Patient data access
Patient data access, critical regulatory requirement, concerns the secure retrieval and use of individual health information, often via a patient portal or other secure means. In addition, adequate access to care and appointment scheduling, are mainstays of patient-centered care.
Top Stories
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29 Oct 2024
Oracle Health unveils patient portal tool for care management
The Oracle Health Patient Portal and Oracle Health Patient Administration tools aim to streamline care management and patient intake, the company says. Continue Reading
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07 Oct 2024
5 pitfalls to avoid when using GenAI for patient engagement
Issues like algorithmic bias and deepening the digital divide are potential pitfalls to using GenAI for patient engagement. Continue Reading
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02 Feb 2023
50% of Patients Forget Treatment Plans, Need Better Patient Education
Patient education, strong patient-provider communication, and tools like whiteboards and patient portals will help patients recover information forgotten during inpatient stays. Continue Reading
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01 Feb 2023
Racial Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences Tied to Brain Changes
Black children are both more likely to face adverse childhood experiences and to see lower volumes of gray matter in certain parts of the brain, with possible impacts on mental health. Continue Reading
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31 Jan 2023
Cleveland Clinic Opens Center for Infant and Maternal Health
The Center will leverage community health partnerships to support wraparound care for infants and mothers both during pregnancy and during the postpartum period. Continue Reading
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27 Jan 2023
HHS Issues $139M in Funding to Support Chronic Disease Prevention
This investment by the HHS will support access to chronic disease prevention and management among American Indian and Alaska Native communities to reduce racial disparities in diabetes burden. Continue Reading
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26 Jan 2023
Rural-Urban Health Disparities Persist with Higher Risk of Heart Failure
Rural-urban health disparities are apparent when looking at heart failure risk, with gender and race serving as compounding issues, researchers said. Continue Reading
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26 Jan 2023
Considering Disability in Social Determinants of Health Referrals
Children’s Specialized Hospital launched an online resource to support its patients with disabilities, making considerations for social determinants of health referrals and pediatric care. Continue Reading
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25 Jan 2023
Racial Disparities in VA Appointment Wait Times Worsened Amid COVID-19
New research revealed that VA appointment wait times were longer for Black and Hispanic veterans than White veterans during COVID-19, highlighting steep racial disparities in patient care access. Continue Reading
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25 Jan 2023
Did HHS Pandemic Relief Funds Promote Health Equity?
A third of HHS pandemic relief funding went directly toward health equity efforts, while another $29 billion was awarded with instructions to prioritize adversely affected groups. Continue Reading
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24 Jan 2023
Geography Affects Racial Health Disparities in Cancer Treatment Delays
The magnitude of racial health disparities in cancer treatment delays ranged from 0 to 9.4 percent depending on geographic location, researchers found. Continue Reading
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23 Jan 2023
Unequal Home Healthcare Agency Access Yields Racial Health Disparities
Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries have lower access to home healthcare agency providers, which may be fueling racial health disparities in clinical outcomes. Continue Reading
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23 Jan 2023
Full Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Led to Greater Workforce Diversity
Nurse practitioners in states permitting full scope of practice had better workforce diversity mirroring the diversity of patient populations. Continue Reading
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23 Jan 2023
Why Appointment Notification Tech Needs User-Centered Design
User-centered design for appointment notification technology can mitigate healthcare staff burnout, prevent appointment no-shows, and bolster organization finances. Continue Reading
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20 Jan 2023
Few Studies Assess Social Determinants of Health Intervention by Race
The researchers said scientists need a better understanding of the importance and impact of race on social determinants of health interventions. Continue Reading
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19 Jan 2023
Patient Data Access is Insufficient for 60% of Healthcare Consumers
A new survey shows that most consumers want health systems to provide them with timely access to their medical records, but nearly three-fifths lack immediate patient data access. Continue Reading
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19 Jan 2023
How Built Environment, Neighborhood Fuel Racial Health Disparities
Neighborhoods with mostly Black people and individuals from other minoritized racial and ethnic groups have worse built environment than White neighborhoods, research says. Continue Reading
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18 Jan 2023
Does Peer Pressure Affect Vaccine Acceptance, Hesitancy?
Expansive survey data showed that portraying vaccination as a social norm can increase levels of vaccine acceptance. Continue Reading
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16 Jan 2023
Race a Key SDOH Fueling Health Disparities in Cancer Outcomes
Understanding the interaction between race, SDOH, and health disparities in prostate cancer outcomes can influence research and interventions to promote health equity Continue Reading
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13 Jan 2023
Past Incarceration a Key SDOH Causing Chronic Disease in Older Adults
Researchers found that past incarceration is an emerging social determinant of health (SDOH) that’s associated with a 20 percent to 80 percent increased risk of chronic disease. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2023
CMS Funds 200 Medical Residency Slots with Health Equity in Mind
CMS’ latest action prioritizes health equity by awarding additional medical residency slots, increasing care access in underserved communities. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2023
Racial Disparities in Patient Portal Use Fueled by Provider Engagement
Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to use the patient portal, likely because they are less likely to hear from their providers that they should use it. Continue Reading
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10 Jan 2023
GAO Advises VA to Improve Specialty Appointment Scheduling Compliance
A recent GAO report revealed that the VA is not meeting its specialty appointment scheduling standards, with some veterans waiting nearly 34 days to access care. Continue Reading
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10 Jan 2023
Food Insecurity, SDOH Costs $2.5K in Family Healthcare Expenditures
Health Affairs data showed the cost of food insecurity and SDOH but indicated that mixed coverage in a single household could complicate intervention investments. Continue Reading
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09 Jan 2023
Health Literacy, Care Access Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening
Eight in 10 women don’t know how often they should get a Pap test for cervical cancer screening, proving health literacy is a main barrier to preventive care access. Continue Reading
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09 Jan 2023
Is ACO REACH Model Poised to Bring Health Equity to Value-Based Care?
Medical Home Network (MHN), a participant in the ACO REACH model, said it’s excited by the value-based care model’s potential for advancing health equity in health clinics. Continue Reading
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06 Jan 2023
Digital Divide Goes Beyond Broadband, Rests with Digital Health Literacy
Folks are using the internet, but not for digital health engagement, a sign that the digital divide is about more than just broadband but also about digital health literacy. Continue Reading
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04 Jan 2023
Caregiver Proxy Patient Portal Access Leaves Much to Be Desired
Healthcare organizations may consider strategies for marketing proxy patient portal access to better support caregivers while protecting patient privacy. Continue Reading
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04 Jan 2023
HHS to Restore Religious Nondiscrimination Rules for Patient Care Access
The 2022 NPRM would “partially rescind” a 2019 rule loosening religious nondiscrimination rules, which critics said worsened patient care access for marginalized groups. Continue Reading
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29 Dec 2022
How Community Health Workers Support Hearing Loss Intervention
Community health workers improved communication function for low-income seniors involved in a hearing loss intervention. Continue Reading
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27 Dec 2022
Understanding Education as a Social Determinant of Health
Education impacts other key social determinants of health, not least of which include income and job security. Continue Reading
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22 Dec 2022
Patient Access to Mental Healthcare Lower Among Women than Men
Insurance coverage, provider availability, and cost bar patient access to mental healthcare for women, KFF numbers show. Continue Reading
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21 Dec 2022
HHS & ACL Slot $125M to Address Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access Barriers
The funding will focus on leveraging partnerships across the aging and disability networks to overcome flu and COVID-19 vaccine access barriers for older adults and people with disabilities. Continue Reading
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21 Dec 2022
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Screening Effective in Primary Care
Implementing an adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) screening in primary care increased the rate at which kids got a behavioral health referral from 4 percent to 32 percent. Continue Reading
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20 Dec 2022
Understanding COVID-19 Testing Options Calls for Patient Education
Two out of three Americans lack a proper understanding of COVID-19 testing options; providing patient navigation could be key for quelling patient education needs. Continue Reading
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19 Dec 2022
Poor Health Data Integration Harms the Patient Experience
Four in five patients said having to repeat their medical history detracts from a good patient experience. Continue Reading
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19 Dec 2022
Vaccine Hesitancy About MMR Shots Becoming More Common
Around a quarter (28 percent) of adults expressed vaccine hesitancy about the MMR vaccine, saying getting the shots should be parent choice even if not getting them harms others. Continue Reading
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16 Dec 2022
Are Staffing Shortages Dissuading Healthcare Access for Patients?
Half of patients don’t visit the hospital because staffing shortages, and the patient safety lapses that could come with them, dissuade healthcare access. Continue Reading
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15 Dec 2022
Is Implicit Bias Behind Racial Disparities in Treatment Recommendation?
Black patients with brain tumors are more likely to receive a provider recommendation against surgical treatment options than White patients, underscoring implicit bias in clinical decision-making. Continue Reading
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13 Dec 2022
Does Mental Health, Depression Impact Medication Adherence?
Between 10 and 20 percent of patients with depression also had poor medication adherence following a cardiovascular procedure. Continue Reading
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12 Dec 2022
Accountable Health Communities Grant Cut Healthcare Utilization
A new study indicated that addressing social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, through community health partnerships can reduce key measures of healthcare utilization by over 30 percent. Continue Reading
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09 Dec 2022
Consumers Eye Primary Care Transition to Retail Clinics, Pharmacies
Patients are hungry to access primary care in a retail clinic or pharmacy, with their trust in advanced practice providers going up, survey data shows. Continue Reading
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08 Dec 2022
Mobile Healthcare Pilot Bolsters Chronic Disease Medication Adherence
Patients enrolled in an integrated mobile healthcare program were more likely to have good chronic disease medication adherence, a critical aspect of positive chronic disease management and outcomes. Continue Reading
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08 Dec 2022
RWJF: How Public Health Sector, CDC Can Focus on Health Equity
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said that CDC should focus on community partnerships and public health messaging as it continues to prioritize health equity. Continue Reading
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07 Dec 2022
US Remains Worst in the World for Maternal Mortality, Health Equity
Maternal mortality rates in the US are double those of Korea, the second-worst developed country for maternal health, the Commonwealth Fund reported. Continue Reading
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06 Dec 2022
Access to Contraceptives Improves College Graduation Rates 12%
College graduation rates for girls born between 1992 and 1994 were between 6 and 12 percent higher thanks to a Colorado Title X program boosting access to contraceptives. Continue Reading
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05 Dec 2022
Why Don’t Patients Access Follow-Up Care, Screenings?
Hesitance and limited knowledge about invasive screenings are getting in the way of patient access to follow-up care, but shared decision-making may help, researchers contend. Continue Reading
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05 Dec 2022
Health IT Investments Remain Fixed on Patient Access to Care
Patient portals, appointment reminders, and telehealth are among the top health IT tools health systems use to improve patient access to care. Continue Reading
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30 Nov 2022
Epic Sets Sights on Healthcare Consumerism with CRM Platform Launch
A CRM platform built with healthcare in mind will help Epic customers meet the demands of both healthcare consumerism and population health improvement. Continue Reading
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30 Nov 2022
How Social Determinants of Health Data Can Inform More Effective Care
Integrating social determinants of health data into care management is key to improving health outcomes and equity. Continue Reading
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28 Nov 2022
Using Omnichannel Patient Engagement to Support Healthcare Consumerism
NewYork-Presbyterian’s omnichannel patient engagement efforts help approach core tenets of healthcare consumerism like convenience, choice, and health equity. Continue Reading
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23 Nov 2022
Health Coaching for Family Caregivers Improves Patient Activation
Researchers found that engaging family caregivers in a health coaching program can lead to better patient activation and chronic disease management, consequently reducing poor health outcomes. Continue Reading
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22 Nov 2022
Post-Roe Prescription Restrictions Impact Women with Chronic Disease
Regulations for some prescription drugs in a post-Roe era disproportionately impact women with chronic disease, sparking talks of healthcare discrimination. Continue Reading
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22 Nov 2022
What Factors Sway COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Parents of Young Kids?
Provider testimony will be key to addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in parents who have yet to get their kids vaccinated but are open to the possibility. Continue Reading
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21 Nov 2022
Fewer Patients Have Usual Source of Care, Primary Care Provider
There are health disparities in the number of patients with a usual source of care, with some racial groups and publicly insured folks lacking a primary care provider. Continue Reading
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17 Nov 2022
Safety Concerns Lead COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Latino Parents
About three in five Latino parents attributed their COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy to concerns regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness, researchers found. Continue Reading
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17 Nov 2022
States Weigh Laws for Nurse Practitioner Full Practice Authority
As California finalizes its nurse practitioner full practice authority, Indiana and Pennsylvania lobby lawmakers to act on lapsing regulations allowing expanded scope of practice. Continue Reading
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15 Nov 2022
The Future of MedTech Defined by Healthcare Consumerism
MedTech executives said healthcare consumerism and the “patient as consumer” trend will redefine their company’s long-term strategy. Continue Reading
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14 Nov 2022
Emergency Department (ED) Overcrowding Leads to Worse Health Outcomes
Emergency department (ED) overcrowding can have a significant impact on health outcomes, increasing mortality risk by over 5 percent, researchers found. Continue Reading
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09 Nov 2022
Pediatric Vaccination Adherence Hinges on Parental Vaccination Status
Parent and child vaccination behaviors may be linked, with new findings showing that the likelihood of pediatric vaccination adherence doubled when parents received a flu vaccine themselves. Continue Reading
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09 Nov 2022
Patient Engagement Technologies Add to Streamlined Patient Experience
Research indicates patient engagement technologies are viewed as a part of a streamlined patient experience, not an add-on. Continue Reading
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07 Nov 2022
Personal Health Record (PHR) Use Ups Cancer Follow-Up Rate to 86%
Results about personal health record (PHR) use for colorectal cancer follow-up access might be replicable across different cancer types with some tailoring, researchers said. Continue Reading
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07 Nov 2022
How ChristianaCare Integrated Oncology and Primary Care Access
By collocating oncology and primary care access, ChristianaCare’s cancer center has a unique ability to practice wraparound patient engagement and care management. Continue Reading
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31 Oct 2022
Cancer Care Access Wait Times Fuel Racial Disparities for Minorities
Minorities have notably longer wait times for cancer care access than their White counterparts, which researchers said could lead to increased risk of death, a new study finds. Continue Reading
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31 Oct 2022
Black, Hispanic Patients See Lower Paxlovid, COVID-19 Treatment Access
Paxlovid and COVID-19 treatment access was lower for racial minorities but was especially egregious for older adults or immunocompromised folks at higher risk of serious illness. Continue Reading
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27 Oct 2022
Many Seniors Rely on Public Transportation to Drive Healthcare Access
A new study found that 1 in 10 seniors who live in cities rely on public transportation for healthcare access, highlighting a need for better public infrastructure to reduce access barriers. Continue Reading
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26 Oct 2022
Was Medical Misinformation The Culprit of Low COVID Vax Uptake?
New data indicates that medical misinformation played an outsized role in sowing mistrust in COVID-19 vaccine efficacy. Continue Reading
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24 Oct 2022
Behind The Scenes of Accountable Health Communities, SDOH Screening Model
A CMS Accountable Health Communities model participant in North Texas fine-tuned its SDOH screening model and intervention strategies to yield ROI. Continue Reading
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20 Oct 2022
Public Health Messaging, Equity Key to Getting Flu Shots in Arms
CDC data shows racial health disparities in flu shot rates, as well as lower overall flu shot rates since the pandemic, prompting calls for better public health messaging. Continue Reading
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19 Oct 2022
Medically Tailored Meals Could Cut $13.6B, Avert Hospital Admissions
Medically tailored meals could also help the medical industry avoid 1.6 million hospitalizations, which can also yield healthcare cost savings. Continue Reading
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18 Oct 2022
Digital Patient Data Access Grows in Large Hospitals, Lags in Small Orgs
Small organizations are lagging behind in offering digital patient data access via API-based apps, particularly apps built using FHIR. Continue Reading
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17 Oct 2022
Retail Health Clinics Are Key on the Path to Health Equity
Alternative care sites like telehealth and retail health clinics democratize healthcare access and let folks visit clinicians in settings that are comfortable. Continue Reading
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13 Oct 2022
More Patients Lack Care Access as Emergency Department Wait Times Spike
According to two new studies, emergency department wait times are lengthening. In some cases, waits are over nine hours, leaving many patients to go without care access. Continue Reading
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12 Oct 2022
HHS Announces Initiatives to Address Language Barriers in Care Access
Through several language service initiatives, HHS aims to reduce language barriers across department programs. Continue Reading
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10 Oct 2022
Discrimination Shapes Care Access for Patients with Disabilities
New research shows that physicians across three focus groups expressed implicit bias toward people with disabilities, highlighting the ongoing discrimination this group faces in accessing care. Continue Reading
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06 Oct 2022
What Are Political Determinants of Health & Do They Differ from SDOH?
If social determinants of health are the social factors impacting our health, political determinants of health are the policy choices that led to those SDOH in the first place. Continue Reading
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05 Oct 2022
Which Social Determinants of Health Interventions Yield Best ROI?
The Commonwealth Fund has found that housing and nutrition social determinants of health interventions have the strongest evidence for yielding good ROI. Continue Reading
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29 Sep 2022
Patient Portal Use in Mental Health Is Up, But Digital Literacy Key
Although research noted increases in patient portal use in mental health, digital health literacy and accommodations for all patient populations are still needed to reach full potential. Continue Reading
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29 Sep 2022
MI Expands Pharmacist Prescribing Authority to Aid Contraceptive Access
In response to the most recent Roe v Wade ruling, Michigan has increased pharmacist prescription authority of birth control to improve women’s contraceptive access. Continue Reading
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29 Sep 2022
Soaring Food Costs Worsen Food Insecurity, SDOH for Older Adults
In one year, grocery costs rose 13 percent, leaving over a third of older patients who were heavily impacted by the rise to experience food insecurity. Continue Reading
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28 Sep 2022
White House Targets Food Insecurity, Social Determinants of Health
The five-pillar plan emphasizes the role food insecurity has on health and other social determinants of health, with the White House saying it will prioritize equity and access. Continue Reading
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19 Sep 2022
In-Person Patient Portal Training Raises Patient Satisfaction
New research findings have concluded that in-person patient portal training can boost patient portal use, consequently improving patient satisfaction and engagement. Continue Reading
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16 Sep 2022
YouTube, KFF Promote Health Equity Through Patient Education
The health equity program will help organizations create a series of patient education videos to address health equity in mental health, maternal health, and the healthcare sector. Continue Reading
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14 Sep 2022
Racial Mental Health Disparities Cost US $278B in 4 Years
The high cost and human toll of racial mental health disparities should spark more judicious investment in mental and behavioral healthcare. Continue Reading
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13 Sep 2022
Geographic Care Access Barriers Exist in Urban Areas, Impact Minorities
Black people in LA County were three times more likely to face geographic care access barriers in 2020 than their White counterparts. Continue Reading
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09 Sep 2022
Easier Primary Care Access Improved Chronic Disease Management
A recent study suggests primary care access can lead to better chronic disease management for patients regardless of socioeconomic and neighborhood factors they may face. Continue Reading
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07 Sep 2022
Ciox Health Faces Lawsuit Over Excessive Health Record Copying Fees
The class action lawsuit regarding patient data access alleged that Ciox Health unlawfully charged patients higher health record copying fees than permitted under Texas law. Continue Reading
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07 Sep 2022
Advanced Practice Providers Extend Patient Access to Mental Healthcare
Two studies showed advanced practice providers can supplement a dwindling physician workforce, enhancing patient access to mental healthcare and substance use disorder care. Continue Reading
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02 Sep 2022
NC Affirms Major Commitment to Health Equity in New State Plan
The new NC State Health improvement plan intends to advance health equity by diminishing disparities for historically marginalized populations throughout the state. Continue Reading
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30 Aug 2022
VA Patient Appointment Wait Times Vary Across the United States
A recent study found substantial disparities in VA patient appointment wait times across care types, source of care, and geography. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Aug 2022
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences, Pediatric SDOH
Addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) could prevent millions of heart disease and depression diagnoses. Continue Reading
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25 Aug 2022
Yelp Targets Misleading Medical Information in Abortion Access
Yelp gives notice to users seeking abortion access when they are looking at a business that is, in fact, a crisis pregnancy center unlikely to provide abortion or other medical services. Continue Reading
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24 Aug 2022
Which Adverse Childhood Experiences Increase Premature Death Risk?
Living in poverty is linked to a 41 percent increased risk for premature death, an outcome that is compounded when an individual experiences other adverse childhood experiences. Continue Reading
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23 Aug 2022
Universal Mental Health Screening in Primary Care Closes Care Gaps
Universal mental health screening in primary care closed care gaps and reduced racial, generational, and language-based health disparities. Continue Reading
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18 Aug 2022
HRSA Grant Provides Mobile Health Units for Mental Healthcare Access
The grant will provide full nurse practitioner scholarships to underrepresented and minority students. In turn, the selected students will work in mobile health units to increase mental healthcare access. Continue Reading
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17 Aug 2022
SDOH Screening Questions Accurately Predict Future Homelessness
Two SDOH screening questions about homelessness had both high sensitivity and high specificity, proving their utility in social determinants of health work. Continue Reading
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16 Aug 2022
Social Determinants of Health Explain Half of Racial Health Disparities
The racial health disparity in risk of all-cause mortality for Black folks shrank from 34 to 16 percent after adjusting for social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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16 Aug 2022
Closing Digital Divide Requires More Than Patient Access to Health IT
Healthcare providers need to close the loop scheduling appointments and addressing digital health literacy in order to truly close the digital divide. Continue Reading
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15 Aug 2022
Aligning Care Coordination Work Amid Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Metropolitan Family Medical Clinics in California have been able to begin tailored care coordination work thanks to an HMO deal that supplements workforce shortage woes. Continue Reading
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09 Aug 2022
Nearly 90% of Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Lack Medication Access
Medication-assisted treatment is proven to reduce opioid overdoses. However, there is a major gap between opioid use disorder prevalence and the number of patients receiving medication access. Continue Reading
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05 Aug 2022
High Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs Dissuade Patient Care Access
According to a survey, nearly 70 percent of Houston adults reported that expensive out-of-pocket healthcare costs were a significant barrier to patient care access. Continue Reading
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04 Aug 2022
PrEP Access Steadily Increases, Yet Racial Health Disparities Persist
New data highlights racial health disparities in PrEP access, with Black people representing 14 percent of PrEP users in 2021 but 42 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2020. Continue Reading