In the News
Smoking, drug abuse, obesity top public's health concerns for kids
(05/03/07) Smoking, drug abuse and obesity are the nation's top three health concerns for kids, according to a recent poll conducted by the U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. The poll also revealed that driving accidents, Internet safety, school violence, sexually transmitted infections, and abuse and neglect rank among the top 10 overall health concerns for U.S. children and adolescents.
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Good news on heart attack
(05/01/07) People who suffer a heart attack or severe chest pain today are much less likely to die, or to experience long-lasting effects, than their counterparts even a few years ago, according to a new international study involving U-M researchers. Its the first time that a study has shown a significant drop in the rate of heart failure and death over such a short time in this population.
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Quality of medical translations impacts quality of care
(02/13/07) An increasing number of Americans don't speak English and when doctors and patients have language and cultural barriers, the quality of translations can be a problem, University of Michigan researchers argue in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.
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U-M/Harvard team proposes way to get more for our health $$$
(01/30/07) Like a one-size-fits-all shirt that doesnt fit anyone very well, American health insurance plans charge every person the same out of pocket cost for medical services - regardless of their effect on a persons health. We could get a lot more value out of our health dollars by abandoning this old-fashioned system, says a team from UMHS and Harvard University.
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Study: To cover the uninsured, ask public for help
(11/14/06) Many states, counties and cities are working to provide new health insurance options to the 45 million Americans who lack health coverage. But the devils in the details of what to cover and what to charge. A new study suggests that the answer may lie with involving the public in the decision process.
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Suicide attempt rate for blacks higher than previously reported: U-M study
(10/31/06) New research indicates that blacks in the United States have a lifetime prevalence of attempted suicide of about 4 percent, a rate comparable with the general population, but higher than previous estimates.
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Churches aim to help body as well as soul
(10/27/06) A new program aimed at helping African-Americans improve their diet and fitness is taking advantage of a higher power. The church plays an important role in the social lives of many African-Americans. Thats why Universityof Michiganresearchers are targeting black churches to help bring a message of healthier lifestyle choices to their congregation.
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Grant allows study of cancer in international populations
(10/22/06) The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and the School of Public Health have received a $1.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to train public health students in cancer epidemiology research in special populations. The program will focus on 15 countries in Asia, Africa and South America, as well as minority populations in the United States.
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Rising health expenses a good value
(08/30/06) Despite dramatic increases in health expenses since 1960, the return on medical spending is high, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard and UMHS. They conclude that between 1960 and 2000, healthcare in America was cost-effective on the whole, although ballooning costs for the elderly are a cause for concern.
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NIH renews agreement with U-M to study health, retirement
(06/19/06) The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, has renewed its cooperative agreement with U-M to continue the Health and Retirement Study, the nation's leading resource for data on the health and economic conditions of Americans over age 50.
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Need to make a tricky medical decision? Step back, study says
(05/31/06) If a deadly bird flu reaches America, which would you choose: To get a risky experimental vaccine now, or to forego that risk but face an even greater risk of dying in the epidemic? What would you choose for your child, or your community? A new study probes how we make such tricky decisions, and how our decisions might change dramatically if we step back and put ourselves in the shoes of others.
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RAND Study finds all socio-demographic groups at risk for poor quality health care
(03/16/06) RAND STUDY - Virtually every person in the United States is at risk of failing to receive needed care regardless of race, gender, income or insurance status, according to a RAND Corporation study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Early BP treatment may postpone hypertension
(03/14/06) A new study led by a U-M doctor offers intriguing insight into the possibility of postponing hypertension among the 59 million Americans whose blood pressure is slightly high. If confirmed, the concept may offer a chance to keep many people from facing the high risk of heart disease and stroke that currently confronts the 65 million Americans with hypertension.
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Study finds local TV news covers health a lot, but not always well
(03/08/06) Local television newscasts, where most Americans get most of their news, are packed with medical stories and health information. But the first-ever national study of that coverage finds many problems with it, and sees room for improvement by both TV stations and the health experts whose work fills the news.
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U-M expert to lead national nursing home study
(02/09/06) Brant E. Fries, Ph.D. - an innovator in the assessment of nursing home residents - has been selected to help lead a federal study that will gauge the resources used to care for various residents of nursing facilities. Fries says the study will lead to a more equitable division of payments to nursing homes, based on the number of residents at the different ends of the cost spectrum. If a large number of patients at a nursing home require extensive care from staff members, for instance, the nursing home may be entitled to a greater share of funding than facilities with residents needing less care.
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U-M experts available to comment on State of the Union
(01/30/06) U-M researchers who have studied the impact of out-of-pocket health costs on Americans behavior are available to comment on new consumer-driven health care proposals that President George W. Bush is expected to unveil in his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening.
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Turning down the heat to save money could cost your health
(01/03/06) With home heating costs expected to soar this winter, millions of Americans will be dialing down their heat to save money. For most people, dialing-down just means a slightly chilly home, but for the elderly, it could bring serious health implications, including hypothermia.
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