Healthcare Roundup—The top ingredients for a community's well-being

Study: These are the ingredients for a community's well-being

Having a higher percentage of black residents, having more bicycle or public transportation commuters, being seen as a retirement destination and having better access to services like mammograms are among the top ingredients for higher well-being in a community.

A nationwide study looked at more than 300,000 adults and more than 75 attributes of the counties where they live. Published Wednesday in PLOS One, the study suggests promotion of diversity, as well as targeted investments in education, transportation and primary care could lead to more happiness and security among a community's residents. (PLOS One)

Teaching hospitals spent more on community benefit post-ACA

Major teaching hospitals spent 20% more on community benefit after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new analysis published in the journal Academic Medicine. 

In all, hospitals spend $18.3 billion on community benefit activities, up 20% from the $15.2 billion hospitals spent on community benefit in 2015. The analysis in the journal, a publication of the Association of American Medical Colleges, looked at AAMC-member teaching hospitals.

In states that chose to expand Medicaid, teaching hospitals increased their spending on subsidized health services and Medicaid shortfalls, the analysis found. Hospitals in nonexpansion states increased spending on community health improvement services such as community health education efforts and free screening programs. (Analysis)

Dignity Health brings on star power for mindfulness campaign

San Francisco, Calif.-based Dignity Health launched a new digital campaign promoting mindfulness for creating healthier and happier individuals with help from singer-songwriter Jewel.

The health system created a video series and online social media campaign based around a private performance by Jewel at Dignity Health in Las Vegas as well as a discussion with Rev. Tom Harshman, vice president of Mission Integration at Dignity Health, about the power of mindfulness. 

“While mindfulness has become somewhat of a buzz term recently, it’s something we’ve been practicing internally at Dignity Health for some time," said Mark Viden, vice president of brand marketing for Dignity Health. That includes a "Reflective Pause" program which encourages caregivers to set aside a few minutes every day to reflect, officials said. (Release)