article thumbnail

Medicare Advantage Poses Challenges to Health Care Cost-Effectiveness and Equity

The Health Care Blog

Medicare Advantage (Advantage), originally conceived in 1997 during the Clinton Administration as ‘Medicare + Choice’, has progressively grown and become an established health insurance option for those 65 and older. million, while trade associations representing the health insurance industry spent an equivalent amount. Introduction.

article thumbnail

Lower Neighborhood Opportunity May Increase Risk for Preterm Birth

BU School of Public Health Blog

birth Lower Neighborhood Opportunity May Increase Risk for Preterm Birth A new study suggests that neighborhoods with fewer educational, health, environmental, and socioeconomic resources may increase one’s risk for preterm birth and contribute to the racial gap in preterm birth in the Commonwealth. percent, and White infants at 5.8

article thumbnail

Hepatitis C

Gideon

Over 71 million cases of chronic Hepatitis C infection were estimated in 2015, though that number has been steadily falling over the past decade. Chronic hepatitis C often does not cause any symptoms for many years, but can eventually lead to serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.