What happens when safety net hospitals close?
Safety net hospitals across the US are closing at a disturbing rate. What's driving this trend, and what's the impact on communities? More
Wealth, not health: For this hospital, closing Chicago’s alarming ‘death gap’ didn’t mean more clinics
Hospitals still have a long way to go. A recent analysis by the Lown Institute, a health care think tank, found that more than three-quarters of nonprofit hospitals spent less on charity care and community investment than they reaped in tax breaks. More
Wellstar held accountable for closing racially inclusive hospitals
The nonprofit health system recently closed its most inclusive hospitals. Now, policymakers and advocates are requesting a federal investigation... More
The slippery slope of the mifepristone and the FDA
An ongoing lawsuit focusing on the FDA's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone could open the door to drug regulatory chaos. More
Black Maternal Health in American History
A new study found that the Black maternal mortality gap exists regardless of income. Where did this start, and how are we fixing it? More
Nephrology reckons with racism
A faulty algorithm has led to racial inequities in kidney care for years. Now, the movement to eliminate it has gained traction. Could this be a step towards a more equitable system? More
VIDEO: Improving hospital community benefit spending
How can we hold hospitals accountable for their community benefit spending? At a recent webinar hosted by Community Catalyst, Lown leaders discussed measuring hospital community investment and opportunities for advocacy. More
How do we desegregate the hospital system?
A new series of articles on healthcare segregation provides a call to action and a way forward for all actors in the healthcare system looking to improve racial and economic equity More
Why are hospitals opposing Medicaid expansion in North Carolina?
Why would the local hospital association oppose expanding health insurance access for more North Carolinians? More
Indigenous American and Alaska Natives lost 6 years life expectancy during pandemic
Indigenous American and Alaska Native life expectancy dropped by six and a half years during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Other Americans faced around a two year decrease in life expectancy. Why was this section of the population hit so hard, and how can we take steps to fortify their health moving forward? 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
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
Rural hospitals are in dire need of help. Will a new government plan help?
Rural hospitals have been struggling financially for years, with many forced to close down. Will a new CMS plan help them keep their doors open? 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
Fewer Than 2% of Hospitals Excelling at Health Equity, Value
Of the 3,600 hospitals included in this year’s assessment, 66 ranked among the most socially responsible, meaning they earned an “A” rating in at least three of the measurement categories, the Lown Institute said. That represents fewer than 2 percent of participating hospitals, indicating serious room for growth in terms of health equity. More
Despite efforts to expand access, disparities in healthcare use are wider than ever
More than 60 years after the Civil Rights Movement, racial disparities in healthcare use and access remain high, a recent study finds. More
Implications for racial inequities in maternal health if Roe v Wade is lost
A Supreme Court draft decision was leaked recently that indicates that Roe v. Wade is to be overturned sometime this month. It is well established that racial inequities plague maternal health, killing Black women at three times the rate of white women. How is the impending reversal of Roe v. Wade going to impact maternal health across the nation? More
Patients from poorer counties get worse hospital care, report finds
A recent report finds that hospitals with higher scores on the Lown Hospitals Index equity metrics also perform worse on certain preventable outcomes and patient safety metrics. More
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