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Medical economics news

Dentistry

Are dental practices out of control in the United States?

A series of recently published opinions and letters in JAMA Internal Medicine present varying perspectives on the current state of US dental care all emphasize the need for evidence-based practices and changes in economic ...

Medical economics

Researchers raise concerns about the financial sector's rising role in US illness care

The authors of a new article in Journal of Palliative Medicine state that the "growing role of the financial sector in home health and hospice, a reflection of larger trends in U.S. health care, is concerning and has major ...

Medical economics

Even political rivals agree that medical debt is an urgent issue

While hot-button health care issues such as abortion and the Affordable Care Act roil the presidential race, Democrats and Republicans in statehouses around the country have been quietly working together to tackle the nation's ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology

Study highlights need for streamlined miscarriage care in Canada

Miscarriage, or early pregnancy loss, can have devastating emotional effects, but it is poorly managed in Canada. A review published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal provides guidance to physicians on how to diagnose ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Understaffed hospitals have higher rates of infection, study says

Inadequate infection prevention and control staffing levels are associated with higher rates of health care-associated infections, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

HIV & AIDS

Costs of ART regimens increasing, outpacing inflation

(HealthDay)—Initial regimens recommended for most people with HIV (PWH) are priced above $36,000 per year, with antiretroviral therapy (ART) cost increases exceeding the inflation rate, according to a research letter published ...

HIV & AIDS

Vulnerability in healthcare of migrants living with HIV

Migrants living with HIV are a particularly vulnerable group in Sweden and Swedish health care, research from the University of Gothenburg shows. How they perceive their own physical health is highly variable—more so than ...

Health

U.S. spends more on health care, but has worse life expectancy

(HealthDay)—The United States spends substantially more than any other wealthy nation on health care, yet it has a lower life expectancy and a higher suicide rate than other wealthy nations, according to a January data ...

Medical economics

Gender gap persists in starting salary for physicians

The gender gap in starting salary for physicians persists, although it is unclear which factors account for this gap, according to a report published online Jan. 22 in Health Affairs.

Health

Unmet need for physician care not improving with more insured

Most measures of unmet need for physician services in the United States have not improved since 1998 despite gains in health insurance coverage, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Health

Burden of health care costs greatest among low-income Americans

Higher income American households pay the most to finance the nation's health care system, but the burden of payments as a share of income is greatest among households with the lowest incomes, according to a new RAND Corporation ...

Medications

Major insurers offer $55 million to lower generic drug costs

A nonprofit that develops and sells cheaper drugs will receive a $55 million investment from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and associated organizations to create cheaper versions of expensive generic drugs.

Oncology & Cancer

Decline in late stage cancer diagnoses after health reform law

Advanced stage cancer diagnoses declined following health insurance expansion in Massachusetts, likely due to increased access to screening and diagnostic services that identified cancers earlier, according to new research ...