Topic: Health
Why the COVID-19 Baby Bust May Be Far Smaller Than Expected
Access to birth control among lower-income women was curtailed by pandemic’s lockdown
Two-Tier Pricing: Reducing Risk for ACOs and Specialist Practices
Higher prices for the first few procedures, followed by a volume discount, may help balance risks and rewards
Too Much Free Time? Blame Solitude or Lack of Productive Activity
Even abundant free time, used in meaningful pursuits, brings happiness
The Dollar Store Fix for Vaccination Deserts
Pharmacies aren’t everywhere — adding dollar stores could reduce average distance to vaccination by 62%
Texting Our Way Closer to Herd Immunity
A simple message with a behavioral nudge boosts vaccination rate
Shaming Smokers Actually Increases Their Urge to Light Up
Being stigmatized by stereotype feeds anxiety and depletes self-control
Public Disclosure of Drug Company Gifts: High-Prescribing Physicians Unaffected
The average doctor, following sunshine laws, writes fewer Rx’s for marketed medicines
Philadelphia’s Soda Tax Is Nearly Perfect for Maximizing Revenue
It’s less successful at curbing consumption so buyers shop outside the city
Patience Is a Virtue — Up to a Certain Point
The happiest people are moderately patient, not into extreme delayed gratification
Overcoming Obstacles to Taking Better Care of Your Future Self
Hal Hershfield’s book offers research-backed methods to build a healthier, happier, more financially secure life
Orphan Drugs: An Expert Pricing Panel Could Bring Benefits
The goal is continued development of new drugs and reduction of often shocking prices
New Study Disavows Marshmallow Test’s Predictive Powers
Test's originator was a central co-author but died before its completion
More Staffers: More COVID-19 Exposures and More Nursing Home Deaths
Reliance on part-timers raises headcounts and dangers to patients
Modest Financial Incentives Help with Weight Loss
Tying payments to weight, rather than behaviors, marginally more effective
Medical Debt in Collection Estimated at $140 Billion
Poorer residents of states refusing to expand Medicaid hit hardest
Maximizing Life Saving through Better Placement of Defibrillators
Just putting one where the last cardiac arrest occurred isn’t optimal — more calculations to get to fewer steps