Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: January 13, 2024

Dr Margaret Liang on Mitigating Financial Toxicity for Patients With Cancer

In a recent interview, Margaret Liang, MD, MSHPM, gynecologic oncologist, health services researcher, and director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program, Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, discussed financial challenges in cancer care. She highlighted the complexity of insurance navigation, rising drug costs, and the broader impact on patients, including transportation and employment concerns. To address these issues, she suggested health care institutions engage with local support organizations, leverage national resources, and maintain open communication with pharmaceutical companies for financial assistance program optimization.

Breaking Barriers in Bleeding Disorders: Experts Call for More Data on Women

In this article, experts highlight the pressing need to address awareness and management gaps in bleeding disorders among women, historically excluded from research. Approximately 1 in 100 women may have a bleeding disorder, often undiagnosed, with heavy menstrual bleeding as a key symptom. Existing biases in clinical trials limit treatment options for women, impacting symptom management. The intentional exclusion of women from research perpetuates a knowledge gap, affecting symptom dismissal, limited treatment, and challenges in pregnancy.

Dr Ed Clarke Discusses Health Systems Investing in Social Determinants of Health

Ed Clarke, MD, from Banner Health, discussed the debate on whether health systems should invest in social determinants of health (SDOH). While acknowledging some valid points in the commentary against such investments, Clarke highlighted Banner Health's strategic move to take risks on outcomes by owning insurance plans. He emphasized the challenges faced by health care providers in managing increased workloads and stressed the need for a balanced approach. The discussion also covered challenges in obtaining SDOH data, concerns about data sharing, and the importance of government intervention. Clarke expressed the need for thoughtful solutions and expressed the significance of financial support for interventions in the complex primary care ecosystem.

Contributor: Association Between Social Deprivation, Race/Ethnicity, and Unplanned 30-Day Hospital Readmissions for Medicare Beneficiaries

This retrospective claims-based cohort analysis explored the association between social risk, measured by the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), and 30-day hospital readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries. Using a comprehensive dataset, the study revealed a significant relationship between higher social deprivation and increased risk of unplanned readmissions. The analysis indicated a curvilinear relationship, with a substantial rise in readmission risk after an SDI score of 60, reaching a maximum at the highest SDI scores. The study also incorporated race as a proxy for systemic racism, highlighting its impactful contribution to predicting readmission risk. The findings suggest the potential for more granular payment adjustments based on SDI levels, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address social determinants and health equity gaps in resource allocation strategies.

Rethinking Workplace Well-Being: Individual-Level Interventions Found to Be Ineffective

A survey challenged the effectiveness of individual-level mental well-being interventions in workplaces, finding limited evidence and potential harm in practices like mindfulness and stress management. The study suggests a reevaluation of workplace strategies, advocating for a shift towards high-quality organizational interventions. Emphasizing the complexity of evaluating these interventions, the findings recommend further research, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches and exhibiting the significance of organizational over individual change. The study prompts a reassessment of workplace well-being strategies, advocating for a combination of approaches to enhance job resources and mitigate job demands.