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
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
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
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
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
PRESS RELEASE: Millions of Older Americans Harmed by Too Many Medications
Lown Institute just released Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan. 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