• Stark disparities in health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic led to health policy funding and interventions addressing social needs and social determinants of health to improve health equity. (rwjf.org)
  • No matter the policy mechanism, leaders from government and health payers should explicitly recognize health equity as the goal and systemic structural racism as a fundamental cause of racial inequities in health, economic, and social outcomes. (rwjf.org)
  • To what extent could Ohio's health outcomes be improved by preventing ACEs? (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • It explains that health outcomes in the United States are shaped less by health care than by living conditions such as education, income, food security, housing, neighborhoods, and the environment. (americanprogress.org)
  • Promote policies that strengthen the social, educational, and economic opportunities that improve health outcomes for families. (mhm.org)
  • he mission of the Child and Family Policy Center is to better link research and policy on issues vital to children and families and advocate for evidence-based practices that improve child and family outcomes. (idealist.org)
  • 4 Higher temperatures have brought increased dehydration and renal function loss, dermatological malignancies, tropical infections, adverse mental health outcomes, pregnancy complications, allergies, and cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity and mortality. (bmj.com)
  • Members of the Indiana Oncology Society identified an opportunity to take an active role in providing the knowledge state legislators need to develop state policies that will provide the best outcomes for constituents dealing with cancer, and thus the Oncology Caucus was formed. (ascopost.com)
  • The pandemic thus put a spotlight on the considerable research connecting systemic structural racism to disparities in health and the unmet social needs that contribute to poor health. (rwjf.org)
  • The COVID-19 public health emergency elucidated ways that systemic structural racism and inequities in social determinants of health manifest disparities in health and unmet social needs. (rwjf.org)
  • Pandemic-era policies, including continuous coverage requirements and extended tax credits, helped make healthcare more affordable and narrow racial disparities in healthcare affordability. (rwjf.org)
  • As health disparities in the U.S. continue to grow, RWJF's health equity toolkit provides resources, data, and examples of communities working to achieve better health for all. (rwjf.org)
  • Systemic barriers to health , such as pandemic-related stress, discrimination and targeted marketing, drive trends and disparities in excessive alcohol use. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • For decades, the health of U.S. citizens has been getting progressively worse than the health of citizens in other high-income countries, and the United States' health disparities have widened. (americanprogress.org)
  • The United States has also experienced widening inequities since the 1970s-not only the growing wealth gap 13 but also deeper health disparities. (americanprogress.org)
  • Poor diet is among the greatest health and societal challenges of our time, causing death and disability, soaring health care spending, budget challenges for governments and private business, diminished military readiness and population disparities. (theconversation.com)
  • Starting in the early 2000s, the World Health Organization facilitated the academic and political work on social determinants in a way that provided a deep understanding of health disparities in a global perspective. (wikipedia.org)
  • [12] With a series of affirmations and announcements, the Declaration aimed to communicate that the social conditions in which an individual exists were key to understanding health disparities that individual may face, and it called for new policies across the world to fight health disparities, along with global collaborations. (wikipedia.org)
  • Despite the major gains in knowledge in the industrialized world with regard to improving health, disparities and inequities in health remain major challenges in the developing countries, including most countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. (who.int)
  • In order to reduce health inequities and address social determinants of health, it is necessary to look beyond health systems to upstream policies formulated across sectors-such as housing, education, child care, and labor. (rwjf.org)
  • In the meantime, further research is needed to inform policies that will sustainably address social determinants of health and unmet social needs beyond the acute phase. (rwjf.org)
  • The current circumstances negatively impact the underlying determinants of health, can accordingly have detrimental effects on individuals' health and increase health inequalities. (rug.nl)
  • Community-based organizations have expertise and motivation that makes them essential partners in addressing these determinants of health. (governing.com)
  • The social determinants of health ( SDOH ) are the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status . (wikipedia.org)
  • [4] Issues of particular focus are social determinants of mental health , social determinants of health in poverty , social determinants of obesity and commercial determinants of health . (wikipedia.org)
  • In 2008, the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health published a report entitled "Closing the Gap in a Generation", which aimed to understand, from a social justice perspective, how health inequity could be remedied, and what actions could combat factors that exacerbated injustices. (wikipedia.org)
  • [6] The work of the commission was based on development goals, and thus, connected SDOH (social determinants of health) discourse to economic growth and bridging gaps in the healthcare system. (wikipedia.org)
  • [6] This report identified two broad areas of social determinants of health that needed to be addressed. (wikipedia.org)
  • The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) established by the Obama administration in the United States, embodied the ideas put in place by the WHO by bridging the gap between community-based health and healthcare as a medical treatment, meaning that a larger consideration of social determinants of health was emerging in the policy. (wikipedia.org)
  • The 2011 World Conference on Social Determinants of Health, in which 125 delegations participated, created the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health. (wikipedia.org)
  • The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social determinants of health as "life-enhancing resources, such as food supply, housing, economic and social relationships, transportation, education, and health care, whose distribution across populations effectively determines length and quality of life. (wikipedia.org)
  • It includes an emphasis on the consequences of public policies on health systems, determinants of health and well- being. (who.int)
  • Focusing action on specific ACEs may yield more significant health impacts. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • Data analysis suggests that preventing and mitigating the impacts of emotional and sexual abuse and living in a household with someone who has a substance use disorder, mental health problem or who is incarcerated are likely to have the largest effects on the health of Ohioans. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • BOSTON - A new study finds that burning natural gas, biomass, and wood now have more negative health impacts than burning coal in many states , and is a trend that may continue. (harvard.edu)
  • The study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published in Environmental Research Letters is the first to provide an inventory of the health impacts of each type of fuel burned at stationary sources from 2008-2017, based on available data. (harvard.edu)
  • Exposure to PM2.5 can lead to a variety of negative health impacts including cardiovascular and respiratory disease, stroke, asthma, autism spectrum disorder, and premature mortality. (harvard.edu)
  • Fuel consuming stationary sources in 2017 were responsible for an estimated $524 billion to $777 billion in health impacts and 47,000-69,000 premature deaths, 33,000-53,000 of which were due to fuel sources other than coal. (harvard.edu)
  • As coal use has decreased, the share of health impacts from stationary sources has risen from gas, wood, and biomass. (harvard.edu)
  • The study, supported by RMI, estimates health-related social costs of air pollution emissions in the U.S. and projects current impacts of changes in energy infrastructure. (harvard.edu)
  • Burning gas and biomass have significant health impacts and should be replaced with clean renewable energy sources. (harvard.edu)
  • Energy infrastructure built today could operate for decades-locking in their health impacts along with greenhouse gas emissions. (harvard.edu)
  • Health impacts from coal are decreasing while the share of impacts from gas and wood/biomass are increasing, and this will likely continue beyond 2017. (harvard.edu)
  • Projections estimate that in 2018, the health impacts of coal and gas were nearly equal-coal remained the most harmful fuel in the electricity sector, while wood/biomass and gas were most harmful in buildings and industrial boilers. (harvard.edu)
  • The health impacts of these fuels are conservative estimates because they only account for what is emitted outdoors at stationary sources, during combustion. (harvard.edu)
  • With the rise in sickness absenteeism and associated financial impacts on organisations and the economy, workplace health and wellbeing is a top priority. (mdpi.com)
  • 2) When we don't consider the health impacts up front, we end up dealing with the costs - to people's lives and in economic terms - for years to come. (who.int)
  • HiAP is an approach to public policies across sectors that systematically takes into account the health implications of decisions, seeks synergies , and avoids harmful health impacts in order to improve population health and health equity . (who.int)
  • It improves accountability of policymakers for health impacts at all levels of policy-making. (who.int)
  • NCQA's Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model is being used by public and private payers to drive primary care transformation and improve quality of care and access. (ncqa.org)
  • Policymakers and other stakeholders can use the Ohio-specific data and analyses provided in this brief to inform future approaches to reduce ACEs exposure in Ohio. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • NCQA's Public Policy team engages with policymakers and other stakeholders to help fulfill our mission of driving "better health care, better choices, better health. (ncqa.org)
  • NCQA shares quality data and technical expertise with a variety of stakeholders across the health care spectrum. (ncqa.org)
  • Our Public Policy team helps stakeholders to support their goal of driving quality and value through the use of NCQA programs. (ncqa.org)
  • NCQA hosts advisory councils that allow stakeholders to share their experience and discuss how NCQA programs can help the larger health care system. (ncqa.org)
  • A bipartisan group of Indiana legislators, oncology experts, and other stakeholders joined together on March 6 in Indianapolis for the first-ever Indiana Cancer Caucus, where they discussed approaches to improve access to quality health care, invest in cancer research funding, and address critical needs in payment reform. (ascopost.com)
  • This paper examines how the research policy interface has been shaped and tested to provide the realistic role, relevance and contribution of the two most important stakeholders, i.e. the research community and policy-makers. (who.int)
  • Such a strategy should include all interested stakeholders, especially researchers and policymakers, who need to work together to understand the role, contribution and potential of each and find ways and means of working for the improved health of the population. (who.int)
  • Our Scorecard ranks every state's health care system based on how well it provides high-quality, accessible, and equitable health care. (commonwealthfund.org)
  • The pandemic's disproportionately devastating effects opened a significant political window of opportunity and financing for addressing social needs through health policy and health care transformation. (rwjf.org)
  • The impact of AF is compounded by its known association with significant mortality, morbidity, and health care costs. (ahrq.gov)
  • 12 The management of AF and its complications is responsible for almost $16 billion in additional costs to the U.S. health care system each year. (ahrq.gov)
  • Because diet influences the potential for learning as well as health, an objective of the first national education goal is that children 'receive the nutrition and health care needed to arrive at school with healthy minds and bodies' (3). (cdc.gov)
  • 5 And within the United States, the divide has widened between those who have opportunities for good health and access to high-quality health care and those who face systematic barriers. (americanprogress.org)
  • This matters not only because Americans live with more sickness and die sooner than their peers in other rich nations, but also because a decline in the nation's health has ripple effects-on the economy, workforce productivity, health care costs, the fitness of military recruits, and national security. (americanprogress.org)
  • Methodist Healthcare Ministries believes all Texans, regardless of their economic status, deserve access to quality, affordable health care. (mhm.org)
  • Increase access to primary care and mental health services in both the public and private sectors. (mhm.org)
  • Increase state efforts at addressing the prevention of chronic illnesses-particularly obesity and diabetes-through health care education initiatives. (mhm.org)
  • Our 2023 legislative agenda and priorities challenge Texas policymakers to make Texas the best state for health care for all residents. (mhm.org)
  • In this Q&A, Thomas Workman, principal researcher at AIR, shares his insights about the current state of health care safety and patient and family engagement-and where we're headed. (air.org)
  • The letter explains the critical role that high-quality and affordable health insurance plays in helping our communities access essential treatments and care, and expresses our desire to work together to create a health care system that benefits all Americans. (cff.org)
  • Our goal is to ensure that people with CF have the coverage they require to access the treatments they need, and that the incoming administration and Congress understand the unique needs of our community as they advance new health care policies. (cff.org)
  • We look forward to working together to improve the care that our community receives and the system they use to access it," Preston W. Campbell III, M.D., president and CEO of the Foundation. (cff.org)
  • This effort is consistent with the Foundation's ongoing work to promote policies to help ensure that everyone living with CF has access to high-quality, specialized care and adequate, affordable health insurance regardless of income, employment, health status or geographic location. (cff.org)
  • We write on behalf of the millions of Americans living with chronic , serious and life-threatening diseases who need access to affordable health insurance and quality health care. (cff.org)
  • The individuals we represent have daily health care demands that can span the course of a lifetime. (cff.org)
  • Americans who rely heavily on the health care system must be assured of adequate and affordable insurance that covers their health care needs. (cff.org)
  • They deserve a health care system that will help enable them to lead longer, healthier lives. (cff.org)
  • These policies alone, however, are not enough to ensure meaningful access to health care. (cff.org)
  • We look forward to working with you and your Administration to ensure that the needs of the patients we represent are fully considered as the health insurance and health care systems are reevaluated. (cff.org)
  • In addition, nearly $1 in $5 in the entire U.S. economy is spent on health care, creating massive threats to the health of the national economy. (theconversation.com)
  • These costs create enormous economic challenges for federal and state governments as well as for private American businesses, families, and individuals through rising health care premiums, out-pocket-costs, missed work and lower productivity. (theconversation.com)
  • Health educators conduct health risk assessments, develop educational materials, conduct research, and collaborate with other health care providers. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), health insurance providers must offer certain services. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • Hospital care, physician services, and laboratory and X-ray services are mandatory, and other programs evaluate child development and ensure population health. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • Telehealth is becoming an increasingly common tool in the health care system, including remote treatment for children with disabilities. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • This helps them better understand health care issues. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • However, in general, health literacy programs should focus on teaching children to engage in decisions about their care. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • Clinics are health care facilities that offer services that are between those of your doctor's office and those of a. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • What Is Health Care? (mnhealthcare.org)
  • Health care is the system of services for maintaining and improving human health. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • Founded by former state senator Charles Bruner in 1989, CFPC has successfully promoted initiatives expanding access to quality child care, preschool and comprehensive health care, improving the tax treatment of low- and moderate-income working families, boosting family economic success and supporting child safety and welfare. (idealist.org)
  • NCQA's Public Policy department works closely with state and federal officials, helping them assess the quality of the care they pay for and regulate, and identifying opportunities for improvement. (ncqa.org)
  • We also partner with consumers, employers and other groups to support policies that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system. (ncqa.org)
  • Our Public Policy team regularly submits comment letters to federal and state entities on a broad range of health care topics. (ncqa.org)
  • Our Public Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) engages state and federal representatives to promote alignment of health care quality goals, maximize accountability and minimize the burden of quality measurement. (ncqa.org)
  • The World Health Organization says that "the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. (wikipedia.org)
  • [6] The first area was daily living conditions, which included healthy physical environments, fair employment, and decent work, social protection across the lifespan, and access to health care. (wikipedia.org)
  • Associate Professor of Public Policy Soroush Saghafian and colleagues explore how policymakers can respond and make the health care sector more efficient. (harvard.edu)
  • In their paper " Towards a More Efficient Healthcare System: Opportunities and Challenges Caused by Hospital Closures Amid the COVID‑19 Pandemic ," published in Health Care Management Science , the authors look at the effects of the increase in hospital closures-such as pressure felt by the remaining hospitals that may result in rushed services and reduced quality. (harvard.edu)
  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health coverage to more than 20 million people, principally by improving access to Medicaid and the individual insurance market. (cbpp.org)
  • Frequently, low-income workers get less employer help with their premiums, are offered less robust coverage, and must pay a greater share of their income toward health care costs compared to higher-income workers. (cbpp.org)
  • These options for making coverage more affordable for low-income workers could complement broader strategies for reducing health care costs and improving the quality of employer-sponsored insurance for all workers. (cbpp.org)
  • 3M Health Care is partnering with community-based organizations and academic institutions to address health equity and help more people get the resources they need to thrive. (3m.com)
  • When an opportunity to address oral health equity in Minnesota surfaced, 3M Health Care teams took action. (3m.com)
  • In the winter of 2020, John Pournoor, director of 3M Government Affairs, along with 3M Oral Care and 3M Health Care team members, partnered with a Minnesota coalition of 12 dental organizations and dental safety net clinics. (3m.com)
  • Healthy People 2030 - a ten-year plan to address U.S. health priorities - counts combatting tooth decay and oral health conditions, as well as enhancing access to oral health care services, as top priorities. (3m.com)
  • Let's say you're working in a developing country - healthcare policy may mean making sure everybody in the country has access to better chronic care, so morbidity and mortality is lowered. (3m.com)
  • The annual Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report reveals the burden of Alzheimer's and dementia on individuals, caregivers, government and the nation's health care system. (alz.org)
  • We need policies that provide better health and long-term coverage to ensure high-quality, cost-effective care for the millions who are facing this disease. (alz.org)
  • Alcohol and tobacco control policy and programmes to prevent the use among pregnant and reproductive-age women in Nigeria should be implemented primarily during antenatal care. (springer.com)
  • The long-term complications of alcohol consumption during pregnancy include mental illness, academic failure, and behavioural disorders, including substance abuse which places a considerable burden on the family, health care, educational and judicial systems [ 7 ]. (springer.com)
  • There have been few systematic, evidence-based evaluations of the region's experiments with health care decentralization. (americasquarterly.org)
  • In fact, the region's health care decentralization efforts over the past two decades ought to serve as a laboratory for deeper and more scientific studies that could help policymakers choose what kinds of decentralization are more likely to achieve policy objectives. (americasquarterly.org)
  • The California Health & Human Services (CHHS) oversees 16 departments and offices that provide a wide range of services in the areas of health care, mental health, public health, alcohol and drug treatment, income assistance, social services and assistance to people with disabilities. (marklogic.com)
  • As part of CHHS, the DMHC protects California consumers' health care rights and ensures a stable health care delivery system by regulating health plans to ensure compliance. (marklogic.com)
  • We want to be working on our foundational work of protecting consumers' health care and ensuring a stable health care delivery system. (marklogic.com)
  • These regulatory changes and court rulings align with ACP advocacy to ensure access for all patients to the full range of reproductive health care services. (acponline.org)
  • Washington, D.C. - The National Center for Public Policy Research is pleased to announce the addition of David Hogberg, Ph.D. to its health care and retirement security policy staff. (nationalcenter.org)
  • He will focus on such pressing issues as Medicare, health care and Social Security reform. (nationalcenter.org)
  • Dr. Hogberg will augment The National Center's work in the health care and Social Security policy arenas. (nationalcenter.org)
  • Dr. Hogberg will educate the public and policymakers on America's best options for averting retirement security crises relating to Medicare and Social Security, as well as work to educate Americans about options for improving our health care system for Americans of all ages. (nationalcenter.org)
  • A new chapter (8) that views how family considerations can improve the effectiveness of policy decisions on issues such as early childhood care and education, health care, juvenile crime, long-term care, parent education, and welfare reform. (purdue.edu)
  • Explore opportunities for engagement with local policymakers to discuss pivotal patient issues unique to Indiana's cancer care landscape, as health-care reform continues to be discussed on the state level. (ascopost.com)
  • At a time when an increasing number of health-policy decisions are being decided by states, more and more states across the country are establishing cancer caucuses as a way to educate and inform legislators on issues specifically related to cancer care. (ascopost.com)
  • For others it is to provide new medical information to health care providers through medical journals, without looking at the bigger picture of national health and development. (who.int)
  • Our findings show that while there are public health benefits from reducing coal emissions, gas, biomass, and wood are not clean or healthy alternative energy sources. (harvard.edu)
  • PPIC researcher Shannon McConville will outline findings from two new reports, and a panel of experts will talk about the role of the state's community colleges in providing health training pathways and economic opportunities to a diverse group of Californians. (ppic.org)
  • The findings of the paper provide an important entry point to the discussion on the relevance and scope of EU public mental health action. (lu.se)
  • A key determinant of health inequity in the R egion is the critical disconnect between research findings, and use of research evidence for po licy-making and implementation of programmes. (who.int)
  • about one-third of those cases (18,101) were reported in the U.S. Not including previously endemic regions, 82 countries worldwide have reported cases, prompting the World Health Organization to declare monkeypox an " evolving threat of moderate public health concern" on June 23, 2022. (asahq.org)
  • World Health Organization. (lu.se)
  • Lessons from these interventions and similar prepandemic initiatives can guide policymakers in designing more permanent approaches. (rwjf.org)
  • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and other policymakers have already taken significant strides to improve the health and well-being of Ohio's children, including the creation of the Governor's Office of Children's Initiatives and improvements to the state's child welfare and home visiting systems. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • Follow key trends in research on coverage among uninsured individuals, and national and local initiatives to increase enrollment in U.S. health insurance. (rwjf.org)
  • And, surprisingly or not, a number of health-related initiatives are currently on the table for discussion. (rug.nl)
  • [10] The ACA established community change through initiatives like providing Community Transformation Grants to community organizations, which opened up further debates and talks about increased integration of policies to create change on a larger scale. (wikipedia.org)
  • One of the major public policy debates of our time is to what extent decentralization of government decision making promotes or reduces the effectiveness of policy initiatives. (americasquarterly.org)
  • Health policy researchers from IMPAQ and AIR have been tracking and analyzing the rapid advancements in telehealth delivery and accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. (air.org)
  • Five approaches emerged that the researchers believe could improve peacekeeping operations: more-efficient mobilization, more fungibility in resources, reprioritized resource investments, greater accountability, and decision-making based on timely operational data. (harvard.edu)
  • With housing costs rising rapidly in large U.S. cities, an understanding of the relationship between politics and housing policy could provide insight for policymakers and researchers. (harvard.edu)
  • Evidence-Based Policymaking: Insights from Policy-Minded Researchers and Research-Minded Policymakers provides an insider's view of what policymakers are like and how the policymaking process really works. (purdue.edu)
  • Through a series of in-depth interviews with researchers, policymakers, and intermediaries who serve between the two, the authors provide insight into why researchers and policymakers do not easily interact and, when they do, why the communication is often strained. (purdue.edu)
  • The Regional Committee is invited to consid er ways to bridge the potential gaps between health researchers and policy-makers. (who.int)
  • There is clear evidence of serious communication and other gaps between researchers and policy- makers. (who.int)
  • At the regional level a major strategic objective that needs to be pursued is to strengthen and formalize communication among researchers, health managers, planners and decision/policy-makers. (who.int)
  • The purpose and objective of this paper is to identify the gaps between health researchers and policy- makers and provide direction that increases translation of research evidence into effective policy and planning, with a focus on improving the performance of national health systems and health of the population in the Region. (who.int)
  • Traditionally, researchers have been satisfied to publish their research results in the scientific journals and not worry about whether these results are used by a policy-maker or health manager. (who.int)
  • There are many organizations working to improve child well-being in Ohio at the state and local levels. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • These guidelines are based on a synthesis of research, theory, and current practice and are consistent with the principles of the national health education standards (29), the opportunity-to-learn standards for health education (29), the position papers of leading voluntary organizations involved in child nutrition (30), and the national action plan to improve the American diet (31). (cdc.gov)
  • The pandemic highlighted the importance of community-based organizations (CBOs) to the success of public health programs, and a CDC advisory group has advocated for more funding for such groups. (governing.com)
  • The Institute of State and Regional Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg defines CBOs as "most often nonprofit organizations - particularly service organizations - that work at the local level to provide services to communities and specific target audiences which improve a community's health and well-being. (governing.com)
  • During the pandemic, community-based organizations served as much-needed extensions of public health offices, says Monica Valdez Lupi, managing director of the Kresge Foundation's Health Program. (governing.com)
  • For more information, read more about our governing policy principles, read the full text of the letter below, and view the complete list of organizations that signed on. (cff.org)
  • A new chapter (12) that provides a theoretical and empirical rationale for viewing issues through the family impact lens and what innovative tools and procedures exist for analyzing the family impact of organizations, policies, programs, and practices. (purdue.edu)
  • What is the State of Digital Health Funding in 2023? (americantelemed.org)
  • If this plan is accepted by the Parliament and Senate, this would mean that by 1 April 2023 excise duties on tobacco will increase with €1,218 for cigarettes and €3,045 for smoking tobacco. (rug.nl)
  • But policy changes must go beyond acute responses to the pandemic to sustainably address both urgent social needs and the underlying systemic issues causing them. (rwjf.org)
  • Healthcare affordability improved between 2019 and 2022 as the result of several policies implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that protected and expanded access to subsidized health coverage. (rwjf.org)
  • With the pandemic, there came a digital health explosion, with companies working swiftly to bring new technologies to light that would pave the way forward in telehealth and other critical areas. (americantelemed.org)
  • The world saw the U.S. "health disadvantage" firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when more people died from the virus in the United States than in any other country and when U.S. death rates were starkly higher among people of color. (americanprogress.org)
  • In recent years, some critics of public health have portrayed it as an example of government overreach, exemplified by pandemic vaccine, mask and shutdown mandates. (governing.com)
  • During the pandemic, CBOs helped health departments deal with the burdens caused by staff shortages, says Lupi. (governing.com)
  • IN THE PAPER " Building Mass Support for Global Pandemic Recovery Efforts in the United States ," Assistant Professor of Public Policy Gautam Nair and his coauthor, Kyle Peyton, a research fellow at the Australian Catholic University, examine Americans' support for international pandemic-recovery efforts. (harvard.edu)
  • A global pandemic and social unrest underscored the reality of health inequities around the globe. (3m.com)
  • However, in light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in a number of lockdowns, heightened anxiety and the loss of a great number of loved ones1, the necessity to address mental health issues and promote mental well-being has been increasingly put under the socio-political spotlight. (lu.se)
  • As the United States reconsiders its strategic priorities in the world, increased global health aid must be among them" (7/22). (kff.org)
  • In addition, the 2020-2022 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) includes reduction of ACEs as a priority. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • This substantial public health impact of AF in the United States led the Institute of Medicine to designate AF as one of the top priority areas for comparative effectiveness research. (ahrq.gov)
  • Help persuade policymakers to make Alzheimer's a national priority. (alz.org)
  • The results show that in the selected documents, mental health is discursively represented as a key priority. (lu.se)
  • In August 2020, HPIO released the first brief, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Health impact of ACEs in Ohio. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • This project is funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) supported by Ohio's 2020-2021 SAMHSA Community Mental Health Block Grant, the Harmony Project, the Ohio Children's Hospital Association and HPIO's core funders. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. (kff.org)
  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on expiring provisions in federal health programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (cbpp.org)
  • Four of them play critical roles in providing health coverage to families leaving welfare for work, helping low-income seniors and people with disabilities with their Medicare premiums, and enrolling more eligible low-income children in Medicaid and CHIP, as this updated paper explains. (cbpp.org)
  • Under the 2009 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), states can receive annual "performance bonuses" if they not only implement strategies that make it easier to enroll eligible low-income children in Medicaid and CHIP but also reach state-specific targets for boosting Medicaid enrollment among eligible children. (cbpp.org)
  • Through that impactful partnership with the 3M team, Get to Yes secured a $61 million increase in funding from the state legislature for Minnesotans on Medicaid. (3m.com)
  • Per Medicaid policy, the federal government matches state costs with federal dollars, which will further increase funding. (3m.com)
  • He conducts research for the online resource Fiscal 50, which helps policymakers understand fiscal, economic, and demographic trends affecting their states by tracking tax revenue, reserves, employment rates, Medicaid spending, and other issues important to long-term fiscal health. (pewtrusts.org)
  • This report explains the reasons for the U.S. health disadvantage and suggests policy solutions. (americanprogress.org)
  • In this video interview, Marilyn Moon, an Institute Fellow at AIR, explains why the issue matters and which features of the federal health insurance program for Americans ages 65 and older and the disabled most need to be addressed. (air.org)
  • She tracks and explains demographic, economic, and fiscal trends to help policymakers address challenges to their states' long-term fiscal health. (pewtrusts.org)
  • On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that the ongoing spread of monkeypox virus in the United States is a Public Health Emergency. (asahq.org)
  • Effective policies and procedures should take into account a state's unique economic, legal, and political context. (pewtrusts.org)
  • This initiative was created in order to increase public access to one of the state's most valuable assets: non-confidential health and human services data. (marklogic.com)
  • ELE has already boosted the enrollment of eligible children and saved states time, which reduced administrative costs, according to a recent Government Accountability Office audit and a federal evaluation by Mathematica Policy Research. (cbpp.org)
  • A series of policy briefs include evidence-based recommendations to help people through the immediate health and economic crises and longer-term recommendations to ensure a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. (rwjf.org)
  • However, due to new global crises, such as the war in Ukraine, Covid-19 is no longer the headliner of daily news and newspapers, and policymakers' focus is shifting away: public health appears to lose its momentum as a topic for discussion. (rug.nl)
  • In the Netherlands, the focus of policy makers is similarly shifting towards the energy/gas crisis, inflation and the war in Ukraine, and the increasing (relative) poverty as a consequence of these crises. (rug.nl)
  • However, public health matters are raised in relation to the consequences of these crises. (rug.nl)
  • U.S. policymakers should ask themselves what they can do to best mitigate the challenge of global health crises in fragile states. (kff.org)
  • To meaningfully improve the health of Americans, new policies must target all of the drivers of health, including education, economic stability, neighborhoods and environments, social and community well-being, and historic inequities. (americanprogress.org)
  • Now, the health of Americans is in a precarious place. (americanprogress.org)
  • Meaningful change to restore the health of Americans and reduce inequities requires a concerted effort by the nation to close the gap with other countries-an effort that must include investments in schools, jobs, economic opportunity, and community infrastructure. (americanprogress.org)
  • Sharing charts, maps, and more to show who Americans are, how policy affects the everyday, and how we can use data to make a difference. (pewtrusts.org)
  • The next four years present an opportunity to build a health policy agenda for all Americans. (cff.org)
  • This shift in thinking reflects an understanding that government can and should play a role in improving the diet of Americans. (theconversation.com)
  • and the impact of workplace strategies, policies, and interventions on individuals and employers. (mdpi.com)
  • Ahead of these pivotal meetings, we-the editors of health journals worldwide-call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5°C, halt the destruction of nature and protect health. (bmj.com)
  • and engaging communities and historically marginalized populations in policy implementation and design. (rwjf.org)
  • Policy implementation and design must meaningfully engage communities and historically marginalized populations to build trust, respect, and cultural competency. (rwjf.org)
  • The workplace can provide a useful arena for reaching populations for health and lifestyle intervention. (mdpi.com)
  • Without community health programs, many low-income populations would not be able to access these services. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • 5 6 Harms disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, including children, older populations, ethnic minorities, poorer communities and those with underlying health problems. (bmj.com)
  • Its meaning varies depending on cultures, local beliefs, and practices.2 As a result, policymakers need to plan and implement relevant policies and measures based on the mental health representations of various populations, within different countries. (lu.se)
  • A brief provides background on federal and state paid family leave policies (PFL), highlights domestic and international research that shows PFL provides a range of benefits, and lays out principles for a universal PFL program. (rwjf.org)
  • This report may also be useful to students, to parents, and to personnel in local and state health departments, community-based health and nutrition programs, pediatric clinics, and training institutions for teachers and public health professionals. (cdc.gov)
  • It's more properly understood as the state of health of the population at large, which can be affected by everything from access to food, basic medical services and housing to stress and environmental degradation. (governing.com)
  • Health has been defined as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (governing.com)
  • Promote state policies that increase the healthcare workforce for the least served. (mhm.org)
  • As a result, policymakers can be caught by surprise when counties, cities, or towns fall into fiscal distress-events that have proved costly to state budgets. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Poor diet has caused major health problems and claimed an outsized share of federal and state budgets. (theconversation.com)
  • In addition to state-level research and advocacy, CFPC also conducts national evaluation work around early-childhood system building and policy development around comprehensive, asset-based approaches to supporting children and families. (idealist.org)
  • Health is already being harmed by global temperature increases and the destruction of the natural world, a state of affairs health professionals have been bringing attention to for decades. (bmj.com)
  • State and federal agencies utilize NCQA programs, such as Health Plan Accreditation (HPA), HEDIS performance measures and Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition (PCMH) as tools for fulfilling their oversight responsibilities. (ncqa.org)
  • Our State Affairs and Federal Affairs teams are available to answer your questions about NCQA programs and discuss how we can work together to advance the health quality agenda. (ncqa.org)
  • According to the Minnesota State Oral Health Plan (PDF, 31.61 MB) , many Minnesotans suffer from dental diseases and oral conditions due to limited access to oral health services and dental insurance. (3m.com)
  • State policymakers looking to improve economic mobility and meet workforce needs have renewed their focus on career technical (or vocational) education. (ppic.org)
  • Joanna Biernacka-Lievestro is a manager with Pew's state fiscal health project. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Katy Campillo is a senior associate with Pew's state fiscal health project. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Jeff Chapman directs Pew's state fiscal health initiative. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Page Forrest works with Pew's state fiscal health project. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Josh Goodman helps lead research on fiscal management and long-term budget sustainability as part of Pew's state fiscal health project. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Sheanna Gomes is an associate manager with Pew's state fiscal health project. (pewtrusts.org)
  • She researches and analyzes state fiscal policy and provides policymakers with informed analysis and guidance on best practices from across the country. (pewtrusts.org)
  • John Hamman is a researcher for Pew's state fiscal health project. (pewtrusts.org)
  • He helps to improve state economic and fiscal policy by providing policymakers with informed analysis and guidance on best practices from across the country. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Over the past several years, federal and state policymakers have considered a variety of proposals to increase health insurance coverage among the nation's residents. (cbo.gov)
  • Visit asco.org/advocacy-policy/state-regional-affiliates for more information on how to get involved in state advocacy. (ascopost.com)
  • Fall, who began his career at Pew in 2019, holds a bachelor's degree in foreign affairs and economics and a master's in public policy from the University of Virginia. (pewtrusts.org)
  • As a faith-based organization, Methodist Healthcare Ministries' public policy agenda and advocacy efforts are guided by the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. (mhm.org)
  • Over the past two decades, CFPC has played a critical role in improving the lives of Iowa children by shaping public policy. (idealist.org)
  • Linda Bilmes , the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, and coauthors examine the operational effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping operations in a working paper, " Strengthening Management of U.N. Peacekeeping Operations: A Review of U.N. Peacekeeping Operations Audits . (harvard.edu)
  • In their working paper, " How Partisanship in Cities Influences Housing Policy ," Assistant Professor of Public Policy Justin de Benedictis-Kessner and coauthors study the relationship between local politics and housing policy. (harvard.edu)
  • A public policy to increase access to these critical services was needed. (3m.com)
  • John guided the Get to Yes team through the classic playbook for public policy and advocacy - helping them translate their knowledge to statements of public value and pinpoint influential leaders whose communities would be positively impacted by the proposal and could champion the Get to Yes team's goals. (3m.com)
  • Our advocates, together with the Association and AIM, are responsible for historic public policy victories. (alz.org)
  • and a doctorate in public policy from George Mason University. (pewtrusts.org)
  • She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Temple University and master's degrees in economics and public policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Forrest holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Sewanee: The University of the South and a master's in public policy and administration from the University of Tennessee. (pewtrusts.org)
  • This background paper describes the design, methodology, and basic assumptions of a simulation model developed by CBO to analyze an array of public policy options involving health insurance coverage. (cbo.gov)
  • The public policy objective is to propose a design that meets each system's specific organizational needs. (emerald.com)
  • programs offered at an independent public policy research organization-the RAND Corporation. (rand.org)
  • Dr. Hogberg is joining The National Center for Public Policy Research as a senior policy analyst. (nationalcenter.org)
  • Prior to that, Dr. Hogberg worked as a research analyst for the Public Interest Institute , an Iowa-based public policy organization. (nationalcenter.org)
  • Dr. Hogberg also writes on a variety of public policy topics for The American Spectator Online , and posts frequently on the AmSpec Blog . (nationalcenter.org)
  • We are pleased to welcome David Hogberg to our team," said Amy Ridenour, president of The National Center for Public Policy Research. (nationalcenter.org)
  • The National Center for Public Policy Research is a communications and research foundation supportive of a strong national defense and dedicated to providing free market solutions to today's public policy problems. (nationalcenter.org)
  • With a focus on health equity, RWJF stands strong in our commitment to a fair and just opportunity for health and wellbeing. (rwjf.org)
  • Receive monthly updates on RWJF-sponsored research that informs many robust health policy debates on Capitol Hill, covering topics like health equity, improving access to quality healthcare, equitable housing, and more. (rwjf.org)
  • Reducing excessive alcohol use is a powerful way to improve health, advance health equity and reduce healthcare spending. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • Lupi co-chairs a Health Equity Workgroup that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (governing.com)
  • These projections can provide community groups working to reduce pollution hotspots access to pollution and health impact data from nearby stationary sources. (harvard.edu)
  • For many individuals, this can be a reason to increase the deductible excess of the basic health insurance and to cancel the voluntary packages, thereby increasing the threshold to consult a specialist or other healthcare facility, and decreasing their (economic) access to a wide range of healthcare facilities. (rug.nl)
  • Additionally, the basic student grant will also be increased, compensating the high prices and ensuring students' economic access to healthcare. (rug.nl)
  • Food access programs in San Antonio, Texas, offer an example of the importance of CBOs to public health. (governing.com)
  • Lack of access to nutritious food is a fundamental inequity with immediate health and social consequences. (governing.com)
  • Policies that expand access to coverage, such as those that prevent preexisting condition exclusions and allow young people to remain on their parents' plans until age 26, are critically important to this population. (cff.org)
  • Allowing medication abortion to be provided through the mail allows for increased access, particularly for those who live far distances from pharmacies and clinics authorized to dispense these drugs or who may have transportation limitations that prevent them from physically picking up a prescription," Serchen said. (acponline.org)
  • We also develop and offer policymakers recommendations to lower pharmaceutical expenditures and improve access. (haiweb.org)
  • This report summarizes strategies most likely to be effective in promoting healthy eating among school-age youths and provides nutrition education guidelines for a comprehensive school health program. (cdc.gov)
  • 1 The prevalence of AF increases with age and approaches 8 percent in patients older than 80 years of age. (ahrq.gov)
  • In 2008 early deaths attributed to burning biomass and wood accounted for around 14-17% of average total deaths from stationary sources but by 2017, biomass and wood increased to 39-47% of total averaged early deaths. (harvard.edu)
  • In addition, ACEs exposure has severe long-term cost implications at the individual and societal levels, including increased medical, child welfare, criminal justice and special education expenditures, as well as productivity losses. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • More concretely, the government has decided to increase the healthcare benefit . (rug.nl)
  • As policymakers increasingly recognize the depth and breadth of these effects, they are beginning to act. (theconversation.com)
  • In recent decades, the need to tackle mental health issues and promote mental well-being has been increasingly put in the socio-political spotlight. (lu.se)
  • There is a need to understand and appreciate that perceptions (and explanations) of science vary in different societies and different sections of the world, and there is need to recognize that policy is a complex political process. (who.int)
  • They write, "The absence of centralized and flexible funding for U.N. missions stymies their initial deployment, reduces operational effectiveness and increases costs. (harvard.edu)
  • The book also moves beyond analysis to action with pragmatic processes and procedures for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of policies by viewing them through the lens of family impact. (purdue.edu)
  • She is the Director of The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU ZIM), with a focus on health and well-being of adolescents and young people. (lshtm.ac.uk)
  • Dr. Constance Mackworth-Young is a Medical Anthropologist, with a research focus on young people, sexual and reproductive health, and participatory qualitative methodologies. (lshtm.ac.uk)
  • Mr. Aveneni Mangombe is a social scientist with wide experience in public health programming, advocacy, and research, with a special focus on adolescents & youth. (lshtm.ac.uk)
  • For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and offered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. (rwjf.org)
  • Visit the Urban Institute's Health Policy Center for more information specific to its staff and its recent research. (rwjf.org)
  • Be informed with our weekly newsletter updating you with relevant news and research around a Culture of Health, as well as the latest funding opportunities. (rwjf.org)
  • States can be proactive by assessing and tracking the fiscal health of their localities, as 23 states currently do, according to research by The Pew Charitable Trusts. (pewtrusts.org)
  • A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). (mdpi.com)
  • These facilities span a range of expertise, from addiction research to environmental health. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • CFPC's rigorous research base around child policy is a trusted resource for policymakers, advocates and the general public. (idealist.org)
  • The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news. (kff.org)
  • The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. (kff.org)
  • This is why we are unrelentingly advocating for public policies that increase critical research funding and support all those affected. (alz.org)
  • However, they have received little attention in Nigeria's maternal health research and services. (springer.com)
  • The portal's goals are to spark innovation, promote research and economic opportunities, engage public participation in government, increase transparency and inform decision-making. (marklogic.com)
  • This best-selling text integrates the latest research and cutting-edge practice to make an evidence-based case for family policy. (purdue.edu)
  • The book draws insights from some of the best and brightest informants from the research and policy communities about about how to bridge the research/policy divide. (purdue.edu)
  • An important factor in this regard is that there had been little or no use of research evidence in policy-making, particularly in developing countries. (who.int)
  • It is common knowledge that the existing research-to-policy "production line" is not producing the product needed by planners and policy-makers to improve decision-making. (who.int)
  • The desire to use research evidence for better health policy decision-making has long existed. (who.int)
  • There is no consensus that health research is essential to improve health policies. (who.int)
  • Moreover, the link between health research and policy-makers is weak. (who.int)
  • Therefore, research results do not always inform policy-making, and gaps in policy makers' information are seldom addressed. (who.int)
  • Collaborations between CBOs in San Antonio and the city's public health department illustrate the kind of work Lupi hopes to see more of. (governing.com)
  • Professor Marvellous Mhloyi is a demographer and social scientist, based at the University of Zimbabwe, with great interest in reproductive health issues. (lshtm.ac.uk)
  • The COVID-19 public health emergency may be over, but challenges that require an "all hands" approach remain in regard to chronic disease, opioid abuse, mental health and other public health issues. (governing.com)
  • Policymakers should consider which departments or offices already collect some of the relevant information from local governments, have the capacity to conduct the analyses required, and already work with local governments on related issues. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Alzheimer's disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America. (alz.org)
  • Alzheimer's disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America, which is why we are unrelentingly advocating for change. (alz.org)
  • In contemporary Europe, it is socially considered to be a taboo subject, which is fuelled by widespread stigmas, prejudices, and discriminations against those with mental health issues. (lu.se)
  • Because dietary factors 'contribute substantially to the burden of preventable illness and premature death in the United States,' the national health promotion and disease prevention objectives encourage schools to provide nutrition education from preschool through 12th grade (1). (cdc.gov)
  • In particular, the objectives and goals of the European Union concerning the mental health of European citizens are examined through a discourse analysis. (lu.se)
  • 3) Putting health in all policies not only brings health benefits, but also helps achieve policy objectives in other sectors. (who.int)
  • Advancing evidence-informed policies to reduce excessive alcohol use is one of the most powerful things public and private leaders can do to improve health, increase road safety and decrease violence across Ohio communities. (healthpolicyohio.org)
  • Additionally, he emphasised the adherence to the National Prevention Agreement , [i] an agreement focusing on health promotion and non-communicable disease prevention concluded in 2018 between the government and more than seventy different societal organisations.The National Prevention Agreement discusses three important topics: tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption and obesity). (rug.nl)
  • Alcohol consumption and tobacco exposure during pregnancy are hazardous behaviours which are increasing significantly in low and middle-income countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. (springer.com)
  • Alcohol consumption and tobacco exposure are not uncommon and have been an ongoing but neglected threat to maternal and child health in Nigeria. (springer.com)
  • Employer-sponsored coverage often works well, allowing many people to enroll in comprehensive health benefits using employer contributions that make premiums affordable. (cbpp.org)
  • Estimating the effects of those proposals on the size of the uninsured population, the cost of health insurance premiums, and the federal budget is a significant challenge. (cbo.gov)
  • Communities and countries will collectively decide what matters most - and implement policies to support those public policies. (3m.com)
  • We work to implement policies that provide support for all those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. (alz.org)
  • She is especially excited to work jointly with policy makers and programmers to achieve this end, a collaboration which is most needed in our context. (lshtm.ac.uk)
  • Legislative advocacy is one important way we use data and evaluation to empower Texans of all backgrounds to obtain optimal health. (mhm.org)
  • Learn how this separately incorporated advocacy affiliate of the Alzheimer's Association develops policies to overcome Alzheimer's disease. (alz.org)
  • 9 But in the 1990s, the pace of the U.S. increase began to slow, and by 1999, the nation's life expectancy had fallen below the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average. (americanprogress.org)
  • Among these are the University of Georgia's College of Public Health, which offers Master's and Doctorate degrees. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • This master's thesis aims to thematically track the development of the EU discourse on the topic of mental health from 2005 until the present time. (lu.se)
  • The national budget assigned to localities significantly increased, and the formula for assigning resources became more equitable. (americasquarterly.org)
  • Low-income workers deserve renewed attention from policymakers to further expand health coverage and make it more affordable for those who have it. (cbpp.org)
  • The challenges of public health exceed the institutional capacity of local health agencies. (governing.com)
  • There are about 3,000 local health departments in the U.S. More than a third have less than 10 full-time staff, and 17 percent have fewer than five. (governing.com)
  • Most states do little to analyze the fiscal health of their local governments. (pewtrusts.org)
  • There is no one-size-fits-all method for monitoring local government fiscal health. (pewtrusts.org)
  • But policymakers should consider each of the following steps when creating or improving policies to evaluate local fiscal conditions. (pewtrusts.org)
  • Enhanced global perspective with a new chapter (5) that features what policies nations have put in place to strengthen and support families. (purdue.edu)
  • EMPOWA: Empowering Professionals for the Wellbeing of Adolescents is an innovative year-long training programme for policy makers and programmers, jointly run and accredited by LSHTM and University of Zimbabwe. (lshtm.ac.uk)
  • Health programs aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people by preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles. (mnhealthcare.org)
  • While mandatory climate-related disclosure may improve information and decisionmaking for investors, it alone is unlikely to accelerate investment in decarbonization at the rate needed. (rand.org)
  • To motivate private investment in climate mitigation, policymakers could explore additional policies. (rand.org)
  • What's Changed the Most in the Mental Health Field? (air.org)
  • For Mental Health Awareness Month, five AIR experts reflected on three of the biggest trends and shifts they've observed from their collective years in the field. (air.org)
  • As a first step towards creating a European strategy on mental health, the European Commission published the Green Paper, Improving the mental health of the population: Towards a strategy on mental health for the European Union in 2005. (lu.se)
  • It is also envisioned as a positive mental health and as a human right. (lu.se)
  • Additionally, the European Commission emphasises the multisectoral involvement required for a comprehensive European mental health strategy. (lu.se)
  • The meaning and importance of mental health has long been overlooked and misunderstood in Europe and around the world. (lu.se)
  • Many scholars and experts acknowledge that it is now a suitable time to discuss and develop appropriate mental health policies and practices across Europe, including specific political measures within the framework of European integration. (lu.se)
  • Mental health is a complex and challenging concept. (lu.se)
  • Policymakers should extend these provisions in legislation that Congress is expected to move early this year to delay scheduled cuts in Medicare payments to doctors. (cbpp.org)
  • Too many policymakers seem unwilling to admit that Medicare and Social Security are insolvent and in desperate need of fundamental reform. (nationalcenter.org)