Healthcare Systems & Policy

“Sometimes I think I’m just about to fall asleep,” said Juana Garcia, a mother with five children, two chronic diseases, one waterless home and zero income. “But then I start thinking, what am I going to do about water? Will I last much longer here? Yes, mentally I get very stressed out.”

Environmental Health, Poverty and Class, Chronic Disease

Creating in-roads for community participation and giving local people more power to contribute to local journalism is complex and time-intensive. But the end result can be a public that is more engaged in their communities and in supporting news-gathering efforts.

For three months this year, I spent time with some of the sickest, most expensive patients in America — the so-called "super-utilizers." During that time, I’ve learned about the great promise of programs to help such patients, and why innovations that both improve health and save money are so rare.

Health Insurance and Costs, Mental Health, Chronic Disease

From hospital systems to pharmacies, this summer’s health headlines have been filled with tales of consolidation. And no where has the “merger mania” been more evident than the insurance sector. Health policy expert Paul Ginsburg helps us break down the trend in this Q&A.

Health Insurance and Costs, Healthcare Regulation and Reform

When treatment options aren't clear-cut, can decision-making tools such as brochures and videos help patients make better choices? A new study provides the first systematic review of decision aids designed to help patients with serious illness. The evidence on their effectiveness is mixed.