Research Activities

February 2002, No. 258

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Contents

About Research Activities

Feature Story

Self-management programs found to improve health and reduce use of health care by people with chronic diseases

Pharmaceutical Research

Low-dose steroids are neither safe nor effective for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Concerns about hypoglycemia should not deter use of insulin in most patients with type 2 diabetes
Asthma patients with uncontrolled symptoms receive more antibiotics than those whose asthma is better controlled
Ethnic disparities exist in asthma medication prescribing even for children seen in private practices

Children's Health

Environmental exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of respiratory symptoms and disease in children
Consistent use of intensive care for extremely premature babies increases survival, but costs are high
Specialized training helps ER nurses better manage children at risk for suicide
Information technology can empower parents and children to take an active role in health care decisionmaking

Women's Health

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revises its earlier recommendations on mammography
Coordination mechanisms help hospitals improve delivery of multidisciplinary care for early-stage breast cancer patients
Researchers examine risk factors for premature separation of the placenta among U.S. black women
Over half of poor and unmarried Medicaid-insured women do not take steps to prevent unintended pregnancy

Health Care Costs and Financing

Medicare health plans that provide better access to care and customer service also provide better clinical care
Medicaid program expansions to cover otherwise uninsured poor children appear to be relatively inexpensive

HIV/AIDS Research

Researchers examine the benefits of potent antiretroviral therapy and treatment compliance among patients with HIV
Researchers compare three regimens of highly active antiretroviral therapy for treating HIV patients

Health Care Delivery

Frail elderly people are more likely than home care professionals to rate home health care as sufficient
Misunderstandings and miscommunication are hallmarks of a problematic doctor-patient relationship
Posttraumatic stress disorder affects nearly a third of trauma patients and hampers their recovery

Dental Research

Dental diagnostic and preventive care procedures have increased since 1987

Consumer Health Information

Researchers examine demand for and use of consumer health information

Agency News and Notes

AHRQ's FY 2003 budget proposal

Announcements

AHRQ and the VA announce a joint research priority for translating research into practice
AHRQ announces availability of 1999 NIS data

Research Briefs

Current as of February 2002
AHRQ Publication No. 02-0015

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Internet Citation:

Research Activities newsletter. February 2002, No. 258. AHRQ Publication No. 02-0015. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/feb02/