Measles resurgence in southern Africa: challenges to measles elimination.

Introduction: In seven southern African countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe), following implementation of a measles mortality reduction strategy starting in 1996, the number of annually reported measles cases decreased sharply to less than one per million population during 2006-2008. However, during 2009-2010, large outbreaks occurred in these countries. In 2011, a goal for measles elimination by 2020 was set in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region (AFR).

Mortality amenable to health care in the United States: the roles of demographics and health systems performance.

This article examines associations of socio-demographic and health-care indicators, and the statistic 'mortality amenable to health care' (amenable mortality) across the US states. There is over two-fold variation in amenable mortality, strongly associated with the percentages of state populations that are poor or black. Controlling for poverty and race with bi- and multi-variate analyses, several indicators of health system performance, such as hospital readmission rates and preventive care for diabetics, are significantly associated with amenable mortality.

Young adults and the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes several provisions that promise to stem the rapidly rising tide of uninsured young adults, one of the largest uninsured segments of the population. These include the ability to enroll in a parent's health plan up to age 26, beginning in September 2010; significant expansion in eligibility for Medicaid, beginning in 2014; and the creation of health insurance exchanges with subsidized private insurance for people with low and moderate incomes, also beginning in 2014. Of the 14.

Small businesses and the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes several short- and long-term provisions designed to help small businesses pay for and maintain health insurance for their workers, and to allow workers without employer coverage to gain access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance. Provisions include a small business tax credit to offset premium costs for firms that offer coverage starting this taxable year, establishment of state-based insurance exchanges that promise to lower administrative costs and pool risk more broadly, and creation of new market rules and an essential benefit standard to protect small firms and their workers. Analysis shows that up to 16.

Rite of passage: young adults and the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 represent one of the largest segments of the uninsured; approximately 13.7 million were uninsured in 2008. The problem is linked to critical transition points in young adults' lives: aging off parents' coverage when they graduate from either high school or college, and losing eligibility for public programs like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program when they turn 19.

Young, uninsured, and seeking change: health coverage of young adults and their views on health reform. Findings from the Commonwealth fund Survey of Young Adults (2009).

Young adults are one of the largest uninsured segments of the population. This analysis of new survey data from The Commonwealth Fund finds almost half are without insurance at some time during the year. As they hit milestones like high school or college graduation, they face loss of coverage as they are dropped from parents' plans or public insurance programs.

Out of options: why so many workers in small businesses lack affordable health insurance, and how health care reform can help. Findings from the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007.

Although employer-sponsored health insurance forms the backbone of the health insurance system in the United States, small businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to provide their workers with comprehensive coverage. In 2007, only 25 percent of employees in small businesses had coverage through their own employers, compared with 74 percent of workers in large firms. Because there are few sources of affordable coverage outside the employer-based system, millions of employees in small businesses are uninsured or have inadequate health insurance.

Rite of passage? Why young adults become uninsured and how new policies can help, 2009 update.

Young adults ages 19 to 29 are one of the largest segments of the U.S. population without health insurance: 13.

Failure to protect: why the individual insurance market is not a viable option for most U.S. families: findings from the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007.

Between 2001 and 2007, an increasing share of adults with private insurance--whether employer-based coverage or individual market plans--spent a large amount of their income on premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs, were underinsured, and/or avoided needed health care because of costs. Those with coverage obtained in the individual market were the most affected. Over the last three years, nearly three-quarters of people who tried to buy coverage in this market never actually purchased a plan, either because they could not find one that fit their needs or that they could afford, or because they were turned down due to a preexisting condition.