Population Health

Social isolation loneliness is increasing and not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows it can have devastating health consequences.

For-profit companies now dominate hospice care in the U.S., and private equity firms are moving in. Some say the trend reflects the underlying economics and need for scale.

Most states have contracted with insurers to manage their Medicaid programs. Connecticut uses administrative services only contracts and a variety of means to manage the care.

Two reports show that drug-related deaths are skyrocketing among people 65 years and older.

The new 988 hotline may help more people get help and steer crisis care toward mental health interventions. But many obstacles to getting access to mental healthcare before or after a crisis remain.

Some are offering travel benefits.

As Congress considers legislation that would cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin, Walmart and Civica Rx are taking steps that could make less expensive versions of the diabetes medication more available.

The program implemented by the Trump administration is designed to put more Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs into two-sided risk. An industry group has discouraged participation in the program.

Although climate change affects the entire global population, historically marginalized and under-resourced communities will be disproportionately affected.

University of Pennsylvania researcher conducted 36 interviews of Black veterans with chronic kidney disease to find out how they experienced racism in their lives and especially as patients at the VA.

Fabric Health is bringing healthcare services to laundromats in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Other organizations are using barbershops and churches to deliver healthcare services and messages.

The toll that Alzheimer’s disease takes on the health of those affected by the disease is enormous. And so is the associated expense.

There’s no guarantee, but physical activity and corralling cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes improve the odds. Health insurers can assist by helping members address the “upstream” social determinants of health.

Ideally, value-based and technology programs combine to produce better outcomes. But researchers at University of California, San Francisco, found little evidence of synergy in the meaningful use, patient-centered medical home and Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO program.

During the state of the industry webinar, AHIP experts reviewed policies and solutions to improve affordable access to care and shape healthcare in the post-pandemic world.

The conclusion of the pre-print meta-analysis is that small effect of "nonpharmaceutical interventions" on COVID-19 mortality rates did not outweigh the effects of lockdowns.

Telehealth, efforts to address social determinants of health and a focus on health disparities are likely to be among the top priorities in population health this year.

Despite calls for better integration of social care into healthcare delivery, the lack of adequate payment models has stymied efforts to improve health and reduce costs by paying for social interventions.

For some, the premiums may not make the coverage worth it. Low payment rates often limit access to those with dental coverage through Medicaid

Diabetes and obesity rates are high among Latinos. To lower them, providers and payers need to understand cultural factors and barriers to healthcare.

Community health workers can address social determinants of health, and some programs have been shown to reduce healthcare costs.

Diana Do, MD, and Steven Peskin, MD, MBA, FACP, discuss unmet needs and future approaches to treatment in wet AMD.

Steven Peskin, MD, MBA, FACP, provides insight into managed care considerations of wet AMD including clinical evidence evaluation, formulary management, and value-based agreements.

Diana Do, MD, discusses outcomes of interest for anti-VEGF agents, clinical evidence supporting the treat-and-extend approach, and strategies to overcome financial barriers in wet AMD.

Diana Do, MD, provides insight into anti-VEGF treatment selection for individual patients, evaluation of patient response to therapy, and considerations for switching of agents.

Diana Do, MD, provides an overview of available anti-VEGF agents used in the treatment of wet AMD and Steven Peskin, MD, MBA, FACP, discusses management strategies employed with these agents.

Diana Do, MD, and Steven Peskin, MD, MBA, FACP, discuss overtreatment and undertreatment in wet AMD in addition to the risks associated with delays in therapy.

Steven Peskin, MD, MBA, FACP, discusses drivers of cost and goals of therapy in wet AMD, and Diana Do, MD, discusses the different treatment approaches to the disease.

Researchers are documenting how income volatility is affecting the middle class and healthcare decisions of its members.