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Showing results for tags 'Health Disparities'.
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News Article
PTSD affects 300,000 young people in England and Wales, Channel 4 finds
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Thousands of young people are living with post-traumatic stress disorder, with most cases going untreated, a Channel 4 documentary has revealed. About 311,000 16- to 24-year-olds in England and Wales have PTSD, with most cases linked to personal assault and violence, according to figures estimated for the show. Low awareness of the symptoms and the difficulty of diagnosing PTSD means that 70% of cases go untreated. If the NHS offered more early intervention therapy, it could save £2.4bn in taxpayer money, according to Channel 4’s analysis of research by King’s College London and Office for National Statistics data. “When untreated, PTSD – it becomes a chronic condition. It becomes highly disabling. People’s lives can be fundamentally changed,” said Dr Michael Duffy, a psychological trauma specialist at Queen’s University Belfast, who features on the show. He added that it could be more common in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 4 July 2023- Posted
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- Mental health
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News Article
Ministers refuse to set target for ending maternal deaths disparity
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The government has rejected calls to set a target and strategy to end ‘appalling’ disparities in maternal deaths. In response to a Commons women and equalities committee report, published on Friday, ministers said a “concrete target does not necessarily focus resource and attention through the best mechanisms”. The response added: “We do not believe a target and strategy is the best approach towards progress.” The government said disparities will be monitored through local maternity and neonatal systems, which are partnerships comprising commissioners, providers and local authorities. A recommendation to increase the annual budget for maternity services to up to £350m per year, backed by the now chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and maternity investigator Donna Ockenden, was also rejected. Read full story Source: HSJ, 3 July 2023- Posted
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- Health Disparities
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Content Article
Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Health inequalities
Wales has a long history and tradition of upholding universal policies, welfare, sustainability and rights-based approaches to population wellbeing. However, the trends in reducing the health gap are mixed, the rate of improvement is slower than anticipated, and new groups are emerging with disproportionately higher risk of poor health and premature death and disease. The Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform has been designed as a resource to find data and solutions relating to health equity. It includes an interactive data dashboard, policy and healthy equity frameworks and international case studies. It aims to support and accelerate healthy prosperous lives for all in Wales.- Posted
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- Wales
- Health inequalities
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EventuntilThe workforce crisis engulfing the health and care system is well documented with the social care staff vacancy rate at its highest since records began and the overall morale of the NHS workforce declining for a second year with significant numbers intending to leave the sector. This King's Fund event will be showcasing projects and case studies aimed at encouraging others to explore innovative and positively disruptive approaches to meeting challenges facing the health and social care workforce. It will cover areas including recruitment, retention, wellbeing, and equity, diversity and inclusion. Sessions will aim to: encourage senior leaders in integrated care systems, providers, public health and social care to think about how innovation becomes possible and what it means to take similarly mould-breaking mindsets into their own organisations inspire and catalyse new, imaginative approaches to seize opportunities as workforce responsibilities are devolved consider the impact of innovative approaches and their potential to be scaled up and replicated by others across health and care. You will hear about how innovative ways of working can be developed into practical approaches in the following areas: recruitment – developing disruptive approaches, using digital tools such as apps and online selection, and how those in health and care have been working with partners across local authorities and the housing sector attracting young people into the workforce – how people and organisations across health and social care have been engaging directly with communities and providing accessible routes into health and social care careers retention – supporting career pathways and development for people in support roles, working across an organisation to increase a sense of belonging, and building effective multidisciplinary teams and team behaviours workforce health and wellbeing – supporting staff following workplace trauma, developing cultures that meet the core needs of staff, and embracing flexibility and new ways of working to help people thrive throughout their careers making a difference to equity, diversity and inclusion in the health and care workplace – by using courageous leadership challenge (at all levels) to disrupt systemic patterns present in the health and care sector, and when diversity has been used as a real strength to create change. Register
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- Workforce management
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Content ArticleOn the 18 April 2023 the Women and Equalities Select Committee published a report on Black maternal health. This analysed Government and NHS activities to date in this area and made a number of recommendations for further action needed to end disparities in maternal deaths. This paper sets out the UK Government’s response to the recommendations in this report.
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- Maternity
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Content ArticleWhat health condition affects some 200 million people around the world, yet remains woefully misunderstood, underfunded, and barely addressed in medical-school curricula? Endometriosis is a disease that the World Health Organization estimates affects 1 in 10 women and girls globally. And yet the National Institute of Health allocates a whopping 0.038% of its research resources to the disorder. Endometriosis, which involves tissue similar to uterine tissue growing elsewhere in the body, has myriad symptoms, including GI distress, migraines, discomfort during sex and abdominal pain that can range from debilitating to excruciating. Countless women miss days of school and work, lose their jobs, and suffer depression as a result of the illness. Experts say endometriosis could be the underlying cause of 50% of infertility cases. L Despite efforts to raise awareness, it persists as an underground topic, and many doctors are ill equipped to help those afflicted or don’t even believe their patients. “It’s a perfect storm of undervaluing women and women’s health, inequities in health care, menstrual taboo, gender bias, racial bias, and financial barriers to healthcare,” said Shannon Cohn, the director of Below the Belt: The Last Health Taboo, a searing one-hour documentary set to premiere on PBS.
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- Endometriosis
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Content ArticleThis year marks the NHS's 75th anniversary, and is an important moment to look back at where the service has come from, consider where it stands today and to look forward to how it needs to change to meet future needs. This report from the NHS Assembly draws on the feedback of thousands of people who have contributed to a rapid process of engagement with patients, staff and partners. It aims to help the NHS, nationally and locally, plan how to respond to long term opportunities and challenges. It sets out what is most valuable about the NHS, what most needs to change, and what is needed for the NHS to continue fulfilling its fundamental mission in a new context.
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- Workforce management
- Integrated Care System (ICS)
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News Article
USA: Number of health systems allegedly denying care to indebted patients grows
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Recently Minneapolis-based Allina Health was highlighted by The New York Times for pulling back from its policy of denying nonemergency care to some indebted patients. However, a recent investigation showed it is not the only health system to allegedly have engaged in the practice. According to KFF Health News, about 20% of US nationwide hospitals in a random sample pursued similar policies of care denial. The Lown Institute went further, naming major health systems including Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, St. Louis-based Ascension, Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health, Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health and Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai as operating facilities where the practice is followed. IU Health, Ascension, Trinity Health and Cedars-Sinai denied they have such practices. "We do not restrict medically necessary non-emergency care for patients with unpaid bills," an Ascension spokesperson said. Read full story Source: Becker Hospital Review, 26 June 2023- Posted
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News Article
The stubborn regional variation in early cancer detection
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The gap between the areas with the best and worst records on the early detection of cancer has remained almost unchanged over the past five years, new NHS England data indicates. The proportion of cancers detected at stages one and two – when they are more curable – has improved by 2.7 percentage points to 58.1% nationally, but this masks significant regional variation. In the 12 months to February 2019, the percentage point difference between the top performing cancer alliance – Thames Valley (63.1%t) – and the worst performing – Lancashire and South Cumbria (51.6%) – was 11.5. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 27 June 2023 -
News Article
Black patients worst affected by 2016 junior doctors’ strike
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Black patients at trusts most affected by 2016’s junior doctors’ strike suffered significantly more than their white or Asian counterparts, a new analysis has suggested. Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies analysed 30-day readmission rates after the 48-hour junior doctors’ strike in April 2016. The co-authors of the research, George Stoye and Max Warner, said: “We find that patients treated in hospitals that were more exposed to the strike did not, on average, experience worse outcomes.” However, they added that black patients were “more negatively affected by exposure to the strikes than white patients in the same hospitals”. The April 2016 strike affected both elective and emergency care and was the last before the dispute ended. The current junior doctors’ strike has been ongoing since March. It also affects emergency and elective care but stoppages have been longer, with a five-day strike planned in July. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 27 June 2023 -
Content ArticleThis improvement plan sets out targeted actions to address the prejudice and discrimination – direct and indirect – that exists through behaviour, policies, practices and cultures against certain groups and individuals across the NHS workforce. It has been co-produced through engagement with staff networks and senior leaders.
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- Discrimination
- Health inequalities
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Content ArticleIn 2022, an illustration of a Black foetus in the womb by Nigerian medical illustrator and medical student Chidiebere Ibe, went viral. The image sparked an important conversation around representation in medical imagery and the impact this has on health outcomes for patients who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC). Research showed that only 5% of medical images show dark skin and only 8% of medical illustrators identified as BIPOC. A collaboration between Chidiebere Ibe, Deloitte and Johnson & Johnson, Illustrate Change aims to build the world's largest library of BIPOC medical illustrations for use in medical education and training. So far, the library contains images relevant to the following specialties: Dermatology Eye disease General health Haematology Maternal health Oncology Orthopaedics
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News Article
As a black man I wasn't included in cancer stats
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
What started as a shoulder ache led to a whirlwind diagnosis of stage four cancer and a rare genetic mutation for Spike Elliott. But his journey also highlighted a worrying ethnicity data gap in our health system. It comes as research by one charity shows just how few patient records include ethnicity information in Wales. The Welsh government said it was working to improve the diversity of data collection and health research. One oncologist said it meant assumptions were made about how patients will respond, despite there being "clear differences" in how certain cancers affect different racial groups. "I was given a life expectancy of 6 to 12 months. That was statistically supported. "But I was alarmed when I was made aware that the statistics don't include the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) community. "Because what was my outcome then?" Read full story Source: BBC News, 21 June 2023 -
News Article
Two-thirds of GPs refuse to register homeless patients
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Two-thirds of GP practices from a sample of 100 in London declined to register a patient without an address, contrary to national rules which are meant to ensure homeless and excluded people can get healthcare, HSJ has found. NHS England guidance states anyone can register with a GP without proof of address, and that people without a permanent address “can still register using a temporary address or the address of the GP surgery”. Practices normally need to record an address, but the exception rule is meant to ensure people who are homeless, or living in unstable or short-term accommodation, are still able to access primary care or referrals for secondary services. Despite this, when HSJ called 100 randomly selected practices in London (about 9 per cent of the total), 64 refused to register the caller. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 19 June 2023 -
Content ArticleIn this interview, we speak to sociologist Dr Marieke Bigg about why she decided to write her debut non-fiction This won’t hurt: How medicine fails women. Marieke discusses how societal ideas about the female body have restricted the healthcare system’s approach to women’s health and describes the impact this has had on health outcomes. She also highlights areas where the health system is reframing its approach by listening to the needs of women and describes how simple changes, such as allowing women to carry out their own cervical screening at home, can make a big difference.
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- Womens health
- Unconscious bias
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Content ArticleIn December 2022, Public Policy Projects brought together oncology experts and key stakeholders for a roundtable to discuss how effective partnership working in healthcare environments can reduce health inequalities in breast cancer outcomes. The objective of the roundtable was to create a series of actionable insights and recommendations for health providers to create a more resilient health and care system and, ultimately, improve breast cancer outcomes in the UK. This document is a summary of the key outcomes, insights and recommendations that were generated from the roundtable. It is not an exhaustive report of facilitating and enabling partnerships to tackle health inequalities, but rather a particular view from a group of key sector stakeholders.
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- Cancer
- Integrated Care System (ICS)
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Content ArticleDespite their widespread use, the impact of commissioners’ policies for body mass index (BMI) for access to elective surgery is not clear. Policy use varies by locality, and there are concerns that these policies may worsen health inequalities. This study in BMC Medicine aimed to assess the impact of policies for BMI on access to hip replacement surgery in England. The authors used National Joint Registry data for 480,364 patients who had primary hip replacement surgery in England between January 2009 and December 2019. They found that rates of surgery fell after localities introduced policies restricting access to surgery based on BMI, whereas rates rose in localities with no policy. Localities with BMI policies have higher proportions of independently funded surgery and more affluent patients receiving surgery, indicating increasing health inequalities, and policies enforcing extra waiting time before surgery were associated with worsening mean pre-operative symptom scores and rising obesity. The authors recommend that BMI policies involving extra waiting time or mandatory BMI thresholds are no longer used to reduce access to hip replacement surgery.
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- Obesity
- Health inequalities
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Content ArticleThis 1-page infographic makes the case for the development of health literate information. It sets out the average UK skills for literacy and numeracy, the impact this has on health and what information producers can do to develop information that works for everyone. The principles for development echo the PIF TICK criteria. They can be applied to all health information, in all formats whatever the topic – from vaccines to verruca. The infographic has been designed in response to member demand. It makes the case that health literate information is not 'dumbed down', rather it helps level up.
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- Health literacy
- Communication
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Content ArticleRace and ethnicity have been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes in many countries. In the UK, the rates of baby death and stillbirth among Black and Asian mothers are double those for White women. Most studies examine trends for individual countries. This large database study explored how race and ethnicity is linked to pregnancy outcomes in wealthy countries. Key findings Black women consistently had worse outcomes than White women across the globe. Hispanic women were three times more likely to experience baby death compared with White women. South Asian women had an increased risk of early birth and having a baby with an unexpectedly low weight (small for the length of pregnancy) compared with White women. Racial disparities in some outcomes were found in all regions. The researchers call for a global, joined-up approach to tackling disparities. Breaking down barriers to care for ethnic minorities, particularly Black women, could help. More research is needed to understand why outcomes are for worse for ethnic minorities. The researchers recommend routine collection of data on race and ethnicity. The link below takes you to the Plain English summary of the research, you can also view the full research study.
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- Health inequalities
- Health Disparities
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Content ArticleGetting a GP appointment is often a challenge at the moment, but for many disabled people, access to their GP has long been a problem. The King's Fund explored disabled people’s experiences of involvement in health and care design, their experiences accessing health and care, as well as of involvement in service design. Some participants described the significant difference a GP could make: those who made someone feel listened to and validated, compared with GPs who dismissed concerns or spoke to a person’s personal assistants rather than directly to them.
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- Health inequalities
- Health Disparities
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Content ArticleECRI is an independent non-profit that produces an annual list of Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns, and its list for 2023 includes a new emphasis on system safety. In this interview for the Betsy Lehman Center, two leaders at ECRI talk about the list and the current state of patient safety. Shannon Davila, ECRI’s Director of Total Systems Safety and Marcus Schabacker, President and CEO, discuss the need to address gaps in performance with a "total systems approach," the ongoing issue of health inequity and the patient safety risks associated with recent changes in state laws and guidance around obstetrics and maternity.
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- Human factors
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News Article
Adenomyosis: NHS failing women, health ambassador says
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS in England is "failing women", the government's women's health ambassador has said. Prof Dame Lesley Regan, appointed to support the Women's Health Strategy implementation, was speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Naga Munchetty. Last month, Munchetty, 48, revealed she had been diagnosed with the womb condition adenomyosis, after waiting years in severe pain. Dame Lesley said she wanted women to be able to self-refer to specialists. Women and girls should not have to seek "permission [to] go and have your crippling menstrual pain sorted out", she said. Read full story Source: BBC News, 6 June 2023- Posted
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- Womens health
- Treatment
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Content ArticleThis article summarises the findings of research by Healthwatch into the impact of the cost of living crisis on people's decisions about accessing health and care. The research, which surveyed 2000 adults in England, was conducted four times between October 2022 and March 2023. It suggests that people are increasingly avoiding vital health and care services due to the fear of extra costs. Examples include avoiding: going to a dentist because of the cost of checks ups or treatment booking an NHS appointment because they couldn’t afford the associated costs, such as accessing the Internet or the cost of a phone call buying over the counter medication they normally rely on taking up one or more NHS prescriptions because of the cost. Healthwatch sets out a series of recommendations, including ensuring that the support available to help with healthcare costs is communicated to those that need it.
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- Health inequalities
- Health Disparities
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Content ArticleEngland is the only country in the UK to still charge patients for prescriptions, with charges having been abolished in Wales and Scotland in 2007 and 2011, respectively. However, for patients in England, the cost is rising; in March 2023, the government announced an inflationary increase of 3.21%, bringing the prescription charge up to £9.65. And the number of people eligible to pay could increase, following government proposals to raise the upper age exemption for free prescriptions from 60 to 65 years. This article looks at the impact of prescription charges on health inequalities, particularly focusing on the impact of the cost of living crisis. The reporter speaks to pharmacists who regularly see patients making difficult choices about which prescriptions to collect, as well as highlighting research that suggests many patients with long term conditions are forgoing their medications as they cannot afford them.
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- Health inequalities
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News Article
Florida doctors can soon deny patient care based on personal, religious beliefs
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A controversial new Florida bill will allow physicians to opt out of performing certain services because of "sincerely held" religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. The bill, part of a "medical freedom" legislative package signed last week, permits healthcare providers to make conscience-based objections to providing medical care and protects them from getting sued or losing their licenses. Critics say the new law could exacerbate health disparities and lead to discrimination against certain groups of patients, including LGBTQ+ individuals and women seeking reproductive healthcare. Psychologists could refuse to treat someone for gender dysphoria, for example. Doctors could refuse to prescribe birth control, administer childhood vaccines, or accept patients with state insurance. Kenneth W. Goodman, professor and director of the University of Miami's Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, told Medscape Medical News the legislation could upset a longstanding precedent. "To deny care based on unspecified and unarticulated 'moral, ethical, or religious reasons' opens the door to neglect, abandonment, and suspicion," Goodman said. "It undermines two millennia of a cornerstone of medical ethics: take care of your patients — no matter who they are." Read full story Source: Medscape, 18 May 2023