The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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Top Health Politics Topics

A Monopoly on Poop

Eat Shit and Prosper • 1 HN point • 14 Dec 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Regulations Pharmaceuticals Public Health Patient Safety
  1. The FDA approved Rebyota, a new treatment for serious gut infections that is basically just processed poop, but it comes with a very high price tag of around $9,487, sparking concerns about its affordability compared to existing fecal microbiota transplants.
  2. Fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) have been used effectively for years but face regulatory challenges, leading to limited access and insurance coverage, which leaves patients with expensive options like Rebyota.
  3. The FDA's new rules seem to restrict the use of lower-cost stool banks for FMTs, creating a monopoly for companies producing expensive versions, which raises questions about priorities in healthcare and profit vs. patient care.

COVID Still Makes Everybody a Little Bit Crazy

Freddie deBoer • 1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Social justice Epidemiology
  1. COVID has caused varying degrees of anxiety and extreme reactions in people, leading to polarized beliefs and behaviors.
  2. There are different extreme perspectives on COVID from both right-leaning skeptics and left-leaning individuals, each with their own set of beliefs and theories.
  3. There is a need to balance the accommodation of vulnerable populations like the immunocompromised with making sound public health decisions based on evidence and prevalence.

Hay fever, the deadly allergy

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 08 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Allergies Health economics Public Safety
  1. Hay fever affects about one in five people in the UK, with higher rates in countries like Brazil and Australia.
  2. Hay fever can lead to accidents and injuries, especially when operating heavy machinery or engaging in physical activities.
  3. A study in Japan estimated that a 10% increase in pollen count leads to thousands of additional accidents, costing the economy billions of dollars.

The weakest link

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 21
🏥 Health Politics Policy COVID-19 Vaccines Prevention Economics
  1. Maintaining a Covid-Zero policy brings challenges due to the weakest link, like quarantine workers in hotels.
  2. Regular rapid testing and vaccinations for quarantine workers are crucial to prevent Covid-19 spread and lockdowns.
  3. Investing in safety measures for the weakest link, such as daily screenings and prioritized vaccinations, can mitigate costly leakages and lockdowns.
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A Paradox that could be holding Women's Healthcare Back

Inland Nobody • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Women's Health Medical Research
  1. Many medical studies focus on men, so we know less about women's health, especially during pregnancy. This gap in knowledge means that treatments are often less effective for women.
  2. Fertility treatments are not always reliable because they still rely on a lot of guesses instead of solid science. This makes it hard to get consistent results.
  3. Women are understandably cautious about participating in drug trials during pregnancy, which can slow down research and limit our understanding of pregnancy health. Their concerns are valid, but they may also be part of why we don't have more answers.

Who is Vaccine Hesitant and Why?

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Hesitancy Skepticism Misinformation Demographics
  1. Vaccine hesitancy is not solely driven by conspiracy theories but also includes reasonable concerns about safety, transparency, and conflicts of interest.
  2. Vaccine hesitancy is present across various demographics, including marginalized and disadvantaged groups along racial, ethnic, and religious lines.
  3. Political ideology like being a MAGA-aligned white does not exclusively determine vaccine hesitation. Other factors like income, education, and access to healthcare play significant roles.

The AHEAD Model and Global Budgets

Discharge Summary • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Primary Care
  1. The AHEAD Model introduced a new reimbursement model called global budgets focused on population health and health equity.
  2. Past examples of global budgets, like Maryland's, showed mixed results in cost reduction and quality improvement.
  3. The AHEAD Model faces challenges with recruitment and the potential for gaming the system, but aims to address healthcare costs through unique approaches.

The dream of universal health care is haunted by the reality of aging

Demodexio • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Aging Healthcare Costs Specialization Accountability
  1. Extending human life is becoming increasingly expensive due to the Law Of Diminishing Returns, especially with advancements in medical treatments and technology.
  2. National health care systems, even in countries with universal health care like Canada and Britain, are facing strain and challenges in controlling costs, especially with an aging population.
  3. Addressing the rising costs in healthcare will require a focus on reducing bureaucracy, controlling technology investments, and finding innovative ways to combine the expertise of diverse specialists in healthcare settings.

New Research: The Hidden Profits of Nursing Homes

Big Fiscal • 0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Financial Reporting Regulatory Challenges
  1. Nursing homes engage in profit "tunneling" through inflated transactions with related entities, concealing actual financial status.
  2. Accurate financial reporting is crucial in sectors like healthcare for effective public policies, but inflated costs complicate matters, affecting reimbursement rates and regulations.
  3. Strict oversight and extending liability to related parties are needed to address the issue of profit tunneling, enhancing transparency and accountability in the nursing home industry.

Vaccine Week: A final worry

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 20
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Health Issues Policies Prevention
  1. Vaccines may have unintended consequences such as creating more health issues if not distributed carefully.
  2. There's a risk that a fast and widespread distribution of a 'leaky' vaccine could lead to the acceleration of virulence in viruses.
  3. It's crucial to thoroughly research and understand the potential risks associated with Covid-19 vaccines to avoid unexpected outcomes.

Anthem, the USA’s second biggest insurer, has had spectacular growth over the past 10 years.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Insurance Medicaid Medicare
  1. Anthem, a major health insurer in the USA, has seen huge growth, mainly from government programs like Medicaid and Medicare. This means more taxpayers are funding their rise.
  2. Over the past decade, most new members in Anthem's plans came from government programs instead of private insurance. This shift highlights how the Affordable Care Act helped many people gain health coverage.
  3. Even with rising costs for their customers, Anthem continues to profit well by purchasing its own stocks. This move benefits investors more than it helps the people who need health insurance.

A link to my piece in The Nation – with some added context.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Public Health Policy advocacy Health Insurance Pandemic response
  1. America's health care system, based on employers, is failing and needs a change. The pandemic showed that this model is not working well for many people.
  2. There is a call for President Biden to deliver on his promises for health care reform, especially after the challenges revealed by the pandemic.
  3. A Medicare for All system could be better for both individuals and businesses, and it's important to think about new solutions for health care.

Pulling back the curtains on how Big Health is hurting Americans.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 21
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy Insurance Issues Public Health Healthcare access Health Equity
  1. Big Health often puts profits before patients, leading to higher costs and less care. This can hurt people's access to necessary medical services.
  2. Many Americans struggle with healthcare bills, which can lead to financial stress and even bankruptcy. It's important for people to be aware of their rights and options.
  3. Transparency in healthcare is crucial. Knowing how much treatments really cost can help patients make better decisions about their health.

Political tensions and the endgame

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Vaccination Political Tensions Policy Implications
  1. During a pandemic, there is a trade-off between prioritizing the economy and prioritizing health, and this choice changes with developments like vaccinations.
  2. Countries like South Korea and Australia managed to balance the economy and health without relying solely on lockdowns by using testing and tracing methods.
  3. Vaccines play a critical role in improving production possibilities and reducing the impact of a pandemic, but they also complicate political choices by potentially shifting priorities and increasing tensions.

Australia's upcoming storm

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 21
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19 Response Public Health Government Strategy Vaccination policy Epidemiology
  1. Australia's strict quarantine and closed borders may not be sustainable in the long run due to vaccine hesitancy and slow vaccination rates.
  2. Historical examples show that successfully keeping a respiratory virus out of Australia is extremely challenging.
  3. The alternative to Australia's current strategy is to give up on Covid-Zero and focus on containing outbreaks through testing, tracing, and vaccination while living with the virus.

What are the barriers to sensible public health data?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 21
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Data Management Health Systems Decision-making
  1. Having comprehensive public health data is crucial for running an effective health system and monitoring trends.
  2. Political leaders need to prioritize and commit to improving public health data systems for better outcomes.
  3. Implementing a balanced growth strategy instead of a 'big bang' approach can lead to more sustainable progress in developing national public health data systems.

Is LTC screening worth it?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 21
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Testing
  1. A report questions the worth of routine asymptomatic COVID-19 testing in LTC facilities in Ontario due to low positivity rates and perceived costs and burdens.
  2. The report overlooks the potential benefits of preventing outbreaks through testing, especially considering the high-risk nature of LTC facilities.
  3. Suggestions in the report about transitioning to rapid antigen testing are met with skepticism regarding the claimed higher costs and operational challenges.

Should you wait for the 'good' vaccine?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 03 Mar 21
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Government Decision-making Messaging
  1. The real choice between vaccines is to take the one available now and get a booster of the 'good' vaccine later.
  2. Governments should inform people about their vaccine choices and guarantee availability of booster shots in the future.
  3. Encouraging a portfolio approach to vaccine selection is more effective than promoting one vaccine over another.

Where are things working

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 21
🏥 Health Politics Screening Contact Tracing Vaccination
  1. Regular screening programs in Nova Scotia and Davis, California have shown success in controlling the spread of Covid-19, highlighting the importance of testing and contact tracing.
  2. The University of California, Davis implemented an ambitious and successful screening bubble that included the surrounding town, which proved to be a model for other universities.
  3. Australia's effective information collection and contact tracing efforts have contributed to their ability to keep Covid-19 cases in check, showing the importance of proactive engagement in data collection even before situations become critical.

Contact tracing works!

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 20
🏥 Health Politics Contact Tracing Data Management Pandemic response
  1. Contact tracing is an effective method to reduce infections by identifying and isolating those exposed to a virus proactively.
  2. Randomized experiments in scientific inquiries can provide valuable insights, but ethical concerns often prevent conducting them.
  3. The UK Excel spreadsheet error provided inadvertent data for economists to study the impact of contact tracing, revealing its value in reducing infections and deaths.

The Slovakian model

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Nov 20
🏥 Health Politics Government Response Policies Outbreak Management Public Health
  1. Slovakia implemented mass testing using rapid antigen tests to control an outbreak, which helped identify cases quickly and turn the situation around.
  2. The testing in Slovakia was voluntary but supported by strict isolation measures and fines for non-compliance, leading to successful results and an easing of restrictions.
  3. The success of mass testing in Slovakia serves as an example for other regions to consider in their efforts to combat the pandemic.

Largely out of government control

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 Oct 20
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Government intervention Economic Impact Public Health Herd Immunity
  1. Government actions have limited impact on the overall course of the pandemic, with people and their behaviors playing a significant role.
  2. Advocates of 'letting it rip' to achieve herd immunity quickly overlook the potential long-term health costs and economic impacts of such a strategy.
  3. Voluntary social distancing and population density have been crucial factors in influencing the spread of the virus, showing that personal behavior plays a key role in controlling the outbreak.

Will a COVID-19 vaccine exacerbate the economic downturn?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jul 20
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine distribution Economic Impact Public Behavior Pandemic response
  1. Many are pinning hopes on a COVID-19 vaccine to end the pandemic, but the distribution process may lead to a prolonged economic downturn.
  2. The arrival of a vaccine could bring about changes in social distancing behaviors, leading to negative impacts on consumer activities and businesses.
  3. While a vaccine may be beneficial in the long run, in the short term, it could pose challenges for the economy, requiring preparation for the potential consequences.

The case for optimism

Hypertext • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Criminal Justice Research Intervention Policy Public Safety
  1. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) play a crucial role in identifying effective interventions in criminal justice policy.
  2. Collaboration among researchers and practitioners is essential to develop and replicate successful causal research designs.
  3. Causal research has contributed to progress in criminal justice policy and helped identify interventions that work, while also highlighting ones that are ineffective or counterproductive.

My Dan Rather

My Home Office Hacks • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Consumer Rights
  1. Frank Lobb's work highlights how consumers shouldn't have to pay for healthcare costs that insurance doesn't cover. He argues that agreements between providers and insurers protect consumers from paying unexpected bills.
  2. If you receive a healthcare bill, you can ask for an explanation within 30 days, and you don't have to pay until you get that explanation in writing. This helps ensure fairness in healthcare billing.
  3. Starting a morning routine can be beneficial. Trying out the 5 AM Club, which includes exercise, meditation, and learning, can help you wake up refreshed and focused.

Should indie medical-device techs have the ‘right to repair’?

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 21
🏥 Health Politics Medical Devices Right-to-repair Regulations Healthcare system
  1. Skilled technicians struggle with repairs due to lack of documentation, tools, and parts, causing delays for device users.
  2. Independent technicians lack legal leverage to access tools and resources necessary to repair medical devices like wheelchairs and insulin pumps.
  3. The FDA and FTC have supported right-to-repair policies for medical devices, emphasizing the importance of technicians in maintaining the healthcare system.

Medics, Not Medicine, Killed Elijah McClain

The Medicine & Justice Project • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care Medical Professionals
  1. Ketamine is used by medics to calm down patients with severe agitation and has less impact on breathing compared to other drugs.
  2. Two paramedics failed to properly assess a restrained and agitated patient, leading to his death despite using ketamine which could have been survivable.
  3. Public outcry following the incident led to misguided legislation banning the use of ketamine in EMS, potentially putting future patients at risk by receiving more dangerous medications.

The "Why Now" for Healthcare

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Regulation Healthcare Innovation Policy Demographics
  1. Regulatory capture is when special interests take priority over public needs, often leading to higher prices and limited competition, like the expensive COVID tests in the USA compared to other countries.
  2. Healthcare is at a turning point due to several shifts, including aging populations, advances in technology like telehealth and AI, and increased focus on wellness. These changes are driving demand for innovative healthcare solutions.
  3. Despite challenges, there are growing opportunities for startups in healthcare, especially in areas like Medicaid and telehealth, as more people seek affordable and effective services.

Unpack CDC’s New Guidance

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 22
🏥 Health Politics
  1. CDC's new guidance urges focusing resources on high-risk patients and tailoring mitigation measures based on local COVID-19 risk levels.
  2. The updated guidelines suggest using specific metrics to determine risk levels and advise mask mandates primarily in high-risk areas.
  3. The CDC emphasizes the importance of vaccination, testing, treatment, and community surveillance for effective COVID-19 management, while recognizing the need for balancing health risks and mitigation measures.

Take Action

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 30 May 20
🏥 Health Politics Community Action
  1. Reflect on current events and take action against racial injustices.
  2. Encourage open conversations about racism with family and friends.
  3. Acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on people of color and seek to understand and address the disparities.

How Jagmeet Singh Gets it Wrong on Canada’s Healthcare Crisis

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🏥 Health Politics Federal Government Collaboration
  1. Provinces are making efforts to address healthcare challenges by implementing innovative strategies like Quebec's "Réseau Santé" and Alberta's "Healthy U" programs.
  2. The federal government needs to provide financial support and ensure all Canadians have access to quality healthcare, collaborating with provinces to improve healthcare services across the country.
  3. Jagmeet Singh believes the federal government must also play a role in solving Canada's healthcare crisis, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between federal and provincial levels of government.

When "Detecting Everything" Misses the Point

Nano Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Medical Testing Diagnostics Public Health Health Policy Cancer Screening
  1. Sensitivity and specificity are important for medical tests, but they don’t tell the whole story. While sensitivity checks for illness, specificity avoids falsely alarming healthy people, but we also need to consider how trustworthy those positive results are.
  2. Positive Predictive Value (PPV) is crucial because it determines how many positive test results are actually true. Even tests that seem great on paper can lead to many false alarms if the condition is rare in the tested population.
  3. New standards are needed for screening tests, especially since broad screening is becoming more common. Tests should not just catch many cases, but also provide real accuracy, avoiding unnecessary stress and procedures for patients.

Your Support Keeps 'Outspoken' Alive

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Research Journals Community Advocacy
  1. Community support is crucial for sharing important news and research. Your involvement helps keep the conversation going.
  2. DailyClout’s research on Pfizer and Moderna vaccines has produced meaningful reports that are available for public access.
  3. Financial contributions from the community allow independent journalism to thrive and grow its reach.

Remdesivir Is Probably a Reproductive Toxin, and Its Benefit Is Unclear

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 20
🏥 Health Politics Research Mortality Toxicity Treatment Fertility
  1. The benefit of remdesivir in COVID-19 patients is uncertain, with conflicting results from different studies.
  2. Remdesivir could have a time-dependent effect, showing potential benefits when given early in the course of the disease and potential harm when given late.
  3. There are concerns about the reproductive toxicity of remdesivir, particularly in male mice, raising questions about its impact on fertility in humans.