Black mothers matter. How can we better protect their lives?
The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate amongst high-income nations - and it’s getting worse. More
When it comes to life expectancy, we don’t get what we pay for
The life expectancy of the average American dropped by 2 years in 2020, but by only a few months in peer countries. This discrepancy gets worse when you adjust for sex, race, and ethnicity. This is despite the fact that the US spends the most money on healthcare in the world. How do we get such poor health outcomes with such high spending? More
VIDEO: Hospital price transparency
On January 1, a new CMS rule on hospital price transparency went into effect. What does the new regulation do? How could it affect the cost of care? And are hospitals complying? Shannon and Vikas answer these questions on this week’s Lown Hospitals Q&A. More
New guidelines validate push back on thyroid surgery: Patient story update
Eleven years ago, Julie Martinez decided not to have her thyroid removed after a small nodule was discovered. In an update to her story, Julie shares what has happened since then. More
Few patients access their EHRs, but it’s not for lack of interest
Why do so few patients access their medical records electronically? It's not because they don't want to do so, write patient advocates in Health Affairs. More
How many of the “best” hospitals provide low-value cardiovascular screening?
A new study finds that even the "best" hospitals in the nation commonly offer unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests to wealthy patients. More
One in ten children receive low-value care, new study shows
Pediatric professional groups have known for years that certain tests and procedures are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Yet one in ten children receive low-value care, according to a recent study. More
Boston Globe features Lown medication overload project
The Boston Globe highlights the problem of medication overload and provides a sneak peek of the upcoming Lown action plan. More
The risks of rushing to incorporate AI into health care
As AI becomes more popular in health care, clinicians and patients should take the opportunity to learn about how the potential risks of these products. More
2019 Shkreli Awards “Dishonorable Mentions”
These health care actors didn't win a Shkreli Award, but they deserve a "dishonorable mention" for their profiteering and unethical behavior. More
Top ten recommendations for right care in emergency medicine
In a recent article in The BMJ, members of the Right Care Alliance Emergency Medicine council outline ways in which clinicians can bring "value, balance and humanity to the emergency department." More
International hospital expansions: A health or profit imperative?
Are hospitals expanding to the United Arab Emirates as part of their humanitarian mission? Or are they "looking for mission where the money is"? More
How fear of rationing hinders efforts to reduce low-value care
A recent piece in The Guardian threatens an NHS effort to reduce overuse by framing it as "rationing." More
Sound the alarm: Excessive alarms lead to alert fatigue and patient harm
An obvious way to reduce preventable harm in the hospital is to warn clinicians about harmful events before they happen. But the prevalence of alarms in the hospital, from medical equipment and EHRs, creates unintended consequences for clinician and patient well-being. More
How health care costs are squeezing state social spending
In a Health Affairs Grantwatch blog, Shannon Brownlee and Vikas Saini from the Lown Institute and Benjamin F. Miller from Well Being Trust discuss how state budgets are being squeezed by health care costs and what we can do about it. More
New Alzheimer’s drug: Game-changing or underwhelming?
When it comes to dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, it appears that anxiety about cognitive decline is driving treatment decisions, rather than evidence. More
Is single-payer a “job killer”? And does it matter?
Some policymakers argue that moving to single payer health care will "kill jobs." But is that a reason to stick with the status quo?
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Media misleads on MRI screening for breast cancer
Media coverage of a recent study is generating hype about supplemental screening for cancer for women with dense breasts. More
Experts discuss what communities need for health
What are the most urgent needs when it comes to implementing programs that address community conditions? At the final roundtable event in the Drivers of Health project, health policy experts identified crucial research and policy needed to fill the gaps in community health and wellbeing. More
Remembering Louise Lown
We remember Louise Lown, social worker, peace activist, and beloved wife of Bernard Lown, who passed away on Friday. More