Working the (health) system
[Fall 2013 Centennial issue] A standard medical test that could have been done for a tenth of the cost. A doctor’s momentary lapse in attention that led to grievous injury—or even death. An upside-down health care bureaucracy that…
Government shutdown and the ACA
The acrimonious politics surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, led to a government shutdown on October 1, 2013—the day the ACA’s health exchanges debuted. But [[Robert Blendon]], Richard L. Menschel Professor of Public Health and professor…
Progress, but challenges in reducing racial disparities
September 19, 2013 -- Disparities between blacks and whites in the U.S. remain pronounced—and health is no exception. A panel of experts at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) discussed these disparities—what they are, why they persist, and…
Public opinion analysis shows big gap between experts and the public on need to cut Medicare spending
For immediate release: September 11, 2013 Boston, MA – As debate over the national debt and the federal budget deficit begins to heat up again, an analysis of national polls conducted in 2013 shows that, compared with recent…
Physician payment under the Affordable Care Act
Robert Blendon, senior associate dean for policy translation and leadership development and Richard L. Menschel Professor of Public Health at Harvard School of Public Health, recently spoke with the website Medpage Today for its “Conversations with …” video…
New survey finds most African Americans satisfied with lives overall, but many have concerns about future
Nearly half concerned about losing job, not sure could pay for major illness For immediate release: June 4, 2013 Princeton, N.J. – A new poll released today finds that nearly half (44%) of employed African Americans are very or…
Spreading his wings: Air Force flight surgeon wants to promote healthy strategies for patients
May 13, 2013 -- As a flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force, Russell Tontz doesn’t perform surgery—the name “flight surgeon” is historical, dating to WWI—but he is a doctor specially trained to care for pilots. Most recently…
Health care law: Insurance still just a promise
Coverage in the San Angelo Standard-Times, March 30, 2013, quoting HSPH's Robert Blendon
Poll finds big gap between parents and experts: Parents less likely to recognize children as overweight or obese
Only 15% of kids have parents who say they are overweight, compared with national stats showing that 32% of young people are overweight or obese Many families face challenges in trying to help children eat well and be…
Poll finds bipartisan public support for creating state insurance exchanges despite continuing party divisions over the ACA
More Americans Back Than Oppose State Medicaid Expansions but, Like Many Governors, Public Splits Along Party Lines On the Federal Deficit, Public Wants Action but Still Resists Most Cuts and Sacrifices, Especially to Medicare For immediate release: Thursday, January 24,…