Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

Health care reform: Clarification for seniors

From the time presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt first discussed health care reform in 1912, the topic has been a precedent-setting issue in the U.S. The 2010 passage of health care legislation is no different, but has many Americans in a quandary about how it will affect them. This is especially true of senior citizens.

7 Apr 2010

CBOs implement proven HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention with adolescents

An approach designed to reduce HIV/STDs previously used exclusively by academic researchers has successfully been implemented by community-based organizations (CBOs), an important component in national strategies to curtail the spread of HIV, meaning far more "at risk" youths can be reached.

7 Apr 2010

Health security will increase with new reform law

This afternoon, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will deliver a speech entitled, "Health Reform and You: How the New Law Will Increase Your Health Security" at the National Press Club. Secretary Sebelius' remarks as prepared for delivery are below.

7 Apr 2010

Payers, benefits administrators look for ways to reduce costs of managing benefits programs

Sending communications on healthcare benefits through the mail is an important channel in engaging members as they make benefits decisions and as program managers seek to influence member behavior, according to a study on Healthcare Benefit Communications Preferences by Pitney Bowes Management Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc.

7 Apr 2010

Conservatives claim that national insurance freeze will save NHS £200m

The Conservatives have claimed that a halt in the Labour planned rise in National Insurance (NI) could mean £200 million in savings for the NHS and provide doctors more power to choose which drugs especially those treating cancer are made available.

7 Apr 2010

Rome Foundation develops Diagnostic Algorithms to diagnose GI symptoms

New clinical algorithms will give physicians a practical, efficient and cost-effective aid to diagnose the frequent gastrointestinal symptoms that patients commonly bring to their primary care doctors and gastroenterologists--symptoms of functional GI disorders that are often difficult to diagnose.

7 Apr 2010

Newer treatments, closer monitoring of childhood cancer may improve longevity

Although more children today are surviving cancer than ever before, young patients successfully treated in the 1970s and 80s may live a decade less, on average, than the general population, according to a study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard School of Public Health.

7 Apr 2010

Health care reform will have negative effect on cardiology patients, practices: American cardiologists

American cardiologists believe that recently passed health care reform will have a negative effect on both their cardiology patients and their practices, according to a new survey.

6 Apr 2010

Oncologists to provide overview on new neuro-oncology guidelines

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center will bring together top neuro-oncologists from around the country for an all day symposium to address new treatment updates and review management of complex cases across a broad array of neuro-oncology specialties.

6 Apr 2010

ITI to lead multi-university consortium to improve patient outcomes

The U.S. health care community has increasingly been adopting the use of electronic medical records and other electronic health information systems, but serious concerns about the security and privacy of those systems have been raised.

6 Apr 2010

Next phase of health reform in the U.S. to focus on individualized care: PwC

The next phase of health reform in the United States will reflect a concerted effort to keep people well, out of the hospital and more actively engaged in managing their own health, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

6 Apr 2010

HHS grants $1.84 billion through Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program for HIV/AIDS care and medications

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced the release of more than $1.84 billion to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS continue to have access to life-saving health care and medications.

6 Apr 2010

Health law may worsen primary care doctor shortage

NPR: "The new health bill signed by President Obama includes an incentive for doctors to serve the poorest patients by increasing their federal Medicaid payments. This could be quite a significant inducement, as an additional 16 million people are expected to join the Medicaid rolls in the next 10 years."

5 Apr 2010

Side effects may limit use of Prometheus's Lotronex for IBS

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that thought leaders believe Prometheus's Lotronex has efficacy advantages over current and emerging therapies for non-constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome but side effects associated with the drug limit its use.

5 Apr 2010

Research Roundup: Soda taxes, health reform timeline, children's health disparities, best hospital practices

Health Affairs: Soda Taxes, Soft Drink Consumption, And Children's Body Mass Index - "Using data on state sales taxes for soda and individual-level data on children," the authors report existing taxes on soda fail to "substantially affect overall levels of soda consumption or obesity rates." However, the authors also found "statistically significant and substantively larger effects of differential soda sales taxes among children who are heavier, have lower family income, are African American, or watch a great deal of TV.

3 Apr 2010

Aetna HealthFund study shows sustained cost savings for Aetna members

Aetna today announced the results of a study of health care claims and utilization for members in its Aetna HealthFund® consumer-directed plans. The study of two million Aetna members shows sustained savings over time and increased member engagement in their health.

3 Apr 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

"Achieving the [Millennium Development Goal] MDG 4 target of reducing newborn and child mortality will require concerted efforts to scale up evidence-based interventions, especially community-based preventive and therapeutic strategies in primary care," according to a Lancet comment that reflects on the challenges associated with developing "the appropriate mix of strategies" to improve maternal health.

3 Apr 2010

MinuteClinic launches health condition monitoring services for diabetes, asthma and high cholesterol patients

MinuteClinic, the largest provider of retail-based medical clinics in the United States, has introduced a series of convenient health condition monitoring services to help patients previously diagnosed with diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol and high blood pressure overcome the challenges of living with their conditions. Health condition monitoring is available at MinuteClinic locations in CVS/pharmacy stores in 20 states and the District of Columbia. MinuteClinic is the retail health care division of CVS Caremark (CVS).

2 Apr 2010

Challenges facing all health professions highlight need for comprehensive policy

Now that the Administration and Congress have enacted historic health reform legislation, they must work together to establish a comprehensive and coordinated national health workforce policy to ensure health reform's successful implementation, according to Dr. Steven A Wartman, president and CEO of the Association of Academic Health Centers.

2 Apr 2010

University of Kentucky alumni generate $6.3 billion into Kentucky's economy

In total, 2,730 University of Kentucky College of Medicine alumni are currently practicing across the Commonwealth, generating $6.3 billion annually into Kentucky's economy and creating at least 49,140 jobs, according to UK's Office of Health Research and Development.

2 Apr 2010