Giuliana Grossi

In honor of Black History Month, Leesha Ellis-Cox, MD, MPH, sheds light on the racial disparities in mental health care and the prevalence of misdiagnosis.

Strengthening parity in insurance coverage of mental and physical health care benefits is critical for addressing the maternal mental health crisis.

Findings reveal an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among female patients with severe skin psoriasis who have nail involvement and require oral systemic therapy for their condition.

Carrie Kozlowski, OT, MBA highlights 3 key trends shaping the future of health care: a focus on health equity with actionable strategies for equitable access to care, a transition toward responsible AI utilization, and a push to maximize the potential of patient data while addressing privacy concerns.

This week in health equity and access includes challenges for independent physicians due to Medicare cuts, inequities in access to State Health Insurance Assistance Program counseling, a study on patient experiences in national health plans, strategies for building trust in cancer care, and increasing breast cancer rates in young Black women.

Coverage in the February 2024 issue of Evidence-Based Oncology.

Carrie Kozlowski, OT, MBA, chief operating officer and cofounder of Upfront Healthcare, explains how the company emphasizes personalized engagement to overcome technological, cultural, and social barriers while Medicaid disenrollment rates are increasing.

"I'll say what I don't think the issue is—it's not technology. We can solve this problem with technology," Carrie Kozlowski, OT, MBA, explains in the interview.

Over the past 20 years, Medicare physician pay has plummeted by 26% when adjusted for inflation, while hospital reimbursement has surged by 70%, prompting over 100,000 doctors to abandon independent practice for hospital or corporate employment since 2019.

Catch up on this week's news at the Center on Health Equity and Access.

The mobile intervention teams mark a significant step forward in federal efforts to transform mental health services across the nation, as New Mexico becomes the 15th state to adopt this option under the American Rescue Plan.

While White individuals are less likely to suffer from severe psychological distress, findings showed White individuals are more likely to experience “deaths of despair” when compared with Black and Hispanic individuals in the US.

A total of 16,430,000 Medicaid enrollees have been disenrolled across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as of February 1, 2024.

The Center on Health Equity and Access provides real-time updates, shares cutting-edge research, and supports continuous efforts dedicated to tackling health care disparities and enhancing widespread access to high-quality health services.

The findings not only underscore the efficacy of 2 major interventions—Behavioral Activation Psychotherapy (BA) and Antidepressant Medication Management (MEDS)—but also support patient autonomy in choosing their preferred path to mental well-being.

A national analysis found significant disparities between non-binary transgender individuals and cisgender individuals related to mental health.

The Center on Health Equity and Access delivers current updates, highlights breakthroughs in research, and ongoing endeavors committed to addressing healthcare inequalities and improving universal access to exceptional health care.

A comprehensive report exhibits how in-person, telephone-, and video-based care has trended from 2020-2023 within the US Department of Veterans Affairs health care system.

Topline results from a pivotal phase 3, open-label extension study showcase the long-term safety and efficacy of olanzapine and samidorphan (Lybalvi) in patients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or bipolar I disorder.

David Adamson, MD, emphasizes the need for continuous education and building relationships with colleagues to navigate the complexities of reproductive rights and evolving care standards.

The findings demonstrate the critical need for immediate policy reforms to tackle structural racism and promote equitable pediatric care in the US for children regardless of race or ethnicity.

The Center on Health Equity and Access provides up-to-date news, showcases research advancements, and ongoing initiatives dedicated to tackling healthcare disparities and enhancing overall accessibility to outstanding care.

Results revealed current cut points may lead to a high false-positive rate, prompting a call for lower thresholds in both language versions to enhance diagnostic accuracy.

While individual interventions have become popular among employers to enhance workplace well-being, a new study shows interventions may have to take place on an organizational level to be effective.

David Adamson, MD, founder and CEO of ARC Fertility, discusses how physicians should consider moral and ethical variations of patients when adhering to professional guidelines in fertility care.

“These autosomal diseases, from an inheritance standpoint, affect men and women equally, but because of their impact on the gynecological system and menses, women are often affected much more than men," hematologist Donna DiMichele, MD, explains.

The Center on Health Equity and Access delivers current news, highlights research advancements, and continuous initiatives focused on addressing health care disparities and improving overall accessibility to exceptional care.

"It’s time for our industry to recognize the consequences of the lack of investment in maternal health and come together to bring forward innovations," Charlotte Owens, MD, stated.

The top articles of 2023 addressed key issues such as representation gaps in aRCC research, concerns about the 340B program's impact on asthma disparities, slow adoption of equity innovations, potential biases in type 2 diabetes risk models, and addressing disparities in psoriasis treatment based on race and culture.

Employers, recognized as pivotal contributors to health equity, are urged to prioritize equitable benefits, address the complexity of health plans, and engage in education, data-driven interventions, and systematic measurements to comprehensively improve outcomes for diverse employee populations.