Emerging Technologies To Support An Aging Population
Emerging technologies that have significant promise to improve quality of life for all Americans, particularly those with physical or cognitive burdens due to aging or disability, are identified in a new report from the White House Task Force on Research and Development for Technology to Support Aging Adults. The report, Emerging Technologies to Support an Aging Population, highlights innovations with the potential to improve quality of life, enhance individual choice, reduce caregiver stress, reduce healthcare costs. Research and development needs also are identified. The report outlines six areas in which technology has the potential to improve the lives of aging adults: key activities of independent living; cognition; communication and social connectivity; personal mobility; transportation; and access to healthcare. The report can be obtained here.
School Success: An Opportunity For Population Health
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Roundtable on Population Health Improvement hosted a workshop in Oakland, California, at the California Endowment’s Oakland Conference Center on June 14, 2018. The workshop featured presentations that described the relationship between the health and education sectors and shared examples of public health interventions and activities in schools that support school success and are potential opportunities for population health action. The day began with two keynote presentations reflecting on how educational attainment influences health outcomes and how health status affects educational performance. Keynote speakers were followed by Ted Talk style presentations describing school-based public health interventions and the workshop concluded by addressing policies, issues, and opportunities pertaining to shared measurement, legal issues, payment mechanisms, and equity. Steven Woolf from the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University articulated why educational success matters for health. He stated that although the health and education systems work toward similar ends, they have functioned as silos for many years without much communication. Woolf presented an overview of what shapes health through five domains: (1) health systems, (2) individual behaviors, (3) the physical and social environment, (4) public policies and spending, and (5) socioeconomic factors. The public policy and spending domain is of specific importance given that it drives the other domains. Proceedings of the workshop can be obtained here.
CARE Act Implementation: Progress And Promise
The AARP Public Policy Institute published a Spotlight report, The CARE Act Implementation: Progress and Promise. The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act became law in 40 states and territories in just four years, while additional states have initiated the legislative process. The swift uptake indicates policy maker recognition of the support family caregivers need to perform the medical/nursing tasks they face at home after a family member or friend is discharged from the hospital. The landmark 2012 AARP and United Hospital Fund report Home Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care, funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, drove the rapid policy adoption of the CARE Act. The report also inspired the creation of the Home Alone AllianceSM, a partnership of public, private, and nonprofit organizations coming together to change the way health care organizations and professionals interface with family caregivers. This Spotlight provides an update on CARE Act implementation, bringing in views from the field. The report can be obtained here.
More Articles from TRENDS March 2019
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH NONADHERENCE
Suggests how factors affecting both caregivers and patients can result in nonadherence to treatment interventions. Read More
PRESIDENT’S CORNER—ASAHP MEMBER FOCUS
Curt Lox, Dean, Brooks College of Health Professions at the University of North Florida, is featured in this issue of TRENDS. Read More
FEDERAL BUDGET RELEASE AND PROPOSED LEGISLATION
The Trump Administration released its proposed federal budget for FY 2020 and legislation is introduced in Congress involving higher education. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Discusses: the introduction of the Medicare For All Act Of 2019; an effort to repeal the ACA medical device tax; a bipartisan initiative to reduce health care cost growth; and a bill to prevent health care fraud. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes: Senate and House hearings on reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (HEA), a proposal from the White House to reform the HEA, negotiated rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Education, and a judicial ruling on final regulations pertaining to borrower defense to repayment regulations. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
Selected Estimates Based On The National Health Interview Survey, January To September 2018
Electronic Health Behaviors Among U.S. Adults With Chronic Disease
Use Of Toilet Seats To Detect Chronic Heart Failure
Medical And Health Data Wearable Read More
IMPACT OF MARIJUANA LAWS ON HEALTH AND LABOR SUPPLY
Provides information about the effects of state medical marijuana laws on the health and labor supply of adults age 51 and older, with a focus on individuals with medical conditions that may respond positively to treatment involving marijuana. Read More
GLOBAL SYNDEMIC OF OBESITY, UNDERNUTRITION, AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Refers to a proposed rationale for international-level policy interventions that have the potential to mitigate harmful health consequences associated with these three problems. Read More