Health Policy
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The Case for Chicago’s Public Health Vending Machines
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On November 2, 2023, the Chicago Department of Public Health launched its first Public Health Vending Machine at Harold Washington Library as part of a one-year pilot program aimed at providing harm reduction and opioid overdose prevention supplies. This pilot program deploys a total of five Public Health Vending Machines…
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Understanding the Impact of Medicaid on Poverty
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Medicaid continues to constitute a key component of the safety net for low-income households, covering more than 76 million Americans in 2016. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 37 states expanded Medicaid to cover adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line. Previously, adults were required to…
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Prenatal Stress and Cognitive Function: A Natural Experiment
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It is well-documented that stress can jeopardize prenatal development. In fact, past studies have found a negative correlation between the amount of stress a mother experiences during pregnancy and the future cognitive abilities of her child. Since a child’s cognitive abilities can heavily influence his or her life outcomes, it…
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New Evidence on the Effectiveness of Early Interventions for Children With Lead Poisoning
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Early childhood lead poisoning has been linked to detrimental effects on cognition, academic performance, IQ, high school graduation, and even adult earnings. In many countries, laws prohibiting the use of leaded gasoline have reduced lead exposure, but many children continue to be exposed to lead from deteriorating paint in older…
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Making Good Government Happen: A Conversation with Tom Komaniecki, Regional Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent division of HHS charged with protecting the integrity of HHS programs and the health and welfare of HHS program beneficiaries. The OIG is a nonpartisan “watchdog” that conducts audits, investigates fraud, and evaluates…
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Why Don’t People Search for the Cheapest Health Care?
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According to a poll conducted by Monmouth University earlier this year, the cost of healthcare is the top concern for American families. This makes sense in the context of a health system in which the proliferation of high deductible health plans—where patients pay greater amounts before their insurers start contributing—have…
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Can Comments Improve Care? How Yelp Reviews Can Help Patients and Providers Understand Experiences of Hospital Care
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Recently, there has been an increased focus on improving patient satisfaction in health care. Patient experience is one of the three pillars of the Triple Aim framework, as numerous studies have found a positive link between patient experience and downstream health outcomes, particularly with regards to self-management of chronic disease…
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A Milliliter of Cure: How Investment in Vaccine Provision Could Yield Substantial Economic Returns
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A new study finds that investments aimed at increasing vaccine coverage reap significant economic benefits in the long run, particularly in developing countries.
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Work Stress Is the New Secondhand Smoke
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A recent article in The Behavioral Science & Policy Journal sheds light on the combined effects of several workplace stressors on overall health outcomes.
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Antibiotic Breach: The Fall of Another Powerful Antibiotic Drug
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This study presents the first observed case of transmittable antibiotic resistance to colistin, one of the most potent antibiotics available. Colistin belongs to a class of antibiotics of “last resort,” called polymyxin. The study highlights the need for increased regulation of antimicrobial use to avoid a global health crisis.
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Including LGBT Data in Electronic Health Records
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Recently, the University of California Davis Health System became the first US academic health center to introduce sexual orientation and gender identity data into its electronic health records.