Center on Health Equity & Access

Socioeconomic adversity in the perinatal period drives widening low birth weight gaps, fueling adverse pregnancy outcomes and deepening maternal and infant health inequities.

Nearly 3 million MA enrollees may lose plan coverage in 2026 as payment reforms drive market exits, hitting rural areas hardest and reshaping competition, explains Mark Meiselbach, PhD.

Employers and members can cut GLP-1 weight-loss costs with carve-outs, split payments, and transparent, updated price guides.

Patients with oHCM experience significant variation in cardiovascular events, health care resource use, and costs across age, sex, race, and US region.

Survey flags GLP-1 cost hurdles as nurses win staffing protections, new trauma center cuts shooting deaths, and understaffing data sharpen care debates.

A Mississippi hospital partners with Eko Health to introduce AI-assisted cardiac detection in underserved rural communities.

Scripta allows consumers to compare prescription prices, coupons, and insurance options in one place, helping patients and employers find affordable meds and smarter choices.

High area level housing cost burden is associated with increased cardiovascular hospitalizations and emergency department use among Medicaid beneficiaries.

Bhavana (Tina) Bhatnagar, DO, advocates for AI and diverse clinical trials to bridge equity gaps in precision oncology and value-based care.

Low-cost, scalable interventions can improve first-fill adherence, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and support patient-centered strategies.

Employers use carve-outs and cash-pay channels to reduce GLP-1 costs, while Scripta’s Navigator helps members compare prices and find support.

Nurse understaffing linked to higher in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmissions, and longer stays.

New data show Chicago’s South Side Level 1 trauma center cuts gunshot travel times and lowers firearm deaths, highlighting equity gains.

Tina Bhatnagar, DO, speaks to the importance of diversity in clinical trials and the need to remove barriers, enroll underrepresented backgrounds, and reflect real-world health conditions.

Over 15,000 NYC nurses ratified new contracts after a 41-day strike, securing staffing protections, salary increases, and safety reforms.

Mark Meiselbach, PhD, at Johns Hopkins, explains Medicare Advantage market corrections, Star Rating System pressures, and rural plan exits.

As utilization of GLP-1s grows for diabetes and weight management, out-of-pocket expenses and affordability concerns may affect broader health care policy discussions.

MA grocery card use was associated with modest increases in wellness, primary care, and specialist visits among dual-eligible beneficiaries, says Jennifer L. Kowalski, MS.

The increase in CRC-related mortality in younger adults is driven by screening delays and advanced-stage diagnoses, according to Jordan Karlitz, MD.

New GLP-1 pills challenge injections as competition, and discussions of possible Medicare coverage could push prices down.

Many eligible patients miss lung cancer screening due to low awareness and systemic barriers, putting underserved groups at higher risk for late-stage disease.

Phase 2 trial finds 5-day preoperative RT in high-risk STS shows comparable wound complication rates and acceptable toxicity.

From clinic closures to gene therapy costs, new data reveal how policy, prices, and structural racism reshape US health access and outcomes.

Kathrin Dvir, MD, MSc, concludes by highlighting the importance of outreach, education, and trusted messaging to improve breast cancer screening adherence.