Health-related risk behaviors among U.S. childhood cancer survivors: a nationwide estimate.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are subject to a substantial burden of treatment-related morbidity. Engaging in health protective behaviors and eliminating risk behaviors are critical to preventing chronic diseases and premature deaths. This study is aimed to provide updated information on currently smoking, physical inactivity, binge drinking patterns and associated factors among CCS using a nationwide dataset.

Healthcare utilization and cost barriers among U.S. childhood cancer survivors.

Background: To evaluate healthcare utilization and cost barrier patterns among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) compared with noncancer controls.

Procedure: Using the 2014-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we identified CCS < 50 years and matched controls. We used chi-squared tests to compare characteristics between the two groups.

Comparative Cost-effectiveness of Trabeculectomy versus MicroShunt in the US Medicare System.

Purpose: To assess the societal cost-utility of the MicroShunt compared with trabeculectomy for the surgical management of glaucoma in the US Medicare system.

Design: Cost-utility analysis using efficacy and safety results of a randomized controlled trial and other pivotal clinical trials.

Participants: Markov model cohort of patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Cost Utility of Schlemm's Canal Microstent Injection With Cataract Surgery for Open-angle Glaucoma in the US Medicare System.

Prcis: Hydrus microstent (HMS) implantation at the time of cataract surgery appears to be cost-effective in mild-to-moderate glaucoma. However, long-term follow-up is essential for a full assessment of device performance, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Purpose: The aim was to assess the societal cost-utility to the US Medicare system of implanting HMS with cataract surgery versus cataract surgery alone in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

RAPIDIRON: Reducing Anaemia in Pregnancy in India-a 3-arm, randomized-controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of oral iron with single-dose intravenous iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant women and reducing low birth weight deliveries.

Background: Anaemia is a worldwide problem and iron deficiency is the most common cause. In pregnancy, anaemia increases the risk of adverse maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes. India's anaemia rate is among the highest in the world with India's National Family Health Survey indicating over 50% of pregnant women were affected by anaemia.

Health care-related time costs in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Burdens related to time spent receiving cancer care may be substantial for patients with incurable, life-limiting cancers such as metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Estimates of time spent on health care are needed to inform treatment-related decision-making.

Methods: Estimates of time spent receiving cancer-related health care in the initial 3 months of treatment for patients with MBC were calculated using the following data sources: (a) direct observations from a time-in-motion quality improvement evaluation (process mapping); (b) cross-sectional patient surveys; and (c) administrative claims.

Health Insurance Literacy and Financial Hardship in Women Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Purpose: In patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), low health insurance literacy may be associated with adverse material conditions, psychological response, and coping behaviors because of financial hardship (FH). This study explored the relationship between health insurance literacy and FH in women with MBC.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data collected from 84 women receiving MBC treatment at 2 southeastern cancer centers.

Costs and Effectiveness of Treating Homeless Persons with Cocaine Addiction with Alternative Contingency Management Strategies.

Background: Between 1990 and 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama USA, 4 separate randomized controlled studies, called "Homeless 1" through "Homeless 4", treated cocaine substance abuse among chronically homeless adults, largely black men, many with non-psychotic mental health problems. The 4 studies had 9 treatment arms that used various counseling methods plus, in some arms, the provision of housing and work therapy usually with a contingent requirement of urine-test verified abstinence from substances. Participants in the abstinent-contingent arms who lapsed on abstinence were removed from housing and sent to an evening public shelter from which they were daily transported to day treatment until they returned to abstinence.

Eye Care Quality and Accessibility Improvement in the Community (EQUALITY): impact of an eye health education program on patient knowledge about glaucoma and attitudes about eye care.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the education program of the Eye Care Quality and Accessibility Improvement in the Community (EQUALITY) telemedicine program on at-risk patients' knowledge about glaucoma and attitudes about eye care as well as to assess patient satisfaction with EQUALITY.

Patients And Methods: New or existing patients presenting for a comprehensive eye exam (CEE) at one of two retail-based primary eye clinics were enrolled based on ≥1 of the following at-risk criteria for glaucoma: African Americans ≥40 years of age, Whites ≥50 years of age, diabetes, family history of glaucoma, and/or preexisting diagnosis of glaucoma. A total of 651 patients were enrolled.

Eye Care Quality and Accessibility Improvement in the Community (EQUALITY) for adults at risk for glaucoma: study rationale and design.

Background: Primary open angle glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease that is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans. Glaucoma progresses more rapidly and appears about 10 years earlier in African Americans as compared to whites. African Americans are also less likely to receive comprehensive eye care when glaucoma could be detected before irreversible blindness.

Impact of the HITECH Act on physicians' adoption of electronic health records.

Background And Objective: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act has distributed billions of dollars to physicians as incentives for adopting certified electronic health records (EHRs) through the meaningful use (MU) program ultimately aimed at improving healthcare outcomes. The authors examine the extent to which the MU program impacted the EHR adoption curve that existed prior to the Act.

Methods: Bass and Gamma Shifted Gompertz (G/SG) diffusion models of the adoption of "Any" and "Basic" EHR systems in physicians' offices using consistent data series covering 2001-2013 and 2006-2013, respectively, are estimated to determine if adoption was stimulated during either a PrePay (2009-2010) period of subsidy anticipation or a PostPay (2011-2013) period when payments were actually made.

Reducing older driver motor vehicle collisions via earlier cataract surgery.

Older adults who undergo cataract extraction have roughly half the rate of motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement per mile driven compared to cataract patients who do not elect cataract surgery. Currently in the U.S.

Effects of sustained abstinence among treated substance-abusing homeless persons on housing and employment.

Objectives: We examined whether cocaine-dependent homeless persons had stable housing and were employed 6, 12, and 18 months after they entered a randomized controlled trial comparing 2 treatments.

Methods: One group (n = 103) received abstinence-contingent housing, vocational training, and work; another group (n = 103) received the same intervention plus cognitive behavioral day treatment. We examined baseline and early treatment variables for association with long-term housing and employment.

Employment in households with stroke after Constraint-Induced Movement therapy.

Randomized controlled clinical studies show that Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CI therapy) improves impaired arm function in patients with stroke. Little is known about how this therapy affects employment of patients or their caregivers. Individuals more than 1-year post-stroke (N=121) were retrospectively surveyed about their activities and employment prior to stroke, after stroke but before CI therapy and after CI therapy.

Costs and effectiveness of substance abuse treatments for homeless persons.

Background: Several reviews of the effectiveness of drug abuse treatment have concluded that treatment works. However, studies analyzing cost-effectiveness or cost-benefits of drug treatment have been limited. Consequently, policy decisions regarding substance abuse treatment have utilized educated guesses or consensus of experts in the absence of controlled and scientifically rigorous studies of the benefits and costs of treatment.