Preterm birth prevention in a rural practice
Article Abstract:
A program to prevent pre-term births, developed for use in small rural communities, is presented. The program emphasizes education and reassessment of women supposedly at low risk for preterm birth. Preterm births that are potentially preventable are identified and studied. The rate of potentially preventable preterm births declined from 3.2 percent to 1.3 percent at the end of the two years of the program, a 60 percent reduction. The preterm infants born during the program were less premature, weighed more, and were admitted less frequently to the newborn intensive care unit. The percentage of women in preterm labor who reached medical attention soon enough for their contractions to be halted increased from 51 to 98 percent. The percentage of women who underwent preterm labor yet delivered at term increased from 56 to 96 percent. Relying mostly on education and increased awareness, this program was successful and inexpensive and could be applied to similar rural medical practices.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
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MinnesotaCare (HealthRight): myths and miracles
Article Abstract:
The Minnesota legislature in 1991 passed a health care reform plan called MinnesotaCare (formerly HealthRight), but it may not meet the criteria proposed for universal health care. It will only cover low-income individuals and will limit the benefits they receive. It will not provide long-term or catastrophic care. The plan will include some insurance reform such as eliminating clauses for pre-existing conditions. It will be financed by a tax on hospitals and health care providers, a cigarette tax and an increase in physicians' licensing fees. Health care costs will be controlled by placing a cap on all expenditures. The law created a Health Care Commission as well as several committees to oversee the plan and collect data on its effectiveness. Minnesota joins the states of Oregon, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey and Hawaii as it grapples with health care reform.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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A Population-Based Study of School Scoliosis Screening
Article Abstract:
Screening all elementary school children for scoliosis may not be cost-effective. Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. In Rochester, MN between 1979 and 1982, 2,242 schoolchildren were screened for scoliosis. Ninety-two children were referred for further evaluation but only 5 were ever treated for scoliosis. At these rates, 448 children would have to be examined to identify one child who subsequently received treatment.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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