Insights

In response to the growing shortage of primary care doctors, some advocate for expanding the roles of nurse practitioners to expand access and lower costs. But the suggestion has met with pushback from some physician groups.

Preschool is enjoying a new heyday, right? Not so fast: A new report out this week from the National Institute of Early Education Research finds that in 2013, total enrollment in state-funded pre-K program dipped slightly, funding was flat, and quality was questionable in many programs.

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, an outspoken critic of Obamacare, has touted the benefits of self-funded health insurance plans. But the company's own plan places limits on coverage such that families with autistic children are often forced shoulder the costs of treatment.

When Gary Schwitzer recently announced funding had run out for Health News Review, it caused considerable angst among health reporters. Here's a look back at some key lessons that have emerged from Schwitzer's enterprise, which has made health journalism better.

In an alarming case, two Danish journalists are facing criminal charges from the Danish government for their reporting on MRSA bacteria. When journalists aren’t allowed to report on the sources of infectious diseases, they’re kept from one of their most vital roles.

Of the many projections made about the Affordable Care Act, one number stands out among the rest: 62 million. That’s the number of individuals who will gain mental health and substance abuse coverage under the ACA.

Use your health reporting and editing skills in any of the positions listed on Career GPS this week.

One of the recurring themes in early childhood research is that early is rarely early enough. Positive back-and-forth interactions between kids and caregivers are key to building budding brains, while their absence can lead to kids who suffer the longterm effects of what experts call "toxic stress."

Akron, Ohio's Accountable Care Community has brought together a coalition of partners to reduce the number of residents suffering from chronic disease and treatment costs. Similarly, nonprofit hospitals elsewhere can do much more to improve the health of entire communities.

The problem in Santa Cruz County's San Lorenzo Valley is unhealthy air. The question is: What can be done to improve it?