Health Systems News and Research

RSS

Global disease burden study highlights COVID-19 impact and health inequities

Rates of early death and poor health caused by HIV/AIDS and diarrhea have been cut in half since 2010, and the rate of disease burden caused by injuries has dropped by a quarter in the same time period, after accounting for differences in age and population size across countries, based on a new study published in The Lancet. The study measures the burden of disease in years lost to early death and poor health.

17 Apr 2024

AI messaging boosts communication quality between patients and doctors

As one of the first health systems in the country to pilot the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to draft replies to patient messages inside the Epic Systems electronic health record, UC San Diego Health is a pioneer in shaping the future of digital health.

15 Apr 2024

Netherlands and WHO forge stronger partnership in global health agenda

The WHO and the Netherlands convened in The Hague on 10 April 2024, to discuss joint priorities and alignment between the Dutch Global Health Strategy and WHO's key strategic goals, marking a new milestone in their longstanding partnership.

15 Apr 2024

AI model can accurately screen for post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth

A generative artificial intelligence (AI) model that can analyze the narrative accounts of women who have undergone recent childbirth has shown the ability to accurately screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD), a study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system has found.

12 Apr 2024

Patient-centered cardiovascular care enhances outcomes

Adult cardiovascular care centered on the patient can improve individuals' experiences and their medical outcomes, according to a new American Heart Association Scientific Statement published today in Circulation.

12 Apr 2024

Largest-ever global deployment of cholera rapid diagnostic tests for better disease control

The arrival of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for cholera in Malawi today signals the start of a global programme that will see more than 1.2 million tests distributed to 14 countries at high risk for cholera over the next several months.

10 Apr 2024

Researchers leverage machine-learning techniques to predict future risk of pressure injuries

Bedsores-;also known as pressure injuries-;are the fastest rising hospital-acquired condition, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research in Quality, and as a result have become the second most common reason for medical malpractice suits in the United States.

9 Apr 2024

Remote monitoring for COVID-19 patients shows no benefit from pulse oximetry

Using a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels is no better than just regularly asking patients with COVID-19 if they are short of breath, according to new research at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania.

8 Apr 2024

Hot climates worsen chronic kidney disease outcomes

Chronic kidney disease patients living in the hottest countries experienced an additional 8% drop in kidney function each year compared to those living in temperate climates, finds a new study from researchers at UCL and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

5 Apr 2024

Smartphone app and health coach combo improves surgical outcomes

Coupling a smart phone app with a real-life health coach appears to be key to helping patients adhere to pre-surgical preparation and post-surgical recovery guidance and improving surgical outcomes, according to new findings led by UPMC and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine physician-scientists.

4 Apr 2024

WHO report unveils the impact of gender disparities in health and care

A new report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), "Fair share for health and care: gender and the undervaluation of health and care work" illustrates how gender inequalities in health and care work negatively impact women, health systems and health outcomes.

1 Apr 2024

Lancet study reveals alarming global obesity trends in 2022

New study released by the Lancet shows that, in 2022, more than 1 billion people in the world are now living with obesity.

1 Apr 2024

Ministers of Health commit to accelerated action against malaria in Africa

Ministers of Health from African countries with the highest burden of malaria committed today to accelerated action to end deaths from the disease.

1 Apr 2024

For-profit companies open psychiatric hospitals in areas clamoring for care

A for-profit company has proposed turning a boarded-up former nursing home here into a psychiatric hospital, joining a national trend toward having such hospitals owned by investors instead of by state governments or nonprofit health systems.

1 Apr 2024

Your doctor or your insurer? Little-known rules may ease the choice in Medicare Advantage

Bart Klion, 95, and his wife, Barbara, faced a tough choice in January: The upstate New York couple learned that this year they could keep either their private, Medicare Advantage insurance plan — or their doctors at Saratoga Hospital.

29 Mar 2024

Global leaders set ambitious targets to end tuberculosis epidemic

World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly's High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis have approved a Political Declaration with ambitious new targets for the next five years to advance the global efforts towards ending the TB epidemic.

28 Mar 2024

WHO and OHCHR launch guidance to reform legislation for ending coercive practices in mental health care

Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) are jointly launching new guidance, entitled "Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice", to support countries to reform legislation in order to end human rights abuses and increase access to quality mental health care.

28 Mar 2024

WHO and World Bank release alarming report on universal health coverage stagnation

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank have jointly published the 2023 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Global Monitoring Report, revealing an alarming stagnation in the progress towards providing people everywhere with quality, affordable, and accessible health care.

27 Mar 2024

Study explores the role of health care algorithms in racial and ethnic disparities

For years, it was harder for Black patients to secure a coveted spot on the national kidney transplant waitlist because a clinical algorithm was making Black patients appear healthier than they were.

26 Mar 2024

Redefining tuberculosis classification to enhance early detection and treatment

A new way to classify tuberculosis (TB) that aims to improve focus on the early stages of the disease has been launched by an international team including researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

26 Mar 2024