cover story one
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
A hidden variable in patient care
By David Beard, PhD
Helping patients receive the best care doesn’t end when the patient leaves the hospital or clinic. In fact, once they leave, your patients begins a different, and often arduous, process. Many patients struggle with planning how to return to the clinic for their next appointment, or how to arrive at the hospital or treatment facility for follow-up care or procedures. Missed patient appointments are a major concern throughout the entire health care delivery system.
Cover story two
Navigating Lupus Diagnosis: Historical foundations to novel biomarkers
By Brittany Partain, PhD, and Tyler Alexander, PhD
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease affecting multiple organ systems. SLE disproportionately affects women, who account for approximately 90% of cases, and is more prevalent and severe among individuals of color. In particular, Black and American Indian and Alaska Native women face a two- to three-fold higher risk of developing lupus than White women. Among patients with lupus, Black women are more likely to experience organ damage and lupus-related complications compared to White women. These demographic patterns are directly relevant to clinical vigilance and equitable diagnostic practice.
Defending Science: Evolving new partnerships —
The following report from the 61st session of the Minnesota Health Care Roundtable addresses important issues posed by recent changes in federal health care policies. Our panel shares insights into the effects of these new policies and offers constructive suggestions for addressing them. Speaking from what are essentially the front lines in an effort to maintain the difference between science and ideology, several important and challenging outcomes of these new policies are discussed. Our panel offers hope and firm guidance toward maintaining the efficacy of research, public health and medical science.
