An analytic method for longitudinal mortality studies

Our knowledge of mortality risks comes largely from longitudinal (cohort) studies. The most commonly used analytic tool is the Cox proportional hazards model for survival analysis. An alternative approach is a simple cross-sectional analysis of person-years. The key to the method is logistic regression, where the outcome variable is lived/died in the given year and the explanatory variables are age, sex, and other potential risk factors. This approach can be used to model any dichotomous outcome and has several important advantages over the more traditional survival analysis. As an example, we compare the two methods using a large data base of patients with spinal cord injury.     

Making medical and disability benefit plans more manageable

Good managed care health systems require two criteria for success: They must offer a set of checks and balances, and employees need to be given incentive to act in the best interest of the organization by acting in their own best interests. The authors discuss six principles that they claim are likely to reduce the complexity of making routine coverage decisions, while achieving the above two criteria.     

The impact of horizontal mergers and acquisitions on cost and quality in health care

Mergers and acquisitions among HMOs, hospitals and other health care providers can be disconcerting to benefits staff and employees, but they can be successfully managed. They may offer an employer the opportunity to improve the quality of care provided and to do so at reduced costs.