Two studies on the cost, care quality, and patient experience associated with accountable care organizations (ACOs) point to moderate cost savings and gains in quality and access in the payment model’s first years. Zirui Song, clinical fellow in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, led the cost research, J. Michael McWilliams, associate professor of health care policy in the Department of Health Care Policy, led the quality and patient experience research.
Moderate marijuana use by healthy adults seems to pose little risk, and there are potential medical benefits, including easing nausea and pain. But it has long been known that, with the brain developing into the mid-20s, young people who smoke early and often are more likely to have learning and mental health problems. Now researchers suggest existing studies are no longer sufficient. Jodi Gilman, instructor in psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, is lead author of the research.
A first-of-its kind health plan that rewards doctors for keeping patients healthy, rather than just doing expensive procedures, lowered health care spending and improved the quality of patient care for the fourth straight year, according to a new study. Zirui Song, clinical fellow in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, is the lead author, and Michael Chernew, Leonard D. Schaeffer Professor of Health Care Policy, is the senior author, of the research.
Ebola may, like other viral infections, be especially deadly to pregnant women. In the West African outbreak, it’s possible that the perceived high mortality rate of pregnant women is self-perpetuating: health workers believe that pregnant women are likelier to die from Ebola, so these patients receive suboptimal care. Nir Eyal, associate professor of global health and social medicine, is quoted.
The spread of previously unknown, contagious diseases in the U.S. has often led to discrimination. For Ebola, those fears appear driven by the circumstances of the virus even though the odds of contracting it in the U.S remain exceedingly low. Joia Mukherjee, associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is quoted.
A grass roots movement to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21 years from 18 is gaining traction, shaping up as the next serious challenge to the $100 billion U.S. tobacco industry. Jonathan Winickoff, associate professor of pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, is mentioned.
Forty thousand women still die from breast cancer every year, but new research shows that hope may be on the horizon. Wendy Chen, assistant professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is quoted.
