Health Policy

March 11, 2026

Poll: Tennessee parents are worried about the future for their kids; 1 in 3 say their child has been diagnosed with a mental health condition

Teen mental health, social media, bullying, screen time and school quality top list of parental concerns

(photo by Erin O. Smith)
March 9, 2026

Review of firearm-related deaths among Tennessee children highlights public health crisis

Study findings support the use of location-based prevention strategies and resource allocation to high-risk communities.

February 25, 2026

Patients with atrial fibrillation face higher bleeding risks when treated with 2 common medications

While diltiazem remains an effective option for heart rate control in selected patients, bleeding risk posed by anticoagulants should be considered.

September 10, 2025

Study reveals new evidence, cost savings for common treatments for opioid use disorder in mothers and infants

Researchers found that while established medications for opioid use disorder in mothers are both superior and cost saving compared to alternative treatment pathways, buprenorphine produced the greatest health gains and cost savings for mothers and infants.

Martha Shepherd, DO, MPH, medical director, Vanderbilt Health at MNPS, and David Hines, MNPS executive director of Benefits, helped design and oversee cost-saving wellness benefits for MNPS teachers. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 25, 2025

Metro Nashville Public Schools’ culture of wellness bolsters employee health, cuts costs

The MNPS Certificated Employee Health Plan covers 6,500 in collaboration with Vanderbilt Health active teachers plus 11,500 retirees and dependents.

July 22, 2024

Opioid treatment can avoid foster care placement: study

If women are given medications to treat opioid use disorder during their pregnancy they are significantly more likely to retain custody of their newborns after delivery