Insights

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?

Preliminary findings from the completed INTERSTROKE study, presented for the first time this week at the World Heart Federation’s World Congress of Cardiology, include new and important results. INTERSTROKE evaluates the importance of risk factors for stroke.

The University of Kentucky sued a reporter seeking surgical death rates and has steadfastly fought against their release, wasting time, money and reputations. Parents still aren’t any closer to understanding if their children were worse off at the hospital than elsewhere.

New data presented Monday at the World Congress of Cardiology in Melbourne, Australia shows a significant improvement in both patient adherence and risk factor control when patients at high risk of heart attack or stroke receive a polypill — a fixed-dose combination of drugs.

Are patients more likely to comparison shop when states increase pricing transparency? A recent report found that while New Hampshire's effort was effective in highlighting price gaps between providers, consumer response was tepid and costs didn't go down.

The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education (MIJE) is looking for 10 journalist to participate in two 90-minute webinars and write or produce a story on mental health issues in their community. Check out the opportunity here!

Our national health statistics suggest that health providers need to do more on the preventative health front. One way to do that is to view the hospital as a resource not only to treat disease but to prevent disease and model wellness. On-site farmers' markets are a step in the right direction.

A new analysis looks at the results of banning willful defiance suspensions in public schools. The report suggests that such suspensions are not just an educational issue, but have far-reaching impacts on public health and well-being.