Department of Health Policy

March 23, 2018

Study tracks impact of NAS on state Medicaid programs 

In the United States, one infant is born every 15 minutes with withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to opioids before birth, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.

By Christina Echegaray
white pills spilling out of a prescription bottle
February 12, 2018

Opioid use increases risk of serious infections

Opioid users have a significantly increased risk of infections severe enough to require treatment at the hospital, such as pneumonia and meningitis, as compared to people who don’t use opioids.

By Craig Boerner
January 5, 2018

What you need to know about this year’s flu

Discover what strains are prominent, how effective this year’s vaccine is, and how hard the virus has hit Tennessee so far.

By VUMC News and Communications
November 21, 2017

Post-flu risks a growing concern for the elderly

Infectious disease experts are warning that flu can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and disability in elderly patients for months after they have recovered from their illness.

By Craig Boerner
November 16, 2017

Insurance commissioner outlines ACA challenges

Since 2014 the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has assisted lower- and moderate-income people who buy insurance on their own on the individual market, providing premium subsidies and discounts on out-of-pocket expenses. Under the law, people who don’t carry compliant insurance face a penalty, the so-called individual mandate. Large employers who don’t offer insurance are also penalized.

By Paul Govern
November 9, 2017

Amoxicillin alone better choice for pediatric pneumonia: study

A combination of two antibiotics is often prescribed to treat community-acquired pneumonia in children, but a JAMA Pediatrics study is now showing that using just one of the two has the same benefit to patients in most cases.

By Craig Boerner