How hospitals are taking action (or not) to address the climate crisis
The American healthcare industry accounts for an estimated 8% of all carbon emissions in the nation. How can we encourage hospitals to take action on the climate crisis? More
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Pharmaceutical Adverse Reactions Are Skyrocketing
This percentage dropped to 24 percent for those who used three or more prescription drugs and 12.8 percent for those who used five or more prescription drugs. However, a report from the Lown Institute released in April 2019 shows that polypharmacy has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. More
Why are hospitals opposing Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?
Why would the local hospital association oppose expanding health insurance access for more North Carolinians? More
Indigenous American and Alaska Natives lost 6 years life expectancy during pandemic
Indigenous American and Alaska Native life expectancy dropped by six and a half years during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Other Americans faced around a two year decrease in life expectancy. Why was this section of the population hit so hard, and how can we take steps to fortify their health moving forward? More
Why is one of Georgia’s most inclusive hospitals closing?
Atlanta has one of the most racially segregated hospital markets in the US. What happens when one of the only hospitals serving communities of color closes? More
4 Medical Treatments That Are Sometimes Unnecessary
“It’s very easy for doctors and patients to go down the path of doing a medical procedure because it seems like, in theory, it would be safer and better, but that’s not always the case,” says Vikas Saini, MD, a cardiologist and president of the institute. “More medical care isn’t necessarily always better, especially for older adults.” More
Climate Equity is Health Equity
Water contamination, emissions, and plastic pollution all pose immense public health risk. What can hospitals do right now to help? More
Why antitrust laws aren’t stopping some hospital mergers
One job of the FTC is to prevent mergers that create hospital monopolies, but a type of state law has allowed hospitals to sidestep federal regulation and avoid competition. More
A win for Medicare patients and their wallets
The Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap insulin costs...but only for Medicare enrollees. More
One million missing: America’s crisis of early death
Despite the fact that the US is the richest country in the world, it's also one of the least healthy. How many deaths could have been avoided if the US had a similar mortality rate as other wealthy countries? More
Salinas Valley Memorial ranked fifth among ‘socially responsible hospitals’ in nation
“Citizens put their lives and billions of tax dollars in the hands of America’s hospitals,” said Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, in a press release. “We believe communities should have expectations and the most socially responsible institutions should be lifted up as models for the system.” More
Hospitals serving more Black patients are at a financial disadvantage, study finds
The most inclusive hospitals for Black Medicare patients get nearly $500 less in patients revenue per day than other hospitals, making it more difficult for these hospitals to improve quality and putting them at risk of closure. More
Why are first time C-sections on the rise?
Concern about rising rates of cesarean deliveries has been renewed after the CDC released their latest data. More
Do value-based models feed into medicine’s gender pay gap?
A new study from the Annals of Internal Medicine found that different compensation models can open and close the gender pay gap. How does this happen and what does it say about our healthcare system? More
America’s “best” hospitals still underperform on equity
The new US News & World Report "best hospitals" ranking is out... How do these hospitals do on the Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility? More
Rural hospitals are in dire need of help. Will a new government plan help?
Rural hospitals have been struggling financially for years, with many forced to close down. Will a new CMS plan help them keep their doors open? More
Institute finds health care systems’ tax exemptions outweigh community benefits
The social responsibility index is perhaps the Lown Institute’s highest-profile review of not-for-profit and nonprofit health care systems and hospitals. The institute’s focus is analyzing the socioeconomic impact of the systems and hospitals, particularly as it relates to the tax exemptions they receive compared with community benefits and the charity care they provide.
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Even at elite hospitals, the prices make no sense
Among America's most prestigious hospitals, prices for common tests and services vary considerably, a new study finds. More
Hospitals were making progress on antibiotic stewardship…then COVID-19 arrived
Deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections were decreasing, until COVID-19 happened. How does this reflect our pill-for-every-ill culture? More
More than 1 in 10 veterans receive low-value care in the VA health system
Overuse is prevalent in hospitals across the country -- but what about VA hospitals, where providers are paid a salary rather than fee-for-service? More