This weekly blog series is a roundup of recent news items and developments that I found interesting and would like to share.
(Photo: FXBVillage)
Please see the Milken Institute report on the economic burden of chronic disease in the United States. Checkup Time: Chronic Disease and Wellness in America
This is a summary of interesting and productive uses information technology in improving health services. Ten Places Innovation is Making a Difference
Wise words for our work with the elderly. White House Conference on Aging Healthy Aging Policy Brief
Vermont Blueprint for Health: Patient Centered Primary Care
The FXBVillage Toolkit and Planning Guide is a valuable contribution to addressing issues of village development and protection of children in regions of extreme poverty. The Toolkit and Planning Guide is, in fact, a manual of how to approach the problem village improvement in areas of extreme poverty and social disruption. The focus is on the protection and well being of orphaned children. The scope is global: China, India, Africa, and South America. FXBVillage Toolkit and Planning Guide
This article from the Washington Post describes how technology is changing the relationship between doctor and patient. How is the Doctor-Patient Relationship Changing? It’s Going Electronic
Please see this comprehensive report by Prabhjot Singh on his experience with community health workers in Nigeria as part of the Millennium Villages and One Million Caregivers programs. Prabhjot is a leader in quality control of community health worker training, proficiency, and performance. One Million Community Health Workers: Technical Task Force Report
This article provides detailed insight into how the US Department of Health and Human Services considers the care of people with multiple chronic conditions. The great majority of these, but by no means all, are elderly. What do you think of the strengths and weaknesses of the analysis? Comment below. Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Strategic Framework
This is a summary of some very interesting findings by Atul Gawande on how price transparency for medical procedures can reduce cost. It is also a story of how the risk and reward sharing allowed by the Affordable Care Act can increase patient benefit, reduce costs, and increase financial rewards to doctors. Five Things Atul Gawande Learned on His Return to McAllen, TX
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policy brief is a powerful review of the potential for community health workers to improve the quality of healthcare services, improve preventive health measures, and reduce the cost of health services. Addressing Chronic Disease Through Community Health Workers
This is a new United Nations report on the global inequities in healthcare between rural and urban populations. Rural Health Inequities: Data and Decisions
Please see Richard Horton’s provocative article on global governance for health. He is aware of the biting the hand that feeds you nature of his comments, e.g. the philantrocapitalists! Offline: Is It Time for a Glorious Revolution?
The Commonwealth Fund has published the results of an online survey of health innovation centers in the United States. Findings from a Survey of Healthcare Delivery Innovation Centers
This is Oxfam’s position paper of universal health coverage. Their views are clear and forcefully stated. Comment below about what you think of Oxfam’s views. Universal Health Coverage: Why Health Insurance Schemes Are Leaving The Poor Behind
This seems to be a great program. Do you think we can replicate it in other countries? Virtual Senior Center
It is good to see that some progress is being made on improving health worldwide. We know much remains to be done. There is a district in India where we work in which almost one third of women die in childbirth! World Health Statistics Reports on Global Health Goals for 194 Countries