Articles tagged with Health Care Policy
Two Lancet papers call for Japan to redesign its health system and global health strategy by 2040. The country must adapt its approach from a hospital- and service-volume-centred system to one focused on people's lives, health outcomes, and communities.
Incorporating structured, video-enhanced feedback into training programs halves prescribing errors by newly qualified doctors. This approach closes the performance gap between novice and experienced prescribers, demonstrates cost-effectiveness and scalability.
Researchers at Texas A&M University designed a fictional hospital to demonstrate the business case for investing in better design. The model shows that by incorporating evidence-based design strategies, hospitals can recover their additional construction costs within two years and achieve over $100 million in net financial gains over t...
Experts recommend implementing safer technologies and modernizing radiation safety standards to reduce preventable radiation exposure and orthopedic injuries. The consensus statement emphasizes the need for mandatory action to prioritize protecting healthcare workers, ensuring a healthy workforce for patients' access to lifesaving care.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease estimates that dementia-related costs across 30 high-income European countries total €221 billion annually. Family caregivers carry a significant portion of this burden, providing an estimated €128 billion in unpaid care.
A UMass Amherst-led study finds physicians with irritable patients experience increased anger, anxiety, and fatigue, leading to decreased engagement and quality of care. Patients' frustration affects doctors' emotional state and clinical assessments, ultimately resulting in poorer patient outcomes.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 new study published in JACC found that women who consistently strength train showed substantially lower risk of major cardiovascular disease, particularly alongside aerobic activity and reduced sedentary time. Higher levels of resistance training were associated with lower risk of major CVD, especially myocardial infarction, with no ...
Researchers found that patients with Medicare Advantage insurance were more likely to receive certain types of stroke-preventing care and recover faster from strokes. In contrast, patients on traditional Medicare received more intensive post-stroke care and rehabilitation.
A recent study comparing AI's diagnostic reasoning to physicians shows promising results, but limitations exist due to lack of non-text inputs. Digital fatigue is a growing concern among healthcare workers, affecting their productivity and well-being.
A cohort study found that demographic, clinical, and healthcare factors influence the uptake of metabolic bariatric surgery among US adults with obesity. The study suggests improving access to this life-changing procedure through targeted policies and interventions could have a significant impact.
Avishek Choudhury, a WVU researcher, has won the NSF CAREER award to study how healthcare providers' trust in artificial intelligence changes over time. His goal is to humanize algorithms behind AI and improve decision-making quality and patient safety.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A study by Ochsner experts explores the cost-effectiveness of integrating behavioral health care into primary care for adults with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Behavioral health integration resulted in improved mental health outcomes, reduced opioid use, and lower prescription expenses, making it a cost-effective option.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.