Department of Health Policy

April 17, 2017

In emergencies, insurance matters

Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act provides patients with a greater choice of hospital facilities, Vanderbilt researchers have found.

By Paul Govern
February 20, 2017

American Academy of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt neonatologist urge public health approach for women who use opioids during pregnancy

By VUMC News and Communications
Cropped shot of a group of business colleagues meeting in the boardroom
February 2, 2017

Study finds smaller insurers earning profits in new market

The researchers examine whether the financial struggles of some major insurers under the Affordable Care Act reflect a policy failure or a mismatch of these firms’ capabilities and strategies to a newly created market.

By Craig Boerner
December 15, 2016

Babies born with opioid withdrawal disproportionately increasing in rural areas

An increasing number of newborns are being born with drug withdrawal symptoms from opioids in rural areas of the United States as compared to births in urban areas, according to a JAMA Pediatrics study.

By Craig Boerner
November 10, 2016

VUSM’s MPH Program celebrates 20th anniversary

The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Master of Public Health (MPH) Program marked its 20th anniversary during Reunion Weekend in October.

By Kathy Whitney
October 13, 2016

Antidepressants’ heart impact less than expected: study

A Vanderbilt University study published today in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry may help patients prescribed higher doses of certain antidepressants feel better about attributed cardiac risks.

By Paul Govern
September 23, 2016

Blood exposures for traditional healers

Traditional healers in sub-Saharan have a high rate of exposure to blood, putting them at risk for HIV and hepatitis C.
By Paul Govern
August 4, 2016

VUSM student’s research poster lauded at international meeting

A Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) student recently received international recognition when his poster presentation at a major infectious diseases conference was voted the best from among 600 presenters and 1,500 attendees.
By Kathy Whitney
June 23, 2016

Drug monitoring programs reduce opioid deaths: study

The implementation of state prescription drug monitoring programs was associated with the prevention of approximately one opioid-related overdose death every two hours on average nationwide, according to a new Vanderbilt-led study released this week in the journal "Health Affairs."
By Christina Echegaray
June 14, 2016

Study shows opioids increase risk of death when compared to other pain treatments

Long-acting opioids are associated with a significantly increased risk of death when compared with alternative medications for moderate-to-severe chronic pain, according to a Vanderbilt study released today in the Journal of the American Medical Assocation (JAMA).
By Craig Boerner
June 9, 2016

Children’s Hospital physicians honored by Tennessee pediatrics society

The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has awarded top accolades to two physicians at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for their commitment to children, families and the practice of pediatrics.
By Christina Echegaray
April 15, 2016

Standardizing care improves outcomes for infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome

Standardizing hospital care policies across institutions for infants diagnosed with drug withdrawal symptoms at birth reduces their length of treatment and hospitalization, according to new research led by Vermont Oxford Network, Vanderbilt and the University of Michigan Health System.
By Christina Echegaray
March 3, 2016

Study seeks to ease pediatric HIV infection rates in Africa

Mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, is still a major problem in resource-limited, rural areas of the world where health care providers are scarce.
By Bill Snyder