American journal of preventive medicine
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Healthcare organizations are transitioning from fee-for-service, volume-based care toward value-based care and the Triple Aim. Physicians have critical roles as leaders and practitioners in this emerging field of population health management; however, the competencies required of these physicians are not well described. The purpose of this study is to explore the approaches of healthcare systems to population health-related functions, the competencies needed, and the characteristics of physicians who lead or staff these functions. ⋯ This exploratory study identified several useful competencies for population health physicians in healthcare systems. Findings point to opportunities to promote a more systematic approach to population health and to prepare Preventive Medicine and other physicians for population health management positions.
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The impact of Medicaid expansion on linkage to care, self-maintenance, and treatment among low-income adults with diabetes was examined. ⋯ Although health insurance, ability to afford a physician visit, and foot examinations increased for Medicaid-eligible people with diabetes, there was no statistically significant difference found for other care continuum measures.
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Previous studies have demonstrated cross-sectional associations between social media use and depression, but their temporal and directional associations have not been reported. ⋯ In a national sample of young adults, baseline social media use was independently associated with the development of depression by follow-up, but baseline depression was not associated with an increase in social media use at follow-up. This pattern suggests temporal associations between social media use and depression, an important criterion for causality.
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The opioid crisis is a pervasive public health threat in the U.S. Simulation modeling approaches that integrate a systems perspective are used to understand the complexity of this crisis and analyze what policy interventions can best address it. However, limitations in currently available data sources can hamper the quantification of these models. ⋯ This article provides an important step in identifying and discussing data challenges in opioid research generally and opioid systems modeling specifically. It also identifies opportunities for systems modelers and government agencies to improve opioid systems models.
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Emerging evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions may have influenced alcohol consumption. This study examines changes in high-risk alcohol consumption from before to during the COVID-19 crisis in an established cohort of middle-aged British adults. ⋯ This study provides evidence linking the COVID-19 crisis and associated lockdown restrictions to an increase in high-risk drinking patterns and particularly frequent drinking in British adults. Potential long-term changes in drinking habits should be monitored following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.