Healthcare

The number of Americans without health insurance or a primary care physician is astonishing. In 2018, the U.S. Census showed roughly 27.5 million Americans did not have health insurance at any point during the year, and that number is growing. Meanwhile, the number of people without a primary care physician is also rapidly rising. As a result, use of community health centers (CHCs) across the U.S. is at an all-time high. With almost 1,400 centers located across the U.S., CHCs reduce patient barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language.

When Vishal Ahuja moved from Chicago to Texas in 2014, he faced a frustration experienced by many families: finding a compatible primary care provider. A few lackluster interactions with potential PCPs left him with recurring questions: “Why is this so difficult? Why can’t I have the same doctor? Can I continue working with my PCP from Chicago via phone or video?”

What does race have to do with diabetes? Especially in these tumultuous times, we thank advocate Mila Clarke Buckley for her willingness to explore the connection between race, ethnicity, and health disparities for minorities with diabetes.

In a breakthrough study, researchers have found that higher continuity of care, meaning a care team cooperatively involved in ongoing healthcare, is better for health outcomes.

The findings of a study suggest that health care providers and organizations should follow a set of guidelines for producing engaging, easily digestible YouTube content that helps patients with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, managing their diagnoses.

More isn’t always better. That’s what researchers say when it comes to transparency in the U.S. healthcare system. This research, forthcoming in the INFORMS journal Operations Research, finds that in the short-term, patients who know more about hospital quality is positive, but in the long-term, the benefits may not be what you might think.

Diabetes, whether Type 1 or Type 2, may be the most underappreciated, misunderstood and poorly treated of all common medical problems, and many of the more than 30 million Americans affected by it are paying dearly with their health and lives as a result.

Adults with diabetes have a two- to three-times increased risk of early death compared to individuals without diabetes. Leaving diabetes uncontrolled can damage the kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart. Our new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that less than one in four American adults diagnosed with diabetes reach the care targets recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Moreover, efforts to reach care targets have not made headway since 2005 — these are startling statistics.

Diabetes treatment has come a long way in the last 15 years. But that does not mean patients are living healthier lives.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in the United States.  Regular medical screening can be effective in detection and treatment, but only about 40 percent of the population is doing it. So why would people risk a potentially deadly diagnosis? Research points to significant appointment delays among some of the most effective tests, such as a colonoscopy.