Health policy

Health insurance essential for people’s health and well being

Action urgently needed from US President and Congress to solve crisis of the uninsured in the country. Health insurance is essential for health and well-being of peoples. – The evidence shows more clearly than ever that having health insurance is essential for people’s health and well-being, and safety-net services are not enough to prevent avoidable illness, worse health outcomes, and premature death, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

US prioritizing health care reform

Faced with a barrage of pressing issues, the Obama administration has placed health-care reform high on its agenda. – US people elected new government with a mandate for change and health care is an area that requires reform. Faced with a barrage of pressing issues, the Obama administration has placed healthcare reform high on its agenda.

Public private partnership in health sector

Health Minister invites diaspora to join in developing healthcare – Indian Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has called for public-private partnership in health sector to meet the gap between supply and demand.

Health spending growing faster than economic growth

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – CMS – reports lowest rate of overall growth in national health spending since 1998 – Health spending in the United States grew 6.1 percent in 2007, to $2.2 trillion or $7,421 per person. This was the slowest rate of growth since 1998 and 0.6 of a percentage point lower than the growth of 6.7 percent in 2006, according to a report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Third hand smoke – another reason to quit smoking

Third hand smoke – Another reason to quit smoking; Adults who recognize dangers of third-hand smoke more likely to ban smoking at home. – Need another reason to add “Quit Smoking” to your New Year’s resolutions list? How about the fact that even if you choose to smoke outside of your home or only smoke in your home when your children are not there ? thinking that you’re keeping them away from second-hand smoke ? you’re still exposing them to toxins?

2 new CBO reports on health care issues

CBO is releasing two volumes that focus on health care issues: Key Issues in Analyzing Major Health Insurance Proposals and Budget Options, Volume 1: Health Care – US’ Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is releasing two volumes that focus on health care issues: Key Issues in Analyzing Major Health Insurance Proposals and Budget Options, Volume 1: Health Care.

US adults skip needed care due to costs

US has highest rates among 8 nations of patient-reported medical errors, wasteful or poorly coordinated care and high out-of-pocket costs; Dutch often fare best in affordable, accessible care, low rates of medical errors – Compared to patients in seven other countries, chronically ill adults in the United States are far more likely to forgo care because of costs; they also experience the highest rates of medical errors, coordination problems, and high out-of-pocket costs, according to a new study from The Commonwealth Fund.

Obama has modest lead over McCain – US Election

Four in ten US voters don’t see either Obama’s or McCain’s health care plan as better for them. Among those who do, Obama has only modest lead over McCain. – As part of the ongoing poll series, Debating Health: Election 2008, the Harvard Public Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Harris Interactive conducted a new survey focused on how voters think the presidential candidates’ health care reform plans would affect them personally – rather than how they think the plans would affect the nation as a whole.

Retail clinics attracting patients with no regular doctor

Typical patients of retail medical health clinics in the United States include patients who don’t have regular health care provider or doctor. – Retail medical clinics located in pharmacies and other stores typically attract insured and uninsured patients who are seeking help for a small group of easy-to-treat illnesses or preventive care and do not otherwise have a regular health care provider, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

HIV risk high in indian women abused by husbands

Among married Indian women, physical violence combined with sexual violence from husbands was associated with an increased prevalence of HIV infection. Prevention of IPV may augment efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. – Married women in India who experience physical and sexual violence from their husbands have an increased risk of HIV infection, compared with women who are not abused by their husbands, according to a study in the August 13 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

Health Newstrack