Category Archives: Public Health

Everything related to improving the health of populations.

One-Two From Patrick Adminstration

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

This week the Patrick administration reaffirmed its commitment to health care in the Commonwealth. First, the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth speech focused on payment and delivery system reforms that will stem the rising costs of health care: The market … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, Healthcare Cost Control, MA Health Reform, MassHealth/Medicaid, Oral Health, Public Health | 1 Comment

Public Health Investments Pay Off

Posted on December 1, 2011 by

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released a policy brief summarizing four groundbreaking research studies that confirm what we already know: sustained, dedicated, adequate funding for community-based prevention will pay off right away, and even more for the long run. … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | 2 Comments

National Health Reform Is Good For Massachusetts: New Public Health Grants (but more is needed!)

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

The administration announced that Massachusetts will be receiving $3 million in federal Community Transformation Grants, to expand community-based programs aimed at improving wellness and reducing health care costs. The funds were authorized under the ACA. Another example of how the … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | 2 Comments

Must See Video, Yes. But Important Policy Meaning For Us, Too.

Posted on September 16, 2011 by

Both WBUR’s CommonHealth and the Globe’s White Coat Notes have appropriately linked to this wonderful, creative and smart video, created by Gregory Warner of Marketplace. But there’s an important policy implication for us that the video illustrates. Massachusetts used to … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Private Market, Public Health | Leave a comment

Who should receive scarce medical resources in a disaster? Two community conversations.

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE IN DISASTERS AND PANDEMICS: Testing a Process for Community Conversations September 17, 2011 from 9:00-4:00, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA September 22, 2011 from 12:00-4:30, Lawrence Senior Center, Lawrence MA If a disaster or pandemic strikes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | Leave a comment

Wow! – lots of us support including prevention in payment reform

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

The Mass Public Health Association released a letter today calling for dedicated funding for community prevention to be part of payment reform (letter, and press release, both pdf). The letter will be delivered today to legislative leaders. It was covered … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | Leave a comment

Study: 1 in 10 Suicides Linked to Chronic Illness

Posted on August 25, 2011 by

Researchers at the British think-tank Demos released an eye-opening study this week, entitled the “Truth About Suicide.” The conclusion: at least 10 percent of suicides in Britain are linked to terminal or chronic illness. Demos wanted to challenge the idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Public Health | 1 Comment

An Ounce of Prevention IS Worth a Pound of Cure- Health Affairs Study Links Increased Public Health Spending to Measurable Health Improvements

Posted on August 11, 2011 by

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Yes, it’s so cliché, but it intuitively makes sense for health care; if we take care of ourselves today, we’ll save big by avoiding huge medical bills tomorrow. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | 3 Comments

Women’s Preventive Care Gets Support

Posted on August 2, 2011 by

One of the most well received provisions of the Affordable Care Act has been the requirement that new health plans cover recommended preventive health services at no cost to plan members. Last summer, the US Health and Human Services issued … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Health Disparities, Public Health | 3 Comments

Massachusetts Receives Failing Mark on Public Health Report Card

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

A report card (pdf) released today delivers some discouraging news about Massachusetts public health. The public health report card was developed by The Boston Foundation and NEHI as part of the Healthy People/Healthy Economy Coalition, and highlights areas of strengths … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | 2 Comments