Yelp reviews reveal patients’ experiences of racism at hospitals
Consumer reviews provide insight into patients' experiences of racism not captured in hospital surveys. More
Most Medicare patients with dementia wouldn’t have been eligible for Aduhelm trials
The FDA approved Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm for all people with mild dementia -- but most of this population is at an increased risk of side effects from the drug. More
PRESS RELEASE: Equity is the missing piece for elite hospitals to be truly socially responsible
The full results of the Lown Hospitals Index reveals which hospitals achieve on equity, outcomes, and value... and which hospitals fall short. More
Where is the evidence for common orthopedic procedures?
As orthopedic surgeries have become more prevalent, researchers are taking a closer look at the evidence behind them...or lack thereof. More
Racist redlining policies still have an impact on health
Can a policy that was outlawed more than 50 years ago still have an impact today? A recent study on health disparities among residents of formerly "redlined" communities shows the importance of taking a historical view of health equity issues. More
How a better health record system could reduce medication overload
A quirk in the electronic health record system means that it's much harder for clinicians to discontinue medications than prescribe them. More
Infant health disparities won’t be fixed with genetic sequencing
Should we even be investing in genetic sequencing for newborns when there is are crises in infant and maternal health that need our attention? More
How to stop hospitals suing patients
When researchers, media, and advocates teamed up to bring attention to hospital lawsuits, it led to a dramatic decrease in lawsuits filed. What can we learn from this initiative? More
Many racial health disparities haven’t budged, new research shows
Over the past 20 years, closing these racial health gaps has become a high priority. What kind of progress have we made? A series of articles in JAMA on health equity paints a sobering picture. More
Hospitals that advertise aren’t necessarily better
What do hospitals that advertise their services have in common? Lown Intern Neil Trivedi explains in a guest blog post. More
Why physician performance metrics don’t match up with hospital quality
Physicians spend at least 15 hours a week on administrative work for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). But more evidence is showing that MIPS performance doesn't line up with meaningful clinical outcomes. More
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