What’s the most common reason for hospitalization—and the most costly? It’s maternal and newborn care. Despite some progress in maternal-newborn care, such as a decrease in the rate of premature birth, the United States continues to perform poorly on some… Read More ›
A controversial New York state law that allows judges to order outpatient treatment for persons who are severely mentally ill and meet certain conditions, such as a history of violent behavior or repeated hospitalizations, may reduce the public costs associated… Read More ›
A growing number of patients with back pain are receiving narcotic pain medications or imaging scans, despite consistent recommendations that more conservative approaches usually should be used first, according to a study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine. Back and… Read More ›
Survival rates for US patients with HIV and AIDS who develop lymphoma appear stagnant, even in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). A study published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute analyzed data from 476 patients treated… Read More ›
Most physicians say that although they have some responsibility for reducing health care costs, the “major responsibility” for doing so is in the hands of others. The finding, appearing today in JAMA, comes from a survey of 2556 physicians randomly… Read More ›
One of the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—now known more commonly as Obamacare—is to make health insurance more accessible, particularly for people with preexisting conditions. Starting in January 2014, with open enrollment beginning this October, the law… Read More ›
Although many people worry about the negative effects of social media on teenagers, one Minnesota parent used a child’s Facebook posts to alert public health officials about a large foodborne outbreak of strep throat. Strep throat, or Group A Streptococcus… Read More ›
