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
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
A new study finds that even the "best" hospitals in the nation commonly offer unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests to wealthy patients. More
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
The Boston Globe highlights the problem of medication overload and provides a sneak peek of the upcoming Lown action plan. More
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
These health care actors didn't win a Shkreli Award, but they deserve a "dishonorable mention" for their profiteering and unethical behavior. More
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
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
A recent piece in The Guardian threatens an NHS effort to reduce overuse by framing it as "rationing." More
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
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
When it comes to dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, it appears that anxiety about cognitive decline is driving treatment decisions, rather than evidence. More
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 coverage of a recent study is generating hype about supplemental screening for cancer for women with dense breasts. More
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
We remember Louise Lown, social worker, peace activist, and beloved wife of Bernard Lown, who passed away on Friday. More
The ISCHEMIA trial found that for patients with stable coronary disease, stents and bypass surgery do not improve rates of mortality or heart attacks more than medical therapy. Will this study finally change cardiology practice norms? More
How usable are electronic health records, compared to other types of technology we use every day? More
Caregiving involves significant time and emotional work, yet much of this work is invisible. In his new book, The Soul of Care, Dr. Arthur Kleinman shares his story of caring for his wife, Joan, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. More