Which operations can restart first? Michigan Value Collaborative guide could help hospitals decide

When COVID-19 struck, Assistant Professor of Surgery and MVC director Hari Nathan, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues realized data could help hospitals understand which operations are most resource-intensive. Now, as hospitals across the country start to return to doing non-emergency operations, the MVC has developed a new guide that could help them prioritize and plan.

COVID-19 care is (mostly) free to patients. Should other vital care be too?

Rapid shifts removed out-of-pocket costs that could keep people from getting coronavirus care. Insurers did what experts like Mark Fendrick, M.D., professor of internal medicine, have been telling them they should be doing for nearly two decades: Keep money from being a barrier to the types of care that patients need the most, to improve health and possibly save money down the road.

Headlines

Study shows need for new focus in anti-vaping efforts for older teens & young adults

Racial disparities in the time of COVID-19

Commentary: How do you stay safe now that states are reopening? An expert explains how to assess risk when reconnecting with friends and family

IHPI Brief: Opioid Prescribing Limits for Acute Pain

Opioid prescribing limits for acute pain have had modest effects in limiting overprescribing. IHPI researchers outline why that may be and discuss potential policy considerations to maximize the ability of limits to reduce excessive prescribing.

The potential to improve hypertensive patient care inspired a multidisciplinary team of researchers, led by Brahmajee Nallamothu, M.D., M.P.H., professor of internal medicine, to secure a $2.5 million grant from the American Health Association to establish a new mHealth technology research center at U-M, where studies can be performed to help scientists and doctors understand how to use smartphones and wearables to improve lifestyle behaviors.

What the new normal might look like in offices, childcare, and more because of coronavirus

COVID-19 has brought on rapid, and deep change ---- including to offices, childcare and restaurants. Preeti Malani, M.D., M.S., M.S.J., professor of internal medicine and U-M chief health officer, shares her expertise and thoughts with Business Insider on what the new normal might be.