The “S” in ESG: How hospitals are embracing social responsibility
Which hospitals are walking the talk on social responsibility? A new feature in Frontiers of Health Services Management showcases the Lown Index and winning hospitals. More
What we lose when we approve unproven drugs
From approval to withdrawal, the story of Makena shows some of the major pitfalls of the FDA's drug approval process. More
Five ways hospitals harm patients that need to stop now
These five events are the administrative equivalent of operating on the wrong limb... More
Balancing hope and uncertainty: The controversy behind the new ALS drug
The reasoning behind this decision has to do with a complex bioethical question - if there is the potential to treat a previously untreatable disease with a new pharmaceutical, but the consequences are unknown, do you prescribe the drug? Is the unknown enough to deny patients hope? More
Imaging overuse: What care cascades may cost you
Two recent studies show the high cost patients face from unnecessary imaging and follow up events. More
Real-world test of colonoscopy screening program shows cancer reduction but no mortality benefit
How can mortality be reduced by colonoscopies but not by a colonoscopy screening program? We break down the results from the groundbreaking NordICC trial. More
Financial assistance policies: The good, the bad, and the bizarre
A recent study of hospital financial assistance policies shows how some policies became more generous after Covid-19, some became more restrictive, and some just got weird... More
When nonprofit hospitals start acting like for-profits
Through our work with the Lown Institute Hospitals Index, we’ve seen how socially responsible hospitals can be. These top hospitals prioritize equity, while maintaining excellent patient outcomes and avoiding overuse. But not all hospitals have performed well on social responsibility. In fact, the New York Times recently highlighted two nonprofit hospital systems that have gone against their social mission and put profits over patients fair share spending was featured in these articles. Here’s a breakdown of what the Times uncovered. More
Water crisis turned mental health crisis: new research on mental health in Flint, MI
New research is out on the long-term mental health toll of the Flint water crisis on its residents. What can we learn, and how can we do better? More
Why is one of Georgia’s most inclusive hospitals closing?
Atlanta has one of the most racially segregated hospital markets in the US. What happens when one of the only hospitals serving communities of color closes? More
Climate Equity is Health Equity
Water contamination, emissions, and plastic pollution all pose immense public health risk. What can hospitals do right now to help? More
Why antitrust laws aren’t stopping some hospital mergers
One job of the FTC is to prevent mergers that create hospital monopolies, but a type of state law has allowed hospitals to sidestep federal regulation and avoid competition. More
One million missing: America’s crisis of early death
Despite the fact that the US is the richest country in the world, it's also one of the least healthy. How many deaths could have been avoided if the US had a similar mortality rate as other wealthy countries? More
Hospitals serving more Black patients are at a financial disadvantage, study finds
The most inclusive hospitals for Black Medicare patients get nearly $500 less in patients revenue per day than other hospitals, making it more difficult for these hospitals to improve quality and putting them at risk of closure. More
Do value-based models feed into medicine’s gender pay gap?
A new study from the Annals of Internal Medicine found that different compensation models can open and close the gender pay gap. How does this happen and what does it say about our healthcare system? More
America’s “best” hospitals still underperform on equity
The new US News & World Report "best hospitals" ranking is out... How do these hospitals do on the Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility? More
Even at elite hospitals, the prices make no sense
Among America's most prestigious hospitals, prices for common tests and services vary considerably, a new study finds. More
More than 1 in 10 veterans receive low-value care in the VA health system
Overuse is prevalent in hospitals across the country -- but what about VA hospitals, where providers are paid a salary rather than fee-for-service? More
What should count as a community benefit for nonprofit hospitals?
How much are nonprofit hospitals giving back to communities? It depends on what you count, Lown Institute leaders explain in a new op-ed. More
Hospital performance trends reveal inequities in the system
Why do so few hospitals get top grades on equity AND outcomes? The answer has to do with systemic inequities within our healthcare system and how they drive hospital behavior. More