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N.C. transitional care program shows promise in reducing hospital readmissions

A statewide transitional care program in North Carolina may hold hope for reducing hospital readmissions in the U.S., a new study finds. In the meantime, readmissions' financial stakes become clear for one Minnesota hospital.

4 Sep 2013

Medicaid pays for nearly 50% of 3.8 million births in US

Medicaid paid for nearly half of the 3.8 million births in the United States in 2010—an amount that has been rising over time, according to a report out today.

4 Sep 2013

Health law could be boon for safety net providers -- and crooks

News outlets report on how the law might affect clinics serving the poor, concerns about scams and details about how the individual mandate will work.

4 Sep 2013

Health law spurs concerns from administration allies, as well as enemies

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, continues his battle to undo the health law, while a House Democrat from the deep South angers both sides of the political aisle. In other news, labor unions are frustrated the administration hasn't responded to their Obamacare concerns, while Republicans in tough re-election fights are wary of accepting big premium support to buy insurance in the exchanges.

4 Sep 2013

CSA programs: A feasible approach for providing fruits and vegetables to low-income families

Low-income communities have particular problems getting adequate fruits and vegetables because of limited access to supermarkets and farmers markets. A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs may be a feasible approach for providing fresh fruits and vegetables to under-resourced communities.

4 Sep 2013

Policies, operations taking shape for online insurance marketplaces

Three states plan to open call centers today to aid consumers in finding their way around new health exchanges, slated to start business on Oct. 1. Meanwhile, in Alaska, federal officials and local organizations are working to try to get a marketplace up and running before this deadline, and California's marketplace offers more details about premium rates for coverage that will be available.

4 Sep 2013

Poor black residents receive worse care in US nursing homes, study finds

If you're poor and aging in America, the golden years may not be pretty, especially if you are black.

4 Sep 2013

Health industry stakeholders promote exchanges, launch consumer advertising

USA Today reports that a coalition of providers and insurers are actively promoting the online insurance marketplaces in states that have opted against running their own health exchange. Meanwhile, The New York Times examines how some insurance companies are advertising the new insurance system.

4 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 3, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about interest in and action surrounding state health exchange call centers.

3 Sep 2013

New NPS MedicineWise educational program highlights medicine-related adverse events in older people

A new NPS MedicineWise health professional educational program launched today looks at the complex issues that contribute to the disproportionate number of medicine-related adverse events and hospital admissions experienced by older Australians.

3 Sep 2013

Elsevier publishes position statement by EMAS in journal Maturitas on the topic of late parenthood

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the publication of a position statement by the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) in the journal Maturitas on the topic of late parenthood.

3 Sep 2013

New joint program could improve patient care, physician and staff morale

The common refrain about health care is that it's a broken system. A new joint program between the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, demonstrates a way to mend the system with a new patient-centered program that is getting raves from patients, as well as the residents and nurses who provide their care. Results from the program are highlighted in a study being released in September.

3 Sep 2013

Researchers examine how online social network activities influence smoking, alcohol use

Teenagers who see friends smoking and drinking alcohol in photographs posted on Facebook and Myspace are more likely to smoke and drink themselves, according to a new study from the University of Southern California (USC).

3 Sep 2013

New manual by psychologist explains basics of hypnotherapy

Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy: Principles and Applications (Springer Publishing) is a new training manual by Gary Elkins, Ph.D., director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University.

3 Sep 2013

Study estimates total annual costs for five major health care-associated infections

A study estimates that total annual costs for five major health care-associated infections (HAIs) were $9.8 billion, with surgical site infections contributing the most to overall costs, according to a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

3 Sep 2013

Researchers estimate trends in male-female earnings gap among physicians

A gap in earnings between male and female U.S. physicians has persisted over the last 20 years, according to a research letter by Seth A. Seabury, Ph.D., of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and colleagues.

3 Sep 2013

Study finds reduction in incidence of STEMI after smoking ban implemented in Switzerland

Second-hand smoke increases the risk of coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction. For this reason, health policies aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and public smoke exposure are strongly recommended.

2 Sep 2013

2013 Multicultural Health Week: Working together for safe, quality care

Enhancing communication about medication safety in languages other than English is at the very heart of Multicultural Health Week, Minister for Health Jillian Skinner and Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello said today.

2 Sep 2013

Multicultural Health Week 2013 puts spotlight on medication safety

Every year, thousands of people are hospitalised because of medicine-related problems. Interactions between medicines, accidentally doubling up on a dose, and adverse effects are some of the factors that can result in hospitalisation. Many of these incidents are potentially avoidable.

2 Sep 2013

Mass screening programme of 75-76 year olds to identify undiagnosed AF

Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide. Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia in Europe, affecting approximately 1.5-2% of the general population.1 Prevalence is estimated to double in the next 50 years as the population ages.

2 Sep 2013