PRESS RELEASE: Top ten healthcare profiteers named in 2021 Shkreli Awards
A top ten list of the worst examples of profiteering and dysfunction in health care, named for Martin Shkreli, the price-hiking "pharma bro" that everyone loves to hate. More
PRESS RELEASE: Unnecessary hospital tests and procedures put hundreds of thousands at risk, new analysis reveals
Every 80 seconds, a hospital in the U.S. delivers a low-value test or procedure to an older adult, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of harm, according to a new analysis from the Lown Institute, a health care think tank. The Institute today released a ranking of over 3,100 U.S. hospitals that examines success at avoiding the use of tests and procedures that offer little to no clinical benefit. More
PRESS RELEASE: Shannon Brownlee steps down from Lown Institute, helped guide health care think tank into new era
Shannon Brownlee will be stepping down from her leadership role as senior vice president effective April 1 in order to pursue writing and artistic endeavors. “Being a part of the Lown Institute leadership has truly been one of the most rewarding times of my professional career,” said Brownlee. More
Advocacy from independent experts reflected in new ob-gyn guideline
A group of independent doctors spoke out in 2019 against what they saw as a potentially harmful recommendation that was influenced by financial conflicts of interest. Now it appears that the independent doctors' advocacy has helped to change that recommendation. More
PRESS RELEASE: Lown Institute welcomes Bassett, Kryder to board; Gabow named chair
The Lown Institute announces the election of Mary T. Bassett and Chris Kryder to its Board of Directors. Patricia Gabow, an existing board member, has been elected chair. More
PRESS RELEASE: Top-ten pandemic profiteers, health system malfunctions take spotlight in 2020 Shkreli Awards
The crisis of Covid-19 created new opportunities for exploitation by this year’s greedy and misguided “winners.” More
Why we can’t ignore medication overload
On the Institute for Healthcare Improvement blog, Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation, explains why tackling medication overload is essential for older adults. More
Will health care startups really improve health?
From high-tech fitness trackers, to genome sequencing, to pill delivery services, health care startups are booming in popularity. But in their quest to "disrupt" health care, these startups are missing a key point. More
Is high-tech always worth the high cost? Experts question Kansas City’s new proton beam machine
As the University of Kansas Hospital prepares to proudly unveil their new proton beam machine, they should also be preparing to answer some tough questions about the cost and effectiveness of this therapy. More
Managing your health care in the face of a serious illness
When you're facing a serious illness, navigating the health care system can be just as difficult as managing your physical health. In the latest edition of NPR's Life Kit series, Shannon Brownlee and other experts provide tips on how patients can maintain control over their health care in stressful situations. More
The public health epidemic no one is talking about…
While we rush to fix the opioid crisis, are we ignoring another widespread drug problem? More
Prescribing and the 4Ms: How to prevent harm to older Americans
In Health Affairs Grantwatch blog, Shannon Brownlee and Terry Fulmer describe how the Lown Institute and John A. Hartford Foundation are working together to reduce medication overload. More
The culture that drives medication overload
Why is the culture the drives overprescribing so tough to change? Read the new op-ed from Theresa Brown, RN, to find out more! More
Listen: Shannon Brownlee and Judith Garber on the Agewyz Podcast
On the Agewyz podcast, Shannon Brownlee and Judith Garber discuss the new Lown report on medication overload and highlight the family/caregiver role in preventing harm from too many medications. More
The other side of high drug costs
High drug prices have been a hot topic in politics recently, but there's another reason that our country spends so much on drug costs, write Shannon Brownlee and Judith Garber in Stat News. More
The moral price we pay for “innovation”
Our willingness to turn a blind eye to the profiteering of biotech is a moral failing, writes Dr. Vikas Saini in a Commonhealth op-ed. More
UPMC expansion won’t improve Pittsburgh’s community health
The Pittsburgh health system giant is putting profits over patients with their proposed expansion, say Shannon Brownlee and Vikas Saini. More