financial burden on patients.
The study will assess the impact of environmental and economic interventions on health and well-being in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Researchers will enroll 720 adults, half receiving the proposed interventions, and evaluate their overall health and wellbeing, as well as violent crime rates.
A CHOP-led study found that healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays, with a significant increase in early discharge rates. Despite shorter hospital stays, infant rehospitalizations within a week of discharge remained unchanged.
A survey of healthcare providers found that technology changes during the pandemic may contribute to burnout, with negative perceptions of telehealth visits increasing the odds of reporting burnout. The study highlights the need for adequate institutional resources to promote provider well-being and combat burnout.
The National Kidney Foundation has released a research roadmap to accelerate innovations in treatment and increase understanding of kidney disease. The report calls for increased funding in preclinical science, genetics, health equity, and implementation science to tackle the most vexing challenges in kidney disease.
A new study from the University of Michigan finds that Medicaid expansion in Michigan has significantly improved access to regular healthcare services for low-income adults across various racial and ethnic groups. By 2018, 83% of Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees reported having a regular doctor's office, with notable increases seen amon...
A legal analysis examines whether the First Amendment restricts the FDA's requirement of new tobacco warning labels. The study concludes that such labels do not infringe on the First Amendment rights to free speech, as they convey important public health information.
Researchers propose reinstating waiting time for recipients experiencing early post-transplant allograft failure within an expanded timeframe to boost transplant numbers. This policy change could potentially reduce the perceived patient-level risk of transplanting marginal organs and improve organ utilization.
Danish adults have made significant strides in preserving their natural teeth and visiting the dentist more frequently. However, social disparities in dental health persist, with those from lower-income backgrounds receiving less preventive care.
A University College Cork study analyzed over 50,000 COVID-19 cases in Ireland and found that rural residents were more likely to be hospitalized, while urban dwellers faced a greater risk of ICU admission. Men also had higher mortality rates than women.
The University of Oxford has founded the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, which aims to optimize the impact of interventions using data science. The institute will bring together academics from various disciplines to develop new methods and tools for improving outcomes in healthcare and policy.
A new study found that Republican control of state legislatures is associated with increased infant mortality rates, especially among Black infants. The research suggests that the party's influence on social determinants of health, such as safety-net programs and minimum wage, contributes to these disparities.
A new study suggests that lowering the age when older adults can enroll in Medicare might save them a significant amount of money. The study found that average out-of-pocket healthcare costs dropped by 27% for those turning 66, while nearly 9% of 64-year-olds were considered 'catastrophic' due to high health expenses.
Researchers from UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine recommend that EHR developers annually assess their products to ensure safety recommendations are met. The authors suggest three strategies to complement the new CMS rules, aiming to distribute responsibility for safety improvements evenly between designers, developers, and users.
A new poll shows strong support among older Americans for requiring health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey found that 61% of people aged 50 to 80 believe the vaccine should definitely be required, while an additional 19% think it should probably be required.
A new poll suggests that older adults are not using tax-advantaged savings accounts to save for future health expenses, with those who do more likely to have high incomes and education levels. The findings highlight the need for better understanding and support for low-income and vulnerable populations.
A new study found that Republicans are less likely to use ACA subsidies for health insurance, resulting in an average annual loss of $800 compared to Democrats. The study suggests that political polarization may lead individuals to avoid full utilization of federal programs intended to make healthcare more affordable.
Researchers at the University of Bath found that large food companies and advertisers opposed Transport for London's 2019 ban, challenging its effectiveness and attempting to undermine policy. The ban was implemented despite commercial opposition, and its success sets a positive precedent for other authorities planning similar bans.
A large-scale UK study confirms that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing severe illness and hospitalisation. The study found that people who received one or two vaccine doses had lower odds of severe disease or hospitalisation than unvaccinated individuals, with a significant reduction in long COVID cases.
A study of 14,000 families found that those caring for children with chronic health conditions lost an average of $18,000 per year in household income. Foregone family employment was reported by nearly 15% of families and was more common among younger caregivers and those living in poverty.
Long-term kidney transplant survival rates in the US have increased significantly over the last three decades, with five-year survival rates for deceased and living donors rising from 66.2% and 79.5%, respectively, in 1996-1999 to 78.2% and 88.1% in 2012-2015.
A Korean population-based cohort study found that cancer, particularly multiple myeloma and leukemia, is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure. The study included approximately 825,000 patients with cancer compared to twice as many without cancer, matched on other characteristics.
Researchers found regional lockdowns did not sufficiently address local COVID-19 risk differences in Italy. Instead, targeted interventions focused on high-risk areas could help strike a better balance between public health and economic damage. The study provides guidance for policy-makers to design effective interventions.
Research found that longer and more frequent night shifts increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease. Genetic predisposition did not affect the link between night shifts and AF risk.
A new regional policy in Chicago has led to an increase in patients receiving endovascular therapy, a critical treatment for large vessel occlusions. The study suggests that this policy change can improve stroke outcomes and has the potential to have a major public health impact.
Research by Jason Huh found that Medicaid expansion can increase the number of dentists per capita in low-income counties, with a 13% increase. This growth is driven by private practice dentists responding to financial incentives offered by expanded coverage.
A recent study by the American Cancer Society found a strong association between economic mobility and racial disparities in mortality in the US. The study suggests that structural racism has persisted with similar magnitude across generations, leading to increased death rates among Black individuals compared to their White counterparts.
A comprehensive review of keto diets found potential health risks, including increased heart disease risk, cancer risk, and adverse effects on pregnant women and kidney patients. For most people, the possible long-term benefits of a keto diet are outweighed by its potential drawbacks.
The study found that democratic countries increased government health spending by $275 per person between 1990 and 2019, while autocratic countries saw only a $115 increase. Democracies are also more likely to maintain universal health coverage even during economic recessions.
Simulation models were used to estimate the COVID-19 pandemic control strategy associated with the least health losses and the most cost effectiveness in Victoria, Australia. The study aimed to find the optimal balance between health outcomes and economic costs.
The American Academy of Family Physicians is investigating an 'educational' session promoting dairy products linked to increased risk of prostate cancer and other diseases disproportionately affecting African Americans. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed a complaint, citing standards set by the Accreditation Counci...
A Harvard study found that 20% of diabetes patients with high-deductible health plans reported skipping medications due to cost, compared to 16% in traditional plans. Patients with insulin reliance were 31% more likely to miss medication.
Researchers investigated the association between net worth at midlife and subsequent longevity. The study found a significant positive correlation between wealth and longevity among individuals, as well as their siblings and twins.
Researchers investigated whether female vs male physicians differ in patient outcomes, including mortality rates and care processes. The study found no significant differences in patient outcomes between female and male physicians, suggesting that the quality of care is not influenced by physician gender.
The study found that primary care payment models are associated with increased telemedicine use for Medicare Advantage enrollees during the pandemic. This shift allowed patients to receive care remotely, reducing in-person visits and improving access to healthcare.
A survey study examined COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and approaches to improve vaccination rates among Chinese adults. The study found significant disparities in vaccine uptake, with regional differences in attitudes towards vaccination.