Billions needed to prepare for global health crises, says panel
February 2, 2016 — In the wake of the devastating Ebola epidemic of 2014-15 in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people and cost about $2.2 billion, an international commission has outlined an ambitious agenda—at an annual cost…
Traditional Medicaid expansion and ‘private option’ both improve access to health care
For immediate release: Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Boston, MA – Two different approaches used by states to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income adults— traditional expansion and the “private option”—appear to be similarly successful in reducing numbers of the…
Assessing recent damage to Obamacare
Recent developments regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have meant “a challenging and stressful time” for the nation’s health care law, according to health policy expert John McDonough. In a December 23, 2015 post on his blog Health…
Where there’s a hospital monopoly, private health care costs more
A new study has found that health care costs for those with private insurance varies wildly across the U.S.—and that much of the variation has do with how much market power is held by local hospitals. While most…
Experts focus on translational science at global health event
December 16, 2015 – More than 40 national and international health leaders gathered December 10-11, 2015, at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for a Stakeholder’s Advisory Board (SAB) conference supporting Donna Spiegelman’s National Institutes of Health…
Eliminating ‘food deserts’ not best strategy for reducing diet quality disparities
Efforts to improve diet quality in the U.S. and decrease disparities should not be focused on eliminating “food deserts”— areas with mostly low-income residents that lack access to a supermarket or large grocery store — according to researchers…
Chemicals linked with severe respiratory disease found in common e-cigarette flavors
For immediate release: December 8, 2015 Boston, MA – Diacetyl, a flavoring chemical linked to cases of severe respiratory disease, was found in more than 75% of flavored electronic cigarettes and refill liquids tested by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan…
Panel calls for reform of global public health system in wake of Ebola epidemic
A new report by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and colleagues criticizes the World Health Organization’s leadership during the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and offers recommendations to strengthen public health systems and…
Poll: Most Americans support government action to keep drug prices down
A new poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and STAT finds that most Americans support government action to keep down the prices of brand-name prescription drugs. The poll found broad support across party lines for…
The importance of providing abortions
With abortion clinics closing across the country because of restrictive state laws, a Harvard T.H. Chan School alumnus argues that it’s more important than ever to ensure that women have access to abortion services. In a November 18,…