Health Care Needs and Costs for Children Exposed to Prenatal Substance Use to Adulthood.

Importance: Children exposed to substance use during pregnancy have increased health needs but whether these are influenced by engagement in out-of-home care is uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the association between substance use during pregnancy, out-of-home care and hospitalization utilization, and costs from birth up to age 20 years. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study using individual-linked population birth, hospital, and out-of-home care information of all liveborn infants from New South Wales, Australia, between 2001 and 2020 using longitudinal population-based linkage records from administrative databases. Substance use during pregnancy included newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (n = 5946) and intrauterine exposure to drugs of addiction (n = 1260) and other substances (eg, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs; n = 202 098). Children not exposed to substance use during pregnancy were those without known exposure to substance use during pregnancy (n = 1 611 351). Data were analyzed from July 2001 to December 2021. Main Outcomes: Main outcomes were hospital readmission, length of stay, and cost burden associated with substance use during pregnancy from birth up to age 20 years. Outcomes were investigated using 2-part and Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate whether the association of substance use during pregnancy with risk of readmission was mediated through engagement with out-of-home care. Results: Of the 1 820 655 live births, 935 807 (51.4%) were male. The mean (SD) age of mothers was 30.8 (5.5) years. Compared with children who were not exposed to substance use during pregnancy, those who were exposed incurred significantly higher birth hospital costs (adjusted mean difference, A$1585 per child [US$1 = A$1.51]; 95% CI, 1585-1586). If discharged alive, more children with exposure to substance use during pregnancy had at least 1 readmission (90 433/209 304 [43.4%] vs 616 425/1 611 351[38.3%]; adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.06-1.07), most commonly for respiratory conditions (RR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09-1.12) and mental health/behavioral disorders (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.33-1.41). Excess hospital costs associated with substance use during pregnancy were A$129.0 million in 2019 to 2020. Mediation analyses showed that any out-of-home care contact mediated the association between substance use during pregnancy and risk of inpatient readmission and lower health care cost (decreased by A$25.4 million). For children with neonatal abstinence syndrome, any out-of-home care contact mediated readmission risk by approximately 30%, from adjusted RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.35, to RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.98-1.02. Conclusion and Relevance: Children who were exposed to substance use during pregnancy incurred more hospital costs than children who were not exposed up to 20 years of age, but this was reduced in association with any contact with out-of-home care. This provides insights into possible strategies for reducing health and financial burdens associated with exposure to substance use during pregnancy for children.

The Unmet Health Care Needs of Indigenous People Incarcerated in Tribal Jails.

This Viewpoint investigates the poor quality of health care provided to Indigenous peoples incarcerated in US tribal jails and proposes solutions to address health disparities and strengthen tribal sovereignty.

Does Public Spending Reflect the Need for Health: A Cross-sectional Analysis at District Level in India.

BACKGROUND: There is mixed evidence on the extent of association between the allocation of public revenue for healthcare and its indicators of need. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the relationship between allocations through state health financing (SHF) and the Central Government with infant mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: District-wise infant mortality rate (IMR) was computed using National Family Health Survey-4 data. State-wise data for health budgets through SHF and National Health Mission (NHM, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme), were obtained for the year 2015-16. We used a multivariable analysis through generalized linear model method using identity-link function. RESULTS: We found per capita SHF (₹3169) to be more than 12 times that of public health spending per capita through NHM (₹261). IMR was lower in districts with higher SHF allocation, although statistically insignificant. The allocation through NHM was higher in districts with higher IMR, which is statistically significant. Every unit percentage increase in per capita net state domestic product and female literacy led to 0.31% and 0.54% decline, while a 1% increase in under-five diarrhoea prevalence led to 0.17% increase in IMR. CONCLUSION: The NHM has contributed to enhancing vertical equity in health-care financing. The States' need to be more responsive to the differences in districts while allocating health-care resources. There needs to be a focus on spending on social determinants, which should be the cornerstone for any universal health coverage strategy.

Long-term care needs and hospitalization costs with long-term care insurance: a mixed-sectional study.

Background: With the rapid aging of the population, the health needs of the older adult have increased significantly, resulting in the frequent occurrence of the "social hospitalization" problem, which has led to a rapid increase in hospitalization costs. This study investigates whether the "social hospitalization problem" arising from the long-term care needs can be solved through the implementation of long-term care insurance, thereby improving the overall health of the older adults and controlling the unreasonable increase in hospitalization costs. Methods: The entropy theory was used as a conceptual model, based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015 and 2018. The least-squares method was used to examine the relationship between long-term care needs and hospitalization costs, and the role that long-term care insurance implementation plays in its path of influence. Results: The results of this study indicated that long-term care needs would increase hospitalization cost, which remained stable after a series of tests, such as replacing the core explanatory variables and introducing fixed effects. Through the intermediary effect test and mediated adjustment effect test, we found the action path of long-term care needs on hospitalization costs. Long-term care needs increases hospitalization costs through more hospitalizations. Long-term care insurance reduces hospitalization costs. Its specific action path makes long-term care insurance reduce hospitalization costs through a negative adjustment of the number of hospitalizations. Conclusion: To achieve fair and sustainable development of long-term care insurance, the following points should be achieved: First, long-term care insurance should consider the prevention in advance and expand the scope of participation and coverage; Second, long-term care insurance should consider the control in the event and set moderate levels of treatment payments; Third, long-term care insurance should consider post-supervision and explore appropriate payment methods.

Obstetric service demand is the main health need of the Vietnamese population in Guangxi, China: A cross-sectional study.

China has become an emerging destination for international migration, especially in some Association of South East Asian Nations countries, but the situation of migrants seeking medical care in China remains unclear. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Chongzuo, which provides medical services for foreigners, to investigate the situation of Vietnamese people seeking health care in Guangxi, China. Vietnamese patients who visited the hospital between 2018 and 2020 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, characteristics of payment for medical costs, and characteristics of hospitalization were compared between outpatients and inpatients. In total, 778 Vietnamese outpatients and 173 inpatients were included in this study. The percentages of female outpatients and inpatients were 93.44% and 88.44% (χ2 = 5.133, P = .023), respectively. Approximately 30% of outpatients and 47% of inpatients visited the hospital due to obstetric needs. The proportions of outpatients with basic medical insurance for urban residents, basic medical insurance for urban employees, and new cooperative medical schemes were 28.02%, 3.21%, and 2.31%, respectively. In comparison, the proportion of inpatients with the above 3 types of medical insurance was 16.76%, 1.73%, and 2.31%, respectively. The proportion of different payments for medical costs between outpatients and inpatients were significantly different (χ2 = 24.404, P < .01). Middle-aged Vietnamese females in Guangxi, China, may have much greater healthcare needs. Their main medical demand is for obstetric services. Measurements should be taken to improve the health services targeting Vietnamese female, but the legitimacy of Vietnamese in Guangxi is a major prerequisite for them to access more and better healthcare services.

Revolutionizing cancer treatment in India: Evaluating the unmet need, economics, and a roadmap for project implementation of particle therapy.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to quantitatively assess eligible patients and project the demand for particle therapy facilities in India from 2020 to 2040. In addition, an economic analysis evaluates the financial feasibility of implementing this technology. The study also examines the prospective benefits and challenges of adopting this technology in India. METHODOLOGY: Cancer incidence and projected trends were analyzed for pediatric patients using the Global Childhood Cancer microsimulation model and adult patients using the Globocan data. Economic cost evaluation is performed for large-scale combined particle (carbon and proton-three room fixed-beam), large-scale proton (one gantry and two fixed-beam), and small-scale proton (one gantry) facility. RESULTS: By 2040, the estimated number of eligible patients for particle therapy is projected to reach 161,000, including approximately 14,000 pediatric cases. The demand for particle therapy facilities is projected to rise from 81 to 97 in 2020 to 121 to 146 by 2040. The capital expenditure is estimated to be only 3.7 times that of a standard photon linear accelerator over a 30-year period. Notably, the treatment cost can be reduced to USD 400 to 800 per fraction, substantially lower than that in high-income countries (USD 1000 to 3000 per fraction). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that, in the Indian scenario, all particle therapy models are cost-beneficial and feasible, with large-scale proton therapy being the most suitable. Despite challenges such as limited resources, space, a skilled workforce, referral systems, and patient affordability, it offers substantial benefits. These include the potential to treat many patients and convenient construction and operational costs. An iterative phased implementation strategy can effectively overcome these challenges, paving the way for the successful adoption of particle therapy in India. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In India, the number of eligible patients benefiting from high-precision particle therapy technology is projected to rise till 2040. Despite high upfront costs, our study finds the long-term feasibility of all particle therapy models, potentially offering a substantial reduction in treatment cost compared to high-income countries. Despite challenges, India can succeed with an iterative phased approach.

Determining the Willingness to Pay for Innovative Oncology Medicines in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVES: Early access to innovative oncology medicine is crucial to provide better treatment alternatives to patients with cancer. However, innovative oncology medicines often come at higher prices, thus limiting the government's ability for its universal coverage. Hence an alternative paying mechanism is needed. This study is intended to determine the willingness to pay (WTP) for innovative oncology medicines among Malaysians. METHODS: A cross-sectional contingent valuation study on 571 Malaysians was conducted to elicit respondents' WTP value via bidding game approach. A double-bounded dichotomous choice was used in 3 hypothetical scenarios: innovative diabetes medicine, innovative oncology medicine one-off (IOMO), and innovative oncology medicine insurance. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors affecting respondent's WTP, whereas the mean WTP value and the factors affecting amount to WTP was determined using a parametric 2-part model. RESULTS: This study received 95% response rate. The mean age of the respondents is 48 years (SD 17) with majority of the respondents female (60.3%) and from ethnic Malay (62%). About 343 (64.7%) of the respondents expressed WTP for IOMO. Those in higher income bracket were willing to pay more for the access of IOMO than the overall WTP mean value (P = .046, coefficient 351.57). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of Malaysian are willing to pay for IOMO at mean value of Malaysian Ringgit 279.10 (US dollar 66.77). Collaborative funding mechanisms and appropriate financial screening among the stakeholders could be introduced as methods to expedite the access of innovative oncology medicine among patients with cancer in Malaysia.

Racism, early psychosis, and institutional contact: A qualitative study of Indigenous experiences.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence of Indigenous and ethnic minority inequities in the incidence and outcomes of early psychosis. Racism has been implicated as having an important role. AIM: To use Indigenous experiences to develop a more detailed understanding of how racism operates to impact early psychosis outcomes. METHODS: Critical Race Theory informed the methodology used. Twenty-three Indigenous participants participated in four family focus group interviews and thirteen individual interviews, comprising of 9 Maori youth with early psychosis, 10 family members and 4 Maori mental health professionals. An analysis of the data was undertaken using deductive structural coding to identify descriptions of racism, followed by inductive descriptive and pattern coding. RESULTS: Participant experiences revealed how racism operates as a socio-cultural phenomenon that interacts with institutional policy and culture across systems pertaining to social responsiveness, risk discourse, and mental health service structures. This is described across three major themes: 1) selective responses based on racial stereotypes, 2) race related risk assessment bias and 3) institutional racism in the mental health workforce. The impacts of racism were reported as inaction in the face of social need, increased use of coercive practices and an under resourced Indigenous mental health workforce. CONCLUSION: The study illustrated the inter-related nature of interpersonal, institutional and structural racism with examples of interpersonal racism in the form of negative stereotypes interacting with organizational, socio-cultural and political priorities. These findings indicate that organizational cultures may differentially impact Indigenous and minority people and that social responsiveness, risk discourse and the distribution of workforce expenditure are important targets for anti-racism efforts.

Barriers to access and unmet needs to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders care in an Argentinean cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare but severe neuroimmunological condition associated with a significant financial burden. NMOSD is also associated with increased health care utilization, including neurology outpatient visits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use, long-term medication, among others. We aimed to evaluate real-world patient experiences in access to care and NMOSD burden in an Argentinean cohort. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered survey and was conducted in Argentina (2022). Patients with NMOSD were divided into three groups: private health insurance (PHI), social health insurance (SHI), and public health insurance (PHI, Ministry of Public Health). Differences in access and health care barriers were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred patients with NMOSD (74 women) with a mean age at diagnosis of 38.7 years were included. Their EDSS was 2.8 and they were followed for 5.2 years. Of them, 51%, 11%, and 13% were employed (full-time: 57.5%), currently unemployed and retired by NMOSD, respectively. 55% of them visited between 2-3 specialists before NMOSD diagnosis. Aquaporin-4-antibody and/or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody testing was requested in 91% (health insurance covered this partially in 15.3% and 32.9% of the time the test was entirely paid by patient/family). Patients with NMOSD receiving private medical care reported greater access to MRI, outpatient visits, and fewer issues to obtain NMOSD medications compared to those treated at public institutions. A longer mean time to MRI and neurology visit was found in the PHI group when compared with the other two subgroups. Regression analysis showed that private insurance (OR=3.84, p=0.01) was the only independent factor associated with appropriate access to NMOSD medications in Argentina. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that barriers to access and utilization of NMOSD care services in Argentina are common. NMOSD patients experienced problems to receive NMOSD medication properly, especially those from the public sector.

The actual status of drug prices and adjustment factors for drug price calculation: an analysis of ultra-orphan drug development in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Extremely high prices facilitate drug development for ultra-rare diseases (ultra-orphan drugs). However, various problems arise in terms of healthcare financing and fairness, and the status of ultra-orphan drug pricing remains ambiguous. In this study, we investigated ultra-orphan drug prices in Japan relative to that of other drugs. We examined the relationship between annual expected drug prices and expected sales, and the expected number of patients, for 393 drugs containing new active ingredients for therapeutic use that were listed on the National Health Insurance drug price list in Japan between April 16, 2010 and August 26, 2020. In addition, we compared prices, the drug price calculation method, and price calculation adjustment factors for ultra-orphan and other drugs. RESULTS: Drug prices tended to increase as the expected number of patients to whom the drug was administered decreased; however, this trend diminished when the expected number of patients was less than 1000. On the other hand, the expected sales tended to decrease as the number of expected patients decreased, and this tendency was reinforced when the expected number of patients was less than 1000. The cost accounting method tended to be used for the price calculation of ultra-orphan drugs, but there were no price differences based on the drug price calculation method. Regarding the price calculation adjustment factors, the premium for usefulness tended to be higher for ultra-orphan drugs. The premium for marketability was higher for non-orphan drugs but did not differ from that for orphan drugs, except for ultra-orphan drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The status of drug prices and expected sales differed beyond a threshold of 1000 expected patients, indicating that recovering the development cost for ultra-orphan drugs is difficult. In addition, the higher premium for usefulness for ultra-orphan drugs reflects the largely unmet need of the associated diseases. Scarcity among orphan drugs is not considered for marketability, highlighting the need for a new framework to promote the development of ultra-orphan drugs.

A methodology for identifying high-need, high-cost patient personas for international comparisons.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a methodological approach to compare two high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patient personas internationally. DATA SOURCES: Linked individual-level administrative data from the inpatient and outpatient sectors compiled by the International Collaborative on Costs, Outcomes, and Needs in Care (ICCONIC) across 11 countries: Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. STUDY DESIGN: We outline a methodological approach to identify HNHC patient types for international comparisons that reflect complex, priority populations defined by the National Academy of Medicine. We define two patient profiles using accessible patient-level datasets linked across different domains of care-hospital care, primary care, outpatient specialty care, post-acute rehabilitative care, long-term care, home-health care, and outpatient drugs. The personas include a frail older adult with a hip fracture with subsequent hip replacement and an older person with complex multimorbidity, including heart failure and diabetes. We demonstrate their comparability by examining the characteristics and clinical diagnoses captured across countries. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Data collected by ICCONIC partners. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Across 11 countries, the identification of HNHC patient personas was feasible to examine variations in healthcare utilization, spending, and patient outcomes. The ability of countries to examine linked, individual-level data varied, with the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany able to comprehensively examine care across all seven domains, whereas other countries such as England, Switzerland, and New Zealand were more limited. All countries were able to identify a hip fracture persona and a heart failure persona. Patient characteristics were reassuringly similar across countries. CONCLUSION: Although there are cross-country differences in the availability and structure of data sources, countries had the ability to effectively identify comparable HNHC personas for international study. This work serves as the methodological paper for six accompanying papers examining differences in spending, utilization, and outcomes for these personas across countries.

Children With Special Health Care Needs and Forgone Family Employment.

BACKGROUND: Family income is known to affect child health, but this relationship can be bidirectional. We sought to characterize this relationship by quantifying forgone family employment (FFE) due to a child's health condition in families of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) with updated figures. METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. CSHCN with previously employed caregivers were included (N = 14 050). FFE was defined as any family member having stopped work and/or reduced hours because of their child's health or health condition. Child, caregiver, and household characteristics were compared by FFE status. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between hours of medical care provide by a family member and FFE. US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports were used to estimate lost earnings from FFE. RESULTS: FFE occurred in 14.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.9%-16.1%) of previously employed families with CSHCN and was 40.9% (95% CI 27.1%-54.7%) for children with an intellectual disability. We observed disproportionately high FFE among CSHCN who were 0 to 5 years old and of Hispanic ethnicity. We found a strong association between FFE and increasing hours of family-provided medical care, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.72 (95% CI 1.25-2.36) for <1 hour per week (compared with 0 hours), an aOR of 5.96 (95% CI 4.30-8.27) for 1 to 4 hours per week, an aOR of 11.89 (95% CI 6.19-22.81) for 5 to 10 hours per week, and an aOR of 8.89 (95% CI 5.26-15.01) for >10 hours per week. Lost earnings for each household with FFE were estimated at ∼$18 000 per year. CONCLUSIONS: With our findings, we highlight the need to implement programs and policies that address forgone income experienced by families of CSHCN.