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Popular Topics

RWJF has created special sections for topics that have historically drawn the greatest interest from visitors to the RWJF Web site. Each one contains featured and highlighted publications chosen by RWJF staff and a brief overview of our work in the area.

Disparities

Disparities

Certain racial and ethnic populations in the U.S. suffer from worse health and receive lower-quality health care than whites, regardless of geography, income and health insurance coverage. Developing standards of care and improving the overall quality of our health care system can help reduce these disparities and improve health care for all patients.

Featuring:
Collection and Use of Race and Ethnicity Data for Quality Improvement

Related Topics: African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, Cultural Competence, Hispanic or Latino, Immigrants, Newcomers, or Refugees, Language Barriers to Care, Native American, Other Racial or Ethnic Groups, Quality

End Of Life & Palliative Care

End Of Life & Palliative Care

Despite advances in medical care, Americans still often suffer from unnecessary pain, discomfort and lack of caring at the end of life. Improved provider education and increased public awareness can lead to better end-of-life care.

Featuring:
What Length of Hospice Use Maximizes Reduction in Medical Expenditures Near Death in the U.S. Medicare Program?

Related Topics: Advance Care Planning & Other Decision-Making, Hospice, Pain

Health Insurance Coverage

Health Insurance Coverage

Nearly 45 million Americans, including 9 million children, do not have health insurance. Increasing enrollment in public programs, supporting state coverage reforms and informing policy-makers and the public will lead to new approaches to cover all Americans.

Featuring:
Do Individual Mandates Matter?

Subtopics: Cost Issues, Medicaid, Medicare, Portability, Reimbursement Issues, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Types of Insurance Coverage, Utilizations Review

Related Topics: Coalition-Building, Underinsured, Uninsured

Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care

Americans are living longer, yet more people can expect to have some sort of disability in their later years of life. Innovative approaches to long-term care, such as re-imagining nursing home care, may improve quality and provide more choices.

Featuring:
The Physician-Surrogate Relationship

Related Topics: Assisted Living Facilities, Family Caregiving, Home Health Care, Hospitals, Independent Living or Self-Determination, Long-Term Care Insurance

Medical Malpractice

Medical Malpractice

The medical tort system does not deter medical errors, compensates a small percentage of patients affected by negligent care, and is driving shortages in specialty care through rapidly rising insurance rates. New approaches, including an administrative system of health courts may address these issues and improve patient safety.

Featuring:
Understanding Medical Malpractice Insurance: A Primer

Related Topics: Patient Safety and Outcomes, Workforce Issues

Obesity

Obesity

More than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children in America are obese or at risk for obesity. To reverse this epidemic, we must identify the policy and environmental changes that lead to increased physical activity and better nutrition. We also must support the advocacy that will result in widespread adoption of those policies.

Featuring:
Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?

Related Topics: Elementary School, Exercise Programs, High Schools, Middle Schools, Nutrition, Physical Education, Sports, Walking/Biking Programs

Physical Activity

Physical Activity

The environment in which you live can make it easier, or more challenging, to be physically active. Many Americans have become sedentary over the years because physical activity has been slowly engineered out of our lives. Physical changes to communities can create safe, healthy environments that encourage and promote active living.

Featuring:
National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Age 50 and Older

Subtopics: Exercise Programs, Physical Education, Sports, Walking/Biking Programs

Public Health

Public Health

America's public health system has been systematically neglected and is ill prepared to address a variety of health threats. A stronger modern public health system can more effectively prepare for natural and man-made disasters, promote health and protect all Americans.

Featuring:
Using Local Health Information to Promote Public Health

Related Topics: Accreditation, Disaster & Relief Services, Promoting Good Health

Quality

Quality

Americans receive only about half of the recommended care they should receive. Adopting quality improvement strategies, reducing racial and ethnic disparities in care, and changing how care is delivered at the local level can improve the care all Americans receive.

Featuring:
Regional Coalitions for Healthcare Improvement: Definition, Lessons and Prospects

Subtopics: Benchmarks & Best Practices, Disparities, Evidence-Based Care, Patient Safety and Outcomes, Performance Standards and Measurement, Practice Guidelines, Report Cards or Score Cards, Value-Based Purchasing

Related Topics: Accreditation, Nurses & Nursing

Tobacco

Tobacco

Although tobacco use has decreased, it is the leading cause of death in the United States. Implementing a combination of policy changes including clean indoor air laws, higher per-pack taxes, and cessation efforts are proven to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Featuring:
Effect of Televised, Tobacco Company-Funded Smoking Prevention Advertising on Youth Smoking-Related Beliefs, Intentions, and Behavior

Subtopics: Cigarettes & Cigars, Spit Tobacco

Related Topics: Addiction, Smoking Cessation, Teens (15 to 19 years), Tobacco Control