For Mothers-to-Be, Finding Health Care in a Group

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/for-mothers-to-be-finding-health-care-in-a-group

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

18 December 2013

Text / 1500-3000 Words

To educate and prepare new mothers, Centering Pregnancy and Centering Parenting sites in the United States offer community-based patient-centered care in low-income areas. Centering offers interactive learning, check-ups, and social support, so that women can take charge of their health.

For some, prenatal care is a community affair

https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-06-18/some-prenatal-care-community-affair

Shuka Kalantari

Public Radio International (PRI)

18 June 2014

Radio / 3-5 Minutes

Latin American women in San Francisco have suffered from post-partum depression, social isolation, and chronic stress at the time of their pregnancies. Run by midwives, the Centering Pregnancy program at the San Francisco General Hospital provides patient-centered care, an environment to speak in Spanish, and a nurturing community for women’s group appointments. The results boast fewer c-sections and pre-term births, and an improvement in emotional support and overall prenatal health.

Health Care for a Changing Work Force

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/health-care-for-a-changing-work-force

David Bornstein

The New York Times

1 December 2011

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America’s system of health care is based on an old industrial-era model, without taking into account a decentralized, mobile, independent workforce that remains largely unprotected without health and unemployment insurance. The Freelancers Insurance Company, based in New York State, offers competitive premiums by having their executives receive salaries at low wages. The model keeps costs under control, which in turn makes health care more accessible to independent workers.

HealthCare.gov is busted. These four state exchanges aren't.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/25/healthcare-gov-is-busted-these-four-state-exchanges-arent

Sarah Kliff

The Washington Post

25 October 2013

Text / 800-1500 Words

Accessible affordable health care is needed for millions of uninsured Americans. The Affordable Care Act is a viable solution that helps the uninsured. Although the launching of the website had some glitches, many states designed their own insurance marketplace and have successfully signed up people for coverage.

Looking a Dangerous Disease in the Mouth

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/30/looking-a-dangerous-disease-in-the-mouth

David Bornstein

The New York Times

30 October 2014

Text / 800-1500 Words

Tooth decay affects children from all backgrounds, but it’s concentrated among low-income and rural populations, who have the most difficulty accessing and affording dental care. One approach gaining momentum in the United States to extend access to underserved groups is based on an idea that was pioneered in New Zealand 93 years ago, and has been adopted in more than 50 countries - the idea is to train “dental therapists,” who, like dental hygienists, work under the supervision of dentists, but who can also drill teeth and perform non-complex extractions.

How Do We Know What Really Works in Healthcare?

http://freakonomics.com/2015/04/02/how-do-we-know-what-really-works-in-healthcare-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast

Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics

4 February 2015

Podcast / Over 15 Minutes

Studying the outcomes of public health delivery can lack a scientific methodology. MIT economists have applied the methodology of randomized controlled trial (RCT) to study the effect of the Medicaid expansion plan in Oregon. These researchers look into how the new healthcare coverage affects clinical outcomes, emergency-room use, and employment.

In Rwanda, Health Care Coverage That Eludes the U.S.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/rwandas-health-care-miracle

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

3 July 2012

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Rwanda offers universal health coverage to its citizens, with a reported 25 percent having to pay no premiums. The system has allowed for great advances in health across the nation, with a dramatic rise in life expectancy—from 48 to 58 in the last 10 years. This article looks at a number of ways in which Rwanda's policies and programs have led to their success.

In Delivery Rooms, Reducing Births of Convenience

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/07/in-delivery-rooms-reducing-births-of-convenience

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

7 May 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

The rate of Cesarean sections is on the rise in the United States, despite the higher risks of hysterectomy, hemorrhage, and infection, as well as the elevated expense. San Francisco General’s maternity ward, however, stands as an outlier by following evidence-based medicine that suggests decreasing C-sections and has also shifted from a pay-per-service incentive for the doctors to a salary or shift position.

Infant Deaths Drop After Midwives Undergo Inexpensive Training

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/health/10global.html

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

The New York Times

9 May 2011

Text / Under 800 Words

Providing simple training to midwives in Zambia has resulted in a statistically significant decline in infant mortality. A small pilot project costing only $20,244 saved the lives of an estimated 97 infants.

Colorado's Effort Against Teenage Pregnancies Is a Startling Success

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/06/science/colorados-push-against-teenage-pregnancies-is-a-startling-success.html

Sabrina Tavernise

The New York Times

5 July 2015

Text / 800-1500 Words

Colorado causes a large decline in teen pregnancy and abortions by implementing free, long-term birth control to prevent pregnancy. While demonstrating massive success, its continuity is in the air considering the ongoing fight over health insurance at the federal level.