Department of Health Policy

November 20, 2025

New pediatric acute care ‘atlas’ can supercharge research, policy, strategy

The study draws on more than 28 million acute care encounters to map out pediatric hospital service areas across the U.S.

By Jake Lowary
October 20, 2025

Three VUMC leaders elected to the National Academy of Medicine

With more than 2,400 members, the NAM (formerly the Institute of Medicine) collaborates closely with its peer academies, the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, to provide independent and authoritative advice on matters of science, technology and health nationally and globally.

By Bill Snyder
William Schaffner, MD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 30, 2025

William Schaffner receives national honor for his vaccination, public health advocacy

The award honors medical school faculty members who have made major contributions to improving public health and health care.

By Bill Snyder
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.

By Jake Lowary
(AdobeStock)
August 6, 2025

Study demonstrates burden of potentially preventable hospitalizations for pneumococcal pneumonias among adults in Tennessee and Georgia 

Community-acquired pneumonia refers to a case of the disease contracted without prior exposure to a health care setting.

By Evan Dorian
Fellows and instructors pose for a photo following the training course.
July 8, 2025

VUMC researchers host international fellows for economic evaluation, decision science training

The fellows, all government health economists in low- and middle-income African and Asian countries, each focused on a health policy concern important to their country.

By Jake Lowary
March 4, 2025

Poll: Parents report challenges accessing care, concerns about influenza and HPV vaccines

Nearly half (47%) of Tennessee children had public health insurance (TennCare or CoverKids) in 2024. This was the same percentage as private insurance (47%) and an increase from previous years of the poll.
By Jake Lowary
February 21, 2025

Study shows end-of-life cancer care lacking for Medicare patients 

The study involved patients of diverse ethnic backgrounds age 66 or older who died from breast, prostate, pancreatic or lung cancers.  
By Tom Wilemon
January 9, 2025

Marie Martin named to global health leadership roles at Medical Center, School of Medicine

She will be responsible for developing and expanding VUMC’s international institutional initiatives, as well as developing opportunities for VUMC and VUSM learners to engage in global health education.
By Jill Clendening
November 27, 2024

Wayne Ray’s 50-year career helped transform pharmacoepidemiology research

To celebrate Ray’s career and contributions to research and education at VUMC, the Department of Health Policy will host a symposium from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 in Light Hall 202.
By Jake Lowary
November 3, 2024

Greenlight study demonstrates effective early intervention in preventing childhood obesity

Researchers examined if childhood obesity could be prevented by leveraging a combination of health behavior counseling offered by pediatric primary care clinicians and modern digital health literacy tools.
By Christina Echegaray
September 24, 2024

‘Learning’ network will help move genomics into the clinic

A real-world learning health system was established at VUMC a decade ago. Now, the National Human Genome Research Institute is awarding two five-year grants totaling $12 million to support VUMC’s participation in, and coordination of, a genomic-enabled learning health system (gLHS) network.
By Bill Snyder
September 4, 2024

RSV vaccine in older people cuts risk of hospitalization

A multicenter study conducted in 19 states between October 2023 and March 2024 demonstrated that RSV vaccination was 75% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations for adults age 60 and older.
By Bill Snyder
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