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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 ...

Health

Ultra-processed foods: Why public health warnings could backfire

Premature warnings to consumers to avoid eating all ultra-processed food products have likely social costs and may harm the health of people facing food poverty—at least in the short term.

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.

Diabetes

Diabetes technology often priced out of reach

While the high price of insulin has gotten a lot of attention lately, it's not the only cost issue facing people with diabetes. New technologies designed to improve blood sugar management often cost too much for people to ...

Health

Estimating a monetary value of health: Why and how?

Monetary estimates of the value of health, as measured by a quality-adjusted life year (QALY), are difficult to obtain. The estimates provided by this research inform such a threshold for both the UK and Germany. Using a ...

Medical economics

Brand drug discount cards increase private insurer costs by 46%

Discount cards for brand-name drugs provided to patients increased private insurer costs by 46% and varied in their impact on out-of-pocket payments by patients, found new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Patients with cirrhosis have considerable financial burden

(HealthDay)—The considerable financial burden of cirrhosis medical care is associated with lower surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a study presented at The Liver Meeting, the annual meeting of ...

Medical economics

The cost of waiting in emergency departments

Wait times in U.S. emergency departments are increasing. A new study published in Economic Inquiry indicates that prolonging the wait time in the emergency department for a patient who arrives with a serious condition by ...

Overweight & Obesity

Wealth matters when it comes to obesity

In a recently published study in the Obesity Society's peer-reviewed journal, Obesity, University of Alabama at Birmingham health disparities researchers have explored how understanding inequalities in wealth is important ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology

Birth control options out of reach for many low-income women

Young, low-income women in Canada are less likely to use more effective methods of birth control like the pill, and more likely to use no contraception or condoms only, according to new UBC research.

Medical economics

Profits jab higher at insulin maker Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk said Friday that its new treatment for adults who suffer from diabetes drove sales and profits higher, but the world's top manufacturer of insulin still faced difficulties in the key US market.

Medical economics

Survey reveals the hidden costs of care cascades

Just about any medical test can turn up an incidental finding that leads to a cascade of follow-up tests. For instance, a patient comes in for a routine test to measure their heart activity before cataract surgery and the ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia

For seniors, financial woes can be forerunner to Alzheimer's

(HealthDay)—Unpaid bills, overdrawn accounts, dwindling investments: When seniors begin experiencing fiscal troubles, early dementia or Alzheimer's disease could be an underlying cause, researchers say.

Diabetes

Medicaid expansion has positive effect on diabetes management

(HealthDay)—Medicaid expansion has significant positive effects on self-reported diabetes management, with substantial improvements seen in states with large diabetes populations, according to a study published online Oct. ...