Research Triangle Institute

RTI International researchers compared Medicaid population with total US population using CMS and CDC data RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a first-of-its-kind study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), health economists at nonprofit research institute RTI International found the drug overdose death rate was twice as high in Medicaid beneficiaries compared to the total U.S. population across all age groups. Specifically, the study revealed there were 54.6 overdose deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries per 100,000 versus 27.9 for the total U.S. population in 2020. Medicaid beneficiaries accounted for 25% of the population but 48% (44,277 of 91,799) of all overdose deaths nationwide. Moreover, from 2016 through 2020, overdose deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries increased by 54%, according to the study. "Our study reveals an urgent need to reduce overdose deaths among U.S. Medicaid beneficiaries," said lead author Tami L. Mark, Ph.D., M.B.A., Distinguished Fellow and director of Behavioral Health Financing and Quality Measurement at RTI. "More research is required to understand the underlying factors that put this population at higher risk and to identify effective interventions." Dr. Mark and co-author Benjamin Huber determined drug overdose deaths among the Medicaid population compared to the total US. population overall and by age and sex using Medicaid enrollment data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that was linked to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Death Index (NDI). "We were able to conduct this research because CMS and CDC linked Medicaid data to the National Death Index, which is not common practice," said Dr. Mark. "Researchers and policymakers need ongoing access to linked data to determine which subpopulations are most at risk and to evaluate the effect of policies to reduce drug overdoses." This is the first study to track overdose deaths among the Medicaid population and was supported by RTI through internal funding. Read the full study (via JAMA) Learn more about RTI's substance use research Learn more about RTI's behavioral health research Media Contact: Kerry Branon [email protected] +1 919 541 7300 SOURCE RTI International WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

RTI International congratulates Vietnam in eliminating trachoma – a painful disease impacting the lives of millions of people around the world RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RTI International, a nonprofit research institute and leading international development organization, is pleased to join Vietnam, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in celebrating the elimination of trachoma, a painful disease that can lead to blindness, as a public health problem in Vietnam. Globally, Vietnam is the 21st endemic country to achieve validation of elimination of this neglected tropical disease (NTD). More than 8.3 million people in Vietnam are now free from the risk of trachoma infection. The announcement came at the opening of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, being held in Manila, Philippines. "We applaud Vietnam for achieving this incredible goal, which has been over half a century in the making," said Tim J. Gabel , president and CEO at RTI International. "Solving this health problem is an important achievement in improving the human condition and we are proud to be among the partners that assisted in this effort." Trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, causes eyelids to scar and eyelashes to turn inwards eventually resulting in blindness if untreated. Surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness practices and environmental improvements (the SAFE strategy) is the WHO endorsed method for eliminating the disease as a public health problem, including the provision of treatment and care for those at risk for the disease. Trachoma control was first initiated in Vietnam in the 1950s; at that time, the prevalence of active trachoma in some communes was as high as 50-90%. In 1999, the Government of Vietnam established a national trachoma program and began mass treatment campaigns with donated azithromycin. USAID began partnering with Vietnam in 2011 to support their efforts to eliminate trachoma. In recent years, USAID's Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases | East program, through RTI and partner Fred Hollows Foundation, has supported the government to conduct surveys to monitor prevalence of the disease and ensure care has been provided to those impacted by the disease. These efforts and additional technical assistance have supported the Government of Vietnam to formally document their successes to WHO for validation of trachoma elimination as a public health problem. "This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of the Government of Vietnam to trachoma elimination," says Lisa Rotondo, program director for USAID's Act to End NTDs | East Program at RTI. "The task now will be for Vietnam to continue surveillance for resurgence and to provide care for those already impacted." Additional partners that have contributed to Vietnam's success include the International Trachoma Initiative, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tropical Data, and FHI 360, among others. Over the past 18 years, with support from USAID, RTI has partnered with governments and other countries, including Vietnam, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia and Nepal, to achieve trachoma elimination as a public health problem. Through the USAID Act | East Program, RTI will continue to support countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas in ending NTDs, such as trachoma. Learn more about RTI's work to control and eliminate NTDs around the globe  Media Contact: Kerry Branon 919-541-7300 [email protected] SOURCE RTI International WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

SEATTLE, Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle Children's has been named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2024-2025 Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to only 10 children's hospitals nationwide. The U.S. News & World Report has been ranking hospitals since 1990, and Seattle Children's is honored to be ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation for more than 30 years. The rankings help parents and caregivers, along with their physicians, in navigating the challenges of choosing the best possible care for children with serious illnesses or complex medical needs. Continue Reading U.S. News & World Report 2024-2025 Honor Roll Seattle Children's has been named by U.S. News as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in the Pacific region and has ranked in the top 10 nationally in pediatric specialties including Cancer, Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders, Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery and Pulmonology. "As the largest, independent nonprofit children's hospital in our region, we are committed to providing the highest-quality outcomes for the children and families we serve, and it's rewarding to see this acknowledged at a national level," said Seattle Children's CEO, Dr. Jeff Sperring. "Being recognized as one of the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation is a testament to the outstanding care our teams provide and our dedication to our mission of providing hope, care, and cures." U.S. News, together with RTI International, collected and analyzed data from 108 children's hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children's hospitals awarded a "Best" designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists. "For nearly two decades, U.S. News has published Best Children's Hospitals to empower the parents and caregivers of children with complex medical needs," said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. "Children's hospitals appearing on the U.S. News Honor Roll have a track record of delivering unparalleled specialized care." The full rankings for the 2024-2025 Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll, regional and specialty rankings can be found at USNews.com. MEDIA CONTACT Sabrina Register, Manager, Public Relations [email protected] About Seattle Children's Seattle Children's mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Together, Seattle Children's Hospital, Research Institute and Foundation deliver superior patient care, identify new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and raise funds to create better futures for patients. Ranked as one of the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children's serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children's hospital in the country. As one of the nation's top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children's Research Institute is internationally recognized for its work in neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious disease, injury prevention and much more. Seattle Children's Foundation, along with Seattle Children's Guild Association – the largest all volunteer fundraising network for any hospital in the country – works with our generous community to raise funds for lifesaving care and research. For more information, visit seattlechildrens.org or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C SOURCE Seattle Children’s WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED