Nearly 90% of preoperative urine tests are not indicated, study finds
A recent study of preoperative urine tests finds that the vast majority are overuse, and as many as 28% lead to unnecessary antibiotic treatment. More
Are we overmedicating loneliness?
New research shows that older adults facing social isolation are also put at greater risk of overmedication. More
Hospital overuse linked to thousands of adverse events each year
In a recent study in JAMA Health Forum, Lown Institute researchers investigate the relationship between low-value hospital services and hospital-acquired infections and patient safety events. More
The moment I realized health care was rigged — and when I decided to help fix it
Lown intern Neil Trivedi shares his journey through the health care system, from admiration to disillusionment to inspiration. More
VIDEO: Community Benefit launch
The value of the nonprofit tax exemption is worth tens of billions to hospitals. But what are we getting back in exchange for this hefty tax break? Watch the launch video for a discussion of community benefit standards, hospital billing practices, and fair share spending with health policy experts. More
PRESS RELEASE: Most U.S. nonprofit hospitals neglect community investment obligation, analysis reveals
Though all nonprofit hospitals enjoy big tax breaks, many fail to make commensurate investments in community health, according to a new analysis from the Lown Institute. The Institute today released Community Benefit findings from its 2021 Hospitals Index, that show nonprofit hospitals collectively failed to invest nearly $17 billion in their communities. More
US News to add Lown Index overuse metric to Best Hospitals ranking
This year, US News & World Report will be incorporating the Spinal Fusion Overuse metric from the Lown Index into their “Best Hospitals” ranking. More
Some of the nation’s biggest hospitals overcharge and sue their patients
Which US hospitals are conducting predatory billing practices like suing or overcharging patients? A new analysis using Lown Institute data grades hospitals on their billing practices. More
Despite new regulation, few hospitals are transparent about their prices
Two new studies analyzing hospital price transparency find that fewer than 25% of hospitals are complying with the new CMS rule. More
The harms of hospital segregation
New research on racial disparities in Covid-19 mortality show how hospital segregation harms Black patients. More
We need health care models that pay for equity, not just “pay for performance”
Value-based payment models may exacerbate racial health disparities. To change this, we need to make equity a part of value -- and reward hospitals for advancing equity. More
New Alzheimer’s drug may burden state budgets
State budgets are already being squeezed by rising health care costs, leaving less for public health and social spending. How will the cost of new Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm impact Medicaid costs and state budgets? More
FDA approval of new Alzheimer’s drug sets a dangerous precedent
The FDA's approval of a new Alzheimer's treatment has significant implications for future drug trials, health system costs, patient safety, and conflicts of interest. More
Reducing overuse of c-sections and cervical cancer screening
Overuse is ubiquitous across medical specialties, and obstetrics and gynecology are no exceptions. Two recent studies shine a light on the problem of overuse in women's health. More
“Do I need to be knocked out for this procedure?” And other questions about anesthesia overuse
General anesthesia is necessary for some medical procedures, but can put children and older adults at risk of harm. In this guest blog, a medical student shares what they're learning about avoiding anesthesia overuse. More
VIDEO: Racial Inclusivity at US Hospitals
What's causing segregation in our health system, and what can we do about it? Watch the recording of the Lown Hospitals Index racial inclusivity launch to find out. More
PRESS RELEASE: Racial segregation is common in urban hospital markets, analysis reveals
New rankings identify the most and least racially inclusive U.S. hospitals. Sometimes they are just blocks apart. More
Less routine care during Covid-19 is not a crisis
How can the avoidance of routine care during the pandemic benefit patients? New research on the physical and financial harms from low-value preventive care show that the pandemic might have a "silver lining." More
A tale of three countries: How access to surgeries differs by income across health systems
A recent study looks at how high- and low-income patients access common cancer surgeries in the US, Canada, and Australia. More
VIDEO: 2021’s Top Hospitals for Avoiding Overuse
In case you missed the avoiding overuse launch event, you can watch the full recording here! Featuring Vikas Saini and Shannon Brownlee along with guest experts Mike Chernew, Rita Redberg, and Mark Smith, as well as hospital leaders Pete Healy and Gary Kaplan. More