May 7, 2024 - Two new studies published in the latest issue of Health Affairs highlights public health initiatives that both boosted access to vaccine and preventive care and reduced health disparities. The studies, which were not related to each other, looked at public health programs targeting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, finding that intentional public...

May 6, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is out with new data that paints a hopeful picture for maternal health: the maternal mortality rate was down in 2022 compared to rates in 2021—way down, CDC said. The data, prepared by the National Center for Health Statistics, showed a total of 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022,...

May 3, 2024 - Medicine’s focus on racial health disparities and health equity has brought to the forefront another key concept in healthcare delivery and patient care: implicit bias. Implicit bias, a phrase that is not unique to healthcare, refers to the unconscious prejudice individuals might feel about another thing, group, or person. According...

May 1, 2024 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized two rules strengthening section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), banning all gender- and sex-based discrimination in healthcare organizations or in any HHS grant program. The first final rule, unveiled on April 26, protects members of the LGBTQ+ community, the agency said,...