Abstract Implementation of urban heat island (UHI) mitigation strategies such as increased vegetative cover and higher-albedo surface materials can reduce the impacts biophysical hazards in cities, including stress related to elevated temperatures, air pollution associated public health effects. Such also lower demand for air-conditioning-related energy production. Since local global climate change may be intensified areas with UHIs, could play an increasingly important role individuals...

Beginning in 2014, individuals and small businesses are able to purchase private health insurance through competitive Marketplaces. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides for a program of risk adjustment the individual group markets 2014 as Marketplaces implemented new market reforms take effect. purpose is lessen or eliminate influence selection on premiums that plans charge. methodology includes model transfer formula. This article second three this issue Review describe Department Health...

Abstract Research Objective Estimates of the prevalence major depression vary widely. Current estimates range from 2 to 14 % depending upon definition and procedure for diagnosis. Further, most are special populations, either living in selected geographic areas or receiving specific types medical care. A national survey Medicare Fee‐for‐Service (FFS) beneficiaries provides an opportunity assess current level dysthymia among a diverse population older Americans. Study Design The Health...

To determine the prevalence, expenditures, and utilization of enrollees with MS relative to all in privately insured, Medicare, Medicaid populations.The authors used insurer administrative billing data identify persons MS, their insured medical expenditures utilization, benchmark general population utilization. Three samples were analyzed: nationally representative for (1994 through 1995) Medicare (1996 though 1997) populations, disabled (1991 1996) populations from six states.Using 2 years...

The Affordable Care Act provides for a program of risk adjustment in the individual and small group health insurance markets 2014 as Marketplaces are implemented new market reforms take effect.The purpose is to lessen or eliminate influence selection on premiums that plans charge.The methodology includes model transfer formula.This article third three this issue Medicare & Medicaid Research Review describe ACA focuses formula.In our first companion article, we discussed key issues choices...

The objective of the study was to determine if local smoke-free restaurant policies in Massachusetts affected sales. authors used a pre-/post-quasi-experimental design compare town-level meals tax data before and after imposition policies. Data for 235 towns (including 32 adopting communities) were entered into fixed effects regression model estimate changes sales over time. failed find statistically significant effect on business. It provides evidence that do not cause large decline...

Objective: To determine if restaurant business declines or improves after the implementation of restrictive smoking policies. Design: Analysis used a pre/post-quasi-experimental design that compared town meals tax receipts before and imposition highly policies in adopting versus non-adopting communities. The effect was estimated using fixed effects regression model, entering panel 84 months data for 239 towns study. A separate model on establishments served alcohol. Main outcome measure:...

Beginning in 2014, individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase private health insurance through competitive marketplaces.The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides for a program of risk adjustment the individual group markets 2014 as Marketplaces are implemented new market reforms take effect.The purpose is lessen or eliminate influence selection on premiums that plans charge incentive avoid sicker enrollees.This article -the first three Medicare & Medicaid Research...

Objective:To examine the impact of Medicare Physician Group Practice (PGP) demonstration on

A potentially important source of productivity gains in physician practices is larger practice size. We investigate economies scale using a large nationwide survey self-employed physicians. When output measured by revenues, we estimate significantly increasing returns to for single-specialty practices, implying that forming lowers costs. The lowest-cost size estimated be 5.2 physicians compared sample average 2.4 On average, inefficiency at 9%. Measuring office visits, find group provide 17%...