📩 Interested in #healthcare and #healthpolicy? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest data-driven, policy-relevant research from @upenn.edu#healthcare#healthpolicyxperts, upcoming events featuring national experts, and more! https://bit.ly/49DDMMZ

Can health insurance slow biological aging? Research by LDI Fellow @jnwanajienwerem.bsky.social shows environmental exposures impact epigenetic aging—and new findings suggests insurance may reduce the effects of lead exposure. Read the Q&A 👇 https://bit.ly/3NNUzpJ

Is Medicare Advantage working as intended? Experts at our recent panel said the program offers valuable benefits for many seniors, especially those with modest incomes, but it is costing taxpayers more than expected and creating new challenges in the system. Read the recap: https://bit.ly/4rRTmM3

How can unhoused veterans with heart disease stay out of the hospital? 🏠 A new @journalgim.bsky.social study by LDI Fellows suggests getting them into stable housing—and doing so quickly—may reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Read more: https://bit.ly/4sfm4Hf

THANK YOU to all who joined us for today's virtual conference w/ CHERISH, "Substance Use Disorder Policy & Care in a Time of Medicaid Change" Special thanks to all of our panelists & keynote speaker Chinazo Cunningham of NYS Office of Addiction Services & Supports. Stay tuned for the event recap!

Can Facebook wall posts predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk? In a new exploratory study, LDI Fellows analyzed linguistic features from Facebook posts and linked them to electronic health records—but found no association with CVD risk. Read more: https://bit.ly/487Yqoy

NOW LIVE! Tune in now for our virtual conference on substance use disorder policy and care during this time of #Medicaid change. ⤵️

In a new op-ed in Kevin MD, LDI Fellow Molly Candon of @pennmedicine.bsky.social and @umich.edu's Daniel Clauw argue that health insurance plans should incentivize chronic pain patients to use non-drug treatments as an important next step in combating the opioid crisis. Read it here: bit.ly/3Px38pB

Join us tomorrow, March 25 for our virtual conference, co-hosted with @cherishresearch.bsky.social, focused on ways to help advance evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder under the new rules outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. ldi.upenn.edu/events/subst...

What do caregivers of pediatric patients prefer for social care needs assessments? A new mixed-methods RCT finds they are more likely to want resources when offered a “resource menu” vs. a standard risk screener. Read more: https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(25)01505-7/abstract

How do policymakers talk about gun violence online? Most posts come after mass shootings and rarely frame the issue as a public health crisis. Researchers say shifting to evidence-based solutions could change the conversation. Read more here: https://bit.ly/41ohkDW

This blog post mentions 4 PARC Research Associates: Eric T. Roberts, Abby Alpert, Mark V. Pauly, and Atul Gupta! Read their highlighted research below!

Read this Op-Ed by Linda Aiken 🎆The Real Reason Behind New York’s Nurses Strike www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/16/t... Which is discussed in the @pennldi.bsky.social When Nurses Strike, It’s a Warning About Patient Safety post ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...

What if speaking up about unsafe housing puts your family at risk of eviction? LDI Fellow Cheryl Bettigole explains why many tenants don't report dangerous conditions even when their health depends on it. Her new policy brief outlines solutions Philadelphia is now considering. https://bit.ly/4uSlIc6

📺 How did hospital ads on TV impact patient volume and spending in the Medicare population? An @nber.org Working Paper from LDI Fellows Atul Gupta and Abby Alpert found that ads drove ER admissions and inpatient spending, with larger increases at for-profit hospitals. https://bit.ly/4srmE5g

Long-term care is an expensive problem for older adults, their caregivers, and the broader health care system. How did we reach this point—and what policy solutions could chart a better path forward? Explore our policy brief: https://bit.ly/3MriUka

Are unplanned pregnancies associated with severe maternal morbidity (SMM)? In a study of nearly 10,000 births, LDI Fellows found no association. Authors call for more nuanced measures of pregnancy intention, especially among those at high risk of SMM. https://bit.ly/4lHELlc

What is known about callousness in health care workers? LDI Fellows Eda Algur and Ingrid Nembhard find self-reported callousness is higher among clinicians reporting low work-life balance and low psychological safety. Read more: https://bit.ly/4sdptXH

How can Pennsylvania families prepare for upcoming changes to the #Medicaid program? LDI Fellows @bsalazarmd.bsky.social and Diana Montoya-Williams lay out key dates and steps in the Philadelphia @inquirer.com ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...

ICYMI: In February, CMS reversed a proposal that could have limited access to #Medicare and #Medicaid data. In 2024, LDI Executive Director @rachelwerner.bsky.social wrote in @statnews.com#Medicare#Medicaidbout what the health policy research community would stand to lose. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3IfxGVO

What would bring registered nurses back to hospital employment? A cross-sectional study finds that adequate staffing, flexible scheduling, and higher wages are key factors. Read more here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2844818

🧠 Think you know U.S. health care history? Today’s system grew from programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA—fueling a massive private industry. Test your knowledge with this 10 question quiz ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4uBOKMP #HealthPolicy #HealthcareHistory #PublicHealth

What sociodemographic factors are linked to #telehealth use? A study of the @pennmedicine.bsky.social#telehealthsystem found higher use among younger patients, women, and lower-income patients, and lower use among racial and ethnic minority patients. https://bit.ly/4lBZlmF

Medicaid finances more substance use disorder care than any other payer. New federal rules and state budget pressures could dramatically affect access. Register for our virtual conference on March 25, co-hosted with @cherishresearch.bsky.social ⤵️ https://bit.ly/4s3Xv0D

Warning posters about the risks of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) reduced SSB purchases among Guatemalan adolescents, according to a new LDI study. A simple, low-cost intervention with meaningful public health potential ➡️ https://bit.ly/476kjEn

💡LDI Fellows conducted the first comprehensive analysis on industry payments to doctors who use AI-enabled medical devices. Payments went largely to doctors at large, academic hospitals—raising important oversight questions. Read more on our blog: https://bit.ly/4uyfcqF

Listen to LDI Fellow @zekeemanuel.bsky.social on the Health Affairs Health Podyssey podcast. ⤵️

How do early adulthood #Medicaid enrollment patterns affect coverage later in life? Join us in person this Thursday, March 19, at NCRC as Emily Gregory (@pennldi.bsky.social) presents her research through our Emerging Scholars Exchange Program. More info: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/...

How do insurer acquisitions of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) affect costs? New research by LDI Fellow Abby Alpert finds Medicare Part D insurers that continued working with rival insurers’ PBMs saw double-digit premium increases. https://bit.ly/4utFAli

Check out new research featuring LDI Fellows @eleanorturi.bsky.social, Peggy Compton, and Molly Candon.⤵️

💻 Want to rewatch our virtual discussions with leading experts on some of the most pressing issues facing health care and health policy in the U.S.? Check out our video library here for recordings: https://ldi.upenn.edu/virtual-seminar-recordings/

Join @dgorenstein.bsky.social for a discussion about federal changes, Medicaid, and substance use disorder services on March 25th, hosted by @pennldi.bsky.social and @cherishresearch.bsky.social Learn more and register ⬇️ ldi.upenn.edu/events/subst...

THANK YOU to the 1,000+ people who registered for today's event on Medicare Advantage w/ experts Cheryl Damberg of RAND, Sachin Jain of @scanhealthplan.bsky.social, and LDI Executive Director @rachelwerner.bsky.social! 📹 Stay tuned for the video recap, dropping next week at ldi.upenn.edu

There's still time to register! Join us for our virtual seminar on Medicare Advantage today at noon ET.⤵️

For patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), hospital work environment may play a role in readmission disparities. In NJ hospitals with poorer nurse work environments, higher LEP volume was associated with 6% higher odds of 7-day readmission. https://bit.ly/4lzXRth

📢New research: LDI Fellows report socioeconomic disparities in care for chronic low back pain. Patients with higher incomes and education were more likely to receive non-drug care like physical therapy and filled fewer prescriptions. Read more: https://bit.ly/4sDWR9E

Many older adults with gynecologic cancer don’t see a specialist. A new @gynoncjnls.bsky.social study by LDI Fellow Emily Ko shows fewer than two-thirds had a visit with a gynecologic oncologist, and access varied by age and income. https://bit.ly/4dfFhV6

💻Don't miss our virtual seminar this Friday (3/13)! The discussion will explore whether Medicare Advantage is delivering on its promise and what reforms are needed to ensure a sustainable, affordable Medicare program for taxpayers and beneficiaries. https://bit.ly/4bZLjsA

Patients injured by interpersonal violence may face lasting psychological harm. Using patient-reported measures, LDI's Elinore Kaufman & colleagues found that they were twice as likely to screen positive for PTSD compared w/ those injured unintentionally. https://bit.ly/40jeOyt

Medicaid finances more substance use disorder care than any other payer. New federal rules and state budget pressures could dramatically affect access. Register for our virtual conference on March 25, co-hosted with @cherishresearch.bsky.social⤵️ https://bit.ly/4s3Xv0D

🥳Congratulations to LDI Fellow Linda Aiken of Penn Nursing! She is the recipient of the 2026 President’s Award from @americannurses.bsky.social Aiken is being honored for her work that has radically transformed international nursing standards. Read more: https://bit.ly/4ur6ri8

Are #RuralHealthTransformationFund dollars reaching states with the greatest need? A new study by LDI's @rachelwerner.bsky.social#RuralHealthTransformationFundand Paula Chatterjee raises concerns that funds may not target rural residents with the highest clinical burden. Read more: https://bit.ly/4rWHp8M

Important work by members of two of the best #healthpolicy research institutes in the U.S…

After Medicaid eligibility reviews resumed post-COVID, nearly 1 in 7 #DualEligibles lost Medicaid coverage for at least 1 month. Fewer than one-third re-enrolled within six months. Read more: https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/medicaid-reviews-may-disenroll-vulnerable-dual-eligibles/

A new study by LDI Fellow Brian VanderBeek finds significant racial and ethnic disparities in vision loss from diabetic retinal disease. Black & Hispanic patients had higher rates of legal blindness compared with white patients. Read more: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/24741264251412045

In his latest essay in @statnews.com, LDI Fellow Jason Karlawish calls for a shift in dementia care — grounding it in ethics and human connection. A diagnosis should prompt not just medical planning but a clear conversation about who will take part in your care. Read more: https://bit.ly/4b5Qwgl

“Why does cash save lives in Tanzania but barely move the needle in Texas?” In @theatlantic.com, LDI Fellows @draaron.bsky.social and @hthirumurthy.bsky.social outline the conditions that make cash transfer programs work. https://bit.ly/3N63t1t

📩 Interested in #healthcare and #healthpolicy? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest data-driven, policy-relevant research from @upenn.edu#healthcare#healthpolicyxperts, upcoming events featuring national experts, and more! https://bit.ly/49DDMMZ

Tune in Friday, March 13 for our virtual seminar exploring whether Medicare Advantage is delivering on its promise and what reforms are needed to ensure a sustainable, affordable Medicare program for taxpayers and beneficiaries. https://bit.ly/4bZLjsA

NEW: Our latest brief covers research from LDI Senior Fellows @draaron.bsky.social @hthirumurthy.bsky.social and Jere Behrman that provides the first population-level evidence that cash transfer programs substantially reduce mortality. Read more here: https://bit.ly/47gpGkl